US08337875B2
A method for directing vessel growth toward a blood-deficient site in a mammal comprising implanting into the mammal an assembly of at glass fibers to form a vascular bridge with a first end of the vascular bridge in contact with the blood-deficient site and a second end of the vascular bridge remote from the blood-deficient site. Over time the bridge biodegrades and promotes vascularity in the direction of the bridge.
US08337874B2
Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.
US08337869B2
A herbal topical composition is used having complexed trace minerals capable of effectively reducing bone and joint inflammation by inhibiting inflammation pathways and in particular COX-2. The herbal composition having trace elements in a topical carrier reduces inflammation while avoiding the side effects associated with traditional drug therapy.
US08337866B2
The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila.
US08337857B2
The invention relates to building a chimeric polypeptide used for preventing or treating a Flaviviridae infection. The use of the inventive chimeric polypeptide for producing recombinant viral vectors such as a measles living viral vector is also disclosed.
US08337854B2
The present invention relates to a variant of a parent polypeptide comprising an Fc region, which variant binds an Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) with lower affinity than the parent polypeptide and comprises a deletion of at least one amino acid in about position 100 to about position 150 in the Fc region and related nucleic acids, vectors, host cells and methods of producing the variant and methods for preventing or treating a disorder in a mammal.
US08337853B2
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize dengue type 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 virus. The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining dengue virus-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining dengue virus-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08337845B2
The invention relates to biparatopic A-beta binding polypeptides and, more specifically, to biparatopic A-beta binding polypeptides comprising at least two immunoglobulin single variable domains binding to different epitopes of A-beta. The invention also relates to specific sequences of such polypeptides, methods of their production, and methods of using them, including methods of treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease.
US08337841B2
The present invention relates to methods of screening for commonly shared light chains, in which the method comprises the steps of (a) generating a host secreting the heavy chain of an antibody that binds to a desired antigen; (b) introducing an antibody light chain library into the host of step (a) to generate libraries presenting antibodies composed of the heavy chain and the light chains; (c) selecting a library presenting antibodies that bind specifically to the desired antigen of step (a); (d) introducing the library selected in step (c) into a host secreting the heavy chain of an antibody that binds to a desired antigen different from the antigen of step (a) to generate libraries that display antibodies composed of the heavy chains and light chains; and (e) selecting a library that displays antibodies that bind specifically to the desired antigen of step (d).
US08337839B2
The present invention provides methods for treating one or more diseases or disorders which are improved, inhibited or ameliorated by reducing interleukin-4 (IL-4) activity. The methods of the invention comprise administering to a patient an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically binds to a human IL-4 receptor.
US08337835B2
Compositions comprising the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα)-ligand 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (16:0/18:1-GPC) are disclosed. These compositions may be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of PPARα-related liver disorders including, but not necessarily limited to, fatty liver disease, to lower lipid and triglyceride levels, and to increase high density lipoprotein levels in animals. Foods modified with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine (16:0/18:1GPC) may be used to improve the metabolism of animals.
US08337834B2
Cells present in processed lipoaspirate tissue are used to treat patients. Methods of treating patients include processing adipose tissue to deliver a concentrated amount of stem cells obtained from the adipose tissue to a patient. The methods may be practiced in a closed system so that the stem cells are not exposed to an external environment prior to being administered to a patient. Compositions that are administered to a patient include a mixture of adipose tissue and stem cells so that the composition has a higher concentration of stem cells than when the adipose tissue was removed from the patient.
US08337828B2
It is described the use of thymosin alpha 1 in combination with long pentraxin PTX3 or Ganciclovir, for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of viral diseases and/or for inhibiting virus activation.
US08337811B1
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and a bioactive agent for oral delivery. The chitosan-based nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability for oral drug delivery.
US08337800B2
A process for producing a filmy graphite includes the steps of forming a polyimide film having a birefringence of 0.12 or more and heat-treating the polyimide film at 2,400° C. or higher.
US08337798B2
A crystal producing apparatus includes a crystal forming unit and a crystal growing unit. The crystal forming unit forms a first gallium nitride (GaN) crystal by supplying nitride gas into melt mixture containing metal sodium (Na) and metal gallium (Ga). The first GaN crystal is sliced and polished to form GaN wafers. The crystal growing unit grows a second GaN crystal on a substrate formed by using a GaN wafer, by the hydride vapor phase epitaxy method, thus producing a bulked GaN crystal.
US08337778B2
A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques.
US08337776B1
A system and method to safely dispose of hazardous liquid waste includes a glove box for conducting a test with a hazardous liquid material therein, the glove box having a drainage line connected to a waste tank for directing the hazardous liquid waste from the glove box to the waste tank. A waste disposal line and an air vent line are connected between the waste tank and a waste container. Double-valved connectors are positioned in the waste disposal line and in the air vent line allowing the liquid waste and air to flow between the waste tank and a waste container when the double-valved connectors are coupled together. When the double-valved connectors are uncoupled, both the waste tank and the waste container are completely sealed to the surrounding environment.
US08337769B2
A method for heating materials by application of radio frequency (“RF”) energy is disclosed. For example, the disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for RF heating of petroleum ore, such as bitumen, oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, or heavy oil. Petroleum ore is mixed with a substance comprising mini-dipole susceptors such as carbon strands. A source is provided which applies RF energy to the mixture of a power and frequency sufficient to heat the mini-dipole susceptors. The RF energy is applied for a sufficient time to allow the mini-dipole susceptors to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212° F. (100° C.). Optionally, the mini-dipole susceptors can be removed after the desired average temperature has been achieved. The susceptors may provide advantages for the RF heating of hydrocarbons, such as higher temperatures (sufficient for distillation or pyrolysis), anhydrous processing, and greater speed or efficiency.
US08337761B2
A particulate filtration device includes a filter with a feed inlet side for a feed gas and an filtrate outlet for a filtrate, feed gas channels and filtrate channels, and one or more diaphragms between the feed inlet side and the filtrate outlet. Opposite to the feed inlet side a particulate outlet is arranged with a collector compartment attached to the particulate outlet for collecting particulates retained in the feed gas channels.
US08337744B2
A method and apparatus for maintaining constant compaction pressure in a vertically oriented resin transfer molding apparatus.
US08337732B2
In order to significantly improve power generation efficiencies for the fuel cells, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a surface with an array of a plurality of fine convex portion with a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0, said method comprising the steps of (A) to (E), (A) preparing a mold comprising a surface with an array of a plurality of fine concave portions, wherein, each of said fine concave portions comprises a bottom and a side wall, each of said bottoms and said side walls are hydrophilic, each of side walls is smooth, each of said concave portions has a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0, (B) supplying a hydrophilic polymer electrolyte solution to the surface, (C) solidifying said hydrophilic polymer electrolyte solution to form a polymer electrolyte membrane, (D) immersing said polymer electrolyte membrane into a hydrophilic liquid, and (E) peeling off said polymer electrolyte membrane from the mold in said hydrophilic liquid to form said polymer electrolyte membrane comprising said surface with said array of a plurality of fine convex portion with a depth of not less than 3 μm and not more than 12 μm and an aspect ratio of not less than 0.4 and not more than 2.0.
US08337698B2
The present invention relates to a spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane element comprising at least one set of the water purification membrane module comprising a laminated mesh-like treated water flow guiding member, a reverse osmosis membrane and a mesh-like feed water flow guiding member wound around a central treated water pipe; the reverse osmosis membrane is folded at a folded side to form a feed water flow channel therein along its inner surface and closed and sealed at areas remote from the central treated water tube at two sides adjacent to the folded side; a treated water flow channel is formed between outer surfaces of adjacent reverse osmosis membranes and opened only at a treated water outlet which opens towards the central treated water tube and is closed and sealed at remaining three sides; the mesh-like treated water flow guiding member is disposed inside the feed water flow channel.
US08337691B2
A method of distinguishing a control solution from a sample in an electrochemical test sensor is performed. The method includes adding a control marker to the control solution. The control solution includes the control marker and analyte. The test sensor includes working and counter electrodes, and a reagent. A potential is applied to the test sensor to oxidize the control marker and the analyte. The resulting electrical current is measured. A potential is applied to the test sensor lower than the other potential in which the potential is sufficient to oxidize the analyte and not the control marker. The resulting electrical current is measured. Determining whether a control solution or a sample is present based on the measured electrical currents. To increase the measured current, a salt may be added to the control solution in an amount sufficient to increase the electrical current by at least 5% as compared to a control solution in the absence of a salt.
US08337689B2
Disclosed herein is a composition for plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment of magnesium alloy products, which contains a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution as a main component, the composition comprising, based on the weight of sodium hydroxide contained in the sodium hydroxide solution: 1-20 wt % of sodium fluoride (NaF); 1-15 wt % of trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4); 1-10 wt % of sodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7); 1-20 wt % of aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3); 1-20 wt % of sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6); 1-10 wt % of potassium hydroxide (KOH); 1-15 wt % of potassium acetate (C2H3O2K); and 1-10 wt % of rare earth metal powder. The disclosed composition can form a firm, dense and uniform oxide film on the surface of a magnesium alloy product.
US08337688B2
Disclosed are metal plating compositions for plating a metal on a substrate. The metal plating compositions include compounds which influence the leveling and throwing performance of the metal plating compositions. Also disclosed are methods of depositing metals on a substrate.
US08337687B2
A structured chromium solids particles layer with a network of cracks in which solids particles are embedded, wherein the crack density is 10-250 per mm, the particle size of the solids particles lies in the range of from 0.01-10 μm, the proportion of solids particles in the overall layer is 1-30 vol.-% and the chromium solids particles layer has a microstructure with depressions in the surface of the layer, wherein the proportion of the surface area accounted for by the depressions is 5-80%. A method for producing the structured chromium solids particles layer on a workpiece includes introducing the workpiece into an electrolyte containing a Cr(VI) compound and electrolytically depositing a chromium layer at a current density of 20-100 A/dm2 and a current yield of 12% or less and then reversing the current direction wherein the solid particles are embedded within the network of cracks.
US08337685B2
Low molecular weight serum components (less than 10,000 m.w.), in vaccinated animals and a human subject who has been exposed to a threat agent inadvertently, bound to purified O-polysaccharide (OPS, a polymer of formamido-mannose) and a candidate of a threat agent, such as Brucella suis 145 vaccine is disclosed. These components formed a loose reversible precipitin with OPS in a high-salt borate-buffered agarose gel and bound to the candidate vaccine as observed by capillary electrophoresis. By using modified capillary electrophoresis, the invention also discloses the presence of two larger serum components, one similar in size to that of serum albumin and one resembles that of mannan-binding lectin, that bound to the vaccine. An indirect method for identifying vaccination is the presence of antibodies against Brucella-OPS-antibodies. ELISA, capillary electrophoresis and animal challenge studies showed that as high as 30% of the control animals did not require vaccination. These animals could have been exposed to cross-reactive cross-protective antigens naturally.
US08337684B2
A method for operating an exhaust gas sensor, which has at least two electrodes, between which a pump current flows and between which a pump voltage occurs, said sensor being operated with a nominal operating temperature and a low temperature operation being intermittently provided at said sensor, wherein the temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is less with respect to the nominal operating temperature, and a device for carrying out the method are proposed. Provision is made according to the invention for the pump voltage to be acquired and for the low temperature operation to be influenced by the pump voltage.
US08337683B2
Disclosed is a microfluidic sensor complex structure comprising a lower plate, a middle plate and an upper plate. A reference electrode, a working electrode and an electrode connection are formed on the lower plate. The middle plate comprises a microfluidic channel passage therein. The upper plate is overlaid on the middle plate so as to induce a capillary phenomenon on the microfluidic channel passage formed on in the middle plate. The microfluidic sensor complex structure allows the motion of a sample to be driven only by a capillary phenomenon, without additional operation, and allows an immune response, washing, and electrochemical analysis in one round once a sample is introduced thereinto. Hence, it requires only a short time period for measurement, is convenient to handle, and shows sensitivity and selectivity. Also, it can be produced on a mass scale because it can be formed of typical organic polymers using a simple method. Based on analytical electrochemistry, the microfluidic sensor complex structure can be used as a small-size sensor that can be applied to practice sites.
US08337677B2
The installation and use of embedded sacrificial anodes to protect reinforced concrete may be improved. In one example a cavity [2] is formed in the concrete [3] and a puttylike backfill [4] is placed in the cavity and a compact discrete anode comprising a sacrificial metal element [1] is inserted into the backfill and a space is provided into which the backfill may move when subjected to a pressure arising from the formation of voluminous sacrificial meal corrosion products and a high current is passed from the anode to the steel in the concrete to arrest steel corrosion and activate the anode in the backfill. The space may be provided by venting the backfill to space outside the cavity through an opening [5] or by including a void space within the backfill [6] or a void space within the cavity [7].
US08337676B2
A high performance TMR sensor is fabricated by incorporating a tunnel barrier having a Mg/MgO/Mg configuration. The 4 to 14 Angstroms thick lower Mg layer and 2 to 8 Angstroms thick upper Mg layer are deposited by a DC sputtering method while the MgO layer is formed by a NOX process involving oxygen pressure from 0.1 mTorr to 1 Torr for 15 to 300 seconds. NOX time and pressure may be varied to achieve a MR ratio of at least 34% and a RA value of 2.1 ohm-um2. The NOX process provides a more uniform MgO layer than sputtering methods. The second Mg layer is employed to prevent oxidation of an adjacent ferromagnetic layer. In a bottom spin valve configuration, a Ta/Ru seed layer, IrMn AFM layer, CoFe/Ru/CoFeB pinned layer, Mg/MgO/Mg barrier, CoFe/NiFe free layer, and a cap layer are sequentially formed on a bottom shield in a read head.
US08337672B2
The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapor-gas medium from the column by of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapor-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapor phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas. The device includes a line for supplying a distillate of petroleum distillation, a line for removing a distillate of petroleum refining, the steam generator and the additional separator. The invention makes it possible to reduce energy consumption, increase vacuum depth and to exclude the use of a water vapor delivered from an external source.
US08337671B2
Process for distillatively purifying polymerizable compounds using a high-boiling, inert, thermally long-term-stable substance as a boiling oil, characterized in that the boiling oil is disposed in the bottom of a rectification column.
US08337670B2
A felt (10) for papermaking according to the present invention has a batt fiber layer comprising batt fibers contained in and integrally combined with a high-polymer elastic material (50). The batt fiber layer contained in the high-polymer elastic material (50) includes hydrophilic 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The felt (10) for papermaking exhibits a hydrophilic capability as a felt structure from an initial phase of use. The felt has a sustained ability to be compressed and recovered for a long period of time and maintains water squeezing function, a wet paper web smoothing function, and a wet paper web feeding function until the end of the period in which the felt is used.
US08337668B2
A blade for doctoring a moving surface or for sizing or creping a fibrous material web produced or finished in a web machine, for example in a paper, board or tissue machine, includes at least one fiber optic waveguide arranged on a surface of the blade or embedded in the material of the blade. The at least one fiber optic waveguide includes a fiber core and a fiber cladding. The at least one fiber optic waveguide further includes at least one fiber Bragg grating.
US08337658B2
A method for manufacturing a structural component includes a first step of attaching at least one conductive member to a surface of a base material made of a composite material and a second step of forming the base material by conducting electricity to part or the whole of the conductive member to generate heat and/or making an assembly of the structural component by conducting electricity to part or the whole of the conductive member to generate heat. Part or the whole of the conductive member contained in the structural component produced in the first and second steps serves as a member giving to the aircraft at least one of a lightning strike protection function, an anti-icing and deicing function and an electromagnetic interference shielding function.
US08337657B1
A method of fabricating a plurality of electronic component packages includes coupling a tape to a panel. Electronic components are coupled to the tape and encapsulated to form a molded wafer. The molded wafer is mechanically separated from the panel without heating by breaking a mechanical separation adhesive of the tape. By mechanically separating the molded wafer from the panel without heating, warpage of the molded wafer associated with heating is avoided.
US08337644B2
An aluminum alloy, comprising magnesium 4.5 to 6.5% by weight, silicon 1.0 to 3.0% by weight, manganese 0.3 to 1.0% by weight, chromium 0.02 to 0.3% by weight, titanium 0.02 to 0.2 % by weight, zirconium 0.02 to 0.2% by weight, one or more rare earth metals 0.0050 to 1.6% by weight, iron max. 0.2% by weight, and the remainder aluminum.
US08337641B2
Disclosed is a treatment solution for use in the formation of a black trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating film with uniformly stabilized black wash, luster and corrosive resistance irrespective of the type of the acidic, neutral or alkaline zinc plating bath employed or the presence or absence of nickel eutectoid. Also disclosed is a method of forming the black trivalent chromium chemical conversion coating film. The treatment solution comprises a trivalent chromium ion, a chelating agent capable of forming a water-soluble complex with the trivalent chromium, at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of a cobalt ion, a nickel ion and an iron ion, and formic acid or a salt thereof as a buffer for hydrogen ion concentration. The treatment solution can be used for forming a black hexavalent chromium-free chemical conversion coating film on zinc or a zinc alloy.
US08337634B2
A remover contains an alkaline component, a bivalent zinc ion, a ferric ion, a chelating agent, and a nitrate ion. By using this remover, an anodized film can be selectively removed from an aluminum or aluminum-alloy member.
US08337632B2
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a hair-cutting portion of an electric hair-cutting device includes a cleaning-liquid basin for receiving the hair-cutting portion of the electric hair-cutting device in a central area such that the hair-cutting portion is at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid. The electric hair-cutting device is cleaned by generating a cleaning-liquid flow revolving within the basin around the central area of the basin, the hair-cutting portion being at least partially immersed in the cleaning liquid. The liquid flow effectively entrains debris away from the hair-cutting portion.
US08337630B2
There is provided a method for cleaning the compressor of a gas turbine engine. The method comprises providing a fluid passage in the inlet case strut with a nozzle communicating with the fluid passage and the inlet gas path. The fluid passage has a fluid connector for connecting wash/rinse fluid under pressure to the fluid passage. The method further comprises motoring the gas turbine engine, and injecting, through the nozzle, the wash/rinse fluid into the inlet gas path to mix with an incoming flow of air and flow into compressor rotor blades of the compressor.
US08337626B2
A method of removal of beryllium contamination from an article is disclosed. The method typically involves dissolving polyisobutylene in a solvent such as hexane to form a tackifier solution, soaking the substrate in the tackifier to produce a preform, and then drying the preform to produce the cleaning medium. The cleaning media are typically used dry, without any liquid cleaning agent to rub the surface of the article and remove the beryllium contamination below a non-detect level. In some embodiments no detectible residue is transferred from the cleaning wipe to the article as a result of the cleaning process.
US08337623B2
Methods for operating a plasma processing chamber for a cleaning operation of an internal region of the plasma processing chamber are disclosed. The method is performed when a semiconductor wafer is not present in the plasma processing chamber. The plasma processing chamber has a bottom electrode assembly that includes an inner bottom electrode and an outer bottom electrode, and the inner bottom electrode and outer bottom electrode are electrically isolated by a dielectric ring. The method includes configuring the inner bottom electrode to be set at a floating potential and supplying a process gas into the plasma processing chamber. And, supplying RF power to the outer bottom electrode. The supplying of RF power to the outer bottom electrode is conducted while maintaining the inner bottom electrode at the floating potential and is isolated by the dielectric ring. The RF power produces a plasma that is generated substantially outside of the inner bottom electrode and over the outer bottom electrode. The inner bottom electrode defines a region for holding the semiconductor wafer.
US08337622B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus includes a chamber in which a wafer is loaded; a first gas supply unit for supplying a process gas into the chamber; a gas exhaust unit for exhausting a gas from the chamber; a wafer support member on which the wafer is placed; a ring on which the wafer support member is placed; a rotation drive control unit connected to the ring to rotate the wafer; a heater disposed in the ring and comprising a heater element for heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature and including an SiC layer on at least a surface, and a heater electrode portion molded integrally with a heater element and including an SiC layer on at least a surface; and a second gas supply unit for supplying an SiC source gas into the ring.
US08337620B2
An apparatus for processing coating material includes a crucible having a receptacle for receiving coating material, a drive member having a drive shaft, a cover coupled to the drive shaft, and a monitor system including a light source and a camera module. The cover includes a flat surface, a slot defined in the flat surface, a first through hole and a second through hole respectively communicating with opposite ends of the slot. The drive shaft drives the cover to rotate between a closed position where the cover covers the receptacle, and the flat surface presses and flattens the coating material, and an open position where the cover is moved away from the receptacle. The light source is for emitting light through the first through hole to illuminate the coating material. The camera module is for capturing images of the illuminated coating material through the second through hole.
US08337619B2
A method of treating a metal surface of a portion of a substrate processing system to lower a defect concentration near a processed surface of a substrate includes forming a protective coating on the metal surface, wherein the protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a fluoropolymer. Forming the protective coating on the metal surface can further include forming a nickel layer on the metal surface, impregnating the nickel layer with a fluoropolymer, and removing fluoropolymer from the surface leaving a predominantly nickel surface so the fluoropolymer is predominantly subsurface. A substrate processing system includes a process chamber into which a reactant gas is introduced, a pumping system for removing material from the process chamber, a first component with a protective coating, wherein the protective coating forms a surface of the component which is exposed to an interior of the substrate processing chamber or an interior of the pumping system. The protective coating includes nickel (Ni) and a flouropolymer.
US08337618B2
A silicon crystallization system includes a vibration device for vibrating a linear laser beam along a longer-axis direction of the linear laser beam. A vibration frequency at which the laser beam is vibrated is periodically generated and randomly changes within a predetermined range.
US08337617B2
A method for manufacturing a group III nitride crystal on a seed crystal in a holding vessel holding therein a melt containing a group III metal, an alkali metal and nitrogen. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of causing the seed crystal to make a contact with the melt, setting an environment of the seed crystal to a first state offset from a crystal growth condition while in a state in which said seed crystal is in contact with the melt, increasing a nitrogen concentration in the melt, and setting the environment of the seed crystal to a second state suitable for crystal growth when the nitrogen concentration of the melt has reached a concentration suitable for growing the seed crystal.
US08337612B2
Disclosed are a system, a method and/or composition of environment friendly composite construction material. In one aspect, a method includes providing a mixture of a pozzolanic material and/or a kaolin clay with an activator solution to form an alumino-silicate cementitious material through a resulting geo-polymerization process. The alumino-silicate cementitious material is in the form of a paste. The method also includes processing the alumino-silicate cementitious material to transform the alumino-silicate cementitious material that is in the form of the paste to a form of a powder of the alumino-silicate cementitious material. The method further includes mixing the alumino-silicate cementitious material which is in the form of the powder with water to control a workability of the alumino-silicate cementitious material. Furthermore the method includes combining a mixture of the alumino-silicate cementitious material and water with a coarse aggregate, a fine aggregate and/or a plasticizer to form a composite construction material.
US08337606B2
Described is a new a solution comprising a phosphorous compound and a solderability-enhancing compound and its use in a process for increasing the solderability and corrosion resistance of a metal or metal alloy surface.
US08337603B2
Provided herein is a conditioning apparatus that includes a geometrical configuration having an inlet flow deceleration conduit and a cyclonic tube to effectuate both liquid-gas separation and droplet coalescence. The apparatus is typically positioned at the inlet of a separator vessel used for removing water and gas from extracted crude oil containing entrained water and gas. The apparatus promotes droplet coalescence and gas separation for mixed fluids flowing into an existing water and oil separation device.
US08337600B2
An electrostatic precipitator for removing solid and liquid components from an aerosol includes a precipitator housing having a raw gas inlet for an aerosol to be cleaned, a clean gas outlet for cleaned aerosol, and at least one aerosol supply channel flange-mounted to the raw gas inlet, a drain device for solid and liquid components that are separated from the aerosol, an ionization stage externally powered via a high-voltage bushing and including at least one metallic high-voltage rod that extends into a flow path of the aerosol and to which high voltage is applyable, and a collector stage disposed in the flow path downstream of the ionization stage.
US08337594B2
The present invention describes the use of isostructural zeolites with rho zeolitic structure in processes of adsorption and separation of the various components of natural gas.
US08337580B2
The present invention is a device that rapidly and effectively separates and collects debris from airflow between a debris source and a vacuum source. The device comprises a first chamber situated above and adjoining a second chamber. The first chamber functions to separate and remove the debris and the second chamber functions to collect the debris. The first chamber is circular in cross-section and comprises an upper portion and a downward and outward sloping sidewall. The upper portion has an output port connected by a first conduit to the vacuum source and the sidewall has an input port connected by a second conduit to the debris source. Air and debris are drawn into the first chamber through the input port by suction created at the output port. The debris is centrifugally forced to the sidewall whereby it is then centripetally forced downward into the second chamber through a peripheral opening between the sidewall and a barrier, while cleaned air is evacuated through the output port.
US08337577B1
A method for capturing and separating solids, liquids, and gases, such as during air drilling of a well, can include using a cylindrical vessel with an inlet to receive an input. A target plate can be used to impact the input, remove solid and liquid therefrom, and direct flow from the inlet, forming a vortex. A first chevron baffle, second chevron baffle, and demister baffle can further remove solid and liquid from the input, forming a cleaned gas. The cleaned gas can be burned, the solid can be dried, and the liquid can be recycled for reuse in drilling operations.
US08337565B2
A method of optimizing the geometry of a femoral stem of hip joint prosthesis is disclosed. The femoral stem comprises a neck and an anchoring blade that is attached to the neck and that tapers towards a distal end with a lateral narrow side comprising a distal straight portion and a proximal arcuate portion corresponding to a curve. The transition between the distal straight portion and the proximal arcuate portion occurs at an outer lateral point. The method comprises a means of optimizing the profile of the curve of said proximal arcuate portion by a process of iterative modeling steps using a series of curves each defined by a path traced by the outer lateral point on withdrawal of a profile of the stem from a cavity of complementary shape to the stem.
US08337559B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US08337553B2
The invention is directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, wherein the refractive structures are characterized by a change in refractive index, exhibit little or no scattering loss, and exhibit no significant differences in the Raman spectrum with respect to the non-irradiated optical, polymeric material.
US08337552B2
An intraocular lens adapted for deployment within a lens capsule. At least part of a lens surface of the intraocular lens constitutes a cell inducing region in which are directly formed a multitude of microgrooves. The microgrooves take a form of minute linear grooves and lands of depth dimension between 0.01 and 1.0 μm and width dimension between 0.1 and 2.0 μm extending with prescribed length in a circumferential direction on the lens surface. The minute linear grooves and lands are formed with a chained pattern connected in the circumferential direction of the lens surface and with a periodic pattern arrayed periodically in a diametrical direction so that the minute linear grooves and lands are formed without intervening spaces throughout the entire cell inducing region and impart visible light transmittance of 60% or above to the cell inducing region.
US08337550B2
One example scleral prosthesis includes a first free end and a second free end, each wider than a middle portion of the scleral prosthesis. Multiple first portions form the first end of the scleral prosthesis. The first portions are separated along at least half of a length of the scleral prosthesis. Multiple second portions may form the second end of the scleral prosthesis, and the second portions may be separated along less than a quarter of the length of the scleral prosthesis. An implantation device can be used to facilitate implantation of a scleral prosthesis. The implantation device includes a first end portion configured to be inserted into a scleral tunnel of an eye. The implantation device also includes a second end portion configured to receive the scleral prosthesis. A rod with a tapered and rounded end can be partially inserted into the first end portion of the implantation device.
US08337549B2
To prevent intimal hyperplasia within a dialysis graft, a flexible tube comprising the dialysis graft is coated interiorly with an anticarcinogen or mitosis-inhibiting agent for preventing cell division. The graft can also be irradiated by directing light into the lumen of the tube that has been grafted to the patient's blood vessel. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a chemical light source, i.e., a chemiluminescent substance for producing cool light energy at the site of the graft in sufficient amount to prevent undesired cell proliferation within the vessels, within the graft, or surrounding tissue where the invention is used without detectable damage to body tissue. Visible light can be used, e.g., visible blue or red light or the combination can be produced by an incandescent lamp or other suitable lamp, an LED, a laser or chemical light source with wavelengths predominantly between about 300 nm to about 800 nm.
US08337548B2
An implant comprising a body (1), at least one active pharmaceutical substance (4) and an element (5, 15, 35, 45, 55) deflectable in relation to the body, serving to release the at least one active pharmaceutical substance (4) during or after an external excitation of the deflection. Also disclosed is a system of such an implant and an excitation device (30, 70).
US08337537B2
Orthopaedic devices are disclosed. The devices include a part that is made of extracellular matrix material that has been hardened. One method of hardening the extracellular matrix is to comminute naturally occurring extracellular matrix and dry the comminuted material. The hardened extracellular matrix material can be machined to form a variety of orthopaedic devices.
US08337536B2
A dynamic bone anchor for anchoring a spine stabilization assembly which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor provides load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The dynamic bone anchor includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a threaded anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant ring. The force/deflection properties of the dynamic bone anchor may be adapted to the anatomy and functional requirements of the patient. The dynamic bone anchor may be used as a component of a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion.
US08337533B2
A system for contouring a locking plate includes a locking plate and at least one bender. The locking plate includes a plurality of threaded screw holes connected to one another by one or more ribs. The at least one bender includes a threaded tip configured to threadably engage one or more of the plurality of threaded screw holes and a shoulder operable to transmit mechanical force to the locking plate once the threaded tip is threadably engaged with one of the plurality of threaded screw holes.
US08337530B2
A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.
US08337526B2
The present invention relates to spinal support devices and, more specifically, to a flexible member having variable flexibility for use with a dynamic stabilization system or implant to provide dynamic stability to a person's spine. The flexible member generally includes a first material having a first portion including a first material having a first elasticity and a second portion including a second material having a second elasticity greater than the first to provide the flexible member with a variable flexibility.
US08337525B2
A fibrous tissue repair device includes first and second tubular anchors having corresponding longitudinal passages. The tissue repair device includes corresponding first and second inserters. Each inserter has a shaft with a distal portion received in the longitudinal passage of the corresponding tubular anchor. A flexible strand couples the first and second anchors.
US08337519B2
Embolic protection devices and methods of making and using the same. An embolic protection device may include a shaft or filter wire having a filter coupled thereto. The filter wire may include a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal and distal sections may be coupled with a connector.
US08337511B2
In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for securing an electrical stimulation lead in position in a person's brain. The apparatus includes a flexible disc comprising a substantially radial slot adapted to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The slot is adapted to elastically expand as the lead is inserted into the slot and is also adapted to elastically contract on the lead to secure the lead in position within the brain after implantation. The apparatus further includes a ring adapted to seat within a burr hole formed in the person's skull. The ring comprises a channel adapted to receive and secure the flexible disc.
US08337499B2
The present invention provides surgical drilling devices and methods. An exemplary surgical drilling device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing, a retractable guide tube assembly, and a flexible cable drill. The retractable guide tube assembly comprises an arcuate guide tube slidingly positioned in a first arcuate channel of the housing. The arcuate guide tube is operatively connected to an actuating rod slidingly positioned in a second channel of the housing wherein the actuating rod controllably advances and retracts the arcuate guide tube. The flexible cable drill comprises a first portion slidingly positioned in the arcuate guide tube and a second portion slidingly positioned in a third channel of the housing.
US08337492B2
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
US08337488B2
Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for delivering drugs using an implantable diaphragm based drug pump which can deliver precisely controlled doses of drug to selected target tissue sites in the brain, digestive system, blood stream heart or other selected site. Various embodiments of the pump include multi-chamber bellows or other diaphragm based pumps which can rapidly deliver drug to the selected target tissue site.
US08337487B2
This invention relates to biodurable, reticulated elastomeric matrices that are resiliently-compressible, their manufacture and uses including uses for implantable devices into or for topical treatment of patients, such as humans and other animals, for therapeutic, nutritional, or other useful purposes.
US08337486B2
Disclosed is a portable fluid dispensing device for infusing a fluid into the body of a user and/or for sensing an analyte within the body. The device includes at least one housing to retain a source of energy to energize the device, the source of energy comprising at least one electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy upon exposure of the cell to air, and a seal to prevent exposure of the at least one cell to air when the source of energy is not in use and to enable exposure of the at least one cell to air prior to energizing the device with the source of energy. The at least one housing includes an opening to provide access to the seal to enable actuation of the seal to control exposure of the at least one cell to air.
US08337485B2
The present invention relates to the regeneration, reconstruction, repair, augmentation or replacement of organs or tissue structures using scaffolds and autologous cells that are not derived from such organs or tissues.
US08337483B2
A vascular access device may include a body, housing, neck, and a septum with a substantially non-gaseous cross section. A method of operating a septum of a vascular access device may include providing a vascular access device in an external environment and actuating the septum without transferring a substantial amount of gas from within the device to the external environment of the device.
US08337454B2
Described here are paranasal sinus devices for treating paranasal sinus conditions. The devices include a cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion. One or more of the cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion may deliver an active agent for sustained release to treat the paranasal sinus condition. Exemplary paranasal sinus conditions are sinus inflammation due to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and rhinosinusitis.
US08337451B2
A flow control tip for a catheter comprises a partition dividing the catheter into first and second lumens, a first orifice fluidly connected to the first lumen and a second orifice fluidly connected to the second lumen, the first orifice being proximal to the second orifice, an elongate protrusion extending along a portion of the partition substantially along a centerline of the elongated body and a deflecting surface extending at an angle relative to the protrusion to direct flow from the first orifice away from the centerline.
US08337432B2
An apparatus treats patients suffering from vascular disease with infra-, audible- and ultrasound waves. The apparatus includes a treating head for emitting sound waves with frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 100 kHz and feeding introducing the sound waves through a coupling medium into a body portion to be treated, an electronics connected to the treating head for energizing the treating head to emit the sound waves, and a control panel connected to the electronics to choose the electronic waveform of the energizing.
US08337431B2
A device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD) or a programming device, determines when a patient is attempting to sleep. When the device determines that the patient is attempting to sleep, the device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep based on at least one physiological parameter of the patient. When the device determines that the patient is not attempting to sleep, the device periodically determines activity levels of the patient. Activity metric values may be determined based on the determined activity levels. A clinician may use sleep quality information and patient activity information presented by a programming device to, for example, evaluate the effectiveness of therapy delivered to the patient by the medical device.
US08337420B2
A body fluid sampling system is provided for use on a tissue site. A container has at least one guide chamber and a driver. A plurality of penetrating members are included. At least one sample receiving unit is configured to be coupled to the driver and advanced out of the guide chamber of the container and receiving body fluid at a receiving site. A penetrating member is integrated with the sample receiving unit to carry out a lancing movement towards a body part containing the body fluid.
US08337416B2
A mechanism for sequentially loading and unloading a biopsy instrument includes a first wheel operatively connected with a cannula, the first wheel being rotatably mounted upon an axle such that the axle urges rotation of the first wheel in a first direction to transfer the cannula and the first wheel to a loaded position, the first wheel being configured for selective rotation with respect to the axle in a second direction to transfer the cannula and the first wheel to an unloaded position. A second wheel is operatively connected with a stylet, the second wheel being configured to be rotated by the axle in the first direction when the first wheel is in the loaded position, the second wheel configured for rotation relative to the axle to transfer the stylet and second wheel from the loaded to unloaded position. The second wheel is operatively engaged with the first wheel to allow partial rotation of the second wheel in the second direction with respect to the first wheel and urging similar rotation of the first wheel in the second direction after at least some duration of relative rotation of the second wheel with respect to the second wheel.
US08337406B2
Adaptive persistence processing on elastic images in an ultrasound system is disclosed. An ultrasound data acquisition unit sequentially acquires a plurality of ultrasound data frames based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object by repeatedly applying and releasing stress to/from the target object. A processing unit calculates inter-frame displacements of the frames between the ultrasound data frames to form elastic images. The processing unit adaptively performs persistence processing on the elastic images in consideration of application or release of the stress to/from the target object.
US08337399B2
An endoscope apparatus, comprising an imaging controller, a receiver, and an image generator, is provided. The imaging controller makes an optical image to be captured so that the amount of optical information to be captured per a certain area size for an enlarged observation area is greater than that for a normal observation area. The receiver receives the optical information as a pixel signal. The image generator generates a normal image signal corresponding to a normal image on the basis of the pixel signals captured within the normal observation area and a part of the pixel signals captured within the enlarged observation area. The image generator generates an enlarged image signal corresponding to an enlarged image on the basis of the pixel signals captured within the enlarged observation area.
US08337391B2
A system for treating rectocele in a woman includes an implant comprising a support body from which there extends at least to upper suspension stabilizers each disposed on either side of a sagittal plane on a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes forming between them an angle greater than 45°, and two lower suspension stabilizers disposed on either side of the sagittal plane; and an introduction device for inserting the implant in the woman, the introduction device shaped analogous to that of the implant and comprising a hollow body defining a cavity configured to receive the support body of the implant, tubular straps extending from the hollow body with each defining a cavity for receiving one of the suspension stabilizers of the implant, traction means extending from an end of each of the tubular straps, and a cut initiator provided on the hollow body.
US08337388B2
A device for restricting a cross-sectional area of a cavity formed by a stomach wall includes a band defining a cylindrical wall and a plurality of retaining members formed within the wall. Each retaining member is movable between a retracted position substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the wall and an extended position extending radially outwardly from the wall to facilitate coupling the device to the stomach wall.
US08337385B1
A cabinet includes a base section, a middle section, and an upper section. The base section encloses a plurality of speakers, the middle section includes a relaxation chamber for a reclining human user, and the upper section houses light fixtures that emit light at preselected frequencies related to the sound frequencies emitted by the speakers. Stationary foot and head light fixtures illuminate a foot and a head end of the relaxation chamber, respectively. A movable middle light fixture reciprocates along the length of the relaxation chamber. Each light fixture has a hexagonal housing with mirrored interior surfaces and at least one crystal through which light passes. A color disc mounted below the movable middle light fixture has translucent colored discs mounted about its periphery, only one of which is illuminated per user.
US08337378B2
A continuous self-cleaning centrifuge assembly having a feed inlet for unclarified liquid and first and second outlets for clarified liquid. Solids are discharged out of a solids holding space in the centrifuge in response to comparison of a measured turbidity to a predetermined turbidity parameter of clarified liquid bled in a detection line in communication with the centrifuge at the second outlet. The turbidity is affected by the degree of build up of solids in the centrifuge. A method of optimizing the clarified liquid outflowing from the centrifuge includes the steps of controlling the flow rate of unclarified liquid into the centrifuge in response to the turbidity of the clarified liquid flowing out of the centrifuge and discharging solids out of a solids holding space in the centrifuge in response to the turbidity measurement.
US08337377B2
A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module in which the airbag is disposed on a support is provided. At least one piling element for folding the airbag is provided next to the exterior edge of the airbag disposed on the support. The airbag is folded together using the at least one piling element in that the piling element is moved along the support in the direction toward the interior of the airbag disposed on the support. A retainer protrudes from the at least one piling element and moving together with the piling element during the movement thereof and reaching over or under an edge area of the airbag. The at least one retainer acts on an edge area of the airbag in such a way that an undercut is formed in the airbag through the effect of the retainer.
US08337374B2
Method and apparatus for producing discrete filter rods includes a first conveyor for transporting filter segments of given length in a downstream direction. Three counter rotating transfer wheels receive the filter segments between spaced apart cleats on the circumference of the wheels. The first wheel receives the filter segments from the first conveyor and transfers the segments to the second wheel which in turn transfers the segments to the third wheel. Filter segments between the cleats on the third wheel are deposited upon a second conveyor with plug wrap thereon in precisely spaced apart relationship. Granular adsorbent material is filled into cavities between the filter segments, and a garniture folds the plug wrap around the filter segments and the filled cavities therebetween.
US08337373B2
There is provided a conductive elastic roller (1) comprising a shaft member (2) and one or more elastic layers (3) disposed on an outside of the shaft member (2) in a radial direction, wherein at least one of the elastic layers (3) is composed of an ultraviolet-curing type resin formed by curing a raw material for the elastic layer comprising a urethane acrylate oligomer (A), a photo-polymerization initiator (B) and a conductive agent (C) through ultraviolet irradiation, and the urethane acrylate oligomer (A) is a urethane acrylate oligomer synthesized by using as a polyol a polyether polyol (a1) having a proportion of primary hydroxyl groups in hydroxyl groups located at molecular ends of not less than 40% obtained by an addition polymerization of propylene oxide to a polyhydric alcohol alone, or the polyether polyol (a1) and another polyol (a2), and provides a conductive elastic roller (1) provided with an elastic layer having a low hardness, a small compression residual strain and an improved stain resistance to an adjoining member such as Organic Photoconductors or the like.
US08337367B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.
US08337366B2
A boxing or martial arts training and exercise device may include punching pads locationally displaced on a frame. Respective pads may be positioned in support on the frame for punching and kicking. Each pad can communicatively connect to one or more impact sensor. Each impact sensor can communicatively connect to a control unit. The control unit may be communicatively connected to a display. The impact sensor detects strikes to the pad. The impact sensor includes an accelerometer and a signal processor. The control unit includes an aggregator for receiving and logging strike metrics. The control unit directs sequences in the display according to a routine, and delivers indicators of strike metrics. The control unit includes a user interface for selection among sequences, as well as for selection of various menu items. A video of a human instructor or an animated avatar is viewable in a display.
US08337360B2
A shift control method of an automatic transmission may include: detecting a slope of a turbine speed in a case in which a shift is performed; quickly reducing an electric throttle opening by a jumping amount of an electric throttle opening according to the slope of a turbine speed; gradually reducing the electric throttle opening; and gradually increasing the electric throttle opening.
US08337343B2
A front derailleur of a bicycle comprises a retaining ring disposed on a bottom end of a seat post, the retaining ring including two coupling seats symmetrically fixed thereon to axially connect with a pushing mechanism comprised of a cable rack, a limiting stem, a connecting rod set, a guiding loop, an axial pillar, an assembling bracket, and a guide plate, the coupling seat including the connecting rod set having a first, a second, a third, and a fourth connecting rods, a shaft, and the guiding loop, wherein the coupling seat includes a first hole formed on a bottom end of a side thereof so that a first screw inserts through a first bore of the cable rack and a turning spring to screw with the first hole of the coupling seat, and includes two first tabs mounted on top ends thereof respectively to connected with the axial pillar axially.
US08337338B2
An athletic training device and a method for using same are shown, the device including an elastic cord; a grip, having a proximal end and a distal end, and having an axial bore therethrough; a connection member, disposed within the axial bore of the grip, said connection member protruding from the axial bore at the distal end of the grip and being adapted to connect the distal end of the grip to an end of the elastic cord, wherein said connection member further comprises a padded wrist strap, protruding from the axial bore at the proximate end of the grip and wherein the elastic cord is connected at its first end to the connection member of the grip, and the elastic cord is connected at its second end to an anchor, and wherein the elastic cord provides a resistance to force applied by a user in an athletic training exercise.
US08337329B2
A golf club head maintains a low weight of a face part, keeps the resilience property of the face part in the rule conformity range, and prevents the resilience performance from decreasing even when a ball is hit by a face part deviating from the sweet spot. The golf club head has a sole, a crown, a toe, and a heel and comprises a face part formed of a metallic material. The face part comprising: an outer peripheral portion; a thick-walled portion having a wall thickness greater than that of the outer peripheral portion, the wall thickness of the thick-walled portion being greatest in a central portion of the face part and decreasing gradually from the central portion toward the outer peripheral portion, wherein the thick-walled portion is positioned over a region having a shape formed by depressing a circular or elliptical shape from two opposite sides thereof, the first depression on the toe side being directed orthogonal in the sole direction, and the second depression on the heel side being directed orthogonal in the crown direction; and at least two thin-walled portions having a wall thickness less than that of the outer peripheral portion, the thin-walled portions being positioned over a region surrounded by the two opposite sides of the circular or elliptical shape and the depressions.
US08337318B2
A take-off board system for a triple or long jump generally includes an elongated frame, an elongated take-off board, and a track material member. The frame includes inwardly-extending flanges defining a chamber therein. The take-off board includes a first portion slidably receivable in the chamber of the frame, and a second portion defining an outer take-off surface. The track material member is disposed on an outer surface of the frame. The take-off board system is disposable in a first position in a cavity in the ground with the outer take-off surface of the take-off board disposed even with a track surface, and the take-off board assembly is disposable in a second position in the cavity in the ground with an outer surface of the track material member disposed even with the track surface.
US08337315B2
A propeller shaft includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of fine grooves extending in a first direction (face width direction) is formed. The second spline shaft is coupled to the first spline shaft so as to be movable relative to the first spline shaft in the axial direction of the first spline shaft, and has a torque transmission face in which a plurality of second fine grooves extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction is formed.
US08337303B2
An electronic device and method of illuminating a display are provided. The electronic device includes a display device, an illumination device, a light sensor and a processor coupled to the illumination device and the light sensor. The processor receives a light value from the light sensor, determines a target illumination value based at least partly on the light value, and causes the illumination device to illuminate the display device at substantially the target illumination value. In one embodiment, the processor causes the illumination device to illuminate the display device at substantially the target illumination value by gradually increasing a current illumination value. In another embodiment, the processor causes the illumination device to illuminate the display device at substantially the target illumination value by gradually decreasing a current illumination value.
US08337295B2
A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.
US08337294B2
A method and system for generating and receiving a combination bet may include presenting a plurality of betting events in a display resembling a slot machine. In one embodiment, the user may place a total wager for a combination bet prior to knowing what the betting events are. Placing the bet may “spin” the reels to randomly generate a plurality of betting events, and success in the combination bet may require that each individual bet is a winner. In another embodiment, the user may be able to “spin” the reels prior to placing the bet. Betting events still may be randomly generated, but the user may have the ability to select the events on which to wager. Events may comprise in-live sporting events, and the user may have the ability to select various event features, such as the type of events displayed and the odds for each event, in order to customize the betting experience to the user's interests and risk tolerance.
US08337288B2
A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game is a reveal element game.
US08337282B2
The present invention provides a polishing pad which can improve qualities of an object to be polished by improving the flatness of the object. A polishing surface 1a of a polishing pad 1 is subjected to a mechanical process, such as buffing, so that the flatness of the surface is improved, and corrugations on the polishing surface have a cycle of 5 mm-200 mm and a largest amplitude of 40 μm or less. As a result, the flatness of the object polished by the polishing pad 1, such as a silicon wafer, is improved.
US08337279B2
A method and apparatus for conditioning a polishing pad is provided. The conditioning element is held by a conditioning arm rotatably mounted to a base at a pivot point. An actuator pivots the arm about the pivot point. The conditioning element is urged against the surface of the polishing pad, and translated with respect to the polishing pad to remove material from the polishing pad and roughen its surface. The interaction of the abrasive conditioning surface with the polishing pad surface generates a frictional force. The frictional force may be monitored by monitoring the torque applied to the pivot point, and material removal controlled thereby. The conditioning time, down force, translation rate, or rotation of the conditioning pad may be adjusted based on the measured torque.
US08337271B2
A reconfigurable toy including a body, a first leg coupled to the body, and a second leg coupled to the body is disclosed. The reconfigurable toy can be disposed in a first configuration in which the toy resembles a toy vehicle and in a second configuration in which the toy resembles a power-suit configuration.
US08337266B2
Improvements to electrically powered watercraft including kayaks are disclosed. The watercraft comprises a hull defining a cavity and a battery powered retractable propulsion unit. The retractable propulsion unit can be retracted into the cavity with powered or unpowered means. Various retractable propulsion units are disclosed, including propulsion units that are steerable wherein the thrust can be selectively directed. Specific embodiments to improve the steerability of electrically powered watercraft are disclosed. Mechanisms for disengaging the steering controls from the retractable propulsion units are also disclosed. Locking mechanisms for locking the retractable propulsion unit in an extended or fully retracted position are also disclosed.
US08337264B2
An outboard drive for a boat, having an electric motor, a power supply line and a contact-making apparatus, connected to the power supply line for connecting a DC voltage source. The outboard drive has a space for accommodating the DC voltage source. The contact-making apparatus has a first and a second contact stage, and a current limitation element is connected between the DC voltage source and the power supply line in the first contact stage.
US08337255B2
A connector has a housing (10) connectable with a mating housing (40) and projections (21) formed at ends of outer surfaces of the housing (10) with respect to a width direction orthogonal to a connecting direction. A connecting operation of the two housings (10, 40) progresses when the projections (21) are fit into recesses (46) formed in the mating housing (40) while being prevented when the projections (21) cannot fit into the recesses (46). Surfaces of the projections (21) facing a widthwise center of the housing (10) are inclined surfaces (24) inclined outwardly.
US08337252B2
A multi-memory media adapter to read a plurality of different types of memory media cards. Signals are mapped to the contact pins depending upon the type of memory media card. In one embodiment, a controller connected to an interconnection means maps at least one signal to the contact pins depending upon the type of memory card inserted.
US08337245B1
The present invention discloses an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a terminal seat made of plastics, terminals formed in a mold on the terminal seat, a first insulative housing covered around the terminal seat, a second insulative housing sealed in a back-end of the first insulative housing, and a metal shell formed in a mold on the first insulative housing. A front surface of the first insulative housing backwardly defines a receptacle hole. The metal shell comprises an upper shell having two receiving shells respectively punch-pressed on two sides of the upper shell and comprises a lower shell defining two slots respectively corresponding to the two receiving shells. The upper shell and the lower shell are board-like and are welded together, and the slots are interconnected to the receptacle hole. The electrical connector of the present invention has a good waterproof function and a smaller metal shell.
US08337239B2
An adaptor is shaped for allowing use of a micro SIM card in a mini SIM card implemented device. An adaptor body is shaped like a micro SIM card and may include a cutout region for receiving a micro SIM card therein.
US08337234B2
A locking connector includes: a first head part; a plate-like base covering a plate surface of the first head part, a supporting part one end of which is supported by the base; first and second resilient parts positioned along the plate surface of the base from the supporting part, the first and second resilient part being resiliently deformable in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a direction C from the base end of the first head part to the fore-end of the first head part; first and second arm base end parts extending from end of the first and second resilient parts, respectively; first and second arm parts extending from the first and second arm base end parts, respectively, in the direction C; and first and second latching parts which are protrusions provided on the first and second arm parts, respectively.
US08337231B2
An independent loading mechanism (ILM) for an electrical connector comprises a stiffener, a load plate and a lever pivotally mounted to two opposite sides of the stiffener. The lever stamped and bent from a metal sheet is configured with a depressing portion having a cam tab bent from one side thereof, a pair of rollers mounted onto the depressing portion, an operating portion interconnected to the depressing portion. The cam tab can press the load plate toward the stiffener. The rollers located at two sides of the cam tab can engage with the stiffener to reduce rotational friction between the stiffener and the lever when rotating the operating portion from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction.
US08337219B2
A grounding strip is described configured to be installed along an edge portion of a substrate for establishing electrical grounding contact between the substrates and a card guide. The grounding strip includes integral grounding members. Each grounding member includes opposing sidewall portions defining a channel configured to receive the edge portion of the substrate therein. The sidewall portions of each grounding member are configured to engage the substrate when the edge portion of the substrate is received in the channel to help retain the edge portion of the substrate in the channel. Each grounding member also includes a contact element disposed generally over the channel. The contact element is integrally formed with at least one of the opposing sidewall portions of the grounding member and is configured to establish electrical contact with the card guide when the grounding strip is installed to the substrate and located in the card guide.
US08337214B2
Electrical connectors for attachment to electrical contacts of light emitting devices as well as light emitting device packages and lamp assemblies that use such connectors are provided. Further, methods for assembling light emitting device packages that use such connectors are provided. The electrical connector, for example, can have a plug housing with an electrically conductive socket engaging connection for engaging a socket. The electrical connector can also have an electrically conductive member extending from the plug housing and connected to the socket engaging connection. The electrically conductive member can have an end distal from the plug housing that forms a contact base configured to attach to an electrical contact on a light emitting device.
US08337201B1
A self-positioning dental light filtering device is disclosed. The filtering device includes a transparent filter member for blocking optically harmful light emitted from a tip of a dental curing device, and a rotational bearing having an inner component defining an opening for receiving the tip. A retaining device holds the tip substantially centered inside the rotational bearing and substantially rotationally stationary relative to the inner component of the rotational bearing. A counterweight below the rotational bearing causes the filter member to remain in an upright position above the tip when the tip of the curing device and/or curing device itself is rotated.
US08337200B2
A hand-held apparatus for curing resins includes a housing, a heat sink, a light-emitting unit, a power supply unit and a light transmission unit. The heat sink is installed in the housing. The light-emitting unit is installed on the heat sink. The light-emitting unit has at least one first light-emitting element for generating first wavelength light to cure the resins, at least one second light-emitting element for generating second wavelength light to generate white light, and at least one light-reflecting element surrounding the at least one first light-emitting element and the at least one second light-emitting element for reflecting the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light. The power supply unit provides power for the light-emitting unit. The light transmission unit is coupled to the housing for transmitting the first wavelength light and the second wavelength light to the resins.
US08337197B2
A gas burner apparatus for discharging a mixture of fuel gas, air and flue gas into a furnace space of a furnace wherein the mixture is burned and flue gas having a low content of nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide is formed is provided. The burner tile includes at least one gas circulation port extending though the wall of the tile. The interior surface of the wall of the tile includes a Coanda surface. Fuel gas and/or flue gas conducted through the gas circulation port follows the path of the Coanda surface which allows more flue gas to be introduced into the stream. The exterior surface of the wall of the tile also includes a Coanda surface for facilitating the creation of a staged combustion zone. Also provided are improved burner tiles, improved gas tips and methods of burning a mixture of air, fuel gas and flue gas in a furnace space.
US08337196B2
A locking device, releasably securing a tie bar to a platen, includes a housing with a bearing surface affixed to the platen coaxial with the tie bar, and a rotatable lock nut received in the housing and comprising: an inner bore with radial elements engaging the tie bar to transfer an axial clamp load to the lock nut, the elements defining an engagement portion along a lock nut first axial extent; an outer surface with at least a first step face abutting the bearing surface to transfer the axial damp load to the platen, the step face having a first radially outer extent; and a narrowing section having a second axial extent from a first position having a first diameter proximate the step face to a second position having a second lesser diameter spaced axially towards a second platen, the first diameter being less than the first radially outer extent.
US08337194B2
Air cartridge devices and methods of using the air cartridge devices are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an air cartridge device comprising an elongated cylindrical shaft defining a first elongated end portion and a second elongated end portion. The second elongated end portion can defining one or more apertures. The air cartridge device can be incorporated into a blow molding apparatus for blow molding bottles.
US08337193B2
The apparatus for unscrambling and aligning preforms comprises two substantially parallel alignment rollers (121) and rotary pushing means (122) mounted above the said alignment rollers for pushing back incorrectly oriented preforms or nested preforms, and is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics (i) or (ii): (i) it comprises stopping means (30, 31) mounted above the alignment rollers (121) for stopping correctly oriented nested preforms (P2/P3) or an incorrectly oriented preform or incorrectly oriented nested preforms (P4/P5) underneath the rotary pushing means (122) until the rotary pushing means push back the stopped preform(s), said stopping means (30, 31) being adapted for letting a correctly oriented preform slide onto the alignment rollers, (ii) it comprises guiding means (34) for lifting an incorrectly oriented preform or incorrectly oriented nested preforms (P4/P5) into contact with the rotary pushing means (122) said guiding means (34) being adapted for letting a correctly oriented preform slide onto the alignment rollers.
US08337189B2
The invention relates to a device for producing pellets from plastic material or from material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a continuous casting device (1) from which at least one strand (2) of the material to be pelletized is issued, and a belt conveyor (3) comprising at least one conveying belt (4) on which the strand (2) can be fed to a pelletizer (5), said pelletizer breaking the strand up into pellets (6). The invention is characterized in that the belt conveyor (3) has a switchable direction of conveyance of the conveying belt (4), a direction of feed conveyance towards the pelletizer (5) and a direction of discharge conveyance away from the pelletizer (5). The invention also relates to a method for operating said device.
US08337186B2
An example molding method includes: feeding a molten foamable resin by injection in a cavity formed in a molding die; allowing the molten foamable resin to flow in the cavity; and foaming and solidifying the molten foamable resin to mold a resin foam product. The example molding method performs flow rate control by controlling a flow rate of the molten foamable resin at a welding portion to be equal to or higher than a flow rate of the molten foamable resin at an upstream portion adjacent to the welding portion.
US08337183B2
A valve for selectively allowing the return of oil from a discharge plenum to a suction plenum includes a passage which is selectively opened or blocked by a valve spool. The valve spool sees a pressure from a discharge pressure location upstream of a discharge check valve on one face, and a discharge pressure from a discharge plenum on an opposed face. While the compressor is running, the two pressures should be relatively equal. The face which sees the pressure from the chamber upstream of the check valve is larger than the face which sees the pressure from the discharge plenum. Thus, when the compressor is running, the valve spool is biased to a first position at which it allows oil return from the discharge plenum to the suction plenum. However, upon shutdown of the compressor, the pressure in the chamber upstream of the discharge valve drops. The valve spool will be driven to a second position at which it blocks communication for oil return.
US08337178B2
The invention relates to a pump, particularly a high-pressure fuel pump, having a housing, a drive shaft that is rotationally driven and has at least one drive section, and at least one pump piston, which is guided in a cylinder bore of a housing part of the pump in a sealed manner and which is driven by the drive section of the drive shaft at least indirectly in a lifting motion. The at least one pump piston is acted on by a spring element at least indirectly toward the drive section of the drive shaft. The spring element is disposed on the side of the drive shaft opposite the pump piston, and via a coupling device extending past the drive shaft it engages at least indirectly on the pump piston.
US08337174B2
The pump unit according to the invention is formed by assembling a pump module (9) comprising a body having a cavity (10) forming a working chamber, a translationally mobile piston (15) engaging leaktightly in the cavity (10) via a seal (14), at least one channel (12, 13) formed in the body to connect the working chamber to a use circuit, a linear actuating module comprising an actuating member (3) that is translationally mobile coaxially with the piston (15), and a connecting and guiding module (18) for establishing a mechanical connection between the pump module (9) and the linear actuating module (2) and for precise guidance of the piston (15) coaxially with the seal.
US08337173B2
An electric oscillating drive with at least one oscillating system (1), which is driven in an oscillating manner by an actuator, especially a piezo actuator (2) or an oscillating armature magnet generating periodic force pulses with a small motion amplitude with adapted natural frequency in a preset plane (31). At least one oscillating arm (30′) performing oscillating motions has a resonant mass (55′) and with a balance arm (60′), which is in mechanical driving connection with a working member (7) of a working device, especially of a pump (3), which working member is to be driven in an oscillating manner. The oscillating arm (30, 30′) is fastened to two levers of unequal length, namely a control arm (32′) and a driving lever (33′). At least one of these two levers, especially the control arm (32′), is flexurally elastic at least in some sections.
US08337170B2
A system for raising water from an underground source of water to an aboveground tank includes a plurality of capillary tubes for raising water from the underground source to a first water level, a pipe for raising water from the first water level to an above ground tank, the aboveground tank is painted black to absorb the sun's rays and is tilted with an elevated proximal end so that water in the tank runs down to its distal end. A tap is provided in the distal end for drawing water out of the tank. The tank also includes two one way valves, one in an upper portion of the distal end for allowing heated air to escape and one in a lower portion of the distal end to allow water to be drawn up into the tank as heated air cools. A solar powered rechargeable battery can be used to power a positive displacement pump.
US08337169B2
A system has a compressor and a consumer which are coupled to a drivetrain and extract energy through the drivetrain. The consumer is suitable for varying an absorption of power, which is made available to it by the drivetrain, as a function of a power which is required for compressor operation and which is supplied from the drivetrain to the compressor. A pump has at least one pump chamber which generates a pumping power during pumping operation. The pump additionally has at least one pump chamber which generates no pumping power or a reduced pumping power during pumping operation.
US08337168B2
The present invention discloses a finer-type peristaltic infusion pump comprising a ribbed anvil. More specifically, a finger-type peristaltic pump, comprising a plurality of pressing-fingers, infusion-tube, and a passive interfacing mechanism is disclosed. The passive interfacing mechanism comprises of means for accommodating said flexible infusion tube and mounting the tube in a location suitable for the pressing-fingers to apply an approximated perpendicular force on said tube to squeeze it; a ribbed anvil rigidly supporting the tube on opposite side to the pressing fingers when it is pressed by said finger; said anvil comprising a plurality of ribs selected from one or more ribs of a group including a plurality of ribs oriented to face said fingers' tip, a plurality of ribs located in between said fingers, or any combination thereof.
US08337164B2
An object is to provide a turbomolecular pump with rotor and stator blades alternatively arranged that can prevent collision between the adjacent rotor and stator blades due to air inrush, which may take place due to vacuum break in a system operation, prevent excessive centrifugal force to a hub portion of a rotor, and further enhance pumping performance. A blade cross sectional profile taken along the circumferential direction of each of the rotor blades of a rotor blade stage has an upstream portion curved convexly backward in a rotational direction of the rotor and a downstream portion curved convexly forward in the rotational direction of the rotor, thereby forming the blade cross sectional profile into an S-shape or inversed S-shape.
US08337157B2
The invention relates to a blower wheel, especially a plastic blower wheel for a cylindrical rotor radial fan for the heating and air-conditioning systems of a motor vehicle. Said blower wheel comprises a plurality of blades (2), and the flow channel (3) between two blades (2) is embodied in such a way that it is convergent on the inflow side, divergent on the outflow side, and distinctively shaped.
US08337150B2
A vertical axis wind turbine apparatus includes a stationary support platform having a platform pipe fixed to the platform. The platform pipe has an axis. The apparatus also includes a power ring dimensioned and configured for rotational movement about the platform pipe and having an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of the platform pipe. The power ring includes a sleeve concentric with the platform pipe that has a plurality openings therein. A plurality of rollers is carried on the power ring and each of the rollers extends through one of the openings and abuts the platform pipe thereby facilitating rotation of the power ring about the platform pipe. A plurality of elongated blades is carried on the power ring about the periphery thereof.
US08337148B2
A gas turbine engine includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. A low pressure turbine drives the low pressure compressor section. A gear arrangement is driven by the low pressure turbine to in turn drive a fan section. A pressure ratio across the low pressure compressor section is between about 4-8, and a pressure ratio across the high pressure compressor section is between about 8-15. In a separate feature, a compressor case includes a front compressor case portion and a rear compressor case portion, with the rear compressor case portion being axially further from an inlet case than the front compressor case portion. A support member extends between the fan section and the front compressor case portion.
US08337147B2
A gas turbine engine includes a low pressure compressor section and a high pressure compressor section. A low pressure turbine drives the low pressure compressor section. A gear arrangement is driven by the low pressure turbine to in turn drive a fan section. A pressure ratio across the low pressure compressor section is between about 4-8, and a pressure ratio across the high pressure compressor section is between about 8-15. In a separate feature, a compressor case includes a front compressor case portion and a rear compressor case portion, with the rear compressor case portion being axially further from an inlet case than the front compressor case portion. A support member extends between the fan section and the front compressor case portion.
US08337139B2
A method and system for increasing the efficiency of a turbomachine having an extraction system is provided. The extraction system may have multiple extraction ports from which the working fluid of the turbomachine is extracted to meet extraction load requirements of an independent process. The method and system may enable a control system to optimally determine the which extraction ports to draw the working fluid from for meeting the extraction load requirement. The optimal location may be determined by utilizing the data on the load requirement, where the extraction load requirement may be operationally distinct from the turbomachine load.
US08337138B2
A thermoformed article stack segmenting apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, a stacked article guide channel, a forward engaging drive finger, a reciprocating actuator and a rearward engaging holding finger. The stacked article guide channel is carried by the frame and configured to receive and guide a stack of inter-nested articles exiting a female die of a thermoforming trim press. The reciprocating actuator is coupled with the finger to drive the finger forward in engagement with one separated stack of articles. The actuator also drives the finger rearward in a retractable state to separate another, successive stack of articles. The rearward engaging holding finger is supported by the frame and is configured to hold the another, successive stack while driving the forward engaging drive finger forward.
US08337132B2
The present invention provides an adjustment element 1 with which a component can be fastened and can be positioned in space. The adjustment element has the following features: a banjo bolt 10 with an external thread 12 with which the component holder 50 can be positioned in the axial direction of the banjo bolt 10, an inner element 20 which is arranged within the banjo bolt 10 and to which the banjo bolt 10 is rotatably fastened, and a washer 30 which is held between the banjo bolt 10 and inner element 20 in a manner such that it can be laterally displaced in the axial direction of the inner element 20 such that the adjustment element 1 can be laterally positioned and can be fixed with a fastening means 40 reaching through the washer 30.
US08337124B2
A high speed handheld power drill includes a housing with a motor, a chuck rotationally driven by the motor, and a drill bit clamped in the chuck. A pressure foot is mounted on the housing for coaxial rotation about the drill bit and lockable in a selectable angular position relative to the housing. A drill guide is slidably disposed within the pressure foot at an outer end thereof and biased for coaxial sliding movement between the drill bit and pressure foot. A vacuum cuttings pickup and coolant fluid delivery tool is coupled to the drill guide and arranged to deliver coolant fluid to the drill bit and to remove drill cuttings and coolant fluid and vapor therefrom during drilling. A coolant fluid reservoir is coupled to the drill motor housing and adapted to deliver selectably metered amounts of coolant fluid to the cuttings pickup and coolant delivery tool during drilling.
US08337123B2
A cutting insert and a cutting tool, with which concentration of stress on a flank corresponding to a first cutting edge (main cutting edge) comprising a plurality of surfaces is reduced, and to provide a cutting method using the cutting tool.
US08337112B2
A joint and method for connecting elongated members end to end in which outer sleeves are anchored in blind holes extending in from each end face and a threaded rod is advanced into threaded nut receptacles affixed to the inside end of each sleeve to draw the end faces into abutment.
US08337107B2
A writing lead (10) is grasped and released by reciprocation of a chuck (3) provided in a body cylinder (1) so as to inch the writing lead forward and a rotational drive mechanism is provided for rotationally driving a rotor (5) in one direction in conjunction with retreat operation by the writing pressure applied to the writing lead and forward movement by releasing the writing pressure. A pipe support member (8) for supporting a pipe end (7) is accommodated in a base (1A) which constitutes a front end portion of the body cylinder, and a retreat drive mechanism is provided for gradually retreating the pipe support member into the body cylinder in conjunction with rotational drive operation of the rotor. With the above-mentioned structure, a pipe-slide type mechanical pencil can maintain an amount of projection of the writing lead from the pipe end within a certain range.
US08337096B2
An apparatus comprising a carrier comprising at least one heat-generating component and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) coupled to a surface of the carrier, wherein the cross-sectional area of the TEC is less than the cross-sectional area of the carrier, and wherein the TEC is aligned with the heat-generating component. Included is an apparatus comprising a carrier comprising a plurality of optical transmitters and an active component, at least one TEC coupled to the surface of the carrier, and a support post coupled to the surface of the carrier, wherein the support post has a higher thermal resistivity than the TEC, wherein the cross-sectional area of the TEC is less than the cross-sectional area of the carrier, and wherein the TEC is aligned with the optical transmitters, the active component, or both.
US08337095B2
Ferrules having at least one tapered fiber channel that supports at least one optical fiber are disclosed. The at least one tapered fiber channel is defined by at least one channel wall. The material making up the channel wall is at least one of deformable and removable by forcible contact by the at least one optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the fiber channel. This results in the formation of an interference fit between the front channel end and the optical fiber end when the diameter of the optical fiber end exceeds the diameter of the channel front end. The fiber channel wall may optionally include at least one deformable and/or removable-by-contact protrusion, with the at least one protrusion preferably being located in the channel section adjacent the narrow front channel end. Methods of forming the ferrules are also disclosed. Single-fiber and multi-fiber optical fiber connectors that employ the ferrules are also disclosed.
US08337094B2
A light source adapter to mechanically interconnect a light box and a fiber optic cable. The adapter engages the light box and defines an interior cavity to receive a ferruled fiber optic cable. The exterior surface of the ferrule comprises a circumferential ridge and groove that reversibly interacts with a spring inside the adapter cavity. The spring is biased to require sufficient force to insert or remove the ferrule. The geometry of the circumferential ridge or groove can optionally be modified to increase or decrease the amount of force required to effect insertion or removal of the ferrule inside the cavity.
US08337091B2
A bearing structure where a plurality of bearings is disposed in line in an axial direction, the bearing structure having the plurality of bearings of which at least one set of adjacent bearings include rollers and retainers, respectively. Portions of the respective retainers of at least one set of the adjacent bearings are disposed so as to overlap each other in a radial direction.
US08337084B2
A seal (1) for a hydrostatic linear guide with a given adjustment direction (5), with a longitudinal seal section (7, 7′) extending essentially parallel to the adjustment direction (5), and with a transverse seal section (8, 8′) extending essentially transverse to the adjustment direction (5), wherein a first sealing lip (12) extends along the longitudinal seal section (7, 7′) and a second sealing lip (14) extends along the transverse seal section (8, 8′), and wherein the longitudinal seal section (7, 7′) and the transverse seal section (8, 8′) are connected to each other. Here it is provided that the first sealing lip (12) and the second sealing lip (14) merge into each other with a constant curvature (18). With such a seal (1), both a high degree of static oil tightness and also a high degree of dynamic oil tightness are achieved for a hydrostatic linear guide.
US08337083B2
An intraoral sensor 1 includes: a case 4 having a first plate-shaped portion 12 and a second plate-shaped portion 16 that face each other; a photodetecting element 34 contained in the case 4 so that a light incident surface faces the first plate-shaped portion 12; a cover 6a, arranged on the outer surface of the second plate-shaped portion 16, for covering an opening 16a; and fixing members 32a and 32b, arranged between the second plate-shaped portion 16 and the cover 6a, for fixing to the case 4 a signal cable 24 connected to the photodetecting element 34 extending via the opening 16a from the inside to the outside of the case 4. This enables improvement of a connection strength between the case of the imaging device and the signal cable extending from an opposite side of the imaging surface.
US08337081B1
A method and system to position a non-immersion temperature sensor relative to a water heater tank is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a body that has a sensor portion configured to receive at least a portion of a temperature sensor assembly. When installed, the mounting bracket may include a biasing element to bias the temperature sensor assembly towards the water heater tank. The bias element may help the temperature sensor assume a proper position relative to the water heater tank, despite variations in equipment that may exist in the field.
US08337080B2
The present invention relates to a measuring method and a sensor unit of measuring temperature distribution of an object by using an optical fiber sensing technology of BOCDA system. In the measuring method, an optical fiber that functions as a BOCDA-type optical fiber sensor is disposed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally with respect to a predetermined measurement region of the object, and thereby the temperature distribution of the object can be measured at a high speed and a high accuracy, in the predetermined measurement region configuring a surface or space where the optical fiber is disposed.
US08337077B2
A unidirectional coupling-clutch runner includes a coaxial pinion and wheel which pivot relative to one another. The runner includes a first driving part angularly integral with the pinion having at least one elastic catch with the general shape, in plan view, of a C, one branch of which is elongated and terminates with a free end; and a second driving part angularly integral with the wheel and which is coplanar with the first driving part having an internal wolf-toothing. In the neutral rest position the first and second driving parts do not touch one another, the end of the elastic catches in the rest position which are not elastically deformed being located on a circumference whose diameter is larger than a circumference which goes through the top of the wolf-teeth and smaller than a circumference going through the bottom of the toothing of the second driving part.
US08337076B2
The tourbillon mechanism is characterized in that it includes a toothed wheel (127; 227) and at least two toothed elements (125A, 125B; 225A, 225B, 225C) pivoting in the carriage (103), the toothed wheel, which meshes with the escape pinion (111 B), being freely mounted in the carriage in a coaxial position, and said at least two toothed elements (125A, 125B; 225A, 225B, 225C) being regularly spaced around said toothed wheel (127; 227) with which said toothed elements mesh, said at least two toothed elements each being designed to mesh with the fixed toothing (119; 219), so as to connect the escape pinion to the fixed toothing.
US08337072B2
Disclosed is a stirring tool which is capable of fully and efficiently mixing ingredients such as mayonnaise even in relatively small amounts. A stirring blade is mounted on a rotating shaft which is rotated by a driving force. A hollow blade cover is provided which covers the periphery of the rotating stirring blade and a portion of the edge of the stirring blade constitutes a long edge which is an edge part that faces the inner circumferential face and which extends along the inner circumferential face of the blade cover. Openings which are holes and an opening are provided at the end of the blade cover and in a peripheral wall of the blade cover for circulation of the stirred ingredients. The long edge can be seen through the holes in the peripheral wall when the rotating blade rotates.
US08337071B2
A lighting device comprises, or consists essentially of, a housing, a solid state light emitter and conductive tracks. The conductive tracks are positioned on the housing and are coupleable with a power supply. The conductive tracks comprise a positive conductive track and a negative conductive track. Each of the solid state light emitters is in electrical contact with a positive conductive track and a negative conductive track. Another lighting device comprises a fixture and a solid state light emitter in which the fixture comprises conductive elements which are coupleable to at least one power supply and the solid state light emitter is mounted on the fixture. There is also provided a lighting device which provides light of an intensity which is at least 50 percent of its initial intensity after 50,000 hours of illumination.
US08337069B2
A lightbar device includes a plastic frame, a back plate, a lightbar, and at least one fixing pad. At least one positioning hole is formed on the back plate. The lightbar is slidably disposed between the back plate and the plastic frame. The fixing pad includes a base, a side board, and a first clamping portion. A recession is formed at the base. The recession is used for engaging with the positioning hole so as to fix the fixing pad onto the back plate. The side board is formed at a side of the base. The first clamping portion is formed at a position of the base opposite to the side board. The first clamping portion is used for clamping a first side of the lightbar cooperatively with the side board.
US08337056B2
An enclosure for a recessed light in an attic is transformable between a first configuration in which the enclosure is flat and a second configuration in which the enclosure defines a housing. The housing has an opening at a bottom end for receiving the recessed light and an upwardly-facing surface opposite the opening. The upwardly-facing surface has a variable height relative to the bottom end.
US08337055B2
A lighting fixture generally includes a mounting plate, a ceiling bracket, a reflector that houses a light source, and a bezel assembly. The ceiling bracket is supported on the ceiling by the mounting plate via the use of retainer brackets. The bezel assembly in turn is supported on the ceiling by the ceiling bracket. The bezel assembly includes a bezel housing and at least one tamper-resistant lens mounted in the housing.
US08337042B2
A liquid crystal module includes a lamp socket and a lamp frame. The lamp socket has a holding part holding a cold cathode tube which is inserted into the holding part through a silt. The slit is formed on a part of a face of the lamp socket. The lamp frame fixes the lamp socket to a rear frame so as to cover the lamp socket. A supporting part is formed on a face of the lamp frame and contacts the face of the lamp socket. A part of the face of the lamp frame opposing the part of the face of the lamp socket where the slit is formed is cut out.
US08337033B2
A washing counter, including a bowl portion having a concave configuration used for washing and the like, a counter portion supporting the bowl portion, and a light source portion disposed on a backside of the bowl portion to emit light toward the bowl portion. The light radiates from the surface of the bowl to the surroundings with at least one portion of the bowl portion being formed of a transparent member. The transparent member is obtained by dispersing a light diffusing member in a base member having a transparent raw material having light-transmitting transparency. The light diffusing member being a micro particle having a transparent raw material having a light refractive index different from a light refractive index of the base member.
US08337029B2
A light emitting device comprises: an excitation source (LED) operable to generate excitation light of a first wavelength range and a phosphor (photo-luminescent) material configured to absorb at least a part of the excitation radiation and to emit light of a second wavelength range. Light emitted by the device comprises the combined light of the first and second wavelength ranges. The device is characterized by at least the light emitting surface of the excitation source being coated (encapsulated) with an encapsulating material which is transparent to light of the first and second wavelength ranges and which incorporates particles of a thermally conducting material (thermal conductivity ≧100 Wm−1K−1, e.g. silver, aluminum or carbon nano-particles) distributed throughout its volume. The phosphor material can be provided on a surface of the encapsulating material, incorporated in the encapsulating material and/or applied to the surface of, or incorporated, in an optical component such as a lens.
US08337026B2
An electronic whiteboard includes a projection unit, an adjusting mechanism, and a projection screen. The adjusting mechanism includes a fixing base, a rotary plate, and a first screw. The fixing base is adapted to be fixed to a fixing object. The rotary plate is pivotally connected to the fixing base, and is ball jointed to the projection unit. The first screw is locked on the rotary plate, and is ball jointed to the projection unit. The first screw drives the projection unit to rotate relatively to the rotary plate along a first axis when the first screw is rotated. The projection screen is adapted to be fixed to the fixing object. The projection unit is capable of projecting an image beam onto the projection screen.
US08337012B2
Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at −45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of −45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.
US08337009B2
A method of forming a nip with a skewed transfix roll includes positioning a first axis of rotation of a transfix roll at a skewed angle with respect to a second axis of rotation of an image drum, forming a nip with the skewed transfix roll and the image drum, and operating the printer with the nip formed with the skewed transfix roll.
US08337003B2
A catcher and a method of printing are provided. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact face. The liquid drop contact face includes an opening that creates an air cushion upon which liquid flows after a liquid drop contacts the drop contact face.
US08336998B2
A liquid discharging-type image forming apparatus capable of securely eliminating mixed air bubbles from the ink liquid and forming a stable image. The apparatus includes: a sub tank 35 of which negative pressure amount is detected; a pump 115 sucking ink when the detected amount of the sub tank 35 is lower than a predetermined amount so that the sub tank 35 and recording heads 34 have negative pressure; a second backflow prevention unit 203 to stop the sent ink to be reserved in a second liquid container 201, which is pressurized as ink increases. When the ink is again filled in the sub tank 35, the ink is sent from the second liquid container 201 before being sent from the first liquid container. Accordingly, ink is not accumulated in the second liquid container 201, allowing the second liquid container 201 to be smaller and the image forming apparatus as a whole to be more compact.
US08336994B2
A droplet ejection device includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a droplet ejection surface which has a plurality of nozzles opening thereon and a flat bonding surface which lies opposite to the droplet ejection surface. The droplet ejection surface is curved corresponding to a curved surface onto which the nozzles ejecting droplets. The second member is bonded to the bonding surface of the first member.
US08336992B2
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head which reciprocates in a first direction on a predetermined plane, which discharges liquids, and which has connecting ports arranged in a second direction; liquid supply sources which store the liquids; and flexible tubes which are arranged in a state of being bent and each of which constructs a part of a liquid flow passage, and first ends of the tubes are connected to the connecting ports; the tubes are arranged in a third direction intersecting the predetermined plane at fixed portions of the tubes; and each of the tubes has an external shape of which cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the tube is elliptical; and at least at one of the first end and the fixed portion, a major axis direction of the cross section is the third direction.
US08336989B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can keep an adequate absorptivity of an ink absorbing member for a long period of time, even when such inks which react with each other are sucked through the same cap in a sucking recovery operation, by preventing a mixed ink collected by the ink absorbing member from thickening or being solidified. The ink jet recording apparatus has: a recovery unit 8 and 62 for draining ink from a black-ink discharge portion 13 for discharging black ink and a color-ink discharge portion 14 for discharging color ink which reacts with the black ink; an ink absorbing member 31 for collecting the ink which is drained by the recovery unit and separating the ink into a solid part 41 and a liquid part 42; and an ink introduction unit 7 for introducing the ink which is drained by the recovery unit, into the ink absorbing member.
US08336987B2
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a carriage, and a damping mechanism. The carriage includes an image forming mechanism and moves back and forth in a main scan direction. The damping mechanism generates an impact to suppress vibration caused by movement of the carriage. The damping mechanism suppresses vibration during at least one of acceleration and deceleration of the carriage, and is inactive during movement of the carriage at a constant speed. The damping mechanism suppresses vibration when acceleration of the carriage equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold acceleration. The damping mechanism includes a suppression member and a mass member that strikes the suppression member. The suppression member is at least one of a shock absorber and an elastic member. Shock absorbing characteristics of the shock absorber and elasticity of the elastic member are variable.
US08336978B2
In the heating flow path unit, the entrance-side sealing member has an inflow restriction portion which restricts flow of liquid on a portion corresponding to an individual entrance-side opening of a liquid flow path in which flow rate is relatively high among the liquid flow paths.
US08336975B2
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a forward wall and a rearward wall. An insulation layer is disposed between the forward wall and the rearward wall. An exterior skin is disposed adjacent to the forward wall and substantially covers the forward wall. A plenum is defined by the space between the exterior skin and the forward wall and is adapted to receive utility lines.
US08336971B2
An enclosure of an electronic device includes a chassis and a cover plate. An opening is defined in the chassis. The chassis includes a top plate and a flange substantially perpendicular to the top plate. A groove is defined in the flange. The groove extends along a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by the top plate. The cover plate covers the opening of the chassis and partially covers the groove.
US08336958B2
A motor vehicle has at least one vehicle seat (3) and a trim part (1) that extends in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) behind the vehicle seat (3). A cross member (2) is arranged below and/or behind the trim part (1). The trim part (1) carries a protective element (11) on an end face (6) of the trim part (1) that faces the vehicle seat (3) to protect the trim part (1) from damage caused by contact with the vehicle seat (3).
US08336957B2
A tray table assembly comprises a table body, at least one arm, and at least one table stop. The at least one arm is pivotally coupled to the table body. The at least one arm is also pivotally coupled to a pivot shaft interior to at least one location where a passenger seat back is pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft. The at least one table stop is fixedly coupled to the pivot shaft adjacent the location where the at least one arm is pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft. The tray table assembly may be coupled to a passenger seat back comprising a recess and may be configured to substantially fit within the recess.
US08336956B2
Described are table stop assemblies having a mounting block having at least one receptacle, at least one stop coupled to the receptacle, and at least one arm knuckle. The arm knuckle includes a side, a first end, and a second end, wherein the side is pivotally coupled to the mounting block, the first end is pivotally coupled to a tray table, and the second end is configured to contact the stop when the tray table is in a deployed position. As examples, the position of the stop is adjustable relative to the receptacle, and the tray table in the deployed position includes a surface that forms an angle relative to a horizontal axis that is controlled by the position of the stop.
US08336947B2
A foldable canopy cover (13) can be automatically extended over the open top (11) of a container (12). The canopy is supported by a series of arcuate booms (14) transversally spanning the top of the container. Each boom is secured at opposite ends to a pair of train members riding on rails (16,17) running along the lateral upper edges of the container. At the end of the covering movement, as the leading edge (27) of the canopy approaches the end (32) of the container, it is brought down flush with the container rim by contact between a cam ramp (37) associated with the container and a roller pin (35) on a lever (30) supporting the leading edge of the canopy, in order to tightly close the open top.
US08336940B2
A lifting system can be used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a structure such as a vehicle or home. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, workbench, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in the structure.
US08336937B2
A sling for securing a pipe pile to a pipe pile driving apparatus so that the pipe pile is suspended substantially vertical from the pipe pile driving apparatus is provided. The sling includes a sleeve clamp configured to encircle and clamp against the sleeve for conjoint movement therewith. A pipe pile clamp configured to encircle and clamp against the pipe pile for conjoint movement therewith. First and second pawls are pivotally supported by the pipe pile clamp. The pawls are diametrically opposed and confronting each other and being configured to receive the pipe pile between them. A first suspension tether is connected to and extends between the sleeve clamp and the first pawl. A second suspension tether is connected to and extends between the sleeve clamp and the second pawl, wherein the first and the second pawls pivot in a direction towards each other to clamp against opposing surfaces of a pipe pile positioned between the first and the second pawls when the first and second suspension tethers are tensioned.
US08336934B2
A bumper beam assembly for a vehicle may include a bumper beam having a horizontal support plate, front and rear vertical support plates attached to the horizontal support plate, wherein the rear vertical support plate includes an insertion hole, a partition formed along the horizontal support plate between the front and rear vertical support plates, and a stay, an end portion of which may be inserted into the insertion hole.
US08336928B2
An operation rod includes a first rod and a second rod. A one-end portion of the first rod is connected to a lock closer to be rotationally movable. The second rod is supported so as to be slidingly movable relative to a hand lever. A connecting portion connects an opposite-end portion of the first rod and a one-end portion of the second rod to each other. The connecting portion includes: a long hole which is formed in the opposite-end portion of the first rod; and a pin which is formed on the one-end portion of the second rod and which engages with the long hole to be slidingly movable therein. While the hand lever is moving rotationally, the connecting portion allows the opposite-end portion of the first rod to move rotationally and slidingly relative to the one-end portion of the second rod.
US08336915B2
The booklet comprises a number of sheets between a cover, and each sheet has a front side and a rear side. At least one data page is provided that is joined to the cover in a fixed manner. The data page comprises a flexible layer and this flexible layer projects with an area out of a data carrier. On this area, the data page is joined to the cover and to the remaining sheets. The flexible layer is flatly joined to at least one other layer, for example, by welding or bonding and is thus inseparably bound without a mechanical joining part.
US08336912B2
A system for and method of facilitating or enabling a lateral maneuver by a vehicle, including and utilizing a plurality of selectively engaged low friction components, such as rollers, bearings, balls, or high durometer high abrasion resistant low loss modulus rubber treads, and an actuator, such as at least one inflatable bladder, pivotal support strut, or active material element, drivenly coupled to the components.
US08336911B2
The invention relates to a safety arrangement comprising a module support (1, 10) for an airbag module (2) and an airbag module (2) to be installed in a steering wheel in a vehicle with at least two first and second horn contacts (3, 3′, 4) which are electrically isolated from one another in the installed state and can be electrically contact-connected to one another in the activation state in order to trigger an acoustic horn signal, with at least one of the first or second horn contacts comprising a plurality of horn contact sections (3, 3′) and the airbag module (2) being electrically conductively connected to the horn contact sections (3, 3′) when the airbag module is installed in order to complete the horn contact.
US08336907B2
The object of the present invention is an internal panel component for motor vehicles comprising an integrated air bag cover (1) and a method and device for the manufacture thereof. The internal panel component is characterized in that the area of the air bag cover 91) the decorative layer (2) is adapted as a multifunctional layer that enclosed the air bag cover (1) on both sides. The manufacture of the internal panel component according to the invention is done in an at least two-stage molding tool comprising a slide (16) integrated into the molding tool core (5) in the area of the air bag cover (1), said slide being shifted for expanding the cavity (14) provided in the area of the air bag cover (1) for the formation of a decorative layer (2), said cavity being expandable up to the back side of the support (3) of the air bag cover (1).
US08336903B2
A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assembly comprises various components, namely an adjustment mechanism and a release mechanism, supported within a bonnet that is rotatable about a support disc designed to be secured to the sliding board via the mounting configuration of the sliding board. The binding system provides a unique and advantageous release function otherwise not available in prior related binding systems.
US08336897B2
A standard-sized bicycle includes a main frame, a rear drive wheel and a rowing mechanism. The rowing mechanism is coupled to the steering column about a fulcrum. The fulcrum allows the rowing mechanism to oscillate forward in response to a pushing force and backward in response to a pulling force. The rowing mechanism includes a power lever and a pair of drive levers. The power lever has a handle on one end. The power lever also has a second end. The pair of drive levers extend from the second end of the power lever and provide foot rests for additional force. Each of the pair of drive levers is in mechanical communication with the rear drive wheel such that a forward oscillation of the rowing mechanism will drive the rear drive wheel in a same direction of rotation to propel the bicycle forward.
US08336896B2
A vehicle suspension system for large vehicles includes at least one elastomeric bearing. The bearing includes at least one substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion, at least one substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion, and at least one non-extensible shim disposed between and bonded to the substantially cylindrical elastomeric portion and the substantially frustospherical elastomeric portion.
US08336895B2
A skateboard deck is formed of several layers pressed and bonded together. Apertures are formed through the bottom-most layers, and impact support members are arranged within the apertures. The impact support members are more rigid than the other portions of the skateboard deck, and provide localized impact support while allowing the remaining layers of the deck to retain their performance characteristics and feel while strengthening the most vulnerable areas of the deck.
US08336894B2
A three wheeled scooter comprises a chassis having forward and aft ends with a front wheel non-pivotally mounted to the forward end and a pair of rear wheels coaxially mounted to the aft end. The chassis defines a longitudinal axis and includes a support assembly and a handle assembly extending upwardly from the support assembly. The rear wheels are configured to be angularly yawable relative to the longitudinal axis between a neutral position and a yawed position. Steering of the scooter is thereby effectuated by angular yawing of the rear wheels relative to the longitudinal axis such as by asymmetric loading of one of opposing sides of the support assembly.
US08336893B2
One example embodiment includes a system for stacking boxes in a strawberry picking cart. The system includes spring-loaded hooks, where the spring-loaded hook is configured to support a stack of full strawberry boxes, and a platform, where the platform is configured to support a bottom strawberry box. The system also includes a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is configured to lift the platform such that the bottom strawberry box is positioned below the stack of full strawberry boxes. The lifting mechanism is also configured to remove the spring-loaded hook from the stack of full strawberry boxes. The lifting mechanism is further configured to raise the bottom strawberry box until the spring-loaded hook supports the bottom strawberry box.
US08336883B2
Disclosed is a system for simulating a ball-striking game for a batter in a game area. The system includes a fluorescent bat, a fluorescent ball, a tracking device, and a data computing device. The fluorescent bat is adapted to be held by the batter. The fluorescent ball is adapted to be delivered to the batter for hitting the fluorescent ball with the fluorescent bat. The tracking device is capable of detecting a first set and a second set of parameters associated with the fluorescent ball. Further, the tracking device is capable of wirelessly transmitting the first set and the second set of parameters to the data computing device. The data computing device is capable of generating a score for the batter based on the first set and the second set of parameters.
US08336877B2
A medium discharging device includes a medium stacking portion, a medium discharge member and a moving mechanism. A medium having an image recorded thereon is to be stacked on the medium stacking portion. The medium discharge member discharges the medium to the medium stacking portion. The moving mechanism includes a separation member. Based on a discharge timing at which the medium is discharged from the medium discharge member, the separation member moves the medium discharge member between an advanced position at a downstream end in the medium conveyance direction and a retracted position that is located upstream of the advanced position in the medium conveyance direction, to separate from the medium discharge member a rear end of the discharged medium in the medium conveyance direction.
US08336874B2
A solenoid device including a plunger, a solenoid configured to cause a displacement of the plunger, and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the solenoid. The driving control unit supplies current pulses to the solenoid and changes a pulse interval of the current pulses.
US08336862B2
A fence post for use in building a post and rail fence over varying terrain or of varying curvature. The post is perforated by a hole having a reduced diameter center section that is flanked on either side by an enlarged diameter section. The posts thus permit the support of rails that are not restricted to a straight, horizontal orientation and provide and improved overall appearance.
US08336855B2
According to one embodiment, a first engaging surface can be configured to engage a first region of an antler set, and a second engaging surface can be configured to engage a second region of the antler set. A support structure can support the first and second engaging surfaces. The support structure can be configured to adjust a distance between the second engaging surface and the first engaging surface to inhibit shrinking of a distance between the first and second regions of the antler set.
US08336841B2
A cup holder (1) for receiving a vessel (6) includes a drawer (2) capable of sliding inside a body (3) so as to move identically between a closed position and an open position. The drawer (2) locally includes an outer outline (9) in the shape of an open arc of a circle that engages a partial perimeter (C1) of the vessel (6). The cup holder further includes a stowable front (4) that is flush with a side of the drawer (2) when the drawer (2) is in the closed position, and that is in an inclined position relative to the drawer (2) when the drawer (2) is in the open position in order to hold the base of the vessel (6).
US08336838B2
This invention provides a mounting device and an electronic system. The electronic system includes an electronic device and a mounting device. The mounting device includes a mounting bracket, a rail member, and a sliding member. The mounting bracket is mounted to the electronic device. The rail member is rotatably and pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. The rail member has a rail, and the rail has a first end and a second end. The sliding member is slidably disposed at the mounting bracket and has a protrusion portion capable of sliding along the rail. When the rail member rotates relative to the mounting bracket and the rail pushes the protrusion portion to move from the first end to the second end, the sliding member is inserted into a fastening hole of the electronic system.
US08336837B2
A shaped clamp member having a symmetrical four section bent flat plate configured to fit the round surface of the rod and configured to fit the surface of the square spindle, a shaped abutment member having a symmetrical three section reversible bent flat plate configured to fit round surface of the rod and reversing the second clamp member is configured to fit the surface of the square spindle, and, thus, functions to enable a universal pole clamp able to fit one or more sizes and configurations of deck railing or deck spindle or utilized to support one or more sizes and configurations of poles or round rods.
US08336834B2
Provided is an electrical wire fixing member that can be assembled in a simple manner with the reduced number of parts, and is capable of obtaining a sufficient lap amount, which can further reduce the number of parts. In an electrical wire fixing band 1 that secures an electrical wire 20, the first flange 3 is provided at a tip of the one end 2a of the body 2 in a shape of a ring, with both ends overlapping with each other along the circumference of the body. A second flange 4 is provided at the other end 2b. A protruding piece 5 is provided in a direction where the other end 2b becomes more distant from the one end 2a. A locking piece 6 is provided closer to the one end than the tip of the other end 2b is.
US08336829B2
An aircraft wing trailing edge control surface including a trailing edge flap adjustable to different positions, a sealing flap on the upper side between the wing and the flap, and a ventilation flap on the underside between the wing and the flap. The flap is adjustable downward through positive positions and upward through negative positions. The wing profile is closed on the upper side by the sealing flap and the underside by the ventilation flap when the flap is used as a control flap and adjusted between negative and low positive positions. The ventilation flap releases air flow from the wing underside to the upper side of the flap and the sealing flap is retracted to release an outflow of air from the upper side of the flap when the flap is used for increasing lift and the flap is adjusted between low and high positive positions.
US08336813B2
According to the invention, the engine pylon for the suspension of a turbo engine under an aircraft wing is such that the trailing edge of the rear lower part of the engine pylon is shifted toward the root of the wing.
US08336810B2
A system for efficiently transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using specially designed airships. Technologies such as geothermal, wind, solar, wave tidal or hydropower can be used to generate electricity in-situ or very near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water through various methods known in the art. Hydrogen can be delivered from the place where it is produced to the place where it is needed using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. A unique docking system can use a remotely piloted unmanned aircraft flown from the mother craft to carry a guide line into a receiving attachment point.
US08336804B2
An aircraft cabin panel for acoustic absorption in an interior space includes a core layer, a first cover layer and a second cover layer. The first cover layer includes a space-enclosing first surface, and the second cover layer is arranged opposite the first cover layer. The first cover layer is acoustically transparent, and the core layer includes a honeycomb core with a plurality of tubular or honeycomb-like cells that are open throughout the thickness of the honeycomb core. The honeycomb core on the face pointing towards the first cover layer extends parallel to the first cover layer so as to be continuously throughout, and on the face pointing towards the second cover layer comprises recesses which extend over several cells. Absorbers are accommodated in the recesses.
US08336801B2
An anti-rotation system that prevents undesired rotation of an outer flange of a strap dispenser includes an anti-rotation element mounted to a shaft of the dispenser and the outer flange mounted to the anti-rotation element. The anti-rotation element and the outer flange have complementary mating surfaces such that when the shaft, on which the coil rotates, ceases rotation, the anti-rotation element, engaged with the outer flange, ceases rotation of the outer flange; thus, inertia of the coil cannot force the outer flange to rotate undesireably. A locking element abuts the outer flange to secure the flange to the anti-rotation element and a pin extends out from the shaft and inserts into a helical track in the locking element so that the pin rides in the helical track. The anti-rotation element also includes a through-bore for a fastener to secure the anti-rotation element to the shaft.
US08336798B2
Apparatus for the material bed comminution of wet agglomerations, in particular wet coke, has a storage container for material to be comminuted, and a material bed roller mill. For efficient grinding, the storage container takes the form of a storage silo having a discharge screw which is moved in two dimensions, wherein the discharge screw feeds the material to be comminuted from the storage silo to a compressor screw which is arranged directly upstream of the material bed roller mill and has at least one discontinuous screw blade.
US08336793B2
A shredder having a pivoting top panel comprising a display which may reduce potential safety hazards.
US08336791B1
An insert assembly for use in a nozzle, the insert assembly including a sleeve and a fitting. The sleeve includes a first end and a second end, a tapered opening in the first end, and a bore extending from the second end. The fitting is positioned within the bore and includes an orifice therethrough. The tapered opening terminates at an inner opening that is in fluid communication with the orifice to allow fluid to flow through the nozzle insert. The sleeve may be made of stainless steel.
US08336783B2
A polymeric thread includes a transparent polymeric substrate; a first patterned layer with a miniature pattern disposed at a side of the polymeric substrate; and a first florescent layer containing a florescent taggant disposed at a side of the patterned layer that is facing away from the polymeric substrate. An authentication tag utilizing the polymeric thread and a method for making the polymeric thread are also provided.
US08336777B1
A weapon aiming system projects an aim point and/or an image from a weapon mounted vision system into a display coupled to a head-mounted vision system to aid in acquiring a target. The system incorporates electronic image stabilization and is capable of maintaining a reticle aligned with a point-of-impact of a weapon.
US08336772B2
Data storage and access systems enable downloading and paying for data such as audio and video data, text, software, games and other types of data. A portable data carrier has an interface for sending and receiving data, data memory for storing received content data, and payment validation memory for providing payment validation data to an external device. The carrier may also store a record of access made to the stored content, and content use rules for controlling access to the stored content. Embodiments store further access control data and supplementary data such as hot links to web sites and/or advertising data. A complementary data access terminal, data supply computer system, and data access device are also described. The combination of payment data and stored content data and use rule data helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access to data such as compressed music and video data, especially over the Internet.
US08336771B2
A dangle, which plugs into the audio/earpiece jack of host devices, allows them to accept payment cards as a point of sale (POS) terminal. It contains a magnetic stripe (magstripe) card reader, a smart card reader, and/or a proximity card reader (reader(s)); a microprocessor or microcontroller (CPU); and a circuit for drawing power from a digital audio signal (power circuit). Payment card data is collected by the reader(s), passed to the CPU where it is encrypted, encoded, and modulated, sent to the host device through the Microphone input contact of the audio/earpiece jack, then transmitted via one the host device's networks to a merchant account provider for processing. A digital audio signal, constantly generated by the host device, provides power to the dongle via the power circuit. The power circuit converts the digital audio signal to stable DC power with the appropriate voltage for powering the dongle's other components.
US08336764B2
Credit applicants may apply for instant credit, and use an instant account number (“IAN”) to make purchases after the instant credit has been granted. Fraud control methods may be used in authorizing the instant credit. When the IAN is issued to purchase airline tickets, it can be ensured that the applicant's last name matches the passenger's last name for the airline ticket being purchased, and that the ticket will not be renamed or sold. When the IAN is issued in conjunction with a partner's loyalty or rewards program, the applicant's account information with the rewards program is captured. It is ensured that the applicant has some tenure with the partner and that data submitted by the applicant is consistent with data on file with the partner.
US08336746B2
An archery bow carrying apparatus includes a harness configured to be worn by an archer, the harness having a connection member. A loop member fixedly attaches to the bowstring of the bow at a location offset from the nock point. The connection member is configured to be removably engaged with the loop member. During the carrying of the archery bow, the loop member and the connection member bear at least a portion of the weight of the archery bow.
US08336745B2
A dispensing closure has a key-hole shaped flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper and lower deck, inner and outer skirt, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes including two or more vertically oriented walls and a bottom wall. The vertically oriented walls define a fluid trapping area and a partition wall depending downwardly from said upper deck. The bottom wall configured and arranged to be positioned along a horizontal axis. The flow conduit includes one entrance orifice having one entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is stepped or offset from the exit axis whereby the flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path of product from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure.
US08336736B2
A device for controlled delivery of pressurized fluids from a multiplicity of pressurize fluid sources having a multiplicity of pressurized fluid lines engaged therewith to a bar gun. The device comprises a flow control assembly with a multiplicity of flow channel assemblies. Each flow channel assembly has a high pressure tube receiving port adapted to receive a fluid pressure line from a high pressure fluid source. Each flow control assembly has an on/off valve and flow control structure downstream thereof. The flow control structure may be self-adjusting or mechanical control. The flow control assembly includes a housing for engaging the fluid flow channel assemblies thereon. A manifold assembly is adapted to engage the flow control assembly. The manifold assembly includes a multiplicity of connector fittings, each having an upstream and a downstream end. The upstream end is adapted to slideably receive the outlet ports of the fluid flow channel assemblies and the downstream end is designed to engage a fluid line. A multiplicity of fluid lines engage a sheath tube assembly which usually includes a sheath tube which, at a removed end, is adapted to engage a bar gun. The flow control assembly and manifold assembly include a release member for releasably engaging the tube.
US08336731B2
A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support. The off-set between each of the anti-rotation elements is an angle other than 180°.
US08336726B2
A recloseable and resealable beverage can end closure includes a base plate beneath the center panel and a tab plate above the center panel. The closure is slidable relative to the center a panel to uncover the pour aperture and then to position the closure over the pour aperture to enable resealing.
US08336725B2
A one-piece re-sealable sealing device (210) for use with a container (212), operable between a closed position and an open position in which, when the sealing device (210) is in the closed position it forms a folded shape comprising an upper part (240), a middle part (230) and a base part (220), hinged together. The sealing device (210) further comprises a lever (245,226,224) both for levering the sealing device (210) from the closed position to the open position, and for pivoting the sealing device (210) from the open position to the closed position to re-seal the container.
US08336723B2
A stopper which engages a neck of a container. The stopper includes a circular bottom section and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide. The rim of the head section has a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the opening of the container. The slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring force. Opposing sides of the slide each end in circumferential sections. A first one of the circumferential sections forming an outer surface for receiving a first applied force for advancing the slide and causing the second one of the circumferential sections to protrude from the stopper. The second one of the circumferential sections receiving a second different applied force to remove the stopper from the container.
US08336722B2
A pallet rack and method for use of same are disclosed. Three panel frames interconnected by two parallel cross members define two lower pallet receiving areas and two upper pallet receiving areas. A catch tray is disposed beneath the two upper pallet receiving areas to catch and redirect fluid and debris to prevent cross-contamination between pallets. The catch tray includes a primary tray and a slidable dependent tray extendably coupled to the primary tray. The slidable dependent tray extends from a retracted position within the primary tray to an extended position having a general decline from the first panel frame to the second panel frame to furnish a slanted surface therebetween. Retraction of the dependent tray provides clearance for fork lift tines to access the rear upper pallet receiving area.
US08336718B2
The present invention provides a centrifugal separation-use device capable of maintaining a centrifugal separation-use container in a clean state easily at low cost even when centrifugal separation treatment is carried out using a centrifugal separator in an unclean field. A centrifugal separation-use device 1 for collecting a target component by subjecting a solution containing multiple components to centrifugal separation treatment comprises an inner container 10 having a cylindrical section 12 for accommodating the solution and a plug 14 for hermetically sealing the cylindrical section and configured so as to accommodate the solution in a hermetically sealed state, and an outer container 20 having a support section 22 for removably accommodating the cylindrical section and a delivery section 24 for exposing part of the inner container so that the inner container can be removed, and configured so as to accommodate the inner container in a hermetically sealed state.
US08336709B1
A tool holder has a housing with magnets mounted therein with a slot therebetween and movable pegs therein cooperating to hold a series of sockets, or a series of screw drivers or bits therefor, or a series of wrenches, or other tools, or combinations thereof, mounted at a desired position on the tool holder.
US08336706B2
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient, which is adapted to a mouth of a container, comprising: a body having a mouth; a chamber part having a storage space for secondary ingredient in the body and a hole formed at the lower end thereof; said chamber part is sealed by a movable working member and is opened when the movable working member is removed from the hole upon removing the cap so that the secondary ingredient may be mixed with the first ingredient in the container, said the movable working member being adapted to maintain the opened hole, after moving to open the hole, thereby effectively mixing of the different ingredients.
US08336704B2
An auger apparatus for moving in a forward direction into a quantity of granular material includes an enclosed housing having a horizontal main floor and right and left inclined floors sloping downward and outward from corresponding ends of the main floor, and walls extending upward from lower ends of the inclined floors. Right and left feed auger tubes extend laterally from the walls, and feed augers are mounted in the tubes. Outer front portions of the feed auger tubes are open to expose outer portions of the feed augers. A main auger tube extends upward from a top of the housing, and a main auger extends from the main floor upward through the main auger. A middle material moving apparatus is mounted forward of the housing and moves grain laterally to the exposed outer portions of the feed augers as the housing moves forward.
US08336701B2
A skid for supporting at least one object which is conveyable in a conveying direction inside a conveyor installation comprises at least two support runners disposed parallel to one another. Running means different from the support runners are fastened to the skid. In addition, a transfer station for transferring an above-mentioned skid from conveying means to a guide structure is specified. Also specified are a self-propelling drive unit with a chassis and a coupling device by means of which a skid can be coupled detachably to the chassis, a drive system for driving a skid and a conveyor installation, in which a drive unit is provided inside a conveying area.
US08336694B2
A hub assembly includes a shaft, a hub mounted on the shaft and having a plurality of locking grooves, a driven ring mounted in the hub and having a plurality of oneway ratchet teeth, a drive seat rotatably mounted on the shaft, a drive ring mounted on the drive seat and received in the driven ring, a plurality of pawl members mounted on the drive ring and meshing with the oneway ratchet teeth, a sprocket secured on the drive seat, and a control ring slidably mounted on the drive seat and having a plurality of locking blocks releasably locked in the locking grooves. Thus, a user only needs to move the control ring to switch the operation modes of the bicycle between a normal riding and an acrobatic performance so that the user can change the two operation modes easily and quickly.
US08336687B2
It is intended to provide a vibration control apparatus that can be installed in a small pace and can be produced at low cost, as well as a wind turbine generator equipped with the vibration control apparatus and a vibration control method. The vibration control apparatus 7 includes a first vibration system 10 of inverted-pendulum type, second vibration systems 20 of inverted-pendulum type which are provided on both sides of the first vibration system 10, a restraining unit 30 which restrains a first weight 11 of the first vibration system 10 and a second weight 21 of the second vibration system 20 and a damper which damps vibration of the first weight 11 and the second weight 21. The vibration control apparatus 7 is installed on an upper floor 8a of a plurality of floors 8.
US08336678B2
The present invention presents a call panel of an elevator or of an elevator system including one or more display elements, a front plate covering the call panel, in connection with which front plate a touch sensor is fitted, and also a control unit to which the display elements and also the touch sensor are connected. The detection area of the touch sensor covers both an active area, and a passive area, where the active area additionally utilizes display elements, while the passive area lacks display capability and remains outside at least some of the aforementioned active area, in which one or more touch-sensitive pushbuttons are disposed in the passive area. The control unit is arranged to react to a touch of the touch-sensitive pushbuttons specified for the aforementioned detection area.
US08336675B2
An elevator with belt-sheaves and at least one flat belt to suspend and move an elevator car. For the purpose of guiding the flat belt on the belt-sheaves, the belt has at least one guide groove in which at least one guide rib projecting from the sheave running surface of the belt-sheave engages.
US08336669B2
Low cost construction of a steering apparatus is provided that is capable of protecting an operator's knees 28 during an automobile collision. A tilted plate 30 is arranged below and behind a bottom end section of a housing 21 which is a component of an electric power assist mechanism 20 connected to a front end section of a steering column 9. In case that the automobile is in a collision, automobile equipment 29 that moves forward under pressure from the driver's knees hits against a bottom surface of the tilted plate. This allows the impact energy to be absorbed by the elasticity or deformation of the tilted plate 30 during impact, and after impact as well, the automobile equipment 29 to move in a direction along the bottom surface of the tilted plate.
US08336658B2
A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle.
US08336652B2
An in-wheel motor drive unit (21) comprises a casing (22), a motor part (A), a deceleration part (B), a wheel hub (31), and a wheel hub bearing (33) rotatably supporting the wheel hub (31) with respect to the casing (22). The wheel hub bearing (33) includes first and second outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) provided on the inner diameter surface of the casing (22), a first inner track surface (33c) provided on the outer diameter surface of a wheel-side rotation member (30) and opposed to the first outer track surface (33a), a second inner track surface (33d) provided on the outer diameter surface of the wheel hub (31) and opposed to the second outer track surface (33b), and a plurality of rolling elements (33e) arranged between the outer track surfaces (33a) and (33b) and the inner track surfaces (33c) and (33d).
US08336649B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a drill bit configured for boring holes or wells into the earth. Embodiments include a drill bit comprised of a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes one or more holes therethrough configured to receive a cutter that is secured therein. The cutters are secured in the hole with a removable securing device that typically prevents the cutters from being removed when the drill bit is in use but allow the cutters to be removed from the holes when the drill bit is not in use.
US08336643B2
A vibratory unit interposed between a planetary drive and earth-penetrating device, e.g., an auger, is powered by the hydraulic system of a tractor, skid loader or the like. The unit includes a housing having a base plate with a slidable striker plate mounted therein. A Kelly bar displaces the planetary drive from the auger and through the housing. A rotatable shaft with weights eccentrically mounted thereon produces vibratory forces and urges the striker plate into contact with the base plate to provide hammer-like forces on the auger.
US08336628B2
A pressure equalizing system allows flow past an upper seal on a movable member downhole that in turn allows pressure to be delivered from uphole into what had previously been an isolated low pressure zone. The pressure differential across the member is equalized before attempting to move the member into another position. The member is a ball in a ball valve for subterranean use.
US08336627B2
A retrievable flow control device comprising a housing configured to sealably couple with a completion component. The housing may comprise a first port and a second port establishing a fluid pathway. The fluid pathway may regulate a fluid flow as the fluid flow passes through the fluid pathway. The housing may further comprise a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple with a corresponding feature of the wellbore completion. The downhole flow control device may be configured to be retrievable independently of the completion component. The flow control device may comprise a check valve in the fluid pathway in order to substantially constrain the fluid flow to a single direction. In some cases, the flow control device may be configured to couple with a side pocket. In other cases, a concentric flow control device may be configured to couple with a screen base pipe, tubing, or stinger.
US08336626B2
A magnetic retrieval tool used for collecting metallic debris and material from within a wellbore or other surrounding downhole tubular. The tool includes a tool mandrel with one or more pockets formed in its outer radial surface. A removable insert resides within each pocket. Each of the inserts retains a plurality of individual magnets in a fixed array or matrix surrounding the mandrel.
US08336621B2
A process for the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.
US08336619B2
A downhole apparatus is described comprising a main body coupled with a well tubing and a swellable mantle disposed on the main body. The swellable mantle expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid, and the main body comprises at least one opening for fluid flow between an exterior of the main body and the bore. An insert permits the passage of fluid, through the swellable mantle, between the exterior of the apparatus and the opening. In one aspect of the invention a screen filters solids between the exterior of the apparatus and the bore, and a swellable mantle comprises a first region which allows the passage of fluid between the exterior of the apparatus and the main body and a second region, circumferentially adjacent the first region, which substantially prevents passage of fluid. Corresponding well completion and production methods are also described.
US08336614B2
A movable well drilling rig for drilling either on-shore or off-shore new in-line arranged oil, gas, mineral and water wells or for servicing in-line non-productive wells with well heads emerging from ground by at least three meters where the rig has a drilling mast supporting a vertically upward and downward movable drilling rotary head, where the drilling mast is operatively associated at least a pipe and drilling bit and stabilizer container, pipe and drilling bit and stabilizer element gripping and loader devices as well as driving motors, and a control operator, cab and auxiliary servicing devices, wherein all the above components are operatively supported either on a ground movable substructure or on a floating platform.
US08336611B2
A heat source is cooled by employing heat pipes, magneto-hydrodynamic fluid pipes, and a heat sink. Heat is transmitted from evaporating ends of the heat pipes connected to the heat source to condensing ends of the heat pipes connected to the heat sink. The magneto-hydrodynamic fluid is circulated inside the magneto-hydrodynamic fluid pipes. Magnetic fields are generated using an array of magnets and an electric potential is created from a top surface to a bottom surface of each magneto-hydrodynamic fluid pipe using metal films. The magnetic fields and electric potential induce an electrically-conductive magneto-hydrodynamic fluid to circulate in the magneto-hydrodynamic fluid pipes thereby dissipating heat from the heat sink.
US08336609B2
A passenger aircraft includes a cabin subdivided into a plurality of cabin zones supplied with feed air from respective supply lines, a plurality of temperature sensors, and an electronic control unit coupled to the plurality of temperature sensors. The plurality of temperature sensors measures a plurality of individual ambient temperature values associated with different locations in at least one of the plurality of cabin zones. The electronic control unit derives a derived ambient temperature value for the at least one cabin zone from the plurality of individual ambient temperature values. The electronic control unit then controls a temperature of the feed air supplied to the at least one cabin zone based on the difference between the derived ambient temperature value and a room temperature target value for the at least one cabin zone.
US08336601B2
A safety door automatic opening/closing device is capable of freely (arbitrarily) setting and controlling the opening/closing speed and the open position to shorten a waiting time required to open/close a safety door and capable of eliminating a touch switch; and a method of controlling the same.
US08336599B2
System and method for fusing a chaplet to a casting. The method includes placing the chaplet on an upper surface of a mold; distributing a heater around the chaplet such that the heater is not exposed to the casting; placing a core on the chaplet such that the mold and the core define a component of a machine; heating the chaplet with the heater to a predetermined temperature; and pouring the casting in the mold, around the core and the chaplet, when the chaplet is at the predetermined temperature.
US08336589B2
Accumulation of static electricity is prevented while enhancing rolling resistance performance of tire. Tread rubber 2G has tread rubber body 15 forming tread ground contact surface 2S, under tread 16 disposed radially inward of the tread rubber body, and terminal portion 17 penetrating the tread rubber body in the radial direction, the under tread 16 being in contact with cushion rubbers 13 each having cushion main portion 13A interposed between edge portion 7E of tread-reinforcing layer 7 and carcass 6 over an overlap width W1 of 1 mm or more. Tread rubber body 15, topping rubber 7G of tread-reinforcing layer 7 and sidewall rubbers 3G are made of an insulating rubber material 20 having a volume resistivity of at least 1×108 Ω·cm, and under tread 16, terminal portion 17, cushion rubber 13, topping rubber 6G of carcass 6 and chafer rubber 11 are made of a conductive rubber material having a volume resistivity of less than 1×108 Ω·cm.
US08336588B2
A patch and method for mounting an electronic monitoring device to the innerliner of a pneumatic tire is provided wherein the monitoring device is potted directly to an attachment patch. A frame is built on an attachment patch and the electronic monitoring device is disposed inside the frame. An encapsulation material is poured into the frame and cured to encapsulate the monitoring device directly against the patch. The patch may then be connected to the innerliner of a pneumatic tire.
US08336585B2
A concrete funnel and placement system comprising a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute having a retainer element coupled to a funnel element. The funnel element includes a downwardly sloping base forming an aperture for concrete to flow through. The aperture may be any shape or size, and one or more interchangeable discharge plates may be included in order to selectively change the shape and/or size of the aperture. Further, the aperture of the funnel element may be selectively opened or closed. Bearings, sprockets, rollers or other rotatable mechanisms may be included to allow the funnel element to rotate 360° with respect to the retainer element. The retainer element may include a gasket forming a seal with the funnel element to prevent concrete from impeding rotation. The retainer element may be hingedly secured to the concrete chute allowing the retainer element to be adjusted such that it is substantially horizontal while pouring concrete, independent of the angle of the concrete chute. The funnel-type apparatus may be in communication with the concrete truck, thus allowing the rotation and adjustment of the funnel-type apparatus to be controlled by electronics, such that the operator may be located in the cab of the truck or other location.
US08336576B2
A compressed air supply system for motor vehicles includes a compressor, control electronics, an air dryer having an inlet channel for non-dried compressed air, an outlet channel for the dried compressed air, and a dehumidification device through which the compressed air to be dried can flow, a pressure regulator having an outlet valve for controlling the compressor between an idle phase and a load phase, a multi-circuit safety valve that is connected to the outlet channel of the air dryer via a compressed air line, and over-flow valves for the individual circuits, a regeneration valve and a moisture sensor for detecting the atmospheric moisture in the compressed air flowing in the compressed air line. To reduce the detrimental effects of admixtures and components of the compressed air on the moisture sensor, the moisture sensor is located in a bypass channel of the compressed air line.
US08336572B2
The invention relates to a double seat valve which is capable of cleaning the seat. The double seat valve includes a closing element (4), when in its closed position rests with a stop surface (4e), arranged on a boundary surface thereof radially adjacent on an inner side to a seal (7), on a second seating surface (2b) and directly adjacent to a first seating surface (2a, 2g) with a central recess (4d) provided in a front face of the closing element (4) facing a leakage cavity (5). The closing element (4) further includes a deflector surface (4b) opening in a front face (4c), wherein the deflector surface (4b) and the slop surface (4e) form a circumferential edge (U2) directly adjacent to a first end section (2g) of the first seating surface (2a) in the closed position of the closing element (4).
US08336558B2
A brush assembly releases a fluid and/or liquid solution directly onto a surface, such as a coat of an animal during grooming, or onto inanimate surfaces such as vehicles. The brush assembly includes a molded brush having a plurality of apertures integrated therein for delivery of a fluid. At least one base plate with grooming implementations, such as bristles or a sponge, is interchangeably attached to the brush base. An ergonomical handle is provided having a palm conforming top and finger indentation sides constructed to form an internal cavity. The ergonomical handle is ambidextrous in nature for interchangeable left and right handedness. A center cylinder is located within said internal cavity of said ergonomical handle and includes a bladder which aligns with the mid portion of the brush base for fluid delivery controlled upstream by a flow regulator. An optional mixing chamber housing a water soluble compound containing active ingredients may be attached to the flow regulator to form a liquid solution. The fluid and/or liquid solution is delivered directly to the surface during grooming.
US08336557B2
A consumable compressed tobacco product adapted to dissolve in an oral cavity. The compressed tobacco product is formed from a composition that includes at least one tobacco component, at least one flavorant, at least one filler-binder, at least one lubricant, at least one desiccant and at least one glidant. The compressed tobacco products are adapted to dissolve and provide tobacco satisfaction. A method of making a dissolvable compressed tobacco product is also provided.
US08336556B2
A method of assembling any one of a relatively small, medium and large clip applier for delivering relatively small, medium and large clips includes providing a housing for a handle assembly, selecting a channel assembly, connecting the channel assembly to the housing, providing a pusher bar in the selected channel assembly that extends to the handle assembly, and connecting a motion multiplier system to the pusher bar. The channel assembly is selected from a first channel assembly containing small surgical clips, a second channel assembly containing medium surgical clips, and a third channel assembly containing large surgical clips. Each channel assembly has an associated stroke length. The motion multiplier system varies the stroke of the pusher bar in accordance with the associated stroke length such that, upon firing, the pusher bar is translated the associated stroke length to load one of the clips into jaws of the clip applier.
US08336536B1
An active heating system for an underwater diver uses material particles that can generate heat in an exothermic reaction in the presence of oxygen. The material particles are positioned at selected region(s) within an underwater diver's attire. A source of oxygen gas is coupled to the selected region(s).
US08336535B2
A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity accessed through first and second French-style doors that are connected to the appliance through a door linkage system. The door linkage system establishes a particular timing of door openings and closings to minimize potential wear of a door gasket. That is, each of the doors has an associated gasket for use in sealing the oven cavity when the doors are closed. One of the doors is provided with an annular gasket, while the other door essentially incorporates a less that fully annular, preferably 3-sided or a three-quarter gasket. With this arrangement, each of the gaskets has three sides adapted to seal against a cabinet shell portion of the appliance, while the fourth side of the first gasket is adapted to seal against an extension provided on the other door.
US08336534B2
Adjustable gas grill burners are disclosed. Methods of making and using adjustable gas grill burners are also disclosed.
US08336532B2
A compressed gas-powered projectile accelerator is disclosed having an improved means of gas distribution, a valve locking mechanism, an improved combined bumper/seal, and self-contained modular components to improve efficiency, manufacturability, and reduce size and weight.
US08336526B1
A method for testing a vapor purge system (VPS), and the vehicle having the VPS, including a controller for measuring a VPS pressure, closing a first valve coupling a VPS carbon canister and the environment, decreasing VPS pressure if it is greater than a threshold, and monitoring VPS pressure for a time period when the engine is at rest and the vehicle is operating. The pressure is decreased by opening a second valve coupling the fuel tank and the engine while the engine is running, and closing the second valve when the pressure is below the threshold. Another method for testing a VPS includes closing a first valve, closing a second valve, measuring the VPS pressure to provide a reference pressure with an associated profile, and monitoring VPS pressure compared to the profile for a time period.
US08336524B2
The invention relates to an injection device for injecting high-pressure fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the device comprising an injection valve assigned to a discrete reservoir chamber. A non-return valve operates between the chamber and the high-pressure supply line and the filter, which is preferably designed as an edge filter, forms a stop for limiting the opening motion of the valve member that is preferably designed as a valve member plate.
US08336520B2
Turbo lag is a known impediment of a turbocharged, small displacement engine providing the feel of a large displacement engine. A method of spinning up the exhaust turbine during an interval between the time that the operator moves his/her foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal to initiate a launch. A non-exhaustive list of actions that can be taken to increase exhaust enthalpy provided to the turbine include: opening the throttle, retarding the spark, and closing the wastegate. Additionally, a brake can be applied at one of the vehicle wheels to keep the engine from launching forward during this interval.
US08336519B2
An intake system of an engine, may include first and second intake passages that are collaterally disposed to the engine, first and second shafts that are collaterally disposed along the first and second intake passages respectively, first flaps and second flaps that are mounted on the first shaft and the second shaft so as to open or close the first intake passages and the second intake passages respectively, an inter-lever, of which one end portion is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the first shaft and the other end portion is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the second shaft, and through which a rotation of the first shaft is transferred to the second shaft, and a driving portion connected to the first shaft and rotating the first shaft to have the first flaps and the second flaps open or close the first intake passages and the second intake passages respectively.
US08336515B2
An oil cooler oil pump assembly for an internal combustion engine has an oil cooler and an oil pump configured to draw in oil from the oil pan and convey it to the oil cooler. The oil cooler is arranged on the exterior side of the oil pan. The oil pump is integrated into the oil pan, wherein oil pump and oil cooler are immediately or closely coupled to one another by a connecting pipe.
US08336501B2
A cat grooming and activity device. The device includes a base configured to reside upon a substantially horizontal surface and to support a grooming activity post extending vertically from it. A grooming activity post is appended to and extends from the base, the grooming activity post having a first segment proximate the base and a second segment extending from the first segment. The first segment comprises a grooming surface and the second segment comprises a scratching surface.
US08336494B2
A device provides positive reinforcement and treats for a domesticated animal urinating in a predetermined location. The positive reinforcement includes a message from the owner. A treat is exposed after the owner's message is played to further reward the animal. Absorbent paper is used at the predetermined location for collecting the urine and activating the voice and treat bowl. After a preset time, the used absorbent paper is removed and new absorbent paper is provided automatically. Another version includes a device that uses a single sheet of absorbent paper.
US08336478B2
A self-propelled boat dock system is provided. In combination with a boat dock and walkway, a system of one or more rollable shore traction elements, winches, and cables is configured to allow a single operator to manipulate the position of the boat dock system from a central controller, the controller being configured to selectively operate the rollable shore traction elements and winches.
US08336477B2
The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for shaping a wake of a water ski boat. Embodiments of wake shaping systems fixed to portions of a ski boat configured to heel a ski boat towards a starboard side and/or a port side of the ski boat. The wake shaping system comprising a ballast selectively positioned a distance above a waterline of a ski boat, and a distance from a pylon removeably fixed to a portion of the ski boat.
US08336476B2
A method for transporting. Multiple vessels are provided, each having a hull defining an air cavity over a water surface. Different ones of the vessels are loaded with material destined for different end locations. The vessels are connected to one another with rigid couplings to effect tandem movement of the multiple vessels over water as one ship while permitting each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. The vessels are transported to a first destination. One or more of the vessels is disconnected from the ship.
US08336449B2
A motorized toaster with heating elements has a user input that communicates with an electronic device that controls an electric motor. A reciprocating toast carriage is under the influence of the motor. A user activated control is adapted to cause an inspection subroutine, the subroutine being the motorized elevation of the carriage and without further user input and a returning of the carriage to the lower position during a toast cycle.
US08336447B2
The invention relates to an extraction module with linear closure for the pressurized preparation of a drink from a capsule, containing a substance for extraction, comprising means for extraction with a first extraction sub-assembly and a second mobile extraction sub-assembly closing against the first sub-assembly such as to form an extraction chamber in the closed position and to provide sufficient space between the two sub-assemblies for introduction of a capsule between the sub-assemblies in the open position and comprising a means for fixing and positioning the capsule between the two sub-assemblies. Said means for fixing and positioning may be displaced in a coaxial manner with relation to the linear displacement of the mobile extraction sub-assembly and is capable of being displaced linearly by the second mobile sub-assembly in to a displaced position such as to permit a closing of the two sub-assemblies around the capsule.
US08336446B2
A piston assembly is disclosed herein. The piston assembly is integrally formed and unitary and is centered on a central longitudinal axis. The piston assembly includes a head with ring belt having a plurality of ring grooves. The piston assembly also includes first and second skirts, each having a top edge and a bottom edge being radially narrower than the top edge. The skirts also include first and second side edges. The piston assembly also includes first and second pin bosses spaced radially inward from the ring belt to define a short-pin support arrangement. The pin bosses include respective first and second pin bores axially aligned on a pin bore axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The piston assembly also includes a plurality of panels, each extending between one of the pin bosses and one of the skirts. Each of the panels include a top portion spaced closest to the head and bottom portion spaced furthest the head and a middle portion disposed substantially equally spaced from the top and bottom portions. Each of the panels twists along its length such that a ratio defined by a first distance between the top portion and a first plane perpendicular to the pin bore axis over a second distance between the bottom portion and the first plane increases along at least part of the length.
US08336439B2
According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of metallic layers. The armor system further comprises a plurality of non-metallic layers located in between two or more metallic layers of the plurality of metallic layers, such that each non-metallic layer is located at a respective depth in the plurality of metallic layers.
US08336434B2
A food article end location detecting system for a food article slicing machine. The system includes a sensor located so that each food article passes a sensing range of the sensor as the food articles are loaded onto a food article feed apparatus. The system has instructions for calculating the length of each food article based on a location value provided by the sensor. The system also comprises a food article end disposal mechanism. The disposal mechanism has a transport for receiving said food article ends and for removing said food article ends from said food article path. The disposal mechanism also has a paddle for displacing food article ends from the transport.
US08336430B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods for facilitating the application of a cutting tool to a work-piece rotating on the axis of a lathe.
US08336424B2
A control knob assembly includes a housing and a knob mounted for rotary motion on the housing about a pivot axis. A cursor is mounted on the knob and spaced from the pivot axis. The cursor moves in a circular path as the knob is rotated. The assembly further includes a plurality of sensors spaced in a linear arrangement along a linear axis. Each of the sensors generates a signal upon detection of the presence of the cursor when the cursor is adjacent the sensor as the cursor moves along its circular path. The signal is representative of an angular position of the knob relative to the housing.
US08336410B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, first and second counter shaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08336405B2
An improved cryogenic specimen holder for imaging and analysis facilitates imaging at very high tilt angles with a large field of view. A retractable specimen holder tip protects the specimen during transport. An optimized Dewar design is positioned at a fixed, tilted angle with respect to the axis of the holder, providing a means of continuously cooling the specimen irrespective of the high tilt angle and the amount of liquid nitrogen present in the vessel. The Dewar neck design reduces the entrapment of nitrogen gas bubbles and its shape prevents the spilling of liquid nitrogen at high tilt angles. The specimen holder has a retractable tip that completely encapsulates the specimen within a shielded environment internal to the specimen holder body. The cooling and specimen transfer mechanisms reduce thermal drift and the detrimental effects of vibrations generated by both the evaporation of liquid nitrogen present in the Dewar as well as other environmental effects.
US08336403B2
The present invention relates to a pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein, an apparatus for treating the pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein, and a method of treating the pipette tip having a support and a fluid enclosed therein. The present invention aims at providing separation and purification that may be performed more efficiently and rapidly than the treatments using a conventional treatment using liquid chromatograph or a filter, and constituted to have a function for sustainedly activating the support by comprising a pipette tip comprising an attachment opening that is to be attached to a nozzle for sucking and discharging a gas or to a connecting tube attachable to the nozzle and may be communicated with the nozzle, and an opening that allows flow-in and flow-out of a liquid in response to the suction and discharging of the gas; a support enclosed in the pipette tip, which may adsorb or capture a biological material in the liquid or react with or bond to the biological material; and a fluid for sustainedly activating the support, which comprises a predetermined liquid or a predetermined gas that is enclosed in the pipette tip in a breakable state and comes into contact with the support.
US08336392B2
Nowadays many electronic devices, such as LCD projector, computer servers, and air fresher etc. require reliable air cooling system to reduce the risk of electronics damage caused by overheating. The present invention disclosed an apparatus integrated with air flow sensor as an alarm apparatus for air flow clog detection. The major prior approach for air flow circulation failure detection is based on an indirect measurement method of temperature monitoring on surrounding environments, which method is suffering from the slow response and poor identification of real-time situation. The present invention will demonstrate the advantages by directly monitoring air flow over by indirectly monitoring the surrounding temperature as for the purpose of preventing air flow path clog.
US08336391B2
A monitoring system is presented for monitoring fluid flow in turbid medium. The fluid flow monitoring system comprises a processor utility which is connectable to an acoustic generator associated with one or more acoustic ports and is operable for generating signals S0 to activate said one or more acoustic ports for irradiating a region of interest with acoustic radiation of a certain frequency range centered at a frequency F0 and is connectable to at least one light output port associated with one or more light detectors for receiving light of at least one wavelength λ from the region of interest including light tagged by said acoustic radiation. In some embodiments, the processor utility is configured and operable for analyzing the generated signals S0 and data indicative of the received light including light tagged by the corresponding acoustic radiation and determining correlation between said signals S0 and said data indicative of the received light, said correlation being informative of a measure of fluid flow in the medium.
US08336384B2
An ultrasonic probe includes a probe body having a contact surface and a cavity that is open at the contact surface, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the body, and a spacer within the cavity. The spacer has a first surface acoustically coupled to the transducer, and a second (coupling) surface within the cavity. The spacer propagates an acoustic signal between the transducer and the coupling surface. The coupling surface is spaced apart from the contact surface to form a recess within the body. The body further has at least one port for circulating a coupling fluid into the recess. Depth of the recess is selected to balance gravitational force on the coupling fluid versus surface tension of the coupling fluid so a bead of the fluid forms over an edge of a structure under inspection as the probe is moved over the edge.
US08336371B2
Separating trihalomethanes from drinking water samples (via a process such as capillary membrane sampling, and the like) followed by gas chromatograph analysis to determine quantity measurements and species identification of such trihalomethane (THM4) contaminants therein is provided. With the necessity to chlorinate drinking water to remove harmful bacteria and other potential toxins, trihalomethane byproducts are generated that may harm humans after consumption as well due to suspect carcinogenicity of such compounds. A reliable manner of measuring such drinking water supplies for such THM4 contaminants at locations far from the source and closer to dispensers is highly desirable. The ability to separate the THM4 from the drinking water sample, followed by a gas chromatography or like manner of quantifying and identifying the THM4 compounds possibly present within the drinking water sample has been found to be nearly as reliable as federally mandated source measuring methods for the same purpose, but with the versatility to measure for such trihalomethane contaminants anywhere along the drinking water supply line.
US08336368B2
The method includes the following steps—introducing a low amplitude air pressure transient into the drainage and vent system of a building in order to propagate a pressure wave from a fitting (6) into a stack (1) and the network of the drainage system;—recording the passage of the transient by use of an air pressure transducer (7) located near the fitting (6) or introduction area of the transient;—establishing a pressure versus time signature recorded by the pressure transducer (7) and sending those signals to a central data acquisition system;—the pressure transient is propagated throughout the network at an acoustic velocity and is reflected by each and every pipe termination of the network so as to establish a characteristic reflection coefficient for each pipe termination; —the characteristic reflection coefficient is compared with testing results performed initially in a perfect network with no dry trap defects or leakages and in case a different signature is of the pressure trace is recorded, the point of diversion will be determined at the time at which the reflection from the altered pipe end termination arrives at the air pressure transducer so that the comparison of this direct trace with the stored defect free signature yields that time and, as the wave speed is known, the determination of the distance from the pressure transducer to the defective trap or seal.
US08336363B2
A device to grip and handle a metal container, obtained as an extruded, deep-drawn or deep-drawn/ironed metal rough piece, especially suitable for use on high-speed machines intended to perform, in a sequence, a plurality of mechanical working operations or other sort of working on the metal container, and including a first or lower portion that is fit to interface-connect the device to the machine both at the working stage and at the transfer stage of the high-speed machine from one working station to the one coming next, and a second or upper portion that is adapted for firmly gripping the metal container during the handling and the entire working sequence of working operations.
US08336360B1
The present invention relates to a notch pressing device for a crash box of a vehicle.The notch pressing device for a crash box of a vehicle includes a lower fixing plate, an upper fixing plate mounted to the lower fixing plate by a plurality of posts, a core rotating unit that selectively rotates a core where the crash box is put and is disposed to one end of the lower fixing plate, a supporting unit that is connected to a moving die for selectively supporting a lower portion of an end of the core and that is disposed to a side of the lower fixing plate, and a forming unit which is connected to a punch, which selectively pushes the crash box put to the core for forming the notch, and that is disposed to the upper fixing plate.
US08336358B2
A wire stretching device for applying a drag force onto a wire wound around an object is provided. The wire stretching device comprises a primary platform, a first sub-platform, a second sub-platform and a driving device. The primary platform comprises a plate, a fixed stick and a track, wherein the fixed stick and the track are disposed on a surface of the plate, and the fixed stick has a first fixing device for fixing a first end of the wire. The object is fixed on a first stage of the first sub-platform, and a second fixing device is disposed on a second stage of the second sub-platform for fixing the second end of the wire. The second sub-platform is moved by the driving device for adjusting the tension of the wire. The first sub-platform is passively moved along the track corresponding to the tension of the wire.
US08336345B2
A remote lock mechanism for a handcuff allows the unlocking of the handcuff by insertion of the key in the remote lock mechanism. The remote lock mechanism is located adjacent the pivot connecting the movable jaw of the handcuff to the fixed jaw and, thus, can be operated when the handcuffs are used to restrain a person without the officer's hands being placed between the wrists of the person being restrained. The motion corresponding to the rotation of the key in the remote lock mechanism is transferred to the handcuff lock mechanism to retract the ratchet pawl away from the movable jaw of the handcuff. In one embodiment, the remote lock mechanism utilizes a tumbler that causes opposing rotation of the conventional lock mechanism to first release the double lock mechanism and then retract the ratchet pawl with opposing rotations of the key in the remote lock mechanism.
US08336338B2
Front-loading clothes washing machine including a washing tub, a rotating drum contained in the tub and provided with an access opening and a rear wall, and a plurality of internally hollow lifting ribs arranged inside the drum and provided internally with a respective partition wall. The partition wall is in the shape of a substantially planar quadrangle, a side of which coincides with the common side of the inclined walls of the lifting rib, while the opposite side lies on the inner surface of the drum in a roughly intermediate position between the walls. The partition wall divides the inner volume of the respective lifting rib into two chambers that do not communicate with each other, and each one of the inclined walls is provided with at least a first respective aperture and a plurality of respective perforations adapted to let the respective one of the chambers communicate with the inner volume of the drum.
US08336336B2
The present invention relates to a mandrel for producing glass tubes or rods, particularly for the Vello process, the A-drawing process and preferably for the Danner process. The mandrel comprises a body (1) of a ceramic composite material, and an external metal material jacket (2) surrounding at least a portion of said body, wherein the ceramic composite material has a substantially similar thermal expansion coefficient as the metal material of said jacket. Alternatively the mandrel comprises a self-supporting metal material jacket (22).
US08336327B2
An icemaker assembly includes an ice tray having at least one ice forming compartment. The ice forming compartment includes (i) a first planar lateral side surface, (ii) a second planar lateral side surface, and (iii) an arcuate bottom surface between the first lateral side surface and the second lateral side surface. The first planar surface and the second planar surface are positioned relative to each other so that (i) the first planar lateral side surface is spaced apart from the second planar lateral side surface at a downstream end of the ice forming compartment by a distance D1 relative to the ejection path of movement, (ii) the first planar lateral side surface is spaced apart from the second planar lateral side surface at an upstream end of the ice forming compartment by a distance D2 relative to the ejection path of movement, and (iii) D2 is greater than D1.
US08336325B2
The invention relates to an ice dispenser (10) for a refrigerator that includes a flap unit (24) which is arranged in an ice dispenser shaft and which can be adjusted between a release position which releases the ice dispenser shaft for dispensing ice and a locking position which blocks the ice dispenser shaft against dispensing ice, a pulse-controlled actuating magnet arrangement (58) for actuating the flap unit (24), and mechanical retention means (36, 64, 66) which releasably retain the flap unit (24) in the release position and in the locking position thereof, respectively.
US08336323B2
A drive system for a compressor of a chiller system includes a variable speed drive. The variable speed drive receives an input AC power at a fixed input AC voltage and a fixed input frequency, and provides an output AC power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC power source. The converter is arranged to convert the input AC voltage to a DC voltage. A DC link is connected to the converter and configured to filter and store the DC voltage from the converter. An inverter is connected to the DC link. A motor is connectable to the compressor for powering the compressor. A controller is arranged to control switching in the converter and the inverter. The controller is arranged to apply randomized pulse width modulation to vary the switching frequency of transistors in the converter and the inverter at each switching cycle. The motor may be a permanent magnet synchronous motor.
US08336320B2
Provided are a refrigerator and a drawer for a refrigerator. The drawer for the refrigerator includes a receiving member received in the refrigerator to provide a receiving space for receiving foods, an induction member disposed inside the receiving member to induce a formation of moisture on a surface thereof, an indicating member disposed inside the receiving member, the indicating member comprising an indicating part for indicating a humidity state to the outside, and a transmission part providing a space through which the moisture flows, together with the indicating member.
US08336317B2
A turbine engine, including a final centrifugal compressor stage associated with a diffuser for supplying air to a combustion chamber, and a ventilation element for ventilating a high-pressure turbine wheel, is disclosed. The ventilation element includes an injection element for injecting air onto the wheel and a take-up element for taking up a flow for cooling the impeller of the compressor, where the take-up element has a labyrinth seal mounted at the outlet of the injection element, and the air outlet orifices are installed between the injection element and the labyrinth seal and leading upstream of the turbine wheel.
US08336316B2
A noise reduction device, for example for use in a bleed assembly of a gas turbine engine, comprises partitions having apertures which provide contractions and sudden expansions of flow passing through the device, turbulators being provided between the partitions to break up jets issuing from the Apertures. Breaking up the jets before impact with the partitions enables the partitions to be disposed closer together, so enabling adequate noise reduction to be achieved in a device of relatively small thickness.
US08336314B2
A nozzle arrangement for use in a gas thruster is presented. At least one heater micro structure (20) is arranged in a stagnation chamber (12) of the gas thruster. The heater microstructure (20) comprises a core of silicon or a silicon compound coated by a surface metal or metal compound coating. The heater microstructure (20) is manufactured in silicon or a silicon compound and covered by a surface metal coating. The heater microstructure (20) is mounted in the stagnation chamber (12) before or after the coverage of the surface metal or metal compound coating. The coverage is performed by heating the heater microstructure and flowing a gas comprising low quantities of a metal compound. The compound decomposes at the heated heater microstructure (20), forming the surface metal or metal compound coating. The same principles of coating can be used for repairing the heater microstructure (20) in situ. The driving gas comprises preferably a compound exhibiting an exothermic reaction when coming into contact with a catalytically active material. If the gas is exposed to heater microstructures being covered with the catalytically active material, the gas is further heated by the catalytic reaction.
US08336308B2
A lever device for operating a hydraulic actuator for a motorcycle, comprises a support that can be connected to a bearing structure, a hydraulic actuator connected to the support, a main lever, pivotally connected to the support and intended to be operated by being moved close to or away from said hydraulic actuator, a control rod and an adjustment member that are interposed in series between the main lever and a piston of the hydraulic actuator such as to transmit an operating movement from the lever to said piston. The adjustment member pivots about an axis of adjustment and defines a seat that accommodates an end of the control rod. The seat is eccentric to the axis of adjustment, whereby rotation of the adjustment member changes the orientation of the control rod relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and thus the lever ratio.
US08336304B2
Improvements in a transmission are provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit. The pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, and a plurality of additional turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to the output shaft and after each turbine is a multi-valves that discharges the fluid or gas. After all of the multi-stage turbines a first planetary gear set connects the transmission to the vehicle or work unit. The second planetary gear set is located between the last turbine and the first planetary gear set. During braking the planetary gear set reverses turning direction of the turbines and convert the turbines into pumps where they will pump low pressure fluid to a high pressure accumulator.
US08336290B2
Axially spaced apart counter-rotatable forward and aft rows of forward and aft propellers mounted on forward and aft rotatable frames includes a flowpath passing through the forward and aft rotatable frames. Hydraulic rotary forward and aft pitch change actuators mounted on the aft rotatable frames are connected to and operable for controlling and setting pitch of the aft propellers. The pitch change actuators are mounted radially inwardly of the flowpath in a one to one ratio with forward and aft rotatable struts extending radially across the flowpath. One or more rotatable shafts extend through one or more of the rotatable struts and connect one or more of the pitch change actuators to one or more of the propellers. The pitch change actuators may be ganged together by unison rings having ring teeth engaging gear teeth on gears connected to the pitch change actuators or connected to the rotatable shafts.
US08336284B2
The present invention is related a steel cord (500, 600) comprising one or more strands (504, 602), said strands comprising at least two filaments, wherein the void spaces between at least two filaments of at least one of said one or more strands are at least partially filled with a composition comprising a thermosetting material (506, 606), characterized in that the thermosetting material (506, 606) is a heat-curable one-component thermosetting material. Further, the invention relates to a steel cord (100, 200, 300) comprising at least two strands (102, 104, 202, 204, 302, 304), said strands comprising at least two filaments, wherein the void spaces between at least two strands are at least partially filled with a composition comprising a thermosetting material (106, 206, 306), characterized in that the thermosetting material (106, 206, 306) is a heat-curable one-component thermosetting material.
US08336282B2
A robotic mower housing includes a one piece molded bottom chassis having an inner wall and an outer wall. A top cover is removably attached to and covers the bottom chassis. An outer seal is provided between the outer wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover, and an inner seal between the inner wall of the bottom chassis and the top cover. The vehicle control unit and other electronic components may be located in the inner cavity inside the inner seal and an outer cavity between the outer seal and the inner seal.
US08336280B2
A draper platform (100) has a center endless belt conveyor (118) that is supported on and between two adjacent support arms (246A, 246B) that pivot with respect to each other and with respect to the frame (102, 104, 106) of the draper platform (100) to which the two adjacent support arms (246A, 246B) are pivotally connected.
US08336277B1
Photovoltaic modules including a solar panel integrated with a supporting frame, and which are configured to be installed on a building rooftop. Modules according to the present teachings may be at least partially pre-assembled, with a solar panel oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the rooftop mounting surface of the supporting frame.
US08336260B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for securely blocking and sealing an access corridor to a secure facility. The exemplary system includes a penetration resistant door disposed in a passage intersecting the access corridor, and dividing it into first and second sides. An actuating mechanism translates the door within the passage between an open position in which the corridor is unblocked, and a closed position in which the corridor is blocked by the door. A locking system is configured to push the door toward one side of the access corridor when the door is in the closed position, compressing a seal disposed between the door and the passage wall, and sealing the first side of the access corridor from the second side.
US08336258B2
A combined sealing system for connecting a first panel having a sash to a frame includes first, second, and third sealing systems. The first panel is within and movable relative to the frame, comprising: The first sealing system is configured to engage a first portion of the sash with a first portion of the frame. The second sealing system is configured to engage a second portion of the sash with a second portion of the frame. The third sealing system is configured to engage a meeting rail of the first panel with a meeting rail of a second panel within the frame. The first panel is movable between at least an open position and a completely closed position. Prior to the first panel being in the completely closed position, engagement of the first sealing system begins and drives engagement of at least one of the second and third sealing systems.
US08336257B2
A telescoping floor seal assembly comprising an attachment portion adapted to be mounted to a bottom edge of a vertically displaceable partition, and a displaceable sealing portion slideably mounted within the attachment portion for relative displacement therewith between a fully collapsed position and a fully extended position and described. The displaceable sealing portion has at least one longitudinal sealing edge member at a base thereof for contacting a floor when the vertical partition is displaced to a closed position. The attachment portion is substantially vertically displaceable with the vertically displaceable partition while the sealing edge member of the displaceable sealing portion remains in sealing contact with the floor within a predetermined displacement range of vertical movement of the vertical partition. The telescoping floor seal assembly thereby accommodates live load deflections of the vertically displaceable partition without compromising the seal formed between the floor and the telescoping floor seal.
US08336255B2
An opening and closing apparatus is disclosed that includes an opening and closing body, a force transmitting portion, an elongated sensor body, a support member, and a control section. The opening and closing body is actuated to selectively open and close an opening. The force transmitting portion has a drive portion that generates drive force. The force transmitting portion transmits the drive force from the drive portion to the opening and closing body. The sensor body detects an object between a closing-side end of the opening and closing body and a facing part of the periphery of the opening that faces the closing-side end of the opening. The closing-side end is at an advancing side of the opening and closing body when the opening and closing body is in a closing operation. The support member is fixed either to the closing-side end or the facing part. The support member supports the sensor body. The control section controls the drive portion based on a detection result of the object received from the sensor body. The support member includes an attachment main body and a reinforcing member that is embedded in the attachment main body and reinforces the attachment main body. The reinforcing member has a sensor holding portion that is exposed to the outside from the attachment main body and holds the sensor body.
US08336242B2
The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In an embodiment, the apparatus has a memory page for writing notes and a light and speaker feature for which may be used to view the diploma and play a message or song. The apparatus may have a double-faced mat to accommodate diplomas of different sizes.
US08336238B1
A display surface is attached to a support. The display surface has a recessed element between two protruding elements and a graphic image in which depth is reversed. The display surface can be in a card, which opens like a cover or a pop-up card or an according like card, a room divider, a cardboard display or a display for a building or billboard. Spacing of the display can be controlled.
US08336237B2
A sign holder in the form of individual parts which, upon assembly, provides for the support and display of signage in a plurality of orientations. The sign holder includes a base configured to receive and support a first end to the stem, the stem having a first end and second end, the first end configured to be releasably retained by the base and the second end configured to retain a sign frame. The second end of the stem is provided with a C-shaped extremity sized to frictionally capture the sign frame such that the sign frame is releaseable from the stem by providing a lateral force to the frame.
US08336233B1
A wear plate assembly includes a base, a wear plate, and a key. The wear plate is moveable with respect to the base between free and applied conditions. In the applied condition of the wear plate, the base and the wear plate cooperate to form a keyway for receiving the key. The keyway is located below the top of the base. The key is moveable between a first position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the wear plate assembly and second position corresponding to a locked configuration of the wear plate assembly.
US08336232B2
A hydraulic system for an earth-moving vehicle may include first and second hydraulic cylinders, first and second hydraulic pumps and control valves including a combiner valve to modulate hydraulic fluid and pressure from the first and second hydraulic pumps to the first and second hydraulic cylinders as appropriate for the task being performed. If the task is digging, the first and second cylinders may be associated with tilting and lifting, respectively, and the control valves may be oriented so as to make each pump dedicated to one of the cylinders, and if demand is not being met, to then diminish power to the drivetrain to allow the tilting and lifting to be performed. The combiner valve may or may not be open during this time. If the task is not digging, the combiner valve can be opened to allow for cross-flow between the pumps and the cylinders.
US08336223B2
A roundness measuring apparatus includes a stylus stocker and a controller. The stylus stocker stores plural types of styli prepared corresponding to shapes of measurement sites of a measurement target object. The stylus stocker can store styli in such a manner that each stylus can be held thereon and taken out thereof. The stylus stocker is provided outside a measurement region, which is determined on the basis of the operation range of a turntable and a detector driving mechanism. The detector driving mechanism can move the detector to the outside of the measurement region. When a measurement command is given, the controller carries out roundness measurement of the object while controlling the turntable and the detector driving mechanism. When a stylus replacement command is given, the controller carries out stylus replacement operation between a detector main unit and the stylus stocker while controlling the detector driving mechanism.
US08336222B1
A method and apparatus for measuring a space between parts having restricted access is disclosed. An apparatus may comprise an elongate member, a flange, and a measurement system. An end of the elongate member is configured to move through a hole in a first structure into a space located between the first structure and a second structure. The flange extends from the elongate member. The elongate member is configured to expand after the flange exits the hole in the first structure such that the flange is unable to pass back through the hole. The measurement system is configured to measure movement of the end of the elongate member to identify a length of the space between the first structure and the second structure.
US08336221B2
A level for indicating the orientation of each of a surface, a first electrical device, or a second electrical device, the level including a first planar surface, a second planar surface, a web, and a vial. The web is coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface. The vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble and is coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the first planar surface. A first perimeter is formed as part of the web, shaped substantially the same as a portion of the first electrical device, and sized to engage the portion of the first electrical device such that the vial is operable to indicate the orientation of the first electrical device.
US08336220B2
In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.
US08336218B2
To be able to measure the angular deviation simultaneously in two directions in space a magneto-sensitive sensor unit on the one hand (that can measure the magnetic flux density in at least two directions in space or orthogonal to each other) and a magnet on the other hand are moved relatively to each other, wherein one of both elements are provided in such a way that it aligns itself directly or indirectly according to the gravity. An optimal measuring result is achieved by guiding one of both elements on a defined, reproducible surface so that the center axis of this element is directed always to the center axis of the other element.
US08336210B2
Inner and outer ring spacers include respective load bearing portions, which are positioned on respective sides of a gap of a predetermined size and which confront with each other in an axial direction. Each of the inner and outer ring spacers is divided into two spacer segments along a surface of division extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and passing through the associated load bearing portions. Inner and outer ring divided spacer segments, having the load bearing portions, are simultaneously machined so as to have the same axially measured width. Along therewith, inner ring divided spacer segments, having no load bearing portions, are simultaneously machined so as to have the same axially measured width, thereby rendering the latter axially measured width to be larger than the former axially measured width by a quantity corresponding to the gap.
US08336209B2
A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.
US08336208B1
A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like.
US08336200B2
A method for maintaining orientation of a part during manufacturing includes feeding a carrier a supply apparatus. The carrier includes a flexible material and supports a plurality of manufactured parts and includes indexing parts and the supply apparatus stores the carrier. The method includes feeding the carrier into a part forming module to form a manufactured part, forming a plurality of manufactured parts onto the carrier and determining a position of the carrier by sensing the indexing marks. The carrier includes a plurality of parts formed onto the carrier and each manufactured part is connected to the carrier with connectors that hold the part from the carrier. The width of the connector less than or equal to the connector at a connection point to the carrier. Each part maintains orientation with respect to the carrier where the part is formed and maintains orientation during a subsequent operation.
US08336193B2
Provided is a process for making a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically partitioned magnetic recording patterns, which comprises the following three steps (1), (2) and (3), conducted in this order: (1) a step of forming a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate; (2) a step of removing surface layer portions of regions for magnetically partitioning the magnetic layer; and (3) a step of exposing the thus-exposed regions of the magnetic layer, from which the surface layer portions have been removed, to a reactive plasma or a reactive ion, to modify the magnetic characteristics of the regions of magnetic layer, whereby a magnetic recording pattern is formed which are magnetically partitioned by the regions of magnetic layer having the modified characteristics. Thus, a magnetic recording medium having an enhanced recording density and minimizing letter bleeding at writing can be made with a high efficiency.
US08336189B2
A method of making an electrical power supply of an electrically controllable system having variable optical properties, when fitted near water, electrically safe, the electrically controllable system comprising a carrier substrate that bears an electroactive element placed between first and second electrodes supplied with a periodic voltage U(t) having a given maximum RMS value U0 at a given low supply frequency, the method including limiting the touch potential at an input or output terminal of the electrically controllable system to a maximum value of 50 V or less, the touch potential being defined as the potential experienced by the human body in case of contact with the input or output terminal.
US08336184B2
A device capable of smoothly, easily and automatically installing a molding on a door panel for an automobile is provided and includes a molding installation jig and a dynamic sensor located between a jig body and an arm. The dynamic sensor is designed to detect a force applied from the molding installation jig to the molding. A finger is supported on a side of the jig body to contact and hold an end section of the molding. Three suction pads, which communicate with a vacuum device, are provided on a surface of the jig body at equal intervals. A pair of brackets having a C-shaped cross section are provided on a side surface of the jig body, which is perpendicular to the surface on which the suction pads are provided. A first roller, a second roller, and a third roller 19 are rotatably supported in each of the brackets.
US08336175B2
Provided is a riveting press, which includes a base, a body frame fixed on the base, a riveting and pressing cylinder mounted on the body frame, and a pressing mechanism disposed between the base and the body frame. The pressing mechanism includes a first supporting unit having at least one first receiving hole, a second supporting unit having at least one second receiving hole, an elastic member accommodated into the first receiving hole, and a riveting and pressing punch passing through the second receiving hole. The first supporting unit is connected to the riveting and pressing cylinder. The second supporting unit is removable mounted on the first supporting unit. One end of the riveting and pressing punch is blocked on the first supporting unit and is contact with one end of the elastic member, and the other end of the riveting and pressing punch points to the base.
US08336174B1
An urn display device for commemorating and honoring a deceased individual. The device features an urn body formed of substantially transparent material. Cavities forming indicia viewable through the urn body are formed and can include one or a combination of an image, text, or a facial depiction of the deceased, or combination thereof, as a means to employ customized indicia on the urn body to honor said deceased. The media to enhance viewing ability of the indicia includes or is supplemented by the deceased's ashes.
US08336173B2
A clip assembly adapted to engage a male track member. The clip assembly includes a clamshell clamping member including a first leg and a second leg. The clip assembly further includes a female compression member adapted to fit in sliding relation at least partially about the clamshell clamping member. The female compression member is adapted to compress the first leg towards the second leg.
US08336172B2
A clamping collar including: a belt comprising a strip and two free ends, each of said the ends being curved back to form a loop and each loop being defined by an outer belt portion and by an underlying inner belt portion; and a tightening system suitable for bringing the loops closer together and for tightening the belt; and in which each of ends of the belt is curved back towards the inside of the collar, the inner belt portion being extended beyond the loop, under the strip, and the outer belt portion presenting a tightening wall with which the tightening system, comes into engagement.
US08336169B2
A cutting device, in particular a converter cutting device, comprising at least one cutting unit that is configured to rotate, and at least one counterweight unit that is provided, at least partially, to compensate a centrifugal force active on the cutting unit during the operation thereof.
US08336166B2
A hinge damper is configured to be adhered to a door hinge of the furniture having a door to attenuate impact and is designed in a small size but to attenuate a large amount of impact. In the hinge damper, first and second seals are formed in an oil seal to prevent air from being introduced. A cross rib is formed on a piston to absorb a larger amount of impact with a small size. The hinge damper can be sized as small as a size of a screw used for fixing the hinge.
US08336164B2
An upright cleaning appliance having a handle for maneuvering the appliance across a floor. The handle is secured on a reclining upright body of the appliance for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the upright body. The handle includes a forward-extending handgrip portion which terminates in an abutment flange for preventing the handgrip portion from slipping out through the bottom of a user's grip.
US08336151B2
The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert of foam material that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant that is housed within a housing of alcohol compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After the removal of the lid, the insert of foam material is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a plurality of resilient fingers that substantially occupy a cross sectional area of the cavity to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior luminal surface of the medical device.
US08336147B2
An apparatus for cleaning (washing) spherical objects, preferably golf balls, includes two substantially round disks which are disposed in register with one another with an interspace which is less than the diameter of the spherical objects, at least the one disk being rotary and provided with a device for guiding the spherical objects out towards the periphery of the disk, and the second disk has a centrally located infeed opening and is provided with a brush which extends from the surface of the disk at an angle of less than 90° to the surface of the disk from the center of the disk out towards the periphery of the disk.
US08336146B1
A forced air heated mat including a parallelepiped central pad connected to a ramp, a first side ramp, and a second side ramp, through which pad heated air is directed via a latticework of air channels to a plurality of vent holes to melt accumulated snow and ice around a home or building. The present forced air heated mat is configured to interconnect with a heating exhaust or drier vent on the exterior of a home or building to direct waste heat to perform useful work in melting accumulated snow and ice.
US08336145B2
A deodorizer in particular, a deodorizer substrate with a porous carrier material formed in a monolithic form, and an odor neutralizing composition in the porous carrier material.
US08336144B2
A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is resumed or increased. In the wash zone, this is considered an intermediate rinse. After the wash zone(s), the increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to a pre-rinse. This pre-rinse ensures that the fabric articles are substantially free of soil or the majority of any soil and substantially free of chemicals when they are transferred to an extractor for final removal of excess water. A final rinse (second rinse) is conducted during extraction of excess water.
US08336142B1
A support device is disclosed for positioning an individual in an inclined orientation.
US08336139B2
A multifunctional microcomputer controlled turn-over nursing bed comprises a bed board that may fold into a L-shape or a U-shape, middle longitudinal plates and left and right side plates wherein the left side plate or the right side plate each comprises a side pillow plate, an adjustable hand rest plate and a hip leaning plate, a movable frame, and a system of interchangeable toilet cover and toilet seat connected by the movable frame which allows excrement collection from a patient lying on the bed even when the bed is folded. The side pillow plate, the hand rest plate and the hip leaning plate may fold synchronously by a link shaft. The bed further comprises a head plate and a foot plate wherein each comprising a centre fixed plate and two active plates, which can be narrowed when two active plates are inserted into a centre fixed plate.
US08336128B2
A water-conserving blowout toilet (10) includes a valve (14), such as a globe valve, connected to a timing mechanism (16) for determining a volume of water flowing to a toilet bowl (32) independent of water flow, a bowl (32) having a lower portion (36) defining a volume of space such that a minimal amount of the water is sufficient to cover and seal a waste outlet (34), and a distribution manifold (22) for distributing the water into the bowl (32) for maximum effect. In another embodiment, the toilet (10) uses approximately 1.0 gallon of water per flush, with approximately 0.5 gallons being used to flush waste from the bowl (32), and approximately 0.5 gallons being used to cover and seal the waste outlet (34). In one embodiment, upper and lower portions (133,136) of the bowl (132) are constructed separately and then joined together.
US08336123B2
A face shield includes a crown, a head gear, and a lens removably secured to the crown with a latch lever having a wide paddle-shaped actuator that is easily manipulated from the rearward edge of the crown. The crown has an opposing pair of studs extending inwardly from the lower edge. The upper edge of the lens includes an opposing pair of keyhole-shaped slots adjacent its opposing side edges which receive and rotatably engage the studs. The engagement end of the latch includes a spaced pair of detents. The fulcrum is secured to an inner surface of the crown so that the engagement end of the latch extends toward the front edge of the crown and the upper actuator end extends toward the rearward edge of the crown. The upper edge of the lens includes a pair of spaced openings that releasably engage the detents on the latch lever.
US08336119B2
Hand coverings having a conductive portion are described herein. In some embodiments, a hand covering includes a shell defining an opening. A conductive membrane can project through the opening, such that a first portion of the conductive membrane disposed outside the shell is operable to interact with an interface of an electronic device. A second portion of the conductive membrane can be disposed inside the shell. Some embodiments described herein further include a second conductive membrane disposed within the shell and coupled to the first conductive membrane.
US08336116B2
A garment having a ventilated garment closure system including a vented zipper is provided. A first flap is disposed on a first side of a vented zipper, and a second flap disposed on a second side of the vented zipper.
US08336115B2
A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a garment body defining sleeves. A cuff may be secured at respective ends of the sleeves. An elastic fiber layer is disposed on the sleeves beginning at the sleeve or cuff. The elastic fiber layer has a high friction surface such that an end of a glove pulled over the elastic fiber layer is inhibited from rolling or sliding back over the elastic fiber and down the sleeve. The elastic fiber may be formed of a polyolefin or other polymers according to known processes and may include a dye or colorant that may be used to indicate the fluid protection level of, for example, a surgical gown.
US08336114B1
A protective mask is revealed. The protective mask includes a mask body, a hoop mounted in the mask body, two angle adjustment members, and a head size adjustment device. The mask body is pivoted to the hoop and the hoop is adjusted by the head size adjustment device on a rear side of the mask body so as to fit head size of users. While being lifted, the angle of the mask body is adjusted and positioned by the angle adjustment members on left and right sides of the mask body. Thereby the protective mask can be applied to users with various head sizes. The users can wear the protective mask firmly and comfortably. Moreover, the angle adjustment of the protective mask is more convenient and simpler.
US08341754B2
A system for preventing on-line violations of open meeting regulations and similar laws, in which one or more special classes of users are defined for an electronic communication system. Special class definitions include the number of group members that make a quorum for each special class. If a user is a special class member, a determination is made as to whether posting or sending a message being composed would violate any legal restrictions associated with that special class such as a serial quorum based on a total number of special class members that would be participants in the communication to which the message would be added, if the message were in fact conveyed. If the number of special class members that would be participants in the communication if the message were conveyed reaches the special class quorum, the message is rejected, and prevented from entry into the communication system.
US08341735B2
The present invention relates to a device and method for increasing the security for a computer or server adapted for communication with a communication network, for example the Internet. The method for automatically controlling access between the computer and the communication network arranges the access to be dependent on user activity. The user activity is determined by monitoring signal activity between the computer and at least one input/output device adapted for communication with the computer, and the user activity being defined as detection of signal activity between the computer and the input/output device. Access to the communication network is only allowed if user activity is occurring or has occurred in a predetermined time period.
US08341731B2
An IC card is recognized by an IC card reader. Data is obtained from the recognized IC card. Card ID included in the obtained data is compared with card ID stored in a user registration information DB. If it is determined that the same card ID exists, an IC card issue count included in the obtained data is compared with an IC card issue count stored in the user registration information DB, and it is determined whether the counts are the same. If it is determined that the issue counts are not the same, a PIN code entry window appears so that the entered PIN code is compared with a PIN code in the user registration information DB. If it is determined that the PIN codes are the same, authentication success is displayed.
US08341730B2
An image forming apparatus is provided with a user authentication portion performing a user authentication process on a user by using user authentication information, a section authentication portion performing a section authentication process, by using one of a plurality of pieces of section authentication information, on the user who has been successfully authenticated by the user authentication portion, an associated information storage portion storing, therein, associated information in which the user authentication information is associated with the plurality of pieces of section authentication information, and a selection process portion selecting, after the user has been successfully authenticated by the user authentication portion, at least one of the plurality of pieces of section authentication information satisfying a preset condition from among the plurality of pieces of section authentication information associated with the user authentication information that has been used for the user authentication process.
US08341725B2
In general, this disclosure describes network security techniques that may accommodate legitimate movement of a subscriber device while preventing MAC collisions that may result from configuration errors or MAC spoofing attempts. MAC spoofing may result in packets directed to one subscriber device being sent instead to another subscriber device. By modifying an access node or a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server to allow only authorized subscriber devices on the access network, layer two collisions (“MAC collisions”) may be prevented.
US08341712B2
A method and system for authenticating a user of a mobile device is provided. A first message is received from a mobile device, the message including a mobile device identifier identifying said mobile device. An association between the mobile device identifier in the first message and a registered user is confirmed. A second message is generated and transmitted to the mobile device. The second message includes a user identifier identifying the registered user. A request for a service is received, the request including the user identifier.
US08341708B1
A method and system for authenticating credentials for management of a client is disclosed. The credentials are provided to a verification application. The credentials are authenticated to an authentication application. A connection between the authentication application and a security server is established. An authenticator is invoked. Administrative rights associated with the credentials are verified. An authentication certificate indicating the administrative rights is sent to the client.
US08341692B1
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for defining rights applicable to a digital object. A set of initial rights and a set of modifying rights are received for the digital object. At least one of the set of initial rights and the set of modifying rights specifies one or more conditions on rights in the respective set of rights. A new set of rights is defined for the digital object based on the set of initial rights and the set of modifying rights. The new set of rights specifies one or more new conditions on rights in the new set of rights. The new conditions are defined based on one or more of the conditions in the set of initial rights and/or the set of modifying rights.
US08341667B2
Advertising driven switched digital video may be provided. A plurality of content streams may be transmitted. In response to determining that an available transmission bandwidth has increased, at least one new content stream may be provided according to a bandwidth-based priority list. In response to determining that the available transmission bandwidth has decreased, at least one content stream may be removed according to the bandwidth-based priority list.
US08341663B2
In one embodiment, a Media Analysis and Delivery System obtains a set of media delivery rules, wherein the set of media delivery rules includes one or more triggers, each of the triggers identifying a topic of interest. The Media Analysis and Delivery System examines a media stream for at least one of the one or more triggers in accordance with the set of media delivery rules. The Media Analysis and Delivery System provides at least a portion of the media stream in response to at least one of the triggers in accordance with at least one of the set of media delivery rules.
US08341643B2
Shared memory and sockets are used to protect shared resources where multiple operating systems execute concurrently on the same hardware. Rather than using spinlocks for serializing access, when a thread is unable to acquire a shared resource because that resource is already held by another thread, the thread creates a socket with which it will wait to be notified that the shared resource has been released. The sockets may be network sockets or in-memory sockets that are accessible across the multiple operating systems; if sockets are not available, communication technology that provides analogous services between operating systems may be used instead. Optionally, fault tolerance is provided to address socket failures, in which case one or more threads may fall back (at least temporarily) to using spinlocks. A locking service may execute on each operating system to provide a programming interface through which threads can invoke lock operations.
US08341628B2
A mechanism is provided in a logically partitioned data processing system for controlling depth and latency of exit of a virtual processor's idle state. A virtualization layer generates a cede latency setting information (CLSI) data. Responsive to booting a logical partition, the virtualization layer communicates the CLSI data to an operating system (OS) of the logical partition. The OS determines, based on the CLSI data, a particular idle state of a virtual processor under a control of the OS. Responsive to the OS calling the virtualization layer, the OS communicates the particular idle state of the virtual processor to the virtualization layer for assigning the particular idle state and wake-up characteristics to the virtual processor.
US08341626B1
To place virtual machines on physical machines, at least one controller receives indicators related to regional environment effects. The at least one controller selects at least one of the virtual machines to migrate from one or more first physical machines to one or more second physical machines in response to the received indicators.
US08341625B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for identification and management of cloud-based virtual machines. A user requests the instantiation of a set of virtual machines from a cloud computing environment. A cloud management system requests the resources necessary to build the machines from a set of resource servers. After populating the set of virtual machines from the cloud, the cloud management system inserts a token ID into one of the virtual machines to designate that machine as a management instance. An image of that machine can be stored in the cloud management system to represent the configuration of the set of virtual machines, even when the cloud itself lacks permanent storage. When the user wishes to update the set of virtual machines, the cloud management system can insert another token ID into another virtual machine, reconfigure the software, processing, or other resources of that machine as a revised management instance.
US08341621B2
A server-client system is configured to automatically detect and install peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, etc. that are attached to a client. The server is configured to detect the peripheral device and install a driver that is compatible with the peripheral device. The I/O queue created for the peripheral device is redirected to the port to which the peripheral device is connected.
US08341608B2
A cross-platform toolbar and method thereof is disclosed. The toolbar includes a toolbar render object defining at least user interface elements of the cross-browser toolbar; a script file defining at least event handlers associated with the user interface elements; toolbar libraries including at least application programming interfaces (APIs) and script files supporting a specific web browser type; and a unique dynamic-link library (DLL) file assigned with the toolbar libraries and the script file.
US08341602B2
An “Automated, Static Safety Verifier” uses typed assembly language (TAL) and Hoare logic to achieve highly automated, static verification of type and memory safety of an operating system (OS). Various techniques and tools mechanically verify the safety of every assembly language instruction in the OS, run-time system, drivers, and applications, except the boot loader (which can be separately verified). The OS includes a “Nucleus” for accessing hardware and memory, a kernel that builds services running on the Nucleus, and applications that run on top of the kernel. The Nucleus, written in verified assembly language, implements allocation, garbage collection, multiple stacks, interrupt handling, and device access. The kernel, written in C# and compiled to TAL, builds higher-level services, such as preemptive threads, on top of the Nucleus. A Hoare-style verifier with automated theorem prover verifies safety and correctness of the Nucleus. A TAL checker verifies safety of the kernel and applications.
US08341600B2
A tool facilitating organizing code review via tagging changes in the code such that developer reasoning and reviewer comments are captured during the development process; thus documenting the development process. The tool providing intuitive presentation of changes and change sets based on the purpose of the change. The tool enabling retrieval of the information documenting developer and reviewer rationale during development and after development is complete.
US08341584B1
A system includes a memory and a controller. The controller may include a group of pads and an allocation register. The controller is configured to receive input signals corresponding to the group and allocate each one of the pads to output one of the input signals based on a configuration of pins of the memory. The controller is also configured to redirect the input signals, within the controller, based on the allocation of the pads and output the input signals from the controller into the pads.
US08341577B1
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for parallelizing simulation of circuit partitions. A circuit is divided into a number of partitions, for example, according to channel-connected regions. In some embodiments, the partitions are sequenced and assigned to multiple threads for parallel analysis. Iterative timing analysis (ITA), or some other form of analysis, is performed on the partitions over a series of integration time steps. Using the multiple threads, some partitions are solved at later integration time steps while the ITA continues toward relaxation convergence for a current integration time step.
US08341575B2
A circuit design device comprises a logic synthesis unit that generates a circuit with reference to a circuit design description, a statistical timing analysis unit that obtains a probability distribution of delay times of a path in a circuit, a relative delay restriction fulfillment rate calculation unit that obtains a fulfillment rate of the relative delay restriction according to the probability distribution of the delay time from the same starting point at each restricted path subjected to the relative delay restriction, a path delay probability distribution changing unit that changes the probability distribution of delay times of the restricted path to changed probability distribution when the fulfillment rate does not reach a predetermined rate, and a logic circuit structure changing unit that changes the structure of the circuit so as to follow the changed probability distribution.
US08341573B2
A method of designing an integrated circuit and a model of an integrated circuit block, an electronic design automation tool, an apparatus and a computer-readable medium are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method of designing an integrated circuit includes: (1) generating a timing budget for the integrated circuit employing designer input of the integrated circuit, (2) establishing design constraints for a block of the integrated circuit employing the timing budget, (3) creating an input and output timing budget for the block employing the design constraints, (4) combining implementation information for the integrated circuit based on designer knowledge with the input and output timing budget to generate an updated input and output timing budget and (5) generating a model of the block based on the updated input and output timing budget.
US08341571B1
A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for generating a pattern signature to represent a pattern in an integrated circuit design. In one approach, the method, system and computer program product transform pattern data, two dimensional data for the pattern, into a set of one dimensional mathematical functions, compress the set of one dimensional mathematical functions into a single variable function, compress the single variable function by calculating a set of values for the single variable function, and generate a pattern signature for the pattern from the set of values.
US08341570B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides systems and techniques to execute a hardware simulation and verification solution on a multiprocessor system. The hardware simulation and verification solution can be partitioned into different modules which can include a simulation kernel to simulate changes in signal values, a value change dump module to store the changes in the signal values on a computer-readable storage medium, a functional coverage module to check functionality, a toggle coverage module to check signal toggling, an assertion engine to check complex behaviors, and a testbench module to generate test scenarios. Embodiments of the present invention can execute different modules on different processors, thereby improving performance.
US08341562B1
A method includes retrieving first layouts of an integrated circuit from a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The first layouts include a via pattern in a via layer, and a metal line pattern in a metal layer immediately over the via layer. The metal line pattern has an enclosure to the via pattern. The enclosure is increased to a second enclosure to generate second layouts of the integrated circuit.
US08341558B2
A computer-implemented user interface method is disclosed. The method includes displaying information on a touchscreen of a computing device, receiving from a user of the device an input drawn on the touchscreen, correlating the input to a template, where the correlating includes employing a closed-form solution to find a rotation that reduces angular distance between the input and the template, and providing output based on a result of the correlating.
US08341551B2
A system and method is disclosed that provides for displaying on the screen of a handheld electronic device, an extended menu or a short menu, which is a subset of the corresponding extended menu. The system and method include a contact data entry record of an address book application being displayed on a screen. If a contact data entry record is designated through use of the auxiliary user input device and no menu is displayed, the user may initiate an ambiguous request. Various short menus are provided with their respective menu items being dependent and adjustable based upon the position of a cursor on the display page, the currently opened application, and/or the previous selections. Further, a selection from the short menu is capable of displaying the extended menu corresponding thereto.
US08341549B2
A system for arranging symbols for display and selection in a mobile communication terminal is provided. The system comprises user interface configured for selecting a first symbol having a first display priority; and means for assigning a second display priority to a second symbol associated with the first symbol, wherein the second symbol is displayed according to the second display priority, in response to a request for displaying a symbol set.
US08341544B2
An electronic device associated with a remote wand controlling the operations of the electronic device is provided. The wand may include a motion detection component operative to provide an output reflecting the motion of the wand to the electronic device, such that the movements of a cursor displayed by the electronic device may be related to the output of the motion detection component. The wand may also include an input mechanism operative to receive user inputs. Using the input mechanism, the wand may detect a user's inputs and direct the electronic device to zoom or scroll displayed objects. The electronic device may display a screen saver by which the user may select particular media items for playback while remaining in the screen saver mode. In some embodiments, the electronic device may display video with a scroll bar that includes a preview window of the video.
US08341540B1
A visualization service generates a graphical representation or visualization of each user's behavior within a network resource, such as a website. In one example, the visualization service provides a dynamic visualization of each user accessing the network resource. Each user is graphically represented in the visualization with an indicium, such as a point or dot. The visualization (and thus, the position of each indicium representing a user) is dynamically updated as each user accesses data files from the network resource and thus, moves from state to state (or page to page) over time. The effect is similar to watching cars move along a complex highway system.
US08341537B2
Indication of delayed content output is described. In an implementation, content is output for display as a user interface having one or more selectable elements. When a cursor is positioned proximally to one of the selectable elements, a graphical symbol is output in the user interface that indicates a delay of a user-specified amount of time before additional content is displayed.
US08341533B2
Tools and techniques are described for storage and expedited retrieval of messages and responses in multi-tasking environments. Methods provided by these tools may establish active communications with a first contact, and then received indications of secondary communications involving a second contact. These methods may then present user interfaces (UIs) that include representations of at least the secondary communications. Through the UIs, the methods may receive a selection of one of the secondary communications for an expedited response, and may receive input from the user that provides the expedited response to the secondary communication, while maintaining the active communication in an active state. These methods may provide the expedited response to the secondary communication, based upon the input received from the user.
US08341531B2
Content formatting and installation techniques are described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving one or more inputs for initiating an installation process of one or more content items and performing the installation process without user intervention. The performing of the installation process includes obtaining a content package, from over a network, which includes a manifest which describes a content type for each of the content items. Each of the content items is installed for use by an application module based on a respective content type.
US08341530B1
Systems and methods provide customer service center database management. A management component may identify an application accessible at a location based on a user profile and hardware component requirements for the application. The component may promote upgrading hardware components if the location's hardware components do not meet the requirements. The component may identify a user profile for a location and a communication route for the user profile. The management component may promote a change in a communication route to the location for the user profile if the route to the location does not correspond to the route for the user profile. The component may identify a first location's user profile that is similar to a second location's user profile. The component promotes modification of the first user profile to match the second user profile and of a route for the second user profile to a route for the first user profile.
US08341525B1
A digital multimedia platform available to a plurality of collaborators of a video project through a networked computing system maps script information to a timeline, allowing contributions to be mapped to the timeline for inclusion in the project. One embodiment includes a tools module, an authentication module, a compilation module, and a script writing tool. The tools module enables editing of a multimedia project by collaborators. The authentication module assigns roles and privileges to collaborators. The compilation module receives files and information from collaborators to the multimedia project. The script writing tool implements edits to a script file associated with the multimedia project.
US08341524B2
Improved methods and systems that assist a user in searching media items on a portable electronic device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a portable electronic device is provided with a search function that enables a user to search for media items resident on the portable electronic device. The search function can search through different types of media items. Those of the media items that are deemed matching can be ranked in order of relevance and displayed in a list for the user. Thereafter, the user can navigate the list to select one of the listed media items for playback. According to another aspect of the invention, various graphical user interfaces can be presented on a portable electronic device to assist a user in interacting with the portable electronic device to utilize a search function.
US08341519B1
Systems and methods for managing tabs are provided. Such systems and methods may monitor and identify tabs based on tab usage. A method for web page tab management may include determining if tabs have not been used beyond a tab use threshold. The method may also include removing tabs determined to not have been used beyond the tab use threshold. The method may further include storing information of the removed tabs that will enable the removed tabs to be restored in the web browser. A system for web page management may include a tab use determiner and a tab assassin. The system may also include a stored tab repository.
US08341518B2
Generated is a template edition screen on which to display components of a report as modules by OSD by use of icons. One of the icons is selected by use of a pointing device including a mouse. By a drag-and-drop operation, the icon is placed at a desired position in an output format setup area formed in the same screen. The icon is set in a desired size by another drag-and-drop operation. Details of a module shown by the icon thus placed can be set up in a detail setup area in the same screen. Information on a format thus set up is retained as a template through a retention function, and accordingly can be used easily by simply calling the information. Moreover, the retained template can be edited as well. This makes it possible not only to create a new template, but also to modify an existing template.
US08341517B2
An area dividing section divides a display area into two areas having random dimensions. One of the divided display areas is further divided into two with random dimensions. This division is continued until the number of divided display areas reaches the number of content information to be displayed.
US08341514B2
Described herein are techniques for specifying and utilizing static data in the environment of a tag-based or meta-markup document description language such as XML.
US08341505B2
A method for enforcing network bandwidth partitioning. The method includes verifying that a guest driver in a guest operating system (OS) is configured to enforce a resource usage policy, wherein the guest OS resides on a host, mapping a hardware receive ring (HRR) residing on a physical network interface card (NIC) operatively connected to the host to the guest OS, wherein after the mapping the guest OS is configured to receive packets directly from the HRR, determining, using monitoring information, that the guest OS should not receive packets directly from the HRR, and in response to the determination, creating a data path from the HRR to a host OS executing on the host, receiving packets for the guest OS from the HRR by the host OS over the data path, and forwarding the packets from the host OS to the guest OS.
US08341504B2
A communication system that provides fast and reliable communications. The system is suitable for use in connection with wireless computing devices in which transmission errors may occur because of channel conditions, such as interference. Channel conditions causing transmission errors may be bursty and transient such that the errors temporarily overwhelm an error control code. By combining data received for multiple transmission attempts of a packet that fail error checking or that pass error checking with low reliability, a reliable representation of the packet may be quickly constructed. Though, combining may be omitted when a transmission attempt is received that passes error checking with high reliability.
US08341493B2
A method for identifying matched mobile stations includes receiving by a first mobile station signals from a plurality of mobile stations located within a threshold distance of the first mobile station, identifying a first group of mobile stations of the plurality of mobile stations, and receiving uni-cast control information from a network entity. For each mobile station of a first group, the method includes identifying a matched mobile station based upon first data of a mobile station of the first group effectively matching second data of a mobile station of a second group. One operation includes generating a descrambled information element for each matched mobile station of the first group by using the first scrambling sequence that is associated with the matched mobile station to descramble the scrambled information element of the mobile terminal of the second group that is matched to the mobile terminal of the first group.
US08341490B2
Virtual limited buffer modification for rate matching. A reduced-size memory module is employed within a communication device to assist in storage of log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) employed in accordance with turbo decoding. This architecture is also applicable to other types of error correction code (ECC) besides turbo code as well. The memory size is selected to match the number of coded bits (e.g., including information bits and redundancy/parity bits) that is included within a transmission. The received signals may be various transmissions made in accordance with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmissions. When the LLRs calculated from a first HARQ transmission is insufficient to decode, those LLRs are selectively stored in the memory module. When LLRs corresponding to a second HARQ transmission is received, LLRs corresponding to both the first HARQ transmission and the second HARQ transmission are passed from the memory module for joint use in decoding.
US08341488B2
Accumulating LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. The accumulating decoding architecture described herein is applicable to LDPC codes operating on a parity check matrix, H, consisting of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks) or permuted identity sub-matrices (or matrix sub-blocks). In such a structure, the entire LDPC matrix is broken into square sub-matrices such that each sub-matrix consists of either a CSI sub-matrix or a permuted identity sub-matrix, or a null matrix. The iterative decoding process operates by updating of APP (a posteriori probability) or gamma (γ) values and check edge message (λ) values, and this by updating one or more individual rows within a number of sub-matrix rows (or all sub-matrix or sub-block rows) are processed in parallel. The amount of parallelism is specified by the designer and is typically an integer divisor of the sub-matrix (or sub-block) size.
US08341486B2
A method for controlling power consumption of an iterative decoder based on one or more criteria is described. The method may include performing iterative decoding on a demodulated signal to provide a decoded signal, determining whether the iterative decoding is suffering an impairment, and terminating the iterative decoding responsive to the determination of the impairment, otherwise continuing the iterative decoding to provide the decoded signal.
US08341483B2
A data retransmission method for a radio communication system, in which a plurality of data streams are transmitted from a plurality of transmission systems, the method includes when there is a transmission error in transmission data in any of the plurality of data streams, adaptively selecting beamforming or spatial coding for retransmission of the transmission data; and retransmitting the transmission data with transmission errors by using either of selected beamforming or spatial coding, wherein a criterion for adaptively selecting the beamforming or spatial coding is that by comparing a retransmission period with a prescribed fading speed, the beamforming is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed, while the spatial coding is selected when the retransmission period is smaller than the prescribed fading speed.
US08341482B2
A user equipment comprises a transmitter and an adaptive modulation and coding controller. The transmitter is configured to transmit data over an air interface in a single transmission time interval with a first specified modulation and coding scheme, where the single transmission time interval has a plurality of transport block sets. In response to receiving a repeat request for retransmission of at least one particular transport block set, the transmitter retransmits the at least one of the particular transport block sets. The adaptive modulation and coding controller is configured to change the specified modulation and coding scheme to a second specified modulation and coding scheme, enabling a combining of a particular transport block set transmitted at the first specified modulation and coding scheme with a retransmitted version of the particular transport block set transmitted at the second specified modulation and coding scheme.
US08341469B2
An FPGA configuration device comprises: a read operation control unit which performs control to read configuration data from a configured FPGA; and a configuration data transfer unit which transfers the configuration data read out of the FPGA to a memory.
US08341468B2
A test unit is provided for executing a confirmation test on the storage area of the storage apparatus. A storage area management unit sets an accessible valid storage area in the storage area, and extends the accessible valid storage area to include a part of the storage area. The part of the storage area used to extend the accessible valid storage is confirmed for normal operation by the test unit.
US08341467B2
A method and system for packet transmission in a hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) system. A modulation and a block length for a transmission are determined based on the average mutual information per bit. The average mutual information per bit is computed based on a current channel signal-to-noise ratio and a plurality of previous transmissions, each being transmitted with a respective coded block length, modulation form, and signal-to-noise ratio. A block error rate is computed for the potential block lengths and modulations based on the average mutual information per bit, and a throughput of the current transmission is determined based on the block error rate. The modulation form and the block length of the transmission are determined based on an analysis of the throughput. If the receiver cannot decode the current transmission, the transmitter repeats the computation to determine the modulation and the block length for retransmission.
US08341463B2
A system management procedure combines operations for performing operation management in a computer system, the system management knowledge capable of specifying a post-status of each constituent element of the computer system, the post-status being expected as a result that the operations are executed in accordance with the system management procedure, are previously stored in databases. Then, it is judged that a failure occurs, when an actual state of the computer system as a result that the operations are executed based on the system management procedure, is inconsistent with the expected post-status. When the failure occurred, a revising method capable of making the actual state of the computer system as the result that the operations are executed in the system management procedure, to be consistent with the expected post-status, is derived to be proposed.
US08341461B2
There is provided an image forming apparatus which adopts a distributed control system and increases the error detection accuracy of each control unit. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus includes a master control unit that controls the overall image forming apparatus, a plurality of sub-master control units that control a plurality of functions for performing image formation, and a plurality of slave control units that control loads for implementing a plurality of functions. The master control unit determines a diagnosis path for performing a diagnosis process for an error using the signal lines and a connection bridge connected to the respective control units. The master control unit performs the diagnosis process for an error in accordance with the determined diagnosis path.
US08341459B2
A system includes a source storage device, a target storage device, a host coupled to the source storage device and the target storage device, and a first migration device coupled to the source storage device and the target storage device. The first migration device includes a first virtual storage device. The first migration device is configured to migrate data from the source storage device to the target storage device, and the first virtual storage device is configured to receive write access requests for the data from the host during the data migration and send the access request to the source storage device and target storage device.
US08341451B2
A circuit and method for determining the frequency of a first oscillating reference signal generated by a first reference oscillator. The circuit comprises: a second reference oscillator arranged to generate a second oscillating reference signal having a known frequency, a boot memory storing boot code comprising clock configuration code, and a processor coupled to the boot memory and the second reference oscillator. The processor is arranged to execute the boot code from the boot memory upon booting, wherein when executed the clock configuration code operates the processor to determine the frequency of the first reference signal by reference to the second reference signal.
US08341444B2
A method for minimizing power consumption in a computer server is provided. Collected data for an event is compared with an entry in a power consumption table. A power reduction mechanism is triggered if the collected data and the entry are within a specified range. The power consumption table is updated with the collected data if the collected data and the entry are not within the specified range.
US08341433B2
A method for managing the power consumption of an information handling system including a processor and an associated cooling system. The method may include providing power to the cooling system based on a performance/power balance setting, accepting a user input to adjust the performance/power balance setting, and adjusting the power provided to the cooling system based on the adjusted performance/power balance setting. The performance/power balance setting may define a balance between performance of the processor and power consumption of the associated cooling system.
US08341431B2
A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.
US08341425B2
Provided is a storage device which partitions data from a host into multiple partitioned data and distributes, encrypts and stores them together with a parity to and in multiple memory mediums. This storage device executes processing of restoring the partitioned data or the parity stored in a memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key based on decrypted data of the partitioned data or the parity stored in each memory medium other than the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key among the multiple memory mediums, storing the restored partitioned data or the parity in a backup memory medium while encrypting the restored partitioned data or the parity with a new encryption key, and thereafter interchanging the backup memory medium and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key so that the backup memory medium will be a memory medium configuring the parity group and the memory medium to be subject to encryption re-key will be the backup memory medium.
US08341420B2
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying sensitive data from a user-entered input sequence based on user-defined criteria. According to one method, user-defined criteria for identifying sensitive data within user-entered input sequences that include sensitive data and padding data are received. A request for sensitive data from a requesting agent is presented. A user-entered input sequence that includes sensitive data and padding data is received in response to the request for sensitive data. Sensitive data is identified within the user-entered input sequence using the user-defined criteria. The identified sensitive data is provided to the requesting agent in response to the request for sensitive data.
US08341416B2
The invention relates to a method for providing an assertion message (200) from a proving party (20) to a relying party (40), the method comprising the steps of: —creating an assertion (A) comprising one or more statements, —creating an assertion proof (p A), —creating a temporary private key and a corresponding temporary public key (K) from the assertion (A) and the assertion proof (p A), —creating a key proof (PK) for the temporary public key (K), —creating an assertion message signature (S) by means of the temporary private key, —creating the assertion message (200) comprising the temporary public key (K), the assertion proof (PA), the key proof (PK), the assertion (A), a message body (220) and the assertion message signature (S) to the relying party (40).
US08341412B2
The disclosed technology generally relates to methods for identifying audio and video entertainment content. Certain shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification can be redressed through use of crowdsourcing techniques.
US08341410B2
An exemplary optimistic protocol for a two-party transaction includes a setup sub-protocol that includes an authorized Diffie-Hellman key agreement, an exchange sub-protocol that includes sending a certificate from a sending party to a receiving party and sending a receipt from the receiving party to the sending party and a dispute sub-protocol that includes a dispute resolution mechanism for resolving disputes between the sending party and the receiving party due to sending of an invalid certificate, due to sending an invalid receipt, or due to abortion of the exchange sub-protocol. Other exemplary methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08341408B2
A system and method for providing variable security levels in a wireless communication network. The present invention optimizes the often conflicting demands of highly secure wireless communications and high speed wireless communications. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, various security sensors are scanned to determine the likely presence of an intruder within a predetermined trust zone. If an intruder is likely present, the security level is changed to the highest setting, and consequently a lower data rate, while the intruder is identified. If the identified intruder is in fact a trusted node, the security level is returned to a lower setting. If the identified intruder is not a trusted node, the security level is maintained at an elevated state while the intruder is within the trust zone.
US08341407B2
Even with proper access privilege, when a secured file is classified, at least security clearance (e.g. a clearance key) is needed to ensure those who have the right security clearance can ultimately access the contents in the classified secured file. According to one embodiment, referred to as a two-0pronged access scheme, a security clearance key is generated and assigned in accordance with a user's security access level. A security clearance key may range from most classified to non-classified. Depending on implementation, a security clearance key with a security level may be so configured that the key can be used to access secured files classified at or lower than the security level or multiple auxiliary keys are provided when a corresponding security clearance key is being requested. The auxiliary keys are those keys generated to facilitate access to secured files classified respectively less than the corresponding security or confidentiality level.
US08341405B2
A system that can assist users to manage a personal active directory for all of their information maintained within a cloud-based environment is provided. The identity of a client that accesses data is monitored and recorded in a log. In turn, this information can be made available to the owner of the information in order to develop a desired access control list (ACL). Additionally, the system can employ a heuristic component that can automatically establish the ACL on the owner's behalf. As well, the system can track how information is being accessed (or attempted to be accessed) by other people therefore, giving the owner of the information the opportunity to restrict or allow access based upon any number of recorded factors (e.g., identity, context).
US08341402B2
Provided is a method of controlling content access in a home network. The method includes: (a) defining a predetermined sub group and allocating a sub group key for the sub group; and (b) checking whether a user belongs to the sub group and transmitting the sub group key to a user device requested by the user, wherein the user device obtains an encrypted content key using a domain key and the sub group key. Since a content key is twice encrypted using a domain key and a sub group key and transmitted to a user device, it is possible to provide authorized content access to a user.
US08341400B2
Method and apparatus are described wherein, in one example embodiment, a public key certificate issued by a certificate authority includes at least one characteristic that conforms to at least one rule established for the operation of a public key infrastructure. An attribute certificate is issued to be used to modify the public key certificate in accordance with information contained in the attribute certificate to create a modified public key certificate wherein the at least one characteristic is modified so as to be non-conformant with the at least one rule. According to one example embodiment, the attribute certificates may be distributed by a certificate authority, or embedded in an application that includes an engine that is used to modify the conforming public key certificate.
US08341399B2
A system and method for retrieving certificates and/or verifying the revocation status of certificates. In one embodiment, when a user opens a digitally signed message, a certificate that is required to verify the digital signature on the message may be automatically retrieved if it is not stored on the user's computing device (e.g. a mobile device), eliminating the need for users to initiate the task manually. Verification of the digital signature may also be automatically performed by the application after the certificate is retrieved. Verification of the revocation status of a certificate may also be automatically performed if it is determined that the time that has elapsed since the status was last updated exceeds a pre-specified limit.
US08341392B2
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to booting to a network storage target. In general, in one implementation, a bus-to-network device driver is loaded during a machine boot, where the bus-to-network device driver is capable of sending machine bus commands over a network, providing access to the network for a network device driver, and distinguishing between received responses to the machine bus commands and other network traffic corresponding to the network device driver. Loading of the bus-to-network device driver can occur in response to an operating system load of bus drivers. For example, the bus-to-network device driver can be an iSCSI driver, and the operating system load of bus drivers can be the operating system load of SCSI drivers.
US08341390B2
In a computer system including a server having a BIOS and a management module, the server includes therein a memory area and a server controller, and the management module includes therein a backup memory area and a management-module controller. When the BIOS changes the BIOS setting, the BIOS stores the BIOS setting into both of the memory area and the backup memory area by way of the server controller and the management-module controller. Here, the management module operates independently of the server. Accordingly, when a BIOS-setting read request is issued from the outside, the management-module controller makes the response to the request source by reading the data stored into the backup memory area.
US08341388B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a display unit, a touch panel, a BIOS storage unit, and a setup program execution unit. The display unit displays various kinds of information. The touch panel is installed on a display screen of the display unit and used for input corresponding to a contact operation. The BIOS storage unit stores a BIOS (basic input/output system) to execute startup of an operating system. The setup program execution unit executes a setup program for the BIOS in response to that an input from the touch panel is detected during the execution of the startup based on the BIOS.
US08341378B2
The invention provides a data access method for a flash memory. First, a write command, a write address, and target data are received from a host. A target block corresponding to the write address is then determined. Whether a storage space with the write address in the target block stores data is then determined. When the storage space does not store data, the target data is written to the storage space of the target block. When the storage space stores data, whether a file allocation table (FAT) block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is then determined. When the FAT block exists, the target data is written to the FAT block. When the FAT block does not exist, whether a child block mapped to the target block exists in the flash memory is determined. When the child block exists, the target data is written to the child block.
US08341375B2
A method for operating a memory system is provided. In this method, a sequential update block is provided and a write command is received to write data. The write command comprises a logical address associated with the data. If the logical address is associated with a host file management data structure, then the sequential update block is converted to a chaotic update block. After the conversion, the data are written to the chaotic update block.
US08341373B2
A method is disclosed to set signal compensation settings for a data storage device comprising a first port and a second port, where that first port is interconnected to a first switch via a first communication pathway having a predetermined first length. The method determines first signal compensation settings based upon the first length.
US08341372B2
A system has an emulation memory having a plurality of sectors for storing information. A controller calculates a number of addresses used divided by a number of valid records in a predetermined address range of the emulation memory. An amount of remaining addresses in a currently used space of the emulation memory which have not been used to store information is calculated. A determination is made whether the calculation is greater than a first predetermined number and whether the amount of remaining addresses is greater than a second predetermined number. If both the fraction is greater than the first predetermined number and the amount of remaining addresses is greater than the second predetermined number, any subsequent update requests are responded to using the currently used space of the emulation memory. Otherwise a compression of the emulation memory is required by copying valid data to an available sector.
US08341370B2
A method, in one embodiment, can include a server receiving a message to deactivate a partition key of an object based storage system. A token of the object based storage system is signed by the partition key. The object based storage system includes the server. Additionally, after receiving the message, the server can deactivate the partition key to block access to a partition of the object based storage system by a client. The server includes the partition.
US08341367B2
A calculated factoring ratio is determined as a weighted ratio of current nominal data to physical data based on at least one storage capacity threshold and a used storage space currently physically consumed by one of backup and replication data. A maximal nominal estimated space in the computing storage environment is calculated. A remaining space, defined as the maximal nominal estimated space minus a current nominal space in the computing storage environment, is calculated. If the remaining space is one of equal and less than a user-configured reservation space for backup operations, data replication operations are accepted and stored in the computing storage environment.
US08341356B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a secure programming paradigm, and a protected cache that enable a processor to handle secret/private information while preventing, at the hardware level, malicious applications from accessing this information by circumventing the other protection mechanisms. A protected cache may be used as a building block to enhance the security of applications trying to create, manage and protect secure data. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08341354B2
A method of performing cache coloring includes the steps of generating a dynamic function flow representing a temporal sequence in which a plurality of functions are called at a time of executing a program comprised of the plurality of functions by executing the program by a computer, generating function strength information in response to the dynamic function flow by use of the computer, the function strength information including information about runtime relationships between any given one of the plurality of functions and all the other ones of the plurality of functions in terms of a way the plurality of functions are called and further including information about degree of certainty of cache miss occurrence, and allocating the plurality of functions to memory space by use of the computer in response to the function strength information such as to reduce instruction cache conflict.
US08341353B2
A system and method to access data from a portion of a level two memory or from a level one memory is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a level one cache and a level two memory. A first portion of the level two memory is coupled to an input port and is addressable in parallel with the level one cache.
US08341351B2
A data reception system includes a data acquisition unit acquiring data from a predetermined transmission path, an access control unit storing the data acquired by the data acquisition unit in a predetermined storage area, and a plurality of storage areas. The plurality of storage areas includes a first storage area and a second storage area having a greater storable capacity and a lower storing speed compared to the first storage area. The access control unit further includes a transfer unit. The access control unit determines whether the total amount of data stored in the first storage area is in the excess of a predetermined threshold or not and causes a transfer unit to transfer the data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the second storage area to store the data in the second storage area when the total amount is in the excess of the threshold.
US08341336B2
A region-based management method of a non-volatile memory is provided. In the region-based management method, the storage space of all chips in the non-volatile memory is divided into physical regions, physical block sets, and physical page sets, and a logical space is divided into virtual regions, virtual blocks, and virtual pages. In the non-volatile memory, each physical block set is the smallest unit of space allocation and garbage collection, and each physical page set is the smallest unit of data access. The region-based management method includes a three-level address translation architecture for converting logical block addresses into physical block addresses.
US08341329B2
A method for providing hardware support for memory protection and virtual memory address translation for a virtual machine. The method includes executing a host machine application within a host machine context and executing a virtual machine application within a virtual machine context. A plurality of TLB (translation look aside buffer) entries for the virtual machine context and the host machine context are stored within a TLB. Memory protection bits for the plurality of TLB entries are logically combined to enforce memory protection on the virtual machine application.
US08341315B2
Buffers of programmable depths are used in the instruction and reply paths of cascaded devices to account for possible differences in latencies between the devices. The buffers may be enabled or bypassed such that the alignment of instruction and result may be performed at the boundaries between separate groups of devices having different instruction latencies.
US08341306B1
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising coupling a first device to a client device, the first device having a virtual storage drive, the virtual storage drive storing a device driver; installing the device driver in the client device; and subsequent to installation of the device driver in the client device, installing a filter driver in the client device, the filter driver configured to prevent the client device from detecting the virtual storage drive of the first device whenever the first device is subsequently re-coupled to the client device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08341305B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect a plurality of User Interface (UI) device configurations, receive a request from a computing device to download one or more of the plurality of UI device configurations, and transmit to the computing device the one or more UI device configurations requested to configure one or more UI devices of the computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08341298B2
An embodiment of an open data network system facilitates communication between applications related to operation of a vehicle, such as an aircraft, and re-use of components in different systems and implementations. A switch/router communicates data between on-board systems. A server communicates with the switch/router and provides at least one of processing services and storage services to the on-board systems via the switch/router. A network manager communicates with the switch/router to direct the switch/router in selectively allowing access between the on-board systems. In other embodiments, an avionics interface unit communicates with the switch/router and enable communications between at least one avionics system and at least one of the on-board systems. Other embodiments selectively enable on-board systems to communicate with a ground-based network to provide communications between the aircraft and a stakeholder in the operation of the aircraft while isolating flight-critical avionics and flight communications systems from the open data network.
US08341296B1
Disclosed is a system and method for providing persistence in network access, by enhancing the likelihood that a gateway that is employed by a server array controller to send a client's message to a resource in another network outside of a local network behind the server array controller, is the same gateway employed by the resource for a responding message. In one embodiment, an outbound gateway is selected based on load-balanced gateways that have been enabled for automatic mapping of a source address to an available corresponding global Internet Protocol address. In another embodiment, multiple server array controllers are employed in a multi-active mode that enables multiple network address translation tables to be available in the event of a failover of one or more of the server array controllers.
US08341295B1
Techniques are provided for using the mobility support features of IPv6 to allow client and server nodes to communicate without the continuing intervention of a load-balancing node that selected the server node. A load-balancing node intercepts a TCP SYN packet addressed to a virtual IP address. The load-balancing node selects a server node from among multiple server nodes, and sends the packet toward the server node. The server node sends an IPv6 packet toward the client node. The packet contains a Binding Update option that specifies the virtual IP address as a Home Address. This information causes the client node to replace destination addresses in outgoing IP packets so that packets that the client node would have sent toward the virtual IP address are sent toward the selected server node's IP address instead. Consequently, the IP packets are routed toward the selected server node instead of the load-balancing node.
US08341291B2
A method of providing network communications using virtualization includes steps of creating a virtual machine instance that runs on a device and that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided, detecting a request for a network connection from an application running on the device, determining application-specific information associated with the application, using the application-specific information associated with the application, selecting a routing protocol from among a plurality of available routing protocols for communicating data from the application over a network using the virtual network connection, and, using the selected routing protocol, communicating data from the application over the network to a device using the virtual network connection of the virtual machine instance.
US08341280B2
A computer-implemented system and method for decoupling processing of request and response messages supporting different pluggable respective transports in a service-oriented pipeline architecture for a request-response Message Exchange Pattern (MEP) is disclosed. The method in an example embodiment includes receiving a message having coded therein information identifying a desired pluggable transport mechanism respectively for a request and a response; processing the message through a message processing pipeline; dispatching the processed message to a dispatcher; determining if the desired pluggable transport mechanism is available; activating the desired pluggable transport mechanism, if the desired pluggable transport mechanism is available; and transporting the processed message via the desired pluggable transport mechanism.
US08341279B2
In one embodiment, a node in a computer network may receive data of a particular type at a first frequency (e.g., a sensor in a sensor network), and may correspondingly determine whether there is at least one interested subscriber for the data of the particular type, where the interested subscriber desires the data at a second frequency. If there is an interested subscriber, buffered data publishing may be dynamically activated at the node in response to a ratio between the second and first frequencies being less than a configured threshold. In particular, buffered data publishing comprises buffering the received data and transmitting a latest received data to the interested subscriber at the second frequency.
US08341275B1
Systems and methods for remote access of network-enabled devices that provide seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity between multiple users and multiple devices, that allow collaborative operations by multiple users of remote devices, that allow point to multipoint control of multiple devices and which allow rapid, secure transmission of data between remote users and devices. In general terms, the system includes at least one connection server, and at least two computers operatively coupled to the connection server via a public or global network. In an example where at least one client computer is operatively connected to at least one network-enabled device through a connection server via the public or global network, the connection server is configured to route control instructions from the client to the network-enabled device, and route data from the network-enabled device to the client.
US08341273B2
In one embodiment, a network device determines one or more conditions for invoking one or more real applications to the network device for a session. This determination may be made at the initiation of the session, such as when a SIP INVITE message is received. The one or more conditions allow real applications to be invoked when a future event satisfies the condition. When it is determined that a condition is satisfied, a real application associated with the condition is then invoked. Accordingly, conditions may be set for real applications that may be tested against future events that have not yet occurred. This allows deferred invocation of real applications. Accordingly, if real applications are not needed for a session, then they are not invoked. But, when a real application is needed, it can be invoked.
US08341271B2
A method and apparatus for performing device discovery in a wireless communication system is described. In one embodiment, a device discovery process is used in a wireless communication system having an apparatus for communicating with WirelessHD devices in a wireless network, where the apparatus comprises a host processor; a transceiver; a physical interface coupling the host processor and the transceiver; and a memory accessible by the host processor and the transceiver to exchange information between the host processor and the transceiver, and the device discovery process comprises: discovering a remote wireless device in the wireless network; notifying, by the transceiver, the host processor of the remote wireless device; requesting, under control of the transceiver, capability information from the remote wireless device prior to receiving a request from the host processor for the capability information; buffering, under control of the transceiver, the capability information before the capability information is requested by the host processor; receiving a capability request from the host processor; and providing the host processor access to the capability information.
US08341269B2
A computer implemented method, system and/or program product configure cloud resources. A request is received for a specific set of cloud resources. The set of cloud resources comprises at least one cloud resource that has been associated with an ontological database. The ontological database defines descriptive terms for the cloud resource and describes relationships between the descriptive terms used by different cloud resources. An optimal set of cloud resources that satisfies the request is configured and saved for future usage in responding to requests for the specific set of cloud resources.
US08341258B2
Supporting end-user to view and operate computing resources by deploying logically organized and graphically represented multi-layered item list (“tree”) has been fully realized on native window based computer user work environment provided by modern operating system such as Windows Explore of Microsoft. The present invention has implemented such tree to represent structured resources, such as for a central controlled distributed scalable virtual machine (CCDSVM), and to be displayable and operable in any web browser on any type of computing system for user to access and manage the actual structured resources. The implementation of the tree is accomplished by creating the tree in memory to mirror the actual structure resource, where the mirrored tree is sent, via web page, to the computing system, where the computing system executes the web browser to display the tree and allow the user to access the actual structured resources via the displayed tree.
US08341251B2
Enabling storage area network (SAN) component migration are provided. An end-to-end systems management console, referred to as the hardware migration assistant, is provided to simplify the migration steps for a SAN administrator to replace key SAN components. The hardware migration assistant provides a single interface suitable for stepping the SAN administrator through the reconfiguring task faster and with fewer sources of error than the known distributed manual process. The hardware migration assistant of the illustrative embodiments provides an interface through which a user may specify a type of SAN component that is being replaced and identifies the particular SAN components that are being replaced. The hardware migration assistant provides a knowledge base for guiding the user through the replacement operation and the reconfiguring of the SAN components, including the new SAN components, based on the previous configuration of the replaced components.
US08341243B2
An apparatus includes unit storing scripts includes a tree structure, each of the scripts including at least one of a child-node script and content, unit selecting a parent-node script among the scripts, and acquiring to analyze a child-node script if the child-node script exists, unit acquiring content if content exists, unit retrieving substitute content if the acquisition of content ends in failure and if content indicates retrieving substitute content, unit retrieving the substitute-child-node script if the acquisition of the child-node script ends in failure and if the child-node script indicates retrieving the substitute-child-node script, and retrieving the substitute-parent-node script when content or the child-node script shows retrieving the substitute-parent-node script, unit acquiring substitute content when substitute content is found, unit acquiring the substitute-child-node script and the substitute-parent-node script when the substitute-child-node script and the substitute-parent-node script are found, respectively, and unit acquiring a change script.
US08341239B2
A runtime vulnerability defense method, system, and computer readable article of manufacture tangibly embodying computer readable instructions for executing the method for cross domain interactions for a Web application. The method includes: creating a first and second iFrame object by the Web application which belong to a lower domain; creating an object O by the first iFrame object; sharing the created object O by the second iFrame object; promoting the domain of the second iFrame object to an upper domain; creating in the shared object O a source accessing function for submitting to a third party server a request to access the content of the third party server; and creating in the shared object O a sanitization function for sanitizing the response received from the server.
US08341233B2
Various technologies pertaining to instant messaging are described herein. A persistent instant messaging group is created, wherein the persistent instant messaging group comprises a plurality of members and persists over a plurality of instant messaging sessions. Instances of an instant messaging application are installed on mobile telephones, and the instant messaging application is used to transmit instant messages between members of the persistent instant messaging group. Messages directed towards offline members of the persistent instant messaging group are transmitted to such members when they come online.
US08341232B2
A method comprises identifying one or more relationships between a target individual and one or more persons based at least in part on a plurality of emails. The plurality of emails comprise one or more outbound emails, which may comprise emails sent to the target individual from the one or more persons. The plurality of emails further comprise one or more inbound emails, which may comprise emails sent from the target individual to the one or more persons. The method further comprises, for each of the one or more relationships, calculating an amount of outbound emails and an amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises assigning a classification to each of the one or more relationships based at least in part on the amount of outbound emails and the amount of inbound emails. The method further comprises sorting the one or more relationships based at least in part on the classification assigned to each of the one or more relationships. The method may further comprise storing information regarding the sorted relationships.
US08341230B2
Method for predicting messaging addresses for an electronic message composed on an electronic device
A method for predicting messaging addresses for an electronic message composed on an electronic device is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a request to compose an electronic message; automatically filtering the contacts based on filter criteria comprising a type of the electronic message to generate a first list of contacts; displaying a message composition user interface screen on a display screen of the electronic device, the message composition user interface screen including one or more address fields for inputting message recipients; displaying the first list of contacts, the message recipients being selectable from the first list of contacts; and selecting a messaging address in accordance with selection of a contact from the first list of contacts and populating an active address field in the message composition user interface screen with the selected contact.
US08341227B2
Systems, methods and media for playback of instant messaging session history in an instant messaging system by facilitating recording and playback of an instant messaging session history to a user are disclosed. Embodiments may include, during an instant messaging session where one or more instant messaging events occur, determining a timestamp associated with the one or more instant messaging events and recording an indication of the one or more instant messaging events and their associated timestamps. Embodiments may also include receiving one or more playback commands and, in response to the received playback commands, displaying playback of the one or more instant messaging events based on their associated timestamps. The instant messaging events may include one or more of a text message, file transfer, input device movement, or a status indication such as offline, returned from offline, away, returned from away, secure session established, session beginning or session ending.
US08341215B2
A processing time can be defined in a system including a plurality of computers for which the processing time is calculated, by displaying candidates of paths corresponding to flow of a series of processings as to transmission and reception of each message based on transmission and reception of messages among a plurality of computers; receiving an input that selects one path among the displayed candidates; and creating a processing time in each of computers in the flow of a series of processings as to transmission and reception of messages based on the received input.
US08341208B2
A method for providing, by a remote machine, access to functionality associated with a resource executing on a local machine includes receiving, by a remote agent executing on a remote machine, an identification of a shell extension associated with a resource provided by a local machine. The remote agent installs a proxy handler associated with the identified shell extension. The proxy handler receives a request for access to the shell extension and redirects the request to a shell extension invoker executing on the local machine.
US08341202B2
A method for calculating coefficients of a filter and a method for filtering are provided. The invention directly factorizes a specific function in a cepstrum domain by spectral factorization and cepstrum technique to obtain coefficients of denominator function from the filter. In other words, the invention adopts a non-iterative algorithm to reduce computational complexity and avoid convergence due to calculating coefficients. Besides, the specific function of the invention includes a compensation function, so that a Fourier transform with greatly reduced size can be utilized in the spectral factorization to greatly save the computations and keep good system performance at a receiver.
US08341195B1
Managing content assets, such as images, video, and audio to facilitate filtering, searching, licensing, and editing associated attributes. Content assets are associated with multiple attributes, including licensing models, predefined value tiers, collections, and albums. Value tiers define varying ranges of price, resolution, or other qualities. Collections comprise groups of content assets within families, each specified by a license model and a value tier. Albums comprise groups of content assets that share a common topic, and albums have a predefined duration. An interface enables a user to filter by selecting any combination of the attributes, and to search the filtered content assets by keywords. Collection states and asset states determine which content assets are accessible for filtering and searching. An asset organizer automatically evaluates proposed edits to content asset attributes, to minimize edits that would unintentionally make content assets unavailable for licensing, and/or that would unintentionally change licensing terms.
US08341190B2
Mechanisms to support multiple name space aware projects are provided. Multiple roots of a project declare multiple namespacing mechanisms. Resources of the project can utilize each of the multiple namespacing mechanisms. In some cases, a particular resource of the project can override and use a foreign namespace that is associated with a different project hierarchy even while that particular resource resides within a project hierarchy associated with the original project and even while the project hierarchy does not declare, at the root, the foreign namespace.
US08341188B2
A coupling facility is coupled to one or more other coupling facilities via one or more peer links. The coupling of the facilities enables various functions to be supported, including the duplexing of structures of the coupling facilities. Duplexing is performed on a structure basis, and thus, a coupling facility may include duplexed structures, as well as non-duplexed or simplexed structures.
US08341187B2
A method and device for storage are provided in embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: acquiring a storage position of a table entry in a hierarchical binary tree that includes a first-part binary tree and second-part binary trees, wherein nodes of the first-part binary tree point to the second-part binary trees through pointers; and inserting the table entry to the hierarchical binary tree according to the storage position. In the embodiments of the present invention, the hierarchical binary tree structure with pointers is adopted to store table entry content, reducing the times of moving table entries and greatly improving the algorithm refresh rate.
US08341183B2
Methods and arrangements of representing the allocation of integers are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to represent the allocation of integers. An embodiment may involve representing a first allocation of integers via a set of nodes of a tree. In the representation, a data structure in a node may represent, for each integer in a set of integers, whether the integer is allocated or free. The embodiment may also involve representing a subsequent allocation. The representing may include adding a new node to the nodes of the tree for the first allocation. The subsequent allocation may consist of freeing of an integer allocated in the first allocation. The data structure of the new node may represent that the integer is free.
US08341181B2
A method for performance tuning a database is described. The method includes setting a database-allowed core value between 500 megabytes and half size of memory for the database. Further, the method declares small and heavily accessed structures as memory resident structures, and sets a memory resident limit value between 0 and the database-allowed core value for the database. In addition, the method analyzes the database to determine whether read-ahead should be enabled for the data structures. The method also analyzes the database to apply a reblocking factor between 1 and 60. The method associates system buffers ranging from 1000 to 20000 with the data structures, and stores the system buffers in memory. Moreover, the method consolidates the data structures having unused space.
US08341179B2
Content delivery system that aggregates and delivers text, audio and video and other content to an end-user from a library of past and current content. A user can actively provide information to the system without utilizing multiple steps or the system can guide content creation from a content originator. A single or limited action content request from a user to the content originator simultaneously collects various information from the user without additional user action. The system collects implicit and explicit content from the source where a content originator can indicate content that should appear a delivery system which originates on other delivery systems. The system automatically reads content and assigns it to a specific category and allows the content originator to further edit said content. Content is delivered to a user through implicit and explicit triggers and excludes content or makes available content depending on user history and other variables.
US08341176B1
Input indicating a first object within a set of structured data may be received. Input indicating a second object within the set of structured data may be received. Additional other objects within the set of structured data that are structurally similar to first and second objects may be determined based on metadata associated with the first object and based on metadata associated with the second object.
US08341172B2
A method and apparatus for defining and processing aggregate data is disclosed. Using database abstraction techniques, a set of logical fields may be used to compose queries of a set of underlying physical data sources. In one embodiment, a logical field may represent an aggregate data value calculated from the elements appearing in a column of a relational table in an underlying physical data source. The elements may be divided into to subsets to calculate multiple aggregate values. An abstract derived entity is a data object present in a database abstraction model that may be accessed as though it were a relational table contained in an underlying physical data source. In one embodiment, columns of the table defined by the abstract derived entity may be populated with aggregate data values joined to other data as specified by a composition rule included in the definition of the abstract derived entity.
US08341169B2
Open profile data in a user profile, e.g., free-form fields in a user profile, are processed to identify interests and preferences of the user. The interests and preferences are utilized to identify categories associated with the user profile, and content items, e.g., advertisements, can be identified based on the categories.
US08341167B1
A method for searching within a product context. The method includes receiving a first search phrase for a search within the product context, and evaluating the first search phrase based on the product context. Evaluating the first search phrase includes obtaining a plurality of keywords from the first search phrase, and identifying a facet using the plurality of keywords. The facet is contextually related to a keyword of the plurality of keywords, and the facet and the plurality of keywords are used to obtain a plurality of search terms. The evaluating the search phrase further includes applying a backward filter to revise the plurality of search terms into a second search phrase. The method further includes displaying the second search phrase.
US08341165B2
Extensible Markup Language (XML) data is represented as a list of structures with each structure in the list representing an aspect of the XML. A set of frequently used elements is extracted from the list of structure representation and stored in packed vectors. The packed vector representation allows Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions to be used directly on the XML data to increase the speed at which the XML data may be searched while minimizing the memory needed to store the XML data.
US08341164B1
A data structure for storing items of information having a time of life includes a time of life interval for each item of information. The items of information are organized in a data structure having nodes and edges connecting the nodes. This data structure is preferably a directed acyclic graph structure. The data structure includes parent nodes and child nodes. The time interval specified for any child node must always be contained within the time interval specified for that child node's parent node, such that the data structure includes no child nodes with a time of life interval that falls outside of the time of life interval of its parent node.
US08341163B2
Techniques for filter sharing are described. An apparatus may comprise a shared filter manager component for an application program. The shared filter manager component may be operative to manage shared filtering operations for the application program. The shared filter manager component may comprise a shared filter interface module operative to receive a selection for a shared filter component to filter multiple source data objects, and assign the shared filter component to the multiple source data objects. The shared filter manager component may further comprise a shared filter control module communicatively coupled to the shared filter interface module. The shared filter control module may be operative to filter data from the multiple source data objects using the shared filter component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08341153B2
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to order a binary tree using primary values and selected secondary values required to resolve a position in the binary tree. The remaining secondary values are in a do not care state. A new primary value is compared to the primary value at the root node of the binary tree. If necessary, a new secondary value is compared to the secondary value at the root node to determine whether the new primary value and the new secondary value or the value at the root node should be placed in a sorted list.
US08341137B2
A method of selecting graphic or video files having corresponding locators used to locate such graphic or video files using a computer. Identifiers are created by searching an area within a web page near a graphic or video file for searchable identification terms and searching an area within a web page near links to a graphic or video for searchable identification terms. The identifiers are stored in a database. User requests for graphic or video file content are received and the database of identifiers is searched to find graphic and video files corresponding criteria of the user. Graphic or video file content is then provided to the user.
US08341123B2
A computer storage file system structured without the use of tables or indexes, instead using a sequence of a small but extensible number of predefined Event types in a logical sequence that describes the complete historical state and content of the file system, Events being actions taken upon objects, objects being at least a directory or a file, optionally with associated user data.
US08341115B1
In a system comprising a production environment and a replication environment, a method and program product for dynamically switching from an asynchronous replication policy to a synchronous replication policy. In a system comprising a production environment and a replication environment, a method for dynamically switching from a synchronous replication policy to an asynchronous replication policy.
US08341111B2
In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including receive pattern data that includes transaction data relating to transactions between persons. Next, the system and method may include building at least one secondary network based upon the pattern data. Additionally, the system and method may include displaying the at least one secondary network.
US08341110B2
A temporal-influenced geospatial modeling system and method forecasts the likelihood of desirable and undesirable events. In one aspect, the present invention designates at least one temporal feature, determines an intensity function representing an expected value of event type instances corresponding to the temporal feature, determines a time window break associated with the intensity function and assesses whether the time window break is a critical time point for the event type.
US08341108B2
A goal of computer development is to understand the user and the data with which the user is engaged. If a better understanding of the user and their data can be accomplished, then additional information and features may be provided based upon the user's intent and interests. Accordingly, as provided herein, Kinds may be created as digital representations of everyday things. Kind classifications may be created to characterize the Kinds. The Kind classifications may be updated based upon user interaction to further characterize Kinds with which the user has interacted. For example, when a user writes an email about using orange peels as an air freshener, an orange Kind classification may be updated to reflect that an orange may be used as an air freshener. Kind feature vectors and user feature vectors may be created to represent the probabilities that the Kind or user relates to particular characteristics.
US08341107B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to expert modeling in a KM system and provide method, system and computer program product for organically ranked knowledge and categorization for a KM system. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for organically ranked knowledge and categorization in a KM system can be provided. The method can include bookmarking answer content for a first end user of the knowledge management system, suggesting a set of categories previously associated with the answer content by other end users of the knowledge management system, and categorizing the bookmarked answer content with a category selected from the set of categories.
US08341094B2
The invention relates to a franking machine, comprising a print head of an ink-jet printing mechanism for printing flat postal items such as letters or postcards, which can be introduced into said mechanism or which pass through the same. Said franking machine consists of a guiding part which is located around the print head and projects in relation to the nozzle opening plane of said print head, and with which a conveying device is associated, said conveying device transporting the postal items between itself and conveying rollers lying opposite and rotating about axes that are located crosswise to the conveying direction. Said conveying device has two drive-connected driving rollers which together with the guiding part, form a path of travel. The driving rollers are located in front of and behind the print head in relation to the conveying direction. A reversibly liftable counter pressure roller located opposite exerts a pressure on each driving roller, respectively, or on a postal item being transported in-between. A roller feeler (39, 119) which is driven by the passing postal item and which is associated with an encoder device (122) is located between the driving rollers (13, 15; 127, 113) in order to monitor the speed and position of a postal item being transported or for controlling the pressure on a postal item.
US08341088B2
The invention relates to multipurpose electronic payment method and system. The inventive method consists in transmitting (A) from a multimedia terminal (TM) a payment order (MP) issued from at least one multimedia application hosted in the (TM) to a local proxy for payment (PP), in discriminating (B) said payment order in (PP) upon a specific local processing criterion respectively remote, in carrying out (C) a local payment upon the retained local payment specific criterion, if not in transmitting (D) the payment order to a remote system (SD) for carrying out a remote payment. Said invention is usable for proximity payment transitions, external payment or for electronically carrying out a telepayment.
US08341082B1
A user may log into a system containing data pertaining to a jointly owned funding account of which he is a co-owner. The user may view information directed to the jointly owned funding account, such as his bills and bills associated with other co-owners. The user may pay bills or schedule payments of bills from the funding account. A co-owner of the funding account may set up an account with a biller and enable other co-owners of the funding account to use this information, thereby providing the other co-owners with the same or similar functionality when they log into the system using their own login information. The information that the co-owner may set up with a biller may be ported over to the information maintained by the system that is directed to the other co-owners.
US08341077B1
A method for predicting client funds positions includes predicting an expected future change in funds for a selected party, and creating a funds estimate for the selected party at a specified time. The predicted future change in funds is based on a transaction history of the selected party, and the calculation is based on the expected future change in funds. The change in funds can be a deposit or withdrawal. Such deposits or withdrawals can be in the form of monetary packages, which enables incorporation of monetary package tracking features into the method.
US08341075B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for assessing the risks and/or exposures associated with financial transactions using various statistical and probabilistic techniques. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for identifying plausible sources of error in data used as input to financial risk assessment systems using Bayesian belief networks as a normative diagnostic tool to model relationships between and among inputs/outputs of the risk assessment system and other external factors.
US08341074B1
A loan repayment system and method comprises a loan account for a purchased item, and a personal fund account used to manage discretionary money. A user deposits discretionary money periodically into the fund account. Typically, the fund account has a starting balance of at least one full cycle's worth of such deposits. Additional principal payments, leveraged from the fund account to front-load against the loan account, are used to exponentially counter the total interest. As the method recycles with each full cycle, the loan account balance is reduced faster.
US08341069B2
Collateralized option index derivative investment instruments and methods for creating a collateralized option index are disclosed herein based on changes in a performance of collateralized option strategies. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method for calculating a collateralized option index is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for calculating a collateralized option index includes calculating a value of a portfolio invested in a collateralized short strategy according to the relation: Vt=Mt−NlastPt where Mt is a value of a LIBOR component of the portfolio at the close of date t, Nlast is a number of put options sold at a last roll date, and Pt is a price of the underlying option portfolio based on arithmetic averages of the last bid and ask prices of all options in the underlying option portfolio reported before a time on date t.
US08341068B2
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for generating and evaluating ideas within an organization through an idea market. It includes an automatic price-setting mechanism that modifies the share-price at the same instant that a trade is made, yet without the assistance of a market maker or a queue of orders. The instant price-setting is achieved by assuming a pre-defined relationship between the quantity of shares in the order and the average share price for that order. This relationship is the price-quantity function. The present invention also includes a mechanism of weighted parameters to modify the share-price in addition to pure supply and demand. The parameters can be adjusted over time in a neural network to optimize the relationship between the share price and the prediction of the actual idea value.
US08341065B2
A user participates in trading securities in a prediction market which represent different outcomes of an event, using an interface which allows the user to understand a trade in terms of a bet. The interface also allows the user to explore different bet amounts while receiving feedback on potential payoffs in real time. In one approach, a tool is used which is moved in one direction by the user to indicate a larger trade for an outcome, or in the opposite direction to indicate a larger trade against the outcome. A bet for an outcome can be translated into a purchase of a corresponding security which represents the outcome. A bet against a particular outcome can be translated into a purchase of securities which represents all other outcomes. The user interfaces hides complexities of the market from the user while surfacing relevant information.
US08341060B2
Investment choices are each within a respective asset class of a defined set of asset classes. Investment choices of a first set of the investment choices (e.g., core investment choices) are within a particular asset class and have a performance factor value that is constrained by a performance factor value range defined by a filter structure. Investment choices of a second set of the investment choices (e.g., satellite investment choices) are within the particular asset class and have a performance factor value that may or may not be constrained by the performance factor value range of the first set, but may have a separate and distinct filter structure. The filter structure specifies unique characteristics desired of a set of investment choices, including a relationship between a benchmark performance factor value and a parameter used for determining the performance factor value range. The performance factor value of each investment choice and the performance factor value of the benchmark investment choice correspond to a common performance factor. A comparative assessment of each investment choice set is performed using a comparative assessment value for each one of the investment choices within each set of investment choices.
US08341055B2
An existing customer of a financial institution may open a new account with their financial institution using an optimized online interface. Initially, the interface presents a standard application for a new account in which an extensive number of fields for personal and financial information must be completed. A link is provided on this long application for use by existing account holders only. Upon selection of the link, an existing account holder is instead presented with a short application in which only the account holder's name, a portion of their social security number, their existing account number, and their account confirmation identifier are required to be entered.
US08341052B2
A combined loan and investment program comprises a computer processor and program code configured to be executed by the computer processor to process financial loan and investment data by calculating from the data interest and principal loan payments on a loan principal at a given rate and term, calculating investment performance data on a periodic principal investment deposit at a given rate and calculating loan principal amortization parameters as a function of the investment performance data. The present invention provides a method for paying off a mortgage and simultaneously generating wealth via an investment account by making a payment to a mortgagee, dividing the payment, applying a first portion of the payment to satisfy the interest due on the mortgage, applying a second portion of the payment to an investment account, allowing the investment account to grow and applying a portion of the investment account to satisfy the mortgage.
US08341051B2
A method and system for conducting an online property auction whereby the system allows for identifying an owner of property willing to sell his property by an online auction, entering into a contract with the owner obligating him to complete the sales of his property conducted pursuant to terms of the contract; pre-arranging a minimum auction price for his property that accounts for the owner's interest, plus costs and fees, conducting the on-line auction with a plurality of bidders for his property whereby at the on-line auction's conclusion there is a winning bidder and ensuring the transfer of the winning bidder's funds to the escrow holder.
US08341046B2
A method begins by storing payment request data, which, for a client, includes a payables profile and an accounts payable data file. The method continues by receiving payment remittance information subsequent to initiation of a payment in accordance with the payment request data. The method continues by storing the payment remittance information. The method continues by consolidating the payment remittance information and the payment request data to produce consolidated payment data. The method continues by generating at least one report based on the consolidated payment data.
US08341043B2
A system and method are disclosed for monitoring, managing and reporting credit card prepayment risk for an issuing bank. Sales data, corresponding payment data and data indicating the fulfillment of orders are monitored. The amount required as security by the bank is dynamically adjusted, for example on a daily basis, in response to the quantum of prepayment exposure determined by the data.
US08341022B2
Embodiments of the invention include a virtual reality system that includes an instrumented device used to present a virtual shopping environment to a simulation participant. The participant's interactions with the virtual shopping environment may be used to conduct market research into the consumer decision making process. The virtual shopping environment may include one or more smart objects configured to be responsive to participant interaction. The virtual shopping environment may recreate a real-world shopping environment.
US08341010B1
A method and system for providing an accurate count of total households and seasonal households within a defined geographic area is disclosed. The invention has application in, for example, the identification of potential sites for retail business locations. The invention utilizes additional data sources beyond census data in order to provide more accurate household counts, particularly in high-growth areas when census data has become stale. Seasonal households are counted by the use of telephony data containing spatially inconsistent records (SIRs), that is, records for which the billing address does not match the location where the telephone service is provided. Households for which an exact address is not known are allocated within the geographic area of interest according to various spreading models.
US08341000B2
A machine-implemented method receives job specifications for at least one direct mail printing job from at least one user and creates at least one workflow related to the direct mail printing job. The workflow comprises at least one job activity. The method automatically transmits requests for bids on the job activities to entities for allowing the entities to bid on performing job activities within the workflow. Bids are received on the job activities from the entities and from rate cards previously established by the entities. The method identifies the lowest bids on an individual job activity-by job activity basis from the bids received from the entities and the rate cards and outputs the lowest bids to the user. The method receives an identification of a single selected entity to perform all activities within the workflow from the user and performing the workflow to output the direct-mail printing job through the selected entity.
US08340997B2
The present invention is directed to a system, and method for making and using the same, for an on-site evaluation of removable goods, condition, and value, and further, for providing replacement removable goods. The present invention provides an effective and uniform way to more objectively evaluate removable goods and/or provide replacement removable goods and/or remediation of the removable goods to the benefit of both an insurer and a customer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a removable goods evaluation system which includes removable goods evaluators equipped with a portable apparatus for evaluating removable goods which includes an objective evaluation approach using evaluation logic to determine a current monetary market value, or “as new” or pre-use value, which takes into account removable goods characteristics, and/or a depreciated value which takes into account loss factors such as wear, appearance, and other degradative considerations. Further, the system of the present invention can include removable goods providers and/or remediators which participate in the remediation and/or replacement of a selected replacement removable goods. The present invention is directed to an interconnected system which includes estimation logic, project management logic and delivery logic for managing an insurance claim from start to finish in a just in time fashion.
US08340990B2
A method for supply chain design may include identifying nodes, links connecting the nodes, and replenishment strategies for moving materials along the links, in a supply chain. The method may also include determining a value indicative of the complexity of the supply chain based on a characteristic of the nodes, links, and replenishment strategies. The method may also include identifying whether core competencies of the nodes are underutilized. The method may also include reducing the complexity of the supply chain to increase utilization of the core competencies of the nodes.
US08340982B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for assessing the impact of an ailment on a health related quality of life domain of a patient using a standardized common metric. The standardized common metric of the present invention enables the impact of various ailments to be compared.
US08340976B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating a coded audio signal based on a multiple channel audio input signal. A balance factor having balance factor components each associated with an audio signal of the multiple channel audio signal is generated. A gain value to be applied to the coded audio signal to generate an estimate of the multiple channel audio signal based on the balance factor and the multiple channel audio signal is determined, with the gain value configured to minimize a distortion value between the multiple channel audio signal and the estimate of the multiple channel audio signal.
US08340956B2
An information provision system capable of providing attribute information to a contextually appropriate portion as well as a linguistic unit including a specific character string expression is provided. The information provision system includes analysis means 21 for dividing a linguistic expression into predetermined linguistic units, a dictionary 31 for extracting vocabularies each of which determines attribute information and selecting a linguistic unit to which the attribute information is to be provided, attribute information determination means (first attribute information determination means) 22 for extracting a predetermined vocabulary from the linguistic unit and determining the attribute information using the dictionary, and attribute information provision linguistic unit selection means (second attribute information determination means) 23 for determining the attribute information on an adjacent linguistic unit, based on the attribute information determined by the first attribute information determination means 22 and a connecting relationship between the respective linguistic units.
US08340955B2
Automated question answering is disclosed that relates to the selection of an answer to a question from a pool of potential answers which are manually or automatically extracted from a large collection of textual documents. The a feature extraction component, a feature combination component, an answer selection component, and an answer presentation component, among others, are included. The input to the system is a set of one or more natural language questions and a collection of textual document The output is a (possibly ranked) set of factual answers to the questions, these answers being extracted from the document collection.
