US08440629B2
The present invention relates generally to receptor-selective variants of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein (RAP) and compositions thereof, methods of generating such variants and methods of using such receptor-selective RAP variant compositions for therapeutic purposes.
US08440628B2
It is provided a pharmaceutical composition stably containing ghrelin or its derivative, which is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) to a growth hormone secretagogue-receptor (GHS-R), comprising a aqueous solution containing the ghrelins having pH range of 2 to 7, wherein the aqueous solution having pH range of 2 to 7 is a buffer solution, especially, glycine hydrochloride buffer, acetate buffer, citrate buffer, lactate buffer, phosphate buffer, citric acid-phosphate buffer, phosphate-acetate-borate buffer or phthalate buffer, and the concentration of the ghrelins in the solution is from 0.03 nmol/mL to 6 μmol/mL.
US08440625B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use thereof for cancer therapy sensitization. Such compositions comprise functional fragments of the nucleotide and/or polypeptide sequences of a Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC). The compositions can be used in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of cancers.
US08440623B2
A substantially hydrophilic conjugate is provided having a peptide that is capable of passing the blood-brain barrier covalently linked to a water-soluble nonpeptidic polymer such as polyethylene glycol. The conjugate exhibits improved solubility and in vivo stability and is capable of passing the blood-brain barrier of an animal.
US08440622B2
The invention relates to the use of gelsolin to treat neurologic diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis) and to the use of gelsolin to diagnose, monitor, and evaluate therapies of neurologic diseases.
US08440615B2
A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, and in particular a dermatological one, including, in a physiologically adapted medium, active principles capable of activating aconitase, and methods of using the composition for protection of mitochondria, the skin and the appendages from external aggressions and to combat cutaneous aging. These active principles may be composed of polypeptides or of peptides, used alone or in association with at least one other active principle.
US08440613B2
The present invention relates to the use of nifurtimox for the treatment of diseases caused by trichomonads, such as, for example, histomoniasis, in particular in turkeys.
US08440612B2
The present invention relates to the use of nifurtimox for the treatment of giardiosis, in particular in dogs and cats.
US08440609B2
The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding peptides which are directed against autoantibodies associated with cold allergy, to the peptides themselves, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said nucleic acid molecules and peptides, and to the use of said nucleic acid molecules and peptides for the treatment of circulatory disorders associated with exposure to cold or intolerance to cold, especially cold allergies.
US08440605B2
Process for making a cleaning composition employing direct incorporation of concentrated surfactants
The proposed process of the present application passes a concentrated surfactant in a lamellar phase though a high-shear device diluting the concentrated surfactant in a lamellar phase to an isotropic phase without encountering the highly viscous middle phase.
US08440597B2
The present invention concerns a high-temperature lubricant for the hot shaping of high-grade and carbon steels, which has a content of graphite, organic blowing agent and inorganic separation agent, and the use thereof. In order to provide a high-temperature lubricant which can be used for a wide range of steel qualities for different wall thicknesses to be rolled and stretching effects and which is moreover stable in respect of temperature, provides constant rolling results upon a change in the wall thickness and/or the quality of steel and does not lead to unwanted cementation of the rolled material,za the high-temperature lubricant according to the invention contains at least the following constituents in percent by weight with respect to the solids content: (a) 40 to 90% by weight graphite, (b) 2 to 50% by weight organic blowing agent, and (c) 5 to 50% by weight inorganic separation agent, wherein the organic blowing agent (b) is selected from the group consisting of melamine, melam, melem, melon, phosphate salts and polyphosphate salts of the aforesaid compounds with phosphate chain lengths in the region of n=1 to 1000, reaction products and adducts of the aforesaid compounds with cyanuric acid or isocyanuric acid, and mixtures of the aforesaid, and the inorganic separation agent (c) is a sheet silicate or a mixture of sheet silicates.
US08440595B2
Fungicidal compounds of the general formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1.
US08440593B2
A high strength herbicidal composition including water; glyphosate, predominantly in the form of a combination of triethanolamine salt and potassium salt in solution in the water in an amount of about 350 grams or greater of acid equivalent per liter of the composition wherein the composition is formulated to include triethanolamine in an amount to form a salt with about 10% or greater, by weight, of total glyphosate and to include potassium in an amount to form a salt with a percentage of total glyphosate so that the combined sum of glyphosate in triethanolamine and potassium salts is more than 50% of total glyphosate; and optionally, one or more surfactants and/or one or more humectants.
US08440590B2
A method for controlling asian soybean rust comprising (α) applying a pesticidal composition (A) to a glyphosate tolerant soybean plant propagation material, and (β) applying a pesticidal composition (B) to the resulting soybean plant, part of plant and/or the locus thereof one or more times: i) before emergence, ii) after emergence, or iii) both (i) and (ii), provided that composition (A) comprises one or more of flutriafol, triticonazole, tebuconazole, ipconazole, epoxyconazole, orysastrobin, prothioconazole fluoxastrobin, azoxystrobin, furametpyr, cyproconazole, a compound of formula (I) and a compound of formula (B), and pesticide composition (B) comprises glyphosate; wherein compound (I) is represented by or a tautomer of such a compound, and compound (B) is represented by formula or a tautomer of such a compound.
US08440588B2
A dye resin ink application process using flexographic printing, flood coating, tinting, or other suitable technique or process to add a color layer on top of a thermal ink layer of a material. The color layer provides a background color, such that upon application of the heat source, the thermal image appears as being imaged onto the background color. The process can be used to make heat-sensitive direct thermal labels or thermal paper rolls, including cash register-type rolls, poster printer format rolls, etc. The process permits thermal-inked material to be produced in various colors in relatively small print runs using conventional equipment.
US08440584B1
Provided herein are methods and apparatus to remove unwanted elements in commercial powders, and particularly in commercial powders that include one or more of a crystalline ceramic oxide. The methods involve treating powders in reduced pressure atmosphere, such as a vacuum, with or without heating, for a period of time sufficient to remove impurities. Impurities and contaminants, including anionic species, are removed from the powders without any undesirable changes in the physical characteristics of the starting material, such as particle size and particle size distribution, surface area, and volume, for example. The resulting purified powder starting material can be consolidated without the need for any sintering aids such as LiF to produce nearly colorless, extremely transparent polycrystalline articles that approach identical properties and performance of single crystal spinels.
US08440581B2
The disclosed systems and method for non-periodic pulse sequential lateral solidification relate to processing a thin film. The method for processing a thin film, while advancing a thin film in a selected direction, includes irradiating a first region of the thin film with a first laser pulse and a second laser pulse and irradiating a second region of the thin film with a third laser pulse and a fourth laser pulse, wherein the time interval between the first laser pulse and the second laser pulse is less than half the time interval between the first laser pulse and the third laser pulse. In some embodiments, each pulse provides a shaped beam and has a fluence that is sufficient to melt the thin film throughout its thickness to form molten zones that laterally crystallize upon cooling. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, the first and second regions are spaced a distance apart.
US08440579B2
Patterning-induced damage of sensitive low-k dielectric materials in semiconductors devices may be restored to a certain degree on the basis of a surface treatment that is performed prior to exposing the device to ambient atmosphere. To this end, the dangling silicon bonds of the silicon oxide-based low-k dielectric material may be saturated in a confined process environment, thereby providing superior surface conditions for the subsequent application of an appropriate repair chemistry.
US08440578B2
A method for amorphizing a layer on a substrate is described. In one embodiment, the method includes treating the substrate with a first gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) using a first beam energy selected to yield an amorphous sub-layer within the substrate of a desired thickness, which produces a first interfacial roughness of an amorphous-crystal interface between the amorphous sub-layer and a crystalline sub-layer of the substrate. The method further includes treating the substrate with a second GCIB using a second beam energy, less than the first beam energy, to reduce the first interfacial roughness of the amorphous-crystal interface to a second interfacial roughness.
US08440574B2
A method for ashing hardened resist from a photoresist patterned chromium alloy post etch using a plasma ashing chemistry which contains no gaseous source of hydrogen and contains a gaseous source of oxygen and a gaseous source of nitrogen with an oxygen to nitrogen atomic ratio of at least 5.
US08440570B2
The invention defines a pillar pattern or an island pattern by forming a contact hole and filling the contact hole with a hard mask material by using a spacer formation process, so that the mask pattern formation process margin for island (e.g., pillar) pattern formation is increased. Accordingly, the yield and reliability of the formation process of a semiconductor device are improved.
US08440565B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus, including: forming through-hole which penetrates a semiconductor substrate at a point that corresponds to a location of an electrode pad; forming an insulating film on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, including the interior of the through-hole; forming an adhesion securing layer from a metal or an inorganic insulator on a surface of the insulating film at least in an opening portion of the through-hole; forming a resist layer to serve as a mask in bottom etching on the adhesion securing layer; performing bottom etching to expose the electrode pad; removing the resist layer to obtain the insulating film free of surface irregularities that would otherwise have been created by bottom etching; forming a barrier layer, a seed layer, and a conductive layer by a low-temperature process; and performing patterning.
US08440562B2
A semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; a conductive wiring in the first dielectric layer; and a copper germanide nitride layer over the conductive wiring.
US08440560B2
A method for fabricating a tungsten (W) line includes forming a silicon-containing layer, forming a diffusion barrier layer over the silicon-containing layer, forming a tungsten layer over the diffusion barrier layer, and performing a thermal treatment process on the tungsten layer to increase a grain size of the tungsten layer.
US08440558B2
There is provided a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The method comprises: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a transistor structure on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the transistor structure comprises a gate region and a source/drain region, and the gate region comprises a gate dielectric layer provided on the semiconductor substrate and a sacrificial gate formed on the gate dielectric layer; depositing a first interlayer dielectric layer, and planarizing the first interlayer dielectric layer to expose the sacrificial gate; removing the sacrificial gate to form a replacement gate hole; forming first contact holes at positions corresponding to the source/drain region in the first interlayer dielectric layer; and filling a first conductive material in the first contact holes and the replacement gate hole respectively to form first contacts and a replacement gate, wherein the first contacts come into contact with the source/drain region. Thereby, the replacement gate and the first contacts can be made in one same step of depositing the same material, and thus the process flows are simplified.
US08440556B2
Forming conformal platinum-zinc films for semiconductor devices is described. In one example, a conformal film is formed by heating a substrate in a reaction chamber, exposing a desired region of the substrate to a precursor that contains platinum, purging excess precursor from the chamber, exposing the desired region of the substrate to a co-reactant containing zinc to cause a reaction between the precursor and the co-reactant to form a platinum zinc film on the desired region, and purging the chamber of excess reaction by-products.
US08440541B2
The disclosure relates to preparation of silicon on insulator structures with reduced unbonded regions and to methods for producing such wafers by minimizing the roll-off amount (ROA) of the handle and donor wafers. Methods for polishing wafers are also provided.
US08440536B2
A method for forming a vertical channel transistor in a semiconductor memory device includes: forming a plurality of pillars over a substrate so that the plurality of pillars are arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, and so that each of the pillars has a hard mask pattern thereon; forming an insulation layer to fill a regions between the pillars; forming a mask pattern over a resultant structure including the insulation layer, wherein the mask pattern has openings exposing gaps between each two adjacent pillars in the first direction; etching the insulation layer to a predetermined depth using the mask pattern as an etching barrier to form trenches; and filling the trenches with a conductive material to form word lines extending in the first direction.
US08440526B2
A method of fabricating a memory is provided. A substrate including a memory region and a periphery region is provided. A plurality of first gates is formed in the memory region and a plurality of first openings is formed between the first gates. A nitride layer is formed on the substrate in the memory region, and the nitride layer covers the first gates and the first openings. An oxide layer is formed on the substrate in the periphery region. A nitridization process is performed to nitridize the oxide layer into a nitridized oxide layer. A conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and the conductive layer includes a cover layer disposed on the substrate in the memory region and a plurality of second gates disposed on the substrate in the periphery region. The cover layer covers the nitride layer and fills the first openings.
US08440525B2
Methods for etching metal nitrides and metal oxides include using ultradilute HF solutions and buffered, low-pH HF solutions containing a minimal amount of the hydrofluoric acid species H2F2. The etchant can be used to selectively remove metal nitride layers relative to doped or undoped oxides, tungsten, polysilicon, and titanium nitride. A method is provided for producing an isolated capacitor, which can be used in a dynamic random access memory cell array, on a substrate using sacrificial layers selectively removed to expose outer surfaces of the bottom electrode.
US08440517B2
The disclosure relates to a fin field effect transistor (FinFET). An exemplary structure for a FinFET comprises a substrate comprising a top surface; a first insulation region and a second insulation region over the substrate top surface comprising tapered top surfaces; a fin of the substrate extending above the substrate top surface between the first and second insulation regions, wherein the fin comprises a recessed portion having a top surface lower than the tapered top surfaces of the first and second insulation regions, wherein the fin comprises a non-recessed portion having a top surface higher than the tapered top surfaces; and a gate stack over the non-recessed portion of the fin.
US08440515B2
In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor includes etching an opening into source/drain area of a semiconductor substrate. The opening has a base comprising semiconductive material. After the etching, insulative material is formed within the opening over the semiconductive material base. The insulative material less than completely fills the opening and has a substantially uniform thickness across the opening. Semiconductive source/drain material is formed within the opening over the insulative material within the opening. A transistor gate is provided operatively proximate the semiconductive source/drain material. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US08440510B2
The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is as follows: forming a gate electrode; forming a first insulating film over the gate electrode; performing halogen doping treatment on the first insulating film so that the first insulating film is supplied with a halogen atom; forming an oxide semiconductor film over the first insulating film so as to overlap with the gate electrode; performing heat treatment on the oxide semiconductor film so that a hydrogen atom is removed in the oxide semiconductor film; performing oxygen doping treatment on the oxide semiconductor film from which the hydrogen atom is removed so that the oxide semiconductor film is supplied with an oxygen atom; performing heat treatment on the oxide semiconductor film to which the oxygen atom is supplied; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film; forming a second insulating film.
US08440504B2
The present invention is related to a method for aligning and bonding a first element (1) and a second element (2), comprising: obtaining a first element (1) having at least one protrusion, the protrusion having a base portion (12) made of a first material and an upper portion (13) made of a second, deformable material, different from the first material; obtaining a second element (2) having a first main surface and second main surface (8) and at least one through-hole between the first and second main surface; placing the first and second element onto each other; receiving in the through-hole of the second element (2) the protrusion of the first element (1), the protrusion being arranged and constructed so as to extend from an opening of the through-hole in the first main surface to a position beyond an opening of the through-hole in the second main surface (8); deforming the deformable portion (13) of the protrusion, such that the deformed portion mechanically fixes the second element (2) on the first element (1).
US08440500B2
A light emitting device comprises a plurality of LED chips (“lateral” or “vertical” conducting) operable to generate light of a first wavelength range and a package for housing the chips. The package comprises: a thermally conducting substrate (copper) on which the LED chips are mounted and a cover having a plurality of through-holes in which each hole corresponds to a respective one of the LED chips. The holes are configured such that when the cover is mounted to the substrate each hole in conjunction with the substrate defines a recess in which a respective chip is housed. Each recess is at least partially filled with a mixture of at least one phosphor material and a transparent material. In a device with “lateral” conducting LED chips a PCB is mounted on the substrate and includes a plurality of through-holes which are configured such that each chip is directly mounted to the substrate. For a device with “vertical” conducting LED chips the LED chips are mounted on a diamond like carbon film.
US08440496B2
Conductive material grids or lines embedded or partially embedded in a transparent substrate of a solar cell. The grids or lines can have a higher conductivity than the anode or they can have the same conductivity. The grids or lines increase the volume of the anode and, thus decrease sheet resistance of the same.
US08440495B2
The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. A semiconductor substrate having a first-type conductivity is provided. A plurality of sensor elements is formed in the semiconductor substrate. An isolation feature is formed between the plurality of sensor elements. An ion implantation process is performed to form a doped region having the first-type conductivity substantially underlying the isolation feature using at least two different implant energy.
US08440483B2
A method of fabricating an array substrate including forming a first metal layer; forming a gate insulating layer and an active layer; forming a second metal layer; forming a gate line, an etch-stopper and a gate electrode by patterning the first and second metal layers; forming an interlayer insulating layer including an opening, wherein the opening corresponds to the etch-stopper such that the opening is divided into first and second semiconductor contact holes respectively exposing both sides of the active layer; forming first and second ohmic contact layers, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a data line, the first and second ohmic contact layers respectively contacting both sides of the active layer through the first and second semiconductor contact holes; removing an exposed portion of the etch-stopper; and forming a pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode.
US08440481B2
Manufacturing method of an electronic component including connecting one lead of a pair of leads to a surface parallel with a pn connection layer of an electronic element having a structure where the p-type layer and the n-type layer are connected by the pn connection layer provided between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, connecting another lead to another surface parallel with the pn connection layer; and forming a supporting part of the pair of the leads that is connected to and supporting the electronic element, and an electrode part functioning as an electrode, by bending the pair of the leads to an outside.
US08440468B2
Provided is a method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal in a biosensor that is used for detecting a biomolecule by measuring a change in frequency of an oscillating signal, the change being caused by pressure a biomolecule applies to a piezoelectric substance. The method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal comprises the steps of: (a) applying a sample to a probe being fixed to an upper portion of a substrate of the biosensor to allow a biomolecule in the sample to be bound to the probe; (b) applying protein tagged with a metal particle to the biosensor to allow the protein and the biomolecule to be bound with each other; and (c) applying a metal enhancer to the biosensor to allow the metal enhancer to be bound to the metal particle having been bound to the protein.
US08440465B2
A method for analyzing chemicals includes fractionating a complex sample into at least two sample portions that each include portions of two polypeptides though in different concentration ratios, digesting and performing LC/MS on each of the sample portions, and associating precursor ions observed via LC/MS with their corresponding polypeptide in response to LC/MS-provided intensity data. A set of precursor-ions that has substantially similar intensity ratios in both sample portions is determined to be associated with the same polypeptide.
US08440464B2
Provided is a method for conveniently and rapidly evaluating or selecting an adiponectin secretion regulator.The method for evaluating or selecting an adiponectin secretion regulator includes the following steps (A) to (C): (A) a step of administering a test substance to an experimental animal; (B) a step of inducing a sleep deprivation in the experimental animal; and (C) a step of measuring blood adiponectin level of the animal, and evaluating change of the blood adiponectin level.
US08440463B2
Disclosed is a method for predicting the risk of developing renal failure or mortality for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus. More specifically, a method is disclosed for predicting the risk of developing renal failure for a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus, the method including the steps of determining the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 in a sample of a subject suffering from diabetes mellitus and comparing the amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1 determined with reference amounts of PLGF and sFlt-1, whereby the risk of developing renal failure is predicted. Also disclosed are diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out the aforementioned methods.
US08440462B2
The invention relates to the use of a silanised hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or silanised hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) hydrogel, self-crosslinking as a function of pH, for the three-dimensional ex vivo culture of chondrocytes.
US08440456B2
The present invention provides the genome sequence of Pichia pastoris and manually curated annotation of protein-coding genes. The invention provides novel nucleic acids, proteins, and related expression vectors useful for genetic engineering of methylotrophic yeast strains, as well as engineered methylotrophic yeast strains particularly Pichia pastsoris, and use thereof for recombinant production of heterologous proteins including glycoproteins suitable for use in mammals including humans.
US08440440B2
Methods of treating using adipose tissue using ultrasonic cavitation to dissociate the fat cells and blood vessels contained within adipose tissue and thereby obtain mesenchymal or stromal vascular fractions for use in human subjects are provided. These methods preferably do not include the use of any exogenous dissociating enzymes such as collagenase and result in increased numbers of the cells which constitute the mesenchymal or stromal vascular fractions (about 10-fold greater) than methods which use collagenase to isolate these cells.
US08440433B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism of Corynebacterium ssp. having enhanced expression of gene for encoding molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis enzyme A and a method for producing L-lysine using the same, which has effects on providing the production method of L-lysine using the Corynebacterium strain having enhanced productivity of L-lysine by intensifying expression of the moaA gene for encoding molybdnum cofactor biosynthesis enzyme A.
US08440431B2
Materials and methods related to gene targeting (e.g., gene targeting with transcription activator-like effector nucleases; “TALENS”) are provided.
US08440430B2
A modified Dicer polypeptide is provided, which modified Dicer polypeptide exhibits enhanced catalytic activity. Also provided is a method for producing small regulatory RNAs from a dsRNA, involving contacting a dsRNA with a subject modified Dicer. Small regulatory RNAs produced by a subject method find use in a variety of applications, including research and therapeutic applications.
US08440426B2
Disclosed is a method for producing an antimutagenic substance by using a lactic acid bacteria, which can produce the antimutagenic substance in a large quantity in an extremely simple manner and is economically advantageous; particularly a method for producing an antimutagenic substance effective for a carcinogenic substance, particularly a heterocyclic amine (HCA) which is a carcinogenic substance derived from a food, by using a lactic acid bacteria. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing an antimutagenic substance by using a lactic acid bacteria, which is characterized by suspending the lactic acid bacteria in a poorly nutrient or nutrient-free medium and leaving the lactic acid bacteria in the medium. Preferably, the poorly nutrient or nutrient-free medium is selected from the group consisting of physiological saline, a phosphate-buffered saline without a calcium or magnesium salt (PBS (−)), a citrate buffer, a distilled water, an ion-exchanged water, a natural water, a well water, a tap water, a mineral-added water, a vitamin-added water, an ion supply beverage for an athlete and the like. More preferably, the lactic acid bacteria is Lactobacillus plantarum strain KK-2503 or Lactobacillus alimentarius strain KN-15.
US08440421B2
Modulation of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway is used to enhance the remodeling process relevant to a wide range of cardiac diseases. More specifically, a process to instigate beneficial human cardiac hypertrophy or for post myocardial infraction (MI) remodeling comprising illiciting an overexpression of ILK, is described. The ILK signaling pathway is also used as a means for cardiac stem cell proliferation and self-renewal.
US08440418B2
Materials and methods for using combinations of metabolic syndrome and HPA axis biomarkers for monitoring major depressive disorder.
US08440415B2
A method of detecting a proliferative disease, such as a disease associated with the abnormal expression of BORIS, in a mammal comprising testing for the expression of a BORIS isoform in the tissue of a mammal that does not express BORIS in the absence of disease, as well as a method of treating or preventing such a disease, isolated or purified BORIS isoform polypeptides and nucleic acids, and kits and arrays comprising same.
US08440413B2
Disclosed is a screening method which can select a substance having an influence on the binding between thioredoxin and MIF. The screening method is characterized in that a test substance capable of enhancing the binding between a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor is selected through the steps of mixing at least one binding substance selected from the substances (1) to (4) shown below with the test substance, allowing the binding substance to bind to the macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and confirming the binding between the binding substance and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor: (1) a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family; (2) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues in an amino acid sequence for a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family and has the same activity as that of a polypeptide belonging to the thioredoxin family; (3) a gene encoding the polypeptide (1); and (4) a gene encoding the protein (2).
US08440407B2
The present disclosure provides a method for cancer relapse prediction that provides higher resolution grading than Gleason score alone. In particular, the method provides for prediction of prostate cancer relapse that correlates gene expression of each individual signature gene and deriving a prostate cancer gene expression (GEX) score in the plurality of prostate cancer tissue samples; and correlating said GEX score with the clinical outcome for each prostate carcinoma tissue sample. A set of signature genes is provided that encompasses all or a sub-combination of GI_2094528, KIP2, NRG1, NBL1, Prostein, CCNE2, CDC6, FBP1, HOXC6, MKI67, MYBL2, PTTG1, RAMP, UBE2C, Wnt5A, MEMD, AZGP1, CCK, MLCK, PPAP2B, and PROK1.
US08440406B2
Described herein are methods for increasing the annealing specificity of an amplification reaction using Iso-base Amplification Primers (“IAPs”). IAPs containing an iso-region are capable of regulating sequence-specific annealing thereby enhancing primer-template hybridization for sequence-specific amplification of nucleotides.
US08440403B2
An apparatus for investigating a molecule comprising a channel provided in a substrate, a metallic moiety capable of plasmon resonance which is associated with the channel in a position suitable for the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety to interact with a molecule passing therethrough, means to induce a molecule to pass through the channel, means to induce surface plasmon resonance in the metallic moiety; and means to detect interaction between the electromagnetic field produced by the metallic moiety and a molecule passing through the channel. Methods of investigating molecules are also provided.
US08440398B2
A factor affecting sensitivities to anticancer agents is analyzed and the validity of the factor is demonstrated.The present invention provides a method for predicting sensitivities to 5-fluorouracil-based anticancer agents using the copy number of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene as an indicator. Also disclosed are a kit and primers for use in predicting sensitivities to 5-fluorouracil-based anticancer agents.
US08440397B2
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for acquiring nucleotide sequence information of target sequences using adaptors interspersed in target polynucleotides. The sequence information can be new, e.g. sequencing unknown nucleic acids, re-sequencing, or genotyping. The invention preferably includes methods for inserting a plurality of adaptors at spaced locations within a target polynucleotide or a fragment of a polynucleotide. Such adaptors may serve as platforms for interrogating adjacent sequences using various sequencing chemistries, such as those that identify nucleotides by primer extension, probe ligation, and the like. Encompassed in the invention are methods and compositions for the insertion of known adaptor sequences into target sequences, such that there is an interruption of contiguous target sequence with the adaptors. By sequencing both “upstream” and “downstream” of the adaptors, identification of entire target sequences may be accomplished.
US08440393B2
A gene profiling signature for ovarian tumor endothelial cells is disclosed herein. The gene signature can be used to diagnosis or prognosis an ovarian tumor, identify agents to treat an ovarian tumor, to predict the metastatic potential of an ovarian tumor and to determine the effectiveness of ovarian tumor treatments. Thus, methods are provided for identifying agents that can be used to treat ovarian cancer, for determining the effectiveness of an ovarian tumor treatment, or to diagnose or prognose an ovarian tumor. Methods of treatment are also disclosed which include administering a composition that includes a specific binding agent that specifically binds to one of the disclosed ovarian endothelial cell tumor-associated molecules and inhibits ovarian tumor in the subject.
US08440391B2
The invention disclosed in this patent document relates to transmembrane receptors, more particularly to a human G protein-coupled receptor for which the endogenous ligand is unknown (“orphan GPCR receptors”), and most particularly to mutated (non-endogenous) versions of the human GPCRs for evidence of constitutive activity.
US08440385B2
A positive resist composition including a base component (A′) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid and generates acid upon exposure, the base component (A′) including a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a0-1) represented by general formula (a0-1), a structural unit (a0-2) which generates acid upon exposure and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 represents a divalent linking group, and R3 represents a cyclic group containing —SO2— within the ring skeleton thereof).
US08440382B2
A method of stably producing a toner is provided. This method provides a long-term stabilization of material dispersion in a colorant-dispersed solution and inhibits segregation of the material and provides a more microfine and more uniform dispersion of the colorant in the toner, and moreover produces a toner that has a sharp toner particle diameter distribution. This method of producing toner has at least a colorant dispersion step of obtaining a colorant-dispersed solution by dispersing a pigment-containing colorant in a liquid mixture that contains the colorant and a dissolved resin solution or a polymerizable monomer, wherein the liquid mixture contains a nonionic surfactant and the nonionic surfactant has at least an oxyalkylene group and has a hydrophile-lipophile balance value (HLB value) of 9.0 or more and 17.0 or less.
US08440381B2
The present disclosure is drawn to compositions and methods for a liquid electrophotographic ink printing. The composition comprises a liquid vehicle; ink particles; and a charge director system, comprising i) a primary charge component, ii) a secondary charge component, and iii) an electrical stability additive; such that the charge director system provides the following ink conductivities: a high field conductivity of about 100 pS/cm to about 500 pS/cm, a low field conductivity of about 20 pS/cm to about 200 pS/cm, a direct charge conductivity less than about 30 pS/cm, and a particle conductivity of at least 100 pS/cm. Additionally, the liquid electrophotographic ink can be formulated for printing from a liquid electrophotographic printer.
US08440380B2
A toner containing core particles each containing at least a resin A having a polyester skeleton and a colorant; and vinyl resin fine particles each of which encapsulates a resin B having at least a polyester skeleton and an endothermic peak measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at 40° C. to 110° C., wherein the vinyl resin fine particles are attached onto each of the core particles.
US08440378B2
An electrostatic image developing toner includes a binding resin and a release agent, wherein an organic silicon compound including a siloxane bond is present in a domain of the release agent.
US08440375B2
An exposure method for exposing a bright-dark pattern onto each exposure region of a substrate via a projection optical system includes a position detection process for detecting positions of a plurality of microscopic regions in a unit exposure field of the substrate, a deformation calculation step of calculating a state of deformation in the unit exposure field based on information related to the positions of the plurality of microscopic regions obtained in the position detection step, and a shape modification step of modifying the shape of the bright-dark pattern to be exposed on the substrate based on the deformation state obtained in the deformation calculation step. The microscopic regions detected in the position detection step include a circuit pattern formed in the unit exposure field.
US08440374B2
A colored curable composition with which a coating film having excellent uniformity and surface planarity can be formed even when the support (substrate) has irregularities, and which exhibits excellent developability, and which is capable of forming a high-resolution colored pattern, is provided. The colored curable composition includes: (A) a polymer that contains a structural unit having a carboxyl group bonded to a main chain thereof via a linking group containing an ester group; (B) a photopolymerization initiator; (C) a polymerizable compound; (D) a pigment; and (E) a dispersant containing a phosphoric acid group.
US08440372B2
A single field photomask includes a first set of targets formed on a first side of the photomask, and a second set of targets formed on a second side of the photomask, opposite the first side. In operation, the photomask is to be applied to a wafer without any alignment marks. The photomask forms a first set of alignment marks in the wafer from the first set of targets, and the photomask further forms a second set of alignment marks in the wafer from the second set of targets. The first set of alignment marks is used to align to a first field mask and the second set of alignment marks is used to align to a second field mask to stitch an image of the first field mask to an image of the second field mask.
US08440364B2
A membrane electrode assembly includes an solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The cathode has a stacked body of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer has platinum-cobalt-supporting carbon particles and an ion conductor. The ratio (P2/P1) of the pore volume P2 (ml/g) per gram of catalyst layer in a second micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.1 μm to less than 1 μm, over the pore volume P1 per gram of catalyst layer in a first micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.01 μm to less than 0.1 μm, is in a range of 3.8 to 8.3.
US08440363B2
The present invention relates to an electrode for a fuel cell containing a catalyst layer, a gas diffusion layer including a conductive substrate, and a micro-porous layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer and including a conductive material and a dispersant.
US08440358B2
A method of operating a fuel cell system on a by-product gas containing a fuel constituent. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer for forming a reformate stream, a combustor for supplying heat energy to the fuel reformer, and a fuel cell stack. The method includes the steps of separating a by-product gas into a purified gas stream and a residual stream with a gaseous fuel purifier, feeding the purified gas stream to the fuel reformer configured to transform the purified gas stream to produce a reformate stream, and feeding the residual gas stream to a combustor configured to provide heat energy to the fuel reformer. The purified gas stream contains a higher concentration of preferable fuel constituents and a lower concentration of contaminants than the residual gas stream.
US08440355B2
The present invention relates to an equalizing electrode plate with insulated split-flow conductive structure, which is a specifically installed insulated split-flow conductive structure with internal conductive body coated with insulator; one end of the insulated split-flow conductive structure connects to the electric energy input/output terminal of the electrode plate, and another end connects to the electrode plate area farther away from the electric energy input/output terminal and/or with larger impedance in the electrode plate; thus the dedicated insulated split-flow conductive structure connects with the electric energy input/output terminal to specifically transmit the electric energy therebetween.
US08440348B2
The external terminal 19 has sword-guard portion 191 provided with a terminal portion 193 formed at one end thereof and a cylindrical crimping member 192 formed at another end thereof, the cylindrical crimping member 192 being inserted through openings each formed at a first insulating member 211, the opening-sealing plate 13, a second insulating member 212 and the collector 181, and being crimped in a diameter-enlarging direction, so that the sword-guard portion 191 of the external terminal 19, the opening-sealing plate 13 and the collector 181 are mechanically-fixed and a thin-walled portion made thinner than other portions formed in a tip portion of the cylindrical crimping member 192 is adhered to the collector, and the thin-walled portion 194 and the collector being welded with a high energy beam.
US08440345B2
Disclosed herein is a battery pack wherein a rectangular battery having an electrode assembly and an electrolyte contained therein in a sealed state is received in a pack case, and an insulating material is filled in a space defined between the inner surface of the upper end of the pack case and the upper end of the battery, whereby the battery pack is manufactured with a reduced thickness, the assembly process of the battery pack is very simple, and short circuit of the battery pack or suspension of power supply from the battery pack, which may occur as the battery is moved, is effectively prevented even when the battery pack falls down or external impacts are applied to the battery pack.
US08440331B2
A magnetic material is disclosed including a two-dimensional array of carbon atoms and a two-dimensional array of nanoholes patterned in the two-dimensional array of carbon atoms. The magnetic material has long-range magnetic ordering at a temperature below a critical temperature Tc.
US08440329B2
A glazing for thermal control and heating is provided. The glazing includes a transparent substrate including glass and provided with a thin-film stack including a plurality of functional layers. The thin-film stack includes at least three silver-based functional layers. The thin-film stack has a resistance R<1.5Ω per square.
US08440323B2
The invention relates to a process for making a hot stamped coated steel sheet product, comprising the steps of pre-coating a steel strip or sheet with aluminum- or aluminum alloy, cutting said pre-coated steel strip or sheet to obtain a pre-coated steel blank, heating the blank in a furnace preheated to a temperature and during a time defined by diagram according to thickness, at a heating rate Vc between 20 and 700° C. comprised between 4 and 12° C./s and at a heating rate Vc′ between 500 and 700° C. comprised between 1.5 and 6° C./s, to obtain a heated blank; then transferring said heated blank to a die, hot stamping the heated blank in the die obtain a hot stamped steel sheet product, cooling at a mean rate Vr between the exit of the heated blank from the furnace, down to 400° C., of at least 30° C./s.
US08440320B2
An article includes a substrate made of carbon fiber and zirconium diboride composites; an chromium layer deposited on the substrate; an chromium diffusing layer formed between the substrate and the chromium layer; and a iridium layer deposited on the chromium layer opposite to the chromium diffusing layer.
US08440317B2
A protective film for a polarizing membrane is provided which is prevented in light leakage generation, and excellent in moldability. The protective film contains a polyamide resin, and is subjected to an orientation (e.g., a drawing) to have a retardation value of not less than 300 nm. The polyamide resin may also contain an alicyclic polyamide resin, e.g., a resin whose monomers are an alicyclic diamine and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The polyamide resin may have microcrystallinity. The Abbe number of the polyamide resin may be not less than 40.
US08440316B2
A malodor transmission-resistant plastic finding employment in cassettes housing flexible tubular material.
US08440313B2
Disclosed herein is a crosslinkable thermoset monomer. The crosslinkable thermoset monomer has acetylene groups as crosslinking groups introduced at both ends of the backbone. Also disclosed herein is a composition for producing a printed circuit board which comprises the crosslinkable thermoset monomer. The composition exhibits excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, the composition can be used as a material for next-generation boards that are becoming lighter in weight and smaller in size and thickness. Also disclosed herein is a printed circuit board using the composition.
US08440310B2
A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) and/or heat bent in certain example instances. In certain example embodiments, a zinc stannate based layer is provided between a tin oxide based layer and a silicon nitride based layer, and this has been found to significantly reduce undesirable mottling damage upon heat treatment/bending. This results in significantly improved bendability of the coated article in applications such as vehicle windshields and the like.
US08440305B2
A sheet which has a substrate layer containing from 21 to 87 mass % of a polycarbonate resin, from 7 to 68 mass % of a polyalkylene terephthalate resin and from 3 to 30 mass % of carbon black, and a surface layer containing from 19 to 86 mass % of a polycarbonate resin, from 6 to 67 mass % of a polyalkylene terephthalate resin and from 5 to 35 mass % of carbon black, laminated on one side or both sides of the substrate layer by extrusion, co-extrusion or extrusion coating, where the sheet has a burr incidence ratio of at most 4%, and a carrier tape using the sheet.
US08440303B2
In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) comprises a cemented carbide substrate including a first cemented carbide portion and a second cemented carbide portion bonded to the first cemented carbide portion and exhibiting an erosion resistance that is greater than the first cemented carbide portion. The PDC further comprises a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the first cemented carbide portion. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween, with the plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions.
US08440302B2
A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.
US08440301B2
The invention is directed toward a method and apparatus which can be used to allow the sputter deposition of material onto at least one article to form a coating on the same. The new form of magnetron described herein allows an increase in sputter deposition rates to be achieved at higher powers and without causing damage to the coating being created. This can be achieved by improved cooling and use of a relatively high magnetic field in the magnetron while at the same time increasing the power to the magnetron by increasing the current at a rate faster than the voltage.
US08440299B2
A composite dielectric material having a plurality of particle cores, each surrounded by polymer strands that are chemically bonded to the surface of the particle core. Each polymer strand includes a linker, through which the polymer strand is attached to the surface, an interfacial core-shielding (ICS) group bound to the linker, and a polymer molecule bound to the ICS group. The ICS groups are designed to inhibit electrical breakdown of the composite dielectric material by (i) deflecting or scattering free electrons away from the particle cores and/or (ii) capturing free electrons by being transformed into relatively stable radical anions. Representative examples of the particle core material, linker, ICS group, and polymer molecule are titanium dioxide, a phosphonate group, a halogenated aromatic ring, and a polystyrene molecule, respectively.
US08440294B2
A structural color body is film-like and formed of a resin layer containing a block copolymer, the resin layer has a micro-phase separated structure including lamellar micro domains, each of the micro domains has a wave-like shape having amplitudes in the thickness direction of the structural color body, and in each of the micro domains, a maximum value of distances in the direction between the tops of convexities and the bottoms of concavities is larger than the wavelength in the visible light range.
US08440281B2
Disclosed are stabilized blends of polyester and polyamide. The polymer blends are stabilized with A) a combination of stabilizers a) acetaldehyde scavengers and b) stabilizers selected from phenolic antioxidants, organic phosphorus stabilizers and lactone stabilizers or B) a combination of c) lactone stabilizers and d) stabilizers selected from phenolic antioxidants and organic phosphorus stabilizers. The present blends exhibit reduced color formation, a high level of whiteness/brightness and acceptably low haze formation upon heat treatment. The blends are useful to make bottles, containers and films for drinks, food and cosmetics and the like. The polyester is in particular polyethylene terephthalate, PET, and the polyamide is in particular polyamide-MXD6. Heat treatment is for example melt extrusion or solid state polymerization, SSP.
US08440279B2
This element (2) is of the type including a hollow elongate body (4) made of metal and having a closed section; and a continuous second body (6) made of plastics material overmolded on the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) including at least two rings (24) surrounding the metal first body (4), the rings (24) being longitudinally spaced part. In any cross-section of the metal first body (4), the plastics material second body (6) is situated entirely outside the outline of the metal first body (4), and the ratio of the axial length of each ring (24) over the longitudinal distance between the rings (24) is less than 1. The invention is applicable to the front faces of motor vehicles.
US08440277B2
Disclosed is an intrinsically stable shirred, tubular, single-layer or multilayer food casing that preferably has a sigma-5 value (longitudinal/transversal, measured in a moist state) of less than 20/20 N/mm2. Said casing is preferably shirred at a ratio of 100:1 or more, preferably 120:1 to 500:1, and is essentially made of synthetic polymers. The shirred casing can be stored and transported without using a net-type envelope and is particularly suitable for processing on fully automatic sausage stuffing, portioning, clipping, and twisting devices.
US08440274B2
Electronic devices may have sensitive circuitry. To determine whether an electronic device has been exposed to excessive amounts of moisture, the electronic device may be provided with a moisture indicator. The moisture indicator may have a wicking layer of white paper and a red dye layer. If a portion of the moisture indicator is exposed to moisture, red dye may bleed into the white paper. The moisture indicator may be mounted in an input-output port opening or other portion of the electronic device where the state of the moisture indicator is visible. The moisture indicator may have sealed edges to reduce sensitivity to small amounts of moisture intrusion. Different regions of the moisture indicator may be provided with different sensitivities by forming structures that have altered moisture flow properties, by altering wicking layer thicknesses, or by otherwise spatially modifying moisture sensitivity.
US08440272B2
A method for fabricating and testing a wafer includes forming metal traces with metal pads, wherein forming the metal traces include forming a TiW layer on a passivation layer and on pads, next forming a seed layer on the TiW layer, next forming a photoresist layer on the seed layer, next forming a metal layer on the seed layer exposed by openings in the photoresist layer, next removing the photoresist layer, next removing the seed layer not under the metal layer, and then etching the TiW layer not under the metal layer with an etchant containing H2O2 at a temperature of between 35 and 50° C., or with an etchant containing H2O2 and with ultrasonic waves applied to the etchant, next contacting probe tips of a probe card with some of the metal pads, next cleaning the probe tips until repeating the step of contacting the probe tips with some of the metal pads at greater than 100 times, and then after cleaning the probe tips, repeating the step of contacting the probe tips with some of the metal pads.
US08440270B2
A film deposition apparatus which comprises: a processing chamber having a space inside which serves as a vacuum space to which a film deposition gas is supplied; a substrate supporting unit which is disposed in the vacuum space and supports a substrate; a coil which inductively heats the substrate supporting unit to thereby form a film from the film deposition gas on the substrate and which has been divided into regions; and a coil control unit which controls the coil region by region.
US08440261B2
A surface treating method for making a housing have a metallic glass main body comprising: coating a primer on the metallic glass main body to form a bottom layer; forming a plating layer on the bottom layer; coating an adhesive on the plating layer to form an adhesive layer; and coating a lacquer on the adhesive layer to form an outer layer.
US08440254B2
A method for preparing a multilayer of nanocrystals. The method includes the steps of (i) coating nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a photosensitive compound, or a mixed solution of a photosensitive compound and nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a material miscible with the photosensitive compound, on a substrate, drying the coated substrate, and exposing the dried substrate to UV light to form a first monolayer of nanocrystals, and (ii) repeating the procedure of step (i) to form one or more monolayers of nanocrystals on the first monolayer of nanocrystals. Further, an organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescence device using a multilayer of nanocrystals prepared by the method as a luminescent layer.
US08440251B2
Improved doughs containing dehydrated potato products, food products made from said doughs, and the methods for making the same are disclosed. Although the improved doughs contain non-ideal dehydrated potato products, processing efficiency and finished product quality are comparable to that of finished products made with doughs containing dehydrated potato products having from 40% to 60% broken cells and from 16% to 27% free amylose.
US08440243B2
A composition comprising various vitamins to make a multi-vitamin. The vitamins identified in multi-vitamin include vitamin B-1, vitamin B-2, niacinamide, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, pantothenic acid, folic acid, beta carotene, iron, biotin, choline, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. The multi-vitamin soothe pain, depression, weakness and insomnia and works best with variety of food and less dairy products. Lead combined with calcium effects are severe than lead effects only; it elevates blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight and cause frequent infections; bigger than normal dose of antibiotics need in infections; and variation in quantities of few vitamins are needed to soothe the symptoms.
US08440242B1
A alcohol metabolizing assisting supplement includes a mixture which includes humic and fulvic acids, L-Cysteine, L-Glutamine, thiamine mononitrate, and vitamins. The mixture is ingested after the consumption of alcohol to assist the body in quickly metabolizing the alcohol and to resist the negative effects of metabolizing alcohol.
US08440237B2
Disclosed is a topical skin care composition and corresponding methods for their use comprising Arctium lappa (Burdock) root extract, Epilobium angustifolium (Canadian Willowherb) extract, or Cystoseira amentacea/Caespitosa Brachycarpa extract, or any combination thereof.
US08440230B2
The present invention is related to a formulation based on micronized natural calcite mineral consisting of: A. mineral part which is characterized: (i) by the particle size with diameter smaller than 5 μm, where the distribution of particle size is such that minimum of 10% of particles are with diameter under 900 nm, with total surface of particles greater than 3.2 m2/g, and with total porous volume greater than 0.012 cm3/g, and by composition: (ii) CaCO3, MgCO3, FeCO3, MnCO3, ZnCO3 and SiO2 in mixtures where CaCO3 is presented in amount from 10% to 99% of mineral part; and B. adjuvant selected from the group consisting of: wetting agent, drift-control agent at application by spraying, humic acid salt, amino-acids salts, complex of plant micro-nutrients, vitamin, plant hormone, nitrogen fertilizer, potassium salt, borate salt, molybdate salt, plant extract, chlorophyll, yeast extract, or mixture of these substances; where A. and B. form an aqueous suspension wherein percentage of A. and B. is lower than 5% by weight. The formulation from this invention is used as a plant booster and mineral fertilizer for stimulation of photosynthetic process in plants, stimulation of plants growth, reinforcement of plant resistance to physiological and anhydrous stress, reinforcement of resistance to different plant diseases, for improvement of nutrient absorption, for increasing crop yields, and for plant nutrition.
US08440216B2
Biocompatible intraocular implants include a steroid and a polymer associated with each other to facilitate release of the steroid into an eye for a period of time greater than about two months. The steroid may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the steroid may be associated with a polymeric coating having one or more openings effective to permit the steroid to be released into an external environment. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions. The steroid is released from the implant for more than about two months, and may be release for more than several years.
US08440215B2
A co-polyester which includes the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol. The co-polyester is injectable and absorbable into animal, such as human, tissue and can be used for facial cosmetic or reconstructive surgery of soft tissue. Another embodiment is directed to a method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and epsilon-caprolactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and a diol, and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.
US08440213B2
Concentrated microemulsions comprising: 1) 10-25 parts by weight of a pesticide with a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 1% l by weight and having a melting point from 10° C. to 60° C.; 2) 8-25 parts by weight of one or more solvents containing oxygen atoms, having a solubility in water at 20° C. lower than 5% by weight and the Hildebrand solubility parameter in the range 16-21 MPa1/2; 3) 10-20 parts by weight of a polyol; 4) 10-25 parts by weight of one or more non ionic surfactants having a HLB value from 9 to 15; 5) 2-10 parts by weight of one or more anionic surfactants; 6) water up to 100 parts by weight; wherein—the ratio by weight between 2) and 1) ranges from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) +5) and 1) is in the range 0.5:1-3:1;—the ratio by weight between 4) and 5) ranges from 1:1 to 4.1.
US08440199B2
The current invention provides a method for mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and/or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a patient, wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) administering a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) agonist to the patient; and (ii) administering an antagonist of CXCR4 to the patient. Also provided are uses of EPC and MSC harvested using the methods of the invention.
US08440194B2
Methods of treating, preventing or managing leukemias are disclosed. The methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound of the invention known as Revlimid® or lenalidomide. The invention further relates to methods of treatment using this compound with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy. Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms suitable for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.
US08440192B2
Methods for improving the biological and pharmaceutical properties of bispecific binding agents are described herein where the bispecific binding agents are able to target cells by a high affinity binding domain to a first cell surface marker that does not induce a significant biological effect and a low affinity binding domain that binds specifically to a second cell surface marker, causing a significant and desired biological effect. Compositions of such bispecific binding agents, uses for them, and kits containing them are also provided.
US08440188B2
Methods and compositions for the detection, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, primary and metastatic neoplastic diseases, including, but not limited to human sarcomas and carcinomas are described. In particular, specific antibodies are provided, which are capable of binding an epitope of Hsp70 that is extracellularly localized on diseased tissue and cells, in particular on tumor cells and infected cells.
US08440181B2
A micronutrient dosage unit which comprises two or more micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium in one or more specified ratios. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08440180B2
There is provided an anti-cancer composition comprising an aquatic microbial extract, and there is more particularly provided an anti-cancer composition comprising a Bacillus sp. strain extract.
US08440168B2
Compositions and methods for imaging and for chemotherapy and radiotherapy are disclosed. More particularly, the invention concerns agents comprising a targeting moeity comprising a beta-adrenergic receptor targeting compound conjugated or embedded with ethylenediamine. The present invention also concerns methods of application of such agents for imaging and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and kits for preparing a radiolabeled therapeutic or diagnostic agent.
US08440167B2
The present invention provides multiple modalities for detecting LOX-1. More particularly, an imaging composition is provided that allows for the in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic plaque.
US08440153B2
A method for preparing manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate from waste batteries containing manganese and zinc, and more particularly to a method for preparing manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate from waste batteries containing manganese and zinc. Zinc powder and activated carbon are added to a leached solution obtained from a continuous leaching process so as to remove heavy metals and organic materials from the leached solution, and then the leached solution is spray-dried to simultaneously obtain manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate at high-purity by a simple process without generating wastewater. An environmentally friendly waste battery recycling process is thereby provided, because it is not required to use additional chemical substances for neutralization titration or impurity removal in recovering manganese sulfate and zinc sulfate by leaching a waste battery powder.
US08440151B2
A system (10) for removing a pipettable substance from a pre-filled container (20), which is closed off by a top (30) having at least one opening area (40), comprises an opening tool (100) having a tube (110), which has a cross-section corresponding substantially to the shape of the opening area and which comprises at a distal end (120) an endpiece (140) extending substantially obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, which moves a part of the top (30) located inside the opening area (40) towards the container when the opening tool is applied, so as to form an opening in the top, and a point of attack (150) for a transporting tool (200). The opening tool (100) is designed to remain on the container (20) after use. Moreover, the system comprises a transporting tool (200) for moving the opening tool (100) through the lid, and a cannula (250), which is adapted to be inserted over at least part of its length through the tube (110) into the interior of the container (20), in the position of use of the opening tool (100), and one end of which can be connected to a suction device (300) for sucking a pipettable substance out of the interior of the container (20).
US08440121B2
A bulk dielectric material can include a solid composite material having a solid matrix material and a plurality of filler elements distributed within the matrix material. The bulk dielectric material can have, at a frequency of greater than 1 MHz, (i) a permittivity with a real part of magnitude greater than 10 and an imaginary part of magnitude less than 3, and (ii) an electrical breakdown strength greater than 5 kV/mm and can have a minimum dimension greater than 2 mm.
US08440117B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a biaxial polynorbornene-film having a compensation film which has good light transmittance and a uniform in-plane retardation value and can function as both a negative C-plate and an A-plate.
US08440102B2
An object is to provide a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase in a wide temperature range. Another object is to provide a liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase, with which high contrast can be provided, in a liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal composition which exhibits a blue phase includes: a nematic liquid crystal including a compound represented by a structural formula (100) (PPEP-5FCNF (abbreviation)); and a chiral agent. In a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is formed using the liquid crystal composition including a nematic liquid crystal including a compound represented by a structural formula (100) (PPEP-5FCNF (abbreviation)) and a chiral agent, and the liquid crystal composition exhibits a blue phase.
US08440095B1
A corrosion inhibiting deicer composition includes an aqueous extract of corn stillage. The composition may be combined with a freezing point suppression agent to exhibit a freezing point of less than −35° C. The composition may be applied as a deicer to corrosion-susceptible materials without substantial risk of corrosion.
US08440093B1
The presence of a detectable entity within a detection volume of a microfabricated elastomeric structure is sensed through a change in the electrical or magnetic environment of the detection volume. In embodiments utilizing electronic detection, an electric field is applied to the detection volume and a change in impedance, current, or combined impedance and current due to the presence of the detectable entity is measured. In embodiments utilizing magnetic detection, the magnetic properties of a magnetized detected entity alter the magnetic field of the detection volume. This changed magnetic field induces a current which can reveal the detectable entity. The change in resistance of a magnetoresistive element may also reveal the passage of a magnetized detectable entity.
US08440085B2
Devices and methods for separating plasma from biological fluids such as blood and blood products are disclosed.
US08440079B2
A liquid filter arrangement is provided, as well as methods of assembly and use. Advantageous features, relating to a preferred filter cartridge and a preferred slide arrangement, are provided.
US08440069B2
Method of isolating active resins from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil includes providing a HSDP crude oil, deasphalting the HSDP crude oil into at least a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction and a first asphaltenes fraction, deasphalting the first asphaltenes fraction to isolate active resins from a second asphaltenes fraction, and combining the DAO fraction and the second asphaltenes fraction to form a de-resinated crude. Method of using components isolated from a high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil includes providing a HSDP crude oil, deasphalting the HSDP crude oil into at least a deasphalted oil (DAO) fraction and a first asphaltenes fraction, deasphalting the first asphaltenes fraction to isolate active resins from a second asphaltenes fraction, and selecting at least one of the DAO fraction, the active resins, or the second asphaltenes fraction for use in a refinery process.
US08440065B1
The invention provides an electroplating composition, method, and improved apparatus, which enables electroplating tin-silver alloys at high speed and without burning. The composition is an aqueous acidic solution including salts of stannous tin and a monovalent silver, and a complexing agent selected from the group consisting of thiocarbazides and thiohydrazides, and optionally an aldehyde and/or dialdehyde organic brightener compound. A sulfonic acid and a surfactant may also be included. The improved apparatus provides a protective structure substantially surrounding the anode(s) to decrease turbulence and the problematic silver displacement reaction.
US08440063B2
The present invention provides a device and methods of use thereof in concentrating a species of interest and/or controlling liquid flow in a device. The methods make use of a device comprising a fluidic chip comprising a planar array of channels through which a liquid comprising a species of interest can be made to pass with at least one rigid substrate connected thereto such that at least a portion of a surface of the substrate bounds the channels, and a high aspect ratio ion-selective membrane is embedded within the chip, attached to at least a portion of the channels. The device comprises a unit to induce an electric field in the channel and a unit to induce an electrokinetic or pressure driven flow in the channel.
US08440061B2
A device for use with an RF generating source, a first electrode, a second electrode and an element. The RF generating source is operable to provide an RF signal to the first electrode and thereby create a potential between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device comprises a connecting portion and a current sink. The connecting portion is operable to electrically connect to one of the first electrode, the second electrode and an element. The current sink is in electrical connection with the connection portion and a path to ground. The current sink comprises a voltage threshold. The current sink is operable to conduct current from the connecting portion to ground when a voltage on the electrically connected one of the first electrode, the second electrode and the element is greater than the voltage threshold.
US08440060B2
An electrode surface coating for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.
US08440056B2
Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.
US08440055B2
A pressing arrangement including at least one first fabric and second fabric both being permeable. A paper web is disposed between the first fabric and the second fabric. A pressure producing element is in contact with the first fabric. A support surface of a supporting structure is in contact with the second fabric. A differential pressure is provided between the first fabric and the support surface that acts on the first fabric, the paper web, and the second fabric, whereby the paper web is subjected to mechanical pressure and experiences a predetermined hydraulic pressure so as to cause water to be drained from the paper web. The pressing arrangement is structured and arranged to allow air to flow in a direction from the first fabric through the paper web and through the second fabric.
US08440053B2
A method for inhibiting deposition of multivalent saturated fatty acids on paper sizing equipment and/or devices which use a paper surface sizing composition containing one or more surface sizing starches and a source of multivalent cations, such as a multivalent metal drying salt, by including a C16 or higher saturated fatty acid solubilizing and dispersing surfactant in the paper surface sizing composition. Also, a paper surface sizing system for carrying out this method.
US08440047B2
A belt having stretch reduction features is provided, along with a method for producing a belt having reduced stretch characteristics. The belt is formed of a jacket and a stretch reduction element. The stretch reduction element is formed of a material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the jacket. Additionally, the stretch reduction element is formed by bathing the stretch reduction element to a reactive fluid in an oxidizing atmosphere.
US08440043B1
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for severing elastic in an advancing elastic laminate. A continuous elastic laminate may be formed by bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. As discussed in more detail below, the continuous elastic laminate may advance through a cutting apparatus that intermittently deactivates or severs the elastic strands of the elastic laminate along the machine direction.
US08440035B2
A ceramic multi-layered interconnection substrate can be manufactured by using a stack including a plurality of ceramic layers with division grooves in the uppermost layer, at least one intermediate layer, and the lowermost layer. The substrate can be manufactured by forming division grooves in respective green sheets other than the uppermost and lowermost ones at adjacent package boundaries, pressing them to be stacked, forming division grooves in the uppermost and lowermost sheets at the adjacent package boundaries, firing them to be ceramic layers, and breaking the ceramic layers along the division grooves to separate individual packages, thus preventing failure and preventing the generation of burrs, chips, and the like.
US08440025B2
A water-conducting domestic appliance having a drain pump, a controller to activate the drain pump, and a water safety switch that has a first switch position to react to escaping water, wherein the water safety switch is connected to the controller. If a fault causes water to escape, the water safety switch switches into the first switch position so as to connect the controller to an electrical mains.
US08440022B2
A method for extraction of sugar from a sugar containing biomass is disclosed, wherein the sugar containing biomass a) is introduced in an extraction device (1), b) is treated with steam having a temperature of between 103 and 124° C., c) is treated in one or more steps with hot water having a temperature of 65-85° C., and d) is subjected to one or more compression steps, wherein a sugar containing solution is extracted from the sugar containing biomass in each of the steps c) and d) in the extraction device (1) and is removed from the extraction device (1), said method being continuously performed at an overpressure of 0.2-1.5 bar in the extraction device (1).
US08439983B2
Provided is a sealed battery that can offer excellent battery performances by having its electrode terminal and a current collector securely welded to each other, and its manufacturing method. The sealed battery is formed by hermetically sealing a casing storing an electrode assembly and the current collector, wherein: the electrode assembly formed by layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator sandwiched therebetween is electrically connected to the current collector; and a shaft portion of the electrode terminal penetrates through the current collector. A part of the electrode terminal projecting out from a pass-through of the current collector is a (conical) frustum-shaped portion whose bottom base is in contact with the current collector. The frustum-shaped portion is pressed against the current collector, and the frustum-shaped portion and the current collector are welded together in at least one area on a perimeter of the bottom base of the frustum-shaped portion.
US08439979B2
An artificial contractile structure generally devised to be used in the medical field to assist the functioning of an organ, includes a support (2) and one or more fibers (5) fixed thereto. The fibers are made of a contractile material which can be activated by an activator so as to provide the structure in a rest or activated position, the activated position being defined with fibers of reduced length compared to their length in the rest position. The structure is adapted to be placed around a hollow part of an organ to be contracted. The fibers are distributed along the support in order to be able to reduce the volume of the hollow part, when the fibers are contracted. The fibers and the activator are designed so that the temperature of fluids or tissues surrounding the organ does not increase above 40° C., preferably 39° C., and more preferably 38° C.
US08439974B2
The present invention relates to a method of determining the IOL refractive index for an ocular replacement material for replacing tissue in the capsular bag comprising combining a neutral (non-correcting) reference refractive index (“NRRI”) of between 1.421 and 1.450 with a refractive index correction factor (“RICF”) ascertained by reference to the refractive power required to correct the patient's refractive error. The present invention also relates to methods of treating presbyopia, myopia and hyperopia using the above method.
US08439973B2
An intraocular lens (IOL) injector for delivering an IOL into an eye of a patient. The injector includes an IOL load chamber and connected delivery tube, and a push rod for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The push rod is guided and biased against one side of the injector load chamber. The injector may include an inflatable pusher for urging the IOL through the delivery tube and out of a distal tip thereof. The inflatable pusher has a proximal end that may be open to an internal cavity of the injector, wherein a plunger movable in the injector cavity forces fluid such as air or saline into the pusher. A distal end of the pusher may be forked to capture a trailing end of the IOL, or may have a bulbous configuration to ensure the pusher does not pass the IOL.
US08439963B2
A device (10) for maintaining fluid flow through at least one passage in a human or animal body, the device comprising two end portions (12, 14) for anchoring the device in position, and an intermediate portion (16) which allows movement of the end portions relative to each another, wherein the end portions and intermediate portion together define a pathway for fluid flow through the device. The device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of coronary heart disease by minimally invasive surgery, and the invention extends to a method for diverting fluid flow from one passage to another.
US08439962B2
An endoprosthesis deployment system includes an axial catheter, an outer sheath extending parallel to the axial catheter, and an inner sheath positioned transversely between the axial catheter and outer sheath, the inner sheath including first and second inner sheath sections extending along the axial catheter, each of said first and said second inner sheath sections mounted for axial movement relative to the other inner sheath section.
US08439961B2
A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.
US08439960B2
A method of providing hypothermia to a patient including the steps of inserting a fluid delivery member into a peritoneal cavity of the patient; delivering hypothermia fluid from a fluid source into the peritoneal cavity through the delivery member; and limiting fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity without providing feedback control to the fluid source. The invention also provides an apparatus for practicing the method.
US08439957B2
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a bone plate assembly that includes a bone plate, bone screw(s) received in aperture(s) in the bone plate, and screw fixation member(s). The screw fixation member(s) may, alone or in conjunction with the bone plate, fix the bone screw(s) in place when such bone screw(s) are inserted in the aperture(s) in the bone plate. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive) when the bone screw(s) have been received by the bone plate and inserted into bone and/or tissue, the bone plate assembly can-be used to fuse anatomical structures together (such as adjoining bones) and/or to heal a fracture in bone.
US08439953B2
A spinal stabilization system may include a pair of structural members coupled to at least a portion of a human vertebra with connectors. Connectors may couple structural members to spinous processes. Some embodiments of a spinal stabilization system may include fasteners that couple structural members to vertebrae. In some embodiments, a spinal stabilization system provides three points of fixation for a single vertebral level. A fastener may fixate a facet joint between adjacent vertebrae and couple a stabilization structural member to a vertebra. Connectors may couple the structural members to the spinous processes of the vertebrae. Use of a spinal stabilization system may improve the stability of a weakened or damaged portion of a spine. When used in conjunction with an implant or other device, the spinal stabilization system may immobilize vertebrae and allow for fusion of the implant or other device with vertebrae.
US08439943B2
A tourniquet includes a first and a second elements and a strap having one end winding around a human body and threading through the first element. The first element has a latch slot and a latch element. The second element has a coupling element at one end latchable with the latch element and the other end fastened to the strap. The first element has an upper and a lower cases and a brake unit inside. The upper and lower cases have respectively an upper and a lower openings threaded through by the strap. The brake unit has a detent edge at one end and an axle at the other end extended to form an actuating member movable with the brake unit about the axle, and an elastic element provides a force for the detent edge to butt the strap from the upper opening to the lower opening.
US08439937B2
A system, apparatus and method for maximizing efficiency of tissue removal from body passageways is provided. The system comprises a device for opening an occluded lesion, e.g., a rotational atherectomy device or angioplasty device, and a guide wire having an introducer sheath. The guide wire introducer sheath may comprise a hypo tube having columnar strength greater than that of the guide wire alone to assist the guide wire in crossing occluded lesions, wherein the sheath and guide wire are axially moveable relative to each other. The guide wire sheath may further comprise increased flexibility at its distal end to increase flexibility and/or a soft distal tip to help with steerability through the vasculature. The sheath may allow for a smaller outer diameter guide wire which, in turn, may allow for a smaller outer diameter on the occlusion-opening device, e.g., atherectomy or angioplasty device, which is slid over the pre-positioned guide wire.
US08439935B2
A process for surgical operations on a rectal/haemorrhoidal prolapse comprises stages of realising, in the anal canal, at least a first circular stitching at a first portion of a haemorrhoidal prolapse; realising at least a second circular stitching in a second portion of the haemorrhoidal prolapse, and nearing the first circular stitching and the second circular stitching in order to create a constriction of the haemorrhoidal prolapse. The invention also relates to a device, preferably for actuating the process, which comprises a hollow divaricator (17) having a prevalent development direction along a longitudinal axis (Z) and being insertable in a patient's anal orifice. The device further exhibits a window (29) defining an operational area and creating a communication between a cavity (17b) internal of the divaricator (17) and a portion of haemorrhoidal prolapse. The device further comprises means for opening and closing (31) the window (29).
US08439929B1
A method of preparing a graft material for a bone surface at a surgical site includes providing a first syringe having continuous side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein the syringe has a first end and a second end wherein the inner surface defines a chamber. An adapter is removably attached to the distal end of the syringe wherein the adapter has a throughbore in fluid communication with the chamber. A first selected amount of solid bone graft material is disposed within the chamber. A plunger is inserted into the chamber to define a selected volume between a distal end of the plunger and the second end of the first syringe. A second syringe containing a selected amount of a liquid biomaterial is attached to the adapter wherein the second syringe is in fluid communication with the adapter and the first syringe such that the liquid biomaterial is transferred from the second syringe to the first syringe. After a selected amount of time, the biomaterial forms a gel matrix containing the solid bone graft material. The adapter is removed to provide an unobstructed opening at the second end and the plunger is depressed to force the gel matrix from the chamber of the first syringe.
US08439909B2
The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow blood and other biological fluids to flow into and out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow produced the desired cooling effect and is accomplished, for example, by a reciprocating plunger or piston, or by a balloon that is alternately inflated and deflated.
US08439903B2
An ophthalmic surgery system for delivering light to a surgical site includes an ophthalmic surgical console including a light source to generate light and a processor operably coupled to the light source and a surgical handpiece operably coupled to the ophthalmic surgical console via an optical fiber for delivering light from the from the light source to a surgical site. The processor is configured to adjust the light source to ensure an output light level at the surgical site is substantially consistent over a period of time.
US08439901B2
A dermatological treatment device is disclosed for generating a matrix of two dimensional treatment spots on the tissue. A handpiece carries a laser which generates a beam of laser pulses. The pulses are focused onto the tissue with a lens system. A diffractive element is positioned between the laser and the lens system for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of sub-beams. A scanner translates the beam over the diffractive element to generate the two dimensional spot pattern. The laser has a semi-monolithic resonator design with one integral end minor defining the output coupler and a second, independent mirror for adjustment.
US08439891B1
A method for starting an intravenous fluid line (IV) is disclosed where a combination of a syringe body with hypodermic needle, a dual ampoule with separate reservoirs for bicarbonate and an anesthetic, a trocar and a cannula are configured so that the steps of injecting a wheal of a buffered anesthetic, retracting the needle tip, lancing a vein with the trocar, and withdrawing the trocar tip so that the cannula remains in place in the vein may be accomplished in a single coordinated action by one skilled in the method, such as with one hand while the other hand performs manipulations on the vein and IV site.
US08439889B2
The blood bag system includes: a blood treating filter for treating a blood; a first bag for containing therein a blood to be supplied to the blood treating filter; a second bag for containing therein the blood treated by the blood treating filter; storage solution supply which supplies a blood component storage solution to the blood treating filter; a third bag into which a blood remaining in the blood treating filter replaced by the blood component storage solution is transferred and in which the recovered blood is temporarily contained; and a fourth bag to which a blood component separated from the treated blood contained in the second bag is transferred and in which the transferred blood component is contained.
US08439887B1
The invention, a reusable adjustable diaper, includes: a multi-ply member having a first curvilinear portion connecting by a medial portion to a second curvilinear portion; a first elastomeric member connected to a first curved segment of multi-ply member and having a first plurality of fastening areas; a second elastomeric member connected to a second curved segment of multi-ply member and having a second plurality of fastening areas; a first plurality of fasteners connected to first curvilinear portion; a second plurality of fasteners connected to second curvilinear portion and disengagably fastenable with first plurality of fasteners; a third fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with first elastomeric member at each of first plurality of fastening areas; and a fourth fastener connected to multi-ply member and disengagably fastenable with second elastomeric member at each of second plurality of fastening areas.
US08439876B2
Injector systems including a syringe for use with a powered injector having a drive membre to inject a fluid into a patient having a first indicator positioned on the syringe at a predetermined position are described. The position of the first indicator may be associated with information about the syringe configuration. The first indicator can, for example, be positioned on a rear surface of an attachment flange of the syringe. The injector system includes sensors each having on and off states, and a shutter mechanism configured to place sensors in the on or off states. The state of each of the sensors provides a digital code corresponding to information on the syringe configuration.
US08439874B2
A flow control system that includes a vacuum device configured to control the level of vacuum applied for urging the flow of aspirated fluid from a surgical site, and a vacuum sensor configured to communicate a signal representative of the sensed vacuum level. A flow sensor control is configured to generate a signal indicative of the rate of aspirated fluid flow. A flow controller monitors the vacuum sensor and the flow measurement device, and communicates a requested vacuum level to the vacuum device for establishing a desired vacuum level. The flow controller employs a first feed back loop that compares the actual sensed vacuum level with the requested vacuum level and adjusts the requested vacuum level as needed. The flow controller implements a second feedback loop that compares the actual flow rate of aspirated fluid with a desired flow rate, and adjusts the requested vacuum level to achieve the desired flow rate.
US08439873B1
A peripherally inserted central venous catheter having a position indicator is used in a method of detecting movement of a catheter tip within a patient's superior vena cava. The PICC comprises a catheter having a proximal end with distance marks at measured intervals, an anchor wing system secured to the catheter's proximal end, at least one extension leg secured to the anchor wing system and the position indicator attached to the extension leg. The position indicator has an area for marking a distance signifying an initial external length of catheter which extends from the point the catheter enters the patient to the point it is attached to the anchor wing and/or marking an initial full length or the internal length of catheter which is fully within the patient. Any movement of the catheter's tip is detected by comparing the current external distance mark with the initial external distance mark.
US08439851B2
A lumen passability checking device includes: an expandable and shrinkable outer casing that contains a predetermined fluid, is expanded by a pressure of the contained fluid, and forms an external diameter substantially equal to that of a capsule medical device to be inserted into a body of a subject; and a shape manipulating unit that flows out the fluid contained in the outer casing to shrink-deform the outer casing. The outer casing is shrink-deformed by flowing out the fluid, while maintaining a state of being integrated with the shape manipulating unit.
US08439840B1
Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure.
US08439839B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a structure for adjusting the positional relationship between an ultrasonic transducer and a blood vessel for measuring an elasticity characteristic. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe including a transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by a tissue of a biological body; and a driving device for physically moving the transducer. For measuring the elasticity characteristic of the blood vessel, the driving device moves the transducer based on a control signal to change at least one of a direction and a position at which the ultrasonic wave is to be transmitted. A determination section specifies a position of the transducer at which the reflection intensity is maximum based on intensity information representing an intensity of the reflected wave. A calculation section calculates the elasticity characteristic of the blood vessel at the specified position.
US08439838B2
The invention relates to an inserter for a transcutaneous sensor comprising a sensor part e.g. for registration of the bloods content of glucose. The inserter comprises a needle unit comprising a needle hub and a carrier body, and a sensor housing. The sensor housing and the needle hub are releasably connected and when they are connected, the insertion needle is placed along the sensor e.g. surrounding the sensor wholly or partly. The carrier body guides the movement relative to the housing between a retracted and an advanced position. When released the needle unit and the sensor housing are forced by a spring unit to an advanced position where the needle and sensor are placed subcutaneously. The object of the invention is to provide a disposable inserter for a transcutaneous sensor which inserter is easy and safe for the user to handle during use and to dispose of after use.
US08439833B2
A ring for dilating a pupil during an ophthalmic procedure includes a series of spaced supports for engaging an iris perimeter. The supports are plate elements which form an open pocket directed outwardly for engaging the iris. The sides of the ring form a primary plane, and the plates are located in respective planes above and below the primary plane. The outer periphery of the top and bottom plates forms a lip feature which is the opening to the pocket which retains the iris.
US08439832B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08439827B2
In an endoscope, a solid-state image pickup device images an object, to output an image signal. In a processing apparatus, an illuminator applies normal light and specific light having spectral distribution different from the normal light to the object. A display control unit operates according to the image signal, to cause display of a normal image of the object produced by applying the normal light, and a specific image of the object produced by applying the specific light. A motion detector detects information of relative motion of the object. A controller controls the illuminator, causes alternate emission of the normal and specific light periodically at a storage period of the image pickup device if the motion information is equal to or smaller than a threshold level, and causes emission of the normal light without emitting the specific light if the motion information is greater than the threshold level.
US08439819B2
A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject.
US08439787B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, a first and a second intermediate member, and a planetary gear set, all of which are coaxial and define a first axis of rotation. A first and a second layshaft are arranged to define a second axis of rotation and a third axis of rotation, respectively. Each of five sets of intermeshing gears transfer torque from a respective one of the intermediate members to a respective one of the layshafts via engagement of different respective ones of nine torque-transmitting mechanisms. A set of transfer gears transfers torque from the layshafts to the output member. One of the torque-transmitting mechanisms grounds a member of the planetary gear set to a stationary member. The nine torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08439780B2
A tensioner for a belt drive, including a rigid element rotatably connected around a first axis and a couple of idle pulleys supported by a rigid element on opposing parts of axis and adapted to cooperate with respective sections of a belt of belt drive. The tensioner also includes a mobile element hinged to a second fixed axis carrying the first axis.
US08439778B2
An axial fixing and closure member arrangement including an insert element for producing a rotatable, but axially fixed connection between the rotary axle of the chain guide of a rear gear change mechanism for bicycles and the related lower pivot head by means of a spring element, wherein additionally the insert element also has a sealing effect by providing an integrated closure member.
US08439774B2
A pitching movement training device includes a ball, a plurality of pegs selectively secured at predetermined locations about the surface of the ball, and at least one band secured between adjacent pegs. The ball has a seam and at least one of the pegs being positioned adjacent the seam. The ball allows one to teach athletes proper hand positioning upon a ball while throwing specific pitches. The method includes providing the plurality of pegs and the ball, securing the pegs to the ball at predetermined locations about the outer surface of the ball, positioning a user's fingers relative to the pegs; and instructing the user to throw a pitch with a specific hand motion.
US08439768B1
A golf tool comprises a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, at least first and second prongs depending from the body for repairing a golf ball pitch-mark, an s-shaped serpentine structure extending from the upper portion of the body, the serpentine structure having a first end connected with and generally in vertical alignment with the body and a second end connected to a multi-purpose holder, the second end being offset from the body, the serpentine structure having a segment opposite the body defining a clip for clipping the golf tool to a golf bag, the multi-purpose holder having a shaft holder which is generally U-shaped and vertical in orientation, the multi-purpose holder separated from the body by the s-shaped serpentine structure, a channel having an axis which is generally horizontal and transverse to the shaft holder, wherein the golf tool is capable of a first position clipped to the golf bag and a golf shaft held in vertical orientation with the shaft holder, and a second position wherein the at least first and second prongs are positioned in the ground and a smoking article or golf club shaft is positioned in the channel to elevate from the ground.
US08439764B2
A drive plate for a torque converter, including: an annular shaped inner portion including an inner periphery for the drive plate and a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners for connection to a front cover of the torque converter; a plurality of outer portions along an outer periphery for the drive plate; and a respective drive tab for each outer portion. The respective drive tab includes: a top surface disposed outward from said each outer portion in an axial direction and substantially orthogonal to an axis of rotation for the drive plate; an opening in the top surface for receiving a fastener for connecting the drive plate to a flex plate; and first and second surfaces extending from the top surface and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation for the drive plate.
US08439759B1
External notifications related to virtual spaces, such as virtual game spaces may be provided to users. The notifications may provide an indication of events that have occurred in the virtual game spaces, offers of virtual goods, and/or other information related to the virtual game spaces. External notifications may be sent, for example, via email, text message, instant message (external from the virtual space), and/or through other external communication media. This may provide centralized and/or coordinated distribution of notifications for a plurality of different virtual game spaces.
US08439756B2
Gaming system having a display/input device configured to interactively operate with external device
A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. In various embodiments, the game table operates with one or more separate physical input devices, each having one or a plurality of the encoded patterns and each being sized and configured to be placed on top of the game table. The separate physical input devices enable the player to interact with the display/input device.
US08439752B2
A system and method of playing a multi-track musical composition during a wagering game in which musical tracks are successively added as bonus triggers occur, starting from an introduction portion of the musical composition and culminating in a main theme or chorus of the musical composition. Upon receipt of a wager input at a gaming terminal, a base wagering game is initiated during which several bonus triggers can occur, satisfying eligibility to conduct a bonus game. As each bonus trigger occurs, the musical composition adds a musical track to the introduction being played through audio speakers of the gaming terminal, increasing its instrumentation density to create a richer and denser sound. When the last bonus trigger occurs during the base wagering game, the music launches seamlessly from the introduction that has just been built up into the main theme or chorus of the music, which serves as the accompaniment music for the bonus game.
US08439747B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
US08439745B2
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed wherein a reveal request is initiated through a result reveal station by a person (user) who has previously made some purchase or donation and has been assigned one or more sweepstakes entries in an assignment order from a set of available sweepstakes entries for a sweepstakes game. This reveal request represents a request to reveal one or more of the results associated with the corresponding sweepstakes entries that have been assigned to the user. The reveal station employs a game presentation including various graphics and audio effects to show sweepstakes results in an entertaining fashion. In response to the reveal request, or perhaps even prior to the reveal request, one or more sweepstakes entries are selected to be revealed for the reveal request. The sweepstakes entries are selected in an order different from the order in which the sweepstakes entries were assigned to the user. The selection of entries is based on a set of game characteristics associated with the game presentation provided at the reveal station through which the reveal request is initiated.
US08439742B2
Methods, systems, and devices for adapting a Class II game to provide play characteristics of a Class III game are provided. Plays of the Class III game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class III award. Plays of the Class II game are simulated in a computer to obtain frequencies of occurrence of at least one Class II outcome. A Class III award is selected. A Class II outcome having a similar frequency of occurrence to the selected Class III award is selected. An award is defined for the selected Class II outcome according to the selected Class III award.
US08439740B2
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed that include generating a scannable physical gaming component associable with a game. The disclosed method also includes identifying a game structure at a player station through a scan of the gaming component, receiving a game play request from a player at the player station, associating the game structure with the game, and awarding the player based on the game outcome. Further disclosed is a group or community game with which the player may be associated upon game play request wherein a winner may be determined based upon the game outcomes at respective player stations.
US08439735B2
A system and method for adding a bonus round to any poker-style card game on a Nevada-style gaming machine. The bonus round is characterized by the existence of a match card. The match card is not part of the traditional poker hand (the “in-hand” cards) of the player, and only comes into play during a bonus round. The suit and value of the match card may be generated by the game machine or a remote game controller or backend server. The match card is then displayed in a manner visually associating the match card with one of the player's “in-hand” cards. A bonus is determined by evaluating the associated pair. Alternatively a bonus may be determined first, in which case the game machine determines a match card and associated card from the player's in-hand cards that is the equivalent of the predetermined bonus.
US08439733B2
Band members use their own performance during a song to reinstate a band member who has failed during the course of the song. Once a band member has failed, options are given to other members of the band who have achieved a predetermined bonus or performance level to save the fallen band member. Once saved, the failed member returns to normal play of the song. In this manner, failure still has the consequence of removing a player from a song at least temporarily, and perhaps permanently if bandmates are unable or unwilling to save the fallen member. However, by providing the option of reinstatement, band members can prevent their friends from long stretches of inactivity following a failure. This may have the added benefit of encouraging band members to perform strongly in order to be able to save their friends.
US08439732B2
A passive air valve for an HVAC module allows air to flow through a conditioning passage in a single direction. The valve can be disposed on a downstream side of a heat exchanger. The valve can inhibit back airflow from one of the conditioning passages to the other one of the conditioning passages.
US08439730B1
An apparatus and method for splitting and cleaning poultry gizzards. A poultry gizzard with proventriculus attached thereto is moved in sequence along a processing path, first along a pair of conveyor rollers that support the gizzard and pull the proventriculus downwardly between the conveyor rollers and then along a pair of engaging cutting spindles which sever the proventriculus from the gizzard. The gizzard is then transferred to a cutting station where a water knife cuts a slit into the gizzard, exposing the interior cavity of the gizzard and loosening ingest contained therein. The gizzard is then spread open by a spreading fin and adjoining rails that enter and enlarge the freshly cut slit. A water sprayer manifold then sprays pressurized water into the exposed cavity to flush and forcibly clean ingest out of the cavity.
US08439728B2
A reticle carrier for a polishing tool capable of accommodating a reticle includes a base plate with an obverse and reverse surfaces, a retaining ring secured to the obverse surface of the base plate forming a recess defined by the obverse surface of the rigid base plate and internal edges of the retaining ring. A reticle pad supports a reticle in the recess. The base plate and the reticle pad having an array of matching, aligned passageway holes therethrough for exhaustion of air from space between the base plate and a the reticle and for supply of air to that space so a vacuum can retain a the reticle in place on the reticle carrier under vacuum conditions and application of air under pressure can eject a reticle from the reticle carrier.
US08439725B2
With a method for the production of a precise prefabricated concrete part, especially in the form of a sleeper or a plate for a fixed track for rail-guided vehicles, the prefabricated concrete part is ground at the functionally relevant points to the predetermined size by means of a grooved roller. The device for this is a grinding machine with a grooved roller to grind the prefabricated concrete part at functionally relevant points to a predetermined size. The grooved roller is made of a wear resistant material, especially silicon carbide.
US08439720B2
A shooting toy used in a game for two or more players capable of allowing an opponent player to reliably receive an infrared ray signal even in an open air, e.g., under a scorching sun. The intensity of light included in a particular wavelength region around a toy is detected by an optical sensor 27. If the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is large, an infrared ray signal generating section 31 increases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated, whereas if the detected amount of light included in the particular wavelength region is small, the infrared signal generating section 31 decreases the intensity of the infrared ray signal to be generated. This prevents the infrared ray signal reception capability from being affected by the light included in the particular wavelength region around the toy.
US08439715B1
A support assembly for a trolling motor is disclosed whereby the trolling motor shaft is clamped into a separate threaded rack unit. A motor driving a gear engaged with the rack unit causes the trolling motor to be raised and lowered vertically. A spring is employed in the breakaway mounting assembly to allow the trolling motor propulsion unit to deflect upon striking an underwater obstacle, and thereby prevent damage to the trolling motor.
US08439714B2
An electrical connector for connecting a linear-array plural-contact tail of an in-body multi-contact medical electrode device. The connector includes an elongate body member defining an elongate void extending along the length of the body member. An array of electrical conductors are secured in the body member and project into the elongate void to facilitate electrical connection of the contacts on the tail when the plural-contact tail is in the elongate void. A cylindrical carrier member is rotatably contained in the elongate void, the carrier member itself forms a tail-receiving subvoid.
US08439708B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a metal shell enclosing the insulative housing. The metal shell includes a top wall defining a pair of slits each extending along a transverse direction, a cutout communicating with the slits and a L-shaped cantilevered arm residing in the slits and the cutout. The cantilevered arm includes a base portion protruding along the transverse direction and situated between the pair of slits and a deformable arm extending into the cutout along a mating direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. The deformable arm comprises a locking protrusion bent upwardly for locking with a notch of a mateable connector.
US08439707B2
A multi-conductor cable connector is provided, the connector including a cable connection portion, wherein the cable connection portion receives a prepared multi-conductor cable having a plurality of conductive strands concentrically sharing a common central axis, and a multi-contact portion coupled to the cable connection portion, the multi-contact portion having a plurality of contacts non-concentrically aligned with the cable connection portion. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08439695B2
A lever type connector is mated with a mating connector by operating a rotatable lever with a mating portion being received in a receiving space of the mating connector. The lever type connector includes a slider having a cam groove and is moved by rotation of the lever. The mating connector further includes a cam pin positioned on a mating housing and inserted into the cam groove. A rib that constitutes a cam pin displacement restricting body is placed between a front cover that constitutes a part of a housing of the lever type connector 1 and the mating housing in a region corresponding to the cam pin.
US08439694B2
A socket comprises an insulating housing receiving a plurality of contacts, and a pick-up cap engaging with the insulating housing. The pick-up cap has a planar main body covering the insulating housing. The main body is formed with two pivots on a side thereof. The insulating housing is formed with a plurality of sidewalls, one of the sidewall is provided with a pair of mounting seats on an outside thereof, each mounting seat defines a mounting hole with a gap, and the pivots of the pick-up cap enter into the mounting holes via the gaps to pivotally assemble the pick-up cap to the mounting seats.
US08439691B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals disposed in top and bottom surfaces of the insulating body, a holding body mounted to a rear of the insulating body and defining a plurality of positioning apertures penetrating vertically therethrough, and an insulating housing having a base body and a tongue board extending forward from a front of the base body. Each terminal has a soldering tail stretching downward beyond a bottom of the rear of the holding body to be positioned in the positioning aperture. A bottom of the tongue board defines a receiving recess extending longitudinally to penetrate through the base body. A rear end of the receiving recess penetrates downward through the base body to define an opening. The insulating body with the terminals and the holding body is inserted forward in the receiving recess, and the holding body is secured in the opening.
US08439690B2
The present invention provides a technique that is easy for soldering fixture to a printed circuit board and is easy to handle. Regarding a connector having an insulating base portion and a conductive portion, in at least one direction of a surface to which the conductive portion is exposed, a metal plate extending from a side constituting the surface to another side not adjacent to the side is included. The metal plate can be fixed to a circuit board with solder, and deformation of the connector can be made less likely to occur.
US08439681B2
A method of oral health risk assessment is provided in which diagnostic data from an oral health detection device and patient risk factor data is processed to provide a integrated risk measure relating to a patient's dental health. The patient risk factor data preferably includes risk factor data such as pathological risk factors, protective risk factors, historical factors, self care factors, behavioral factors, and extrinsic factors. The integrated risk assessment and patient data is preferably provided to a remote server for access by various authorized stakeholders.
US08439672B2
Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.
US08439665B2
A ribbon liquefier comprising an outer liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from a heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the outer liquefier portion, where the channel has dimensions that are configured to receive the ribbon filament, and where the ribbon liquefier is configured to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state with the received thermal energy to provide a melt flow. The dimensions of the channel are further configured to conform the melt flow from an axially-asymmetric flow to a substantially axially-symmetric flow in an extrusion tip connected to the ribbon liquefier.
US08439661B2
A power take-off for compressors, comprising: a first rotating element (2), predisposed to be connected on command to a motor (40); at least a second rotating element (3), kinematically connected to the first rotating element (2), which is predisposed to be connected to a first user (50); a torque limiter or clutch (4), interposed between the first rotating element (2) and the second rotating element (3).
US08439659B2
An eccentric screw pump has a plurality of segments extending along an axis and together forming a tubular casing generally centered on the axis and a plurality of axially extending stator shells of elastic material together forming inside the casing a tubular stator having axially opposite ends each having centered on the axis a frustoconical end seal surface. The stator shells are separable from the casing segments. An intake housing has a connecting flange formed centered on the axis with a frustoconical flange surface fitted with one of the end seal surfaces of the stator, and an output fitting has a connecting flange formed centered on the axis with a frustoconical flange surface fitted with the other of the end seal surfaces of the stator. A rotor extends axially in the stator, the stator being clamped by the casing against the rotor.
US08439650B2
A flow-controllable cell pump having a bearing element that may be positioned in a receiving shell of a pump housing such that the receiving shell may assume an operational connection with at least one of a bearing element, a pump chamber positioned between an inner rotor and a control slide valve. An outer rotor may be configured in the control slide valve, and suction kidneys may be arranged on both sides of the pump chambers in the pump housing. At least one pressure kidney may be offset on both sides of the pump chambers in the pump housing. The pressure kidney may be connected with a pressure connection socket, with a control slide valve arm configured on the control slide valve.
US08439644B2
An airfoil includes a leading edge surface that includes a non-continuous curvature distribution. A stagnation region of the airfoil includes a curvature larger than adjacent segments to reduce heat transfer into the airfoil. The reduced curvature in the stagnation region is surrounded by the adjacent segments with larger curvatures to tailor the airfoil surface to provide a desired balance between heat transfer properties and aerodynamic performance.
US08439638B2
A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to blades of a wind turbine generator and actuated to change a pitch angle of the blade. A variable displacement hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder, and a discharge pressure of the pump does not follow a load pressure. When the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump becomes a set pressure, a pressure control valve is opened to change a discharge amount of the hydraulic pump, and to make the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump to be a pressure smaller than a cut off pressure. Further, a setting control unit sets the set pressure based on the hydraulic pressure that the hydraulic cylinder requires such that the set pressure becomes a minimum pressure required to change the pitch angle to a predetermined angle by the hydraulic cylinder.
US08439636B1
A BOAS assembly for a gas turbine engine with a full annular impingement ring secured in place above BOAS segments between front and aft full retainer rings and the front and aft hooks on the BOAS segments. The full impingement ring uncouples the impingement ring from the BOAS segments and eliminates gaps for cooling air leakage so that all of the cooling air is used for impingement cooling of the BOAS segments. A long tongue extending from the aft retainer rings guides the impingement ring and the BOAS segments into place during assembly.
US08439633B2
A steam turbine includes a diffuser that has a bearing cone and an inner plate of a steam guide that define a passage through which steam flows. An outer plate is disposed with respect to the inner plate such that an opening is located between the inner and outer plates. At least one hole is located in the inner plate. A water tube is disposed in the opening, the water tube having water flowing therethrough which condenses at least a portion of a flow of steam flowing in the passage thereby creating at least a partial vacuum within the opening. The vacuum creates a suction effect through the at least one hole in the inner plate that can cause at least a portion of the flow of steam in the passage to attach itself to an inner surface of the inner plate.
US08439631B2
A shaft coupling arrangement and a corresponding method for coupling shafts are disclosed herein. The shaft coupling arrangement includes an input shaft operable to rotate about a first axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes an output shaft operable to rotate about a second axis. The shaft coupling arrangement also includes a gearing arrangement operable to engage the input and output shafts together for rotation in the same angular direction at different angular speeds. In one embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement includes a plurality of nested bevel gears. In another embodiment of the invention, the gearing arrangement can include a single layshaft.
US08439628B2
An airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side and a pressure side; a plurality of internal cooling cavities extending radially within the airfoil, one of the plurality of internal cavities extending along the trailing edge. The trailing edge is provided with a plurality of coolant exit apertures extending therealong. A plurality of vortex generators is formed on an internal surface of at least one of the pressure and suction sides of the airfoil. The vortex generators are arranged in radially spaced relationship in one of the plurality of internal cooling cavities, extending substantially parallel to and in proximity to the plurality of coolant exit apertures.
US08439624B2
A transfer apparatus which performs long-distance transfer at a high speed, while preventing dimensions of the apparatus from increasing. Specifically, a transfer apparatus transfers a work to a pressing machine The transfer apparatus is provided with a base section, a follower arm, which is connected to the base section on the base-section end side such that the follower arm can rotate and vertically slide, and a first driving arm which is rotatably connected to the base section on the base-section end side. The transfer apparatus also includes a driving arm, which is rotatably connected to the first driving arm on the base-section end side and rotatably connected to the follower arm on the leading end side, and a holding apparatus arranged on the leading end side of the follower arm for holding the work.
US08439615B2
An assembly for mounting electronic components includes a face plate comprising a thermoplastic material. The face plate includes a retaining element for securing a captive screw and spring assembly for mounting an electronic printed circuit board. The retaining element includes one or more slots adapted to expand the element to permit insertion of the screw and deformation of the hole upon insertion of the screw, while locking the screw to retain the screw in place. This arrangement permits the elimination of the metal standoff frequently used in similar devices. Methods for preparing the assembly and mounting the printed circuit boards are also described.
US08439605B2
An apparatus for lining a pipe, comprising a support structure, a liner secured to the support structure and having a non-everted portion and an everted portion, and a pressure connector secured to the everted portion of the liner. The pressure connector includes a connector stud positioned in an opening of the everted portion of the liner, an inner pinch plate positioned inside the liner adjacent the opening, an outer pinch plate positioned outside the liner adjacent the opening and in opposing relation to the inner pinch plate, and a compression mechanism forcing the outer pinch plate toward the inner pinch plate. Preferably, the connector stud includes splines, and the outer pinch plate includes grooves receiving the splines. The compression mechanism can include a reaction plate coupled to the connector stud and including a threaded hole engaged with a threaded member.
US08439604B2
A method of driving a pipe into the ground includes steps of placing a pipe to be driven into the ground onto a series of at least two spaced skids each having an upwardly opening cradle thereon so that the pipe spans and is supported by the skid cradles, one skid proximate a front end of the pipe and the other skid proximate a rear end of the pipe, each skid including a vertical jack mechanism for raising and lowering the pipe supported by the skid, positioning the pipe in a position for ramming into the ground by operating the vertical jack mechanisms as needed to raise the pipe into the ramming position, and ramming the pipe using an impact ramming tool applied to push the pipe into the ground.
US08439601B2
A containment boom mooring system for efficiently anchoring containment booms over extended periods of time and in varying sea conditions. The containment boom mooring system generally includes a clamping frame having a first and second frame section pivotally connected upon a first end and having a latching assembly upon a second end for securing the frame sections in a pivotally closed position, a first and second resilient retainer extending along the inner sides of the first and second frame sections to frictionally engage a first side and a second side of a containment boom, a first and a second buoyancy member extending from the first and second frame sections, and an anchor assembly extending from the clamping frame which is adapted to extend below a water surface for mooring the clamping frame.
US08439594B1
Systems and methods described herein provide for a flush-mounted vehicle control barrier having a shallow foundation. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a vehicle control barrier includes a sub-frame, a wedge plate, and an actuator mechanism that is coupled to the sub-frame and disposed within an interior space of the sub-frame.
US08439593B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securely, yet releasably, connecting separate parts. A shaft engages a cooperating socket to form a connection capable of sustaining service loads. The shaft has a protruding pin which slides within a slot in the socket to guide the shaft into locked engagement with the socket. The shaft also has a cantilever body which wedges into a tapered region in the socket to frictionally bind the shaft and socket together.
US08439587B2
The present invention provides a joining member for connecting an ink accommodating member and a ballpoint pen tip provided in a ballpoint pen, the joining member comprising, as a constituent material, a resin comprising a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. By this means, it is possible to provide a joining member for a ballpoint pen having, in particular, both sufficiently excellent transparency and gas barrier properties.
US08439584B2
A paper cutting device for cutting sheet material from the lengthwise edges of the material toward the middle comprising a stationary blade and first and second movable blades with the sheet material placed between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades. The paper cutting device enables the spacing between the stationary blade and the first and second movable blades to be opened by moving the stationary blade frame and the movable blade frame relative to each other. The first movable blade and second movable blade are supported on a first stud and second stud, respectively, near the distal ends of the edge of the blade part of the stationary blade so that the paths of the blade tips overlap when cutting the sheet material. The movable blade drive mechanism drives the first movable blade and second movable blade with the first movable blade leading and the second movable blade following.
US08439579B2
A single-reflex camera includes a mirror box, and a focus detecting unit. The mirror box further includes a first opening on a side of the image-pickup optical system, which the light flux that has passed the image-pickup optical system enters, and a bottom plate arranged between the mirror and the focus detecting unit, the bottom plate including a plate-shaped front part that extends so as to approach to an optical axis of the image-pickup optical system from the first opening. Part of the condenser lens is located on a side of the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system with respect to a line that is made by extending, parallel to the optical axis of the image-pickup optical system, an end of the first opening on a side of the bottom plate.
US08439568B2
In a wheel support bearing assembly including double row rolling elements between an outer member and an inner member, a sensor unit is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which serves as a stationary member. The sensor unit is made up of a sensor mounting member and at least one or more strain sensors fitted to the sensor mounting member. A sensor signal processing circuit to process an output signal from the strain sensor is provided in the sensor mounting member.
US08439566B2
A cam assembly is provided for adjustment of a drill feed guide wear pad. The cam assembly has an eccentric bushing with a shank portion extending circumferentially about a first axis and defining a bore along a second axis. The second axis is generally parallel and offset from the first axis. The bushing has a head portion extending from the eccentric bushing portion, with the bore extending though the head portion. The bushing is sized for insertion into an aperture of a drill feed guide wear pad, and is rotatable causing the shank portion to engage the aperture of the wear pad to provide a camming action to position the wear pad relative to a drill feed guide. The head portion is shaped to interact with a tool for rotating the bushing.
US08439560B1
A system for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge including a light-tight enclosure, a viewing aperture sheet received in the light-tight enclosure, the viewing aperture sheet having a first side and a second, opposite side, and defining at least one viewing aperture having a known area, a radiometer having a sensor aperture, the sensor aperture being received in the light-tight enclosure on the first side of the viewing aperture sheet, the sensor aperture being positioned a known distance from the viewing aperture, and an electric current source having an electrode, the electrode being received in the light-tight enclosure on the second side of the viewing aperture sheet.
US08439548B2
The present invention provides a planar light guide film for a backlight unit having at least one point light source, the light guide film comprising a light input surface for receiving light from the point light source, a light redirecting surface for redirecting light received from the light input surface and a light output surface for outputting at least the light redirected from the light redirecting surface. The light input surface further comprises a composite lens structure having a circular tip segment with a first contact angle, and a first and second circular base segments with a second contact angle, the second contact angle being greater than the first contact angle and the second contact angle being equal to each other. Further, the circular tip segment satisfies the following equation: y1=a1+√{square root over ((r12−x2))} and the circular base segments satisfies the following equations: y2=b2+√{square root over ((r22−(x+a2)2))} y3=b3+√{square root over ((r32−(x−a3)2))}.
US08439544B2
This invention relates to a vehicle headlamp (1) with a base body (2) containing at least one light module (3) for emitting low beam light, whereby the low beam light is emitted at a specified angle or within an angle range.The invention envisages that the fixture of the light module (3) in the headlamp (1) must have at least one expansion joint (5), whereby temperature-related deviations in the emission of the low beam light from the specified angle or the specified angle range can be compensated by the temperature-related expansion of the expansion joint (5).
US08439542B2
A vehicle light can maintain its maximum light intensity in its light distribution pattern while improving the brightness sense at a farther area. The vehicle light can be provided in a front portion of a vehicle body, for forming a road surface light distribution pattern on a road surface in front of the vehicle body. The road surface can include at least a farther area, an intermediate area, and a nearby area. The road surface light distribution pattern can include a plurality of light source images each extending in a horizontal direction, the respective light source images being projected to the corresponding farther area, intermediate area and nearby area, respectively, without striding across the adjacent areas. The vehicle light can include an LED light source having a rectangular light emission surface with a short side of 0.6 to 0.8 mm, and an optical system configured to project the plurality of light source images each extending in the horizontal direction to the corresponding farther area, intermediate area and nearby area, respectively, without striding across the adjacent areas, thereby optimizing the road surface illuminance in each of the farther area, intermediate area and nearby area.
US08439536B2
A vehicle light can include a matrix type semiconductor light source, an imaging lens and a reflector. The light source can project an enlarged matrix light on the reflector via the imaging lens. The reflector can include a matrix reflex surface having horizontal curvatures. Each of the horizontal curvatures of the reflex surfaces arranged in columns can be configured such that the corresponding column light is extended gradually in a wider range as the corresponding column light approaches from a central column light toward both edge column lights. Accordingly, a magnification of light projected from the reflector can become gradually large as approaching from the central column toward both edge columns. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide vehicle headlights that can form favorable light distribution patterns for a low beam and a high beam having a bright central portion in a wide range of a smooth light distribution pattern.
US08439527B2
Provided is a bulb-type lamp including a lightweight housing with great handleability. An LED light bulb comprises: an LED module on which LEDs are mounted; a cylindrically-shaped case having openings at both ends, which are first and second ends; a mount member on a front surface of which the LED module is mounted, the mount member closing a corresponding one of the openings of the case by being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first end of the case; a base member attached to the second end of the case; and a lighting circuit that is disposed inside the case. A wall thickness of the case is in a range of 200 μm to 500 μm inclusive, and the wall thickness of at least one portion of the case decreases from the first end toward the second end of the case.
US08439524B2
A light emitting assembly (10) is fabricated by forming a continuous strip of aluminum heat sink having a pair of fins (32) aligned with the side edges (20) and cutting the continuous strip into a plurality of elongated sections (18). The elongated sections (18) are disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another and separated by an elongated slot (26) so that adjacent elongated sections (18) are independent of one another. A plurality of light emitting diodes (24) are disposed on the mounting surface (14) of each elongated section (18). Bridges (28) constructed of a material different from the material of the heat sink interconnect the elongated sections (18). An independent cover (52) is adhesively secured to the mounting surface (14) around the light emitting diodes (24) on each elongated section (18). A housing (56) spaced from the fins (32) is disposed over the assembly (10).
US08439521B2
According to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a substrate, a light-emitting element, a light distribution control member, and a cover. The substrate includes a surface on which a thermally conductive portion and a interconnect pattern are formed. The light-emitting element is thermally connected to the thermally conductive portion, is electrically connected to the interconnect pattern, and generates heat while emitting light. The light distribution control member is thermally connected to the thermally conductive portion at a periphery of the light-emitting element, includes a ridge portion formed on an exit side where light emitted from the light-emitting element is projected, and is configured to control distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting element. The cover is thermally connected to the ridge portion and configured to pass therethrough the light emitted from the light-emitting element.
US08439515B1
A lighting device to receive solar light by a color conversion optic and convert the solar light into a powering light, increasing the efficiency of electrical power generation using a photovoltaic system. The electrical power may be stored by a battery, from which it may be drawn to drive a lighting element to emit illuminating light. The illuminating light may be received and converted by the color conversion optic into a converted light, providing illumination in a desired wavelength range. The color conversion optic may be positionable adjacent to the photovoltaic system or the lighting element to convert light. A controller may be included to control the color conversion operation. The controller may be connected to a sensor or a timer.
US08439513B2
The present application presents a light emitting diode module comprising a substrate including a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a metal layer between the first and the second insulating layers; a groove formed at the first insulating layer for exposing the metal layer; and a light emitting element disposed at the groove, and including an LED chip and body part surrounding the LED chip, wherein the LED chip contacts the metal layer for radiating heat.
US08439508B2
A projector that projects an image on a screen, includes: plural image generating units that generate an image lights representing the image; a main body housing that houses the plural image generating units; and plural projection optical units that are provided in the main body housing to respectively correspond to the plural image generating units and project the image lights generated by the image generating units on the screen.
US08439498B2
An intraocular lens for correcting or reducing the astigmatism of a cornea includes an optical element that has optical properties and characteristics that make it tolerant of rotational misalignment, when compared to a comparable lens having a uniform astigmatism orientation across its entire optical element, leading to more relaxed tolerances for a surgeon that implants the lens. The optical element of the toric ophthalmic lens has meridians associated therewith, including a high power meridian and a low power meridian orthogonal to the high power meridian. The optical element has at least one radially modulated meridian along which power monotonically varies with increasing radial position.
US08439497B2
An image processing apparatus has a compact arrangement of an inkjet printer; and a flat bed scanner unit. The scanner has a scanner head, a glass panel for receiving media to be scanned and a lid having an inner surface for flat engagement with the glass panel. The lid also has an outer surface presenting a flat surface for receiving media printed by the printer and awaiting collection.
US08439495B2
An ink jet liquid composition which is used with an ink containing a pigment and which contains an ABC triblock polymer formed from an A block having an aryl group, a B block having a unit represented by the general formula (1), and a C block having a unit represented by the general formula (2), wherein an acid value of the polymer is 20 mgKOH/g or more and less than 150 mgKOH/g, the ratio of the number average molecular weight of the polymer to the acid value is 50 or more and 200 or less, the proportion of the A block in the polymer is 20.0 percent by mass or more and 80.0 percent by mass or less and is 5.0 times or more and 15.0 times or less the proportion of units derived from all acidic monomers contained in the polymer.
US08439494B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a head main body capable of ejecting a liquid supplied from a liquid storage unit, and a supply member provided with a liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the head main body. The supply member has a filter mounting member provided with the liquid supply passage, a supply body that supplies the filter mounting member with the liquid, and a filter provided between the filter mounting member and the supply body. The supply member is provided with an outer portion that fixes the filter mounting member, the supply body, and the filter and that is formed by integral molding.
US08439490B2
The present invention relates to an ink-supplying system. The ink-supplying system includes an ink tank for receiving ink therein, a vacuum pump configured for providing a pressure below atmospheric pressure in the ink tank, a first regulating unit, at least one second regulating unit, and a third regulating unit disposed between the vacuum pump and the ink tank, and in communication with each other. The first regulating unit and the third regulating unit each includes a pressure regulating valve and a buffer tank connected therewith, and the at least one second regulating unit comprises a closed-loop pressure regulating valve and a buffer tank connected with the closed-loop pressure regulating valve.
US08439485B2
A liquid discharge head includes a heat accumulation layer provided on a board, an energy generation element configured to generate energy to discharge liquid from a discharge port and including a heat generation resistor layer provided on the heat accumulation layer and formed of a material configured to generate heat through supply of electricity and a pair of electrodes connected to the heat generation resistor layer, and an insulation layer including a silicon compound and provided so as to cover the energy generation element, and a line formed of a metal material provided between the heat accumulation layer and the insulation layer, and in at least a portion at a position closer to a flow path than the energy generation element.
US08439482B1
A cartridge comprises an ink supply structure, a terminal bearing structure, and a first restriction portion. The terminal bearing structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane defined by a mounting direction leading edge of the ink supply structure, so that the contact portions of the terminals receive a force in a direction opposite from the mounting direction. An engagement portion of the first restriction portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal bearing structure.
US08439481B2
A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel; and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.
US08439478B2
A wiping apparatus having a gas injection aperture that injects gas, and a guide section that has a convexly curved surface and has an apex and over which gas injected from the gas injection aperture is blown, and, in this wiping apparatus, foreign substance adhering to a nozzle plate of an ink-jet head placed above the guide section is blown away by gas guided along the curved surface of the guide section.
US08439470B2
A liquid ejecting device to eject droplets of liquid onto a recording medium is provided. The image ejecting device includes a recording medium conveyer, a liquid ejecting head, a detector unit, an image data storage, a controller, and a cancellation signal output unit to output cancellation signals in an error condition. The controller includes a creating unit to create first dot pattern data and sum segments extracted from the first dot pattern data to create second dot pattern data, a transmission unit, and a cancellation controller unit to stop the creating unit, create second dot pattern data by adding a dot pattern to the segments having been extracted from the first dot pattern data, and transmit the created second dot pattern data to the transmission unit. The controller controls the liquid ejecting head to eject the droplets from the nozzles according to the second dot pattern data.
US08439456B2
A built-in domestic appliance is provided that has a length-adjustable spacer sleeve to fasten the built-in domestic appliance to a wall with a fastening screw. The length-adjustable spacer has a first sleeve part mounted on the built-in domestic appliance and a second sleeve part that is telescopically adjustable relative to the first sleeve part and that is adjustable, in length, along an axis with respect to the first sleeve part until the second sleeve part is in contact with the wall. The built-in domestic appliance also includes a rotational securing assembly that limits rotational movement of the second sleeve part about the axis.
US08439453B2
A method and assembly for mounting an auto rim and either motorcycle or auto tire as a motorcycle rear wheel. The assembly allows tires of different widths and diameters to be used on the rear of motorcycles that have single side swing arms and standard swing arms. The method and assembly allows a left side or right side drive which can be a belt or chain. A hub with bearings and spacers are mounted with a brake rotor disk and a drive pulley in tandem to produce a hub assembly.
US08439450B2
The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.
US08439444B2
A seat assembly (10) includes a recliner assembly (30) operatively coupled between a seat back (12) and a seat cushion (14) for pivotal movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and fold-flat position. A track assembly (58) operable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition allowing forward and rearward movement of said seat assembly. A stop member (54) fixedly secured to the seat cushion engages the seat back to limit forward pivotal movement. A trigger mechanism (56) pivotally coupled to said seat cushion and operatively coupled to said track assembly for releasing said track from said locked condition to said unlocked condition in response to pivoting said seat back to the fold-flat position. A pin mechanism (80, 82) slidably coupled to the seat back moves between an extended position engageable with the trigger mechanism and the stop member, and a retracted position allowing the forward pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold-flat position.
US08439443B2
A vehicle seat includes an operating member that is provided for a seat back. The operating member is operated to release locking of a seat cushion to a floor and to release rotation-sopped state of a reclining device. By operating the operating member, a first link rotatably provided for the seat back is operated in one rotation direction to thereby turn a second link rotatably provided for a base frame so that locking of the seat cushion to the floor is released. When the seat back is tilted forward, the first link is moved together with the seat back in a direction to be separated from the second link, that is, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first link turns the second link.
US08439442B2
The present disclosure provides a lockout mechanism for use with a dynamic therapeutic assembly having a pivot bar pivotally coupled to an upper pivot plate such that the upper pivot plate is moveable with respect to the pivot bar about a first pivot axis and pivotally coupled to a lower pivot plate such that the pivot bar is moveable with respect to the lower pivot plate about a second pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The lockout mechanism includes a pushrod assembly that is moveable between a first position, wherein a portion of the pushrod assembly is engageable with the pivot bar to prevent substantial movement of the pivot bar about the second pivot axis, and a second position, wherein the portion of the pushrod assembly is disengaged from the pivot bar to allow movement of the pivot bar about the second pivot axis.
US08439438B2
A cupholder has a substantially tubular shell configured to be mounted with a longitudinal axis oriented substantially vertically. A floor received in the shell is vertically movable along the longitudinal axis for defining a variable depth cup well. A ring coaxially atop the shell has a plurality of vertical guide extensions disposed around a periphery of the shell. The ring is vertically movable. A linkage is provided between the floor and the guide extensions providing reciprocal motion of the floor and the ring wherein pushing down the floor raises the ring and wherein pushing down the ring raises the floor.
US08439433B2
A single motor structure for operation of a panorama sunroof glass and a roll blind may include a motor supplying a motive power to the panorama sunroof glass and the roll blind, a rotating shaft rotatably connected to a side of the motor, a first actuating gear and a second actuating gear, which may be spaced symmetrically from the rotating shaft with a predetermined distance, a first actuating member combined with the first actuating gear so as to rotate with the first actuating gear to control open-shut of the panorama sunroof glass, a second actuating member combined with the second actuating gear so as to rotate with the second actuating gear so as to control open-shut of the roll blind, and a first actuating relay member and a second actuating relay member, which may be combined with each of the first actuating member and the second actuating member respectively.
US08439430B2
In a vehicle body structure, a frontal crash performance is improved by establishing a transmission path of a frontal crash load by a floor frame (28) without increasing the weight of the vehicle body, manufacturing cost or the number of welding spots. The floor frame (28) is attached to a lower surface of a floor panel (12), and extends from a rear end of a front side frame (20) from a longitudinally intermediate part of the floor panel. A rear part of the floor panel is formed with a side bead (34) extending in a fore and aft direction in alignment with the floor frame. The rear end of the floor frame is connected to the front end of the side bead via a slope section (32) of the floor panel, and the rear end of the side bead is connected to a middle cross member (18) extending laterally along the rear edge of the floor panel.
US08439426B2
A travel trailer is provided. The travel trailer may include a camping pod that contains tent fabric. The travel trailer may also have a telescoping member that is configured for raising and lowering the camping pod.
US08439418B1
A vehicle storage compartment is provided having a housing defining a storage space and a shelf disposed within the housing such that the compartment is divided. The shelf includes translucent material coated with flock and has non-flock areas. A light source is operatively coupled to the shelf to provide light illumination through the translucent material such that light illumination is illuminated into the compartment through the non-flock areas.
US08439415B2
A reusable, hand-held carrier for transporting and storing a pair of ski boots includes: (a) a handle portion; (b) a shank including two opposite longitudinal first sides, an upper shank end being attached to a base handle section of the handle portion; (c) a hanger portion extending from a lower shank end and including at least two elongate hook elements, each of the hook elements including an open topped channel and a set of corresponding shoulder portions on opposite walls of the channel that form a pinched zone at the top of the channel. The boot carrier preferably also includes at least one carrier pin for holding a sole guard ski boot accessory within a recess in the carrier shank. A carrier wall mount and boot carrier set is also contemplated. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.
US08439411B2
The present invention is directed to an energy absorbing component externally mounted to a vehicle having a beam structural member and at least one energy absorber operably connected to the beam structural member. The energy absorber absorbs energy when the vehicle undergoes a collision. Also included is a beam cover plate connected to the beam structural member through the use of resistive implant welding, which simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves manufacturing costs. There are two vehicle attachment plates which are overmolded to the beam cover plate, the vehicle attachment plates allow for the beam cover plate to be attached to a vehicle. The beam cover plate, beam structural member, and energy absorber form a component that is operable to function as a bumper that is connected to a vehicle, which absorbs energy during a collision.
US08439408B2
A pipe repair clamp includes a flexible strap having ends that are brought together when the clamp is closed. A thrust plate is secured near the first end of the flexible strap. A lug is secured to the thrust plate. A lug plate is secured near the second end of the strap. A threaded stud is secured to the lug plate and is used to tighten the clamp. A lug cover plate is secured to the lug and the thrust plate and receives the threaded stud. The lug cover plate includes a curved end portion covering at least a portion of the lug. A locking plate receives the threaded stud. The locking plate slides along a top surface of the lug and over the lug cover plate when the first and second ends of the strap are pulled toward each other when the clamp is tightened around a pipe.
US08439396B2
An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising an inflatable curtain airbag configured to deploy between an occupant and an interior side of the vehicle; an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag; a housing configured to surround the airbag; and a strap configured to retain the airbag in the housing prior to inflation and deployment of the airbag; wherein at least one end of the strap is connected to the housing.
US08439393B2
An attachment device is provided for securing a cladding element covering an airbag to a motor vehicle body. The airbag is designed to deploy during and/or after activation of the airbag, predominantly in a main direction of force exertion, encompassing a mount that is attachable or attached to the motor vehicle body in an assembly direction, and an insert that is attachable or attached to the cladding element. The insert is connectable or connected with the mount by means of a first connection device and the attachment device is designed to open in an opening direction during and/or after activation of the airbag by releasing the first connection device. The opening direction coincides with and/or mirrors the main direction of force exertion.
US08439392B2
A motor vehicle body is provided with a side airbag system that has a gas generator of the side airbag system and a handle mounted adjacently to a side window. The gas generator is inserted in a mounting frame between the handle and the roof frame, which connects the handle to a roof frame of the body.
US08439391B1
A baby jogger includes an upper frame unit, two coupling members, two stop members, two rear frame bars, a rear wheel axle, a plurality of rear wheels, two linking devices, two side bars, a lower frame unit, a mud fender, a front wheel frame and a front wheel. The front wall of each coupling member is connected between the two sidewalls thereof; the rotary members at the two distal ends of the lower frame unit are respectively accommodated in the accommodation space in the two coupling members; the two distal ends of the U-shaped handlebar of the upper frame unit are respectively accommodated in the locating hole in each of the two coupling members. This arrangement avoids accidental finger jam when collapsing the upper frame unit and the lower frame unit, assuring a high level of safety.
US08439380B2
A front structure of a saddle type vehicle is provided with the added function of damping vibrations generated in the direction different from the direction of an axis of a telescopic fork, in addition to functioning as a steering damper. An automatic two-wheeled vehicle includes a head pipe provided on a front portion of a vehicle body frame, a steering stem supported by the head pipe, and a fork member coupled to the steering stem and supporting a front wheel. The fork member includes an upper pipe coupled to the steering stem, and a bottom pipe slidably coupled to the upper pipe and rotatably supporting the front wheel at a lower portion thereof. A damper member is provided between the bottom pipe and the vehicle body frame.
US08439379B2
A bicycle wherein the front wheel can be both steered and powered by reciprocal movement of the handle bars in a forward and rear direction. The drive system for the front wheel comprises a first linkage comprising two arms, one of which is a pivoting arm, and a second linkage comprising three arms, two of which are pivoting arms. The two arm linkage system is the primary driver in the sense of rotating a drive sprocket between two over center positions. The three arm linkage system, while also driving the drive sprocket, serves the primary function of moving the two arm linkage system over the two center positions, as the handle bars are reciprocated in forward and rear directions.
US08439368B2
A known gland 11 includes first and second members 12 and 13. Prior art seals 33 (FIGS. 1A and 1B), 40 (FIG. 2A and 2B) or 50 (FIG. 3) can be used to seal the gland 11. Also, a novel, double acting, over center cone, articulating compression seal 60 (FIGS. 4 and 5) can be used to seal the gland 11. The seal 60 includes a base 61, an articulating compression arm 62, and a rocker 63. The arm 62 is connected to the base 61 at one hinge region 73 and to the rocker 63 at another hinge region 83. The articulating compression arm 62 is cone shaped, and the cone inverts as the seal 60 is displaced from a relaxed position (FIG. 4) to a sealed position (FIG. 5). The rocker 63 extends radially and longitudinally in the relaxed position and extends longitudinally in the sealing position.
US08439361B2
An improved puzzle of the type in which a target image is applied to the edge of a stack of slats. The slats are shuffled and then reassembled by the user. In the improvement, the strip of target image that is associated with the edge of each slat is extended beyond the edge, along the surface of the slat, allowing the user to more readily perceive the puzzle pattern, particularly on relatively thin slats. The improvement also allows economic manufacture from inexpensive materials by ordinary printing techniques. Slats can be printed flat, then formed by folding.
US08439360B2
It is possible to arrange a plurality of wheel pins 281 on an inclined face 28 formed so as to follow an outer circumferential direction of a plurality of pockets 23 formed in a roulette device 2. These wheel pins 281 include threaded holes 282 and insertion pins 283, and match positions of through holes 284 formed in the inclined face 28 and the threaded holes 282, and are fastened with screws 286 inserted from a back surface side of the inclined face 28 to be detachable. In addition, concave portions 285 formed according to a distance between the threaded holes 282 and the insertion pins 283 in the wheel pins 281 are formed in the inclined face 28, and the insertion pins 283 are inserted and cause a direction of the wheel pins 281 to be fixed.
US08439352B2
A one-way clutch is mounted on an outer periphery of a rotary shaft in a manner to place a clutch needle bearing in contact with the outer periphery of the rotary shaft. A rotary member is disposed on one side of the one-way clutch and engaged with the one-way clutch to be subjected to the rotation of the rotary shaft transmitted thereto. A retaining member is mounted on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft and located on the opposite side of the one-way clutch from the rotary member, while an urging unit is provided for urging the one-way clutch to abut against the retaining member.
US08439345B2
An image forming device including a pickup roller and a scraper roller configured to send out a print sheet to a feed route, a before-registration roller configured to send out a print sheet to a registration roller, and a control unit configured to independently control the transfer speed of the print sheet at each point based on operation patterns relating to the pickup roller and the scraper roller, and an intermediate transfer roller configured to transfer the print sheet between the before-registration roller and itself, wherein the operation pattern is set based on a relationship between a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the before-registration roller or a distance from the intermediate transfer roller to the registration roller and a length of the print sheet.
US08439344B2
An image recording device includes a housing, a tray unit mounted in the housing and configured to hold thereon sheets, a feeder configured to feed a sheet from the tray unit, a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet fed by the feeder, and a discharging unit configured to discharge the sheet after the recording unit records the image on the sheet. The tray unit includes a first tray including a first holding surface for holding thereon a first sheet, a second tray includes a second holding surface for holding thereon a second sheet and configured to move above the first holding surface between a first position and a second position, and a third tray supported by the first tray and disposed above the second tray in the second position, and configured to receive the sheet discharged by the discharging unit.
US08439338B2
A rotary table device includes a cooling structure and a rotary bearing provided with a cooling structure. A rotary table device provided with a cooling structure includes a hollow motor as a drive source, a table rotated by the hollow motor, and a rotary bearing supporting rotational motion of the table, in which the rotary bearing includes an outer ring having an inner peripheral surface to which a rolling surface is formed, an inner ring having an outer peripheral surface to which a rolling surface facing the rolling surface of the outer ring is formed, and a number of rolling members in a rolling passage formed by the rolling surface of the outer ring and the rolling surface of the inner ring, and a heat sink is formed to either one of the inner and outer rings.
US08439333B2
Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of an abatement system that removes heat and/or one or more byproducts of combustion from a gas flow. In various aspects a misting array assembly is provided that includes at least one nozzle tubing having at least one nozzle coupled thereto.
US08439331B2
A manhole cover extractor that pulls and lifts weighty horizontal items such as manhole covers and handhold enclosure covers that are lifted perpendicular from one side and pulled from the original position, removed and on same plane able to lift and move cover back to the original setting or simply move cover as to not create a tripping hazard; the tool consists of a T-bar which gives the necessary fulcrum for effortless removal and management of cumbersome manhole covers, the T-bar is comprised with handles to control the load. A polypropylene strap which is doubled back with reinforced cross stitching and J-hook which engages the object(s) listed and the aforementioned polypropylene strap is docked to the T-bar handle. Pneumatic all-terrain tires that are attached to an axle that is secured to the T-bar handle through the A-frame of the dolly.
US08439330B2
A stem shoulder seal with double rings is composed of a sealing ring, a clamping ring and a spherical or conical stem shoulder, and the sealing ring is of a self-energized seal designed to its ultimate allowable strength and automatically free of any load beyond its ultimate strength. An assembly of independent dual stem seals, consisting of a stem shoulder seal with double rings, a stem cylinder seal with triangular sections and an isolating mating, can ensure that a stem has three seals which get well seated automatically at the same time to bear an identical ultimate medium pressure independently or without any mutual interference in service when assembled to the extent that the stem operating torque is just definitely increased, thereby ensuring that a stem sealing has a triple safety.
US08439329B2
The disclosure relates to a method and device for operating an electropneumatic valve for driving a pneumatic actuator drive to activate fittings in automation systems. The valve has at least one electropneumatic transducer and a pneumatic booster. The pneumatic booster has at least one 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position for optionally connecting an air inflow duct or an air outflow duct to a connecting duct, which connects to the actuator drive. The ducts are activated as a function of an electrical actuation signal by the electropneumatic transducer. At least one position of the 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position is measured and a correction value of a variable of the actuation signal is determined based on the measured value and the electrical actuation signal.
US08439325B2
A clamp structure includes a clamping component for clamping a tube, and at least one bridging component disposed on a lateral surface of the clamping component. A pivoting portion is disposed on the bridging component, and the bridging component pivots with an antenna module via the pivoting portion, so that the antenna module can pivot relative to the clamping component along a radial plane of the clamping component.
US08439317B2
A grommeted clamp assembly is provided for securing an elongated member to an underlying surface. The grommeted clamp assembly includes a grommet having a generally tubular body with an ovate cross section. An opening extends lengthwise along the body and is sized for receiving an elongated member. The grommet includes at least one transverse projection. The assembly includes a pair of clamp portions each having an anchoring end, an interlocking end, and a curved portion. A second anchoring end is configured for alignment with the first anchoring end. A second interlocking end is configured for being received by a slot of the first interlocking end. A second curved portion cooperates with a first curved portion to collectively support the grommet. At least one of the curved portions includes an elongated slot for receiving the at least one transverse projection for retaining the grommet.
US08439301B1
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system provides for UAV deployment and remote, unattended operation with reduced logistics requirements. The system includes a launcher that can include one or more launch tubes, each launch tube configured to house a UAV in a canister and one or more gas generators operatively connected to each canister and configured to push the UAV out of the launch tube by releasing gas into the canister. A controller for activating the gas generators can sequentially, and with a predetermined time delay, expel the UAV with a desired velocity and acceleration. The system further includes a UAV recovery device, a power supply, a security subsystem, a command and control subsystem and a communications subsystem. Command, control and communications can be provided between a remote station and the UAV.
US08439299B2
An engine mount structure is provided with active vibration mechanisms which are attached in the vicinity of the engine mount to prevent engine vibrations from propagating into the engine mounting structure, for example, the wing or fuselage structure of an aircraft. Additionally, sensors are provided on the engine and/or wing/fuselage structure to provide control signals to the active vibration mechanisms so that the active vibration mechanism react to the sensed data to minimize the vibration transmissibility from the engine into the wing/fuselage.
US08439294B2
The structure provided multi-Levels of the center fuselage, two front wings, Extended mid-two wings and two rear wings with two vertical winglets.The fuselage has a cross section of half circle shaped fuselage.The first level comprises multi-fuel tanks, water tanks, Helium gas tanks, hydraulic, Pneumatic systems and plurality of the multi-landing gear bays and multi-cargo Compartments.The first level comprises a top cockpit and the plurality of the multi-passenger Cabins.The second level is comprises multi-central posts, multi-guy wires on the top center Beams, mid level, lower level center beams, leak proof sealed floor gates for the Multi-gas envelopes structure, under belly multi-pontoon air bags.The first level further comprises multi-jet power plants with multi-chute flaps.The second level may comprises, carbon fiber honey comb sandwich composite Multi-envelopes and multi-level soft gas envelopes.
US08439287B2
An apparatus for fracturing polycrystalline silicon has: a pair of rolls which are rotated in a counter direction each other around parallel axes; and a plurality of fracturing teeth protruding outward radially from outer peripheral surfaces of the rolls and having variant heights. In the apparatus for fracturing, the fracturing teeth are arranged so that higher teeth among the fracturing teeth and lower teeth among the fracturing teeth are alternately rowed at least along a circumferential direction or a width direction of the rolls; and the fracturing teeth are arranged so that a tip of the higher tooth of the one roll and a tip of the lower tooth of the other roll are opposed to each other at a position in which the fracturing teeth of each rolls are closest to each other, so that the apparatus fractures fragments of polycrystalline silicon between the rolls.
US08439282B2
An irrigation emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a water supply conduit, such as an irrigation supply tube, pipe, or other water supply apparatus, at a low volume or drip-like flow rate. The emitter operates generally through the use of a reduced size orifice and a relatively long tortuous flow channel that cause a pressure reduction between the water supply conduit and an emitter outlet. The emitter includes an inlet for tapping a portion of the water flow from the water supply conduit and, when the water pressure is above a predetermined minimum level, directing the flow to and through the flow channel for subsequent discharge to a desired location. The emitter also may regulate to accommodate for changes in supply pressure. The emitter also may include multiple emitter outlets.
US08439280B2
A nebulizing element for liquid substances for coupling to procurement elements, includes at least one membrane with a microperforated area; at least one piezoelectric element connected to an electronic circuit and coupled to the membrane to cause it to vibrate; at least one first and one second support that can be placed on top of one another and create, on their interior a compartment to contain the membrane, the piezoelectric element, and a space of limited dimension for the liquid to be nebulized, created beneath the membrane. The second support has an opening for the nebulized liquid outlet, located in correspondence with the perforated area of the membrane. The nebulizing element also includes at least one collector for the liquid that flows from the porous element to the collector itself by capillary action; at least one capillary opening to allow in the liquid to be nebulized and at least one outlet opening to aid air circulation.
US08439268B2
A financial transaction card includes a first member, a second member, a side wall, at least one substantially rigid connection member, and an account identifier. The first member defines a first panel, and the second member defines a second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel are substantially planar. The side wall extends between the first panel and the second panel such that the first panel is spaced from the second panel to define a void between the first panel and the second panel. The at least one substantially rigid connection member extends through the first member and interfaces with the second member to at least partially couple the first member to the second member. The account identifier associates the financial transaction card with an account or record having a value associated therewith. Other cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08439264B2
A method for decoding a decodable symbol using an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture operating mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, and attempts to decode for a decodable bar code symbol which may be represented in the image data.
US08439263B2
A portable, cordless hand-held device for locating an active electronic article surveillance (EAS) device, managing the activation/deactivation status of the EAS device and logging information relating to alarm events triggered by the EAS device. The device includes an EAS detector for detecting the presence of an EAS tag or label, a state manipulator for manipulating the activation/deactivation state of the detected active EAS label, at least one data capture device for capturing data related to the alarm event, and a memory for storage of the captured data.
US08439259B2
According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image capturing unit, a determining unit, and a notifying unit. The image capturing unit captures an image picked up by an image pickup unit. The determining unit determines whether the image captured by the image capturing unit satisfies a condition for extracting code data from a code symbol. The notifying unit notifies, if the determining unit determines that the image does not satisfy the condition, a cause that prevents satisfaction of the condition or a method of improving the image pickup.
US08439254B2
A fully enclosed paperboard carton having a top, a base, a pair of oppositely disposed sides and a pair of oppositely disposed end panels. Each end panel being substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and top. Each side having a lower portion that is substantially planar and perpendicular to the base and an upper portion that is substantially planar and tapers inwardly towards its edge connection with the top.
US08439253B2
A blank, carton, or package including a handle formed in a top panel is described. Deformation lines can be included on the blank or carton to allow the handle to flex, thereby increasing handle strength. The blank can include corner-forming panels attached to end flaps that can be used to form corners in the formed carton or package. The corners provide reinforcement strength to allow stacking of the cartons or packages, such as on pallets or during shipment. Openings can be provided in select areas of the blank, carton, or package to allow ventilation to and from the interior of the carton or package. Connecting panels in the top panel can be removed to dispense articles from the carton or package.
US08439245B2
An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row. Another exemplary surgical endocutter may include a feeder belt; staples frangibly connected to the feeder belt; and at least one wedge movable relative to the staples in a direction substantially longitudinal relative to the feeder belt; wherein at least one wedge both directly engages a plurality of staples and disconnects a plurality of staples from the feeder belt in a single continuous motion of the wedge.
US08439244B2
A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.
US08439241B2
The invention is based on the object of improving the detachment of portions of a glass rod to the extent that a very planar, uniform fracture surface is produced. For this purpose, an apparatus according to the invention for detaching portions of glass rods comprises a device for the parallel holding and lateral fixing of a number of glass rods, a scoring wheel holder with a scoring wheel rotatably mounted parallel to the axis of the glass rods, at least one pressing spring for pressing the scoring wheel and the glass rods against one another, a device for guiding the glass rods and the scoring wheel past one another in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the glass rods, a holddown means for pressing against the glass rods, a breaking bar and a breaking beam, the breaking bar being arranged opposite, between the holddown means and the breaking beam.
US08439240B1
Carrier racks are coupled to a vehicle such that a user can access a pack (e.g., to open and close the pack) carried by the carrier racks. When the vehicle is stationary, items may be loaded and unloaded from the pack while the pack remains securely held by the carrier rack. An all terrain vehicle can include a vehicle frame carrying an engine and a carrier rack fixedly coupled to the vehicle frame. The carrier rack has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a center plane of the all terrain vehicle. The carrier rack extends upwardly from a rearward end of the vehicle. A longitudinally-extending straddle-type seat is between a handlebar assembly of the all terrain vehicle and the carrier rack such a pack on the carrier rack is positioned directly rearward of a rider.
US08439237B2
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes wig or hair piece boxes for both the efficient storage and display of wigs or hair pieces before sell, as well as providing simple, efficient and effective storage facilities for wigs or hair pieces for use of the consumer. The wig or hair piece boxes include a form which holds the wig or hair piece and preserves the curl, style, and one directional curl of the hair tip end on the wig or hair piece. This avoids the common problem of loss of original curl and style of the wig or hair piece which plagues conventional wig and hair piece boxes.
US08439236B2
A bridge breaker includes a casing and an inner ring. Balls are provided between the casing and the inner ring for rotatably supporting the inner ring, without independent ball bearings, so as to make for easy and cost-effective machining. Seal rings having a square shape section are laid on same horizontal level surfaces of the casing and the inner ring, and are depressed by air pressure for preventing powder from entering into the device and to avoid frequent exchange of packing. A blade having a shaft is fixed to the inner ring through a hole of the inner ring, to prevent problems caused by looseness or releasing of connecting bolts.
US08439234B2
A non-dripping suck-back nozzle has a shell comprising a press cover (1), a revolving cover (2) and a cylinder (7). A needle valve (6) comprises a round rod (61) and a convex ring (62). The upper part of the round rod (61) of the needle valve (6) passes through an inner round pole (51) of a piston (5) and extends into a hollow channel (41) of a connecting bar (4). The round rod (61) and the connecting bar (4) are locked by each other. A channel is formed between the round rod (61) and the connecting bar (4). A space is formed between the round rod (61) and the inner round pole (51) of the piston (5).
US08439230B2
A dispenser for dispensing liquid to pasty substances has a dispensing head with a dispensing mouth, a supply chamber and a dispenser head part. The dispensing head can be displaced relative to the dispenser head part out of a dispensing-standby position into a lowered position and vice versa. It is possible for the dispensing head, as a result of being supported on a fixed dispenser part, to be extended or retracted relative to the fixed dispenser part when rotated by the dispenser head part. The dispenser head covers over a dispensing tube that communicates with the pumping chamber. In order to achieve a favorable configuration of the substance path during the extension and retraction of the dispensing head. The dispensing head, in the extended position, interacts in an aligned manner with the dispensing opening and, in the retracted position, interacts with a closed region of the dispensing tube.
US08439218B1
A container has a base plate, front, rear and side walls. A chamber is defined between the walls. A lid is pivotably coupled to the rear wall. A pivot bar is attached to the lid. A long extent is attached to the lid and a short extent. An actuator housing with a trolley is movable between top and bottom positions. A spring urges the trolley to the top position. A pedal coupled to the trolley is adapted to be depressed by a user to move the trolley to the bottom position. A connector has an interior end attached to the trolley. The connector has an exterior end attached to the short extent of the pivot bar. In this manner the depression the pedal will move the connector to raise the lid. Also in this manner the release of the pedal will cause the spring to lower the lid.
US08439215B2
Foldable container including a base having a first base portion and an opposing second base portion. The base has a base surface free of hinge lines between the first base portion and the second base portion. A sidewall surrounds at least a portion of the base and extends generally upward from the base with a non-uniform height to define a compartment. A rim having a first rim portion and an opposing second rim portion is disposed proximate the top edge of the sidewall. At least one transition region is formed in the sidewall to allow the first base portion to pivot between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the container defines a plate. When in the closed position, the first base portion defines at least a portion of a cover relative to the second base portion. A packaged product is also provided, including a foldable container and a cover member removably attached to the rim of the foldable container in the open position to contain a product therein.
US08439214B2
A plastic container is disclosed comprising a base portion for supporting the container on a surface, an upper portion, and a body portion. The upper portion includes a neck and a dispensing opening. The body portion extends between the base portion and the neck, the body portion including a shoulder portion below the neck and a sidewall portion between the shoulder portion and the base portion. The body portion includes at least one elongated vertical formation that substantially extends along the sidewall portion from the base portion toward the shoulder portion, the elongated vertical portion being continuous along at least 0.60 the total height of the container.
US08439213B2
The closure assembly (1) comprises: a pourer unit (2) having a lower portion (3) for fixing to the mouth of the container and an upper pouring portion (4), a removable cap (6) provided with a resiliently deformable peripheral lip portion (7), and an outer covering (8, 9) including: an upper sleeve element (8) and a lower sleeve element (9. The arrangement is such that, after the first opening of the closure assembly (1), the lip portion (7) is arranged in the opened-out condition in which it extends radially outside of the lower sleeve element (9) but permits subsequent re-fitting of the cap (6) on the pourer unit (2) as far as the closure position in which the lower sleeve element (9) and the upper sleeve element (8) once more extend the predetermined distance (d) apart.
US08439209B2
A user configurable container storage system using movable container-nest modules securely anchored to a backing allowing removal and insertion of the containers with one hand.
US08439208B2
A pusher is provided. The pusher hook has a track and a pusher that is slidable thereon. The pusher biases retail merchandise situated on a merchandise hook forward towards a front stop. The pusher hook further includes a security frame that reduces or restricts entirely the ability to remove the merchandise laterally from the hook.
US08439205B1
A monolithic carbon composite filter for use in water filter bottles of the type having a bottle cap and a valved vented top. The filter is formed with exposed surfaces including side walls and a base. The filter employs both radial flow through the side walls of the filter and axial flow through the filter base. All available exposed surfaces thus maximize the available surface area for filtering water. As a result a larger diameter filter suited to the addition of a second media as well as an inner tube providing for separate axial flow may be utilized. A dual aspect or universal flow filter adapted to be attached to a filter housing top is capable of being cooperatively attached to the bottle cap and bottle with a valved vented top. The bottle is normally inverted for drinking.
US08439204B1
A drop-in oil filter having top and bottom caps having annular recesses on facingly disposed surfaces adjacent their outer periphery, a pleated, woven metal cylindrical filter element having an outer and an inner diameter, a first cylindrical wire cage over the outer diameter of the filter element, a second cylindrical wire cage within the inner diameter of the filter element, ends of the filter element and the first and second cylindrical wire cages being fastened into the annular recesses in the top and bottom caps, the bottom cap having a first opening there through concentric with and within inner diameters of the filter element and the first and second cylindrical wire cages, and a first elastic grommet within the first opening having a central opening for sealing on a tube within a drop-in filter housing.
US08439200B1
A dining tray for use in preventing accidents and possibly food spillage. The tray includes a central T-shaped member and a pair of opposing L-shaped side members which engage rotated lateral members affixed to food containers. The method of use includes the steps of placing the lateral members of the food containers onto the inside, upper bottom surface of the tray and then by rotating the food container the lateral members engage the T-shaped member and L-shaped members whereby the containers are then held securely in place. After eating the food containers can be rotated in an opposite direction to release the lateral members for removal and cleaning purposes. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a locking clamp engages the tray and secures it to a table top or other surface.
US08439193B2
A novel container for storing medical guidewires in liquid is disclosed herein. The container comprises a substantially rectangular basin where the guidewire coils are separated horizontally into individual bays. Specific tabs and dividers hold the coils in place and keep the wires untangled. The horizontal placement of the wires enables a clinician to instantly differentiate between wires, select the right coil without spending time in untangling wires and allows storing of the wires is relatively small amount of storing liquid.
US08439190B2
A dummy hair clipper head, or dummy blade, which is a form conforming to those dimensions of a hair clipper's stationary blade which are necessary for its compatibility with attachment guide combs, is employed in an attachment guide comb organizer which comprises a plurality of interconnected forms, whereby a plurality of attachment guide combs can be stored and organized. By interconnecting the forms with either a rigid, contoured or flexible means, with the options of placing them within a container and of making them releasable, the organization and storage of a set of attachment guide combs can be customized. For the purposes of storage the form can be flexible and have a reduced structure from that of the stationary blade. The use of the form also makes possible a variety of new uses for attachment guide combs including a scissor comb, razor comb, and conduit comb.
US08439171B2
A vehicle disc brake includes pad retainers. Each pad retainer includes: a pair of retainer portions; a connecting piece connecting the pair of retainer portions together; and pad returning portions. The retainer portion includes: an inner piece; an outer piece; and a deep side piece which is laid on the opposing surface so as to connect the outer piece and the inner piece together. The pad returning portion is formed by inclining a distal end portion of a narrow elongated piece while causing the distal end portion to warp into a curved shape. A dislodgement preventing projecting portion is formed through pressing on at least one of the outer piece and the inner piece so as to project towards an interior of a pad guide groove so that the lug piece can ride thereover when the lug piece is inserted into the pad guide groove.
US08439164B1
A knock-down sawhorse has a support beam supported above a surface by at least two pairs of legs, each pair of legs supporting opposing ends of the beam. The beam has at least four connectors, at least a first pair of connectors arranged on opposing lateral side walls at one end and at least a second pair of connectors arranged on opposing lateral side walls at the other opposing end. Each connector has a tab downwardly depending from a top wall of the beam for engaging an axially-extending recess in an upper end of each leg. Each pair of legs is interconnected by an adjuster for adjusting a lateral spacing therebetween. Manipulation of the lateral spacing between each pair of legs allows a working height of the sawhorse to be manipulated, allowing the sawhorse to be leveled.
US08439160B2
An acoustic suppression system for absorbing and/or scattering acoustic energy comprising a plurality of acoustic targets in a containment is described, the acoustic targets configured to have resonance frequencies allowing the targets to be excited by incoming acoustic waves, the resonance frequencies being adjustable to suppress acoustic energy in a set frequency range. Methods for fabricating and implementing the acoustic suppression system are also provided.
US08439155B2
A suppressor for a firearm is provided, wherein the suppressor can be selectively oriented relative to the firearm. The suppressor has an elongate body, a piston assembly and a cam assembly. A piston of the piston assembly can be fixedly attached to the barrel of a firearm. An indexing ring is radially fixed relative to the piston. The cam lever is selectively movable between a second position, in which the indexing ring is fixed relative to the elongate body, and a first position, in which the indexing ring can rotate relative to the elongate body.
US08439153B2
The present invention relates to a loudspeaker assembly and a method of assembling a loudspeaker assembly. In one or more embodiments, the invention comprises forming a front baffle comprising a first driver mounting portion, an intermediate portion, and an edge mounting portion. A first driver is installed in the first driver mounting portion proximate to a first driver aperture. A rear baffle is formed from a second material, which, in one or more embodiments, is less stiff than the first material from which the front baffle is formed. The rear baffle comprises a top portion, sidewalls, a recessed mounting portion, and an edge portion. The edge mounting portion of the front baffle is attached to the recessed mounting portion of the rear baffle such that an entirety of said front baffle is recessed within said rear baffle spaced apart from said open bottom portion.
US08439152B2
On an amphibious ATV, a triple-differential transmission is combined a continuously-variable drive. The gearbox can be set at a low ratio, for negotiation of difficult terrain, and at a high ratio for cruising trails. The high-low shift mechanism is located upstream, in the drive train, of the forward-reverse shift mechanism. Both mechanisms are located upstream of the steer-differential and of the two wheel-differentials. Main power from the engine is passed, through the mechanisms, directly to a wheel-ring that is common to both wheel-differentials. The common wheel-ring is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the wheel-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd into the gearbox housing. Similarly, the steer-diff-housing is bearing'd, not from the gearbox housing, but from the steer-shafts, which are themselves bearing'd from the gearbox housing, which makes for a compact, narrow, layout of the gearbox—well suited to the ATV. The steer-brake-disks are located on the steer-shafts, and are positioned outside the gearbox housing.
US08439127B2
A drive apparatus for a drill stem of a de-coking system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeder as water supply to the drill stem. The drill stem is rotatably driven by a rotational drive which includes a motor and a first and second gear box. The second gear box has an output gear which is meshed with a large gear which is connected to an outer gear rim of the feeder. A skirt envelops the gear which is formed by an output gear and by the second motor driven gear box and the gear which is connected to the feeder completely. A lower side of the skirt is open.
US08439105B2
An apparatus for creating multiple and isolated well flow paths operating at different pressures in the wellbore is described. These multiple flow paths establish a full circulation loop with the surface and a remaining isolated flow channel produces reservoir fluids to the surface. Heat is transferred from the produced reservoir fluid into the circulated loop via a unique down-hole heat exchanger. The flow of reservoir fluid through the isolated annular well channel allows for more efficient and extensive extraction of heat from the reservoir fluid compared with merely heating the circulating loop via the well bore exterior surface.
US08439102B1
A refractory brick assembly unit is provided, including a refractory brick member having an inner passageway extending therethrough from a first opening at an inlet end face to an opposed second opening at an outlet end face thereof. A vector tile is also included, having an annular portion that is coaxially arranged with respect to a longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member positioned in a portion of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member and located proximate the second opening at the outlet end face thereof, and having a domed portion extending from a first surface of the annular portion at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal extension axis of the inner passageway of the refractory brick member so as to occlude at least a portion of the second opening of the refractory brick member at the outlet end face thereof.
US08439098B1
A portal extends through a vertical surface. The portal is bounded laterally by a vertical closing rail and a parallel opening rail. A flexible door has a size essentially equal to that of the portal. The door has an interior edge and an exterior edge. The interior edge is secured within the closing rail. Guide mechanisms include fixed upper and lower tracks. The upper and lower tracks are adapted to receive and guide the movement of the door when moving to and from an open orientations. A closure assembly includes upper and lower cables and pulleys adapted to move the door to the closed orientation.
US08439096B2
A traction device for a tire having a hub for attachment to the tire's wheel. At least one arm extends outwardly from the hub, with the arm attached to a gripping section that is capable of contacting the tire. A reversible, rotatable cam attached to the arm and the gripping section controls the movement of the device.
US08439082B2
A mandrel is formed with a projection, depression or a surface irregularity to retain the seal material sealing a passage in the mandrel or an annular space around it against differential pressure. The material can be a shape memory or swelling material.
US08439080B2
A pressure compensator is configured to compensate for volume variations of an insulation medium or other liquid of a subsea installation. The pressure compensator includes a first bellows chamber having a first bellows part. The first bellows chamber is in flow connection with an insulation medium or liquid chamber of the subsea installation, and the walls of the first bellows chamber are configured to separate the insulating medium from surroundings. The first bellows chamber is surrounded by a second bellows chamber having an end wall, a side wall and a second bellows part formed by a diaphragm. The second bellows chamber is configured to form a closed intermediate space around the first bellows chamber. The walls of the second bellows chamber are configured to separate at least the bellows parts of the first bellows chamber from the surrounding water. The second bellows chamber is filled with an intermediate medium.
US08439076B2
A faucet module has a base, a valve chamber formed in the base, a cold water inlet port, a hot water inlet port and an outlet port in communications with a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe and an outlet pipe respectively, a first threaded section formed at an outer periphery of an opening of the valve chamber, a flange formed around all the pipes at a predetermined position away from the bottom face of the base, a protrusion having a second threaded section respectively formed at an end of each pipe below the flange, each of the base, the valve chamber, the cold water inlet port, the hot water inlet port, the outlet port, the cold water inlet pipe, the hot water inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, the first threaded section, the flange, the protrusion and the second threaded section formed as an entire unit.
US08439075B2
An outlet of a spigot has a bottom seat, a neck, a head and a flow passage. The bottom seat has a flat bottom face. The neck is curvedly formed on and protrudes upward from the bottom seat. The head is formed on and protrudes forward from the neck and has a front side. The flow passage is formed in the outlet between the bottom seat, the neck and the head and has an inlet hole and an outlet hole. The inlet hole is formed through the bottom face of the bottom seat and communicates with the flow passage. The outlet hole is formed through the front side of the head and communicates with the flow passage and has a width and a length. The length of the outlet hole is wider than the width of the outlet hole.
US08439063B2
A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.
US08439062B1
A system and method for detecting water in locations in homes and buildings where it should not be present, and responding by terminating water inlet access to plumbing in said home or building or the like and optionally operating a dump valve, in combination with an approach to periodically testing system operability and providing a signal upon a component performing a predetermined number of operations. The method can further include the monitoring of signals and responding with maintenance and/or replacement.
US08439059B2
The invention concerns a control device for the movement and positioning of a coupling for a marine loading system having at least one fluid transfer line with a first line end fixed to a base and a moveable second line end provided with a coupling adapted for connection to a target duct, the marine loading system further having a plurality of mechanical connections such that the coupling has at least three degrees of freedom relative to the base. The device includes at least three proportional control actuators, each for proportionally controlling the movement of the system in a degree of freedom, a position sensor for tracking each degree of freedom, an operator input interface for inputting commands to move the coupling, and a calculator for calculating the instantaneous position of the coupling from the information provided by the sensors and for calculating, from movement command inputs of the input interface, simultaneous control instructions to give to each of the actuators such that their combined movements result in a movement of the coupling corresponding to the movement command provided by the operator at the input interface.
US08439056B2
An easily detachable stick has an umbrella installed therein. The stick includes a grip element having a root portion extending therefrom, the root portion having a platform along an axis direction and a leaf spring installed on the platform, the leaf spring having one end fixed to the platform and the other end being a free end; and a supporting pole having a hollow cavity installed therein, the cavity having an opening at one end thereof, into which the root portion is inserted, a sliding groove disposed in the opening along an axis direction of the cavity, a sliding button embedded in the sliding groove, an elastic element installed in the sliding groove between the sliding button and the opening of the cavity, and an inner flange inward protruding from the opening of the cavity, allowing the free end of the leaf spring to be supported by the inner flange.
US08439046B2
In a filter cigarette having a tobacco strand, a wrapping and a filter, the filter possesses at least one gas phase-active filter part which contains at least one gas phase-reducing substance. The gas phase-reducing substances are embedded in a filter material matrix. They are introduced in a quantity of at least 75 mg per filter and at least 5 mg/mm of the length of the gas phase-active filter part. The filter cigarette exhibits a filter ventilation of at most 30% (or of from 30% to 70%). The NFDPM value is between 4 and 10 mg/cigarette (or in the range of from 2 to 4 mg/Cigarette), as measured in accordance with ISO smoking conditions. The gas phase quotient Q1, defined as (μg of benzene per cigarette)/(mg of CO per cigarette) and measured in accordance with ISO smoking conditions, is less than 1.5, preferably less than 1.
US08439041B2
Various embodiments of a medical device tube having scaffolding-supported inner and outer walls are provided. In particular, the medical device tube may include a plurality of struts extending from an inner wall to an outer wall of the medical device tube. In certain embodiments, each of the individual struts may connect to adjacent struts at the inner wall and the outer wall. As such, the plurality of struts may comprise a zigzag pattern circumferentially around the medical tube device. In other embodiments, the struts may extend radially from the inner wall to the outer wall of the medical tube device. Regardless, the area between the struts and the inner wall and/or the outer wall form a plurality of lumens, which may be used for suctioning, blowing, and various other applications of the medical device tube.
US08439037B2
An exhalation valve assembly that controls the pressure of exhaled gas in a ventilation system is described. The exhalation valve assembly includes an actuator module that may be fixed to the ventilation system and a valve module, removable for cleaning or disposal, through which the exhaled gas flows and that controls the pressure and release of the exhaled gas to the environment. Other components may also be incorporated into the assembly including a filter module, a flow meter and a condensate trap.
US08439036B2
An exhalation valve assembly that controls the pressure of exhaled gas in a ventilation system is described. The exhalation valve assembly includes an actuator module that may be fixed to the ventilation system and a valve module, removable for cleaning or disposal, through which the exhaled gas flows and that controls the pressure and release of the exhaled gas to the environment. Other components may also be incorporated into the assembly including a filter module, a flow meter and a condensate trap.
US08439035B2
A flow regulation vent includes a fixed portion adapted to engage a gas supply conduit and a spring force biased movable portion connected by a hinge to the fixed portion and flowingly connected to the pressurized gas supply. The fixed portion includes a gas flow orifice. The movable portion is pivotally movable between 1) a relaxed position, whereby at a specified minimum operating pressure, the movable portion is pivoted by the spring force away from the fixed portion to a position to establish a first gas washout flow area between the movable portion and the gas flow orifice; and 2) a fully pressurized position, whereby at a specified maximum operating pressure, the pressurized gas offsets the spring force to pivot the movable portion to a position adjacent the fixed portion to establish a minimum gas washout flow area between the movable portion and the gas flow orifice.
US08439028B2
An oven rack for an oven that providing additional clearance for an object on the oven rack. The oven rack comprises a generally rectangular shape including a front member, a rear member, and side members extending between the front and rear members. A grid structure is connected to the front, rear and side members and supports objects on the oven rack. Two rear rails are connected to the rear member to help retain objects on the oven rack. The rear rails project rearwardly and upwardly from rear member and define a free space being between the rear rails providing additional clearance for objects placed on the oven rack.
US08439027B2
A door control mechanism which is attached near the hinge region of a door to bias the door to a closed orientation, and after a prescribed location, bias the door toward an open location to a sufficient degree such that the door is noticeably open. The door control mechanism in one form may have a cam extension that engages a spring member to supply stored energy to and from the spring member to bias the door closed and to bias the door open after a prescribed amount of rotation.
US08439023B2
An ignition coil, in particular for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a secondary winding situated on a coil body for the production of a high voltage at a spark plug, having a contact sleeve that electrically contacts the secondary winding and that is capable of being pushed over an end area of the coil body and that has at least one contact element for the secondary winding, and having a holding-down element that can be pushed over the contact sleeve and that acts on the at least one contact element of the contact sleeve. In its end position, the holding-down element protrudes beyond the at least one contact element of the contact sleeve, seen in the axial direction of the coil body, and covers the at least one contact element.
US08439021B2
An EGR system for an IC engine, wherein the IC engine includes a block defining a plurality of combustion cylinders, a plurality of multi-valve heads, each multi-valve head associated with a respective combustion cylinder and including an inlet valve and an exhaust valve, an exhaust manifold fluid coupled with each exhaust valve, and an intake manifold fluidly coupled between the exhaust manifold and each inlet valve. The EGR system includes: a plurality of EGR inlet valves and a plurality of EGR exhaust valves, wherein each multi-valve head includes at least one EGR inlet valve and at least one EGR exhaust valve; an EGR exhaust manifold fluidly coupled with each EGR exhaust valve; and an EGR intake manifold fluidly coupled between the EGR exhaust manifold and each EGR inlet valve.
US08439020B1
A supercharger assembly includes a dry-running CVT coupled to a speed multiplying gear set, which is in turn coupled to a centrifugal supercharger. The CVT includes a CVT housing which has an opening formed therein to provide access to a face of the driven pulley, and a plurality of equally spaced bolt receivers arranged in a circle around the opening. The gear assembly includes a gear housing formed separate from the CVT housing. The gear housing has a plurality of bolt holes formed in it which are arranged in a circle and alignable with respective ones of the bolt receivers. The gear housing is selectively rotatable relative to the CVT housing by moving each of the bolt holes from alignment with a first respective one of the bolt receivers and into alignment with a second respective one of the bolt receivers and then installing fasteners therein.
US08439019B1
A compressed air delivery system in which power from a power supply is transmitted to a rotary air compressor through a dry running, continuous variable transmission (CVT) utilizing a belt coupled between two pulleys enclosed within a CVT housing. The air pressure differential created by the rotary air compressor is used to urge cooling air through the CVT to cool the CVT belt. The pressure differential may be utilized to push cooling air into the CVT housing or to draw cooling air through the CVT housing. In one embodiment, a portion of the compressed air discharged from a supercharger may be routed through a bleed line and into the CVT housing.
US08439013B2
An air induction system hydrocarbon trap is provided. In one example, the hydrocarbon trap includes an adsorber roll including an adsorbing material and a corrugate support, where the corrugate support is rolled with the adsorbing material to form a wound adsorber roll. A housing is further provided to retain the adsorber roll. A housing cap may be coupled to the housing.
US08439003B2
A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an engine cooling system that includes a water jacket, a radiator, and a circulation passage through which a coolant is circulated between the water jacket and the radiator, wherein the coolant is provided in the engine cooling system; a water pump that forcibly circulates the coolant provided in the engine cooling system when the water pump is operated; a reservoir tank in which the coolant is reserved, and into which gas flows from the engine cooling system while the reserved coolant flows out to the engine cooling system from the reservoir tank; and a forcible introduction portion that forcibly introduces the coolant from the reservoir tank into the engine cooling system before the internal combustion engine is started.
US08438998B2
Generally, an avian flight diverter fixed to an aerial line to divert the flight of birds. Specifically, an avian flight diverter having a body coupled to an avian flight diverting member having a first component and a second component generally a mirror image of the other joined in opposed fixed angled relation, each of the components of generally flat material having a first face and a second face having a surface area sufficient to divert flight of an avian animal when secured to an aerial line.
US08438996B2
A micro layering pest control system that includes combining generally immiscible ingredients in a container, maintaining the ingredients in a combined state by substantially continuously agitating and homogenizing the combined ingredients under pressure, and discharging the combined ingredients in one or more applications.
US08438991B2
The invention provides a system for connecting a teat cup to a teat, including a teat cup with an opening for receiving a teat, a robot arm for moving the teat cup, a teat cup positioning system with a 3D-sensor and a sensor device for measuring a control quantity, and for connecting the teat cup under the control of the 3D-camera and the control quantity. The sensor device includes at least two electrodes around the opening and a capacitive sensor configured to measure a quantity connected with the capacitance between the electrodes, in particular the capacitance between two electrodes. This system provides a reliable positioning with respect to a teat by, for example, maximization of the measured capacitance. The positioning system supports an optical 3D-sensor for the first, global positioning.
US08438987B2
An operating device for selecting shift positions of a gear-changing transmission, for example an automatic transmission. The operating device comprises a shift operating device and a console arrangement with an operating lever and a shift position indicator device with illuminatable shift position designations. The shift position indicator device includes an electronics unit and a light-emitting device. The electronics unit and the light-emitting device are integrated into the shift operating unit. An ordered fiber-optic bundle for the selective illumination of shift position designations is disposed between the light-emitting device and shift position indicator device. The operating device enables cost savings in production and assembly by eliminating, for example, the electronic module in the region of the shift gate. Flexible, selective illumination of the illuminated symbols or shift position designations in the region of the shift gate becomes possible.
US08438983B2
A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.
US08438982B2
A table includes a table top and a pair of support pedestals. A first pivotal support brace can be attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support can be attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces can be pivotally attached to a retaining assembly, which may include a cross-brace member. Alternatively, a second retaining assembly including a cross brace member may be mounted in relation to the table top. In addition, the first and second support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, wherein each support leg of the first and second support pedestals are laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collaspsed position.
US08438971B1
A stand mixer and heating means combination apparatus includes a stand mixer that has a base. A top side of the base includes a container mating member. An outer container includes a mixer mating member that is engageable with the container mating member. The outer container includes a bottom wall. A heating assembly is mounted on the base and is in thermal communication with the outer container. An inner container has a lower wall. The inner container has a size to be positioned in the outer container. A first mating member is attached to an outer surface of the inner container and is engageable with a second mating member attached to an inner surface of the outer container such that the lower and bottom walls are retained in a spaced relationship with each other.
US08438967B2
A piston portion (102) for a piston assembly (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The piston portion (102) includes a substantially cylindrical head portion (103) including a mating face (105). The piston portion (102) further includes a substantially annular insert chamber (126) formed in the mating face (105) and adapted for receiving a portion of a substantially annular insert (120).
US08438965B2
A mounting device for mounting an accessory to a rail of a weapon includes a base portion and first and second side portions. One side portion is movable to grip the rail. An elongated connecting member has a first end engaging the first side portion and a second end connected to a camming device. The camming device engages the second side portion and pulls the elongated connecting member to move the side portions to an engaged position. A locking mechanism locks the camming device in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The locking element has an engagement portion that selectively engages the camming device when the locking element is in the lock position thereby locking the camming device in the closed position.
US08438959B2
A cutting device for shear-cutting of fiber strands comprises at least two cutting units which are rotatably drivable about an axis of rotation and two counter cutting units which are rigidly mounted relative to a base frame. The cutting edges of the cutting units as well as the counter cutting edges of the counter cutting units are positionable relative to a common cutting plane independently of each other. The forces acting on the counter cutting edges are measured during a cutting process by means of corresponding measuring sensors, allowing the position of the counter cutting edges to be controlled by means of a control unit via electrically driven displacement devices.
US08438958B2
Woodworking machines including conductive cutters adapted to cut workpieces, and motors adapted to drive the cutters are disclosed. The machines also include a contact detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutter, and to distinguish contact between the person and the cutter from contact between the workpiece and the cutter. The machines further include a reaction system adapted to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of contact between the person and the cutter by the contact detection system.
US08438952B2
A cut and strip machine (1) for producing cable-sections by processing a passing cable, especially coaxial or optical cable (2). Cable-sections are cut off from the cable, and on both ends of each cable-section at least one insulating layer can be notched/cut and stripped off. The machine comprises at least one cable feeding device (3, 4), and a cable processing unit, preferably cutting unit (6) arranged adjustably transverse to a cable axis, as well as a first cable guiding unit arranged—in a feeding direction (5) of the cable (2)—in front of said cable processing unit (6). A second cable guiding unit is arranged behind said cable processing unit (6). These first and second cable guiding units may be formed as fixed, non-rotating first and second cable centering units (7, 8). These are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the cable processing unit (6), and are suitable for centering, preferably straight-line centering, of the cable (2) on both its sides. At least one of the cable centering units (8) can be adjusted transversely to the cable axis for effecting its adjustment to the current diameter of the cable to be processed.
US08438940B2
An apparatus and a method for simulatively measuring an environment in a microspace between human skin and a wound dressing. The simulative environment-measuring apparatus includes a constant temperature-and-humidity chamber (14); a heat exchanger (12) disposed in the chamber; a constant temperature water bath (10) and a pump (11) for supplying warm water to the heat exchanger; and a container (1) set on the heat exchanger. The container holds a water retentive member (2) therein, and is covered with a water vapor diffusion-controlling member (4). A microspace (6) formed between the water vapor diffusion-controlling member and a wound dressing (5) is a simulatively reproduced space between human skin and the wound dressing. A thin temperature-and-humidity sensor (7) is set in the microspace to measure temperature and humidity. When plural containers are used, the environments of plural wound dressings can be measured at once.
US08438937B2
Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.
US08438933B2
An acoustic displacement flowmeter for determining flow rate of a fluid has a fluid flow line defining a flow path for the fluid. The fluid flow line has an inlet and an outlet. A controllable valve is positioned along the fluid flow line for opening and closing the flow path as desired, and an acoustic displacement transducer having a fluid port is coupled to the fluid flow line upstream from the controllable valve. The outlet of the fluid flow line extends through a wall isolating fluid exhausted from the outlet of the fluid flow line from electrical and/or mechanical components residing inside the flowmeter, thereby preventing the exhausted fluid, if explosive, from contacting such electrical and/or mechanical components which may act as potential ignition sources. Preferably, a manifold having a rigid body is provided in which the fluid flow line is formed. An acoustic displacement transducer (ADT) chamber wall is formed on the manifold body, and has an ADT chamber inlet port formed therein, and the fluid flow line has a branched portion connecting the fluid flow line to the ADT chamber inlet port. The outlet of the fluid flow line extends through a wall formed in the manifold body to isolate fluid exhausted from the outlet of the fluid flow line from electrical and/or mechanical components residing inside the flowmeter.
US08438929B2
A phased array ultrasonic testing system for examining discontinuities in turbine or generator rotor bores formed within turbine or generator rotors of a turbine or generator rotor assembly. The system includes a phased array ultrasonic transducer structured to be coupled to a surface of the rotor bore at a first location in order to emit an ultrasonic beam toward a second location of the rotor bore which is to be examined. The system further includes a control system with a computer and a controller for programming, emitting, and steering the ultrasonic beam via at least one, two-dimensional phased array transducer, thereby precisely and accurately inspecting the area of interest. Computer control of the beam permits the number of inspection locations and the number of different transducer wedges to be reduced providing for an efficient, timely inspection.
US08438926B2
The present invention provides a method which allows simply, easily and accurately evaluating the fastening state of shoulder parts of a threaded joint for use as a joint of pipes or tubes, such as OCTG, during fastening or after fastening. The fastening state evaluation method for a threaded joint 100 of pipes or tubes according to the present invention is characterized in that it transmits ultrasonic surface waves from the internal surface of either one of the pin 1 and the box 2 toward the internal surface of the other one of the pin 1 and the box 2 through the shoulder parts 13, 23 of the pin 1 and the box 2, and on the basis of the transmitted wave intensity or the reflected wave intensity thereof, determines whether or not the fastening state of the threaded joint 100 is satisfactory.
US08438925B2
An arrangement and method for determining and monitoring the state of a rolling bearing, wherein a first sensor signal is captured in the form of a sound emission signal in a first frequency band in the ultrasonic range during operation of the rolling bearing, a second sensor signal is captured in a second frequency band of lower frequency in the ultrasonic range, a first characteristic value for recently occurred damage is determined from the shape of the first sensor signal, a second characteristic value for recently occurred damage is determined from the shape of the second sensor signal, and the state of the rolling bearing is determined by comparing the first characteristic value to a reference value dependent on the speed of the rolling bearing and dependent on the second characteristic value to at least one second reference value dependent on the speed of the rolling bearing.
US08438924B2
A method for accurately calculating the thickness of deposited thin film layers onto a piezoelectric crystal blank in which dissimilar materials can be utilized, enabling determinations for various applications employing exotic materials. Additionally, the specific acoustic impedance (or equivalent z-ratio) of an unknown deposited material can be determined. The exact analytical solution nearly eliminates thickness errors when several layers of different materials are sequentially deposited on the same monitor quartz crystal.
US08438908B2
A leak detector (1) adapted to detect a leak (40) of a first material by detecting a change in a physical/chemical property of a second material. The leak detector includes a quantum cascade laser (5) and a detector (35).
US08438907B2
Liquid leak detection systems, and fuel cell systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems containing the same. The liquid leak detection systems are adapted to detect liquid leaks from the fuel cell and/or fuel processing systems and to respond thereto, such as by interrupting the delivery of liquid reactants, by generating an alert, by transitioning the fuel processing system to a different operating state, and/or by shutting down the fuel processing and/or fuel cell system. The liquid leak detection systems may include a controller and at least one liquid detector, and in some embodiments may include a cover. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes a signal emitter and a signal detector. In some embodiments, the liquid detector includes at least a pair of spaced-apart conductive members that nominally define an open circuit. In some embodiments, the cover is adapted to repel water and/or includes conductive particulate.
US08438903B2
Semiconductor devices, chromatography devices and integrated circuits for detecting one or more molecules and methods for forming a semiconductor device for detecting one or more molecules are presented. For example, a semiconductor device for detecting one or more molecules includes a channel formed within a semiconductor structure, and at least one detector formed within the semiconductor structure. The at least one detector detects the one or more molecules in the channel. The semiconductor device may optionally comprise one or more additional channels formed within the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor device may, for example, be operative to detect a single molecule.
US08438893B2
A two-dimensional sheet material is provided that is suitable for bending along a bend line to form a three-dimensional object. The sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one side of the bend line. A portion of the displacements shear adjacent the bend line and define an edge and an opposed face. The edge and opposed face configured to produce edge-to-face engagement of the sheet material during bending. Alternatively, sheet material is provided with a plurality of displacements in a thickness direction of the sheet material on one or both sides of the bend line, and with a plurality of corresponding and cooperating protrusions to improve structural integrity and/or to improve electromagnetic and radio frequency shielding. The sheet material may also be provided with a self-latching structure. A method of preparing and using these sheet materials is also described.
US08438888B2
A door lock device includes a lever mechanism which carries out lock/unlock operation in response to turn operation of a key cylinder. The lever mechanism includes a key rotor which includes a coupling hole to which an inner end of a rod is coupled in a torque transmittable manner and is rotatably assembled to a housing, and a key lever which includes a hub which is coupled to the key rotor in a torque transmittable manner and is arranged in the housing. The key lever includes a first arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a first engagement portion of the active lever, and a second arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a second engagement portion of the active lever.
US08438885B2
The present invention, relates to an apparatus for securing cassettes housed within an automatic teller machine (ATM). The apparatus comprises at least one barrier and a supporting structure for supporting at least one barrier. Each barrier is formed and arranged to be associated with a pair of adjacent cassettes and to be movable between a first position in which the barrier prevents removal of a pair of adjacent cassettes in use of the apparatus along their respective removal paths. The barrier is moveable to a second position in which the barrier prevents removal of one cassette of the pair of adjacent cassettes along its removal path and to a third position in which the barrier prevents removal of the other cassette of the pair of adjacent cassettes along its removal path. In use, only one cassette of a pair of adjacent cassettes is removable along its removal path when the barrier is in the second or third position. The apparatus is further formed and arranged so that the barrier (or barriers) can be moved to a ‘service’ position so that both cassettes can be accessed and removed along their removal paths and for servicing of the ATM.
US08438883B2
Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.
US08438881B2
A laundry treating appliance and method for dispensing treating chemistry, where the laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber, a single use dispenser and a bulk dispenser. Water may be supplied to the single use dispenser through a first water flow path, which directs a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the single use dispenser into the treating chamber. Water may be supplied to the bulk dispenser through a second water flow path, which is configured to spray a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the bulk dispenser into the treating chamber. The laundry treating appliance may determine the presence of treating chemistry within at least one of the single use dispenser and the bulk dispenser, and, based on this determination, supply water to the flow path associated with the dispenser which contains treating chemistry.
US08438880B2
A detergent dispensing unit is provided that includes a dispensing shell; a dispensing connection permitting the entry of fresh water into the dispensing shell; and a trap being located fluidly between an interior of the detergent dispensing unit and an opening that leads to the exterior, the opening which leads to the exterior being an overflow. The trap is positioned in the dispensing shell downstream of the dispensing connection, a maximum filled level of the trap lies below a lower edge of the overflow and the trap is adapted to be filled by liquid from the dispensing shell.
US08438875B2
A glass manufacturing device includes a main body defining a working space, a fixing device and a grit blower in communication with the working space. The fixing device includes a first fixing assembly, a second fixing assembly, and a locking assembly. The first and second fixing assemblies are rotatably connected with each other and used for clamping a glass substrate. The first fixing assembly includes a number of shielding elements spaced from each other. The locking assembly is used for locking the first and second fixing assemblies. The grit blower is disposed opposite to the first fixing assembly and used for blasting grit on the glass substrate, and thus the portions of the glass substrate which are not shielded by the shielding elements are cut off during the process of grit-blasting. Remaining portions of the glass substrate shielded by the shielding elements are the desired product.
US08438861B2
The present invention relates to a device for heating and cooling an object in a controlled manner permitting a good thermal contact between the thermal block, the element for heating and cooling and the heat sink without the need for using a thermal interface material, an instrument comprising such a device and a method for conducting a thermal profile using the device.
US08438854B2
A diffuser system for a compressor for a gas turbine engine, the compressor having an impeller and the gas turbine engine having a combustor and a fuel injector proximate to the combustor, includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser is configured to receive compressed air from the impeller. The second diffuser is coupled to receive the compressed air from the first diffuser. The second diffuser comprises a housing comprising a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls form a diffuser flow passage therebetween. The first wall or the second wall, or both, further form an opening through the first and second walls for the fuel injector to pass through when removed from the combustor.
US08438850B2
A waste heat utilization system and associated methods for preheating fuel for a turbine engine component. The turbine engine component includes at least one heat generating source. The system includes structure for applying heat from the at least one heat generating source to relatively cold fuel for the turbine engine component to preheat the fuel prior to ignition.
US08438846B2
The present invention provides a hydraulic drive apparatus which can flexibly be set. The hydraulic drive apparatus which drives a variable displacement hydraulic motor 20 by a pressure oil discharged from a variable displacement hydraulic pump 10 and outputs a driving force of the hydraulic motor 20 to outside. The hydraulic drive apparatus includes torque upper limit setting unit which sets an upper limit of an output torque with respect to the hydraulic motor 20, and control unit which sets a maximum capacity limit value of the hydraulic motor 20 in accordance with the upper limit of the output torque when the upper limit of the output torque is set by the torque upper limit setting unit, and which sets a maximum capacity limit value of the hydraulic pump 10 in accordance with the upper limit of the output torque.
US08438843B2
A hydraulic system of a work machine with a hydraulically controlled implement includes: an operating oil flow passage for flowing operating oil from a main pump; a boost flow oil passage for supplying operating oil to the operating oil flow passage; a connection unit for connecting the implement which is provided downstream of the confluence on the operating oil flow passage; a controller for controlling the high-flow valve; and a high-flow switch which is connected to the controller and is configured to effect or cancel a command of the amount increase on a high-flow valve. Annunciation is made when the connection unit is connected to a high-flow actuator for the implement requiring an amount increase of the operating oil, and the amount increase is effected by the high-flow valve in accordance with an operation of the high-flow switch.
US08438841B2
Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter positioned downstream of an engine in a vehicle are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during combusting engine conditions, directing exhaust from the engine to a three-way catalyst and then to the particulate filter, and during non-combusting engine conditions and while the vehicle is in motion, directing fresh ram-air to between the particulate filter and the catalyst to regenerate the particulate filter. Thus, vehicle motion may be used to introduce the ram-air.
US08438838B2
A fuel-fired burner in a vehicle exhaust system is used to heat up a frozen NOx reducing agent supply tank within a predetermined target amount of time. A method and apparatus are used to identify when a supply of agent is below a predetermined temperature, and the fuel-fired burner is activated for a sufficient amount of time to raise a temperature of the agent to at least the predetermined temperature with the predetermined target amount of time.
US08438818B2
A machine for forming a bale including a plurality of bags includes a conveyor for conveying each of the bags to an inlet opening. A film feeder is positioned adjacent the inlet opening, along with a former for forming a sleeve from the film adjacent to the inlet opening. Means for pushing, such as a pusher, is provided for pushing the bags into the sleeve. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08438811B1
Preferably, a vehicle ready modular light weight load bearing equipment apparatus “V-MOLLE,” includes a semi-rigid panel portion that includes a front side surface and a backside surface. In a preferred embodiment the front side surface includes a plurality of attachment points configured for reception of a number of utility pouches. The apparatus further preferably includes a vertical anchor system secured to the panel portion and configured for communication with a seat of a vehicle, and a horizontal anchor system secured to the panel portion and configured for communication with the seat of the vehicle. Additionally, the apparatus includes a cover portion attachable to a backside surface of the panel portion, wherein the backside surface of the panel portion is exposable to reveal a signal panel when the cover portion is detached from the panel portion.
US08438806B2
This invention relates to a composite panel for a rooftop surface having a core material board having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of openings through said core material board extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; a rigid outer shell of solid material that encapsulates said core material board; a plurality of supports of said solid material wherein each of said plurality of supports extends through one of said plurality of openings in said core material board; and a plurality of legs on a portion of said rigid outer shell covering said bottom surface of core board material.
US08438793B2
A structural system for use in areas in which space is valuable. The structural system has the ability to transform from a first object or shape into a self-contained meeting center. The structural system may be used for interior and exterior applications. The structural system may also include a mobile, micro-climate controlled chair system.
US08438780B1
A bouquet making apparatus comprises a plurality of bouquet forms movably supported at spaced locations along a conveying device. Each bouquet form includes fixed upper and lower stem supports that hold bouquet elements, such as flowers, at an angle with respect to vertical. As each bouquet maker travels along the conveying device, workers spaced along the conveying device sequentially insert sets of flowers into upper and lower stem supports until each bouquet maker hold a final bouquet set. Each of the final bouquet sets are removed from the bouquet form and secured with a fastener, thereby forming a plurality of twisted stem-type bouquets having a substantially identical design appearance.
US08438771B1
A detachable pistol stock that includes a stock member having a butt, a comb disposed between a heel and a forearm recess, a pistol grip disposed proximal a fore-end, a fore stock attached to a fore-end notch disposed underlying the pistol grip, wherein an extant pistol is releasably supportable within a receiving tray and compressibly engagable with a padded bracket disposed on the fore-end by a shooter's grip, whereby the detachable pistol stock is rapidly deployable and usable with an extant pistol, as desired, to increase accuracy in using said pistol.
US08438766B2
Disclosed is a unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
US08438763B2
A three-dimensional illuminated greeting card which combines a unique card construction having a 3D pop-out structure with one or more lights contained therein. The 3D pop-out structure forms an internal cavity in which illumination means and other electronic components are contained. One or more sides of the 3D structure are made of translucent or semi-translucent material, creating a screen that can be illuminated from behind by one or more miniature lights, such as LED lights. The light or lights may be connected to an integrated circuit chip that can be programmed with various lighting effects. The greeting card may optionally include other electronic components which are configured to play sound or music or perform other electronic effects.
US08438761B2
A method for operating two spreader clamps for receiving and holding in pairs pieces of cloth and for spreading out the pieces of cloth before they are delivered to a conveyor, that includes selecting whether the two spreader clamps first spread a piece of cloth about one of two outer centerlines of the conveyor for small-sized pieces of cloth or about a first centerline for large-sized pieces of cloth, feeding a piece of cloth to the spreader clamps, moving the two spreader clamps so as to be situated in relation to the centerline selected, initiating movement of the spreader clamps to either side of the centerline selected to spread the piece of cloth and ascertaining during the spreading about the centerline selected if the piece of cloth is a large-sized piece or a small-sized piece, wherein if an outer centerline is selected and it is ascertained that a piece is a large-sized piece of cloth, moving the two spreader clamps so that the piece of cloth is spread about the first centerline and if the first centerline is selected and it is ascertained that the piece of cloth is a small-sized piece of cloth, moving the two spreader clamps so that the piece of cloth is spread about one of the outer centerlines.
US08438760B2
An attachment system for connecting a first member such as a lip plate of a mechanical digging device to a second member such as a ground engaging tool. The first member has a lug attached thereto, and the second member has a recess which is located about the lug A stabilizing member is located within a slot in the recess. A clamping member is between the lug and the stabilizing member, and includes a resilient portion such as a compression spring. A compressive force supplied to the resilient portion restricts the movement of the second member relative to the lug.
US08438756B2
Articles of footwear that include a flexible or rigid sole portion with a shape and size as to correspond to a foot of a wearer, a sole portion having a periphery, a toe region in the front area of the sole portion, a heel region in the back area of the sole portion, and an instep region between the toe and heel regions. Also included is an upper portion connected to the sole portion to form a partially open enclosure for receiving and containing a part of the foot of the wearer and a flexible tubular sleeve which is attached to the sole portion's instep region. The flexible sleeve includes an attachment portion for attaching the flexible sleeve to the instep region of the sole portion, an outwardly opened toe portion for containing the front part of the foot and the toes of the wearer, an outwardly opened heel portion for containing the back part of the foot and the heel of the wearer, and an insertion portion for enveloping the ankle of the wearer.
US08438752B2
The steel-made Yankee cylinder includes a cylindrical shell (11) joined to two ends (13, 15), to which are fixed respective-support journals (3). The cylindrical shell (11) is joined to the ends through a circumferential weld formed between opposing surfaces of each end and of the cylindrical shell.
US08438751B2
A dryer is provided having a drying chamber for items to be dried and a process air duct in which are located a heater for heating the process air, a blower for driving the process air from the heater through the drying chamber, and a heat exchanger arrangement. Via the heat exchanger arrangement, heat can be withdrawn from the process air flowing away from the drying chamber, and the process air flowing toward the heater can be fed to the heat exchanger. The process air duct is divided into a main duct and a secondary duct, the secondary duct having an evaporator in which condensate that was separated from the process air in the heat exchanger arrangement can be evaporated into the process air flowing therethrough and is connected to the exhaust opening.
US08438746B2
A coordinate measuring machine includes: a probe for measuring an object; a movement mechanism for moving the probe; and a motion controller for controlling the movement mechanism. The motion controller includes: a current value detecting unit that detects a current value for moving the probe by the movement mechanism; and a load judging unit that judges a status of a load applied on the movement mechanism based on the current value detected by the current value detecting unit and a threshold that is set in accordance with a target speed for moving the probe by the movement mechanism. The target speed is in proportion to the threshold.
US08438734B2
There is provided a method for assembling a rail vehicle. The method includes positioning a plurality of motor combos on a fixture frame. The fixture frame may be adapted to hold each of the plurality of motor combos positioned for an assembly into a rail vehicle truck. The method further includes positioning a plurality of springs on each of the plurality of motor combos. The plurality of springs are positioned for the assembly into the rail vehicle truck. Additionally, the method includes simultaneously lifting a plurality of motors such that a truck frame may be coupled to the motors. The plurality of motors corresponds to the plurality of motor combos. The method also includes connecting the truck frame to the plurality of motors, attaching a spring compression fixture to the truck frame and the fixture frame, and compressing the plurality of springs for assembly into the rail vehicle truck.
US08438726B2
A resist film is formed on a conductor layer of a two-layered base material composed of a carrier layer and the conductor layer. Next, the resist film is exposed and developed, so that an etching resist pattern is formed. A region of the conductor layer that is exposed while not covered with the etching resist pattern is removed by etching. A conductor pattern is formed by removing the etching resist pattern. Then, an adhesive layer precursor is applied on an entire surface including an upper surface of the conductor pattern. The adhesive layer precursor is exposed and developed, so that an adhesive pattern is formed on the conductor pattern. After that, a base insulating layer is joined onto the conductor pattern with the adhesive pattern sandwiched therebetween. Finally, a carrier layer is separated from the conductor pattern, so that the FPC board is manufactured.
US08438724B2
Methods for producing a substrate for mounting a device and for producing a semiconductor module are provided. The methods comprise preparing a metal plate on one major surface of which a plurality of projected electrodes are provided. An insulating resin layer is formed on the major surface so as to cover the top surface of the projected electrodes. The top surface of at least one of the plurality of projected electrodes is exposed by removing the insulating resin layer so that a major surface of the insulating resin layer opposite to the metal plate is level. A plurality of counter electrodes is arranged having a counterface to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes or a semiconductor device having a plurality of device electrodes is arranged to face the top face of the plurality of projected electrodes. The at least one of the plurality of projected electrodes, the top surface of which is exposed, is electrically connected with at least one of the plurality of counter electrodes facing the projected electrodes, by pressure-bonding the metal plate with the counter electrode. A wiring layer is formed by selectively removing the metal plate.
US08438722B2
An apparatus for detecting component attachment of the present invention includes a detection head for detecting presence or absence of a component or whether or not a component is attached, and a driving mechanism for driving the detection head in an attachment direction of the component. The detection head includes a movable element having a distal end portion capable of being brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the component, a guide passage for guiding the movable element in the attachment direction so as to be capable of reciprocal motion, a fluid passage for passing a fluid when the distal end portion is brought into contact with the predetermined portion and pushed and the movable element is moved to a predetermined position, and a detection portion for detecting a pressure or a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage.
US08438721B1
A disk drive is assembled to have a cover that includes a hole therethrough, and an annular gasket continuously encircling the hole and being adhered to an undersurface of the disk drive cover. A breather filter is adjacent the disk drive base. The breather filter includes a breather filter housing having a top surface and an entrance port. The annular gasket is in compressive contact with, but not adhered to, the top surface of the breather filter housing. The annular gasket encircles the entrance port. In certain embodiments, this method of assembly may facilitate disk drive rework.
US08438711B1
Embodiments of a tool and method for removing sweeper bristles from a railway track broom are disclosed. An exemplary tool may include a tube member for insertion into a sweeper bristle gripped onto a nipple element, wherein two or more slits split a front portion of the tube member into flexible prongs each having outward-facing gripping elements near its tip. A plunger element, located inside the tube member, can be propelled forward into a front end of the tube member to cause the flexible prongs to substantially expand at least part of the front portion of the tube member, thereby loosening the sweeper bristle's grip on the nipple element. A hydraulic assembly coupling the plunger element to a hydraulic pressure source is controlled by a trigger mechanism to supply hydraulic pressure to propel the plunger element.
US08438710B2
A structure with an integrated circuit (IC) and a silicon condenser microphone mounted thereon includes a substrate having a first area and a second area. The IC is fabricated on the first area in order to form a conducting layer and an insulation layer. Both the conducting layer and the insulation layer further extend to the second area. The insulation layer is removed under low temperature in order to expose the conducting layer on which the silicon condenser microphone is fabricated. The silicon condenser microphone includes a first film layer, a connecting layer and a second film layer under a condition that the connecting layer connects the first and the second film layers. The first film layer and the second film layer act as two electrodes of a variable capacitance.
US08438696B2
A steam surface cleaner operable to clean a surface, and the steam surface cleaner includes a supply tank configured to retain a cleaning fluid, a base including a dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank to dispense the cleaning fluid from the supply tank and onto the surface, a handle configured to move the base along the surface, a heater operable to heat the cleaning fluid to generate steam such that the cleaning fluid dispensed from the dispensing nozzle includes steam, and a cleaning pad coupled to the base for movement with the base and such that the cleaning pad is configured to directly contact the surface. The cleaning pad includes an aperture that allows the cleaning fluid to flow from the dispensing nozzle, through the aperture, and onto the surface.
US08438695B2
An autonomous coverage robot detection system includes an emitter configured to emit a directed beam, a detector configured to detect the directed beam and a controller configured to direct the robot in response to a signal detected by the detector. In some examples, the detection system detects a stasis condition of the robot. In some examples, the detection system detects a wall and can follow the wall in response to the detected signal.
US08438694B2
A cleaning apparatus including a main body, a dust collection unit detachably installed on the main body and provided with a plurality of inlets, through which foreign substances are introduced into the dust collection unit, and a connection hole, to which an external instrument is connected, a shutter to open and close one inlet, and a cap to open and close the connection hole. The shutter opens and closes the inlet in cooperation with one of whether or not the dust collection unit is attached to or detached from the main body and whether or not the connection hole is opened or closed.
US08438689B2
A broom having a head part to which a first and a second plurality of bristles are coupled. The second plurality of bristles preferably comprising a hooking member positioned at an end of the bristle opposite the head part, wherein the hooking member preferably forms a cap on the second end of the body. Alternatively, a bristle device having a plurality of bristles each with a hooking member at one end, wherein the bristle device is releasably couplable to bristles or a head part of a broom. In operation, as the plurality of bristles with hooking members sweep over the debris or material to be swept along a surface, the bristle with hooking members catch, hook or hold onto the debris being swept. The row of bristles with hooking members preferably form a hooking barrier that traps the material being swept making sweeping very easy and effective.
US08438688B2
A hand held scraper tool adapted to remove debris from a surface. The scrapper tool includes a body, handle and a plurality of abraders. In one embodiment, the abraders may be configured as a highly flexible cantilevered structure. In another embodiment, the abraders may be configured as a brush that creates a water impermeable barrier.
US08438681B2
A furniture device comprising a section, having a fundament, a plate member, a first set of elastic members, an array of connections, a plurality of connection members attached to the first set of elastic members and to the fundament and a deformation member adapted to displace the plate member. Each elastic member comprises an elastic element having a first spring constant and a flexible envelope that encloses the elastic element. The connections located between the upper and lower ends of the elastic members forming an upper part with an upper length extending between the upper ends of the elastic members and the connections, and a lower part extending between the connections and the lower ends of the elastic members. The upper length is mainly unaffected by the displacement of the plate member and the lower length is adjustable by means of the displacement of the plate member.
US08438680B2
A vehicle for use in hospitals, and the like, giving better mobility, steering, braking and passenger handling while providing comfort to the passengers from the time they lay down until they are standing on the side through the rotation and tilting ability of the frame.
US08438667B2
An article of apparel may include may include a garment portion and at least one protective element. The garment portion and the protective element have a configuration that forms a gap, separation, or pleat structure through, for example, folding or overlapping of a textile element of the garment portion. The gap, separation, or pleat structure may permit the protective element to move independent of other portions of the apparel at the joint, thereby enhancing a range of movement of the individual and the overall comfort of the apparel.
US08438663B2
A lens assembly for securing in an opening in a face plate of a face protector has a first, retainer lens of shape and dimensions configured to be secured in the front opening of a face plate and having a curvature substantially matching the curvature of the face plate. A second lens of smaller dimensions is secured behind the first lens to provide a lens-in-a-lens configuration. The lens assembly may be releasably secured in the face plate opening and the second lens is interchangeable with sets of lenses having different properties such as lens shade. The retainer assembly has a back cover and a gasket or spacer between the back cover and second lens to allow second lenses of different depths to be secured in the assembly.
US08443451B2
Computer protection is weak with the methods currently available and there are risks of malicious users getting access to computers, corrupting important data, including system data. We are proposing a method for improving access protection, more particularly, by adding a device that will enable or disable protection for applications as required. The device supports one or more users, one or more user groups, none or one or more Application Security Environments for each user or user group and one or more states for each Application Security Environment. The state of the hardware is manually controlled by the users. Depending on the configuration, each hardware state corresponding to an Application Security Environment corresponds to a set of privileges for processes running in that Application Security Environment while that Application Security Environment is in that state.
US08443441B2
A system and methods of detecting an occurrence of a violation of an email security policy of a computer system. A model relating to the transmission of prior emails through the computer system is defined which is derived from statistics relating to the prior emails. For selected emails to be analyzed, statistics concerning the selected email are gathered. Such statistics may refer to the behavior or other features of the selected emails, attachments to emails, or email accounts. The determination of whether a violation of an email security policy has occurred is performed by applying the model of prior email transmission to the statistics relating to the selected email. The model may be statistical or probabilistic. A model of prior email transmission may include grouping email recipients into cliques. A determination of a violation of a security policy may occur if email recipients for a particular email are in more than one clique.
US08443439B2
A honeypot system for protecting a mobile communication network against malware includes one or more user-less mobile devices including a monitoring module for monitoring the events conveying software applications in the associated mobile device as well as a controller client module that emulates human-like interaction with the user-less devices as a function of the events monitored. The system controllably performs, for the applications conveyed by the events monitored, one or more of the following steps: i) installing the application on the device; ii) executing the application installed on the device; and iii) de-installing the application from the device. After any of these steps, the state of the device is checked in order to detect if any anomalous variation has occurred in the state of the device indicative of the device being exposed to the risk of malware. If any anomalous variation is detected, the system issues a malware alert message.
US08443433B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein are directed to a mechanism for determining whether at least one operation will be effective in view of at least one security policy. In exemplary implementations, determining whether at least one operation will be effective in view of at least one security policy may comprise determining a merged security policy for a computer system by merging security policies for the computer system from two or more sources. The security policies may be security policies set by a user and/or an administrator of the computer system, may be security policies of a computer network to which the computer system is connected, or may be security policies of one or more other computer systems that are above the computer system in a computer network hierarchy.
US08443428B2
A system and method for providing access to clinical data over the Internet. The system includes a server, and a database in communication with the server. The database stores clinical data sets. The system further includes a thin client, a communication link between the server and the Internet, and a communication link between the thin client and the Internet. Software executing on the server receives a request for one or more clinical data sets, retrieves the requested clinical data sets, and transmits the clinical data sets to the thin client.
US08443425B1
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for authenticating using a mobile device of a user. The method involves receiving a request for access to a secure resource and requesting credentials for accessing the secure resource from the user. The method further involves receiving a request to obtain the credentials from the mobile device, where the mobile device includes a mobile device user interface and a credential interface, and requesting the credentials from the mobile device. The method still further involves, in response to the credential interface authenticating the user on the mobile device using input received from the mobile device user interface, receiving the credentials from the mobile device. The method further involves determining that the user is authorized to access the secure resource based on the credentials and providing the user with access to the secure resource.
US08443418B2
A method for managing a remote access authority information of a remote access service server including receiving a remote access authority list from a remote access server for a first user and registering the remote access authority list, by the remote access service server; when the remote access service server receives a remote access authority addition request for a second user from a communication device of the first user, giving a remote access authority to the second user and renewing the remote access authority list; transmitting information of the remote access authority given to the second user to the remote access server of the first user in order to synchronize the renewed access authority list with the remote access server of the first user; notifying the communication device of the first user whether the remote access authority addition is successful.
US08443403B2
Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.
US08443398B2
Systems and methods pertaining to a client-server architecture for communicating video frames across a network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a first engine residing on a first device, with the first engine adapted to encode a succession of video frames of a user interface of a program for transmission across the network. The encoding of the video frames is based on one or more feedback parameters and includes video compression techniques. In the same embodiment, the system includes a first command process engine operatively coupled to the program. In the same embodiment, the system includes a second engine residing on a second device, the second engine adapted to decode the succession of video frames after transmission across the network. In the same embodiment, the system includes a second command process engine operatively coupled to the first command process engine and adapted to communicate user input of the second device to the program via the first command process engine.
US08443397B2
There is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus 10, comprising a reception unit 13 receiving a broadcast signal from a plurality of channels; a display unit 20 displaying video which corresponds to the broadcast signal; a touch panel 23 accepting handwritten input by a user; a character recognition unit 24 recognizing handwritten input onto the touch panel 23 as a character or a character string; a memory unit 21 storing for each channel a character or a character string specifying the channel; and a control unit 11 switching a reception channel, when a character or a character string recognized by the character recognition unit 24 corresponds to any one of characters or character strings stored in the memory unit 21 while video corresponding to a broadcast signal received at the reception unit 13 is displayed on the display unit 20, to a channel corresponding to the character or the character string.
US08443396B2
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08443391B2
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08443388B2
A device for receiving a broadcasting program and a method for displaying a favorite channel may be disclosed. A method for displaying a favorite channel in a device for receiving a broadcasting program includes presetting a favorite program viewing standard time; identifying whether a key signal is inputted by a user, displaying a broadcasting program received from a selected channel; detecting a viewing time of the program based on the inputted key signal; comparing the detected program viewing time with the preset viewing standard time; and registering the broadcasting program with a favorite program list based on the result of the comparison.
US08443383B2
Methods of operating a communications system comprise inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an embed, encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program stream. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. The receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.
US08443374B2
In an example embodiment, a system manages adapters and connectors used to integrate software applications. The example system includes a repository of connectors, where each connector includes one or more integration adapters. A connector generator communicating with the repository of connectors is adapted to selectively generate one or more connectors in response to detection of an event for which a corresponding connector is not found in the repository of connectors. In a more specific example embodiment, the connector generator is adapted to implement one or more generated connectors as a web service. The connector generator may be constructed in accordance with an Application Integration Architecture (AIA) integration framework. Additional tools are provided for monitoring connector runtime information and receiving and logging user feedback pertaining to connectors.
US08443373B2
Embodiments are directed to dynamically allocating processing resources among a plurality of resource schedulers. A resource manager dynamically allocates resources to a first resource scheduler. The resource manager is configured to dynamically allocate resources among a plurality of resource schedulers, and each scheduler is configured to manage various processing resources. The resource manager determines that at least one of the processing resources dynamically allocated to the first resource scheduler is idle. The resource manager determines that at least one other resource scheduler needs additional processing resources and, based on the determination, loans the determined idle processing resource of the first resource scheduler to a second resource scheduler.
US08443371B2
Provided are a system and program for managing operation requests using different resources. In one embodiment, a first queue is provided for operations which utilize a first resource of a first and second resource. A second queue is provided for operations which utilize the second resource. An operation is queued on the first queue until the first resource is acquired. The first resource is released if the second resource is not also acquired. The operation is queued on the second queue when the first resource is acquired but the second resource is not. In addition, the first resource is released until the operation acquires both the first resource and the second resource.
US08443366B1
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided techniques for establishing a parallel processing framework in a multi-tenant on-demand database system. These techniques for establishing a parallel processing framework in a multi-tenant on-demand database system may enable embodiments to provide great flexibility to a tenant of the architecture to perform desired functions on content of the database without unduly consuming the resources of the system.
US08443365B2
In one embodiment, an initialization script including instructions to define a value of a parameter at a cloned virtual machine instance is generated and stored at a virtual disk of a source virtual machine instance. The value of the parameter at the cloned virtual machine instance is different from the value of the parameter at the source virtual machine instance. An image of the virtual disk is then sent to a virtual machine module. The cloned virtual machine instance is instantiated at the virtual machine module based on the image of the virtual disk.
US08443364B2
A user interface function for a virtual machine system based on a server or a PC is provided only by applying software without using SVP or the like. A control virtual machine is provided for controlling a virtual machine control screen which is displayed for defining virtual machines and instructing operations to the virtual machines. A virtual machine control program exclusively displays either a screen for each virtual machine or the virtual machine control screen in response to a screen switching instruction from an input device.
US08443362B2
Provided is a computer system including a host computer, a storage system, and a management computer, in which the storage system receives data I/O request to virtual logical volumes and data I/O request to one or more real logical volumes, each of the virtual logical volumes is allocated to one of one or more pools, storage areas of physical storage systems are allocated to all storage areas defined as the pools, and when a performance problem has occurred in one of the virtual logical volumes, the management computer selects the one of the virtual logical volumes, and selects a pool other than the pool to which the selected virtual logical volume is allocated and the real logical volumes as a migration destination of the selected virtual logical volume, to thereby prevent a performance problem from being caused by interference among the virtual logical volumes sharing the pool.
US08443356B2
An image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of accessory device includes a storage unit configured to store a plurality of control programs to be updated corresponding to each of the plurality of accessory devices, and a control unit configured to send a control program whose update time is the longest among the plurality of control programs to be updated which are stored in the storage unit, to the accessory device in priority to other control programs.
US08443355B2
This invention relates to the Life Cycle Management System for distributed Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) starting from the design phase to the end of service phase. Hence, it caters to the needs from installation via engineering, installation/commissioning phases, until asset management and remote service support of the devices during the operational phase The increasing decentralization of the involved components via networks, especially via the Internet, is a key criterion and needs to be addressed by the life cycle management. The added value for the customer grows disproportionately with the degree of integration of multiple independent software components into a complex and often highly distributed control system. The architecture of today's control systems must be sufficiently flexible to allow customers to regard their plant components from various locations. Additionally, the stability, security and maintainability of such a system is strongly dependent on the homogeneity and interoperability of all involved components.
US08443349B2
A runtime system implemented in accordance with the present invention provides an application platform for parallel-processing computer systems. Such a runtime system enables users to leverage the computational power of parallel-processing computer systems to accelerate/optimize numeric and array-intensive computations in their application programs. This enables greatly increased performance of high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
US08443333B2
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a design supporting program causes a computer to perform: acquiring non-complying line lengths of a plurality of wiring paths; drawing for each of the wiring paths a wiring pattern connecting a transmission origin and a transmission destination based on a line length and a wiring route of the wiring path; and controlling the drawing to draw a line for each of the wiring paths, the line being divided into a first line amounting to a non-complying line length acquired at the acquiring and a second line being a wiring pass less the non-complying line length.
US08443331B2
A system includes multiple TAP controllers that can be independently powered up and down. When a first TAP controller is powered up from a powered-down state while a second TAP controller is already in a powered-up state, the first TAP controller is reset causing the first TAP controller to enter a reset state in response to the power-up of a module on which the first TAP controller is disposed. The first TAP controller enters an idle state and its control signal is gated to hold the first TAP controller in the idle state until the second TAP controller enters the idle state. Subsequently, the first TAP controller is released such that the control signal supplied to the first and second TAP controllers are equal, thereby synchronizing the first TAP controller and the second TAP controller.
US08443328B2
A method for recursive hierarchical static timing analysis. The method includes accessing a lower-level netlist representing a lower-level block of a circuit design to be realized in physical form, and accessing constraints for the lower-level block. Static timing analysis is performed on the lower-level block. The method includes accessing an upper-level netlist representing an upper-level block of the circuit design to be realized in physical form, and accessing constraints for the upper-level block. Static timing analysis is performed on the upper-level block while incorporating results from the static timing analysis on the lower-level block. Subsequently, recursive static timing analysis is performed on the lower-level block and the upper-level block, wherein results from static timing analysis on the upper-level block are feedback for updating the constraints for the lower-level block, and wherein results from static timing analysis on the lower-level block are feedback for updating the constraints for the upper-level block.
US08443326B1
A method for reordering scan chain segments of scan chains in an electronic circuit design includes identifying congestion areas on a congestion map. A routing preference for each congestion area is determined. Scan cells associated with each congestion area are formed into the scan chain segments and then the scan chain segments are re-ordered based on the routing preference of the corresponding congestion area.
US08443320B2
The present invention relates to an extracting method for a circuit model, configured to represent output driving capability and an input capacitor of an interface pin of an application circuit. The extracting method comprises: receiving a netlist describing a circuit structure of the application circuit, which comprises a plurality of transistors; selecting an interface pin of the application circuit in the netlist; selecting a bias pin of the application circuit in the netlist; selecting at least one path between the interface pin and the bias pin in the netlist; and obtaining sum of equivalent width/length ratios according to the width/length ratios of all first transistors coupled to the at least one path.
US08443315B2
Methods, circuits, and systems for converting reset mechanisms in a synchronous circuit design into a corresponding asynchronous representation are described. These may operate to convert synchronous state holding blocks that include reset signals to corresponding asynchronous dataflow logic blocks. A replicated reset token at a fraction of the operational frequency of the reset signal may be distributed to the locations of the asynchronous dataflow logic blocks. Additional methods, circuits, and systems are disclosed.
US08443305B2
A geometric instrument for analyzing curves and charts is described herein. The instrument is utilizable to facilitate review of land surveys, including ALTA surveys, title surveys, boundary surveys, topographical surveys, etc. The instrument allows users thereof to quickly and thoroughly review land surveys and data relating thereto, for instance, for title insurance purposes.
US08443304B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a browser configured to conditional display content to ensure a safe viewing environment. Embodiments of the invention include retrieving content in response to a request from a user, identifying one or more portions of the retrieved content that satisfy predefined citeria, modifying the one or more portions and displaying the modified content to the user.
US08443298B2
A method, apparatus, and computer usable program to reposition a display window that has been adjusted along a dimension. The method includes displaying a display window on a desktop, the display window having a first boundary, a second boundary opposite the first boundary, a third boundary about perpendicular to the first boundary, and a fourth boundary opposite the third boundary. The method further includes receiving a resize command and, responsive to receiving the resize command, moving the first boundary with respect to a first window limit and moving the second boundary with respect to a second window limit. The method includes receiving a reposition command and, responsive to receiving the reposition command, moving the third and fourth boundaries of the resized display window while maintaining the fixed distance between the third and fourth boundaries and maintaining the position of the first and second boundaries with respect to the first and second window limits.
US08443297B1
Systems and methods for bringing a window into focus are provided. In some aspects, a method includes providing for display of a first window and a second window in a user interface. The first window is in focus. The second window is not in focus. The method includes receiving a user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes brightening at least a dimmed portion of the second window in response to the user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes gradually dimming at least a visible portion of the first window in response to the user input for bringing the second window into focus. The method includes pausing the dimming, after expiration of a time period, of the at least the visible portion of the first window.
US08443290B2
A mood state may be modeled using mood information for a content selection (e.g., a digitally-encoded song) and/or by using mood information determined by how a user is interacting with a media player. For example, a playlist engine on a host may determine that a particular song is associated with an uplifting mood, thus determining that a user who has selected that particular song currently is in an uplifting mood, and correspondingly may select additional songs and advertisements consistent with, or responsive to, the uplifting mood. Mood information also may be used to present a mood state of users (e.g., co-users) in a network for display in a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, a user's screen name appearing in an America Online (AOL) Instant Messenger's Buddy List may indicate a determined user's mood, such as “happy”, “sad”, “silly”, or “angry.”
US08443261B2
A method is provided for recovering from an uncorrected memory error located at a memory address as identified by a memory device. A stored hash value for a memory page corresponding to the identified memory address is used to determine the correct data. Because the memory device specifies the location of the corrupted data, and the size of the window where the corruption occurred, the stored hash can be used to verify memory page reconstruction. With the known good part of the data in hand, the hashes of the pages using possible values in place of the corrupted data are calculated. It is expected that there will be a match between the previously stored hash and one of the computed hashes. As long as there is one and only one match, then that value, used in the place of the corrupted data, is the correct value. The corrupt data, once replaced, allows operation of the memory device to continue without needing to interrupt or otherwise affect a system's operation.
US08443255B2
A method of generating a parity check matrix for iterative decoding of a linear block code includes: determining a set of parity check vectors for the linear block code; ordering according to Hamming weight non-zero parity check vectors of the set; selecting a criterion for generating the parity check matrix; and building the parity check matrix by incrementally selecting according to the criterion a parity check vector for each consecutive row of the parity check matrix, wherein the parity check vector is selected from the ordered non-zero parity check vectors remaining in the set.
US08443243B2
An eye-opening margin measurement method for a high-speed serial data reception circuit which uses a circuit for eye-opening margin measurement involving operation of a clock data recovery circuit without fixing the clock phase. In this method, an error acceleration test can also be made on received data by giving an offset pulse signal to phase information to add a jitter component. The method uses a semiconductor integrated circuit device which includes a serializer/deserializer circuit (SerDes) for receiving serial data and a reference serializer/deserializer circuit (Ref_SerDes) for receiving an accompanying clock signal. The SerDes circuit converts received serial data into parallel data through a recovery clock whose phase is controlled using phase control signal P_CS generated by the Ref_SerDes circuit. An offset pulse signal Offset_Pulse from the pulse-forming circuit is applied to the phase control signal P_CS to make eye-opening margin measurement.
US08443231B2
A node in a server cluster is designated as a quorum disk. The node stores a list of other nodes in the server cluster also designated as quorum disks. The node can replace the first list with a second and more recent list of quorum disks only if the second list is updated on at least a simple majority of quorum disks on the first list.
US08443228B2
A central hub is coupled to a plurality of computational devices. The central hub stores a data structure that grants locks for accessing common data stored at the central hub, wherein the common data is shared by the plurality of computational devices. Each computational device maintains locally those locks that are held by the computational device in the data structure stored at the central hub. In response to a failure of the data structure stored at the central hub, a selected computational device of the plurality of computational devices is determined to be a manager system. Other computational devices besides the manager system communicate to the manager system all locks held by the other computational devices in the data structure stored at the central hub. The data structure and the common data are generated and stored at the manager system. Transactions are performed with respect to the data structure stored at the manager system, until the data structure stored at the central hub is operational.
US08443223B2
Described are digital communication systems that transmit and receive parallel sets of data symbols. Differences between successive sets of symbols induce changes in the current used to express the symbol sets, and thus introduce supply ripple. A receiver adds compensation current to reduce supply ripple. The compensation current is calculated based upon prior data samples rather than the current symbols, and consequently increases the maximum instantaneous current fluctuations between adjacent symbol sets as compared with circuits that do not include the compensation. The frequency response of the power-distribution network filters out the increased data dependence of the local supply current, however, and consequently reduces the fluctuations of total supply current. Some embodiments provide compensation currents for both transmitted and received symbols.
US08443221B2
Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for advanced power management for serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)-based storage devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for advanced power management of SATA-based storage devices. The method includes, at a SATA-based storage device having a controller, a non-volatile memory for storing data, and a communication interface for communicating with a host, receiving from the host a command to enter a quiescent mode. In response to receiving the command to enter a quiescent mode, the storage device enters a quiescent mode. The storage device receives from the host an indication that the storage device should enter a low power mode. In response to this indication, the storage device puts at least a portion of the non-volatile memory into a low power mode while maintaining at least a portion of the controller in normal power mode. The storage device optionally puts a physical layer interface of the storage device into a low power mode for additional power savings.
US08443216B2
In an embodiment, a power management unit (PMU) may automatically transition (in hardware) the performance states of one or more performance domains in a system. The target performance states to which the performance domains are to transition may be programmable in the PMU by software, and software may signal the PMU that a processor in the system is to enter the sleep state. The PMU may control the transition of the performance domains to the target performance states, and may cause the processor to enter the sleep state. In an embodiment, the PMU may be programmable with a second set of target performance states to which the performance domains are to transition when the processor exits the sleep state. The PMU may control the transition of the performance domains to the second targeted performance states and cause the processor to exit the sleep state.
US08443210B2
A nameplate for power capping a computer including a mounting surface; a module integrated in the mounting surface for providing a machine-readable designation of a power cap for a particular computer; a human readable designation of a power cap for the particular computer integrated in the mounting surface; and a mount for attaching the mounting surface to a chassis of the particular computer such that the human readable designation of a power cap is exposed.
US08443208B2
A secure software package for original equipment manufacturers to run in electronic devices in order to access and dynamically decrypt encrypted audio video or other content from a memory storage device such as a memory card, optical or hard disk such that the user interface of the device need only send simple commands and the decrypted content is output.
US08443205B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method that minimizes the number of entries required in a garbled circuit associated with secure function evaluation of a given circuit. Exclusive OR (XOR) gates are evaluated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention without the need of associated entries in the garbled table to yield minimal computational and communication effort. This improves the performance of SFE evaluation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method that replaces regular gates with more efficient constructions containing XOR gates in an implementation of a Universal Circuit, and circuits for integer addition and multiplication, thereby maximizing the performance improvement provided by the above.
US08443201B2
The present invention captures user's biometric data during enrollment and converts it by a given conversion parameter to create a template. It creates verification information for the conversion parameter, and enrolls it in an authentication server together with the template. The conversion parameter is stored in an IC card or the like for issuance to the user. During authentication, the authentication server verifies that the authentication terminal knows the conversion parameter, using conversion parameter verification information. Next, the authentication terminal converts user's biometric data newly captured by a conversion parameter to create matching information, and transmits it to the authentication server. The authentication server matches the matching information with the template to determine whether the user is a principal.
US08443200B2
A security system for electronic commerce for verifying the authenticity of a user including: a server authentication program installed in a web-server at a website of a web-service provider; a client software component downloaded and installed at a workstation of the user; the server authentication program being integrated with existing web-applications with the web-service provider and for receiving existing security parameters entered by the user; a biometric scanner activated for identifying characteristics of a biometrics image and for converting the biometrics image into digital data; a device for compressing and encrypting the digital data from the biometric scanner; a device for transmitting the compressed and encrypted data to the web-server; a device for comparing the encrypted data with data stored in a database; and a device for sending status codes of comparison, if comparison is successful, to the web-service provider.
US08443199B2
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes storing a plurality of pieces of fingerprint information on at least one of a finger-by-finger basis, a user-by-user basis, and a pattern-by-pattern basis; receiving a fingerprint-touch input through a display module capable of performing fingerprint identification; and if fingerprint information of the received fingerprint-touch input matches with one of the plurality of pieces of fingerprint information for locking a predefined operating menu, locking the predefined operating menu. Therefore, it is possible to easily lock or unlock the mobile terminal in response to a fingerprint-touch input. In addition, it is possible to effectively perform various operations performed by the mobile terminal in response to a fingerprint-touch input.
US08443197B2
A system and method for use with a voice-capable system, includes but is not limited to a method including accessing by the voice-capable system of one or more entities computationally networked to the voice-capable system, obtaining one or more user interactions with the one or more entities and generating an authentication session using the one or more user interactions with the one or more entities.
US08443188B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that use code access security for providing runtime accessibility checks. A request is received from a first program to access at least one private member of a second program at runtime. If the first program has a greater than or equal security context than the second program, then the first program is granted access to the at least one private member of the second program. This code access security check can be provided in a framework environment that is responsible for managing programs that are from unknown or untrusted sources.
US08443179B2
A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.
US08443174B2
Provided is a processor and method of performing speculative load instructions of the processor in which a load instruction is performed only in the case where the load instruction substantially accesses a memory. A load instruction for canceling operations is performed in other cases except the above case, so that problems occurring by accessing an input/output (I/O) mapped memory area and the like at the time of performing speculative load instructions can be prevented using only a software-like method, thereby improving the performance of a processor.
US08443170B2
An apparatus and method for performing SIMD multiply-accumulate operations includes SIMD data processing circuitry responsive to control signals to perform data processing operations in parallel on multiple data elements. Instruction decoder circuitry is coupled to the SIMD data processing circuitry and is responsive to program instructions to generate the required control signals. The instruction decoder circuitry is responsive to a single instruction (referred to herein as a repeating multiply-accumulate instruction) having as input operands a first vector of input data elements, a second vector of coefficient data elements, and a scalar value indicative of a plurality of iterations required, to generate control signals to control the SIMD processing circuitry. In response to those control signals, the SIMD data processing circuitry performs the plurality of iterations of a multiply-accumulate process, each iteration involving performance of N multiply-accumulate operations in parallel in order to produce N multiply-accumulate data elements. For each iteration, the SIMD data processing circuitry determines N input data elements from said first vector and a single coefficient data element from the second vector to be multiplied with each of the N input data elements. The N multiply-accumulate data elements produced in a final iteration of the multiply-accumulate process are then used to produce N multiply-accumulate results. This mechanism provides a particularly energy efficient mechanism for performing SIMD multiply-accumulate operations, as for example are required for FIR filter processes.
US08443158B2
A mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver, a series of processing modules, a shared memory connected the plurality of processing modules and to the wireless transceiver, and a memory manager module for generating respective data location indices for data stored in the shared memory. The processing modules may cooperate with the shared memory and the memory manager module so that an upstream processing module stores given data in the shared memory, and so that a downstream processing module receives the data location index for the stored given data and processes the stored given data based thereon. The device may further include a security module for selectively purging data from the shared memory.
US08443156B2
One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for maintaining a shadow page table in at least partial correspondence with guest page mappings of a guest computation. The method marking with a traced write indication at least those entries of the shadow page table that map physical memory locations which themselves encode the guest page mappings, the marking identifying, for a hardware facility, a subset of memory access targets for which updates are to be recorded in a guest write buffer accessible to the virtualization system. Responsive to a coherency-inducing operation of the guest computation, the method reads from the guest write buffer and introduces corresponding updates into the shadow page table.
US08443150B1
A storage proxy includes a cache resource. A processor is configured to receive read and write requests sent from an initiator to a target over a first proxy path. The processor invalidates the cache lines when the read and write requests are redirected over a second direct path between the initiator and the target or when some other event indicates the data in the cache lines may no longer be consistent with corresponding data in the target. The processor identifies addresses for at least some of the cache lines that were previously valid and reloads the data for the identified addresses from the target back into some the cache lines when the read and write requests are redirected back over the first proxy path or when consistency can resumed between the data in the cache lines and corresponding data in the target.
US08443142B2
Methods and systems are provided for associating a storage system component, e.g. a server, client, machine, sub-client, or other storage system component, with one or more other storage system components into a group. Storage preferences are defined for the group which is automatically associated with each component in the group. The storage preferences define how storage operations are to be performed on the storage system components.
US08443138B2
A management device obtains, from the plurality of storage nodes, information of accesses which are made to the actual storage areas included in the storage nodes, generating load information of the actual storage areas based on the access information, and storing the generated load information in a load information storage unit. The device changes, based on the load information stored in the load information storage unit, the assignment relations of the actual storage areas with respect to the virtual storage areas such that loads of the storage nodes are leveled. The device instructs the plurality of storage nodes to move the data in the actual storage areas depending on change in the assignment of the actual storage areas to the virtual storage areas.
US08443127B2
A cradle comprises a first connecting unit to which a portable content playback apparatus is connectable; a second connecting unit to which a computer is connectable; an output unit that outputs content data; a controller that controls the portable content playback apparatus; a hub that is connected to the second connecting unit, a first switch, and a second switch; the first switch that switches between connection of the first connecting unit to the controller and connection of the first connecting unit to the hub; the second switch that switches between connection of the output unit to the controller and connection of the output unit to the hub; and a switch control unit that controls switching of the first switch and the second switch.
US08443126B2
A distributed PCIe adapted to support a hot-plug process triggered by any change in a status of a distributed link, comprises an upstream bus unit including a first bridge connected to a root component and adapted to maintain a first configuration space and a copy of a second configuration space, the first configuration space bridge includes at least hot-plug registers specifying at least capabilities and status of a slot of the first bridge; and a second bridge connected to an endpoint component and adapted to maintain the second configuration space, the second configuration space includes at least hot-plug registers specifying at least capabilities and status of a slot of the second bridge.
US08443122B2
An asynchronous upsizing circuit in a data processing system. The asynchronous upsizing circuit includes an asynchronous packer and an asynchronous unpacker. The asynchronous packer includes a write buffer commonly used for an asynchronous bridge and for upsizing and for buffering a write channel data; and first and second asynchronous packing controllers controlling channel compaction according to first and second clocks, respectively, regarding the write channel data inputted/outputted to/from the write buffer during a burst write operation. The asynchronous unpacker includes a read buffer commonly used for an asynchronous bridge and for upsizing and for buffering a read channel data; and first and second asynchronous unpacking controllers controlling channel compaction according to the first and second clocks, respectively, regarding the read channel data inputted/outputted to/from the read buffer during a burst read operation.
US08443119B1
Auto-trespass can be at least temporarily disabled subsequent to an automatic failover. The automatic failover exchanges roles between an active path and a passive path, such that the passive path becomes the active path and vice versa. By disabling auto-trespass, hosts that are unaware that the automatic failover has occurred will not trigger another failover when those hosts attempt to perform I/O operations via the formerly-active path. This can reduce performance decreases that would otherwise occur due to the active role being traded in a “ping-pong” manner between the paths.
US08443109B2
A first base station wirelessly transmits media to a first communication device for a communication session. The first base station hands off the communication session to a second base station. The second base station wirelessly transmits the media to the first communication device for the communication session. In response to the hand-off, the second base station selects a second communication device based on the type of media and transmits a prompt to the first communication device to transfer the communication session to the second communication device. In response to a user instruction, the second base station transmits the media to the second communication device for the communication session.
US08443105B1
A device and method of routing traffic in a network by receiving the network, assigning a maximum temperature value to gateway nodes, calculating temperature values for router nodes, determining self-utilization values for nodes, determining neighborhood-utilization values for router nodes, determining pressure values for gateway nodes, determining pressure values for router nodes, identifying router node sent traffic, identifying neighboring nodes having higher temperatures than router node, identifying neighboring node with lowest pressure value, sending traffic to neighboring node with lowest pressure value, and stopping if the neighboring node is a gateway node, otherwise identifying the node as a router node and returning to the step of finding neighboring nodes.
US08443098B2
A memory management unit (MMU) may buffer media stream samples of one or more media streams, such as audio and/or video streams, in a buffer. The MMU may determine how much time a media stream sample is to be buffered by comparing a value of a real-time clock with a timestamp associated with the media stream sample. The MMU may determine a target output block in the buffer for the media stream sample based on the period of a media clock and on the amount of buffer time that the media stream sample is to be buffered. The target output block is determined relative to an output block identified by a read address. The MMU may store the media stream sample in the target output block. The MMU may increase or decrease the read address at a rate determined by the media clock.
US08443094B2
In a system, a communication device capable of exchanging messages through a local network, such messages being exchanged according to a given network protocol; a discovery agent capable of sending a first message according to the network protocol through the communication device, the first message comprising an identification data and a first message content satisfying a second protocol, and the second protocol implying a response from another computer to the first message; an analysis agent capable of recovering a second message received in response to first message, and of extracting from the second message a second message content according to the second protocol, the second protocol implying a further response to be sent to the second message; and a controller capable of operating said discovery agent and the analysis agent over a selected period of time, while refraining the computer system from sending a response to the second message.
US08443088B2
A technique allows shared use of a file between different networks via the Internet. File transfer servers on different LANs access file servers on the respective LANs to prepare a list of shared files, respectively. The file transfer servers are registered in a SIP server, and then send a SUBSCRIBE method to each other to issue a request to transfer the file list, respectively. In response to the request, the file lists are exchanged. A communication terminal on each LAN makes a request to acquire a specific file on the basis of information about the shared files stored in the file transfer server. Through a media session, one of the file transfer servers issues a request to acquire the file to the other file transfer server. As a result, the file is transferred to the communication terminal.
US08443087B2
A modular architecture for use in a network device such as a Remote Authentication Server (RAS) includes a number of interconnected objects associated with processes, services, access protocols and other functionality provided on the device. Objects may also be associated with users, sessions or other data structures that may be accessed by any of the functional objects in the device. Additional services and updates may easily be implemented into this architecture without disrupting user connections. Redundant copies of the objects may be maintained in memory to facilitate the provision of carrier grade performance by swapping out failed components in the event of a fault.
US08443085B2
Disclosed herein are techniques for creating a representation of dependency relationships between computing resources within a computing environment. In some implementations, one or more sources for dependency analysis may be identified. Each source may be capable of being accessed to provide computing functionality via the computing environment. Each source may include one or more references to a respective one or more computing resources. Each computing resource may define a unit of the computing functionality available within the computing environment. A plurality of dependency relationships may be identified based on the one or more sources. A dependency relationship representation may be created based on the identified dependency relationships.
US08443075B2
A network analyzer, system and method determine whether or not network transaction data derived from network analysis should be stored, based on a configuration. Configuration strings (patterns) are entered via a configuration file, including specifying whether the string should be a prefix, suffix, other location or exist anyplace in the data. Storage enabling/disabling is provided for network transaction data. Configuration strings (patterns) can be specified for request/response summary/detail, and for specified parameters.
US08443073B2
The description relates to the field of automatically predicting the performance characteristics of a service-oriented architecture (SOA). The prediction is made by setting up a model of the service-oriented architecture, generating a queue of services to be executed, simulating execution of the services by utilizing the model while processing the queue, and determining the performance characteristics from data obtained from the simulation.
US08443071B2
A data server system/method allowing cloud data server functionality in a coordinated/concerted fashion within network configurations that are local to and/or spanning network gateway routers is disclosed. The system may utilize a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) augmented with storage media and/or expansion slots to interact within a home automation network (HAN) to permit the local HAN to operate as a distinct network and allow access to locally stored data from remote networks such as the Internet. The system permits inter-networking of HAN devices (including SGPCs) and integration of data management within home automation networks while still providing access to HAN data via external remote networks such as the Internet. The system/method allows remote network access to HAN device data from local/remote access devices including mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.
US08443054B2
The present disclosure discloses a method, a system, and a scheduling server for content delivery, and pertains to the field of multimedia technologies. The method includes: receiving a service request for accessing content; selecting, according to service processing information of one or more devices storing the content, one device to respond to the service request, where the service processing information includes at least one of the number of services successfully processed, a percentage of services successfully processed, the number of services unsuccessfully processed, and a percentage of services unsuccessfully processed; and base upon the selection, sending the received service request to the selected device. The present disclosure may not only improve the percentage of services successfully processed, but also prevent waste of resources and reduce unnecessary service loss, therefore serving users better.
US08443050B2
Mining human capital information includes defining one or more attributes of a communication group, extracting a target group by searching one or more of explicit and implicit data sources according to the defined attributes, communicating with the extracted target group, logging at least some of the communications, and analyzing the logged communications.
US08443047B2
A system and method of selecting messaging settings on a messaging client are provided. A data store configured to operate in conjunction with the messaging client stores records comprising messaging settings or characteristics for previously received and/or sent messages. The messaging client is configured to send outgoing messages, each of the messages having message characteristics, to determine whether a record for an addressed recipient of an outgoing message exists in the data store, and to select messaging settings to control the message characteristics of the outgoing message based on the record where a record exists.
US08443043B2
A content sharing system shares contents following a free will of a user through belonging to a plurality of groups. A group stores identification information on each of one or more groups to which respective users belong while being associated with identification information on the user. A file stores a download history of the content via user terminals by respective users while being associated with the identification information on the users. A group determination unit determines a group to which the user accessing via the user terminal. A file determination unit determines whether a content already primarily downloaded by another user belonging to the group determined by the group determination unit exists on the basis of the download history. If the content already primarily downloaded by the another user exists, secondary download to the user terminal accessing the above-mentioned content is permitted.
US08443023B2
A system and method are provided for synthesizing signal frequencies using rational division. The method accepts a reference frequency value and a synthesized frequency value. In response to dividing the synthesized frequency value by the reference frequency value, an integer value numerator (dp) and an integer value denominator (dq) are determined. The method reduces the ratio of dp/dq to an integer N and a ratio of p/q (dp/dq=N(p/q)), where p/q<1 (decimal). The numerator (p) and the denominator (q) are supplied to a flexible accumulator module, and a divisor is generated as a result. N is summed with a k-bit quotient to create the divisor. In a phase-locked loop (PLL), the divisor and the reference signal are used to generate a synthesized signal having a frequency equal to the synthesized frequency value.
US08443012B2
A system and method for dynamically retrieving, manipulating, updating, creating, and displaying data from sources of Extensible Markup Language (XML) documents. The program memory comprises system-user entered data definitions and business rules. The system imports XML document data into the system data definitions, processes the data using the business rules definitions and exports XML documents. The system can automatically create XML document formats from its data definitions and can automatically create its data definitions from XML document formats. The system-user can also define the mapping between XML document formats and the system data definitions. The system data definition is the combination of a Relational data model, an Object data model, and an XML data model.
US08443010B2
The present invention provides a system for managing information related to a delivery service provider and systems of using such a system. The system and systems provided herein allow a delivery service provider to coordinate with efficiency the volume of mail or packages to be delivered with the carrier resources available to deliver them. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the delivery operation information system tracks quantities of articles, schedules their distribution, and schedules and tracks the work force that distributes the articles.
US08443000B2
In one example, a method may include performance of a hash function on a digital sequence so as to generate a hash value that corresponds to the digital sequence. Next, the digital sequence may be broken into data pieces, and each data piece hashed to produce a corresponding hash value for each data piece. Then, a recipe may be produced that includes instructions which, when executed, may generate the digital sequence from the data pieces referenced by their corresponding hash values included in the recipe. Among other things, the hash values may enable reutilization of redundant data sequences by serving as pointers to the data pieces that the hash values respectively represent.
US08442993B2
Provided are techniques for retrieval of data from a data store, including techniques for receiving a request for a dataset corresponding to stored data, generating a first handle to the dataset, generating a plurality of parameters corresponding to the dataset, such that each parameter of the plurality of parameters corresponds to a distinct subset of the dataset, generating a first internal handle based upon the first handle and corresponding to a first parameter of the plurality of parameters, executing a data retrieval request based upon the first internal handle to retrieve a first subset of the dataset, receiving a navigation request corresponding to the first internal handle, navigating, if possible, the first subset in accordance with the navigation request and, when navigating the first subset in accordance with the navigation request is not possible, generating a second internal handle corresponding to a second parameter of the plurality of parameters.
US08442985B2
A textual analysis system is configured to compare textual content of textual statements. The textual analysis system is configured to score the textual content of a first textual statement and a second textual statement. Based on the score, the textual analysis system may determine a level of correspondence between the first textual statement and the second textual statement. The textual analysis system is configured to generate an interactive visual representation of the correspondence levels between the first statement and the second statement. The visual representation may be transmitted to a display.
US08442976B2
Retrieval of similar content item or documents is provided based on similarity of their location or place. A base location is determined, for example using a GPS device. Location of one or more identified anchor document(s), in a database for example, is determined by extracting location data. Then a first threshold is set based on a criterion distance determined between the base location and the anchor item location. A candidate document item location is identified and the location data for candidate content item may be extracted. A distance between the base location and the candidate location may be determined as a candidate distance. A candidate content item may be selected as similar for retrieval based on the first candidate distance and the first threshold. The notion of criterion distance-determined granularity for setting a threshold is provided.
US08442970B2
Systems and methods are provided for creating and modifying search queries. A query can be constructed by allowing a user to select from categories, facets, and/or facet values for addition to a query. A user can optionally supplement the categories, facets, and/or facet values with additional search terms entered by the user. The constructed query can then be submitted to a search engine to identify documents that match the search query. The systems and methods can allow a user to construct a search query using a reduced number of user input actions while still providing a user with the flexibility to enter any search terms desired by the user.
US08442965B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying the language of a search query. In one embodiment, the language of each term of a query is determined from the query terms and the language of the user interface a user used to enter the query. In another embodiment, an automatic interface language classifier is generated from a collection of past queries each submitted by a user. In some embodiments, a score is determined for each of multiple languages, each score indicating a likelihood that the query language is the corresponding one of the multiple languages.
US08442952B1
A method is used in recovering in deduplication systems. Metadata of a data object is evaluated for determining deduplication status for the data object. Based on the deduplication status, the data object is recovered.
US08442946B2
Described herein are examples of a virtual universe wish list as well as its control and use. Some embodiments are directed to determining a selection of an object in a virtual universe that is a desired by a user, which user is represented by a first avatar. Some embodiments are further directed to designating the object as a desired item in a wish list for the first avatar. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. Some embodiments are further directed to determining a second avatar in the virtual universe that possesses an instance of the virtual object. Some embodiments are further directed to generating an advertisement to obtain the instance of the virtual object from the second avatar on behalf of the first avatar.
US08442943B2
A system and method for synchronizing devices which can couple to the Internet, or any network. In one aspect a system for synchronizing data between a first system and a second system is provided. The system includes a first sync engine on the first system interfacing with data on the first system to provide difference information. A data store is coupled to the network and in communication with the first and second systems. A second sync engine is provided on the second system coupled to receive the difference information from the data store via the network, and interface with data on the second system to update said data on the second system with said difference information. Difference information is transmitted to the data store by the first sync engine and received from the data store from the second sync engine.
US08442942B2
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing data; partitioning the data into sub-blocks; determining whether a first one of the sub-blocks is identical to another one of the sub-blocks or similar to another one of the sub-blocks; if the first one of the sub-blocks is identical to another one of the sub-blocks, applying by the one or more computer systems hash-based deduplication to storage of the first one of the sub-blocks with respect to the other one of the sub-blocks; and, if the first one of the sub-blocks is similar to another one of the sub-blocks, applying by the one or more computer systems sub-block differencing to storage of the first one of the sub-blocks with respect to the other one of the sub-blocks.
US08442940B1
Systems and methods for coupling a semantic network editing tool and a natural language processing (NLP) system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network editing tool includes or is connected to an application module configured to facilitate queries to the NLP system and extraction of data from a collection of document by the NLP system for integration of contents with the semantic network.
US08442936B2
The present invention relates to a system for generating a table comprising generating means for generating a table which contains at least a column or line depicting one or more first categories and at least a column or line depicting first values associated with said first categories and wherein the system further comprises selecting means for selecting one of said first categories by a user and adding means for enlarging the table upon selection of a category by said selecting means, said adding means being adapted to enlarge the table by adding a new column or line which comprises second categories into which said selected first category may be subdivided as well as second values associated with said second categories and wherein said new column or line does not comprise categories into which non selected first categories may be subdivided.
US08442935B2
The extract and transformation operation performed on multiple data sources. In the extract operation, a computing system periodically performs an extraction operation on the data sources, perhaps as defined by metadata. The transformation operation is performed on at least some the extracted data, and is periodically performed, perhaps also in a manner that is defined by metadata. When performing each iteration of the transformation operation, the computing system performs a transformation operation on valid data, marks other data as suspect (due to a dependency on data that is not present), and completes transformation on yet other data that had previously been marked as suspect or perhaps reaffirms its suspect status if the needed data is still not available.
US08442930B2
A modified Euler diagram may use multiple convex shapes to display sets or members of sets. In one embodiment, a compact Euler diagram may represent members once, with the sets split into separate regions that may form a containment hierarchy over the members. The split set regions may be drawn with simple convex shapes and joined with connecting lines, which may be concave shapes. In another embodiment, each set may be illustrated with a single convex shape and the members of more than one set may be duplicated. In such an embodiment, the members may be drawn with convex shapes and joined with connectors, which may be concave shapes. The modified Euler diagrams may be deterministically created by grouping the elements into sets, organizing the sets by size, placing elements in the sets, and creating connections between the elements using a set of constraints.
US08442919B2
Digital cash token protocols use a combination of blind digital signatures and pseudonym authentication with at least two pairs of public and private keys. A user is provided with one master pair of private and public keys and as many pseudonym pairs of private and public keys as desired. The resulting digital cash token based hybrid protocols combine the advantages of blind digital signature and pseudonym authentication. Blind digital signatures based on the master pair of keys are used to withdraw digital cash from the user's bank account under the user's real identity. A pseudonym pair of keys is used for converting digital cash into digital cash tokens by a digital cash issuer. All pseudonyms can be used for spending the digital cash tokens. These protocols ensure anonymity when withdrawing digital cash from the user's account under the user's real identity in addition to providing pseudonym authentication when spending digital cash tokens under a pseudonym.
US08442905B2
A system and method facilitates tri-party repurchase transactions for whole loans. The system and method obtain details regarding a whole loan to be used for collateral in a tri-party agreement transaction with an investor, from both the dealer or trader offering the whole loan as collateral and one or more third parties with access to those details. Based on the received details, the system formulates a valuation of the whole loan collateral and posts a whole loan collateral entry to facilitate tri-party repurchase of the whole loan collateral.
US08442899B2
According to some embodiments, a bond is issued to an investor in exchange for value. The bond may be, for example, a tax-free municipal bond associated with (i) a spread to a pre-determined index, (ii) a nominal maturity date, (iii) an initial mandatory tender date prior to the nominal maturity date, and/or (iv) an option for the investor to extend the initial mandatory tender date during an initial decision period. According to some embodiments an indication is received, during the initial decision period, indicating that the investor will extend the initial mandatory tender date. It may then be arranged for the initial mandatory tender date to be extended such that the bond will be associated with a subsequent option for the investor to extend an extended tender date during a subsequent decision period.
US08442891B2
A method and a system for performing intermarket analysis. The method can include, from a pool of available markets in which at least one key intermarket has been selected and removed, selecting at least one market as a general intermarket, and removing the market selected as the general intermarket from the pool of available markets. From the pool of available markets from which the general intermarket has been removed, at least one market can be selected as a predictive intermarket and removed from the pool of available markets. Market data for each of the key intermarket, the general intermarket and the predictive intermarket can be processed to train a neural network. After training the neural network, market data for the primary market can be processed with the neural network to predict future market data for the primary market. The predicted future market data can be output.
US08442888B2
A method for evaluating price data includes receiving a product specification data set that identifies different items. Also received are price data sets that include items and corresponding price data. For each price data set, metric data for each item is obtained. The metric data includes one or more market reference prices for the items in the price data set. Using the metric data, a market value of each item in the price data set is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data set. The method may also include comparing the price data in the price data set to the calculated market value to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, metric data is obtained for each item in the product specification data set, and a market value of each item is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data sets.
