US08481022B2
Methods and compositions for treating an autoimmune disease, such as new onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a subject using autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells administered to the subject prior to autoimmune-induced complete depletion of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, e.g., within six months of new onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis or prior to the onset of disease in a subject determined to be at high risk for T1D.
US08481009B2
A carotenoid substance called zeaxanthin, when ingested orally at suitable dosages such as 30 to 100 mg/day for a span of 1 to 2 weeks, can provide effective protection against sunburns, and can give skin a darker tint that emulates a healthy suntan. In tests involving adults, it was found that zeaxanthin dosages of 30 to about 80 mg per day were sufficient to induce: (i) a mild but noticeable tinting, shading, or darkening of skin color, comparable to a mild suntan; (ii) a substantial increase in the person's ability to withstand elevated levels of sun or UV exposure; and, (iii) an increased ability of reddened and sunburned skin to convert into intact skin that looks browned and healthily tanned. Oral ingestion of dosages of zeaxanthin after a noticeable darkening of the skin has been achieved further enhances a tanned appearance and/or protects against sun damage.
US08481003B2
Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The compositions may be part of a kit for administering the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate compositions in therapeutic and/or diagnostic methods.
US08481002B2
Method for producing terminal uranium nitride complexes comprising providing a suitable starting material comprising uranium; oxidizing the starting material with a suitable oxidant to produce one or more uranium(IV)-azide complexes; and, sufficiently irradiating the uranium(IV)-azide complexes to produce the terminal uranium nitride complexes.
US08481001B2
The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering a compound of Formula I, optionally as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, in combination with other cancer treatments.
US08480999B2
The manufacture of titanium dioxide by oxidation of titanium tetrachloride in a plug flow reactor, wherein the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the reactor in at least two stages and is used exclusively in liquid form. The total quantity of liquid TiCl4 used is split up in several stages. A small quantity is added in the first stage in order to start combustion despite using the liquid phase. In the first phase, the activation energy required is provided solely via the preheated oxygen. In all other stages, the activation energy is provided by the preheated oxygen and the reaction enthalpy of TiCl4 oxidation released in the upstream stages.
US08480990B2
A silica powder containing an ultrafine powder in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 mass % and having an average sphericity of at least 0.85, wherein the ultrafine powder has, as the particle size measured by a dynamic light scattering particle size distribution measuring apparatus, an average particle size of from 150 to 250 nm, less than 10 mass % of the ultrafine powder having a particle size of at most 100 nm being less than 10 mass % (not including 0 mass %) and from 10 to 50 mass % of the ultrafine powder having a particle size exceeding 100 nm and not exceeding 150 nm.
US08480980B2
A thin film bio valve device and an apparatus for controlling the thin film bio valve device are effectively applied in a valve structure of a thin film device, such as a lab-on-a-chip, a protein chip, or a DNA chip, for diagnosing and/or detecting a small amount of material in a fluid.
US08480977B2
A sample is contained in a sample container and a physical relationship between the sample and a sample ID thereof is established. However, after the sample ID is read by a bar code reader and the sample is transferred to an analysis-dedicated small sample container, the sample ID and the sample are separated from each other. Following the end of analysis, therefore, the sample ID must be merged with a corresponding analysis result. A read/write-enable ID carrier is provided on an analysis-dedicated sample container into which the sample is pipetted or on a tank for holding the analysis-dedicated sample container. When the sample is pipetted or when the analysis-dedicated sample container is moved, the sample ID and other information are transferred to the read/write-enable ID carrier.
US08480976B2
A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.
US08480974B2
A device for controlling a flow of fluids through n=2m microfluidic channels, m being a natural number>0 includes a substrate having the microfluidic channels therein. Each channel includes m contact points. A respective heating element corresponds to each contact point. Each of a plurality of m pairs of conductor paths corresponds to a respective contact point of each of the microfluidic channels. Each pair includes a first conductor path that is in contact with a respective first half of the heating elements that correspond to the respective contact points of each microfluidic channel and a second conductor path that is in contact with a respective second half of the heating elements that correspond to the respective contact points of each microfluidic channel. A respective control line corresponds to each of the m pairs of conductor paths, where each control line is operable to actuate the corresponding pair of conductor paths with a switching status TRUE or a switching status FALSE. A cooling element is configured to control fluid received in the microfluidic channels.
US08480968B2
A disinfectant swab is disclosed which comprises a pouch sized for protecting a luer valve. The pouch preferably has shape memory for grasping the luer valve after the pouch as been advanced over the luer valve. The pouch includes a disinfectant along at least one of a inner surface and an outer surface. In one example, the shape memory can be providing by at least one elastic portion. In one embodiment the pouch has at least one disinfectant along the outer surfaces so that the outer surface of the swab can be used to prep skin, drug vials and the like. The pouch can be sized to elastically grasp on a plurality of types of luer valves and/or to elastically grasp on a tube having the approximate outer diameter of a luer lock connector or another portion of a luer lock connector. The pouch can be comprised of elastic foam and/or can have a flattened configuration when stored and/or can be stored in a flat tear able sealed package.
US08480965B2
Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
US08480964B2
The plate reactor includes a rotatable plate coated with a thin film containing an active photocatalytic nanocomposite. In use, the plate is partially submerged in polluted water so that a portion thereof is exposed to air and light. The exposed areas of the plate gains oxygen from the air, which reacts with the photo-promoted electrons from the coating. This results in the formation of very reactive superoxide radical ions (O2−) and/or the generation of hydroxyl radicals (.OH), either of which can oxidize targeted organic matter and pollutants in wastewater when the exposed area is submerged during rotation of the plate, thus purifying the water. A plurality of paddles radially extend from the edge of the plate to mix the water during rotation.
US08480960B2
An air freshener has a head with a face. A clip is coupled to the head opposite the face and extends from the head perpendicularly, and includes a pair of vent rods. A pair of bodies is each coupled to a different one of the vent rods. A scent material is interspersed within the bodies, and is capable of diffusing out of the bodies to surrounding air.
US08480951B2
A tuyere structure of a melting furnace includes: a tuyere main body which is covered on an outer periphery thereof with a ring member baked in advance, and is disposed in a hole portion provided in a tuyere brick; and a ramming material which fills a periphery of the ring member so as to fix the ring member.
US08480943B2
A method is disclosed for producing structures having a plurality of stems extending away from a fenestrated base to undercut islands projecting over fenestrations in the base. Such structures include slidingly-engaging fastener portions, self-engaging fasteners, uni-directional stepped fasteners, fastening segments integral with larger product components, and other structures with similar aspects. The method includes providing a set of partially bypassing dies to define a fenestrated common cavity contiguous with pluralities of undercut stem chambers and a terminal chamber, filling the cavity with a ductile moldable material, engaging the dies, and releasing the resultant product.
US08480939B2
A process for printing an image on a surface of a resin member includes (a) providing a transfer medium with an image on one side of the transfer medium, (b) providing a liquid resin, (c) placing the one side of the transfer medium with the image and the liquid resin in contact with each other, and (d) partially curing the liquid resin to form the resin member while maintaining the image on the transfer medium in contact with an image side of the resin member. The process may include placing the liquid resin and/or the transfer medium in a mold for shaping the liquid resin into the resin member during curing of the liquid resin.
US08480938B2
A method for producing a storage element having a plurality of faces in which a portion of the faces is made in textile material. The method includes the steps of: producing a pattern in textile material, the pattern comprising several panels, placing the pattern in an unfolded condition in an injection mold, injecting a plastic material into the injection mold around the panels so as to overmold at least one portion of each of the panels so as to obtain a pattern comprising the faces in textile and plastic materials of the storage element in the unfolded condition, folding the pattern and attaching the faces to each other.
US08480929B2
A corrosion protection composition includes a mixture of three different silanes selected to interact and form a coating on metal substrates that has improved adhesion and durability as well as UV protection properties. Methods of manufacturing the corrosion protection composition include mixing the silanes together and further combining the silane mixture with other mixtures to arrive at the corrosion protection composition. Sonication may be a preferred manner of mixing together the various components of the mixtures.
US08480928B2
The present invention relates to a composite luminophore comprising an inorganic matrix and an organic fluorescent dye, wherein the inorganic matrix is formed from an inorganic compound, and wherein the organic fluorescent dye has one or more functional groups by means of which the fluorescent dye is incorporated into the inorganic matrix, or is bound chemically thereto. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing such a composite luminophore and to the use thereof.
US08480923B2
The present invention provides a method for storing thermal energy, such as solar energy, as a fuel, by heating a reactive oxide substrate to a first temperature, such that the reactive oxide substrate is reduced, wherein the reactive oxide substrate includes a cerium oxide. The method also includes contacting the reduced reactive oxide substrate at a second temperature with a gas mixture including carbon dioxide, wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature, thereby preparing the fuel. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the reactive oxide substrates by heating a mixture including a doped cerium oxide and a pore-forming agent, such that pores are formed in the doped cerium oxide, thereby forming the reactive oxide substrate.
US08480922B2
A metal-ceramic composite (“cermet”) has been produced by a chemical reaction between a lithium compound and another metal. The cermet has advantageous physical properties, high surface area relative to lithium metal or its alloys, and is easily formed into a desired shape. An example is the formation of a lithium-magnesium nitride cermet by reaction of lithium nitride with magnesium. The reaction results in magnesium nitride grains coated with a layer of lithium. The nitride is inert when used in a battery. It supports the metal in a high surface area form, while stabilizing the electrode with respect to dendrite formation. By using an excess of magnesium metal in the reaction process, a cermet of magnesium nitride is produced, coated with a lithium-magnesium alloy of any desired composition. This alloy inhibits dendrite formation by causing lithium deposited on its surface to diffuse under a chemical potential into the bulk of the alloy.
US08480907B2
The invention relates to a method for the floatation-clarification of difficult water, in particular heavily polluted surface water, urban or industrial wastewater, rainwater or any type of water that floats with difficulty, particularly water which contains a high percentage of mineral matter or requires the injection of a flocculation aid and which originates from filters or membrane technologies such as ultrafiltration, said method comprising: a coagulation step (A1) in which a dose of coagulant (1) is injected into the water to be treated; a flocculation step (B) in which flocculant (2) is injected (B1) into the water after the coagulation step, in order to agglomerate the suspended particles in the form of flocs; and subsequently a floatation step (C) in which the flocculated water is mixed with an emulsion of air micro-bubbles in a floatation apparatus. A second coagulant injection step (A2) is performed downstream of the flocculant injection (B1) and upstream of the floatation (C).
US08480904B2
A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.
US08480895B2
Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.
US08480888B2
A system and process for continuously and immediately removing contaminants from wastewater and treating wastewater, where the wastewater is treated to supply fluid that can be reused in the cleaning system or discharged safely into the environment is disclosed. The system and method comprises one or more pumping means for circulating and recirculating fluids captured or collected by the system to one or more of the processes in the system, such as wash water applications or further treatment cycles. According to one embodiment, the wastewater is transported through purification sections of the device. Depending on the system used, these sections could include several of the following: pretreatment to remove debris and certain heavy solids; treatment by methods such as a conductivity solution injection system and/or electrolytic coagulation system, a polymer injection system, and a inline mixer for mixing the polymer in the wastewater stream; and an ozone treatment system. In a preferred embodiment, each of the treatment sections are contained within an enclosure cabinet that includes a controller and feed containers for conductivity fluid and polymers.
US08480882B2
The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.
US08480863B2
The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic applications, optionally an oxygen-evolving anode, obtained on a titanium substrate and having a highly compact dual barrier layer comprising titanium and tantalum oxides and a catalytic layer. A method for forming the dual barrier layer comprises the thermal decomposition of a precursor solution applied to the substrate optionally followed by a quenching step and a lengthy thermal treatment at elevated temperature.
US08480861B2
In a method of treating a gas exhausted from a process chamber, the exhaust gas is conveyed to a vacuum pump (20) and a nitrogen purge gas is added to the exhaust gas for pumping with the exhaust gas. Gas exhaust from the pump is conveyed to an abatement device (28) for abating the exhaust gas. The amount of purge gas added to the exhaust gas is adjusted in response to a variation of the composition of the exhaust gas, or the composition of the gas supplied to the process chamber, to optimise the abatement of the exhaust gas.
US08480855B2
A method and apparatus for pretreating fibre material to be used in manufacturing paper or the like, for example, by precipitating mineral substances to the fibres. During precipitation, fibre material, which is advantageously pretreated in a through-flow mixer operating on the principle of an impact mill, is fed to the precipitation reactor. Gas is led to the precipitation reactor in order to generate a gas space in the reactor. The gas contains a substance, which precipitates the mineral substance such as carbon dioxide (CO2). The fibre material is fed to the gas space of to the precipitation reactor as small liquid and solid substance fractions such as drops and/or particles.
US08480854B2
The method of the present invention for crystallizing a filler, especially in order to precipitate calcium carbonate on the surfaces of solids in the short circulation of a fiber web machine by feeding carbon dioxide and lime milk to the liquid flow of the short circulation and allowing them to react with one another, is characterized in that the feed system, the mixing method and/or mixing rate of the chemicals are selected such that a size distribution of the calcium carbonate crystals suitable for the purpose is obtained. Moreover, the invention relates to an approach system for a fiber web machine applying this method, characterized in that it is provided with devices for feeding and mixing carbon dioxide and lime milk into the liquid flow at such a rate that the applicable size distribution of the calcium carbonate crystals is obtained.
US08480853B2
Enhancement of papermaking drainage and retention properties of aqueous cellulosic suspensions used for production of paper or paper board with a retention/drainage additive system including ionic crosslinked acrylic acid-acrylate copolymer microparticles is described. Paper and paperboard products made with these copolymer microparticles are also described.
US08480852B2
Wiping products, such as facial tissues, contain an interior temperature change composition and an exterior hydrophilic lotion composition that can provide a cooling sensation when contacted with the skin of a user. The temperature change composition, for instance, can contain one or more phase change agents that undergo a phase change at slightly elevated temperatures. The phase change agents, in one embodiment, can have a relatively high heat of fusion. When undergoing a phase change, the phase change agents absorb heat and thereby provide a cooling feeling to the skin of a user. The hydrophilic lotion composition may contain a carrier and a thermo-reversible gelling agent. The hydrophilic lotion composition maintains the temperature change composition within the tissue and helps to prevent skin irritation.
US08480845B2
We propose a thermosetting solvent-free single-component composition having a storage stability at room temperature of at least 2 weeks, consisting of (A) 5-90 parts by weight of one at least difunctional (iso)cyanate component, (B) 5-50 parts by weight of a latent curing agent solid up to a temperature of at least 40° C. based on nitrogen compounds suitable for addition crosslinking, (C) 0-50 parts by weight of an epoxy-containing compound and (D) 0-50 parts by weight of modifiers, with the sum of all parts by weight being 100, and its use for bonding, casting, sealing and coating of substrates, in particular electronic parts. The composition is cured at 120° C. to 150° C. within seconds.
US08480839B2
A method for manufacturing composite systems including metal and polymer shaped parts in the form of stabilizers, bushings, axle bearings, especially in the chassis area, stops, buffers, especially for supporting arms for aggregate bearings, or sleeve bearings, especially torsion-bar shoulder bearings, is provided. With the method, at least one completely vulcanized or partially vulcanized elastomer shaped part, especially a rubber shaped part, as the polymer shaped part and at least one metal part are first prepared. The metal part and the polymer shaped part are then brought into abutment against one another, at least in parts. And, finally the metal part or at least one region of the surface on which the metal part and the polymer shaped part abut against one another, is at least temporarily exposed to at least one induction field or at least one inductive heating unit.
US08480835B2
An apparatus and method to manufacture shaped counter top edges for custom counter tops. Sheet laminate is heated, clamped to a post form mold with clamping screws, and then formed around the post form mold into formed laminate. The formed laminate is then bonded to a substrate using adhesive and a bonding fixture having a plurality of bonding presses. Each bonding press has a pair of mutually opposed bonding press molds, each bonding press mold having a bonding press mold groove sized to admit a formed laminate around an edge of the substrate. Clamps hold the bonding press molds together, thereby urging the formed laminate into intimate contact with the substrate until the adhesive cures. A counter top edge is cut from the resulting substrate/laminate assembly at an edge first cut angle and an edge second cut angle to provide a neat and aesthetically pleasing installation on a counter.
US08480828B1
A method for effecting a repair and/or strengthening of a pipe. The method comprises cleaning an affected area of a surface of the pipe to provide a cleaned surface of the pipe surface for an area requiring repair; applying a continuous strip around the pipe from a portion prior to the affected area and allowing the continuous strip to extend to a portion after the affected area. The continuous strip forms a spiral sleeve spaced from the pipe surface to provide an annular chamber between the pipe surface and the spiral sleeve.
US08480822B2
The invention relates to an aluminum alloy having good electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity for producing die-cast components, containing: 8.0 to 9.0 wt % silicon, 0.5 to 0.7 wt % iron, max. 0.010 wt % copper, max. 0.010 wt % magnesium, max. 0.010 wt % manganese, max. 0.001 wt % chromium, max. 0.020 wt % titanium, max. 0.020 wt % vanadium, max. 0.05 wt % zinc, 0.010 to 0.030 wt % strontium, and aluminum as the rest, with further elements and manufacturing-caused impurities individually max. 0.05 wt %, in total max. 0.2 wt %. The alloy is suited in particular for producing components having good electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity in the die casting process.
US08480810B2
A method and system for cleaning a surface, having particulate matter thereon, of a substrate features impinging upon the surface a jet of a liquid having coupling elements entrained therein. A sufficient drag force is imparted upon the coupling elements to have the same move with respect to the liquid and cause the particulate matter to move with respect to the substrate.
US08480806B2
A bonding structure according to the present invention includes: a ceramic member including a hole; a terminal embedded in the ceramic member and including an exposed surface exposed to a bottom portion of the hole; a brazed bond layer formed in contact with the exposed surface of the terminal; and a connecting member inserted in the hole, and bonded to the terminal via the brazed bond layer. An inner diameter of the hole is larger than an outer diameter of the connecting member. A clearance is formed between the hole and the connecting member when the connecting member is inserted in the hole. A braze pool space is formed in a surface of the hole and has a substantially semicircular shape in a cross-sectional plane. The braze pool space is partially filled with a braze material.
US08480802B2
A cementitious compostion for high density, low porosity sheet-form building materials having solid surfaces is comprised of cement, pozzolans, and a high percentage of fine and/or coarse glass aggregate.
US08480801B2
[Object] Providing a solidified ceramic body with an improved mechanical strength, wherein the solidified ceramic body is fabricated by activating ceramic powder through mechanochemical treatment and solidifying the activated ceramic powder through alkali treatment.[Method of Solution] Activated ceramic powder having mechanochemically amorphized surfaces is obtained by grinding ceramic powder which is composed of silicic acid and/or silicate at least at surfaces thereof (grinding process). Inorganic fibers and/or plastic fibers are added to the activated ceramic powder and are mixed with the activated ceramic powder (mixing process), and a solidified ceramic body is obtained by adding alkali water solution containing alkaline metal hydroxide and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to the powder (alkali treatment process).
US08480798B1
A system for separating and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaust produced by an internal combustion engine. The system uses a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid to capture CO2 in the exhaust. The system also includes a carbon dioxide storage means configured to temporarily store the captured CO2, and a CO2 recovery facility to refine the captured CO2 for future use or prepare the CO2 for permanent storage. The system is intended for installation on vehicles such as automobiles to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by automobiles into the environment, but could also be used for other applications such as stationary power generators.
US08480795B2
An acid gas absorbent comprising a metal sulfonate, phosphonate or carboxylate of a hindered amine and a process for the selective removal Of H2S as well as other acidic components such as carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide and oxygen and sulfur derivatives of C1 to C4 hydrocarbons from mixtures containing such acidic components and CO2 using said absorbent.
US08480788B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of producing gaseous and liquid component streams from at least two multi-phase streams in at least two pipelines, the method comprising at least the steps of: (a) passing a first multi-phase stream along a first pipeline and through a first slugcatcher system; (b) passing a second multi-phase stream through a second pipeline and a second slugcatcher system; (c) passing a first pig down the first pipeline to create a first pig-slug mass in the first pipeline; and (d) passing at least a fraction of the first multi-phase stream upstream of the first pig-slug mass to the second pipeline along a crossover line.
US08480784B2
The various embodiments herein provide a method of producing silver nanoparticles using an electromagnetic levitation melting process. The method comprises levitating and melting a silver sample using a suitable levitation coil and stabilizing a droplet of molten silver. The silver droplet is heated and levitated simultaneously by an induction furnace as a generator. Argon gas is used to provide the inert atmosphere and also applied to cool and condense the silver vapor into a silver nano powder to obtain a silver nano particle. The synthesized silver nanoparticles are collected by brushing them off the brass cylinder using inert gas and are kept in pure Hexane. The size of the nanoparticles is controlled by rate of cooling and heating temperature. The electromagnetic levitation melting method is applied to provide the high purity of silver nano particles with no vacuum equipments.
US08480783B2
A sintered porous metal body, which has a sintered structure having a volumetric porosity of 10 to 90%, wherein there are at least one powder particles selected from the group consisting of dielectric material powders and semiconductor material powders that absorb energy of electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 300 MHz to 300 GHz among the metal crystalline particles constituting the sintered body, wherein the particles are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the sintered body, and wherein the metal particles are sintered to bond each other to be united to constitute pores. The invention discloses a method of manufacturing the sintered porous metal body.
US08480776B2
An air filtration device for a compressor is disclosed. A sealing head is fixed onto an opening of the compressor and has a first-end opening, a second-end opening and a screw hole; the first-end opening has a first thread; a sealing cap is coupled to the second-end opening and includes a cover plate, a screw and a first positioning portion; the screw is screwed into the screw hole; an air filter is coupled to the first-end opening and includes a filter core and a filter cover; the filter cover has a second thread and a second positioning portion, and the second threads are engaged with the first threads, and the second positioning portion is positioned on the first positioning portion. When the air filter is rotated, the cover plate is moved with the filter cover to seal or leave the second-end opening.
US08480775B2
This patent pertains to self-cleaning fan assemblies. One implementation includes electronic components positioned in an enclosure. This implementation also includes a fan assembly that is configured to impart rotational force on air to move the air from outside the enclosure to inside the enclosure and around the electronic components. The fan assembly is further configured to separate contaminants from the air based upon differences in density between the contaminants and the air.
US08480762B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor excellent in adhesion to a solid electrolyte with excellent ESR and heat resistance can be provided without reducing the material characteristics of a separator. This solid electrolytic capacitor comprises a capacitor element formed by winding an anodic foil prepared from a chemical conversion foil obtained by anodizing a metal having a valve action and a counter cathodic foil through a separator and a solid electrolyte employed as an electrolyte, while the separator is prepared from aramid fiber, and a silane coupling agent adheres to voids of the aramid fiber.
US08480759B2
A prosthesis system includes a reconfigurable socket. The socket changes configurations to adjust the socket fit. The socket includes a socket main body with a window and a panel positioned in the window. The panel and the socket main body cooperate to define a cavity for receiving a residual limb. A lacing system is coupled to both the socket main body and the panel and moves the panel with respect to the socket main body to adjust a volume of the cavity. A tensioning mechanism holds the lacing system to position the adjustment panel. The prosthesis system also allows for the escape of moisture from within the cavity.
US08480735B2
A tissue expansion device implanted in a non-activated state over a region of desired tissue growth. Once implanted and positioned the device is activated creating a supporting structure that creates a convex shaped dome over the underlying tissue. The convex shaped dome formed by the tissue expansion device places a tensile stress against the underlying tissue that promotes tissue growth. Alone or with the introduction of tissue enhancing agents and/or adipose tissue, new tissue within the convex shaped void grows until a balance is achieved eliminating the induced stress. Periodically the tissue expansion devices is again activated and enlarged creating an even larger void. Again, the newly enlarged void places additional tensile stress on the underlying tissue thus repeating the cycle of new tissue growth. Once the desired amount of tissue growth has been achieved the device is deactivated and removed.
US08480725B2
An introducer (10) includes release wires (42′) that constrain at least one stent (4′) while the remainder of a stent graft (18) is expanded during deployment. By allowing the constrained stent (4′) to expand after an adjacent stent (4), the constrained stent (4′) overlaps with the interior of the adjacent stent (4) where the stent graft (18) is deployed within a curved body lumen (70).
US08480723B2
A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and/or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about −20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling.
US08480721B2
Switching power supplies made in accordance with the disclosed technology drive flash lamps of dermatologic treatment devices to emit a sequence of relatively small light pulses that are aligned with particular locations within the waveform of the AC line source. Such power supplies not only enable sufficient light energy in aggregate to therapeutically heat target chromophores in a skin region without causing undesired damage to surrounding tissue, but also provide the added benefit that the corresponding electrical energy need not be substantially drawn from any charged capacitor. The disclosed power supply further compensates for performance degradation of the flash lamps during their usable life, by modifying its operation based on predetermined values that are indicative of flash lamp aging/efficiency characteristics. The flash lamps and their associated stored values are preferably incorporated into a replaceable cartridge that facilitates user maintenance of the dermatologic treatment device.
US08480718B2
Orthopedic implants include a device that is non-rigid, i.e., flexible and/or malleable, in a first form for insertion into a desired in vivo site, and then transformable into a rigid, or hardened, form for providing a load-bearing function or providing other structural and/or mechanical function after implant. The device includes a biocompatible sheath and a curable material sealed within the sheath. The curable material is provided in a first form that provides flexibility to the device and is structured to rigidize in a second form after application of a quantity of an initiating energy to the material. Related methods and kits are also provided.
US08480714B2
A capless multiaxial screw fixation assembly, including: a screw having a threaded portion and a screw head portion positioned at one end thereof; and, a retainer having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore for receiving the screw threaded portion so that the screw head portion is seated therein. At least one of the screw and the retainer is configured such that the retainer is able to pivot about the screw head portion in a non-symmetrical manner.
US08480713B2
A spinal connector assembly including a connector body defining first and second passages arranged transverse to one another and configured to receive respective portions of an implant and an elongate rod. A collet receives a portion of the implant therein and extends through the first passage with an upper portion extending axially beyond an upper side of the connector body and a lower portion extending axially beyond a lower side of the connector body. A washer is positioned annularly about the lower portion of the collet and beneath the connector body with a top side of the washer facing a lower side of the connector body and with one of the top and lower sides defining a convex surface and the other defining a concave surface. A lock member is engaged with the upper portion of the collet and exerts an upward force thereon to pull the collet and the washer in an upward direction to draw the convex and concave surfaces into compressed engagement with one another, and the upward force also drawing an outer surface of the collet against an inner engagement surface to inwardly displace a portion of the collet into clamped engagement with the implant member.
US08480711B2
A bone stabilizer assembly includes a fixation element, a coupling element, and a compression nut. The fixation element is adapted to engage a bone and having a head portion and shank portion. The coupling element has an internal bore sized to receive the shank portion of the fixation element and a pyramid-shaped seat for supporting the head portion of the fixation element. The coupling element is adapted to receive a stabilizer rod. The compression nut is engagable with the coupling element and is adapted to rotatingly move distally into the coupling element to translate a force to the head portion through the rod and the saddle such that the head portion is forced against the seat of the coupling element to prevent relative movement between the fixation element and the coupling element.
US08480704B2
A retractor having an elongate body that provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The elongate body is generally ovoid in cross section and includes a plurality of segments that are connected to one another through a plurality of ratcheting mechanisms. The ratcheting mechanisms permit relative movement of the segments with respect to one another when expander dilators are inserted within the retractor. The segments are surrounded and retained by a resilient elastomeric sleeve or bands. The distal end surfaces of the segments include thin edges that are configured to mobilize, dissect, split and retract the terminal tissues in the surgical area. The retractor is used in conjunction with a resilient elastomeric pad that is affixed to the patient and firmly engages the outer surface of the elongate body to thereby anchor the retractor to the patient. A separate anchoring device can be used to connect the retractor to the pad.
US08480693B2
A device and method for achieving hemostasis and leakage control in vascular structures and other body ducts or vessels in an emergency room or trauma situation. The device has at least one shunt that contains an obturator on an end of the shunt. The shunt is inserted into a damaged vessel or lumen for sealing the leak or hemorrhage. Two shunts that both contain obturators on one of their ends can be inserted into two different vessels or lumens when the vessel or lumen has been severed. The obturators allow for the improved ease of insertion into the vessel or lumen. The two shunts are then releasably attached to restore fluid communication through the vessel or lumen. The shunt is placed temporarily within the patient and then removed when definitive repair can be achieved by a qualified physician.
US08480690B2
A suture organizer to maintain a plurality of sutures attached to a patient during a surgical procedure or operation in position relative to each other during the surgical procedure or operation comprising a hemostat retainer including a hemostat retainer member to receive and retain the finger hole or thumb hole of a corresponding hemostat connected to a corresponding suture and a clasp including a pair of clasp members to cooperatively clamp a surgical drape or the like therebetween to hold the suture organizer in position during the surgical procedure or operation.
US08480689B2
A surgical suturing device has a grasper device that is translatable within an outer lumen where a first end of a needle is grasped with the grasper device. The needle may be resilient to a curved resting state. The grasper device translates proximally relative to the outer lumen such that the needle is translated into the outer lumen, wherein the outer lumen tends to straighten the needle from the curved resting state. The grasper device may be translated distally relative to the outer lumen such that a second end of the needle extends distally from the outer lumen and pierces the tissue. The needle may return to the curved resting state as it exits the outer lumen. When a second end of the needle emerges from the tissue, the second end of the needle may be grasped with the grasper device.
US08480683B2
A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member including leading portion, a trailing portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the leading and trailing portions. The leading portion of the seal anchor member is configured and adapted to ease insertion of the seal anchor member into the tissue tract. Subsequent to insertion of the seal anchor member, the leading portion of the seal anchor member is also configured and adapted to facilitate securing and/or anchoring of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract.
US08480670B2
A bipolar high-frequency treatment tool for an endoscope comprising a flexible sheath having a multi-lumen tube which is rotatable about an axis of the flexible sheath and is formed to have a pair of guide lumens, a pair of high-frequency electrodes which are arranged to be movable at a tip end of the flexible sheath and are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, a pair of operating wires which are made of an electrically conductive material but are adapted to be electrically insulated from each other, wherein each of the pair of operating wires is respectively arranged in each of the guide lumens, and wherein the pair of high-frequency electrodes is rotated as the pair of operating wires is rotated and as the multi-lumen tube is rotated about the axis of the flexible sheath accordingly, is provided.
US08480655B2
A drug infusion system capable of delivering a fluid medication to a patient under direction of a medical professional continually at a basal rate and at an interval rate in each of a plurality of time slots over a specified period of time. The total dose of the fluid medication to be delivered to the patient over the period of time based on the basal rate and the interval rate for each of the plurality of time slots is determined, compared the total dose against a maximum dose. The basal rate is adjusted, if necessary, so that the total dose does not exceed the maximum dose.
US08480642B2
A merchandise system for disposable absorbent articles is provided. The merchandise display system includes a first line-up and second line-up of disposable absorbent articles designed to match a wearer's stage of development. The system also includes various color schemes associated with the first and second line-ups in order to facilitate consumers' identification and selection of the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer. A merchandise system for baby care articles is also provided.
US08480639B2
A container containing a fluid for depositing the fluid drop-by-drop into a user's eye, includes a mirror element for reflecting the eye to assist in accurately dispensing the eye drops into the eye. The mirror element may be hingedly attached and rotatable from a closed position to a predetermined open position. Alternatively, the mirror may be detachably attached at a first position adjacent the container and relocatable to a second angularly displaced position to provide a reflection of the eye receiving the eye drops.
US08480637B2
A nanochannel delivery device and method of manufacturing and use. The nanochannel delivery device comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a nanochannel. The nanochannel may be oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device. The inlet and outlet may be in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.
US08480631B2
A hazardous agent injection system including from about 0.02 ml to about 4.0 ml of methotrexate at a concentration of from about 7.5 mg/ml to about 150 mg/ml; a needle-assisted jet injector including a container configured to contain the methotrexate; a injection outlet member associated with the container; an injection-assisting needle coupled to the injection outlet member; a firing mechanism associated with the container; an energy source associated with the firing mechanism; and a trigger mechanism associated with the firing mechanism, wherein the needle-assisted jet injector is configured to eject the methotrexate from the injection outlet member such that the Cmax, Tmax and bioavailability of the needle-assisted jet injected methotrexate falls between about 80% and about 125% of the Cmax, Tmax and bioavailability of methotrexate delivered by a hand-powered syringe.
US08480625B2
An ophthalmic aspiration pump roller-head assembly 10, includes a plurality of rollers 12, a base 16 attached to a first end of the rollers 12, and a face-plate 18 attached to a second end of the rollers 12. The face-plate 18 has at least one groove formed in the face-plate 18 for drawing a tube onto the rollers 12.
US08480624B2
A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.
US08480622B2
Infusion pumps according to the present invention maximize fluid throughput while minimizing vaporization of gas by employing specific flow path architecture, flow path dimensional ranges, and voltage and frequency ranges for activation of piezoelectric bodies.
US08480619B2
A balloon catheter includes a balloon support member having a hollow axial lumen and open distal end for allowing passage of a guidewire therethrough, a balloon disposed around the balloon support member, and an annular balloon seal disposed proximate to a distal end of the balloon catheter. The seal defines a central passageway for allowing passage therethrough of a guidewire extending out the distal end of the balloon support member, and is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around each of a plurality of guidewires having different outer diameters.
US08480612B2
Devices and methods useful for storing and retrieving information related to a medical device such as an implantable valve or an implantable sensor are disclosed. An implantable valve can include a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between a valve inlet and a valve outlet. A valve assembly can be disposed within the valve housing and adapted to control a rate of fluid flowing through the valve housing. The implantable valve can also include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the valve housing, adapted to store data, and including an antenna for communicating stored data to an external reading device. The RFID tag can store data related to, for example, a patient, a pressure setting of the valve assembly, and/or pressure sensor disposed within the valve. The RFID tag can also store an identifier that identifies the implantable valve, a pressure sensor disposed in the valve housing, a patient associated with the implantable valve, and/or patient clinical history.
US08480603B2
A driving mechanism for a massage chair, the massage chair has a primary frame and a massaging set, the primary frame having a vertical bidirectional screw rod, a passive member connected to the massaging set jacketed onto the bidirectional screw rod. The massaging set utilizes the driving motor to provide synchronized massage movements and vertical movements, and the massaging set engages with the passive member and the bidirectional screw rod such that when the massaging set reaches to the very top end or the very bottom end the bidirectional screw rod it directly changes its direction of movement without any sensor, which can reduce and simplify structural costs.
US08480598B2
A guide wire includes an elongate core section and a flexible member disposed on the distal end, the flexible member including a first wire wound into an inner helical coil in a first direction and a second wire wound into an outer helical coil wrapped about the first helical coil in the opposite direction. The two combined helical coils add stiffness and torque transmission to the guide wire without sacrificing tactile feedback.
US08480597B2
A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.
US08480593B2
An intravascular ultrasound catheter system is provided and enables a simplified, economical technique for ultrasound visualization of a blood vessel. The catheter may include a park ablation system for crossing chronic total occlusions and severe stenoses. The catheter is advanceable and is oriented entirely under manual control of the clinician and the application of radiofrequency energy for spark erosion of the stenosis also is controlled manually by the clinician. The system enables the clinician to observe an ultrasound image sufficiently to determine where to orient the ablation electrode so as to reduce the risk of dissection or perforation of the blood vessel. The ultrasound image is generated in response to manual rotation of the catheter and the ablation spark is generated only when the physician is satisfied as to the orientation of the electrode within the vessel.
US08480592B2
A biopsy probe mechanism includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. An elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis between a first relative position and a second relative position. A first echogenic feature is established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature is established on the cutting cannula. The first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the first relative position. The first echogenic feature is out of longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature when the elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula are in the second relative position.
US08480587B2
Embodiments of a user interface in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system comprises a display unit for prompting a user to touch a desired one of hierarchically arranged soft buttons for triggering an execution of the function of the ultrasound system associated with the touched button. The display unit includes a display having a display with touch panel mounted. The display unit is configured to display a touch screen menu together with the ultrasound image on the display.
US08480583B2
Methods and apparatus for 4D data acquisition and analysis in an ultrasound protocol examination are provided. The method includes acquiring 4D ultrasound scan data during a protocol based examination. The method further includes aligning images formed from the 4D ultrasound scan data while the 4D ultrasound scan data is being acquired to allow the automatic extraction of standard imaging projections.
US08480582B2
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus including the ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprise an image acquiring unit, extracting unit, tracking unit and physical parameter calculating unit. The image acquiring unit acquires image data of a subject, the extracting unit extracts a plurality of trackable characterizing points based on the acquired image data, the tracking unit tracks the movement of the characterizing points, and the physical parameter calculating unit acquires specific physical parameters, such as displacement, distortion and distortion velocity, based on the information derived from tracked results, of the characterizing points contained in each region of interest (ROI). Both of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus make it possible to easily and accurately perform extraction of characterizing points and low-cost analysis of contraction/expansion functions of the heart or the like.
US08480580B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08480556B2
An anterior implant adapted to treat central and lateral cystoceles present in a female patient includes laterally extending stabilizing straps for supporting the implant between the patient's bladder and vagina independently of the patient's arcus tendineous fascia pelvis. Rectocele and hysterocele repairs can be carried out using a single posterior implant which, like the anterior implant, is provided with laterally extending stabilizing straps for supporting the implant between the patient's rectum and vagina.
US08480551B2
A tool having a blank positioning system and method for forming a container. The tool has a first tool assembly and a second tool assembly that cooperate to shape the container from a blank. The blank positioning system positions the blank between the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly prior to forming the blank into the container.
US08480548B2
An exerciser including a movable body support mounted on an exerciser frame for movement along tracks provided by the frame. A movable foot support extends from the exerciser frame. The movable foot support is adapted to be engaged by the user's feet to absorb the energy of movement in a first direction and to provide the user with a bouncing movement, which the user may translate into a movement of the movable body support in the opposite direction. The movable foot support may be provided as an attachment and retrofitted to existing exercisers, and, in some embodiments, may comprise independently movable foot supports for each foot. The exerciser may include a resilient resistance system coupled to the movable body support and a set of pull lines with user grips trained over pulleys carried by the exerciser frame. Also disclosed are methods for enabling users to exercise.
US08480545B2
An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise is provided. The design includes a horizontal base, a lower front pivoting point, and user supporting hardware collectively adjoining pedals, a seat configured to support the user, and handlebars, the user supporting hardware provided above the horizontal base and interfacing with the lower front mounting point. The lower front pivoting point and the user supporting hardware include a multiple component resistive element arrangement and collectively define an axis of rotation forming an angle with the horizontal base of 30 to 45 degrees, sloping upward in a rearward direction from the front pivoting point to the user supporting hardware. When the user is seated on the seat and leans in one direction, such leaning causes the user supporting hardware, seat, and handlebars to rotate in the one direction about the axis of rotation.
US08480543B1
A supporting device includes a planar member having two end portions and an outer peripheral portion, and a fastening device attached to the end portions of the planar member for adjusting and maintaining the planar member at a curved structure and for engaging with and supporting or massaging various portions of the user. The fastening device includes a flexible member for being coupled between the end portions of the planar member, a buckle attached to one end portion of the flexible member, and a locking member attached to the other end portion of the flexible member for attaching the flexible member to the end portions of the planar member.
US08480540B2
A method and device for controlling a friction clutch arranged between an internal combustion engine and a transmission by means of a clutch actuator that axially actuates an actuating element of the friction clutch along an actuation path associated, by means of a clutch characteristic, with a target torque that can be transmitted by means of the friction clutch. To improve the quality of controlling of the friction clutch and to avoid the application of undesirable torque, it is proposed to compensate a hysteresis that arises between the target torque and the friction torque actually transmitted by the friction clutch along the actuation path by correcting a setpoint for controlling the clutch actuator with a corrective quantity.
US08480539B2
A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a first hydraulic pump connected with an oil tank to receive oil from the oil tank, having a first motor, and adapted to generate a low pressure through an operation of the first motor, a second hydraulic pump connected with the first hydraulic pump to receive the low pressure, having a second motor, and adapted to generate a high pressure through an operation of the second motor, a first regulating valve adapted to receive the low pressure from the first hydraulic pump and to regulate a first operating pressure to supply to the torque converter, and a second regulating valve adapted to receive the high pressure from the second hydraulic pump and to regulate a second operating pressure to supply to the powertrain.
US08480536B2
A method for operating a hybrid drive of a vehicle, having an internal combustion engine and having at least one electric drive, to which at least one traction battery is assigned, as well as to a hybrid drive, especially a parallel hybrid drive. The internal combustion engine is able to be started from the operating mode “purely electrical driving” of the hybrid drive using a direct start without a starter.
US08480529B2
Embodiments are directed to a front end accessory drive (FEAD), subassemblies, and components therefor. Embodiments disclosed cover power modulating devices (PMD) which can be used in a FEAD. In one embodiment, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is coupled directly to a crankshaft of a prime mover, and the CVT is used to regulate the speed and/or torque delivered to an accessory. A compound drive device includes a motor/generator subassembly cooperating with a CVT subassembly to provide a motor functionality with torque multiplication or division, or alternatively, a generator functionality with torque multiplication or division. In some embodiments, a FEAD includes a PMD having a sun shaft configured to couple to a sun of the PMD and to an electric motor component, such as an electrical armature or an electrical field. In one embodiment, the electrical armature the electrical field are placed concentrically and coaxially and configured to rotate relative to one another in opposite directions.
US08480527B2
A gearing arrangement is disclosed herein. The gearing arrangement includes a shaft operable to rotate about an axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a first gear fixed for rotation with the shaft and encircling the axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a plate member positioned radially adjacent to the shaft. The gearing arrangement also includes a second gear operable to mesh with the first gear. The gearing arrangement also includes a layshaft supporting the second gear. The layshaft extends along a central axis between first and second ends. The layshaft is engageable with the plate member in a plurality of different positions to adjustably position the second gear relative to the first gear.
US08480523B2
A hybrid drive train has an internal combustion engine (2), an electric machine (30), a clutch device (10) and a variable speed transmission (5) via which a transmission input shaft (13) can be coupled to an output shaft (6), and having a planetary gear mechanism (33). To improve the properties of a hybrid vehicle having the hybrid drive train with respect to energy consumption and/or a sporty driving style, the electric machine (30) is coupled to the transmission input shaft (13) and the output shaft (6) via the planetary gear mechanism (33).
US08480521B2
A flat belt includes a tension-resistant layer, in which a core cord is spirally wound, an upper holding rubber layer, a lower holding rubber layer, an upper rubber layer, and a lower rubber layer. The holding rubber layers and are laid on the upper and lower sides of the tension-resistant layer respectively, retaining the layer. The upper and lower rubber layers and are laid on the upper side of the upper holding rubber layer and the lower side of the lower holding rubber layer respectively. 150-300 parts by weight of ferrite for 100 parts by weight of rubber matrix are mixed in the upper rubber layer, which is on the outer peripheral side of the flat belt when the belt is wound on a guide wheel.
US08480519B2
A ball bat includes a barrel in which one or more stiffening elements or damping elements, or both, are located. The stiffening or damping elements may be positioned at a variety of locations, and may have a variety of configurations, for selectively reducing the barrel's performance without appreciably increasing the bat's moment of inertia.
US08480503B2
A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.
US08480496B2
An online game server delivers an online game to a player terminal via a communication network. The online game is played in the player terminal operated by a player. The online game server receives object selection information indicating that an object selectably displayed on a game display screen of the online game is selected at the player terminal. The online game server then transmits related site specification information to the player terminal on the basis of the received object selection information. The related site specification information is used for the player terminal to access a related site related to the object. Game progress information necessary for progress of the online game is included in the related site. The related site specification information is a URL indicating an address of the related site or a search formula for searching for the related site using a search engine.
US08480495B2
Useful information is acquired from a community of individuals by way of a game that rewards participants with social information about other participants. Points can be awarded to participants simply for participation and/or as a function of game performance. Such points can subsequently be exchanged to reveal information about game partners or other community members. Among other things, such a reward system can motivate individuals to perform tasks that might not otherwise be compelling and/or enjoyable.
US08480449B2
A toy block set comprises a total 12 toy blocks, each block is consisted of at least one block unit and each unit joins another angledly by a 60 degree. The set includes 8 toy blocks formed by 5 block units and 4 toy blocks formed by 4 block units, a total 56 block units. Each block unit is a polyhedron with 50 faces arranged in 7 layers for improving the stability when assembling the shape formed by the toy blocks. Said 12 toy blocks can form a triangular pyramid of height of 6 units and 7 of said 12 toy blocks can form another triangular pyramid of height of 5 units.
US08480445B2
A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.
US08480438B2
A connector system includes a jack module mounted to a circuit board, which is connected to at least one processor. The jack module is configured to receive a plug connector having a first set of contacts spaced from a second set of contacts. The jack module includes a first contact arrangement configured to engage the first set of contacts of the plug and a second contact arrangement configured to engage the second set of contacts of the plug. The second contact arrangement is provided on a media reading interface, which may provide presence sensing. The first and second contact arrangements engage landings on the circuit board. One example jack module defines a right-angle jack.
US08480434B2
An electrical connection terminal arranged such that when the amount of displacement of one of a first contact portion and a second contact portion increases, a decrease in the contact pressure of the other contact portion is effectively suppressed, and a connector in which the electrical connection terminal is used. Between first and second elastic pieces and a fixed piece, a third elastic piece is provided such that when one of a first contact portion and a second contact portion is displaced in the direction of contact with a mating terminal, the amount of displacement of the other contact portion in the direction of contact with the mating terminal becomes smaller than the amount of displacement of the other contact portion in the insertion and removal direction of the mating terminal. Connection reliability by two-point contact may be improved.
US08480410B2
A power adapter plug arm manufactured from a single piece of material is provided. The plug arm can include a plug operative to extend into a wall socket, an elongated plate coupled to an end of the plug such that the plug extends from a first surface of one end of the plate, and a pin coupled to the opposite end of the plate and extending from the opposite surface of the plate. The pin can be operative to engage a circuit board of the power adapter to provide power received from the wall socket to an electronic device coupled to the power adapter. To enhance the strength of the plug arm, the plate can be manufactured by creating a co-axial plug and a stem from a single piece of material, bending the stem, and cold heading the bent portion of the stem to form a plate.
US08480408B2
[Problem] To provide a medical training simulation model having a display enabling training by a simulation model simulating the structure of an organism, and objective and visual recognition of the three-dimensional position of an inserted endoscope, a finger or the like in an organ or tissue.[Means for Solving the Problem] A teaching material model system having a teaching material model for clinical examination inside of an organism has a display screen creating device for creating the internal structure of an organism model formed of a nonmagnetic material by three-dimensional CG on a display screen, a specific signal transmitting device, and a sensor for detecting a signal from the specific signal transmitting device as constituting device, wherein the signal generated by the specific signal transmitting device is detected by the sensor, the signal detected by the sensor is transmitted to create a display screen by the display screen creating device, and the system is provided with a real time display device for displaying the positional situation of the sensor created on the display screen for the internal structure of a teaching material organism model displayed on the display screen by three-dimensional CG.
US08480406B2
An interface device and method for interfacing instruments to a medical procedure simulation system serve to interface peripherals in the form of mock medical instruments to the medical procedure simulation system computer to enable simulation of medical procedures. The interface device includes a housing having a mock bodily region of interest to facilitate insertion of a mock instrument, such as an endoscope tube, into the interface device. The mock bodily region of interest may be pivotable to simulate various patient orientations. The instrument is engaged by a capture mechanism in order to measure rotational and translational motion of the instrument. An actuator is disposed within the interface device to provide force feedback to the instrument. The measured motion is provided to the computer system to reflect instrument motion on the display during the simulation. Alternatively, the interface device may be configured to accommodate instrument assemblies having a plurality of nested instruments (e.g., sheath, catheter and wire), whereby the interface device individually grasps, measures manipulation of and provides force feedback to the nested instruments. In addition, the interface device may be configured to simultaneously accommodate a plurality of independently inserted instruments.
US08480401B2
Acoustical voice-feedback systems include headsets connected through a connector or central hub for vocalizing and sound formation assistance. A user's voice is conveyed directly into his or her own ear as well as the ears of each connected user. A central hub allows selective connection of one or more headsets to each other, or allows an instructor to selectively connect an instructor headset to one or more instructee headsets.
US08480397B2
In some embodiments, a method of simulating combat described herein comprises emitting a first query beam from a first query unit of a first interoperable identification and communication system, receiving the first query beam with a second response unit of a second interoperable identification and communication system, emitting a second response beam with the second response unit, and receiving the second response beam with the first query unit. In some embodiments, a method of simulating combat comprises emitting a query beam comprising a plurality of packets each comprising a header portion, an information portion, and a footer portion from a query unit; and receiving the query beam with a response unit comprising a plurality of detectors spatially separated from one another, wherein the response unit is operable to independently measure the intensity of each packet of the query beam received at each of the plurality of detectors.
US08480381B2
Apparatus (10) for harnessing ocean wave energy and for converting the harnessed energy to high pressure sea water, typically above 100 psi and preferably above 800 psi. The high pressure seawater generated by the apparatus (10) can be piped to shore for use in any appropriate purpose. The apparatus (10) comprises a float (12) buoyantly suspended within the body of seawater (1) and a pump (13) operatively connected to the float (12). The pump (13) comprises an intake chamber (47), a discharge chamber (49) and a piston (61) extending between the intake and discharge chambers (47, 49). The piston (61) comprises a tube (63) having a flow passage (102) extending between the intake and discharge chambers (47, 49). The piston (61) and discharge chamber (49) cooperate to define a pumping chamber (100) adapted to undergo expansion and contraction in response to reciprocatory motion of the piston. The piston (61) is operatively connected to the float (12) to be driven by upward movement of the float. The pump may have provision for treatment of the seawater which it delivers through use of an electrolysis process receiving electric current from a linear current generator incorporated in the pump.
US08480379B2
A condensation sensor is provided within a power supply device that is provided integratedly with a vacuum pump main unit. When the condensation sensor detects condensation within the power supply device, a CPU closes a cooling water valve. This stops the flow of cooling water that flows through the interior of the power supply device, through a cooling water duct.
US08480374B2
The present invention discloses a method and auto-control system on improving pumping system performance. The system contains a pump, a pool, pipelines, a parameter setting module, a water level measuring module and a system control module. The parameter setting module is configured to preset a characteristic parameter and a control parameter of the pump and the pipelines. The water level measuring module is configured to measure, determine and compute a high level pool water level, a flow demand trend and a system instantaneous flow at regular intervals. The system control module is configured to receive the data sent by the water level measuring module that is measured and computed, and controls the operation of the system based on the data. Compared to existing pumping control system, the system in the present invention can save energy for 10%-30%.
US08480373B2
A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and a filter arrangement in fluid communication with the pump. The pumping system can also include means for determining a load value indicative of an unclogged filter that permits movement of water through the filter arrangement, means for determining a load value indicative of a clogged filter that inhibits movement of water through the filter arrangement, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. The pumping system also includes means for determining a relative loading value of the filter arrangement, means for displaying the relative loading value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the relative loading value. In one example, the load values and performance value can include flow pressure values. A method of moving water of a swimming pool is also disclosed.
US08480365B2
An article of headwear having a body with a hole extending completely through bottom and top surfaces thereof and a cooling device mounted to the article of headwear. The cooling device is mounted via a mounting ring received at the hole which mounts the cooling device to the body at the through hole to permit selective manipulation of the cooling device about a horizontal axis in a range between 0 to 360 degrees relative to the headwear body and the mounting ring.
US08480363B2
A turbine with vanes and tethers that adjust to the wind includes: an axle, adapted to be positioned perpendicular to the airflow; a radial spar attached to the axle; a vane rotatably attached to the spar; and a positioning element to limit the vane from rotating substantially more than a perpendicular angle away from the spar. The device retains the vane in a position that utilizes the airflow to rotate the axle. The positioning element is a tether attached to the distal point of the vane.
US08480362B2
The method consists in determining at least one of wind turbine operating conditions or parameters related to pitch activity 116-119; determining if lubrication is needed depending on at least the operating conditions or the pitch activity parameters 116-119; and causing lubrication of the pitch blade bearing if lubrication is determined to be needed. Lubrication may consist in injecting grease during a period of time and causing the blades of the wind turbine to be rotated if necessary during grease injection. The device includes means for determining wind turbine operating conditions, means for determining parameters related to pitch activity, a wind turbine main control 100 for determining if lubrication is needed depending on operating conditions and pitch activity parameters 116-119, and means for causing lubrication of the pitch blade bearing if lubrication is needed.
US08480357B2
A variable geometry turbocharger assembly comprises a unison ring which rotates about a longitudinal axis defined by a shaft on which a turbine wheel and compressor wheel are attached in order to pivot a plurality of vanes and thereby control a flow of exhaust gas to the turbine wheel. The unison ring rotates on at least one guide pin which is secured to the turbocharger. The guide pins may be press-fit into apertures in a center housing at an outer pilot surface. In other embodiments the guide pins may be press-fit into a different part of the turbocharger such as a nozzle ring. The guide pins may each have a wear surface which defines a circumferential radius of curvature which is substantially equal to a circumferential radius of curvature of a radially inner surface of the unison ring.
US08480356B2
A novel technique for partially improving wear resistance of an input portion of a drive ring, where power of a shifting drive is input from an external actuator, in an adjustment mechanism incorporated in a VGS type turbocharger for concurrently rotating adjustable blades, without specifically attaching a separate member afterwards is provided. The present invention is characterized in that the drive ring, to which shaft portions of the adjustable blades are connected, is made of a blank material punched out from a metal material having a substantially constant thickness, a blank being cut out such that the blank includes a surplus reinforcing portion in addition to an actual product part of the drive ring, the reinforcing portion being suitably folded back so as to partially increase the thickness of the input portion, where power of the shifting drive is input from the actuator, thereby increasing wear resistance of the input portion, and in addition characterized in that the material type/sheet thickness/shape factor are specified for implementation of the invention.
US08480355B2
The invention relates to a nacelle for a turbojet engine, comprising a rear section forming an outer structure which defines, together with a concentric inner structure (4) comprising an inner panel (10) for surrounding a downstream part of the turbojet engine, an annular flow channel for a so-called secondary flow. The invention is characterized in that the exhaust means (11) are arranged in the inner panel in such a way that any inopportune surge is exhausted in the annular channel.
US08480345B2
A composite continuous feeder is arranged above a growth furnace and comprises a primary feeder and a secondary feeder. The primary feeder includes a feeding chamber, a first material holder holding a plurality of material bits and an elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is coupled to the feeding chamber and first material holder, and used to lift or lower the first material holder in the feeding chamber. The secondary feeder includes a second material holder also holding a plurality of material bits, a buffering discharger and a material discharging guide tube. The buffering discharger is arranged at the outlet of the second material holder to receive the material bits output therefrom. The material discharging guide tube discharges the material bits into the growth furnace. By using the primary and secondary feeders, the invention can apply to mono-crystal and poly-crystal growth furnaces and effectively control material feeding amount and speed.
US08480337B2
A drill has inner and outer inserts. The drill includes a drill body having a rotational axis; an inner insert mounted adjacent to the axis at a proximal end of the drill body having an axis-symmetrical contour having four cutting edges and four rounded corners; and an outer insert identical to the inner insert being mounted farther away from the axis than the inner insert. Loci of the inner and the outer insert partially overlap. At the overlapping region, the cutting edge of the inner insert and the cutting edge of the outer insert extend toward the axis in a direction to a workpiece and the locus of the cutting edge of the inner insert protrudes in a direction to the workpiece along the axis of the drill body compared to the locus of the cutting edge of the outer insert.
US08480328B2
A fixing device for fixing an expansion card mounted with a cover plate, includes a frame and a fixing member. The frame includes a board defining an elongated slot, a plate extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from an end of the board and perpendicular to the slot, and a fixing portion extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from a side of the plate opposite to the board. A fastener is mounted to the frame adjacent to the slot of the board. The fixing member includes a sliding portion slidably mounted to the fixing portion and an operation portion extending in a substantially perpendicular manner from the sliding portion. The sliding portion defines an engaging hole to receive the fastener. The fastener is to be engaged with the cover plate. The fixing member is operable to sandwich the cover plate with the plate.
US08480322B2
A side knock type mechanical pencil includes a knock button, a barrel, an intermediate lead tube, and a clip. A fixed hole is formed in the side wall of the front end of the barrel, and a rib groove is formed in the inner front side of the fixed hole. At least one button groove is formed in the front end of the knock button, and at least one protrusion or bump with an inclined plane is formed at the lower side of the rear end of the side button. A shaft is formed by the engagement of the button groove of the front end of the button with the rib groove of the fixed hole. At least one circular bulge which is adapted to engage with the protrusion or bump with the inclined plane is disposed on the side of the intermediate lead tube.
US08480315B2
A camera mounting structure for mounting an on-vehicle camera on a vehicle, in which the on-vehicle camera includes an imaging module having a lens and an imaging element, and in an exterior panel component making up an exterior of the vehicle, a bracket part for attaching the imaging module is molded integrally with the exterior panel component as a portion of the exterior panel component.
US08480312B2
A fiber optic and electrical connection system includes a fiber optic cable, a ruggedized fiber optic connector, a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and a fiber optic enclosure. The cable includes one or more electrically conducting strength members. The connector, the adapter, and the enclosure each have one or more electrical conductors. The cable is terminated by the connector with the conductors of the connector in electrical communication with the strength members. The conductors of the connector electrically contact the conductors of the adapter when the connector and the adapter are mechanically connected. And, the conductors of the adapter electrically contact the conductors of the enclosure when the adapter is mounted on the enclosure.
US08480310B2
Devices to enhance the reliability of optical networks and to reduce the cost of repair are disclosed in this invention. In particular, compact and inexpensive fiber optic union adapters with built-in protective isolation prevent the transfer of damage from one connectorized fiber optic cable to another. The fiber optic union includes a split sleeve with an interior channel and a fiber stub centrally located within the interior channel. The fiber stub makes direct optical contact with the cable endfaces to enable efficient optical transmission between interconnected cables while providing a low loss, low back reflection adiabatic transition between the waveguide cores of the two cables.
US08480308B2
A tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of tapered rollers interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a cage for the tapered rollers. Ra is smaller than Rb where Ra represents a radius of curvature of a large end face of the tapered roller and Rb represents a radius of curvature of an end face of a large rib portion of the inner ring.
US08480307B2
A ball roller bearing which has an outer and inner bearing ring and ball rollers arranged between the rings, which roll in groove-shaped tracks in the rings and are held at a uniform distance to one another by a window cage. The cage has two lateral angle ribs, pocket bridges, which connect the ribs and cage pockets separated by the pocket bridges. The pockets have a cross-shaped hole formed from a contour perpendicular to the circumferential direction and a cross-sectional contour of a ball roller arranged longitudinally to the circumferential direction. The side edges are formed from the pocket bridges, which have radii of arch-shaped guide surfaces corresponding to the running surfaces of two ball rollers. The pocket bridges have additional material profiling between the side edges and on the guide surfaces for axial stiffening of the cage and damping bearing noise.
US08480302B2
The present invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) temperature sensor that employs a suspended spiral comprising a material with a positive coefficient of thermal expansion. The thermal expansion of the suspended spiral is guided to by a set of guideposts to provide a linear movement of the free end of the suspended spiral, which is converted to an electrical signal by a set of conductive rotor azimuthal fins that are interdigitated with a set of conductive stator azimuthal fins by measuring the amount of capacitive coupling therebetween. Real time temperature may thus be measured through the in-situ measurement of the capacitive coupling. Optionally, the MEMS temperature sensor may have a ratchet and a pawl to enable ex-situ measurement.
US08480289B2
A container for bone cement includes a first member defining a chamber, which contains a first ingredient. The chamber also includes a second member movably coupled to the first member. The second member includes a mixing device that is movably disposed within the first chamber, and the second member defines a second chamber containing a second ingredient. The container additional includes an opening device that selectively opens the second chamber and allows the second ingredient to enter from the second chamber into the first chamber. The mixing device is movable within the first chamber to promote mixing of the first ingredient and the second ingredient to prepare the bone cement. A corresponding method of preparing bone cement is also disclosed.
US08480287B2
A light source module including a back frame, a light guide plate (LGP), and at least one light emitting device is provided. The back frame has a baseboard. The LGP is disposed on the back frame, and has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface, wherein the second surface faces toward the baseboard. The light emitting device is disposed beside the light incident surface. The light source module further includes a thermal insulating element, which is disposed between the baseboard and the second surface, and is located adjacent to the light incident surface.
US08480284B2
A light guide unit including a light guide plate and a scattering reflective unit is provided. The light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The light incident surface includes a first recess and a second recess arranged in a sequence from the first surface to the second surface. An average radius of curvature of the first recess is less than an average radius of curvature of the second recess. The scattering reflective unit is disposed on the second surface. A light source module is also provided.
US08480278B2
A decorative lighting strand for decorating a surface having a limb with a branch extending from the limb, where the strand has a length of wire connecting a plurality of decorative bulbs and midway the strand there is a hub which can be secured on the limb so that the strand can be extended from the hub along the branch from each side of the limb, and the invention includes multiple such strands electrically connected together each of which can be arranged in a horizontal plane of the surface. The invention also includes the method of decorating a surface with one or more such lighting strands which includes the steps of attaching the hub midway the length of the strand to the limb and extending the strand along one or more branches from each side of the hub.
US08480276B2
Elongated lighting system comprises an elongated light pipe having first and second ends, with light supplied to those ends by at least one light source, via first and second light couplers that condition light to increase reflections within the light pipe. Light-extraction structure on the light pipe extracts light from the side of the pipe. An indentation in the light pipe has a depth and has surfaces oriented with respect to the pipe so as (1) to redirect light from the first light source that reaches the indentation after passing once through a plane adjacent the indentation, back through the plane and towards the first end; and (2) to sufficiently increase the average angular distribution of light reflected from the indentation and passing back through the plane as would cause at least 50 percent more reflections of the foregoing light within the pipe in the absence of the light-extraction structure.
US08480273B2
In an outer mirror with turn lamp having a structure in which a turn lamp assembly is mounted to a mirror housing, then a housing cover is placed over and mounted to the mirror housing, and a lens of the turn lamp assembly is exposed through an opening in the housing cover, misalignment between the lens of the turn lamp assembly and the opening in the housing cover is prevented. A protrusion is formed on a back surface near the innermost part of an opening in a housing cover. A hole is formed in the turn lamp assembly in a position facing the protrusion with the housing cover being placed over the mirror housing. When the housing cover is placed over the mirror housing, the protrusion is inserted into and engaged with the hole. This prevents misalignment between the lens of the turn lamp assembly and the opening in the housing cover.
US08480271B2
A vehicle light can form a synthetic light distribution pattern with an area where a surrounding vehicle exists being made darker than an area(s) surrounding that area. The synthetic light distribution pattern can allow a sufficient illumination range and a center light intensity required for a running beam to be compatible. The vehicle light can also form a light distribution pattern with only an area where a farther surrounding vehicle exists is made dark. The vehicle light can form the light distribution pattern by overlaying a plurality of first nearby illumination areas, a plurality of first farther illumination areas, a plurality of second nearby illumination areas, and a plurality of second farther illumination areas with the respective illumination areas being divided in a horizontal direction and individually controlled in terms of light intensity so that respective vertical division lines of the illumination areas appear in predetermined order in the horizontal direction.
US08480258B2
A rotation angle regulating device and a rotatable lamp using the same are provided. Through N passive rotating elements used for regulating the rotation angle, the rotation angle of the active rotating element relative to the fixing element is increased, wherein N is a positive integral equal to or more than 1. In addition, each passive rotating element has a first stopper and a second stopper. The active rotating element, when rotating, drives and makes the passive rotating elements rotating on the fixing element, so that the rotation of the lamp can be stopped at any designated angle through the operations of the first and second stoppers of each passive rotating element.
US08480236B2
A projector includes: an illumination system which has a light source, and a light control unit opened and closed to shield a part of light emitted from the light source; a light modulation device illuminated by illumination light received from the illumination system; an air supply device which supplies air to the light control unit and the light modulation device; and an air supply control unit which decreases an air supply amount to the light modulation device when increasing an air supply amount to the light control unit in accordance with a relatively closed condition of the light control unit.
US08480235B2
An illumination optical system for illuminating a surface to be illuminated with a light beam from a light source, in a first plane which is parallel with the optical axis of the illumination optical system, the light beam from the light source is split, and a plurality of first light source images are formed in a first light source image zone with the use of the thus split light beams; light beams from the plurality of first light source images being led to the surface to be illuminated, in a second plane which is parallel with the optical axis of the illumination optical system and which is perpendicular to the first plane, the light beam from the light source is split, and a plurality of second light source images are formed in a second light source image zone, with the use of the thus split light beams, light beams from the plurality of second light source images being led to the surface to be illuminated, where the width of the first light source image zone in the first plane is greater than that of the second light source image zone in the second plane.
US08480234B2
A filter wheel having spirally shaped left and right channel 3D filters. The 3D filters are, for example, spectral separation filters. The filter is mounted, for example, close to an integrating rod output of a projector. The left and right channel filtered light scrolls across a modulation device which is energized with correspondingly scrolling left and right image data. In one embodiment, the integrating rod comprises mirrored surfaces to facilitate recycling of light reflected off the filter wheel. The filter wheel may be placed in a single or dual projector configuration. In one embodiment, the filters are fixed at the end of an integrating rod using “re-cycled” light to illuminate different channels of a projection system.
US08480231B2
An ophthalmological measuring device for determining geometric structures in an eye includes an optical, triangulating measurement system for determining at least one geometric reference in the eye by triangulation, and an optical, interferometric measurement system for determining geometric detailed structures in the eye by optical interferometry. The measuring device is designed to position the geometric detailed structures determined by the interferometric measurement system on the basis of the at least one geometric reference in the eye determined by the triangulating measurement system. This firstly allows the interferometric measurement system to register geometric detailed structures in the eye with a high optical resolution and at places that are not visible to the triangulating measurement system, and secondly allows the positioning of said geometric detailed structures in the eye on the basis of geometric references that are determined by the triangulating measurement system without significant movement artifacts.
US08480228B2
Systems and methods for providing enhanced image quality across a wide and extended range of foci encompass vision treatment techniques and ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses and intraocular lenses (IOLs). Exemplary IOL optics can include a circular surface structure with limited adjacent echelettes which act as a diffractive or phase shifting profile.
US08480227B2
The invention is related to a hydrated silicone hydrogel contact lens having a layered structural configuration: a lower water content silicone hydrogel core (or bulk material) completely covered with a layer of a higher water content hydrogel totally or substantially free of silicone. A hydrated silicone hydrogel contact lens of the invention possesses high oxygen permeability for maintaining the corneal health and a soft, water-rich, lubricious surface for wearing comfort.
US08480221B2
A wide format printer that has an ink supply, a feed line to the ink supply, a return line coupled to the ink supply, and a plurality of printheads collectively spanning a paper path more than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. Each printhead is fluidically coupled to the feed and the return via separate couplings. During printing, the printheads receives ink from both the feed and return lines.
US08480215B2
An image forming apparatus includes a sub tank that supplies a liquid to a head that ejects liquid droplets, the sub tank including a generating unit that generates a negative pressure inside the sub tank by expanding and contracting as the liquid is supplied to and ejected from the sub tank, and an opening mechanism that performs an opening operation of opening the sub tank to atmospheric air; a supply mechanism that supplies the liquid in a main tank to the sub tank; a carriage that moves in a main scanning direction above a sheet, the head being disposed in the carriage; a moving mechanism that changes a distance between the sheet and the head; and a control unit that causes the opening mechanism to perform the opening operation in conjunction with the moving mechanism changing the distance between the sheet and the ejecting head.
US08480212B2
A fail-safe capability is realized that not only forestalls the execution by the user of the head replacement operation in an erroneous sequence while the printing apparatus is in operation but also prevents the splashing of ink even if the user attempts to inadvertently replace the print head. For this purpose, the ink supply and the opening and closing of the print head replacement cover are performed by a predetermined rotation of one drive source.
US08480209B2
A printhead integrated circuit includes a substrate having a plurality of inkjet nozzles assemblies formed on a surface of the substrate. The substrate contains drive circuitry for supplying power to the nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber for containing ink, the nozzle chamber having a roof and sidewalls extending from the roof to the surface of said substrate, the roof having a nozzle opening defined therein; an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle opening; a pair of electrodes positioned at the surface of the substrate; and a pair of connector posts encapsulated within the sidewalls, each connector post electrically connecting a respective electrode to the actuator. Each connector post extends linearly from a respective electrode to the actuator.
US08480201B2
A recording device has a medium-supporting part that supports a long recording medium, a recording processing part that performs recording process on the recording medium supported by the medium-supporting part, a recording processing part conveyance system that moves the recording processing part, a medium conveyance system that includes a first drive roller, a first drive motor, a second drive roller and a second drive motor, and a control unit that controls the recording device. The control unit retracts the recording processing part to an area outside of the medium-supporting part while maintaining the movement direction of the recording processing part at a time at which an abnormality has occurred in an interval in which the recording processing is carried out on the recording medium while the recording processing part scans above the recording medium by the recording processing part conveyance system.
US08480192B2
An enclosure includes a bottom plate, and a plurality of slide assemblies fixed to the bottom plate. Each of the plurality of slide assemblies includes a fixed member fixed to the bottom plate, and a rotary member rotatably received in the fixed member. The rotary member includes first and second fixed portions, and a wheel. The first fixed portion is fixed to the second fixed portion, the second fixed portion is connected to the fixed member, and the wheel is fixed to the first fixed portion. Each rotary member is operable to be in a first position to expose the respective wheel for moving the enclosure, and in a second position to be received in the respective fixed member.
US08480189B2
A cabinet has a cabinet body, a door with at least one support member on a rear side of the door, and at least one hinge pivotally coupling the support member or members to cabinet body. The cabinet body includes framing walls at least partially defining a storage space of the cabinet and a flange disposed laterally outward of an adjacent framing wall. A forwardly-facing surface of the flange is rearwardly offset relative to a front face of the adjacent framing wall. When the door is in a closed position, the support member(s) and the hinge(s) establish a distance between the forwardly-facing surface of the flange and the rear side of the door.
US08480180B2
A height-adjustable deflection device that functions as the upper fastening point of a three-point safety belt which facilitates adjustment of the belt height and minimizes unintentional changes of the upper fastening point. The relative height of the upper fastening point of the belt is established by a slot formed in the device housing. In a locked position, the housing is engaged with a holder in a form-locking manner to securely establish the upper fastening point of the belt. In an adjustment position, engagement between the holder and the housing is prevented to enable free rotation of the housing about a swivel axle. The configuration of the housing geometry with respect to the swivel axle, the height of the outlet slot thereby changes during rotation of the housing. The relative height of the slot, i.e., the upper fastening point, can be readily established on an individual basis.
US08480179B2
A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
US08480170B2
A saddle-positioning apparatus includes a first positioning unit for positioning a saddle in a first dimension, a second positioning unit for positioning the saddle in a second dimension, and a lever connected to both of the first and second positioning units. The lever is movable from a neutral position in a direction to move the first positioning unit from a locking position to a releasing position to allow movement of the saddle in the first dimension. The lever is movable from the neutral position in an opposite direction to move the second positioning unit from a locking position to a releasing position to allow movement of the saddle in the second dimension.
US08480162B2
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus includes folding panels that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
US08480155B2
A locking device for locking a displaceable motor vehicle part which is lockable by the means of the locking device within a displacement range in a respective rest position reached by displacement is provided. The locking device comprising a braking device with at least two braking elements which interacts in a braking manner in a respective rest position of the motor vehicle part in order to lock the motor vehicle part, and which can be brought into a position without braking engagement by inducing a release force into the braking device. An actuator is assigned to the locking device, which is optionally combinable with the braking device and with which a displacement movement of the motor vehicle part is brakable for locking the motor vehicle part.
US08480147B2
A hand operated reaching device is provided that comprises a rigid rod member, a handle coupled to the rigid rod member, and an attachment head coupled to the rigid rod member. The attachment head comprises an attachment mechanism configured to engage a pull device coupled to a door of an elevated doorway, such as an attic door. When a downward force is applied to the hand operated reaching device while the attachment mechanism is engaged with the pull device, the downward force causes the door to open downward. A system is further provided that comprises the hand operated reaching device, the pull device, and an optional fastener for fastening the pull device to a door of an elevated doorway.
US08480142B2
An adaptive cruise control device in a front part of a motor vehicle has a sensor unit fixedly connected to a crossmember of the vehicle body. The sensor unit has a sensor eye. A screening panel assembly is arranged at the front in a manner adjusted to fit a passage opening in the front part of the vehicle. The screening panel assembly has a holding frame mounted behind the passage opening. The holding frame has an opening exposing the sensor eye. An outer panel frame is mounted to the holding frame at the opening of the holding frame to partly surround and expose the sensor eye. An inner sensor panel is between the outer panel frame and the sensor unit and has an opening surrounding and exposing the sensor eye.
US08480137B2
A locking device disposed on a casing and suitable for buckling up with a detachable object is provided. The locking device includes a base, an actuating element, and a driven latch. The base has a body fixed at the casing and a first slide track passing through the body. The actuating element has a first sliding block passing through the body and moves between a first position and a second position along a first axis via the first sliding block slidingly connected to the first slide track. The driven latch is slidingly disposed at the base and slides between a third position and a fourth position along a second axis. The driven latch and the actuating element are located at two opposite sides of the base. The driven latch has a second slide track and a locking portion. The first sliding block is slidingly connected to the second slide track.
US08480136B2
An exit device that includes a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a door, the locking mechanism having a latch bolt, and a link connected to the latch bolt, movement of the link between locked and unlocked positions causes movement of the latch bolt between an extended state and a retracted state to lock and unlock the door, and a motor operably connected to the link. A method of operating the exit device includes operating the motor to move the link in a first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated until the link reaches a hard stop position; thereafter determining a soft stop position based on the hard stop position; and thereafter selectively using the motor to move the link in the first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated only until the link reaches the soft stop position.
US08480133B2
Provided is an apparatus for connecting two sub-flow systems (e.g. airplane fuel tanks) and conveying a fluid between the two sub-systems using a pressured balanced transfer tube, particularly when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the sub-systems. Unlike conventional fluid transfer systems, the present apparatus allows for the pressure in the transfer tube to be balanced to internalize the pressure forces and prevent the exertion of pressure forces on the sub-systems connected to the transfer tube.
US08480129B2
A steering column for a motor vehicle comprises a casing unit, which serves to rotatably mount a steering spindle section adjoining a steering-wheel-side end, and at least one support piece which can be fastened at one side to a motor vehicle part fixed with respect to the body and which is or can be fixedly connected at the other side to the casing unit. At least one rupturing region is formed, along which, when a displacement force which exceeds a predefined release force acts in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the steering spindle section adjoining the steering-wheel-side end, the connection of the support piece to the casing unit or the support piece can be ruptured, wherein a displacement of the casing unit relative to the part fixed with respect to the body takes place.
US08480128B2
A vehicle side airbag apparatus has an inflator that discharges gas when a lateral collision occurs, a side airbag that is formed by sewing a passenger-side base fabric to a vehicle body-side base fabric, that is folded when it is stored and is inflated when gas is supplied from the inflator to be deployed into a space between a passenger seated in a vehicular seat and a vehicle body side portion, and a tether that couples a middle region of the passenger-side base fabric in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle with either a rear region of the passenger-side base fabric or the vehicle body-side base fabric in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and partitions the side airbag into a main chamber, which comes into contact with a lateral portion of the passenger, and a rear chamber, which comes into contact with a rear portion of the passenger, during deployment.
US08480124B2
A side impact system for protection of an occupant of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat bolster forming a seat bolster cavity and an inflatable side airbag. The airbag includes a side panel having an outer portion defining an outer chamber. A tube panel is disposed within the side panel and joined to a seat bolster portion of the side panel. The tube panel defines a seat bolster chamber and has an opening to allow gas to flow from the seat bolster chamber to the outer chamber. The tube panel, the seat bolster portion of the side panel, and the seat bolster chamber remain within the seat bolster cavity when inflated. The seat bolster portion of the side panel contacts an inner side of the seat bolster cavity when the airbag is inflated. An inflator is operable to provide gas to the seat bolster chamber and the outer chamber.
US08480123B2
A center airbag cushion installed between left and right seats of a vehicle to protect a passenger from a shock generated by a side collision of the vehicle may include a first chamber part, a second chamber part comprising a left second chamber part and a right second chamber part respectively coupled to left and right sides of an upper end of the first chamber part to fluid-communicate therebetween, and a tension member provided on inner facing surfaces of the left and right second chamber parts, wherein the inner facing surfaces of the left and right second chamber parts face each other with a gap, and wherein the tension member has a rear end extending in a predetermined length rearwards and is fixed to a rear end of the first chamber part or the second chamber part therein.
US08480114B1
The stroller with fold out changing table that is installed onto an existing baby stroller or is integrated into the design of the baby stroller. The fold out changing table extends horizontally atop the baby seat of the stroller to provide a horizontal surface that is at least waist-high for an adult to easily change a baby's diaper. The fold out changing table can fold down to a retracted state when not in use. The fold out changing table features a security belt to secure an infant thereon as well as telescoping legs that stabilize an end of the fold out changing table atop the baby seat.
US08480101B2
An anti-roll device for a vehicle may include a lower arm disposed at both sides of a sub-frame, a rotation mounter formed at a middle portion of the sub-frame, a spring unit of which the middle portion is rotatably disposed at the rotation mounter, and a push rod connected to both sides of the spring unit and the lower arm, wherein the spring unit includes a plate spring of which both end portions are bent in opposite directions, an engagement portion having an engagement hole in the middle portion thereof is formed, and a bolt hole is formed at both ends thereof, an assistant spring that is disposed at both sides of the engagement portion and an assemble hole is formed in the middle portion corresponding to the engagement hole, and an engagement yoke engaged with the plate spring and the assistant spring and disposed on the rotation mounter.
US08480096B2
A structure of inline skates is provided, the structure of inline skates includes a cushion device, a wheel with an annular ratchet wheel on its side, and a pawl assembly. By using the user's weight to press down the structure of present invention, the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side engages the pawl assembly, which stops the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side from rolling in one direction, and the wheel with the annular ratchet wheel on its side can roll in another direction. Thereby, the structure of inline skates is more ergonomic and exercise injuries can be prevented. In addition, a brake is provided for providing shock absorption and as a fulcrum to make more powerful acceleration. Besides, automatic support upright is also provided for avoiding tumbles.
US08480094B2
An alerting system for signaling the displacement of a leading end portion of a hose or the like, carried by a vehicle, includes a hose-gripping unit, a visible or audible signal generator, and a mounting box for connecting the gripping unit to support structure. Displacement of the hose from the gripping unit may generate an alarm signal to enable the operator to immediately bring the vehicle to a stop, or it may generate a signal simply to indicate when one of several hoses has been intentionally deployed.
US08480088B2
An apparatus and method for mounting a shuffling apparatus to a table is described. A bezel plate has an aperture permitting access to a top aperture in a shuffler apparatus. An aperture in the table top is covered by the bezel plate and a top portion of the shuffler apparatus is accessible through an aperture in the bezel plate. The bezel plate may be captivated to the table top using straps extending through the aperture in the table top and being affixed to the underside of the table top. The shuffler may be supported against the underside of the bezel plate by a bracket affixed to the underside of the table top. Alternatively, the bezel plate may be placed on the table top and the shuffler hung from an underside of the bezel plate by a bracket extending through the aperture in the table top.
US08480084B2
A conveying device for a gathering section used for processing of printed products includes a plurality of saddle-shaped segments which respectively form a saddle-shaped roof for supporting the printed products during a conveying operation along a conveying path. Pusher segments are respectively arranged with the saddle-shaped segments to form a rear end stop for the conveying the printed product. Alignment segments are respectively arranged with the saddle-shaped segments to form a front end stop for a front edge of the printed products.
US08480069B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes: a correcting unit that corrects alignment of a sheet; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the sheet after the correcting unit corrects the alignment of the sheet; and a creasing unit that forms a crease on the sheet after the correcting unit corrects the alignment of the sheet.
US08480062B2
A fractionation tray for use in a process column. The fractionation tray is of a type where a first fluid flows downwardly from a downcomer onto the fractionation tray and across the fractionation tray in a first direction. A second fluid flows upwardly through the fractionation tray for interaction with the first fluid. The fractionation tray includes an upper tray section, a lower tray section that is operable to removably engage the upper tray section, a joint region which includes an area of overlap between the upper tray section and the lower tray section. The joint region allows passage of the second fluid therethrough.
US08480057B2
In a microvalve, a valve seat includes a cylinder portion that includes a through hole in a central portion thereof, and a flange portion that is provided around an axial end of the cylinder portion and that has a thick seal portion on a periphery of the flange portion. The cylinder portion is disposed in an opening of a valve housing with a gap δ therebetween, and the seal portion is able to move away from the seal surface provided around the opening and away from the displacement member. In an open state, at least one of a flow path through the through hole and a flow path through the gap between the cylinder portion and the opening is open, and in a closed state, the seal portion is sandwiched between the displacement member and the seal surface.
US08480054B2
A coupling arrangement coupling and thermally isolating a continuously variable electrical actuator rotationally coupled to and from a butterfly valve is provided. The valve may be used to modulate high temperature exhaust gas flow through an engine turbocharger. The actuator provides a continuously variable control of the valve. The coupling arrangement provides a thermal block to reduce heat transfer and vibration insulation between the actuator and the valve. The coupling arrangement generally includes a coupling shaft rotationally coupled at opposite ends to the input and output shafts by torsion spring mechanisms. The torsion spring mechanisms include yokes rotationally locking the coupling shaft to the input and output shafts. The torsion spring mechanisms allow a limited range of axial and pivotal translation between the coupling shaft and the input and output shafts and are preloaded to prevent rotational hysteresis in the valve.
US08480053B2
Mechanical actuation of valves in flexible fluidic structures allows for the regulation of fluid flow. In accordance with the disclosure herein, a fluidic structure is provided wherein mechanical actuation is conferred using a pin to actuate a flexible layer to occlude fluid flow in a fluid channel.
US08480043B1
A ground anchoring system for trash cans designed to secure trash cans from scavenging animals and during windy conditions. The apparatus comprises a steel pole assembly that is anchored in the ground with concrete and extends up from the ground. An upper end of the pole is provided with a decorative cap and at least one (1) hook provided at a position to engage the handles on at least one (1) trash can. The upper end further comprises a spring-loaded mechanism to allow the hooks to ride up and down the pole, thus allowing them to engage trash containers of different sizes, especially those of large wheeled totes.
US08480030B2
The present invention provides a structural component for an aircraft or a space craft having an outer skin and a first reinforcing element which runs on the outer skin along a first spatial direction. A second reinforcing element runs over the first reinforcing element in a second spatial direction. A foot element supports the second reinforcing element on the outer skin, the foot element having a feed-through opening in which the first reinforcing element is held in a positive manner. From another point of view, a method is provided for reinforcing an outer skin of an aircraft or space craft, in which a first reinforcing element is attached to the outer skin along a first spatial direction. A foot element having a feed-through opening is attached over the first reinforcing element such that the first reinforcing element is held positively in the feed-through opening. A second reinforcing element is attached to the foot element in a second spatial direction over the first reinforcing element.
US08480026B2
A non-hydraulic shimmy damper that can be mounted to existing aircraft landing gear and does not substantially interfere with steering or require significant maintenance. When the shimmy damper requires maintenance it can be readily swapped out as a line-replaceable unit (LRU) thereby reducing aircraft downtime. The shimmy damper is mountable to an aircraft landing gear strut and includes a rotatable coupling member that engages a rotatable steering member of the landing gear strut. A damping assembly is coupled to the rotatable coupling member to provide a damping force. The damping assembly is adjustable so that a desired amount of damping force can be applied and/or maintained.
US08480025B2
A rear part of an aircraft including two connecting rods positioned symmetrically on either side of a median vertical plane, wherein each connecting rod has an end mounted on a support structure of the engines and another end mounted on the fuselage, wherein this part is configured to allow, by rotation of the connecting rods around their axes of rotation, an oscillating movement of limited amplitude of the assembly formed by the support structure and the engines, relative to the fuselage, through the first and second fuselage openings.
US08480022B2
A fly reel spool rotatably coupled with a frame mounted on a fishing rod to wind a fish line includes a rotary frame rotatably coupled inside the frame; a winding drum having a ball-catching protrusion on an inner circumference coupling with the rotary frame, the winding drum configured such that the fish line is wound on or unwound from an outer circumference; a locking ball installed in an outer circumference of the rotary frame to protrude from and retract into the rotary frame; elastic means for elastically holding the locking ball so that it protrudes from the outer circumference of the rotary frame, whereby the locking ball is caught by one touch on the ball-catching protrusion on the inner circumference of the winding drum when the rotary frame is coupled with the winding drum, and stopping means for supporting the winding drum and the rotary frame to rotate together.
US08480021B1
An ice fishing reel for facilitating automatic tension to the fishing line. The ice fishing reel includes a support assembly including a support member, a rod holder being in communication with the support member, and a shaft extending from the support member to support a spool; a handle assembly being in communication with the spool and the support assembly; and a spool tension assembly being supported upon the shaft and being biasedly engagable to the spool.
US08480018B2
Method for the preparation of finely divided calcium hydroxide, where calcium oxide is comminuted in an impact disintegrator into which in addition to the calcium hydroxide a small amount of water is led to wet the particles obtained and to bind the dust. The calcium oxide powder is led to a conveyor being in connection with the impact disintegrator and operating as a pre-quencher, to which conveyer water is added and where the material is subjected to a kneading effect. The material which is a mixture of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide is led from the conveyor to a cistern operating as post-quencher, to which cistern the remaining portion of the total water amount required for quenching is added. The amount of water added to the impact disintegrator and to the pre-quencher is altogether 20 . . . 50% of the total amount of water required for quenching, preferably about ⅓ of the total amount of water required for quenching, and the amount of water added to the post-quencher is 80 . . . 50% of the total amount of water required for quenching, preferably about ⅔ of the total amount of water required for quenching.
US08480010B2
A surface acoustic wave atomizer includes a piezoelectric substrate which has a pattern electrode on a surface and a liquid supply member for supplying a liquid to the surface and atomizes the liquid supplied to the surface by surface acoustic wave, and between the liquid supply member and the surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a small gap is provided in an area which is designed to hold and guide the liquid and a large gap is provided in an area which is not designed to supply the liquid, so that the liquid is supplied to an atomizing area in an area away from the pattern electrode in the surface of the piezoelectric substrate by using a difference in surface tension due to sizes of the gaps. The liquid can be supplied stably by the small gap and a distribution of the liquid can be limited by the large gap.
US08480009B2
A low leakage large bore fuel system includes a common rail fluidly connected to at least one of a source of heavy fuel oil and a source of distillate diesel fuel. A plurality of fuel injectors are fluidly connected to the common rail and each include a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet. Each fuel injector also includes an electrical actuator coupled to a direct operated nozzle check valve by a pilot valve member and a control valve member. Fuel leakage is reduced between injection events by equalizing pressures in a pilot control chamber and an intermediate control chamber that are separated by a guide surface of the control valve member. Also, between injection events the pilot valve member blocks a drain outlet from a common rail inlet of the fuel injector.
US08480008B1
An apparatus for supporting a switch controller to a rail tie utilizing a frame. The frame extends along the rail tie and includes a platform which is spaced from one rail and cantilevered relative to the tie. A mount positions the switch controller to the platform and a clamp connects the frame relative to the rail tie to permit the proper positioning of the platform relative to the one rail.
US08480002B2
An apparatus and process for conducting a transaction with an electronic card that dynamically generates transaction specific data determines whether the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader or with a magnetic stripe reader. A smart card reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader; a magnetic stripe reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a magnetic stripe reader. The electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a full power mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated and the dynamic field of data is not generated until the full power mode is activated.
US08480000B2
The present invention is to provide a packing bag with a RFID function, which comprises a bag body, two conductive films and a RFID chip. The metal layer includes a first slot formed at a position proximate to an edge of the bag body and is used as a slot antenna. A second slot is formed between the two conductive films, and has a size capable for fixing the pins on two corresponding sides of the RFID chip onto the two conductive films respectively. The two conductive films are fixed on an external surface of an insulating layer of the bag body at a position corresponding to the first slot, such that the two conductive films can be coupled to two feed-in points of the slot antenna respectively, and the RFID chip can receive and transmit electromagnetic signals through the slot antenna (or the metal layer) accordingly.
US08479997B2
A multi-window scanner (10) and method (500) of operating multi-window scanner for imaging a target object (44) and auxiliary object (204) includes a housing (16) supporting a first window assembly (22) for scanning a target barcode (42). The scanner also comprises a first scanning system (34) having one of an imaging camera (208/209) and a laser light source (38) positioned within the housing defining a field of view for reading the target barcode upon the target object. The scanner further comprises a second window assembly for reading auxiliary data (206) from an auxiliary object (204) relating to one or more target objects being scanned and a second scanning system (202) positioned within the housing for imaging the auxiliary data from the auxiliary object through the second window assembly (28).
US08479992B2
An optical code symbol reading system including a housing having a light transmission aperture, and at least one sound port formed in the housing. The system includes an optical code symbol reading subsystem for optically reading a code symbol in the field external to the light transmission aperture, and generating symbol character data representative of the read code symbol. An electro-acoustic transducer is disposed in the housing for producing sonic energy. Also, an acoustic-waveguide structure is disposed in the housing, for coupling the sonic energy produced from the electro-acoustic transducer, to the at least sound wave port formed the housing, to audibly signal the reading of a code symbol to the operator of the optical code symbol reading system.
US08479986B2
An RFID-based book return apparatus has dual touch screen and operation interface that conforms to a standard for barrier-free design. It has the following features: automatically detecting RFID tags attached on the identification cards of borrowers and attached to books to be returned, and enabling a panel covering a book-return gate to open; adopting a high-density optical sensor array to prevent the borrower's hand from being clamped accidentally by the cover panel of the book-return gate; enabling an access panel of the book return apparatus to open/close automatically according to the RFID tag detection book return apparatus, facilitating the maintenance and repair of the book return apparatus; preventing any components, papers and books in the book return apparatus from wet damage due to rainfall or moisture by installing a waterproof device on the RFID-based book return apparatus.
US08479980B2
A method for crediting a customer account maintained by a vendor of services in response to payment received from a customer is disclosed herein. The method includes issuing, to the customer, a membership account number associated with at least the customer account. A membership account number and a payment corresponding to a requested amount of a service offered by the vendor are received from the customer at a point-of-sale. The method further includes generating, at the point-of-sale, an authorization message including at least the membership account number and embedded transaction information identifying the service offered by the vendor and the requested amount. The embedded transaction information is then communicated from the point-of-sale to a database server. The customer account is credited, in response to the embedded transaction information, based upon an amount of the payment. The method also includes electronically transferring funds based upon the amount of the payment from a first account associated with the point-of-sale to a second account associated with the vendor.
US08479979B2
A media cassette comprises: a cassette body defining a picking end and a handle end opposite the picking end, and a removable lid coupled to the cassette body. The handle end includes an engagement portion. The removable lid defines a locking portion complementary to the engagement portion and configured to interlock therewith so that when the removable lid is removed and interlocked with the cassette body, the removable lid is maintained in an upright position and the cassette body is maintained at an angle to facilitate replenishment with media.
US08479977B2
A method of receiving and paying out bills including the steps of providing a bill passage in about the central portion of an elongate casing that extends along one side of a bill receiving chamber having a bill payback: outlet; providing a bill conveying apparatus for conveying a bill delivered to said bill passage to a predetermined position for receiving it; utilizing a bill pushing member being capable of moving in a reciprocating motion across said passage to bill receiving chamber when the bill located at said predetermined position in said passage to be received, effects receiving of the bill by pushing it with a surface of said bill pushing member across from said passage; disengaging the rearmost bill from said bill receiving chamber by operating bill extracting apparatus in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount while said bill pushing member is activated causing it to extract away and pull out from a rearmost bill leading edge retainer which holds the remaining bills in position; and, operating the extracting apparatus in the forward direction to transport said extracted rearmost bill through said bill payback outlet to said bill conveying apparatus which is operated in reverse to direct it to the customer.
US08479975B2
A system for using machine-readable indicia to provide additional information and offers to potential customers, the system comprising a network-connected server adapted to receive coded information from mobile devices, a database coupled to the server and containing data pertaining to products, a software application executing on the server for processing the coded information, and a plurality of labels containing machine-readable indicia and posted near products for sale, is disclosed. According to the invention, on receiving coded information from a mobile device, the server provides the data to the software application, and the software application determines from the coded information a location from which the information was obtained and a product to which the information pertains, and, based at least in part on the location and product information obtained, the application obtains additional data from the database and sends it to the mobile device from which the coded information was received.
US08479966B2
A floating impact apparatus for an electrical nail gun includes a carrier, an impact unit, and a floating unit. The impact unit includes an impact member, and at least one sliding, wheel disposed pivotally on the impact member. The floating unit includes a guiding rod together with the impact member being connected movably to the carrier, two floating members extending through the carrier to connect with the guiding rod at positions proximate to a first side of the carrier, and at least two resilient members disposed between a second side of the carrier and the floating members for biasing the guiding rod and the impact member to move relative to the carrier to thereby maintain contact between the sliding wheel and the first side of the carrier, so as to promote smooth movement and nail-striking force of the impact member.
US08479965B2
An auto hammer has a housing, a grip portion and a striking device. The striking device has a striking rod that can strike a fastening element using a liner reciprocating motion. The striking device also has an associated clamping mechanism for clamping the fastening element. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping member, a driving part and a sliding member, wherein the clamping member is pivotally arranged in the sliding member and is connected to the driving part, and the driving part can rotate relative to the sliding member so as to cause the clamping member to rotate pivotally in the sliding member. The clamping mechanism may thus firmly clamp the fastening element in a manner that is convenient for users.
US08479960B2
The present invention may be used for positioning portable telephones on sun visors in vehicles. The holder may be in the general form of a rectangular box structure with a back side wall with a hanger attached, a right and a left side wall attached to the back side wall, a front side wall attached to the two side walls, and a bottom wall to form an open top interior chamber. The front side wall may have at least one opening therein.
US08479958B1
A carrying bag including an adjustable shoulder strap as well as an adjustable secondary strap that fits across a wearer's back and around an arm opposite the shoulder strap and that has a pouch integrally attached to a carrier body thereof, the pouch accessible by both a zipper and through an opening having a flap thereover. A waist belt is also provided as an additional way to secure the carrying bag to a wearer.
US08479956B2
An apparatus for dispensing a personal care product includes a housing, a first panel disposed inside the housing and including a plurality of receptacles, and a first key that is sized to be interchangeably received in each of the receptacles. The apparatus further includes a container sized and shaped to be secured in a particular orientation within the housing, and having a surface that faces the panel when the container is secured in the particular orientation within the housing. A first depression is formed in the container surface to complement with specificity the first key's exterior shape and positioned to pair with the key when the container is secured in the particular orientation within the housing and the key is received in one of the receptacles.
US08479934B2
A nursing bottle formed of a container, incorporates a reservoir and venting tube that eliminates vacuum. The nursing bottle has a cylindrical shape or other configuration that prevents formula therein from blocking the venting tube when held at any angle. The venting tube extends distally from the insert and alternatively may be in separate pieces. The insert has a flange on its perimeter, extending inferiorly and securing the insert to the superior and lateral aspects of the neck of the container. The vent opens at the volumetric center of the reservoir above the conically shaped venting tube depending from the reservoir, where the venting tube has a conical shape of decreasing diameter.
US08479924B2
A filter includes a filter element (1) having a filter medium (106) pleated in a zigzag manner, with a raw side (105) and a clean side (104). Filter medium sections (120), which extend on either side of the raw-side pleat tips (102a) to adjoining raw-side pleat bases (103a), include a first bend (552) toward the raw side (105), and behind that a second bend (554) toward the clean side (104), in each case viewed from the raw-side pleat tips (102a).
US08479921B2
A child and bite resistant package having a tray and a plurality of spaced apart cavities that are formed therein is provided. A sheet material overlies the tray such that a product disposed in a cavity is enclosed and sealed therein. The sheet material includes a plurality of zones of weakening that are each disposed above a corresponding cavity. Each of the zones of weakening is formed by a plurality of microperforations that are formed in the sheet material. The plurality of microperforations, and hence, each zone of weakening covers from about 5 to 90% of the surface area of the sheet material that overlies each of the individual compartments. To access a product, the product is pushed against the lidding in the zone of weakness with sufficient force to rupture the lidding. Since the majority of the surface area above each compartment is non-rupturable, the compartments are difficult to access by a child by either hand manipulation or biting.
US08479920B2
A package has a stack of disposable absorbent products in an enclosure defined by a flexible polymer material. The enclosure has top and bottom walls, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls, and end walls disposed opposite one another. A compressed stack of disposable absorbent products is located in the interior of the enclosure and exerts an expansion force against the end walls from the interior. The compressed stack includes a first disposable absorbent product contacting one of the end walls, which has a portion that is substantially transparent. The first disposable absorbent product includes a graphic display on an outer surface thereof that faces that end wall. No portion of the graphic display is visible through the substantially transparent portion of that end wall.
US08479918B2
A packaging for a medical glove includes a cover defining an interior space, a sealed end and an opposing end having an opening in communication with the interior space, at least one deployable member with a distal end extending from the cover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end being part of the cover opening, the deployable member segregating the interior space into an inner clean and contaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end and an outer area adjacent to the cover opening, the distal end of the deployable member being movable from a first position within the interior space to a second position outside the cover opening, and means for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal end of the at least one deployable member.
US08479915B2
The present invention relates to an adjustable protective cover for electronic device that is consists of a front cover and a back cover; wherein the front cover and the back cover are connected and are capable of folding to cover and contain an electronic device. The inner surface of the back cover is a surface capable of being stuck and fixed that allows at least two independent corner covers to be fixed thereon. The independent corner cover has a base seat, whereon a fixing strip is disposed to fit with a corner of electronic device body. The independent corner cover is capable of adjusting the sticking position according to the size of electronic device in order to contain and protect electronic device bodies of different sizes.
US08479913B2
A feeder for robots, automation systems, comprising a frame that has a supporting bed for the parts to be fed and optical cameras for recognizing the parts to be fed, the supporting bed being rotatable about a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arrangement of the parts to be fed.
US08479896B2
A hydrodynamic retarder having a first blade wheel and a second blade wheel concentric thereto, forming a hydrodynamic circuit grouped about a common rotary axis. Each blade wheel includes a base body and a blade arrangement fixed thereto including a plurality of blades each connected to receptacles in the base body. A first ring segment of at least one blade wheel includes at least one first blade having a flow edge facing the other blade wheel in each case, said edge having at least one extension running in a substantially straight line between the radial outer end thereof and the radial inner end thereof, and at least one second blade is provided in a second ring segment of the blade wheel, the blade having a retraction both opposite the flow edge facing the other blade wheel in each case, and opposite a protrusion protruding in the direction of the other blade wheel.
US08479888B2
The invention relates to a traction device (1), especially for an elevator system. The traction device (1) is driveable by a traction sheave. The task which is the basis of the invention is to provide a traction device which is simple to manipulate. High tension forces are transferable and the traction device makes possible a drive unit of lesser width compared to the known belt technology. For this purpose, the traction device is configured as a composite rope (1) wherein individual tension carriers (2, 3) are connected to each other via a one-sided elastomer connecting layer (4). The individual tension carriers (2, 3) lie in parallel and are jacketed with elastomeric material. The tension carriers (2, 3) engage in corresponding grooves (13) of the traction sheave (10). The tension carriers (2, 3) engage in the grooves (13) of the traction sheave (10) with at least 25% of their total diameter.
US08479885B2
A belay device for protecting a climber on a rope from a fall has a powered winding reel to which the rope is attached. A control mechanism acts to prevent slack in the rope between the climber and the winding reel and includes load sensor that which, on detecting the weight of the climber on the rope, switches the operation of the device to a fall or descent mode where the winding reel is stopped and the climber is suspended by the rope. An electronic control and diagnostic system monitors the operation of the winding reel and switches its operation to a safe, fault mode when a fault is detected.
US08479882B2
A safety cage improves the safety of workers servicing tanker vehicles having top side hatches. A part or parts of the cage can be repositioned to permit the hatch cover to be opened and then can be returned to a safety enhancing position.
US08479875B2
A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.
US08479874B2
Acoustic enclosure for mounting loudspeakers (1) that contains a certain number of curved-profile guides (8) arranged radially beside one another at a specific distance and forming a ring (7), between which the sound from the loudspeaker is propagated from the central space (6) to the outer ring (9), which it enters obliquely as a result of the curvature of the guides. Since said ring (9) contains no elements against which the sound can be reflected back into the conduits, it works like a closed circuit or track that the sound passes through until it is exhausted, keeping the inner face of the membrane of the loudspeaker free of disturbances that, in conventional enclosures, are caused by the reflected sound when it hits the membrane during the lifetime of the sound, thereby eliminating the distortion and alterations of the natural response linearity of the loudspeaker from this source.
US08479867B2
A vehicle drive unit includes a motor as a power source, a power control unit supported by a vehicle body, and a three-phase cable that connects the power control unit and the motor. A first end portion of the three-phase cable is connected to the power control unit toward the rear of the vehicle in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis of the motor, a second end portion of the three-phase cable is connected to the motor toward the front of the vehicle in the orthogonal direction, and a U-shaped swing absorber that is curved to extend in the orthogonal direction is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the three-phase cable.
US08479859B1
The motive power of a hybrid vehicle is the driving power of a gasoline engine, the electric power produced by a generator coupled to the engine, and the electric power obtained by conversion from kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration. Also, an electric vehicle uses the electric power of a battery as its motive power by converting kinetic energy into electric energy through a regeneration brake during deceleration and storing the electric energy. However, the regenerated energy is little. While keeping intact the damping effect of shock absorbers conventionally mounted on the suspension of a vehicle, an oil pump function is added. The electric power produced by storing, in an accumulator, oil pressure-fed from the shock absorbers, driving a hydraulic motor under increased oil pressure, driving a generator coupled to the hydraulic motor is used as part of the motive power.
US08479857B2
There are provided a vehicle body, a seat disposed above the vehicle body, a rechargeable battery disposed below the seat, an electric power management device disposed below the seat and behind the rechargeable battery, and a fuel cell disposed below the seat and behind the electric power management device.
US08479853B2
A system for controlling a flow rate of an airstream through a compartment includes a panel configured to cover the compartment. The system also includes a first opening defined by the compartment and configured to permit the airstream to enter the covered compartment from the ambient when the compartment is covered by the panel. The system also includes a second opening defined by the panel and configured to permit at least a portion of the airstream to exit the covered compartment to the ambient. The system additionally includes a selectable position shutter assembly configured to control the size of the second opening and adjust a flow rate of the airstream through the covered compartment. A vehicle employing the shutter assembly to vary a flow rate of at least a portion of an airstream through the vehicle's under-hood area is also disclosed.
US08479852B2
A vehicle transmission fluid cooler system includes a transmission fluid cooler and an airflow ducting assembly engaged therewith. The airflow ducting assembly is provided to increase the amount of airflow directed toward the transmission fluid cooler so as to improve the cooling performance thereof, and includes a dam member, a duct member, and air guides. The duct member forms a passage communicating an airflow inlet opening with an airflow outlet opening. The dam member operates to scoop and direct airflow into the airflow inlet opening, and the air guides cooperate with the dam member to increase the amount of airflow scooped by the dam member which is directed into the airflow inlet opening. The airflow outlet opening is positioned to direct the airflow which has passed through the duct member to the transmission fluid cooler.
US08479840B2
An electrical tool (1) includes an electric motor (3), a fan wheel (4) that is connected in torque-proof manner to a drive shaft (8) of the electric motor (3) disposed within a housing (2) that includes at least one air inlet aperture (6) and at least one air outlet aperture (7). The at least one air outlet aperture (7) is arranged axially apart from the fan wheel (4) with regard to the axis of rotation (10) of the drive shaft (8). An air guide baffle ring (11) encloses the fan wheel (4) coaxially and has at least one air duct (12) which leads to at least one air outlet aperture (7) located axially at a distance from the fan wheel (4) for cooling the electric tool (1).
US08479829B2
An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device, and the alignment device having circumferential slots through which the two flanges are coupled. A method of producing a relative angular offset between two flanges can include positioning at least one alignment device in a desired azimuthal orientation between the flanges, the alignment device including pre-formed circumferential slots which permit the alignment device to align with a bolt hole pattern of the flanges, and securing the alignment device between the flanges, thereby producing the angular offset.
US08479826B2
A safety valve system for use in a subterranean well can include a safety valve protector connected downstream of a safety valve, whereby when closed the safety valve protector reduces a flow rate through the safety valve and prevents displacement of an object through the safety valve protector to the safety valve. Another safety valve system can include a safety valve protector which, when closed, reduces a flow rate through a safety valve, and the safety valve protector closes in response to the flow rate through the safety valve being above a predetermined level. In another safety valve system, each of the safety valve protector and the safety valve comprises an actuator, the actuators being connected by a line, and a signal transmitted by the line causes the safety valve protector actuator to close the safety valve protector, and then causes the safety valve actuator to close the safety valve.
US08479819B2
A method of consolidating a fracture in a formation comprises injecting a solution of an alkali metal silicate into the formation causing the solution to react with the surfaces of the calcium containing inorganic compound deposits, locking the fine material on these surfaces in place and preventing fines generation during production in a well.
US08479818B2
The invention discloses an apparatus (40) comprising: a setting section (1) surrounded by a first sleeve (2), said first sleeve being expandable and impermeable to a material; an inflating means (1a, 3a) for inflating said first sleeve, said inflating means ensuring that the first sleeve can be in contact with a first zone (60a) of a tube (10) which is permeable to said material, so that said first zone of said tube becomes impermeable to said material; and further comprising a second sleeve portion (4) partially permeable to said material on a second zone (60A′) and attached to said first sleeve so that: a path (2a) is provided between said first sleeve and said second sleeve portion and so that, when the first sleeve is inflated the second zone can be in contact with said tube allowing the material to flow in the path and through the second zone. Also, the invention discloses the associated method for treatment of a near zone and/or a far zone of a well with the disclosed apparatus.
US08479812B2
According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.
US08479797B1
The apparatus and method disclosed is for removing labels from surfaces, especially from pharmaceutical vials. Each vial is brought into a travel path where it is moved forward by a linear driver. The vial is first pushed through a circular array of slitter blades to create a series of longitudinal slits in the label. The vial is next pushed through a circular array of scraper blades that remove the label segments between each pair of slits. The label segment residue is discarded through a vacuum system.
US08479791B2
This is an invention for a system and method of automatically inflating the wheels of a vehicle during driving operation. When air pressure in a wheel of the vehicle decreases below a pre-determined limit, a solenoid device is activated to extend a kick-rod. As the wheel rotates, a pump mounted on the wheel strikes the kick-rod of the solenoid device, thereby causing air to be injected into the wheel. The automatic tire inflation system works by employing the mechanical energy of the rotating wheel to drive the pump upon contact with the solenoid device.
US08479786B2
A dump chute adaptor includes an adaptor housing having a housing interior and a conduit coupling carried by the adaptor housing and disposed in fluid communication with the housing interior.
US08479782B2
An apparatus for sterile filling of beverage containers has a first module and a second module. The first module rinses and sterilizes empty containers and delivers the sterilized containers to the second module. The second module fills and caps the containers with beverage product at ambient temperature in an active sterilization zone utilizing an e-beam sterilization unit.
US08479775B2
Push-on hose construction for a self-gripping connection with a barbed nipple or other push in fitting end. The hose has an innermost core tube which exhibits a reduced coefficient of friction for easier insertion of the fitting end. Such core tube may be extruded or otherwise formed of thermoplastic polyurethane or other resin which is dulled or otherwise incompatibilized by the addition of an immiscible such as nonpolar polyolefin homopolymer, copolymer, or mixture thereof.
US08479769B2
A hydraulic valve device, especially an LS current regulating valve, includes a fluid connection arrangement (10). As the respective control device (14) associated with a useful connection (A) comprises a control slide (16) upstream of which a pressure balance (18) is mounted in the fluid direction towards each useful connection (A, B), any system vibrations occurring in the load sensing regulating circuit can be better controlled and the respectively connected hydraulic consumer can be subjected to a constant current regulation.
US08479768B2
A directional control valve arrangement includes a directional control valve with a valve spool. Using the directional control valve, it is possible to control a pressure-medium connection between a pressure port, a tank connection, and at least one working connection. A blocking valve is situated in a working passage that is connected to the working connection. The pressure in the working passage can be reduced using a pressure-release unit; the pressure-medium connection between the working passage and the tank connection is blocked by the valve spool. The pressure-relief unit has an intermediate space which is formed in the pressure-medium flow path between the blocking valve and a control edge of the valve spool that blocks the working passage to the tank port, the intermediate space being provided to accommodate a compression volume of the working passage. The intermediate space can be connected to the working passage by controlling-open the blocking valve, and the connection to the tank port is blocked by the control edge of the valve spool.
US08479767B2
A combined fill and safety vent plug adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure tank. A valve housing member is adapted to being mounted in a port in a pressure vessel. A fill valve is located in a fill valve socket in the valve housing member. A vent valve and an overflow system are also provided in the valve housing member. All of the functions of filling, venting, dispensing, and overflow protection are provided by elements contained in one single plug in one single port in a pressure vessel. For safety purposes, the vent valve dumps excess fluid generally laterally of the valve housing member.
US08479766B2
An apparatus for transferring different media into a rotatably mounted component of a machine, such as a rotary leadthrough, includes a connection for introducing the media to a stator and through a rotor into the rotatably mounted component. The invention can be used, for example, on a plate cylinder of a printing press.
US08479762B1
A self covering fluid dispensing apparatus includes a housing that has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall. A lumen is defined within the housing and is fluidly coupled to an outlet aperture extending through the first end. An inlet conduit is mounted to the housing and is fluidly coupled to the lumen. A covering assembly is attached to the housing and is positioned in a closed position covering the outlet aperture or in an open position exposing the outlet aperture. A valve assembly is mounted to the housing and selectively opens or closes the lumen. The valve assembly includes a covering actuator that actuates the covering assembly to the open position when the valve assembly is placed in an opened condition and disengages from the covering assembly and allows the covering assembly to return to the closed position when the valve assembly is a closed condition.
US08479761B2
A device used in a digital shower system contains a valve box including a housing fixed on a frame; a temperature control valve installed in the housing to mix cold and hot waters together; two inlet pipes to supply the cold and the hot waters toward the temperature control valve respectively; a motor to drive the temperature control valve; two outlet pipes to output mixed cold and hot water; two solenoid valve to turn on and off the outlet pipe; a controlling panel to control the valve box including a first abutting portion to contact with an external face of a front fence of the device and to close a groove of the front fence, a retaining means including two second bolts and two orifices, the second bolt being inserted through the controlling panel to screw with the orifice so that the first abutting portion abuts against the external face.
US08479754B2
System for washing a gas turbine engine (1). The system comprises a spray device (33; 90) including at least one nozzle (54) adapted to inject liquid into an inlet (110) of said engine during a washing operation; a wash unit (31, 35) adapted to distribute said liquid to said spray device (33; 90); and a positioning device (34) adapted to move said spray device in three dimensions, thereby enabling a positioning of said spray device in a washing operation position in said three dimensions relative said engine inlet (110) without any contact between the spray device (33; 90) and the engine (1). The invention further relates to a vehicle for making the inventive system mobile and to a mobile system for serving a gas turbine engine (1) comprising a mobile vehicle carrying the washing system and a liquid collecting unit (116) comprising a collecting device (114) adapted to collect waste wash liquid emanating from the engine during a washing operation of the engine.
US08479746B1
A hookah accessory comprising a motor driven vacuum secured in a housing, vacuum port, filter between the vacuum port and vacuum used to apply a suction force used to ignite and start a hookah, blower port in pneumatic communication with the output/return port of the vacuum to provide a blow force used to clean hoses, switches in the vacuum and air pressure ports to automatically turn on the accessory when inserting a hose, rheostat for adjusting the vacuum suction force, insulated oven having a burner assembly for heating charcoal or other agents used in the hookah and charcoal filter for filtering emissions from the charcoal or heated agent. The invention may have fixed resistors in series with the switches for setting the vacuum at two constant speeds for a set suction force and set air pressure force. The invention may include a basket for placement in the oven.
US08479740B2
According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may include an integral humidification system. The tracheal tube may be formed at least partially from a material that is permeable to water vapor but substantially impermeable to respiratory gases. The water vapor may be actively provided to the tracheal tube or may be passively transferred from a patient's surrounding airway space.
US08479731B2
A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient. The breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient, the end tidal (EtCO2), CO2 partial pressure, and the CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) of the blood are measured. The volume (V) of breathing gases expired during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient is also measured and a relationship between changes in breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) and changes in breathing gas volume (V) in an alveolar expiration phase of patient expiration is determined. The difference between the blood CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) and the end expiration CO2 partial pressure is divided by the relationship between PCO2 and V produce a quantity which is compared to a threshold value. If the quantity is below the threshold value, the absence of a pulmonary embolism is indicated.
US08479730B2
An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that includes a coaxially disposed inhalation passage (70) that communicates with the recess (50) of the body (5). The body (5) has a pair of opposed spring (105) biased push-buttons (40) that each include at least one piercing element (95) for piercing the capsule when loaded in the recess (50). The medicament is released from the pierced capsule when air is drawn through the air passage(s) (90) into the recess (50) and swirled about therein. The mouthpiece (30) is pivotally attached to the edge of the body (5) so that it is pivotable between an open loading position and a closed dispensing position about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inhaler (1).
US08479716B2
An EGR control unit for enhancing the performance as to the EGR rate and the engine acceleration, the unit being configured so as to control the EGR valve and the intake air valve with a simple control command signal that makes both the valves be operated in a coupled mode, whereby the response performance as to the engine speed during acceleration as well as the EGR gas flow rate is enhanced by means of compensation regarding the dead zones inherent in the intake air throttle valve and the EGR valve. An EGR control unit including; a dead zone evaluating means 64 that calculates the estimation excess air ratio λ in consideration of the residual air in the EGR gas; thereby, it is judged that at least one of the EGR valve 27 and the intake air throttle valve 29 is operated in the dead zone based on the rate of change of the calculated estimation excess air ratio λ when the rate of change of the ratio λ is smaller than a prescribed level; and a dead zone compensating means 66 that makes the revisions regarding the opening command signals as to the EGR valve and the intake air throttle valve so that the dead zones do not hinder the coupled operation between the valves when the dead zone evaluating means judges that at least one of the EGR valve and the air throttle valve is operated in the dead zone, and the engine is under a transient response condition.
US08479712B2
At abnormal pressure pulsation generating time, a piston of a pulsation reducing apparatus is displaced in a valve chamber due to an increase in a fuel pressure in an upstream side fuel passage, so that fluid communication between a valve chamber and a downstream side fuel passage is disabled, and fluid communication between a valve chamber side end part of a return passage and the valve chamber is enabled. Pressure pulsation is conducted into the return passage and is reduced by a damping effect of a pulsation reducing mechanism and a flow restricting effect of orifices. The fuel, which has passed through the orifices, is returned to the upstream side fuel passage through the return passage.
US08479704B2
A sliding component for an internal combustion engine includes a component main body made of titanium or a titanium alloy, a surface hardened layer provided on a surface of the component main body, a diamond-like carbon film provided on the surface hardened layer, and a titanium layer provided between the surface hardened layer and the diamond-like carbon film.
US08479702B2
A small-sized vehicle has an oil control valve for a hydraulically-actuated mechanism of an engine, and provides good cooling of the oil control valve. A small-sized vehicle includes a spool valve for adjusting a hydraulic pressure for a hydraulically-actuated mechanism of an engine. The spool valve is disposed sideways of a cylinder portion (cylinder head) such that an axis of the spool valve extends substantially in parallel with an axis of the cylinder portion. Further, the spool valve is disposed at a position that is rearward of a radiator and that falls within a vertical span of the radiator in a vehicle side view.
US08479693B2
An inlet and exhaust valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine with a valve disk has at least one passage opening and is arranged in a cylinder head drivable by a shaft in a rotating manner and having a valve seat assigned to a top of the valve disk and at least a port that during rotation of the valve disk is cyclically exposed and closed again by at least one passage opening. The valve disk and the assigned valve seat starting from the shaft run in curve or taper at an angle toward a bottom of the valve disk. The valve disk is elastically bendable such that during rotation the valve disk is deflected and an edge of the valve disk is moved toward the valve seat to define therewith a self-sealing valve arrangement.
US08479692B2
A valve cooling device of an internal combustion engine in which engine oil is circulated in a valve that faces a combustion chamber, the valve includes a valve umbrella portion and a valve stem. An inside of the valve stem is formed with an oil introduction channel and an oil lead-out channel, a jet portion that includes a jet oil passage coaxially disposed with the oil introduction channel is provided in the extended direction of the valve stem, and the engine oil is injected from an orifice provided on a tip portion of the jet oil passage to an inner portion of the oil introduction channel.
US08479672B2
A sewing machine includes a needle thread tension control device including a fixed portion, a shaft having an external thread portion, a thread tension dial, first and second thread tension discs, and a spiral movement member. The spiral movement member includes an internal thread portion meshed with the external thread portion while being movable relative to the external thread portion in a spiral direction relative to the axis, and a scale including marks arranged serially and side by side in the spiral direction. The spiral movement member adjusts the needle thread tension by moving towards or away from the second thread tension disc while rotating in a circumferential direction by meshing between the external thread portion and the internal thread portion. The needle thread tension control device also includes a thread tension spring applying respective biasing forces to the spiral movement member and the second thread tension disc.
US08479670B2
A down pressure adjustment assembly for a disc opener of an agricultural implement includes a rockshaft to which one or more disc opener units are mounted and an actuator that rotates the rockshaft. Rotation of the rockshaft causes the disc opener units to be raised or lowered. When the disc opener units are lowered into a field engagement position, further rotation of the rockshaft will cause compression of down pressure springs for each of the disc opener units.
US08479669B2
The invention pertains to apparatus for use with a row planter unit. The apparatus includes an elongated and laterally extending bar operatively secured to a row planter unit for pulling same in a forward direction of travel. The apparatus includes a frame carried by the elongated and laterally extending bar and a support arm pivotally mounted thereon. At least one rotatable trash wheel is carried on the support arm. The row planter unit is pivotally supported on the frame rearwardly of the trash wheel in the direction of travel. Articulated members operatively connect the support arm to the row planter unit for applying a pull force to the rear of the support arm for controlling the depth of penetration of the trash wheel into the ground. The articulated members may comprise various alternatives including a link chain, a pair of links pivoted to one another in an offset relationship, or a link and a turnbuckle arrangement.
US08479657B2
In order to facilitate entering or exiting in a cable railway system, at least one part of the floor of the passenger region adjoining the passenger gondolas is formed by a transport device, which is configured to transport the passengers located thereon in the direction of movement of the passenger gondolas. The transport device can be formed by one or more conveyor belts, which follow the path of the passenger gondolas for a distance such that the passenger can comfortably change over from the transport device to the gondolas.
US08479653B2
Pyrotechnic charges that include an explosion generator and an explosive having an outer surface divided into n segments, each segment having kq multiple ignition points for the explosive, k and q being integer numbers greater than 1. The kq multiple ignition points for the explosive are linked by ignition lines forming, for each segment, at least two interleaved partial networks for synchronous ignition of the kq multiple ignition points, each of the partial synchronous ignition networks being linked to a respective partial network detonator.
US08479651B2
A pyrotechnic training system includes a firing block assembly housed in a first container, a pressure-armed trigger module having two triggers housed in a second container, and a power pack/switch system that connects the firing block assembly and triggers. The first and second containers are remote from each other, and may be made from common objects that might be found in combat zones. Quick-release pins inserted through components of the firing block prevents their separation by exploding ordinance within the firing block, maintaining close electrical contacts within the firing block. The pressure-armed triggers employ a mechanical system that energizes an electrical circuit when pressure is released. Such triggers are arranged such that opening or moving the container triggers an explosion at the remote firing block assembly.
US08479650B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for the temperature control of inking groups (6) and dampening solutions of an offset printing press (2), wherein, in order to achieve the temperature control of the inking groups (6), a heat transfer medium that has previously been circulated by the inking groups (6) in a temperature control circuit of said inking group (34) is optionally cooled, and wherein, in order to achieve the temperature control of the dampening solution, the dampening solution that has previously been circulated by the inking groups (6) in a temperature control circuit of said inking group (34) is optionally cooled. In order to smoothen the temperature profile in the temperature control circuits of the inking group (34) and the dampening solution (64) and simultaneously reduce the amount of dampening solution contained in the dampening solution circuit (64), the invention proposes that a part of the heat transfer medium is cooled to a temperature below the set temperature of the dampening solution in the dampening system (8) and is brought into contact in a heat exchanger (42, 84) with a dampening solution from the dampening solution circuit (64).
US08479645B2
The carbonation device includes a cap system selectively mounted to the mouth of a liquid container. The cap system includes a cap, a rotatable control ring coaxial with and selectively attached to the cap, a reaction vessel selectively attached to the bottom of the cap, and an elongate distribution tube selectively mounted to the cap. The reaction vessel is filled with a preselected amount of carbonating material such that when the control ring is rotated in one position, water may be introduced into the vessel to initiate the carbonation reaction. In another position, the carbonating gas flows into the liquid via the distribution tube. Other rotated positions permit locking and unlocking of the control ring. The carbonation device also includes a drop-in configuration that serves as a self-contained carbonation distribution vessel.
US08479642B2
A tea pot includes a lower container assembly comprising an internally threaded open top, a releasable bottom, and a diaphragm for dividing space of the lower container assembly into a lower beverage chamber and an upper passage chamber, the diaphragm having holes for communicating the beverage chamber with the passage chamber and an annular flange projecting into the passage chamber; and an upper container assembly comprising an externally threaded lower portion secured to the top of the lower container assembly, a releasable top, a bottom dividing the upper container assembly into upper ingredient chamber and lower passageway chamber, a cylindrical channel integrally formed with the bottom of the upper container assembly and projecting into the passageway chamber, and an annular gasket put on the channel and blocking the holes when the upper and lower container assemblies are threadedly secured together; and a strainer in the ingredient chamber.
US08479636B2
A valve arrangement has an adjustable control valve (10) including a control slide (12) for actuating at least one consumer connection (A, B) and an LS control line. The differential pressure of two actuating pressures (xa, xb) serves for the actuation of the control slide (12). Since the actuating pressures (xa, xb) also actuate a logic valve, which in turn influences an additional valve, and/or actuates a pressure compensator connected upstream to the control valve (10), the difference of the two actuating pressures (xa, xb) initially displaces the control slide of the control valve. The higher or the lower of the two actuating pressures (xa, xb) either actuate the further valve in the form of the additional valve, and/or influences the pressure compensator.
US08479627B2
In various embodiments, a saw can include a work surface and a blade at least partially extending through the work surface. In at least one embodiment, the saw can further include a sensor and a light emitter, wherein the light emitter can be configured to emit a first light beam and a second light beam onto at least a portion of the work surface. In various embodiments, the sensor can be can be configured to detect a plurality of saw conditions and, owing to communication between the sensor and the light emitter, the light emitter can be configured to emit the first light beam onto the work surface when the sensor detects a first saw condition and emit the second light beam onto the work surface when the sensor detects a second saw condition.
US08479620B2
A torque-setting device includes a shank, a handle provided on the shank, a driving unit attached to the shank, a strain gauge connected to the driving unit, a spring abutted against the strain gauge, a pusher abutted against the spring, an axle engaged with the pusher, a restraining element connected to the axle, a C-clip provided on the restraining element, and a knob. The knob is operable to rotate the axle relative to the pusher, thus moving the pusher relative to the spring to set a value of torque. The knob is movable between a position where teeth thereof are in grooves of the handle to avoid rotation of the axle and another position where the tooth are out of the grooves to allow rotation of the knob and the axle. The C-clip is located against an annular rib formed on an internal face of the knob.
US08479619B1
The invention provides for an improved screw and screwdriver. The self-locking screw and screwdriver, the JacLock™ Screw and JacLock™ Screwdriver, is designed to improve insertion and/or removal of a screw. The new screw head differs from normal horizontal cut/slotted screw heads and cross cut/slotted screw heads. The invention calls for a standard vertical cut/slot in the screw head along with two cross cuts/slots in the head of the screw equi-distant from the center of the horizontal standard slot. The screwdriver has a redesigned head that will fit into the three cuts/slots in the new screw. Once the screwdriver is inserted into the screw head it will lock in place making it easier to insert or remove the screw. The design results in improved torque and eliminates the possibility of the screwdriver slipping off the head of the screw and possibly damaging the head of the screw.
US08479618B2
The pair of locking pliers contains a seesaw member pivotally joined to a back end of a first handle; and an adjustment member capable of sliding up and down within the first handle. The adjustment member contains an adjustment body and an adjustment bolt axially and rotatably threading through the adjustment body. The seesaw member contains a seesaw handle and a torsion spring engaging the seesaw handle so that a first chain of teeth of the seesaw handle engages or disengages a second chain of teeth along the adjustment body to lock the adjustment body or to allow the adjustment body to slide up and down. When the adjustment body slides, a spacing between the jaws of the locking pliers are adjusted quickly. When the adjustment body is locked by the seesaw handle, the adjustment bolt is twisted to fine-tune the jaw spacing.
US08479617B2
A tool for torquing a regulator onto a cylinder of a portable cylinder assembly. The tool includes a nut and a socket. The nut is configured to fit around a body of a regulator of a portable cylinder assembly. As such, the nut has a first set of grooves that avoids one or more valve assemblies on the body of the regulator. The socket has a cavity extending therethrough such that the cavity consists of three sections: a top section, a middle section and a bottom section. The top section of the socket is configured to be coupled to a device that applies a torque force on the socket. The middle section of the socket is configured to avoid a case of the regulator which is disposed above the body of the regulator. The bottom section of the socket is configured to be coupled to the nut.
US08479611B2
An improved corkscrew includes a unidirectional clutch mechanism that enables the user to grasp the corkscrew handle, place the screw tip impinging on the cork, and to rotate the handle reciprocally to advance the screw unidirectionally and embed it in the cork. The mechanism features a clutch spring that transfers rotation of the handle to the screw in one direction only, and rotates freely in the opposite direction.
US08479609B2
A wall-mounted faucet control device includes a control handle and two transforming heads, wherein the control handle has two wedging ribs cross each other at the periphery of an opening of the control handle, and two transforming heads have an inserting slot on one side and a connecting surface on the other side. Two connecting slots cross with each other are recessedly formed at the connecting surface, and the connecting slots are engaged with the wedging ribs of the control handle. According to the disclosed structure, since the control handle's receiving space has detachable transforming heads, the faucet handle in the present invention can be used in different water control bases with different sizes to increase the practicability of the faucet handle, and further increase the convenience during the assembly process.
US08479608B2
A brake booster for a motor vehicle brake system of the brake-by-wire type, which can be activated both by means of a brake pedal and as a function of a driver's request, as well as independently of the driver's wish by means of an electronic control unit, wherein the coupling of the brake pedal, or of a force transmitting part which is permanently connected to the brake pedal, to an input member of the brake booster is embodied in such a way that the brake pedal or the force transmitting part can carry out a limited relative movement with respect to the input member. In order to minimize the friction which occurs between the force transmitting part and the input member when the brake booster is activated, the force transmitting part, and/or the input member of the brake booster are/is provided in the region of the relative movement of the two parts with respect to one another with means which reduce friction which occurs during the relative movement of the parts with respect to one another.
US08479602B2
A transmission connectable to an input member and having an output transfer gear, first and second transmission input shaft members, first and second countershaft members, an idler shaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the transmission input members and the output member.
US08479596B2
Device for sampling a liquid in a tube by means of a hollow needle (10) passing through the closing cap (12) of the tube (14), means (18, 20) with rack and toothed wheel being provided to oppose the rising of the tube (14) when the needle is extracted from the cap (12).
US08479593B1
A system(s) and method(s) of testing the foam delivery system(s) of fire suppression systems. Systems are adapted to test the foam delivery system of a fire suppression system under test while minimizing the release of foam to the environment.
US08479588B1
A method for three-dimensional crack propagation, morphology, and initiation suited to directed surfaces, or stacks of directed surfaces. An external damage measure and failure criteria can be incorporated, as well as a rule-based crack direction and morphology capability. This method is ideal for laminated composites. Further, the use of external damage and failure, and rule-based crack propagation, this method is ideal for multi-scale modeling and use in applications where knowledge and rules are necessary or desirable for guiding, driving, or influencing failure modes, directions, or other situations that are not directly incorporated into the governing mechanical equations.
US08479576B2
The present invention discloses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System, MEMS) device with a deformation protection structure. The MEMS device is located on a substrate, and it includes: a movable part; and a deformation protection structure, which has: a fixed plug, which is fixed on the substrate; multiple metal layers, including a top metal layer; and multiple plugs connecting the multiple metal layers. From top view, the top metal layer overlaps a portion of the movable part, and from cross section view, the bottom surface of the top metal layer is higher than the top surface of the movable part by a predetermined distance.
US08479574B2
An angular rate sensor device is presented. The sensor device comprises a disk-shaped structure having a proof mass region and a flexible portion. The disk-like structure is coupled to a substrate in a manner enabling a wave type precession motion such that during the wave type precession motion each material point of the proof mass performs elliptic motion.
US08479573B2
A fluid level sensor to determine the level of fluid into a container used in negative pressure wound therapy. The sensor includes an array of conductive plates to produce electric field lines through the container and fluid within, the plates serving as the plates of a capacitor. The plates (1-4), are located close to the wall of the container, and are connected to a circuit board, electronics and software to determine the fluid level in the container based on the relative changes of capacitance between the plates. The capacitance is converted into a voltage signal representative of the change. The algorithms are designed to check the fluid level over predefined time periods to indicate the fluid level at more than one point and also track the fluid level. The fluid sensor can be used in the vertical, horizontal or other position of the container as desired.
US08479572B2
There is provided a bubble column type hydrocarbon synthesis reactor which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid. The hydrocarbon synthesis reactor includes a reactor main body which accommodates the slurry, a synthesis gas supplying section which supplies the synthesis gas to the slurry; one pressure sensor which is arranged higher than the liquid level of the slurry to measure the pressure of the synthesis gas above the liquid level, another pressure sensor which is arranged lower than the liquid level of the slurry to measure the pressure of the slurry, and a liquid level detecting device which detects a liquid level position of the slurry on the basis of measurement results of the pressure sensors. A plurality of the other pressure sensors are provided at arbitrary intervals in an axial direction of the reactor main body.
US08479562B2
The aim of the present invention is to identify stationary and moveable high explosives and chemical warfare on-field with a unique structure of a portable neutrons generator used in strategic and public places, vehicles and airplanes. The present invention includes also a unique operation of fusion fuel below breakdown which is characterized with high production efficiency. The analysis of identifying the elements and their concentrations is also introduced in the present invention.
US08479553B2
A method for fabricating wings of bicycle pedals includes, first, stamping a plate to form a preformed body which includes an opening and a body with a preset working surface. The working surface has a preset force receiving zone. The body has a first expanded portion and a second expanded portion and two arched portions bridging two sides of the first and second expanded portions; then applying a punching force to the force receiving zone to bend the first expanded portion, second expanded portion and arched portions to become a product; finally performing a bending process and a hole forming process on the product to obtain the wings.
US08479550B2
A method for the production of a hot-rolled steel strip from a steel melt in a continuous manufacturing process: continuously casting a steel strand in a continuous casting mold of a continuous casting plant, roll-forming the case steel strand in a first group of roll stands into a pre-rolled hot strip, roll-forming the pre-rolled hot strip in a second group of roll stands into a hot-rolled steel strip, setting the hot strip to a rolling temperature between the first and second groups, and winding or dividing the hot-rolled steel strip; further: descaling the hot strip before temperature setting, holding the hot strip in a protective gas atmosphere during temperature setting. A combined casting and rolling plant for the method is disclosed.
US08479544B2
An auto-unlock assembly for a tubular lock has a rotating pipe, a rotating mount, a positioning board, a rotating spindle, a limiting mount, an retaining board and a limiting spring. The rotating pipe has a through hole. The rotating mount is connected to the rotating pipe and has two connecting wings. The positioning board is mounted in the rotating mount and has a body and two positioning wings. The rotating spindle is rotatably mounted through the rotating pipe and the positioning board via the rotating mount and has two protruding blocks. The limiting mount is mounted around the rotating spindle and has an acting face, a limiting recess and two mounting recesses. The retaining board is mounted around the rotating spindle, abuts the limiting mount and has a base and two protruding lugs. The limiting spring is mounted around the rotating spindle and abuts the retaining board.
US08479543B2
A door locking system with an idle handle has a door panel having a front face, a rear face, a hinged side, a free side, an upper side, a lower side, and an electronic lock and a mechanical lock installed in the door panel respectively having a keypad and a keyhole on the front face. The system further has a level toggler, at least one bolt, a chamber defined therein, a handle seat, a handle lever, a latch lever, a linking arm, a swivel pillar, a paddle shifter, an upright toggler, and an handle lever resume spring.
US08479534B2
To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage.[Solving Means] The present invention provides a beverage dispenser 1 which supplies a beverage brought into a supercooled state at a solidifying point or less and which releases the supercooled state in the outside, and the beverage dispenser includes a primary cooling device 13 which cools the beverage to an ice point or so, a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies the beverage cooled by the primary cooling device 13 to the outside, a brine circuit 31 through which an antifreezing liquid cooled to the solidifying point or less of the beverage is circulated, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling the beverage, which performs heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 and the antifreezing liquid flowing through the brine circuit 31.
US08479531B2
There is provided a liquid containing bag capable of supplying mixture directly to a cooling cylinder from the bag without depending on gravity and without moving the mixture into a hopper. A liquid containing bag 5 comprises a bag main body 21 containing a liquid and having flexibility, and an outer layer member 23 disposed outside the bag main body 21, capable of forming a sealed space between the outer layer member and the bag main body 21, and having flexibility. Therefore, for example, when compressed air is sealed between the outer layer member 23 and the bag main body 21, an volume of the sealed space between them is enlarged, and the liquid cooled in the bag main body 21 can be pushed to the outside.
US08479529B2
A heat-driven adsorption cooling unit, comprising: —a condenser having an input end and an output end; —an evaporator having an input end and an output end, the input end being connected to the output end of the condenser via an operable valve; and —a series of sorption-desorption generators, each of which has input and an output ends for connection to the condenser and evaporator to create a refrigerant flow circuit, and a heat supply for operating each generator at high and low temperatures, the generators being operable to flow refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator to provide a cooling effect at the evaporator; wherein the series of generators comprises two pairs of generators, each pair comprising: —a first generator having an output end connected to the input end of the condenser via a first non-return valve arranged to prevent flow from the condenser to the first generator; and —a second generator having an input end connected to the output end of the evaporator via a second non-return valve arranged to prevent flow from the second generator to the evaporator, and an output end connected to the input end of the first generator via a third non-return valve arranged to prevent flow from the input end of the first generator to the output end of the second generator; each pair of generators being separately operable to drive fluid through the condenser and evaporator to provide a cooling effect.
US08479528B2
A heat exchanger includes an air channel configured to receive air from an equipment rack. A fluid circuit is provided having a bi-phase coolant flowing therethrough. The fluid circuit includes a coolant channel coupled to the equipment rack and positioned adjacent to the air channel. The bi-phase coolant is part liquid and part gas as the bi-phase coolant flows through the coolant channel. The bi-phase coolant is configured to condition the air flowing through the air channel.
US08479525B2
A blank, carton, package, and method for enclosing a plurality of containers in a carton is disclosed. The carton includes first and second top panels, first and second side panels, and a bottom panel. The top panels each include separation lines with one top panel disposed over the other top panel when formed as a carton. The carton is openable along the separation lines to expose the containers. The carton is capable of receiving a cooling substance therewithin when the top panels are separated along the separation lines. The carton including at least two handle tear lines with a handle disposed therebetween. The handle capable of being engaged to move the carton or package as desired.
US08479524B2
A combustion chamber arrangement is described for operating a gas turbine, with a combustion chamber wall which encloses the combustion chamber space and in the region of the combustion chamber outlet encloses a flow passage for hot gases which develop inside the combustion chamber, has a combustion chamber wall edge which freely terminates in the axial flow direction of the hot gases. The combustion chamber wall edge is formed with a profile which blocks or at least inhibits a diffuser effect when a cooling air flow, which is guided axially through the flow passages into the annular spatial area, flows over the combustion chamber wall edge.
US08479518B1
A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a fuel nozzle, a combustion chamber downstream from the fuel nozzle, and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the combustion chamber. A plurality of fuel injectors are circumferentially arranged around the flow sleeve to provide fluid communication through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber. A separate cap for each fuel injector defines a separate volume around a different fuel injector outside of the flow sleeve, and a fluid passage through the flow sleeve and into each separate volume provides fluid communication through the flow sleeve and into each separate volume.
US08479516B2
Apparatuses and methods related to an engine for converting heat into mechanical output using a working fluid in a closed circulating system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the engine includes a pump to pressurize the working fluid, a regenerative heat exchanger to transfer heat from a first portion of the working fluid to a second portion, a heating device to heat the working fluid, and a scroll expander to expand the working fluid and generate the mechanical output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08479514B2
The invention relates to a method for producing compressed air and for injecting the same in an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel motor, comprising an exhaust turbocharger. The method has the following steps: determination of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to identify operating states of the internal combustion engine; production of compressed air by the internal combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state without combustion and storage of the produced compressed air; and injection of the stored compressed air into the combustion engine using the determined operating parameter in an operating state with combustion of the internal combustion engine in order to increase the pressure in an induction cycle. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
US08479512B2
An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders, an air intake line and an exhaust line collecting exhaust gas. The engine also includes an EGR line for rerouting a part of the exhaust gas from the exhaust line towards the air intake line and at least a first turbocharger comprising a first turbine driven by the exhaust gas flowing towards the atmosphere, linked to a first compressor located on the air intake line. The engine further includes a variable geometry EGR turbine located on the EGR line, driven by the EGR gas flowing in the EGR line. Thus, thanks to the pressure reduction occurring in the turbine, the EGR gas temperature is lowered, and less cooling power from the engine cooling system is required to cool down the EGR.
US08479511B2
Methods and systems are provided for a boosted engine having a split intake system coupled to a split exhaust system. Aircharges of differing composition, pressure, and temperature may be delivered to the engine through the split intake system at different points of an engine cycle. In this way, boost and EGR benefits may be extended.
US08479504B2
A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid actuator with a first chamber. The hydraulic system also has a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the source with the first chamber. The first valve further includes a first element movable between a flow passing, at which fluid from the source flows to the first chamber, and a flow blocking position, at which fluid from the source is blocked from the first chamber and a second element configured to selectively drain a control passageway associated with the first element to cause the first element to move. The hydraulic system further has a proportional pressure compensating valve configured to control a pressure of a fluid directed between the source and the first valve dependent upon the pressure of the control passageway.
US08479497B2
The invention provides for a method for operating an SCR catalytic converter for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, wherein a reducing agent tank (1) with reducing agent and a reducing agent metering device (8) are provided. The reducing agent tank (1) has at least one tank heater (3) having PTC characteristics. A variable characterizing the heater current is acquired for detecting cavities (10) in the reducing agent tank (1) when the reducing agent is frozen. The presence of cavities is suggested from a deviation of the acquired value or values for the variable characterizing the heater current from a predeterminable reference value, which represents a reducing agent tank without cavities.
US08479493B2
The oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) in an oxygen-containing gas stream, such as the exhaust stream from a diesel engine, or other lean-burn engine, may be catalyzed using a combination of mixed oxide particles of cerium, zirconium and copper, and discrete particles of an alumina-supported platinum group metal catalyst. The catalyzed oxidation of CO and HC by this combination of oxidation catalyst particles is effective at temperatures below 300° C.
US08479490B2
A combustor for a gas turbine engine is provided, and includes an inner liner; an outer liner circumscribing the inner liner and forming a combustion chamber with the inner liner; a fuel igniter comprising a tip portion configured to ignite an air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber; and an igniter tube positioning the fuel igniter relative to the combustion chamber, the igniter tube having a plurality of channels configured to direct cooling air toward the tip portion of the fuel igniter.
US08479488B2
A gas turbine includes a compressor with a plurality of pressure plates, a combustor downstream from the compressor, and a turbine downstream from the combustor and axially aligned with the compressor. The combustor produces combustion gases that flow to the turbine. A first manifold connected to the combustor contains a first process gas for combustion in the combustor. A second manifold connected upstream of the turbine contains a second process gas, and a portion of the second process gas flows to the plurality of pressure plates.
US08479484B2
The invention includes the steps of disposing at least a portion of the stream containing leafstalks (P) and berries (G) on a continuous conveyor belt (5) in a longitudinal direction (L2), disposing the portion on a discontinuous conveyor belt (6) longitudinally aligned with the continuous belt. The discontinuous belt has vertical (7) openings with a geometry that is configured for enabling berries (G) to pass through them and to retain leafstalks (P) on the discontinuous belt, thereby eliminating leafstalks (P) remaining on the discontinuous belt.
US08479478B2
A sealable polymeric film structure comprising (a) a core layer including a thermoplastic polymer, the core layer having a machine side and a product side that is on a side of the film opposite from the machine side; and (b) a sealable skin layer positioned on the product side of the core layer, the sealable skin layer including a thermoplastic polymer, wherein an exterior surface of the sealable skin layer has a receding Cahn value of at least about 0.48; and wherein in some heat—sealable embodiments, the sealable skin layer sealed to itself has a MST of from about 175° F. to about 220° F., with a jaw pressure of 20 psi for 0.75 seconds and a minimum acceptable seal strength of 200 g/in at 175° F., on a Wrap-Ade™ Crimp Sealer Model J or K.
US08479477B2
A folded, substantially wedge shaped pack useful for holding thin, elongate products such as tobacco sticks includes a back panel, inner front panel, top panel and front closure panel, the front closure panel including a tab at a free end thereof engageable with a closure slot in the inner front panel. The closure tab slides into the closure slot by sliding along a bearing surface and the top panel establishes a raised fulcrum effect which tends to maintain the closure tab in the closure slot when the pack is in a closed condition.
US08479469B2
The invention relates to a block that comprises two longitudinal and vertical walls connected by hinges including two elements hinged about vertical axes. According to the invention, each of the two side walls is made of a rigid plastic material, is surrounded by a bent return oriented towards the inside, and includes, in the lower and upper longitudinal portions thereof, as well as on the vertical edge of one end thereof, respectively, a rebate oriented towards the outside, said rebate being capable, when the block is in the functional position, of covering the bent return of another block that has already been laid in order to provide a connection with said other block, independently from said block being in a same row or in an underlying row.
US08479466B2
A blockout mold is mountable on an anchor bolt to enable a recess to be formed around the anchor bolt when concrete is poured, and is easily stripped from the recess after the concrete has set. The blockout mold has a body and a neck portion with an elongate bore therethrough to receive the shank of the anchor bolt. Pairs of vertically spaced slots in the neck portion enable a releasable clip to selectively secure the neck portion to the shank; while the body has a sleeve of compressible material to enable the blockout mold to be stripped from the recess.
US08479455B2
A flashing assembly comprising a base plate, flashing, flashing adapter and O-ring is disclosed. The flashing assembly components fit tightly together, creating a waterproof seal. The flashing assembly has no exposed rubber pieces, which prevents erosion and extends the life of the assembly. The waterproofing and durability of the disclosed flashing assembly make it ideal for enclosing electrical wires and running plumbing needs through the roof or wall membrane. The disclosed flashing assembly is capable of attaching to a number of products, including, but not limited to junction boxes, combiners, and service panels.
US08479454B2
Multiple assemblies are provided to overlie a gutter to preclude debris entry. Each assembly includes a mesh positioned upon an underlying substantially rigid support. The support has a tab which can reside beneath shingles and over other portions of the roof. A front edge is provided opposite the tab which rests upon a lip of the gutter when installed. A floor is located between the front edge and tab at a position slightly below a plane in which the tab and front edge are located. The mesh overlies the floor. Holes in the floor allow water which passes down through the mesh to be conducted through the floor and to fall down into the gutter. Ribs extend up from the floor to support the mesh and draw water off of the mesh. The mesh is corrugated into a plurality of crests and troughs which extend perpendicular to the ribs.
US08479451B2
An extrusion molded product having a core material for mounting thereof on a flange around the periphery of an opening of an automobile body, such as a door, a trunk, a back door, and a slide door includes a pressure receiving member including a soft thermoplastic elastomer composition connected to opposed side portions of a core material having a generally U-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction, a hollow chamber formed in the upper portion of the core material by connecting the pressure receiving member to the opposed side portions of the core material, and a sealing portion having a thickness thinner than a thickness of the pressure receiving member formed in a part of the pressure receiving member.
US08479448B1
A rolling gate (15) fully supported off the ground on three rails (14), (16), (20), which are supported on three in line horizontally spaced vertical posts (17), (18), (19). The frame (15) outside the fence line has two roller appendages (12), (13) that span the fence line and ride on the rails (14), (16) inside the fence line. The bottom longitudinal pipe member of gate (15) is a bottom rail (20). A middle roller (11) mounted low on post (18) inside the fence line extends across the fence line to control rail (20) outside the fence line. The rails have a minute separation making the gate like a train on tracks. The rails (14), (16) have adjustable connectors (22), (23) and are adjusted level. The leveling keeps bottom rail (20) level during operation and allows all three rollers (12), (13), (11) to maintain contact the entire length of rails (14), (16), (20).
US08479442B2
A desired geometry of a plant is achieved in a simple way by means of a method for shaping one or more plants, whereby a dimensionally stable shaping device is used to delimit a growth space for the plant. The shaping device comprises at least one light permeable shaping element. Once shaping is complete the shaping device is removed.
US08479435B1
A system and method for disrupting at least one component of a suspect object is provided. The system includes a source for passing radiation through the suspect object, a screen for receiving the radiation passing through the suspect object and generating at least one image therefrom, a weapon having a discharge deployable therefrom, and a targeting unit. The targeting unit displays the image(s) of the suspect object and aims the weapon at a disruption point on the displayed image such that the weapon may be positioned to deploy the discharge at the disruption point whereby the suspect object is disabled.
US08479431B2
The present invention provides a pre-packaged kit and a method for creating unique multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage on a surface, and in particular the surfaces of a firearm. The multi-toned custom patterns or camouflage are created by separating or peeling off pre-cut stencil/templates from sheet or roll stock adhesive backed masking material and applying the stencil/templates to a surface. The surface is subsequently sprayed with coatings, finishers and sealants. Additional layers of stencil/templates are then added and sprayed with various colors or tones of coatings, finishers and sealants to complete the desired effect on the firearm surface.
US08479427B2
A multi-planar image display system includes an insert having sheets being held in alignment at opposite edges. The sheets have particularly predetermined widths such that when aligned and affixed to each other, the sheets form predetermined curve profiles with equal spacing between the sheets, allowing a sharp, realistic 3D image to be produced from 2D images printed on the sheets. The system may further include a frame to securely hold the insert in tension without requiring additional fasteners. The frame may hold one or more inserts and allow easy insertion and removal of each insert. The frame may accommodate a cover, a board, a light panel, a cap, a casing, and/or other feature(s) to protect or otherwise accompany the 3D image produced by the insert.
US08479423B2
A photoluminescent device and a photoluminescent exit sign. The photoluminescent device includes a polymer matrix having a light-emitting exterior surface for emission of photoluminescent light therefrom. The photoluminescent device has a plurality of UV or visible-light excited phosphor particles included in the polymer matrix. The phosphor particles have a concentration greater in an exterior region of the polymer matrix proximate the light-emitting exterior surface than in an interior region of the polymer matrix. The exit sign includes at least two plates interlocked together with at least one typographical character disposed on the plates. The typographical character is formed from the polymer matrix containing the phosphor particles.
US08479421B2
A circulating fluid amusement device is provided having a transparent globe stirred using a stirring motor, and preferably a magnetically coupled stirring system, which also includes LED lighting, in order that the circulating fluid amusement device can also act as a nightlight. The globe is removable from the base, and can be replaced with other globes, to create different effects. Additionally, the circulating fluid amusement device of the present invention is preferably provided in a packaging system which allows the circulating fluid amusement device to be tested and/or its functionality demonstrated without having to remove it from its shipping packaging.
US08479411B1
An adjustably vented shoe including a body adapted to cover an entire user foot therein. Such a body preferably has an outer surface provided with an opening formed therethrough. The shoe further includes a first plate statically interfitted within the opening, a mesh screen statically interfitted within the opening and abutted with the first plate respectively, and a second plate adjustably engaged with the first plate respectively. Notably, the first plate and the mesh screen remain stationary while the second plate is dynamically displaced between open and closed positions relative to the first plate and the mesh screen respectively. In this manner, the mesh screen is exposed to ambient air when the second plate is displaced to the open position such that air is permitted to freely ingress and egress the shoe via the mesh screen.
US08479406B2
A length reference bar system and method that compensates for thermal expansion and allows for testing whether an instrument is working properly using only an inferometer. The system has a bar portion with end caps for target positions on either end of the bar portion that extend inward toward each other such that, if a length of the bar portion changes due to a temperature change, a length of the end caps also changes in an opposite direction to counteract the bar portion length change. Any target positions mounted on the end caps remain at a constant distance from each other regardless of the temperature thereby canceling out the effect of thermal expansion. The end caps also provide multiple target positioning capability so that any targets mounted thereon may be positioned in various configurations to provide a user with increased versatility for applications such as checking calibration.
US08479403B2
Measuring system including a coordinate measuring machine having a processing unit and a moveable support, and one or more actuators for positioning said movable support relative to a reference surface, the moveable support having a support connector, a scanning probe, detachably connected with the moveable support, for measuring points lying on a scanning path on a surface of a workpiece positioned on the reference surface, a modular rotation fitting, comprising a first connector, arranged to interoperate with the support connector for connecting the modular rotation fitting to said moveable support, and a second connector, arranged to interoperate with the probe connector, for connecting the scanning probe to the modular rotation fitting, and an actuator, for rotating the second connector relative to said first connector, wherein the first and said second connector contain a plurality of signal connections for transmitting driving signals to the actuator of said modular rotation fitting.
US08479398B2
A shaving assembly having plural independent flexibly mounted cartridges. The assembly comprises a cartridge support including two flexible cross members at opposing ends of a bridge member each at one of a pair of attachment points. The cross member is flexible into either a convex or a concave orientation about the respective attached point. The assembly further comprises a plurality of cartridges each including a carrier and at least one blade, each cartridge independently coupled to the cross members in a parallel relation to each other cartridge to the cross members.
US08479395B2
A method for reinforcing, baffling or sealing a vehicle structure, comprising the steps of providing one or more materials having a horizontal axis, at least one terminating edge, and an initial length, forming openings in the one or more materials, and applying the one or more materials to a location requiring reinforcement, baffling, sealing or any combination thereof.
US08479392B2
An automated tool and method for spacing a gap between the anti-vibration bars and the flow tubing in the bend region of a tube bundle of a U-tube steam generator, prior to welding, during manufacture. The tool comprises two toggle clamp elements attached to a scissors assembly, which are actuated by a linear drive motor in line with a force gauge, and coupled to a distance measuring device. The tool is operated by first attaching the toggle clamps respectively to two adjacent anti-vibration bars. A linear drive motor on the tool is then cycled and readouts of force and distance are plotted on a curve to determine the point of contact between the anti-vibration bar and the tube. The computer then automatically cycles the drive motor to adjust the gap to a desired range of position coordinates adjacent the point at which the curve markedly changes slope.
US08479385B2
A method of producing a wiring substrate includes producing a substrate body including a first primary surface on which a semiconductor chip mounting area is provided and a second primary surface opposed to the first primary surface; attaching a stiffener member on the first primary surface, the stiffener member including an opening which the semiconductor chip mounting area is exposed from; and connecting lead pins to corresponding connection pads provided on the second primary surface by way of electrically conductive members.
US08479372B2
A ring fixture system for rotating a ring to perform engraving work. The system comprises a vise-securable fixture base with opposing mandrels connected through spaced arms of the fixture base at a ring-engraving location between the arms to form a mandrel assembly. The mandrels are provided with sets of detents with different degrees of rotational spacing, and the detents on one mandrel of the mandrel assembly can be engaged independently of the other set of detents on the other mandrel. The fixture base further includes a tool-supporting bridge connected between the fixture arms above the ring-engraving location to hold an engraving tool orthogonally to the ring axis, and may further include a sliding tool support on the bridge. Also, a method is disclosed for engraving a ring using the ring fixture system with the detents and tool-supporting bridge.
US08479365B2
A barrel support device supports a barrel rotationally about an axis of the barrel with the axis being arranged vertically and an opening of the barrel through which a plunger rod is inserted being directed upward. A chuck of a plunger rod support device holds the plunger rod in a first holding state in which the plunger rod is prevented from rotating about and sliding along its axis and inserts it into the barrel. Then, the chuck enters a second holding state in which the plunger rod is prevented from rotating about its axis but is not prevented from sliding along its axis. A load application device places a load acting downward on the plunger rod, and a rotation application device rotates the barrel in a direction in which the plunger rod is screwed into a gasket in the barrel.
US08479359B2
A hinge device includes a first frame member having a securing section at which the first frame member is secured to a first body, a rotation shaft supporting the first frame member allowing rotation thereof, a stopper provided on the first frame member in such a manner as to project in a direction in which the rotation shaft extends and to rotate together with the first frame member about the rotation shaft, and a second frame member. The second frame member having a securing section at which the second frame member is secured to a second body, a rotation-shaft-supporting section supporting the rotation shaft, and a stopper-receiving portion receiving the stopper. The stopper and the stopper-receiving portion are subjected to load-redirecting processing such that a load produced upon contact between the stopper and the stopper-receiving portion is applied in such a direction that a thickness of the stopper becomes larger.
US08479351B2
A windshield wiper assembly includes a pair of leaf spring elements supported generally parallel to each other with a space therebetween, a flexible blade supported within the space between the leaf spring elements, a bracket fixed to the intermediate portion of the pair of leaf spring elements and supporting said pair of leaf spring elements to provide the space therebetween, the bracket including a pair of pressure distribution tabs, and a bracket cover connected at opposite sides of the bracket, the bracket cover having a skirt extending below the bracket to cover a portion of the pair of leaf spring elements at the intermediate portion.
US08479348B2
A stain applicator comprising a pad frame, a handle assembly attached to an upperside thereof, and an applicator pad wherein said applicator pad includes a slit therein allowing the retraction and extension of an applicator blade frame and attached applicator blade pad to allow staining of both the tops of generally flat decking boards mounted having gaps therebetween and the sides thereof through the extension and retraction of the applicator blade frame and applicator blade pad.
US08479345B2
A system and method for retrieving a pipeline tool from a pipeline includes a speed control drive section that includes a primary bypass flow valve and a failsafe valve located in a central bypass flow passageway of the drive section. The failsafe valve is placed under the control of a controller. The controller is programmed to release the failsafe valve under prescribed failure conditions. An actuating means moves the failsafe valve between a normally opened positioned and a closed position in response to the controller.
US08479327B2
The invention is a support device for lifting and transporting a patient or other type of load. The support device has a frame mounted on a support base equipped with wheels and a brake. Long handles are attached to the frame, to provide a significant mechanical advantage to an operator. Lifting the handles tilts the frame on the support base and brings it down close to the load to be lifted. A lifting support, such as a seat or a sling, is secured around the load and the lifting support coupled to the frame. The operator moves the lifting handles back to a home position, thereby lifting the load. The lifting handles and wheels allow the operator to guide the support device to a desired location, to lower a patient to a chair or a bed or to move a load to a new location.
US08479320B2
The present invention discloses a clothing article that facilitates a wearer's ability to use the bathroom while wearing the clothing article. Such a clothing article may include a garment that covers a pelvis region of a wearer. The garment may have a front side and a rear side such that the front side covers the front portion of the pelvis region and such that the rear side covers the rear portion of the pelvis region. The rear side includes a rear flap that, when closed, covers the rear portion of the pelvis region. When opened, the rear flap may expose the rear portion of the pelvis region and is capable of extending around the pelvis region and being secured at attachment points on the garment.
US08479315B2
A system (20) having the form of a garment (22), such as a jacket or pullover top, which can be transformed into one of a number of different fully closable containers (24), such as a rucksack, bag, or daypack, or vice-versa and a method for performing the transformation. Closure of the neck aperture (15) is operated by actuating a first closure means (1) extending from a common point (14) below the neck on the back of the body (R) of the garment, over the shoulders on either side of the neck aperture down the front (F) of said body.
US08484750B2
The invention relates to a method of coupling a computer program and/or data to a reference system, implementation of the computer program and/or access to the data being carried out by executing software, a group of parameters being associated with the reference system. The method comprises the protection of a value V0 associated with the reference system and necessary for the execution of said software, in alliance with at least one parameter of said group of parameters. The protection of the value V0 comprises the storage of at least one data pair comprising a function g_i of at least one parameter of said group of parameters and a function h_i of the value V0.
US08484736B2
A storage device is protected, when interfaced with a host device, by operating a security processor of the storage device in a “security” mode in which the security processor filters commands that are received from the host device and are targeted to the storage controller, and upon determining by the security processor that the “security” mode is no longer required, by operating the security processor in a “safe” mode in which the security processor (i) does not filter commands it receives from the host device and (ii) forwards to a storage controller of the storage device such unfiltered commands.
US08484731B2
The method for detecting an attack by fault injection into memory positions includes a generation of an initial value of a reference indication including an application of a reversible mathematical operator to the values of the information stored in the memory positions. An updating of the value of this reference indication is performed on each write in at least one memory position by using the operator, the reverse operator and the values of the stored information before and after each write in the at least one memory position. And, in the presence of a request, a check is performed as to whether a criterion involving the values of the information stored in the memory positions at the time of the request and the operator or its reverse is or is not satisfied by the value of the reference indication at the time of the request.
US08484723B2
A system and method for signing and authenticating electronic documents using public key cryptography applied by one or more server computer clusters operated in a trustworthy manner, which may act in cooperation with trusted components controlled and operated by the signer. The system employs a presentation authority for presenting an unsigned copy of an electronic document to a signing party and a signature authority for controlling a process for affixing an electronic signature to the unsigned document to create a signed electronic document. The system provides an applet for a signing party's computer that communicates with the signature authority.
US08484719B2
A disclosed information processing apparatus makes it possible for a user to perform a desired operation easily by displaying operation candidates based on an operation history. The apparatus comprises a storage unit in which an operation history table is stored, the table associating tasks with operations. A user who performs an operation is authenticated by a user authentication unit. Task information concerning the authenticated user is acquired by a task acquisition unit. Based on the acquired task information, an operation candidate presenting unit presents operation candidates by referring to the operation history table. The operation history table is updated by a history management unit in accordance with an operation designated by the user.
US08484716B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating server application logic across multiple tiers of a server system are described. In one aspect, a method includes hosting a server application on multiple servers. The servers include an application server deployed in a secure tier of an enterprise network and an edge server deployed in an edge tier of the enterprise network. A primary firewall isolates the secure tier from the edge tier and from a public network. A secondary firewall isolates the edge tier from the public network. The edge server is configured to receive requests for services provided by the server application, to perform a first subset of the services, and to relay a subset of the requests to the application server. The requests received by the edge server are sent from at least one client device through the public network and authenticated by the secondary firewall. The application server is configured to receive the relayed subset of requests and perform a second subset of the services in response to the relayed subset of requests. The relayed subset of requests received by the application server are authenticated by the primary firewall.
US08484709B2
A method for authenticating an identity involves a computing device receiving a first credential over a first communications channel, and determining a second communications channel from a comparison between the first received credential and a first reference credential provisionally associated with the first credential. The computing device opens the second communications channel and receives second credential over the second communications channel, and the identity is authenticated based on a verification of the second credential. The computing device authenticates the identity by generating a first identity proof score from a correlation between the first received credential and the first reference credential, generating a second identity proof score from a correlation between the second received credential and a second reference credential, and generating an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score.
US08484700B2
A reputation server associates feedback from previous network transactions with an account of a user in a network. A reputation score for the user is calculated based on the feedback to indicate the probability the user will abuse the network. When an online service receives a request to perform a transaction from the user, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score. Additionally, a server generates a reputation packet including the reputation score for a user for use by an online service when the user requests the online service to perform a transaction. The online service may authenticate the reputation packet with the server and, if the reputation packet is authenticated, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score.
US08484699B2
Techniques are disclosed for achieving context-sensitive confidentiality within a federated environment for which content is aggregated in a distributed Web portal (or similar aggregation framework), ensuring that message portions that should be confidential are confidential to all entities in the federated environment except those entities to which the message portions may properly be divulged. The federation may comprise an arbitrary number of autonomous security domains, and these security domains may have independent trust models and authentication services. Using the disclosed techniques, messages can be routed securely within a cross-domain federation (irrespective of routing paths), thereby ensuring that confidential information is not exposed to unintended third parties and that critical information is not tampered with while in transit between security domains. Preferred embodiments leverage Web services techniques and a number of industry standards.
US08484694B2
The disclosed principles describe systems and methods for assessing the policy compliance of a target device, wherein the assessment is performed by a scanning computer in communication with the target device via a communication network. By employing a system or method in accordance with the disclosed principles, distinct advantages are achieved. Specifically, conducting such a remote scan allows for the scanner computer to perform a remote scan of the remote device without installing client software to the remote device. Also, conducting a compliance assessment according to the disclosed principles allows for the target device to be assessed after policy updates and changes, without requiring the target device to be re-scanned. Thus, the disclosed principles reduce the need for internal IT resources to manage the assessment and updates of client configuration settings on the target device.
US08484688B2
A system for redistributing a multiple input audio/video and data signals having a redistributing device equipped to receive signals in a multiple formats and redistribute a selected signal to a user's premises over conductors, preferably existing twisted-pair telephone wire. The redistributing device is in interactive communication with a communications interface located in the user's premises which receives user-input control signals and contains switching circuitry which routes the selected signal to the user's premises where it is received by the receiving unit such as a television receiver. A single redistributing device services an entire multi-user network from a common distribution point, and services multiple users independently. The system of the invention does not interfere with normal use of the telephone network, so users can interactively access services provided by the system and use the telephone at the same time. In one preferred embodiment the system of the invention dynamically allocates frequencies and modulation techniques to various output signals, to maximize spectral efficiency and minimize interference and cross-talk.
US08484682B2
A display control device includes: a reception section configured to receive a television broadcast signal; a display section configured to display video information and a thumbnail image contained in the television broadcast signal; and a control section configured to control display on the display section of the video information and the thumbnail image contained in the television broadcast signal received by the reception section. The control section causes the thumbnail image to be displayed in accordance with an order of priority.
US08484680B2
A method of providing advertising from a central database server connected to a global computer network to distributed sites via interactive television. A representative icon is presented to a subscriber on a television screen indicating an advertisement. When a the icon is selected, an advertisement information detail is retrieved from storage in a local memory, or from the central database server and presented to the subscriber on the television screen.
US08484678B2
A method and apparatus are provided for updating thumbnail images in a thumbnail list. A plurality of thumbnail images may be generated based on television channels. A thumbnail list including a portion or all of the plurality of the generated thumbnail images may be provided for output to a display. The thumbnail list may be updated such that an image of at least one thumbnail image is changed. A frequency of change in the image of the at least one thumbnail image is greater than other thumbnail images in the thumbnail list during a prescribed time period. The updated thumbnail list may be provided for output to a display.
US08484671B1
A device and method for multiple access cards to interface to at least one integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) and methods for using the device. The interface device of the present invention contains multiple access card readers and houses multiple access cards. The device can switch between access cards based on pre-configured software that rotates the cards according to various conditions. In another embodiment, the device can simultaneously operate all the cards. The device can select one card for the IRD based on responses acquired for the various conditions. In addition, the present invention allows monitoring access card authorizations and blackout states in multiple IRDs. A single access card can be applied to more than one IRD simultaneously, and the IRDs can be different versions. In addition, the present invention provides a satellite broadcast center with the capability of testing multiple access cards in real time either sequentially, or in parallel, through multiple IRDs.
US08484669B2
A motor in which a coupling structure between a sleeve holder and a base plate is improved. The motor may include a base plate including at least one protrusion supporting part formed therein; and a sleeve holder including a cylindrical shaped body part to which a sleeve is fastened in an inside of the sleeve holder, an extension part protruded such that an outer diameter is extended along an outer circumferential surface of the body part, and a flange part vertically protruded in an outer diameter direction from a lower end portion of the extension part so as to make surface contact with an upper surface of the base plate, where the sleeve holder is fastened to the base plate while an outer circumferential surface of the protrusion supporting part is brought into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the extension part.
US08484657B2
A plurality of nodes may be arranged within a hierarchy to perform actions, each node may perform a task associated an action. A dependency evaluator may determine, based on a request to perform an action, the first subset of the nodes configured to perform the action, wherein a first node of a higher level of the hierarchy is dependent upon a response from a second node of a lower level of the hierarchy to perform a task associated with the action. A request engine may provide the request to a lowest level of the hierarchy, wherein the second node of the lowest level may perform a task associated with the requested action and respond to the dependent first node. A response engine may receive the response from one of the nodes on a highest level of the hierarchy, including a performance of the tasks and the requested action.
US08484651B2
A method of administering a distributed priority queue structure that includes removing a highest priority item from a current root node of a tree structure to create a temporary root node, determining for each subtree connected to the temporary root node a subtree priority comprising the priority of the highest priority data item in the each subtree, determining as the highest priority subtree connected to the temporary root node the subtree connected to the temporary root node having the highest subtree priority, determining whether any of the one or more data items stored at the temporary root node has a higher priority than the highest subtree priority and directing an arrow to the subtree having the highest priority or to the temporary root itself if the priority of the data items stored at temporary root is higher than the priorities of the connected subtrees.
US08484649B2
Techniques for scheduling a plurality of jobs sharing input are provided. The techniques include partitioning one or more input datasets into multiple subcomponents, analyzing a plurality of jobs to determine which of the plurality of jobs require scanning of one or more common subcomponents of the one or more input datasets, and scheduling a plurality of jobs that require scanning of one or more common subcomponents of the one or more input datasets, facilitating a single scanning of the one or more common subcomponents to be used as input by each of the plurality of jobs.
US08484641B2
A workload partition, associated with a legacy operating system, is created on an instance of a base operating system implemented on a machine. The legacy operating system is an earlier version of the base operating system. An indication is detected to execute a first command associated with a process of the workload partition associated with the legacy operating system. It is determined that the first command associated with the process of the workload partition associated with the legacy operating system was overlaid with a reference to a runtime execution wrapper associated with the base operating system. The runtime execution wrapper is executed to access a runtime execution environment associated with the base operating system. The first command is executed using the runtime execution environment associated with the base operating system.
US08484636B2
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving an application installation log, the application installation log including per-user installation data indicating when each of a plurality of applications available through an application marketplace was installed on a plurality of computing devices, determining an overall score corresponding to a first application and a second application, the score indicating a degree of overlap in installation periods of the first application and the second application on the plurality of computing devices, determining that the overall score is greater than or equal to a threshold score, generating an index, the index associating the second application as an application of interest in view of the first application, and storing the index in computer-readable memory.
US08484631B2
A method and apparatus for providing support for customization of a build configuration of a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) compatible component. The method includes modifying the build configuration of the UEFI compatible component to reflect modifications to a first file. A configuration parameter is received. The configuration parameter is used to create a configuration parameter symbol pointing to the first file. The first file is replaced with a second file, which includes modifications to the first file. The modifications support a functionality desired by a user.
US08484624B1
A method of test integration for early application development is provided. The method comprises defining a business case, identifying a plurality of systems to enable the business case, identifying at least one control document including handshakes for the systems, and generating test cases for each of the systems, the test cases including the handshakes useful to test applications. A testing integration system for early application development is also provided. The system comprises an input module operable to permit selection of a plurality of systems defining a business case, a control document defining handshakes between the systems, a template operable to receive information related to the control document and further operable for arranging the systems to enable the business case, and a generator operable to generate test cases including the handshakes based on the arrangement of the systems in the template.
US08484623B2
A method for determining the number and location of instrumentation probes to be inserted into a program is disclosed. The method advantageously inserts the minimum number of probes that are required to obtain execution coverage for every node in the program's control-flow graph. In addition, the method requires only type of node marking and one bit to store each probe, and does not require the assignment of weights to arcs or nodes of the control-flow graph. In the illustrative embodiment, the nodes of a control-flow graph are partitioned into non-empty sets, where each non-empty set corresponds to a super nested block of the program.
US08484611B2
A method for automatic composition of an information processing flow based on a user-specified processing goal, includes: selecting tags from a first plurality of tags, wherein the selected tags specify a processing goal; composing a processing graph in accordance with the processing goal; and displaying a second plurality of tags, wherein the second plurality of tags includes tags that are only relevant to the selected tags.
US08484608B2
A process is disclosed for configuring a base platform having ASIC and FPGA modules to perform a plurality of functions. A verified RTL hardware description of a circuit is mapped and annotated to identify memory programmable functions. The memory programmable functions are grouped for assignment to FPGA modules. The non-memory programmable functions are synthesized to ASIC modules, and the memory programmable functions are synthesized to FPGA modules. Placement, signal routing and boundary timing closure are completed and the platform is configured by adding metallization layer(s) to configure the ASIC modules and creating a firmware memory to configure the FPGA modules. An over-provisioning feature in the FPGA modules permits post-fabrication alteration of logic functions.
US08484602B2
A method co-optimizes a design and a library in such a way to choose the best set of cells to implement the design. The method takes into account the idea of limiting the number of new cells while reducing target costs and respecting design constraints. The method chooses a minimum nearly optimum set of cells to optimize a design. This involves the simultaneous optimization of a cell-based design and a cell library used to implement it. The invention can produce only an optimized library for a specific application, when the circuit is disregarded. The method takes into account a set of new cells described as finalized cells or as virtual cells, possibly having different transistor topologies, different sizes, different logic functions, and/or different cell template than the original library.
US08484601B2
A method co-optimizes a design and a library in such a way to choose the best set of cells to implement the design. The method takes into account the idea of limiting the number of new cells while reducing target costs and respecting design constraints. The method chooses a minimum nearly optimum set of cells to optimize a design. This involves the simultaneous optimization of a cell-based design and a cell library used to implement it. The invention can produce only an optimized library for a specific application, when the circuit is disregarded. The method takes into account a set of new cells described as finalized cells or as virtual cells, possibly having different transistor topologies, different sizes, different logic functions, and/or different cell template than the original library.
US08484596B1
A method for designing a system on a target device is disclosed. Extraction is performed on a first version of the system during synthesis in a first compilation resulting in a first netlist. Optimizations are performed on the first version of the system during synthesis in the first compilation resulting in a second netlist. Placement and routing are performed on the first version of the system in the first compilation. Extraction is performed on a second version of the system having a changed portion during synthesis in a second compilation resulting in a third netlist. The first version of the system in the first netlist and the second version of the system in the third netlist are differentiated to identify identical regions, wherein at least one of the performing and differentiating is performed by a processor.
US08484589B2
During a pop phase of hierarchical repartitioning of an IC design, all cells within a current hierarchy may be identified, the list of cells may be ungrouped to dissolve the current hierarchy, one or more specified cells may be removed from the list of cells, where the specified one or more cells are to be moved to a different hierarchy, and the new list of cells without the specified one or more cells may be re-grouped, to re-form the previously dissolved hierarchy. During a push phase of the hierarchical repartitioning, all cells within the next lower-level hierarchy may be identified, the identified list of cells may be ungrouped to dissolve that hierarchy, the specified one or more cells may be added to the identified list of cells, and the new list of cells that includes the specified one or more cells may be grouped to reform the previously dissolved hierarchy.
US08484584B2
At least one pattern of a photomask is identified that has a likelihood of causing collapse of a microelectronic device feature that is formed using the photomask, due to surface tension of a solution that is applied to the feature during manufacture of the microelectronic device. The patterns of the photomask are then modified to reduce the likelihood of the collapse. The photomask may be formed and the photomask may be used to manufacture microelectronic devices. Related methods, systems, devices and computer program products are described.
US08484583B2
Storage apparatus and related methods wherein an operator control panel that controls functions and displays information regarding the storage apparatus and its storage devices is configured to have or display a selectable thumbtack function. The operator control panel is configurable to show a number of operational screens for managing the storage apparatus, show a default screen after a period of inactivity at the operator control panel, receive a designation that an operational screen should replace the default screen, and if designated, show the designated operational screen instead of the default screen after a period of inactivity.
US08484578B2
An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface. The out-space user interface may be used to display one or more status panes for providing status information about a document being edited in the in-space user interface. Application features for affecting changes to a given document's status may be exposed in the out-space interface in proximity to associated status information. An out-space communication user interface (UI) component may be temporarily displayed in the document in-space user interface to communicate document status information that is presently available in the out-space user interface. A message bar may be displayed in the in-space user interface for communicating information from the out-space user interface.
US08484577B2
A framework is provided for obtaining window information. The window information can be applied to different assignment models to assign windows to different groups. A group may correspond to a task being performed by a user. The window information can be semantic or temporal information captured as window events and properties of windows whose events are captured. Temporal information can be information about switches between windows. Semantic information can be window titles. Temporal information, semantic information, or both, can be used to assign windows to groups.
US08484576B2
A device for monitoring the status of a plurality of subsystems includes a plurality of mutually exclusive windows on a display device. Each window includes information related to at least one of the subsystems. One or more of the windows includes a common user interface and a common display area for a subset of at least two of the windows. The common user interface includes selectable options for controlling the information displayed in the common display area, and the selectable options allow the user to display more detailed information related to the information displayed in one of the associated windows. Advisory information regarding the status of the subsystems can be included in one or more of the windows, along with a selectable option to display a checklist for the subsystem associated with each advisory message. The display system can be used to monitor operation and status of various types of systems including mobile vehicles, machines, biological organisms, and building facilities.
US08484572B2
A cell image display apparatus comprising: a parameter value obtainer for obtaining characteristic parameter values based on a plurality of cell images obtained by imaging a sample including the plurality of cells, wherein each of the characteristic parameter values respectively indicates characteristic of each of the cells; a type determiner for determining types of the cells based on the characteristic parameter values obtained by the parameter value obtainer; a display; and a display controller for controlling the display so as to display the cell images in a sequence based on the types of the cells obtained by the type determiner and the characteristic parameter values obtained by the parameter value obtainer. A method and a computer program product are also disclosed.
US08484570B2
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for manipulating screen objects utilizing multiband regions of influence. Positioning a reference point of an object within a particular band invokes a particular functionality or operation related to that band. In one embodiment, three types of functionality are provided. Moving a reference datum (for example, a line representing an edge or a user defined reference point) of an object A into a first band of an object B places object A under the influence of object B's gravity, causing object A to be pulled into precise alignment with object B. Moving the reference point of object A from the first band into a second band turns off object B's gravity, allowing object A to be freely moved to any arbitrary position near the object B. Moving the reference point of the object A to a position outside all bands causes object B's gravity function to be turned back on. In other embodiments, the bands of the invention provide other kinds of functionalities or operations. For example, one embodiment comprises bands that provide different types of precise positioning. In one embodiment, multiple bands are provided, each one causing objects to be positioned so as to be spaced apart by one of several precise, predetermined distances.
US08484569B2
A method for saving and restoring collaborative applications to a selected earlier time, may include saving, by a processing device, content for each collaborative application of a plurality of collaborative applications as a user uses each of the collaborative applications. The method may additionally include restoring each collaborative application to a selected earlier time in response to the selected earlier time being selected by the user. The method may further include presenting the content of each collaborative application at the selected earlier time to the user in response to each collaborative application being restored to the selected earlier time, wherein each collaborative application is presented in an original context from the selected earlier time.
US08484563B2
A computer implemented method and system is provided for confirming that a viewer viewed multimedia content on a client device. A server provisioned with the multimedia content is provided. The viewer creates a viewer account and accesses the server by supplying the viewer credentials. The viewer receives a list of multimedia content on the client device from the server, on demand for selection, and selects viewing parameters and multimedia content from the list. The client device receives and plays the selected multimedia content based on the selected viewing parameters. Viewing of the selected multimedia content is confirmed using a random challenge that is random in content, presented at random times during and/or after the play, and/or presented at random physical locations on the selected multimedia content. A response report is generated and the viewer is compensated if the response report confirms that the viewer has viewed the selected multimedia content.
US08484553B2
A system and method for defining specifications for outputting content to multiple formats. More specifically, a system and method for creating a single multi-purpose stylesheet file from a single user interface, the single multi-purpose stylesheet being capable of designing multiple output media formats. For example, the multi-purpose stylesheet may convert input XML content to HTML, PDF, PostScript, WML, or other output formats. The method may include creating or modifying a multipurpose stylesheet containing formatting rules corresponding to various properties of different output media formats. A user can configure the multi-purpose stylesheet by selecting different formatting properties for different output media formats.
US08484547B2
A memory includes matrix data stored thereon for use by the plurality of encoders. An arbiter unit determines, for the plurality of encoders, respective times for the encoders to receive a portion of the matrix data stored in the shared memory, and facilitates providing a portion of the matrix data to the plurality of encoders according to the determined times for use in respective encoding operations.
US08484537B1
A system including a first buffer module, a first encoder module, a control module, and a second buffer module. The first buffer module receives (i) a first block and (ii) a first logical block address (LBA) for the first block from a host, where the first block includes first data. The first encoder module generates a first checksum based on (i) the first data and (ii) the first LBA. The control module generates a second block, where the second block includes (i) the first data, (ii) the first LBA, and (iii) the first checksum. The second buffer module receives a third block from the first buffer module, where the third block includes a second LBA. The second buffer module determines whether the third block is different than the first block depending on whether the second LBA in the third block is different than the first LBA in the second block.
US08484536B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, featuring generating a plurality of error-correcting code chunks from a plurality of data chunks. The error-correcting code chunks can be used to reconstruct one or more of the data chunks. The data chunks are allocated to a local group of storage nodes. The error correcting code chunks are allocated between the local group of storage nodes and one or more remote groups of storage nodes. Each remote group of storage nodes is allocated one or more unique error-correcting code chunks from the error-correcting code chunks. Any of the error-correcting code chunks not allocated to a remote group of storage nodes are allocated to the local group of storage nodes.
US08484535B2
Executed when a channel input (e.g., LDPC) codeword is written to a storage medium, a write-verification method (i) compares the channel input codeword to the written codeword, (ii) identifies any erroneous bits, and (iii) stores the erroneous-bit indices to a record in a table. At some later time, the written codeword is read and sent to a decoder. If the decoder fails with a near codeword, a write-error recovery process searches the table and retrieves the erroneous-bit information. The codeword bits at those indices are adjusted, and the modified codeword is submitted to further processing.
US08484534B2
In a multiple level cell flash memory data storage device, a flash memory array has a plurality of blocks, where each block is an erase unit and has a plurality of pages, and a respective block includes a plurality of groups of pages. Each group of pages in the respective block includes an assigned parity page, and each page of the respective block has a plurality of sectors, including an assigned parity sector. The storage device is operable to program and erase data on a page at a predetermined speed, and detect an error rate for each page of a block and identify a group of high error pages based on the error rates. Further, the storage device is configured to apply a speed slower than the predetermined speed in programming and erasing data on the identified high error pages.
US08484531B1
Systems and methods are provided for decoding received codewords using an LDPC code. An LDPC post-processor is disclosed for performing post-processing when standard LDPC decoding fails due to a trapping set. The LDPC post-processor may direct the LDPC decoder to decode the received codeword again, but may change some of the inputs to the LDPC decoder so that the LDPC decoder does not fail in the same way. In one embodiment, the LDPC post-processor may modify the symbol positions in the received codeword that correspond to a particular unsatisfied check. In another embodiment, the LDPC post-processor may modify the messages in the decoder's iterative message algorithm that correspond to the symbol positions.
US08484508B2
A data processing apparatus and method provide fault tolerance when executing a sequence of data processing operations. The data processing apparatus has processing circuitry for performing the sequence of data processing operations, and a redundant copy of that processing circuitry for operating in parallel with the processing circuitry, and for performing the same sequence of data processing operations. Error detection circuitry detects an error condition when output data generated by the processing circuitry differs from corresponding output data generated by the redundant copy. Shared prediction circuitry generates predicted data input to both the processing circuitry and the redundant copy, with the processing circuitry and redundant copy then performing speculative processing of one or more data processing operations in dependence on that predicted data. Each of the processing circuitry and the redundant copy include checking circuitry for determining whether the speculative processing was correct, and initiating corrective action if the speculative processing was not correct. By sharing the prediction circuitry rather than replicating it within both the processing circuitry and the redundant copy, significant area and power consumption benefits can be achieved without affecting the ability of the apparatus to detect faults.
US08484489B2
A power signal detecting system and method thereof are disclosed. The power signal detecting system comprises a power supply and a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device is electrically connected with the power supply to receive a power signal. The portable electronic device comprises a sensing element, a detecting module and a power management module. The sensing element is used to connect the power signal. The detecting module is electrically connected to the sensing element and is used for detecting the power signal. The power management module electrically connects to the detecting module and is used for executing a power management for the portable electronic device by identifying the power signal.
US08484481B2
A system for implementing a chip lockout protection scheme for an IC device includes an on-chip password register that stores a password externally input by a user; an on-chip security block that generates a chip unlock signal, depending on whether the externally input password matches a correct password; an on-chip false data generator; an input protection scheme configured to gate the external data inputs to functional chip circuitry upon entry of the correct password; and an output protection scheme in communication configured to steer true chip data to external outputs of the IC device upon entry of the correct password, and to steer false data generated by the false data generator to the external outputs upon entry of an incorrect password. The false generated by the false data generator is deterministic and based upon external data inputs, thereby obfuscating whether or not the correct password has been entered.
US08484479B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for authenticating electronic messages. A data structure is generated by a computer server which allows for the authentication of the contents and computer server identity of a received electronic message and provides a trusted stamp to authenticate when the message was sent. Data which can authenticate the message, the computer server identity, and the time the message was sent is included into a data structure which is called an Electronic PostMark (EPM).
US08484475B2
In a data transmission method for a tachograph system, digital messages are transmitted between a speed transmitter (MS) and a recording unit (RU). The digital messages contain a pair of keys including a public key (KMP, KRP) and a private key (KMS, KRS), as well as a certificate (ZM, ZR) derived from the respective pair of keys. The public keys (KMP, KRP) and the certificates (ZM, ZR) are mutually verified between the recording unit (RU) and the speed transmitter (MS). If the verification is positive, the speed transmitter (MS) detects sensor data, and a digital message is generated therefrom. In addition, the speed transmitter (MS) generates authentication data for the message in accordance with the pair of keys (KMP, KMS) thereof. The message and the authentication data are transmitted to the recording unit and are processed there in accordance with a validity of the authentication data verified by the recording unit (RU).
US08484467B2
The invention relates to a method of authenticating a user equipment in a communications network. The method involves sending a message from a network entity to the user equipment. This message includes a set of options for an authentication procedure for authenticating an internet protocol communication over a first interface between the user equipment and the network entity; said options including a “shared key”-based authentication procedure. The method also involves selecting an option from the set. In the event that the “shared-key”-based authentication procedure is selected, a shared secret from a security key established in a generic bootstrapping architecture (GBA) is generated over a second interface between the user equipment and a bootstrapping service function. The shared secret is then used to compute and verify authentication payloads in the key-based authentication procedure for the communication over the first interface.
US08484458B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to receive from a communication device a request for media content, receive a key and a record associated with the communications device from an interactive Television (iTV) system, wherein the record comprises a list of entitled media content, determine whether the requested media content is in the list of entitled media content, retrieve the requested media content from the iTV system when the requested media content is determined to be in the list of entitled media content, encrypt the retrieved media content utilizing the key, and transmit the encrypted media content to the communications device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08484447B2
A method for controlling peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-E) slots of a computer reads processor configuration information of a PCI-E slot unit from a CMOS chip when the computer boots up, and controls a GPIO interface to output a first control signal to a PCI-E multiplexer according to the processor configuration information, to control a PCI-E slot unit of the computer to connect to one of processors of the computer through the PCI-E multiplexer according to the first control signal. Then the method checks whether the processor connected to the PCI-E slot unit is running normally. In addition, the method controls the GPIO interface to output a second control signal to the PCI-E multiplexer if the processor connected to the PCI-E slot unit is not running normally, to control the PCI-E slot unit to connect to another processor through the PCI-E multiplexer according to the second control signal.
US08484440B2
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for performing an allreduce operation on a plurality of compute nodes of a parallel computer, each node including at least two processing cores, that include: establishing, for each node, a plurality of logical rings, each ring including a different set of at least one core on that node, each ring including the cores on at least two of the nodes; iteratively for each node: assigning each core of that node to one of the rings established for that node to which the core has not previously been assigned, and performing, for each ring for that node, a global allreduce operation using contribution data for the cores assigned to that ring or any global allreduce results from previous global allreduce operations, yielding current global allreduce results for each core; and performing, for each node, a local allreduce operation using the global allreduce results.
US08484438B2
Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates concurrency control in a computer system. During operation, the system generates a set of signatures associated with memory accesses in the computer system. To generate the signatures, the system creates a set of hierarchical Bloom filters (HBFs) corresponding to the signatures, and populates the HBFs using addresses associated with the memory accesses. Next, the system compares the HBFs to detect a potential conflict associated with the memory accesses. Finally, the system manages concurrent execution in the computer system based on the detected potential conflict.
US08484437B2
A data processing apparatus includes a pre-fetch unit configured to divide and store data, a validation setting unit configured to store information regarding whether or not the data stored in the pre-fetch unit are valid, an address generation unit configured to generate an address for reading/storing the data from/in the pre-fetch unit, and a pre-fetch control unit configured to control a storage position of the data in the pre-fetch unit by using the address and information of the address generation unit and the validation setting unit.
US08484435B2
A method for updating, in the background, data stored in physical memories without affecting the current operations performed by the microprocessor. When the update is completely terminated, the application switches from an old version to a new version. This switching occurs by a reconfiguration of the page table during which a first sub-tree structure of pointers accessing the old version of data stored in memories is replaced by a second sub-tree structure of pointers thus allowing access to the new version of data. This update method prevents incoherent transitory states of the system as the latter works with the previous data version until the installation of the new version becomes usable. In the case of an interruption to the update process, the application can always reinitialize the update since the old version of data can be reactivated by returning to the previous configuration of the page table.
US08484429B2
An apparatus capable of communicating with another apparatus including a first writing unit for writing data into a plurality of recording mediums housed in a first housing, a first storage, has a first reading unit for reading out data from a plurality of recording mediums housed in a second housing for housing the recording mediums storing data written by the first writing unit, a second reading unit for reading out data from the first storage, a second storage for storing cache data of the plurality of the recording mediums housed in the second housing, a controller unit for enabling the first and second reading units to read out data on the basis of the determined area, and a second writing unit for writing data read out by the first reading unit and the second reading unit into the second storage.
US08484428B2
The present disclosure includes methods and apparatus for an enhanced block copy. One embodiment includes reading data from a source block located in a first portion of the memory device, and programming the data to a target block located in a second portion of the memory device. The first and second portions are communicatively coupled by data lines extending across the portions. The data lines are communicatively uncoupled between the first and second portions for at least one of the reading and programming acts.
US08484422B2
A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for maintaining data coherence, for use in a multi-node processing system where each of the nodes includes one or more components. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing a data domain, assigning a group of the components to the data domain, sending a coherence message from a first component of the processing system to a second component of the processing system, and determining if that second component is assigned to the data domain. In this embodiment, if that second component is assigned to the data domain, the coherence message is transferred to all of the components assigned to the data domain to maintain data coherency among those components. In an embodiment, if that second component is assigned to the data domain, the first component is assigned to the data domain.
US08484419B2
Systems and methods for backing up storage volumes are provided. One system includes a primary side, a secondary side, and a network coupling the primary and secondary sides. The secondary side includes first and second VTS including a cache and storage tape. The first VTS is configured to store a first portion of a group of storage volumes in its cache and migrate the remaining portion to its storage tape. The second VTS is configured to store the remaining portion of the storage volumes in its cache and migrate the first portion to its storage tape. One method includes receiving multiple storage volumes from a primary side, storing the storage volumes in the cache of the first and second VTS, migrating a portion of the storage volumes from the cache to storage tape in the first VTS, and migrating a remaining portion of the storage volumes from the cache to storage tape in the second VTS.
US08484417B2
Version indicators within an existing range can be associated with a data partition in a distributed data store. A partition reconfiguration can be associated with one of multiple partitions in the data store, and a new version indicator that is outside the existing range can be assigned to the reconfigured partition. Additionally, a broadcast message can be sent to multiple nodes, which can include storage nodes and/or client nodes that are configured to communicate with storage nodes to access data in a distributed data store. The broadcast message can include updated location information for data in the data store. In addition, a response message can be sent to a requesting node of the multiple nodes in response to receiving from that node a message that requests updated location information for the data. The response message can include the requested updated location information.
US08484409B2
A controller includes a control unit for controlling writing and/or reading of data to and from physical block based on a logical address from a host device, a logical defective cluster table for storing information concerning a logical address of a logical defective cluster which is one or more partial areas within the effective logical address range and an address conversion table for storing corresponding information of a logical address of the effective logical address range and a physical address of the physical block on the data stored in the physical block. Upon receiving a data write command from the host device for writing data to the logical address stored in the logical defective cluster table, the control unit disables the reflection of writing of data for the logical address to the physical block.
US08484402B2
A data transmission interface, for coupling to an external apparatus, including a first signal transmission line and a second signal transmission line, for transmitting a differential signal, a first resistor and a voltage-variable component, selectively connected to the first signal transmission line, and a second resistor, connected to the second signal transmission line, wherein, when the data transmission interface is coupled to the external apparatus, the voltage-variable component is connected to the first signal transmission line, and the first signal transmission line presents a first voltage in response to the external apparatus.
US08484391B2
Systems and methods are described including dynamically configuring a shared buffer to support processing of at least two video read streams associated with different video codec formats. The methods may include determining a buffer write address within the shared buffer in response to a memory request associated with one read stream, and determining a different buffer write address within the shared buffer in response to a memory request associated with the other read stream.
US08484389B2
An audio-video (AV) playback chain and rendering peripheral device 300 for generating two or more interrupts 306, 308 with a programmable delay 304 between them. Such are configured to prevent two processors 310, 314 from racing to access the same system resources in their respective interrupt service routines.
US08484381B2
A mobile device management system including a method for monitoring a remote video camera and event scheduling, synchronization and modification using location information. Video from a remote camera is encoded by a computer and streamed in real time over a network to a mobile device for decoding and display. The computer encoder and mobile device decoder are software-based. Event calendar and schedule information is incorporated, shared and automatically updated among multiple mobile devices. Location information, such as from a locator network or a satellite-based global positioning system, is used to provide real time updates to a mobile device calendar or event schedule. A map or other indicia of the location of other mobile devices may be provided.
US08484375B2
A method may include updating a routing table on a first network element based on a shortest path first calculation in response to a network change event. For each deletion from the routing table, a message may be broadcasted to a second network element adjacent to the first network element indicative of such deletion, the message including a target identifier (TID) associated with such deleted entry, wherein the second network element is configured to invalidate its associated TID address resolution protocol (TARP) cache in response to receiving the message. For each deletion from the routing table, a local TARP cache of the first network element may be searched to determine if an entry exists in the local TARP cache mapping the TID associated with such entry to a NASP associated with such entry. The local TARP cache may be invalidated in response to determining that the entry exists.
US08484370B1
A method and system for efficient extended data communications using a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) carrier network. In a communications system having a server and client device coupled by a GPRS network, a communication session is initiated by the client. A combination of data packet transmission frequency adjustment and the transmission of “keep alive” packets are used to prevent carrier network time-out of the communication session. In multiple server environments such as those using load sharing, a queuing mechanism is provided for outbound messages to client devices.
US08484369B2
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the downloading of media items. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, two or more media items may be concurrently downloaded. In accordance with another embodiment, a user may control the downloading of each of the media items, as desired. More particularly, the user may choose to download, pause, or resume downloading one or more media items identified in the list of media items. In other words, the user may alter the download status of any of the items in the list of media items. In addition, the user may re-prioritize the order in which the media items in the list or a subset thereof are to be downloaded.
US08484366B2
A service management system includes data storage storing a hierarchy of a network in a user premises. The hierarchy includes virtual network layers and devices in each layer. The storage device also stores service profiles for services associated with levels in the hierarchy, and the levels include one or more of the virtual network layers. The system receives information for creating a service for a device in a layer. The information includes service functions and attributes. The system also stores a service profile for the service in the storage device, and the service profile includes the received information. The system determines whether to trigger the service based on the received data and information in the service profile.
US08484365B1
A system and method provides a unified iSCSI target using a plurality of loosely coupled iSCSI front ends. A cluster comprising a number of network elements and disk elements exports one or more logical units to iSCSI initiators. Each of the network elements is operatively interconnected with a replicated database which is utilized to share initiator data structures and lun mapping information. An iSCSI initiator may communicate with any of the network elements to access any of the logical units exported by the cluster.
US08484355B1
Systems and methods are provided for provisioning a virtual server. An identification of an operating system, a server name, a number of processors, a memory amount, and a disk storage amount is received, and a virtual server is provisioned by provisioning a number of processors, an amount of memory, and an amount of storage resources based on the identified number of processors, the identified memory amount, and the identified disk storage amount. Resource usage of the virtual server is monitored, and additional resources for the virtual server are provisioned if burst resource usage mode is enabled for the virtual server.
US08484349B2
A system and method for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of subscriber devices operably connected to a DSL subscription network is described. An embodiment according to the invention comprises a bandwidth management system that operably connects a service network to a plurality of subscriber devices attached to a LAN. After allocating bandwidth to the plurality of subscriber services based on requirements determined from information provided by the service provider and the plurality of subscriber devices, the bandwidth management system can borrow bandwidth from non-critical subscriber services to meet the increased bandwidth requirement of other subscriber services in accordance to the subscriber's instructions. On completion of the subscriber services requiring the increased bandwidth, the bandwidth management system can reallocate bandwidth in accordance with the requirements determined from information provided by the service provider and the plurality of subscriber devices.
US08484346B2
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods for phased rollout of an upgraded version of a web-based business information system are described. URLs associated with client requests remain the same even where the target subscriber accounts have been upgraded. Client requests for both upgraded and non-upgraded accounts are received by a common set of web servers. Client requests representing external entry points are trapped, and the receiving web server accesses a login router database to determine whether the target subscriber account is upgraded or non-upgraded, and then transfers the request to an appropriately-versioned application server. Application server sets are mapped to database sets according to system version, allowing the upgraded system database schema to be substantially different than the non-upgraded database schema. An early adopter program business method leveraging the abilities of such web-based business information system is also described. Applications to environments other than phased rollout are described, such as URL-agnostic differentiation and routing of client requests according to class-of-service of the target subscribing account.
US08484334B2
A method of providing an application with a resource of a computer system includes storing a set of rules for assigning resources of the computer system, identifying an event, and assigning the resource to the application based on the event and at least rule in the set of rules. The method may also include receiving an event message that corresponds to the event, where the event is identified from the event message.
US08484329B2
A device management system has lighting device controlling units and measurement management units, each of which is disposed in each sub area. In addition, the lighting device controlling units and the measurement management units are configured to communicate with an area unit which is disposed in each sub area. The area unit is configured to communicate with the lighting device controlling units and the measurement management units via a communication packet. The area unit further has a router which is configured to prevent the communication packet from leaking to the communication network having an upper management device in the high hierarchy level. The area unit is configured to communicate with the upper management device through the router.
US08484325B1
A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing a single console for managing the pre- and post-operating system operation of a computer system are provided. One system includes a management appliance that can establish a network connection to a server computer, receive remote console data from the server computer formatted using one of a multitude of remote console protocols, detect the remote console protocol utilized to format the remote console data, convert the remote console data from the detected protocol to a common protocol, and to transmit the converted remote console data to a remote console application for display. The system also includes a remote console application for receiving the converted remote console data from the management appliance, decoding the converted remote console data, and utilizing the decoded remote console data to display the remote console data in a single graphical user interface window.
US08484322B2
Disclosed is a method for reconfiguring a network including a plurality of routers each having a redundant function.According to the method, when the network is separated into a plurality of partial networks each including at least one of the plurality of routers, each of the separated plurality of partial networks is reconfigured as a subnet so as to transfer packets between the each of the plurality of partial networks and a network other than the plurality of partial networks via one of the plurality of routers included in the each of the plurality of partial networks.
US08484320B2
A service providing server transmits service information to a wireless communication terminal via a wireless base station. The service information includes AP identification information of AP software necessary to execute each of a plurality of wireless services, and a utilization priority level of the AP software. The wireless communication terminal receives the service information and displays the name of AP that has the highest priority level in the service information (S55). If an application menu is selected in this state (S56), the name of the AP that has the next highest priority level is displayed (S55). If executing AP software is selected (S56) while the name of the AP is being displayed, this AP software is started up (S53).
US08484315B2
Optimization constraints are used to select an appropriate content item from an available group of content items which are ordered in a specific manner to facilitate the proper selection of the content item, even if the exact item desired is not present. The server is then able to insert the selected content item into the outgoing content page requested by the client. The optimization constraints can be, but are not limited to, anyone of the following: communication channel performance (bandwidth), client operating system, client processor, client display capabilities, client installed software (video or audio codecs for example), and/or user preferences. A software product and method enable selective delivery of content to client devices of varying performance characteristics, including varying bandwidth, by selective filtering and inclusion of markup language content using tags demarcating optional content. An optimization constraint is used to select one of the items.
US08484312B2
Manufacture of an information handling system that includes wireless service through a wireless wide area network includes an image having an operating system with a wireless service provider registry entry and an end user wireless service entry. The registry entries are applied upon power up to automatically configure the information handling system's wireless radio to interface with a wireless service and to provision the information handling system on the wireless service. Updates to the wireless service are provided by updates to the registry entries.
US08484309B2
A method, system and computer program product for controlling an access to a data resource are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method for controlling an access to a data resource comprises: communicating a request for the access to the data resource from a requester to an owner of the data resource for validation, the communicating being implemented by a network server; and generating information required by an access implementation server to implement a validated access and updating a data storage device with the generated information.
US08484305B2
A system, apparatus, and method for controlling the operation of a service in a client device. The invention uses an existing protocol which is used for communications between an application resident in the device and a remote server to convey information about the service to the application. The information may be relevant to a service specific function, such as configuration or provisioning, or an activation or de-activation instruction, for example. The application receives the service related information, processes the information and then provides the information to the service via a notification channel. The service related information may be incorporated into a message sent from the remote server to the client device by using an element of the protocol, for example, by appending a text string to a header.
US08484303B2
A method or system for synchronizing e-mail messages for a user, particularly for POP3 protocols. E-mail messages addressed to the user are received at an e-mail control at a local server, from an external e-mail server. The e-mail control stores each e-mail message in a consolidated e-mail storage at the local server. The e-mail control stores a message identifier for each e-mail message, in a message identifier storage at the local server. It is determined whether an e-mail message in the consolidated e-mail storage has been deleted from the external e-mail server, and if so, then the e-mail message is deleted from the consolidated e-mail storage.
US08484299B2
A transmitting terminal can transmit a content held by itself to a specific receiving terminal having no email software as if using a mailer. The transmitting terminal (10) and the receiving terminal (20) are connected to a delivery server (30) via a network (4). The delivery server (30) comprises: a database (36) for registering the device ID that specifies the receiving terminal (20); a content storage (39) for temporarily storing a content transmitted from the transmitting terminal (10); and table (33, 37) for managing contents separately on a per device ID basis of the receiving terminal. The delivery server (30), when receiving a request from the receiving terminal (20), refers to the tables (33, 27) and transmits to the receiving terminal (20) a content, the transmission destination of which corresponds to the device ID of the receiving terminal (20).
US08484292B2
In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods provide a client-server infrastructure capable of supporting a variety of asynchronous and synchronous collaboration activities in a so-called collaboration place. Some of these activities include chatting, viewing and/or editing one or more data files, and sharing one or more applications, data files, and/or displays. The client-server infrastructure supports seamless navigation between the supported asynchronous and synchronous activities in the collaboration place. Additionally, the client-server architecture supports data persistence, so that data files associated with the collaboration place can be stored for subsequent access.
US08484291B1
Commands associated with an update allow a presenter display to be recreated by a viewer. The commands are delineated by end of update markers. Commands are transmitted to viewers in viewer updates to allow viewers to see information that was shown on the presenter display as it existed at a particular point in time. A target end of update marker will be selected for a viewer update and all commands necessary to recreate the presenter display at that point in time will be transmitted to the viewer. Since the target end of update marker may cause several presenter updates to be included in a given viewer update, some of the commands in the update queue may not need to be transmitted to the viewer. Prunability indicators are therefore added to commands to allow commands to be selected for transmission to a viewer based on the target end of update marker.
US08484288B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product link information associated with a virtual world with information associated with a social collaboration platform. A virtual world user identifier and a social collaboration platform user identifier are stored. The virtual world identifier is associated with a set of virtual world contacts for the respective user. The social collaboration platform user identifier is associated with a set of social collaboration contacts for the user. The virtual world user identifier is linked to the social collaboration platform user identifier. An association is determined between at least one of the set of social collaboration contacts and the virtual world identifier set of virtual world contacts and the social collaboration platform user identifier, respectively, for the respective user. An information set associated with at least one of the virtual world user identifier and the social collaboration identifier is updated to include the association.
US08484286B1
A method and system for collecting the contents of a computer network. There is a single Data Store, one or more Address Dispatchers, and Data Fetchers. A Fetcher requests a network site address from a Dispatcher, collects information from that site, and sends it to the Data Store. A Central Dispatcher retrieves usable addresses from the information stored in the Data Store. Deployed Dispatchers receive addresses from the internal database of a Network Hosting Service Provider (NHSP). A Global Fetcher resides anywhere on the network. A Deployed Fetcher resides on a dedicated resource within an NHSP. A Community Fetcher resides on a private personal computer that has relatively continuous access to the network, collecting only textual information, thereby producing relatively little network traffic. As a consequence, the Community Fetcher can run in the background, leading to the use of multitudes of volunteers, each running a Community Fetcher.
US08484282B2
A high-speed content transformation method, system and apparatus. The method can include inspecting a request for transcoded content to determine input documents required to produce the requested transcoded content; determining whether the input documents have been characterized as standalone, and further determining freshness criteria for the input documents which are determined to have been characterized as standalone; locating in cache storage previously generated transcoded content corresponding to the input documents determined to have been characterized as standalone; and, serving the previously generated transcoded content in response to the request rather than generating the requested transcoded content using the input documents where the previously transcoded content meets the freshness criteria.
US08484274B2
Padding or adding data to a data signal can increase the speed with which a signal processor can process the data. Methods are provided herein that can accurately predict the optimal pad size of a two dimensional array of data, which can be used to increase the processing speed of a signal processor by optimizing run-time for a two-dimensional (2-D) fast Fourier transform (FFT) operation.
US08484272B2
To transmit a multi-carrier signal, a transmitter provides zero symbols for guard subbands, performs OFDM modulation, and filters the resultant time-domain samples with a pulse shaping filter. To transmit a single-carrier signal, the transmitter partitions the single-carrier signal into segments. Each segment contains up to K samples and is padded, if needed, to the length of an OFDM symbol. Each padded segment is transformed from the time domain to the frequency domain to generate a corresponding frequency-domain segment with K symbols. For each frequency-domain segment, the symbols corresponding to the guard subbands are set to zero. Each frequency-domain segment is then transformed from the frequency domain to the time domain to generate a corresponding time-domain segment. A cyclic prefix may or may not be appended to each time-domain segment. Each time-domain segment is filtered with the same pulse shaping filter to generate an output waveform for the single-carrier signal.
US08484269B2
Aggregates are calculated from a data stream in which data is sent in a sequence of tuples, in which each tuple comprises an item identifier and a timestamp indicating when the tuple was transmitted. The tuples may arrive at a data receiver out-of-order, that is, the sequence in which the tuples arrive are not necessarily in the same sequence as their corresponding timestamps. In calculating aggregates, more recent data may be given more weight by a decay function which is a function of the timestamp associated with the tuple and the current time. The statistical characteristics of the tuples are summarized by a set of linear data summaries. The set of linear data summaries are generated such that only a single linear data summary falls between a set of boundaries calculated from the decay function and a set of timestamps. Aggregates are calculated from the set of linear data summaries.
US08484265B1
Circuitry for deriving a range-reduced value of an angle represented by a number having a mantissa and an exponent includes memory that stores a table that identifies, for each one of a plurality of values of the exponent, a base fractional rotation associated with said one of said plurality of values of said exponent, and an incremental fractional rotation associated with each increment of said mantissa. The circuitry further includes a multiplier that multiplies the mantissa by the incremental fractional rotation to provide a product representing a mantissa contribution. An adder adds the base fractional rotation to any fractional portion of the mantissa contribution. The fractional portion of the result of that addition represents the range-reduced angle. That representation can be multiplied by a constant representing one complete rotation in a desired angular measurement system, to convert that representation to a value representing the range-reduced angle in that measurement system.
US08484235B2
Embodiments of the invention comprise a method for dynamically switching a serialization method of a data structure. If use of the serialization mechanism is desired, an instruction to obtain the serialization mechanism is received. If use of the serialization mechanism is not desired and if the serialization mechanism is in use, an instruction to obtain the serialization mechanism is received. If use of the serialization mechanism is not desired and if the serialization mechanism is not in use, an instruction to access the data structure without obtaining the serialization mechanism is received.
US08484226B2
Collaborative-filtering software creates a neighborhood using a map-reduce architecture by pair-wise application of a similarity measure to a sparse matrix of users and items of media designated by the users. The collaborative-filtering software then generates recommendations for a particular user by rating items of media designated by other users in the neighborhood (but not the particular user). The collaborative-filtering software rates the item of media, using a weighted vote of the users in the neighborhood. The weighted vote depends at least in part on the mean similarity of the users in the neighborhood who have designated the item of media. Then the collaborative-filtering software records the item of media as a recommendation for subsequent presentation to the other user, if the rating of the item of media is among the highest in comparison to the ratings of other items of media designated by users in the neighborhood.
US08484225B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for predicting object identity using an ensemble of predictors. In one aspect, a method includes selecting candidate objects that likely match a received object that is to be identified, from a database of objects, and providing attributes of the received object compared with those of the candidates to an ensemble of predictors having respective properties. Based on previous training, each predictor can predict a most likely candidate. From among the most likely candidates, a previously trained support vector machine can select a potential match candidate. If a score that the support vector machine associates with the potential match candidate, that is representative of the potential match candidate's likelihood to match the received candidate satisfies a threshold, then the potential match candidate can be determined to be the received candidate.
US08484224B1
A system and method for ranking geofeed results is provided. A geofeed includes a collection of content, aggregated from various content providers, that is relevant to one or more geographically definable locations. The generated content may include, for example, video, audio, images, text, hyperlinks, and/or other content that may be relevant to a geographically definable location. The content providers may include, for example, social media platforms, online knowledge databases, individual content creators, and/or other providers that can distribute content that may be relevant to a geographically definable location. The system may rank a plurality of geofeeds based on attributes of individual geofeeds or content within each geofeed, rank content within a geofeed based on attributes of the content, display the ranked geofeeds, and/or display the ranked content within a geofeed.
US08484221B2
Documents are assigned to one or more indexes in a document indexing system on the basis of document properties such as total number of tokens in the document, number of numeric tokens in the document, number of alphabetic tokens in the document, size of the document, and metadata associated with the document. Based on statistical distributions of document properties (over a large number of documents), different indexes can be defined, and a document router can direct a particular document to one index or another based on the properties of the particular document. In some implementations, certain document properties may be used to identify a nonrelevant document, or garbage document, so that it is either not indexed or assigned to an index dedicated for such documents.
US08484220B2
A database system uses indexes to improve performance. The system can use one or more of the following: differentiated subfields for index clustering; set function calculations to reduce the amount of I/O; and/or using an inferred index in a circular table.
US08484219B2
Developing a knowledgebase associated with a user interface is disclosed. Development of the knowledgebase includes cataloging local data associated with a user, collecting remote data associated with the user, recording information associated with verbal input received from the user, tracking acts performed by the user to determine user idiosyncrasies, and updating the knowledgebase with the cataloged local data, the collected remote data, the recorded information, and the user idiosyncrasies. The updated knowledgebase is then provided to a component of a user interface.
US08484217B1
Methods and systems for collecting and processing large volumes of data to determine the relevancy and value thereof comprise: deploying one or more data retrieval modules to interface with one or more data sources within the local network, wherein the one or more data retrieval modules comprise executable program code; executing the one or more data retrieval modules to perform operations comprising: accessing application data representing data stored or communicated through the one or more data sources; and forwarding the application data for analysis; and analyzing the forwarded application data to determine whether it is relevant to the topic, wherein the analyzing is performed by one or more devices within the local network.
US08484215B2
A method for clustering data elements stored in a data storage system includes reading data elements from the data storage system. Clusters of data elements are formed with each data element being a member of at least one cluster. At least one data element is associated with two or more clusters. Membership of the data element belonging to respective ones of the two or more clusters is represented by a measure of ambiguity. Information is stored in the data storage system to represent the formed clusters.
US08484202B2
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for interleaving multiple sets of blended search results to identify a preferred set of blended search results for a search query or for a category of search queries. A search query is received and routed to multiple ranking systems, which return search results that are blended into sets of blended search results. Interleaving experiments are performed to determined, based on user preferences, which set of blended search results are preferred for that particular search query. Based on the outcome, a preferred blending algorithm is identified.
US08484199B1
Ranking of geographic information includes receiving information about geographic features, identifying documents based on the information, each document being associated with one of the geographic features, and generating a rank score for each document based on one or more properties of the geographic feature associated with the document.
US08484190B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for query clarification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in computer-implemented methods that include the actions of receiving in a search interface a user input associated with a search query; determining whether the associated search query is a trigger query, the trigger query being a query identified for clarification; when the search query is a trigger query, prompting the user for additional information to form a clarified search query, the clarified search query including the additional information, the prompting occurring prior to submission of the search query to a search system; and submitting the clarified search query to the search system.
US08484186B1
Methods and systems are provided for determining a person that matches a user request. A user request may be received that includes identification information at least partially identifying a person other than the requesting user, the request including a name of the person. Personal information regarding the requesting user and validated personal information regarding individuals potentially matching the request may be retrieved. A score may then be determined for each potentially matching individual, where the score is determined by comparing the personal information regarding the requesting user and the validated personal information regarding the given individual. A matching individual may then be determined based on the determined scores.
US08484182B1
A system and method of searching data stored on a wireless device is provided. Using a search request to search data stored on a wireless device which is received at a first processing node from a second processing node, the first processing node performs a search of the data stored on the wireless device. Search results are generated at the first processing node based on the search, and the search results are provided from the first processing node to the second processing node.
US08484164B1
A system and method for providing a substantially constant-time copy operation for file system objects managed by a network storage server begins by generating a new file based on metadata in a source file. The system then generates a snapshot of the source file or the logical volume in which the source file resides. The system then copies each of the indirect blocks of the source file to a corresponding location in the destination file. During the copy process, a modified set of file system operations can be executed on the destination metadata container. In response to a read request directed to a target block in the destination file, the system determines if target block has been copied. If the block has not been copied, the system provides a data segment from the corresponding data block in the snapshot. Write requests are processed by generating a new data block and adding a reference to the new data block to the target location in the destination metadata container. During the copy process, the system checks each block reference before copying to determine if the block reference has been modified by a write operation. If the block was modified, the system skips copying that particular block reference. The system provides additional operations to execute truncate and append operations during the copy process.
US08484161B2
In general, the invention relates to a method for migrating a source file system residing on a source server to a destination server. The method includes sending a first snapshot of the source file system from the source server to the destination server and creating, using the first snapshot, a migrated file system on the destination server. The method further includes sequentially sending, to the destination server, a set of snapshot deltas including modifications to the source file system, updating the migrated file system using the set of snapshot deltas, determining that a freeze threshold is exceeded, freezing the source file system, sending a final snapshot delta from the source server to the destination server, updating the migrated file system using the final snapshot delta, creating a file system husk referencing the migrated file system, and thawing the source file system and the migrated file system.
US08484160B2
Systems and methods for fault handling are presented. In one embodiment, a fault handling method includes: performing an information collection process, wherein the information collection process includes collecting information regarding guest operating system files of a virtual machine; performing a selective replication region identification process, wherein the selective replication region identification process includes identifying regions associated with a selective amount of the guest operating system files; and performing a replication process based upon result of the replication region identification process. In one embodiment, the selective replication region identification process includes identifying regions associated with files of interest. The selective replication region identification process can include identifying regions associated with temporary files. The information regarding files can include a list of regions used by the files after loopback mounting of a virtual disk file, a list of regions which have been modified on the virtual disk file and regions associated with metadata that has changed.
US08484153B2
Systems and methods are provided for predicting a circadian state of an individual. The methods comprise: providing a model representative of the response of the circadian state to light stimulus, the model comprising at least one model variable representative of a probability distribution function (PDF) of a phase offset of the circadian state of the individual; and using the model to estimate an updated PDF of the phase offset, wherein using the model to estimate the updated PDF of the phase offset comprises performing a Bayesian estimation process commencing with an initial PDF of the phase offset and iterating toward the updated PDF of the phase offset.
US08484148B2
The present invention is directed to predicting whether two character strings refer to a same subject. An exemplary embodiment includes using a set of character-string pairs, which have been identified as either matches or nonmatches, to learn a function. The function can then be applied to the two character strings to quantify a likelihood that they refer to the same subject matter. For example, a kernel-based classifier analyzes the set of character-string pairs using a kernel function. Based on the analysis the classifier can generate parameters. The parameters are usable to define a prediction algorithm that when applied to the two character strings generates a prediction value, which suggests whether the two characters are matches, i.e., refer to the same subject matter.
US08484140B2
One goal of computer services (e.g., email, web pages, blogs, advertisements, etc.) is to provide a user with Kinds (digital representations of everyday things) that may be relevant and interesting to the user. Users and Kinds may be plotted within a multidimensional matrix as feature vectors based upon their respective characteristics. An unsupervised clustering technique may be executed upon the matrix to create a mathematical cluster of feature vectors having similar characteristics. For example, a clothing cluster may comprise a dress Kind, a shoe Kind, a wool Kind, a watch Kind, etc. because the unsupervised clustering technique may determine these Kinds are plotted within the matrix in such a way that they have similar characteristics relating to clothing. The unsupervised clustering technique may also be utilized in determining which Kinds may be relevant to a user given a particular context with which a user is engaged with a computer resource.
US08484135B2
A method of classifying retail products and services includes providing a listing of groupings of at least one of retail products and services in a computerized system, and providing a listing of price level groups defined within the computerized system. The method also includes receiving a user selection of groupings of at least one of retail products and services from the listing of groupings of at least one of retail products and services and a user-selected price level group from the listing of price level groups. The method also includes and assigning the user-selected price level group to the user selection of groupings.
US08484131B2
A method for processing a financial transaction such as an electronic bill payment is provided. The method includes receiving an electronic bill payment wherein the bill payment is submitted on behalf of a consumer in response to a bill associated with a biller, determining using a computer system that the received electronic bill payment is an exception payment wherein the exception payment includes the electronic bill payment submitted by the consumer having consumer entered information not matching a criterion for accepting electronic payment required by the biller, creating an exception addenda record for the exception payment using data stored within a database wherein the addenda record identifies the consumer submitting the exception payment, and posting the exception payment to an appropriate consumer account for the biller based on the addenda record.
US08484128B2
A method for transferring a digital payment order from a first terminal device to a second terminal device, and for saving the payment order on a payment order server. A payment order request is sent from the first terminal device to the payment order server and, in response, the requested payment order is sent from the payment order server to the first terminal device. The payment order is thereafter transmitted from the first terminal device to the second terminal device, and the payment order is then transferred from the second terminal device to the payment order server to be honored. A message confirming the honoring of the payment order is sent to the second terminal device.
US08484118B1
A method, data processor and program product, for performing an analysis of one or more instruments and/or one or more actors acting on the one or more instruments. In one embodiment a competence measure Cij is computed for at least one pair of instrument i and actor j; wherein i is an index which runs through the one or more instruments and j is an index which runs through the one or more actors; and wherein said computing the competence measure Cij of actor j on instrument i comprises maintaining a cumulative sell valueij and a cumulative purchase valueij respectively based on sell valuesij and/or purchase valuesij, and computing a value which is about equal to: ( cumulative sell value ij - cumulative purchase value ij ) minimum of ( cumulative sell value ij , cumulative purchase value ij ) .
US08484111B2
An integrated system for managing changes in regulatory and non-regulatory requirements for business activities at an industrial or commercial facility. Application of this system to environmental, health and safety activities, and to food, drug, cosmetic, and medical treatment and device activities, are discussed as examples. The system: provides one or more databases that contain information on operations and requirements concerning an activity or area of business; receives information on regulatory and non-regulatory changes that affect operations of the business; converts these changes into changes in data entry forms, data processing and analysis procedures, and presentation (by printing, electronic display and/or distribution) of data processing and analysis results to selected recipients, without requiring the services of one or more programmers to re-key and/or reformat the items affected by the change; and implements receipt of change information and dissemination of data processing and analysis results using the facilities of the Internet.
US08484105B2
A system and method facilitates the audit process involving a business client, an auditor, and a third-party by providing confirmations for the client upon the auditor's request. An auditor or requestor receives an audit number from the audited client as evidence of authorization for requesting confirmation from a third-party, such as a legal professional. The confirmation request submitted by the requestor will be stored in a network-based computer confirmation system and transmitted to the relevant third-party responder. The third-party then provides necessary confirmation data (i.e., response data) to the confirmation system which forwards a completed confirmation to the auditor. The involved third-party can be a bank or financial institution, another entity in business relationship with the client, or any other entity that has access to the requested data associated with the client, such as a legal professional.
US08484099B1
A system can compare a newer model of a product to an older model of a product to determine attributes or features that are new to the newer model of the product. The system can then identify other products in the same product category as the newer model of the product that includes the new attribute or product feature. The system can recommend one or more of the products with the new product feature to a potential customer. In some cases, the system may identify an average upgrade time interval for upgrading the product. Then, if the system determines that the upgrade time interval has elapsed since a user obtained the older model of the product, the system can recommend the newer model of the product and/or other products that include the new product feature to the user.
US08484096B2
A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.
US08484093B2
A system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption provides customers making online purchases to automatically retrieve and redeem all applicable rebates and coupons during an online purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system makes purchases from merchants or manufacturers using all applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system automatically retrieves coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site and to retrieve manufacturer's and merchant's coupons prior to an online purchasing activity for subsequent submission to an online merchant during a subsequent purchasing activity.
US08484092B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating user communities based on common interests. Users demonstrating a potential interest in a product and/or product class in an electronic commerce system are identified. A geographic location of each of the users can also be identified. The geographic area can be expanded or reduced so that the pool of users in a community meets minimum and/or maximum thresholds. An event can be created on behalf of the users in an establishment. An electronic forum can also be created. The users in a community can also be linked together in a social networking system.
US08484083B2
A method and apparatus for targeting messages to users in a social network, for example by first identifying topics in the social network is provided. One embodiment of a method for discovering topics in a social network includes collecting information from the social network, the information including at least one of: interactions between users of the social network or profile information for the users, determining a global topic model including at least one topic, based on the collected information, and locally refining the global topic model in accordance with the collected information.
US08484082B2
An exemplary system includes a publisher subsystem configured to communicate with an access device and an advertiser device over a data communication network. The publisher subsystem includes a publish module, a session module, and an allocation module. The publish module is configured to publish content over the data communication network, the content including an advertisement. The session module is configured to detect a selection of the advertisement, initiate a session between the access device and the advertiser device in response to the selection, the advertiser device being associated with the advertisement, and receive feedback from the advertiser device. The allocation module is configured to allocate revenue based on the feedback. In some examples, the amount of the revenue is independent of the feedback.
US08484075B1
An advertisement associated with a bid and a budget for placement of the advertisement is received, and a determination as to whether to present the advertisement is made. A number of times the advertisement is presented is calculated, and the number of times the advertisement is not presented is calculated. An impression share statistic for the advertisement is calculated based on the calculation of the number of times the advertisement is presented and the calculation of the number of times the advertisement is not presented.
US08484070B2
A system coupled to one or more vending machines, such as soft drink vending machines, via a wireless data link can acquire operational vending data, for example sales data, hardware status, and product temperature. The system can compile data from multiple vending machines dispersed across a geographic area such as a city or state. The system can include software that refines the vending operations of one or more such vending machines based on analysis of acquired data, taking into consideration other information such as market, business, seasonal, or environmental factors. Refining vending operations can include adjusting product offerings, relocating vending machines, replicating favorable conditions, and addressing unexpected sales variations.
US08484062B2
A method, operable on a processing device, for assessment of skills of a user may include receiving, by the processing device, an error message reporting an error associated with the user. The method may also include determining, by the processing device, a categorization of the error. Determining the categorization of the error may include assigning one of a plurality of predetermined skill ratings to the user. Each predetermined skill rating may be associated with a predefined condition. The method may additionally include generating, by the processing device, a report for assessment of the skills of the user. The report may include an identification of the user, the error, identification of a system if a system associated error, identification of a product if a product associated error, the categorization of the error and the predetermined skill rating assigned to the user.
US08484061B2
A method of scheduling events includes receiving event data specifying sessions for an event, an event duration that encompasses a plurality of time slots, a respective duration for each session, a respective start time for the event and the sessions, and information describing a plurality of attendees; generating a first list of each possible set of time slots within which each session can be scheduled based upon the respective start times; generating a second list by removing each possible set of time slots for each session that is less than the duration specified for the session; performing a scheduling process for each session; and sending a respective electronic message presenting the schedule to each attendee.
US08484060B2
A system and method for calculating task times for a project. A project estimating system is disclosed that allocates time to a list of tasks, comprising: a system for determining a total project time to complete a project; and a time allocation system that generates a task time for each task based on the total project time and an estimating factor associated with each task, wherein the time allocation system includes an iterative algorithm that iteratively calculates an adjustment factor to be applied to each task. Finally, the calculated adjustment factor can be compared against preset levels and provide an indication of project risk and the likelihood that the project will complete on time.
US08484052B2
A computer system for receiving and evaluating requests for quotes for insurance services includes a processor; and a memory storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is adapted to: receive via a communications interface data including a request for a quote to provide insurance services with respect to a first risk; verify and augment the received data with respect to one or more sources of data; determine based on the verified and augmented received data whether a quote will be provided with respect to the first risk; and provide an output signal including the received data and at least a portion of the augmented data to a third party server.
US08484049B2
A tissue tracking system is disclosed that provides tissue tracking, for example, at medical facilities. The tissue tracking system may be incorporated with a supply chain, billing, inventory, and/or order systems. In some embodiments, the tissue tracking system may also track environmental conditions of the tissue during reception, storage and issuance. Tissue sequestration methods are also disclosed.
US08484043B2
The invention provides a method and system for performing activity-based costing and procedure margin analysis for medical practices. Medical practice costs are allocated across relevant production activity based on procedure-specific, location-specific, modifier-adjusted Relative Value Units. Procedure production volumes, production costs and Payer fees are integrated and analyzed to determine such values as Procedure volumes, Procedure costs, Procedure Margins, Payer Margins and Percent Payer Margins. The results are presented in meaningful reports, tables and graphs, including representations by Practice, Provider, Procedure, and Payer.
US08484038B2
An audio signal decoder includes a transform domain path configured to obtain a time-domain representation of a portion of an audio content on the basis of a first set of spectral coefficients, a representation of an aliasing-cancellation stimulus signal and a plurality of linear-prediction-domain parameters. The transform domain path applies a spectrum shaping to the first set of spectral coefficients to obtain a spectrally-shaped version thereof. The transform domain path obtains a time-domain representation of the audio content on the basis of the spectrally-shaped version of the first set of spectral coefficients. The transform domain path includes an aliasing-cancellation stimulus filter to filter the aliasing-cancellation stimulus signal in dependence on at least a subset of the linear-prediction-domain parameters. The transform domain path also includes a combiner configured to combine the time-domain representation of the audio content with an aliasing-cancellation synthesis signal to obtain an aliasing reduced time-domain signal.
US08484036B2
A wideband speech encoder according to one embodiment includes a narrowband encoder and a highband encoder. The narrowband encoder is configured to encode a narrowband portion of a wideband speech signal into a set of filter parameters and a corresponding encoded excitation signal. The highband encoder is configured to encode, according to a highband excitation signal, a highband portion of the wideband speech signal into a set of filter parameters. The highband encoder is configured to generate the highband excitation signal by applying a nonlinear function to a signal based on the encoded narrowband excitation signal to generate a spectrally extended signal.
US08484029B2
A device for booting a handheld apparatus by sound detection includes a base, a power-on device, a trigger switch, and an acoustic sensor. Upon the handheld apparatus being placed at the base to trigger the trigger switch, the trigger switch controls the power-on device to power on the handheld apparatus. After the handheld apparatus is powered on, the acoustic sensor detects a sound of the handheld apparatus and then controls a pressure head of the power-on device to move away. The device and its method for booting a handheld apparatus by sound detection come with the advantages of a simple and easy operation and a high efficiency.
US08484026B2
A portable audio control system that controls an audio signal transmitted from an electronic device, including an earphone device and an audio control device. The audio control device includes an audio source receiver, a signal synthesis module, and an audio output unit. The audio receiver, which is connected with the electronic device, is used for receiving the audio signal. The signal synthesis module receives both the audio signal and a voice signal coming from an external audio resource, and then synthesizes those signals. The audio transmitter is used to output the synthesized sound to the earphone device. As users utilize the portable audio control system to connect with the electronic device, both sound from the electronic device and the external voice or song can be listened at the same time.
US08484018B2
An input frame data producing unit produces from data stored in an input buffer input frames each including a predetermined number of sub-frames of a first hopsize determined based on the first frame size and the overlapping rate. A frame processing unit executes a window function on the input frames and shifts the windowed input frames by the first hopsize and overlaps the shifted input frames, storing the overlapped frames in an output frame. An output buffer data producing frame unit stores data from the output frame to an output buffer including a predetermined number of sub-frames of a second hopsize. A CPU sets the first hopsize and overlapping rate in a slow-speed reproduction when the reproducing speed ratio is set lower than 1 different from in a high-speed reproduction when the reproducing speed ratio is set larger than 1.
US08484017B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving (i) audio data that encodes a spoken natural language query, and (ii) environmental audio data, obtaining a transcription of the spoken natural language query, determining a particular content type associated with one or more keywords in the transcription, providing at least a portion of the environmental audio data to a content recognition engine, and identifying a content item that has been output by the content recognition engine, and that matches the particular content type.
US08484016B2
A method is described herein that includes acts of receiving a selection of a first phrase in a first language and executing a random walk over a computer-implemented multipartite graph, wherein the multipartite-graph includes a first set of nodes that are representative of phrases in the first language, a second set of nodes that are representative of phrases in a second language, and edges between nodes that are representative of relationships between the respective phrases. The random walk includes traversals over edges of the graph between nodes. The method also includes the act of indicating that a second phrase in the first language is a paraphrase of the first phrase based at least in part upon the random walk.
US08484014B2
A method and system for identifying documents relevant to a query that specifies a part of speech is provided. A retrieval system receives from a user an input query that includes a word and a part of speech. Upon receiving an input query that includes a word and a part of speech, the retrieval system identifies documents with a sentence that includes that word collocated with a word that is used as that part of speech. The retrieval system displays to the user an indication of the identified documents.
US08484010B2
Disclosed in this specification is a method for identifying at least one aptamer that can bind to a bio-molecular target. The aptamer is designed in silico based on the structure of the target molecule. The process includes the steps of determining a first seed residue and growing an oligomer, one residue at a time, while maximizing the entropy of target-oligomer complex or minimizing the binding energy after the addition of each oligomer.
US08484009B2
A method and tools for providing precise timing analysis scalable to industrial case studies with large numbers of tasks and messages are provided, including the capability to model and analyze task and message response times; ECU usage; bus usage; end-to-end latency of task/message chains; and timing synchronization problems in task/message graphs. System tasks and messages are modeled in a formalism known as calendar automaton. Models are written in a modeling language such as Promela and instrumented with code specific to the analysis specification. Models and instrumentation are automatically generated from the system description and analysis specification. The system model is subjected to exhaustive state space exploration by a compatible model checker, such as SPIN. During exploration, the instrumented code produces results for different timing analyses. Optimization techniques are provided to generate models which require less memory and time for analysis and make the method scalable to large, industrial case studies.
US08484007B2
A method and apparatus of handling instruction rejects, partial rejects, stalls and branch wrong in a simulation model provides pipeline states for various unit verification. It defines an instruction train to encounter many events of the hardware verifications. Drivers and monitors at a unit and a core simulation level can hook into the pipeline states and perform the verification easily without having to restructure the instructions in the pipeline due to rejects, partial rejects, stalls, branch wrongs. Different event counters have been placed in the instruction pipe during the events and expand the instruction train such that the instruction train provides an accurate and detailed state of each instruction so the hardware logic signals and data can be tracked and identified from each state.
US08484006B2
Executing a simulation of a computer platform, the simulation including simulation models. A dynamic quantum is accessed whose current value specifies a maximum number of units of execution a simulation model is allowed to perform without synchronizing with another simulation model. The dynamic quantum may be received from a user. Respective simulation models are invoked for execution with the current value of the dynamic quantum provided to each of the simulation models. The method also comprises modifying the value of the dynamic quantum based on a simulation event.
US08484003B2
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process measurements of wires vibrating in fluids are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a downhole assembly and a surface assembly. The downhole assembly including a sensor to measure a waveform representative of a motion of a wire vibrating within a fluid at a downhole location in a wellbore, a waveform modeler to compute a model parameter from the measured waveform, and a first telemetry module to transmit the computed model parameter to a surface location. The surface assembly including a second telemetry module to receive the computed model parameter from the downhole assembly, and a viscosity analyzer to estimate a viscosity of the fluid from the computed model parameter.
US08483997B2
A computer program product estimates performance of a back end of line (BEOL) structure of a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC). Code executes on a computer to dynamically predict an electrical resistance of the BEOL structure based on input data specific to multiple layers of the BEOL structure. The BEOL structure can be a contact or a via. The layers of the contact/via include an inner filling material and an outer liner. The code accounts for a width scatter effect of the inner filling material, as well as a slope profile of the contact/via.
US08483995B2
An automated and computerized technique as disclosed herein can be utilized to generate a modeled cutter ramp curve for a flange component. The technique can be utilized in conjunction with any suitable CAD system to render a cutter ramp curve on the modeled flange component. The system obtains a selected amount of user inputs, verifies that the user inputs are consistent with the geometry of the flange component, and generates the cutter ramp curve in response to the user inputs and the flange geometry.
US08483973B2
Disclosed is a device for analyzing the quantity of organic compounds existing in a liquid, such as ultrapure water, at the outlet from a purification device including in series a filter, an oxidizing device and a polishing device, and further including a resistivity measuring device for measuring the resistivity of water to determine the purity thereof. Only one resistivity measuring cell is used, and the outlet points of the filter and the oxidizing device are connected to the resistivity measuring cell by pipes provided with an analysis valve and/or check valves selectively enabling circulation of the liquid within them.
US08483972B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the analysis of the dissociation behavior of nucleic acids. The present invention includes methods and systems for analyzing dynamic profiles of genotypes of nucleic acids, including the steps of using a computer, including a processor and a memory, to convert dynamic profiles of known genotypes of a nucleic acid to multi-dimensional data points, wherein the dynamic profiles each comprise measurements of a signal representing a physical change of a nucleic acid containing the known genotype relative to an independent variable; using the computer to reduce the multi-dimensional data points into reduced-dimensional data points; and generating a plot of the reduced-dimensional data points for each genotype. The present invention also relates to methods and systems for calculating error statistics for an assay for identifying a genotype in a biological sample using an enhanced Monte Carlo simulation method to generate a set of N random data points for each known genotype within a class of known genotypes, where each set of N random data points has the same mean data point and covariance matrix as a data set for each of the known genotypes.
US08483971B2
A system and method for performing non-binary comparison of biological sequences includes a new measure ω0, which is a non-binary counting measure that is used in a stand alone module called VaSSA-1. This measure obtains substantially more information about sequences and comparisons between them than is gathered by conventional bioinformatics techniques.
US08483964B2
Method for deriving a reservoir property change data volume from time shifts used to time-align 4D seismic survey data (31). The time alignment is performed on at least one angle stack of 4D data to determine a time-shift data volume (32). When multiple angle stacks are used, the time shifts are corrected to zero offset. A running time window is defined, and within each window the time shifts are best fit to a straight-line function of time (depth), one angle stack at a time (33). The slopes from the straight line fits from different angle stacks are averaged at each voxel in the data volume, which yields a reservoir properties (Δv/v) data volume (34). This data volume may be filtered with a low-pass filter to improve signal-to-noise (35). The resulting data volume may be merged with the 4D data volume to expand its bandwidth (36), or it may be converted into a reservoir saturation and pressure change data volume (38) using a rock-physics model (37).
US08483963B2
A method of modeling the spatial variation in wind resource at a prospective wind farm site. The method involves calculating terrain exposure at multiple locations of interest, such as the locations of meteorological towers and prospective wind turbine locations. Measured average wind speeds from the meteorological tower locations are empirically correlated with terrain exposure to create a model wherein annual average wind speed can be calculated for any location on the site as a function of terrain exposure. The method can use upwind terrain exposure, downwind terrain exposure, or both. It can also be used together with terrain elevation to create a robust three parameter model. The method requires wind measurements from at least two meteorological towers, with improved performance when measurements are available from a larger number of meteorological towers.
US08483953B2
A map information processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor for calculating a vehicle position; a data generation unit for generating traveling locus data on the basis of the calculated vehicle position when the vehicle position deviates from a road; a registration unit for registering the traveling locus data generated by the data generation unit in a temporarily registered road list as a temporarily registered road; an operation unit for selecting one of temporarily registered roads registered in the temporarily registered road list; and an official registration unit for registering the selected temporarily registered road in an officially registered road list as an officially registered road in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit, generating road data on the basis of traveling locus data relating to the temporarily registered road, and adding the generated road data to a map data stored in a map data storage unit.
US08483949B2
A running pattern calculating apparatus and running pattern calculating method that stores road information; predicts a running state when the vehicle will travel on a road, based on the stored road information; divides the road into a plurality of sections based on the predicted running state and sets an evaluation function for each road section; and calculates a running pattern of the vehicle that will travel on the road, based on the evaluation function set for each road section.
US08483945B2
A system for a vehicle that executes a method to reduce the energy absorbed by the vehicle due to a collision, the method including actively decelerating the vehicle when it is determined that a collision with an object is possible, terminating active deceleration to allow the vehicle to move forward when it is determined that a collision with the object is inevitable just before the collision, and allowing the vehicle to make contact with the object and move generally in an opposite direction after the vehicle makes contact with the object.
US08483942B2
A center-of-gravity detection system includes a vehicle capable of carrying cargo and adapted to be towed by a towing vehicle, a shake detector configured to detect shakes in the directions of the self-weight and width of the towed vehicle during travel of the towed vehicle, and an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit is configured to derive, based upon physical quantities that correlate with the shakes, the location of the center of gravity, in three-dimensional space, of the towed vehicle.
US08483941B2
A vehicle speed monitor for monitoring the speed of a moving vehicle is provided to the vehicle at an entrance to a road. The vehicle speed monitor records instantaneous accelerations of the vehicle along three axes over time. The vehicle speed monitor may be implemented as a contact or contactless integrated circuit (IC) card. The vehicle speed monitor is returned at an exit from the road, and scalar instantaneous speeds of the vehicle are determined from the recorded instantaneous accelerations in the vehicle speed monitor. The scalar instantaneous speeds are compared to one or more speed limits between the entrance and the exit to determine any speed limit violation. The vehicle speed monitor may also function as an electronic toll card where a toll is determined from the entrance and the exit. At the exit, the driver of the vehicle is charged with a fine and a toll, if any.
US08483925B2
A device for determining a driving state of a two-axle motor vehicle, which driving state is formed from the driving situation of the motor vehicle and the state of the underlying surface, wherein output signals from vehicle on-board sensors are evaluated in order to determine the driving situation and wherein a routine for determining and/or estimating the friction value of the underlying surface is provided in order to determine the state of the underlying surface. Also disclosed is a method for operating a combined vehicle brake system, in particular for motor vehicles, having hydraulically actuable wheel brakes at a front axle and having electromechanically actuable wheel brakes at a rear axle, wherein the vehicle wheels assigned to the rear axle can be driven at least at times by an electric motor which can be operated as a generator for the recuperation of braking energy.
US08483923B2
In a method for reducing the clamping force applied by a parking brake, which may be generated at least partially by an electromechanical brake device having an electric brake motor and supplemented if necessary by a hydraulic brake device, a signal is generated for actuating the hydraulic brake device for the case that it is not possible for the brake motor to be released for reducing the clamping force.
US08483922B2
The work vehicle includes a braking device, a lubricant feeding section, and a controlling section. The controlling section configured to execute a first control in which an amount of the lubricant fed to the braking device is controlled based on a temperature of a rotating member of the braking device. The controlling section sets the amount of the lubricant to a predetermined first feed amount when the braking device is in a braking state, calculates the temperature of the rotating member, and makes a decision in the first control, based on the calculated temperature of the rotating member, to change the amount of the lubricant from the first feed amount to a second feed amount, which is smaller than the first feed amount, when the braking device is switched from the braking state to a non-braking state.
US08483915B2
A construction apparatus for foundation construction includes a chassis, a mast for guidance of at least one ground working apparatus and a support mechanism for the mast, wherein the mast is arranged in an adjustable manner on the chassis. The support mechanism has at least one support arm, which is pivotably hinged about a pivot axis on the chassis. A rotary encoder is provided for detecting the pivot angle of the support arm relative to the chassis as a degree of an adjustment position of the mast.
US08483914B2
An electrically adjustable control interface for a machine comprises a vertical adjustment assembly arranged in vertical support of a control pod module. The vertical adjustment assembly is configured to adjust a vertical position of the control pod module in response to a vertical adjustment command signal generated by a controller. The electrically adjustable control interface also comprises a horizontal adjustment assembly coupled to the control pod module. The horizontal adjustment assembly is configured to adjust a horizontal position of the control pod module in response to a horizontal adjustment command signal generated by the controller.
US08483910B2
A method for controlling a steering apparatus (10) of a vehicle includes providing a steering signal (154) indicative of a steering maneuver to be performed. A desired parameter of the steering apparatus is calculated during the steering maneuver when no external force is applied to a hand wheel (14) of the vehicle. The parameter is measured during the steering maneuver. A mode signal (182) is produced by comprising the desired parameter to the parameter. The vehicle is placed in one of an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode based on the mode signal (182).
US08483896B2
A motor control device includes: an electric circuit that supplies power, which is supplied from a power source and controlled by the electric circuit, to a motor; and a control circuit that generates a command signal to be used to control operation of the electric circuit, wherein: the control circuit generates the command signal so as to intermittently turn off power supply to the motor while the motor is being driven with power supplied to the motor and controls operation of the electric circuit based upon the command signal thus generated.
US08483890B2
A method and system for identification of ship state tonal parameters during an approach and landing of an aircraft on a ship is provided. The method comprises determining whether ship state data is available to the aircraft prior to landing of the aircraft, and when the ship state data is available to the aircraft, receiving the ship state data at the aircraft and estimating tonal parameters of the ship state data. When the ship state data is not available to the aircraft, a determination is made whether a ship tonal parameter estimation is complete. When the ship tonal parameter estimation is complete, ship state data is estimated using any last received ship state data and estimates of the ship tonal parameters. One or more relative navigation algorithms are then run using the received ship state data or the estimated ship state data to safely land the aircraft on the ship.
US08483879B2
A robotic system includes a robot adapted for moving a payload in proportional response to an input force from an operator, sensors adapted for measuring a predetermined set of operator input values, including the input force, and a controller. The controller determines a changing stiffness value of the operator using set of operator input values, and automatically adjusts a level of control sensitivity over the robot using the stiffness value. The input values include the input force, a muscle activation level of the operator, and a position of the operator. A method of controlling the robot includes measuring the operator input values using the plurality of sensors, processing the input values using the controller to thereby calculate the stiffness value, and automatically adjusting the level of control sensitivity over the robot using the stiffness value. A specific operator may be identified, with control sensitivity being adjusted based on the identity.
US08483876B2
A controller for a mobile robot which carries out task of moving an object so as to make a position of a representative point of the object and a posture of the object follow a desired position trajectory and a desired posture trajectory, in a state where distal portions of arms is made to contact a portion adjacent to one end of the object, which variably sets the position of the representative point of the object in an object coordinate system when the object is observed in the yaw axis direction, at least in accordance with the change of the desired posture about the yaw axis in the desired posture trajectory. By doing so, movement of the object appropriate for the changing pattern of the desired posture of the object is carried out.
US08483875B2
A system provided with a base station (2) comprising a signal emitting module, a self movable robot comprising at least an energy storage, a sensor for sensing this signal emitted by signal emitting module of the base station and a processor for controlling the movement of the robot by means of the sensed signal to return the robot to the base station. The robot comprises means for controlling the movement of the robot to move the robot randomly over a surface, whereby the absolute position of the robot is not memorized, means for marking the interrupt location (5) where the movement of the robot is interrupted to return to the base station and means for returning the robot from the base station to the interrupt location (5) by means of said marking.
US08483862B2
Provided is a work assembling system (1) comprising a manpower working area (30A) for transferring bodies (10) continuously, a robot working area (40) disposed on the downstream of the manpower working area (30A) for tact-transferring the bodies (10), and a first buffer space (50A) disposed at a boundary portion between the manpower working area (30A) and the robot working area (40).
US08483858B2
Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for optimizing a simulation of a machining of a workpiece performed by removing a set of swept volumes from a volume of the workpiece, wherein the volume is partitioned into a set of cells, comprising the steps of: associating with each cell a subset of distance fields representing a subset of swept volumes intersecting with the cell, wherein at least part of the subset of swept volumes forms a composite surface of the cell; subjecting the cell with a set of rays incident to the cell from at least one direction; and selecting a distance field of the subset of distance fields into an optimal subset associated with the cell, wherein a boundary of the swept volume represented by the distance field intersects with at least one ray at a point of intersection lying on the composite surface.
US08483857B2
A method for producing a dental prosthetic item, including providing a 3D model of the item. The providing includes determining an esthetically relevant designed subregion of a 3D model of the item as part of an exterior surface of the item. The subregion corresponds to a labial surface and/or incisor edge, or to a buccal and/or occlusal surface. Further steps include selecting a suitable blank, specifying a blank having a prefabricated esthetically relevant terminal subsurface of a surface of a tooth, a terminal subsurface of the blank being such as at least approximates the subregion. A further step includes forming the item from the selected blank such that a prefabricated terminal subsurface of the blank remains unmachined in at least a central region thereof. The forming includes machining the blank only in a marginal area of the terminal subsurface and on at least some surfaces outside of the terminal subsurface.
US08483847B2
According to one embodiment, a control system includes a first controller, a second controller, and a network connector. The network connector is configured to network-connect the first controller and the second controller. The first controller is configured to designate an activation mode of the second controller. The second controller is configured to be activated based on firmware corresponding to the activation mode.
