US08372396B2
The present application describes antibody formulations, including monoclonal antibodies formulated in histidine-acetate buffer, as well as a formulation comprising an antibody that binds to domain II of HER2 (for example, Pertuzumab), and a formulation comprising an antibody that binds to DR5 (for example, Apomab).
US08372395B2
The present invention provides a nano-emulsion composition of CoQ10 comprising 5 to 20 wt. % of CoQ10, 1 to 5 wt. % of ethanol, 1 to 5 wt. % of lecithin, 20 to 30 wt. % of caprylic/capric glyceride or vegetable oil(s), 10 to 20 wt. % of glycerin, 1 to 15 wt. % of coemulsifier(s) and the balance of water. The present invention also provides a nano-emulsion composition of CoQ10 comprising 5 to 20 wt. % of CoQ10, 1 to 5 wt. % of ethanol, 20 to 30 wt. % of caprylic/capric glyceride or vegetable oil(s), 1 to 25 wt. % of emulsifier(s), 10 to 20 wt. % of glycerin, and the balance of water. The nano-emulsion composition according to the present invention can preferably improve stability, in vivo penetration, absorptiveness and bioavailability of CoQ10.
US08372393B2
Disclosed herein are methods for inducing an immunological CTL response to an antigen by sustained, regular delivery of the antigen to a mammal so that the antigen reaches the lymphatic system. Antigen is delivered at a level sufficient to induce an immunologic CTL response in a mammal and the level of the antigen in the mammal's lymphatic system is maintained over time sufficient to maintain the immunologic CTL response. Also disclosed is an article of manufacture for delivering an antigen that induces a CTL response in an animal.
US08372388B2
A stable immunogenic product for the induction of antibodies against one or more antigenic proteins in a subject, characterized in that it comprises proteinaceous immunogenic heterocomplexes which are formed by associations between (i) antigenic protein molecules and (ii) proteinaceous carrier molecules and in that less than 40% of the antigenic proteins (i) are linked to the proteinaceous carrier molecules (ii) by a covalent bond.
US08372381B1
A chewing gum carrier system for supplemental nutrients and pharmaceutical products is provided using compressed gum with a buffering system designed for simultaneous release and ultimate exhaustion of both flavor elements and supplementary nutritive elements and/or pharmacological values by use of a sodium carbonate, bicarbonate and magnesium oxide buffering system included in a compressed gum base, preferably using a plasticizer to prevent premature crumbling of the compressed gum base.
US08372367B2
A method is provided for recovering boric acid from a solution containing boric acid and at least one lithium compound. The method comprises (a) passing the solution through an ion exchange resin such that boric acid accumulates on the resin; (b) removing the boric acid from the resin with an aqueous alcohol solution, thus obtaining a first solution comprising an alcohol, boric acid, and water; (c) converting at least a portion of the boric acid to trimethyl borate, thereby obtaining a second solution; (d) distilling an azeotrope from the second solution, wherein the azeotrope contains trimethyl borate; and (e) recovering boric acid from the azeotrope.
US08372363B2
A method for removing mercury in a combustion exhaust gas includes injecting ammonia or urea as a reducing agent into a combustion exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, metallic mercury, and hydrogen halides, and then introducing the combustion exhaust gas to a denitration apparatus filled with a denitration catalyst to cause a denitration reaction and oxidize the metallic mercury to produce mercury halide; and introducing the combustion exhaust gas through an air preheater and an electric dust collector to a wet desulfurization apparatus, thereby removing sulfur dioxides and the mercury halide, wherein the ammonia concentration of the combustion exhaust gas at an exit of the denitration apparatus is maintained at 5 ppm or higher, and the mercury halide is adsorbed or precipitated onto combustion ash and collected by the electric dust collector to discharge the mercury halide out of a system.
US08372361B2
The present invention relates generally to a process for controlled leaching and sequential recovery of two or more metals from metal-bearing materials. In one exemplary embodiment, recovery of metals from a leached metal-bearing material is controlled and improved by providing a high grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) and a low grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) to a single solution extraction plant comprising at least two solution extractor units, at least two stripping units, and, optionally, at least one wash stage.
US08372358B2
In a microfluidic system, a magnetic clamp for sealing a flexible microchannel chip includes a base formed from a magnetically-attractable material. The base supports a window for viewing the face of the microfluidic chip. A ring with magnets uniformly distributed around it is disposed over the base. A transparent disk attached to the top of the ring has an inlet and an outlet for introducing and removing a fluid medium into a cavity defined the disk, the window, the center opening of the ring and the base. An elastomer cushion is attached to the inner surface of the disk. The magnetic force between the base and the magnets on the ring compresses the cushion against the microfluidic chip so that the microchannels are sealed against the window with a uniform and reproducible pressure.
US08372348B2
An apparatus includes a reservoir for holding a chemical solution, a pump and a discharge nozzle. The pump has an inlet and an outlet connected to the reservoir by inlet and discharge lines. The nozzle is disposed in a lower portion of the reservoir and discharges the solution toward the bottom of the reservoir; the nozzle has an inlet port connected to the pump discharge line through the sidewall of the reservoir. The pump inlet line is connected to a sidewall of the reservoir at a location below a normal surface level of the solution, and the pump discharge line is connected to the sidewall of the reservoir above that location. The reservoir, pump, pump inlet line, pump discharge line, nozzle inlet line and nozzle form a closed loop recirculation system effective to suspend insoluble material in the chemical solution.
US08372346B2
In an apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, an internal space of a reaction chamber is partitioned in a radial direction by first walls running along a circumferential direction, and is partitioned into multiple spaces by second walls which extend in a direction crossing the circumferential direction. Upper portions or lower portions of the first walls and the second walls are formed with a communicating portion which circulates a raw material gas to be introduced, toward a central portion of a reaction chamber while the raw material gas goes through the small spaces sequentially and is turned up and down, heaters are installed in the small spaces, one of small spaces on both sides of the second walls is used as a small space for a upward flow passage, and the other is used as a small space for a downward flow passage, and the small spaces communicate with each other via the communication portion of the second walls.
US08372344B2
In general, the present disclosure is directed toward a novel hybrid spintronic device for converting chemical absorption into a change in magnetoresistance. This device uses a novel magnetic material which depends on the attachment of an organic structure to a metallic film for its magnetism. Changes in the chemical environment lead to absorption on the surface of this organometallic bilayer and thus modify its magnetic properties. The change in magnetic properties, in turn, leads to a change in the resistance of a magnetoresistive structure or a spin transistor structure, allowing a standard electrical detection of the chemical change in the sensor surface.
US08372341B2
Assay device processing apparatus includes a rotatably mounted assay device vessel support; and a drive for rotating the support. The support is rotatable about a substantially horizontal first axis so that, upon rotation, an assay device vessel attached to the support can be inverted.
US08372340B2
Cartridges for the isolation of a biological sample and downstream biological assays on the sample are provided. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid sample is isolated from a biological sample and the nucleic acid sample is amplified, for example by the polymerase chain reaction. The cartridges provided herein can also be used for the isolation of non-nucleic acid samples, for example proteins, and to perform downstream reactions on the proteins, for example, binding assays. Instruments for carrying out the downstream biological assays and for detecting the results of the assays are also provided.
US08372329B1
The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.
US08372326B2
A drip emitter that utilizes one or more filters and one or more labyrinths wherein the labyrinth couples the filter(s) to one or more water retainment valves that leads to at least one pool. Prevents clogging by eliminating air into the labyrinth via a water retainment valve that is situated after at least an initial portion of a labyrinth within the drip emitter. Includes non-drain, anti-siphon and ventable versions. Includes a method of two shot injection molding for embodiments of the drip emitter that include non-drain, anti-siphon and ventable variants.
US08372306B2
A liquid crystal compound is provided that has excellent characteristics, such as a negatively large dielectric anisotropy. A liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition are also provided. A compound having the three factors, i.e., (1) a tetrahydropyran ring, (2) terminal alkenyl chain and (3) exhibits excellent characteristics including a negatively large dielectric anisotropy (Δε). The use of the compound having the characteristics provides an excellent liquid crystal composition and an excellent liquid crystal display device.
US08372304B2
A polishing slurry used in chemical mechanical polishing of a barrier layer and an interlayer dielectric film in a semiconductor integrated circuit includes an abrasive, an oxidizer, an anticorrosive, an acid, a surfactant and an inclusion compound. The polishing slurry has a pH of less than 5. The resulting polishing slurry contains a solid abrasive used in barrier CMP for polishing a barrier layer made of a metallic barrier material, has excellent storage stability, achieves a good polishing rate in various films to be polished such as the barrier layer, and is capable of independently controlling the polishing rate with respect to the various films to be polished while further suppressing agglomeration of the abrasive particles.
US08372297B2
A method for fabricating a membrane is disclosed, to provide both hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity to predetermined positions of a surface of a single membrane. The method for fabricating a membrane includes: preparing a template with nano-scale holes formed on its outer surface; coating a polymer material on a predetermined pattern region of the outer surface of the template; attaching a hydrophilic film on the outer surface of the template; and removing the template from the hydrophilic film.
US08372294B2
The invention relates to a method for continuous use of a vacuumized water knockout circuit integrated with a contaminated hydraulic-oil reservoir.
US08372290B2
The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one surface-active substance, if appropriate in the presence of at least one dispersion medium, with the surface-active substance binding to the at least one first material, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle so that the at least one first material to which the at least one surface-active substance is bound and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the agglomerate from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field in order to obtain the agglomerate and a mixture M1 depleted in agglomerate, and repetition of the steps (A) to (D).
US08372288B2
A method that identifies common peaks among unidentified peaks in the data from different LC-MS or LC-MS/MS runs is provided. The method employs an algorithm, herein referred to as “Precision Peak Matching (PPM).” The different runs can be from different laboratories, instruments, and biological samples that result in a significant variability in the data. PPM allows estimation and control of precision, defined as the fraction of truly identical peptide pairs among all pairs retrieved, in the matching process. PPM finds the maximal number of peptide pairs at a prescribed precision, thereby allowing quantitative control over the trade off between the number of true pairs missed, and false pairs found. PPM finds common peptides from a database of LC-MS runs of heterogeneous origins, and at the specified precision. PPM fills a much-needed role in proteomics by extracting useful information from disparate LC-MS databases in a statistically rigorous and interpretable manner.
US08372280B2
A fuel filter of an internal combustion engine has a filter housing with a housing base body of cast metal and at least one lid. Screws are provided for attaching the at least one lid to the housing base body. A lid seal seals the at least one lid relative to the housing base body. The housing base body has screw receptacles for the screws and a seal seat for the lid seal. The screws are self-tapping screws. The screw receptacles and the seal seat are formed by casting technology without after machining.
US08372272B2
A water-based separating composition for separating hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon containing material includes at least about 73% by weight water, a hydrotropic agent, a dispersant having flocculating characteristics, at least one acid and at least one base in amounts sufficient to provide the separating composition with a pH of about 7 to about 8.5. The hydrotropic agent and the dispersant having flocculating characteristics are different.
US08372270B2
It has been discovered that metals can be removed or transferred from a hydrocarbon phase to a water phase in an emulsion breaking process by using a composition that contains a demulsifier (for instance, an oxyalkylated alkyl resin and/or a crosslinked polypropylene glycol), a surfactant, a diketone and a solvent (for instance an aromatic solvent). The method may also include introducing a hydroxyl carboxylic acid and/or at least one mineral acid to reduce the pH of the desalter wash water. The method permits transfer of metals into the aqueous phase with little or no hydrocarbon phase undercarry into the aqueous phase. The composition is particularly useful in treating crude oil emulsions, and in removing iron therefrom.
US08372265B2
Undesirable gas oil components are selectively cracked or coked in a coking vessel by injecting an additive into the vapors of traditional coking processes in the coking vessel prior to fractionation. The additive contains catalyst(s), seeding agent(s), excess reactant(s), quenching agent(s), carrier(s), or any combination thereof to modify reaction kinetics to preferentially crack or coke these undesirable components that typically have a high propensity to coke. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide methods to control the (1) coke crystalline structure and (2) the quantity and quality of volatile combustible materials (VCMs) in the resulting coke. That is, by varying the quantity and quality of the catalyst, seeding agent, and/or excess reactant the process may affect the quality and quantity of the coke produced, particularly with respect to the crystalline structure (or morphology) of the coke and the quantity & quality of the VCMs in the coke.
US08372253B2
According to one embodiment, patterns of protrusions and recesses includes a substrate including a conductive region on at least one major surface, and a projecting pattern layer formed on the conductive region on the major surface, and made of a microcrystalline material, a polycrystalline material, an amorphous material, or an oxide of the microcrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous material.
US08372252B2
In a method for setting the distance between an electrode and a workpiece in electrochemical metal working, the electrode is moved by an oscillating drive system, in which an acceleration signal of the oscillating drive system is picked up, the acceleration signal is divided into individual sections, characteristic magnitudes of the individual sections of the acceleration signal are determined, the characteristic magnitudes of the individual sections are compared to one another and the distance of the electrode from the workpiece is adjusted in response to a deviation of the characteristic magnitudes from the specified values. A device for carrying out the method includes an electrode, that is connected to a drive axis, an oscillating motion being able to be transferred to the electrode via the drive axis. A sensor is situated on the drive axis which picks up acceleration signals.
US08372247B2
Method for automatically distilling liquid specimens in a standardized distillation apparatus containing a heater, a distillation flask, a collecting cylinder and control and regulation means, characterized in that: the specimen is introduced into the distillation flask; this flask is positioned in the distillation apparatus; the specimen to be analysed is classified in a group defined by the standard selected; the distillation is started, with the amount of condensate collected in the collecting cylinder, the temperature of the evaporated vapor, the temperature of the liquid specimen present in the flask, together with an operating parameter of the heater, being constantly measured; and the measured values are sent to the control and regulating means that in return control the operating parameter of the heater so as to obtain, directly and automatically, distillation parameters in accordance with a standard.
US08372228B2
The present invention refers to a method for continuous production of a textile structure resistant to perforation and penetration, comprising the steps consisting in: a) simultaneously weaving two fabric elements overlapped and spaced from each other, wherein at least the warp or chain threads of the upper fabric element and the weft threads of the lower fabric element, or vice-versa, comprise ballistic threads; b) inserting, during said weaving step, at least one intermediate layer between said upper fabric element and said lower fabric element; c) joining the assembly of the two upper and lower fabric elements interposed between which is said intermediate layer to obtain a multilayer textile structure.
US08372226B2
The present invention is for a system and method of creating a continuous, seamless, waterproof, weatherproof, electrically generating surface that can be applied over a great variety of structural components. The method comprises coating the selected surface with a base elastomeric coating thus sealing holes, cracks and other surface imperfections. In one embodiment, the base elastomeric coating is allowed to dry and at least one photovoltaic module is placed on the base elastomeric coating by using another coat of elastomeric material applied to the underside surface of the photovoltaic module or on the surface of the base elastomeric coating where the photovoltaic module will be applied. Another layer of an elastomeric coating is applied covering the perimeter edges of the photovoltaic module creating a continuous, seamless, waterproof, weatherproof surface capable of generating electricity. Other embodiments include various strengthening elements to create durable, weatherproof surfaces with the photovoltaic modules integrated therein.
US08372210B2
A cleaning method is provided for brush cleaning a surface of a substrate. The method comprises scrubbing a first surface of the substrate with a brush having a first surface geometry; and then scrubbing the first surface of the substrate with a brush having a second surface geometry, wherein the first and the second surface geometries are different. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08372197B2
A control system and method for controlling temperatures while performing a MBE deposition process, wherein the control system comprises a MBE growth structure; a heater adapted to provide heat for the MBE deposition process on the MBE growth structure; and a control computer adapted to receive a plurality of dynamic feedback control signals derived from the MBE growth structure; switch among a plurality of control modes corresponding with the plurality of dynamic feedback control signals; and send an output power signal to the heater to control the heating for the MBE deposition process based on a combination of the plurality of control modes. In one embodiment, the plurality of dynamic feedback control signals comprises thermocouple signals and pyrometer signals.
US08372191B2
Ink jet ink containing at least one pigment and at least one oxidized carbon black.The ink jet ink is prepared in a process wherein the pigment is dispersed in at least one solvent, followed by addition of the oxidized carbon black and renewed dispersing.The ink jet ink can be used for printing textiles, metal, foil, film, sheet, glass and paper.
US08372188B2
Disclosed herein are ink compositions including an ink vehicle and a colorant, wherein the ink vehicle includes a compound having a formula of R1—CONH—R2 or R2—CONH—R1, wherein R2 is a methyl group and R1 is an alkyl group having from about 3 carbon atoms to about 200 carbon atoms.
US08372184B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
US08372172B2
To improve the separation efficiency of a gas-liquid separator in the gas-liquid separator and an air conditioner, the gas-liquid separator having a vessel with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe is arranged such that an exit end section of the inlet pipe is formed to be closed or to have a gap, an expanded end section having a width greater than the diameter of that portion of the inlet pipe which crosses a container of the gas-liquid separator is provided, and that a lateral hole is formed in a side face of the expanded end section. Refrigerant vapor and refrigerant liquid are efficiently separated from each other at the expanded end section, and this improves separation efficiency of the gas-liquid separator.
US08372166B2
A controlled zone gasification reactor for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The system may be a modular system housed within a frame facilitating relatively easy transportation. The system may include a reactor vessel with distinct reaction zones that facilitate greater control and a more efficient system. The system may include a syngas heater channeling syngas collected downstream of the carbon layer support and to the pyrolysis reaction zone. The system may also include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The system may further include an agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel.
US08372164B2
A gasoline composition containing in the range of from 0.1 to 30 wt % alkylfurfuryl ether with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is provided. The gasoline composition is prepared by blending the alkylfurfuryl ether in a gasoline base fuel. The alkylfurfuryl ether is prepared by reacting an alkyl alcohol having in the range of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is reacted with furfuryl alcohol by contacting a liquid phase comprising the alkyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol with an acidic zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 200° C.
US08372162B2
A method of producing crystals of crystallizable mineral salt comprises introducing an effluent comprising a dissolved crystallizable mineral salt at a temperature higher than the mineral salt crystallization temperature to a crystallization pond area to provide a pond solution; cooling the pond solution to provide cooling crystallization promoting conditions effective to form a crystalline mineral salt deposit; stopping the flow of the effluent; draining remaining spent liquor to a liquor pond area; and recovering the deposit. Cooling the pond solution may comprise exposure to cool ambient temperatures which are lower than the crystallization temperature. Preferably, the mineral salt includes or is sodium carbonate decahydrate; the pond solution comprises less than 10% NaCl; and/or the decahydrate deposit is sent or recycled to a soda ash plant. The deposit thus formed by cooling crystallization has a higher purity, lower hardness, and/or lower density than a deposit formed by evaporative crystallization.
US08372156B2
In order to avoid any metallic wear of the material of the outer shell of a hip joint socket for implantation into the pelvic bone, comprising an outer shell consisting of metal and an insert arranged in it for supporting a joint ball of a femur implant, due to the joint ball sliding past the lower edge of the outer shell it is suggested that the lower edge of the outer shell be covered by a non-metallic material.
US08372154B2
A prosthetic wrist having at least one of a radial insert, which is configured to be fixed to a radius of a patient, a carpal implant or a wrist bearing component. The carpal implant can include a body and a pair of flanges, each of which being skewed to the axis of the body in a manner that permits them to abut the ulnar side of the hamate bone and the radial side of the distal portion of the carpal bone complex, respectively. The radial insert may be provided with a plurality of modular portions to allow for selection and customization of an implant. Also the various portions can allow for a hemi- or total, or revision wrist arthroplasty. The modular portions can allow for intraopertative customization.
US08372153B2
A method for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on a knee, providing a biometric sensor at the knee, and measuring a biometric parameter at the knee with the sensor. The sensor is capable of measuring parameters in an adjacent surrounding including pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow. Data relating to the biometric parameter is transmitted to an external source and the data are analyzed to evaluate a biometric condition of the knee. A set of the sensors can be placed on the knee.
US08372149B2
An artificial disc implant includes an upper shell, a lower shell, and a spacer therebetween. The spacer preferably has properties similar to that of a natural spinal disc, while the upper and lower shells form a rigid interface between the implant and the adjacent vertebral bodies. The upper and lower shells can be configured to prevent expulsion of the spacer from the disc space. The implant upper and lower shells may further be configured into partially cylindrical shapes for ease of insertion through an insertion tube as presently known for interbody fusion devices. The devices may further be configured for insertion through a double-barreled insertion tube. Methods and instruments for inserting an artificial disc implant are also provided.
US08372142B2
A stent is provided for an endoprosthesis having a main body portion and two leg portions, particularly suitable for treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurism. The stent includes barbs that are twisted and shaped set to point radially outward. Each barb, as formed, points substantially perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of the stent, even when in a non-deployed configuration. The motion to move the barb into a deployed configuration for gripping tissue is a twisting motion which moves the barb from being substantially aligned with the circumference of the stent to extending radially outwards from the stent.
US08372134B2
A stent (10) for transluminal implantation comprises a first, second and third stent section (11, 12, 13) for splinting and/or keeping open a hollow organ which are connected to each other via elastic tubular sections (14, 15). The stent (10) combines at least three different stent designs in one stent and can therefore be adjusted to the motion behavior of a hollow organ in an improved fashion (FIG. 1).
US08372133B2
Delivery systems for a polymeric tubular implant, kits that include such delivery systems, and methods of treating patients by implanting tubular implants using the delivery systems. The delivery systems include an inner shaft, an expandable member slidably disposed about the inner shaft and configured to receive the tubular implant, and a tubular outer shaft disposed about the inner shaft.
US08372130B2
A temperature controlled cosmetic treatment facial mask with area-specific treatments of the present invention includes a substantially planar mask body which is formed with cut-outs for a person's eyes, nose, and mouth. The mask may include a number of large and small area treatment zones in combination with asymmetrical treatment zones suitable for treatment of specific and localized skin conditions. The treatments zones are coated with skin treatments, such as compounds, lotions, gels, and the like as are known in the facial treatment, cosmetics, spa and medical industry. The mask may include a self-heating or cooling substrate to provide temperature control to the face mask and each mask may include heating areas, cooling areas, or both. A system is also provided that includes an imaging device that feeds its output to a central computer system having an image analyzer, CPU, memory and Look Up Table, and face map for determining specific treatment requirements for the particular patient. An output from the central computer system is provided to a treatment deposition device which deposits various treatments onto an intermediate membrane layer to generate a custom temperature controlled facial mask with area-specific treatments for that particular patient.
US08372126B2
Surgical fasteners that combine mechanical and osteogenic means of fixation to maximize in vivo stability and long-term performance. The fastener generally includes a head and a shaft. The fastener is fenestrated and includes a channel that leads into one or more openings along the shaft. Bone void filling materials is delivered through the channel to the shaft to improve anchoring. In one embodiment, the osteogenic means comprise a coating applied to the fastener to improve bony apposition. The fastener with combined mechanical and osteogenic means provides initial, immediate anchoring and long term anchoring.
US08372119B2
An implantable spinal cross connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation devices, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, an exemplary cross connector in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate body with at least one rod-receiving recess formed therein, and a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the elongate body and that is effective to lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess(es). The present invention also provides an inserter tool to facilitate implanting a spinal implant or device, such as a spinal cross connector.
US08372110B2
The invention relates to a medical implant in the form of an elongated helix wherein at least one part of the helix is preformed in such a manner that it has a secondary structure of identically sized loops which it assumes during implantation at the placement site, with said structure in turn forming at the placement site during implantation a polyhedral tertiary structure, and the polyhedron being provided with at least one additional loop.
US08372107B2
A tracheostomy dilator is curved along its length having a tapering patient end region (5) at one end and an oppositely curved handle region (7) at its opposite end. A passage (10) extends rearwardly along the dilator from its patient end (4) and opens on a side of the dilator at an opening (12) in the handle region (7). The passage (10) is blocked rearwardly of the opening (12) by an insert (2) with a forward ramp surface (23), which directs a guidewire (30). In use, one end of the guidewire (30) projects from the patient end (4) of the dilator and its opposite end extends along the outside of the handle region (7).
US08372087B2
A device fixation tool and method of fixation of a medical device within a hollow organ or cavity through a natural orifice includes providing a needle driver and a shaft. The needle driver is adapted for use with at least one needle. At least a portion of the needle driver is positioned with the shaft at a hollow organ or cavity through the natural orifice. Sufficient force is transmitted with the needle driver to the at least one needle to penetrate mammalian tissue and a portion of the medical device.
US08372078B2
A cutting block for use in a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed, and includes a first cutting guide surface, a second cutting guide surface, and a third cutting guide surface. The first, second, and third cutting guide surfaces are adapted to be temporarily affixed to a bone having a first side and a second side such that the first cutting guide surface is disposed on the first side of the bone, and such that the second cutting guide surface and third cutting guide surface are disposed on the second side of the bone forming an angle therebetween.
US08372069B2
Methods for removing a valve from a bodily vessel. In at least one method for removing a valve from a bodily vessel, the method comprises the steps of introducing an umbrella device into a vessel, positioning the umbrella device within an aperture within the valve, deploying a first umbrella of the umbrella device on a first side of the valve to engage the valve at the first side of the valve, deploying a second umbrella of the umbrella device on a second side of the valve to engage the valve at the second side of the valve, operating a mechanical drill of the umbrella device to grind the valve, collapsing the first umbrella and the second umbrella to facilitate withdrawal of the umbrella device from the vessel, and withdrawing the umbrella device from the vessel.
US08372061B2
A shape and depth template for incisions with treatment tips, usable in treatments such as bone surgery, comprising a guiding body for a treatment tip provided with two mutually opposite end faces arranged at a preset distance and a lateral surface, one of the end faces being arrangeable at the treatment tip incision region and with a hole that of preset shape that passes there through from one end face to the other.
US08372060B2
A reduced pressure treatment system includes a filament delivery conduit having a distal end positioned at a subcutaneous tissue site of a patient and a proximal end positioned extracorporeal to the patient. A continuous filament is positioned in the filament delivery conduit such that one end of the continuous filament extends from the proximal end of the filament delivery conduit and another end of the continuous filament extends from the distal end of the filament delivery conduit. The continuous filament forms a filament mass adjacent the tissue site. A reduced pressure delivery conduit is adapted to fluidly communicate with a reduced pressure source and the filaments mass to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site through the filament mass.
US08372046B2
A drug delivery device may include a drug reservoir configured to contain and controllably deliver a fluidic drug. A tube may be configured to deliver the fluid from the drug reservoir through a lumen in the tube to another location. A valve wholly within the lumen of the tube may regulate the flow of the fluid through the tube without substantially diverting the direction in which the fluid flows through the tube. The valve may contain only a single member which moves during operation of the valve. The valve may be configured to regulate the flow of fluid in a bandpass manner by allowing fluid to flow through the valve only when the pressure of the fluid is above a minimum and below a maximum. The valve may be held in place within the tube solely by frictional force between the valve and a wall of the tube.
US08372030B2
An apparatus for an improved high pressure medicinal dispenser is disclosed. The high pressure dispenser may include a handle (26), a chamber (18), a threaded region, a threaded rod (14), and a knob (20). The high pressure dispenser may have at least one insert-molded component. A threaded insert providing the threaded region may be insert-molded into the handle or the threaded rod may be insert-molded into the knob, or both. The dispenser may have a handle made of hard plastic and overmolded soft rubber material. The dispenser also may have a ribbed knob having at least one longitudinal rectangular cavity. Furthermore, the dispenser may have a chamber that has an interior concave surface and an interior convex surface between the interior cylindrical surface of the chamber and a nozzle. The chamber may have at least one tab or notch dimensioned to engage with at least one corresponding notch or tab on the handle.
US08372029B2
A fluid feeder (1, 31) which feeds a fluid into a balloon (4) made of an elastic material so as to inflate, the fluid feeder provided with: a cylinder (12) that is formed in a cylindrical shape provided with a first end (12A) and a second port (12B) on each end thereof and contains the fluid; a plunger (13) that is inserted into the cylinder via the second end in a freely advancing and retracting manner in an axial direction, in order to push out the fluid contained in the cylinder from the first end to the outside of the cylinder; an adjustor (14, 32) that is attached to the plunger and regulates a moving distance of the plunger so as to inflate the balloon to a predetermined diameter; and a fixing portion (15) that is provided on the cylinder and fixes the plunger onto the cylinder to a position which corresponds to the moving distance regulated by the adjustor, wherein: the adjustor has a plurality of engaging projections (18, 33) which regulates the moving distance corresponding to a plurality of the different inflated diameters, and the fixing portion has an engaged portion (19) which engages with the engaging projections to fix the plunger.
US08372024B1
A device for evacuating blood from an extremity includes an elongate stretchable band having a plurality of images printed on a first side of the band. Individual images are arranged in rows and columns along a longitudinal extent of the band. Each image in a first row has a common longitudinal extent and height when the band is in a position of repose. Each image in a second row of images has a common longitudinal extent and height and has a reduced longitudinal extent relative to the images in the first row when the band is in the position of repose. First and second pressure readings are associated with each image in the first and second rows, respectively. The second pressure reading has a higher value than the first, indicating that the images in the second row will expand longitudinally when the second pressure is applied to an extremity.
US08372016B2
A body fluid sampling system is provided for use on a tissue site. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cartridge; a penetrating member driver; a plurality of penetrating members arranged in a radial configuration on the cartridge wherein sharpened distal tips of the penetrating members point radially outward; wherein an active one of the penetrating members may be operatively coupled to the penetrating member driver, the penetrating member driver moving the active one along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stopping in the tissue site, and withdrawing out of the tissue site; and a plurality of analyte detecting members, wherein at least one of the analyte detecting members is positioned to receive fluid from a wound created by the active one of the penetrating members, wherein the detecting members are not pierced by the active one of the penetrating members.
US08372011B2
Asymmetric membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (“cMUT”) devices and fabrication methods are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises a membrane having asymmetric properties. The membrane can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric membrane can have varied flex characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a cMUT device according to the present invention generally comprises an electrode element having asymmetric properties. The electrode element can have a varied width across its length so that its ends have different widths. The asymmetric electrode element can have different reception and transmission characteristics due to its varied width dimensions. In another preferred embodiment, a mass load positioned along the membrane can alter the mass distribution of the membrane. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08372008B2
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; a device for determining optimum sound speed values at a lattice point set in a shallower region than a region of interest (ROI) and in the ROI on the basis of an ultrasound detection signal outputted by the ultrasound probe; a device for arithmetically operating a received wave received from the ROI on the basis of the optimum sound speed value; a device for setting an assumed sound speed in the region of interest, obtaining a received wave received from each lattice point on the basis of the assumed sound speed and the optimum sound speed value at the lattice point, and synthesizing received waves at lattice points to obtain a resultant received wave; and a device for determining a local sound speed value in the ROI on the basis of the received wave and the resultant received wave.
US08372006B1
The present invention is a method for detecting and locating a target using phase information obtained from an array of microphones or other sensors.
US08371998B2
A method for treating anal incontinence is provided, in which a support member is implanted in a tissue pathway extending from a first location posterior to and adjacent the anus, through the perineum anterior to the anus and terminating at a location posterior to and adjacent the anus opposite the first location.
US08371994B2
An adjustable spring device for walking and running is attached to user's footwear creating comfortable conditions during the locomotion. In an embodiment, it includes: an upper lever and lower lever locating one above the other, wherein at least one of the levers is made of elastic material, and a support mechanism having a joint shaft that allows the levers to be pivoting. The device includes a first flexible link connecting the front ends of the levers, and a second flexible link connecting the rear ends of the levers. The links can be adjusted to a certain constant length before the deployment of the device. For creating optimal energy exchange conditions between the device and user, and reducing the shock loads on the user's leg joints and spine, the device can be adapted by shifting the support mechanism between the levers and by adjusting the flexible links between the lever ends.
US08371990B2
An example exercise system includes an exercise apparatus including a processor, a movable element and an output device and a device including a processor and coupled to the exercise apparatus and to a communication network. The device is configured to receive an exercise program information and mental activity data and to output the exercise program information and the mental activity data to the exercise apparatus. The processor of the exercise apparatus is configured to use the exercise program information to control a parameter associated with the movable element and to control the output device to output the mental activity data during use of the exercise apparatus.
US08371985B2
A continuously variable transmission 4 for a vehicle includes a variator 20 that modifies a speed ratio continuously and a subtransmission mechanism 30 that is connected in series to the variator 20 and applies a first speed and a second speed, which is higher than the first speed, selectively. When the vehicle is running under a low load/high speed upshift condition having a lower load or a higher speed than a normal upshift condition, the subtransmission mechanism 30 is upshifted from the first speed to the second speed at a lower vehicle speed than under the normal upshift condition, and as a result, both rotation variation in an internal combustion engine 1 accompanying upshifting of the subtransmission mechanism 30 and an increase in a fuel consumption amount of the internal combustion engine 1 due to the shift operation in the continuously variable transmission 4 are suppressed.
US08371981B2
A transmission has an input member, an output member, two planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. One of the planetary gear sets includes a first, second, third and fourth member and the other of the planetary gear sets includes a first, second and third member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08371972B2
An engine unit includes a crank shaft that receives a driving force of an engine and a moving pulley that is movable in an axial direction. Keyholes are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the crank shaft. Axially extending guide holes are formed on a boss portion of the moving pulley in positions that correspond to the keyholes. Ends of keys are mounted to the keyholes. The guide holes receive therein bases of the keys to guide relative movements of the moving pulley and the crank shaft in an axial direction.
US08371970B2
A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.
US08371964B2
A volleyball spike training system comprises a ball holder and an optional net. The training holder comprises a wheeled chassis supporting a vertical stanchion projecting upwardly that supports a hopper and a ball feeding apparatus. The stanchion includes a crank system for vertically adjusting telescoped stanchion segments. Balls dropping from the hopper travel by gravity down an inclined ramp at the top of the frame towards a discharge throat. Balls travelling down the ramp are indexed by a Z-shaped lever that serially separates them. A pair of downwardly projecting hands, one fixed and one pivoted, receive dropping balls and temporarily hold them for shooting. The pivoting hand controls the indexing lever to jam successive balls when the device is loaded. When a ball is shot and removed from between the feed hands, another ball is freed by the indexing lever to automatically drop into a shooting position between the hands.
US08371952B2
A round ride that creates a rotating ride experience with a varying frequency of vehicle elevations. The round ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive that rotates the hub about a central axis at a hub rotation rate. The drive assembly includes support arms extending outward from the hub, upon which are mounted passenger vehicles. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the hub. The round ride includes a track structure with a ring-shaped running surface extending about the central axis and with a track drive rotating the running surface about the central axis at a track rotation rate in the same or differing direction and rate as the hub. The vehicles are vertically supported by the running surface which is contoured to define a series of hills and valleys, and the running surface and the hub are independently rotated about the central axis.
US08371948B2
A flywheel device includes a mass-side rotor including a mass ring and a pair of holder plates connected to both sides of the mass ring. The mass-side rotor is connected to a crankshaft with a drive plate therebetween. Between the mass-side rotor and the drive plate, a positioning apparatus for positioning those coaxially with each other is provided. The positioning apparatus includes: an annular positioning protrusion which is press formed in at least one of the pair of holder plates to project laterally outward therefrom, and which is disposed coaxially with the mass-side rotor; and a positioning recessed portion which is press formed in the drive plate coaxially with the crankshaft, and which is fitted to the positioning protrusion. Accordingly, it is possible to enable coaxial positioning of the mass-side rotor and the drive plate without performing burdensome machining on the mass ring for forming a positioning apparatus.
US08371926B2
A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; an input device configured so as to output a detection signal when operated by a player; an output device for an image or a sound; and a controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed to the symbol display device after game media are BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and game media are paid out in number according to the stop-displayed symbols or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted; (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media when the number of games counted in the processing (C) reaches a specific number; and (E) outputting information about the insurance mode by the output device, when the detection signal is outputted by the input device in the non-insurance mode.
US08371925B2
A gaming machine includes a dynamic, bonus limiting game feature. In response to a wager, the machine conducts a basic game that, among its plurality of possible outcomes, includes a start-feature outcome for triggering the game feature. In one game feature example, the machine receives a selection of at least one of a plurality of different bonus limiting elements, and then receives successive selections of a plurality of selectable game elements until the selected game element has a predefined association with the selected bonus limiting element. In another game feature example, the machine receives successive selections of a plurality of selectable game elements until the selected game element is associated with a bonus-limiting outcome. The bonus-limiting outcome is assigned to a varying number of the selectable game elements from game to game.
US08371911B2
A coin handling machine 11 is provided in which when coins jam in a transport path 67 during coin transportation, coins jamming in the transport path 67 are automatically taken out and the state can be restored.Coins pooled in a feeding portion 31 are fed one by one to the transport path 67, and the coins in the transport path 67 are pushed and transported one by one by projections of the deposit transporting belt 70 of the transport path 67. When coins jam in the transport path 67 during coin transportation, driving of the feeding portion 31 is stopped, the discharge gate of the feeding portion 31 is opened, and the deposit transporting belt 70 is rotated in a direction opposite to a transporting direction. Coins jamming in the transport path 67 are returned to the feeding portion 31 by the deposit transporting belt 70, discharged downward from the discharge gate 62 of the feeding portion 31, and returned to a tray 20 of a dispensing outlet 19. The state can be restored by automatically taking out coins jamming in the transport path 67.
US08371903B2
Disclosed is a portable demilitarization apparatus and system for segmenting an ordnance and is comprised of a fixed housing having a gantry/robotic positioning system, a high pressure water jet cutting head, and a rotational drive subassembly and a slideable main assembly comprised of a cradle subassembly, a centering ring subassembly, a collection subassembly and a rotational drive mechanism.
US08371899B1
A novelty pop-up toy and its associated method of operation. The pop-up toy has a head section that is supported on a double-layered braided sleeve body. When the pop-up toy is compressed, the double-layered braided sleeve body elastically deforms from an uncompressed state to a compressed state. While in the compressed state, the double-layered braided sleeve body stores energy. If the compression force is suddenly released, the double-layered braided sleeve body releases its stored energy and pops back into its uncompressed state. As the double-layered braided sleeve body returns to its uncompressed state, it rapidly expands, therein providing enough force to propel the entire pop-up toy into the air.
US08371891B2
The present inventions provides a method for manufacturing a film-type display device efficiently, and a method for manufacturing a large-size film-type display device, and an apparatus for manufacturing the film-type display device. An apparatus for manufacturing a film-type display device includes: transferring means for transferring a substrate over which an integrated circuit constituting the display device is provided; first separating means for separating the integrated circuit from the substrate by adhering a first sheet material to one surface of the integrated circuit; second separating means for separating the integrated circuit from the first sheet material by adhering a second sheet material to the other surface of the integrated circuit; processing means for forming one or both of a conductive film and an insulating film on the integrated circuit; and sealing means for sealing the processed integrated circuit with the second sheet material and a third sheet material.
US08371890B2
Simple, rapid and low-cost assembly methods of a LED lamp are provided. A standard lamp base having two electrodes and a cavity is soldered with a resistor to the first one of the electrodes, and then filled with a thermally conductive electric insulator in the cavity. A circuit board is attached onto the thermally conductive electric insulator and then soldered to the second electrode and the resistor. An LED device is soldered onto the circuit board such that the LED device and the resistor are serially connected between the electrodes. Preferably, the circuit board has a through hole through which a thermally conductive member is inserted into the thermally conductive electric insulator with its lower end, and the LED device is placed onto the upper end of the thermally conductive member.
US08371884B2
A device and a method for connecting at least two electric terminals, particularly an electrode terminal and an electric measuring element, the two terminals being connected to each other by clinching.
US08371882B1
A straddle mount connector includes a connector body having a base and a plug. The plug extends a length from the base to an end surface of the plug. The plug has opposite first and second sides and is configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle connector. Electrical contacts are held by the connector body and include mating segments arranged in a row that extends along the first side of the plug. The mating segments extend lengths along the first side of the plug from the base to contact tips. The contact tip of a first of the electrical contacts is positioned closer to the end surface of the plug than the contact tip of a second of the electrical contacts such that the mating segment of the first electrical contact mates with a corresponding mating contact before the mating segment of the second electrical contact.
US08371880B2
A signal transmission medium inserted in a connector main body portion, which can be held and released successfully with a simple configuration, is disclosed. A distal end portion of an elastically-displaceable cantilever-shaped locking arm member formed so as to be integral with a board connection leg portion (holddown) is provided with a locking portion engaged with a portion of the signal transmission medium inserted in the connector main body portion to hold the inserted state. The held state of the signal transmission medium is maintained by elastic action of the locking arm member extending in a relatively-elongated shape from a swinging fulcrum. Simultaneously, an unlocking-action force on the locking portion can be reduced, and an unlocking-operation force is stably received by the board connection leg portion (holddown) fixed to a printed circuit board so that improvement in strength is achieved.
US08371878B2
A chip card holding mechanism includes a support bracket, a tray, one or more resilient members and a latching assembly. The support bracket defines a receiving space with an opening. The resilient member is fixed in the support bracket. The tray defines a rectangular groove to receive a chip card. The tray is slidably mounted to the support bracket via the opening, received in the receiving space engageably by the latching assembly and resisting the resilient member.
US08371875B2
An electrical connector with electrically lossy materials bridging ground members. The lossy conductive members may be formed by filling a settable binder with conductive particles, allowing the partially conductive members to be formed through an insert molding process. Connectors assembled from wafers that contain signal conductors held within an insulative housing may incorporate lossy conductive members by having filled thermal plastic molded onto the insulatative housing. The lossy conductive members may be used in conjunction with magnetically lossy materials. The lossy conductive members reduce ground system do resonance within the connector, thereby increasing the high frequency performance of the connector.
US08371870B2
A mouse device with a separable transmission cable includes a mouse body, a transmission cable and a buckling means. The mouse body further has a buckling jack and a body connection port located close to the buckling jack. The transmission cable further includes a first terminal and a second terminal, in which the first terminal has a first connection port for engaging the body connection port and the second terminal has a second connection port for engaging a computer. The buckling means for buckling the first terminal inside the buckling jack of the mouse body is located at the first connection port.
US08371868B2
An illumination device includes a light tube holder including two connectors for receiving either a light-emitting diode (LED) tube or a fluorescent tube. The connector includes a rotary member rotatably received in a through hole defined in a retainer, and four conductive elastic pieces positioned in the retainer around the through hole. Two elastic piece are electrically connected to an LED tube drive circuit board, and the other two elastic piece are electrically connected to a fluorescent tube drive circuit board. The rotary member can be rotated to first and second positions, wherein at the first position, the LED tube can be activated, and at the second position the fluorescent tube can be activated.
US08371864B2
A grounding unit for a high-frequency connector is provided, wherein the grounding unit may include a grounding unit body configured to be selectively fixed to the high-frequency connector; and a grounding fixation unit configured to be connected to the grounding unit body, to be in pressure contact with a grounding region of a printed circuit board (PCB) under elastic force applied in proportion to a thickness of the PCB, and to electrically connect the high-frequency connector to the grounding region.
US08371860B2
A method for reducing the fitting thrust of golden finger (101,103) and a PCB (100). The method and the PCB (100) solve the problem of excessive inserting force of the golden finger (101,103) of the prior art, through modifying the shape of the edge of the PCB (100), the edge of the PCB open reeds of a connector (201, 203) at different time. The PCB (100) has at least one concave edge section or at least one convex edge section or at least one tilt edge section, and the edge can further be beveled. The bonding pads of the golden finger can be assorted, pin ends of a part of golden fingers (101, 103) can be partially removed or these golden fingers can be completely removed, the pin ends of a part of golden fingers (101,103) can be preserved. Through the method, the purpose of reducing the fitting thrust upon inserting the PCB (100) into the connector can be achieved.
US08371858B2
A method of teaching basic arithmetical calculations is embodied in a novelty electronic graphic calculating device having a user interface for displaying method steps. The method involves displaying two or more collections of individual icons associated with two or more operands; selecting an arithmetical operation to be performed on the two or more operands; regrouping the individual icons into a collection of individual icons associated with an answer to the operation on the operands; and, displaying the collection of individual icons associated with the answer in sets having a maximum of ten icons each. The method permits visual regrouping and carry-over for teaching and learning mental computation of the four basic arithmetic skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
US08371848B2
A diagnostic/treatment instrument such as a handpiece equipped with a dental treatment tool, etc. is provided with a light radiating unit that can distinctively detect a dental lesion, to facilitate the treatment of the lesion. A light source for emitting light that can distinctively detect the lesion is mounted near the head of the handpiece to which a diagnostic/treatment tool can be attached. The light emitted from the light source illuminates an area forward of the diagnostic/treatment tool. Alternatively, the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices which are arranged around the periphery of the forward end of the handpiece head in such a manner as to encircle the diagnostic/treatment tool, and radiates light to illuminate the area forward of the diagnostic/treatment tool. When an oral cavity is illuminated with the light, a clinician can observe reflected fluorescent light by using a filtering function that passes the fluorescent light, and thus the clinician can perform the treatment while checking the lesion.
US08371844B2
A control system for the ignition of a gas burner that includes an electromagnetic valve having a first coil and a second coil, the activation of the first and second coils controlling the flow of gas through the electromagnetic valve. An incandescent element which is designed to be heated until it reaches the gas combustion temperature of the gas delivered to the burner is disposed electrically in series with the first coil, the incandescent element and first coil forming a first branch that is electrically parallel to the second coil.
US08371841B2
A device for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow station having a first mold part and a second mold part. The first mold part and the second mold part surround a cavity within which the plastic preforms may be expanded into plastic containers. The first mold part may be movable relative to the second mold part. The device includes a first cantilever which is disposed on the first mold part, a second cantilever which is disposed on the second mold part, a first hinge lever which is hingedly connected to the first cantilever, and a second hinge lever which is hingedly connected to the second cantilever. The first cantilever and the second cantilever may be arranged to be pivotable with regard to at least one geometrical pivot axis and may be coupled to an actuating device which causes a movement of the first cantilever and of the second cantilever for moving the mold parts. The blow station may be mounted on a transport via a carrier. The carrier may extend through a geometrical plane which is delimited by the cantilevers and the hinge levers and/or the geometrical arrangement of the cantilevers and the hinge levers may be arranged to be asymmetrical with regard to a geometrical center line of the blow station.
US08371830B2
A miniature fan arrangement has a fan (10) including an electronically commutated drive motor (21), a first circuit board (52) associated with said motor, and a fan housing (30). The fan also has a mounting part arranged radially outside the fan housing (30), and has a membrane (32), made of an elastic material, that elastically connects the fan housing (30) and the mounting part (34) to one another. A second circuit board (54) is arranged between the mounting part (34) and the fan housing (30) and is electrically connected to the first circuit board (52). The structure provides space for additional motor control components, particularly in small-sized motors.
US08371829B2
A pump having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity formed by a side wall closed at both ends by end walls wherein the cavity contains a fluid is disclosed. The pump further comprises an actuator operatively associated with at least one of the end walls to cause an oscillatory motion of the driven end wall to generate displacement oscillations of the driven end wall within the cavity. The pump further comprises a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve.
US08371820B2
A paneling (30) of a nacelle (12) of a wind energy installation (10), in which an upturned panel ceiling (40) is provided in installation position, is created with a hatch opening (46), that is provided in the panel ceiling (40). The hatch opening (46) is advantageously provided so large, that components of the entire area of a drive train (24) of the wind energy installation (10) can be removed upwards, or inserted from above into the nacelle (12) through the hatch opening (46). Furthermore, such a hatch opening (46) is choosingly closable by means of a hatch cover (44).
US08371817B2
A turbine bucket that includes a pressure side, a suction side opposite the pressure side, and a rib extending between the pressure side and the suction side. A tip cap is attached to the pressure side and the suction side and covers the rib. The tip cap includes a precipitation hardened material and a passage aligned with the rib. A method for assembling a turbine bucket having a pressure side and a suction side and a rib extending between the pressure side and suction side. The method includes receiving a tip cap made from a precipitation hardened material and having a passage in the tip cap. The method further includes locating the rib visually through the passage and aligning the passage with the rib. The method also includes welding the tip cap to the turbine bucket and to the rib.
US08371813B2
A blade pitch controlling apparatus and an application thereof are described. The blade pitch controlling apparatus includes a centrifugal device and a blade pitch variable device, and the blade pitch variable device is arranged under the centrifugal device. The blade pitch variable device has a downward stroke that is variable by the centrifugal device according to a centrifugal force induced thereon so as to drive the blade pitch variable device to change the setting angle of the blades of the wind power generator.
US08371810B2
A nozzle for a turbine includes a duct member having a substantially uniform wall thickness. Nozzles made of different materials can be used.
US08371807B2
Protection device for a stator of a turbine of the type comprising a series of annular sectors constrained to each other by means of connection means, each sector of the series of sectors comprises a first surface, suitable for contacting the stator which has at least one cavity for the cooling of the corresponding sector, and a second surface which faces a rotor of the turbine. In a rest configuration in which the turbine is not operating, the second surface of each sector has an axial section having an eccentricity with respect to the trace of the rotation axis of the turbine, whereas in an operating configuration in which the turbine is operating under regime conditions, the second surface of each sector has an axial section which is centered with the trace of the rotation axis of the turbine.
US08371805B2
A fixing apparatus includes two receiving boxes, and a plurality of elastic members. The receiving boxes are covered to each other, to receive a fan. The plurality of elastic members is correspondingly fixed to the receiving boxes, to support the fan and separate the fan from the receiving boxes. When the fan operates, the plurality of elastic members absorbs vibration produced by the fan, and protects the fan from vibrating against the receiving boxes.
US08371785B2
The invention relates to a rivet nut (10) with a base part (12) and a cylindrical rivet section (14), the base part having a central threaded cylinder (16), an annular contact surface (18) that is coaxial to the threaded cylinder in a plane (20) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (22) of the threaded cylinder, and that has an axially aligned annular groove (24), said groove being arranged radially inside the annular contact surface and radially outside the cylindrical rivet section and said groove blending, on the radially inner side, into the outer surface of the cylindrical rivet section, and antirotation ribs (42) being provided in the area of the annular groove. The invention is characterized in that the annular groove, when seen in an axial cross-sectional plane, has a U-shaped cross-section with a radially outer lateral wall (30) which is relatively steep and which has, at the steepest point (33), an inclination to the center longitudinal axis of the rivet nut in the range of approximately 45° to approximately −20°, preferably of approximately 30° to approximately 0°. The volume of the annular groove is chosen in such a manner that across a range of sheet thicknesses adapted to the respective thread size there is room for the volume of the respective folded region of the rivet section inside the annular recess (80) that is formed by molding the sheet part (60) into the annular groove of the element and that it does not project beyond the side (82) of the molded sheet facing away from the annular contact surface.
US08371784B2
The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
US08371778B2
A cutting tool insert and holder therefore, the drill insert having a helical geometry corresponding to helical flutes in a drill body holder which enable the drill tool assembly to more efficiently remove chips from a hole during operation, the drill insert comprising a drill insert body having a first end opposite a second end, a plurality of helical flutes formed in the drill insert body, a plurality of cutting edges formed at the interfaces of the plurality of helical flutes and the first end of the drill insert body, and an aperture formed in each helical flute.
US08371775B2
A shank attachment structure which may supply coolant even if a drill without a center pin is attached. A shank can be attached to a shank attachment hole with a single motion. The outer diameter of the shank can be inserted into the shank attachment hole. A chamfered portion is formed around an edge of a base end, and an elongated concave portion is formed on a tip end. A coolant hole is formed on a base end of the shank attachment hole, and a valve body is disposed in the hole. A sealing member is disposed adjacent to the tip end side. A first sleeve is disposed such that a base of the shank moves the first sleeve, so that a base of the sleeve separates from the sealing member; and when the shank is not in contact with the tip, an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve moves the engaging member radially outwardly.
US08371769B2
A control and a method of control for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade at a work site and pulls a floating screed, having a screed plate, over the top surface of the material behind the machine is useful in paving with asphalt material. The floating screed is attached to the machine by a tow arm at a tow point on said tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by an hydraulic cylinder on said machine in response to a valve control signal applied to an hydraulic valve by a valve control drive. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade and is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point. A first sensor is mounted on the floating screed for sensing three-dimensional position. A second sensor for senses the pitch of said screed. A processor circuit is responsive to the first and second sensors for determining the height of the trailing edge of the screed plate and the movement of the screed over the top surface of the material. An adjusted height error value is combined with a tow point correction value produced by a three dimensional positioning system to provide for adjustment of the tow point by no more than a predetermined amount as the screed plate travels a predetermined minimum distance.
US08371763B2
A mobile image forming apparatus is provided that comprises a casing, a support frame to surround a printing medium roll from which a printing medium is supplied and to guide the printing medium, an image forming unit to form an image on the printing medium guided by the support frame and a printing medium receiving portion disposed between the casing and the support frame to receive therein the printing medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. The mobile image forming apparatus may further comprise a roll support core disposed in the support frame to rotatably support the printing medium roll.
US08371760B2
A rolling bearing, particularly a slewing connection (1), comprising an outer bearing ring (2) and an inner bearing ring (3) and rolling elements arranged between said outer and inner bearing rings for rolling contact with associated raceways, a stop means for limiting an angle of rotation of the rolling bearing being arranged within the rolling bearing, whereby a first solution offered by the invention, the outer bearing ring (2) comprises on an inner peripheral surface a recess (14) which extends in peripheral direction and is limited at two ends by a first stop lug (15), the inner bearing ring (3) comprises on an outer peripheral surface a guide groove (16) which extends in peripheral direction and is limited at two ends by a second stop lug (17), and a guide element (18) arranged in the guide groove (16) connects the inner and outer bearing rings (3,2) to each other by positive engagement.
US08371759B2
In a double row rolling bearing for supporting a pinion shaft, an outer ring is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of an annular wall (case) with its axis disposed horizontally, and an inner ring assembly is fitted on a pinion shaft, and is inserted, together with the pinion shaft, horizontally into the outer ring through a larger-diameter opening of the outer ring, and is mounted in the outer ring. A larger-diameter cage has a drop limitation portion for limiting the vertically-downward movement of the larger-diameter case.
US08371756B2
A journal bearing includes a bearing platform, a cylindrical bearing housing supported by the bearing platform via a plurality of load supporting members, a plurality of pads located swingable in the bearing housing so that a journal of a rotation shaft is supported by the pads, an oil supply mechanism for supplying oil to the bearing surfaces of the pads, and a connecting member which has an oil hole to communicate an oil supply passage in the bearing platform with an oil supply passage in the bearing housing so that oil is supplied from the bearing platform to the bearing surfaces of the pads. The connecting member carries a part of a bearing load exerted from the bearing housing, and is mounted such that the part of the bearing load carried by the connecting member is smaller than a bearing load carried by one of the load supporting members.
US08371751B2
A radiographic apparatus having a laser positioning system comprising three independent laser units for positioning a patient in three-dimension for the purpose of taking x-rays. Each laser unit is orthogonally oriented in respect to the others, such that the first laser unit projects a laser beam aligned with the x-ray beam in said first lateral direction, and the second laser unit projects a laser beam in a second lateral direction that is orthogonal to the first lateral direction, and the third laser unit projects a laser beam in a vertical direction that is orthogonal to both the first and second lateral directions. With the patient properly oriented by the laser system, x-ray films are taken that can be sequenced for radiographic animation analysis.
US08371748B2
A temperature measuring apparatus comprises a casing, an infrared sensor assembly, a probe, and a trigger device. The infrared sensor assembly is disposed in the casing. The trigger device is connected between the casing and the probe in such manner that when the probe moves toward the casing, the trigger device is activated by the probe to trigger the infrared sensor assembly to proceed sensing. The temperature measuring apparatus could be operated to measure without pressing any measuring button, so that the temperature measuring apparatus could have a stable operation in the measuring process. Hence, the error of the temperature measuring is reduced and the operation is more convenient.
US08371742B2
An apparatus for transporting and mixing materials includes a horizontally disposed container supported by a trailer, a motor mounted on the outside of the container, a shaft coupled to the motor and horizontally disposed in the container, and a mixing pedal coupled to the shaft and horizontally disposed in the container. The apparatus may include adjustably angled mixing pedals, and also adjustably angled fins. The apparatus may include a second chamber in the container including a second motor, a second shaft and a second mixing pedal. The apparatus may include a centrifugal pump for moving fluids into and out of the two chambers, as well as between the two chambers. The centrifugal pump may also power the two motors hydraulically.
US08371740B2
One embodiment of a continuous fragrance and illumination device having replaceable fragrance refill trays each comprising a curved back member that drop into vented fragrance refill chambers arranged around an air-moving member and surrounded by an illumination chamber formed by the external surfaces of a lens, an air-moving member housing, and the interior surface of a translucent shell that is closely adjacent to those surfaces and supported by a protective bottom cap, or separated by a greater distance. In addition, a translucent vanishing-edge lid is supported that provides a non-visible vent for exiting air following an air flow direction upward through the device. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08371739B2
A backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide guiding light from the light source, an optical sheet disposed on the light guide, and an inner frame having an opening housing the optical sheet. A peripheral portion of the optical sheet includes a projection group respectively at each of the longitudinal sides that are among the constituent sides of an approximately rectangular external contour of the optical sheet. The projection group includes a first projection arranged in a projection insertion region provided in a side wall of the inner frame and a second projection arranged outside of the projection insertion region in the opening of the inner frame.
US08371722B2
An LED light bulb device including a bulb body, a cap, an LED assembly, and first and second light affecting features. The cap is mounted to the bulb body for connection to an electrical socket. The LED assembly includes a plurality of LEDs and framework. The framework maintains the LEDs relative to the bulb body such that emitted light is directed at an LED region of the wall. The first light affecting feature is associated with the LED region of the wall, whereas the second light affecting feature is associated with a diffusion region of the wall, with the diffusion region being apart from the LED region. The first light affecting feature affects light in a manner different from that of the second light affecting feature. The light affecting features are selected to affect or alter light emitted from the LEDs to provide a desired Kelvin color temperature and diffusion.
US08371719B2
An illumination apparatus comprises a base, a heat sink group, and at least one fastening arm. The base is made of material with high heat conductivity and has a first surface and an opposite second surface for receiving a light source. The heat sink group is placed on the first surface and comprises three types of heat sinks arranged in three lines extending along a lengthwise direction of the base. The fastening arm has a recess defined therein. First and second heat sinks are alternately arranged on each of outer two lines of the heat sink group. Third heat sinks are arranged on the middle line. Each third heat sink is positioned between two first heat sinks at one side thereof and two second heat sinks at the other side thereof.
US08371718B2
An efficient LED array. In an aspect, an LED apparatus includes a metal substrate having a reflective surface, and LED chips mounted directly to the reflective surface to allow for thermal dissipation, and wherein at least a portion of the LED chips are spaced apart from each other to allow light to reflect from a portion of the reflective surface that is located between the portion of the LED chips. In another aspect, a method includes configuring a metal substrate to have a reflective surface, and mounting a plurality of LED chips directly to the reflective surface of the metal substrate to allow for thermal dissipation, and wherein at least a portion of the LED chips are spaced apart from each other to allow light to reflect from a portion of the reflective surface that is located between the portion of the LED chips.
US08371714B2
A Fresnel light emitting diode (LED) Lens and a LED Assembly thereof are provided. The Fresnel LED Lens is a lens disposed with a plurality of Fresnel optical surfaces. Each Fresnel optical surface includes a zone area having a plurality of drafts with vertical shape. Each Fresnel optical surface is arranged linearly along a center of a corresponding LED, and each Fresnel optical surface can used to focus light emitted from a LED chip so as to generate a quasi-circle distribution pattern of light with uniform light intensity and satisfy special optical requirements. A LED assembled formed by the Fresnel LED lens and a corresponding LED is used as a light source applied to illumination, mobile phone flashlights or camera flashlights.
US08371713B2
An illumination device (1) for pixelated illumination of a target area (3) comprising: an array (4) of light emitting devices; projection optics (5) arranged in between the array (4) of light emitting devices and the target area (3); a reflecting structure (6) having a first opening (9) facing the array (4) of light emitting devices and a second opening (10) facing the projection optics (5), and a reflective surface connecting the first and second opening, the surface enclosing and facing an optical axis (11) of the projection optics (5). The projection optics (5) is adapted to image the array (4) of light emitting devices, and a virtual extension thereof created by the reflecting structure (6), onto the target area (3), thereby generating an extended pixelated illumination pattern (2). By utilizing a reflecting structure to create a virtual extension of the array of light emitting devices, a high degree of pixelation can be achieved in the illumination pattern while minimizing the number of light emitting devices required. Thus, increased efficiency and reduce costs can be achieved.
US08371702B2
A method of operating an AC mercury lamp and DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) in a projection system, comprising receiving a periodic video frame pulse signal, switching the DMD between successive on and off states during each period of the frame pulse signal, wherein each off state results in a dark interval, and driving the lamp with a signal that is synchronized to the video frame pulse signal so as to alternate between a maintenance pulse level during at least a portion of the dark interval and a plateau level during the on state of the DMD.
US08371700B2
A heat dissipation module includes a heat-absorbing unit, a first heat pipe, a second heat pipe, and a heat-dissipating unit. The heat-absorbing unit is adapted to contact the heat source thermally. The first heat pipe has a first heat-absorbing section being connected to the heat-absorbing unit and a first heat-dissipating section. The second heat pipe has a second heat-absorbing section being connected to the heat-absorbing unit and a second heat-dissipating section. The heat-dissipating unit includes a first fin assembly and a second fin assembly. The first heat-dissipating section is connected to the first fin assembly along a first extending direction, the second heat-dissipating section is connected to the second fin assembly along a second extending direction, the first extending direction and second extending direction are oblique to each other, and a part of the first fin assembly and a part of the second fin assembly are inset to each other.
US08371696B2
Embodiments of the present invention include approaches for controlling light valve devices to improve the range and precision of the contrast ratio and the grayscale levels of a display used for visual field tests. In one embodiment, two or more illumination devices are used to enable the display device to display a wide range of contrast stimuli at precise illumination intensities over a fixed background illumination level. In another embodiment, the gamma curves of the display elements are adjusted to allow greater variations in the brightness of the display.
US08371687B2
The invention provides an ink composition containing at least: a water-soluble organic solvent; a pigment; water; and a nonionic polymer thickener. The content of the water-soluble organic solvent is from 5 weight % to 30 weight % relative to the total amount of the ink composition. The ratio of Vhigh/Vlow, in which Vhigh represents 25° C. viscosity (mPa·s) measured at a shear rate of 1.5×105 (s−1) and Vlow represents 25° C. viscosity (mPa·s) measured at a shear rate of 3.0×103 (s−1), is from 0.70 to 0.95. The invention further provides an image formation method including at least ejecting the ink composition onto an image recording medium using an image formation apparatus to form an image on the image recording medium.
US08371684B2
An ink system of an ink jet printer includes a fluid tank. The fluid tank includes a generally conically shaped side wall, the side wall sloping inwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion. A bottom surface is disposed adjacent the bottom portion of the side wall. A first fluid conduit is disposed in the fluid tank and includes an opening adjacent to and above the bottom surface of the fluid tank. A second fluid conduit is disposed in the fluid tank and includes an opening at a location above the opening of the first fluid conduit. A pump is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. An ink supply line is in fluid communication with the pump. A print head is in fluid communication with the ink supply line.
US08371682B1
An ink replenishing system that automatically activates the replenishment of modified ink cartridges to receive a refilling volume of ink from a larger, bulk ink source. The use of one modified tricolor cartridge and one modified black ink cartridge function as the distributors for the proper dispersion of ink. The cartridges are modified to incorporate access orifices to communicate with ink injectors when the cartridges park (or when the printer is turned off). A micro switch is tripped which, in turn, energizes an isolation relay which powers up the ink replenishing system. When the modified cartridges become low, sensing metal plates imbedded in the matrix of the modified cartridges sense little or no current flowing from one plate to the other; thus, there is insufficient current to energize an opposing coil of an electric motor pump relay and the pumping actions is continued until the cartridge is filled to capacity.
US08371672B2
Images are sequentially printed on a first surface of a sheet, and identification information for identifying an image is formed each time an image is printed. When printing is interrupted by the error and before resuming printing, the identification information formed on the first surface of the sheet fed from the reverse unit again is read by the reader, and an image to be printed on the second surface when resuming printing is specified based on the read identification information.
US08371667B2
A slide rail includes a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail defines two recesses. The second rail forms two first sliding portions and two second sliding portions. The third rail defines two slide channels for slidably receiving the first sliding portions. The second sliding portions of the second rail are received in the recesses of the first rail.
US08371666B2
A container data center includes a mobile container, two rails, two supports, and a rack. The container includes a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to the top wall. The rails are attached to the top wall facing the bottom wall. The supports are attached to the bottom wall facing the top wall, corresponding to the rails. The rack is received in the container. The rack includes a top plate, a bottom plate opposite to the top plate, two rows of first slide members attached to the top plate, and two rows of second slide members attached to the bottom plate. The rows of first slide member slidably resist against the rails, and the rows of second slide member slidably resist against the supports.
US08371663B2
A cabinet for an electronic device includes a first cabinet member and a second cabinet member. The first cabinet member has a first wall section with an engagement hole. The second cabinet member is fixedly coupled to the first cabinet member. The second cabinet member has a second wall section, an engagement protrusion and a recess. The engagement protrusion is formed on the second wall section and is engaged with the engagement hole of the first wall section. The recess is formed on the second wall section along a base portion of the engagement protrusion. The recess has a rounded portion extending between the base portion of the engagement protrusion and a bottom portion of the recess.
US08371660B2
A splined drive body for supporting a plurality of sprockets is disclosed. The drive body is provided with at least one composite drive body spline which consists of a first portion made up of the drive body material and a second portion made up of a different, harder material. The second portion of the composite drive body spline is an insert which includes a force receiving surface and a force transmitting surface and is operable to transmit force transmitted to it into the drive body through a force receiving surface provided on the first portion of the composite drive body spline.
US08371659B2
The present invention provides a spoked wheel including a rim having a continuous series of circumferential sections each of which has opposed ends and is connected at each of its ends to an adjacent section by means of a hinge that allows the two adjacent sections to pivot with respect to each other substantially in the plane of the wheel. The wheel also includes a hub that rotates with the rim and a plurality of spokes extending between the hub and the rim and supporting the rim on the hub. Each of the spokes having an end that is pivotally attached to the rim. At least one of the spokes is movable with respect to the hub in the plane of the wheel to change the angular spacing between adjacent spokes and alter the shape of the rim between a circular shape and a non-circular shape.
US08371656B2
A portable safety belt for use on a motor coach passenger seat is provided. The portable safety belt is formed of a single strap routed to form a closed loop for encircling a seatback and an open loop terminating at either end of the strap with a male and female buckle. The open loop is adapted as a lap belt for holding a passenger. A locking member disposed at a side of the closed loop provides interrelated adjustment of the open and closed loops to tighten the closed loop around the seatback.
US08371643B2
In lower structures for vehicle front pillars, there are paired right and left side sills arranged in lower portions on both sides of a vehicle, respectively; an outer portion, in a vehicle width direction, of each side sill is formed of an outer reinforcement for a side sill; a inner panel for the side sill is arranged on an inner side, in the vehicle width direction, of each side sill; the front pillars are formed so as to stand on front ends of the side sills, respectively; outer panels for side bodies cover outer reinforcements for the respective front pillars and parts of the respective side sills; each outer reinforcement for side sill is segmented, in the vehicle front and rear direction, into three parts, that is to say, first to third components positioning sequentially from a front of the vehicle; strengths of the first to third components are set to be higher sequentially in this order; and the first, second, and third components are joined and integrated together.
US08371641B2
The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an air-processing apparatus (28) is arranged outside the cab (9) on the machine frame (2), wherein a device (13, 22) for feeding processed and/or fresh air into the cab and used air from the cab is provided, said device having a feed air duct for processed air for the cab and a discharge air duct for used air from the cab.
US08371640B2
A motor vehicle with a sliding door has a safeguard with two mounting elements. One of the mounting elements is secured to the sliding door, while the other mounting element is arranged on a column bordering the sliding door. The mounting elements pass by each other given a sliding motion by the sliding door, and end up opposite each other during the motion of the sliding door, transversely to the sliding motion. As a result, the safeguard holds the sliding door against the column during a crash in which forces act perpendicularly on the sliding door.
US08371633B2
A center console is provided between two vehicle seats arranged next to each other. At least one front side of the center console, at least one container can be arranged in a detachable manner.
US08371631B2
A reconfigurable tool module for an end-effector includes an adjustable-height housing attached to a swing arm. The adjustable-height housing includes a valve spool and a flow path terminating at a workpiece interface tool. The valve spool is configured to interrupt the flow path when the adjustable-height housing is in a first position. The valve spool is configured to open the flow path when the adjustable-height housing moves away from the first position.
US08371625B2
The Revolution Daddy Rock Super Track is a salt sifting tank that dispenses rock salt directly to the front of the vehicle wheels followed by the rear wheels which would prevent the automobile from sliding side to side and also aiding the vehicle to go up and down hills in the winter time with super traction.
US08371620B1
A quick connector includes a female adapter and at least a retainer. The female adapter has a joint portion and an axial hole. The axial hole is adapted for a male adapter inserting therein. The joint portion has an opening and at least a pair of engaging recesses. The opening communicates with the axial hole. The engaging recess has a narrow section and a broad section. The retainer includes a pair of pivot members positioned in a predetermined position of the broad section of the engaging recess so that the retainer may pivot between a clamping position and a spreading position. The present invention can accomplish the purpose of engaging the male adapter or dismantling fast with the pivoting retainer. The retainer is selectively positioned in the predetermined position of the engaging recess so that the retainer may be installed or detached easily, and be prevented from missing.
US08371615B2
A business form includes a paper carrier sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, a barrier layer on an area of the upper surface of the paper carrier sheet, a silicone coating extending over the barrier layer, and a label assembly. The label assembly includes a label ply and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating. The label assembly is secured to the silicone coating and to the upper surface of the carrier sheet by the pressure sensitive adhesive. The label ply has a die cut through it that defines a label portion and a lip portion. The label portion is secured only to the silicone coating, and the lip portion is secured to both the silicone coating and to the upper surface of the carrier sheet. When the business form is printed with a printer, such as a laser printer, the form moves through the printer in an orientation in which the lip portion leads the label assembly. This results in the label portion being less likely to be removed from the carrier sheet inadvertently.
US08371612B2
Lateral and longitudinal internal tethers can be used to restrict an inflatable airbag to a predetermined shape when inflated. A longitudinal tether extends from a rear portion or throat portion of the airbag to a front face. The portion of the front face that cushions an occupant can have a concave or planar shape, depending on the lengths of the lateral and/or longitudinal tethers.
US08371609B2
An airbag configuration is provided for a vehicle seat having an airbag that can be expanded by a gas upon the activation. The airbag configuration is covered by a cover that covers the airbag relative to the surroundings in the inactivated state, the cover having a target weakened area that is implemented to open the cover upon the activation and permit the airbag to expand into the surroundings, and having a connector, the connector connected to the cover in the target weakened area, the connector being fastened in a fastening area to the airbag.
US08371593B2
The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels of a wheel suspension, particularly for motor vehicles, having a wheel carrier on which each wheel is rotatably supported and comprising a carrier part receiving the wheel and a guide part connected to the wheel suspension, between which rotating parts (26, 28) rotating about a rotation axis and preferably driven by an electric motor are disposed, bringing about a defined displacement of the carrier part and/or the guide part by the rotational actuation thereof for changing the camber and/or toe. According to the invention, a single adjusting drive (54) is provided for actuating the rotary parts (26, 28), by means of which the two rotary parts (26, 28) can be adjusted in different, particularly in opposite, directions.
US08371587B2
A bead seal structure is disclosed for sealing between plates of a fuel cell system, wherein the bead seal structure militates against a leakage of fluids from the fuel cell system and a cost thereof is minimized.
US08371578B2
A sheet processing system capable of performing lateral shift correction of a sheet in an upstream sheet processing apparatus based on an amount of lateral shift to be caused by conveying thereof into a downstream sheet processing apparatus. A side edge sensor of a stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the stacker. A stacker controller corrects lateral shift of the sheet by a shift unit. A side edge sensor of a finisher disposed downstream of the stacker detects a lateral shift amount of a sheet conveyed into the finisher. The finisher sends the detected lateral shift amount to the stacker. The stacker receives the lateral shift amount from the finisher, and the stacker controller corrects lateral shift of subsequent sheets based on both the lateral shift amount detected in the stacker and the lateral shift amount sent from the finisher.
US08371572B2
A detachable reversible pick mechanism for a media input tray. The pick mechanism comprises a reversible drive transmission having a drive shaft gear operatively connected to a pick axle gear, the drive shaft gear slidably engageable onto a cantilevered drive shaft extending from a housing, a pick axle having a pick wheel at each end, the pick axle operatively connected to the pick axle gear; and a transmission housing consisting of a top, a bottom, and a side surface defining a cavity therein for containing the reversible drive transmission, an opening in a front portion and in a rear portion of the transmission housing through which the pick axle and drive shaft, respectively, pass, the front portion dimensioned so that the pick wheels each extend beyond the top and the bottom of the front portion, and a releasable latch mounted on the side surface for rotatably engaging a free end of the cantilevered drive shaft to axially position the pick mechanism on the drive shaft, the latch allowing a user to readily dismount the pick mechanism for service or replacement.
US08371570B2
In a device for trimming the top edge, bottom edge, and opening edge of a printed product, the printed product is transported through a cutting region of a connected cutting unit in a closed clamp of a synchronously driven conveying apparatus. The conveying apparatus is configured as a conveying rotor and the clamps are guided on a circulating path. The printed product is trimmed in the cutting region of the cutting unit which is arranged between a transfer station and a delivery station. In the cutting region, each clamp transitions from a circular control path section into an intermediate control path section in which the clamp is maintained substantially perpendicular relative to a tangent to a circular cutting path of the cutting unit during trimming of at least the top and bottom edges of the printed product.
US08371561B2
An aeration assembly includes an end fitting having a top piece for attachment to a diffuser member. A gasket extends beneath the top piece. The aeration assembly may include a diffuser member with the end fitting. In one embodiment, the diffuser member has a hollow conduit section and a flange section. The flange section includes a series of openings extending along a length of the diffuser member. The openings extend through the flange section to an interior space in the conduit section.
US08371560B2
A device for exchanging energy and/or mass between a gas and a liquid, including a gas-liquid exchanging vessel having a gas inlet end, a gas outlet end and an upper end; a gas inlet pipeline; a gas outlet pipeline; a gas blocking plate; a liquid blocking plate; and a gas passage. The upper end of the gas-liquid exchanging vessel is closed. The gas inlet end of the vessel is connected with the gas inlet pipeline. The gas outlet end of the vessel is connected with the gas outlet pipeline. The gas blocking plate is fitted in the gas inlet end of the vessel. The liquid blocking plate is fitted in the gas outlet end of the vessel. The vessel is filled with liquid. The gas passage formed above the liquid is communicated with the gas inlet pipeline and the gas outlet pipeline.
US08371558B2
A screwable hoisting apparatus to aid in elevating objects is described. The apparatus is embedded into a tree with one hand while the tree climber is free to use his other hand to secure himself to the tree. A method for using the same is disclosed.
US08371551B2
An apparatus for adjusting the level of a refrigerator includes: a main body; a guide groove formed to be level in a forward/backward direction of the main body; a movement unit inserted in the guide groove and moving in the direction in which the main body is inclined; a contact point part formed at one of both ends of the guide groove and selectively connected to the movement unit; and a notifying unit informing about whether or not the contact point part is connected. When the refrigerator is installed, an installation technician can recognize whether or not the refrigerator is installed to be level regardless of a skilled degree of the installation technician, so the installation time can be shortened and a service satisfaction of consumers can be increased.
US08371549B1
A holder for a toothpaste tube and toothbrushes which comprises a mounting plate. A mechanism is for securing the mounting plate to a wall. A support member is provided. A mechanism is for rotatably maintaining the support member perpendicular to the mounting plate. A mechanism is for attaching the toothpaste tube perpendicular to the support member. A mechanism is for retaining at least one of the toothbrushes to the mounting plate.
US08371544B2
An assembly such as a pipe anchor to be mounted on a structural support member to hold a pipe or other elongate article in a desired location. A base portion includes a cradle having slide channels on a pair of opposite side walls. A clamping body includes flanges that fit in the slide channels. Locking tabs that may be extensions of the flanges may be bent to engage retention faces of retainer legs on the base portion to keep the clamping body in place, yet permit it to be removed by straightening the locking tabs.
US08371543B2
There is provided a device for hanging an object on a wall. The device includes a wall mount and an object mount. One mount has a first bracket portion and a second bracket portion each being u-shaped and configured to receive the other mount. The bracket portions have a space between the bracket portions. The other mount has a projection disposable in the space between the bracket portions. The projection also acts as a safety tab. The bracket portions enable horizontal positioning of the object mount relative to the wall mount to be adjustable. The projection is configured to interact with the bracket portions and limit horizontal movement of the object mount relative to the wall mount to within a set range spanning the space from a first position, where the projection abuts the first bracket portion, to a second position where the projection abuts the second bracket portion.
US08371542B2
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail slidably received in the first rail, a mounting bracket fixed to the second rail, a positioning member movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a releasing member slidably mounted to the second rail. The first rail includes a holding portion. The positioning member engages with the holding portion to prevent the second rail from sliding into or out of the first rail. By sliding the releasing member, the releasing member drives the positioning member to disengage from the holding portion of the first rail, thereby enabling the second rail to slide into or out of the first rail.
US08371541B2
A portable tool stand assembly includes a pair of wheels that are mounted on an axle that is received in a bracket plate. The bracket plate defines a J-shaped slot that has a mobility position in which the wheels are lowered relative to the tool stand assembly to permit the tool stand assembly to be wheeled into position. The wheels may be shifted to a work position in which the wheels are raised relative to the tool stand assembly with feet provided on legs engaging the ground and supporting the tool stand assembly.
US08371533B2
One or more main aircraft fuel tanks are provided with one or more fuel gauges arranged to provide a measure of the amount of fuel in said one or more main fuel tanks. One or more auxiliary fuel tanks are also provided. The aircraft uses fuel during a first phase of fuel consumption, upon commencement of which phase the auxiliary fuel tanks hold fuel. After the first phase said one or more auxiliary fuel tanks are empty and a second phase commences. During the first phase, an indication of the amount of fuel carried by the aircraft is provided by means of summing (i) the amount of fuel in the main fuel tanks as measured by said one or more fuel gauges and (ii) the amount of fuel remaining in said one or more auxiliary fuel tanks as calculated using a measure relating to the fuel consumption rate. During the second phase of fuel consumption, an indication of the amount of fuel carried by the aircraft is provided on the basis of the amount of fuel measured by said one or more fuel gauges.
US08371531B2
A method for assembling a cabin window to a bay in a side wall of an aircraft fuselage, where the cabin window including an outer transparent element and at least one inner transparent element, includes making a non-through hole in a portion of the side wall. The outer transparent element includes a first part having a diameter greater than that of the bay and which is shaped to co-operate with the portion of the side wall to block the outer transparent element in the bay both laterally and longitudinally. A second part of the outer transparent element has a groove that projects into the fuselage. The outer transparent element and the at least one inner transparent element are welded to the fuselage using a strap which presses a seal against at least the fuselage and the inner wall of the groove.
US08371528B2
The present invention relates to an intercostals for an aircraft or space craft for diverting a load from a first rib to a second rib and/or a skin of the aircraft and/or space craft, with at least one opening region for guiding through system lines or the like, wherein the intercostal has a traverse that is movable at least between a first and a second position, wherein the traverse in the first position is provided for forming a force flow for diverting a load between the first rib and the second rib, and in the second position reveals the opening region from a predetermined side.
US08371526B2
An aircraft heated floor panel (10) comprising a heat-generating layer (20) including an electric heater (52) having current supply lines (54) and a controller (60) which controls the current supplied to the heater (52) via the supply lines (54) to thereby control the heat generated by the layer (20). The controller (60) is integrated into the floor panel (10) whereby the panel has a stand-alone control system which need only be connected to the on-board power source of the aircraft, but can be connected to a main controller for networking or other purposes.
US08371524B2
An aircraft landing gear (10) includes a torque link set (12) comprising a first fairing (12a) rotatably connected at a first end (18) to a first end (19) of a second fairing (12b). The fairings (12a), (12b) may be arranged to act as first and second torque links. The fairings may be in the form of noise reduction fairings.
US08371522B2
A device for cooling hot gas to be discharged from an aircraft includes a duct for leading the hot gas from a hot gas source which is connectable to the device to an outlet point, and a frame which surrounds the duct and serves for mounting the duct. The duct is formed from one or more pipe sections and has one or more cooling air inlet points which is connectable to one or more cooling air sources in order to mix the hot gas with cooling air. An outlet pipe section of the duct extends outwards beyond the aircraft outer skin to lead hot gas through and out of a flow boundary layer on the outer skin.
US08371511B2
An apparatus for reducing a first document image and a second document image in a size and producing output images on a single sheet, the apparatus including: a creating unit configured to create a code containing information with a higher security level selected from first information contained in a code of the first document image and second information contained in a code of the second document image; and a unit configured to add the code created by the creating unit to the output image.
US08371500B2
A method and apparatus for sheet feeding from a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing sheet separation in the media stack using a bar code scanning device, determining if the sheet separation meets predetermined criteria, wherein if the sheet separation does not meet the predetermined criteria, adjusting the air flow used for fluffing the media stack.
US08371499B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing the digital content of non-free event to viewers through interactive display electronic devices. The present invention includes a validator device that has unique Device Access Control address to interact with the entertainment system. Viewer's book ticket though the web interface component providing event details, preferred date/time to watch the event, location to watch event at home or theatre. For home viewing the Device Access Control (DAC) address is also submitted. Viewers receive email of ticket with 6-digit authentication code. At the time of the event the validator device authorizes the authentication code on ticket, validates count of viewers watching the event based on count of tickets purchased and if viewers are in right age to watch the event depending on rating of the event. Then the validator device downloads the digital content of event and streams to viewer's home display device from the theater/auditorium.
US08371493B2
A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.
US08371490B2
A staple refill includes a refill body accommodating sheet-type connected staples. The refill body includes a bottom wall, a right wall provided on a right side of the bottom wall, a left wall provided on a left side of the bottom wall, a front wall provided on front sides of the right and left walls. A locking plate is provided on rear sides of the right and left walls. A pressing member is provided in the refill body in a movable manner to press the sheet-type connected staples. The front wall includes a first locking section protruding forward from a lower portion of the front wall. The locking plate includes a second locking section.
US08371485B2
A spare tire holder and installation for a vehicle is provided. To this end, the spare tire holder includes, but is not limited to a mount that can be pivoted downward in the tail region underneath the car body. The mount can furthermore be pivoted about a pivot joint. To this end, an actuating mechanism holds the mount in a locked position and releases the mount such that it can be pivoted into a pivoted position. In this case, the vehicle has a reduced vehicle overhang between the rear wheel axle and the tail. Two swing arms are furthermore arranged to both sides of the mount. The swing arms feature double-jointed hinges with two pivot joints per hinge.
US08371482B2
A lever of an aerosol valve having a valve stem includes a lever member having first and second end portions, a first aperture disposed in the first end portion, and a second aperture disposed between the first and second end portions. The first aperture is configured to permit the lever member to be releasably received over a valve stem of an aerosol valve in a dispensing position, in which the second end portion extends outwardly from the valve stem to provide for pivotally displacing the valve stem to dispense product therethrough. The second aperture is configured so that the lever member fits in a stored position with the second aperture around a portion of the valve stem, and the first and second end portions extending alongside the valve stem, such that the lever member may be stored under a cover.
US08371477B2
A device (3) for metering a base liquid and mixing this base liquid with a diluent to prepare a food product, has a connecting portion for connecting it with a container (4) containing the base liquid, the device (3) including: a diluent inlet (71), a mixing chamber (80) for mixing the base liquid with the diluent. An actively controlled air inlet is provided for selectively having ambient air enter the device and guiding it to the container (4). A controller is provided for selectively metering the base liquid into the mixing chamber and for selectively enabling an air flow through the air inlet only during periods when no base liquid is metered into the mixing chamber.
US08371475B2
Superabsorbents are metered by a process using a screw conveyor, wherein the superabsorbent is selected, or treated with a cohesion control agent, to have an unconfined yield strength of from 0.75 to 1.5 kPa at consolidation stress of 6 kPa.
US08371467B2
A can lid of a can provided with an easily openable opening means is disclosed wherein the can lid is equipped with a can lid which is fastened by winding tightly on the can main body and the top end opening of the can main body, a score section installed around the territory of the prearranged opening area and a tab for severing the score section. In the can lid, there is formed a protrusion protruding upward from the can lid in front of the can opening during manufacturing of the can lid, in which it is a collapsing protrusion where the protrusion elastically deforms into the can main body by depressing motion of the user and thereby enables forming of a concave section for easy insertion of the user's finger.
US08371463B2
A child-resistant canister includes a container and a closure configured to mount on the container to close an opening into an interior region formed in the container. The closure includes a lid and a lid anchor coupled to the lid. The lid anchor is configured to mate with a closure retainer included in the container to retain the closure in a mounted position on the container.
US08371462B2
A teat unit has a flexible teat, a receiving head and a dimensionally stable base part. The teat is arranged on the receiving head. The receiving head and the base part are connected to each other by a releasable plug connection, and the receiving head has a securing element for securing the teat unit on a drinks container. This teat unit permits a great many possible configurations of the individual parts and, therefore, an optimization of their individual functions.
US08371453B2
A liquid filter, with a housing inlet port and outlet port arranged at the bottom of the liquid filter. The liquid filter may also be configured with an inward projecting domed top cover and/or an eccentric septum plate supporting a desired filter element and/or filter basket. The inward projecting domed top cover configurable with respect to the septum plate to retain the desired filter element and/or filter basket in place when in a closed position.
US08371448B1
A storage system for storing used surgical towels, sponges or other medical waste materials includes a rear panel having an upper portion and a lower portion formed from a flexible sheet material. The upper portion of the rear panel has a coupling mechanism for coupling the device to a sterile structure of a surgical room. In certain embodiments, the rear panel may have a weakened partition area for separating the lower portion from the upper portion. A compartment assembly is formed by two or more flexible compartments provided on the lower portion of the rear panel. Each compartment may be liquid impervious and have an upper opening for introducing materials into the compartment. Each compartment has a forward wall that is at least partially transparent so that the contents of the compartment are observable. All components of the storage device may be sterile for use in a sterile environment. In certain embodiments, a storage system may be provided by coupling at least two storage devices together.
US08371446B2
An inflatable valve for an inflatable packaging cushion has first and second juxtaposed plys of thermoplastic material secured together by first and second spaced-apart heat sealed side seams to form a flattened tube having an interior sealing end positioned in an inflatable packaging cushion and an inflation probe insertion end positioned exteriorly of the inflatable packaging cushion. An adhesive strip is applied to the second ply and extends between the heat sealed side seams. Release paper covers the adhesive strip; wherein the release paper is removed and the first and second plys are pressed together, the adhesive strip seals the first and second plys together. Spot seals at the intersections of the heat sealed side seals and the adhesive strip sealingly join the side seals and the adhesive strip. The adhesive strip is provided by one side of a two-sided adhesive tape or as a layer of adhesive. The first ply only partially overlies the adhesive strip, wherein when the release paper is removed, a portion of the adhesive strip is exposed and may be used to secure the inflation end of the inflation valve to the inflatable packaging cushion.
US08371440B2
A multi-functional bottle contains two separate compartments, a first compartment for water or liquid storage, and a second compartment or holding chamber, for storage of a powdered formula. The holding chamber is comprised of both flexible, and rigid food-grade polymers. The holding chamber has a closed bottom-end, forming the bottle's base, and an open, re-sealable top-end for addition of the powdered formula, and for release of the powdered formula for mixing when so desired. Re-sealable top-end forms an airtight seal with an agitator cap. The agitator cap can easily be released by firmly pressing (depressing) the bottom-end of the holding chamber (and bottle), allowing the user to now mix the powdered formula with the water with a single hand.
US08371439B2
A new system of packaging and offering precious gems for sale are disclosed. A precious gem and an abbreviated certificate of authenticity about that gem are sealed within an at least partly see-through security case. The sealed security case is secured inside of an enclosed compartment in a security carton, and the gem and the abbreviated certificate of authenticity are visible through one or more windows in the security carton. Additional information about the gem is stored in a storage compartment in the security carton, which is separately accessible from the enclosed compartment. A retailer displays and offers the gem for sale directly to end consumers in the display package, and the consumer is assured by the display package that the gem has the characteristics disclosed on the abbreviated certificate of authenticity without requiring an intermediate local jeweler to verify the characteristics.
US08371435B2
A roller conveyor is described that includes a frame with spaced, parallel side rails; a plurality of parallel driven rollers, each roller having shaft ends extending through the rails; a shaft pulley affixed to the one shaft end outside of a given rail; a rotary drive means including a rotatable drive pulley mounted outside the given rail; and connector means operably connecting the drive pulley to the shaft pulleys, whereby rotation of the drive means rotates the driven rollers. The drive means can be an electric motor mounted beneath the driven rollers or a motorized drive roller in a plane with the other rollers. One of the rollers can be deflectable downwardly by objects conveyed on the conveyor, with the state of a switch being changed when the roller is deflected.
US08371425B2
A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.
US08371424B2
Yaw damper for damping yaw motions between two vehicle parts. This includes in the customary manner a piston part and a cylinder part, wherein that piston part is provided with a piston which divides that cylinder part into two chambers. Between these two chambers, connecting lines are present. The embodiment of these connecting lines determines the damping characteristic which governs the motion between the piston and the cylinder part. Especially for vehicle parts which move at higher speeds and/or high frequencies, such as train sets, it is desirable to provide a damper which is as stiff as possible. For this purpose, the present invention proposes the installation of pumping elements which, as far as possible, increase the pressure in the chambers which are formed by the piston in the cylinder part. Preferably, this construction is realized such that this pressure automatically decreases at lower speeds and/or low frequencies.
US08371420B2
An elevator system includes a car (1) traveling up and down along a hoistway; a buffer (15) for stopping the car (1) at an end of the hoistway, brakes (7), (8), and (9) for braking travel of the car (1); a car traveling-information acquisition part for acquiring car traveling information; and a brake controller (10) for controlling the brakes (8) and (9), based upon the information acquired by the car traveling-information acquisition part, so as to reduce a collision speed at a collision of the car with the buffer to below a predetermined speed so that a shock at the collision of the car (1) with the buffer (15) can be absorbed to a level below a specified value.
US08371402B2
An endless belt tensioner system adapted to apply a tensioning force on a ground-contacting endless belt of a vehicle is provided, the tensioning force being substantially proportional to an endless belt drive force applied to the endless belt to move the vehicle. A vehicle and a method about the same are also provided.
US08371399B2
According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.
US08371390B2
A dual packer for at least partially defining a production zone in a wellbore, the dual packer including a packer body having an up-hole side and a down-hole side. A first through bore and a second through bore each extend through the packer body from the up-hole side to the down-hole side. A first piping extends from the down-hole side of the first through bore and includes a perforated sub adjacent the down-hole side of the packer body. A second piping extends from the down-hole side of the second through bore and is communicably connected to the first piping down-hole of the first perforated sub.
US08371384B2
Of the many methods provided herein, one method comprises: providing at least one fracture in a subterranean formation that comprises tight gas, a shale, a clay, and/or a coal bed; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing the plasticity modification fluid into the fracture in the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least one fracture face of the fracture to form an embrittled fracture face.
US08371380B2
Methods and systems relate to generating a flow of steam and splitting the flow of steam to enable both its injection into a formation to assist in oil recovery and its introduction into a pathway where the steam is used for generating electricity and capturing carbon dioxide (CO2). At least part of the CO2 that is captured comes from burning of fuel used to generate the steam. Steam assisted gravity drainage requires the steam that is injected to have a higher pressure than the steam that is needed for CO2 capture. Exhaust steam from a steam turbine used to generate the electricity reduces pressure of the steam prior to use of the steam for capturing CO2.
US08371378B2
A method to improve the effectiveness of MEOR or bioremediation processes. In this method toxic chemicals accumulated in subterranean sites adjacent to the water injection wells are either dispersed or removed prior to introduction of microbial inocula for enhanced microbial oil recovery or bioremediation of these sites.
US08371377B2
A method to improve the effectiveness of MEOR or bioremediation processes. In this method toxic chemicals accumulated in subterranean sites adjacent to the water injection wells are either dispersed or removed prior to introduction of microbial inocula for enhanced microbial oil recovery or bioremediation of these sites.
US08371367B2
A heat sink includes a base having a first surface thermally connected to a heat producing component and a plurality of fins supported by a second surface of the base and arranged in a predetermined direction, each fin having a plurality of through-holes. The base and the plurality of fins are integrally formed from a porous material, for example a lotus-shaped porous material. The heat sink is placed within a duct. The heat sink may have a width of about 10 mm or less.
US08371351B2
A pneumatic radial tire includes a pair of annular bead portions 2A, 2B, a tread portion 3 having a tread surface portion 3a, a pair of sidewall portions 4A, 4B each connecting one of both end portions in the tire-width directions of the tread portion 3 and an outward end in the tire-radial direction of the corresponding one of the bead portions, and a carcass layer 5 extending continuously across and through the bead portions, the sidewall portions, and the tread portion, the carcass layer being configured to form a framework of the tire. In a section taken in the tire-width directions, a first rubber gauge G1, G2 on a vehicle-fitted outer side is thicker than a first rubber gauge on a vehicle-fitted inner side, the first rubber gauge being defined as a thickness measured from a tire's external surface to the carcass layer and measured at each of the both tire-width-direction end portions of the tread portion, and a second rubber gauge G3, G4 on the vehicle-fitted outer side has a smaller thickness than a second rubber gauge on the vehicle-fitted inner side does, the second rubber gauge being defined as a thickness measured from the tire's external surface to the carcass layer in the tire-width direction and measured at each of both widest portions 4a, 4b of the sidewall portion, the widest portions being the portions protruding most externally in the tire-width directions.
US08371346B2
A refueling nozzle is inserted into a fuel filler tube of the vehicle, refueling is carried out in the normal manner. However, during retraction of the nozzle, when the nozzle is prone to drip, a specially designed valve is caused to open and a vacuum canister draws in a rush of air and captures the dripping gas. During normal vehicle operation, the captured fuel in the vacuum canister is drawn into the engine intake manifold to be burned through the engine and the vacuum in the canister is replenished for the next refueling stop.
US08371345B2
A structure for a fuel lid section has a fuel lid supported on a vehicle body via a hinge, a vehicle body recess openably covered by the fuel lid, a fuel filling opening placed in the vehicle body recess, and a cap-less mechanism provided at the fuel filling opening and enabling fuel filling operation without requiring attachment/detachment of a fuel cap. The structure also has an electricity conduction path extending from the fuel lid to the vehicle body.
US08371338B2
An annular duct insulation structure includes a substantially rigid annular insulation-retaining insert having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A viscoelastic insulation foam layer is disposed around the substantially cylindrical outer surface of the insert so as to result in a composite insulation structure of the foam layer and the insert. The foam layer is formed of at least one of (A) a compressed open-cell foam layer or (B) a compressed closed-cell foam layer in which at least a portion of the closed cells has been opened, wherein the foam layer has been compressed sufficiently to permit the composite insulation structure to be slipped into an annular duct without substantial friction, and wherein the foam layer decompresses so as to substantially fill a void between an inner surface of the duct and an outer surface of the foam layer of the composite insulation structure.
US08371334B2
A rotary valve (1) includes a valve body (2) formed with a chamber communication passage (24) for flowing a main fluid and a vent communication passage (25) for discharging the main fluid and a cylindrical valve member (3) rotatably held in the valve body (2) and formed with a main passage (31) for flowing the main fluid. The cylindrical valve member (3) is rotated to switch the connection of the main passage (31) between the chamber communication passage (24) and the vent communication passage (25). The rotary switching valve (1) further includes a purge gas passage for passing purge gas in a clearance (11) between the valve body (2) and the cylindrical valve member (3), the purge gas being supplied to the clearance (11) to prevent the main fluid from leaking out of the main passage (31).
US08371333B2
A cage valve for reduced erosion at the outlet bore. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged transverse to the inlet bore and aligned with the outlet bore, the flow trim including a stationary tubular cage and an external cylindrical flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover one or more pairs of main flow ports in the cage side wall. The external flow collar is located for movement between a fully closed position wherein each of the main flow ports is fully covered by the external flow collar and a fully open position wherein each of the main flow ports remains partially covered by the external flow collar such that fluid flow from the inlet through each of the main flow ports is directed angularly into the external flow collar, away from the outlet bore, to reduce erosion at the outlet bore.
US08371331B2
Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.
US08371322B1
A folding canopy beach tent comprised of lightweight rod structure frame with connecting joints. This structure opens and closes. To closing structure folds down and the rods fold inward making the structure compact. The umbrella and flaccid mesh like material cover the frame structure. The material serves as a protection against sunrays and weather elements. The front flaccid mesh serves as enclosure for the structure. The side flaccid mesh allows airflow, and visibility of surroundings. The dimensions of the folding canopy beach tent provides' enough room to place a child, and other items. Stakes are used to secure the structure to the surface, therefore reducing the likelihood of the wind moving it. The stakes also secure the mesh enclosure when lowered to the ground. The structure's umbrella like material base can be directly sat or laid on. The folded canopy beach tent is carried in a carry tote with strap.
US08371319B2
The present invention provides umbrella anchors and accessories that facilitate the use of umbrellas over a wide variety of ground surfaces. An anchor may have a generally tubular shape with a bore that receives the bottom end of a pole of an umbrella. The anchor may have a tip that penetrates the ground in response to application of linear force, and a flange that limits the depth of penetration of the anchor into the ground and adds stability. Alternatively, an anchor may have a flange positioned distally to lie underneath a deck or other man-made surface. An anchor may have a flange that is angled relative to the remainder of the anchor to facilitate placement of the umbrella at a angle relative to ground level. A cover may prevent entry of debris into the anchor bore. Modular tables or accessory trays may be attached around the pole of the umbrella.
US08371318B2
A liquid processing apparatus 1 comprises a casing 5, a substrate holding mechanism 20 that holds a wafer (substrate to be processed) W, a process-liquid supplying mechanism 30 that supplies a process liquid, a draining cup 12 that receives a process liquid, and a draining pipe 13 that discharges a process liquid outside. The process-liquid supplying mechanism 30 includes a first chemical-liquid supply mechanism that supplies a hydrofluoric process liquid, and a drying-liquid supplying mechanism that supplies an organic solvent for drying a wafer W. A control part 50 causes the first chemical-liquid supplying mechanism to supply a hydrofluoric process liquid, and then causes the drying-liquid supplying mechanism to supply an organic solvent. In addition, before the control part 50 causes the drying-liquid supplying mechanism to supply an organic solvent, the control part causes a cleaning mechanism 10 to remove an alkaline component in a casing 5.
US08371315B2
A washing system comprising a washing machine vessel, a fluid-treatment component for activating a liquid, a dispenser for dispensing the activated liquid to the washing machine vessel, an electrode in electrical contact with the activated liquid, and at least one control circuit configured to generate an alternating electrical field through the dispensed activated liquid between the electrode and the washing machine vessel.
US08371308B2
Magnetic devices and implantation methods are provided for use in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The devices include a sheet-like element having ferromagnetic qualities. The device may also include a permanent magnet attached to the sheet-like element by magnetic forces. The devices are implanted in soft tissue surrounding the airway and in tissue space beneath the pharyngeal wall to exert forces on and/or change the shape of the soft tissue. The magnetic devices may also include a bladder containing a magnetorheological fluid that stiffens soft tissue when exposed to a magnetic field.
US08371304B2
A continuous positive airway pressure system features a housing forming an airway chamber, and an air pressure inlet and an air pressure outlet. The housing further defines internally a pair of tapered air jets, and a pair of tapered air receivers. The air receivers are located downstream of the air supply jets and disposed coaxially with respective ones of the air supply jets. Each receiver has a taper in an opposite direction to the direction of the taper of the air supply jets. A pair of nasal prongs is located downstream of the air receiving jets. Each receiver comprises a hemispherical section that is oriented at an angle off the center line of the supply.
US08371300B2
A system comprises a respiratory delivery arrangement adapted to cover at least one respiratory orifice of a patient. The system also comprises a first conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end connected to the respiratory delivery arrangement. A positive pressure is provided to the respiratory orifice via the first conduit and a second conduit having a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end connected to the respiratory delivery arrangement. An exhaled gas is extracted from the respiratory orifice by one or both of a valve configured to redirect flow through the respiratory delivery arrangement and a venturi opening.
US08371290B2
An apparatus for discharging fluid for a subject breathing. The apparatus includes a fluid cavity for conveying a fluid to be discharged; a valve for guiding the flow of fluid through the fluid cavity; a control unit for controlling the valve for guiding the flow of fluid; a first housing having a wall and a hole on this wall for fluid flowing through the fluid cavity; a first member apart from the first housing having holes discharging fluid through them for the subject breathing; a chamber between the first member and the first housing for receiving the fluid coming along the fluid cavity; a vibrator making the first member to vibrate and discharge fluid through the holes to a subject breathing tube. The vibrator is in contact with the first member through a transmitter extending towards the chamber and which transmitter transmits the vibration effect from the vibrator to the first member.
US08371285B2
An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.
US08371283B2
An archery bow includes a cable guard and an optional cable guide that holds a cable of the bow away from a plane in which a bowstring of the bow moves. The cable guard can define a bore, through which the cable is positioned, extending generally parallel to the bowstring when the bowstring is in an undrawn state. The cable guard bore can include a rounded opening to minimize abrasion to the cable. The cable guide can include a ceramic element having a rounded surface to minimize abrasion to the cable. The ceramic element can be included in an immovable or stationary cable guide, as well as an alternative cable guide including moving components, to engage and hold the cable away from the bowstring, while minimizing abrasion and/or friction on the cable.
US08371281B2
A scent shooter apparatus is disclosed. The scent shooter may include a projectile launcher. A vessel may be coupled to the projectile launcher and configured to hold a pellet and release the pellet during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus may include a piercer mounted on the vessel. The piercer may be disposed to pierce the pellet during operation of the apparatus.
US08371280B2
A multi-shot ring airfoil launcher comprises a launcher configured to receive a magazine which supports at least two ring airfoils. The launcher includes a barrel. A chuck is mounted in the barrel and is configured to propel a ring airfoil from a breech to the muzzle of the barrel, launching a ring airfoil with forward velocity and spin. The magazine is configured to deliver successive ring airfoils to the breech or rear end of the chuck for launching. The launcher includes a cocking mechanism for loading ring airfoils on to the chuck and cocking the chuck, and a firing mechanism for firing the launcher.
US08371276B2
A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method comprises admitting air from the compressor to the intake manifold via a main throttle valve, storing some air from the compressor in a boost tank, and discharging some of the air stored in the boost tank to the intake manifold via an auxiliary throttle valve distinct from the main throttle valve.
US08371270B2
The motorcycle includes a power unit having a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, a throttle body mounted to the power unit, a fuel injection system mounted on the throttle body, a fuel tank, the fuel pump unit by which a fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the fuel injection system, and the fuel filter device. The fuel supply system for the motorcycle includes the fuel filter device disposed so as to overlap with the throttle body when viewed in the vehicle width direction, an upper portion of an outer case of the fuel filter device is supported by an engine hanger boss for fixing the power unit to a body frame of the motorcycle, and a lower portion of the outer case is supported by the crankcase.
US08371268B2
A fuel safety valve arranged in a fuel supply line between a low-pressure pump and a high-pressure pump, is provided with a valve body which defines a cylindrical cavity having a longitudinal axis and being connected to a duct and a portion of a discharge duct in communication with the cylindrical cavity, a piston sliding with respect to the valve body in the cylindrical cavity along the longitudinal axis, and a spring housed in a variable-volume chamber defined by a portion of the cylindrical cavity between the piston and a closure element. The piston is provided with a through hole supplied with the fuel leading into the variable-volume chamber, and the valve body being provided with a fuel discharge hole connecting the variable-volume chamber to the discharge duct.
US08371260B2
A central direct injection (DI) cylinder head is configured with an intake valvetrain and an exhaust valvetrain separated by an uncovered central DI valley. The uncovered central DI valley limits oil flow from the high side chamber to the low side chamber and PCV transfer. Oil drainage and additional PCV transfer between the intake and exhaust chambers is provided by drain/vent passages integrally cast into the casting of the cylinder head. The drain/vent passages may be of varying configuration, and may be located between an injector port of a first cylinder set and a spark plug port of an adjacent cylinder set, or at either or both ends of the cylinder head. A method is provided to form a casting of the cylinder head as described herein, including casting of a plurality of drain/vent passages between the first chamber and the second chamber of the cylinder head.
US08371256B2
Engines and processes for their operation include a compressor cylinder, at least one power cylinder, and an expander cylinder. The outlet of the compressor cylinder is fed to the inlet of a power cylinder, and the outlet of the power cylinder is fed to the expander cylinder. The compressor cylinder and the expander cylinder are operated in two-stroke fashion, and the power cylinder is operated in four-stroke fashion, all of which cylinders share a common crankshaft. Heat may be recuperated from the exhaust gas and directed to the inlet gas of the power cylinder, increasing overall efficiency.
US08371245B2
A floating fish production system for placement within a body of water and being structured and disposed for containing fish and other aquatic animal, plant and algal species, the system including at least one primary containment tank having an arrangement of individual solid wall sections and an arrangement of individual solid floor sections. Flexible membranes span between and connect to adjacently positioned solid wall and floor sections to define flexible connecting joints that allow the individual solid wall and floor sections to move relative to one another in an articulating action. The flexible membranes allow the tank configuration to temporarily deform from a relaxed state in response to externally applied forces exerted on the tank (e.g., waves, wind, current) to thereby absorb the externally applied forces and reduce stress on the structural integrity on the tank. An air lift system including a high volume, low pressure blower and a spaced arrangement of vertically extending air lift pipes delivers water and oxygen from the exterior body of water and into the tank interior. A flexible main drain in a central area at the bottom of the tank connects to a waste recovery system for removing waste produced by the fish and other aquatic species.
US08371241B2
An electric circuit is applied to an object having a curved surface. The curved surface of the object is divided into sections, and the circuit is applied one section at a time. The circuit is formed between layers of dielectric material. The dielectric is applied by a computer-controlled device, which controls the position of a spray head and the rotation of the object, such that the spray head is held substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object at all times, and such that a controlled thickness of dielectric material can be deposited. The fine-featured circuits formed by the invention are rugged, and can be used on objects intended to be exposed to harsh environments.
US08371238B2
An assembly for selectively supplying particulate material to an air seeder, an agricultural implement able to selectively supply and dispense particulate material into the ground and a method of selectively dispensing particulate material into the ground are provided. The assembly has at least one supply receptacle for receiving particulate material from a source and a metering roller for supplying the material to an air seeder. The assembly is operative to selectively supply the material to the air seeder and prevent the material from being supplied to the air seeder. The implement can use the assembly to selectively supply particulate material to ground engaging openers where the particulate material will be dispensed into the ground. Particulate material can be selectively supplied to the implement when it is desired to have the particulate material dispensed into the ground and then prevented from being supplied to the implement when it is not desirable.
US08371234B2
A bogie for a railway vehicle including a chassis; two front wheels and two rear wheels; and for each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guide for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis on the guide is provided. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected to the chassis by a first connection point and to the corresponding guide by a second connection point, and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally from one another.
US08371233B2
A system is provided for dynamically affecting a force applied through at least one axle of a rail vehicle configured to travel along a rail track. The rail vehicle includes a plurality of axles and a plurality of wheels received by the plurality of axles. The system includes a device configured to selectively impart the force through the at least one axle to control a respective weight of the at least one axle on the rail track for affecting a traction performance of the rail vehicle traveling along the rail track.
US08371232B2
A system and method for modification of a baseline ballast arrangement of a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) having an overall tractive effort rating based on symmetrical distribution of weight and driving torque applied by the locomotive to the respective axles of the locomotive. The system includes a locomotive (or other rail vehicle) truck comprising an un-powered first axle and a powered second axle. The system also includes a first suspension assembly configured to apply to the first axle a first portion of a locomotive weight and a second suspension assembly configured to apply to the second axle a second portion of the locomotive weight different from the first portion. An amount of locomotive weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle allows modification of a baseline ballast arrangement by reducing an amount of ballast in the baseline ballast arrangement corresponding to the amount of weight allocated from the first axle to the second axle. The axle weight distribution involves relatively slight weight distribution compared to the nominal weights normally carried by the axles.
US08371227B2
A ride system with crossing ride paths. A first omnimover assembly is provided that includes a continuous vehicle chain movable along a first ride path and includes vehicles vertically supported above the track at a first height. A second omnimover assembly is provided with a continuous vehicle chain movable along a second ride path that differs from the first ride path and crosses over the first ride path when viewed in plan view. The second omnimover assembly includes vehicles vertically supported below the upper vehicle track at a second height, which may be the same as the first height such that passengers perceive a risk of a collision at the path intersections. The upper track is at a higher elevation than the lower track such that cross overs occur without interference. A synchronization mechanism is provided that synchronizes the movement of the upper and lower vehicle chains.
US08371226B2
An air cushion or wheeled overhead guideway mass transit system is disclosed.
US08371210B2
A scotch yoke type fluid device in which the pistons are decoupled from each other is provided. Each piston of the device has its own pair of sliding surfaces and its own slider. The sliding surface of each piston is disposed on the same side of a big end bearing of a crank. The main axis of the crank is movable along a path such that the pistons are neither substantially retarded nor advanced. The effective centre of mass of the crank, piston and slider remains stationary relative to the crank axis. Each piston includes a guide for constraining the piston to move along the piston axis. An intermediate member may interconnect the piston and the slides.
US08371198B2
A fence engagement and blade guard includes a column mounted to a table saw with a horizontal member received in a channel in the column. A vertical rod extends through and is vertically adjustable in a hole in the horizontal member. An engagement cart is suspended from the vertical rod and includes a beam having axle apertures and axles received in the apertures to support wheels. The wheels frictionally engage a work piece. An axle suspension system is supported from a shield. The engagement cart is angularly rotatable for engagement of the wheels on the work piece to directionally urge the work piece against the table saw fence.
US08371194B2
A wrench includes a shank including a slot defined therein longitudinally, a handle attached to an end of the shank, a head, a torque assembly for connecting the head to another end of the shank, a torque-setting device and a torque-measuring device. The torque-setting device includes a knob inserted in the handle and a pin movable in and along the slot as the knob is spun. The torque-measuring device includes a measurement sleeve and a collar. The measurement sleeve is rotationally located around the shank and includes a helical groove defined in an internal side and a scale provided on an external side. A portion of the pin is movably inserted in the helical groove so that the measurement sleeve is spun as the pin is moved in and along the slot. The collar is located around the shank and includes a window through which the scale is observable.
US08371192B2
An impact driver includes an outer sleeve, an inner core, at least one first pin, a moving mechanism, and a shank. The inner core is telescopically and rotatably received in the outer sleeve. The inner core has at least one first helix groove therein. The first pin slidably protrudes from the inner surface of the outer sleeve. The moving mechanism can move the first pin to fit the first helix groove. The shank is connected to the inner core.
US08371182B1
A mounting system for samples and instruments for use with a measuring device such as a surface forces apparatus has a housing and a sample mount assembly positioned within the housing. The sample mount assembly has a pivot arm having a first edge and a flexing section. A spring has a first end coupled to the pivot arm. A first sample holder is coupled to the second end of the spring. A second sample holder is positioned in proximity to the first sample holder.
US08371180B2
A sensor concept for capacitive pressure measurement yields reliable measurement results and is for aggressive particle-bearing measuring environments. This sensor element is a micromechanical sensor element, whose structural elements are implemented in a layered structure. The sensor element includes two pressure connections separated from each other, a deflectable carrier element for at least one deflectable measuring electrode, and at least one stationary counter electrode for the measuring electrode. The carrier element spans a closed cavity in the layered structure. The carrier element is spanned by a cap structure, and is suspended on the cap structure via a suspension web functioning as a rocker bearing. The two pressure connections are connected to the carrier element's top side which is divided by the suspension web into two separated pressure connection zones. The measuring electrode is on the carrier element's underside and the counter electrode is on the cavity's opposite wall.
US08371178B1
A turbopump for a rocket engine includes a rotor shaft with a turbine connected to drive the rotor and a centrifugal impeller connected to be driven by the rotor. An electromagnetic powered motor is formed as part of the turbopump and is powered to drive the rotor at a low speed in order to test for an amount of torque required to drive the rotor at the low speed. A load cell is connected to the motor that rotates the rotor shaft. From the use of a load cell the amount of torque required to rotate the rotor can be determined and compared to a known value in order to determine if the turbopump is damaged and requires repairs.
US08371176B2
A media isolated pressure sensor is disclosed that helps improve performance and reduce cost. In one illustrative embodiment, a pressure sensor may include a carrier having one or more holes defined therein. The carrier may be coupled to a diaphragm on one side, and a pressure sensing die on the other, with the pressure sensing die in fluid communication with the hole in the carrier. The carrier, diaphragm and pressure sense die may form a transfer fluid cavity, which is filled with a pressure transfer fluid. An input pressure from a media to be sensed may be provided to the diaphragm, which transmits the pressure to the pressure sensing die via the pressure transfer fluid. The pressure sensing die remains isolated from the media to be sensed.
US08371172B2
A method and system for predicting acoustic fields based on generalized moving frame acoustic holography are disclosed. The method includes acquiring a first wavenumber spectrum on a measurement plane according to a moving coordinate system, converting the first wavenumber spectrum to a second wavenumber spectrum on a reference coordinate system using a relative velocity between the measurement plane and a medium, converting the second wavenumber spectrum to a third wavenumber spectrum on a prediction plane using an acoustic wave propagation theory, converting the third wavenumber spectrum to a fourth wavenumber spectrum on a moving coordinate system using a relative velocity between the medium and the prediction plane, and computing acoustic fields on the prediction plane using the fourth wavenumber spectrum.
US08371170B2
In the diagnosis of a structure, at least one electromechanical transducer is fixed to a structure as an object of diagnosis and is driven with an alternating voltage of a constant amplitude, and a current flowing through the at least one electromechanical transducer is measured. Next, high frequency components around a driving frequency of the electromechanical transducer are separated from a signal of the current. Next, modulation information due to a damage is extracted from amplitude and/or phase demodulation of the high frequency components. Then a damage index is evaluated based on the modulation information. Thus, structural health can be diagnosed with use of at least one electromechanical transducer, without baseline data, in one measurement.
US08371160B2
A piezoresistive sensor assembly is provided that has a flex circuit having at least one air flow aperture formed therein. A sensor die is coupled to an absolute support and the flex circuit. The sensor die has a diaphragm that deflects in response to air flow that flows through the air flow aperture and is incident on the diaphragm. The sensor die includes one or more gages positioned on or in the diaphragm.
US08371158B2
A method for accurately determining fuel efficiency in diesel engines of vehicles, as they exist on the job. In determining the efficiency, work done by the vehicle in combination with accurately measured fuel consumption enables calculation of the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The method of the invention is of use in determining a baseline fuel efficiency for use in evaluating the effectiveness of fuel efficiency related improvements to the engine or vehicle. Following making the improvements, additional fuel efficiency tests using the method of the invention are carried out for comparing the new fuel efficiency with the baseline fuel efficiency. In some applications GPS systems are used for determining work done by the vehicle.
US08371139B2
An ice making apparatus, in which a valve cap is opened by manually adjusting a valve member of a water storage unit when making ice cubes, and a refrigerator having the same. The ice making apparatus includes a water storage unit having a storage main body, in which water is stored, an ice making unit to make ice cubes through supply of water stored in the storage main body, at least one valve member to open and close a water supply hole, through which water stored in the storage main body is supplied to the ice making unit, and an opening and closing member to move the at least one valve member so as to open the water supply hole.
US08371132B2
A system for use in freezing, thawing, transporting or storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a container, a holder and plurality of heat transfer members. The container is configured to hold biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity for receiving the container and includes an interior surface bounding the cavity. A plurality of pockets contact outer surfaces of the container and is received in the cavity. Each pocket of the plurality of pockets includes a pocket cavity. A heat transfer member actively controls the temperature of biopharmaceutical materials held in the container and is received in the pocket cavity.
US08371126B2
In a gas turbine combustor, a cavity with which a plurality of first air passages communicates is formed by covering with a cover a concave portion of a top hat main body in which the first air passages are formed along the circumferential direction of the top hat main body, a plurality of second fuel passages that communicates with the first fuel passages are formed by connecting an inner ring and an outer ring to the top hat main body and by connecting the inner ring and the outer ring to each other, a peg is fixed on the inner ring to communicate with the second fuel passage through a third air passage, and thin wall portions that serve as a thermal elongation absorbing unit by which thermal elongation is absorbed are provided on the inner ring and the outer ring.
US08371121B2
A turbocharger includes a turbine wheel, a compressor wheel connected thereto, an electric motor situated on the side of the compressor wheel which is distant to the turbine wheel, and a rotor connected to the compressor wheel in a rotationally fixed manner and designed in a freely projecting manner. A drive system for motor vehicles includes a turbocharger. The turbocharger is characterized by a very spontaneous response behavior, as well as the possibility for energy recovery.
US08371118B2
Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine with a turbocharger in a vehicle. One example method comprises, under selected operating conditions, generating an oxidant rich component from engine intake air, storing the oxidant rich component, and during subsequent increased torque request, injecting an amount of the stored oxidant rich component to the engine.
US08371112B2
In a system, an engine includes an exhaust system with a particle filter operable to collect particulate matter in exhaust produced by the engine, a sensor arrangement, a controller, and one or more engine control devices. The sensor arrangement provides a first sensor signal representative of oxygen in the exhaust and a second sensor signal representative of a temperature of the particle filter. The controller regulates operation of the particle filter in response to the sensor arrangement. The controller is structured to generate one or more output signals corresponding to a minimum exhaust flow rate as a function of the first and second sensor signals. The control devices are responsive to the one or more output signals to provide the minimum exhaust flow rate to the filter.
US08371104B2
A vectoring nozzle with external actuation generates thrust vectoring by applying mechanical or fluidic actuation, or both, on the nozzle deck, external sidewalls, and/or air vehicle aft body to produce changes in the aft body flowfield and/or exhaust plume. An external mechanical sidewall may be integrated into a nozzle deck or side walls without the need for engine bleed to supply fluid injectors. An external fluidic vectoring system uses injectors or plasma devices located aft of the nozzle exit to vector the exhaust plume with no external moving parts. Elements of both mechanical and fluidic systems may be combined for a given application.
US08371103B2
Valve assembly and method in which a valve member is connected to an elongated lever arm for controlling communication between two chambers in an internal combustion engine. The valve assembly is disposed at least partially within one of the chambers, and the valve member is moved between open and closed by an actuator connected to the lever arm. In some disclosed embodiments, a pilot valve is opened to equalize pressure on both sides of the valve member prior to moving the valve member toward the open position. In others, where a piston in an expansion cylinder is driven by hot, expanding gases from a separate combustion chamber, the exhaust valve is closed before the piston has completed its exhaust stroke, and pressure is allowed to build up in the expansion cylinder to a level corresponding to the pressure in the combustion chamber before the valve member is moved toward the open position.
US08371082B2
A wall forming system that uses a pair of panels in combination with a furring strip assembly and retainer The pair of panels are placed in spaced relation using the combination of the furring strip assembly and the retainer wherein the furring strip assembly holds the exterior of the panels while the retainer is disposed between the panels to hold them at a predetermined distance. By holding the panels at a predetermined distance concrete is poured within the cavity formed between the panels to create a wall.
US08371079B2
A composite reinforced mull post is disclosed for use in an entryway assembly. The mull post may engage a door on one side and a side light window on the other side. The mull post may comprise a one or two piece outer portion and one or more internal reinforcing members. The outer portion may comprise a plurality of interlocking pieces. The pieces may include a stop portion and a support portion, each with interlocking ribs. A first internal reinforcing member may be formed of engineered material such as a wood laminate, and a second reinforcing member may comprise a channel that extends partially around the first reinforcing member. The reinforcing member may include orthogonal portions conterminously received within a correspondingly shaped central chamber formed by the housing formed by the joined interlocking pieces.
US08371074B2
A mast assembly having a base, and a mast pivotally connected to the base for movement between a horizontal and an upright position. A linear actuator is connected between the base and the mast and is extensible to move mast about the pivot. A strut is selectively positioned between the mast and the base to inhibit pivotal movement toward the horizontal position during lifting of the mast. A plurality of abutments on the base permits selective connection between the actuator and the base. The strut position supports the mast while said actuator is moved between the abutments.
US08371065B2
A root watering system has a porous body and an end assembly connected to the porous body. The end assembly has a fluid emitter and integrally defines an inlet passage for directing fluid to the fluid emitter for providing fluid to the porous body. The assembly also may be fitted with an integral valve.
US08371062B2
The animal trap of the present invention includes a tubular body with an open forward end and a closed rear end. A spring loaded restraint is pivotally mounted on the body so as to be movable between open and closed positions. A latch on the body engages the restraint to set the restraint in the open position. A trigger on the body engages the latch to set the trap. The trigger is movable in opposite forward and rearward directions by an animal, such as a raccoon, reaching its paw into the housing and pushing or pulling the trigger leg, such that the latch is disengaged and releases the restraint, which is forced by a spring to the closed position to catch the animal's paw in the tubular body.
US08371058B2
A mechanism for the disassembly of a handgun without triggering, which prevents the consequential accidental firing of a cartridge in the chamber upon triggering. The mechanism including a disassembler, sear catcher lever, sear catcher and a sear catcher spring. The disassembler has an eccentric pin. Rotation of the dissembler moves the sear catcher lever forward. The sear catcher spring pushes the sear catcher which abuts the other end of sear catcher lever. The sear catcher can catch the sear as soon as the sear is pressed downwards around the sear pin by the slide, and it can hold the sear beneath the plane of cocking of the firing pin. At the same time, the sear catcher blocks the firing pin safety lever if the sear catcher lever is in its utmost forward position. That way the cocking of the firing pin is prevented and the triggering is blocked.
US08371057B2
A firearm cleaning apparatus for cleaning the bore of a firearm barrel with firearm cleaning solvent. The apparatus has a cleaning patch holding device for removable attachment to a cleaning rod. The cleaning patch holding device has a body for holding a cleaning cloth containing firearm cleaning solvent. The body has a core material and a protective coating covering the core material to prevent the core material from contacting the cleaning solvent.
US08371056B1
A firearm accessory rail adaptor bracket includes a bracket body, a rifle attachment jaw assembly carried by the bracket body, a first jaw operating mechanism provided in the rifle attachment jaw assembly, a pistol attachment jaw assembly carried by the bracket body and a second jaw operating mechanism provided in the pistol attachment jaw assembly.
US08371055B2
A method and system for an inductively powering rail on a firearm to power accessories such as: telescopic sights, tactical sights, laser sighting modules, and night vision scopes. This is achieved by having primary and secondary electromagnets (U-Cores) on both the inductively powering rail and the accessory. Once the electromagnets are in contact, the accessory is able to obtain power through induction via the inductively powering rail. Accessories may be attached to various fixture points on the inductively powering rail and are detected by the firearm when attached and detached. When attached, power and data communications may flow between the accessory and a master CPU located on the firearm. Accessories that are attached to the inductively powering rail and have rechargeable power systems may be recharged via the inductive power rail. Further, accessories that have power that is not needed may be transferred to other accessories.
US08371040B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a cover for a dryer. The dryer is adapted, when in operation, to heat a gas stream. The dryer includes a cover mounted to at least one section of an outer wall of the dryer, in particular a rear wall of the dryer. A passage through which the gas stream can flow is formed, at least sectionwise, by the cover. The cover can include a heating unit having at least one heating element such that the gas stream flows around the heating element when the dryer is in operation.
US08371029B2
The present invention provides a production apparatus for crankshaft, including: a die which has a lower die, an upper die, and plural side forming punches, the upper die being provided movably to the lower die, the side forming punches moving perpendicularly to a movement direction of the upper die; a press ram which moves the upper die to the lower die, closes a material of the crankshaft, and forms the material; cam mechanisms which are provided for the side forming punches and which move the side forming punches to an inside portion of the die in accordance with movement of the press ram; a grade separation structure which is provided to at least one of the side forming punches in order to prevent interference of the side forming punches with each other.
US08371028B2
A method for increasing the current carried between two high voltage conductor support towers is provided. The method includes removing a first high voltage carrying cable mounted between the towers and replacing it with a composite core cable. This replacement of cable may be accomplished with existing cable hanging equipment and without the need for additional tooling.
US08371024B2
Process for industrially filling differently structured cavities in building blocks with moldings, having the following features: a) the moldings are cut in the form of differently configured mineral-wool pads (1, 2) from mineral-wool boards supplied, b) the mineral-wool pads (1, 2) are then distributed in layers on at least two levels, c) the mineral-wool pads (1, 2) distributed in this way are respectively separated, arranged in rows and moved into a vertical position in order to be transported further, d) the vertically positioned mineral-wool pads (1, 2) are pushed off laterally in layers and distributed on at least two levels in a supply unit (A 170), wherein, for example, one level has large mineral-wool pads (1) and the other level has small mineral-wool pads (2) and the levels are arranged in accordance with the construction of the cavities of the building block; e) in a further position of the distributing unit (A 180), the mineral-wool pads (1, 2) are pushed into sheet-metal channels, moved up to the building blocks and sucked in there (A 190).
US08371023B2
A spout installation device capable of reliably installing spouts onto correct positions on a pouch. The spout installation device has a pouch supply section for supplying a pouch (P), first and second spout supply sections for respectively supplying an inlet spout (SA) and an outlet spout (SB), and first and second spout installation sections for installing the inlet spout (SA) and the outlet spout (SB), which are supplied by the spout supply sections, onto the pouch (P) supplied by the pouch supply section. For each time of installation of the inlet spout (SA) and the outlet spout (SB) onto the pouch (P), an upper inclined edge and a lower edge of the pouch (P) are positioned by a positioning unit of the pouch supply section and by a positioning/holding mechanism of the second spout installation section.
US08371015B2
A method for straightening, constraining, cutting and terminating a multi-stranded, non-parallel cable. The cable filaments are aligned. A binder is then applied to the cable to maintain the alignment. The cable is then cut to a desired length. Each strand or group of strands is then placed in an individual termination. Each individual termination is then attached—either directly or through intermediate devices—to a collector.
US08371012B2
A bearing removal tool and method are provided for removing a bearing swaged in a housing with speed and ease of use without damaging the housing, where the bearing removal tool includes a locating fixture having an annular support engaging an outer race of the bearing, with the locating fixture further including a locating mandrel extending axially from a center of the annular support into a center of the bearing locating the bearing outer race relative to the annular support; a cutter head having an axially extending shank extending from one end received in a drill press chuck, with the cutter head having at least one tooth extending axially away from the shank for cutting a swaged lip of the outer race of the bearing on a side of the bearing opposite from the side of the bearing engaged by the annular support.
US08370995B2
A detachable beverage container handle includes a reusable figurine-shaped handle which can be mounted and released from beverage contains of a plurality of container diameters. The figurine is hinged to accommodate containers of different sizes. A lower extremity of the figurine includes a clamp for engaging the base or bottom of the container. an upper extremity of the figurine has a clamp for engaging the rim of the container. An embodiment of the handle has a rim clamp with pivoting arms that force gripping surfaces of the clamp into an engaging position on the rim. A user may pivot the arms to a release position.
US08370993B2
A surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirt inlet and an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright section may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower upper portion may be rotatable relative to the lower portion about an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of at least one of the upper and lower portions. The upright surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a wheel provided on the upright section.
US08370988B2
A windshield wiper device (10) especially for a motor vehicle is proposed. Said device is comprised essentially of a plate-shaped base (12), on which a drive unit (18), a wiper bearing (14) and a retaining element (26) are arranged. In accordance with the invention, the plate-shaped base (12) is provided with predetermined breaking points (36).
US08370986B2
The invention relates to a connecting device (10) for a wiper arm (14) and a wiper blade (12). Said wiper blade comprises a first connecting part (16) on the wiper blade end and a second connecting part (18) on the wiper arm end, both parts being juxtaposed in the operational position and being connected to each other via a hinge element (44) so that they can be swiveled about a hinge axis. Securing means (32) are provided so that the first and second connecting part (16, 18) engage with each other. The invention is characterized in that the first connecting part (16) has a recess (38) for accommodating the securing means (32) in which a longitudinal, shaped portion (66) is provided which is parallel to the hinge axis. The invention also relates to a flat bar wiper blade (12) which comprises a first connecting part (16) for fastening the flat bar wiper blade (12) to a wiper arm (14). The connecting part (16) comprises a counter-hinge element (42) so that the flat bar wiper blade (12) can be connected to the wiper arm (14) so that it can be swiveled about a hinge axis. Said flat bar wiper blade is characterized in that a recess (38) for accommodating a securing means (32) is provided in which a longitudinal, shaped portion (66) is provided which is parallel to the hinge axis.
US08370980B2
A drum type washing machine includes a rotating drum having a rotating axis in a substantially horizontal direction and sustained rotatably in a tub. The washing machine further includes a motor for driving the rotating drum, a water supply for supplying water into the tub, and a controller for washing, rinsing and liquid-extracting by controlling workings of the motor. The controller of the washing machine washes a laundry by pouring detergent bubbles in the washing process.
US08370976B2
A folding headrest apparatus for massage consisting of an upper plate with a cushion attached thereto for the purpose of placing a massage receiver's head face-down. A rotatable mounted mechanism attached to an upper plate and an upwardly extending base portion for the purpose of rotating said upper plate generally 180-degrees. A lower plate portion for inserting between a mattress and box spring of a typical bed that meets said upwardly extending base portion at a generally 90-degree angle. A removable spacer element(s) sandwiched between the cushion and upper plate for the purpose of adjusting height of the cushion relative to a lower plate.
US08370973B1
A foldable mattress support with legs includes a metal frame with a fabric covering. The metal frame includes first upper and lower frames and second upper and lower frames. Each of the upper and lower frames is pivotally attached to a vertical plate of a hinge. A bolt that is oriented along a first axis passes through the first upper frame and through the vertical plate. A leg attaches through the fabric covering to a base plate of the hinge. The first upper frame pivots about a first axis; the second upper frame pivots about a second axis; the first lower frame pivots about a third axis; and the second lower frame pivots about a fourth axis. Each of the axes is orthogonal to the vertical plate, and the third axis is spaced farther apart from the fourth axis than the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis.
US08370966B2
A roofing glove is provided. The roofing glove includes a fitted protective covering receivable to a hand of a user, at least one spike having an anchor and a sharp protrusion extending from the glove and narrowing at a distal tip, anchored within the covering at a first predetermined location, and at least one grip pad disposed upon the covering at a second predetermined location. The at least one spike and the at least one grip pad are adapted to grip a surface, or the like, upon a fall by the wearer of the glove to prevent further fall or slide.
US08370962B2
A rapid doffing and donning vest uses a clam shell design wherein the ends of the cummerbund are removably attachable to the rear panel. A blade on the cummerbund mates with a receiver on the rear panel and has a plunger hold the two together. The plunger is attached to a pull strap located on the front panel's shoulder strap via a cord. As the pull strap is pulled outwardly, the cord pulls the plunger away from the mated blade and receiver and allows the two to decouple detaching the cummerbund from the rear panel. Outward pulling on the pull strap also facilitates decoupling of the shoulder strap from the rear panel. When the vest is doffed, the front panel and cummerbund remain attached to each other and detached from the rear panel.
US08375460B2
In an electronic device and method of protecting software, a software program of the electronic device is invoked. The media access control (MAC) address of the electronic device and a serial number of a hard disk drive that stores the software program in the electronic device are searched. The MAC address and the serial number are compared with MAC addresses and serial numbers included in the software program, to determinate whether it is licensed to run the software program in the electronic device. Usage logs of the software program are further obtained to determine whether running of the software program in the electronic device is expired.
US08375457B2
A document management device, when receiving information on a document registration user who is a requester for document registration and information on a document registration destination, provides a first page (top page) displayed when the document registration user logs into the document management device with a link (button) for accessing a second page for registering a desired document at the document registration destination. When the document registration user performs an operation of registering the desired document on the second page accessed through the link included in the first page, the desired document is registered at the document registration destination.
US08375455B2
A system and device includes a data storage that stores a use record and data readable by a platform processor at a platform. An executable controller executed from the data storage directs the relationship between the data storage and the platform processor. The platform processor reads the data and, optionally, generates and writes a use record to the data storage.
US08375450B1
A training model for malware detection is developed using common substrings extracted from known malware samples. The probability of each substring occurring within a malware family is determined and a decision tree is constructed using the substrings. An enterprise server receives indications from client machines that a particular file is suspected of being malware. The suspect file is retrieved and the decision tree is walked using the suspect file. A leaf node is reached that identifies a particular common substring, a byte offset within the suspect file at which it is likely that the common substring begins, and a probability distribution that the common substring appears in a number of malware families. A hash value of the common substring is compared (exact or approximate) against the corresponding substring in the suspect file. If positive, a result is returned to the enterprise server indicating the probability that the suspect file is a member of a particular malware family.
US08375445B2
A malware detecting apparatus, monitoring apparatus, malware detecting program, and malware detecting method are provided. The method detects a plurality of nodes that have sent connection request information commonly to one of first destinations among a set of monitoring target nodes, detects, for each node in the set of monitoring target nodes, the number of second destinations to which the node has sent connection request information, identifies a node infected with malware based on the plurality of nodes detected and the number of second destinations detected, and outputs a result of the identification.
US08375444B2
A dynamic signature creation and enforcement system can comprise a tap configured to copy network data from a communication network, and a controller coupled to the tap. The controller is configured to receive the copy of the network data from the tap, analyze the copy of the network data with a heuristic to determine if the network data is suspicious, flag the network data as suspicious based on the heuristic determination, simulate transmission of the network data to a destination device to identify unauthorized activity, generate an unauthorized activity signature based on the identification, and transmit the unauthorized activity signature to a digital device configured to enforce the unauthorized activity signature.
US08375441B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a portable consumer device configured to store dynamic authentication data in memory. The portable consumer device also includes an interface for transmitting data to and receiving power from an external device. The dynamic authentication data is read from the memory by a read-write device located on the portable consumer device. The authentication data is updated and the updated data may be written into memory using the read-write device. In some embodiments, an authentication value read from the memory may be used to generate another authentication value based on an algorithm. The portable consumer device is further configured to transmit authentication data to an external device. The process of reading, updating, generating, transmitting, and rewriting the authentication data may occur each time external power is provided to the portable consumer device via the interface. The power for operating the components of the portable consumer device may be drawn exclusively from the power received from the external device (i.e., the external power). In some embodiments, a portion of the external power may be temporarily stored on an energy storage means of the portable consumer device.
US08375440B2
Procedures for resumption from a low activity condition are discussed. In implementations, a persistent state file, or a portion thereof, is secured via an encryption algorithm, with the decryption key secured via the operating system (OS) login user credentials. Once a user is authenticated via the OS login, the persistent state file may be decrypted and inserted in the OS boot path with resumption occurring through the persistent state file.
US08375434B2
A system for protecting identify of network devices (102, 104, and 106) in a network environment. The system includes an apparatus having an interface to the network for completing connections to destination devices (152, 154, and 156) on the public side of the network. The apparatus includes a masking element (140) for associating at least one masking identifier with a communication from the network device and masking the identifier of the network device from the destination device.
US08375430B2
Secure re-authentication of host devices roaming between different connection and/or access points within a network controlled by the same administrative domain is described. Platform overhead associated with exchanging information for authentication and/or validation on each new connection during mobility is reduced by enabling prior authenticated network access to influence subsequent network access.
US08375427B2
A set of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) services can be utilized by applications executing in protected application environments external to a SOA environment. The SOA services can include an identity service, a eligibility service, and a security risk assessment service, each of which generates a percentage of risk when run. SOA services can be dependent on specific applications and application cases, each being a specific context of an application, so that results vary by application case. The SOA environment can store data, which is constantly being updated about people, which is used by the SOA services. In one embodiment, sensitive or confidential data can be maintained in the protected application environment and can be isolated from the SOA environment. Rules, criteria, factors, and the like used by the SOA services can be customized at an arbitrary level of complexity for specific applications and application cases.
US08375417B2
According to one embodiment, video image and voice signals are transmitted to a plurality of electronic devices each having at least one of a video image display function and a voice reproducing function. Information indicating the fact that at least one of a video image and a voice has been set in a mute state is acquired from each of the electronic devices. Based on the information, a processing operation is applied to the video image and voice signals supplied to each of the electronic devices.
US08375409B2
Meta-channels identify content entries and indicate an order with which to experience the content entries. The meta-channels may include a multi-source meta-channel that includes at least a first content entry that relates to first content broadcast by a first content provider at a specific time and a second content entry that relates to second content made available, over a network, by a second content provider in response to user requests. A selection of a meta-channel is received and the selection of the meta-channel is mapped to a content entry defined by the selected meta-channel. A media system is controlled to render content based on a content entry mapped to by the selected meta-channel.
US08375400B2
A device, system and method are provided for presenting message threads in a device display where messages may have a persistent or intermediate status. A list of message threads is displayed, collated according to a given message thread attribute, is displayed. When a new message is detected belonging to one of the message threads, if the message has a persistent status it is added to the message thread and the collating message thread attribute for that thread is updated. If the message has an intermediate status, it may be added to the message thread but the collating message thread attribute for that message is deferred until the intermediate status is changed to a persistent status. The collated list of message threads is then updated. By deferring updates to the collating message thread attribute when a message has an intermediate status, disruption to the order of the collated list is mitigated.
US08375397B1
A computer-implemented method of enabling communication between a first client and a second client mutually participating in a communication session, in which the second client, but not the first client, has an application for rendering multi-dimensional virtual environments, is claimed. The method includes transmitting to the second client information representing a plurality of objects in a multi-dimensional virtual environment, wherein the multi-dimensional virtual environment is rendered at the second client, and transmitting to the first client an image for display by a first client application in a web page, the image including a representation of the multi-dimensional virtual environment rendered at the second client. The second client has an application, distinct from the first client application, for rendering multi-dimensional virtual environments.
US08375389B2
A method includes receiving a plurality of resumption events associated with a plurality of suspended processes. Each resumption event is associated with a suspended process. Each resumption event also includes an execution time and a resumption time window. The method includes determining resumption deadlines for the suspended processes and determining a resumption order based on the resumption deadlines. The resumption deadline for a suspended process is based on the execution time and the resumption time window of the corresponding resumption event. The suspended processes are scheduled for execution in accordance with the resumption order.
US08375384B2
Software on a client device receives a notification from a server of the availability of an update for an application that is a multi-user social networking application. The software determines whether the state for a live process has been saved by the server. The software saves the state for a live process associated with the application if the state of the live process is not saved. The software kills the live process. Then the software downloads at least one file associated with the update and modifies at least one system database key or value associated with the application. The software launches the application as updated. And the software loads the state into the application as updated.
US08375381B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for managing an application execution environment on a computer. One or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in one or more methods of managing an application execution environment, the one or more methods including: identifying different versions of the application execution environment installed on a computer; presenting a user interface configured to manage the different versions of the application execution environment, wherein the user interface includes an option to selectively uninstall one or more of the different versions of the application execution environment; and managing the different versions of the application execution environment on the computer as a single runtime environment program having the different versions bundled therein, based on input received via the user interface.
US08375379B2
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to provide a registration service that is configured to accept a registration, where the registration includes a first address and a description of available language extension resources of a resource provider. The computer readable storage medium further includes executable instructions to import, based on the registration, the available language extension resources from the resource provider to support execution based on the available language extension resources. The executable instructions to import use inter-process communication.
US08375363B2
A “high availability” system comprises multiple switches under the control of a control processor (“CP”). The firmware executing on the processor can be changed when desired. Consistent with the high availability nature of the system (i.e., minimal down time), a single CP system implements a firmware change by loading new firmware onto the system, saving state information pertaining to the old firmware, preventing the old firmware from communicating with the switches, bringing the new firmware to an active state and applying the saved state information to the new firmware.
US08375360B2
A system for providing services to subscribers of a network supports the provision of a plurality of different services to multiple subscribers. Multiple processing units are provided, each providing a respective execution environment for a respective set of software applications. A data structure is provided containing data identifying the sets of software applications or software application components of the sets of software applications, and different developers are provided with different access rights to the data in the data structure. Different software applications or software application components are associated with different access right levels. This provides a software development environment in which a common services repository is provided with different access rights implemented for accessing the repository.
US08375333B2
A mobile terminal and an operating method thereof are provided. The operating method includes bookmarking a plurality of websites using a touch screen of the mobile terminal, and storing a plurality of images respectively corresponding to the bookmarked plurality of websites; displaying on the touch screen an image array including the stored plurality of images in such a manner to create a sense of distance; and if a drag signal is input via a touch screen, changing at least one of the sizes of the images in the image array, at least one image in the image array, and an arrangement of the images in the image array, according to a direction and distance corresponding to the input drag signal. Therefore, it is possible to easily access and manage bookmarked websites.
US08375312B2
A computer-implemented method for classifying digital content can include displaying one or more poster frames in a user interface, wherein a poster frame corresponds to an item of digital content, displaying one or more first level classification panes adjacent to a poster frame corresponding to an item to be classified, wherein a first level classification pane is associated with a keyword, and enabling a user to associate a poster frame with a first level classification pane to cause the keyword associated with the first level classification pane to be associated with the item to which the poster frame corresponds.
US08375308B2
Techniques for changing a conversation topic between one or more users via a user-interface are provided. A request to change the conversation topic is obtained from the one or more users via the user-interface. An indicator is presented to the one or more users notifying the one or more users, via the user-interface, of the request to change the conversation topic. The conversation topic between the one or more users is changed in response to an affirmative act by at least one of a moderator, the one or more users, and a predefined condition.
US08375304B2
Systems and methods pertaining to maintaining and provisioning state information of user sessions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of web browsing engines adapted to run in an operating system instance, with the plurality of web browsing engines adapted for remote interaction via a corresponding plurality of devices. In the same embodiment, the system also includes a plurality of state manager engines corresponding to the plurality of web browsing engines. In the same embodiment, the plurality of state manager engines are adapted to maintain a corresponding plurality of browsing state sessions, with each browsing state session comprising a respective first portion of a respective webpage sent for remote viewing.
US08375303B2
A system for selecting, managing, sharing and displaying content data files in a manner that takes into the account the contextual significance of said content data files to a narrative, an author(s) and an audience. A system that is able to place an absolute and relative value upon the significance of a media object is able to assist in stimulating the recollection of the author and audience, thus making every aspect more memorable and enhancing by improving the ease of use and the quality of the final result of the use of the system of this invention.
US08375300B2
An electronic illustrated dictionary device includes an illustration highlighter character string hiding unit configured to execute a process of, when an illustration associated with an expository content of an arbitrary headword is displayed on the display unit according to a user operation, displaying a character string highlighted with a highlighter by the illustration highlighter adding unit in invisible form, and a link destination highlighter character string hiding unit configured to execute a process of, when the in-illustration textual content display unit displays an expository content having a character string as a headword highlighted with a highlighter by the illustration highlighter adding unit on the display unit, displaying a character string highlighted with a highlighter by the link destination highlighter adding unit in invisible form.
US08375292B2
A tool for mapping an event includes a map generator for generating an event map, a view generator for generating a zoomable and pannable view of the event map, and a display device for displaying the zoomable and pannable view of the event map, and in another aspect, a tool for annotating an event map includes a map generator for generating an event map, an annotating unit for annotating the event map based on a user input, a view generator for generating a zoomable and pannable view of the annotated event map, and a display device for displaying the zoomable and pannable view of the annotated event map.
US08375290B1
The present invention is directed to document or file access control. In particular, embodiments of the present invention alter files that are obsolete, so that it is apparent to a user that an updated version of the file should be obtained. Accordingly, files that are subject to revisions can be stored locally, to provide fast and convenient access to such files, with assurance that notice will be provided to a user if the locally stored version of a file becomes obsolete. Furthermore, the invention allows files stored locally that have become obsolete to be identified automatically. The alteration of obsolete files may include the placement of a watermark on or embedded in such files to provide an obvious indication to a user that the file is obsolete.
US08375280B2
A method of generating a set of generator polynomials for use as a tail biting convolution code to operate on data transmitted over a channel comprises: (1) selecting valid combinations of generator polynomials to include in a pool of potential codes, each valid combination being a potential code; (2) determining first lines of a weight spectrum for each potential code in the pool and including potential codes of the pool having best first lines in a candidate set; (3) determining best codes of the candidate set based on the first L number of lines in the weight spectrum; (4) selecting an optimum code(s) from the best codes; and (5) configuring a shift register circuit(s) of a data transceiver to implement the optimum code(s).
US08375278B2
k input bits are encoded according to a code with which is associated a m×n=m+k parity check matrix H. The resulting codeword is punctured, with n′
US08375275B2
An electronic storage device for connecting with a host system includes a flash memory including a number of memory segments, and a controller including an error correction segment capable of generating a first correction code and a second correction code according to a written data received by the controller. The written data, the first correction code and the second correction code are written into a memory segment of the flash memory by the controller. The first correction code is used for checking whether there is an error bit in the written data, and the second correction code is used for checking and correcting said error bit in the written data.
US08375273B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a NAND flash memory, an input/output unit, a switch, and a controller. The input/output unit includes an ECC unit configured to perform an ECC process on data input to the NAND flash memory, and/or data output from the NAND flash memory, and an interface configured to exchange data with an external apparatus, and controls input/output of data between the NAND flash memory and the external apparatus. The switch is connected to the NAND flash memory and the input/output unit. The controller controls the NAND flash memory and the input/output unit, and switches a connection between the NAND flash memory and the ECC unit, and a connection between the NAND flash memory and the interface via the switch.
US08375266B2
Adaptive error resilience for streaming video transmission over a network is provided. In one embodiment, a method of transmitting a plurality of packets comprises generating a first proactive repair redundancy information for a first data packet; adding the first proactive repair redundancy information to a second data packet; generating a second proactive repair redundancy information for the first data packet; adding the second proactive repair redundancy information to a repair packet; and transmitting the plurality of packets, wherein the plurality of packets includes the first data packet and at least one of the second data packet and the repair packet.
US08375265B1
In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit with several clock domains bank is tested by first disabling a PLL clock and scanning test data into scan chains. Next delay fault testing (DFT) code is transmitted to each distributed clock divider on the integrated circuit. The PLL clock is then enabled to the distributed clock dividers. Selected clock dividers generate launch pulses that allow test data to be propagated from the scan chains into circuit blocks in the clock domains. Capture pulses are then generated by selected distributed clock dividers to capture test data coming form the circuit blocks into the scan chains. Next the PLL clock is disabled and the test data is scanned from the scan chains to an on-chip test control circuit.
US08375264B2
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations. In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an interface select circuit, FIGS. 41-49, provides for selectively using either the 5 signal interface of FIG. 41 or the 3 signal interface of FIG. 8.
US08375261B2
An apparatus for data communication that receives a plurality of pulses from a remote communications device, determines a pulse puncturing rate based on the pulses, and punctures or discards subsequent pulses based on the pulse puncturing rate. During intervals when punctured pulses are expected, the apparatus operates in a lower power consumption mode for the purpose of conserving power. In another aspect, a receiving apparatus determines the pulse puncturing rate based on received pulses, and transmits the pulse puncturing rate information to a transmitting apparatus. In response, the transmitting apparatus sends a subset of the pulses it would have transmitted based on the pulse puncturing rate. Because the receiving apparatus receives fewer pulses (e.g., a subset), the receiving apparatus may operate in a lower power consumption mode for longer periods in order to conserve power. Similarly, because the transmitting apparatus sends fewer pulses, it may also operate in a lower power consumption mode for longer periods.
US08375254B2
An automated expert system that uses split-run and factorial design methods to determine which factors are most important in an experiment. The expert system is architected into Design, Execute and Evaluate phases, to assist a user in developing a Factorial Design experiment in which one, two or three factors are tested simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, a database infrastructure and web client, browser-based methodology functions as the expert system (a “wizard”) to design experiments, build control groups and evaluate results, all with the goal of discovering what values for which factors will yield the optimum response from subjects.
US08375251B2
A method, system, and media for monitoring and healing a computing system. Monitoring agents are deployed to a computing system to be monitored. The monitoring agents collect performance and non-performance counter data of computing devices in the computing system. The data include any recordable information about the monitored computing system. The data is stored in a performance database. A master controller monitors the data for an occurrence of an alert condition that indicates degradation in the health of the computing system. The health of the computing system includes the health of the system, individual components therein, and interactions with other systems. The master controller performs a resolution process to resolve issues causing degradation of the computing system. The collection of data and the monitoring thereof is customizable for an individual computing device, for a cluster of computing devices, or for the computing system as a whole.
US08375244B2
Recovery processing is provided for management components of an Information Technology (IT) environment. The recovery processing recovers the components, as well as performs one or more tasks that were being performed by the components prior to recovery.
US08375240B2
A memory system of a high-speed operation can be realized by reducing an influence of reflection signals etc. caused by branching and impedance mismatching in various wirings between a memory controller and a memory module, and an influence due to transmission delays of data, command/address, and clocks in the memory module. To this end, a memory system comprises a memory controller and a memory module mounted with DRAMs. A buffer is mounted on the memory module. The buffer and the memory controller are connected to each other via data wiring, command/address wiring, and clock wiring. The DRAMs and the buffer on the memory module are connected to each other via internal data wiring, internal command/address wiring, and internal cock wiring. The data wiring, the command/address wiring, and the clock wiring may be connected to buffers of other memory modules in cascade. Between the DRAMs and the buffer on the memory module, high-speed data transmission is implemented using data phase signals synchronous with clocks.
US08375236B2
Techniques for determining battery statistics using a system-wide daemon are described herein. According to one embodiment, a power management daemon is configured to collect operating status data of a battery of a data processing system by accessing at least one of firmware and hardware coupled to the battery. The power management daemon is a single system-wide component within the data processing system to provide the operating status data of the battery to multiple clients. The power management daemon is also configured to compute battery statistics based on the collected operating status data of the battery. In response to a query received from one of the clients via an application programming interface (API), the power management daemon is configured to return the battery statistics to the client to enable the client to determine remaining time of the battery until being recharged. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08375232B2
A system and method is described that allows a PoE-capable switch to selectively provide power to one or more remote devices in an instance where power being supplied to the switch itself is limited or failing. In one embodiment, the switch receives a notification from an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and, in response to receiving the notification, selectively provides power to one or more devices powered by the switch. Selectively providing power to one or more of the devices may include providing power to only a subset of the devices, providing a different amount of power to different ones of the devices, or providing power for different durations to different ones of the devices. In an alternate embodiment, in response to receiving the notification, the switch communicates with a remote device and causes the remote device to activate at least one power saving feature.
US08375229B2
A power supply control apparatus communicates with a power control apparatus which controls use of electric power of an electronic apparatus. A receiver unit receives a change request to change a power supply-distribution capacity supplied to one electronic apparatus from the power control apparatus controlling use of electric power of the one electronic apparatus. A calculation unit calculates a sum of the power supply-distribution capacity supplied to the one electronic apparatus in response to the received change request and power supply-distribution capacities supplied to the other electronic apparatuses except the one electronic apparatus. A comparison unit compares the maximum power supply-distribution capacity to the sum of the calculated power supply-distribution capacities. A determination unit determines whether or not a change in the power supply-distribution capacity supplied to the one electronic apparatus is allowable based on a result of the comparison.
US08375219B2
A security module may be used to verify integrity of an executable program and may also be used to verify execution of the executable program on a computer. The security module may directly read a computer memory by asserting bus master control of a system bus. The executable program may be directly verified by calculating a hash or may be indirectly verified by an intermediate program that calculates the hash and passes it to the security module. To verify operation, the executable program may cause an interrupt to be generated when the executable program is in a known state. An interrupt service routine may trigger the security module to read registers in the computer processor via a debug port. If either the verification of the executable program fails or the register values are inconsistent with operation of the executable program, the security module may interrupt operation of the computer.
US08375218B2
Biometric parameters acquired from human faces, voices, fingerprints, and irises are used for user authentication and access control. Because the biometric parameters are continuous and vary from one reading to the next, syndrome codes are applied to determine biometric syndrome vectors. The biometric syndrome vectors can be stored securely, while tolerating an inherent variability of biometric data. The stored biometric syndrome vector is decoded during user authentication using biometric parameters acquired at that time. The syndrome codes can also be used to encrypt and decrypt data. The biometric parameters can be pre-processed to form a binary representation, in which the binary representation has a set of predetermined statistical properties enforced imposed by a set of binary logical conditions.
US08375214B2
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores security processing information describing a security processing procedure that is to be executed on data handled by a service providing program and including data written in a structured language; and a security processing unit that executes security processing to encrypt or sign the data handled by the service providing program, with reference to the security processing information stored in the storage unit, so that the service providing program can communicate securely with an external service providing program.
US08375205B2
Techniques for communicating information over management channels are described. An apparatus may comprise a classifier module operative to classify management information for a wireless communications network as media access control security management information or media access control management information. The apparatus may further comprise a wireless transceiver to couple to the classifier module, the wireless transceiver operative to communicate the media access control security management information over an insecure management connection and the media access control management information over a secure management connection. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08375204B2
A method for forming a digital certificate includes receiving contact information associated with the digital certificate. The contact information includes at least a name, a mailing address, and an email address. The method also includes receiving billing information associated with the digital certificate and receiving a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for the digital certificate. The method further includes receiving a first name for use in forming the digital certificate and receiving a second name for use in forming the digital certificate. Moreover, the method includes receiving an indication of a vendor of web server software, receiving an indication of a service period for the digital certificate, and forming the digital certificate. The first name is stored in a Subject field of the digital certificate and the second name is stored in the SubjectAltName extension of the digital certificate.
US08375197B2
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for performing an allreduce operation on a plurality of compute nodes of a parallel computer, each node including at least two processing cores, that include: performing, for each node, a local reduction operation using allreduce contribution data for the cores of that node, yielding, for each node, a local reduction result for one or more representative cores for that node; establishing one or more logical rings among the nodes, each logical ring including only one of the representative cores from each node; performing, for each logical ring, a global allreduce operation using the local reduction result for the representative cores included in that logical ring, yielding a global allreduce result for each representative core included in that logical ring; and performing, for each node, a local broadcast operation using the global allreduce results for each representative core on that node.
US08375190B2
The invention relates to an architecture for optimization that can leverage the several advantages of flash memory or hard disk technology, while simultaneously compensating for associated disadvantages. In a system with a flash module and a hard disk, respective memory can be dynamically allocated as a function of demand, preference, or utilization of respective applications in order to optimize overall system performance.
US08375186B2
Provided are techniques for migrating a first extent, determining a spatial distance between the first extent and a second extent, determining a ratio of a profiling score of the second extent to the spatial distance, and, in response to determining that the ratio exceeds a threshold, migrating the second extent.
US08375181B1
Data-object-level replication is performed based on storage-device-level change tracking. A method of replicating a data object (such as a file) involves accessing mapping information and change information. The mapping information identifies that one or more regions of a storage device (such as a logical volume) store portions of the data object. The change information identifies whether the regions of the storage device, which were identified by the mapping information, have been modified subsequent to a particular point in time. If the change information identifies that any of those regions of the storage device have been modified, replication of each modified one of the regions to a secondary system is initiated. Replication can be initiated from a system other than the production system.
US08375173B2
A method includes predicting a memory access pattern of each master of a plurality of masters. The plurality of masters can access a multi-channel memory via a crossbar interconnect, where the multi-channel memory has a plurality of banks. The method includes identifying a page size associated with each bank of the plurality of banks. The method also includes assigning at least one bank of the plurality of banks to each master of the plurality of masters based on the memory access pattern of each master.
US08375171B2
A system provides a cache memory coherency mechanism within a multi-processor computing system utilizing a shared memory space across the multiple processors. The system possesses a store address list for storing cache line addresses corresponding to a cache line write request issued by one of the multiple processors, a fetch address list for storing cache line addresses corresponding to a cache line fetch request issued by one of the multiple processors, a priority and pipeline module, a request tracker module and a read/write address list. The store address list and the fetch address list are queues containing result in cache lookup requests being done by the priority and pipeline module; and each entry in the store address list and the fetch address list possess status bits which indicate the state of the request.
US08375168B2
This invention provides a user or an operator with a management apparatus or method for displaying logical connection information between an interface connected to a computer and a switch and a storage system or a logical unit in the storage system in a virtual storage system, wherein the switch receives a first access request from said computer, converts said first access request to a second access request to one of said plural storage systems, and sends said second access request to one of said plural storage systems or one logical unit.
US08375163B1
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism to transmit commands received from an L2 cache to a bank page within the DRAM. An arbiter unit determines which commands from a command sorter to transmit to a command queue. An activate command associated with the bank page related to the commands is also transmitted to an activate queue. The last command in the command queue is marked as “last.” An interlock counter stores a count of “last” commands in the read/write command queue. A DRAM controller transmits activate and commands from the activate queue and the command queue to the DRAM. Each time a command marked as “last” is encountered, the DRAM controller decrements the interlock counter. If the count in the interlock counter is zero, then the command marked as “last” is marked as “auto-precharge.” The “auto-precharge” command, when processed, causes the bank page to be closed.
US08375162B2
A NAND-based flash memory device and a method of its operation that extends the life of the device by reducing the number of unnecessary write cycles to the device. The memory device includes blocks, pages contained by each of the blocks, and a page abstraction layer containing a look-up table for translating logical page numbers into physical page numbers. A certain number of the pages in at least one of the blocks is preferably reserved so as not to be used in default data storage mode but instead used to shuffle data within the at least one block using a dynamic page address scheme, whereby data are dynamically moved from one page to an empty page in the same block using dynamic page mapping.
US08375160B2
When a write command is issued, new data is written into a free physical block of a nonvolatile memory (110). Here, if data of the same logical block has been written already, the block is erased and a recording state is judged by a recording state judgment unit (126). A physical block is swapped according to the number of write processes performed. Thus, it is possible to effectively perform a swap without increasing the number of write processes in a particular area, thereby increasing the lifetime of a nonvolatile storage module.
US08375158B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a memory system including a flash memory device including a plurality of memory blocks implementing a plurality of data blocks, a plurality of log blocks, and a plurality of free blocks. The memory system further includes a flash translation layer maintaining the number of the free blocks to be at least equal to a reference number by converting selected memory blocks among the data and log blocks into free blocks via at least one merge operation during a background period. Additionally, the flash translation layer converts selected ones of the free blocks into data and log blocks, respectively.
US08375145B2
A network interface adapter provides a host processor with two complementary modes of submitting descriptors to be executed by the adapter: a normal mode, in which the host writes descriptors to a system memory and rings an assigned doorbell to notify the adapter; and a priority mode, in which the host writes the descriptor itself to a doorbell address of the adapter. In the priority mode, the adapter is relieved of the need to read the descriptor from the memory, and can thus begin execution as soon as it has resources available to do so.
US08375143B2
A method of transcoding a content stored on a first server (OS) is provided. The first server (OS) is arranged within an UPnP network comprising at least one first server (OS), at least one UPnP renderer (UR) and at least one UPnP control point (CP). The content directory services (CDS) of the at least one first server (OS) are browsed to determine the available content and the available encodings of the content. The rendering capabilities of the at least one renderer (UR) are determined. The rendering capabilities of the at least one renderer (UR) are compared with the available content and the available encoding of the content according to the content directory service of the at least one server (OS). The content directory service (CDS) of the at least one server (OS) is updated.
US08375141B2
Methods of querying a large number of endsystems are described in which metadata is replicated between endsystems. When a query is injected, an available endsystem receives a message relating to the query which identifies a range of endsystems for which that available endsystem is responsible. The available endsystem then generates completeness data for the range of endsystems based on data stored at the endsystem and this completeness data is transmitted to the sender of the message. The methods may be implemented using device-executable instructions which may be stored on device readable media.
US08375140B2
The disclosure provides for a download agent executing on a computing device to dynamically select between media files when a portion of the media file that is currently being downloaded has a portion average playback rate that is greater than a throughput rate at which the computing device is receiving media files. During the portion where the portion average playback rate is greater than the throughput rate, the download agent may dynamically transition to a different media file where the portion average playback rate for the portion is less than or equal to the throughput rate. The download agent may then transition back to the original media file after downloading the portion form the different media file.
US08375137B2
A system and method are provided for preparing a streaming media system for initial presentation of a media stream. The system includes a media server configured to send out media packets for a media stream at periodic clocked intervals. A framer can be located with the media server to divide the media stream into media packets. A media client is also provided to receive the media packets for the media stream from the media server. A send queue can be located in the server. The send queue can be configured to store a defined length of programming from the media stream, and the send queue can immediately fill a client's user buffer when an activation event occurs.
US08375135B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for negotiating a version of Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) between a network entity and a SUPL enabled terminal. In a particular implementation, a SUPL initiation message is transmitted from a network entity to a SUPL entity, where the SUPL initiation message identifies a plurality of SUPL versions capable of supporting a desired service. A response is received from the SUPL entity that is based, at least in part, on an ability of the SUPL entity to support at least one of the plurality of versions.
US08375132B2
In one embodiment a method includes receiving a request to schedule an audiovisual data streaming session, the request including an identifier of an encoder, a session time and an identifier of an invitee, generating a command configured to cause the encoder to begin encoding audiovisual content at the session time, and to stream encoded audiovisual content via the network, receiving an indication that the invitee has joined the audiovisual data streaming session, and generating a command configured to cause an audiovisual decoder designated by the invitee to begin decoding the encoded audiovisual content upon receipt of the encoded audiovisual content.
US08375126B2
An X display may be dynamically rerouted to a different graphics terminal, or to several graphics terminals, without disrupting X clients. The corresponding X server architecture includes a static, protocol router part which acts as an endpoint for client connections and which routes X protocol to one or more X server displays, and a dynamic X display part which maintains the state and contents of the display. An X display may maintain its state and display contents entirely in memory without any need for physical display or input devices, in which case it is termed a “headless X display” and provides a virtual X server display that appears to the host as if it were a user-interactive display. The architecture allows for any number of X displays to be attached to the protocol router for multi-user, fault tolerant or suspend/resume functionality.
US08375124B1
An initial portion of an object is received at a hosted storage system. The initial portion of the object is stored at the hosted storage system. After receiving the initial portion of the object, a timer is started. Prior to the expiration of the timer, whether an additional portion of the object is received at the hosted storage system is determined. The initial portion is deleted upon the expiration of the timer if the additional portion is not received. The timer is reset if the additional portion is received.
US08375123B2
Provided is reporting session information for a session upstream from a server. A data processing system receives a session handshake from a first client for a session between the server and the first client. The system receives a session-descriptor for a session between a second client and the first client before handling a nested session. The system determines whether a user has made an upstream session request. The system obtains session data from an upstream data structure, responsive to a determination that the user has made an upstream session request. The system renders the session data based on the upstream session request.
US08375115B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a server system is disclosed for data processing having a printed circuit board with one or more processors to process data; a network interface controller coupled to the one or more processors; and a monolithic integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the one or more processors and the network interface controller. The network interface controller couples the server system to a network for remote client access to the server system. The monolithic integrated circuit couples a remote computer system to the server system via the network. The remote computer system includes a remote storage device, a remote display, a remote keyboard, and a remote mouse to allow remote control and management of the server system.
US08375113B2
Technology is disclosed for controlling access to data store information among multiple entities. A corresponding wrapper is created for information that may be subject to simultaneous access attempts. The wrapper includes an attribute that identifies the accessibility of the information—indicating whether the information is locked from further access, shareable among multiple entities, or not restricted at all. Before accessing information in the data store, an entity looks at the wrapper associated with the information to determine the type of access allowed, if any. An Identity, Access, or integrated Identity/Access System may maintain the wrappers as objects in the data store, with each wrapper object controlling another object containing information. Wrappers can be utilized when multiple provisioning applications are employed to provision resources. Each user and their corresponding resources are represented as objects with corresponding wrappers. Each provisioning application employs the wrappers to ensure that it has exclusive ownership of selected user and resource objects when provisioning resources to the selected user.
US08375108B2
An update system configured to provide software updates, software patches and/or other data packets to one or more computer systems via a network is disclosed. The update system may interact with a network management system, such as an enterprise management system, to distribute data packets and gather configuration information. The update system may generate and send commands to the network management system. The network management system may carry out the commands to distribute data packets and/or gather configuration information.
US08375106B2
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for loading media files to a mobile computing device. A media library that includes media files is stored at a server system. Information indicating a present state of the mobile device is accessed, where the present state is based on the device being at a geographical location at a present time. Information indicating a previous state of the mobile device is accessed, where the previous state is based on the device being at a previous geographical location at a previous time. A selection of preferred media files are accessed based on the present state and the previous state. A selection of a subset of media files are accessed based on the preferred media files. At least a portion of each media file in the subset is transmitted to the mobile device.
US08375105B2
When a server unit is stopped by a failure, for example, and gives no response, and a monitor timer times out, an operation panel unit is switched to a proxy server. Then, the operation panel unit transmits request messages to the other operation panel units. The other operation panel units perform necessary operations, such as display and input operations, in accordance with the request messages. When the server unit recovers from the failure, the operation panel unit stops the proxy server function. Again, the server unit transmits request messages to the operation panel unit and the other operation panel units.
US08375094B2
Transforming an original message from an application executed by a physical computing device to create a message readable by a plurality of heterogeneous recipients includes: creating with the physical computing device a first sub-message having data from the original message that is readable by each of the heterogeneous recipients; creating with the physical computing device a second sub-message having data from the original message that is not readable by each of the heterogeneous recipients; and generating with the physical computing device a composite message including both the first sub-message and the second sub-message.
US08375088B2
Included are systems and methods for providing a personalized directory. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving a request to view at least one listing, the at least one listing including information related to a plurality of criteria. Other embodiments include providing a display that includes at least a portion of the information, the display further including a user option to store at least a portion of the information in a personal directory.
US08375079B2
An application load unit of a host unit loads an application main body of an engine application which has been acquired to an engine unit. Subsequently, when an execution command for the application main body is issued by the user, an execution decision means within an application execution control unit of the host unit refers to application management information, and decides whether or not it is possible to execute the application main body. If the result of this decision is affirmative, an execution command transmission means within the application execution control unit sends an execution command for the application main body to the engine unit. As a result, processing related to the engine application is apportioned between the host unit and the engine unit in an appropriate manner.
US08375075B2
Provided are a high-speed Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) apparatus and a method thereof. The high-speed DFT apparatus includes a zero padding unit, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) unit, and a preamble index decision unit. The zero padding unit receives a first input signal having a length of a prime number and changes the first input signal into a second input signal having a length of an exponentiation of 2. The FFT unit performs a FFT on the second input signal outputted from the zero padding unit. The preamble index decision unit detects a preamble index from an output signal from the FFT unit.
US08375072B1
Based on received data descriptive of an event, a hierarchical data structure is constructed comprising structural elements associated with components of an event. A file folder hierarchy corresponding to the hierarchical data structure is created. User interfaces facilitate user access to files and folders in the hierarchies. Certain documents may be designated as documents of record and access to those documents is limited to processes that will not modify the original electronic document, thereby preserving it. Facilities for creating working copies of documents of records and associating them within the hierarchies are provided. A scanning information sheet that may have an electronically readable data imprint containing information about a document to be scanned is described for facilitating the migration of paper documents into an electronic file management system.
US08375071B2
When an input-output request for file management information is inputted to a file management information storage apparatus, the input-output request is accepted by a file management section. A fixed-length area management section then inputs and outputs basic management information for managing a file corresponding to the input-output request to and from a fixed-length area of a storage unit as fixed-length data. In addition, a variable-length area management section inputs and outputs extended management information for managing the file corresponding to the input-output request to and from a variable-length area of the storage unit as variable-length data.
US08375070B2
A mechanism is provided for group communications using a MULTI-PIPE synthetic file system. A master application creates a multi-pipe synthetic file in the MULTI-PIPE synthetic file system, the master application indicating a multi-pipe operation to be performed. The master application then writes a header-control block of the multi-pipe synthetic file specifying at least one of a multi-pipe synthetic file system name, a message type, a message size, a specific destination, or a specification of the multi-pipe operation. Any other application participating in the group communications then opens the same multi-pipe synthetic file. A MULTI-PIPE file system module then implements the multi-pipe operation as identified by the master application. The master application and the other applications then either read or write operation messages to the multi-pipe synthetic file and the MULTI-PIPE synthetic file system module performs appropriate actions.
US08375059B2
An electronic device comprises a user communication interface, a memory for storing music tracks, a music player capable of playing back the music tracks, and a processor provided for measuring, for each of the music tracks, how many times the music track is played back and how long time the music track is played back each time; calculating a parameter value for each of the music tracks based on how many times the music track is played back and how long time the music track is played back each time; and creating a play list of music tracks based on the parameter values.
US08375057B2
According to one embodiment, a database system includes a first and second storage unit, a reading unit, and a generating unit. The first storage unit stores a first data table in which first data records, each including information about information fields, are described. The second storage unit stores a second data table in which second data records including pieces of attribute information, each representing a display attribute about the information field included in the first data record, are described. The reading unit reads out the first and second data records from the first and second storage units in accordance with the fact that displaying the information included in the first data table is requested. The generating unit generates an image for displaying the information included in the read first data record in accordance with the display attribute represented by the attribute information included in the read second data.
US08375045B2
In one aspect, a method includes defining a schema using binary markup language (BML) and storing the schema on a non-transitory machine readable medium and translating a binary data stream using the schema. In another aspect, an article includes a non-transitory machine-readable medium that stores executable instructions. The instructions cause a machine to define a schema using the BML, store the schema on a non-transitory machine readable medium and translate a binary data stream using the schema. In a further aspect, an apparatus includes circuitry to define a schema using the BML, store the schema on a non-transitory machine readable medium and translate a binary data stream using the schema.
US08375042B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for index-side synonym expansion. One method includes indexing a token from a resource, including determining that the token comprises a numeric portion and storing data associating the resource with both the particular token and the numeric portion in a search engine index. Another method includes indexing a token from a resource, including normalizing the token by removing a prefix matching a stopword prefix and storing data associating the resource with both the token and the normalized form of the token in a search engine index. Another method includes creating a token blacklist.
US08375035B2
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for assisting users in an ecommerce environment. The method includes displaying a user interface of including products. Each of the products have associated attributes. Each of the associated attributes are displayed in the user interface with an associated selection tool. The method further includes receiving one or more selections of the selection tools indicating selection of one or more of the associated attributes. The one or more selections provide a ranking of each of the selected attributes. For each of the products, the method calculates a real-time score total and displays the real-time score total within the user interface. The calculating includes determining a weighted value for each of the products based on an aggregation of each of the selected associated attributes of the product. Further, the method includes displaying a ranked list of the products based on the determined weighted values of each of the products.
US08375030B2
Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method for determining a differentially private aggregate classifier for a set of databases, wherein each database in the set of databases is associated with a classifier and a noise value, wherein the classifier and the noise value are determined locally for each database, such that a combination of the classifier and the noise value ensure a differential data privacy of the database, and wherein the differentially private aggregate classifier preserves the differential data privacy of each database. The differentially private aggregate classifier is a combination of the classifiers of the set of databases modified with the noise value corresponding to a smallest database in the set of databases.
US08375021B2
A search engine database may a segmented structure that preserves individual document references and allows updating as well as scalability. A set of segment managers may receive new, updated, or deleted documents and update a set of term matrices from which a published search matrix may be generated. The database may have a very large term dictionary and may use a hash function to create term identifiers without having to look up terms in the dictionary. The database may be maintained by many systems operating in parallel for high scalability.
US08375020B1
An object classification system is provided that receives, from a user, at least one piece of information relating to the object, wherein the information does not directly specify a classification for the object, and that applies at least one rule that classifies the object based, at least in part, on the at least one piece of information received from the user. The techniques described herein also enable classifying an object by, in response to a request from at least one application to access the object, applying at least one rule that dynamically classifies the object.
US08375014B1
A schema parser may determine one or more datasets of a database schema, wherein the datasets include one or more fields from a data source and represents data corresponding to the one or more fields. An input handler may receive a selection of one or more of the datasets via an interface. A translation engine may provide operations for refining the data of the selected datasets into a result set via a query, wherein the operations may be determined based on metadata defining relationships amongst the data sources and fields. A query engine may provide a graphical query including operational flow indicators indicating a directional flow of the query from the selected datasets with the selected operation to the result set.
US08375013B2
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with testing of an application (e.g., software application) on a handheld device are described. Testing can be initiated by the handheld device, however, the testing regimen is controlled by a server. Logic associated with testing is stored on the server with statements being provided by the server to the handheld device.
US08375012B1
The present application is directed to an indexing system. In one example, the indexing system includes one or more processors, one or more electronic memories that provide random access memory, one or more mass storage devices that provide persistent data storage, and one or more indexing routines, executed by the one or more processors, that create and manage an index data structure comprising nodes that include key-values/reference pairs, the index data structure additionally including a sibling reference for each index-data-structure node stored in the one or more electronic memories, the one or more indexing routines removing, from the index data structure, the sibling references for index-data-structure nodes when transferring the index-data-structure nodes from the one or more electronic memories to the one or more mass storage devices.
US08375007B2
A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files.
US08375003B1
Improved backup and storage operations are disclosed for virtual computing environments using a backup proxy server to perform storage operations on one or more virtual machine disks. The proxy server can include a module that intercepts application programming interface (API) calls, for writing backup data to a first location, prior to the data arriving on the proxy disk. During the intercept process, the data can be compressed in memory pages of the proxy server and redirected to an alternative backup disk location. The proxy server can also include a differential engine that identifies changes to the virtual machine disk at the block level since the last full backup. The differential engine can advantageously leverage memory pages of the proxy server to compare differences between signatures of blocks of the last full backup with signatures of new blocks. Subsequently, only blocks with non-matching signatures are processed for backup.
US08374998B2
A computer-implemented method of enabling a customer service agent to retrieve customer and contact information from a database coupled to a computer system may include receiving a communication from a person; asking the person to provide contact details and a customer, if any, with which the person is affiliated; entering search criteria that include the provided contact information and/or customer affiliation into the computer system to retrieve matching customer and contact information from the database; searching the database to retrieve all customers and contacts that match at least one of the entered search criteria, and viewing, on a single screen displayed by the computer system, a first search results box that is configured to display information relating to contacts retrieved from the database and a second search results box that is configured to display information relating to customers retrieved from the database.
US08374996B2
An indication of a topic of interest is received. Multiple pieces of content are accessed, and the indication of the topic of interest is compared to the pieces of content. Based on comparing the indication of the topic of interest to the pieces of content, a piece of content is identified as being relevant to the topic of interest. An identifier is identified for an author of the piece of content. Contact information for each of multiple authors including identifiers therefor is accessed, and the identifier for the author is compared to the identifiers included in the contact information. Based on results of comparing the identifier for the author to the identifiers included in the contact information, contact information corresponding to the author is identified. Thereafter, an indication of the identity of the author and at least some of the identified contact information corresponding to the author is returned.
US08374995B2
Processing backflow data includes obtaining backflow data from a data warehouse, determining, according to a backflow rule for the backflow data, a respective destination table in a production system for each data item in the backflow data, and sending the data item according to the determined respective destination table in the production system.
US08374993B2
A method of identifying radioactive components in a source comprising (a) obtaining a gamma-ray spectrum from the source; (b) identifying peaks in the gamma-ray spectrum; (c) determining an array of peak energies and peak intensities from the identified peaks; (d) identifying an initial source component based on a comparison of the peak energies with a database of spectral data for radioactive isotopes of interest; (e) estimating a contribution of the initial source component to the peak intensities; (f) modifying the array of peak energies and peak intensities by subtracting the estimated contribution of the initial source component; and (g) identifying a further source component based on a comparison of the modified array of peak energies with the database of spectral data. Thus a method for identifying radioactive components in a source is provided which does not rely on comparing template spectra with an observed spectrum.
US08374985B1
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing a diversity of recommendations. According to one method, results are identified so as to increase the likelihood that at least one result will be of interest to a user. Following the identification of a first result, second and later results are identified based on an assumption that the previously identified results are not of interest to the user. The identification of diverse results can be based on formulas that approximate the probability or provide a likelihood score of a user selecting a given result, where a measured similarity between a given object and previously identified results tends to decrease the calculated probability approximation or likelihood score for that object.
US08374984B2
Disclosed is a method for making media consumption more social by suggesting a time when users in a group may engage in live communications while consuming media. First, media-consumption activities of the users in the group are monitored. (For example, the set-top boxes of a cable television system monitor when and what each user watches.) Then, from this and possibly from other information, times when each user will be available for live communications are predicted. Finally, the individual predictions are correlated and, if possible, a future time is suggested when a largest possible number of the users in the group will be available for live communications. Some embodiments use other information, such as electronic calendars, to predict when users may be available. The suggested time may be shown on an electronic program guide for a user watching television and may be added to each user's electronic calendar.
US08374981B2
A prediction model constructing apparatus includes a operational result database, similarity calculating means, and prediction model constructing means. The operational result database relates manufacturing conditions of a product manufactured in the past to result information on the manufacturing, and stores a plurality pieces of information obtained by relating the manufacturing conditions to the result information. The similarity calculating means calculates a similarity composed of a plurality of comparison results by comparing the manufacturing conditions stored in the operational result database with a manufacturing condition of a prediction target. The prediction model constructing means determines a parameter of a prediction model corresponding to the manufacturing condition of the prediction target.
US08374976B2
A method selects a subset of training points near a query point from a set of training points. The subset of training points near the query point is determined from a the set of training points such that a cumulative similarity is maximized, wherein the cumulative similarity measures a similarity of the query point to each point in the subset and a similarity of points in the subset to each other.
US08374973B2
Reputation systems have been used to promote trust between participants in activities including online activities such as online market places. Existing online market places provide a reputation system which is a simple cumulative registry of user ratings on a given market place member. However, this simple system is open to abuse in situations where, for example, many positive ratings are given in a fraudulent manner. By modeling both reputation of participants and required reputation of participants an improved reputation system is provided. The required reputation may be thought of as a threshold, referred to herein as a required threshold, which may be used in determining how to update an indication of the reputation of a participant in the activity. The reputation system is able to learn information about required reputation and reputation of participants using an update process which is robust to participants who consistently give feedback of a particular type.
US08374967B2
A method and apparatus relating to the renting, leasing and/or loaning of electronic equipment operable and/or controllable by a computer, wherein one entity not in physical possession and/or control of the equipment desires control over another entity which has physical possession and/or control of the equipment. Such equipment may comprise a washing machine, medical, office or industrial equipment, a vending machine, etc. A central computer system includes software which enables management and execution of financial transactions between the entities, such as debiting or crediting of accounts held by these or other entities, or creating an invoice for one entity to present to another entity. Information used in making these financial transactions can be determined by analysis of information which may be communicated to the central computer system from at least one other source. Such source may include the control system of the controlled equipment, e.g., from a vending machine or the computer system of an interested entity.
US08374961B2
A computer system implements a counterparty management module and a payment module for processing employee direct payroll deposits. The counterparty management module permits an employer to add employee bank accounts to a funds transfer system provided by a banking institution. The employee bank accounts are respectively associated with different employees of the employer. The employer has a bank account at the banking institution. The counterparty management module is accessible to the employer by way of an online banking area of a website of the banking institution. The counterparty management module also permits the employer to specify a payroll-related pay group that includes the employee bank accounts and to specify characteristics of the transferring of funds to the pay group as a whole. The payment module generates payment instructions for transferring funds from the employer bank account to the employee bank accounts.
US08374951B2
A system, method and/or computer program product for managing an index or portfolio of one or more financial object is disclosed. An index (or portfolio) may be created, including selecting object based on accounting data or weighting the object based on accounting data. Investment managers may manage accounts for investors. The investors may directly hold assets in the accounts so the investors may take advantage of any benefits generated by transactions using the assets in the accounts. Investor(s) may have account(s) and manager(s). A manager may have one or more investors and account(s) to manage. Virtual mutual fund manager may use a holdings matrix and lot matrix to track asset lots in the accounts. When a manager wishes to make a trade affecting an investor, virtual mutual fund manager may determine which asset lots held by the investor should be used to execute the trade.
US08374950B1
A plurality of user interfaces for facilitating efficient order management and post-trade processing in an electronic trading system are disclosed. A first user interface comprises a plurality of client buttons and a broker button. Selection of a client button shifts the user interface to a client-perspective mode in which all actions and views are from the selected client's point of view. Selection of the broker button shifts the user interface to a client-neutral mode in which the broker may enter orders in the market without specifying any particular client. An analogous user interface for use by a trader is also described. A second user interface, referred to as a blotter, is also provided that comprises four distinct views for displaying “pending,” “completed,” “all,” and “annulled” trades. Preferred embodiments for utilizing the disclosed user interfaces to process different classes of pending trades are also described.
US08374948B2
An electronic auction system may include a bid validator connected between a network, a bid database and a merchandise catalog page. The example bid validator may receive over the network, bid information via an electronic mail message and further bid information via a web-based bid form. The example bid validator may validate the bid information and the further bid information before placing a bid and a further bid respectively into the bid database. The example bid validator may then update the web-based merchandise catalog page based on the bid and the further bid.
US08374946B2
The invention provides back-end functionality for order processing in electronic order book trading. A sell/buy order is received comprising a lower/upper limit and a conditional lower/upper limit defining a conditional selling/buying price range for executing the sell/buy order under certain selling/buying conditions. It is determined whether the selling/buying conditions are fulfilled, including determining whether the sum of the first and second part of the buy/sell order is superior or equal to a threshold volume. The sell/buy order and the buy/sell order are executed against each other if at least the selling/buying conditions are fulfilled. Embodiments allow rapidly executing large trading interests with minimized market impact and opportunity costs.
US08374936B2
A method and system for operating a new financial instrument and payment card integrates savings and credit transactions belonging to the same payment plan into a single account. Transactions can be carried out at different periods in time, for any amount, agreed on with different fixed or adjustable interest rates, without losing the payment conditions of each savings and credit. A financial account card as a financial instrument can be used to carry out long, medium and short-term savings and credit financial transactions. The card can also be used as a payment card to buy and sell anything of value. The card is operated through financial institutions and service centers by a computer system, which manages transactions between cardholders themselves and with financial institutions, maintains account balances, determines installments for debt and savings balances, manages available credit limits and guarantees, and manages other financial and payment services.
US08374932B2
A method begins with a payment entity device receiving an accounts payable data file from a client entity processing module. The method continues with the payment entity device determining a method of payment for an account payable of the accounts payable data file in accordance with a payables profile. The method continues with the payment entity device initiating a first type of payment for the account payable when the method of payment is a first type; initiating a second type of payment for the account payable, when the method of payment is a second type, or initiating a third type of payment for the account payable when the method of payment is a third type.
US08374931B2
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction.
US08374920B2
An online auction website has anti-counterfeiting measures. The website requires a seller of an item to input information about the product for sale, including at least a brand of the product and a product identification code. If the brand code and product identification code are not entered, the website does not allow the seller to post the item for sale. If entered, the brand and the product identification code are included in the listing on the online auction webpage that advertises the product for sale during the auction period. Verification may be performed on the item to determine its authenticity. The verification process includes comparing the listed brand and product identification codes with a plurality of authentic brand and product identification codes. When the brand and product identification codes are determined to be counterfeit, the listing is terminated and the sale of counterfeit items is prevented.
US08374906B1
To determine pricing recommendations for goods and service products in a business-to-business environment, a set of transaction data corresponding to a set of products are processed to generate a set of pricing recommendations optimized according to an objective. Furthermore, a set of product segments may be determined, transaction data may be associated with one or more of the product segments and a demand model and associated price elasticity may be formulated for one or more of the product segments based upon the transaction data associated with the segment. Using these formulated price elasticities, pricing recommendations for each product may be determined for each of a set of customers. Using an optimization process, price elasticities are used to determine price dependent entity goals for any combination of products, customers and sets of prices, using a mathematical objective function.
US08374902B2
It is determined whether a workflow includes a process to be executed by an information processing apparatus. Upon determining that the workflow includes a process to be executed by the information processing apparatus, it is determined whether the workflow includes a process to be executed by an external apparatus in accordance with an instruction of the information processing apparatus. Upon determining that such process is not included, display is controlled to display a parameter for only the process to be executed by the information processing apparatus. Upon determining that such process is included, the function information of the external apparatus is acquired. After the function information has been acquired, display is controlled to display the parameters while reflecting the function information on the parameters of the processes of the workflow.
US08374893B2
A system and method for implementing an insurance plan to coordinate an adjudication of a submitted claim corresponding to the plan. The plan includes a people model and a benefit model, such as hierarchical trees combined by a plurality of policies. The system and method comprise assigning a first predefined inheritance of global attributes to coupled elements of the people tree and assigning a second predefined inheritance of global attributes to coupled elements of the benefits tree. The system and method also assigning a local administration rule for at least one local attribute of the trees, the assignment between a selected people element of the people tree and a selected benefit element of the benefits tree. The local administration rule overrides the corresponding global attributes of the selected elements, such that resolution of the global attributes with the local attributes for the selected elements provides a rule set for adjudication of the submitted claim.
US08374890B2
This invention provides an electronic medical chart system which synchronize medical information on a database with medical information described in a paper medical chart. When data is directly changed by input part other than an electronic pen, a keyboard or the like, a correlation between the paper medical chart and electronic medical chart is released. When a medical record is described in the paper medical chart by the electronic pen, medical record data is reflected in the electronic medical chart based on handwriting data that is described. When the medical record data is directly changed, the correlation between the paper medical chart and electronic medical chart is released, and a new ID is assigned to a reprinted new paper medical chart. When an additional medical record is described in the new paper medical chart again by the electronic pen, the handwriting data is reflected in the electronic medical chart.
US08374888B2
A system, method and computer software that provides for a computer implemented system and method for comprehensive reinforcement of human behavior by capturing environmental information for participants and reinforcing their daily choices in their environments. Unique applications of technology are used to record, reinforce and document the desired behavior activities of participants in order to track, promote, encourage and further reward the desired behavior.
US08374886B2
Computer based clinical laboratory ordering and reporting system with embedded consultation function
A system for facilitating the provision of clinical laboratory services includes an order entry subsystem for submitting patient test requests to a laboratory by means of a networked terminal, an online data storage subsystem, a triage subsystem for comparing test results with predetermined reference ranges, and a reporting-consulting subsystem for use by an embedded consulting physician to generate a consultative report which is communicated by a networked terminal to the person submitting the test request.
US08374885B2
Some embodiments promote website credibility and the optimization of websites for people by automatedly quantifying various elements of a website into component credibility scores. In some embodiments, a set of encoded credibility scoring rules are used to compute each of the component credibility scores, wherein the credibility scoring rules are derived based on factors that have been identified by a grouping of people that preferably represent a primary demographic of users that consume the content of a particular classified type of website. In some such embodiments, the credibility scoring rules are derived from commonality that is identified from a sample set of known credible and/or non-credible websites of a particular classification. Once the credibility scoring rules are defined, the system applies the rules to other websites having the same classification as those from which the rules are derived to automatically generate credibility scores for the other websites.
US08374883B2
An encoder improves inter-channel prediction (ICP) performance in scalable stereo sound encoding using an ICP. In the encoder, ICP analysis units use, as reference signal candidates, a frequency coefficient in the low-band portion of a side residual signal, a frequency coefficient in each sub-band portion of a monaural residual signal, and a frequency coefficient in the low-band portion of the monaural residual signal, respectively, and perform an ICP analysis between the these respective candidates and a frequency coefficient in each sub-band portion of the side residual signal to generate first, second, and third ICP coefficients. A selection unit selects an optimum reference signal from among the reference signal candidates by checking the relationship between the respective reference signal candidates and the frequency coefficient in each sub-band portion of the side residual signal and outputs, to an ICP parameter quantization unit, a reference signal ID indicating the selected reference signal and an ICP coefficient corresponding to the reference signal.
US08374878B2
Audio or sound envelopes contain or are combined with a sound module for generating and playing prerecorded sound tracks upon the opening of the envelope or removal of its contents. Operation of the sound module may be activated by the opening of the envelope flap, or by removal of the envelope contents. The flap is configured with a removable strip which protects the sound module from damage before and after opening. The sound module can be replayed by repeated operation of the flap. Alternate embodiments of the audio envelopes have other structural or operational features which work in concert with the sound module.
US08374875B2
A system allows a user to obtain information about television programming and to make selections of programming using conversational speech. The system includes a speech recognizer that recognizes spoken requests for television programming information. A speech synthesizer generates spoken responses to the spoken requests for television programming information. A user may use a voice user interface as well as a graphical user interface to interact with the system to facilitate the selection of programming choices.
US08374874B2
Establishing a multimodal personality for a multimodal application, including evaluating, by the multimodal application, attributes of a user's interaction with the multimodal application; selecting, by the multimodal application, a vocal demeanor in dependence upon the values of the attributes of the user's interaction with the multimodal application; and incorporating, by the multimodal application, the vocal demeanor into the multimodal application.
US08374869B2
An utterance verification method for an isolated word N-best speech recognition result includes: calculating log likelihoods of a context-dependent phoneme and an anti-phoneme model based on an N-best speech recognition result for an input utterance; measuring a confidence score of an N-best speech-recognized word using the log likelihoods; calculating distance between phonemes for the N-best speech-recognized word; comparing the confidence score with a threshold and the distance with a predetermined mean of distances; and accepting the N-best speech-recognized word when the compared results for the confidence score and the distance correspond to acceptance.
US08374864B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a communication device an audio communication and a transcribed text created from the audio communication, and generating a mapping of the transcribed text to the audio communication independent of transcribing the audio. The mapping identifies locations of portions of the text in the audio communication. An apparatus for mapping the text to the audio is also disclosed.
US08374859B2
An automatic answering device and an automatic answering method for automatically answering to a user utterance are configured: to prepare a conversation scenario that is a set of input sentences and replay sentences, the input sentences each corresponding to a user utterance assumed to be uttered by a user, the reply sentences each being an automatic reply to the inputted sentence; to accept a user utterance; to determine the reply sentence to the accepted user utterance on the basis of the conversation scenario; and to present the determined reply sentence to the user. Data of the conversation scenario have a data structure that enables the inputted sentences and the reply sentences to be expressed in a state transition diagram in which each of the inputted sentences is defined as a morphism and the reply sentence corresponding to the inputted sentence is defined as an object.
US08374854B2
The present invention describes a speech enhancement method using microphone arrays and a new iterative technique for enhancing noisy speech signals under low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) environments. A first embodiment involves the processing of the observed noisy speech both in the spatial- and the temporal-domains to enhance the desired signal component speech and an iterative technique to compute the generalized eigenvectors of the multichannel data derived from the microphone array. The entire processing is done on the spatio-temporal correlation coefficient sequence of the observed data in order to avoid large matrix-vector multiplications. A further embodiment relates to a speech enhancement system that is composed of two stages. In the first stage, the noise component of the observed signal is whitened, and in the second stage a spatio-temporal power method is used to extract the most dominant speech component. In both the stages, the filters are adapted using the multichannel spatio-temporal correlation coefficients of the data and hence avoid large matrix vector multiplications.
US08374841B2
A method of trace collection in a data processor begins trace data collection even if a trace trigger is received during an interval when a central processing unit is stalled. Trace data collection is deferred if a trace trigger is received during an interval of an invalid instruction boundary until a valid instruction boundary.
US08374839B2
The simulation information creating part 111 generates random numbers corresponding to the correlation coefficient data between the simulation model parameters, and also creates the simulation model library having correlated model parameters with variations, and the simulation net list for the objective characteristic, by Monte Carlo method using the typical simulation model library, the standard deviations for the plural simulation model parameters and the simulation net list for the typical objective characteristic. The simulation part 112 obtains samples having the objective characteristics with variations. The yield estimation part 120, estimates the yields by determining whether the samples satisfy the predetermined specification or not (Pass or Fail), wherein by repeating the determination by making the simulations again only for the samples on which the filter having the function of learning the boundary for decision of Pass or Fail did not determine as Pass.
US08374828B1
The computerized method, software, and product of this invention implements a process for computationally designing proteins and/or associated molecular targets with desired quantitative stability/flexibility relationships (QSFR). QSFR is an innovative, high dimensional metric calculated using an improved Distance Constraint Model (DCM). This invention includes three distinct aspects: (i.) utilizing QSFR in computational molecular design of protein sequences, or variations of molecular structures, to have specific stability and flexibility relationships deemed important for biochemical function for specified thermodynamic and solvent conditions; (ii.) utilizing QSFR to optimize thermodynamic and/or solvent conditions necessary for a specified molecular system to exhibit protein function characteristics, such as improved catalytic efficiency; and (iii.) utilizing QSFR to computationally screen or design small molecules and/or design its putative receptor so as to exhibit a desired affect on protein function.
US08374821B2
A method and apparatus are provided to acquire direct thermal measurements, for example, from a LiDAR collecting vehicle or air vessel, of an overhead electrical conductor substantially simultaneous with collection of 3-dimensional location data of the conductor, and utilize temperature information derived from the direct thermal measurements in line modeling, line rating, thermal line analysis, clearance analysis, and/or vegetation management.
US08374819B2
A calibration apparatus includes a fixture coupled to hold a distal end of a medical probe. An actuator is configured to press against the distal tip of the probe and apply to the distal tip multiple force vectors having respective magnitudes and angles with respect to the distal end, so as to cause a deformation of the distal tip relative to the distal end. A sensing device is configured to measure the magnitudes of the force vectors applied by the actuator. A calibration processor is configured to receive from the probe first measurements indicative of the deformation of the distal tip in response to the force vectors, to receive from the sensing device second measurements indicative of the magnitudes of the force vectors, and to compute, based on the angles and the first and second measurements, calibration coefficients for assessing the force vectors as a function of the first measurements.
US08374813B2
Provided is a sampling apparatus that samples a signal under measurement, including a sampling section that samples the signal under measurement with a plurality of sampling phases at non-uniform intervals for each sampling repetition cycle; and an inverting section that cancels out a replica that is not an observation target, from among the replicas in a sampling band of the signal under measurement and the replicas in the sampling band of a frequency component of the signal under measurement, by inverting signs of values of the signal under measurement sampled with at least one sampling phase from among the plurality of sampling phases.
US08374806B2
An ultrasonic phase-shift detection device includes a clock generator, a divider, a first counter, a comparator, a phase detector and a second counter. The divider is provided for dividing the clock signal to generate ultrasonic signals. The comparator is provided for comparing the counting value of the first counter and a predetermined number. The phase detector is provided for comparing the phase shift between different ultrasonic signals. The second counter is provided for counting to generate the digital result signal.
US08374798B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for analyzing gene expressions is presented. An operation is performed for determining a gene expression pattern for a condition, wherein the gene expression pattern comprises a gene expression. Next, a spatial-expression pattern is formed by selecting a chromosomal region having an exon; and associating the gene expression within the gene expression pattern with its corresponding exon. A further operation may be performed, where in the forming of the spatial-expression pattern, a spatial-expression pattern signal is created as a representation of the spatial-expression pattern. The magnitude of the spatial-expression pattern signal at any point is determined by an expression level of the corresponding exon. Spatial patterns may be identified in the signal by means of various signal processing techniques such as Fourier or Wavelet transforms. Also, multiple regions and/or conditions may be tested and their reaction patterns compared to determine related genetic regions.
US08374795B2
Systems and methods for removing jump discontinuities in PCR or growth data. A first approximation to a curve that fits a received data set is determined by applying a non-linear regression process to a non-linear function that models the data set to determine parameters, including a step discontinuity parameter, of the non-linear function. One example of a non-linear function is a double sigmoid equation. A second approximation to a curve that fits the data set is also determined by applying a regression process to a second non-linear function to determine parameters, including a step discontinuity parameter, of the second function. One of the first or second approximations is then selected based on an information coefficient determined for each of the first and second approximations. If a confidence interval calculated for the step discontinuity parameter includes the value zero, no step correction is made. If the confidence interval does not include the value zero, then a step correction is made. If a step correction is made, the portion of the data curve prior to the step change is replaced with appropriate portion of the selected approximation to produce a shift-corrected data set. In certain aspects, the portion of the data curve up to the first point after the step change is corrected. In certain aspects, if the approximation does not satisfy a goodness of fit criterion, no step correction is made. The shift-corrected data set is returned and may be displayed or otherwise used for further processing.
US08374792B2
A system, method and computer program product for efficiently generating on- and off-road travel routes using multi-resolution maps including a map generator (108), map database (106), route generator (100), heuristic generator (102), and search envelope factor generator (104). The map generator (108) converts input raster and vector map data into output multi-resolution raster map data suitable for routing and stores it in the map database (106). The route generator (100) uses the map database (106) to produce a route at a coarse zoom level and then regenerate the route at progressively higher zoom levels. The heuristic generator (102) penalizes high resolution routes that deviate too far from one or more low resolution routes. The search envelope factor generator (104) computes this penalty based on the distance from a given search graph node to the low resolution routes.
US08374779B2
A navigation device which stores a captured image of an area ahead of user in a moving direction after turning at an intersection and displays the captured image before turning at the intersection, includes: a first storage unit (HDD recording/playback unit 14) storing a map; a display unit (display unit 18); and a control unit (control unit 10) displaying the map on the display unit, and the navigation device further includes a second storage unit (HDD recording/playback unit 14) storing a captured image of an area to be entered after a turn is made at an intersection, and the control unit displays the captured image stored in the second storage unit on the display unit before a mobile body reaches the intersection.
US08374763B2
A control method for an engine of a vehicle includes generating a brake value indicative of an operating condition of a brake system of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting one of a fuel control value of the engine and a fuel adjustment diagnostic value for the engine based on the brake value. In the method, a mass of fuel delivered to the engine is based on the fuel control value, and a diagnostic result indicative of lean operation of the engine is based on the fuel adjustment diagnostic value. The brake operating condition is selected from a group including a state of operation, a pedal displacement, an actuation period, a fluid operating pressure, and a power assist pressure. The fuel control value is provided.
US08374761B2
A driving force distribution control device for a four wheel drive vehicle having a mechanism that distributes the torque of an engine, which is transmitted to a main drive wheel, to a secondary drive wheel determines a first torque to be distributed to the secondary drive wheel on the basis of the engine torque, and corrects the determined first torque on the basis of a yaw rate deviation between a target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate of the vehicle. When an absolute value of the yaw rate deviation is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the mechanism is controlled on the basis of the corrected torque.
US08374757B2
A control system for a vehicle that is towing a trailer, the control system including a lateral acceleration sensor coupled to the vehicle for determining a lateral acceleration of the vehicle caused by the trailer swaying and generating a lateral acceleration signal based on the lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a transmission controller for receiving the lateral acceleration signal from the lateral acceleration sensor, comparing the lateral acceleration signal to a threshold, and prohibiting a gear switch signal from being transmitted to a transmission of the vehicle when the lateral acceleration signal exceeds the threshold.
US08374755B2
A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation, and a work implement driven by the power source. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed work implement task and select an output map based on the classification of the currently performed work implement task and the first signal. The controller may further be configured to control the power source operation using the output map.
US08374744B2
System for processing tire pressure monitor (TPM) signals. The system include capabilities to support amplitude shift key (ASK) modulation of TPM data signals transmitted from TPMs included within one or more tires of a vehicle. The system may include a receiver and controller to process the TPM signals.
US08374743B2
A vehicle system for providing an interface for driver control of at least a partially autonomous vehicle. The system includes a driver command processor that receives request signals from a driver interface device of the driver's desire for the vehicle system to take certain actions and sends appropriate signals in response thereto to the proper autonomous vehicle systems. The driver command processor also sends signal to a display device indicating available actions, acknowledgement of the driver request, status of actions being taken or to be taken, etc.
US08374737B2
A low visibility landing system is provided for guiding aircraft on landing approaches. The low visibility landing system may aid a pilot during landing in low visibility conditions such that an aircraft may descend to lower altitudes without visual contact with the runway than is possible with other landing systems. The system may use various navigational systems to produce a hybrid signal that may be more stable than individual signals of those navigational systems. The hybrid signal is compared to a predetermined landing approach plan to determine the deviation of the aircraft from the landing approach plan and to provide guidance to the pilot to get the aircraft back onto the landing approach plan. The system may also use multiple navigational systems to perform checks on an operation of a primary navigational system to ensure that the primary navigational system is operating accurately.
US08374735B2
A method and device for reducing actual loads generated on airplane by an aerodynamic disturbance is provided, the device including means for determining a load exceeding envelope and means for determining deflection orders of airplane control surfaces to reduce loads applied on the latter, when the airplane flies inside the load exceeding envelope. More specifically, a flight envelope of the airplane is determined and used with theoretical loads applied to the aircraft to produce the load exceeding envelope based on couples of the flight envelope with theoretical loads that equal or exceed a load threshold.
US08374731B1
A cooling system includes at least three fan units. A control unit operates each one of the at least three fan units, The control unit (a) operates only a selected two of the fan units, one of the at least three fan units being unselected and being inhibited from operation; (b) monitors operation of said selected two of fan units for a failure; and (c) upon detection of a failure in one of said selected two fan units, inhibits operation of the failed one of fan units and operating the unselected one of the at least three fan units.
US08374715B2
A method for vibration damping and shape control of a suspended metal strip during continuous transport in a processing facility in a steel rolling line or surface treating line in a steel mill, where the method comprises the steps: measuring distance to the strip by a plurality of non-contact sensors; and generating a strip profile from distance measurements; decomposing the strip profile to a combination of mode shapes; determining coefficients for the contribution from each mode shape to the total strip profile; and controlling the strip profile by a plurality of non-contact actuators based on a combination of mode shapes.
US08374698B2
The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device includes an electrically non-conductive substrate with electrically conductive vias. A flip-chip circuit is attached to the substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of the vias. The flip-chip circuit can contain one or more stacks or a folded stack. A wire-bonded circuit is also attached to the substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of the vias. A cover is bonded to the substrate. The cover, substrate, and vias form an improved hermetic package for implantation.
US08374692B2
Techniques for determining whether a lead related condition exists based on a correlation between a parameter indicative of impedance of a lead and a parameter indicative of motion of the lead. In some examples, the techniques include generating an electrical signal that is indicative of impedance of the lead, generating an electrical signal that is indicative of motion of the lead, and monitoring the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the electrical signals in order to identify a correlation. In some examples, if a lead related condition is identified, an alert is provided or a sensing or therapy modification is suggested.
US08374662B2
A particle trap and an associated method of trapping particles are provided. The particle trap includes a body formed of a high temperature superconductor (HTS). The body defines a cavity therethrough. The particle trap also includes first and second HTS end plates or first and second electrodes positioned at opposite ends of the cavity. At least one of the end plates or at least one of the electrodes defines at least one opening into the cavity to permit charged particles to enter and exit the cavity.
US08374655B2
An openable/closable mobile phone has a function of locking external keys disposed on an external surface of a main body of the mobile phone, whereby the lock function can be temporarily cancelled without opening the main body. A user holds down a side key (203) provided on a main body lateral surface (202). When a judging unit (307) detects the hold-down, a temporary cancellation unit (308) instructs a lock unit (306) to temporarily cancel the external key operation disablement setting, and instructs a resumption unit (309) to initiate a timer. The resumption unit (309) initiates the timer, and reinitiates the timer when an external key operation signal is received from an operation unit (305). When a given time period elapses, the resumption unit (309) instructs the lock unit (306) to terminate the temporary cancellation. An opened/closed detection unit (310) detects an opened or closed state of a folding part (103), and notifies the detected state to the lock unit (306). The lock unit (306) terminates the temporary cancellation when the folding part is in an opened state.
US08374649B2
A portable terminal in which an application area in a contactless IC chip can be shared by a plurality of users. The portable terminal is provided with the IC chip that has a contactless communication function enabling use of a plurality of services. In addition, the portable terminal is provided with an application area information storage unit that stores application area information for associating users, application identifiers for identifying applications corresponding to services to be used, and plural application areas provided in the IC chip; and an application area control unit that puts into a useable state an application area of a user corresponding to the identification information in the IC chip, based on the application area information and the identification information for identifying the users, read from a loaded storage medium; wherein the plurality of services that use the contactless communication function can be used by each user.
US08374648B2
A method for performing a communication function after a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is withdrawn from a wireless terminal is provided. The method includes, if the SIM card is inserted into the wireless terminal, copying information stored in the SIM card into a memory of the wireless terminal; and if the SIM card is withdrawn, performing the communication function by using the information of the SIM card, copied into the memory of the wireless terminal, during a predetermined time.
US08374646B2
Systems and methods for processing an image on a mobile device, including a mobile device with a camera for capturing a digital image, a display for displaying the captured image, and an image processing module configured to detect one or more types of information contained in said captured image. The image processing module is configured to overlay the detected information as a separate layer over the captured image for view on the display. The system further includes a wireless connection coupling the mobile device to the remote server such that the captured image and detected information may be uploaded to the remote server for further processing.
US08374625B2
Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a technique may include storing, by a mobile station while in an active state, a neighborhood paging list, transitioning from active state to idle state, receiving a paging group ID from a local base station, determining that the paging group ID received from the local base station does not match any of the paging group IDs on the mobile station's neighborhood paging list, performing location update, updating the neighborhood paging list based on information received from the local base station, the updated neighborhood paging list including a paging group ID (PGID) identifying a local paging area corresponding to the local base station and a list of neighbor paging group IDs identifying one or more paging areas that are neighbors to the local paging area.
US08374624B2
Provided is a location measurement method of a mobile node using a predictive filter is provided for improving the location measurement accuracy of the mobile node. The location measurement method of a mobile node detects change of movement pattern of the mobile node, corrects weights of a location measurement period and a predictive filter depending on the change of movement pattern, and compensates a location of the mobile node using the corrected weights of the location measurement period and predictive filter.
US08374618B2
A system for managing the operation of a plurality of radio modules integrated within the same wireless communication device. A control strategy may be employed to manage both more predictable and more spontaneous wireless communication mediums, wherein a local controller may be employed in a radio module utilizing an unscheduled wireless medium, like WLAN, for determining whether adequate time has been allocated to complete a transaction. If the transaction cannot be completed in the allowed time, it may be delayed until adequate time exists, and the delay may be reported so that the time may be reallocated to other radio modules. The radio module may then enter a power-saving mode until the transaction can be completed.
US08374614B2
A device and method for permuting subcarriers in a subframe which is divided into a plurality of frequency partitions in a wireless mobile communication system is disclosed. The method includes mapping, at a mobile station, physical resource units for localized resource allocation to a frequency partition of the plurality of frequency partitions in units of N_1 number of resource units, and physical resource units for distributed resource allocation to the frequency partition in units of N_d number of resource units, N_1 being different from N_d; and spreading, at the mobile station, subcarriers of the physical resource units for distributed resource allocation across the whole distributed resource allocations.
US08374612B2
A method for obtaining transmission address information of a target base station (BS), comprising: configuring a target BS with corresponding relations between information of each transmission address of the target BS and related information of other BSs; a source BS transmitting its related information to the target BS through a MME; after receiving the related information of the source BS, the target BS filtering out transmission address information required for establishing an X2 interface connection with the source BS from all transmission addresses of the target BS, and transmitting the out-filtered transmission address information to the target BS through the MME. A method for establishing an X2 interface connection between BSs further comprises, besides the above steps, the source BS initiating a flow of establishing the X2 interface connection to the target BS using the transmission address information of the target BS after receiving it.
US08374608B2
A reception quality estimating method estimates reception quality of a wireless communication area for estimating success or failure of handover processing occurring in a service area of a wireless communication system including a plurality of base stations. The method includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the reception qualities of radio waves from the plurality of base stations are grasped at a given location within the service area. In the second step, the start point and end point of the handover processing are estimated by referring to time required for the handover processing, moving speed of a mobile terminal, which are previously input, and the reception qualities, and then success or failure of the handover processing is estimated by referring to the reception qualities of radio waves from the base stations at the start point and end point of the handover processing.
US08374604B2
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for performing multiple registrations across different radio access technologies (RATs). In one aspect, the registration procedure provisions a mobile device to register with a primary RAT and pre-register with at least one non-primary RAT using its air interface, which is different from the primary RAT. The pre-registration procedure includes setting up a radio session context and a packet data network (PDN) context with the non-primary RAT. The procedure further includes setting up a pseudo-binding with an external PDN gateway and obtaining binding state information for the mobile device from the PDN gateway without transferring binding state from the primary RAT to the non-primary RAT. The binding state information may be added to the PDN context. The mobile device may then perform handoff from the primary RAN to non-primary RAN using the preset contexts.
US08374598B2
Method for drift radio network controller to report that cell does not support transmission interval
The present invention discloses a method for a drift radio network controller (DRNC) to report that the transmission interval is not supported, in which, the DRNC reports the information that the cell does not support enhanced-dedicated channel (E-DCH transmission interval to the service radio network controller (SRNC) through signaling when the DRNC detects that its administrative cell does not support E-DCH transmission interval. By reporting the information that the administrative cell of the DRNC does not support E-DCH 2 ms transmission interval to the SRNC by the DRNC, the present invention enables the SRNC to obtain the information and accordingly to take part in making decision of stopping a user equipment from using the E-DCH 2 ms transmission interval or deleting the cell link that does not support the E-DCH 2 ms transmission interval, thus ensures normal communication of the user equipment.
US08374596B2
A method for deriving pathloss estimation values within a cellular communication network. The method comprises receiving pathloss data obtained from a plurality of wireless communication units located within the cellular communication network, receiving location information corresponding to the plurality of wireless communications units, associating received pathloss data with individual sectors within a coverage area of the cellular communication network based at least partly on the location information for the respective wireless communications unit, and deriving pathloss estimation values for individual sectors within the cellular communication network based at least partly on the received pathloss data.
US08374590B1
Systems and methods for monitoring and updating user availability based upon presence and television viewing behavior are described herein. In one embodiment, a presence system is used to detect a user's presence to update the user's availability status. The availability status is then used to update a contact list, voicemail message, and/or busy message. In further embodiments, user preferences are used in combination with presence data to update the user's availability status. In still further embodiments, a user's television viewing behavior is used in combination with the presence data, user preferences, or both to update the user's availability status. Alternative embodiments provide systems and methods in accordance with the present invention for other interactive devices.
US08374587B2
A method of modifying a call setup message for a call from a first terminal to a second terminal, the call setup message being sent from the first terminal to a network node via an intermediate node which handles at least some signaling or traffic associated with the call, wherein the network node is responsible for negotiating call setup requirements for the call to the second terminal, the method comprising the steps of: intercepting the call setup message at the intermediate node; identifying one or more preferences or capabilities associated with the intermediate node which may impact the way in which the intermediate node can handle signaling or traffic associated with the call; modifying the call setup message based on information relating to said preferences or capabilities; and sending the modified call setup message to the network node, in order that the node can effect said negotiations based on the modified message.
US08374578B2
The invention relates to a solution for charging a subscriber roaming in a mobile communication network. In the invention, a temporary user subscription is created for the roaming subscriber and an account balance is set for the temporary user subscription allowing the subscriber to use services attached to the temporary user subscription while roaming in the packet data based mobile communication network.
US08374575B2
Systems and methods for locating a cellular phone are provided. More particularly, systems and methods for providing the location of a requested user's cellular phone from a requesting user's device (e.g., a second cellular phone) based on access rights defined by the requested user. Location descriptions may be provided at a multitude of levels. For example, if a cellular phone, or an identity associated to (e.g., logged into) a cellular phone, has been given access rights to a cell phone's exact location for an indefinite amount of time, that cell phone can receive, on command, the exact location of the approved cell phone. Other levels of location information that can be granted include, for example, proximities, states, and countries.
US08374569B2
Receiver architectures and methods of processing harmonic rich input signals employing harmonic suppression mixers are disclosed herein. The disclosed receivers, mixers, and methods enable a receiver to achieve the advantages of switching mixers while greatly reducing the mixer response to the undesired harmonics. A harmonic mixer can include a plurality of mixers coupled to an input signal. A plurality of phases of a local oscillator signal can be generated from a single local oscillator output. Each of the phases can be used to drive an input of one of the mixers. The mixer outputs can be combined to generate a frequency converted output that has harmonic rejection.
US08374565B2
An antenna diversity receiver includes a plurality of antennas, an antenna selector unit, an RF module unit, a logic gate unit, a power detector unit, and a selection controller unit. The antenna selector unit selects one of the antennas. The RF module unit converts an RF RX signal received from the antenna selector unit into a baseband RX signal. The logic gate unit controls a power detection mode for detecting the power levels of RX signals and an operation mode for selecting one of the antennas. The power detector unit detects the power level of the RX signal. The selection controller unit controls the antenna selector unit to sequentially select the antennas in the power detection mode, and controls the antenna selector unit to select the antenna with a relatively good RX sensitivity among the antennas.
US08374563B2
A gain control circuit of the wireless receiver comprises a plurality of stages-amplifier, an analog gain control circuit, and a digital gain control circuit, wherein the analog gain control circuit generates an analog controlling voltage for regulating the gain of the post-amplifier by an analog gain controlling process, and the digital gain control circuit is used for determining a plurality of gain curves for the pre-amplifier, and the gain curves are all operating between the first default voltage and second default voltage. While the analog controlling voltage is over the first default voltage or second default voltage, the gain curve will be switched, thereby, the analog gain controlling process can be with the digital gain controlling process therein for improving the linearity of the gain regulation and reducing the transient response during the gain switching process.
US08374562B2
A multi-rank beamforming (MRBF) scheme in which the downlink channel is estimated and an optimal precoding matrix to be used by the MRBF transmitter is determined accordingly. The optimal precoding matrix is selected from a codebook of matrices having a recursive structure which allows for efficient computation of the optimal precoding matrix and corresponding Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR). The codebook also enjoys a small storage footprint. Due to the computational efficiency and modest memory requirements, the optimal precoding determination can be made at user equipment (UE) and communicated to a transmitting base station over a limited uplink channel for implementation over the downlink channel.
US08374554B2
A plurality of transmit-receive pairs may operate in any one mode between an orthogonal mode and a concurrent mode. The transmit-receive pairs may collect interference channel information in a different time interval when operating in an orthogonal mode. In a concurrent mode, the transmit-receive pairs may apply a simultaneous transmission/reception scheme based on the collected interference channel information.
US08374550B2
A system and method of sending data pertaining to an accessory to a mobile device is disclosed. The accessory and the mobile device are communicable with one another using the Bluetooth™ protocol. A Bluetooth connection is established between the accessory and the mobile device. A Bluetooth query is received from the mobile device. The Bluetooth query is executed to obtain the requested data pertaining to the accessory. The requested data is sent back to the mobile device where it can be displayed on a mobile device display. Optionally, a logical link control and adaptation protocol (L2CAP) connection is established with the mobile device when an asynchronous connection-less (ACL) service is required.
US08374544B2
A communication apparatus including a first storage unit, a second storage unit logically or physically discriminated from the first storage unit, a first communication unit, a second communication unit for transmitting data stored in the second storage unit through electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling, and a selecting unit for selecting at least either the first storage unit or the second storage unit as a storage destination of the data received by the first communication unit.
US08374541B2
Group response detecting system, communication system, input device and communication control device
A plurality of nodes 2-n are assigned to a plurality of operators. The each node 2-n detects input operation of the corresponding operator to transmit detection information in a wireless manner. A host 27 receives the detection information transmitted in the wireless manner by the each node 2-n. The host 27 transmits a beacon signal BS to the plurality of the nodes 2-n in a predetermined cycle CY. The each node 2-n performs processing of detecting the input operation while changing time, i.e., at times ST0 to ST3 to transmit the detection information to the host 27 in response to the beacon signal BS. It is possible to finely detect order of changes of the detection information among the plurality of the nodes.
US08374539B2
A recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium from a plurality of recording heads include a conveying roller that conveys the recording medium that is continuously fed; the plurality of recording heads arranged in the conveying direction of the conveying roller; a skew sensor that detects the amount of displacement of the position of the recording medium skewed in the widthwise direction perpendicular to the conveying direction relative to the recording heads when the recording medium is skewed with respect to the conveying direction; and an angle adjusting mechanism that rotates the recording heads relative to the recording medium on the basis of the amount of displacement detected by the skew sensor.
US08374538B2
A sheet humidifier which executes a humidifying process to a sheet, the sheet humidifier including: a pair of humidifying rollers each of which has a first surface layer formed of rubber containing plasticizer, the pair of humidifying rollers nipping and conveying the sheet; and two water supply rollers each of which has a second surface layer formed of rubber containing the same kind of plasticizer as the plasticizer of the first surface layer, the two water supply rollers contacting each of the pair of humidifying rollers and supplying water to the each of the pair of humidifying rollers, wherein a hardness of the first surface layer is higher than the second surface layer.
US08374537B2
An image forming apparatus, including an image bearer; and a protectant applicator applying a protectant including zinc stearate and zinc palmitate to the surface thereof, wherein an average amount of the protectant adhering thereto is from 0.4 to 2.0 μg/cm2 after 500 images are produced, and wherein the following relationships are satisfied: X=Sb/Sa wherein X represents an index of the amount of the protectant adhering at an arbitrary point thereon; Sa represents a peak area in a wavenumber domain of from 1,765 to 1,786 cm−1 in an infrared absorption spectrum; and Sb represents a peak area in a wavenumber domain of from 1,533 to 1,547 cm−1, and ΔXi/Xave<0.3 wherein Xi represent the indices X at n-pieces of the arbitrary points in an image forming area thereof along its longitudinal direction; Xave represents an average of the n-pieces of Xi; and ΔXi represents a variation of Xi.
US08374535B2
A fuser module of an image forming device including a pivot able end cap and a movable entry guide attached therein. The movable entry guide moves according to the pivoting end cap to ensure reduced positional variability within the fuser module. The pivoting end cap also has a wheel to axle ratio of about 18:1 to ensure reduced force variability within the fuser module.
US08374534B2
A heating device includes: a heating member that heats a recording medium; a pressure member that forms a heating pressure portion between the pressure member and the heating member by coming into pressure contact with the heating member, the heating pressure portion passing through the recording medium; a tensioning member that is placed to face the pressure member with the heating member interposed therebetween, and that provides a tension to the heating member; and a guide member that guides the recording medium having passed through the heating pressure portion, and that is movable between a first secure position and a second secure position.
US08374517B2
An image forming device includes an image support object, a charging unit, an exposure unit, and a developing unit. The image forming device further includes a monitoring unit that sequentially updates a count value to a new count value according to a rotation state and a stop state of the image support object, and an intermittent driving unit that intermittently rotates the image support object according to the new count value generated by the monitoring unit after an image formation operation to form the toner image on the image support object surface is completed.
US08374516B2
An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of informing user just after developer in an accommodating section is exhausted. In the apparatus, a developing section is used for forming and developing an electrostatic latent image through developer; an accommodating section accommodates the developer; a supplying section makes the accommodating section be installed exchangeably and supplies the developer to the developing section; a space amount obtaining section obtains a space amount of the supplying section before exchanging the accommodating section; an initial amount calculating section calculates an initial amount of developer in the accommodating section after exchanged on the basis of the space amount and an accommodating amount of the accommodating section; a use amount calculating section calculates a use amount of the developer used by the developing section; a judging section judges an existence/inexistence of the developer in the accommodating section on the basis of the initial amount and the use amount; and an informing section informs user of a judgment result when the judging section judges that the toner does not exist.
US08374515B2
An image forming system includes image forming apparatuses that communicate with each other via a network. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a network computer, a power saving controller for applying a power saving control in a first power saving mode in which a supply of power to a printing function portion that forms an image on a sheet is stopped and a power is fed to the network controller when the apparatus acts as a main apparatus, and applying a power saving control in a second power saving mode in which a supply of power to the printing function portion and the network controller is stopped when the apparatus acts as subordinate apparatus, and a main apparatus deciding unit for deciding the image forming apparatus out of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on a calculation of power consumption of the plurality of image forming apparatuses.
US08374514B2
A method includes modulating lightwaves to provide first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a first polarization direction and first and second OFDM signal sidebands at a second polarization direction, and combining sidebands that are oppositely positioned and joined from the first and second OFDM signal sidebands at each polarization direction to provide a polarization multiplexing OFDM signal.
US08374513B2
An optical receiver includes an optical device that receives input light and converts the input light to an electric signal; an equalizer that carries out waveform shaping on the electric signal; an amplifier that amplifies the electric signal; a discrimination part that discriminates data of the electric signal; an input optical power detecting part that detects input optical power of the input light; and a control part that makes an error rate in the electric signal with respect to the input optical power worse when the input optical power detected by the input optical power detecting part is equal to or less than a value corresponding to minimum receiver sensitivity.
US08374510B2
High optical communication rates are making their way into networks initially designed for 10 Gigabits per seconds (Gbps). These higher rates of 40 Gbps and higher have shorter signaling periods and are more susceptible to differential group delay (DGD). A method and corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention compensates for polarization state sensitivity of a receiver by determining a performance metric relating to an error rate due to transmission and reception of a modulated optical signal in a medium introducing DGD. Based on the performance metric, a control vector is determined to control a polarization state of the modulated optical signal. The control vector is applied to a polarization effecting device to compensate for the DGD and the polarization state sensitivity of the receiver. Communication rates of 40 Gbps and higher can be used in transmission mediums that introduce DGD through use of embodiments presented.
US08374509B2
The invention relates to products, methods and devices for remote communication or control using chromogenic materials. Several samples including at least one kind of chromogenic materials are simultaneously irradiated or radiated together by an appropriate entangled radiation, e.g, gamma, X, ultraviolet or visible radiation, provided by a cascade from an atomic source, or by the target of a linear particle accelerator or by a non-linear crystal. When the samples are separated, one of them, qualified as the master, is stimulated by a traditional method that uses infrared or white radiation or by heating, and a signal is measured that represents the partially correlated excess variation of opacity or coloration of the other sample(s), qualified as slave(s). There is no known method of interference between the master and the slaves. The slave(s) are the only ones capable of instantaneously receiving the signal from the master through all media and from any distance. The method and the equipment are particularly intended for communication or control applications.
US08374508B2
Passive optical networks have optical budget loss limitations that affect the ability of a Service Provider to serve a limited number of clients over a limited range. The deployment of passive optical networks is constrained by potential physical rights of way issues. A method and system for augmenting communication links of a passive optical network are disclosed which utilize radio frequency communication enabling an increase in the number of clients on the network as well as increasing the reach or range of the network while potentially eliminating physical rights of way issues.
US08374501B2
An optical line terminal includes an optical network interface having an optical receiver unit to convert an optical signal received from an optical network unit into an electrical signal and output a direct current bias monitoring signal and an error code detector to detect an error code in the electrical signal to output an error code indication signal, a storage to store therein a direct current bias table indicating a direct current bias corresponding to a direct current bias control parameter of the optical network units and a dynamic band allocation information table indicating communication time slot information allotted to each optical network unit and a control unit to receive the direct current bias monitoring signal and the error code indication signal and supply the direct current bias control signal to the optical receiver unit to thereby form one feedback circuit together with the optical network interface.
US08374500B2
A SONET/SDH transmission apparatus comprises a plurality of interface units that accommodate a plurality of lines, and mesh wiring that interconnects the interface units in a mesh pattern. Each of the interface units includes a time slot interchange (TSI) unit to output a signal selected from among a plurality of signals through the TSI processing of a plurality of signals on the lines accommodated at all the interface units, a detection unit to detect alarm information on the lines accommodated at all the interface units, and a control unit to provide the TSI unit with control data reflecting protective switching operation calculated by computation of a logic circuit which virtually executes the protective switching operation to be as for the plurality of lines.
US08374499B2
An imaging apparatus capable of mounting an interchangeable lens thereon includes first and second terminals for communicating with the interchangeable lens, and a control unit capable of switching between a first communication mode in which a clock signal is output from the first terminal and communication is performed using the second terminal based on the clock signal and a second communication mode in which communication is performed using the second terminal without outputting the clock signal from the first terminal. The control unit is configured to output a predetermined signal from the first terminal to the interchangeable lens when a predetermined condition is not satisfied in the second communication mode.
US08374492B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the salience map of an audio video document. The method comprises the steps for: calculating a salience map in relation to the video part of said document, determining at least one audio descriptor representing said document, weighting the video salience map as a function of the variation of said audio descriptor.
US08374482B2
Disclosed is a memory card attached to an external apparatus for transmitting and receiving data via the external apparatus and an optical communication. The memory card includes a power-supply potential unit receiving electric power supply at a predetermined voltage from the external apparatus; a ground potential unit connected to a ground potential unit of the external apparatus; a light-receiving unit receiving an optical signal transmitted from the external apparatus or another memory card; and a light-emitting unit transmitting the optical signal to the external apparatus or another memory card. In the memory card, the light-receiving unit and the light-emitting unit are arranged such that the signal received by the light-receiving unit and the signal transmitted from the light-emitting unit are transmitted in a straight line.
US08374473B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing tight-buffered optical fiber having improved fiber access. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for making a tight buffer upcoated optical fiber having a predetermined buffer stripping force is provided. The method includes controlling residual acrylate unsaturation (RAU) and oxygen in at least an outer surface of un-buffered optical fiber to achieve a predetermined buffer stripping characteristic, applying a tight buffer composition comprising acrylate to the un-buffered optical fiber, and curing the tight buffer composition.
US08374452B2
The GCL sequence index of each cell/sector is assigned so that a difference of the indices between adjacent cells/sectors is more than N, where N≧1. During GCL index detection, the adjacent N−1 indices of an index with the largest magnitude can be deleted from handoff candidate cell indices.
US08374443B2
A system and method for predicting a file size of an image subject to transformation by scaling and a change of at least one quality-controlling parameter are described. The system receives the file size of the image before transformation, information about at least one quality-controlling parameter of the image before transformation, information about at least one quality-controlling parameter and a scaling factor to be applied to the image during transformation. A relative size prediction is calculated using the received quality-controlling parameters information and the scaling factor. The file size of the image after the transformation is finally calculated as a function of the file size of the image before the transformation and the calculated relative size prediction. Images are partitioned into classes of images, and for each class of images, an array of relative file size predictions, having at least two dimensions, is computed.
US08374432B2
An image processing apparatus includes a scanner that receives image data, an area extracting unit that extracts image data of visually different image areas from the received image data, an HDD that stores therein the extracted image data, a criterion storage unit that stores a plurality of criteria for identifying each of the image areas as one of processing areas, a device interface unit that receives a selection of an image segmentation mode from a user, a selecting unit that selects a criterion from the criteria stored in the criterion storage unit based on the selected image segmentation mode, and a processing unit that identifies each of the image areas as one of the processing areas based on the selected image segmentation mode and performs image processing corresponding to the identified processing area.
US08374428B2
When photographs are to be combined into a single image, haze correction and/or color balancing may be performed. The photographs may be analyzed and left-clipped in order to darken the photographs and to increase the density of pixels in the low-luminosity region, thereby decreasing the perception of haze. When the photographs are combined into one continuous image, tie points are selected that lie in regions where the photographs overlap. The tie points may be selected based on visual similarity of the photographs in the region around the tie point, using a variety of algorithms. Functions are then chosen to generate saturation and luminosity values that minimize, at the tie points, the cost of using the generated values as opposed to the actual saturation and luminosity values. These functions are then used to generate saturation and luminosity values for the full image.
US08374424B2
The creation of multiple copies of unique and individualized mosaics is performed by creating a pattern from an image using a computer and inserting colored sticks into a frame to match the rows or columns of the pattern. After gluing the sticks of a row or column together while the sticks are still in the frame, the rows or columns are removed and joined together to form assemblies which are sliced to provide near identical copies of each assembly. The slices are then adhered to separate substrates, again in conformance with the pattern, to make multiple copies of the mosaic.
US08374417B2
An image processing method is provided including a band image generation step for generating band images through extracting a portion of frequency components in a source image having a subject image falling thereon; a lowest-frequency image generation step for generating a lowest-frequency image having a lowest-frequency component extracted from the source image; a lowest-frequency image control step for performing conversion processing to the lowest-frequency image in accordance with a lowest-frequency function to generate a lowest-frequency controlled image; a controlled band image generation step for performing conversion processing to the band image in accordance with a high-frequency function, that is different from the lowest-frequency function, to generate a controlled band image; and an image processing step for performing dynamic range compression processing to the source image using the lowest-frequency controlled image and the controlled band image.
US08374403B2
Various methods and apparatus to detect red eye in a digital image are described. In an embodiment, a method identifies one or more red eye candidate zones within an identified skin region in a digital image. A first red eye candidate zone includes connected regions of pixels of a different color in the digital image than their natural color and exceeds a minimum size. The first red eye candidate zone is determined to be an actual red eye by comparing a red eye candidate score to a detection threshold value.
US08374402B2
A data security system comprises a host processor, and a plurality of remote computers. Each remote computer provides biometric authentication of a user prior to responding to the user request for data access. The remote computers are handheld when in operational mode. A sensor in the handheld computer captures a biometric image while the remote computer is being used. The biometric sensor is positioned in such a way that the sensor enables the capture of the biometric image continually during computer usage with each request for access to secure data. The biometric authentication occurs in a seamless manner and is incidental to the data request enabling user identity authentication with each request to access secure data.
US08374397B2
A method for mapping includes projecting onto an object a pattern of multiple spots having respective positions and shapes, such that the positions of the spots in the pattern are uncorrelated, while the shapes share a common characteristic. An image of the spots on the object is captured and processed so as to derive a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.
US08374394B2
Methods and devices for the real-time tracking of one or more objects of a real scene in a video stream for an augmented-reality application are disclosed herein.
US08374388B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed for tracking an arbitrarily moving object in a sequence of images where the background may be changing. The tracking is based on visual features, such as color or texture, where regions of images (such as those which represent the object being tracked or the background) can be characterized by statistical distributions of feature values. The method improves on the prior art by incorporating a means whereby characterizations of the background can be rapidly re-learned for each successive image frame. This makes the method robust against the scene changes that occur when the image capturing device moves. It also provides robustness in difficult tracking situations, such as when the tracked object passes in front of backgrounds with which it shares similar colors or other features. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for automatically detecting and correcting certain kinds of errors which may occur when employing this or other tracking methods.
US08374379B2
A loudspeaker is provided in which precise alignment is obtained between the frame and motor assembly before they are connected to one another so that a voice coil coupled to the frame may be properly radially and vertically positioned with respect to a magnetic gap in the motor assembly while allowing the motor assembly and frame to be easily and quickly separated from one another to perform repairs or complete replacement of the motor assembly.
US08374375B2
An earphone device (1) comprising a main body (14) to be inserted in the outer ear (28) of a user, a conchal wall stabilizer (4) extending from the main body (14) and adapted to engage the conchal wall (24) of the ear (28), the conchal wall stabilizer (4) being able to assume different positions in relation to the main body (4). The conchal wall stabilizer (4) is a bi-stable mechanism, which is movable from a first stable position via a dead point to a second stable position. Spring means (32) biases the conchal wall stabilizer (4) towards the first stable position, when the conchal wall stabilizer (4) is positioned on a first side of the dead point, and towards the second stable position, when the conchal wall stabilizer (4) is positioned on a second side of the dead point.
US08374372B2
Provided is a headset including a main housing and a speaker housing that are integrally formed with each other and a rear-side sound-leakage preventing section to shield sound emitted towards a rear side of a speaker. To this end, the headset includes a main housing integrally formed with a speaker housing that protrudes from the main housing, at least one rear-side sound-leakage preventing unit engaged with an inner side of the speaker housing to shield sound emitted towards a rear side of a speaker, and a mounting unit to sequentially couple the speaker and the at least one rear-side sound-leakage preventing unit to the inner side of the speaker housing and mount the at least one rear-side sound-leakage preventing units in the inner side of the speaker housing.
US08374362B2
A mechanism is provided that monitors secondary microphone signals, in a multi-microphone mobile device, to warn the user if one or more secondary microphones are covered while the mobile device is in use. In one example, smoothly averaged power estimates of the secondary microphones may be computed and compared against the noise floor estimate of a primary microphone. Microphone covering detection may be made by comparing the secondary microphone smooth power estimates to the noise floor estimate for the primary microphone. In another example, the noise floor estimates for the primary and secondary microphone signals may be compared to the difference in the sensitivity of the first and second microphones to determine if the secondary microphone is covered. Once detection is made, a warning signal may be generated and issued to the user.
US08374361B2
An apparatus for controlling a volume of an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which a volume of an input signal can be controlled by using a non-linear gain curve and a target volume of the input signal. The present invention includes receiving an input signal and reference information controlling a volume of the input signal; and adjusting a volume of the input signal with the reference information, wherein the reference information comprises at least one of metadata indicating characteristics of the input signal, output environment information indicating characteristics of an environment in proximity to the apparatus and stored reference information being transmitted from memory.Therefore, the present invention is able to control a volume of an input signal adaptively by using reference information, for example metadata, outside environment information and stored reference information.
US08374348B2
A method of distributing video sequences according to a nominal flow format including a succession of frames each including at least one I block corresponding to a complete digital I image and at least one N block corresponding to differences between a digital N image and at least one other image including analyzing the flow of sequences to generate a first modified flow having a format of a nominal flow and having modified N blocks and a second flow of any format including digital information required to reconstruct the modified blocks; and transmitting the first and second flows from a server to destination equipment, and calculating on the destination equipment a synthesis of a flow in a nominal format as a function of the first flow and the second flow.
US08374344B2
Coding is provided in which a multi-media object is coded to obtain a bit-stream, and quality information is added to the bit-stream, which quality information indicates a quality of the object in relation to a given position in (or a given part of) the bit-stream. By adding quality information to the bit-stream, jointly storing or transmitting multiple coded objects can be optimized in that the quality of the object can be easily taken into account.
US08374332B2
A method, system and apparatus for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in concert with the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system can include receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN. An address for the calling party can be retrieved from the PSTN and an address for a telephone number produced by the directory assistance request can be second retrieved from within the directory assistance system. Prospective telephone charges can be computed based upon the retrieved addresses and the calling party can be prompted with the computed prospective charges. Finally, a call can be automatically completed between the calling party and the telephone number.
US08374323B2
In a communication system comprising multiple networks, a system is provided for notifying a caller that a call destination who was initially unavailable is now available, involving subscribers of possibly different networks. The system, when installed in a network, can support destination availability notifications following failed call attempts in which at least one user is a user of the network, regardless to which network the other user subscribes.
US08374319B1
The present invention is generally related to methods for use in connection with network-based messaging systems and related systems. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a call at the network-based messaging system and providing a notification to a subscriber of the network-based messaging system that the call has been received and that a message for the subscriber is to be recorded. The subscriber is located remotely from the network-based messaging system. In accordance with another particular embodiment, the system includes a computer server and a notification module. The computer server is associated with the remote subscriber terminal and includes a voice message storage unit to store voice messages. The notification module is to notify the remote subscriber terminal when a call is received at the computer server and when a voice message is to be recorded.
US08374315B2
An x-ray tube has an anode and a thermionic emitter with multiple emitter regions spaced from one another that generate, between the emitter and the anode, an electron beam composed of multiple partial beams generated by the respective emitter regions. Between the emitter and the anode is at least one control electrode arrangement that generates a variable electrical field and that has a number of passages to control the respective partial beams. Thus control electrode arrangement has a number of control electrode layers. The individual emitter regions and the control electrodes are arranged and controlled relative to one another to cause substantially the entirety of each partial beam generated by the respective emitter regions to proceed through a passage respectively associated with that partial beam.
US08374304B2
A filter circuit includes an input-signal processing section and a signal-level determining section. The input-signal processing section samples and holds a digital input signal input according to a clock signal, outputs the holding signal as a sampling input signal when a level of the digital input signal is constant between sampling points, and reverses the holding signal and outputs the reversed signal as the sampling input signal when the level of the digital input signal changes between the sampling points. The signal-level determining section sequentially delays the sampling input signal from the input-signal processing section into plural stages, outputs a first level signal at a first level when all the delayed signals are at the first level, and outputs a second level signal at a second level when all the delayed signals are at the second level.
US08374290B2
This invention relates to a demodulating apparatus and a demodulating method for demodulating an input signal more quickly than before when the channels of the input signal are inverted.A correlator 152 calculates a correlation value indicative of the correlation between a known delayed detection sequence made of symbols of correct delayed detection values of a known sequence inserted in the input signal and a received delayed detection sequence obtained through delay detection of the input signal. If the imaginary part of the correlation value is less than zero, a channel control section 132 switches the channels of the input signal before feeding the signal to a frame synchronization circuit 122. This invention can be applied illustratively to a satellite broadcast receiving apparatus.
US08374281B2
A method for establishing a cyclic shift sequence to provide against the frequency offset is disclosed. The method calculates a distance between a channel response position of the sequence and an alias channel response position caused by a frequency offset, calculates the number of cyclic shifts per group according to the calculated distance, and establishes the cyclic shift (CS)—applying interval. This method easily establishes a cyclic shift (CS) interval at a specific location having no overlapping by considering a channel response of a reception (Rx) sequence and an alias location of this reception (Rx) sequence, although a reception (Rx) signal is shifted by a channel delay spreading or a propagation delay irrespective of categories of a domain generating a sequence, so that it can greatly reduce the number of the detection errors and the false alarm rate. And, if a sequence of the cyclic shift (CS) is allocated to a cell having a frequency offset of more than a predetermined level, the present invention can minimize the influence of a frequency offset on a high-mobility cell.
US08374279B2
A modulation device includes a signal input for receiving a data stream to be modulated and a first and a second signal output. At least one first complex component is derived from the data stream in a coding device. A first and a second high-frequency signal are output via the signal outputs. The first and second high-frequency signals are derived from the at least one first complex component and are distinguished by the fact that the second high-frequency signal has a phase shift of substantially 90° with respect to the first high-frequency signal.
US08374276B2
A synthesized gain in a resending operation can be improved significantly by relatively simple control when resending control is applied upon executing of a transmission diversity using CDD. A radio communication apparatus equipped with a plurality of antennas and for performing communication by MIMO, includes a phase shift amount assigning section 18 for executing a CDD process to assign a cyclic phase shift to a transmission signal on a frequency axis, a response signal demodulator 16 for demodulating ACK/NACK received from a destination station, and outputting control information about a resending operation when NACK is received and a reception is failed, and an initial phase controller 17 for setting an offset to a phase shift at a time of CDD process in response to a number of transmission times in resending control such that a predetermined offset, which is produced by adding a phase difference from a signal transmitted from other antenna to the phase shift, is assigned to a signal transmitted from the antenna over a full frequency band, wherein a frequency characteristic of a radio propagation path at a time of resending is changed every time of transmission times.
US08374272B2
A communications system includes a base station that is configured to transmit a signal that is modulated according to a predetermined modulation scheme and an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme, wherein the signal is encoded using space-frequency coding. The base station includes a plurality of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceivers. The system includes a terminal that is configured to receive the modulated signal. The above arrangement is particularly applicable to providing multichannel multipoint distribution services (MMDS) over a radio communications system.
US08374270B2
Systems and methods for determining an unknown QPSK or QAM constellation from a set of possible received constellations are described. One method utilizes a histogram of the power of the signal after inter-symbol-interference has been minimized with a modified constant modulus algorithm equalizer. The constellation may be determined before carrier frequency and phase has been fully recovered. An unknown QPSK or QAM constellation may be identified before or after equalization using disclosed methods for analyzing an output power histogram.
US08374263B2
A method for performing rate adaptation of millimeter wave transmissions in a substantially line-of-sight OFDM outdoor system over a radio frequency (RF) channel includes the following. First a channel quality estimator indicative of a quality of an outdoor millimeter-wave RF channel is received. A sequence of parameter changes is defined to dynamically adjust transmission quality for the rate adaptation. The rate adaptation includes dynamic adaptation of bandwidth and at least one other parameter. The sequence is stored as a table of vectors, each vector comprising a combination of parameters where one of parameters is bandwidth. The parameter vectors in the table are dynamically worked through in response to the channel quality estimator.
US08374258B2
A transmission device of the present invention includes a MAC that generates data I transmitted by a band group M and generates data J transmitted by a band group N; signal switching parts that exchange a part of the data I and a part of the data J; and antennas that simultaneously transmit the data I and the data J after data exchange is performed by the signal switching parts, by the band group M and the band group N.
US08374253B2
A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities. The step of converting the signal to a HDTV format is preferably performed using a modified upconversion process for wideband signals (utilizing a higher sampling clock frequency) and a resizing to HDTV format frame dimensions in pixels.
