US08567689B2
A method of sanitizing pipes, etc. in a hot water supply system includes the steps of normally heating water by driving water from a water storage tank, into a heat exchanger. Typically, a water pump is stopped once the water storage tank receives a particular percentage of hot water. However, when a sanitation mode is desired, the pump is not stopped, such that the water tank becomes all, or almost all, hot water. The hot water is then delivered to the pump, and from the pump to the heat exchanger. This hot water is thus operable to sanitize pipes and the pump.
US08567687B2
A vehicle heating and/or air-conditioning system has an automatic heating and air-conditioning function. In a manual control mode, corresponding to an air quantity settable by the user with a first setting device and a desired interior temperature settable by a second setting device, a manual control of the actual interior temperature and the air quantity takes place. In an automatic-function control mode, corresponding to the desired interior temperature settable by the user and a selected air-conditioning style, an automatic-function control of the actual interior temperature takes place by controlling fans and air distribution flaps corresponding to the selected air-conditioning style. A characteristic fan curve and/or a characteristic air distribution curve is assigned to each air-conditioning style. A display unit, in which at least the air quantity manually selected by the user in the manual mode, and the air-conditioning style selected in the automatic mode uses identical illuminated symbols as its display.
US08567685B2
There is provided a short-range wireless communication apparatus and a cellular phone terminal that can surely and immediately notify a user of the optimum distance between a contactless IC card reader/writer and a contactless IC card not through an MPU or a CPU and if the contactless IC card function is locked, surely notify the user as such. In an RFID card, a magnetic field strength/brightness conversion section adjusts the brightness of two LEDs in accordance with the detected magnetic field strength of a carrier wave. A blink generation circuit detects whether the RFID card is in a communication state and blinks the LEDs if so. A function combining section combines the functions to indicate the magnetic field strength and the communication state with the brightness and blinking of the LEDs. An LED with another color illuminates only when an RFID function LSI is in a lock state.
US08567683B2
In order to decide an attribute of each data carrier without manual operation, an RFID reader (30) which is carried by a user includes an identification information acquisition unit (310) reading identification information for identifying an RFID from the RFID in the vicinity in a non-contact state, a reader position acquisition unit (315) obtaining reader position information indicating a position of the RFID reader (30) when the identification information is read, an RFID position decision unit (316) deciding representative position information indicating the position of the RFID based on the obtained reader position information, and a storage unit (32) correlating the decided representative position information with the read identification information and storing them.
US08567681B2
An infusion pump system includes an infusion channel, and a display associated with the infusion channel. The display is for rendering a scannable barcode.
US08567679B1
A card, such as a payment card, or other device may include an electronics package. The electronics package may include electronic components mounted on a flexible, printed circuit board. The electronics package may be laminated (e.g., via a hot, cold, or molding lamination process) between layers of transparent polymer. A hologram may be fixed to one side of the electronics package such that the hologram may be viewed from the exterior of the laminated card having transparent polymer layers. As such, the hologram may not be removed without breaching the integrity of a transparent polymer layer.
US08567672B2
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
US08567666B2
A light guiding device used for a reader/writer device for a noncontact communication medium is provided with a light guide plate having a transparent main body part which can transmit light inputted from an LED and a protruding part protruding from a part of an end surface of the transparent main body part. A diffusely reflecting part is provided on a lower surface side of the transparent main body part, and a first light emitting part is provided on an upper surface side of the transparent main body part. Reflecting parts are provided on an upper surface side and a lower surface side of the protruding part, and second light emitting part is provided at a leading end. of the protruding part. When the first light emitting part is covered by the noncontact communication medium, the second light emitting part can check a light emitting state.
US08567662B2
A box having top panels that lock together to keep the box in a closed condition is disclosed. A box blank or cutout from which the box is created by folding is further disclosed.
US08567661B2
A two piece shipping tray having a first unitary blank which provides a bottom panel with opposed end panels and opposed side panels connected by foldable corner gussets and a second unitary blank which provides a two walled cross divider adhered in fixed relation to the bottom panel to provide a knocked-down-flat condition in which the two walled cross divider foldably engages the bottom panel and in which the opposed side panels have a portion of the corresponding foldable corner gussets adhered in fixed relation to the opposed end panels to engage each of the opposed side panels with the bottom panel, which allows the basic configuration of the shipping tray to be manually foldably produced from the knocked-down-flat condition.
US08567655B2
A circular stapling instrument includes a casing, an anvil assembly, a staple driver, and a locking mechanism. The anvil assembly is configured to move back and forth between an open position away from the casing and a closed position adjacent the casing. The staple driver is configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The locking mechanism is configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the open position, automatically lock the staple driver in the pre-fired position preventing the staple driver from being moved to the fired position. The locking mechanism is also configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the closed position, automatically unlock the staple driver from the pre-fired position to allow the staple driver to be moved to the fired position.
US08567652B2
The present invention relates to a reversible backpack comprising at least one wall and at least two shoulder straps (43) to carry the backpack (10), attached to the wall. The wall comprises, on opposite sides and on a area above the wall, first (31a) and second hooking elements designed to be hooked alternatively to correspondent first hooking means (61) attached to first ends (51) of said shoulder straps (43) and on opposite sides and on an area lower than the wall (21), third (33a) and fourth hooking means designed to be hooked alternatively to correspondent second hooking means (62) attached to second ends (53) of said shoulder straps (43). The invention also relates to a couple of shoulder straps (43) for a backpack and to a reversible body (12) for a backpack.
US08567648B2
A spout adapter system is provided for use with at least two different containers in which each container has a threaded fitment adapted to removably receive a threaded closure cap and in which the two different containers have different thread configurations around the dispensing opening. The system includes a first and second adapter each having two ends and a fluid passageway extending between their ends as well as a dispensing spout having a fluid passageway for dispensing fluid. The spout includes a threaded connector which threadably cooperates with a threaded connector at one end of either of the adapters so that the dispensing spout may be used with either adapter. The first adapter includes a threaded portion at its other end which is configured to cooperate with the threaded fitment of one of the containers while the other adapter has a threaded portion at its other end configured to cooperate with the threaded dispensing opening of the other container. Consequently, the different adapters enable the same spout to be utilized with different containers having different sized dispensing openings.
US08567635B2
A wine glass constructed from molded plastic includes an upper body defining an upwardly narrowed flume for concentrating the wine bouquet, in combination with a contoured lower base defining an annular moat surrounding a central punt for enhanced visual inspection of the wine. In addition, the upper body further includes a notched indent at an outboard side thereof forming a shelf for facilitated fingertip grasping and manipulation of the assembled glass. In one form, the upper body and lower base of the wine glass are provided as separate modules adapted for assembly to form the wine glass, and disassembly for respective compact stacking. In another form, the wine glass has a one-piece construction adapted for compact stacking by nested reception of the upwardly narrowed flume partially into the underside of the lower base of an overlying glass in the stack.
US08567632B2
The invention relates to a cover for a culinary article comprising a lid designed to cover the culinary article and a silicone gasket running around the lid. According to the invention, in the radial direction, the gasket extends at least 10 mm, or ever 15 mm beyond the perimeter of the lid.
US08567625B2
A synthetic resin container including a mouth part 2, a shoulder part 3, a trunk part 4 and a bottom part 5, wherein the trunk part 4 has rectangular cylindrical parts 41 and 42, and a round cylindrical part 43 which is formed by narrowing into a cylindrical shape a region between the upper rectangular cylindrical part 41 positioned near the shoulder part 3 and the lower rectangular cylindrical part 42 positioned near the bottom part 5 side.
US08567624B2
A bottle includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a shoulder that extends away from a neck of the bottle, and a grip portion. The grip portion is recessed within the top portion of the bottle. The bottle may include a vacuum panel array and/or a rib array to help improve strength, reduce material and accommodate deformation forces tending to collapse the bottle upon filling with pasteurized contents.
US08567611B2
The invention discloses a filtration material for desalination, including a support layer, and a desalination layer formed on the support layer, wherein the desalination layer is a fiber composite membrane and includes at least one water-swellable polymer. The water-swellable polymer is made of hydrophilic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, and the hydrophilic monomers include ionic monomers and non-ionic monomers, and the ionic monomers include cationic monomers and anionic monomers.
US08567598B2
A container (1) for smoking articles may have a container portion (3), a lid (5) connected by a hinge to the container portion (3) and a ratchet mechanism (26, 37, 50, 60, 70, 80, 110, 120, 130, 140) to resist opening the lid (5).
US08567591B2
A longitudinal joint forms a surface usable as a passage between first and second passage surfaces (2,3) adjacent to one another, usable as walking user passage, the distance between both in the longitudinal direction being variable. The longitudinal joint (1) has transverse slats (4) attached to one another, with a substantially planar upper surface (5), each being attached to the contiguous slats by a pivot point (6) with respect to which they can rotate preserving the continuity of the surface of the longitudinal joint (1). The slats (4) rest on a series of support surfaces (8,9,12), a certain number of slats being hidden under the first passage surface (2), below the level of the upper surface (5), by the relative rotation to one another with respect to the pivot point (6), depending on the distance between first and second passage surfaces (2,3).
US08567590B2
The invention relates to the conveyance and preferably also to the electrical contacting of an item to be treated (1), for example in the form of a printed circuit board or a conductor foil, in an electrolysis system. A device according to the invention comprises a large number of clamps (10) able to move along a conveyance path (4) and driven by a continuously revolving drive means (20). The device is configured in such a way that the clamps (10) at the start (4a) of the conveyance path (4) are brought from an open state into a closed state in order to grip and preferably also electrically to contact the item to be treated, and that the clamps (10) respectively at the end (4b) of the conveyance path (4) are brought from the closed into the open state in order to re-release the item to be treated (1). For this purpose, the clamps (10) comprise a first clamping surface (19), arranged on one side of a conveyance plane (2), and a second clamping surface (17), arranged on the opposing side of the conveyance plane (2). The clamps (10) are configured in such a way that both the first clamping surface (19) and the second clamping surface (17) are movable with respect to the conveyance plane (2) in order to open or close the clamp (10).
US08567587B2
It is disclosed a matrix conveyor (10) comprising: a plurality of individual roller modules (28), wherein respectively one roller module (28) is arranged at each point of intersection of a regular grid-shaped structure (68), and wherein the roller modules (28) commonly define a conveying plane (30), which is substantially planar, for transporting a conveying good (72) thereon; and a superordinated control device (12) being adapted to individually control each of the individual roller modules (28) so that the conveying good (72) can be transported along a path (74), which can be planned in advance, wherein a shape of the path (74) is defined by a plurality of overlaps of at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) of the conveying plane (30); wherein the at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) geometrically span the conveying plane (30), and wherein each of the roller modules (64) is drivable in only one of the at least two basic conveying directions (60), wherein directly adjacent roller modules (66) are respectively drivable in the other one of the at least two basic conveying directions (62).
US08567585B2
A money handling apparatus (10, 60) includes a collecting and storing unit (20, 71, 72) provided in a housing (10a, 60a), the collecting and storing unit (20, 71, 72) being configured to store money transported by a transport unit (15, 65). A memory unit (37, 87) is configured to store an amount-of-money data which is a money amount of money stored in the collecting and storing unit (20, 71, 72), and a limit sum which is a money amount of money that can be stored in the collecting and storing unit (20, 71, 72). Based on the amount-of-money data and the limit sum respectively stored in the memory unit (37, 87), the control unit (30, 80) performs a control such that the amount-of-money data does not exceed the limit sum, when there is performed a money collecting process in which money in the collecting and storing unit (20, 71, 72) is taken out from the housing (10a, 60a) of the money handling apparatus (10, 60).
US08567583B2
A shift device includes a shaft, a hub, a sleeve, a pair of speed gears sandwiching the hub, a first synchronizer ring, a second synchronizer ring, a plurality of thrust pieces disposed in cut-off portions of the hub and a pair of springs pushing the thrust pieces outwardly in a radial direction toward the sleeve. The thrust pieces move together with the sleeve when the sleeve is moved toward the one of the speed gears, while the thrust pieces moves inwardly in the radial direction against the first and second springs when the sleeve is moved halfway toward the other of the speed gears so that the thrust pieces move in an axial direction and swing to provide different self-servo functions according to the above shift directions when they contact with the hub.
US08567579B2
A clutch apparatus includes an input shaft having a bore portion extending in an axial direction thereof, a stator shaft formed in a cylindrical shape and provided so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the input shaft, and a sleeve formed in a cylindrical shape and provided so as to surround an outer circumferential surface of the stator shaft, wherein the stator shaft includes an internal hydraulic passage, a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve and the outer circumferential surface of the stator shaft serves as a first hydraulic passage, the internal hydraulic passage serves as a second hydraulic passage, a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface of the stator shaft and the outer circumferential surface of the input shaft serves as a third hydraulic passage, and the bore portion of the input shaft serves as a fourth hydraulic passage.
US08567577B2
The luggage and air mattress combination is a wheeled luggage device including an upper compartment for storage of personal items. A lower compartment houses an inflatable mattress, which can be extended from the lower compartment and pumped up for use as a sleeping or lounging platform. A pump is housed in the luggage and connected to the mattress for inflation thereof. A backrest is also housed adjacent the lower compartment and is extracted therefrom for use. Pivotal arms are positioned adjacent the backrest to enhance the user's comfort. A canopy may be removably attached to the luggage to block out light from the surrounding area and add a modicum of privacy. An insulated liner may be provided for use in the upper compartment for the storage of food, if desired.
US08567575B2
A shock absorber, in which external gas is sucked by movement of a piston rod to obtain compressed gas, which is used for inhibiting the “lag” phenomenon. A piston valve is connected to one end of a piston rod received in an inner shell and moved between rebound and compression strokes, an inner space of the inner shell being divided into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber by the piston valve. A reservoir chamber is provided in an outer shell outside of the inner shell to supply oil to the compression chamber in the rebound stroke and to recover oil in the compression stroke. The shock absorber has a high pressure tank with a high pressure chamber installed outside of the outer shell, and a self pumping unit for sucking gas and pumping it into the high pressure chamber using energy generated by movement of the piston rod.
US08567564B2
An oil supply system for a gearbox in a gas turbine engine includes a holding container which holds a quantity of oil to be delivered to a pump. The holding container includes a flexible barrier.
US08567563B2
A vehicle bearing grease applicator and method for applying a predetermined amount of grease to vehicle wheel bearings includes a hand-holdable bearing grease applicator having a hand-holdable body with a rigid flange disposed at one end and a resilient applicator flange secured to the hand-holdable body in spaced apart relation from the rigid flange. The resilient applicator flange defines an annular concavity facing in a direction opposite the rigid flange. Grease is packed in the annular concavity defined by the applicator flange. The hand-holdable body is held and manipulated so as to align the grease packed annular concavity with a vehicle annular wheel bearing. A force is applied on the hand-holdable body to force the annular flange with the annular concavity toward the vehicle annular wheel bearing thereby applying the grease held by the applicator flange onto the vehicle annular wheel bearing.
US08567562B2
A braking system for a self-retracting lifeline assembly is provided. The braking system includes a housing, a ratchet cam and a clutch assembly. The housing includes sidewalls that form, at least in part, a cavity. The sidewalls of the housing terminate in a connecting surface that extends around the cavity. The sidewalls have a plurality of notches spaced along interior surfaces of the sidewalls. Each notch extends from the connecting surface a select distance in the interior surfaces of the sidewalls of the housing. The ratchet cam includes an inner edge that defines a central cam opening. The inner edge of the ratchet cam has a plurality of inward extending teeth. The ratchet cam further has an outer edge. The outer edge has a plurality of outward extending fingers. Each finger terminates in a finger tip. Each finger tip is received in an associated notch in the interior surface of the housing. The clutch assembly is operationally configured to engage at least one tooth of the plurality of inward extending teeth of the ratchet cam in response to a lifeline unwinding from the assembly at a rate greater than a predetermined maximum angular velocity.
US08567559B2
Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.
US08567558B2
A partition panel improves sound insulation performance and optimizes a reverberation time. The partition panel has sound absorption and insulation functions, and has a front plate having a perforated section with a plurality of through-holes and an entirely-continuous peripheral edge portion located outside the perforated section. An entirely-continuous back plate is disposed on a side opposite to a sound source across the front plate. An inner perforated plate is disposed between the perforated section of the front plate and the back plate. A front-side honeycomb core is interposed between the perforated section and the inner perforated plate, a back-side honeycomb core is interposed between the back plate and the inner perforated plate and a peripheral honeycomb core is interposed between the peripheral edge portion of the front plate and a region of the back plate opposed to the peripheral edge portion.
US08567557B2
Sound muffling flooring underlay tile systems using sonic foam-enhanced underlay board may comprise a sound-muffling tile assembly for installation underneath a floor surface to help minimize sound transfer between living areas and to provide increased insulation. The sound-muffling tile assembly may comprise a flooring base member, a cushioning film layer, and a fastener for securing the flooring base member to the cushioning film layer. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cushioning film layer may comprise a foam substance comprising an open-cell structure. In addition to actively dampening sound waves that travel through the open-cell structure of the foam substance, the cushioning film layer provides a floated surface for the floor above the sound-muffling tile assembly when installed.
US08567553B2
A reduction gear coupled to an electric motor includes: a first bearing that rotatably supports a first end portion of a worm shaft such that the worm shaft is allowed to oscillate in an oscillation direction about the first end portion; and a first elastic member that elastically urges a second bearing in such a direction that an axis-to-axis distance between the worm shaft and the worm wheel reduces. The first end portion and an output shaft of the electric motor are coupled by a joint. A second elastic member located between the joint and the first end portion elastically urges the worm shaft toward a second end portion and applies a preload on the first bearing. An outer ring of the first bearing is interposed in an axial direction by the third elastic member and the fourth elastic member.
US08567549B2
A system and method for controlling engine revolutions for a hybrid construction machine is provided. The system for controlling engine revolutions for a hybrid construction machine, including an engine, a hydraulic pump which is driven by the engine to drive a hydraulic actuator with discharged hydraulic fluid, a motor-generator which is driven by the engine to generate electricity and to drive the hydraulic pump as a motor supplementing the engine, an energy storage device which is charged with electric energy generated by the motor-generator and which supplies the electric energy for motor operation of the motor-generator, a torque detection means for detecting an output torque of the hydraulic pump that is required to drive the hydraulic actuator, and a hybrid control means for controlling the motor operation of the motor-generator so as to supplement the engine output if the change of the output torque of the hydraulic pump detected by the torque detection means exceeds a predetermined level and it is determined that an engine revolution drop will occur.
US08567546B2
A vehicle is shown such as a snowmobile, where a frame includes a cooling system operating therein having a plurality of heat exchangers. The cooling system may comprise a front radiator, a front tunnel cooler, a top tunnel cooler, and a rear cooler mounted rearwardly of the tunnel.
US08567543B2
A hybrid vehicle is provided in which a case (14) for housing an electrical component including at least a battery module is disposed underneath a floor of a luggage compartment interposed between left and right rear side frames (12) immediately to the rear of a fuel tank (42) disposed beneath a floor panel (41) of a hybrid vehicle, and a canister (48) is disposed on one of left and right sides of the case (14). Since the canister (48) is disposed further inside than the outer end of the rear side frame (12) in the left-and-right direction and further forward than the rear end of the case (14), when the vehicle is involved in a collision from the side the case (14) and the canister (48) can be protected by the rear side frame (12), and when the vehicle is involved in a collision from the rear the fuel tank (42) and the canister (48) can be protected by the case (14) while guaranteeing the capacity of a luggage compartment of a rear part of a vehicle body.
US08567533B2
A roof-bolt drill bit may include a bit body that is rotatable about a central axis and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element may include a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, a back surface opposite the cutting face, and at least one coupling feature positioned adjacent the at least one cutting element. The at least one cutting element may be secured to the bit body by the at least one coupling feature.
US08567523B2
A system for drilling a borehole according to the present invention includes a drill rig and a control system. The control system receives information from the drill rig that relates to at least one drill parameter. The control system processes information relating to the drill parameter, determines whether the drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter, chooses a hole defect mitigation routine based on the monitored drill parameter when the monitored drill parameter is outside the predetermined specification, and controls the drill rig to implement the chosen hole defect mitigation routine.
US08567521B2
A power tool includes a case; a motor installed within the case, the motor comprising a motor housing and a rotor with shaft; a gear train comprising a gear train housing and a speed reduction mechanism installed within the gear train housing and connected to the shaft of the motor. The motor housing and the gear train housing are integrally formed as a common housing and fixed relative to the case.
US08567518B2
An agricultural device is displaceable between a transport position and a working position and includes a frame having a main beam extending in a longitudinal direction, which main beam defines a longitudinal axis, and two side arms extending on both sides of the main beam to support one or more tools, wherein the side arms are hingeably connected at an inner end to a slide connection which is slidable along the main beam. The side arms are displaceable between a transport position, in which they substantially extend along the main beam, under a first angle with the main beam, and a working position, in which the side arms extend from the main beam under a second angle, larger than the first angle. The side arms are displaceable between the transport position and the working position by sliding of the slide connection along the main beam at that location.
US08567513B2
A connector to secure a blow out preventer to a casing head of a well or wellhead or other tubing and a method of securing a blow out preventer to the well tubing utilizing the connector. The connector may be configured to secure the blow out preventer adapter to the well tubing and provide, within fifteen minutes, a seal operable to withstand ten thousand pounds per square inch of pressure. The connector may include both a hydraulically operated locking segment and a separate mechanical locking segment, and wherein both locking segments may be transitioned from a fully retracted position to a fully locked position within fifteen minutes. The connector may be configured to accommodate up to ten degrees of misalignment between the blow out preventer and the tubing.
US08567512B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A tubular handling system having a tubular gripping apparatus having a gripping mechanism and a sensor adapted to track movement of the gripping mechanism, wherein the sensor sends a signal to a controller when the gripping apparatus is in a position that corresponds to the gripping apparatus being engaged with the tubular.
US08567507B2
What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.
US08567497B2
A downhole screen assembly for dispensing a tracer material and methods for using the same are provided. The downhole screen assembly can include a body having a screen disposed thereabout. The downhole screen assembly can also include chamber proximate the screen. The downhole screen assembly can further include a first member disposed about the body. The first member can have a port in fluid communication with the chamber. The downhole screen assembly can further include a second member at least partially disposed on the first member. The second member can be removable and can seal the port.
US08567480B2
A twin roll caster and a method for operating a machine of this type. The machine includes two casting rolls, that delimit a casting gap between them on its longitudinal sides; two side plates that delimit the casting gap on its narrow sides; and at least one oscillation device, which moves the side plate in an oscillating manner about an axis of oscillation, extending substantially axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the casting rolls. Oscillation device includes two actuators, which are articulatedly coupled to the one side plate and each apply a torque rotating about the axis of oscillation on the one side plate, and a control device that emits control signals, upon which the actuators, individually or together with each other, carry out adjustment movements aligned against one another or parallel to one another.
US08567479B2
The present invention concerns equipment (1) for making foundry cores comprising a mold (2) provided with one or more core forms (3) and one or more channels (4, 6, 7) for conveying core formation material to the core forms (3). The equipment comprises one or more inserts (10) housed or able to be housed in the conveying channels (4, 6, 7) near to the core forms (3).
US08567477B2
A mold core package for forming a molding tool includes a plurality of stacked particulate layers having a binding agent. The plurality of stacked particulate layers form sacrificial walls. An elongate sacrificial displacement line extends through the mold core package adjacent a forming surface of the mold core package. A mold cavity is defined by the stacked particulate layers.
US08567468B2
An apparatus for heating and pressing a printed circuit board includes a first pressing member, a second pressing member, a driving member, a heater and an electromagnetic assembly. The driving member is configured for driving the first pressing member and the second pressing member to move toward or away from each other. The heater is configured for heating one of the first and second walls, and the electromagnetic assembly is capable of generating a magnetic field to attract the second wall to create additional pressure.
US08567462B2
A rubber composition for a studless tire capable of improving the performance on snow and ice, wet performance, abrasion resistance in good balance, and a studless tire having a tread produced from the rubber composition is disclosed. The rubber composition for a studless tire includes a rubber component including modified natural rubber and butadiene rubber; aromatic oil; silica; and carbon black, wherein the amount of the aromatic oil is 15 to 80 parts by mass and the amount of the silica is 15 to 80 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US08567454B2
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.
US08567453B2
An apparatus for processing an un-inflated tire-wheel assembly for forming an inflated tire-wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm forming a pair of robotic arms; an assembling end effecter attached to the first robotic arm; and an inflating end effecter attached to the second robotic arm, wherein the assembling end effecter is indirectly interfaceable with the inflating end effecter by way of the un-inflated tire-wheel assembly. One or more methods are also disclosed. One or more components are also disclosed. One or more systems are also disclosed.
US08567439B2
A rotary flow divider, particularly for use in hydraulic circuits for applications such as dividing the output of a hydraulic pump between several differently (non-equally) loaded devices. Includes a central distributor which channels fluid from the pump to outlet ports, and an outer housing with a plurality of distribution ports (associated with different loaded devices). Repeated alignment and closure of outlet and distribution ports in a sequential type manner distributes fluid to the different devices. Such port alignment and closure is achieved by movement of the distributor and housing relative to each other in a rotational and/or linear manner, though an intermediary moving shutter device or sleeve may be used instead. Such an intermediary shutter device or sleeve may also be configured as a repositionable control sleeve to modify the nature of distribution of fluid when it is secured in different positions.
US08567435B2
A valve (10) is disclosed. The valve (10) has an inclined valve seat (14) defining a fluid aperture (18), and a valve head (20) for contact with the valve seat (14) for closure of the fluid aperture (18). A lever arm (22) is attached to the valve head (20). There are biasing means (32) operatively coupled to the lever (22) arm for urging the valve head (20) into contact with the valve seat (14), the biasing means (32) being arranged to provide decreased biasing on opening of the valve head (20) relative to the fluid aperture (18).
US08567429B2
A faucet capable of accepting different types of control valves includes an adapter disk, whereby a precise ceramic control valve can be mounted to the faucet. When the faucet is used alone without the adapter disk, a safety control valve can be mounted in the faucet. In this way, the faucet can accept two different kinds of control valves, thereby increasing the functionality thereof.
US08567427B1
Blowout preventer blocks, each having a channel and plate(s) to close it. The blocks are placed over a pipe through which oil or other fluid is escaping, so that the pipe is in their channels. Alongside the channel in each block are one or more plates, having diameters somewhat larger than the diameter of the channel. Explosive charges propel the plates into the channel to seal it off and stop the leak. When multiple blocks and/or multiple plates in a block are placed over a pipe, the assembly may be referred to as a “Christmas tree.” There are passages that allow the plates to move into place to block the channel. Leading edges of the plates act as male elements that engage female reciprocal ends of the passages to create a seal. Grooves and tunnels in the plates allow fluid to escape into the pipe to ensure a seal.
US08567414B2
Apparatus for hair styling comprising: two handles connected together so as to allow the apparatus to be opened and closed by bringing said handles apart and together, respectively, and two styling elements respectively associated with the two handles, wherein each styling element comprises a roller adapted to rotate about its own longitudinal axis during the styling of the hair, at least one of the rollers comprises a heating element, and at least one of the styling elements comprises elastic means operatively associated with the respective roller, adapted to exert on the roller an elastic force according to a substantially transversal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the roller.
US08567403B1
A system includes an ultraviolet light source, such as light-emitting diodes, disposed between a first ionic grid and a second ionic grid. The first and the second ionic grids have opposite ionic charges and a plurality of silver nanoparticles disposed thereon. The ultraviolet light source is configured to emit, onto the first and the second ionic grids, ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of between about 100 nm and about 280 nm. A biochemical detector may be located adjacent to the first ionic grid on a side of the first ionic grid opposite the ultraviolet light source. The ultraviolet light source, first ionic grid, and second ionic grid may be located within a housing connected to a gas mask, and a membrane filter may be disposed between the gas mask and housing. The housing may include a power source connected to the ultraviolet light source.
US08567402B2
Mask ports 180 for attaching supplemental oxygen tubes 510 or measurement devices to a respiratory mask are downwardly directed and recessed into the base 110 of the mask frame 100. The ports may comprise a pair of downwardly extending tubular spigots 185 each housed in a respective recess 190 in the base 110, with a shallow bridging recess 290 therebetween for receiving a bridging piece 300 of a closure cap 280.
US08567395B2
An inhaler device for administering medicaments through the respiratory tracts comprises a disposable or single-use assembly including a heat source which can be actuated by a user for vaporizing a liquid medicament held near the heat source.
US08567394B2
To provide an inhalation device which has improved use properties, particularly advanced moisture protection while in use, an inhalation device (1) for powder drugs is proposed comprising at least one storage chamber (13) for accommodating a plurality of drug powder doses and a dosing device which includes at least one dosing slider (15) which is movable approximately with a translatory movement in a dosing slider passage (16) at least from a filling position into an emptying position, wherein the inhalation device (1) further includes a device for inhalation-triggered automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) from its filling position into the emptying position and a return device for automatic movement of the dosing slider (15) back into the filling position.
US08567389B2
An anesthesia system is provided including an anesthesia apparatus, an anesthetic dispenser with an anesthetic reservoir, at least one dispensing parameter detection means, a contactless interface between the anesthesia apparatus and the anesthetic dispenser for transmitting data, especially the dispensing parameters, and for supplying the at least one dispensing parameter detection means with energy. The data and energy transmission takes place by means of electromagnetic field forces.
US08567386B2
A thermoelectric powered air circulating device for use in connection with a conventional radiant heat oven operates to circulate heated air within the oven to promote convection cooking therewithin that otherwise would not be possible without the device. The device includes a container having a quantity of fluid therein, a thermoelectric device, a first heat exchange structure connected to the thermoelectric device and configured to conduct heat between the thermoelectric device and the quantity of fluid, a second heat exchange structure connected to the thermoelectric device and configured to conduct heat between the thermoelectric device and the heated air with the oven space, and an electric fan operably connected to the thermoelectric device to receive electrical power therefrom. A temperature differential in the thermoelectric device causing the thermoelectric device to generate electrical energy to power the electric fan, thereby resulting in the circulation of the heat air within the oven space.
US08567369B2
A system, including, a free-radical ignition system, that includes a pre-combustion chamber configured to combust a first fuel-air mixture to generate a flame, a shockwave, and free radicals, an injection passage configured to inject the free radicals driven by the shock wave from the pre-combustion chamber toward a combustion chamber, and a quench system configured to extinguish the flame in the pre-combustion chamber or the injection passage.
US08567353B2
An assembly for securing a riser brace to a riser pipe includes brackets configured to engage a yoke of the riser brace and clamp bands that are configured to extend around the riser pipe and connect to the brackets. The assembly also includes a connection that connects the assembly as a unit and is configured to adjust the tightness of the assembly around the riser pipe and riser brace.
US08567345B2
Methods and apparatus for machine-milking an animal using a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases in a teat cup pulse chamber by creating an improved pressure curve during the evacuation phase, the ventilation phase, or both pressure changing phases by controlling a pressure change phase using at least two pressure changing speed rates.
US08567341B1
A powder coating system comprising a plurality of supply containers and a connection changer having a plurality of supply connectors associated with a support member and each in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of supply containers. The connection changer includes a movable delivery connector selectively and independently connectable to each of the plurality of supply connectors associated with the support member. A pump is in fluid communication with the delivery connector of the connection changer and at least one applicator is in fluid communication with the pump. Fluid communication from the delivery connector to the applicator defines a delivery portion of the system. The pump is disposed along the delivery portion of the system to apply negative pressure to the at least one selected supply container and draw its contents to the at least one applicator.
US08567340B2
A system and method allows for processing of two groups of medical devices, both groups being alternatingly spray coated within the same enclosure. The two groups repeatedly move back and forth between a spray area and a drying area which is isolated from the spray area. One group moves into the spray area as the other group moves out and into the drying area. Thereafter, the group in the spray area moves out and into the drying area and the other group moves back into the spraying area for a second coating. The alternating process may be repeated any number of times. The spray area may be located inside a sealed spray isolator enclosure and surrounded by gas discharge nozzles.
US08567336B1
A diver propulsion assembly includes a waist belt and at least one thruster. A thruster mounting assembly cooperates with the waist belt to mount the thruster to an upper leg of the diver.
US08567329B2
A sewing apparatus that includes a sewing device that performs sewing on a sewn object, a first operating device that is operative to input a command to execute an operation of the sewing device, a first detecting device that detects a preliminary operation state that is an operation state with respect to the first operating device that precedes an executing operation state, the executing operation state being an operation state for inputting the command to execute the operation of the sewing device, a notifying device that represents any one of at least two states that include a first state that corresponds to the preliminary operation state, and a control device that puts the notifying device into the first state in a case where the preliminary operation state is detected by the first detecting device.
US08567325B1
A work table stowage and support fixture includes a bracket to fixedly mount to a substantially vertical wall. A vertical guide has a top end fixed to the bracket and a bottom end distal to the top end fixed to the bracket. A sliding hinge has a hinge body, a bearing disposed on the hinge body to engage the guide and to substantially prevent horizontal motion between the bearing and the guide wherein the bearing is vertically translatable along the guide between a working position and a stowed position, and a hinge pin protruding substantially horizontally from the hinge body wherein the hinge pin has a distal end opposite the hinge body to matingly engage a complementary socket disposed on a work table. A gravity stop is on the bracket to vertically support the sliding hinge when the work table is in a working configuration corresponding to the working position.
US08567316B2
In a method for controlling the temperature of a press which has an applicator roller and a screen roller, the screen roller has its temperature controlled at different temperatures and the applicator roller has its temperature controlled at a constant temperature. In this manner, the choice of the screen roller temperatures can be set individually for each printing unit depending on the optical ink density values which the operator desires.
US08567315B2
To provide a plate supply and discharge device and a printing plate forming device which are capable of transferring plates and printing plates of various sizes and preventing the plates and printing plates from being damaged in the plate supply and discharge device (printing plate forming device). A plate supply and discharge unit (4) which supplies a plate (P1) to a drawing unit (3), receives a printing plate P2, which is obtained by drawing an image on the plate P1, from the drawing unit (3), and delivers it to a processor. The plate supply and discharge unit includes a plate supply table (41) for allowing the plate (P1) to float at atmospheric pressure, moves the plate (P1) in a state of being allowed to float at atmospheric pressure above the plate supply table (41), and supplies it to the drawing unit (3).
US08567308B2
In a food transfer heat treatment apparatus using a spiral transfer belt, heat treatment gas blowing means and a heat treatment gas circulating method for enhancing the heat transfer efficiency between a heat treatment gas and food and for improving the heat treatment effect are realized to expand the degree of freedom for the layout of the apparatus and to simplify the assembly. Provided is a spiral transfer heat treatment apparatus comprising endless conveyer belts (2) for circulating the food (f) in a store room (1), and a spiral moving unit (3) for causing a heat treatment gas (c) to act on the food (f) while transferring the food (f) on the conveyer belts (2). The spiral transfer heat treatment apparatus further comprises a heat treatment gas generating device (10) arranged in the inside space of the spiral moving unit (3), a distribution duct (13) arranged between the heat treatment gas generating device (10) and the spiral moving unit (3) for receiving the heat treatment gas (c) generated in the heat treatment gas generating device (10), and a plurality of hollow nozzle units (14) protruding from the distribution duct (13) between the conveyer belts (2) of the spiral moving unit (3), thereby to inject the heat treatment gas flow toward the food (f) on the conveyer belts (2) arranged below and to form their upper faces (14c) into the supporting faces of rails (15) for supporting the conveyer belts (2) slidably.
US08567303B2
An apparatus can include a piston movably disposed within a pressure vessel and defines a first interior region and a second interior region. The piston has a first position in which the first interior contains a gas having a first pressure and has a volume greater than the second interior region, and a second position in which the second interior region contains a gas having a second pressure and has a volume greater than the first interior region. A seal member is attached to the piston and to the pressure vessel. The seal member has a first configuration in which at least a portion of the seal member is disposed at a first position when the piston is in its first position, and a second configuration in which the portion of the seal member is disposed at a second position when the piston is in its second position.
US08567301B1
A charging handle for a firearm having a barrel, a stock, a receiver, a receiver trigger and a bolt reciprocating within the receiver. The firearm may include a gas tube for directing powder gases to cause operation of the bolt within the receiver. The charging handle comprising a generally elongated spar having a forward end portion in the direction of the firearm barrel and a rearward end portion in the direction of the firearm stock. The charging handle includes a latch engaging the receiver to hold the charging handle in a forward most position and, extending laterally from said rearward portion, an offset arm extending at least a portion of the length of the elongated shaft member in the direction of the firearm barrel.
US08567289B2
An open end wrench includes first and second jaws. The first jaw includes an arcuate sliding groove having two support walls and an arcuate sliding wall between the support walls. A slide is slideably received in the sliding groove and includes an arcuate sliding face slideable along the sliding wall. Two wings respectively extend from top and bottom faces of the slide. Top and bottom extension faces extend from a wrenching face of the slide and are located on inner faces of the wings. A spacing is formed between an outer face of each wing and one of the support walls to avoid friction, allowing smooth movement of the slide between an extended position and a retracted position.
US08567278B2
Described in this application is a zero-backlash preload gear assembly. The assembly is specifically described for use with a positioning system in order to significantly reduce or eliminate mechanical error and improve tolerances. Furthermore, the assembly allows for infinite positioning of a work surface in order to facilitate improved efficiency of an automated system.
US08567274B2
In a control arrangement for an automated gear shift transmission, particularly a dual clutch transmission with a partial transmission having two gears which must not be simultaneously engaged, simultaneous engagement of the two gears of the partial transmission is prevented by a gear actuation system which has a first and a second gear slide wherein a second gear shift control pressure of the second gear slide counteracts the first gear shift control pressure of the first gear slide so that the first gear slide is blocked by the second gear shift control pressure.
US08567268B2
An environmental testing device includes a humidity control module, a temperature control module; and an air circulation module. The air circulation module includes an enclosure and a fan received in the enclosure. Two pairs of airflow openings are defined in the enclosure and form different airflow passages that allow air to flow along different directions in the environmental testing device.
US08567262B2
An electric power steering apparatus includes a steering shaft for transmitting a steering force of a steering handlebar to a wheel and an upper bearing provided at a location upward from a vehicle body frame so as to rotatably support an upper part of the steering shaft. A lower bearing is provided at a location downward from the vehicle body frame, so as to rotatably support a lower part of the steering shaft. A torque sensor detects a torsional torque applied to the steering shaft. An electric motor imparts a steering force to the steering shaft based on the torsional torque detected by the torque sensor. The electric motor is mounted to the steering shaft between the upper bearing and the lower bearing, while the torque sensor is mounted to the steering shaft at place upward from the upper bearing.
US08567255B2
There is provided a semiconductor pressure sensor which improves the sensor sensitivity and is excellent in the withstand pressure characteristic and the temperature characteristic. In the semiconductor pressure sensor in which a diaphragm is formed by a cavity provided on one of top and bottom surfaces of a silicon substrate and a plurality of piezoresistors is disposed in the diaphragm edge, a recess which has a larger area than the planar shape of the diaphragm and whose entire edge is located outward from the diaphragm edge in plan view is provided in a protective film which covers the entire surface of the silicon substrate on the diaphragm side. The protective film located on the diaphragm is preferably formed of SiO2.
US08567244B2
A transducer for determining the level of liquid within a container includes a mounting head adapted for connection to the container and a sensor assembly adapted to extend into the container from the mounting head. The sensor assembly includes a housing having an upper portion connected to the mounting head and a lower portion that extends from the upper portion. The lower portion has a hollow interior that is isolated from liquid within the container. A plurality of sensor elements are located within the hollow interior. A float rod is pivotally connected to the housing and a float is connected to a distal end of the float rod to thereby cause pivoting movement of the float rod in response to a change in liquid level within the container. An actuator is located outside of the housing and is operatively associated with the float rod for pivotal movement therewith. The actuator is operative to change an electrical state of at least one of the sensor elements to thereby indicate a level condition of the liquid within the container.
US08567240B2
A tire force detection apparatus estimates the force exerted on a tire at the contact point of the tire in a vehicle that includes: a tire/wheel assembly having a wheel and a tire held on an outer circumferential portion of the wheel; and a wheel support member that rotatably supports the wheel via a wheel support portion. The tire force detection apparatus includes: an elastic body disposed between the wheel and the wheel support portion, the elastic body having column portions that each abut, at opposite ends thereof, the wheel and the wheel support portion and a plate-shaped portion that is integrated with the column portions and extends around the column portions; stress detectors that detect stress applied to the elastic body by detecting a strain of the plate-shaped portion; and an electronic circuit device that calculates the force exerted on the tire, based on the stress detected.
US08567235B2
An infusion pump uses sensors, movable members and a control unit to determine tubing thickness in a tube-loading section of the pump. The infusion pump utilizes sensors, such as a pressure sensor, to record forces imparted by a tube undergoing no pressure, a single pressure, or a pressure sweep, to determine thickness. Using these values, the tubing wall thickness can be determined. The infusion pump can also compress a tube using a movable member of the pump and records the distance traveled by the movable member to compress fully the tube. Using this distance, the tubing wall thickness can be determined.
US08567233B2
A gas charge container includes a sample holder which holds a needle-shaped material, a deutrium gas supply portion which charges a deutrium gas into the needle-shaped material held by the sample holder, and a heating portion which heats the needle-shaped material held by the sample holder. The needle-shaped material is cooled by blocking the heat generated by the heating portion after the needle-shaped material is heated by the heating portion.
US08567225B2
A bent member having excellent dimensional accuracy is manufactured by stably forming a high temperature portion uniformly in the circumferential direction of a steel tube and in a narrow region in the axial direction of the steel. The bent member is manufactured by supporting a steel tube at a first position while feeding it, performing induction heating of the steel tube at a second position with an induction heating coil, cooling the steel tube at a third position to form a high temperature portion which moves in the axial direction of the steel tube, and three-dimensionally varying the position of a gripping mechanism for the steel tube in a region to apply a bending moment to the high temperature portion.
US08567218B2
A burner for a vapour deposition process has a central nozzle for ejecting a glass precursor material, at least a crown of nozzles surrounding said central nozzle for ejecting a flame reactant, and a circular nozzle between said central nozzle and said crown of nozzles for ejecting an innershield gas, wherein the central nozzle has a concave shape in a cross section in the axial plane and, preferably, a symmetry about an axial plane.
US08567211B2
A generally box shaped portable ice chest for medical supplies and the like includes a plastic housing having a top, bottom, front, back and two sides and an inner compartment within the plastic housing. Between the plastic housing and inner compartment there are three layers of insulation including a Styrofoam polystyrene foam layer, a compressed cork layer and a compressed rubber layer sandwiched between the stainless steel lining and the outer housing. The inner compartment includes three removable vertically stacked drawers and a beverage compartment behind the drawers for receiving a plurality of beverage containers. One of the drawers is adapted to receive dry ice. Each of the drawers includes a plurality of openings. A fan, a solar panel and a rechargeable battery and circuit for charging the battery are disposed in the top of the housing for circulating air through the drawers and beverage container.
US08567204B2
Systems and methods for regulating the amount of outdoor air that is introduced into a building are shown and described. These systems and methods utilize extremum seeking control logic to vary the flow of outdoor air into the building in response to cooling load determinations.
US08567190B2
In an air supplier particularly for air supply systems for fuel cells including a compressor having a housing with a radial diffuser and including a rotor operated by an electric motor, a diverting channel is connected to the radial diffuser providing a communication path guiding the air via an axial annular channel to an inwardly extending collecting chamber via a final diffuser formed by a curved end section of a wall delimiting the annular passage and an inwardly curved wall area of the collection chamber, the compressor housing having an outer diameter is not substantially larger than the outer diameter of the electric motor.
US08567186B2
A control apparatus for a working vehicle includes a travel circuit HC1 formed through a closed circuit connection of a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by an engine and a variable displacement hydraulic motor, a work circuit HC2 that includes a work hydraulic pump driven by the engine and a work hydraulic actuator that operates by pressure oil from the work hydraulic pump, a relief valve that relieves high pressure oil of the travel circuit HC1, a rotation speed control unit that controls the engine rotation speed in correspondence to an accelerator pedal operation amount, a state detection unit that detects a vehicle state of high load travel and high load work, and a speed limitation unit that reduces an engine rotation speed upper limit when the vehicle state of high load travel and high load work is detected.
US08567185B1
A method, system and apparatus including a mechanism capable of performing a variety of operations, each operation having a respective power requirement and a power source capable of providing power to the mechanism at a variety of different levels corresponding to the operations being undertaken by the mechanism where the power source is regulated to at least provide a first lower power level sufficient for one or more operations requiring a lower power level and is increased to provide a higher power level as needed for one or more alternative operations requiring a higher power level.
US08567172B2
A connecting unit including an outer frame member having a pair of hole sections, a pair of first connecting sections and long holes for inserting a controller. The connecting unit further includes a holding frame body which includes through-holes at positions corresponding to the long holes, slide members which include a second connecting section which protrudes and retracts from the pair of hole sections and slide in the extending direction of the long holes by slide operation of the controller, elastic members which bias the slide members to an opposite direction of an insertion direction of the controller and a locking member which locks the slide member at a position where connection between the second connecting section and the first connecting section of the adjacent segment members is released.
US08567171B2
The invention provides a cable protection and guide apparatus allowing a protecting and guiding apparatus to be downsized by reducing a radius of a polygonal bend formed when link plates are bent back in a cable longitudinal direction between a cable stationary end and a cable mobile end and achieving smooth relative movements of shoes that face with each other between the upper and lower cable-bend inner circumferential sides by easing impact energy and impact sound of the shoes. The shoes provided on the cable-bend inner circumferential sides of the pair of link plates laterally and separately disposed have slidable-contact portions having parallelogram slidable-contact surfaces configured to face to and to mutually slidably contact with each other between upper and lower cable-bend inner circumferential sides.
US08567170B2
A device for producing a root rope includes a transport path for suspending a carrier line thereabove, root material being deposited on the carrier line. A winding apparatus receives the carrier line and also receives at least one wrapping material. The winding apparatus uses a winding motion to wrap the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line, securing the root material to the carrier line and creating the “root rope.” A reel receives the root rope from the winding apparatus, the reel using a rotating motion to wrap the root rope around the reel.
US08567167B2
A quick connect/disconnect coupling for securing an agricultural implement, such as a stalk stomper, to a tool bar assembly on a tractor, without the need for any tools. The tool bar assembly includes a bracket having a pair of spaced-apart arm members. Each arm member has a recess therein, and a hole spaced therefrom. The recesses and the holes are generally transversely aligned. A pin is adapted to be received in the holes. The agricultural implement assembly includes a plate member. Provided on the plate member is a cross bar. The cross bar is adapted to be engaged in the recesses. To connect the agricultural implement assembly to the tool bar assembly, the cross bar is engaged in the recesses and the agricultural implement and the pin can be inserted into the transversely aligned holes to connect the agricultural implement to the tool bar assembly.
US08567166B2
A spring support body is slidably supported on a support portion provided to a connecting member connected to a link mechanism, the spring support body supporting a side of a tension spring opposite to the side connecting the tension spring to a tension wheel body, the tension spring biasing the tension wheel body to a tension position, the tension wheel body being freely movable between a tension position and a tension release position. An operation tool slides the spring support body between the tension side and the loosened side of the tension spring, the operation tool being connected to the spring support body by being disposed such that the operation tool is positioned on a lateral exterior side of a cutting blade housing with respect to the connecting member.
US08567151B2
A device for connecting an exterior deck structure to a contiguous building via a bore-hole through the deck ledger and building header retains the deck in place in the event of earthquake or similar stresses. A pair of tension members comprising interlocked tensile links, are encapsulated in a generally cylindrical plastic plug to maintain ½ to 2 inches separation, to provide a thermal barrier. A pivoting toggle pin on the end of one link pivots between a first position aligned with the axis of the link and a second position transverse to the axis. The plastic plug may have an extending lip supporting the pivot pin in axially alignment. The second link may be rigid or flexible, has a sealing member adapted to slide thereon to seal the bore-hole. The second link is adapted to be fastened securely to a joist or other appropriate member of the deck.
US08567144B2
Disclosed herein is low cost roofing system. The system includes a roof deck, a sealant material disposed only at all locations on the roof deck that would otherwise be gas and liquid transmissive, insulation upwardly adjacent the roof deck, weight board upwardly adjacent the insulation, and a waterproofing membrane upwardly adjacent the weight board.Further disclosed herein is method for constructing the low cost rapidly installed roof system. The method includes sealing all openings in a roof deck, which without said sealing would allow migration of fluid therethrough, disposing insulation upwardly adjacent the roof deck, disposing weight board upwardly adjacent the insulation, applying sealing compound at a roof edge or penetration extending from the roof deck to a top surface of the weight board, and installing a waterproofing membrane upwardly adjacent the weight board.
US08567140B2
Such a substructure has vertically and horizontally running profiles which are fastened on a masonrywork wall, cross over one another and have holes. So that there is no need for dimensionally accurate installation, or for holes to be drilled into the profiles at the building site, in order to avoid displacement of a profile when the connection between the profiles is being loosened, both the vertically and the horizontally running profiles have slots, wherein the slots of the vertically running profile cross over the slots of the horizontally running profile, and at least one of the profiles has a channel-like cross section, it being possible for a plate which has a slot to be inserted into the channel, and fixed, at the crossover point of the profiles, the slot of said plate crossing over the slots of the vertically and of the horizontally running profiles and it being possible for the plate to be locked to the profiles by means of a locking component which passes through the crossing-over slots.
US08567137B2
A pet door panel or module is configured to include a pocket window opening having an open side portion to permit a ventilation screen to be slid into the pocket on centrally located tracks to provide ventilation means, and to further permit dual panel storm window means to be slid into the pocket via tracks on either side of the centrally located track to enclose the screen between the window panes to prevent air from flowing through the window opening to protect from foul weather and insulate from cold outside temperatures.
US08567133B2
A system and method is provided for using sunlight to convert an atmospheric gas to an output product and capture that output product. A photocatalytic element is encapsulated within a chamber in which the chamber is light transmissive, and is substantially permeable to the atmospheric gas and substantially impermeable to the output product. The photocatalytic element may be composed of a photocatalytic composition, comprising a first constituent capable of capturing or binding an atmospheric gas, a second constituent capable of reducing the atmospheric gas using energy from the sunlight, and a third constituent adapted to absorb sunlight, all combined into a single polymer. A fourth constituent may be added that is hydrophobic or hydrophilic depending upon the nature of the other three combined constituents.
US08567132B2
A modular solar racking system comprises a plurality of modular solar rack supports that interconnect to provide a portable, non-invasive solar electrical generation system. One embodiment comprises a plastic modular solar rack support having a base portion, a ballast holding portion, a strut and a wedge portion. Supports are interconnected by fitting within grooves in the strut. Uni-strut frames are attached to the supports and solar panels are mounted thereon. In another embodiment, the supports comprise a base portion, a ballast holding portion, a forward lifting portion, a rearward lifting portion and a strut. Again, supports are interconnected by fitting within grooves disposed in the strut. The supports are stackable and are installed on-site using a torque wrench. Ballast may be used to hold the supports down. In one embodiment, a membrane is applied to the bottom surface which is used to adhere the support to a surface.
US08567126B2
A vehicle door structure provided with a first door panel, a second door panel, a slide mechanism, and a hinge mechanism. The slide mechanism is provided with a first slide rail, a second slide rail, a first guide body, and a second guide body. The first slide rail is provided to the vehicle body to extend along the upper part or the lower part of the first door panel that is in a fully closed position. The first guide body is provided to the first door panel and is guided by the first slide rail. The second slide rail is provided to the second door panel. The second guide body is provided to the first door panel and is guided by the second slide rail. When the first door panel is in a fully open position, the first guide body has been or can be separated from the first slide rail.
US08567124B2
An automated window system including an energy accumulation means, and a window opening/closing mechanism associated with the energy accumulation means wherein the energy accumulation means releases at least a portion of the energy stored therein upon demand to the window opening/closing mechanism to open and/or close the window.
US08567123B2
A pot including a sump and water wick assembly for providing water to a plant supported within the pot is disclosed. The sump includes an inner diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the pot. The sump is disposed about an outer perimeter of the pot and includes the water wick that extends into the pot and soil supporting a plant. The pot assembly includes an edge with a curved surface to provide desired appearance that nests within corresponding features of a second identical pot to aid in stacking many example pots for shipment and display.
US08567122B2
A plant container or planter fabricated from a breathable, flexible, geo-textile, material such as recycled polyester needle-punched felt, which is self-supporting without an internal support structure. The geo-textile material is porous to both air and water, which allows air-born nutrients to pass to the roots and inhibit the ability of mold species to grow and harm the plant. The geo-textile material is configurable to various container designs that permit the non-conventional plant placement including the mounting of the plant containers on vertical surfaces, flat surfaces, and by suspension from ceilings and walls. The inclusion of a flexible, durable, impermeable, water-retaining recycled rubber, vinyl, or plastic bottom and/or backing liner in the construction of the plant containers/hangers allow the planters to be placed on indoor and outdoor surfaces such as wood, stucco, wallboard, carpet, and various other surfaces which might otherwise be damaged by moisture.
US08567120B2
The present invention is a modular support for vine plants and tomato plants. It comprises a solid, cylindrical base with holes to accept posts and associate tier rings. A cover may also be provided to transform the base into a miniature hot house. Notches may be formed in the rim of the base to accommodate irrigation systems and stake ends may be provided for the posts to allow immediate securement of the posts to the ground rather than the base. The solid base contains water, mulch and other beneficial compounds for the plants and helps block the spread of weeds immediately around the plant. As the plant grows, additional tiers may be added to the support to increase its size. The parts are preferably made of a durable plastic so as to support larger plants and increase longevity of the support.
US08567118B2
The belowground tree anchoring apparatus (10) includes a blanket (12), a plurality of stakes (16), and a plurality of ties (14). The blanket (12) fits over the root ball (B) at the base of the trunk (R) of the tree (T) and has a center opening and an elongated, radial slit (22) for facilitating this arrangement. The blanket (12) has a plurality of peripheral tie attachment holes, which may be reinforced with grommets. The stakes (16) are driven into the planting hole (H) at the bottom of the hole (H), and each stake (16) is connected to the blanket by a tie (14), and each tie (14) is attached to the blanket (12) at one of the peripheral grommets. When the ties (14) are fully tensioned, the blanket (12) holds the root ball (B) tightly to the ground.
US08567109B1
The present invention features a luminescent fishing lure for attachment to a fishing line and attracting fish. In some embodiments, the lure comprises a body having a top portion and a bottom portion. In some embodiments, the top portion is opaque and the bottom portion is transparent.
US08567108B1
A device for automatic setting of a hook for use with an existing fishing rod comprises a base, a holder, and a trigger mechanism. The base comprises a weighted bottom portion and adjustable leg portions which provide stability to an existing fishing rod. The fishing rod is held at an angled position on the base via insertion of a handle portion into a tubular receiver. The holder mechanism comprises an adjustable-force coil spring for setting the hook. Furthermore, the trigger mechanism allows a user to place a rod in the holder and selectively adjust the tension required to release the trigger, such that a force applied by a hooked fish will cause the trigger to release, thereby allowing the coil spring to pull the rod upright to set the hook in the fish's mouth.
US08567107B1
A chamber cleaning brush for a gun chamber may include a generally cylindrical body; at least three groups of bristles spaced axially apart along the body; and a pivot ring disposed on the body between two of the groups of bristles. The body may include a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion with at least one group of bristles disposed on the larger diameter portion and at least two groups of bristles disposed on the smaller diameter portion.
US08567103B2
An elastic wristband with an elongate strip of injection molded resilient thermoplastic material and one or more graphic panels. The elongate strip includes a center portion, a left side portion and a right side portion joined by left and right living hinges. The central portion includes recessed areas for receiving the graphic panels. The central portion of the elongate strip also includes end tabs that are welded together to form a continuous circular band. The band is elastic in nature and can fit over a person's hand and onto a person's wrist to form a decorative wristband.
US08567102B2
Present invention relates to a connecting piece connecting legs (13) and a crossbar (10) of a free-standing portable display sign particularly suitable for installation in outdoor.
US08567101B2
An electronic greeting card containing a recordable audio module with a pre-recorded audio or music clip which allows a user to sing along with the pre-recorded audio or music clip and record it within the audio module in the card. The card also contains a preview function that allows a consumer to try the recording function before purchasing the greeting card. In preview mode, the recorded message is played back, simultaneously with the pre-recorded clip, only once and then erased. Once a consumer has purchased the card, the preview function can be disabled whereby the user-recorded sound clip is saved, and whereby the user-recorded sound clip is played back simultaneously with the pre-recorded sound clip.
US08567099B2
A system and process for removing an inorganic salt from a catalyst roaster belt is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus with a drying vessel having a catalyst roaster belt inlet, a catalyst roaster belt outlet, a heating medium inlet, and a heating medium outlet, wherein the catalyst roaster belt inlet and the catalyst roaster belt outlet are spaced apart along a first direction, the heating medium inlet and the heating medium outlet are spaced apart along a second direction, the heating medium inlet is spaced apart from the catalyst roaster belt inlet in the second direction, and the catalyst roaster belt inlet is between the heating medium inlet and the heating medium outlet along the second direction. The system includes an acid bath and a moveable catalyst roaster belt extending from the acid bath through the catalyst roaster belt inlet and through the catalyst roaster belt outlet. The process includes the steps of providing a catalyst roaster belt with an inorganic salt disposed thereon and supplying a heating medium to a first side of the catalyst roaster belt such that heat from the heating medium flows through the catalyst roaster belt to a second side of the catalyst roaster belt to vaporize the inorganic salt.
US08567078B2
A laser instrument is disclosed. The laser instrument having a laser unit, a drive device for tilting the laser unit, and a damper device between the drive device and the laser unit.
US08567075B2
A loop pile cutter includes an added blade holder thumbscrew that provides an additional clamping force to hold a blade holder right side and blade holder left side against a base mounting bracket. The added blade holder thumbscrew also guides the blade holder along the base mounting bracket. In particular, the added blade holder thumbscrew inserts within a slot in the base mounting bracket. Since the added blade holder thumbscrew is removable, the slot may be closed-ended. The combination of an added blade holder thumbscrew and a closed-ended slot in the base mounting bracket reduces deflection of the blade holder from carpet tufts that resist being parted by a center row guiding edge.
US08567073B2
An aerodynamic trimmer head for use in flexible line rotary trimmers having an aerodynamic, generally ellipsoidal profile and a plurality of aerodynamic elements defined by the upper and lower head surfaces for directing air, during rotation of the head, off of and over the upper and lower head surfaces and preferably away from the line extending from the housing, thereby reducing the drag on the head and the line projecting from the housing. The aerodynamic elements on the upper head surface preferably are defined by a plurality of equidistantly spaced inclined troughs extending downwardly and forwardly along curvilinear paths on the upper head surface and the aerodynamic elements on the lower head surface preferably are defined by a plurality of dimples formed in an annular surface extending about the lowermost end of the spool and a plurality of rearwardly inclined troughs formed about and above the dimples.
US08567070B2
A knife includes a body, a retractable blade slider, a blade snapper, and a manually engageable lock. The retractable blade slider is constructed and arranged to position a multi-blade blade assembly at a position of use wherein at least a forward most blade projects through an opening at one end of the body, and to retract the blade assembly into the body. The blade snapper is removably locked to the body. The blade snapper is constructed and arranged snap-off at least one or more blades from the blade assembly. The manually engageable lock is constructed and arranged to move between a lock position and an unlock position, wherein the movement of the manually engageable lock to the unlock position releases the blade snapper from the body.
US08567068B2
A safety razor blade unit has an upper face, a bottom face, a front and a rear face. A plurality of cutting edges are positioned between a first guard surface and a first cap surface at the upper face. A frame element is formed separately from and connected to the rear face, the frame element has a second guard surface and a second cap surface. An auxiliary blade is supported by the frame element having an elongated cutting edge disposed between the second guard surface and the second cap surface. The elongated cutting edge of the auxiliary blade is directed generally away from the upper face of the blade unit. The second guard surface, the second cap surface, and the cutting edge of the auxiliary blade are at the rear face of the blade unit.
US08567064B1
A hose section for use in a modular PCA air delivery system includes a tension strap extending approximately parallel to and away from the body of a first end of the hose section, and a receiver loop formed on the exterior of the second end that receives a part of the strap therethrough so that the strap can be folded back in the direction of the first end, and fastened to the first end thus holding the first hose section to the second hose section when either hose section is pulled.
US08567061B2
A method for producing a combustion chamber includes providing a combustion chamber wall; forming a plurality of milled recesses in the combustion chamber wall, along a longitudinal axis and in an area of the longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis; and forming a cooling channel having a substantially rectangular cross section and opposite web walls inside the combustion chamber wall along the longitudinal axis and configured to receive a flow a cooling medium along the longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of milled recesses form depressions in the web walls.
US08567055B2
An implantable medical electrical lead includes a plurality of conductors that extend continuously, without any intermediary junctions, between a plurality of electrodes and a corresponding plurality of contact members of an in-line connector terminal. A junction between each conductor and the corresponding contact member is preferably formed by first fitting a conductive sleeve, which is coupled to a proximal portion of the conductor, into an eyelet feature of the contact member, which is mounted on a strut member, and then welding the sleeve to the contact member at a pre-formed slot of the contact member, which extends along an external recessed surface thereof. The assembly of the connector terminal preferably completes the construction of the lead, wherein the proximal portion of each conductor is positioned in a helical path, which extends between an elongate body of the lead and the connector terminal, and along which a grip zone is formed.
US08567047B1
A machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacles or switch simultaneously and a process that allows electricians to perform all 3 tasks at one time without the need to return to install receptacles or switch after wallboard is installed comprises: Housing with built-in laser guide and attached magnetic spacers for metal studs or wooden studs that allow for correct alignment of receptacle or switch for applicable wallboard thickness used.
US08567044B2
A defect inspection is performed for each of glass substrates by a surface defect detector. The distance from the center of the glass substrate to a detected defect, as a radius of a nonmagnetic region to be formed circular, is recorded along with an ID assigned to the glass substrate. Such defect information is recorded in a defect list using a printer or recorded in an RFID tag using an RFID writer. The defect list or the RFID tag is attached to a glass-substrate case. Each glass substrate and its defect information are in one-to-one correspondence and are provided to a customer as a magnetic disk manufacturer. Based on the obtained defect information, the customer manufactures magnetic disks each being a discrete track recording medium having the nonmagnetic region formed at the position where the defect is present.
US08567040B2
An iron core includes an electromagnetic steel plate having a first region on the surface of which an insulating film is formed and a second region which is not covered with the insulating film and exposed, and a coating member which coats at least the second region. The second region is formed by removing the insulating film by machining.
US08567036B2
A method for assembling a lens module is provided. The lens module includes a lens barrel, a lens holder, a lens and a filter. The lens barrel includes a first portion and a second portion. The method for assembling the lens module includes the steps of; providing a tray which defines a plurality of perforations, each of which is for accommodating the lens barrel; spreading glue on the second portion, and affixing the filter on the second portion by means of glue; solidifying the glue; cleaning the inside of the lens barrel after the filter is mounted on the second portion; cutting the filter into a plurality of filter portions whose shape matches the shape of the second portion; and placing the lens holder with the lens into the lens barrel complete with a filter portion after the lens barrel has been cleaned.
US08567021B2
A method for constructing a product comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of component parts fashioned from a flexible substrate material and having a flat profile when disassembled; forming apertures in the component parts to establish fastening points for facilitating product assembly, where each aperture has a single-component snap fastener mounted therein; integrally molding each snap fastener to include a female section and a male section; assembling the component parts by removably stackably affixing the fastener male sections of a first component part to the fastener female sections of a second component part, to form a self-supporting, three-dimensional product exoskeleton having flexibly curved surfaces; and returning the component parts to a flat profile upon disengaging the snap fasteners from the product.
US08567016B2
A splice tube includes a body, first and second wedge assemblies, first and second plugs, and a securing member that secures at least one of the first and second plugs to the body. The body defines first and second passageways that extend through the body. Each passageway of the body has a first end and a second end. The first and second wedge assemblies each have a passageway. At least a portion of the first and second wedge assemblies are positioned within the first and second passageways, respectively. The first and second plugs are at least partially positioned within the passageway of the first and second wedge assemblies, respectively.
US08567013B2
A door body holding structure that can hold a door body at an open position by using a simple configuration. A projecting portion 40, which projects toward a containing wall 38 side, is provided on an outer surface of a bearing portion 32 of a fixed-side hinge at a position facing the containing wall 38 where the projecting portion 40 does not come into contact with an inner surface of a guide portion 34 when the door body 18 is at a closed position but the projecting portion 40 comes into contact with the inner surface of the guide portion 34 when the door body 18 is at the open position. A separation dimension between a projecting end of the projecting portion 40 and the containing wall 38 is set to be smaller than a thickness dimension of the guide portion 34. That is, when the inner surface of the guide portion 34 reaches the position at which it comes into contact with the projecting portion 40 by pivoting movement of the door body 18 from the closed position toward the open position, the guide portion 34 is sandwiched and held between the projecting portion 40 and the containing wall 38, thereby holding the door body 18 at the open position.
US08567012B2
A door check apparatus for an automobile comprises a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement which is adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door. It also comprises a check arm containing cam surfaces and detent features which is pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure and is configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body. The unitary check body is manufactured from a resilient material so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy in response to the movement of the cam surfaces and detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement. Rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces generated from the energy stored and released by the compliant leaves at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body.
US08567011B2
The present invention relates to an actuator (1), comprising an output member (6); a resilient element (8) connected to said output member (6) so as to urge it in a first direction; and an hydraulic rotation damper (5) with a closed cylinder cavity, a rotational damper shaft which extends into the cylinder cavity, and a piston dividing the cylinder cavity into a first side and a second side. Within the rotation damper (5), the rotational movement of the damper shaft is converted into a translational movement of the piston along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. A restricted fluid passage communicates said first and second sides. The damper shaft is connected over a gearing (10, 15, 17) to the output member (6) and resilient element (8) of the actuator for damping movement of said output member (6) in said first direction.The present invention relates to both rotational and linear actuators as well as to a closing mechanisms for hinged members, such as doors, gates, or windows, comprising such actuators.
US08567009B2
A suction nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle body with a slidably supported shuttling plate mounted therebeneath. The shuttling plate selectively directs suction to focused nozzle inlet openings at the front and rear portions of the nozzle body on forward and backward cleaning strokes, respectively. Converging debris paths defined by a plurality of debris guides direct debris towards the focused nozzle inlets. The debris guides further define along the underside of the shuttling plate sheet retention platforms that are isolated from the working air path and have dust cloths to remove dust from the surface.
US08567006B2
Several embodiments of an upright surface cleaning apparatus are disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus has a first cyclonic cleaning stage and comprises a surface cleaning head having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the upright surface cleaning apparatus. A support member is mounted to the surface cleaning head. A mounting member mounted to the support member. At least one of a first cleaning stage of the upright surface cleaning apparatus and a suction motor is mounted directly or indirectly to the mounting member. A suction motor is provided in the fluid flow path.
US08567003B2
A vacuum cleaning appliance includes a vacuum cleaning head having a suction opening, the head having a first state and a second state, a fan unit for drawing an air flow through the suction opening, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the head. The control assembly includes a user-operable valve for increasing temporarily an air pressure within an airflow path extending from the suction opening to the fan unit, a pressure chamber having an interior volume in fluid communication with the airflow path, the pressure chamber being moveable from an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration in response to a pressure difference between the interior volume and ambient air, the pressure chamber being biased towards the expanded configuration, and a control mechanism for allowing the pressure chamber to move to the contracted configuration in response to a first operation of the valve to place the head in one of the first and second states, and for preventing the pressure chamber from returning to the contracted configuration in response to a second operation of the valve to place the head in the other of the first and second states.
US08566999B1
A paint brush holder comprising an elongated cylindrical body having an open forward end portion and a coaxial reduced internal diameter rearward end portion, the tubular body forward end portion being dimensioned to slidably receive the paint brush handle and the tubular body forward end portion having an elongated narrow width slot therein extending from the cylindrical body open forward end to adjacent the reduced internal diameter rearward end portion; a threaded bolt extending perpendicularly from the paint brush handle and exterior of the cylindrical body through the elongated slot; and a nut threadably received on the bolt exteriorally of the cylindrical body whereby the paint brush handle may be lockably adjusted relative to the cylindrical body to thereby adjust the position of the paint brush bristles relative to the cylindrical body forward end.
US08566992B1
A method and apparatus for providing an extendable and retractable work platform from a work vessel is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of first and second platform support frames with associated decking surfaces. These support frames are configured so that second support frame may be slidably received within the first support frame. The first support frame is mounted to the deck of a work vessel so that the second support frame with associated decking may be moved or “telescopically” extended from the first support frame away from the side of the vessel. The work platform is provided with a plurality of detachable deck extensions as well as detachable hand railing sections. A means to extend and retract the platform is also provided. The decking surface of the work platform may have an opening to provide access to areas below the work platform such as to a well bore or the piping and valve superstructure of a well bore.
US08566986B1
A multi-functional pillow device is disclosed. The multi-functional pillow device comprises a main body, two side bodies and a control unit. The main body has a through hole for face down sleep, a matching element for fitting with the through hole, and a circuit board inside the main body for connecting to a vibration unit and a rotation unit. Each of the side bodies is connected to the rotation unit and has a speaker connected to the circuit board, wherein the side bodies are adjusted to a vertical position or a horizontal position by the rotation unit. The control unit is disposed at the external of the main body and is connected to the circuit board for setting and controlling the vibration unit and the rotation unit, and for inputing audio data into the circuit board for playing from the speakers.
US08566982B2
Bedding material including a first fabric section manufactured from performance fabric and having a first and second side; and, a second fabric section attached to the first side of the first fabric section. Additionally, a third fabric section can be attached to the second side of the first fabric section. The first fabric section can be attached to the second fabric section through a flatlock stitch. The first fabric section can include a first zone and a second zone wherein the first zone contains different performance properties from the second zone and the first zone can have thermal or moisture wicking properties.
US08566979B1
Infant crib having paired sets of vertically hinged doors for creating opening along entire sidewall
A displaceable sidewall of an infant crib made from outwardly rotatable bi-fold door sets that cooperate to open outward to provide limited or complete access to the bed space. Each of the doors has a latch mechanism to retain the doors in a closed position and the central doors have a locking pin for maintaining the integrity of the sidewall when closed and locked.
US08566978B2
A crib set including a stationary and moveable crib is provided so as to form a respective upper and lower crib housed by a cabinet-like frame. The upper crib includes a foldable gate structure for allowing access to a child therein, while the lower crib is moveable relative to the frame so as to allow overhead access to a child using the crib.
US08566968B2
Presently disclosed is a protective helmet, which may include a shell defining a shell exterior and a shell interior, and being configured to receive a wearer's head and extend to protectively cover the head circumferentially and vertically over the top of a wearer's skull; a first cushioning member disposed within the shell interior and configured for cushioning the skull; and a plurality of columnar cushioning members configured for supporting the shell on the skull and being configured for bending to allow rotational movement of the shell with respect to the skull, the columnar cushioning members having inner surfaces disposed further inwardly with respect to the shell than the first cushioning member surface to position the columnar member inner surfaces for resting against the skull and leaving a space between the first cushioning member inner surfaces and the skull.
US08566967B2
A helmet includes an outer shell, a liner and a neck roll. The neck roll is configured to absorb impact between the helmet and a wearer's head/neck when the wearer's head is forced rearward. The neck roll can be positioned adjacent a lower rim of the liner and can include one or more deformable impact absorption compartments to absorb the impact between the helmet and the wearer's head/neck. The impact absorption compartments can be formed by a base, two generally upwardly extending walls and one or more generally upwardly extending support members extending between the upwardly extending walls. The impact absorption characteristics of the compartments can be varied to provide a desired level of impact absorption.
US08566966B2
Pants include a waistband shaped to descend from the hip region to a rear center region, thereby resembling a shallow v-shape. The rear center region is configured to reach toward the back of the individual wearing the pants. A reinforcement patch is used to provide foundation to connect a belt loop to the waistband.
US08572760B2
Semantic information may be secured by an agent using one or more semantic security labels (e.g., security predicates). The agent may be configured to allow other agents to access the semantic information according to a set of semantically expressed policies, strategies, and/or rules. A request to receive information may be mapped to a negotiation policy of the agent. The agent may evaluate the request against a semantic information sharing policy. If the information is accessible under the information sharing policy, the information may be provided. If not, the agent may negotiate information sharing terms using the negotiation ontology, strategy, and rules. Similarly, the agent may request information from other entities. Terms of the information requests may be negotiated using the negotiation ontology, strategy, and rules.
US08572759B2
A communication management system includes: a normal signature list which stores a list of signatures of normal communication; a search circuit which acquires communication data and searches the normal signature list to check if the signature of the communication data appears in the list; and a warning unit which issues a warning when communication data does not match any signature in the normal signature list. An operator terminal includes: a determination result acquisition unit which indicates whether or not communication data against which a warning has been issued is normal; and a normal signature list update unit which, when communication data against which a warning has been issued is found to be normal, adds the signature of the communication data to the normal signature list.
US08572756B2
A CAPTCHA method executed by a CAPTCHA system is provided, comprising: receiving a CAPTCHA request comprising category information of an application service from an application server; responding to the application server with a token identifying the CAPTCHA request and a CAPTCHA image comprising a distorted advertisement word associated to the category information and a series of randomly generated and distorted characters, both the advertisement word and the characters being a CAPTCHA text intended to be typed by a user via a user equipment connected to the application server; receiving from the application server the token and a CAPTCHA answer submitted from the user equipment by the user; and verifying the token and the answer and returning to the application server a result of the verification. This provides an improved CAPTCHA system and method with better advertising effects and security.
US08572751B2
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for preventing unauthorized changes to an electronic document (or a portion thereof). Specifically, under the present invention, an electronic document having a user interface control (UIC) is obtained. It is then determined whether a portion of the electronic document for which the user interaction is being attempted is protected by examining at least one of: a signature status of data associated with the UIC, or an archival status of the UIC. Based on this determination, the user interaction will be denied if it affects at least one of: the data, or a presentation property that affects an interpretation of the data is prevented. A notice indicating the denial of the user interaction can then be communicated to a user/party attempting the user interaction.
US08572743B2
Methods for using integrity checking techniques to identify and locate computer viruses are provided. A method for virus localization for each of three types of virus infections is provided, including the steps of computing a sequence of file blocks, calculating hashes for the sequences of file blocks from a host file and calculating hashes for the same or related sequences of file blocks from an infected file, and comparing the hashes from host file to the hashes from the infected file from the same or related sequences of file blocks such that when some of said first hashes and said second hashes do not match, a location of a virus is output. Methods for computing the sequence of file blocks depending on the type of virus infection, and for calculating the hashes using a collision resistant hash function, a digital signature scheme, a message authentication code, or a pseudo-random function.
US08572741B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that protects an application from malware on a host system. During operation, the system receives a command to commence execution of the application on the host system. In response to the command, the system causes a security scan to be performed on the host system to detect malware, wherein the malware can compromise the security of the application. The system also restricts one or more operations associated with the application until the security scan successfully completes.
US08572739B1
A computer includes modules that provide a shared library of functions callable by processes or other modules. A malicious module in the computer may be identified by enumerating modules needed by a process to operate. Modules currently loaded in the memory of the computer are also enumerated. A suspect or suspicious module may be identified as currently being loaded in the memory of the computer but not needed by a process to operate. The suspicious module may be deemed malicious (i.e., having malicious code, such as a computer virus) if the suspicious module does not export or provide a function for sharing to be called by other modules or process.
US08572729B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, code is executed in user mode. Further, the execution of the code is intercepted. In response to the interception, operations are performed in kernel mode.
US08572727B2
Access-control and information-flow integrity policies are enforced in a computing system by detecting security-sensitive sinks in software code for an application running on the computing system and retrieving an access-control policy from a database accessible to the computing system. The access-control policy maps a set of access permissions within the computing system to each one of a plurality of principals. For each detected security-sensitive sink, all principals that influence that security-sensitive sink are detected and an overall access permission is assigned to each security-sensitive sink by taking the intersection of the access permission sets for all influencing principals of that security-sensitive sink. If this permission set is inadequate, an integrity violation is reported. In addition, permission labels are assigned to each value of variables used in the security-sensitive sinks. Each permission label is a set of permissions.
US08572714B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of token-based rules. The apparatus may further store a plurality of subject tokens associated with at least one of a user and a device. The apparatus may receive a resource token indicating that access to a resource has been requested. The apparatus may determine the value of an access value associated with the at least one subject token. The apparatus may then determine that the value of the access value is insufficient to grant access to the resource. The apparatus may then determine that access by at least one of the user and the device to the resource should be denied.
US08572713B2
A universal authentication token is configured to securely acquire security credentials from other authentication tokens and/or devices. In this manner, a single universal authentication token can store the authentication credentials required to access a variety of resources, services and applications for a user. The universal authentication token includes a user interface, memory for storing a plurality of authentication records for a user, and a secure processor. The secure processor provides the required cryptographic operations to encrypt, decrypt, and/or authenticate data that is sent or received by universal token. For example, secure processor may be used to generate authentication data from seed information stored in memory.
US08572712B2
A system is disclosed which facilitates authentication processes with web-enabled wireless devices, including those that do not support the use of cookie files. To facilitate such authentication, a web server analyzes an HTTP request file from a communication device for the presence of security token data. Where none is found, a client is directed to a login page for input of authentication data, such as a user name and password information. Upon proper authentication, the client's communication device is issued a security token using standard HTML-INPUT tags. Thereafter, the web server determines if each additional HTTP request file received from the client includes a security token before responding to the request.
US08572706B2
A policy engine is situated between the communications path of a cloud computing environment and a user of the cloud computing environment to comply with an organization's policies for deploying web applications in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine intercepts communications packets to the cloud computing environment from a user, such as a web application developer, for example, in preparation for deploying a web application in the cloud computing environment. The policy engine identifies commands corresponding to the communications packets and directs the communications packets to appropriate rules engines corresponding to such commands in order to execute rules to comply with an organization's policies. Upon completion of execution of the rules, the communications packets are forwarded to the cloud computing environment if they comply with the policies.
US08572704B2
According to some embodiments, a registration request is received from a user, the user providing information identifying an account. A transaction database is queried using the information identifying an account, and a set of transactions conducted using the account are identified, each of the transactions having at least one transaction detail field. The set of transactions is presented to said user with at least one of the transaction detail fields being redacted. The user is prompted to provide the at least one of the redacted transaction detail fields, and a determination is made whether to authenticate the user based on a response of the user.
US08572703B2
A system and method for authenticating a user of an image processing system. User credentials are received at an authentication device corresponding to an image processing device, and transmitted to a first server remote from the authentication device. The validity of the user credentials are judged by comparing the received user credentials to authentication information stored at the first server, and a result of the judging is transmitted to the image processing device. The image processing device then requests access to a second server remote from the image processing device, and the second server transmits a request for the user credentials to the first server. After receiving the user credentials from the first server, the second server performs user authentication.
US08572699B2
This document describes various techniques for distributing credentials based on hardware profiles. A resource access request including a hardware profile is transmitted to a remote entity having access to a previous hardware profile and a credential useful to access a resource is received if at least a portion of the hardware profile matches the previous hardware profile.
US08572693B2
A reception apparatus of the present invention is provided with a reception unit 301 for receiving a stream including a data signal, a display unit 305 for displaying based on the stream received by the reception unit 301, an authentication process unit 302 for authenticating a sender of the stream received by the reception unit 301, a signal separating unit 303 for separating the data signal from the stream received by the reception unit 301, and a control unit 310 for controlling so as to prohibit the screen unit 305 from displaying a screen based on the data signal separated by the signal separating unit 303 during authentication of the stream by the authentication process unit 302. Thereby, the reception apparatus appropriately plays contents without inflicting a disadvantage or stress on a user.
US08572678B2
A system and method are provided that distill an organization's information security plan into a detailed and unambiguous security object model. The developed security object model provides a visualization of complex relationships between individual elements and levels that is usable to carry into effect the organization's information security plan. Configuration control and a verifiable level of security compliance are provided through implementation of the organization's information security plan by the developed security object model. The developed security object model is hosted on a computing platform in communication with at least the organization's network to provide information security plan compliance, configuration control and gap analysis in a usable form to the organization.
US08572675B2
A method and apparatus for cross-domain Web-service publishing of information regarding a Web service provider in a first domain having a first security clearance access level into a second domain having a second security clearance access level across a cross-domain security system may comprise a cross-domain publishing service within the second domain receiving through the security system a request to publish information regarding the Web service provider located in the first domain; and may comprise the cross-domain publishing service establishing a surrogate end point within the second domain corresponding to the Web service provider and making available at the surrogate end point Web service information regarding the provision of a Web service by the Web service provider. The second domain cross-domain publishing service may register the Web service provider within the second domain and may also provide a link to the surrogate endpoint.
US08572674B2
A static analysis for identification of permission-requirements on stack-inspection authorization systems is provided. The analysis employs functional modularity for improved scalability. To enhance precision, the analysis utilizes program slicing to detect the origin of each parameter passed to a security-sensitive function. Furthermore, since strings are essential when defining permissions, the analysis integrates a sophisticated string analysis that models string computations.
US08572672B2
Device and operational management using bi-directional communication can be performed by a system that includes a service requesting component that generates first metadata, and a service provider component that receives the first metadata and generates second metadata in response thereto for processing by the service requesting component. In other aspects, device and operational management can be performed by determining a status of a given management operation related to a given workflow relative to a given component, and communicating the status of the given management operation to another component that is downstream of the given component in the given workflow. This communication can prevent the other component from repeating the management operation, leading to erroneous results for the workflow.
US08572670B2
To provide a video distribution device which can realize a smooth change of reproduction speed without increasing a data transfer rate from the time of a normal reproduction and decrease a decoding load even when the reproduction speed is changed.The video distribution device which distributes a video content composed of a basic signal and one or more extended signals that are hierarchically configured includes content read-out means for reading out the basic signal and the extended signal in the video content at mutually independent bit rates and reproduction speed change means for changing a content reproduction speed by specifying a read-out bit rate for each signal to the content read-out means.
US08572663B2
Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.
US08572662B2
A hospitality media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) coupled to a radio frequency (RF) coax network. Each STB has an identifier for identifying the STB. A content source broadcasts media content to the STBs utilizing the RF coax network and an update server distributes software data to the STBs. The software data causes a particular STB to perform a media function customized for the particular STB according to the identifier of the particular STB.
US08572659B2
A device receives, from one of a set-top box/digital video recorder (STB/DVR) or a user device, a request to allocate an amount of storage, and allocates the amount of storage based on the allocation request, logically extending the user's available storage. The device also receives, from the one of a set-top box/digital video recorder (STB/DVR) or a user device, a request to record content, and records the content to one or more portions of the allocated storage based on the record request.
US08572657B2
A broadcast receiving device and a method for change one or more configurations of windows of a program guide displayed on a display unit of a broadcast receiving device according to a user input, are discussed.
US08572656B2
A mobile terminal and a method for controlling a broadcast displays information on an interactive service associated with a broadcast program, the information provided prior to displaying the associated broadcast program. The present invention includes a wireless communication unit receiving interactive service information, an input unit selecting an interactive service using the received interactive service information, and a controller scheduling the execution of the selected interactive service.
US08572649B1
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request associated with a user for media-related programming information, obtaining a plurality of media episode indicators for a time period associated with the request and with the user, and generating code for displaying the plurality of media episode indicators in a calendar associated with the user.
US08572645B2
A digital broadcast receiver and a method of controlling data for an emergency alert system (EAS) in a digital broadcast receiver are provided. The method includes receiving a digital broadcast signal including an emergency alert table including a uniform resource identifier (URI) descriptor, detecting a URI address included in the URI descriptor, accessing the URI address, receiving additional emergency alert information from the URI address, and performing control to display the additional emergency alert information on a screen of the digital broadcast receiver.
US08572644B2
A data transport device for transporting a data stream, the device including: a data stream processing unit for receiving an input data stream including a plurality of data items, performing processing in dependence on the content of the items and forming an output data stream including at least some of the data items; and a data item injection unit including a memory for storing a plurality of injection data items and associated with each injection data item an injection action, and an injection processor arranged to retrieve the injection action for each of the injection data items in turn and in dependence on the retrieved injection action to inject the associated injection data item into the output data stream.
US08572641B2
A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user. This allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.
US08572637B2
A disk loading apparatus includes a disk selecting unit rotatable through a rotating angle which corresponds to a size of an inserted disk, a pair of guide arms that are spaced from the disk selecting unit and are rotated by the disk, a small diameter loading lever that is rotated by one of the guide arms, a large diameter loading lever that is moved by the guide arms, a slide cam unit that is moved by the small diameter loading lever or the large diameter loading lever, and a chuck unit which is disposed between the guide arms and the disk selecting unit and is operated by the slide cam unit to chuck the disk. The small diameter loading lever and the large diameter loading lever are disposed at a same height above the guide arms.
US08572633B2
Implementations are described for exception handling for collaborating process models. Once an error or other exception is determined during execution of a process model, a collaborating process model is determined to be notified. The collaborating process model and the process model may be executing in a collaborating orchestration engine and in an orchestration engine, respectively. Thus, the collaborating process model may be notified of the exception. Then, the execution of the collaborating process model within the collaborating orchestration engine may be at least partly suspended, and execution of the process model and the collaborating process model may later be resumed once the exception has been resolved.
US08572632B2
Various embodiments of the present invention transform devices into Web services or special-purpose servers that are capable of communicating with personal computers. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various low-level aspects of device drivers to reside in the devices, eliminating the need for the devices to be compatible with legacy specification. Various embodiments of the present invention allow various devices to be shipped from the factory with low-level software already built in so that users are liberated from having to deal with the experience of installing and upgrading device drivers. In various embodiments of the present invention, each device is preferably a network node identifiable by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).
US08572631B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a device. In one aspect, a method for controlling a device includes exposing a plurality of virtual device interfaces (13) for a device (11), wherein each virtual device interface (13) enables client control of a discrete function of the device, and controlling concurrent communication between the device (11) and two or more virtual device interfaces (13) operating on a single shared I/O connection (15) using a shared I/O port controlled by a device I/O module (12). The device I/O module (12) enables independent development of multiple device interfaces (13) that can seamlessly and independently operate on a single (physical) device communication connection (15), wherein the device shared I/O (input/output) module (12) implements functions to arbitrate and coordinate I/O activity between the device interfaces (13) and target device (11).
US08572628B2
Inter-thread data communications in a computer processor with multiple hardware threads of execution, each hardware thread operatively coupled for communications through an inter-thread communications controller, where inter-thread communications is carried out by the inter-thread communications controller and includes: registering, responsive to one or more RECEIVE opcodes, one or more receiving threads executing the RECEIVE opcodes; receiving, from a SEND opcode of a sending thread, specifications of a number of derived messages to be sent to receiving threads and a base value; generating the derived messages, incrementing the base value once for each registered receiving thread so that each derived message includes a single integer as a separate increment of the base value; sending, to each registered receiving thread, a derived message; and returning, to the sending thread, an actual number of derived messages received by receiving threads.
US08572626B2
The present invention relates generally to computer operating systems, and more specifically, to operating system calls in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) environment. Existing SMP strategies either use a single lock or multiple locks to limit access to critical areas of the operating system to one thread at a time. These strategies suffer from a number of performance problems including slow execution, large software and execution overheads and deadlocking problems. The invention applies a single lock strategy to a micro kernel operating system design which delegates functionality to external processes. The micro kernel has a single critical area, the micro kernel itself, which executes very quickly, while the external processes are protected by proper thread management. As a result, a single lock may be used, overcoming the performance problems of the existing strategies.
US08572625B2
A system and method for determining application dependent components includes capturing interactions of an application stored in memory of a first environment with other components at runtime. The interactions are parsed and categorized to determine dependency information. The application is migrated to a new environment using the dependency information to reconfigure the application after migration without application-specific knowledge.
US08572623B2
Aspects of the present invention provide an approach that evaluates a locally running image (e.g., such as that for a virtual machine (VM)) and determines if that image could run more efficiently and/or more effectively in an alternate computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, embodiments of the present invention evaluate the local (existing/target) image's actual and perceived performance, as well as the anticipated/potential performance if the image were to be migrated to an alternate environment. The anticipated/potential performance can be measured based on another image that is similar to the existing/target image but where that image is running in a different computing environment. Regardless, the system would display a recommendation to the end user if it were determined that the image could perform better in the alternate environment (or vice versa).
US08572618B2
An extensible process design provides an ability to dynamically inject changes into a running process instance, such as a BPEL instance. Using a combination of BPEL, rules and events, processes can be designed to allow flexibility in terms of adding new activities, removing or skipping activities and adding dependent activities. These changes do not require redeployment of the orchestration process and can affect the behavior of in-flight process instances. The extensible process design includes a main orchestration process, a set of task execution processes and a set of generic trigger processes. The design also includes a set of rules evaluated during execution of the tasks of the orchestration process. The design can further include three types of events: an initiate process event, a pre-task execution event and a post-task execution event. These events and rules can be used to alter the behavior of the main orchestration process at runtime.
US08572608B2
A computer implemented method for processing virtualization of physical computers that are part of a group into virtual computers is provided. The method includes obtaining relationship data from the physical computers, where the relationship data identifies parameters used to communicate within the group. Then, the method analyzes utilization parameters for each of the physical computers of the group. A visual model for proposed virtualization of the group of physical computers is then generated. The visual model identifies hosting machines designated to define a virtual computer for each of the physical computers, where the visual model provides a graphical illustration of the group of physical computers once converted to virtual computers. The method enables adjustment of the proposed virtualization of the group of physical computers. Then, an execution sequence of virtualization operations to be carried out is generated, if execution of the proposed virtualization is triggered, and the execution sequence is saved to storage and accessed upon execution.
US08572599B2
A device receives identifier, make, and model information associated with a device from a device activation system, and provides the device identifier, make, and model information to a database. The device also determines whether the device qualifies for a software update package based on the device make and model information, and provides, to the device, a notification of the software update package when the device qualifies for the software update package.
US08572597B2
A wireless communication device for accessing a wireless network and downloading a software upgrade file. The wireless communication device comprises: i) a CPU for controlling wireless communications with the wireless network; ii) a first memory associated with the first CPU; iii) a CPU for executing at least one end-user application on the wireless communication device; and iv) a second memory associated with the second CPU. The first CPU downloads the software upgrade file from the wireless network and stores the downloaded software upgrade file in the second memory for subsequent execution. The first CPU and the second CPU share resources in order to carry out software upgrades for either or both CPUs.
US08572595B1
Computer-executed transformation of source code enables optimization of the code for one or more of parallelism, locality, and memory footprint of operations represented in the source code on a computing apparatus. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08572587B2
Systems and methods for providing a library of virtual images in a software provisioning environment
A provisioning server can maintain a library of virtual images. The virtual images can be a disk image of software that has been previously installed according to metadata. The metadata can represent parameters utilized to create the virtual image and the parameters required to provision the virtual image on a target machine. The provisioning server can maintain the metadata for a virtual image in a virtual image record associated with the virtual image. The provisioning server can provision a virtual image to one or more target machines. To provision the virtual image, the provisioning server can copy the virtual image to a storage device on the one or more target machines and configure the target machine according to metadata in the associated virtual image record.
US08572585B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for representing various programming elements with compiler-generated tasks. Embodiments of the invention enable access to the future state of a method through a handle to a single and composable task object. For example, an asynchronous method is rewritten to generate and return a handle to an instance of a builder object, which represents one or more future states of the asynchronous method. Information about operation of the asynchronous method is then passed through the handle. Accordingly, state of the asynchronous method is trackable prior to and after completing.
US08572583B2
There are provided a method and system for testing software for an industrial machine with continuous test values reflecting actual environmental factors, using a simulator before the software for the industrial machine is embedded into an actual industrial machine. A method for testing software for an industrial machine, the method comprising the steps of: coding a program for a diagram through which the industrial machine is driven; compiling the program into an instruction with which the industrial machine is driven; downloading the compiled program onto a simulator for implementing a programming interface provided by the industrial machine; executing the compiled program in the simulator: generating a first data for testing the compiled program: transmitting the first test data to the simulator having the downloaded program from a testing tool; and outputting a result data obtained after executing the program having the transmitted first test data and then transmitting the result data to the testing tool. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a time taken for testing, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the testing and to save cost required in the testing.
US08572580B2
Applications operated within a virtual environment may be organized into a package containing various software components. Each software component or resource may have a specific name and other metadata, including a designator for overwriting or modifying the component. A policy may define how any changes to specific software components may be stored and retrieved based on the designator. One or more sets of changed components may be generated, persisted, and re-applied to create a customized version of the application based on the original package. The application may be operated within a virtual application environment or within a dedicated virtual machine environment.
US08572576B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for applying actions during server system processing. Functional processing blocks where actions may be applied to a service request are identified. actions are dynamically associated with functional processing blocks. During execution of a functional processing block, a check is performed to determine whether an action is associated with the functional processing block. If an action is associated with a functional processing block, the action is applied during the functional processing block's execution. An evaluation may be performed to determine if an action should be applied before or after the functional processing block. The server system may comprise an XML data repository, providing access to XML data, based on identity information which is received with a client system request. A portion of the server system may be described in accordance with an XML schema.
US08572570B2
Assisted compositional reasoning for test scripts is implemented by a Type Inference of GUI Object References (TIGOR). TIGOR makes types of GUI objects explicit in the source code by using the properties of GUI objects as referred to in test script statements to access a GUI object repository for GUI objects that have matching GUI objects properties. TIGOR analyzes the GUI object types of the matching GUI objects in view of a sequence of operations performed on the GUI objects in the test script statements. TIGOR infers a GUI object type for a GUI object when that GUI object type is determined to be valid and/or compatible with a sequence of operations, such as API calls, executed in test script statements that perform actions on the GUI object.
US08572560B2
Collaborative program development systems are provided which implement methods for providing automated programming assistance to code developers in a collaborative program development environment. In particular, systems and methods for automated programming assistance are supported by leveraging a database or library of shared code snippets that are classified according to code patterns and rating scores that are derived from feedback and input from various code developers within a collaborative program development environment.
US08572558B1
A programming interface and infrastructure of the present invention includes a Shell programming interface and infrastructure (Shell construct), at least one Logic construct, and at least one Data construct. A method for programming using at least one Shell construct, at least one Data construct, at least one I/O construct, and at least one Logic construct. In this method, the at least one Logic construct is independent from the at least one I/O construct.
US08572555B2
A method is provided for generating a test case for testing a program, which can include analyzing instructions of the program to identify basic blocks and superblocks, each basic block containing at least one executable instruction, and each superblock containing a plurality of basic blocks. The method can include executing instructions by a processor to perform determining respective weights of superblocks, each weight representing a number of basic blocks which require execution when the superblock is executed; determining the constraints which cause a superblock having a high weight to be executed, and using the determined constraints to generate a test case which, upon execution of the program, causes the high weight superblock to be executed.
US08572546B2
Methods of modeling a transistor are provided. The method includes the steps of (a) extracting reference mobility values of a channel layer of a transistor including a gate electrode, a source region and a drain region using a reference gate voltage, a reference drain current and a reference drain voltage, (b) fitting a mobility function including model parameters on the reference mobility values to extract the model parameters, and (c) putting the extracted model parameters into a drain current modeling function to calculate a drain current flowing through the channel layer between the drain region and the source region under a bias condition defined by an arbitrary gate voltage applied to the gate electrode and an arbitrary drain voltage applied to the drain region. Related apparatuses are also provided.
US08572545B1
A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes imposing voltages on conductors in a layout record, and determining a total charge for each of the conductors to obtain a capacitor element for the conductors. A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes matching a configuration of conductors in a layout record against a reference pattern, and determining an extracted capacitance for the conductors based at least in part on the reference pattern. A method of extracting capacitance from a layout record includes providing a layout record of a circuit design, the layout record having data representing conductors and metal fill, and extracting capacitance to determine a set of capacitors between the conductors, the set of capacitors accounting for the metal fill.
US08572543B2
A method for designing an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) splitting a design layout of the integrated circuit into a plurality of tiles, (B) adding a plurality of tie-to cells to the design layout, wherein at least one of the tie-to cells generating a tie-to signal at a particular logical level is added into each of the tiles having at least one gate with an input fixed to the particular logical level and (C) routing the tie-to signal to each of the inputs within each of the tiles.
US08572532B1
A method of timing analysis of an integrated circuit (IC) design with a partition block including an original clock signal with a pair of clock paths having an external common point outside the block boundary is disclosed, including receiving a netlist of the partition block of a hierarchical IC design, analyzing a pair of clock paths having the external common point to determine first and second clock ports at the boundary of the partition block; and for the first and second clock ports, creating launch and capture clocks, making exclusive clock groups of the launch clock and the capture clock for opposing clock ports to avoid the launch and capture clocks for each port affecting other internal data paths within the partition block, and associating common path pessimism removal information with a source latency of the capture clock to adjust timing at an end point of the internal data path.
US08572526B2
A semiconductor platform for implementing multiple-frequency operations includes multiple physical resources comprising embedded functions and a configurable transistor fabric. The transistor fabric includes at least first and second portions, the first portion being programmable to instantiate a first function having higher frequency operations than the second portion. The platform further includes multiple logical resources corresponding to the physical resources of the semiconductor platform and a configurable power mesh to support multiple frequency operations configurable from the transistor fabric. The power mesh includes at least first and second configurable grids. The first configurable grid is operable at a different frequency than the second configurable grid. The power mesh is modifiable, as a function of a desired performance of a customer's requirements, in a vicinity of the first portion of the configurable transistor fabric to support the first function having higher frequency operations.
US08572510B2
Multiple dropdowns on a graphical user interface (GUI) are dynamically linked at runtime. The dropdowns are associated with inter-related attributes of an object displayed on the GUI. The content of each dropdown includes a list of values of an attribute and is entirely or partially hidden until the dropdown is selected. The list of values of each dropdown are dynamically generated and rendered at runtime, using stored data that links the attributes to their parent attributes. The stored data can be dynamically updated to reflect currently-available attribute values and the relationship of the attributes.
US08572509B2
Hybrid menus can be generated and displayed, where the hybrid menus comprising primary and sub-menus having different geometries. Depending upon the context in which a user provides selection input for menu display, the context-appropriate model elements are retrieved from a tree model. A layout generation component transforms the tree model into a hybrid menu for display to the user.
US08572499B2
Techniques are described for display and navigation of hierarchical messages, which displays include contextual data for the messages. Context information for a current message includes reply messages, parent messages, and metadata representations. Message representations are also associated with visual depth indicators that are independent of the text of the messages.
US08572497B2
A method and device for presenting contextual data to a participant in a collaboration. A first computing device determines that a first participant associated with the first computing device is participating in a communications session with a second participant associated with a second computing device. The first computing device determines a first plurality of contextual keys. The first computing device receives a second plurality of contextual keys from the second computing device. The first computing device identifies a plurality of contextual items based on the first plurality of contextual keys and the second plurality of contextual keys, and presents a user interface depicting a plurality of contextual item references, wherein each contextual item reference corresponds to one of the plurality of contextual items.
US08572496B2
Embedding variable fields in individual email messages sent via a web-based graphical user interface
Method and system of present invention provide a web-based graphical user interface to a remote user for sending electronic messages, where the interface comprises an element for selecting an option for sending individual electronic messages to multiple recipients in visible fields (“to” and “cc”), obtain a set of data, comprising a list of two or more recipients in visible fields, a message subject and/or a message body, where the message subject and/or the message body contain a markup indicating variable field, and generate and transmit individual electronic messages.
US08572492B2
An audience platform is disclosed. In a first example case, a first question is received. A preference event associated with the first question is received. A score is determined for the first question based at least in part on the preference. In a second example case, indications of a first and second potential interviewee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential interviewees are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential interviewees based at least in part on the received preference events. A designated interviewee is selected based on the first and second scores. In a third example case, indications of a first and second potential awardee are received. Preference events associated with the first and second potential awardee are received. Scores are determined for the first and second potential awardees based at least in part on the received preference events.
US08572491B2
A method of presenting media content includes receiving a command to present multiple image cells to a first device of a first user after an alert is sent to a second device associated with the first user. The method also includes sending a first view including multiple image cells to the first device of the first user, where at least one cell of the multiple image cells includes an image. The method further includes automatically collecting a second image from a third party website and sending a second view to the first device. The second view includes the multiple image cells having the image and includes the second image.
US08572485B2
Apparatuses and methods for merging multiple domains into a merged domain and splitting a single domain into multiple domains in an Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) are disclosed. For merging, a node in a first domain can be identified to be a new Routing Controller (RC) for the merged domain. A second domain can be identified to be merged with the first domain. Nodes, including old RCs, in the first domain and the second domain are notified of the identity of the new RC in the merged domain. The topology of the old RC's domain is sent to the new RC. The new topology is computed by the new RC from the topology information given by the old RCs. The updated topology is distributed to nodes in the merged domain via the new RC.
US08572484B2
An image forming apparatus includes a document reader, a storage for storing image data, a display image generator for generating a display image, a display panel and a control unit-side controller for providing preview display of display images on a display panel, based on the image data input from the document reader. The control unit-side controller includes a document sheaf display controller, a small-sized image preparation controller, a small-sized image display controller, a folder preparation controller, a folder storage controller and a folder display controller.
US08572479B2
A system which analyzes, organizes and stores electronic documents in a document object model using a common markup language. The document object model is stored on a server the content is delivered to the wireless devices in a universal content system format. By utilizing the document object model and the universal content stream with a corresponding reader on the wireless device, the electronic document is reduced to only the essential content and the necessary format information for transmission.
US08572465B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory system includes a semiconductor memory, at least one first error correction unit and at least one second error correction unit. The semiconductor memory stores a data frame encoded with LDPC codes. The at least one first error correction unit performs a first error correction for the data frame according to a first iterative decoding algorithm. The at least one second error correction unit performs a second error correction for the data frame which is failed to correct error by the at least one first error correction unit. The at least one second error correction unit performs the second error correction according to a second iterative decoding algorithm which uses a message having a larger number of quantization bits than that of the first iterative decoding algorithm.
US08572452B2
A block code decoding method and device thereof are provided. The procedure of the bounded distance decoding is simplified and the number of correlation calculating is reduced via a set of pre-established XOR masks. The decoding method includes: picking up the source code part of the received message; executing a XOR calculating for the source code part with the XOR masks, and encoding the results thereof to produce a set of compared codes; executing a correlation calculating for the set of compared codes and the received message; and determining a compared code having the maximum correlation result as the decision.
US08572451B2
A method and apparatus for indicating a temporary block flow (TBF) to which a piggybacked acknowledgement/non-acknowledgement (PAN) field is addressed are disclosed. A sequence may be generated from a temporary flow identity (TFI) to which the PAN field is addressed and masked with a PAN check sequence (PCS). A radio block including a PAN field and a masked PCS is transmitted. The PCS may be masked with one of TFIs which is selected in accordance with a rule pre-agreed. A secondary identifier may indicate a TBF to which the PAN field is addressed. A special value may be used to represent all TBFs assigned and a secondary identifier may indicate a TBF to which the PAN field is addressed. A special value on the PAN field may be used for control purposes for indicating an action affecting a group of receiving stations listening to the radio block.
US08572445B2
A method and system are provided for determining an imminent failure of a non-volatile memory array. The method includes: performing a first array integrity read of the memory array until an error is detected; determining that the error is not error correction code (ECC) correctable, wherein a first word line voltage associated with the error is characterized as being a first threshold voltage; performing a second array integrity read of the memory array until all bits of the memory array indicate a predetermined state, wherein a second word line voltage associated with all of the bits indicating the predetermined state is a second threshold voltage; and comparing a difference between the first and second threshold voltages to a predetermined value.
US08572444B2
A memory apparatus and a related testing method are provided in the present invention. The memory apparatus includes a memory and a testing module. The testing module includes an error recording unit for recording corresponding addresses of bit errors occurred in the memory. The testing module determines whether the memory has multi-bit error according to the addresses recorded in the error recording unit. The memory is an ECC memory.
US08572436B2
A system and method for managing a test of a motherboard can create a first test data consisting of test items. In the first test data, one or more selected test items to perform can be identified. A second test data is obtained by performing a logical NOR operation on the test bits corresponding to the selected test items. After performing the test items, a third test data is created by setting the test bits corresponding to the selected test items that pass the test to the test bits of the selected test items in the first test data, and by setting the test bits corresponding to the selected test items that fail the test to the test bits of the test items that have not been selected in the first test data. By comparing the third with the test data, a test result of the motherboard is obtained.
US08572432B1
In one embodiment, a concurrent processing system is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a concurrent processing system, comprises a first processing element comprising a first monitor module, a second processing element in communication with the first processing element, the second processing element comprising a second monitor module, and a first system monitor for receiving a notification from at least one of: the first processing element, or the second processing element, wherein the notification indicates an event detected by one of the first monitor module, or the second monitor module.
US08572425B2
A microcomputer is provided having a memory card interface capable of correctly latching data even when a card such as an MMC card is connected thereto. In the microcomputer having an interface with an external device such as a memory card, the interface unit is provided with an output driver connected to an external terminal for outputting a clock signal to output the clock signal and with an equivalent load circuit capable of imparting, to the clock signal extracted from an arbitrary position in a stage previous to the output driver in a clock signal path, delay equivalent to delay resulting from an external load connected to the external terminal in order to generate a clock signal for latching data inputted from the memory card.
US08572416B2
A processing device including first processors, second processors, a first chipset, and a second chipset. The first chipset is in communication with the first processors via a first bus. The second chipset is in communication with the first chipset via a second bus and is directly connected to the second processors. The first chipset and the second chipset are connected between (i) the first processors and (ii) a first non-volatile memory and a second non-volatile memory. The second chipset is connected between (i) the second processors and (ii) the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory. The first processors access the first non-volatile memory during a first power mode. The second processors access the second non-volatile memory during a second power mode that is different than the first power mode.
US08572413B2
A system conducts a plurality of cycles on the powered device. Each cycle has a detection phase and a classification phase. A classification voltage is applied to the conductors during each cycle. The system measures a current in the conductors while the classification voltage is applied. The system determines a final class responsive to a plurality of measured currents. The final class utilized to determine an amount of inline power to deliver to the powered device.
US08572408B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus involves the descrambling of scrambled digital content using a one-time programmable key and digital rights management. The apparatus comprises a processor and a descrambler. The processor is adapted to execute a Digital Rights Management (DRM) function in order to determine whether each entitlement needed to access the digital content is pre-stored. The descrambler is adapted to decrypt encrypted information using a Unique Key stored within the one-time programmable memory. After determining that each entitlement needed to access the digital content is pre-stored, the decrypted information is used to generate a key, which is used to decrypt at least one service key for descrambling the scrambled digital content.
US08572405B2
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for receiving an encrypted first data set from a first entity, storing the encrypted first data set in computer-readable memory, receiving an encrypted second data set from a second entity, storing the encrypted second data set in computer-readable memory, receiving public encryption information associated with the encrypted first data set and the encrypted second data set, storing the public encryption information in computer-readable memory, and processing, using the one or more processors, the encrypted first data set and the encrypted second data set to provide the set intersection, wherein an advantage of a first adversary in guessing data elements of the encrypted first data set is negligible in a security parameter.
US08572399B2
A stored predefined unmodifiable bootable code set may be verified during code reprogramming of a device, and executed as a first stage of code reprogramming of the device. The predefined unmodifiable bootable code set may be stored in a locked memory such as a locked flash memory and may comprise code that enables minimal communication functionality of the device. The predefined unmodifiable bootable code set may be verified using a security algorithm, for example, a SHA-based algorithm. Information necessary for the security algorithm may be stored in a memory, for example, a one-time programmable read-only memory (OTP ROM). The stored information necessary for the security algorithm may comprise a SHA digest, a signature, and/or a key. A second stage code set may be verified and executed during the code reprogramming of the device subsequent to the verification of the stored predefined unmodifiable bootable code set.
US08572391B2
A system and method may allow for flexible transaction processing based on for example the risk assessment of a transaction and/or a user or party to a transaction. Based on a risk level, for example, a level of authentication for the transaction may be set or altered.
US08572387B2
A method of authentication of a verifying device by a confirming device includes the confirming device receiving and storing a shared secret derived from at least a password of a user and sending a challenge. The method further includes the confirming device receiving a response to the challenge using the shared secret; determining if the response to the challenge is correct and if the response to the challenge is correct, authenticating the verifying device.
US08572374B2
A measurement and authentication engine in a nonvolatile memory computes an original hash value on data read from the nonvolatile memory. A measurement and authentication engine in a host processor recomputes the hash value on the data received from nonvolatile memory and checks that the computed hash value matches the hash value generated and transferred from the nonvolatile memory.
US08572373B2
An embodiment relates generally to a method of selecting certificates. The method includes invoking a send option for an email client and displaying a send mail user interface for the email client. The method also includes displaying a default certificate in a graphical user element in the send mail user interface.
US08572369B2
Various embodiments, in the form of at least one of systems, methods, and software, are provided that include security solutions for use of collaboration services. Some embodiments include encrypting data to be sent to and stored by a collaboration service. These and other embodiments include capturing, within a computer application used to post data to a collaboration service, data to be sent to the collaboration service, encrypting the captured data, and returning the data in an encrypted form to the computer application for posting to the collaboration service.
US08572364B2
Techniques for booting a computing device with a flash memory without knowledge of parametric information of the flash memory are described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the computing device receives input requesting the computing device to begin operation and executes a set of one or more instructions stored in a non-volatile memory. The execution of the set of instructions configures a first read routine for accessing the flash memory based on a common denominator format of candidate flash memories, and the first read routine is not configured based on information located in a flash memory identification table. The computing device reads a bootstrapping code image based on the first read routine into a volatile memory and executes that first bootstrapping code image. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08572362B2
One or more removable storage devices inserted into a computing device store a number of different preinstalled operating system instances. The computing device has a number of logical partitions. Each logical partition is independently executed on the computing device. Each logical partition is mapped to and uses one of the different preinstalled operating system instances. As such, a given preinstalled operating system instance to which a given logical partition is mapped is used by the given logical partition without ever having to be installed on the given logical partition.
US08572359B2
Mechanisms for extracting data dependencies during runtime are provided. The mechanisms execute a portion of code having a loop and generate, for the loop, a first parallel execution group comprising a subset of iterations of the loop less than a total number of iterations of the loop. The mechanisms further execute the first parallel execution group and determining, for each iteration in the subset of iterations, whether the iteration has a data dependence. Moreover, the mechanisms commit store data to system memory only for stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which no data dependence is determined. Store data of stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which a data dependence is determined is not committed to the system memory.
US08572350B2
A memory management and writing method for managing a memory module is provided. The memory module has a plurality of memory units and a plurality of data input/output buses corresponding to the memory units. The method includes configuring a plurality of logical units, dividing each of the logical units as a plurality of logical parts, and mapping the logical parts of each of the logical units to physical blocks of the memory units. The method also includes respectively establishing mapping tables corresponding to the data input/output buses, and only using one of the data input/output buses to write data from a host system into the corresponding memory unit according to the mapping table corresponding to the data input/output bus. Accordingly, the method can effectively increase the speed of writing data into the memory module.
US08572348B2
The present invention provides a method of establishing a hard disk physical partition. First of all, it selects a sector in which the head of the hard disk physical partition is located, and establishes a user available partition of the hard disk within the range of the hard disk physical volume from the sector, the other portion of the hard disk becomes a protected partition of the hard disk, finally constitutes one hard disk physical partition. After entering into the hard disk physical partition, only the user available partition can be accessed, the protected partition is invisible to the user. It can establish the different hard disk physical partition in the different position of the hard disk through selecting the sector where the head of the hard disk is located. The present method can realize that protecting the various users' data from each other in physical on the premise of sharing the same hard disk, thus establishes fully separate data storage space from physical level, causes the user to have a proprietary run environment.
US08572345B2
Memory management unit (MMU) having region descriptor globalization controls and method of operation
Embodiments of computer processing systems and methods are provided that include a memory protection unit (MPU), and a plurality of region descriptors associated with the MPU. The region descriptors include address range and translation identifier values for a respective region of memory. Control logic determines whether a translation identifier control indicator is in a first state, and if the translation identifier control indicator is in the first state, the control logic allows a first process being executed by the processing system to access a memory region allocated to a second process being executed by the processing system.
US08572340B2
A system according to certain embodiments associates a signature value corresponding to a data block with one or more data blocks and a reference to the data block to form a signature/data word corresponding to the data block. The system further logically organizes the signature/data words into a plurality of files each comprising at least one signature/data word such that the signature values are embedded in the respective file. The system according to certain embodiments reads a previously stored signature value corresponding to a respective data block for sending from a backup storage system having at least one memory device to a secondary storage system. Based on an indication as to whether the data block is already stored on the secondary storage system, the system reads the data block from the at least one memory device for sending to the secondary storage system if the data block exists on the secondary storage system, wherein the signature value and not the data block is read from the at least one memory device if the data block exists on the secondary storage system.
US08572334B2
An improved integrated circuit is provided to facilitate communication between a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory. The integrated circuit comprises at least one lock status register, at least one control register and a memory controller. The lock status register comprises a plurality of lock status bits representing whether or not a corresponding unit of storage in the volatile memory has been locked. The control register stores configurable control information for the memory controller, including sizing information defining the size of the unit of storage. The memory controller is configured to receive a modification request to modify data in the non-volatile memory; determine a target unit of storage in the non-volatile memory based on a target memory address associated with the modification request; determine from the lock status register whether the target unit of storage has been locked; and implement the modification request only if the target unit storage has not been locked. A method to be implemented by the circuit is also provided.
US08572325B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to optimizing the performance of a split disk cache. In one embodiment, a disk cache includes a primary region having a read portion and write portion and one or more smaller, sample regions also including a read portion and a write portion. The primary region and one or more sample region each have an independently adjustable ratio of a read portion to a write portion. Cached reads are distributed among the read portions of the primary and sample region, while cached writes are distributed among the write portions of the primary and sample region. The performance of the primary region and the performance of the sample region are tracked, such as by obtaining a hit rate for each region during a predefined interval. The read/write ratio of the primary region is then selectively adjusted according to the performance of the one or more sample regions.
US08572313B2
Embodiments of a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) enabling high-speed search and invalidate operations and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the CAM includes a CAM cell array including a number of CAM cells and a valid bit cell configured to generate a match indicator, and blocking circuitry configured to block an output of the valid bit cell from altering the match indicator during an invalidate process of a search and invalidate operation. Preferably, the output of the valid bit cell is blocked from affecting the match indicator for the CAM cell array beginning at a start of the invalidate process and continuing until an end of the search and invalidate operation.
US08572308B2
A flash storage device comprises a plurality of data blocks, each data block comprising a plurality of data segments, a system memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to cache in the system memory a plurality of data sectors to be written, to write to a first one of the plurality of data segments a first one of the plurality of data sectors, to write to the first one of the plurality of data segments a first portion of a second one of the plurality of data sectors, and to write to a second one of the plurality of data segments a second portion of the second one of the plurality of data sectors.
US08572306B2
The present invention is directed to a universal serial bus (USB) transaction translator and a micro-frame synchronization method. A device interface is coupled to a device via a device bus, and a host interface is coupled to a host via a host bus, wherein the host USB version is higher than the device USB version. At least two buffers configured to store data are disposed between the device interface and the host interface. A controller stores the data in the buffers alternately. A start-of-frame (SOF) counter is used to count the SOF packets, wherein the counting value of the SOF counter is compared to a predefined value. Specifically, the controller resets a SOF timer for sending the SOF packet when the counting value achieves the predefined value or is greater than the predefined value, such that the SOF packet and an isochronous timestamp packet (ITP) from the host are sent at the same time. Further, the controller delays the sending of the SOF packet for a period of time according to the ITP from the host. In another embodiment, the sending period of SOF packets may be dynamically adjusted in isochronous transfer.
US08572305B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for configuring a bus system which includes a plurality of participants as well as a bus master and a safety monitor having an input unit by means of which suitable configuration information can be entered and/or selected for the configuration of the bus system and having a configuration unit configured to configure both the bus master and also the safety monitor by means of at least a piece of identical common configuration information input or selected via the input unit. The invention further relates to a method which can be carried out by the apparatus in accordance with the invention.
US08572304B2
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for configuring mobile communication devices to identify and communicate with wireless printing devices. These systems and methods may include determining available wireless printing devices, selecting a desired wireless printing device, attempting to establish communication between the mobile communication device and the wireless printing device using a first communication protocol, prompting a user to indicate the successfulness of the first communication protocol, and configuring the mobile communication device for printing to the wireless printing device using the first communication protocol if the first communication protocol successfully communicated with the wireless printing device. The systems and methods may further include prompting the user to indicate that the first communication protocol was not successful if the first communication protocol did not successfully communicate with the wireless printing device and repeating the method using another available communication protocol.
US08572296B2
A method for arbitrating between direct memory access task requests, the method includes receiving multiple DMA task requests; the method is characterized by selecting a DMA task request out of the multiple DMA task requests in response to timing deadlines associated with the DMA tasks. A device that includes an interface, that is adapted to receive DMA task requests; the device is characterized by including an arbiter that is adapted to select a DMA task request out of the multiple DMA task requests in response to timing deadlines associated with the DMA tasks.
US08572292B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate within a memory to execute internal commands, to suspend the execution of commands during a transfer period, and to execute external commands following the transfer period. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08572286B2
Distributed data processing systems that provide services at two network addresses have their interfaces described in a published interface description document available at a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). The interface description of the second of the services replaces the interface description of the first of the services. Related methods, computer readable media, and systems to benefit from an embodiment of the invention are also described and claimed.
US08572283B2
Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) may be selectively applied to data traffic through a gateway in a communications network. The data traffic may be received at a primary gateway in the communications network. The primary gateway may then analyze the received data traffic to determine a network path. The primary gateway may then determine whether to apply NAPT to the received data traffic based on whether the network path terminates at a first service provider network or a second service provider network. The primary gateway may apply NAPT on the received data traffic upon determining that the network path terminates at the first service provider network or bridge the received data traffic to a secondary gateway upon determining that the network path terminates at the second service provider network.
US08572281B1
A method and system for leaking routes between routing engines in a communication network. The method and system includes a route distribution service that receives and stores routing information from one or more exporting routers. The stored routing information includes the identity of one or more shared routes and may also include related route exportation criteria such as restrictions on which importing routers may receive shared routes. The route distribution service receives from one or more importing routers a request for one or more shared routes and provides one or more shared routes to the importing router. Importing routers can register with the service in order to receive shared routes or be notified when shared routes become available.
US08572269B2
A method and apparatus turns a typical home telephone system into a platform for delivery of web based content and services. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a broadband enabled telephone system for the home and a series of web servers that collect, package, and deliver personalized content and services to all of the telephone handsets throughout the home. With this end-to-end solution, any information or services available via the web can be delivered through a broadband enabled telephone system. Through the web, each member of a family can build a profile which defines what information and services they want available through the handset. In addition, each handset can be dynamically personalized for any family member. The color screens on the handsets become windows through which an individual can view and interact with a broad range of content and services. The audio channels thus become an extension of the voice based services, such as messaging and voice chat.
US08572264B2
A system for providing state awareness across communication channels and statefully transitioning a user between a source channel and a destination channel is disclosed. The method may comprise storing a unique identifier associated with the user and data associated with the user, retrieving the data associated with the user based upon the user identifier and in response to the user entering the destination channel that is different from the source channel, and populating the data associated with the user in the destination channel. The destination channel may comprise a display of a customer service representative, and the populating may occur automatically. Furthermore, the method may comprise placing a call to a telephone number associated with the user in response to at least one of: the user answering a requisite number of questions in the source channel and the user requesting a transition to a voice destination channel.
US08572261B2
A User Equipment (UE) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network node for indicating the IMS services and IMS applications to which a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message relates. An IMS communication service identifier and an IMS application reference are added to the SIP message. The identifier and the reference may be added as Feature Tags. The reference may also be added as an a-line augmenting an m-line in a Session Description Protocol (SDP) part of the SIP message.
US08572254B2
A method and system that employ a central server with an associated database and a Master Agent for establishing a TCP/IP connection between a client and an application server associated with a Remote Agent. The application server hosts one or more business software applications for the client, and the client accesses the one or more business software applications at the application server using the established TCP/IP session. Files created by the client using the one or more business software applications at the application server are maintained and backed-up periodically at the application server by a service provider on behalf of the client.
US08572248B2
Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.
US08572247B2
A secure domain name service for a computer network is disclosed that includes a portal connected to a computer network, such as the Internet, and a domain name database connected to the computer network through the portal. The portal authenticates a query for a secure computer network address, and the domain name database stores secure computer network addresses for the computer network. Each secure computer network address is based on a non-standard top-level domain name, such as .scom, .sorg, .snet, .snet, .sedu, .smil and .sint.
US08572243B2
Analytics describing video data published to one or more destination sites are calculated. Metrics describing performance of the video data, such as performance in different geographical areas, in different demographics and in different devices are calculated. An interface simplifies calculation of the video metrics to simplify analysis by allowing a user to identify different videos or sets of videos for analysis. Additionally, interaction with one or more web pages including the video data is also captured and combined with video data performance metrics. For example, the effect of video data on navigation between web pages within a website is described by one or more navigation paths accounting for interaction with video data.
US08572240B2
A monitoring system includes a center device and terminal devices. The center device is configured to return a first response if receiving a first request from a terminal device. At this instance, if having a request to another terminal device, the center device includes designation information for designating said another terminal device in the first response. The terminal device receiving the first response, if the designation information is included in the first response, transfers the designation information to a corresponding terminal device. The corresponding terminal device transmits a second request to the center device if receiving the designation information. Thereby, the center device can promptly transmit the request with respect to said another terminal device to the terminal device.
US08572231B2
Methods and systems for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce are provided. An exemplary method for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce includes obtaining an initial nonce candidate. The exemplary method also includes transmitting a query to determine whether the initial nonce candidate has already been assigned. When the initial nonce candidate has already been assigned, a combined nonce candidate is obtained. The combined nonce candidate includes characters appended to the initial nonce candidate. An exemplary system for obtaining a scalable variable-length nonce includes a transmitting engine that transmits a request associated with a current token. The exemplary system also includes a receiving engine that receives a message associated with the current token. The exemplary system further includes a token acquiring engine that obtains a new token, and an appending engine that appends the new token to the current token.
US08572223B2
A method and apparatus in a distributed processing system for implementing different business function applications. A plurality of common utility systems which provide for performing different operations can be utilized by different event manager modules which operate to implement the different business function application. The development and implementation of new business function applications can be streamlined by using the common utility systems across a number of different event manager modules which implement different business function applications. Additionally, various event manager modules, and event templates within the event manager modules can operate in a recursive manner to generate responses to events, which then generate subsequent events and subsequent responses between the event manager modules and their event templates.
US08572218B2
A method and system for transport data compression between a server and a client based on patches to the dictionaries used for encoding the data. The method includes requesting the server for data, returning the data and a dictionary patch to the client where data having been compressed based on a previously used dictionary and the dictionary patch, and decompressing the returned data using the dictionary and the dictionary patch. The dictionary patch includes updates to the previously used dictionary. Each dictionary has a dictionary identifier that the server and client use to identify the dictionary in their requests and responses. The identifier might be a unique identification or a network session number. Upon receiving a response, the client updates the previously used dictionary with information in the patch and decompresses the returned data using the updated dictionary.
US08572211B2
A system and method for effectively transmitting content items to electronic devices includes a content server that is configured to access and store various types of content information. A recommendation engine of the content server analyzes network statistics and client profiles to identify appropriate content items for device users of the electronic devices. A transmitter receives the targeted content items from the content server, and responsively provides the content items to the electronic devices by broadcasting the content items over a unidirectional telecommunications link.
US08572203B1
An identification of a customer and identification of a webpage to be transmitted to the customer from a first data system are received. Message content is selectively inserted from at least one second data system for the identified customer into the identified webpage. The first data system is thereafter notified to transmit the webpage from the first data system to a computer system associated with the identified customer. Message content may be generated by the at least one second data system relating to the customer's interaction with the at least one second data system. Selective insertion and notification may be achieved by a message system. The transmission of the customer/web page identification to the message system and the transmission of the identified web page to the customer may be achieved by the first data system. The display of the message content on the web page accessed by the customer via the first data system may notify the customer about the customer's interaction with the at least one second data system.
US08572200B2
A master/slave decision device applied to a first network device is provided, where the first network device is coupled to a second network device, and the master/slave decision device includes a seed distance detection unit and a decision unit. The seed distance decision unit is utilized for detecting a seed distance between a first seed utilized in a first scrambler of the first network device and a second seed utilized in a second scrambler of the second network device. The decision unit is coupled to the seed distance detecting unit, and is utilized for determining the first network device to be a master device or a slave device according to the seed distance.
US08572194B2
The present application relates to message account linking that allows users to selectively link message accounts and customize those linked message accounts. In one embodiment, the user selects a number of message accounts for selective linking. A message application updates a message account database to selectively link the message accounts and create a combined message box. When a user selects the combined message box for display, all messages from the selectively linked message accounts are displayed. In one embodiment, a user can create multiple combined message boxes on a single device, and may assign names to each of the combined message boxes. In yet another embodiment, an icon associated with a combined message box is added to the device's home screen.
US08572193B2
A positive response notification to provide information regarding locate and/or marking operations for underground facilities may include time-stamp information to provide proof of a time at which the locate and/or marking operation was completed by a locate technician, and/or place-stamp information to provide proof of a presence of the locate technician at or near a work site. An electronic manifest image and/or a virtual white line image similarly may be included in a positive response notification. In one example, such images may be bundled together based on respective descriptor files (or descriptor metadata) that associates the corresponding images with a locate request ticket for the operation. In another example, a positive response notification may include environmental information regarding one or more environmental conditions present at or near the work site during the locate and/or marking operation.
US08572191B2
Systems and methods build a profile for a contact. In one aspect, missing information from a profile of a contact is identified. A determination is made regarding whether the missing information is necessary for the profile based on satisfaction of a threshold. In response to the satisfaction of the threshold, a user is prompted to request the missing information from the contact. The missing information is obtained. The missing information is added to the profile.
US08572187B2
Message content associated with at least one message received by a message processing server is stored in association with the message processing server. The message content within an incoming message is compared with the stored message content. A determination is made as to whether the stored message content is duplicated by the message content associated with the incoming message. A duplicate message content management action is performed based upon the determination as to whether the stored message content is duplicated by the message content associated with the incoming message. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08572178B1
Disclosed are various embodiments that facilitate execution of applications through remotely emulated computing devices. An application is executed in a hosted environment. A video signal of the application is encoded into a media stream, which is sent to a client computing device. In various embodiments, access to data that is locally available to the client computing device is facilitated. In various embodiments, data related to the operation of the application is recorded.
US08572166B2
A system and method or delivery web content to a mobile device. A system includes a content delivery program associated with a webpage, where the webpage includes at least one content item. The content delivery program is configured to receive a user selection signal related to the at least one content item, receive an identifier of the mobile device, and initiate a delivery of the at least one content item to the mobile device based on the user selection signal and the identifier.
US08572165B2
Embodiments generally relate to aggregating mentions. In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving a plurality of mentions from a social networking service, where each mention is associated with one or more users of the social networking service. The method also includes aggregating the mentions, and displaying the mentions based on one or more formats.
US08572152B2
Disclosed is a CORDIC circuit in which scale correction process is divided into two stages: rough correction and fine correction, and a second-process of a pseudo-rotation process is performed in parallel with the fine scale correction. A range of the fine scale correction is set so that it is not necessary to perform a scale correction with regard to a remaining rotation angle of the first half of the pseudo-rotation process.
US08572150B1
Parameterization of a CORDIC algorithm for providing a CORDIC engine is described. An aspect of the invention is a method in a digital processing system for generation of the CORDIC engine. Numbers of fractional output bits for a user-defined numerical result format are obtained. The numbers of fractional output bits are for each of a plurality of output variables associated with the CORDIC algorithm. Micro-rotations associated with each of the plurality of output variables are determined responsive to the numbers of fractional output bits. Quantizations associated with each of the plurality of output variables are determined responsive at least in part to the numbers of fractional output bits.
US08572145B2
Provided is a signal processing apparatus for compensating for a non-linear distortion of a digital signal, including: an analysis signal generating section that converts the digital signal into a analysis signal of a complex number, using a digital filter; and a compensation section that compensates for the analysis signal, using a compensation coefficient of a complex number corresponding to the non-linear distortion, where the digital filter divides data of the digital signal into “n” data sequences, assigns (n*L+k)th data of the digital signal to a k-th data sequence, performs filtering on each of the data sequences using a same filter coefficient, and combines each of the data sequences after the filtering, thereby generating an imaginary number portion of the analysis signal, where “n” is an integer equal to or greater than 2, L=0, 1, . . . , and k=1, 2, . . . , n.
US08572139B2
A steam-based document storage and retrieval system accepts documents that are in diverse formats and come from diverse application, automatically creates document model objects describing these documents in a consistent format and associating time stamps with the documents to automatically create a main stream in chronological order. The stream, or sub-streams meeting selected search criteria, are displayed in a variety of forms, including a receding, partly overlapping stack with aids that facilitate user interaction.
US08572137B2
A computer-implemented method for efficient data storage is provided. A first storage medium associates data stored on one or more data storage media with a unique identification value (ID) for the purpose of determining de-duplication status of the data. In response to receiving a request to read the data from a logical address, the first storage medium retrieves the data from a second storage medium based on the unique ID. In response to receiving a request to write the data to a logical address, the one or more data storage media store at least one copy of the data based on the de-duplication status of the data.
US08572136B2
A method of synchronizing a virtual file system is implemented at a computing device. The virtual file system has a hierarchical tree structure including a plurality of tree nodes, each tree node having associated metadata and corresponding to a respective component of the virtual file system. Upon receipt of a request to generate a revision of a virtual file system in at least one storage device, the computing device serializes each tree node's associated metadata into an object, generates an object ID from the serialized object, and stores the object in the storage device if the object ID is not found in an object-storage mapping table associated with the virtual file system. Finally, the computing device inserts the object ID into the object-storage mapping table and stores the object-storage mapping table in the storage device after processing the last tree node.
US08572135B2
Apparatus and methods to manage media files using metadata injection provide a mechanism to enhance user interaction with multimedia devices. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08572127B2
A numeric structure identifier (ID) that represents a tree structure of a document that includes data is received. The numeric structure ID is calculated as a product of factors, each of a form of P raised to a power of m, where p is a prime number corresponding to a node ID of a node represented by the node ID and m is a number of children of the node represented by the node ID. A first numeric node ID that represents a first node of the tree structure of the document is received. The tree structure of the document corresponding to the numeric structure ID is identified. The data of the document is stored as the tree structure identifiable by the numeric structure ID. The first node within the tree structure corresponding to the first numeric node ID is identified. A value of the identified first node is returned.
US08572122B2
A system includes reception of a logical schema associated with a data store, generation of an input schema based on the logical schema, reception of an expression having a type of the input schema and representing the topology of a data set, the data set being an instance of the input schema, compilation of the expression to a data specification based on the input schema, and generation of a plan to execute on the data store based on the data specification.
US08572119B2
The invention provides secure and private communication over a network, as well as persistent private storage and private access control to the stored information, which is accomplished by imposing mechanisms that separate a user's actions from their identity. The system provides (i) anonymous network browsing, in which event the anonymity system is unaware of both the user's identity and browsing activities, (ii) private network storage and retrieval of data such as passwords, profiles and files in a manner such that the data can be stored into the system and later retrieved without the system knowing the contents or owners of the data, and (iii) the ability of the user to control and manage access to the remotely stored data without the system knowing the contents, owners, or accessors of the data.
US08572117B2
A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse.
US08572112B2
Displaying potential search-engine queries in a portion (e.g., a portion allocated for a web advertisement or within an inline frame) of a web page along with the content of the web page is described herein. The potential search-engine queries are determine by first analyzing either the underlying content of the web page (or other web pages) or searching various historic user metrics. Once determined, the potential search-engine queries are displayed within the portion of the web page along with the content of the web page. When a user selects one of the displayed potential search-engine queries, a query is sent to a search engine requesting web content relevant to the selected potential search-engine query.
US08572108B2
A representative parameterized query in a second database query language is generated from a parameterized query in first database query language. By randomly generating a query in the first database query language, translating this query into the second database query language, and then identifying locations of relevant parameters in the translated query, parameter placeholders can then be substituted at the identified locations to provide a parameterized query in the second database query language. A representative parameterized query in the second database query language can be selected by randomly generating multiple parameterized queries and applying statistical methods including Monte Carlo methods.
US08572106B1
A content search system includes multiple pipelined search engines that implement different portions of a regular expression search operation. For some embodiments, the search pipeline includes a DFA engine, an NFA engine, and a token stitcher that combines partial match results generated by the DFA and NFA engines. The token stitcher can be configured to implement unbounded sub-expressions without utilizing resources of the DFA or NFA engines. The token stitcher may comprise a flag bank for storing a number of flags. Each flag may identify a sub-expression that matches the input string. The flag bank may be configured to discard one or more flags upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition for purposes of recapturing hardware resources to provide a certain level of performance.
US08572104B2
The invention provides a method and system capable of allowing users to complete collections of objects without unwanted duplication thereof. The system automatically, and in response to user direction, determines if objects are available that would complete a user's collection. The system can automatically purchase and obtain delivery of objects identified as being needed to complete a collection. The system allows a user to statically define and derive the parameters of a desired collection of objects and can create, and suggest to the user, collections of which the user already has a portion. The system includes functionality that provides user-definable collections.
US08572100B2
An automated method for recording sites accessed by a client in a communications network, the method including the steps of: detecting submission of a search query from the client to one or more search engines; and recording a search trail of one or more parameters of sites accessed consecutively following return of search query results to the client.
US08572099B2
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes generating content-based keywords based on content generated by users of a social network. The method includes labeling nodes comprising user nodes, which are representations of the users, with advertising labels comprising content-based keywords that coincide with advertiser-selected keywords that are based on one or more terms specified by an advertiser. The method also includes outputting, for each node, weights for the advertising labels based on weights of advertising labels associated with neighboring nodes, which are related to the node by a relationship.
US08572097B1
Techniques for recommending media are described. A character preference function comprising a plurality of preference coefficients is accessed. A first character model comprises a first set of attribute values for the plurality of attributes of a first character. The first and second characters are associated with a first and second salience value, respectively. A second character model comprises a second set of attribute values for the plurality of attributes of a second character of the plurality of characters. A first character rating is calculated using the plurality of preference coefficients and the first set of attribute values. A second character rating of the second character is calculated using the plurality of preference coefficients with the second set of attribute values. A media rating is calculated based on the first and second salience values and the first and second character ratings. A media is recommended based on the media rating.
US08572094B2
An online social networking system can be used to rank social network objects of various different object types, each according to its type. The objects may comprise types such as users, communities, blogs, blog entries, events, forums, forum topics, postings, photographs, and/or images. The product comprises code for carrying out a method that begins with receiving ranking data about social network objects that comprises data about events performed on the social network. For each social network object, a ranking function is applied to ranking data about the social network object based on its type. In addition, the recency of an event on the social network related to the social network object is evaluated, in order to calculate the score for the social network object. A relative ranking for each of the plurality of social network objects based on its score is determined, and the score and relative ranking of each of the social network objects stored.
US08572093B2
Described herein is a system and method for providing a condensed license description syntax for use in a software due diligence system. In particular, the license description syntax may employ a limited number of verifiable attributes to provide precision and lack of redundancy in describing various software licenses relevant to software due diligence. For example, the software due diligence system may identify licenses in software under review and invoke a compiler configured to perform various operations on the license description syntax to check for permissions and obligations associated with the identified licenses (e.g., name translation, operator translation, logical expression evaluation, etc.). Thus, the license description syntax may enable the license database to be established as a global public or private license database, in addition to providing licenses attributes useful in software due diligence review.
US08572091B1
A system that implements a scaleable data storage service may maintain tables in a non-relational data store on behalf of service clients. Each table may include multiple items. Each item may include one or more attributes, each containing a name-value pair. The system may provide an API through which clients can query tables maintained by the service. Items may be partitioned and indexed in a table according to a simple or composite primary key contained in all items in the table. A composite primary key may include a hash key attribute, and a range key attribute. The range key attribute may be usable to order items having the same hash key attribute value, and to partition them dependent on a range of range key attribute values. A query request may specify a logical or mathematical expression dependent on range key attribute values and may be directed to multiple partitions.
US08572085B2
In a data storage and retrieval system wherein data arranged in nodes is stored and retrieved in pages, each page comprising a cluster of nodes, a method comprising: monitoring ongoing data retrieval to find retrieval patterns of nodes which are retrieved together and to identify changes in said retrieval patterns over time; and periodically reclustering the data nodes among said pages dynamically during usage of the data to reflect said changes, so that nodes more often retrieved together are migrated to cluster together and nodes more often required separately are migrated to cluster separately, thereby to keep small an overall number of page accesses of said data storage and retrieval system during data retrieval despite dynamic changes in patterns of data retrieval.
US08572083B1
A financial-service system that manages content objects includes a chronicles platform with a chronicle associated with a loan request. A content manager determines a set of content objects to be associated with the chronicle and generates a bucket for each content object of the set of content objects. Each bucket is associated with a name and is configured to receive an associated content object. The chronicle is populated with the generated buckets. An interface that detects a user action and that thereafter receives or generates a content object, which is detected by the content manager and associated with a bucket. The content manager causes the bucket to receive the content object and presents representations of the buckets to a user. Representations of one or more buckets that have received a content object differ from representations of one or more other buckets that have not received a content object.
US08572071B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transforming data in vector form. Each vector is composed of a set of attributes that are either boolean or have been mapped to boolean form. The vectors may or may not fall into categories assigned by a subject matter expert (SME). If categories exist, the categorical labels divide the vectors into subsets. The first transformation calculates a prior probability for each attribute based on the links between attributes in each subset of the vectors. The second transformation computes a new numeric value for each attribute based on the links between attributes in each subset of the vectors. The third transformation operates on vectors that have not been categorized. Based on the automatic selection of categories from the attributes, this transformation computes a new numeric value for each attribute based on the links between attributes in each subset of the vectors.
US08572070B2
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, searching for and identifying an entity representation. Some embodiments permit search criteria that are internally inconsistent. Such internally inconsistent criteria may include, for example, a maiden last name and a married last name. Certain embodiments account for such criteria in an intelligent manner and identify matching entity representations with a known confidence level of accuracy.
US08572056B2
A system for processing a transaction is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to check a condition using data in a first database, wherein the data is associated with a transaction, wherein the data in the first database is latched before checking the condition and is unlatched after checking the condition. The processor is further configured to indicate to a second database to check the condition using data in the second database, wherein the data is associated with the transaction. The data in the second database is latched before checking the condition and is unlatched after checking the condition. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US08572055B1
A method, system and apparatus for efficient storage of small files in a segment-based deduplication scheme by allocating multiple small files to a single data segment is provided. A mechanism for distinguishing between large files (e.g., files that are on the order of the size of a segment or larger) and smaller files, and starting a new segment at the beginning of a large file is also provided. A file attribute-based system for determining an identity of a small file at which to begin a new segment and then allocating subsequent small files to that segment and contiguous segments until a next small file having an appropriate attribute subsequently is encountered to begin a new segment is further provided. In one aspect of the present invention a filename hash is used for file attribute analysis to determine when a new segment should begin. Using such a mechanism, multiple small files can be allocated to a data segment and at the same time continue to provide for efficient storage of large files within separate data segments. The file attribute analysis further provides for an increase in deduplication rate for subsequently provided copies of the small files (e.g., in a backup) since segment boundaries remain constant in spite of file additions or deletions.
US08572054B2
A forward compatibility guaranteed data compression and decompression method and apparatus are provided. The compressed data decompression apparatus includes a compressed file parsing unit which parses a compressed file comprising compressed data, a header including information on the compressed data and an extension field to extract the compressed data, and an original file generating unit which decompresses the compressed data to generate an original file. The extension field includes one or more extension field units and an extension field terminating code indicating an end of a region capable of including the extension field units, each of the header and the extension field units starts with a data identification code having the same number of bytes, and the extension field unit further includes its own length data separated by a predetermined number of bytes from its own data identification code. If the data identification code of the extension field unit is not defined while the parsing is carried out based on the data identification code, the compressed file parsing unit skips the extension field unit using the length data without processing the extension field unit.
US08572052B2
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, calculating parameters used to determine whether records and entity representations should be linked. Such parameters may be set as negative to account for fields that do not match. The system and method apply iterative techniques such that parameters from each linking iteration are used in the next linking iteration. The system and method need no human interaction in order to calibrate and utilize record matching formulas used for the linking decisions.
US08572046B2
A backup computer storage system that protects and/or recovers data on a primary computer storage system is disclosed. The backup computer system may be used to backup databases, files, and/or applications. The backup system may be used to backup an image of the primary computer system. The backup system may also be used to backup one or more databases. The backup system may replicate an image of data that is on a primary computer system. The backup system may also be used to restore data from the backup system to the primary computer system. The backup system may restore data to a database while non-affected portions of the database are available and can be used. The backup system may record all transactions in real time without overwriting any previously stored backup data. The backup system may maintain historical and/or chronological information related to the backed up data.
US08572045B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for restoring a plurality of files previously deleted from a volume are described. For each respective file of the plurality of deleted files, the method may operate to determine a time at which the respective file was last modified and a time at which the respective file was deleted. These times define a respective recovery time window for the respective file. The method may further comprise determining a particular point in time that is within the recovery time windows for two or more of the plurality of deleted files. A temporary version of the volume as it existed at the particular point in time may be created, and each file of the two or more files may be restored to the volume from the temporary version of the volume.
US08572035B2
A universal data management interface (UDMI) system includes a processing system generates a visual interface through which a user can access, manage, and manipulate data on plural different types of remote databases. The UDMI connects to multiple standard database management systems and to allow multiple users to access, manage, and manipulate data within each of the multiple standard database management systems. The UDMI also allows multiple virtual databases that reside in a single database to be available as a network service.
US08572034B2
A method of managing a distributed storage system (1) comprising a plurality of storage devices (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) on a network (N), wherein an autonomous function can be assigned to any storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (N), which autonomous function comprises collecting content according to a configurable profile (3) for the storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) to which the autonomous function is assigned, and wherein a first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), before leaving the network (N), delegates the responsibility for an autonomous function of that first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) to a second storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) of the distributed storage system (1), and wherein the second storage device assumes responsibility for the autonomous function of the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn), and wherein the second storage device transfers data, accumulated due to its responsibility for the autonomous function of the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . Dn), to the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) when the first storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) returns to the network (N). The invention also relates to a storage device (D1, D2, . . . , Dn) for use in a distributed storage system (1), and to a distributed storage system (1) comprising such storage devices (D1, D2, . . . , Dn).
US08572027B2
A method, system and computer program product for performing synchronization between source and target tables. An external data source inserts a new row in a first table as it modifies or creates a row in the source table where each new row in the first table includes a primary key value associated with the modified/created row in the source table. An application copies the distinct values for the primary keys listed in the first table and inserts them in a second table. The application performs uncommitted read operations on the source table for each row corresponding to the primary key values stored in the second table. The application inserts the data read into the corresponding rows of the target table. In this manner, a platform agnostic application may be able to synchronize the relational source and target tables in an efficient manner while minimizing the contention at the source table.
US08572025B2
The present invention includes a method of navigation/manipulation and display of media or data residing on a media player type device or other limited display system. The method includes a non-hierarchical intelligent associative reorganization of the media player database as stored on the media device. The method implements a technique to display the database entries that promotes the application of associative connections by the user to the database entries during the navigation of the database. Therefore, the selection of media objects or data entries that make up a play list as it is generated by the user is constructed using associative connections while the user traverses the non-hierarchical presentation of the database. The present invention also includes a remote control data management system that includes a docking station and a remote control unit that maintain and manipulate metadata in one or more databases even after a media player has been disconnected.
US08572023B2
A data services framework workflow processing system and method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for data from a client and based on the request, determining a workflow to process the request. The method also includes based on the workflow, generating a plurality of backend calls. Additionally, the method includes based on the plurality of backend calls, selecting one or more data sources from a plurality of data sources. The method also includes transmitting one or more of the plurality of backend calls to the selected data sources and receiving, from each the selected data sources, a response to the plurality of backend calls.
US08572021B2
In one embodiment, a method receives a plurality of documents. The documents may be received from different medical providers. Also, the documents may be medical record documents generated or captured in a first format and a second format. The first format may be an unstructured data format and the second format may be a structured data format. The first and second documents are then converted to a common format. For example, a common format may emerge as the most restrictive or constrained denominator of the first format and the second format. A schema is determined that provides an organizational structure with categories that can be used to index the content of the first and second documents while they are being converted to the common format. The schema and indexing enable the different formats of documents to be combined and organized simultaneously into a single view for a comprehensive review.
US08572020B2
A process, system and computer software are provided to facilitate at least one recommendation to one or more users and/or one or more applications using multidimensional data. In particular, a multidimensional space is defined, wherein each dimension is capable of providing variable information. At least one dimension corresponds to user profiles. The multidimensional space is filled with multidimensional data corresponding to dimensions of the multidimensional space. Then, information from the multidimensional space is retrieved. Further, the recommendation is generated based on the retrieved information. In addition, it is possible to generate a recommendation-specific query. This can be performed by generating the recommendation-specific query to access a multidimensional cube and retrieve data stored therein. Then, the recommendation can be issued based on the data retrieved from the multidimensional cube.
US08572014B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using transition table templates. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a transition table for a current state of a finite automaton and determining whether the transition table for the current state is similar to a transition table template in a set of transition table templates. The method further includes generating a condensed representation of the transition table if the transition table is similar to a transition table template and otherwise adding the transition table to the set of transition table templates. In another aspect, a method includes receiving an input element and determining whether a next state corresponding to the input element is in the difference region of a condensed transition table. The method further includes retrieving the next state from the difference region, or a transition table template, based on the determination.
US08572008B2
A learning apparatus includes: a location acquiring section for acquiring time series data on locations of a user; a time acquiring section for acquiring time series data on times; and learning section for learning an activity model indicating an activity state of the user as a probabilistic state transition model, using the respective acquired time series data on the locations and the times as an input.
US08572007B1
A computer-implemented, server-side method for classifying unknown files based on user actions may include (1) identifying at least one file whose trustworthiness is unknown, (2) identifying a report received from at least one client device that identifies at least one action taken by a user within a user community when informed by security software on the client device that the trustworthiness of the file is unknown, (3) determining that the action taken by the user indicates that the user believes the file is trustworthy, (4) classifying the file as trustworthy based at least in part on the action taken by the user, and then (5) providing the file's classification to at least one computing device in order to enable the computing device to evaluate the trustworthiness of the file. Corresponding systems, encoded computer-readable media, and client-side methods are also disclosed.
US08572004B2
A statistical approach can be used to efficiently supply an initial population that provides a good global description of a design space. The SI based simulation can then find a global best design within a reduced number of simulations. The statistical approach can be utilized to determine a plurality of potential best and worst case designs from a design space. The plurality of potential best and worst case designs from the design space seed or prime a SI based simulation. The best case designs are based on design parameters than can be controlled. The worst case designs are based on design parameters than cannot be controlled due. SI based simulations can then be run on the best case designs with respect to the worst case designs to determine probability of failure of the best case design.
US08571999B2
In one embodiment, a method of conducting operations for a social network application comprises: operating at least one social network application server for interacting with users of the social network application; maintaining user accounts for users of the social network application, the user accounts including data defining relationships between users of the social network application; logging activities of users, the logged activities including real-world activities other than direct use of the social network application; generating a notification list of recent activities of users of the social network application, wherein the notification list includes (1) at least one real-world activity of a first user of the social network application and (2) at least one hyperlink to offer for an activity that is directly related to the at least one real-world activity of the first user.
US08571996B2
A transaction security code database and a method and apparatus for generating the transaction security code database. The transaction security code database is comprised of multiple transaction security codes, each transaction security code constituting a transaction code generated based upon a transaction initiated by a user, which is appended to or linked to a security code which is based upon a biometric sensor code generated by a biometric sensor from a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the user.
US08571985B1
Systems and methods for reconciling merchant of record in a mobile wallet feature are provided herein. In mobile transactions, the reported merchant of record is often a provider of the mobile wallet feature and not the merchant of interest to the user. The systems and methods identify mobile payments based on the transaction data, the mobile payments comprising a merchant of record, wherein the merchant of record includes a provider of the mobile wallet feature; compare the mobile payments and the identification data of the unrecorded merchant; match the unrecorded merchant with at least one payment of the mobile payments in response to the comparison of the mobile payments and the identification data; and identify the unrecorded merchant based on the identification data.
US08571974B1
A method for processing documents in a database having at least one record therein. Asset-related data contained on at least one document is reviewed pursuant to securitization of multiple assets. The at least one of the multiple assets comprises a commercial mortgage loan. The document is received into the database on a flow basis including receiving information from the document into the database as the document information becomes available for entry into the database. The flow basis includes collecting data from the document independently of an end use of the document. The contents of the document are analyzed to ensure compliance with at least one standard. The output data is provided from the record in the database. The output data includes at least data related to multiple assets associated with a securitization of the multiple assets. System, computer readable memory, and computer readable memory storage embodiments also are provided.
US08571965B2
Techniques for reducing delta values of credit risk positions in online trading of credit derivatives are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing delta values may comprise: receiving, in an online trading system of credit derivatives, a plurality of credit risk positions submitted by a plurality of trader clients, each credit risk position having a delta value and a maturity date, wherein each trader client's submission is unknown to other trader clients: identifying, from the plurality of trader clients, at least two trader clients who hold offsetting credit risk positions on at least two maturity dates; determining delta offsets to be applied to delta values of the credit risk positions held by the at least two trader clients and having the at least two maturity dates, such that an overall delta of each of the at least two trader clients' credit risk positions remains substantially unchanged after the application of the delta offsets; calculating, based on the determined delta offsets, notional amounts of credit derivative trades needed to realize the delta offsets; and executing the credit derivative trades among the at least two trader clients.
US08571964B2
Methods and corresponding system are provided herewith that, in at least one embodiment, include the act or acts of determining a first instance in which a first request is received by an exchange; determining a second instance in which a second request is received by the exchange, in which the second request defines a request to cancel the first request; determining a third instance in which a third request is received by the exchange, in which the third request corresponds to the first request; calculating a first difference between the second instance and the third instances; storing the first difference to a data storage, in which the data storage comprises a plurality of differences; and analyzing the plurality of differences to generate comparative information.
US08571961B1
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. Specifically, example business objects include FundsManagementFund and Merchandise Category Hierarchy.
US08571953B2
This invention relates to reimbursement of travel expenses. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented method processes a travel expense voucher. The method determines whether the travel expense voucher satisfies a condition. If the travel expense voucher satisfies the condition, the method allows a payment corresponding to the travel expense voucher. If the travel expense voucher does not satisfy the condition, the method provides an interface to perform an audit of the travel expense voucher.
US08571949B1
A system comprises: (a) storage and distribution means; (b) inventory upload means; (c) product information download means; (d) order upload means; and (e) delivery download means. A method comprises: (a) digitally transferring the goods and pertinent product information from a provider of the goods to a storage and distribution means; (b) storing the goods, pertinent product information, order information, sales information, or marketing information on the storage and distribution means; (c) digitally transferring product information to a shopper; (d) digitally transferring order information from a buyer of goods to the storage and distribution means; and (e) digitally transferring the goods to the buyer. The storage and distribution means may be provided with a network connection for access by providers, shoppers, and buyers.
US08571935B2
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic integration and linear presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content; combining the requested media content and advertising content to provide an interactive advertising unit; and transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device, wherein the advertising content is presented before the requested media content. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, and an integration module for coordinating interaction between the layers. Coordinating interaction between the layers includes: managing the spatial presentation of the requested media content and the advertising content, synchronizing the temporal presentation of the requested media content and the advertising content, and controlling the presentation priority of the requested media content and the advertising content.
US08571934B2
A system and method for placing ads on a client-side video replay system. The described embodiments of the present invention allow a client to make a determination of ad placement priority separately from the function of serving ads to a requesting application. A described dynamic ad placement engine reorders ads when the context of the system is changed to yield a next ad to be placed. Thus, at a later time, when an application sends an ad request, the dynamic ad placement engine can quickly respond with the ad to be placed. The ads also are preferably reordered after an ad is placed. Placement of ads is controlled in the described embodiment by interpreted rules for each ad.
US08571928B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to business methods and systems for retail marketing, and specifically to Retail Customer Referral Compensation Programs for using Performance-Driven criteria to award Production Points for determining a Referring Customer's position in a Performance-Driven Floating Matrix compensation and matching bonus plan in a retail marketing organization.
US08571927B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to business methods and systems for retail marketing, and specifically to retail customer referral compensation programs for using performance driven criteria to award production points for determining a referring customer's position in a performance driven floating compensation structure and matching bonus plan in a retail marketing organization.
US08571923B2
Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for distributing advertising content with improved accessibility for users and with a reduced-cost architecture for the web site provider. An advertising service directory (ASD) intercepts advertising requests containing registered words and phrases so that their location can be determined in a data structure. Through user profile, web site preference or additional information in the reference data structure, the delivery format of the content can also be detected. The request is then forwarded to the provider, removing the need for the first web site provider to actually serve the advertising content. Users can use a phrase or format in order to “push” for advertising content. Thus, brand names and products can be accessible without the need to bid for ad placement. The effectiveness of advertising across many platforms can be increased by offering users an easier-to-remember retrieval method.
US08571921B1
An e-commerce price index is constructed and maintained based on consumer actions in connection with one or more e-commerce websites. A data collector software module collects information regarding products sold or available for sale online, including a price and rate of clicks received for each product on the website(s). An index software module analyzes the collected information to construct the price index. Specifically, the index software module scrubs the collected information to remove outliers and fill in gaps and calculates a click-weighted average price by product category and day. The index module generates the price index by aggregating and normalizing the calculated click-weighted average prices. The index software module can compute the e-commerce price index on a virtually real-time basis. Thus, the e-commerce price index can provide useful information about online pricing trends far earlier than traditional indices.
US08571907B2
Weather information from one or a variety of locations is used to estimate costs for providing weather-dependent work, to audit weather-dependent work allegedly performed, and to improve billing and provide exception reporting for unbilled weather-dependent work such as snow removal and landscaping. A variety of stand-alone and networked computer systems, sensors, weather information sources, and historical data are used to provide such functions. To estimate costs to perform weather-dependent work at a first location, a weather information source providing weather information relating to a second location estimated to have weather similar to weather occurring at the first location is located, and a correlation is made between the weather information and a history of weather-dependent work at the first location to generate an estimated need for future weather-dependent work at the first location. Current weather information is used to perform auditing of invoiced work and to perform exception reporting.
US08571902B1
An apparatus for and method of providing remote, self-service airport passenger check-in using a passenger verification provided by one or more personal identifiers, preferably a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and at least one biometric identifier. In the preferred mode, a remote check-in monitor is located in a passenger's hotel room or other convenient location. The passenger verification process requires between the personal identifier(s) and biometric identifier(s). Following passenger verification, the passenger is permitted to request a remotely printed boarding pass, remotely printed baggage claim tickets, etc. Details of the flight, such as seat selection, can also be defined or redefined from the remote site after successful passenger verification.
US08571901B2
An automated self-storage reservation and management system is disclosed. The system enables customers to make a reservation for a self-storage unit, view a map for a storage facility, enter or update customer information, make a payment, view payment history and print receipts. Facility personnel can utilize the system to manage inventory and client accounts, generate reports, track sales, vacancies and delinquencies. The automated system preferably includes a communications feature that enables facility personnel to communicate with each other or with customers regarding customer accounts. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the system automatically generates notices to customers or facility personnel.
US08571897B2
A computer system for administering applications for life insurance has a processor and a memory storage device in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to receive data indicative of an application and an initial premium payment from a proposed insured for life insurance; based on the received data, determine whether the proposed insured is eligible for life insurance issued before completion of comprehensive underwriting; responsive to a determination that the proposed insured is eligible, generate an output signal having data indicative of a decision to respond to the application by issuing a policy and by commencing a comprehensive underwriting process. The processor may be configured to receive data indicative of a result of the comprehensive underwriting process and based on the result of the comprehensive underwriting process, provide an output signal indicative of policy changes.
US08571888B2
In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing health or flexible spending account information in association with products identified in an augmented reality environment. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving information associated with an image, where the image was captured by a mobile device; (b) determining, based at least partially on the information associated with the image, that the image shows a product that qualifies for purchase under a medical savings plan; and (c) presenting, via the mobile device, information that indicates that the product qualifies for purchase under the medical savings plan.
US08571883B2
A method for the study and evaluation of the performance of medical devices in vivo is disclosed. The medical devices are preferably tampons that are observed and evaluated in the vaginal cavities of women during their menstrual cycles in order to obtain data relative to tampon performance for the improvement of tampon technology. The method preferably uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), although other types of imaging techniques may be used. The present invention also resides in a method of MRI analysis in which a three-dimensional surface model image of a medical device such as a tampon or similar feminine hygiene product in vivo is created from two or more two-dimensional cross section images and combined with a second surface model image to produce a single image.
US08571880B2
The present invention generally provides personal health management devices, and corresponding systems and methods. The personal health management device generally include an electronic controller and at least one memory device which cooperate to store at least temporarily weight management data for managing the weight of at least one user, such as a user's weight, a user's body fat percentage, exercise data, food consumption data, or a combination thereof, obtained from at least one component for obtaining such data, such as a keypad, a body fat percentage sensor for measuring a user's body fat percentage, a scale for measuring a user's weight, an exercise machine, a food scale, etc, and a communications unit for communicating the data obtained to a healthcare provider for monitoring progress with respect to a weight management program over a communications network.
US08571876B2
An apparatus for obtaining a parameter describing a variation of a signal characteristic of a signal on the basis of actual transform-domain parameters describing the audio signal in transform-domain includes a parameter determinator. The parameter determinator is configured to determine one or more model parameters of a transform-domain variation model describing an evolution of the transform-domain parameters in dependence on one or more model parameters representing a signal characteristic, such that a model error, representing a deviation between a modeled temporal evolution of the transform-domain parameters and an evolution of the actual transform-domain parameters, is brought below a predetermined threshold value or minimized.
US08571873B2
Described herein are methods, systems, apparatuses and products for reconstruction of a smooth speech signal from a stuttered speech signal. One aspect provides for accessing a stored speech signal having stuttering; identifying at least one stuttered region in the stored speech signal; modifying the at least one stuttered region in the stored speech signal; and responsive to modifying the at least one stuttered region, reconstructing a smooth speech signal corresponding to the stored speech signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08571856B2
The invention relates to the processing of a digital signal originating from a decoder and a noise reduction post-processing step, including, in particular, limitation of distortion introduced by the post-processing step in order to deliver a corrected output signal (SOUT), assigning said corrected output signal (SOUT) with: a current amplitude having an intermediary value between a current amplitude value of the post-processed signal (SPOST) and a corresponding current amplitude value of the decoded signal (S′MIC), or the current amplitude of the post-processed signal (SPOST), according to the respective values of the current amplitude of the post-processed signal (SPOST) and by the corresponding current amplitude of the decoded signal (S′MIC).
US08571850B2
A dual cross-media relevance model (DCMRM) is used for automatic image annotation. In contrast to the traditional relevance models which calculate the joint probability of words and images over a training image database, the DCMRM model estimates the joint probability by calculating the expectation over words in a predefined lexicon. The DCMRM model may be advantageous because a predefined lexicon potentially has better behavior than a training image database. The DCMRM model also takes advantage of content-based techniques and image search techniques to define the word-to-image and word-to-word relations involved in image annotation. Both relations can be estimated by using image search techniques on the web data as well as available training data.
US08571849B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for enriching spoken language translation with prosodic information in a statistical speech translation framework. The method includes receiving speech for translation to a target language, generating pitch accent labels representing segments of the received speech which are prosodically prominent, and injecting pitch accent labels with word tokens within the translation engine to create enriched target language output text. A further step may be added of synthesizing speech in the target language based on the prosody enriched target language output text. An automatic prosody labeler can generate pitch accent labels. An automatic prosody labeler can exploit lexical, syntactic, and prosodic information of the speech. A maximum entropy model may be used to determine which segments of the speech are prosodically prominent. A pitch accent label can include an indication of certainty that a respective segment of the speech is prosodically prominent and/or an indication of prosodic prominence of a respective segment of speech.
US08571844B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to determining the spatial extent, aggressiveness, and other characteristics of various types of tumors, including glioma tumors that occur in brain tissue. Various embodiments of the present invention use parameterized computational models to characterize tumor growth and employ medical imaging technologies to generate images and other types of data from which values of parameters of the computational models are derived. Having obtained the parameters for a particular tumor, the extent of the tumor is estimated, with high accuracy, and other characteristics of the tumor are derived from the parameterized computational models.
US08571842B2
A method of simultaneously determining multiple parameters or a parameter distribution characterizing material properties of a volume under investigation using an inversion process of sparse measurements is described including the step of defining an initial model of the volume and modifying the initial model by matching the multiple parameters or parameter distribution with the measurements using alternatingly an iterative inversion method and a probabilistic inversion method, and determining the multiple parameters or parameter distribution after one or more iterations of the alternating inversions.
US08571840B2
Methods, program products and systems for preparing a mechanical model for a dynamic simulation. A first plurality of bodies in a mechanical model are identified including at least one grounded body and at least one free body, each of the bodies in the first plurality of bodies being related to at least one other body in the plurality of bodies by at least one constraint that removes or limits at least one degree of freedom for that body in relation to another body. The bodies in the first plurality of bodies are merged into a minimum number of rigid groups needed for a dynamic simulation where the minimum number of rigid groups includes at least one grounded group and at least one mobile group. Constraints that relate bodies within a group are removed from each of the rigid groups.
US08571834B2
Methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for measuring a performance of a program running on a processing unit of a processing system. In one embodiment, the method comprises informing a logic unit of each instruction in the program that is executed by the processing unit, assigning a weight to each instruction, assigning the instructions to a plurality of groups, and analyzing the plurality of groups to measure one or more metrics. In one embodiment, each instruction includes an operating code portion, and the assigning includes assigning the instructions to the groups based on the operating code portions of the instructions. In an embodiment, each type of instruction is assigned to a respective one of the plurality of groups. These groups may be combined into a plurality of sets of the groups.
US08571829B2
Objects in a cargo shipping container are detected by measuring vibration resonant frequency peaks of the container. The mass of an object on the floor of the container effects the vibration resonance of the container, enabling the object to be detected. A vibration source and a plurality of accelerometers are either attached to the steel structure of the container, or are disposed on a supporting structure, such as a cargo crane or lift, so that they contact the container. The vibration source causes the container to vibrate, and the accelerometers detect the vibration resonance of the container. A mismatch between a cargo manifest and an observed cargo, or detection of an object having relatively high mass, e.g., due to lead shielding, can justify a manual inspection. The process uses synchronous processing to achieve the sensitivity needed, is unobtrusive, and does not slow the flow of cargo through a facility.
US08571826B2
A method for correction of the measured values of optical alignment systems with at least two measurement planes which are located in succession in the beam path. From each measurement plane, the beam path to the light source is transformed back in order to compute new incidence points using a beam which has been corrected by taking into consideration imaging errors.
US08571820B2
The present invention provides a METHOD TO CALCULATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING for information technology equipment. This method specifically pertains to information technology equipment that doubles its capabilities in a predetermined timeframe according to Moore's Law. This method uses a formula to calculate an energy efficiency rating based on power consumption and transactions per second. It further calculates a normalized rating where the absolute rating is adjusted based on Moore's Law prediction of improvements. As a result the method invented is the first and only method to compare information technology from various generations of hardware, processor and component architecture with each other in terms of their energy efficiency.
US08571819B2
Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a Coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as Coriolis parameters of the Coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the Coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.
US08571813B2
One or more optical fibers (20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), each with a second end (21) with a phosphor (26) disposed in a substrate (32) at a given depth (Dn) below a wear surface (34). A first photonic energy (52) is injected into a first end (19) of the optical fibers. The phosphor (26) emits a second photonic energy (54) into the fiber in response to the first photonic energy (52) incident on the phosphor from the fiber. When wear removes the phosphor (26) from one or more fibers, a detector (48, 49) detects a proportional reduction of the second photonic energy, indicating that wear has reached the given depth. A band-pass optical filter (46) may block wavelengths of the first photonic energy (52) from reflecting into the detector. The substrate temperature may be determined using a temperature-dependent emission of the phosphor.
US08571808B2
Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided.
US08571806B2
The present invention provides methods for generating information related to the molecular structure of a biomolecule.
US08571794B2
Systems and methods for guiding a vehicle and vehicle sensor bias determination methods are disclosed. A method for guiding a vehicle includes a primary antenna of a primary survey-grade GNSS-receiver and a secondary antenna of a secondary GNSS-receiver mounted to the vehicle, which are at least temporarily receiving GNSS-signals of a global positioning system. A plurality of physical sensors mounted to the vehicle generate physical data indicative of respective measured physical parameters of at least part of the vehicle. The method includes de-biasing the physical data and applying a recursive statistical estimator, such as a Kalman filter, to the de-biased physical data and an output of the primary and secondary GNSS-receivers to determine a position and velocity of the vehicle.
US08571792B2
Provided is a navigation device which can automatically display on a map screen, an icon of a facility, information of which is not held in the navigation device. According to the navigation device (2), when it is judged that content information received from a roadside radio device (1) contains “object facility coordinate information” and “icon image information”, these information are written into a facility information table (252). When displaying a map screen and an existing facility icon on a display unit (22), it is judged whether the facility information table (252) contains facility icon information having coordinate information contained within a range indicated by the map screen. If YES, the corresponding facility icon is overlay-displayed on the map screen and the existing facility icon.
US08571780B2
An engine controlling apparatus includes an engine speed detection unit that detects an engine speed, and an acceleration operation amount detection unit that detects an acceleration operation amount inputted to an acceleration pedal.The apparatus includes a first calculation unit that calculates an acceleration demand torque based on the engine speed and the acceleration operation amount, a second calculation unit that calculates an external demand torque demanded from an external controlling system, and a third calculation unit that calculates a first target torque and a second target torque based on the acceleration demand torque and the external demand torque.The apparatus includes a fourth calculation unit that calculates a maximum torque which can be generated by the engine at an actual charging efficiency, and a control unit that controls an ignition timing of the engine based on the actual torque and the first target torque.
US08571774B2
One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
US08571773B2
Disclosed herein is a gear selection method and device for an automatic transmission for a traction phase (Z2) after a coasting phase (S) of a motor vehicle. According to the method, in a traction phase (Z1) before the coasting phase (S), a sliding average value of the rotational speed level (n) and/or of the traction force level (Fx) is formed depending on the particular velocity (v) and particular gradient (ST) and is taken into consideration for defining at least one gear choice of the automatic transmission for the traction phase (Z2) after the particular coasting phase (S).
US08571762B2
Knowing the global pose of mining excavators provides a range of benefits for managing and automating mining operations. A method for globally locating the pose of an electric mining shovel is described. The system takes measurements from an arbitrary number of RTK-GPS antennas mounted on the machine house and a resolver fitted to the machines' swing axis. A Kalman filter is used to produce estimates of the global locations pose.
US08571760B2
A system testing the air bag control unit of a vehicle testing an air bag control unit of a vehicle summing a first signal shaken by a shaker and a second signal provided from the signal control apparatus to generate a sum-sensing signal, and generating a determining signal for evaluation regarding presence of an operation of an air bag based on the sum-sensing signal, is provided. The system testing an air bag control unit of a vehicle, includes: a shaker control unit generating a first signal and start-synchronizing information regarding the first signal; a shaker shaking an air bag control unit according to a frequency of the first signal; a signal control unit time-synchronizing and transferring the second signal with the first signal using the start-synchronizing information to the air bag control unit; and an air bag control unit generating a sum-sensing signal regarding the first signal and the second signal, generating and transferring a determining signal for evaluation regarding presence of an operation of an air bag based on the sum-sensing signal to the signal control unit.
US08571759B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling steering in a vehicle having an electric power steering system (EPS) with a steering wheel, the EPS configured to attenuate smooth road shake (SRS) for the vehicle. A first relationship is determined between a torque of the steering wheel and motions of the steering wheel while free of SRS excitation. A second relationship is determined between the torque and the motions with SRS excitation. A mapping is generated based on the first relationship and the second relationship via a processor for use in adjusting steering control.
US08571752B2
Vehicle mirrors and telematics systems are provided. A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror housing and an accelerometer. The mirror housing is configured to be mounted within a vehicle. The accelerometer is disposed within the mirror housing, and is configured to measure an acceleration of the vehicle. A diagnostics device is configured to provide diagnostics information pertaining to the vehicle. A navigation device is configured to provide navigation information as to a position of the vehicle. A controller is coupled to the accelerometer, the diagnostics device, and the navigation device. The controller is configured to generate vehicle determinations using the acceleration, the diagnostics information, and the navigation information. A transmitter is coupled to the controller, and is configured to transmit determination information pertaining to the vehicle determinations.
US08571751B1
Techniques for operating, testing, and generating a testing report for the electrical and air subsystems of a vehicular trailer, without the use of an associated truck tractor are disclosed. The system includes a portable testing unit with self-powered electrical and air subsystems which are interconnected to the corresponding subsystems of the vehicular trailer under test. The portable testing unit can be rolled about on a stand and functions as a mini-truck tractor, in the sense that it selectively provides electrical power and air to the VUT. The testing unit is controlled by a small, portable hand held radio frequency remote control that communicates test and data signals to a radio receiver in the portable testing unit. The system acquires testing data from both automatic and manual means from disparate sources. The system stores the testing data and automatically generates testing reports. The system manages the testing data and generated reports.
US08571746B2
A control system is provided for controlling an electronic device. The control system includes a control apparatus and a processing device. The control apparatus includes a transponder and a coupling unit. The transponder of the control apparatus may be configured to receive an activation signal and transmit a control signal to the processing device. The coupling unit may be configured to enable and disable transmission of the control signal to the processing device. The processing device may be configured to receive the control signal and communicate the control signal to an electronic device or utilize the control signal to control the electronic device.
US08571737B2
A hybrid vehicle which runs on power from at least one of an electric motor and an engine. When a required output exceeds a sum of an output of the electric motor which is driven by electric power supplied from a battery and an output of the engine while the hybrid vehicle is running on a drive mode in which at least the engine works as a drive source with a clutch engaged, a transmission ratio changing unit increases a ratio of electrical transmission to mechanical transmission of the output of the engine, and an engaging/disengaging control unit releases the clutch at a time point when the mechanically-transmitted output of the engine becomes 0, with the clutch engaged.
US08571732B2
Provided is a vehicle skid control device that avoids a skid erroneous judgment in a high revolution range of a motor. The vehicle skid control device detects the number of revolutions of the motor. When the number of revolutions of the motor is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value Nm, the vehicle skid control device prohibits a skid judgment. When the number of revolutions of the motor is smaller than the predetermined threshold value Nm, the vehicle skid control device permits the skid judgment. When the number of revolutions of the motor is equal to or larger than the threshold value Nm, the skid judgment is prohibited. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the skid erroneous judgment in the high revolution range with the number of revolutions equal to or larger than Nm.
US08571730B1
An attitude control device for an in-space propellant depot. A propellant height sensor generates a measured propellant height. A sloshing frequency calculation unit calculates a sloshing frequency based on the measured propellant height. An attitude angle sensor generates a measured attitude angle. A frequency analysis unit generates a plurality of frequency spectra of the measured attitude angle. A dominant flexible mode calculation unit calculates a dominant flexible mode based on the plurality of frequency spectra. A modal coordinate calculation unit calculates a modal coordinate of the dominant flexible mode. A control torque parameter generator calculates a control torque parameter minimizing spectral amplitude of the plurality of frequency spectra. A control torque generator calculates a term of a control torque until the spectral amplitude of the plurality of frequency spectra no longer exceeds a predetermined value.
US08571719B2
A load control system for a building having a heating and cooling system and a window located in a space of the building controls amount of daylight entering the window in order to attempt to reduce the power consumption of the heating and cooling system, and adjusts amount of daylight entering the window if the heating and cooling system is not saving energy. A motorized window treatment of the load control system is operable to move a fabric covering the window in a first direction, and a temperature control device is operable to subsequently determine if the heating and cooling system is consuming more energy than when the fabric was in the initial position. The motorized window treatment then moves the fabric in a second direction opposite the first direction if the heating and cooling system is consuming more energy than when the fabric was in the initial position.
US08571716B2
An LED-based light can be installed in a conventional light fixture. The LED-based light can include a sensor operable to output a first signal indicative of whether an area of one or more of the rooms is in an occupied state or a non-occupied state, and the LED-based light can also include an LED controller operable to control at least one LED in the light in response to the first signal. Additionally, the LED-based light can include a transmitter operable to output a second signal indicative of whether the area is in the occupied state or the non-occupied state to a building environment regulator.
US08571714B2
The invention proposes a method for imitation-learning of movements of a robot, wherein the robot performs the following steps: observing a movement of an entity in the robot's environment, recording the observed movement using a sensorial data stream and representing the recorded movement in a different task space representations, selecting a subset of the task space representations for the imitation learning and reproduction of the movement to be imitated.
US08571710B2
Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a surgical site. Generally, data such as imaging data is processed and used to create a model of a surgical site, which can then be used to select advantageous entry port sites for two or more surgical tools based on multiple criteria. Advantageous robot positioning may also be determined, based on the entry port locations and other factors. Validation and simulation may then be provided to ensure feasibility of the selected port placements and/or robot positions. Such methods, apparatus and systems may also be used in non-surgical contexts, such as for robotic port placement in munitions defusion or hazardous waste handling.
US08571708B2
An Automated Pharmacy Admixture System (APAS) may include a manipulator that transports medical containers such as bags, vials, or syringes about a substantially aseptic admixing chamber. In a preferred implementation, a gripper assembly is configured to substantially universally grasp and retain syringes, IV bags, and vials of varying shapes and sizes. In an illustrative embodiment, a gripping device may include claws configured to grasp a plurality of different types of IV bags, each type having a different fill port configuration. Embodiments may include a controller adapted to actuate a transport assembly to place a fill port of the bag, vial or syringe into register with a filling port such as a cannula located at a filling station, or be equipped with carousel transport systems that are adapted to convey bags, vials, and syringes to the admixture system and deliver constituted medications in bags, vials or syringes to an egress area.
US08571706B2
A method for optimizing placement of a plurality of workstations in a workcell including an industrial robot programmed to execute a sequence of tasks on the workstations. Each task contains robot targets to be visited by the robot when executing the task. A preferred region is defined within the reachable range of the robot. Tasks are placed inside or as close as possible to the preferred region using an evaluation criterion and an optimization algorithm. The tasks are assigned to each workstation a position inside or close to the preferred region. A best order of the workstations and a defined order in which the tasks are to be executed are determined. The positions of the workstations are adjusted utilizing an optimization algorithm configured to run the robot program iteratively in order to optimize the placement of the workstations with regard to the robot performance.
US08571703B2
A processing system includes process modules, load lock modules, an equipment controller, and a machine controller. The equipment controller controls transfer and processing of wafers in the processing system. A transfer destination determining portion determines the transfer destination of each wafer such that each wafer is sequentially transferred to a normally operating process module. When an abnormality occurs in a process module, an evacuation portion temporarily evacuates to a cassette stage the wafer determined to be transferred to the abnormal process module and that has not yet been transferred to the abnormal process module. When an error of the abnormal process module is dealt with, a transfer destination change portion changes the transfer destination of a wafer scheduled to be first transferred from the cassette case, to the transfer inhibition-released process module. When the error of the transfer-inhibited processing chamber is released, the transfer route is optimized.
US08571702B1
Technologies are described herein for optimizing pick-to-tote operations. Each pick location for items in an inventory picking area is assigned a sequence number representing a relative position along a pick path through the inventory picking area. A number of tote pick lists are selected from a set of pending pick lists for the pick-to-tote operation, such that the range of sequence numbers across all the pick locations identified in the selected pick list is minimized. In this way, the required distance inventory personnel must travel along the pick path while picking the specified items and placing them into totes is reduced.
US08571701B2
A method of filling a restocking package is provided in which a queue of requests of items to be picked from a carousel is evaluated based on a set of user configurable priorities, a carousel is operated based on said evaluating, items are picked from the carousel in response to said operating, and a restocking package is filled with items held in said carousel in response to said operating. The method may additionally comprise filling the restocking package at a configurable time.
US08571700B2
Various embodiments are directed to a system for managing an inventory comprising serialized products. A computer system may receive from an intake sensor a first tray identifier describing a first tray present on an intake transport system. The computer system may also associate the first tray identifier with a first serial identifier of a first product unit present on a product transport system and instructing the product transport system, by the computer system, to transport the first product unit to the first tray. Additionally, the computer system may instruct a robot to place the first tray containing the first product unit at a first bin selected from a plurality of robot-accessible bins.
US08571699B2
Processing defects arising during processing of a semiconductor wafer prior to back-grinding are reduced with systems and methods of sensor placement. One or more holes are bored into a chuck table for receiving semiconductor wafers, or a support table next to the chuck table. One or more sensors are disposed in the holes for monitoring parameters during a pre-back-grinding (PBG) process. A control box converts a set of signals received from the sensors. A computer-implemented process control tool receives the converted set of signals from the control box and determines whether the PBG process will continue.
US08571697B2
An apparatus for machining the ends of a component includes a plurality of work stations, and a transport mechanism for moving the component along a path to the plurality of work stations. The transport mechanism is positioned to be inboard of the ends of a component. At least one of a first work station or a second work station of the plurality of workstations includes a first fixturing portion for holding a first end, and a first machine for carrying out machine operations on the first end. The first fixturing portion and the first machine are movable in a direction transverse to the path. A method of manufacturing components having two ends that are machined at both ends of a component includes conveying the component to a first work station along a path, moving a first fixture in a direction substantially transverse to the path to a position for holding one end of the component, and moving a first machine in a direction substantially transverse to the path to a position for machining one end of the component.
US08571692B2
A method of managing excess electrical power generation may be provided by remotely controlling operation of at least one of two energy storage devices coupled in series at a customer location in response to availability of generated electricity to the customer location.
US08571672B2
An implantable device including a first electrically non-conductive substrate with a plurality of electrically conductive vias. The device also includes a flip-chip multiplexer circuit attached to the first substrate using conductive bumps, the circuit being electrically connected to at least a subset of the of the electrically conductive vias. Another flip-chip driver circuit is attached to the flip-chip multiplexer circuit using conductive bumps while a second electrically non-conductive substrate is attached to the flip-chip driver circuit, also using conductive bumps. Discrete passives are attached to the second electrically non-conductive substrate and a cover is bonded to the first substrate. The cover, the first substrate, and the electrically conductive vias form a hermetic package.
US08571662B2
Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.
US08571648B2
Methods and apparatuses to apply substances to a biological tissue are described. The tissue having an target below a surface is stretched to provide openings in a surface. Stretching forces a material from the target onto the surface. A first substance may be applied while stretching to promote cleaning the tissue. A second substance may be applied to the surface. Energy may be applied to the tissue. Then the tissue is relaxed to draw the second substance through the openings into the tissue. The tissue may be stretched by applying a negative pressure, and relaxed by removing the negative pressure. The first substance may be an abrasive material. The second substance is a medicine, a moisturizer, a lotion, or any combination thereof. The second substance may be applied to the biological tissue using a positive pressure. The apparatus to apply substances may be a handheld device.
US08571645B2
A system and method for evaluating cardiovascular performance in real time and characterized by conversion of a surface potential into multi-channels are introduced. The system includes an electrocardiographic signal measuring unit, a reconstruction unit, and a parameter computation and assessment unit. The reconstruction unit reconstructs electrocardiographic signals (ECG signals) recorded by the electrocardiographic signal measuring unit, such that the ECG signals are reconstructed as ones located at different spatial positions but actually not having a channel. The method includes calculating a variation manifested spatially during an interval between a Q wave and a T wave of an ECG signal against time with a parameter computation and assessment algorithm, to evaluate its discreteness degree and thereby diagnose cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and locate lesions thereof.
US08571644B2
A method and apparatus for analyzing characteristics of ECG signal data having a succession of waveforms produced by the beating of the heart. ECG signal data is obtained from a patient. A depolarization feature and a second feature of the waveforms of the ECG signal data are determined. Waveforms of the ECG signal data having a stable heart rate are selected for use in determining the second feature. Waveforms selected are those having minimum depolarization feature standard deviation and minimum depolarization feature dispersion. The depolarization feature and second feature for the heart beats of the selected waveforms are displayed.
US08571630B2
An electrically conductive transmission line for transmitting RF signals, in particular for transmitting MR signals between a transmission and/or receiving coil and a transmitting and/or receiving unit, by which separate known matching networks can be avoided or reduced. A transmission line is proposed comprising a plurality of lead segments coupled by transformers having a transformer impedance ZL placed between two neighboring lead segments, wherein for power matching of the two transformers placed at opposite ends of a lead segment, the lead segment has a lead segment impedance Z0 or a dielectric constant ∈r and wherein the lead segment has a short length l. Thus, the lead segments themselves provide the matching of the transformers, and separate matching circuits are no longer needed.
US08571625B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08571621B2
Methods and systems are provided for filtering a pulse oximetry signal without making assumptions on the noise statistics of the signal. A pulse oximeter may receive an energy signal proportional to an amount of light detected at the sensor. The energy signal may be converted and digitally processed to estimate physiological data. The pulse oximeter may include a processor configured to execute H∞ filtering algorithms to estimate physiological data without requiring the variances and/or distributions of measurement and process noise in the signal. In one or more embodiments, the pulse oximeter may also be configured to execute other filtering algorithms which update H∞ filtering algorithms based on the pulse oximetry signal.
US08571613B1
A radio receiver having a substantially round housing that does not exceed 7.95 cm in diameter. A front display panel having a somewhat larger perimeter than the housing is mounted to the housing. The housing and the front display panel form a weatherproof unit that meets IP66 standards. A radio receiver and an amplifier are contained within the weatherproof housing, which shields electrical circuits from precipitation and other forms of water intrusion.
US08571610B2
A zone effective ground-position-responsive wifi hotspot system comprising a first antenna arranged within a zone, responsive to any of a wide variety of various manufacturers different wireless ground-position-indicative RF communication devices, a transmission line for transmitting RF signals to and from the wide variety of various manufacturers different ground-position-indicative RF communication devices utilized within the zone, and a control unit arranged in a link between the first antenna arranged within the zone, and the transmission line, the control unit enabled to be responsive to a variety of different wireless ground-position-indicative RF communication devices, to enable controlled wireless RF communication to and from the zone.
US08571600B2
Described in example embodiments herein are techniques that combine at least two network (communication) technologies (such as protocols, signaling methods, etc.) and limit when a wireless device employs one of the technologies. In an example embodiment, a passive technology, such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, can be employed to determine whether a certain network technology is available.
US08571598B2
A method for wireless communication between a first device and a peripheral device comprises providing a storage device adapted to store communication information for the peripheral device and being readable by the first device, the storage device being spatially separated from the peripheral device. The method also comprises positioning the device so that the first device can read communication information for the peripheral device before communicating with the peripheral device. An apparatus comprises a storage device including data for wireless communication between a first device and a peripheral device within a location, the apparatus being positioned in or near the location and adapted for storing communication information for the peripheral device. The communication information can be read by the first device, allowing the first device to communicate with the peripheral device.
US08571586B2
A method of communication comprises receiving a text message, starting a response timer, and monitoring transmission of a response message. If the response message has not been transmitted, it is determined whether the response timer has reached a timing threshold. If not, monitoring for transmission of the response message continues. If the response timer reaches the timing threshold without the response message being sent, it is determined whether an automatic standby message mode is enabled. If the automatic standby message mode is enabled, a STANDBY message is automatically transmitted and the response timer is restarted. Monitoring for response message transmission then continues. If a response message has not been transmitted, it is determined whether the response timer expired. If response timer has not expired, then monitoring response message transmission continues. If the response timer has expired without the response message being sent, transmission of subsequent response messages is disabled.
US08571585B2
A method, system and apparatus for maintaining a terminal profile of a mobile communication device. The system comprises a first network node operable to establish with the mobile communication device a wireless data path, to send to the mobile communication device via the wireless data path a terminal profile modification instruction and to receive from the mobile communication device via the wireless data path an acknowledgment. The terminal profile is communicated to a subscriber identity module operable to compare pending instructions to the terminal profile in order to identify and forward authorized instructions.
US08571584B1
Delivering the content of an audio-only Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message to a recipient without requiring the recipient device to be MMS-enabled. A sender creates an MMS message, and sends it to the device of the intended recipient. If the recipient device is not MMS-enabled and the MMS message contains only audio content, the message is conveyed to a message server, where the audio content is transcoded and stored in an IVR system or other location accessible to the recipient. If the intended recipient device supports the SMS protocol, an SMS notification alerting the recipient to the arrival of a new message is transmitted. If the recipient device is neither MMS- nor SMS-enabled, the recipient can be alerted of the receipt of an MMS message by voicemail, email, instant message, page, or another medium able to effect delivery. The notification includes instructions for accessing the message from the IVR system.
US08571579B2
A system and a method are provided for displaying location information on a mobile device. The location information can include direction, distance, positional coordinates, etc. The mobile device's display displays an image captured using the mobile device's camera. A selection input is received to identify an object in the image. A facing direction of the mobile device is detected using the mobile device's magnetometer. The mobile device determines a bearing to the object relative to the mobile device's facing direction. The mobile device then determines a distance between the mobile device and the object. The obtained or computed location data is overlaid on the image, thereby augmenting the image. The location data can include at least a direction indicator of the object and the distance between the mobile device and the object, whereby the direction indicator can be determined using the bearing.
US08571576B2
A processor for a user-portable device, the user-portable device comprising FM transmission circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to obtain a first set of valid geo-specific FM transmission parameters for the current geographical location of the user-portable device based on received global positioning satellite (GPS) data for the current geographical location of the user-portable device; and provide signalling to configure the FM transmission circuitry to use the valid first set of geo-specific FM transmission parameters.
US08571569B2
To provide a base transceiver station and channel rate control method for enabling the base transceiver station to execute stable processing in a radio communication system compliant with an HSDPA communication scheme, a base transceiver station 5 compliant with high speed downlink packet access is comprised of a Uu rate calculating section 16 that obtains radio quality between a radio access network 2 and a mobile terminal 6, a Ui rate calculating section 15 that obtains channel quality between the station 5 and a radio network controller 4, a CPU utilization measurement function section 17 that measures the CPU utilization of the station 5, and a CA calculating section 14 that calculates a permissible data amount using the radio quality, channel quality and CPU utilization.
US08571551B1
A wireless communication device integrated with a vehicle operates in a reduced-registration mode while the vehicle ignition is off. In the reduced-registration mode, the wireless communication device periodically determines, based at least on vehicle control system data such as odometer data or wheel-rotation data, whether the vehicle has moved at least a threshold extent, and if so the wireless communication device engages in air interface registration. The arrangement helps to conserve vehicle battery power while the ignition is off, while keeping a serving radio access network apprised when the vehicle has been moved sufficiently, so that the network can more readily route messages such as telematics commands to the vehicle.
US08571546B2
The invention discloses a method for implementing dual-homing, including: setting each one of any two core control equipment as a standby for each other, connecting a network entity belonging to one of the core control equipment with the two core control equipment through a primary link and a standby link respectively; setting the primary link connected with the core control equipment as activated, and setting the standby link connected with the core control equipment inactive; determining whether the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service, if the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service, activating the standby link; otherwise, continuously determining whether the core control equipment corresponding to the primary link is out of service. The invention also discloses another method for implementing dual-homing, by which the reliability of the network can be improved.
US08571540B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products are for generating a file including a set of instructions for handling a device update for the mobile device and a uniform resource locator (URL) of a server configured to host the device update and handle the device update in accordance with the instructions for handling the device update, and sending the file to the mobile device, whereat the file is redirected by the mobile device to the server based upon the URL included in the file.
US08571528B1
Method and system to automatically create a contact with contact details captured during voice calls
A method for capturing identity information on a voice call, including determining that a phone call is in session on a mobile device, where the voice call is conducted between an identifying user and a target user, receiving an activation input, initiating, in response to the activation input, an audio recording of the target user on the phone call, recording a voice of the target user in the audio recording, receiving a deactivation input, concluding, in response to the deactivation input, the audio recording of the target user on the phone call, storing the audio recording of the target user, converting the audio recording into an audio recording text, parsing the audio recording text to generate the identity information of a third party, creating, for the third party, a contact including the identity information in the mobile device, and storing the contact in the mobile device.
US08571518B2
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of managing a site in a mobile environment, which includes detecting an availability of a thermostat wherein the thermostat has an operating condition; detecting a location of a mobile device associated with the site; providing a proximity control selector within a user interface of the mobile device to manage a proximity detection module disposed on the thermostat, wherein the proximity control selector has an enabled setting of the proximity detection module and a disabled setting of the proximity detection module; enabling the proximity detection module in response to the enabled setting of the proximity control selector to allow for the modification of the operating condition of the thermostat based on the detected location of the mobile device relative to the site; and disabling the proximity detection module in response to the disabled setting of the proximity control selector.
US08571515B2
A mobile terminal as a mobile terminal includes a storage unit which stores an action pattern record table having at least one action pattern registered preliminarily in correlation with addressee information, a control unit which obtains position information of the mobile terminal via a GPS antenna to identify the action pattern based on the position information obtained by a receiver in reference to the stored action pattern record table responding to the request for activating a redial function, and a main display which displays the addressee information in accordance with the priority of the addressee information correlated with the action pattern identified by the control unit in reference to the action pattern record table.
US08571514B2
A mobile device and method are disclosed to provide location based content to a user of a mobile device based on the current location, wherein the provision of location based content depends on obtained location data. The mobile device comprises a location obtaining section for obtaining location data based on locations of the mobile device, location based content section for obtaining location based content, and a controller adapted to compare presently obtained location data with previously obtained location data and to select between a first operation mode and a second operation mode according to the comparison, wherein in the first operation mode the location based content section is adapted to provide location based content to a user of the mobile device according to the current location of the mobile device and in the second operation mode providing of location based content is suppressed.
US08571503B2
A signal receiving method for receiving a signal within a predetermined bandwidth for a broadcasting system using an embedded antenna is provided, comprising: obtaining an antenna bandwidth of the embedded antenna; dividing the predetermined bandwidth into a plurality of subbands according to the antenna bandwidth; receiving a control signal; selecting one of the subbands according to the control signal; and receiving the signal using a match unit corresponding to the selected subband for matching the embedded antenna.
US08571497B1
A radio frequency transmitting system includes a programmable amplifier, a power amplifier, a power detector, and a calibration module. The programmable amplifier is configured to amplify an input signal to generate an amplified signal. The power amplifier is configured to output a transmit signal in response to the amplified signal. The transmit signal has a transmit power. The power detector is configured to generate a power measurement in response to the transmit power. The calibration module is configured to implement a plurality of feedback loops to adjust a gain of the programmable amplifier in response to a difference between the power measurement and a desired transmit power. The calibration module is configured to select one of the plurality of feedback loops in response to the desired transmit power.
US08571489B2
A radio front end includes a power amplifier, a tone injection module, a duplexer, a balancing network, and a processing module. The tone injection module is operable, in a first mode, to produce a tone having a carrier frequency that is substantially similar to a carrier frequency of an inbound wireless signal. The duplexer is operable, in the first mode, to provide electrical isolation between the outbound wireless signal and a combination signal of the tone and inbound wireless signal and is operable, in a second mode, to provide electrical isolation between the outbound wireless signal and the inbound wireless signal. The processing module is operable to determine an amplitude of a tone component of the combination signal; correlate the amplitude of the tone component to an inbound frequency band isolation; and adjust baseband processing of a down converted representation of the combination signal based on the inbound frequency band isolation.
US08571475B2
System and method for mitigating the effects of interferers while performing conditional device scan
A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.
US08571468B2
The present application relates to a wireless communication system and related methods and apparatuses for transmitting a signal from a source apparatus to a destination apparatus, via at least one intermediate apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to techniques which seek to improve the throughput of data in multi-hop communication systems.
US08571461B2
An image forming apparatus includes a first and second ejection portions, a first and second conveying paths, a branch portion connecting the first conveying path with the second conveying path, a switching member movable between a first and second positions, a drive unit that moves the switching member from the first position to the second position or vice versa, a reference position setting unit setting the reference position of the switching member in an initial state, and a control unit controlling the drive unit such that the switching member in the initial state is positioned at the reference position set by the unit.
US08571456B2
A fixing device includes a switch circuit that selectively connects an alternating electric current power supply to a first exciting coil and a second exciting coil. When the switch circuit connects the alternating electric current power supply to both the first exciting coil and the second exciting coil, the first exciting coil and the second exciting coil together generate a first magnetic flux having a first density that reaches only a first heat generation layer of a fixing rotary body. When the switch circuit connects the alternating electric current power supply to the first exciting coil only, the first exciting coil generates a second magnetic flux having a second density greater than the first density that reaches both the first heat generation layer of the fixing rotary body and a second heat generation layer of a heat generator.
US08571455B2
A fixing device includes two rollers to form a fixing nip and a separation plate assembly disposed near one of the rollers. The separation plate assembly includes at least one separation plate to separate a recording medium from the roller, a pair of contact members, a holding member having a rotation shaft at each end in a longitudinal direction thereof, to hold at least one separation plate and the contact members in a rotation axis direction, and a contact pressure adjuster to adjust a contact pressure of the contact members relative to the roller by bending a portion of the holding member holding one of the pair of contact members to the roller and to the opposite of the roller. When the holding member is rotated about the rotation shafts, the contact members contact the roller to separate at least one separation plate from the roller.
US08571449B2
A development device includes a developer containing part containing two-component developer, a cylindrical developer carrier to carry by rotation the developer to a development range, a first developer transport member disposed in the developer containing part, to supply the developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer in an axial direction of the developer carrier, and a magnetic field generator disposed inside the developer carrier, having three developer-carrying magnetic poles, consisting of a development pole to generate a first magnetic field in the development range, a pre-development pole to generate a second magnetic field to transport the developer supplied from the developer containing part to the development range, and a post-development pole to generate a third magnetic field disposed between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field, to transport the developer to a release position where the developer is separated from the developer carrier.
US08571446B2
A developing device and an image forming apparatus including the same includes an agitating and conveying unit that receives a developer, and at least one agitating and conveying member to mix and agitate the developer and convey the developer in a developer conveying direction. A developing roller faces a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and attaches the developer to an outer surface of the developing roller. The agitating and conveying member includes a support shaft extending in the developer conveying direction. A plurality of agitation wings disposed on an outer surface of the support shaft to mix and agitate the developer. At least one paddle protrudes from the support shaft in a radial direction and extends along the shaft between adjacent agitation wings. The at least one paddle has a height increasing from an upstream side to a downstream side of the developer conveying direction.
US08571436B2
A gas transfer unit includes a transfer path forming member; a gas transferring member; and a gas purifying member as defined herein, and in a case where exhaustion is performed through the first exhaust port, the transfer vanes are rotated at a first rotation number, and, in a case where exhaustion is performed through the second exhaust port, the transfer vanes are rotated at a second rotation number which is higher than the first rotation number.
US08571434B2
At least one of driving motors that drive a developing device independently of each other is provided on a door capable of opening and closing to allow the developing device to be attached to or detached from a main body of an apparatus. An electrical contact portion that can be electrically connected to or disconnected from an electrical circuit provided in the main body is provided for the driving motor provided on the door.
US08571431B2
An image forming apparatus includes a belt member bearing a toner image, a contact member disposed inside loop formed by the belt member, a rotary pressing member to contact the contact member through the belt member and form a nip between the contact member and the rotary pressing member via the belt member through which a recording medium is conveyed, and a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium. An amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is changeable between a first state in which the belt member is wound around the rotary pressing member upstream from the nip in the direction of move to the nip and a second state in which the amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is reduced from the first state while contacting the belt member.
US08571426B2
A toner supply method includes detecting whether a remaining toner amount in the development device is equal to or greater than a first remaining amount, supplying a first supply amount of toner to the development device in a first supply mode when the remaining toner amount is not greater than the first remaining amount, detecting whether the remaining toner amount in the development device is equal to or greater than a second remaining amount smaller than the first remaining amount, and supplying a second supply amount, smaller than the first supply amount, of toner to the development device in a second supply mode when the remaining toner amount is reduced to or below the second remaining amount.
US08571423B2
A digital signal processor (DSP) operating within, for example, an optical receiver wherein the DSP processes complex sample streams derived from a received digitally modulated optical signal, the DSP configured to perform a method comprising: using a filter adaptation algorithm (FAA), processing digitized complex sample streams for each of a sequence of unitary matrix different starting conditions associated with the FAA to establish a converged FAA.
US08571410B2
Methods and apparatuses to provide wavelength locked WDM Passive Optical Networks (“PONs”) are described. A first transceiver transmits a set of optical signals in a first direction along a wavelength channel. A second transceiver transmits another set of optical signals along the same wavelength channel in another direction. The wavelength of the first transceiver is locked using an optical power of the optical signals of the second transceiver. The wavelength of the second transceiver is locked using the optical power of the optical signals of the first transceiver. A WDM MUX/De-MUX is coupled between the first transceiver and the second transceiver. An in-line gain element can be coupled to the WDM MUX/De-MUX to amplify the optical signals. The first transceiver and the second transceiver operate in a saturated gain condition.
US08571407B2
The present invention relates to an optical coherent receiver and an apparatus for and a method of monitoring performance thereof. The apparatus for monitoring performance of the optical coherent receiver makes use of a first signal and a second signal from the optical coherent receiver to monitor performance of the optical coherent receiver, and comprises a first subtracter, for subtracting the second signal from the first signal to obtain a first subtraction result; a squarer, for obtaining a square of the first subtraction result; a delayer, for delaying the first subtraction result; a multiplier, for multiplying the first subtraction result with the delayed first subtraction result; and a second subtracter, for subtracting the result of the multiplier from the result of the squarer.
US08571405B2
A silicon MEMS device can have at least one solder contact formed thereupon. The silicon MEMS device can be configured to be mounted to a circuit board via the solder contact(s). The silicon MEMS device can be configured to be electrically connected to the circuit board via the solder contact(s).
US08571404B2
Provided are a digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer-readable medium for storing a program for executing the method. In the method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus, at least one target subject is determined from an input image. A target subject focus value of the at least one target subject is extracted while auto-focusing the at least one target subject. It is determined whether the target subject focus value stays within an in-focus range for a reference time or longer. The at least one target subject is auto-photographed when the target subject focus value is stays within the in-focus range for the reference time or longer.
US08571403B2
In an autofocus system, a focus measurement unit receives an image, and accordingly generates an associated focus value. A focus transform unit receives and then transforms the focus value provided by the focus measurement unit, therefore generating an associated transformed focus value. An in-focus position estimation unit obtains an in-focus position, in an analytical manner, according to some transformed focus values and some associated lens positions.
US08571402B2
An image tracking device comprises an image pickup device that takes an image formed by an imaging optical system and outputs image information, a focus detector that detects a focusing state of the imaging optical system, a recognizer that stores reference information related to a reference image and recognizes a position of an image corresponding to the reference information, within an image corresponding to the image information, and a controller that performs first focus detection in which the focusing state is detected by the focus detector, before the position is recognized by the recognizer, and second focus detection in which the focusing state is detected for the position that has been recognized by the recognizer.
US08571401B2
A control system for controlling power states of a controlled device, such as a lighting device, a special effects device and an in-scene device, in a photographic image-acquisition setting. The control system is configured to detect one or more camera body signals generated as a function of actuation of one or more camera body controls by a user. The control system generates a first power state change signal in response to the detected camera body signal(s) and transmits the power state change signal to the remote device so as to cause the remote device to operate at a first power state. The control system also implements a preset delay and causes the remote device to change from the first power state to a second power state in response to expiration of the preset delay.
US08571392B2
In a video recording apparatus which records and reproduces digital TV broadcasting, an I-picture extraction processor that extracts packets containing I-pictures by analyzing a transport stream is arranged. Then, packets containing I-pictures is output, by reading predetermined amount of recorded data from an HDD in which recorded data is stored and by detecting start information and end information of the I-pictures. A stream for special reproduction is output by repeating the above-stated processes. With such arrangement, it is possible, even if data does not contain position information of I-picture, to execute special reproduction such as fast-forwarding reproduction for TV program data that is recorded as an MPEG-formatted transport stream.
US08571386B2
A motion blur correction device includes a motion blur correction section which performs motion blur correction processing on an intended video data, and a correction intensity judgment section which instructs the motion blur correction section to cancel the execution of the motion blur correction processing when the frame rate of the video data is equal to or less than a predetermined value. As a result, motion blur correction is prevented from being automatically performed when motion blur correction is not required.
US08571378B2
When setting of marking on recording data is performed, the marking is automatically performed at a suitable position corresponding to a status during image capturing. While recording of captured images is being performed, a status of a zoom operation, a moving pattern of a camera, and a feature value of video/audio signals are monitored, and a time point at which a predetermined change has occurred regarding this monitored state is detected. A predetermined data position based on this detected time point is then set as a marking position. Setting information of the marking position is stored in a structure of management information, and is stored in a storage section together with the recording data.
US08571374B2
Attenuator apparatus for controlling the intensity of radiation including an attenuator having through openings that vary in size to vary the intensity of a beam of radiation passing through the shutter, and means for moving the attenuator to selectively regulate the intensity of the beam of radiation passing through.
US08571371B2
A method and apparatus for making a substantially void-free preform for a microstructured optical fiber using a one-step process is provided. A preform is prepared from specialty glasses using a direct extrusion method. A die for use with the direct extrusion method is also provided, and a method for drawing the preform into a HC-PBG fiber for use in transmitting infra-red wavelength light is also provided. The preform comprises an outer jacket made of solid glass, a cladding having a plurality of air holes arranged in a desired pattern within the jacket, and a core which is hollow.
US08571354B2
A method of reducing the spatial resolution of images is disclosed. At least one embodiment of the method includes: —acquiring an input image including image parts having a spatial resolution larger than SR pixels/meter; —acquiring a depth map associated with the input image; —determining for each pixel p(x,y) a spatial resolution value by means of the depth map; —processing a region of pixels of the input image for which holds that the spatial resolution value is larger than a predefined threshold corresponding to SR pixels/meter to obtain a corresponding region of pixels having a spatial resolution smaller then or equal to SR pixels/meter in an output image. The method enables to removes privacy information from images by reducing the spatial resolution to a level that the privacy information cannot be recognized in the image anymore.
US08571343B2
Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for correcting illumination and vignette in a camera-captured document image. A background type may be detected from down-sampled luminance image associated with the camera-captured image, and model parameters may be estimated for a morphologically filtered version of the down-sampled luminance image, wherein the morphological filter may be based on the detected background type. The model parameters may be verified and if deemed acceptable, a rectified image may be formed.
US08571337B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an encoding method, an encoding device, and an encoding program for encoding an interlaced image in a simple and effective manner. The encoding method includes: a frequency conversion step (s101) of converting the interlaced image to coefficients of frequency domain having predetermined frequency ranges in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, respectively; and a weighting step (s102) of weighting the coefficients of frequency domain for each frequency band. In the weighting step, a weighting factor used for weighting a coefficient of a frequency band exceeding a predetermined frequency in the vertical direction is substantially equal to or larger than a weighting factor used for weighting a coefficient in a frequency band exceeding the predetermined frequency in the horizontal direction.
US08571333B2
A clustering procedure for grouping a set of images is selected from amongst plural clustering procedures. A predetermined categorization of objects such as images is input, and image features are extracted from each image in the set of images. A comparison measure is determined, by which to compare respective features of the set of images. Respective features between the images in the set of images are compared, based on the comparison measure, and a group of measures representing the differences between features of respective images is output. The plural clustering procedures are applied to the set of images to cluster the images based in part on the calculated group of measures. A clustering quality score is generated for each clustering procedure, based on the clusters created by the clustering procedure and the predetermined categorization of images. The clustering procedure with a high clustering quality score is selected.
US08571328B2
Determining correspondence between image regions can include: selecting first and second regions of visual content including pixels in a computer system, the first region comprising a first patch to be mapped to the second region; selecting at least two heuristics for use in mapping the first patch to the second region, the heuristics selected from the group consisting of: (i) nearby-pixel mapping evaluation; (ii) random-perturbation mapping evaluation; (iii) evaluation of multiple mapping candidates identified in an iterative search process; and (iv) enrichment to increase a collection of mapping candidates; and identifying, using the selected heuristics, at least one patch in the second region for the first patch.
US08571327B2
A method for controlling the quality of printed documents, such as banknotes, in which only part of the surface of the printed documents is available for inspection, comprising the steps of (i) storing a reference image; (ii) acquiring a sample image of a sample printed document to be controlled, which sample image covers only a limited portion of the sample printed document; (iii) selecting a search pattern within the acquired sample image; (iv) searching the reference image for a match with the selected search pattern, (v) determining control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within said sample image and within said reference image, (vi) comparing the control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within the sample image with the control parameters linked to the position of the search pattern within the reference image; and (vii) based on the results of the comparison of the control parameters, accepting or rejecting the sample printed document.
US08571326B2
Some embodiments provide a method that provides a display area for displaying an image that includes several of edges. The method provides a border drawing tool that in response to cursor movement across the image displays a search window about the cursor. The search window specifies a region to be searched to identify edges for use in defining a border for the image. In some embodiments, the size of the search window varies based on the speed of the cursor. The search window is a square box in some embodiments and a circle in other embodiments. The search window is centered at the cursor in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the display area is also for displaying the defined border over the image.
US08571310B2
A method for creating a luminance effect, including: obtaining a source image in a red-green-blue (RGB) color space; obtaining a luminance effect parameter; generating an international color consortium (ICC) device link profile based on the luminance effect parameter; and converting the source image in RGB color space to a final image in RGB color space using a color conversion function with the ICC device link profile.
US08571306B2
Methods and devices for coding of feature locations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of coding feature location information of an image includes generating a hexagonal grid, where the hexagonal grid includes a plurality of hexagonal cells, quantizing feature locations of an image using the hexagonal grid, generating a histogram to record occurrences of feature locations in each hexagonal cell, and encoding the histogram in accordance with the occurrences of feature locations in each hexagonal cell. The method of encoding the histogram includes applying context information of neighboring hexagonal cells to encode information of a subsequent hexagonal cell to be encoded in the histogram, where the context information includes context information from first order neighbors and context information from second order neighbors of the subsequent hexagonal cell to be encoded.
US08571302B2
A method and apparatus to build a 3-dimensional grid map and a method and apparatus to control an automatic traveling apparatus using the same. In building a 3-dimensional map to discern a current location and a peripheral environment of an unmanned vehicle or a mobile robot, 2-dimensional localization and 3-dimensional image restoration are appropriately used to accurately build the 3-dimensional grid map more rapidly.
US08571301B2
According to one embodiment, an alignment method includes setting a local area from an alignment target area, the local area being an execution target area of local alignment to be performed with precision equal to or higher than required alignment precision; performing the local alignment between a pattern image of an examination target and a reference pattern image of an examination reference, in the local area, to obtain a shift amount that is a result of local alignment; and shifting a whole of the reference pattern image by using the shift amount.
US08571298B2
An system and method for tallying objects presented for purchase preferably images the objects with a machine vision system while the objects are still, or substantially still. Images of the objects may be used to recognize the objects and to collect information about each object, such as the price. A pre-tally list may be generated and displayed to a customer showing the customer the cost of the recognized objects. A prompt on a customer display may be given to urge a customer to re-orient unrecognized objects to assist the machine vision system with recognizing such unrecognized objects. A tallying event, such as removing a recognized object from the machine vision system's field of view, preferably automatically tallies recognized objects so it is not necessary for a cashier to scan or otherwise input object information into a point of sale system.
US08571295B2
Provided are methods for determining and analyzing photometric and morphometric features of small objects, such as cells to, for example, identify different cell states. In particularly, methods are provided for identifying apoptotic cells, and for distinguishing between cells undergoing apoptosis versus necrosis.
US08571292B2
Systems and methods that facilitate the presentation and assessment of selected features in projection and/or reconstructed breast images, such as calcifications that meet selected criteria of size, shape, presence in selected slice images, distribution of pixels that could be indicative of calcification relative to other pixels or of other image features of clinical interest.
US08571290B2
A method for determining image quality of a digital radiographic image. The method is executed at least in part by a computer system. The method obtains image data for the digital radiographic image, identifies one or more regions of interest in the digital radiographic image, derives an image quality score that indicates the image quality of the digital radiographic image by computing at least a contrast-to-noise value for image data content within the one or more regions of interest, and reports the derived image quality score for the image.
US08571283B2
This extraction method in a structure of a living organism from a measurement image of the kinetics of the active ingredient comprising a plurality of regions of interest inside each of which the kinetics of the active ingredient are measured, comprises the following steps: determining (30) a plurality of sets of kinetics, the determined sets of kinetics being different from each other and each determined set of kinetics including several measured kinetics; defining (32) at least one kinetic model, parameters of the defined kinetics model being formed by the parameters of the input function and the pharmacokinetic parameters; estimating (34) the input function and the pharmacokinetic parameters by resolving the kinetic model defined from the determined set of kinetics; and deducing (36) the final input function and the final pharmacokinetic parameters.
US08571269B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for image quality (IQ) defect detection via classification of halftone dots present on customer prints. In one embodiment, spatially-varying thresholds are applied on the sensed image in order to classify the halftone dots for IQ defect detection. The resolving power of the sensor is characterized and the sensor responses to patches printed with the print device are characterized. A de-blurring filter is designed which is appropriate for compensating the characterized resolving power of the sensor. Image enhancement is applied to the image using the de-blurring filter. Halftone dots present on the prints are classified by analyzing the enhanced image with the results of the sensor response characterization. Once classified, single separation halftone dot images can be more readily analyzed for defects. The present method allows sensor resolution as low as the size of the halftone dots of the printer under test.
US08571267B2
A method for characterizing a fibrous material having a plurality of fibers is provided. The method includes accessing an image of the fibrous material with the plurality of fibers and identifying each of the plurality of fibers based upon a magnitude and a direction of an intensity gradient of the image. The method also includes tracking each of the identified fibers based upon at least one of a diameter of the fiber, a fiber alignment angle and a vector orientation angle of the fiber and estimating a plurality of structural parameters for each of the tracked fibers of the fibrous material.
US08571262B2
Embodiments of the invention disclose techniques for processing of machine-readable forms of unfixed or flexible format. An auxiliary brief description may be optionally specified to determine the spatial orientation of the image. A method of searching for elements of a document comprises the following main operations in addition to the operations of preliminary image processing: selecting the varieties of structural description from several available variants, determining the orientation of the image, selecting the text objects, where the text must be recognized, and determining the minimal required volume of recognition, recognizing the text objects, searching for elements of the form. Searching for elements of the form comprises the following actions: selecting a searched element in the structural description, gaining the algorithm of search constraints from the structural description, searching for the element, testing the obtained variants.
US08571261B2
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to cause a processor to smooth a current image of a scene to produce a smoothed image and subtract pixel values of a background image of the scene from corresponding pixel values of the smoothed image to produce an altitude difference image. Pixel values of the altitude difference image are weighted to produce a weighted difference image. The weighted difference image is convolved to produce a convoluted difference image. A threshold is applied to each pixel of the convoluted difference image to produce a thresholded difference image. Pixels having a value less than the threshold are removed from the thresholded difference image and classified as background pixels. Foreground pixels are determined based on the thresholded difference image.
US08571257B2
Methods and systems for image registration are described. An area of an image may be selected. A length of at least one encoded wavelength for the area may be accessed. One or more candidate wavelengths may be identified in the area in at least one direction that includes at least one large peak. The length of the at least one encoded wavelength may be compared to the length of at least one of the one or more candidate wavelengths to calculate an alteration ratio. The alteration ratio may identify at least one of a scale or a rotation of the image.
US08571254B2
An authentication system includes: a measuring portion that radiates terahertz waves to a portable medium for authentication including materials having a characteristic oscillation frequency in a terahertz frequency band, measures a spectrum, and outputs a measurement spectrum that is a measurement result; a characteristic spectrum database which stores a characteristic spectrum of the materials; a discriminating portion that discriminates the materials that are included in the portable medium for authentication based on the measurement spectrum and the characteristic spectrum, and outputs a discrimination result.
US08571239B2
A microphone package wherein an MEMS microphone chip (MIC) is mounted on a substrate (SUB) and is sealed with a cover (ABD) with respect to the substrate. The membrane (MMB) of the microphone chip is connected to a sound entry opening (SEO) in the substrate via an acoustic channel. As a result of defined dimensioning of, in particular, the cross section and length of sound entry opening and channel, an acoustic low-pass filter is formed, the −3 dB attenuation point of which is significantly below the natural resonance of microphone membrane and package.
US08571232B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for redeeming otherwise closed and concealed information contained in audio signals. An active circuit balances the ratio between in-phase and out-of-phase signals through the application of sum and difference signals and adjusts the ratio of gain in stereophonic signals as well as in monophonic and multichannel signal applications. This includes both the primary reference signal, and a plurality of redundant duplicate signals, substantially identical in all respects to the primary reference signal except in relation to magnitude and phase, for the purpose of unfolding, or opening the audio signal content. A pair of output signal levels approximates the golden ratio where the golden ratio is one plus the square root of five divided by two which gives an irrational number 1.618.
US08571229B2
A semiconductor device includes at least a die carried by a substrate, a plurality of bond pads disposed on the die, a plurality of conductive components, and a plurality of bond wires respectively connected between the plurality of bond pads and the plurality of conductive components. The plurality of bond pads respectively correspond to a plurality of signals, and include a first bond pad configured for transmitting/receiving a first signal and a second bond pad configured for transmitting/receiving a second signal. The plurality of conductive components include a first conductive component and a second conductive component. The first conductive component is bond-wired to the first bond pad, and the second conductive component is bond-wired to the second bond pad. The first conductive component and the second conductive component are separated by at least a third conductive component of the plurality of conductive components, and the first signal is asserted when the second signal is asserted.
US08571227B2
An active noise cancellation earphone (1) has an acoustic path including a cavity (36) and a pipe (20) leading to the auditory canal (40) which are arranged to form an oscillator in use which has the effect of recovering the open loop system phase characteristics at a selected frequency or frequency range. The earphone (1) also has two parts (5,18) which can be adjusted relative to each other to allow the earphone (1) to be comfortably and correctly positioned in use.
US08571217B2
A display system includes display terminals (1-1-1-4) that display pictures, a display control apparatus (3) that controls the display of pictures on the display terminals (1-1-1-4), and optical shutters (2-1-2-4) that are provided corresponding to each of the display terminals (1-1-1-4) and that enter a state of transmitting incident light in intervals in which private pictures are displayed on corresponding terminals and enter a state of blocking incident light in other intervals. The display control apparatus (3) controls the display terminals (1-1-1-4) such that private pictures are not simultaneously displayed on display terminals (1-1-1-4).
US08571204B2
The present invention relates to call voice signal processing, and particularly, to apparatus and method for echo control in parameter domain. The apparatus includes: an echo detection module configured to extract parameter domain characteristic parameters of a far-end output signal and a near-end input signal, respectively, through parameter domain decoding, and detect whether a near-end input signal frame is an echo frame according to the parameter domain characteristic parameters; and a transition module configured to re-quantize the fixed codebook gain, the adaptive codebook gain and an LSF prediction error in the near-end input signal frame when the echo detection module detects the near-end input signal frame as a non-echo frame, and replace the original fixed codebook gain, the original adaptive codebook gain and the original LSF in the near-end input signal frame.
US08571195B2
Provided herein is a system and method for sharing control of a customer service provided by a contact center. The method may include: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact to request the customer service; communicating by use of a communication channel between the customer and the contact center in order to provide the customer service; receiving a join request, from the customer, to join an outside party to the customer service; and joining the outside party to the customer service.
US08571193B2
Systems and methods are described that facilitate a conference call between a plurality of communication devices. The method can comprise: providing a first control link between a first primary communication device and a conference call controller; providing a second control link between a second primary communication device and the conference call controller; and establishing a media link between the first primary communication device and the second primary communication device via the conference call controller. In certain embodiments, the first control link can facilitate the exchange of a first identification data comprising at least one first security key, which can be configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device or the second primary communication device.
US08571179B2
A power delivery system for computed tomography includes at least one transformer (e.g., an isolation transformer, a coupling transformer, an adaptation transformer), a rotary transformer, and at least two power inverters. The rotary transformer includes a stationary winding disposed on a stationary side and a rotational winding disposed on a rotating side. The isolation or adaptation transformer is coupled to the stationary winding or the rotating winding of the rotary transformer. At least two power inverters are constructed and arranged to provide power to the primary winding of the rotary transformer. The high-voltage unit is disposed on the rotating side and connected to receive power from the rotational winding and constructed to provide power to an X-ray source.
US08571178B2
A motor controller determines a drive speed of a motor for driving a filter such that an area shifting cycle of the filter synchronizes with a cardiac cycle. The filter starts to rotate before radiation emission, and continues to rotate at a constant speed during two successive radiation emissions. An emission controller controls timing of two emissions in accordance with a phase of the filter. The area shifting cycle of the filter and the cardiac cycle are previously synchronized, and thus a high-performance filter switching device for switching or shifting the filter in synchronization with the emission timing becomes unnecessary. Adjusting the area shifting cycle of the filter in accordance with the cardiac cycle realizes two radiation emissions in two successive cardiac cycles. As a result, an exposure time is shortened.
US08571174B2
Systems and methods for automatically and dynamically modifying an image acquisition parameter for use in tomosynthesis breast imaging. A selected image acquisition parameter is modified in response to a measured characteristic of an imaged object such as a breast, and thus tailored to provide the highest quality image for the particular object. For example, image quality in a breast tomosynthesis system can be improved by dynamically varying motion and other acquisition parameters of the tomosynthesis system in response to physical characteristics of the breast to be imaged (determined during image acquisition), such as the breast thickness, density or composition. Dynamically varying acquisition or processing methods helps to customize the system for each particular patient, thereby improving image quality and identification and assessment of potential pathologies and abnormalities, and lower radiation dose, and thus a reduced the risk of long-term adverse health effects due to lifetime accumulated radiation dose.
US08571173B2
A mammography unit having a mounting arm, on which a mounting for at least two X-ray receivers is rotatably disposed in such a way that one X-ray receiver at a time is positioned in an examination position inside an intended X-radiation field, while other X-ray receivers each remain in a reserve position outside the X-radiation field, is provided. The at least one reserve position is disposed on a side located in the X-radiation direction, relative to the mounting arm. In the case of two X-ray receivers, the X-ray receivers each form a lateral angle of between 45° and 90° with the axis of rotation of the mounting. By using a releasable connection of the mounting to the mammography unit, high modularity is provided.
US08571172B2
A CT scanner comprises at least one cone beam x-ray source assembly mounted on a gantry frame, the gantry frame rotatable about a rotation axis, the x-ray source assembly operable to emit a cone beam at an orientation with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller operable to adjust an orientation of the cone beam during a rotation cycle of the gantry, wherein the controller adjusts the orientation to radiate a substantially same volume of interest over the rotation cycle.
US08571158B2
A method and a data transceiving system for generating a reference clock signal are provided. The data transceiving system comprises a voltage controlled oscillator, a phase lock loop (PLL) unit, and a data receiver. The voltage controlled oscillator is used to generate a reference clock signal. The PLL unit is used to increase a clock frequency of the reference clock signal to generate a PLL clock signal. The data receiver is used to compare the PLL clock signal with a clock signal of an input data stream, so as to output a voltage adjusting signal to the voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator adjusts the clock frequency of the reference clock signal to be generated according to the reference clock signal, so as to lock the clock frequency of the PLL clock signal to a base frequency of the clock signal of the input data stream.
US08571155B2
Distortion and aliasing reduction for digital to analog conversion. Synthesis of one or more distortion terms made based on a digital signal (e.g., one or more digital codewords) is performed in accordance with digital to analog conversion. The one or more distortion terms may correspond to aliased higher-order harmonics, distortion, nonlinearities, clipping, etc. Such distortion terms may be known a priori, such as based upon particular characteristics of a given device, operational history, etc. Alternatively, such distortion terms may be determined based upon operation of a device and/or based upon an analog signal generated from the analog to conversion process. For example, frequency selective measurements made based on an analog signal generated from the digital to analog conversion may be used for determination of and/or adaptation of the one or more distortion terms. One or more DACs may be employed within various architectures operative to perform digital to analog conversion.
US08571153B2
A method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a satellite signal receiver is described. The satellite signal receiver receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites. In one example, a control signal is transmitted to the satellite signal receiver upon occurrence of data transmission from a wireless transceiver operating in proximity to the satellite signal receiver. Signal integration within the satellite signal receiver is gated in response to the control signal. In another example, one or more values of satellite signal samples are selected from a plurality of possible values. Signal integration within the satellite signal receiver is gated in response to a percentage of satellite signal samples taken over a predefined period exceeding a predefined threshold. In yet another example, a gain setting of an automatic gain control circuit within the satellite signal receiver is adjusted in response to detection of interference.
US08571145B2
A method, a system, a wireless device and a computer program product are provided. A process for decoding transmitted symbols in MIMO systems is provided. The received point coordinates and estimated candidate coordinates are represented by a reduced bit representation naturally dividing each dimension into uniformly sized bit segments. A bounded region surrounding the received point is defined in the total number of dimensions, the bounded region being a hypercube. For each candidate, an elimination process is carried out including: determining a position of the candidate to be inside or outside the bounded region, eliminating the candidate if it is outside, storing it if it is inside, adding a further bit thereby reducing a size of the bounding region; repeating the elimination process for the candidates stored as potential solutions until a single solution is obtained; determining the transmitted symbols from the single solution found.
US08571132B2
Embodiments described provide for channel estimation and resource allocation for a transmission to a wireless device. The frequency band is partitioned into at least two contiguous subbands. A determination is made whether it is desirable to transmit in a single subband or in more than one subband. The transmission is assigned to occur in either the single subband or to operate in more than one subband. If the transmission is restricted to one subband, the hop pattern is also restricted to subcarriers within the particular subband.
US08571129B2
A portable terminal and a method operate multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennas. Received signal strength indications (RSSIs) of the MIMO antennas are measured through a wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal using the MIMO antennas. A path between a MIMO antenna with a greatest RSSI and a broadcast receiving unit is connected during a broadcast mode.
US08571122B2
A signal reception apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a symbol block within a symbol period of a wireless communication network and a control information demodulator/decoder configured for demultiplexing control information and data information from the received symbol block.
US08571118B2
Coupling signals to a transmission line over a plurality of taps includes coupling a first signal onto a transmission line at a first tap, coupling a second signal onto a transmission line at a second tap, and controlling a phase for at least a portion of the first signal relative to a phase for a corresponding portion of the second signal.
US08571112B2
A coding method, a decoding method, a coding apparatus, and a decoding apparatus are disclosed herein. A coding method includes: obtaining a value of each sample of an input data frame; determining pulse samples and non-pulse samples in the input data frame according to the distribution of values of samples of the input data frame; encoding the determined pulse samples in the input data frame in a first coding mode to obtain a first data stream; encoding the determined non-pulse samples in the input data frame in a second coding mode to obtain a second data stream; and multiplexing the first data stream and the second data stream to obtain an output coded data stream of the input data frame. Compared with the prior art, the technical solution under the present disclosure reduces the number of bits required for encoding the entire data frame is reduced, and improves the compression efficiency of the data frame with a wide dynamic range.
US08571107B2
Moving picture decoding method including a prediction mode, in which a motion vector for a target block of decoding is not included in coded bitstreams, and the motion vector for the target block of decoding is created on a decoding side. In case that there are a plurality of different forward reference frames, determining one forward reference frame from the plurality of reference frames as a forward reference frame used in the prediction mode. In case that there is only one forward reference frame, determining the forward reference frame as a forward reference frame used in the prediction mode. In case that there is no forward reference frame, determining preset one frame as a forward reference frame used in the prediction mode. Via the above, determining one forward reference frame as a forward reference frame of the target block of decoding in all of the cases.
US08571103B2
A scalable video decoder and a controlling method thereof are provided. A method of controlling a scalable video decoder includes: determining whether a macro block mode of an upper layer is an interlayer prediction mode when decoding a scalable video; when the macro block mode of the upper layer is determined as the interlayer prediction mode, determining an up-sampling operation is required to thereby either perform texture up-sampling using corresponding macro block information of a lower layer and neighboring pixel information, or perform residual up-sampling using the corresponding macro block information of the lower layer; and decoding the upper layer using the texture up-sampling or the residual up-sampling.
US08571094B2
A transmitting Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem is coupled over a communication line to the receiving DSL modem. A receiving DSL modem receives a symbol transmitted by the transmitting DSL modem. Subsequently the receiving DSL modem demaps the symbol received onto a constellation point. The receiving DSL modem then performs a noise measurement based on the difference between the received symbol and the determined constellation point. Further, the receiving DSL modem determines a frequency of the symbols incorrectly demapped and subsequently the receiving DSL modem corrects the noise measurement using the frequency of the symbols incorrectly demapped.
US08571087B2
A baseband processing module according to the present invention includes a multi-path scanner module. The multi-path scanner module is operable to receive timing and scrambling code information regarding an expected multi-path signal component of a WCDMA signal. Then, the multi-path scanner module is operable to identify a plurality of multi-path signal components of the WCDMA signal by descrambling, despreading and correlating a known symbol pattern of/with a baseband RX signal within a search window. The multi-path scanner module is operable to determine timing information for the plurality of multi-path signal components of the WCDMA signal found within the search window and to pass this information to a coupled rake receiver combiner module.
US08571082B2
The present invention provides a QCL device with an electrically controlled refractive index through the Stark effect. By changing the electric field in the active area, the energy spacing between the lasing energy levels may be changed and, hence, the effective refractive index in the spectral region near the laser wavelength may be controlled.
US08571080B2
A slab-coupled optical waveguide laser (SCOWL) is provided that includes an upper and lower waveguide region for guiding a laser mode. The upper waveguide region is positioned in the interior regions of the SCOWL. The lower waveguide region also guides the laser mode. The lower waveguide region is positioned in an area underneath the upper waveguide region. An active region is positioned between the upper waveguide region and the lower waveguide region. The active region is arranged so etching into the SCOWL is permitted to define one or more ridge structures leaving the active region unetched.
US08571075B2
A frequency comb laser providing large comb spacing is disclosed. At least one embodiment includes a mode locked waveguide laser system. The mode locked waveguide laser includes a laser cavity having a waveguide, and a dispersion control unit (DCU) in the cavity. The DCU imparts an angular dispersion, group-velocity dispersion (GVD) and a spatial chirp to a beam propagating in the cavity. The DCU is capable of producing net GVD in a range from a positive value to a negative value. In some embodiments a tunable fiber frequency comb system configured as an optical frequency synthesizer is provided. In at least one embodiment a low phase noise micro-wave source may be implemented with a fiber comb laser having a comb spacing greater than about 1 GHz. The laser system is suitable for mass-producible fiber comb sources with large comb spacing and low noise. Applications include high-resolution spectroscopy.
US08571067B2
The present invention provides a method and device for generating and mapping a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) sequence, and the method includes: generating a pseudo-random sequence according to a pseudo-random sequence initial value, performing a Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation on the pseudo-random sequence, and obtaining a first CSI-RS sequence according to maximum bandwidth of system; and cutting the first CSI-RS sequence according to the actual bandwidth of the system, obtaining a second CSI-RS sequence, and mapping the second CSI-RS sequence to a time frequency location of a CSI-RS antenna port. The CSI-RS reference signal sequence can be generated or obtained respectively at the UE terminal and eNB terminal in accordance with the stated methods for generating and mapping the reference sequence according to known parameters by the present invention, so that the calculated CSI-RS sequence can be utilized to measure the channel at the UE terminal.
US08571060B2
Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a forwarding termination service. The forwarding termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The forwarding termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device.
US08571059B1
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing a serial interface with shared datapaths. The apparatus and methods share or re-use components from multiple lower-speed datapaths so as to efficiently provide a higher-speed datapath. In one embodiment, physical coding sublayer circuitry of the lower-speed datapaths is also used by the higher-speed datapath. In another embodiment, physical media access circuitry of the lower-speed data paths is also used by the higher-speed datapath. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US08571055B2
A method for assigning sending permissions in a telecommunications system and a telecommunications system comprising a unit (20) providing access to said system for at least one telecommunication terminal (40) and a control unit (11) for scheduling data transfer between said at least one telecommunication terminal and the telecommunications system, whereby the control unit (11) is located apart from the access providing unit (20) and whereby said data transfer takes place on at least one transmission channel and more than one telecommunication terminal is arranged to use the same transmission channel so that a telecommunication terminal is allowed to send on the transmission channel when a sending permission is assigned to said telecommunication terminal, whereby the access providing unit (20) is arranged to assign a sending permission to the telecommunication terminal.
US08571050B1
A method and apparatus to optimize class of service under multiple VCs with mixed reliable transfer (RT) and continuous transfer (CT) modes have been disclosed where outstanding packets to be processed is through a Retransmission Mapper with a VOQ read pointer realignment that can quickly optimize network traffic with multiple VCs and mixed RT/CT modes.
US08571041B2
A method is provided for managing transmissions among nodes communicating over a shared communication medium. The method includes: transmitting a frame from a sender node to a plurality of receiver nodes, the frame including at least a portion of a data packet and control information associated with accessing the communication medium; transmitting over the communication medium information indicating an end of a time window allocated for transmission of acknowledgement signals to the sender node from at least some of the plurality of receiver nodes; assigning each of a plurality of time slots in the time window to different subsets of the plurality of receiver nodes; and for a given receiver node, transmitting an acknowledgement signal from the given receiver node to the sender node during a time slot assigned to the given receiver node, the acknowledgement signal responsive to at least the frame.
US08571035B2
A packet processor for processing a data unit received from a network includes a header analyzer unit configured to obtain indications of locations in a header of the data unit of one or more fields to be parsed from the data unit to perform a packet processing operation on the data unit. The header analyzer unit comprises a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM), and a memory separate from the TCAM and coupled to an output of the TCAM, wherein a content of the TCAM and a content of the memory are programmable. The header analyzer unit is configured to obtain, responsive to a lookup of at least one portion of the data unit in the TCAM, indications of locations in a header of the data unit of one or more fields to be parsed from the data unit to perform a packet processing operation on the data unit. The packet processor further comprises a parser configured to parse the header using the indications of locations of one or more fields in the header to obtain data from the one or more fields.
US08571032B2
Methods and apparatus for testing a network that converts datagrams into fragments. A traffic generator may generate a datagram containing plural instrumentation blocks and transmit the test traffic over the network. A traffic receiver may determine if a plurality of fragments received via the network constitutes a complete datagram based, at least in part, on data within respective instrumentation blocks extracted from each received fragment. The traffic receiver may report test statistics indicative of a number of complete datagrams received and a number of incomplete datagrams received.
US08571026B2
In a typical powerline communications environment, all electrical outlets and branches are connected to a load center. In this type of electrical system, all communication devices will share the same frequency spectrum, limiting the maximum bandwidth of the network, where all nodes are in contention with each other. In the inventive system, the electrical load center would provide filtering to isolate all branches off the load center into different network segments all capable of carrying the maximum bandwidth allowed by the physical layer technology. The advantages of the method described by this invention will be most noticeable when high bandwidth devices are communicating with each other on the same electrical segment, for example a HDTV receiver communicating with a HDTV monitor in the same room.
US08571024B2
An architecture for a line card in a network routing device is provided. The line card architecture provides a bi-directional interface between the routing device and a network, both receiving packets from the network and transmitting the packets to the network through one or more connecting ports. In both the receive and transmit path, packets processing and routing in a multi-stage, parallel pipeline that can operate on several packets at the same time to determine each packet's routing destination is provided. Once a routing destination determination is made, the line card architecture provides for each received packet to be modified to contain new routing information and additional header data to facilitate packet transmission through the switching fabric. The line card architecture further provides for the use of bandwidth management techniques in order to buffer and enqueue each packet for transmission through the switching fabric to a corresponding destination port. The transmit path of the line card architecture further incorporates additional features for treatment and replication of multicast packets.
US08571023B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a range selection module, a first stage of bloom filters, a second stage of bloom filters and a hashing module. The range selection module is configured to define a set of hash key vectors based on a set of range values associated with at least a portion of an address value from a data packet received at a multi-stage switch. The first stage of bloom filters and the second stage of bloom filters are collectively configured to determine that at least a portion of a hash key vector from the set of hash key vectors has a probability of being included in a hash table. The hashing module is configured to produce a hash value based on the hash key vector such that a first policy vector is selected based on the hash value and the first policy vector is decompressed to produce a second policy vector associated with the data packet.
US08571005B1
In a communication system comprising one master device and one or more slave devices, the slave devices synchronize to a common timebase maintained at the master device without requiring transmission of accurate and real time master timer information from the master device. In one approach, a slave device sends timing information to the master device, the timing information representing the slave device timebase, and the master device sends back correction information to the slave device, the correction information representing a difference between the slave device timebase and the master device timebase, the correction information being usable independent of the timing of sending back the correction information.
US08571004B2
A mobile ad-hoc network includes a plurality of N mobile nodes and wireless communication links connecting the mobile nodes, which each include a communications device for transmitting and routing data packets wirelessly to other mobile nodes via the wireless communication links in accordance with a time division multiple access (TDMA) data transmission protocol using a TDMA epoch that is divided into a beacon interval, digital voice interval and digital data interval. The mobile nodes monitor channel conditions using the beacon, digital voice and digital data intervals and provide a network conductivity performance as valid receptions occur within mobile nodes. A data rate is calculated and set for other N−1 mobile nodes using monitored channel conditions for the beacon, digital voice and digital data intervals.
US08571003B2
A method for transmitting information in a communication network of multiple nodes, in which information transmission is partitioned into successive superframes, and in which each superframe is partitioned into a beacon period followed by a data period, which may consist of a contention free period (CFP), and each beacon period and CFP of the data period is partitioned into timeslots. The method includes allocating to at least a first node of the multiple nodes a designated timeslot in which to transmit data in at least one of a plurality of superframes, and allocating to at least a second node of the multiple nodes the same designated timeslot in which to transmit information during at least one subsequent superframe.
US08571001B2
A radio communication base station device can efficiently obtain a multiuser diversity gain from frequency scheduling while reducing the amount of a reference signal occupying an uplink. In the device, a grouping section (109) divides a plurality of RBs (Resource Blocks) into a plurality of RB groups. An RB group control unit (108) performs a control to change the correspondence relationship between the RBs and the RB groups with time. When the grouping section (109) divides the RBs into the RB groups, the RB control unit (108) performs a control to change a combination of the RBs included in each of the RB groups with time. A scheduling section (110) performs a scheduling of allocating each of a plurality of mobile stations to each of the RBs in each of the RB groups according to the reception quality of the reference signal.
US08570999B1
A system connected to power lines in a network includes a wireless component; a wired component interfaced with the power lines; a conversion component coupled to the wireless component and the wired component and performs at least unidirectional conversion of a transmission unit between wireless and wired, the conversion employs only MAC addresses for addressing.
US08570997B1
A wireless client station including a transmitter to transmit data, a receiver having a sensitivity, a signal strength module, and a control module. The sensitivity of the receiver corresponds to a minimum signal strength that the receiver is able to detect. The signal strength module is configured to estimate signal strengths of signals received from a plurality of access points. Each signal received from the plurality of access points respectively indicates a power being dissipated by access point that transmitted the signal. The control module is configured to, for each access point, determine a path loss based on i) the strength of the signal received from the access point, and ii) the power indicated as being dissipated by the access point, and to adjust a minimum transmit power level of the transmitter based on i) a lowest one of the path losses and ii) the sensitivity of the receiver.
US08570996B2
A method of transmitting an electronic message to a handheld electronic device that is outside the coverage area of a wireless network having at least one Access Point. The method includes: attempting to wirelessly transmit the electronic message from the network to the handheld electronic device through the wireless access point; wirelessly transmitting the electronic message from the wireless access point to a peer handheld electronic device that is within communication range of the access point; and wirelessly transmitting the electronic message from the peer handheld electronic device to the handheld electronic device when the peer handheld electronic device is within communication range of the handheld electronic device.
