US08608787B2
The invention relates to a device (1) for irradiating tissue (G) with light pulses (L), comprising a housing (2), at least one light source (3) for emitting the light pulses (L) with a wavelength (λ) of from 600 nm to 660 run, a modulator (4) and a power stage (6) for generating the light pulses (L), and with an activating element (5). For creating a device (1) which is as small, as cost-efficient and as effective as possible, by which as good a therapy success as possible is achieved in various applications, the modulator (4) is designed for generating the light pulses (L) with a pulse frequency (f) of from 1 to 10 Hz, and the power stage (6) is designed for emitting the light pulses (L) with an energy which causes breaking up of the photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy and evokes a frequency doubling or a two-photon absorption (TPA) in the tissue (G) when treating inflammations without a sensitizer.
US08608786B2
An apparatus for delivering multiple forms of electromagnetic radiation and methods for its use are disclosed. An example embodiment may comprise a radiation unit having one or more light emitting diodes that emit electromagnetic radiation in continuous wave form and one or more laser diodes that emit electromagnetic radiation in continuous wave form. The radiation unit may be connected to a frequency generator that provides a waveform. The waveform may convert the continuous wave output of the laser diodes to pulse wave output, while leaving the continuous wave output of the light emitting diodes unaffected. The frequency generator may cause the emission of an additional electromagnetic field proximate the radiation unit. Associated apparatuses and methods for their use are also provided.
US08608785B2
An implant for fusing adjacent bones is disclosed. The implant includes an elongate threaded member and a flexible portion extending from the elongate threaded member. The flexible portion includes a plurality of prongs configured to be reversibly compressed toward an axis defined by the elongate threaded member.
US08608782B1
The system includes multiple pedicle screws anchored to multiple vertebra, at least one of which needs to be de-rotated about a central spine axis relative to adjacent vertebrae. Elongate posts are attached to the pedicle screws and extend away from the pedicle screws. A holder, such as in the form of multiple clamps and bars and a de-rotation rod, hold the posts together after de-rotation of a mis-rotated vertebra. With the vertebra held where desired, a spine rod can then be attached to heads of the pedicle screws to hold the vertebrae in their desired positions. After spine rod attachment, the posts and associated portions of the system other than the pedicle screws and spine rods can then be removed, with the pedicle screws and spine rods typically remaining implanted to hold the vertebrae in their desired and de-rotated positions.
US08608777B2
A method for coupling soft tissue to bone including: positioning a first anchor in a first bone bore, the first anchor having a first self-locking adjustable suture construct including a first adjustable loop, a second adjustable loop, and a pair of first ends; positioning a second anchor in a second bone bore, the second anchor having a second self-locking adjustable suture construct including a third adjustable loop, a fourth adjustable loop, and a second end; positioning the first adjustable loop relative to the soft tissue; positioning the second adjustable loop about the third adjustable loop; and tensioning the pair of first ends and the second end to pull the first adjustable loop against the soft tissue, couple the second adjustable loop to the third adjustable loop, pull the second adjustable loop against the soft tissue, and pull the third adjustable loop against the soft tissue.
US08608774B1
The bifurcated forceps is a tweezers-like instrument having two elongate, flattened arms joined at their mutual proximal ends, and each arm extends to a distal end having two laterally separated tines extending therefrom. The mutually facing surfaces of the corresponding tines of each arm are provided with serrations or teeth along the majority of their lengths, the facing serrations meshing with one another. The bifurcated forceps may have laterally straight arms, or laterally curved arms. Reusable forceps may be formed of surgical steel, and disposable forceps may be formed of a suitable plastic. The laterally separated tines enable the bifurcated forceps to grip a portion of tissue or other matter simultaneously at two separate points, thereby holding a greater span of the tissue clear of the underlying structure to facilitate surgical procedures and the like.
US08608772B2
A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08608765B1
A device and method for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented herein. The device and method enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. A guide probe of the device is inserted through a small incision and is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. After proper position is assured, a hemi-cannula is moved over the guide probe to isolate the pulley from the surrounding tissue. A cutting blade is then used to sever the pulley. A dilation device may be inserted prior to the insertion of the ball tipped guide probe to dilate the area.
US08608758B2
A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.
US08608753B2
A probe for a vitrectomy tool is provided having a vitreous cutter tube having a blunt tip at a distal end and adapted to be coupled at a proximal end to a handpiece of a vitrectomy tool; a retractable outer trocar tube surrounding the vitreous cutter tube having an open distal end with a sharpened edge; and a retraction mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the outer trocar for selectively extending and retracting the outer trocar tube between a first extended position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is extended beyond the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate insertion into the eye and a second retracted position wherein the sharpened edge of the outer trocar is retracted behind the blunt tip of the vitreous cutter tube to facilitate safe operation of the probe.
US08608751B2
An assembly system configured to seat a first orthopedic component having either a male taper or a female taper with a second orthopedic component having the other of a male taper or a female taper. In one embodiment, the assembly system includes a taper seating connector having a fastener and a bushing moveable retained on the fastener. The fastener may be connected to the first orthopedic component and the bushing may be positioned adjacent the second orthopedic component. The corresponding tapers on the first and second orthopedic components may be configured to secure the first and second orthopedic components together. Thus, by exerting a sufficient force on the bushing, the bushing will move along the fastener, transferring the force to the second orthopedic component. In this manner, the corresponding tapers of the first and second orthopedic components may be seated.
US08608749B2
A method for preparing a joint surface of a patient for an implant, such as, for example, an acetabular implant for a hip joint. According to the method, a patient-specific guide is attached to a complementary joint surface of the patient. The patient-specific guide includes a guiding element oriented along a patient-specific alignment axis. The alignment axis is determined during a preoperative plan of the patient for implant alignment. A shaft of a guiding tool is removably coupled to the guiding element of the guide. A three-dimensional orientation device is removably attached to the shaft of the guiding tool. A position of a bubble of the orientation device is marked with a mark on an outer transparent surface of the orientation device while the guiding tool is oriented along the alignment axis. The marked orientation device can be used for aligning other instruments during the procedure.
US08608747B2
The invention provides a guide for controlling a surgical instrument, that includes a cutting member configured to resect a portion of anatomy and a sheath. The sheath may have a circular connecting portion with an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the surgical instrument to receive the surgical instrument. The sheath may also include at least two distally extending arms connected to the circular connecting portion and a ring connected to the distal portion of the at least two distally extending arms. The sheath may also include a distally extending extension connected to the ring. The guide has a superiorly extending guard connected to the distal portion of the extension and a projection member positioned on a superior surface of the guard. The projection member includes a generally circular base and circular platform that has a diameter larger than the generally circular base.
US08608744B2
A method for performing an acetabular arthroplasty in an acetabulum of an ilium may include locating an iliac canal of the ilium. The iliac canal extends from the surface of the acetabulum generally toward a portion of the iliac ridge. An impacting step impacts a non-rotating bone removal tool aligned along the iliac canal such that the non-rotating bone removal tool removes bone within the iliac canal and forms a bone void. Another step secures a fixation implant within the canal void. An acetabular implant is installed within the acetabulum over the fixation implant.
US08608742B2
A surgical cable and crimp device is provided. The cable has an enlargement (bead) affixed to one of its ends. The crimp member includes two holes. One of the holes includes a slot and a cavity. The cavity is sized to accept the bead of the cable, and the slot is sized to receive the flexible cable but not allow the bead to pass through. The other hole is a simple through hole. The cable can be inserted to loop the bone isolated from the crimp member. After the beaded end of the surgical cable is fastened to the crimp, the cable is passed through the simple through hole. The cable is then tensioned by the application thereto of a tensioning tool with the tool applied to the cable and to an abutment face of the crimp member.
US08608740B2
A bolt is adapted to clamp a pin to an external fixator system. The bolt includes a shaft having a threaded section, a head section and a pin opening that is arranged opposite the threaded section and accommodates and clamps a pin or a wire to a plate or ring of an external fixator. The plate comprises at least one opening which accommodates the shaft and a surface against which the pin or the wire is clamped by the bolt. The pin opening comprises at least two edges extending essentially along the same direction as the pin opening such that the pin or wire to be clamped is contact with said edges.
US08608734B2
An array advancing device that attaches to a tissue ablation probe comprises a housing sized for receiving the handle and reciprocating plunger of the ablation probe, the housing having a proximal section configured to engage the plunger, and a distal section configured to engage the handle, the proximal housing section being controllably moveable relative to the distal housing section to thereby controllably move the plunger relative to the handle.
US08608730B2
A thermal treatment medical system including an umbilical having a first portion and a second portion, and a connector including a male coupling body connected to the first portion, the male coupling body having a central shank defining first and second lumens, a female coupling body connected to the second portion, the female coupling body, matable with the male coupling body and defining third and fourth lumens matable to be in fluid communication with the first and second lumens, respectively, to define first and second fluid flow pathways, respectively, through the connector when the male coupling body is mated with the female coupling body. The second fluid flow pathway is co-axially disposed about a central axis coincident with the first fluid flow pathway. The connector includes a mating mechanism for spatially locking the male and female coupling bodies with respect to each other. Additionally, the thermal treatment medical system includes a multiple lumen co-axial connector for connecting the catheter flow pathways with a fluid source and control console.
US08608726B2
A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.
US08608717B2
A urine collection apparatus includes a urine cover, a buffer member, and a pipe. The urine cover has an edge, a room therein, and an opening and an aperture communicated with the room, and a user's penis enters into the room via the opening. The buffer is connected to the edge of the urine cover with a connecting surface thereon to be in touch with the user's skin. The pipe is connected to the aperture of the urine cover to direct urine to a desired location.
US08608712B2
A venous access port assembly having a housing with a discharge port, and a needle-penetrable septum. An interior reservoir is defined in the assembly, and a passageway extends from the reservoir through the discharge port. The needle access area of the septum includes a tactilely identifiable differentiation along the top surface thereof, such as a ridge, a recess, an X-shaped protrusion, a V-shaped groove, or a bipartite dome.
US08608704B2
A securement device includes a simply-structured retention mechanism that permits a portion of a catheter hub or a similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, without the use of tape or needles and suturing. A unitary retainer desirably includes a base defining a locator mechanism. The locator mechanism interacts with a fitting of the medical device so as to position the medical device relative to the retainer. The locator mechanism also desirably guides the medical device fitting into contact with an adhesive member mounted on an outer surface of the retainer. In one form, the locator mechanism includes one or more posts that engage mating holes defined in the medical device fitting. In other forms, the locator mechanism includes a cradle defining an arcuate channel to receive a convex surface of the medical device, or a recess shaped to matingly receive the fitting. The retainer is attached to a flexible anchor pad that includes an adhesive bottom surface, which can be attached to the patient's skin. In use, a health care provider positions the medical device fitting on the retainer in a position established and guided by the locator mechanism, and attaches the fitting to the retainer via the adhesive member.
US08608702B2
An introducer for providing intravascular access to a patient is disclosed, and includes a dilator and sheath that are configured to prevent peelback, or “fishmouthing,” of the sheath during introducer advancement. In one embodiment, the introducer comprises a dilator including a distal tapered region, and a sheath including an inner bore that receives the dilator such that a portion of the tapered region of the dilator extends from the sheath distal end. A distal outer surface of the sheath includes a first curved portion defined by a first radius and extending proximally from the distal end of the sheath to a first end point, and a second curved portion defined by a second radius and extending proximally from the first end point to a second end point. Additionally, an interference fit is established between the dilator tapered region and the sheath distal end to further prevent sheath end deformation.
US08608698B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a needle, a first energy storage member and a second energy storage member. The needle is movably disposed within the housing and is configured to be to be placed in fluid communication with a medicament container. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The first energy storage member is disposed within the housing, and is configured to produce a first force when actuated. The second energy storage member is disposed within the housing, and is configured to be actuated in response to the first force to produce a second force to move the needle from the first needle position to the second needle position.
US08608693B2
A medicine injection device comprises a cartridge having a cartridge barrel and a plunger having a plunger shaft slidable within the cartridge barrel. The cartridge may have, e.g., a pre-filled medicine. The medicine injection device farther comprises a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity in which the cartridge barrel is disposed. The proximal end of the body may optionally form a finger grip. The medicine injection device further comprises a plunger locking mechanism attached to the proximal end of the body. The plunger locking mechanism comprises a member with an aperture slidably engaged with the plunger shaft. The locking mechanism is configured for preventing the plunger from being removed from the cartridge barrel. For example, the plunger shaft may include a locking stop, e.g., a flange, that engages with the aperture in an interference arrangement.
US08608683B2
A device for infusing of at least one medicament includes at least two actuators configured to cause at least two medicaments to be infused; at least one sensor configured to measure a value of at least two parameters; and a controller configured to control the at least two actuators, wherein the controller is programmed to activate the at least two actuators depending on the values of each of the at least two parameters, and wherein the controller is arranged so as to consider a dependency of the at least two medicaments.
US08608682B2
A pressure and a vision regulation method and device for irrigation of a body cavity (1), in which method an inflow liquid pump (2) pressurizes the irrigation liquid in a feed line (13) and in which an outflow device (3) or an external suction source (20) drains the irrigation liquid from the body cavity (1) through a tubing (16) into a waste container (17) and in which a control unit (4) controls either the inflow liquid pump (2) only or both the inflow liquid pump (2) and the outflow device (3) depending on an inflow irrigation liquid pressure from a pressure sensor (5), where the first control unit (4) compares the inflow irrigation liquid pressure and flow with pressures calculated to correspond to pressure in the body cavity for the respective flow for a nominal surgical site and that a matching between the calculated values and the inflow irrigation liquid pressures is made by altering the effect of either the inflow liquid pump (2) only or the inflow liquid pump (2) and/or the outflow device (3) and/or the shut off valve. The above-mentioned pressure registration method and the device for irrigation of a body cavity is combined with an method for detecting blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin and/or debris in liquid coming from a surgical site so an automatically control and rinsing system is achieved keeping a clear vision in the viewing area of the operational site.
US08608672B2
A focused ultrasound system comprises a transducer having a multiplicity of transducer elements, drive circuitry that generates and outputs a plurality of drive signals, each offset by a respective phase difference, and a controller for selectively coupling the drive signals to respective transducer elements, the controller including a plurality of first tier switching modules and second tier switching modules. Each first tier module receives as an input the plurality of drive signals and outputs one of the drive signals in response to a drive signal selection signal. Each second tier module is coupled to a respective grouping of transducer elements and selectively couples a respective selected drive signal output from a first tier switching module to one or more of the transducer elements in response to a transducer element selection signal.
US08608669B2
Lancets comprising a piercing element for puncturing the skin of a patient, a test region containing detection reagents for determining an analyte concentration of a body fluid sample, a capillary structure arranged in the piercing element for transporting a body fluid sample to the test region, and a sterile protection element, which encloses the tip of the piercing element. The capillary structure is blocked in a section surrounded by the sterile protection element. Also provided are methods for producing a lancet, comprising: producing a piercing element, which on the upper side has an upwardly open capillary structure; covering a section of the upper side of the piercing element and blocking the capillary channel in this section using a first material; covering a section of the underside using a second material; sterilizing the piercing element; and attaching a test region containing detection reagents to the piercing element.
US08608668B2
A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips are sandwiched between a first web and a second web of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.
US08608665B2
A device may include a first locking mechanism configured to connect a first end of the device to a needle, a second locking mechanism configured to connect a second end of the device to a syringe, a pressure transducer, a microprocessor and a light emitting diode. The pressure transducer may be configured to measure a first pressure at a first time and a second pressure at a second time. The microprocessor may be configured to receive the first pressure and the second pressure from the pressure transducer, determine a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, and determine a time difference between the first time and the second time. The light emitting diode may be configured to signal when the needle is properly situated based on the pressure difference and the time difference.
US08608649B2
Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.
US08608642B2
An environmentally sensitive hydrogel material swells or collapses in response to a parameter such as pH level associated with consumption of food by a patient. This swelling or collapsing is harnessed to treat morbid obesity or some other condition of the patient. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may be used to tighten a gastric band or gastric valve when the patient starts eating; then loosen the band or valve when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to increase the size of a space occupying device in the patient's stomach when the patient starts eating; then decrease the size of the space occupying device when the patient is between meals. The swelling or collapsing of the hydrogel may also be used to selectively restrict the absorption of nutrients within a patient's gastrointestinal tract, such as in the duodenum.
US08608641B2
Articles and procedures for preventing or treating vaginal prolapse, urinary incontinence, and other disorders of the pelvic floor.
US08608627B2
Adjustable-weight exercise devices are disclosed. An example adjustable-weight exercise device may include an exercise device body; a generally cylindrical cavity extending into the exercise device body and comprising at least one engagement feature; and a generally cylindrical weight insert configured to be slidably received the cavity and comprising a corresponding engagement feature. The engagement feature and the corresponding engagement feature may be configured to releasably engage each other to selectively retain the generally cylindrical weight insert within the generally cylindrical cavity.
US08608626B2
One aspect is a rowing machine with a longitudinally extending beam and a seat mounted to said beam and slidable therealong. A frame is mounted to said beam and slidably movable therealong independently of said seat. A pair of foot rests are mounted to a user end of said frame. A flywheel is rotatably mounted by a flywheel shaft to said frame, said flywheel shaft mounted to said frame a height less than a radius of said flywheel above said beam. The flywheel is drivable by a cable through a transmission mechanism mounted to said frame such that one end of said cable remote from said flywheel is connected to a handgrip and the other end of said cable connected to a cable take up mechanism.
US08608625B2
Vibrational ergometer comprising a seat unit (20), a bottom bracket/crank unit (1) connected to a braking unit (4) as well as a vibrational unit, the latter consisting of a plate vibrator (2), a vibrational stand (18) and vibrational motors (3), wherein the plate vibrator (2) is connected to the bottom bracket/crank unit (1) and the bottom bracket/crank unit (1) is mechanically decoupled from the seat unit.
US08608617B2
A method and drive train for performing a gearshift from a first gear to a second gear in a vehicle provided with a manual or automated manual transmission is provided. A drivetrain incorporating the automated manual transmission includes an engine, connected via a clutch to an electric motor/generator, which in turn is connected to the manual or automated manual transmission and wherein the electric motor/generator is connected to a battery, other energy storing devices or a heating element. The method includes controlling the motor/generator to absorb a torque equalling the torque provided by the engine, such that the manual or automated manual transmission transfers a only minor, or no, torque, disengaging the first gear, controlling the torques absorbed by the motor/generator and provided by the engine such that an engine speed correlates to the engine speed necessary for propelling the vehicle at the second gear, and engaging the second gear.
US08608615B2
A drive system has a dual clutch transmission with two component transmissions, a dual clutch and an output shaft. The two component transmissions have a common main shaft and each has one component transmission input shaft that can be connected operatively to the main shaft. The main shaft and the output shaft are connected operatively to one another. A combustion engine selectively can be connected operatively to one of the component transmissions via the dual clutch and one of the component transmission input shafts to drive the output shaft via the main shaft. An electric machine can be connected positively and operatively to one of the component transmission input shafts and/or to the output shaft, or can be connected positively and operatively to one of the component transmission input shafts and/or to the main shaft.
US08608607B2
An infinitely variable gear transmission system for vehicles includes a differential gear unit for input, a planetary gear unit, an automatic gear coupling, a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic pump rotating with the first output shaft of the differential gear unit and one of the three gear elements of the planetary gear unit, the hydraulic motor rotating with one of the two remaining gear elements, the automatic gear coupling for coupling the two output shafts of the differential gear unit, and a Microprocessor unit to selectively control the fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuit by adjusting the flow control valve, and control the speed of the third gear element connected to the vehicle.
US08608602B2
An improved belt clutch engages to couple one shaft to at least one other shaft and disengaged to decouple the shafts. Known belt clutches fail to smoothly and completely disengage the belt from traction pulleys on the shafts and drag results. The improved belt clutch includes rollers outlining the engaged belt and constrain the disengaged belt to smoothly and completely disengage the belt from the traction pulleys. The new improved belt clutch provides, among other things, higher efficiency when driven in either direction and smoother operation when engaged or disengaged at high speed than prior art belt clutches.
US08608586B2
A golf club with a club head comprising a body defining a volume, a shaft coupled to the club head, and a balance point established above the sole and no further away from the sole than five inches is provided. A method for creating a club head with enhanced balance point placement can also be provided. The method can include, in a golf club formed from a club head coupled to a shaft, moving a balance point from a position between no less than seven inches and no more than eighteen inches measured from the sole along a longitudinal axis of the shaft between a butt of the shaft and a sole of the club head to a position no further away from the sole than five inches measured from the sole along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
US08608584B1
A golf swing training device including a mat having a contact plate disposed therein over which the golf club passes during correct ball contact and a plurality of apertures disposed at predetermined locations in the mat in which pegs are inserted to arrange a desired swing path for a right-handed or left-handed golfer's club swing for either the woods and the driver or the irons. An alignment tube, which is fixed and alternately telescopic, attached to a cylindrical female connector on either of the mat right and left sides and a T-shaped tube connector to which a pair of alignment rods is attached align the golfer's feet in a position parallel to the mat sides. An alignment arrow on the mat top surface provides a visual cue for a correct forward follow through. Stakes driven through holes in the mat secure the mat to a ground surface for outdoor use.
US08608580B2
A slide assembly for indoor/outdoor use which may be adapted to mount to a stairway or furniture piece, such as a couch or chair. The slide assembly includes two or more mounting apparatuses which pivotally mount the slide to a vertical wall adjacent to a stairway such that the slide assembly is capable of being moved from an in-use position to a folded or stowed away position. The ability to pivot the slide assembly allows the stairway to be left unobstructed and free for regular use while the slide is not being used. Similarly, the slide assembly may be mounted to a couch or chair and may be easily disassembled such that the couch may be left unobstructed and free for regular use when the slide is not being used.
US08608577B2
A damper device includes a first rotation member coupled to an engine; a second rotation member coupled to a drive member driven by power generated from the engine and capable of rotating relative to the first rotation member; and a coil spring configured to transmit the power between the first rotation member and the second rotation member, and absorb a torque variation between the first rotation member and the second rotation member, wherein the coil spring has a hollow portion that is an internal area and an outline portion that is an outer area on a cross-sectional shape on a plane including a centerline of the coil spring, the hollow portion having lower rigidity and lower density than those of the outline portion. Accordingly, the damper device can reduce the influence caused by the centrifugal force.
US08608572B1
A game processing server apparatus, to which plural terminal devices each being operated by a player are connected via a network, configured to provide a game service to the plural terminal devices, includes a player management unit which manages an association of a target player with other plural players; and an event management unit which controls a generation of a predetermined event, manages an event generation status for each of the target player and the players associated with the target player, determines whether a specific event is already generated for the target player and the players associated with the target player by referring to the event generation status for each of the target player and the players associated with the target player, determines, based on the determined result, an event to be generated for the target player.
US08608557B2
Provided is a betting ticket purchase system capable of avoiding a time lag between the reception of a purchase request that changes the odds greatly and the reflection of the specifics of the purchase request on a change in the odds . A betting request receiving unit (26) receives a purchase request for a betting ticket. An odds outputting unit (24) outputs odds which are calculated based on specifics of the purchase request. The betting request receiving unit (26) identifies a level of impact of the purchase request on the odds based on the specifics of the purchase request. The betting request receiving unit (26) sets a processing order of the purchase request so that the purchase request is processed before a purchase request that is identified as being smaller in impact on the odds than the purchase request.
US08608554B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices having a delayed bonus win determination and methods of operating gaming systems and gaming devices to provide delayed bonus win determinations. Here, contributions to a linked jackpot may be separated from the chance to win the linked jackpot, where the chance to win the linked jackpot can be stored and used at a later time.
US08608552B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a service to a player using a player device. A indication of a player identifier which corresponds to a player of a gaming device is received. A player device is provided to the player. A service to provide the player is determined based on a gaming activity of the player, and the service is then provided to the player using the player device.
US08608543B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming device which enables a player to purchase the game in stages or increments. The gaming device enables the player to place a first wager for a play of the game. After receiving the first wager, the gaming device randomly generates and displays a first outcome. The gaming device evaluates the displayed first outcome to determine whether the displayed outcome includes any winning symbol combinations. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with any determined winning symbol combinations. After providing the player with any awards based on the displayed first outcome, the gaming device offers the player the opportunity to make a second wager for the play of the game. If the second wager is placed, the gaming device generates and displays the second outcome, while the first outcome remains displayed. The gaming device evaluates the displayed second outcome in combination with the displayed first outcome to determine whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed. The gaming device provides the player with any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations. If the player chooses not to make the second wager for the play of the game, the play of the game terminates. In this manner, the present disclosure enables a player to decide when to continue building on an outcome that is good and when to stop the play of the game.
US08608539B2
A gaming machine is provided which is capable of providing a rendering in such a manner that a story gradually extends together with a bonus game in a case where rendering processing is executed in parallel with the bonus game. The routine transfers to a free game, as triggered by establishment of a condition for rearranging a specific symbol in a base game. Next, the routine transfers to a bonus game, as triggered by establishment of a first transfer condition in the free game. Then, the routine transfers to another free game, as triggered by establishment of a second transfer condition in the bonus game. In this manner, an extended game loop in which the free game and the bonus game enter extended games is formed.
US08608533B2
A roof ventilation system operable based on environmental parameters is disclosed. The system includes a vent, a fan, a solar panel, a battery and a controller. The vent is positioned within a field of a roof, and includes a first opening configured to allow airflow between regions above and below the roof. The fan is positioned to generate an air flow through the vent. The solar panel is positioned on the roof in a location such that the solar panel receives solar radiation. The battery is electrically connected to the solar panel. The controller is in communication with the fan, and is configured to drive the fan based on at least one environmental parameter.
US08608524B2
Provided is a water shoe facilitating walking on a water surface. The water shoe of the present invention includes: a foot fixing portion to fix a foot; a supporting bar coupled with the foot fixing portion; a floating membrane foldable toward and unfoldable from the supporting bar with the supporting bar functioning as a pivot shaft to provide buoyancy to the water shoe when the floating membrane comes into contact with a water surface; and a folding hinge portion coupled with the floating membrane to fold and unfold the floating membrane. The water shoe of the present invention has a simple structure, and may be put to use in water leisure sports at an inexpensive cost. Further, the water shoe may be used even in a narrow area, without a motor boat, and almost unencumbered by weather conditions.
US08608523B2
A lightweight watercraft device designed for use by general consumers and those without means or desire for a traditional, larger boat. The device comprises a pilot seat, an outboard electric motor and steering means mounted to a lightweight foam hull wrapped in a composite shell. The hull comprises a central region bounded by two forward sweeping sides that form the bow of the vessel. The sides taper from bow to stern, terminating at the rear of the boat in a squared configuration. The hull is a unitary foam structure, wrapped in plys of composite material for structural reinforcement. A plank board is bonded between plys along the central axis of the boat, and provides support for the seat, a rear transom board and an area for carrying supplies. Mounted on the transom board is the outboard electric motor, which provides motive power for the vessel.
US08608522B2
A jet propulsion unit has a water inlet, a pump body, an impeller, and a valve assembly fluidly. The valve assembly has a valve housing having an inlet fluidly connected to the pump body, a first outlet and a second outlet. A valve body is disposed in the valve housing and is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, water from a body of water flows consecutively through the water inlet, the pump body, the inlet of the valve housing, the valve housing and the first outlet of the valve housing. In the second position, water from the body of water flows consecutively through the water inlet, the pump body, the inlet of the valve housing, the valve housing, and the second outlet of the valve housing. A watercraft having the jet propulsion unit is also disclosed.
US08608521B1
Systems and methods of operating a marine propulsion system utilize an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that is powered by a battery, wherein the internal combustion engine and the electric motor each selectively power a marine propulsor to propel a marine vessel. A control circuit is operated to control operation of the system according to a plurality of modes including at least an electric mode wherein the electric motor powers the marine propulsor and a hybrid mode wherein the internal combustion engine powers the marine propulsor and provides power for recharging the battery. An operator-desired future performance capability of the hybrid marine propulsion system is input to the control circuit, which selects and executes the plurality of modes so as to provide the operator-desired desired future performance capability.
US08608517B2
A wedge connector assembly for forming an electrical connection with an elongate electrical conductor includes a resilient spring member and a cam wedge member. The spring member defines a spring member channel. The spring member channel has a spring member channel axis and is configured to receive the electrical conductor such that the electrical conductor extends along the spring member channel axis. The cam wedge member is mounted on the spring member such that the cam wedge member is rotatable relative to the spring member about a pivot axis to a locking position wherein the cam wedge member captures the electrical conductor in the spring member channel and elastically deflects the spring member.
US08608515B2
A terminal block in which a plurality of conductive plates (10) connected to device-side busbars provided in a motor are made integral by a connector housing (50) made of synthetic resin includes a plurality of cores (65) in which the conductive plates (10) are made integral to a primary molded portion (61); a metal plate (30) to be attached and fixed to a motor case; and a secondary molded portion (70) integrally forming the plurality of cores (65) held in contact side by side and the metal plate (30). A contact portion (66) is provided between a pair of adjacent cores (65, 65) and the pair of adjacent cores (65, 65) are held in contact via the contact portion (66).
US08608509B2
An electrical connector having a housing provided with an opening through which a flat circuit device is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing for contacting with connecting terminals on the flat circuit device in the housing, and a shell member mounted on the housing and provided therein with a holding portion for holding the flat circuit device in the housing and a manipulatable releasing portion for releasing the flat circuit device from holding by the holding portion, wherein the holding portion is constituted to extend from a portion of the shell member provided for covering one of opposite plate-shaped portions of the housing into an inside of the housing and to have an engaging projection formed thereon for selectively engaging with and disengaging from the flat circuit device.
US08608507B2
An electrical connector interface has a male portion and a female portion. The male portion provided with at least three outer diameter radial projecting connector tabs and a conical outer diameter seat surface at an interface end. A releasable retainer seats upon the male portion. The female portion provided with at least three outer diameter radial projecting base tabs and an annular groove open to the interface end with an outer sidewall dimensioned to mate with the conical outer diameter seat surface. the releasable retainer dimensioned to engage the base tabs, upon rotation of the releasable retainer, retaining the outer diameter seat surface against the outer sidewall. A handle projection of the releasable retainer and/or visual engagement indicia may be applied for ease of tool-less interconnection and/or verification of engagement.
US08608503B2
A connector guide member is provided for guiding a connector attached on a circuit board to a mating connector attached on another circuit board when the connector is connected to the mating connector. The connector guide member includes a positioning member that sets a position of the connector relative to the mating connector; an engaging member that locks to the connector while the positioning member positions the connector, and a guiding member that guides a guided portion provided on the mating connector.
US08608497B2
A connector assembly for a modular device that connects to a host device, including a receptacle forming part of a host electronic device, and a connector plug mounted on one side of a modular electronic device, for use with two operational modes of the modular device, including a first connector for engagement with the receptacle in a first operational mode in which the modular device is connected with the host device, and a second connector for engagement with a cable external to the modular device in a second operational mode in which the modular device is not connected with the host device, the second connector being covered by the host device but not engaged therewith when the first connector is engaged with the receptacle, thus enabling the modular device to be used with a host or alternatively removed from the host and connected to a cable for external use.
US08608491B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing with a number of passageways extending therethrough, a number of electrical contacts secured in the passageways respectively, and a number of solder balls contacting with the electrical contacts. The passageways each includes a solder ball receiving slot and a pre-setting slot below the solder ball receiving slot and expanded therefrom. The electrical contacts each have a solder tail at a lower end thereof and a contact section at an upper end thereof. The solder balls and the solder tails are disposed in the solder ball receiving slot and the pre-setting slot. The pre-setting slot restricts the solder ball at a first position and the solder ball receiving slot restricts the solder ball at a second position.
US08608488B2
A portable electronic device includes a base material, a fixing-cover and conductive terminals. The base material has first contact-pads and second contact-pads. The fixing-cover is disposed on a first surface and exposes the first contact-pads. The fixing-cover has a clamp portion. The terminals are disposed on the second contact-pads, wherein a first end of each the terminal extends out of the fixing-cover. A second end leans against the fixing-cover. A central portion is located between the two ends, wherein the bottom of the central portion bulges and contacts the corresponding second contact-pad, and the two ends can swing relatively to the base material around the bottom of the central portion as the pivot. The central portion has a positioning portion formed in direction facing the opening and the positioning portion is embedded in the opening.
US08608478B2
An electronic clipboard with an optional associated remote personal unit worn by a player. The clipboard can include a flat electronic unit with an optionally writeable flat display. The associated unit can be a wrist or other unit with a small display worn by a player. A protective cover can be pulled over the display to protect it during play. Plays from a library of plays, or plays written on the electronic clipboard, can be transmitted by radio to the remote personal unit and displayed. The electronic coach's clipboard that could store and recall images of plays that the coach could carry or have immediately available. Optionally real-time game photographs can be displayed on the coach's electronic clipboard.
US08608472B2
The invention relates to a dental suction apparatus for suctioning fluids and debris from the mouth cavity of a patient during a treatment. The apparatus has a hollow base body with a longitudinal axis X-X that includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a suction port. A mirrored surface is disposed on the inner surface of the suction port so that at least parts of the mouth cavity can be viewed through the suction port.
US08608470B2
A holding member can be made to move up and down with long strokes by means of short vertical strokes so that the overall arrangement can be downsized and lightweight. Additionally, the holding member can be held to a constant attitude and the overall arrangement can be simplified to reduce the cost. A swing arm is adapted to be swung between the metal mold of a resin molding machine and the outside of the resin molding machine by means of a rotary shaft rotating in response to a vertical motion of an elevating body relative to a vertical frame and, at the same time, a fitting member is adapted to be driven to rotate in response to the swinging motion of the swing arm in order to control the attitude of a vertical arm so as to make its axial line aligned with the vertical direction.
US08608465B2
Positive-displacement auxiliary pumping systems for use in pump apparatus of different configurations are disclosed. The positive-displacement auxiliary pumping systems are included in positive-displacement rotary pumps having a casing defining a pumping cavity, an inlet port connected to the pumping cavity, a discharge port connected to the pumping cavity, and a positive-displacement auxiliary pumping port connected to the pumping cavity. Pumping elements move within the pumping cavity of the casing and define a collapsing pocket that maintains fluid communication with the positive-displacement auxiliary pumping port after the collapsing pocket is no longer in fluid communication with the discharge port.
US08608463B2
A micro cooling fan comprises a housing and a main circuit board. The housing has an accommodation space, a first inner surface, and a gap. The gap is in communication with the accommodation space, and two opposite side edges of the gap have a groove respectively. The main circuit board comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The first circuit board has a stator, the second circuit board has a driving circuit, and the stator is electrically connected to the driving circuit. The first circuit board is disposed on the first inner surface, and the second circuit board is embedded into the grooves and blocks the gap.
US08608460B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for increasing compressed air efficiency in a pump utilizes an air efficiency device in order to optimize the amount of a compressed air in a pump. The air efficiency device may allow for controlling the operation of the air operated diaphragm pump by reducing the flow of compressed air supplied to the pump as the pump moves between first and second diaphragm positions. A sensor may be used to monitor velocity of the diaphragm assemblies. In turn, full position feedback is possible so that the pump self-adjusts to determine the optimum, or close to optimum, turndown point of the diaphragm assemblies. As such, air savings is achieved by minimizing the amount of required compressed air.
US08608457B2
A device for driving a drum (1) about the axis thereof, including a motor (2) which is mounted at least partially inside the drum (1) and a transmission (7) disposed between the motor (2) and the drum (1), characterized in that it further includes a device (10) enabling a forced current of cooling air to be created in a space (13,14) between the motor (2) and an inner wall of the drum (1).
US08608454B2
In a swash-plate type hydrostatic piston engine, a drive unit (10) and a swash plate (17) are received by a pot-shaped housing (1b). According to the invention, the pot-shaped housing (1b) is configured such that it is able to receive drive units (10a, 10b) of at least two rated quantities of a specific product series of the hydrostatic piston engine.
US08608453B2
The invention relates to a feed pump for supplying lubricant to at least one lubricating point, with at least one driving module and at least one pump module. Each driving module and each pump module is selected from a modular system which comprises a plurality of driving modules and/or a plurality of pump modules which each have at least one connecting region. In this case, the connecting regions are matched to one another in such a manner that the at least one driving module can be exchanged for at least one further driving module and/or the at least one pump module can be exchanged for at least one further pump module.
US08608448B2
A shroudless blade for use in a compressor or fan of an axial flow gas turbine engine includes a treatment to the tips of the blades to improve the surge margin of the compressor. A series of cross bleed holes are formed at the tip of the blade, which may be a stator or rotor component, extending between the pressure and suction sides of the blades. Notches are provided at the tip of the blades to provide initiation sites for any fatigue cracks such that the cracks propagate from the base of these slots or notches and radially inwards into the body of the blades. The present invention provides an arrangement, which by provision of the cross bleed holes the propagation of the cracks is arrested. A preferred placement and orientation for the holes for best mechanical and aerodynamic performance is described.
US08608446B2
A compressor disk for a turbine engine includes a plurality of blades mounted about the circumference. To assemble the blades onto the disk a lock assembly is inserted within a blade slot on the disk. A blade is assembled into the blade slot and slider seals are inserted between the blade and the disk to limit air from entering the blade slot. Additional blades are assembled until the end of the slider seals are reached. The process is repeated until all the blades have been assembled onto the disk. After the last blade has been assembled a spacer seal is placed at each lock assembly to take up the slack. Once all the blades and spacer seals are assembled the lock assemblies can be moved to a locked position.
US08608444B2
A single-bearing structure, in particular for use in a wind power plant, which has a low friction operating characteristic. The single-bearing structure for mounting a rotor in the wind power plant has two first rows of rolling bodies, which are arranged in the single-bearing structure such that their pressure lines intersect with one another and with a radial plane of a rotation axis of the single-bearing structure. The rolling bodies of the two first rows of rolling bodies are designed as cylindrical rollers.
US08608441B2
The lengths and/or chords and/or pitches of wind turbine or propeller blades are individually established, so that a first blade can have a length/chord/pitch that is different at a given time to the length/chord/pitch of a second blade to optimize performance and/or to equalize stresses on the system.
US08608435B2
A turbomachine, especially a gas turbine, includes a rotor having rotating blades and a stator having a housing and guide blades. The rotating blades form at least one rotating blade ring, which at one radially outward lying end adjoins an inner ring or casing ring of the housing, thereby defining a gap therebetween. The casing ring is connected to a support ring via curved walls, which together with the casing ring and the support ring bound a cavity and form a bellowslike structure. By changing the pressure prevailing in the cavity of the respective bellowslike structure, the gap between the casing ring and the radially outward lying ends of the respective rotating blade ring can be pneumatically adjusted.
US08608433B2
The invention relates to a turbine (1) for a turbocharger, comprising a turbine wheel (2) and a turbine housing (5) forming a passage (6) for guiding a fluid flow to the turbine wheel (2), said passage (6) comprising a variable throat providing a throat area (8) as a smallest cross section of the fluid flow, wherein the variable throat is always defined by a annular member (7) surrounding the turbine wheel (2) and being movable in the axial direction of the turbine wheel (2).
US08608431B2
A dustproof axial-flow fan device includes an axial-flow fan and a mount body. The axial-flow fan has a frame body and a fan propeller rotatably mounted in the frame body. The mount body has an inlet and an outlet. At least one shutter slat is disposed at the inlet. A filter mesh is disposed at the outlet. An opening is formed at a bottom of the mount body. When the fan propeller forward rotates, air flows from the inlet into the mount body and filters through the filter mesh to flow out of the outlet. When the fan propeller reversely rotates, the shutter slat is closed to block the inlet. In this case, the air flows from the outlet into the mount body to blow off the dust from the filter mesh. The shutter slat will stop and make the dust drop out from the opening to remove the dust.
US08608423B2
A device, used for clamping and rotating the object, includes two first rods, one ends of which are respectively connected to one ends of the first plate and the second plate through a linked unit; another ends of the first rods are connected to the third rod that is used for balancing the rotating angles of the first rod and two linked units, such that the heights of two ends of the first rods and the second rods can be kept in step. Two second rods are connected to the first plate and the second plate respectively, as well as, another ends of second rods are connected to the fourth rod respectively. Accordingly, the fourth rod can be rotated to drive the second rod, such that the first plate and the second plate can be rotated. Therefore, due to two plates are used for clamping and rotating synchronously, users can take the advantages while the device is used.
US08608420B2
A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.
US08608412B2
A boring bar feed mechanism comprising a boring bar and a rotation mechanism for rotating the boring bar, a feed shaft, a feed coupling the feed shaft with the boring bar for axially translating the boring bar, and the boring bar is rotationally mounted with respect to but axially fixed to a second end of the feed coupler. A cam is rotationally fixed to the boring bar for rotating with the boring bar and a cam follower interacts with the cam. A plunger housing is supported by an extension of the cam follower and the plunger housing accommodates at least one feed plunger. A converter gear is supported by the feed shaft and the feed plunger interacts with the converter gear to facilitate indexing of the converter gear. The plunger housing is pivotally supported by the extension of the cam follower to permit the plunger housing and the feed plunger to have a limited pivoted motion, relative to the cam follower, as the cam follower oscillates back and forth and indexes the feed shaft.
US08608404B2
An agricultural/aquacultural system for use with a plurality of growth reservoirs containing a fluid. The system involves a main control unit for receiving feedback and providing control, at least one pump control unit in electronic communication with the main control unit, and at least one gate control unit in electronic communication with the main control unit.
US08608398B2
The spherical joint with internal brake has a controlled actuator that selectively brakes relative motion between interior members and an outer shell of the spherical ball joint. A shaft extending from the internal members can be stopped at any rotational position relative to the shell. The internal members may include a central spherical sectioned member sandwiched by a pair of symmetrically opposed peripheral spherical sectioned members, which selectively act as brakes when an actuator in the central member is energized. The energized actuator has a dual piston that pushes outwardly on the pair of opposed peripheral segments, which increases friction between the peripheral segments and an interior wall of the spherical shell to brake the system. The shaft extends from the central spherical sectioned member through an aperture in the shell. The size of the shell aperture determines the range of rotational motion of the shaft.
US08608388B2
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes: a circuit substrate; an optical semiconductor element provided on the circuit substrate; and a sealing resin provided on the circuit substrate, with which the optical semiconductor element is sealed, the sealing resin having a cuboid shape or a cubic shape, the sealing resin having an outer shape having at least one cutout part, in a case where a single cutout part is formed, the cutout part being provided in an area other than a center area of a top surface of the sealing resin, in a case where a plurality of cutout parts are provided, the cutout parts are formed so as not to be symmetric with respect to the central point on the top surface. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device which can secure prevention of a sealing resin from being, in an erroneous direction, fitted into a connector.
US08608387B2
A tapered roller bearing comprises an outer ring (32), an inner ring (33), a plurality of tapered rollers (34) arranged between the outer ring (32) and the inner ring (33), and a plurality of retainer segments (11a) having pockets for holding the tapered rollers (34) and arranged so as to be continuously lined with each other in a circumferential direction between the outer ring (32) and the inner ring (33). Here, the tapered roller (34) is arranged between two adjacent retainer segments (11b) and (11c) except for between the first retainer segment (11a) and the last retainer segment lined continuously with each other in the circumferential direction.
US08608379B2
In a reclosable bag (20) a zipper (Z) is provided on the inner surfaces (50) of the plastic film and the two parts of the zipper (Z) are fixed on the opposite inner surfaces (50) of the bag (20), wherein the zipper (Z) is connected to the inner surface (50) of the plastic film in such a manner that between the welded regions (12, 14) between the zipper (Z) and the inner surface (50) of the plastic film, recesses (15, 13) are left free in the longitudinal direction of the zipper (Z) to form a seal-free longitudinal channel and in the transverse direction of the zipper (Z) to produce free air or steam passage openings at defined distances between the zipper (Z) and the inner surface (50), through which openings a passage of steam is possible, wherein ends of the openings facing the interior (60) of the bag (20) are larger than ends of the openings facing the exterior (70) of the bag (20).
US08608373B2
In a local softening point measuring apparatus and thermal conductivity measuring apparatus using a probe microscope as a base, environment of the prob˜ and a sample surface is set to 1/100 atmospheric pressure (103 Pa) or lower. Otherwise, a side surface of the probe is coated with a thermal insulation material having a thickness that enables thermal dissipation to be reduced to 1/100 or lower, to thereby reduce the thermal dissipation from the side surface of the probe, and exchange heat substantially only at the contacting portion between the probe and the sample surface.
US08608370B1
Apparatus for, and method of, containing, transferring and electromagnetically stirring an electrically conductive fluid is provided. A vessel is formed from spaced-apart annular structural elements, or hoops, that are bound together by a high-temperature electrical insulating material, which also forms the interior surface of the vessel. Reinforcing members are embedded in the high-temperature electrical insulating material and passed through the hoops. The vessel is disposed within an electrical stator having multiple electrical poles. Each pole is wound with a separate coil. Current can be supplied to each coil winding, with a suitable phase shift between currents to all coil windings, to achieve an electromagnetically induced stirring and heating of the electrically conductive fluid. The vessel may be removably disposed in the electrical stator so that the vessel can be transported to and from the electrical stator for induced stirring.
US08608367B2
A screw extruder is presented including a feed hopper for receiving materials and a body member having at least one supply port and at least one outlet port. The screw extruder also includes a screw positioned within the body member and movable along a channel defining a longitudinal axis. The screw extruder further includes a drive shaft for rotatably driving the screw along the channel. The screw extruder may be configured to mix the materials received via the feed hopper with a series of one or more forward, neutral, and reverse kneading elements.
US08608365B2
A backlight fixing device includes a base plate, a first slidable unit and a second slidable unit. The base plate includes an L-shaped bar formed on an upper surface of the base plate protruding from edges of two adjacent sides of the base plate. A first guiding groove and a second guiding groove are defined in the upper surface of the base plate and extended perpendicularly from the other two adjacent sides of the base plate towards a central area of the base plate correspondingly. The first slidable unit is movably attached to base plate to be movable along the first guiding groove. The second slidable unit is movably attached to base plate to be movable along the second guiding groove. The first slidable unit, the second slidable unit and the L-shaped bar form a receiving space for accommodating a backlight module.
US08608363B2
A hollow light-recycling backlight has a “semi-specular” component providing a balance of specularly and diffusely reflected light improving the uniformity of the light output. The component may be arranged on the reflectors (1021), (1014) or inside the cavity (1016). This balance is achieved by designing the component's “transport ratio” defined by (F−B)/(F+B), (F and B are the amounts of incident light scattered forwards and backwards respectively by the component in the plane of the cavity) to lie in a certain range. Furthermore, the product of the front and back reflector “hemispherical” reflectivities should also lie in a given range. Alternatively, the “cavity transport value”, a measure of how well the cavity can spread injected light from the injection point to distant points in the cavity should lie in a further range and the “hemispherical” reflectivity of the back reflector should be >0.7.
US08608358B2
A light module for a vehicle lighting device comprises a semiconductor light source mounted on a carrier element designed. on/including a first printed-circuit board. A control module is electrically connected to and structurally spaced from the light source and designed on/includes a second printed-circuit board and includes an electric circuit constructed upon the second board and a connection element adapted w be connected to a higher-level controller and/or vehicle power supply. The control module is an electronic component of the light source such that a cable does not connect the control module and light source to each other. A highly thermally conductive carrier module is arranged between the light source and control module and directly attached to the carrier element, second printed-circuit board, and electric circuit. An electrical connection is located on the carrier module between the fight source or carrier element and electric circuit or second printed-circuit board.
US08608356B1
The present invention may be used for illuminating the terrain in the proximity of the axles, differential, wheels and tires for off-road vehicles. An access cover of differential gear axle housing may have lateral ribs formed as part of the cover outside surface. A recess may be formed by recess walls as an element of the lateral ribs. A light emitting device may be mounted in the recess and may be electrically connected through a port in the recess walls to an electrical power source controllable from an off-road vehicle.
US08608354B2
A remote control for bicycle headlight and rear light is provided a dome including an opening; an actuation member including a resilient button disposed through the opening, and a flange extending outwardly from the button to engage an inner surface of the dome; a controller including a control unit, a switch on the control unit and engaging the button, and a transmitter within the control unit; a battery engaging the control unit; and a bracket including a clamp and a seat at one end of the clamp, the seat releasably secured to the dome together to receive the actuation member, the controller, and the battery. The bracket is mounted on a handlebar by threadedly securing the clamp to a brake lever. A pressing of the button electrically connects the battery to the control unit so as to activate the transmitter to send out an IR light pulse.
US08608344B2
An LED lighting structure includes a main body and a filling body. The main body has a first side and a second side. The first side has multiple raised sections. The second side has multiple light incidence sections corresponding to the raised sections respectively. At least one recessed channel section is formed on the second side around the light incidence sections. The filling body is disposed in the channel section. The filling body provides waterproof effect to prevent humidity and alien particles from infiltrating into the channel section. Also, multiple main bodies can be quickly serially connected.
US08608343B2
Embodiments of collapsible and adjustable support frames hold sockets of light strings at an equal distance and orientation to each other. Each frame can include, for example, a scissor frame with a locking slide arm on both ends to facilitate connection of the scissor frame of other scissor frames. Removable hooks that can be used from a vertical to a horizontal orientation from a gutter or any means that supports said hooks and adjustable light socket clips that can be rotated so as to be used in any orientation. This device can be adjusted and equipped with lights on the ground, thereby facilitating a reduction in the time need to install the light string. After use, the frames can be collapsed with the light string installed thereon to facilitate storage.
US08608331B2
A backlight module includes a first optical film with high light reflection characteristics, a second optical film with polarization light selection transmission characteristics and light reflection characteristics, a plurality of lampshades, and a plurality of line light sources. Each lampshade has high light reflection characteristics and is disposed between optical films so that any two spaced-apart adjacent lampshades define a light mixing chamber between optical films. Each line light source is disposed in a corresponding light mixing chamber and is mounted to a corresponding lampshade for emitting light.
US08608321B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are related to projection.
US08608320B2
There is provided a projector that uses a laser light source and is safe and realizes high brightness. The projector applies a laser beam emitted from a laser light source (101) to an image modulation device (105) and magnifies and projects an image formed in the image modulation device (105) by a zoom lens (106). The projector includes a control mechanism (108) for controlling the amount of energy of the light beam in response to a change in a focal distance of the zoom lens (106) in such a way that an energy density of the laser beam developed on a light emitting surface of the zoom lens (106) is kept at a specified value or smaller than the specified value. The specified value is the energy density of the laser beam in a case where the focal distance of the zoom lens (106) is set to the shortest value and is an accessible emission limit value (AEL value) that satisfies the laser safety class of the projector.
US08608309B2
An eyeglass system having interchangeable components. The eyeglass system includes right and left temples that are connected to a front frame via a decorative pin. The pin is easily removed to allow one to replace the temples with those having another style, or use the temples with another frame. A front cover can also be connected to the frame via the pin to further change the style or design of the eyeglasses.
US08608306B2
An inkjet recording ink including at least a pigment, fine resin particles, a water soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein a polymer chain is grafted onto a surface of the pigment, and the polymer chain is composed of at least one monomer unit, which is selected from the monomers represented by the following Chemical Formulas (1) to (4): Chemical Formula (1) where R1 represents H or CH3, and “n” represents the number of carbon atoms; Chemical Formula (2) where R2 and R3 each represent H or CH3, and “m” represents the number of units repeated; Chemical Formula (3) where R4 and R5 each represent H or CH3, and “p” is the number of units repeated; and Chemical Formula (4) where R6 and R7 each represent H or CH3, and “k” and “l” each represent the number of units repeated.
US08608304B2
A process for forming an image by using an inkjet recording apparatus including printing by using two or more kinds of inks each containing a pigment dispersion containing a pigment and a resin, an organic solvent and water, wherein the printing is conducted by ejecting the inks each having a particle size-change constant within a prescribed range from recording heads in the increasing order of the particle size-change constants, wherein each particle size-change constant is obtained by a prescribed process from the average particle diameters of the pigment included in each ink at mass drying rates in the range of 10 to 40%.
US08608301B2
There is disclosed a liquid ejecting head having a configuration in which a cross-sectional area of an intermediate passage is smaller than that of an upstream passage and a downstream passage to cause a flow speed of ink to be faster in the intermediate passage when the ink flows toward the downstream passage via the intermediate passage without passing through a filter, thereby making it possible to flow air bubbles staying on a face of the filter together with the ink.
US08608299B1
An ink cartridge with replaceable ink bag is provided, including a cartridge body, an ink bag and a lid body. The lid body is removably engaged to the cartridge body to house the ink bag. The wall on long side of the cartridge includes at least a retention block. The ink bag includes a trigger based on amount of remaining ink, a bag body and a positioning element. The bag body is partially glued to the positioning element. The surroundings of the positioning element are disposed with at least a retention element. The retention element can be inserted between the retention block and the bottom of the cartridge body for fixing the ink bag inside the cartridge. As such, the cartridge body and the lid body of the present invention can be reused to save the cost as well as resources to reduce the environmental waste.
US08608297B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric layer consisting a complex oxide having a perovskite structure containing bismuth and iron and electrodes provided to the piezoelectric layer. The complex oxide further contains a first dopant element that is at least one of magnesium and zinc and a second dopant element that is cerium.
US08608280B2
A recording apparatus includes: a recording head that discharges a recording ink and an undercoating ink on a recording medium; a driving section that drives at least one of the recording medium and the recording head so that the recording medium and the recording head are relatively scanned several times in one direction; and a control section that causes an undercoating layer with the undercoating ink on a predetermined area of the recording medium and a recording layer with the recording ink to be laminated by the recording head and the driving section, and simultaneously allows that the number of the scannings in a case where the undercoating ink is discharged with respect to the predetermined area is larger than the number of the scannings in a case where the recording ink is discharged with respect to the predetermined area.
US08608263B2
A storage/dispensing compartment includes a front wall portion, a rear wall portion, a bottom wall portion and opposing side wall portions that collectively define a storage zone. The storage/dispensing compartment further includes a mounting element that is arranged on an underside of the bottom wall portion. The mounting element cooperates with a mounting member to position and secure the storage compartment in a storage cavity of a chiller compartment arranged on a refrigerator door. The storage/dispensing compartment, constructed in accordance with one embodiment, includes first and second, laterally arranged storage zones, each having respective inlet and outlet portions and a plurality of divider walls. The divider walls establish a serpentine path that extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion.
US08608262B1
An expandable drawer adaptable to various size openings comprises a pair of locking tracks and expanding wall and floor portions. The expanding drawer assembly comprises a conventional drawer with width adjustment features along front, back, and bottom surfaces. The drawer's width is adjustable to correspond to the width of the opening, allowing the device to fully occupy the prescribed space.
US08608258B2
A cabinet rack for housing a piece of electronic equipment secured to a mounting member, the cabinet rack includes a plurality of vertically extending support posts; a first supporting member secured to one of the support posts, the first supporting member including a guide vertically extending along the one of the support posts, the guide with the one of the support posts forming a guide groove therebetween; a second supporting member including a fixing portion for fixing the mounting member, and a slider portion provided in the guide groove so as to slide along the guide to a mounting position in the cabinet rack; and a third supporting member including a pressing portion provided between the slider portion and the one of the support posts to secure the second supporting member to the first supporting member by pressing the slider portion against the guide.
US08608251B2
A method of manufacturing a brush head is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a bristle carrier on which at least a bristle tuft including a plurality of bristles is mounted; providing a cover structure having at least an aperture; constraining the free ends of the plurality of bristles of the bristle tuft into a defined cross sectional geometry such that it fits within the cross sectional area of the aperture; moving the cover structure and the bristle carrier relative to each other until the constrained bristle tuft and the aperture are positioned in spatial alignment; and releasing the constraint while moving the cover structure into a destination position in which the bristle tuft extends through the aperture.
US08608246B1
A safety belt holder for holding a safety belt out of a seat associated with the safety belt, the safety belt holder comprising a first part and a second part. The first part comprises an attachment device for attaching the first part to a structure adjacent the seat, a body attached to the attachment device, and a connector first side attached to or embedded within the body. The second part is attachable to the safety belt and comprises a connector second side, which is removably attachable to the connector first side. In particular, the safety belt holder is suitable for use with an infant car seat with a five-point harness and a retractable handle.
US08608244B2
A vehicle seat having a seat part and a backrest that can be inclined relative to the seat part to allow transfer between an in-use position and a stowed position includes structure that causes the length of the backrest to change during the transfer. In a particular embodiment, the length of the backrest is greater in the in-use position than in the stowed position to provide satisfactory comfort and safety to an occupant seated in the vehicle seat when it is in the in-use position and to provide a compact arrangement in the stowed position.
US08608243B2
A vehicle seat includes: a holder assembled to a back frame, the holder configured to receive a backrest load of a seated person via a pad member; a vibration device assembled to a rear side of the holder, the vibration device configured to give a local stimulus to a seated person's waist; an air massage device disposed in a through hole formed in a thickness direction of the pad member, the air massage device configured to locally press a seated person's back; and a lumbar support device configured to change a projecting amount of a receiving surface of a seat back, wherein the lumbar support device has a rod configured to be movable between an advancing position and a retreating position to change the projecting amount of the receiving surface of the seat back, and wherein the rod is disposed between the holder and the vibration device.
US08608237B2
A center floor panel assembly for a vehicle may include a first center floor panel and a second center floor panel mutually engaged to form a tunnel portion of a closed section in which a center muffler unit that may be provided in a vertical direction of a vehicle body may be accommodated, and provided in a continuous shape along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a support member provided in the tunnel portion between the first center floor panel and the second center floor panel and enclosing the center muffler unit to support the center muffler unit against the tunnel portion.
US08608235B2
Disclosed is a vehicle body structure of an automobile in which a front edge portion of a front windshield glass is supported by an air box including a vertical wall surface portion facing an inner side of a vehicle compartment. In the vehicle structure, the front edge portion of the glass is connected to the air box in such a way that when glass membrane vibrations of the glass in surface inward-outward directions are in a phase shifting in an inward direction to the vehicle compartment, the vertical wall surface portion of the air box shifts in an outward direction from the vehicle compartment, and when the glass membrane vibrations of the glass in the surface inward-outward directions are in a phase shifting in an outward direction from the vehicle compartment, the vertical wall surface portion of the air box shifts in an inward direction to the vehicle compartment.
US08608203B2
A device for preventing spray from emerging from the wheels of vehicles comprises a panel (4) that is adapted to be mounted substantially vertically behind a vehicle wheel (3) for receiving on a first side water released by the wheel (3) as it rotates. The panel (4) includes at least one passage (6) which leads from the first side to a rear second side of the panel (4). The or each passage (6) is other than normal to the plane of the panel (4). There is at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C) along the side of the or each passage (6). In use, air and water enter the or each passage (6) and are separated so that air passes through the or each passage (6) and mixes with ambient air and water collects in the at least one water-collecting pocket (7A, 7B, 7C).
US08608202B2
A tank module is provided for a motor vehicle comprises at least two fuel tanks and a carrier body having concave flanks formed of sheet material and arranged between the fuel tanks and facing the fuel tanks.
US08608201B2
A combination tray rack and trailer device attaches to a vehicle, such as an ATV. The device may be used in a first mode as a tray rack and may be used to help load game or equipment into the tray rack. The device may also be used in a second mode, as a two wheel cart or trailer. The device may plug into the ATV receiver. In still another embodiment, the device may be removed from the ATV and may be used as a two-wheeled cart.
US08608199B2
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a front panel (102) and a rear panel (122) that are interconnected to at least partially define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. The rear panel (122) has a conical configuration resulting from portions of the rear panel being interconnected with each other.
US08608195B2
An airbag apparatus for a front passenger's seat is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wrapping member that wraps up an airbag in a folded-up configuration. The wrapping member includes a joint portion that is secured to an airbag housing or its vicinity together with the airbag, a main body that extends forward from the joint portion and a cover portion that extends rearward from the joint portion for deployment between the airbag and an out-of-position object in an initial phase of airbag deployment. During a folding process of the airbag, the cover portion is wrapped around a front-rear contracted bag, and a leading end of the cover portion is tucked down between an upper folded portion and a lower folded portion of the front-rear contracted bag.
US08608193B1
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14) includes an inflatable main portion (62) having at least one inflatable primary chamber (110) and an inflatable secondary chamber (112). An inflation fluid source (30) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (30) when actuated directs inflation fluid into the main portion (62) to inflate the main portion (62). Inflation fluid inlets (152) of the primary chambers (110) direct inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source (30) into the primary chambers (110). Inflation fluid outlets (154, 156) of the primary chambers (110) direct inflation fluid from the primary chambers (110) into the secondary chamber (112) to inflate the secondary chamber (112).
US08608188B2
The foldable frame cart carries items and doubles as a table. A main-frame has a pivotally attached upper framework, a lower frame stand and wheels attached to the main-frame. A panel attaches to the cart space defining members. The cart is a table when the main-frame is positioned horizontally on the ground. The upper and lower framework are fully extended. The cart has swivel locks. A lower swing arm safety latch system maintains the first frame stand in a fully extended position with respect to the main-frame. An off center swing hinge lock system pivotally attaches the upper framework to the main-frame. The hinge lock systems prohibits unintentional closure or collapse of the framework from its fully extended position with respect to the plane of the main-frame.
US08608187B2
A drawbar assembly includes a mounting member adapted to couple to a vehicle and that includes a body portion having a first passage, an eye portion extending outwardly from the mounting body portion, wherein the eye portion includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a second passage extending therethrough adapted to receive a pintle hook therein, and a wedge member slidably received within the first passage of the body portion. The wedge member is slidably movable between a first portion, wherein the wedge member is withdrawn into the first passage of the body portion, and a second position, where the wedge member extends into the second passage of the eye portion. The wedge member is located between the top surface and the bottom surface of the eye portion, and does not extend above the top surface or the bottom surface.
US08608186B2
An active roll control system that may be adapted to actively control roll stiffness of a vehicle by adjusting a mounting position of a stabilizer link connecting a suspension arm with a stabilizer bar of the vehicle on the suspension arm according to a driving condition of vehicle may include a driving unit which including a housing connected with a side of the suspension arm, a rail plate disposed within the housing, and a connector movable along the rail plate, and a stabilizer link of which one end may be connected with an end of the stabilizer bar and the other end may be connected with the connector through a first joint.
US08608181B2
An active roll control system may include a sliding unit which includes a housing disposed on a suspension, a slide rail disposed within the housing along vehicle width direction, and a connector movably disposed on the slide rail, wherein the connector may be pivotally connected with a lower end of the stabilizer link, the connector guided along the vehicle width direction according to vehicle driving condition, and a driving unit connected with the connector so as to drive the connector, wherein the connector may be movable at inward of an imaginary line connecting the first connecting point connected with the knuckle and the second connecting point connected with the outward portion of the sub frame.
US08608178B2
A cylinder head gasket includes a plurality of seal plates 1 to 4 so that a combustion gas that leaks through a gap between the respective seal plates is reliably sealed. The cylinder head gasket includes the plurality of seal plates 1 to 4, which are held between a cylinder head and a cylinder block having a cylinder bore. The plurality of seal plates 1 to 4 are adhered to each other in a circumferentially continuous manner around combustion chamber holes 1a to 4a, and the combustion gas that leaks through the gap between the respective seal plates is reliably sealed within an adhered portion 5 of the respective seal plates.
US08608175B2
A mechanical face seal arrangement includes a seal member having an annular seal element for sealing against a rotatable seal surface. The seal member includes guide slots that cooperate with the guide member to establish a direction of seal member movement. The guide member includes stops to establish a range of movement of the seal member along the direction of seal member movement.
US08608170B2
A target stand is disclosed that comprises a target frame supported on a shelf having a pair of legs mounted in spaced relation. The legs pivotal and adjustable between a storage position and a shooting position. The storage position having the target frame intermediate to and parallel to the legs. The shooting position having the legs in a generally non-parallel configuration to support the target frame in a predetermined shooting position. The target frame supporting a target either above or below the pivotal connection between the legs and the target frame. The legs adapted to be secured to the target frame thus resisting pivoting and adjusting to hold the legs in a non-symmetrical orientation to accommodate rough terrain.
US08608167B2
A game apparatus which allows for a target disposed on the top of a pole to be knocked down by a projectile. The game apparatus includes a segmented pole which can be assembled and disassembled easily via coupling mechanisms between each segment. The top segment of the pole includes a top cap where a surface on which targets can be placed, is provided. The bottom segment of the pole is connected to a base which holds the pole up. Alternatively, a stake can be coupled to the bottom segment of the pole to drive the pole into the ground directly. A scoring mechanism along the surface of the poles is provided, as well as a target illuminating device to enhance the visibility of the target. The top cap of the pole can also include illumination such that the game can be played even in low ambient light.
US08608166B2
A sheet conveyance control method in an apparatus including a first conveying path for leading a sheet from a feeing port to a discharge port, a second sheet conveying path for leading the sheet to another conveyance destination, and a decoloring processing section configured to decolor an image formed on the sheet includes: detecting the length of the sheet further on a downstream side than the feeding port and further on an upstream side than a branching point of the first and second sheet conveying paths in a sheet conveying direction of the first sheet conveying path; and changing, if the trailing end of the sheet is not detected in a period after the leading end of the sheet is detected and before the leading end of the sheet reaches the branching point, a first flapper to a state in which the sheet is conveyed to the discharge port.
US08608161B2
A holding portion includes a engagement portion which holds a sheet pressing lever which presses from above a sheet discharged into a sheet stacking portion so that the engagement portion moves upward together with an image reading portion rotatably provided above an image forming portion, and an elastic portion which elastically deforms to release the holding of the sheet pressing lever by the engagement portion. If a force is applied to the sheet pressing lever being held by the holding portion in a direction which makes the lever rotate even lower than its lower limit position, the elastic portion elastically deforms to release the holding of the sheet pressing lever by the engagement portion.
US08608159B2
A recording apparatus includes a cassette having a stacking region for stacking recording materials mounted to main assembly of the recording apparatus; a feeder for feeding the recording material stacked to the cassette; a sheet discharge portion for sheet discharging the recording material having been subjected to a recording operation; a tray movable between a first position where the recording material is incapable of being discharged from the sheet discharge portion and a second position where the recording material is capable of being discharged from a main assembly of the recording apparatus; a holding portion, disposed on the tray, for holding the recording material discharged when the tray is at the second position; an auxiliary portion disposed on the tray and capable of stacking the recording material with the stacking region when the tray is at the second position.
US08608152B2
A sheet conveying device is provided that may include a sheet receiving portion having a movable member, a protruding portion and a recessed portion. The protruding portion may protrude from an upper portion of a sheet receiving surface of the movable member when the movable member is located in one position. When a document is discharged from an outlet port onto the sheet receiving surface of the movable member, the protruding portion may come into contact with a leading edge of a sheet. When the movable member is located in another position, the recessed portion may receive the protruding portion therein.
US08608144B2
An assembly of a cable gripper and a cable that has an outer protective layer formed from plastically deformable material, over an inner tensile strength portion). The cable gripper includes at least one gripper member having a supported outer end and an active inner end penetrating the outer protective layer and gripping the inner tensile strength portion beneath the outer protective layer. The active inner end includes a material of sufficient hardness to penetrate the outer protective layer by movement of the gripper member through the outer layer from an inoperative to an operative position.
US08608132B1
A fence post extractor includes a sleeve for receiving a fence post and a clamping bar that is pivotable with respect to the sleeve at a pivot joint. The clamping bar pivots between a first position where the fence post is clamped between a second end of the clamping bar and the sleeve, and a second position where the fence post is released with respect to the second end of the clamping bar. A powered lifting apparatus has an engaging portion that is engaged with the clamping bar. The engaging portion is moved under power between a raised position and a lowered position to move the clamping bar between the first and second positions.
US08608127B2
A control valve has a piezoelectric actuator substantially immersed in a fluid and a sealing mechanism configured to be in a closed position and an open position. The piezoelectric actuator is configured to distort in response to an applied voltage causing the sealing mechanism to transition between the closed position and the open position. In the open position, the sealing mechanism allows fluid to flow therethrough. In response to removing the applied voltage, the piezoelectric actuator returns to an undistorted position causing the sealing mechanism to close and prevent fluid from flowing therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator is configured to contract due to the fluid pressure, and the tube is configured to contract due to the fluid pressure to compensate at least in part for the contraction of the piezoeletric actuator.
US08608126B2
There is disclosed a support for mounting an end of a roller blind to a structure such as a wall, ceiling and window frame. The support includes a first plate for mounting to the end of the roller blind and a second plate adjacent the first plate. The second plate has a central aperture dimensioned to receive the end of the roller blind. The support further includes a bracket for mounting the second plate to the structure. A plurality of vibration absorbing fasteners are provided for mounting the first plate to the second plate and dampening vibrations travelling from the first plate to the second plate.
US08608122B2
A clamp assembly is provided for securing a panel or fairing to an I-beam, and comprises a pair of side blocks and a clamping block, together with a single bolt to secure them in place. Each of the side blocks as an inclined wedge surface, and the T-shaped clamping block has similarly sloped wedge surfaces along the sides of the leg of the T. When a bolt this passed through side legs of the side blocks, and through or under the clamping block, a sliding and wedging action between the inclined and sloped wedge surfaces occurs. Moreover, a clamping action between the top surface of the clamping block and the lower surface of the lower flanges of the I-beam is also induced.
US08608117B2
An elastomeric assembly is disposed within an aperture defined by a supporting structure of a vehicle. The elastomeric assembly is movable between a first position where the elastomeric assembly can move axial within the aperture and a second position where the elastomeric assembly is prohibited from moving axially within the aperture.
US08608116B2
A structure and counter system for railroad switching, characterized by a base support plate with a lower flat surface which on its upper side includes a first flat section with two protruding hooking elements that hold the skid's inside tab on the rail where the wheels roll on, and also includes an outer section of greater thickness that defines a stopping device that ends on the border of the skid's outer tab within the same rail. This base plate includes a wall perpendicular to the upper surface, covering its width, with a flat internal surface adapted to receive a fixing plate that receives the outer side of a counter rail arranged over the first flat section and separated from the hooking elements; thus being parallel to this rail.
US08608109B2
An aircraft passenger cabin in an aircraft fuselage wherein an upper portion of the cabin volume is a substantially elliptical cross section and a lower portion of the cabin volume is a cross section extending laterally into a blended area of the wing and fuselage typically referred to as a wing to body fairing.
US08608104B2
The invention relates to a propulsion device (10) comprising a body (11) arranged for receiving a passenger (1) and engaging with a thrust unit (12a, 12b, 13a, 13b) supplied with a pressurized fluid from a compression station. The arrangement of such a device offers great freedom of movement through the air or under the surface of a fluid. The invention also relates to a propulsion system in which the compression station can be remote in the form of a motorized marine vehicle.
US08608102B2
A reel assembly is provided comprising a cylindrical barrel, a barrel head secured to each end of the barrel and a flange construction secured to each barrel head adjacent the ends of the barrel. The flange construction is formed by arcuate flange segments, each releasably secured to one another and to the associated barrel head. The barrel head includes inner and outer annular supports and an end plate securing the structure together. The inner and outer annular supports define a receipt slot for receiving and securing an end of the barrel therein. The end plate is rigidly fixed to the inner and outer supports and the flange construction is releasably secured to the outer annular support of the barrel head.
US08608101B2
Provided is a locking member mounting structure of a seat belt retractor including: a locking base coupled to one side of a guide drum; a locking clutch rotatably coupled to one side surface of the locking base; a lock arm coupled to one side surface of the locking clutch so as to rotate at a predetermined angle; and a mechanism cover covering the locking clutch and the lock arm, wherein a leaf spring is fixed to extend to one side from a boss formed in the center of the locking clutch, and a fixing piece projects from one surface of the lock arm so as to be fixed to the leaf spring.The leaf spring which returns the lock arm installed in the locking clutch is easily assembled, and assembly time of the leaf spring is reduced, thereby increasing productivity. Further, since the leaf spring has a curved portion or is formed in a stair shape, elasticity of the leaf spring is maintained, and deformation of the leaf spring is prevented.
US08608096B2
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, comprising classification by means of a tumbler screening machine, wherein the tumbler screening machine used for classification is equipped with at least one ball knock cleaning system and entrained balls are removed outside the tumbler screening machine by means of a capture device.
US08608088B2
A passive data carrier device (100) comprises an input port (110) for receiving a finite duration radio frequency input signal of defined time and frequency spectral characteristics. The data carrier device (100) comprises at least one branch (130) having combinations of passive RF elements, such as band filters (134) and time delays (136), optionally together with powder dividers (120) and combiners (140). The input signal is processed by the device (100) to form an output signal having time and frequency spectral characteristics different from the input signal. The data carrier device (100) has potential application in an RF identification system.
US08608082B2
The electronic device (10) comprising a microcircuit (18) module (20), a near-field communication antenna (36) electrically connected to the microcircuit (18) of the module (20), delimiting an antenna surface (S), and a body (12) incorporating the module (20). More precisely, the antenna (36) is arranged within the module (20) and the body (12) incorporates means (40) of amplifying the gain of the antenna (36) comprising an electrically conductive element (42) electrically isolated from the microcircuit (18) and the antenna (36), of an annular general shape arranged around an area (R) of the body (12) forming a volume generated by the projection of the antenna surface (S) along a direction (Z) substantially orthogonal to the surface (S).
US08608080B2
Secure inlays for secure documents such as a passport comprising an inlay substrate may have laser ablated recesses within which a chip module is installed. Channels for an antenna wire may be formed in a surface of the substrate. Instead of using wire, the channels may be filled with a flowable, conductive material. Patches homogenous with the substrate layer may be used to protect and seal the chip and interconnection area. The inlay substrate may include two layers, and the antenna wire may be between the two layers. A moisture-curing polyurethane hot melt adhesive may be used to laminate a cover layer and the additional inlay substrate layers. The adhesive layer may include metal nanoscale powder and ink for electro-magnetic shielding. Additional security elements may include material that is optically changeable by an electro-magnetic field. Ferrite-containing layers may be incorporated in the inlay substrate.
US08608074B2
For recognizing two-width barcodes having N bars and N spaces, a first class (cluster) A of wide bars or spaces contains n elements Array [1] to Array [n], and a second class (cluster) B of narrow bars or spaces contains N−n elements Array [n+1] to Array [N] are created. Looping n times where n=1 to N−1, a mean value μA to of class A and a mean value μB of class B are calculated, a between-class difference D=μA−μB is calculated, a value of n when D achieves a maximum value is recorded, and if n=M when D achieves the maximum value, then the N bars or spaces are recognized as a two-width barcode; otherwise, the N bars or spaces are determined as not a two-width barcode.
US08608073B2
A fast image-based barcode detection and recognition technique allows a user of a device to analyze an image containing a barcode, locating the barcode containing region of the image automatically, without requiring a user to frame and align the image. In one embodiment, the technique may locate multiple omni-directional barcode regions simultaneously.
US08608066B2
A method for a point of sale terminal, including reading a first PIN code that is stored in an RFID chip that is embedded in a plastic card, identifying a first keypad character on a touch sensitive display screen that is being tapped by the plastic card, reading a second PIN code that is stored in an RFID chip that is embedded in a plastic card, identifying a second keypad character on a touch sensitive display screen that is being tapped by the plastic card, determining whether the second PIN code matches the first PIN code, and if the determining is affirmative, then appending the second keypad character to the first keypad character to generate a two-character input code, else starting a new one-character input code with the second keypad character alone.
US08608061B2
A system and method of operating a rewards program through a financial institution for granting rewards to customers enrolled in the rewards program wherein the customer receives one or more reward credits in an account associated with the financial institution if the customer meets certain qualification criteria. The method may include determining if the account qualifies for an award credit; assigning a reward credit to the account; receiving purchase information regarding a purchase made at a merchant associated with the customer's account; identifying from the purchase information whether the purchase was made at a qualifying merchant; and applying the reward credit towards the purchase made by the customer at the qualifying merchant by applying a reward credit to the customer's account based upon the business rules applicable to the reward program. The method also determines if a reward credit has expired, in which event either the merchant or the financial institution may receive the benefit of any unused or expired reward credits depending on the particular embodiment of the reward program. The method also creates and provides notification to the customer of reward credit information.
US08608055B1
An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. A card actuated automated banking machine may accept checks. The banking machine is operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Value may be credited to a user account corresponding to card data or cash may be dispensed to the user from the banking machine responsive to one or more deposited checks.
US08608051B2
The hinge-lid pack comprising box part (11) and lid (12) features a polygon-like configuration in the region of its side walls (22, 23), namely having angular wall legs (28, 29) and a narrow, transverse side wall (22, 23). The cross-sectional shape of the hinge-lid pack thus conforms to the contour of a cigarette group as the pack's contents, with the cigarette group having at its edges adjacent to the side walls (22, 23) a marginal transverse row of 2 cigarettes and adjacent thereto a transverse row of 3 cigarettes.
US08608041B1
An attachment system for load-bearing equipment includes two sets of parallel webbing strips disposed at an angle to each other. The straps are attached to equipment base fabric such that they form vertical channels between the webbing and the fabric which are at an angle relative to both sets of straps and diagonal channels between the webbing and the fabric which are parallel to one of the sets of straps. An accessory can be mounted in any of at least three different orientations by running accessory straps parallel to one of the sets of webbing strips or running the straps within the vertical channels.
US08608036B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus to carry a portable device comprises a brace body, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the brace body, and a locking mechanism coupled to the brace body. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the apparatus for an adjusted fit and to retain the adjusted fit for the apparatus when not in use. The locking mechanism is configured to conform to a locked state to configure the apparatus for a bracing fit and to conform to an unlocked state to configure the apparatus for a relaxed fit. The bracing fit is configured to brace the apparatus at a usage position, and the relaxed fit permits positioning of the apparatus relative to the usage position.
US08608030B2
Cartridge systems for application of a material have at least one cartridge having cartridge walls, a cartridge head having at least one opening in the cartridge head, and a bracket arranged on the cartridge head. A valve is mounted in rotatable manner in the bracket and has at least one passage through the valve that is connected to an outlet opening of the valve. In a closed position, the valve closes the at least one opening of at least one cartridge in a sealed manner. The at least one passage of the valve is connected to the at least one opening when the valve is located in an open position such that the cartridge content is squeezable out of the at least one cartridge through the outlet opening, and further wherein the valve is configured to be transitioned from a closed position to an open position through a rotation of the valve about an axis of symmetry of the valve.
US08608028B2
The invention relates to a tube dispensing device (10) for squeezing out the content of a tube using two pressure plates (12, 13), which are disposed transverse to each other at the pressure sections (15, 16) thereof, at least in the case of a lack of a tube to be squeezed, wherein a base (11) is provided, from which the pressure sections (15, 16) protrude. In this manner the tube may be stored standing up, and may be completely emptied.
US08608027B2
A spray apparatus is provided, which can prevent a disadvantage which can occur when falling down. In a normal state where a bottom surface of a leg part of the apparatus main body is in contact with a mounting surface, a stand switch is on, and therefore, a shift to a spray process for spraying the agent is permitted, whereas at a time of the stand switch being off when the apparatus main body falls down, a shift to the spray process is avoided.
US08608025B2
A dispenser and method for dispensing a liquid. The dispenser includes a barrel with an interior chamber for holding the liquid, a discharge outlet communicating with the interior chamber for discharging the liquid, and an air space for receiving pressurized air for forcing the liquid from the interior chamber through the discharge outlet. An air supply solenoid valve and an air exhaust solenoid valve are each operatively coupled with the barrel. The air supply solenoid valve controls the flow of pressurized air to the air space, and the air exhaust solenoid valve controls the flow of air from the air space to atmosphere. A control selectively activates the air supply solenoid valve and the air exhaust solenoid valve to respectively supply air to the air space and exhaust air from the air space in order to dispense desired amounts of the liquid from the discharge outlet.
US08608021B2
A fill cover assembly for a liquid fuel storage tank of a road tanker, the assembly comprising: a seat member having a frame, the frame defining a fill aperture, the frame being configured to be fixedly coupled to a base plate of a liquid storage tank, the base plate having a plate aperture formed therein, thereby to form a fluid-tight seal between the seat member and the base plate around said plate aperture; and a fill-cover coupled to the tank and arranged to be moveable with respect to the frame between a closed condition in which a fluid-tight seal is formed between the fill-cover and the frame and an open condition in which fluid may be passed through said fill aperture to fill said storage tank, wherein the assembly is further arranged to allow venting of pressurized fluid from the liquid storage tank in the event that a pressure of the fluid exceeds a prescribed value.
US08608020B2
A handle fixture device, comprising, a cooking vessel; a retaining element attached to the cooking vessel; and a contact is provided between the retaining element on one side and a handle-side retaining device on the other side, wherein the contact is at least one of point shaped and line shaped.
US08608016B2
A straw having a flexible portion. The flexible portion of the straw is removably coupleable to a lid. The straw may be bent to engage a straw latch on the lid, sealing the straw.
US08608011B2
A fuel tank capable of strongly fusion-bonding a built-in part to an inner surface of an outer wall thereof while protecting the outer wall even when an impact, etc. are applied thereto. In the fuel tank for a motor vehicle, which is formed by blow molding, in which the built-in part is mounted, and which has the outer wall composed of a synthetic resin, a plurality of mounting members adapted to mount the built-in part to the fuel tank are provided on the built-in part so as to be fusion-bonded to the inner surface of the outer wall of the fuel tank. An abutment portion is formed on each of the mounting members for contacting the inner surface of the outer wall of the fuel tank, and an abutment surface and a plurality of abutment pins, each projecting from the abutment surface, are formed in the abutment portion. The abutment pin is formed into a columnar or frustum-shaped configuration, each having a circular or elliptical cross-section, and a diameter or a main axis of a projecting end of the abutment pin along with the height of the abutment pin from the abutment surface are formed less than the thickness of the outer wall of the fuel tank.
US08608009B2
A container body (20) includes an upper opening portion (21) having a container internal sidewall portion (22) and a container side skirt portion (24). A lid (10) includes a lid internal sidewall portion (12) and a lid side skirt portion (14). Two or more ledge portions (15) protruding inward are formed on the lid side skirt portion (14). The container side skirt portion (24) includes a first guide portion (30) for guiding downward the ledge portions (15) when the lid (10) is attached. When the lid is closed, the lid (10) is drawn into the side of the container body (20). Thus, a seal portion formed between the container internal sidewall portion (22) and the lid internal sidewall portion (12) is press-contacted, in the state of which the seal portion secures high sealability. Further, the length of the lid side skirt portion (14) is increased so as to cover the lower end of the container side skirt portion (24) with a lower portion of the lid side skirt portion (14) when the lid is attached or detached, whereby the fingertips can be prevented from being scratched.
US08608004B2
A cap for closing a sprayer tank has integrated therein a pressure relief valve having a tubular member providing a seat with respect to which a valve provided by an o-ring on a stem is displaced in a direction against the seat to close the valve. The stem is connected at one end thereof to a cap and is biased by a spring around the stem at the opposite end thereof into closing position. The cap is guided by a rim around the seat member. The cap defines around the stem a chamber. This chamber communicates with a spout which directs pressurized flow away from the cap when it is rotated to manually open the valve against the bias of the spring so as to relieve pressure in the tank. The passageway provided by the spout and the chamber is much larger than the passageway around the rim of the cap so that substantially all of the pressurized flow is diverted by this snout away from the fingers of the person grasping the cap at ears providing wings on the cap for rotating the cap to displace the valve to open position.
US08607998B2
A railway car yoke includes a nose end and at least two straps adjoining the nose end. At least one top strap adjoins a top portion of the nose end and at least one bottom strap adjoins a bottom portion of the nose end. The railway car yoke also includes a butt end adjoining the at least two straps such that the nose end and the butt end are separated by the at least two straps. The butt end comprises at least one concave contour along an outside surface of the butt end. The outside surface is a surface along the butt end opposite the nose end that extends from a top surface of the at least one top strap to a bottom surface of the at least one bottom strap.
US08607992B2
A ceramic filter comprising: (a) from about 75% to about 95% by weight of diatomaceous earth; (b) from about 10% to about 20% by weight of a flux; and (c) from about 0.03% to about 0.4% by weight of a metallic compound; the percentages by weight being percentages by weight of the ceramic filter.
US08607988B2
The invention relates to a screen for a screening machine for screening a product into two fractions. To avoid detrimental effects to the quality of the product due to damage at the screen mesh of a screen (9), the screen is provided with a metal layer, in particular in the manner of a conduction path, wherein the electrical resistance of said layer is measured and wherein changes in the resistance indicate damages.
US08607980B2
A reclosable consumer product package assembly (10) supports a plurality of consumable products (12). The product package retains and encloses the products, The package is formed from a planar sheet (16) folded about the products. The folded sheet (16) defines a portion overlying the products and an extending portion extending beyond the products to define a foldable flap (29). The sheet is scored at a location overlying at least a portion of the products. The foldable flap is folded over the scored location and adhesively secured thereto such that upon opening the flap, the scored location is removed from its overlying location to expose the products for dispensing. The flap is reclosable over the exposed products.
US08607975B2
An electronic device can be inserted into a pocket formed with a main cover through between a side cover and the main cover. A part of the electronic device where an operating stick is formed can be stored in a flap formed with the side cover. The upper end of the flap rim of the side cover is positioned further away from the center line C1 of the case than the lower end is. The pocket rim of the main cover gets closer to the center line C1 of the case as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. According to a case including the main cover and the side cover, insertion/removal work of the electronic device can be facilitated, undesired exposure of the electronic device can be prevented, and a load applied to the operating stick can be readily reduced.
US08607972B2
The present invention is a miscarriage kit. More specifically, the present invention is a kit for use with a miscarriage by a human. The kit comprises at least one item for use in helping the human with the miscarriage. For example, the miscarriage kit may contain at least one under pad/bed liner, at least one sanitary napkin, at least one towel, at least one pair of gloves, at least one specimen pan, and at last one container for holding pregnancy remains.
US08607970B2
A device for displaying jewelry comprising a retractable cord positioned beneath a jewelry display pad, wherein the cord passes through a slot in the display pad and is securely attached to an item of jewelry to be displayed on the display pad, and wherein the item of jewelry can be pulled away from the display pad for examination by a customer.
US08607954B2
A control apparatus for a clutch driving mechanism can include a clutch driving mechanism which connects and disconnects a clutch. An angle sensor can detect the angle of rotation of a cam member. A cam face can include a first cam face for connecting the clutch through the linear motion of the operating member. A second cam face, formed continuously to the first cam face, can disconnect the clutch through the linear motion of the operating member. The angle sensor 21 can include a first angle sensor which can detect an angular range of the first cam face, and a second angle sensor which can detect an angular range of the second cam face. The dead zones E of the angle sensors are disposed in such a manner as not to overlap with each other.
US08607942B2
A modern suspension damper, for example, a shock absorber or a suspension fork, including an inertia valve and a pressure-relief feature is disclosed. The pressure-relief feature includes a rotatable adjustment knob that allows the pressure-relief threshold to be externally adjusted by the rider “on-the-fly” and without the use of tools.
US08607941B2
A steel sheet for a brake disc contains, on a mass percent basis, 0.02% or more and less than 0.10% C, 0.6% or less Si, more than 0.5% and 2.0% or less Mn, 0.06% or less P, 0.01% or less S, 0.05% or less Al, 11.0% to 13.5% Cr, 0.01% to 0.30% Ni, 0.10% to 0.60% Nb, 0.03% or more and less than 0.10% N, more than 0.0010% and 0.0060% or less B, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, and the steel sheet after quenching has a hardness of 32 HRC to 40 HRC on a Rockwell hardness scale C (HRC).
US08607937B2
An elevator includes an elevator car that has a horizontally movable car door leaf, a horizontally movable shaft door leaf, a car door locking mechanism encompassing a car door bolt and a bolt stop, and a coupling device that is connected to the car door leaf in order to transmit an opening movement or a closing movement from the car door leaf to the shaft door leaf. The coupling device has at least one movable entraining element which is brought in contact with an opposite element located on the shaft door leaf. A locking action of the car door locking mechanism depends on the cooperation of the coupling device with the opposite element. In each situation, the position of the car door bolt relative to the bolt stop exclusively depends on the position of the entraining element.
US08607933B2
A lubricant dispenser has a housing whose interior is subdivided by a shiftable piston into a generally closed gas compartment and a lubricant compartment having an outlet port and filled with a body of lubricant. A gas generator associated with the gas compartment is electrically energizable to produce gas and thereby pressurize the gas compartment, shift the piston, and express lubricant from the outlet. A controller including a power supply and a circuit is connected between the power supply and the gas generator for feeding current from the power supply to the gas generator. During a first predetermined part of an operational cycle of the dispenser, the gas generator is energized at a first level. During a second predetermined part of an operational cycle after the first time, the gas generator is energized at a second level lower than the first level.
US08607932B2
A ladder stabilizing attachment for a ladder is disclosed. The device is basically made of two or more long variable length stabilizing legs FIGS. (1) and (11) attached to the upper part of a ladder by universal joints FIGS. (9) and (9A), and capable of forming a triangular or multi-angular pyramid with the ladder. The legs can be independently positioned to give greater lateral stability, as well reducing slide out tendency of the ladder base. The foot sockets of the stabilizing legs FIG. (5) are designed to minimize overloading and movement due to ladder flexing. The device is constructed so that it can be built into new ladders, and readily adapted for and fitted to most existing ladders.
US08607929B2
A moldable acoustic facing comprises cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers entangled together. The acoustic facing has a basis weight of from about 1.5 to about 5.0 ounces per square yard (osy), a thickness of less than about 0.050″, a mean pore size of between about 8 microns and about 40 microns, and an elongation at break of at least twenty percent. The acoustic facing includes less than about five percent synthetic microfiber and has an acoustic resistance of at least about 250 Rayls.
US08607927B2
A multilayer laminate comprising a first polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, a first adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 2 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C., an inorganic refractory layer, a second adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 4 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C. and a second polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, wherein at least one of the first or second polymeric film layers is thermoplastic.
US08607925B2
A wedge-shaped, number theoretical acoustic diffuser both diffuses and reflects sound while eliminating wasted space created by prior art. The inventive diffuser consists of wells of continuously variable depths which provide wide-bandwidth diffusion in a single dimension. The back of the wells are reflective planes of a plurality of angles that direct energy away from the sound source. The invention may be installed in the upper corners of a room, with the deepest end of the wedge-shape up and tapering down to the thinnest end of the wedge shape. This installation allows floor standing furniture or other objects to be placed against the wall, an impossibility with the installation of prior art. The present invention may be installed as an array in which the deepest ends of the wedge shape are butted together. This formation splits and reflects sound in two different directions both away from the sound source.
US08607924B2
A honeycomb structure that includes cells in which septums are located to provide acoustic dampening. The cells are formed by at least four walls wherein at least two of the walls are substantially parallel to each other. The septums include warp fibers and weft fibers that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The septums are oriented in the honeycomb cells such that the weft fibers and/or warp fibers are substantially perpendicular to the parallel walls.
US08607922B1
A high frequency horn for use in a multiple frequency loudspeaker system having a midrange transducer and a high frequency transducer is disclosed. The high frequency horn includes a horn chamber, horn mouth, a horn throat, a tuned resonant cavity, and a port connected to both the tuned resonant cavity and the horn chamber. The horn throat and horn chamber are located on opposite sides of the horn chamber, the port is located proximate to the horn throat, and the horn throat is configured to be connected to the high frequency transducer. The tuned resonant cavity is tuned to reduce high frequency standing waves produced by the midrange transducer within the horn chamber.
US08607917B2
Provided an electrically-operated hydraulic actuator unit that includes an electrically-operated motor controlled by a control apparatus and actuating a volume adjusting mechanism through driving-side and driven-side arms, and a clutch mechanism in which the driven-side arm presses a contact member against a clutch case so that the driven-side arm is locked when a force from the volume adjusting mechanism is applied to the driven-side arm. The control apparatus can set duties of first to fourth drive signals to be output to the electrically-operated motor in a neutral-side start period, a neutral-side ordinary actuation period, a higher-volume-side start period and a higher-volume-side ordinary actuation period. The duties of the first and fourth drive signals are larger than that of the second drive signal, the duty of the third drive signal is larger than that of the fourth drive signal, and an integrated ON-time of the third drive signal is larger than that of the first drive signal.
US08607904B2
A working vehicle is structured to maintain a ride quality for an operator on a control seat. Provided are a travel machine body which mounts an engine, front wheels on the machine body, a track frame on the machine body, right and left travel crawlers installed on the track frame, a rear axle which transmits a rotating force to the travel crawler, and oscillation supporting point shafts which support the track frame on the machine body so as to freely oscillate. In the case that the rear axle and the oscillation supporting point shafts are provided so as to be spaced, the oscillation supporting point shafts are arranged just below an axle case to which the rear axle is pivoted, and the track frame is connected to the axle case via link members provided in the oscillation supporting point shafts.
US08607903B2
A tracked vehicle (e.g., a tracked carrier vehicle) comprising a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle. Each of the track assemblies supports a portion of a weight of the tracked vehicle when the tracked vehicle is in use. Each track assembly comprises: a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; a number of support wheels arranged in an in-line configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel; and an endless track disposed around the first wheel, the second wheel, and the support wheels. The support wheels may comprise at least five (5) support wheels mounted such that, when the tracked vehicle is in use, the portion of the weight of the tracked vehicle supported by the track assembly is never applied to only one of the support wheels.
US08607887B2
Disclosed is an intelligent, autonomously usable closure for misting nozzles, atomizing nozzles and sprinklers. A covering plate 20 is fixed on the closure having a heat tripping device, a nozzle body 2, outlet channel 11 and outlet opening 10 by means of a melt tripping device 5. The melt tripping device 5 is activated when necessary by a heat element 23 and the outlet opening 10 is released. A structural element 21, such as a disk spring, ensures at the melting moment of the melt tripping device 5 that a force F is applied and the covering plate 20 is separated with force from the outlet opening. In case of emergency, the release is triggered without energy. The proposed autonomous device can be used in a system network and can also be integrated into an existing system.
US08607860B2
A collet assembly has a housing and the collets disposed on flexible fingers connected to the housing at their opposed ends. A surrounding landing sleeve stops the assembly so that collets are aligned with a recess in a landing collar that is part of a surrounding tubing string. Once set the landing sleeve transmits compressive loads so that compressive stress essentially bypasses the finger structure supporting the collets. The fingers are initially tapered toward a longitudinal axis so that when internally supported they assume an aligned orientation to the housing axis to allow greater tensile loading and to provide a retraction force when the housing is to be removed after the collet support is removed.
US08607859B2
A well is drilled and casing installed utilizing a casing drilling technique. A bottom hole assembly having a drill bit and a fluid diverter is secured to a string of drill pipe and installed within a casing string. Drilling fluid is pumped down the drill pipe string to cause the drill bit to rotate and drill the well while the fluid diverter is in a drilling mode position. At the total depth for the casing string, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a cementing position and pumps cement down the drill pipe and up the casing string annulus. After cementing, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a packer set position and again pumps drilling fluid down the drill string to set the packer.
US08607850B2
A heat exchanger includes a heat-exchange section including a first group of tubes and a second group of tubes alternating with the first group of tubes. The first and second groups of tubes are in contact with a heat-conductive medium. In one structure, a first inlet manifold at a first end of the heat-exchange section is fluidly coupled to first ends of the first group of tubes. A first outlet manifold is isolated from the first inlet manifold and is fluidly coupled to first ends of the second group of tubes. A second inlet manifold at a second end of the heat-exchange section is fluidly coupled to second ends of the second group of tubes. A second outlet manifold is isolated from the second inlet manifold and is fluidly coupled to second ends of the first group of tubes.
US08607846B2
A mold includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part extends with a constant length or a constant width from a center part to an outer circumferential part of the mold. The second groove part extends from a terminal end of the first groove part on an outer circumferential part side of the first groove and merges with any portion of the first groove part. A molding manufacturing method includes manufacturing a preform by semimolten die casting or semisolid die casting using the mold. The method may also include removing a portion of the preform corresponding to the second groove part.
US08607843B2
A sunshade device including: a sunshade; a stay to which one edge of the sunshade is fixed; a windup shaft to which the other edge of the sunshade is fixed; a first support member supporting one end of the windup shaft to rotate relative thereto and move relative thereto in a longitudinal direction of the windup shaft, and mounted at a vehicle; a second support member supporting the other end of the windup shaft to rotate relative thereto and move relative thereto in the longitudinal direction of the windup shaft, and mounted at the vehicle; and a biasing member configured to pivotally bias the windup shaft against the second support member. The windup shaft includes a restricted portion at the other end thereof, and the second support member includes a rotation restricting portion and a rotation releasing portion formed to be adjacent to each other.
US08607841B2
In a roll screen device, inner rails are embedded inside fixed guide rails which guide protrusions at side edges of a screen which is wound via a take-up shaft. Each inner rail has a guide groove in which the guide protrusion is inserted, and inward flanges are provided at an opening of the guide groove. Rail members have outer side protrusions and inner side protrusion of different heights at both side edges of a rail base plate. The higher outer side protrusions are confronting. A micro gap extends between the lower inner side protrusions into the guide groove such that the micro gap is opposed to a guide gap formed between the opposed inward flanges. The guide protrusion is slid and guided in a come-off preventing state by the inner side protrusion, so that an extremely thin fastener element can be used as the guide protrusion.
US08607837B2
An apparatus for stripping metal from a cathode plate, the apparatus comprising stripping means adapted for positioning between the metal and the cathode plate in order to separate the metal from the cathode plate, and wherein movement of the stripping means is achieved through movement of a robotic arm.
US08607835B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing. A fiber layer and a first porous bonding layer are formed to form a unidirectional lay-up of fibers. The unidirectional lay-up of fibers is heated under pressure to form a unidirectional composite tape. A first plurality of lengths of the unidirectional composite tape is laid down to build a first layer from the unidirectional composite tape. A second plurality of lengths of the unidirectional composite tape is laid down to build a second layer from the unidirectional composite tape on the first layer at a predetermined angle from the first layer. At least one of the first and second plurality of lengths of the unidirectional composite tape are slit while laying down the first and second plurality of lengths of the unidirectional composite tape. A composite fabric is formed from the first and second layer.
US08607826B2
Interlocking bend limiter sections are substantially mirror images of each other and are joined to form an interlocking bend limiter segment without use of fasteners by engaging engaging each other's interlocking ends. An interlocking bend limiter comprises a plurality of interlocking bend limiter segment secured at an end by an end piece.
US08607812B2
A butterfly valve for handling materials where the temperature of the materials flowing through the butterfly valve can exceed the breakdown temperature of the sealing member with the butterfly valve inhibiting contact of hot transportable materials with the sealing member to isolate the hot transportable materials from the sealing member. Cooling conduits maintain at least portions of the valve that contacts the sealing member at a temperature below the breakdown temperature of the sealing member to prevent seal failure.
US08607811B2
A flapper valve preferably used in injection application in deep subterranean locations has an actuating sleeve with a seat to accept an object. A j-slot connects the actuation sleeve movement to the housing so that with an object on the seat and an applied pressure cycle the sleeve moves the flapper to the open position. The plug is dissolved and the injection begins. The plug can have an opening so as to allow continuous injection flow as the flapper is operated. Closing the flapper involves a second object on the same seat and a pressure cycle so that a spring can push the sleeve away from the flapper to allow a torsion spring on the flapper to close it.
US08607808B1
A light windproof umbrella is provided with a center post including a top ferrule, an upper grommet, an intermediate sliding ring, and a sliding runner under the sliding ring; ribs each having one end pivotably secured to the grommet and the other end being open; main joints each formed at a portion of the rib proximate to the other end of the rib; auxiliary joints each formed at a portion of the rib between the main joint and the grommet; stretchers each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding ring and the other end moveably secured to the rib; struts each having one end pivotably secured to the sliding runner and the other end pivotably secured to the auxiliary joint; a lower canopy; and an upper canopy in a partial covering relationship to the lower canopy.
US08607807B2
A liquid treatment method including: retaining a substrate with a treatment target surface being set as a lower surface, and rotating the substrate; supplying DIW (deionized water) to the lower surface of the substrate, thereby performing a rinsing process to the substrate; and thereafter supplying a mist containing IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and N2 gas, thereby substituting the IPA for the DIW. The supplying of the mist is performed using a nozzle positioned below the substrate, the nozzle comprising a plurality of ejection ports which are arrayed between a position opposing a central portion of the substrate and a position opposing a peripheral portion of the substrate.
US08607798B2
A custom mouthguard may be formed from a multiple layer assembly including an ethylene vinyl acetate/thermoplastic polyurethane layer, an ethylene vinyl acetate layer and an intervening impact shield and elastomeric framework. The elastomeric framework may include one or more posterior occlusal pads. The custom mouthguard may be molded to a positive mold of an individual's upper teeth and gums.
US08607788B2
This disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating ventilatory parameters, analyzing those parameters and providing useful notifications and recommendations to clinicians. That is, modern ventilators monitor, evaluate, and graphically represent multiple ventilatory parameters. However, many clinicians may not easily recognize data patterns and correlations indicative of certain patient conditions, changes in patient condition, and/or effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Further, clinicians may not readily determine appropriate ventilatory adjustments that may address certain patient conditions and/or the effectiveness of ventilatory treatment. Specifically, clinicians may not readily detect or recognize the presence of Auto-PEEP during volume ventilation of a triggering patient exhibiting an obstructive component. According to embodiments, a ventilator may be configured to monitor and evaluate diverse ventilatory parameters to detect Auto-PEEP and may issue notifications and recommendations suitable for a triggering patient to the clinician when Auto-PEEP is implicated. The suitable notifications and recommendations may further be provided in a hierarchical format.
US08607784B2
A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) assembly and kit therefore has an elongated hollow belt body having open first and second ends and multiple inlet openings along its length for mounting one or more filter canisters, one or more filter canisters for mounting in the inlet openings for supplying purified air to the interior of the belt body, a motor and driven fan assembly having a fan inlet in communication with each filter canister through the hollow belt body and a fan outlet; and a power source operably mounted to the belt body and connected to the motor. The PAPR assembly forms a portion of a belt or bandolier to be worn around the user's waist, back, or other location, and at least the belt body can be made of a flexible rubber material, such as a Butyl and Silicone blend, or any other suitable material to conform the PAPR belt to the user's body.
US08607782B2
An improved solar reflector utilizing tensioned reflective membrane, where a bearing edge device is employed to smooth wrinkles in the membrane and limit distortion.
US08607777B2
The present invention relates to outdoor grill accessories, and more particularly, a foldable worktable attachment for an outdoor grill that includes a large table that is pivotally connected to the side of the grill. When in an erect position, the table provides ample space for preparing foods and the like, but when in a collapsed position, the table lies flush against one of the sides of the grill housing, thus, enclosing supporting legs that are folded and stored between the table and the grill housing.
US08607775B2
The present invention provides a cutting machine for stone materials having a power head part, a bedplate, a frame for supporting the bedplate and a basin disposed under the frame. The present invention may also have an expanded basin disposed outside of the basin and a water-retaining device with an upward slope angle may be arranged on the expanded basin to block splashed muddy water in a multi-directional manner during a cutting operation.
US08607770B2
An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit, a secondary current measuring device for measuring the course of the secondary side current, a control device for at least temporary controlling of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in dependence on the measured course of the secondary side current. Subsequent to an interruption of the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil during an ignition process or subsequent to the drop of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in the ignition coil below a predeterminable threshold during the ignition process, the control device energizes or regulates the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil above the predeterminable threshold only when the secondary side current induced thereby acts in the direction of the predetermined course of the secondary side current.
US08607769B2
In this invention, there is provided a method for reducing NOx emission from an internal combustion engine designed to produce a given amount of power and a method for improving fuel efficiency by providing an intake stream of oxygen-enriched air and keeping the amount of power output the same so that the combustion temperature in the engine is lower.
US08607761B2
A lubrication structure for a bearing section of an internal combustion engine including a crankcase having a wall portion, a bearing secured to the wall portion, a rotational shaft supported for rotation by the bearing, and a bearing restriction member disposed on a side face of an outer race portion of the bearing and configured to suppress coming off of the bearing, wherein an oil receiving portion formed in a swollen state on the wall portion along an outer periphery on the outer side of an outer periphery below the center axis of the bearing, and an oil reserve section is provided so as to extend over the oil receiving portion and the bearing restriction member.
US08607749B2
A camshaft including a carrier element and a cam, in which the carrier element is composed of carrier segments arranged axially one behind the other along a longitudinal axis such that the carrier segments are axially displaceable relative to each other.
US08607746B2
An expansion tank is disclosed in which a non-return valve is fitted in an outlet port of the expansion tank to limit backflow of coolant into the expansion tank in the event that the pressure in the expansion tank falls below the pressure in a return conduit thereby preventing the expansion tank from filling with coolant. The non-return valve and the expansion tank are formed as a single component and the non-return valve is located in an outlet port of the expansion tank.
US08607739B2
A limiting device (9) for limiting the freedom of movement of a standing cow in a lying box (1) in a loose house for keeping cattle, in a direction towards a front end (8) of the lying box. The limiting device (9) is intended to be placed near the front end, on and projecting from the bottom (11) of the lying box. At least one top part (13) of the limiting device is movable between a limiting position operatively projecting from the bottom for limiting the freedom of movement of the standing cow towards the front end of the lying box, and a releasing position, for leaving, for the purpose of the front legs of the cow lying down, at least a part of the space the limiting device occupies in the limiting position. A lying box and a loose house with such limiting device are also described.
US08607737B2
A watering fountain having a first valve assembly coupled to a pressurized water supply, including a check valve configured to restrict water flow under pressurized water conditions. The fountain includes a second valve assembly selectably coupleable to the first valve assembly and including a disabling structure, a valve, a drain port, a flexible diaphragm, a diaphragm actuator, and a quick connect valve. The watering fountain also includes a fluid conduit extending upwardly from the second valve assembly. The fountain includes an activator rod extending upwardly from the second valve assembly inside the fluid conduit. The watering fountain includes a basin extending upwardly from the fluid conduit. The fountain includes an activator plate operationally coupled to the activator rod and disposed within the basin.
US08607731B2
An apparatus for generating uniform plasma across and beyond the peripheral edge of a substrate has a dielectric body with an upper electrode and an annular electrode embedded therein. The outer perimeter of the upper electrode overlaps the inner perimeter of the annular electrode. In one embodiment, the upper electrode and the annular electrode are electrically coupled by molybdenum vias. In one embodiment, the upper electrode is coupled to a DC power source to provide electrostatic force for chucking the substrate. In one embodiment, the upper electrode is coupled to an RF source for exciting one or more processing gasses into plasma for substrate processing.
US08607730B2
An apparatus and method of replacing a liquid of a circulation line in a substrate liquid processing apparatus of a single-wafer type, which can replace the liquid more efficiently, by relating the replacing method with a process-liquid replenishing method. A substrate liquid processing apparatus of a single-wafer type includes: a circulation line through which a process liquid is circulated; a tank disposed in the circulation line; a liquid level sensor disposed in the tank; a liquid replenish part configured to replenish the tank with a new process liquid, based on an output of the liquid level sensor; and a liquid-replacement control part configured to stop the operation of the liquid replenish part based on a predetermined replenish stop condition that is set cooperatively with a predetermined liquid disposal condition, and to discard all the process liquid in the tank based on the predetermined liquid disposal condition.
US08607726B2
[Problem] To provide an instrument dial and its manufacturing method wherein it is possible to shorten a print time and achieve a reduction in cost.[Means for Resolution] An instrument dial with index portions 5 provided in background portions 3 and 4 by subjecting a substrate 1 to printing includes an underlying portion 2 configured of a screen print layer provided on the substrate 1; a first background portion 3 which, being configured of a screen print layer formed on the underlying portion 2, does not include the index portions 5; and second background portions 4 which are configured of a digital print layer formed on the underlying portion 2 and, as well as including the index portions 5, are continuous with the first background portion 3.
US08607723B2
A device for arranging a profiled element on the bow side of a water vehicle and a water vehicle having a wind-impacted element. The device has at least one profiled element (40, 40.1, 40.2) and means for arranging the at least one profiled element (40, 40.1, 40.2) on the bow (20) of a water vehicle (10, 100), wherein the profiled element(s) (40, 40.1, 40.2) is/are or can be supported about a pivot axis (S) which is parallel, preferably horizontal, to the midship plane, wherein the profiled element(s) (40, 40.1, 40.2) can be or is/are connected to a wind-impacted element (14) at a leading point (43) of a wind-impacted-element-driven water vehicle (10, 100) by means of a connecting device (42), in particular by means of a whippletree (42).
US08607722B2
An aerodynamic wind propulsion device is provided, particularly for watercraft, in form of an aerodynamic wing connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of tractive lines, at least one pair of two active steering lines being connected to the aerodynamic wing at two points in distance and being coupled to a drive unit at the steering unit, a tractive cable, a first end of the tractive cable being connected at the steering unit to at least two of the tractive lines and a second end of the tractive cable being connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates an uplift force, and two passive steering lines are connected to each other to form a continuous passive steering line section passing through the steering unit in order to passively follow a deformation of the aerodynamic wing.
US08607713B2
The invention relates to a device for pivoting one or more nose flaps of a track-guided vehicle, a railway vehicle in particular. It is hereby provided for the device to comprise at least one supporting frame (10) connected or connectable to the vehicle undercarriage and at least one actuating device connected on one side to the at least one supporting frame (10) and on the other to the pivotable nose flap (1a; 1b) for pivoting the nose flap (1a; 1b) relative to the supporting frame (10) from a closed state into an opened state and vice versa, wherein the actuating device comprises at least one lifting spindle drive (30a, 32a; 30b, 32b).
US08607710B2
A cable-tow system including a skiing surface. A drive tower, including a drive pulley, and a support tower, including a return pulley, are positioned on a periphery of the skiing surface. The cable-tow system further includes a stationary support cable spanning a first distance between the drive tower and the support tower. A movable drive cable spans a second distance between the drive pulley and the return pulley. The movable drive cable travels in an orbital fashion between the drive pulley and the return pulley. A truck is connected to the movable drive cable and includes at least one race pulley. The at least one race pulley engages the stationary support cable. A tow rope is connected to the truck and includes a handle for towing a skier. Movement of the movable drive cable moves the truck along a length of the stationary support cable.
US08607708B1
An improved apparatus and method for fitting a normally non-explosive containing projectile with a spotting charge. A spotting charge capsule is inserted into an opening in the front of a projectile. The opening may be made by removing part of the nose of the projectile and making a shaped opening for inserting the spotting charge capsule. The spotting charge capsule includes an opening at its front and a bore behind the opening leading to a cavity for holding an explosive mixture, usually one or more pressed incendiary pellets. The opening and bore together form a venturi, or venturi-like, tube. The tube ends short of the cavity leaving only a thin wall between the bore and the explosive. On impact on soft media, such as dirt, sand or mud, the soft media will enter the tube and shear the thin wall, creating a high speed flier plate that ignites the explosive mixture.
US08607705B2
The present disclosure generally relates a high strength, low weight, and low shock rocket body separating joint for the purpose of joining rocket bodies, and method of assembly thereof. The solution combines a radax joint, joined by fasteners, with a flattened bladder and inflation system coupled thereto. Upon activation of the inflation system, the bladder is pressurized and exerts a separating force between the members of the radax joint, overcoming the load carrying capability of the fasteners and breaking apart the radax joint.
US08607703B2
A system for a piston actuator comprising a configuration with lead styphnate charge material and Nichrome® bridgewire, wherein the device configuration provides very high reliability, including piston actuator applications; resistance of the bridgewire is carefully controlled to optimize power transfer from the firing circuit to the bridgewire and charge material.
US08607700B2
Mesh may be stretched between rollers of a roller frame using a tool to grip a locking strip slot in the roller at about the middle of the roller and turning the roller using the tool. A rectangular frame may support the roller frame in a planer configuration during stretching. A jack coupled to the rectangular frame may be used to apply rotational force to the tool for rotating the roller. A triangular locking strip may be stitched to the mesh for insertion into the locking strip slot from the top instead of the end of the slot.
US08607697B2
A method and apparatus is provided for compressing the lamination stack for a dynamoelectric machine. The apparatus includes a plurality of weight distribution plates and a plurality of pressing plates. The plurality of weight distribution plates are placed on one end of the lamination stack of the dynamoelectric machine. The plurality of pressing plates are placed on the plurality of weight distribution plates. A compressive force is applied to the lamination stack via the plurality of weight distribution plates and the plurality of pressing plates.
US08607690B1
A system and method for brewing coffee to produce elevated levels of niacinamide is shown. One embodiment includes providing a dark roasted coffee, brewing the coffee at pressures above atmospheric pressure in water heated above boiling temperature, and producing a brewed coffee with elevated levels of niacinamide. Another embodiment includes a system comprising a boiler with a heating element, a heat exchanger extending into the boiler, the heat exchanger having an injector with at least one lateral opening to inject water laterally into the heat exchanger, to produce pressurized water above atmospheric boiling temperature to brew ground coffee at temperatures above boiling to produce a coffee with elevated levels of niacinamide. The embodiment system may also include a thermally insulating lid.
US08607673B2
A tool having a collar disposed rearward of a movable sleeve or tool attachment so as to deflect objects away from the rearward edge of the sleeve or tool attachment when in the tool attachment lock position thereby preventing inadvertent release of the tool attachment during use.
US08607671B2
A wrench for applying a drive torque at a drive element includes an elongated handle, a clamping element or head having a torque-applying gripping surface, and at least one trigger. The head is adjustably or movably mounted at the handle and is adjustable or movable to impart a clamping force at a drive element received at the gripping surface of the head. The trigger is configured to adjust or move the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element. Responsive to a user actuating the trigger, the trigger adjusts or moves the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element irrespective of any movement of the handle relative to the drive element.
US08607670B2
A damaged fastener extractor is provided with a body defining generally cylindrical coordinates ⊖, Z and R about an axis and having a rear body portion communicating with a front body portion. The rear body portion has an outer surface shaped to be engaged by a tool to be used in rotating the body circumferentially about the axis and sized to present a working outer dimension OD to said tool. The front body portion has a front terminus and an inner surface in which the front terminus is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis and provides a generally circular receiving aperture communicating with the inner surface. The inner surface is shaped to engage a damaged fastener to be extracted and sized to present a working inner diameter ID to the damaged fastener. The front body portion inner surface has equally spaced, parallel grooves positioned thereon and oriented to extend along an arcuate, inwardly tapering path from a forward groove terminus located proximal to the front body portion front terminus to a rearward groove terminus located proximal to the rear body portion. Each groove has a centerline extending along its length and a pitch P defined by the axial displacement of the centerline per revolution of the centerline about the axis. Each groove further has a substantially constant cross-sectional geometry extending along most of its length, whereby the position of each groove centerline at the forward terminus is ⊖1, Z1 and R1 and the position of each groove centerline at the rearward terminus is ⊖2, Z2 and R2. Due to the inward taper, R1 is greater than ID/2 which is greater than R2, and an angle of inward taper μ is defined by tan μ=(R1−R2)/(Z1−Z2).
US08607667B2
A method of manufacturing razor blades from a strip material including reducing the thickness of the strip material by at least 10% and converting the strip material into razor blades.
US08607660B2
The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies.
US08607658B2
A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm provided rotatably around a first rotation axis on the base, a second arm provided rotatably around a second rotation axis on the first arm, the second rotation axis being parallel to the first rotation axis, and a main shaft provided in the second arm to be extended in a direction parallel to the second rotation axis. A distance between the second rotation axis and the main shaft is shorter than a length of a straight line connecting the first and the second rotation axes. Additionally, the first arm has a recessed portion formed so as to include a position on a rotation path where a rotation radius around the second rotation axis is equivalent to the distance between the second rotation axis and the main shaft.
US08607653B2
The present invention provides: a die-cast quality judging method that can easily judge whether or not a prescribed quality is satisfied; a die-casting machine selecting method of judging whether or not plural prescribed qualities are satisfied; and a die-casting condition determining method of determining die-casting conditions.It is judged that inequalities to be restricted by judging standard values QfLB2 and QaUB2 are not true from the positional relation between a process point 13 that is an intersection of a machine characteristic line 11 and a die characteristic line 12 and straight lines 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 and thus it is judged that the inequalities to restrict an upper limit of a filling time and a lower limit of an air vent exhaust velocity are not true. That is, it is judged that prescribed qualities are not satisfied with regard to misrun and gas inclusion.
US08607652B2
An apparatus for handling a liquid sample, especially for automatic removal of a liquid sample from a sample-taking location, comprising: a control unit; a sample collecting unit; a supply and metering system, which is embodied to convey a liquid sample from the sample-taking location and to meter the sample into a liquid receptacle of the sample collecting unit; a housing with a first housing part, which at least partially surrounds at least the sample collecting unit, and a second housing part, which is separated from the first housing part, and which at least partially surrounds a metering space; wherein at least parts of the supply and metering system are arranged in the metering space; and wherein the apparatus furthermore includes a plate, which is releasably connected with the second housing part surrounding the metering space, and which divides the metering space into a first metering space part and a second metering space part.
US08607643B2
A Coriolis mass flowmeter with a measuring tube through which a medium can flow, at least one actuator and at least one sensor, wherein the measuring tube is bent between its input and output ends into a first winding and a second winding, the first winding and the second winding merging into one another at a transitional section of the measuring tube. The first winding and the second winding run in parallel winding planes and wherein the first winding and the second winding can be excited to oscillation by the actuator and the oscillations detected by the sensor. The Coriolis mass flowmeter is comparably insensitive to the coupling of external oscillations in that oscillating sections of the first winding and the second winding are bent into a V shape that opens in a direction toward the transitional section of the measuring tube.
US08607637B2
A gage pressure transducer comprising a first pressure sensing assembly exposed to a main pressure and a second pressure sensing assembly exposed to a reference pressure. The pressure sensing assemblies comprise half-bridge sensors and means for using an alignment glass plate with each sensor which reduces the amount of oil required for operation, which consequently reduces the back pressures caused by large volumes of oil. The pressure sensor assemblies are hermetically sealed using glass frits, therefore enabling the gage pressure transducer to robustly and accurately measure pressure in harsh environments.
US08607633B2
A system is provided for measuring the resonant frequencies on disc brake pads. The system includes a data recording apparatus and a measuring device in the form of a sensor system. In order to record a maximum number of resonant frequencies, the sensor system consists of two or more microphones.
US08607625B2
A service procedure to test the SCR device involves turning on an upstream and downstream SCR NOx sensor, turning off an NH3 injector, running the engine until enough upstream NOx mass has been generated by the engine to deplete any NH3 load remaining in the SCR device, determining the operational status of the NOx sensors as follows: if 1−downstream NOx ppm/upstream NOx ppm=approx. 0; then the downstream NOx sensor is reading the same as the upstream NOx sensor and the downstream NOx sensor is determined to be good and the SCR device may have to be replaced; and if 1−downstream NOx ppm/upstream NOx ppm>approx. 0; then the downstream NOx sensor is reading high and the downstream NOx sensor is determined to be bad and downstream NOx sensor may have to be replaced.
US08607622B2
An AFM based technique has been demonstrated for performing highly localized IR spectroscopy on a sample surface. Such a technique implemented in a commercially viable analytical instrument would be extremely useful. Various aspects of the experimental set-up have to be changed to create a commercial version. The invention addresses many of these issues thereby producing a version of the analytical technique that can be made generally available to the scientific community.
US08607617B2
Apparatus for remote inspection of oxygen containers includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station that includes information about predetermined internal and/or external conditions such as the level of oxygen stored in the tank, a pressure condition of material stored in the tank, a lack of presence of the tank in an installed position, or the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the tank.
US08607612B2
A method of calibrating a reversible-binding sensor for detecting an analyte includes: (i) varying the temperature of a first calibration solution from a first temperature (T1) to a second temperature (T2) while the first calibration solution is in contact with a sensing region of the sensor; (ii) determining the sensor output for the first calibration solution as a function of temperature; (iii) varying the temperature of a second calibration solution from a third temperature (T3) to a fourth temperature (T4) while the second calibration solution is in contact with the sensing region, the second calibration solution having a concentration of analyte which is different from that of the first calibration solution; (iv) determining the sensor output for the second calibration solution as a function of temperature; and (v) using the determined sensor output from steps (ii) and (iv) to calibrate the sensor.
US08607608B2
A bending apparatus (1) is for bending a workpiece (object to be worked), using a bending die (2) formed in accordance with a bent form of the workpiece, and a linear die (3) linearly extended, and includes a table (10) having a work face (11a) where the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) are placed; and a pair of rollers (40, 50) configured to move along the work face (11a), wherein each of the rollers (40, 50) is configured to move from one end side of the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) to the other end side thereof in a state of pinching the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) in a die closing direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to configure the bending apparatus (1), to make a work space small, and to improve the work efficiency of the bending.
US08607606B2
The inventive method involves deforming the extremities of a plate, which has a rectangular edge and is disposed between the working surface of strikers, by ultrasonic forging with the aid of the strikers, simultaneously moving the plate in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axes of the strikers and turning the strikers. Each striker is provided with a groove with a curvilinear generatrix which is made on the surface thereof with a variable radius R. The width of the plate is reduced by a value Δ=R(1−π/4), wherein R is the variable radius value at a point where the ultrasonic forging of the plate is carried out. The circumferential speed Vcirc.S of the striker rotation is chosen, during the plate displacement, as to correspond to the above-mentioned relationship. In the device, the circumferential speed of the striker rotation is synchronized with the plate displacement velocity. The groove of the striker is designed with the variable radius R.
US08607605B2
A spring wire is subjected to a first shot peening process and a second shot peening process. In the first shot peening process, a first shot is projected on the spring wire at a first projectile speed. High kinetic energy of the first shot produces compressive residual stress in a region ranging from the surface of the spring wire to a deep position. In the second spring wire process, a second shot is projected at a second projectile speed lower than the speed of the first shot. The kinetic energy of the second shot is lower than that of the first shot. The low kinetic energy of the second shot increases the compressive residual stress in a region near the surface of the spring wire.
US08607600B2
A locking device includes a shaft, a locking head joined to the shaft, and a lock body having a lock opening for receiving a locking end of the shaft. A latch member is disposed within the lock body and includes a shaft aperture for receiving the locking end of the shaft therethrough. The shaft aperture includes an edge portion spring biased radially inward of the lock opening to engage the recessed portion with the edge portion when the locking end of the shaft is disposed in the lock opening. A locking member is disposed within the lock body. Rotation of the locking member from a locked condition to an unlocked condition moves the edge portion of the shaft aperture out of engagement with the recessed portion of the shaft to permit withdrawal of the shaft from the lock opening.
US08607596B2
A drum type washing machine, including a housing, a spin tub to hold laundry to be washed, the spin tub rotating with respect to a horizontal axis of the washing machine, and a ball balancer coupled to the spin tub to compensate for a dynamic imbalance during rotation thereof, the ball balancer including a first plastic member and a second plastic member joined to each other to define a closed internal space in which a plurality of balls and viscous fluid are accommodated, the first plastic member having an open side, and the second plastic member adapted to cover the open side of the first plastic member. The first plastic member includes a plurality of supports formed on an outer surface thereof to establish contact with the spin tub, and the ball balancer is fastened to the spin tub via a plurality of screw members.
US08607592B2
An optical fiber manufacturing apparatus including: a heating furnace in which an optical fiber is formed by melt-drawing an optical fiber preform; a sealing mechanism which is provided on an opening portion located at an upstream of the heating furnace and seals the heating furnace with an inert gas; a first pipe which is connected to the heating furnace and introduces the gas into the heating furnace; a second pipe which is connected to a lowermost compartment closest to the heating furnace among the compartments and introduces the gas into the lowermost compartment; and a gas flow rate control unit which controls a total sum of a flow rate of a gas supplied from the first pipe into the heating furnace and a flow rate of a gas supplied from the second pipe into the lowermost compartment to be substantially constant.
US08607591B2
The device for manufacturing glass, in which bubble formation on precious metal components is prevented, has a precious or refractory metal wall (12, 43) at least partially surrounding a glass melt from which the glass is made, a first electrode pair (20, 21) for measuring oxygen partial pressure at an interface between the glass melt and the wall to obtain an actual value, a second electrode pair (12, 43, 20) for measuring an oxygen partial pressure in the glass melt to obtain a set point value and a regulating system (39, 45) for adjusting the oxygen partial pressure at the interface according to a comparison between the actual value and the set point value, so that the oxygen partial pressure at the interface is within a safe range.
US08607586B2
An aircraft galley refrigeration system is provided which, in one embodiment, includes: first and second galleys; a first chiller for providing a first heat transfer fluid to the first galley; a second chiller for providing a second heat transfer fluid to the second galley; and a heat exchanger including a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit connecting the first galley with the first chiller, and the second circuit connecting the second galley with the second chiller. In another embodiment, the system includes a first cooling subsystem with a first heat transfer fluid, a second cooling subsystem with a second heat transfer fluid, and a heat exchanger that thermally couples the first and second cooling subsystems for distributing heat between the first and second heat transfer fluids.
US08607577B2
An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine has an underlying metal sheet, and at least one ceramic matrix composite tile attached to the underlying metal sheet with at least one fastener assembly. The panel fastener assembly includes a fastener having a threaded portion extending rearwardly from a head, which has a frustoconical surface facing the threaded portion. The frustoconical surface is received in a frustoconical bore in the ceramic matrix composite panel. A bushing is positioned on an opposed side of the metal sheet from the ceramic matrix composite panel. The bushing has a flange extending away from the metal sheet. A sleeve is received about the threaded portion of the fastener, and extends away from the panel, beyond the metal sheet. The sleeve has a lip extending radially outwardly toward the flange on the bushing, such that the flange on the bushing extends beyond a space defined between the lip and a seating surface on the bushing. A wave spring is received within the cavity.
US08607561B2
An actuating apparatus which may be arranged to provide an actuating rotation or force on demand. The actuating apparatus comprises a resilient member having a plurality of co-acting elements such as a plurality of elongate rods and end-mounts arranged to move relative to each other. The resilient member is arrangeable in a first configuration and a second configuration such as a twisted configuration. An actuator which is preferably elongate is secured to the resilient member at least two points, preferably to each of the end mounts of the resilient member. The actuator is arranged to force the resilient member into one of or between the two configurations. The resilient member preferably includes a matrix which preferably surrounds at least a portion of the elongate rods.
US08607559B2
A method for actuating a bypass control valve assembly of a fluid system includes receiving a first input signal at an electronic control unit. The first input signal is related to an active position of a direction control valve that is in fluid communication with a fluid pump and a fluid actuation device. The directional control valve includes a neutral position that provides fluid communication between a fluid inlet port of the directional control valve and a fluid outlet port of the directional control valve. A second input signal is received at the electronic control unit. The second input signal is related to the rotational speed of the fluid pump. The second input signal is compared to a limit. A drain valve of a bypass valve assembly is actuated so that fluid communication between the fluid pump and a fluid reservoir through the bypass valve assembly is blocked.
US08607550B2
A system is provided for admixing a reducing agent to an exhaust gas flow of an internal-combustion engine. The system includes an exhaust line and a metering device for feeding the reducing agent into the exhaust line, the metering device is arranged in or on a hollow body arranged on the exhaust line. An inner volume of the hollow body is connected in an exhaust-gas-conducting manner with the exhaust line. The reducing agent is feedable by a nozzle into the hollow body. A jacket body is provided between the hollow body and the nozzle-fed reducing agent, which jacket body surrounds the reducing agent at least in areas in the inner volume. Accordingly, a depositing of reducing agent on the metering device and on the hollow body is substantially avoided.
US08607549B2
In one approach a method for operating an engine including a DPF is provided. The method includes adjusting a post fuel injection amount based on a rate of change of engine torque during DPF regeneration. As one example, the adjusting includes reducing the amount when the rate of change is positive, and increasing the amount when the rate of change is negative. Furthermore, the method may also include delivering exhaust gas to a turbocharger turbine, to an oxidation catalyst, and then a DPF, the adjusting of the post fuel injection further based on thermal inertia of the turbocharger.
US08607547B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a flue gas purifying device that can suppress leakage of ammonia and can efficiently decrease nitrogen oxides in flue gas. The object is achieved by a flue gas purifying device including: an exhaust pipe; a urea-water injecting unit that injects urea water into the exhaust pipe; a catalytic unit that includes a urea SCR catalyst that promotes a reaction between ammonia and nitrogen oxides and a support mechanism that supports the urea SCR catalyst in the exhaust pipe, and is arranged on a downstream side to a position where urea water is injected; a concentration measuring unit arranged on a downstream side to the catalytic unit in a flow direction of flue gas to measure an ammonia concentration in flue gas having passed through the urea SCR catalyst; and a control unit that controls injection of urea water by the urea-water injecting unit based on an ammonia concentration measured by the concentration measuring unit.
US08607538B2
An apparatus comprises a reel-holding unit for a wrapping machine for wrapping a product with a film unwound by a plurality of rollers from the reel and a reel-changing unit for replacing a finished reel with a new reel, the reel-holding unit and the reel-changing unit being mutually positionable in a reel-change configuration in such a manner that the new reel can be positioned instead of the finished reel, the reel-changing unit being provided with elements that define a curvilinear path for an initial portion of the film of the new reel, the elements being positionable in the reel-change configuration such that when a roller of the plurality of rollers is positioned at a curve, at least one of the elements is completely interposed between the film and the roller.
US08607534B2
The invention relates to a method for applying capsules (1) to a plastic container (54) which is aseptically filled with a liquid and which is weld-sealed with a membrane (80). The capsule (1) to be applied, which preferably is constituted of two aluminum foils (2, 6) having a collar (58), is placed on the membrane (80) with a planar surface thereof and the collar is mechanically bent so that it is reliably secured to the container neck (50). The cap (100) is then pressed onto it so that the collar (58) is retained between the container neck (50) and the cap (100) in a form-and in a force-locking connection. The method according to the invention avoids the risk of the capsule being destroyed, which can happen during welding, and the risk of soiling, which can happen during gluing.
US08607531B2
Light weight fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) structural building panels and panel assemblies, sized and configured for construction of wall structures permanently tied to the ground, optionally tying overlying structure to an underlying wall using such panels and panel assemblies. Fiber schedule and orientation in the panels provide enhanced properties of strength of a panel/wall per unit dimension relative to FRP layer thickness and/or mass of the panel/wall per unit dimension.
US08607530B2
A tile aligning and lippage tuning system that uses an under tile base reusable upright connecting tab, which is detachably connected to said under tile base, a reusable flexible edge slotted cap configured to slip over the connecting tab and latch thereto as the cap is slid further down the connecting tab. The cap has an edge slot so that the connecting tab can be separated from the cap, by merely sliding the cap, so that the connecting tab passes through the slot. A flexible spring-like portion of the cap provides increased force on the tile even if undesired elongation of the connecting tab occurs.
US08607528B2
A method of building a structure, the method including the steps of: 1. fabricating a generally longitudinal, non-steel sub-structure of the structure with a cable retainer attached to, or forming part of, the sub-structure and that extends substantially longitudinally therealong; 2. assembling the sub-structure into a structure; 3. inserting a cable into the cable retainer; 4. after step 2, applying a tensile force to the cable relative to the cable retainer; and 5. after step 4, bonding the cable to the cable retainer.
US08607514B2
A window trim system and method comprises a trim hoop sized to be slid over an outer face of a window frame to the exterior edge of the frame. A stop member formed around the exterior edge abuts and aligns the trim hoop. A friction member may or may not be installed around the inside of the trim hoop to help hold the trim hoop initially in place. Sealant is then applied around the junction of the trim hoop and window frame on the inside of the trim hoop to fix the trim hoop to the window frame and create a seal against air and water infiltration. The resulting window frame and trim assembly is particularly suited for use in an overfit replacement window installation, but may be used in virtually any window installation.
US08607510B2
A roof of a building is provided. The roof comprises a roof frame, a layer of curved roof cover elements (e.g., tiles) above the roof frame, and a solar panel secured to one or more of the roof cover elements. The solar panel substantially conforms to one or more curved surfaces of the one or more roof cover elements. Another aspect provides a roof comprising a roof frame, a layer of curved roof cover elements (e.g., tiles) above the roof frame, a vent member within the roof cover element layer, and a solar panel. The vent member has a curved surface and is sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of one or more of the roof cover elements. The vent member also has an opening allowing a ventilation airflow from the building interior toward an airspace above the vent member and the roof cover element layer. The solar panel is secured to and substantially conforms to the curved surface of the vent member.
US08607496B2
A programmable, mechanical scrape making device that is battery operated and that can be fastened to the ground. When activated, the device comes in contact with the ground to create a scrape through a sweeping and/or linear motion that is the same as or similar to that of an actual scrape that is performed by deer during the Rut or breeding season. The device also has a scent spraying mechanism that operates as the scrape is made. The device can be enclosed and operate from a weatherproof case which may be designed to look like a tree log. The design of the case can vary in appearance as to create a look that is indigenous to the end users' geographic area. The device is portable and may include a carrying case with a shoulder strap allowing the end user to transport the device from one location to another. The device may include power ports accessible for other devices such as motion detecting digital cameras and mock licking branches.
US08607494B2
A novel firearm pull-through cleaning tool with an integrated foldable handle. The handle is pivotable at a first tool end between a closed position wherein a portion of the handle occupies a longitudinal well in the tool body and an open position wherein the handle is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of body. When in closed position the diameter of the tool is less than the bore diameter of a weapon to be cleaned. In use, the handle is pivoted in a first direction to place the tool in the closed position; the tool is inserted into the firearm bore; a cleaning tool is attached to the attachment portion; the tool is passed through the bore; the handle is pivoted in a second direction to place said tool in the open position; and the handle is pulled to cause the cleaning tool to be passed through the bore.
US08607486B2
A card for presenting visual information while being waved. The card is flexible and has a sensor detecting or quantifying the bending of the card. The card has, preferably at an edge thereof, light emitters for presenting the information. A controller determines the position of the edge and forwards information so that a user watching the edge sees an emulated 2D information provider.
US08607481B1
An attachment for a plow blade and the like typically, used for removal of snow or in earth grading and moving. The attachment provides a contoured surface engagement element for the blade edge allowing it to ride over protruding surface obstacles without direct damaging engagement therewith. The attachment is selectively secured along the length of the blade edge by mounting brackets having quick release and mounted threaded frictional engagement elements.
US08607469B2
Provided is cement burning apparatus 1 comprising a dryer 6 for drying high-water-content organic waste of which water content is 40 mass percent or more, in which combustion gas extracted from outlet portions or ceiling, portions of preheater cyclones 3A to 3D of a cement kiln 2 is fed to the dryer 6. As the dryer 6, a grinding-type flash dryer, which directly contacts the combustion gas G with the high-water-content organic waste W while grinding it, can be used. In addition, the apparatus 1 further comprises a coarse powder separator 12 for separating coarse powder from the combustion gas extracted from the range described above, and the combustion gas G from which dust is separated by the coarse powder separator 12 can be fed to the dryer 6, and the dust concentration of the gas fed to the dryer 6 may be adjusted to 0.05kg/Nm3 or more and 0.35kg/Nm3 or less.
US08607465B1
A digital T-bevel has a blade with a slot along a part of its length and a handle having an end that is mounted both to move along the length of the slot and to pivot with respect to the blade longitudinal axis. The handle also includes an encoder to measure the angle of the handle relative to the blade longitudinal axis and the necessary electronic circuitry to convert the measured angle into digital form to drive a display to visually display the numerical value of the measured angle.
US08607459B2
A utensil apparatus for dispensing a quantity of condiment. The condiment dispensing utensil is constructed such that it contains an internal reservoir of a condiment, such as a salad dressing. The condiment dispensing utensil assembly can then be used to dispense a bite-sized portion of the condiment to the food on the utensil as it is consumed. The utensil allows the user to control the amount of condiment that is consumed at a single meal. Said utensil can later be cleaned for reuse or disposed of if constructed for only a single serving use. The utensil also comprises a pump mechanism for controlling the amount of condiment that is dispensed with each bite or scoop of food.
US08607454B2
A method of fabricating a composite-material turbomachine blade having platform incorporated therein includes separately making a blade platform element that includes rigidified fiber reinforcement and that has a shape close to that of a platform of the blade to be fabricated, with at least one opening being formed through the platform element. The opening has the shape of the profile of the airfoil of the blade to be fabricated. Three-dimensional weaving is used to make a flexible fiber blank as a single piece that includes blade airfoil-and-root preform portions. The platform element is engaged, via its opening, on the flexible fiber blank while deforming it so as to assemble the platform element with the fiber blank. The fiber blank is shaped together with the platform element assembled thereon to obtain a blade preform of a shape that is close to the shape of the blade to be fabricated. After shaping, the blade preform is consolidated in its shape in a shaper. Additionally, final densification of the consolidated blade preform is performed in order to obtain a composite-material blade having an incorporated platform.
US08607448B2
A printed circuit board having a micro strip line, a printed circuit board having a strip line and a method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The printed circuit board having a micro strip line in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first insulation layer, a signal line buried in one surface of the first insulation layer, a plurality of conductors penetrating through the first insulation layer and being disposed on both sides of the signal line in parallel with the signal line, and a ground layer formed to be electrically connected to the conductor on the other surface of the first insulation layer.
US08607437B2
An energy harvesting device (EHD) and method including a hollow outer envelope (201) having an inner wall (200) with a first predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the inner wall, at least one inner core (202), free to move in the hollow envelope (200) characterized by a second predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the at least inner core, the inner core being characterized by one or more convex projections of magnetically active material, at least one conducting loop (203) disposed at locations selected from the group consisting of the outer envelope and the at least inner core, so as to be suffused with magnetic flux due to the magnetic field distributions of the at least one inner core and the at least one outer envelope and generating an alternating current due to movement of the inner core within the outer envelope and a rectifying circuit in electrical connection with the at least one conducting loop (203) rectifying the alternating current into a current having a DC component.
US08607425B2
A method of processing media comprises bonding a high molecular weight first lubricant to media; loading and rotating the media in a burnishing device; applying a tape to the rotating media while applying a second lubricant to the tape, such that at least some of the second lubricant is transferred from the tape to the media; and evaporating substantially all of the second lubricant from the polished media within 24 hours. The second lubricant may comprise a low molecular weight, non-functional, free lubricant that does not bond with the media.
US08607424B1
A method and apparatus for a reverse metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The apparatus includes a lower metal layer, a bottom electrode, and an upper metal layer. The lower metal layer is disposed above a substrate layer. The bottom electrode is disposed above the lower metal layer and coupled to the lower metal layer. The upper metal layer is disposed above the bottom electrode. The upper metal layer comprises a top electrode of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor.
US08607423B2
A casket system includes a casket container and a movable platform. The casket container has a bottom, and includes a plurality of rollers supported by said bottom. The movable platform is disposed within the casket container. The movable platform including slots extending through the platform and aligned horizontally with the plurality of rollers, the movable platform having a raised position and a lowered position, wherein at least a portion of a first number of the plurality of rollers extend through the slots and stand proud the movable platform in the lowered position, and a portion of fewer than the first number of the plurality of rulers stand proud the movable platform in the raised position.
US08607418B2
A latching mechanism for use in securing a boat that is afloat, includes a main body having a channel for accepting a line that will hold the boat. A latching member is pivotally secured within the main body and is movable between a position that closes off the channel and movable to a position which opens the channel, the latching member being pivotable about a pivot point on the main body. A spring force holds the latching member in a closed position and a cable attached to the latching member at a location on an opposite side of the pivot point pivots the latching member to an open position.
US08607417B2
A device for termination of synthetic rope, with an eye socket substantially free of sharp edges, a bale at the top of the eye socket with an eye for attachment of connecting links, a groove for receiving synthetic rope. In addition, the device includes a bale with extended sides at the top of the eye socket, a thimble within a synthetic rope eye contained within the extended sides and restrained from translation by pin. A shroud is also provided for protection at the bottom of the eye socket at the synthetic rope splice. The device is intended to aid in the efficient and safe connections to other objects such as other synthetic mooring lines, steel wire rope, and anchor chains.
US08607416B2
A decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a counterbalance torque system having a torque storing assembly. The torque storing assembly includes a torque rod having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end of the torque rod is attached to a linkage system in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, the second axial end of the torque rod is attached to the second axial end of the torque tube in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween, and the first axial end of the torque tube is attached to a hinge box in torque transmitting engagement for transmitting torque therebetween. The torque storing assembly is pre-loaded with a moment to generate a torque for assisting movement of the support member from a closed position into an open position.
US08607397B1
The bucket-mounted concrete tool-cleaning device includes a pair of snap-on cleaner heads that attach onto a cleaner head base. The cleaner head base attaches onto an inner, surface of a 5-gallon bucket and includes a plurality of adjustment slots located on an outer surface of the cleaner head base. The cleaner head base further includes a screw that tightens in order to secure the cleaner base onto the side of the 5-gallon bucket. The adjustment slots are for use in attaching one of the snap-on cleaner heads at varying heights within the 5-gallon bucket in order to adjust for varying water levels within said bucket. The snap-on cleaner heads feature a plurality of bristles that adorn an inner channel, which scrub a tool or float clean of concrete after use. The cleaner head base attaches at an angle to an interior surface of the 5-gallon bucket.
US08607395B2
A device for cleaning carboys, kegs, and similar containers is disclosed. The device includes a pair of cleaning pads pivotally attached to a rod. Each pad has a fabric exterior, a stiffening insert, and the absorbent sponge. The insert and sponge are placed on one side of the fabric exterior. The opposite side of the fabric exterior is folded over the stiffening insert and the sponge and then sewn together.
US08607383B2
A drawstring secured fitted sheet where the corners are fashioned to avoid binding the string. It has a hem that holds the drawstring that is fabricated separately to allow that the edges of the sheet can be curved. The hem is terminated short of closing to allow a gap for the drawstring to exit. A stiffener is added at the gap to hold it open. There can be a block or pulley added to aid in tightening.
US08607382B1
Apparatus and method for holding a pillow on an upwardly extending end of a mattress having a single sheet of material having a upper end and a lower end along with a first side and a second side having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower end is folded back upon itself to form an enclosure so that the upper surfaces of the folded section are adjacent to each other having a pillow disposed in the enclosure. The upper end is wrapped around the upwardly extended end of the mattress, using straps to hold the upper end in place.
US08607378B2
A caregiver assist device for use with a patient support apparatus is disclosed. The caregiver assist device including a support structure, a boom, a helper belt, and a constant force spring assembly. The boom extends from the support structure over the patient support apparatus. The helper belt is supported along the boom and has a first end and a second end. The constant force spring assembly includes a constant force spring coupled between the support structure and the first end of the helper belt so that a constant counterbalancing force is applied to the helper belt in response to a patient force being applied to the second end of the helper belt.
US08607373B2
A pool fluid control system utilizes a fluid collection tank having an intake enclosure extending therefrom. The intake enclosure has an open grate which is configured to be positioned flush with the pool wall. Water which accumulates between the pool wall and the liner flows through the grate, into the intake enclosure, and then into the collection tank. A sump pump or other submersible pump within the collection tank then discharges the water out of the collection tank for disposal at a location away from the pool. This constant monitoring and then automatic removal of unwanted water from the space between the liner and the pool wall serves to maintain the integrity of the liner in relation to the wall.
US08607372B2
A self-contained swimming pool for containment of water and generation of water currents therein for exercise, therapy and/or rehabilitation of a user comprising a rigid frame exteriorly located in relation to an inner water containment area. A set of water return channels in communication with the inner water containment area. A propulsion system in communication with the set of water return channels and the inner water containment area. A hydraulic system for driving the propulsion system using a hydraulic fluid to produce a current in the inner water containment area allowing positioning of a user in the current for exercise, therapy and or rehabilitation therein and wherein the hydraulic system is self-contained and mounted external of the rigid frame.
US08607369B1
The therapeutic footrest for use while on the toilet is used to stimulate the evacuation reflex and to elevate the user in a position so he can squat while on a Western-style toilet. The footrest has two foot members for the user use to massage his feet and that the user can stand on while he is squatting over the toilet. The foot members are placed at opposing ends of two horizontal support bars. While the user is sitting on the toilet, he can move his feet back and forth over massage bumps on the foot members, while the foot members pivot on the footrest. When he is ready to squat, the foot members can be locked into place with locking clips so that the user can squat over the toilet.
US08613101B2
Software update distribution techniques are disclosed. Authentication information is received, from a content source authenticator, by an update agent included in a client device. The authentication information comprises a list of a plurality of content sources, wherein the plurality of content sources have been verified by the content source authenticator as being authentic content sources for legitimate software applications. The update agent selects a first content source of the plurality of content sources, where the first content source is configured to provide updates for a first software application. The update agent checks the first content source for updates for the first software application.
US08613092B2
A prioritized update system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a priority is assigned to a plurality of instances of known unwanted data. In addition, information associated with at least one of the instances of known unwanted data is communicated over a network for updating a system, based on the priority. In one embodiment, the prioritized update system may be provided for updating a security system definition database, based on prioritized instances of known unwanted data.
US08613085B2
Aspects of a method and system for traffic management via virtual machine migration include detecting an abnormal traffic pattern in traffic communicated by a first virtual machine that utilizes a first set of network resources. Responsive to the detection of the abnormal pattern, a second virtual machine that utilizes a second set of network resources may be initialized. The second virtual machine may take over functions performed by the first virtual machine and initialization of the second virtual machine is based on an analysis of the traffic. The second virtual machine may be initialized utilizing stored virtual machine state information in instances that the abnormal traffic is a result of a malicious attack. The second virtual machine may be initialized utilizing current virtual machine state information in instances that the abnormal traffic is not a result of a malicious attack.
US08613080B2
Security analysis and vulnerability testing results are “packaged” or “bound to” the actual software it describes. By linking the results to the software itself, downstream users of the software can access information about the software, make informed decisions about implementation of the software, and analyze the security risk across an entire system by accessing all (or most) of the reports associated with the executables running on the system and summarizing the risks identified in the reports.
US08613077B2
A system grants “provisional privileges” to a user request for the purpose of provisionally performing a requested transaction. If the provisionally-performed transaction does not put the system in a degraded state, the transaction is authorized despite the user request having inadequate privileges originally.
US08613070B1
Aspects described herein allow multiple devices to function as a coherent whole, allowing each device to take on distinct functions that are complementary to one another. Aspects described herein also allow the devices function as a coherent whole when interconnected devices and their respective applications are configured to operate in various operation modes, when management policies are employed to control the operation of the interconnected devices and their respective applications, when transferring content between the interconnected devices and storing the content at those devices, when obtaining access credentials for the interconnected devices that enable the devices to access enterprise resources, when a policy agent applies management policies to control operation of and interaction between the interconnected devices, and when the interconnected devices are used to access an enterprise application store.
US08613061B2
Example methods and apparatus to implement electronic book viewers are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves presenting content on a display panel removably attachable to a binding element. The binding element is configured to receive one or more other display panels in a removably attached configuration to form an electronic book. The example method also involves enforcing a content protection policy associated with the content presented on the display panel based on an attachment status of the display panel. The attachment status is associated with the removable attachability of the display panel relative to the binding element.
US08613051B2
A method of providing an online verifiable consent from a parent to a minor to permit usage of an online education system and that prevents misrepresentation and unauthorized access is provided. The method comprises establishing a relationship between an adult parent and a minor and based on the relationship verifying whether the adult parent permits the minor access to the online education system. If the adult parent permits the minor access, the method then grants access to the minor to the online education system.
US08613036B2
A method of obtaining, preparing and visually displaying additional information on a continuous reproduction of electronic media, picture reproduction, or sound reproduction on an ongoing television program, comprises first analyzing program information from the ongoing program or of highlighted additional data to the ongoing program. Then additional information obtained from databases, from a public data network or from other sources of information subject to the program information is made available and optically prepared. This the prepared and obtained data for the additional information is then linked with manually or automatically related metadata. Finally, search criteria are linked with metadata related to individual search criteria, terms, partial entries in search criteria, or a combination thereof.
US08613030B2
A wireless video camera system including a single or dual HDTV digital camera; a system for the wireless transmission of uncompressed single or multiple SMPTE 292M, HDSDI data streams over an RF band; and automatic self-pointing transmitting and receiving antennas.
US08613025B2
One of a plurality of video channels is selected for viewing. A specific one of a plurality of video channels is bookmarked. An object representing said bookmarked channel is displayed. A displayed object is selected to select the bookmarked channel.
US08613011B2
A services gateway includes a processor configured to send a request for a video-on-demand content, receive a first content stream from a video-on-demand content server, and process the first content stream to retrieve the video-on-demand content. The first content stream includes the video-on-demand content and is protected with a first digital rights management scheme. The processor is further configured to encode the video-on-demand content in a second content stream, and provide the second content stream over a local area network to a playback device. The second content stream is protected with a second digital rights management scheme. In an embodiment, the processor can be further configured to store the video-on-demand content in a mass storage.
US08613009B2
According to one example embodiment a storage medium having computer instructions which, responsive to being executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations can include analyzing data from data sources of an internet-protocol television network where the data provided by the data sources includes set-top-box data having voice over internet protocol usage for a plurality of subscribers of the internet protocol television network in a geographic area and correlating video provisioning information obtained from the data sources, individual subscriber channel viewing information, internet-usage data, subscriber data and demographic data to produce correlated information. The operations can include generating one or more reports associated with the plurality of subscribers in the geographic area based on the correlated information. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08612995B1
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for monitoring code injection in a computer is described. In some examples, at least one application programming interface (API) call configured to inject data into a process executing on the computer is intercepted. The data is parsed to identify instruction code to be performed by the process. The instruction code is compared with instances of predetermined instruction code to produce a score for the instruction code. The data is prevented from being injected into the process in response to the score satisfying a threshold score. The data may be allowed to be injected into the process in response to the score not satisfying the threshold score.
US08612993B2
Computing devices, computer-readable media, and methods are provided for generating and persisting a user identity associated with a client in a client-server network. A request for an identity script, the identity script comprising computer-executable instructions for creating one or more cookies, is sent from a client to a server. A dynamically generated identity script is returned to the client. User identities are persisted by utilizing cache validation to determine whether a new identity script should be generated.
US08612991B2
A method for dynamically recalculating a critical path in a job scheduling system is disclosed. In selected embodiments, the method may include determining when a first job associated with a critical path is substantially complete. The method may further include identifying a successor job of the first job and identifying multiple predecessor jobs of the successor job. The method may then determine whether there is at least one predecessor job that has not completed. In the event there is at least one predecessor job that has not completed, the method may recalculate the critical path. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product for implementing the above-stated method are also disclosed.
US08612983B2
Apparatus and method for scheduling event streams. The apparatus includes (i) an interface for receiving event streams which are placed in queues and (ii) a scheduler which selects at least one event stream for dispatch depending on sketched content information data of the received event streams. The scheduler includes a sketching engine for sketching the received event streams to determine content information data and a selection engine for selecting at least one received event stream for dispatch depending on the determined content information data of the received event streams. The method includes the steps of (i) determining content information data about the content of event streams and (ii) selecting at least one event stream from the event streams for dispatch depending on the content information data. A computer program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of the above method.
US08612981B2
A method for distributing a task to plural processors is provided. A distribution rule of distributing plural tasks to sub processors or the main processor, respectively, is previously written in a program code of an application configured to include plural tasks. At the time of executing the application, the main processor reads out the distribution rule, and distributes plural tasks to the sub processors or the main processor, respectively, in accordance with the distribution rule.
US08612978B2
A program is executed utilizing a main hardware thread. During execution, an instruction specifies to execute a portion utilizing a worker hardware thread. If a processor state indicator is set to multi-threaded, the specified portion is executed utilizing the worker hardware thread. However, if the processor state indicator is set to single-threaded, the specified portion is executed utilizing the main hardware thread as a subroutine. The main hardware thread may pass parameter data to the worker hardware thread by copying the parameter data register or memory location for the main hardware thread to an equivalent parameter data register or memory location for the worker hardware thread. Similarly, the worker hardware thread may pass return values to the main hardware thread by copying a return value register or memory location for the worker hardware thread to an equivalent return value register or memory location for the main hardware thread.
US08612976B2
Various embodiments disclose a method and system for creating a virtual part used for composing a virtual solution. In one embodiment, a user's selection of at least one virtual image is received. A set of configurability points is associated with the virtual image. A set of parameters of a virtual part is set as configurable during virtual solution composition. A set of virtual ports is generated. Each virtual port within the set of virtual ports indicates at least one of a set of virtual parts required by a virtual part including the set of virtual ports and a set of virtual parts that is compatible with the virtual part. A set of configuration operations is received. A virtual part including at least the virtual image, the set of configurability points, the set of virtual ports, and the configuration operations is generated.
US08612970B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an architecture for securely and efficiently executing byte code generated from a general programming language. In particular, a computer system is divided into a hierarchy comprising multiple types of virtual machines. A thin layer of software, known as a virtual machine monitor, virtualizes the hardware of the computer system and emulates the hardware of the computer system to form a first type of virtual machine. This first type of virtual machine implements a virtual operating domain that allows running its own operating system. Within a virtual operating domain, a byte code interpreter may further implement a second type of virtual machine that executes byte code generated from a program written in a general purpose programming language. The byte code interpreter is incorporated into the operating system running in the virtual operating domain. In addition, an operating system running in a virtual operating domain may be configured as a special purpose operating system that is optimized for the functions of a particular byte code interpreter.
US08612969B2
An electronic apparatus is provided that can include a first downloader downloading a replacement control program from an external host computer by way of a first communicator under the control of a first communication program, in a case where a first inspector judges a control program is not normal and a second inspector judges the first communication program is normal. The apparatus can also include a second downloader downloading a replacement first communication program from an external maintenance computer by way of a second communicator under the control of a second communication program, in a case where a second inspector judges the first communication program is not normal, so that a first communication program stored in a rewritable flash ROM is rewritten with the replacement first communication program downloaded by the second downloader.
US08612963B2
Techniques are disclosed for deploying an application. In one embodiment, a packaging tool determines that an error exists in a packaged application. The packaging tool may guide a user in fixing the error by updating the packaging tool and repackaging the application using the updated packaging tool. The packaging tool may guide the user via one or more notifications output for display to the user.
US08612951B2
A method of determining which computer program functions are changed by a source code modification to a computer program's source code. The method includes compiling the computer program's source code, using a compiler that generates a relocation entry for each program access to a program function or a program data item. The method further includes compiling source code resulting from modifying the computer program's source code with the source code modification, using a compiler that generates a relocation entry for each program access to a program function or a program data item The method further includes constructing a list of object code differences by comparing the compiled source code, and excluding from the list specified object code differences.
US08612949B2
Methods and apparatuses for compiler-created helper thread for multi-threading are described herein. In one embodiment, exemplary process includes identifying a region of a main thread that likely has one or more delinquent loads, the one or more delinquent loads representing loads which likely suffer cache misses during an execution of the main thread, analyzing the region for one or more helper threads with respect to the main thread, and generating code for the one or more helper threads, the one or more helper threads being speculatively executed in parallel with the main thread to perform one or more tasks for the region of the main thread. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08612942B2
First tag addresses and data are stored in association with first index addresses in a memory cell unit provided in a cache memory. The first tag addresses and the first index addresses are configured based on address information respectively. Designation address information is provided to designate an address to read one of the stored data. The designation address information is converted to a second index address and second tag address by an address converter, in order to read the one of the stored data according to the designation address information. The memory cell unit is accessed according to the obtained second index address. When one of the first tag addresses matches the second tag address, the one of the data corresponding to the one of the first tag addresses is read. The designation address information and the one of the data are displayed in a cache memory display unit.
US08612938B2
The tool, MC/DC-Automatic Tool Generator automatically generates test data to satisfy Modified Condition Decision Coverage (MCDC) from input code/model. This tool reduces the effort required to generate MCDC test data significantly. In order to reduce the time required by model checkers, abstraction and optimization methodologies have been implemented to analyze typical reactive software model/code.
US08612935B2
This invention enables a target variable name to be confirmed without inputting all the character string even when a method of giving a name such as allocating a number to the end of the name is performed from the necessity to allocate a variable name having the same meaning to a plurality of different addresses. If narrowed down variable name exists in plurals and one or two or more continuous next character strings match each other among the variable names, the series of character strings without any choice are automatically adopted and confirmed as the character string of the target variable name without waiting for the input of an operator.
US08612931B2
An interactive design of process model for packaged application software installation and configuration generates a process model from a natural language description of software installation or configuration related operation. A data structure representing one or more work products related to the process model is identified, and one or more elements of the data structure are identified that are related to one or more sub-processes of the process model. Input information associated with said one or more sub-processes is captured and stored. The input information is linked with the one or more elements of the data structure related to said one or more sub-processes. The one or more sub-processes in the process model may be also demonstrated through a simulation.
US08612927B2
A bulk service interface can be instantiated for each of at least one service provider providing a plurality of business objects using a stored definition of a plurality of metadata properties relating to generation of a user interface that incorporates content of a plurality of business objects. The bulk service interface can query the stored definition and access, in a bulk metadata access process, dynamic metadata required for instantiation of the plurality of business objects. If the stored definition has not previously been received, a default bulk services access process that queries an existing dynamic metadata access interface of each of the plurality of business objects can be initiated to retrieve the dynamic metadata from each of the plurality of business objects. An instance of the user interface can be generated using dynamic metadata accessed by the bulk service interface and/or the retrieved by the default bulk services access process.
US08612908B2
A method for finding the process, voltage, temperature, parasitics, and power settings (PVTPP) corner at which an electrical circuit design has the worst-case optimum simulated output performance. The method uses a global optimization process in a series of iterations that aim to uncover the PVTPP corner at which the ECD has the worst-case output value. By using the present method, a designer does not have to simulate the ECD at each and every PVTPP corner, which can same considerable time or compute effort. Examples using Model-Building Optimization are provided.
US08612907B2
A method includes a) receiving a design for a static random access memory (SRAM) array including an SRAM cell having a read port cell, the read port cell including first and second MOS transistors each having an initial threshold voltage (Vth); b) adjusting one of a gate channel width (Wg) or a gate channel length (Lg) of one of the first and second MOS transistors to modify the Vth of at least one of the first and second MOS transistors; c) simulating a response of the SRAM array, the simulation providing response data for the SRAM array including the Vth for the first and second MOS transistors; and d) iteratively repeating steps b) and c) until a desired Vth is achieved.
US08612900B2
Methods, computer program products and apparatuses for optimizing design rules for producing a mask are disclosed, while keeping the optical conditions (including but not limited to illumination shape, projection optics numerical aperture (NA) etc.) fixed. A cross-correlation function is created by multiplying the diffraction order functions of the mask patterns with the eigenfunctions from singular value decomposition (SVD) of a TCC matrix. The diffraction order functions are calculated for the original design rule set, i.e., using the unperturbed condition. ILS is calculated at an edge of a calculated image of a critical polygon using the cross-correlation results and using translation properties of a Fourier transform. The use of the calculated cross-correlation of the mask and the optical system, and the translation property of the Fourier transform for perturbing the design reduces the computation time needed for determining required changes in the design rules. Once an optimum separation is calculated, it is incorporated into the design rule to optimize the mask layout for improved ILS throughout the mask, including critical and non-critical portions of the mask.
US08612898B1
A method includes receiving a device layout file in a computing apparatus defining a plurality of device structures in a semiconductor device. A foundry truth table designating valid device structures for a fabrication process is received in the computing apparatus. Device structures in the device layout file are designated as supported device structures by comparing the device structures in the device layout file to the valid device structures in the foundry truth table using the computing apparatus. Device structures in the device layout file that do not correspond to valid device structures for the fabrication process are designated as unsupported devices using the computing apparatus. A list of the unsupported device structures is generated using the computing apparatus.
US08612891B2
The present invention provides a method and system for receiving a user privacy preference that indicates an amount of activity information that the user is willing to share in response to a reward, a value of the reward related to a degree of the user privacy preference. The method and system includes setting a privacy setting for the user based on the received user privacy preference. The method and system further includes tracking web browsing activity of the user during one or more web-browsing sessions based on the privacy setting to generate user activity information. The method and system further includes sending the user activity information and providing a reward to the user based on the user activity information sent.
US08612889B2
A web application makes a registration request of a web top button to a web browser. The web application designates the title to be displayed on the button, the access URL to the web application, and the position of the icon which the web application has. The web browser makes the button registration request to a window manager in response to the button registration request. The title to be displayed on the button and the position of the icon which the web application has are designated. The window manager registers the button in response to the request and displays the button together with the icon.
US08612886B2
A change monitor as part of an online editor of a sequential function chart (SFC) programming environment monitors edits to a control routine. The change monitor provides warning to users before taking actions that would result in a reset of the control routine currently being executed by an industrial controller. The change manager reduces or eliminates many situations that would otherwise result in a reset as well by instructing online editor as to what language elements need to be assembled to implement the change. The change monitor also filters the manner in which reset warnings are given to reduce unnecessary distractions.
US08612883B2
User interfaces for multiple display regions are described. One embodiment provides an array of non-overlapping windows that are created from a set of overlapping windows, and a user can select one of the non-overlapping windows to obtain an enlarged view of that selected window while keeping the other windows in their non-overlapping state. In one embodiment, the array of non-overlapping windows can include minimized windows or windows in other virtual desktops (e.g. windows in other “Spaces”) or both. In one embodiment, only windows of a selected application are shown in non-overlapping mode while opened windows of other applications are not shown.
US08612876B2
A computer-implemented method and system for generating and displaying a calendar containing user-selected events from user-selected categories. A plurality of categories of events are provided. The user can select which categories are of interest, and then select individual events within those categories. Events are overlaid on a calendar unique to the user. Calendars may also be shared among a number of selected users, if desired. Online purchasing and related actions can be associated with each event.
US08612874B2
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for presenting an application change through a tile. These techniques enable a user to see content associated with content changes to an application or other information about the application, such as a new article, new email, or a software update having become available since a user last visited the application. By so doing, the techniques enable a user to forgo visiting the application or permit the user to quickly and easily decide whether or not to visit the application.
US08612872B2
A method for providing an animated transition effect between a first display state associated with a first control state of a control element rendered on a graphical user interface of a computer system, and a second display state associated with a second control state of said control element is provided. The method renders the control element in said first state and then receives at the graphic user interface, a user input event to invoke the second control state of the control element. The method evaluates a graph associated with the control element, the graph having entries each corresponding to a state of the control element, each entry comprising an event, an associated transition and a destination state, to identify a graph entry specifying a transition invoked by the input event from a current displayed first state to the destination state, being the second control state. An entry is identified corresponding to the second control state as the current state of the control element and a description of an animation associated with the specified transition is retrieved. The animation is then rendered.
US08612866B2
An information processing apparatus for recommending content includes a recommending unit configured to perform a content recommendation process in which a content item is determined on the basis of each of a plurality of strategies, each planned on the basis of a relationship with short term interests, a long term preference, and knowledge of a user.
US08612864B2
First acquired data that represents past values of one or more parameters is displayed in a user interface through which a user can monitor, control and predict system operations. Second acquired data that represents present values of the one or more parameters is displayed in the user interface. Virtual data that represents predicted future values of the one or more parameters is displayed in the user interface, wherein the first acquired data, the second acquired data and the virtual data are presented with a unified visual appearance such that a relationship between the past values, present values and predicted future values is visually indicated.
US08612859B2
Multi-media project editing methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a project editing system comprises a multi-media editing application that is configured to enable a user to combine multiple different video clips into a video project. A bitmap processor coupled with the multi-media editing application receives a first bitmap that can be used to render a transition between video clips and automatically processes the first bitmap to provide a different transition between video clips. Processing of the first bitmap can include, without limitation, using the first bitmap to provide an entirely new and different second bitmap, or processing the first bitmap in a manner which renders a transition that is different from the transition defined by the first bitmap. In one embodiment, a user is able to enter one or more parameters, through a user interface (UI), with the parameters then being used to manipulate the first bitmap to provide the different transition. Processing of the first bitmap can include many different operations, among which can be included one or more of: stretching, shrinking, replication, and offsetting. In addition, the first bitmap can be processed to include, in the transition it defines, a border that is not otherwise defined by the first bitmap.
US08612858B2
Some embodiments provide a computer readable medium storing a media editing application for creating multimedia presentations. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI includes a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of a composite presentation. Each graphical representation of a particular media clip is assigned to a particular row in the composite display area, where each row corresponds to a particular track in the composite presentation. Some embodiments of the GUI include a compression tool for assigning the graphical representations to new rows so as to reduce blank space in the composite display area, where the assignment of the graphical representations to new rows eliminates the correspondence between the rows and the tracks. Some embodiments include a collapsing tool for reducing a size of graphical representations in the composite display area.
US08612855B2
A method of notifying a person using a computer includes providing a computer system including at least one sensory cueing component. The method includes defining a subliminal and a supraliminal range of at least one human sense. A cue may be defined and includes a variable attribute, and the cue is directed to the at least one human sense. An alert level may be associated with the message and the alert level may be classified as being in the subliminal or supraliminal range. The method may include a presentation methodology of the cue and the message. The cue may be initiated and presented in either the subliminal range or the supraliminal range and directed to the at least one human sense in the user's sensory environment. The user acknowledges the cue and the message in either the subliminal or supraliminal range, before the cue is removed from the user's sensory environment.
US08612850B2
An information browsing method includes: partitioning contents of a page into a plurality of first data partitions by analyzing the contents of the page; assigning a plurality of first identifiers to the first data partitions, respectively; driving a display screen according to at least the first data partitions; and when receiving a partition selection input, determining a selected first data partition according to a first identifier corresponding to the partition selection input, wherein the selected first data partition is assigned with the first identifier.
US08612848B2
A display method and an apparatus to display a plurality of images on a screen, and an image forming apparatus to performs the N-up display method, wherein the image display method includes: classifying the images according to the similarities in their shapes on the basis of horizontal length information and vertical length information of the images; and displaying the images on the display screen such that images having similar shapes are positioned adjacent to each other. Therefore, by positioning images having similar, or corresponding, shapes at adjacent positions when images to be printed are displayed on a display unit, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) included in the image forming apparatus, a reduction of blank spaces between displayed images and an increase of the number of images that can be displayed on a screen are promoted.
US08612842B2
An apparatus generates a checksum for a payload having a number of payload symbols. The apparatus includes a coder for coding the payload. The coder is configured to combine a current payload symbol and a previous coding symbol or an initialization symbol to obtain a combined symbol, and map the combined symbol using a mapping rule to obtain a current coding symbol. The mapping rule is based on a power of two or more of a companion matrix of a characteristic polynomial of a linear feedback shift register. The apparatus is configured such that the checksum corresponds to the current coding symbol, when the number of payload symbols is processed by the coder, the number being one or greater than one.
US08612839B2
A data protection method is provided that includes determining a compressibility score of one or more lines of data stored in a memory. The memory includes a first area characterized by a first reliability level and a second area characterized by a second reliability level. Lines of data with a first compressibility score are migrated to the first area of the memory. Lines of data with a second compressibility score are migrated to the second area of the memory.
US08612838B2
An encoder and decoder using LDPC-CC (Low Density Parity Check-Convolutional Codes). An encoding rate setting unit sets an encoding rate (s−1)/s (s=z), and an information creating unit sets information including from information Xs,i to information Xz−1,i to zero. A first information computing unit receives information X1,i at time point i to compute the X1(D) term of a formula. A second information computing unit receives information X2,i at time point i to compute the X2(D) term of the formula. A third information computing unit receives information X3,i at time point i to compute the X3(D) term of the formula. A parity computing unit receives parity Pi−1 at time point i−1 to compute the P(D) of the formula. The exclusive OR of the results of the computation is obtained as parity Pi at time i.
US08612834B2
Described herein are an apparatus, system, and method for encoder assisted decoding of linear systematic block codes. The apparatus comprises a first logic unit to receive a codeword from a memory, the codeword having a data portion and a corresponding parity portion; an encoder to encode the data portion of the received codeword and to generate a corresponding parity of the data portion of the received codeword; a second logic unit to generate a first parity portion from the corresponding parity portion of the codeword received by the first logic unit and the corresponding parity portion generated by the encoder; and a correction unit to correct the data portion of the codeword via the generated first parity portion.
US08612825B2
A method of data classification for use in a wireless communication system includes obtaining decoder metrics from a decoder. The decoder metrics correspond to data generated by the decoder. The decoder metrics include a symbol error rate (SER) and an energy metric (EM). The method also includes classifying the data into a first category if the data fails a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) check, into a second category if the data passes the CRC check and is determined to be unreliable, or into a third category if the data passes the CRC check and is determined to be reliable. A reliability of the data is determined based on the decoder metrics and an EM threshold.
US08612816B2
Problem: A packet error rate in a receiver needs to be effectively reduced.Solution to Problem: A transmitter 11 inserts error detection codes into information packets on one-to-one basis, at a certain layer at which signal processing is performed earlier than at a physical layer, to obtain first information packets. The transmitter 11 codes the first information packets at the physical layer to obtain second information packets, and transmits the second information packets. At the certain layer, the transmitter 11 generates parity packets by coding the information packets and inserts the error detection codes into the parity packets on one-to-one basis to obtain first parity packets. The transmitter codes the first parity packets at the physical layer to obtain second parity packets. The transmitter 11 transmits the second parity packets in accordance with a transmission request from each of one or more receivers.
US08612814B1
Integrated circuits with error detection circuitry are provided. Integrated circuits may include memory cells organized into frames. The error detection circuitry may compress each frame to scan for soft errors. The error detection circuitry may include multiple input shift registers (MISRs), a data register, and a signature comparator. The data frames may be read, compressed, and shifted into the MISRs in parallel. After all the data frames have been read, the MISRs may provide a scanned MISR signature at their outputs. Computer-aided design (CAD) tools may be used to calculate a precomputed MISR signature. The precomputed MISR signature may be loaded into the data register. The signature comparator compares the scanned MISR signature with the precomputed MISR signature. If the signatures match, then the device is free of soft errors. If the signatures do not match, then at least one soft error exists.
US08612807B2
An entertainment kiosk error handling and troubleshooting method which facilitates correct of errors from a remote computer. An example method includes operating a camera for capturing images within the entertainment kiosk by a processor within the entertainment kiosk, detecting an error by the processor, associating recently captured images with the error, and sending an alert to a remote computer by the processor.
US08612785B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for optimizing energy consumption utilized for workload processing in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, when a workload is received, an energy profile (e.g., contained in a computerized data structure) associated with the workload is identified. Typically, the energy profile identifies a set of computing resources needed to process the workload (e.g., storage requirements, server requirements, processing requirements, network bandwidth requirements, etc.), energy consumption attributes of the set of computing resources, and a proposed duration of the workload. Based on the information contained in the energy profile (and resource availability) a schedule (e.g., time, location, etc.) for processing the workload will be determined so as to optimize energy consumption associated with the processing of the workload. In a typical embodiment, the schedule will be determined such that a total cost for processing the workload can be minimized and/or to any budgeted amount/costs can be met.
US08612784B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a main controller which controls a processing of an image; a power supply which supplies power to the main controller; a switching unit which selectively allows the power to be supplied from the power supply to the main controller; and a sub controller which determines whether a first power-off event occurs, and controls the switching unit to cut off the power supplied to the main controller if the sub controller determines that the first power-off event occurs, wherein the main controller determines whether a second power-off event different from the first power-off event occurs, and the switching unit cuts off the power supplied to the main controller if the second power-off event occurs.
US08612780B2
An embodiment may include network controller circuitry that may be comprised, at least in part, in a host computer. The circuitry may determine, at least in part, based at least in part upon at least one comparison, whether at least one power management action is to be initiated. The at least one comparison may compare, at least in part, at least one pattern with at least one portion of at least one packet received, at least in part, by the host computer. The at least one power management action may include the modification, at least in part, of at least one power management configuration of the host computer. The modification may accommodate, at least in part, at least one packet processing latency policy associated, at least in part, with the at least one pattern. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US08612778B2
An apparatus and method for controlling a terminal having two modules connected to a network at power feeding in dual modes. A first power supply feeds main electric power via a main current limiting unit to a first controller and a second controller. The first controller controls a first wireless communication unit using the main electric power and changes a connection state with a first network by checking a connection state of a sub-electric power and determining whether connection with a second network is accessible in accordance with a request for the connection with the second network. A second controller controls a second wireless communication unit for connection to the second network using the main electric power.
US08612774B2
A set-top-box has on-chip OTP memory emulated using an external flash memory and a series of on-chip fuses. The external memory is comprised of one or more regions, each having its own unique region identification. Each on-chip fuse corresponds to one of the memory regions and comprises a component which can be caused to change to a particular (blown) state irreversibly. When data first needs to be written to a region of the external memory, the identification of that region is appended to the data itself together with a parity field and a validity field. The resultant data packet is then encrypted by a cryptographic circuit using a secret key unique to the set-top-box and the encrypted data packet is written to the specified region of the external memory. Then, the on-chip fuse corresponding to the region that has been written to is irreversibly blown, effectively locking that region.
US08612773B2
A network based installation management system that dynamically manages secure software installation on a client. The server is configured to determine the software required and prepare an appropriated response containing the list of software and an information file containing the respective attributes of the list of software. The server encoded this response and the encoded response is transmitted to the client. The client on receiving the response is configured to authenticate the response and install the encoded response after authentication. Highly accurate and reliable software installation using the network based installation management system may be achieved using a respective hardware element on the client and the server, which is configured to encode and decode a request and/or response suitably thereby providing a high level of security and trust in an un-trusted network environment.
US08612767B2
The present disclosure presents techniques for determining when to obscure an accelerometer signal from an accelerometer of a mobile device. The techniques include determining whether a user has been prompted to provide sensitive input data to the mobile device using an input device of the mobile device. When the user has been prompted to provide sensitive input data, the technique includes obscuring a portion of an accelerometer signal outputted from an accelerometer, and receiving the sensitive input data from the user at the input device while the accelerometer signal is obscured. In some embodiments, the accelerometer signal can be obscured by (i) switching the accelerometer 216 off, (ii) inserting a random noise signal into the accelerometer signal, (iii) masking the low-order bits of the accelerometer signal, (iv) passing the accelerometer signal through a filter, (v) actuating a vibrator of the mobile device, and/or (vi) otherwise degrading the accelerometer signal.
US08612765B2
This invention relates to security for data objects; more particularly, the present invention relates to improved security based on subliminal and supraliminal channels for data objects. In another embodiment, a method of protecting a data object comprises: steganographically encoding a subset of candidate bits in a digitized sample stream; perceptibly manipulating data in the digitized sample stream; and combining the imperceptible and perceptible data changes to create a secure/unique digital sample stream. In yet another embodiment, a method for securing a data signal comprises: preanalyzing said data signal for candidate watermark/signature bits; steganographically encoding independent data into the data signal into a subset of the candidate watermark bits, at least one time; and encoding the data signal subsequently with a perceptible technique.
US08612763B1
Methods, processes, systems and devices for allowing a computer user to sign and execute a document over the interne using a pointer device such as a mouse to generate a digital signature by an cursive signature (handwritten). The invention allows for vector points in the digital signature to be encoded/encrypted, stored and later be retrieved so that it can be verified where it came from, and what specific document it was on. If necessary, the invention allows for a newly executed signature to be forensically verified against a signature sample.
US08612758B2
A method for secure identification of stations connected over data communications networks during a transaction, comprising transmitting, on the part of a first station to a second station, an identification index of a reference cell in a sequence of codes known to both stations and a first code in the sequence and chosen according to a first criterion known to both stations; identifying, by the second station, a cell in the sequence through the received index; verifying the first code by the second station; transmitting, by the second station toward the first station, a second code, in the series of codes calculated according to a second criterion known to both stations; verifying by the first station, the correctness of the second code; marking, by the first station and preferably also by the second station, the indices related to the codes that have been used as unusable for subsequent transactions.
US08612757B2
An apparatus and method for securely providing identification information generates one or more obscured identifiers for a recipient, such as one or more identifiers that are generated based on data unique to a recipient or other information as may be appropriate. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus generates a translucent identification member, such as a plastic card, sheet, film or other suitable member that has a translucent area that includes one or more obscured identifiers. When the translucent identification member is overlayed on a screen displaying a visual filtering pattern, one of one or more obscured identifiers is visually revealed for use during the particular transaction. The revealed identifier is entered into a recipient device and sent to an authenticator to be verified as an appropriate identifier for the transaction.
US08612756B1
Certain embodiments of this disclosure include methods and devices for adjusting the precision of location information. According to one embodiment, a method is provided. The method may include: obtaining a request for location information from an application; determining that the location information needs to be adjusted; obtaining the location information; adjusting the location information, wherein the adjusting includes: (i) adding noise to the location information to obtain noisy location information, (ii) discretizing the noisy location information to obtain discretized location information, and (iii) hysteresizing the discretized location information to obtain adjusted location information. The adjusted location information may then be provided to the requesting application.
US08612751B1
In one embodiment, a method for securely transferring entitled data from one or more devices in a customer's network to a vendor's network via a public network is described. The data is obtained from a collection module communicatively coupled to the devices. The obtained data is transformed into a format that is recognized by a backend server present in the vendor's network. The transformed data is then assorted by associating the transformed data with corresponding one or more devices. Finally, the assorted data is then encrypted and sent to the backend server securely via the public network along with entitlement attributes corresponding to the one or more devices.
US08612748B2
A computerized data protection method prevents data of an electronic device from being compromised through e-mail. A digital certificate is installed in the electronic device, and one or more safe e-mail addresses are configured and stored in the digital certificate. Predetermined data stored in the electronic device are correlated with the one or more safe e-mail addresses. When the predetermined data need to be sent to a target e-mail address, whether the target e-mail address matches with one of the safe e-mail addresses is verified. If the target e-mail address matches with one of the safe e-mail addresses, the predetermined data is sent to the target e-mail address.
US08612747B2
Establishing trust according to historical usage of selected hardware involves providing a usage history for a selected client device; and extending trust to a selected user based on the user's usage history of the client device. The usage history is embodied as signed statements issued by a third party or an authentication server. The issued statement is stored either on the client device, or on an authentication server. The usage history is updated every time a user is authenticated from the selected client device. By combining the usage history with conventional user authentication, an enhanced trust level is readily established. The enhanced, hardware-based trust provided by logging on from a trusted client may eliminate the necessity of requiring secondary authentication for e-commerce and financial services transactions, and may also be used to facilitate password recovery and conflict resolution in the case of stolen passwords.
US08612746B1
A system receives an Extensible Markup Language (XML) feed, where the XML feed includes a reference to secure content. The system downloads secure content from a remote location based on the reference included in the XML feed.
US08612737B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein relate to a method and system for providing data in response to a request. An exemplary method comprises receiving a request for data and determining whether the request contains a specific pattern of data intended to enable a patching process. The exemplary method further comprises providing a response containing patched data if the request contains the specific pattern of data and providing a response containing un-patched data if the request does not contain the specific pattern of data.
US08612736B2
A control apparatus includes a power supply unit, a power on unit, a control chip, a baseboard management controller (BMC) chip, and a south bridge. The power on unit sends a first power on signal to the control chip. The control chip receives the first power on signal and sends a triggering signal to the BMC chip. The south bridge is connected to the control chip and the BMC chip. The south bridge is driven to control the power supply unit to power on the computer by the control chip or the BMC chip according to states of the BMC chip after a predetermined time. If the BMC chip is in a start mode, the control chip drives the south bridge; if the BMC chip is in a working mode, the BMC chip receives the triggering signal and drives the south bridge.
US08612735B2
A system may include a device that is in a first location that is not readily accessible. The device may detect a powering up of the device a particular quantity of times during a particular time interval. Powering up of the device may be controlled from a second location that is readily accessible. The device may also be reset, in response to detecting the device being powered up the particular quantity of times during the particular time interval, to original factory settings.
US08612732B2
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for translating application programs written using a parallel programming model for execution on multi-core graphics processing unit (GPU) for execution by general purpose central processing unit (CPU). Portions of the application program that rely on specific features of the multi-core GPU are converted by a translator for execution by a general purpose CPU. The application program is partitioned into regions of synchronization independent instructions. The instructions are classified as convergent or divergent and divergent memory references that are shared between regions are replicated. Thread loops are inserted to ensure correct sharing of memory between various threads during execution by the general purpose CPU.
US08612731B2
Branch instructions are managed in an emulation environment that is executing a program. A plurality of entries is populated in a branch target buffer that resides within an emulated environment in which the program is executing. Each of the entries comprises an instruction address and a target address of a branch instruction of the program. When an indirect branch instruction of the program is encountered a processor analyzes one of the entries in the branch target buffer to determine if the instruction address of the one entry is associated with a target address of the indirect branch instruction. If the instruction address of the one entry is associated with the target address of the indirect branch instruction a branch to the target address of the one entry is performed.
US08612725B2
According to one embodiment, each of routers includes: a cache mechanism that stores data transferred to the other routers or processor elements; and a unit that reads out, when an access generated from each of the processor elements is transferred thereto, if target data of the access is stored in the cache mechanism, the data from the cache mechanism and transmits the data to the processor element as a request source.
US08612715B2
A storage system 1000 providing a storage area to an external device 1500 comprises a plurality of storage apparatuses 1100, 1200 and 1300 of different performance capabilities, and a storage controller 2600. The storage controller 2600 holds storage cost coefficients 3202 of the respective storage apparatuses 1100, 1200 and 1300, user cost allocation information 3302 for each user using the storage system 1000 from the external device 1500, and user cost distribution information 3402 that defines, for each user, proportions of an available space amount distributed to the storage apparatuses 1100, 1200 and 1300. The storage controller 2600 calculates an ideal utilization 3502 for each user, from the storage cost coefficients 3202 and the user cost distribution information 3402, and allocates, for each user, the ideal utilization 3502 to each of the storage apparatuses 1100, 1200 and 1300, in the order of the performance capabilities from highest to lowest.
US08612713B2
Provided is a memory switching control apparatus using an open serial interfacing scheme capable of enhancing flexibility, reliability, availability, performance in a data communication processes between a memory and a processing unit and an operating method thereof. The memory switching control apparatus includes: one or more processor interfacing units which perform interfacing with one or more processing units; one or more memory interfacing units which have open-serial-interfacing-scheme memory interfacing ports to interface with data storage devices connected to the memory interfacing ports in a serial interfacing scheme; and a plurality of arbitrating units which are provided corresponding to the memory interfacing units to independently arbitrate usage rights of the processor interfacing units to the memory interfacing units.
US08612698B2
Methods and apparatus relating to a replacement policy for hot code detection are described. In some embodiments, it may be determined which entry amongst a plurality of entries stored in storage unit is to be replaced next. The entries may correspond to hot code and may store age and execution frequency information corresponding to the hot code. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08612694B2
A system and method are disclosed for allowing protection of larger areas than memory lines by monitoring accessed and dirty bits in page tables. More specifically, in some embodiments, a second associative structure with a different granularity is provided to filter out a large percentage of false positives. By providing the associative structure with sufficient size, the structure exactly specifies a region in which conflicting cache lines lie. If entries within this region are evicted from the structure, enabling the tracking for the entire index filters out a substantial number of false positives (depending on a granularity and a number of indices present). In some embodiments, this associative structure is similar to a translation look aside buffer (TLB) with 4 k, 2M entries.
US08612692B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing device includes a first determination section and a setting section. The first determination section determines inconsistency between first data and second data. The first data is stored in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The second data is corresponding to the first data and stored in a semiconductor memory. The setting section sets execution timing of write back based on access frequency information associated with the second data.
US08612686B2
A resource pool managing system and a signal processing method are provided in embodiments of the present disclosure. On the basis of the resource pool, all filters on links share one set of operation resources and cached resources. The embodiment can be adapted to support different application scenarios with unequal carrier rates while mixing modes are supported and the application scenarios with unequal carrier filter orders. The embodiment also supports each stage of filters of the supporting mode-mixing system to share one set of multiply-adding and cached resources to unify the dispatching of resources in one resource pool and maximize the utilization of resources, and supports the parameterized configuration of the links forward-backward stages, link parameter, carrier rate, and so on.
US08612683B2
The present invention creates a pool comprising tiers corresponding to the performance of logical volumes.A first storage apparatus either acquires or measures the performance of multiple external pool volumes of an external storage (S1711 through S1714), and creates a pool volume group based on the performance of the external pool volumes (S1715, S1716). The rank order of a tier is decided in accordance with the performance of each pool volume group (S1717, S1718). This makes it possible to relatively easily create a pool comprising multiple appropriate tiers that are suited to the current situation.
US08612671B2
Methods and removable devices are provided. Some such removable devices may include a secure partition and a public partition. The secure partition is not accessible by an operating system of a host for some embodiments. The secure partition is configured to store information so that formatting/reformatting does not alter the stored information for other embodiments.
US08612670B2
A method for managing flash memory operations in a flash memory, comprising; assigning a state code to said flash memory operations; updating a state code flag with the assigned state code upon completion of each of said flash memory operations; wherein the assignment of said state codes is selected in a way that each of said updating a state code flag is performed by changing of one bit of the state code flag from one to zero.
US08612657B2
Method and apparatus for communicating on an electrical bus by generating a master logical signal on the electrical bus in the form of a pulse-width modulation signal. Generating a slave logical signal on the electrical bus in the form of a current signal. Reading the slave logical signal by sampling the magnitude of the current signal on the electrical bus, wherein magnitude of the current on the electrical bus is sampled at a point in the bit time when the voltage on the electrical bus has remained constant for a period longer than the shortest time that the voltage remains at any level during the bit time.
US08612650B1
A system is disclosed comprising a processor, a trace module, a second buffer, and a bridge. The trace module has a first buffer configured to receive trace data from the processor at a first clock frequency. The second buffer is configured to receive trace data from the first buffer at a second clock frequency. The bridge is configured to receive trace data from the second buffer and output the trace data received from the second buffer at a third clock frequency. The second clock frequency is greater than the first clock frequency and the third clock frequency.
US08612648B1
In one embodiment, a method for implementing quality of service (QOS) processing in a data bus interface. Each input read/write command is stored in a first-in-first-out queue. Each input read/write command includes a respective QOS value. In response to an input first read/write command having a QOS value higher than the QOS value of the read/write command at a head of the first-in-first-out queue, the QOS value of each of a first number of read/write commands is increased as each read/write command is removed from the head of the first-in-first-out queue.
US08612642B2
An information processing apparatus includes an interface unit configured to electrically connect with a peripheral device capable of receiving a memory storage medium inserted into the peripheral device and electrically connected thereto, a connection detection unit configured to detect a temporary interruption in the electrical connection between the interface unit and the peripheral device, and a control unit configured to prevent the memory storage medium, once unmounted, from being mounted again after the connection detection unit detects the temporary interruption.
US08612638B2
A wireless connection system capable of reducing a load on a user when constructing wireless connection environment including a host and devices. A wireless connection system comprises a host computer, a first device that has established a wireless connection with the host computer based on first association information, and a second device that has not established the wireless connection with the host computer. The host computer generates second association information for the wireless connection with the second device, and transmits the second association information to the first device by radio. The first device stores the second association information into a removable memory device when equipped with the removable memory device. The second device acquires the second association information from the removable memory device when equipped with the removable memory device that stores the second association information, and communicates with the host computer by radio based on the second association information.
US08612627B1
Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by automatically determining to separate a particular outgoing packet or other outgoing communication from a source computing node into multiple parts (e.g., multiple packets) to be independently sent using two or more alternative network paths between the sending computing node and the destination for the communication. For example, a manager module associated with the source computing node may automatically determine to encode the outgoing communication into a dynamically determined quantity of multiple parts (e.g., by using a configurable erasure code), such as based on current information about available alternative paths, and another manager module associated with the destination may receive at least some of the multiple parts and decode them into the original outgoing communication, which is then provided to the destination.
US08612625B2
A method for characterising a data flow to be transferred over a network path of a network, whereby the network path has at least one network device susceptible of network congestion. The method includes the step of determining a footprint measure of the data flow. The footprint measure is indicative of a possible difference between the total amount of incoming data and the total amount of outgoing data in the network device over a time interval having a duration of one or more time units, whereby that time unit is so chosen that individual data units of the data flow are distinguishable at byte level by the network device. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method.
US08612616B2
Systems and methods for providing an efficient partitioned resource server. In one embodiment, the partitioned resource server comprises a plurality of individual servers, and the individual servers appear to be equivalent to a client. Each of the individual servers may include a routing table that includes a reference for each resource that is maintained on the partitioned resource server. Requests from a client are processed as a function of the routing table to route the request to the individual server that maintains or has control over the resource of interest.
US08612613B2
Disclosed are a method for setting a plurality of sessions and a method for transmitting/receiving data using the same. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the data including attribute information of the data are received through initial sessions, the number of additional sessions for receiving the data is calculated by using the attribute information of the data, and the additional sessions are set as many as the calculated number of additional sessions. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various and complicated states of the communication network can be reflected to session setting as the configuration of the communication network becomes more and more complicated and the sessions depending on the state of the communication network can be set, thereby transmitting data more effectively.
US08612608B2
A vending machine module (12) is pre-programmed with a unique serial number. It is also programmed to dial up and connect to a specific registration database when first installed and powered up in the vending machine (1) which is one example of a remote embedded application. When the vending machine module (12) dials up the registration database for the first time, the registration database identifies the specific module (12) by means of its unique serial number, and then programs the module (12) with all of its relevant customised configuration—such as, for example, Telnet and PTP passwords, PTP Public Encryption Keys, telephone numbers for local ISP access (local telephone rates), customer name, customised web pages, new user configuration, subsequent database IP addresses, etc. Having been programmed with all of this data, the vending machine (12) is then ready to dial up an ISP server (2) over the Internet, for file transfer sessions. Thus, the vending machine module (12) requires only minimal programming. Many similar almost exactly the same information, each differing only in its own, unique serial number.
US08612599B2
A cloud services monitoring system (CSMS) helps a consumer of cloud computing resources determine the state of the cloud computing resources available to the consumer. The CSMS is particularly effective for cloud models where the consumer of the cloud computing resources is not the same as the provider of the cloud resource. The CSMS 102 also provides mechanisms for adjusting operations actions to preserve service guarantees for the consumer. In that regard, the CSMS dynamically adjusts operations actions in response to the state of the cloud, rather than executing fixed pre-determined operations actions that are not tailored to the monitored conditions.
US08612596B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for the planning of resources used in computing. Usage statistics regarding one or more machine instances executing in a plurality of networked computing devices are obtained. The usage statistics are grouped based at least in part on one or more customer usage classifications, thereby producing one or more usage groups. A corresponding demand forecast is generated for each of the usage groups. A projected demand for one or more physical components of the networked computing devices is calculated according to the demand forecasts.
US08612595B2
A system for making resources in an apparatus available to an entity outside of the apparatus. In at least one example operational scenario, an apparatus may wirelessly interact with other apparatuses via various communication protocols. These apparatuses may be part of an architecture that allows resources to be shared within the architecture. An “entity” may further exist in the architecture that controls how resources are borrowed from, or how resources are provided to, the individual participating apparatuses. Access to apparatus resources may be provided through reallocation of reconfigurable components to a control element within the apparatus, the control element corresponding to the entity existing outside of the apparatus.
US08612593B2
A user equipment UE stores a first list of private cells to which the apparatus is authorized to access (e.g., a CSG whitelist). While under control of a serving first cell, the UE determines from a transmission received from a neighbor second cell a physical cell identity PCI of the neighbor cell, then compares the determined PCI to a stored second list to determine whether the UE is authorized to access the neighbor cell. In one embodiment the second list maps PCIs to CSG IDs; if the determined PCI matches one in the second list the CSG ID is selected and it that matches one in the first list the UE is authorized access. In another embodiment the second list is only the PCI of those CSG cells on the UE's first list that are within the area served by the serving cell, so if the determined PCI matches one in the second list the UE is authorized access.
US08612590B1
Method and apparatus are disclosed for managing access to a plurality of resources including host servers where selected ones of the host servers provide at least one application accessible to users across a network. The apparatus comprises a session manager and a request manager. The session manager couples to the resources for managing sessions for administrative and non-administrative ones of the users including login, authentication and logout to selected ones of the plurality of resources. The request manager couples to the session manager to condition access for administrative ones of the users on access request records each including a target resource among the plurality of resources and a time of access to the at least one target resource.
US08612588B1
A system and method for accelerating web page delivery is disclosed in one embodiment. Web requests are made to an edge server of a first point of presence (POP) of a content delivery network (CDN). The web content can be cached at the edge server in the first POP. Where the cache is missing the web content, it is queried from a second POP determined to be closer to the origin server for the web content. The second POP can have its own cache or request the web content from the origin server. Only missing components from the web content are passed to the first POP. Additionally, the missing components can be compressed.
US08612573B2
Anomalous transactions are identified and reported. Transactions are monitored from the server at which they are performed. A baseline is dynamically determined for transaction performance based on recent performance data for the transaction. The more recent performance data may be given a greater weight than less recent performance data. Anomalous transactions are then identified based on comparing the actual transaction performance to the baseline for the transaction. An agent installed on an application server performing the transaction receives monitoring data, determines baseline data, and identifies anomalous transactions. For each anomalous transaction, transaction performance data and other data is reported.
US08612571B2
A method of determining the number of recipients for an audio content item includes receiving a packet associated with the audio content item at a network monitoring device. The monitoring device includes a packet inspection module that analyzes a data payload of the packet to identify the audio content item. In an embodiment, the packet inspection module identifies the audio content item by determining an audio signature based on the payload, and comparing the signature to a set of known signatures. Once the audio content item is identified, an indicator is recorded to indicate that the content item was communicated. By aggregating the recorded indicators, the number of recipients for the audio content item is determined.
US08612569B2
A computer-implemented method and system is operable to: receive a tracking event from a client, recognize tracking specific parameters in the tracking event, generate a tracking entry corresponding to the tracking event, use a tracking service API to send the tracking entry to a second server, and redirect the client to an intended target corresponding to the tracking event.
US08612561B2
A virtual network storage system includes at least two network storage devices which connect to same SAN. At least one network storage device includes a device management unit for maintaining the mapping relationship between the global volume and the local volume of each network storage device, and for redirecting the access from the global volume to the network storage device which the global volume management unit of the global volume is located. At least one network storage device includes a global volume management unit for executing the access operation to the global volume according to the mapping relationship. A network storage device and virtual method are applied to the virtual network storage system. With the increasing of the network device, the ability of processing the access to the global volume is increased, and then the performance bottleneck caused by virtually operating to the network storage system.
US08612551B2
Creators of computer software provide the most up-to-date versions of their computer software on an update service. A user who has purchased computer software calls the update service on a periodic basis. The update service automatically inventories the user computer to determine what computer software may be out-of-date, and/or need maintenance updates. If so desired by the user, the update service computer automatically downloads and installs computer software to the user computer. By making periodic calls to the update service, the user always has the most up-to-date computer software immediately available. The update service may also alert the user to new products (i.e. including new help files, etc.), and new and enhanced versions of existing products, which can be purchased electronically by a user from the update service.
US08612548B2
A computer server system comprises multiple computer server units, each computer server comprising a server processing system. Each computer server comprises a local subsystem access module which is standardized for the multiple computer servers and which provides virtual control function for a single instantiation of a hardware resource of the computer server system, wherein the hardware resource is shared between each of the computer servers.
US08612546B2
Systems and methods for transferring data among computing environments include a method for transferring data items among a portion of a remote computing environment and a portion of a local computing environment using a presentation layer protocol. Data items are transferred during transfer cycles and upon the release of data objects into a destination computing environment. Transfer cycles may transfer data among local and remote computing environments, among more than one remote computing environment, and may further transfer in parallel with other transfer cycles. A first transfer cycle transferring a first data item continues to transfer the first data item when a second transfer cycle initializes and transfers a second data item during a portion of the first transfer cycle. Data operations may be performed on data items during the transfer of a data item, and data items may be compressed or segmented prior to transfer.
US08612517B1
Systems and methods for media aggregation are disclosed herein. The system includes a media system that can transform user generated media items into at least one aggregated media item. A synchronization component can synchronize media items with respect to time. Synchronized media items can be analyzed and transformed into an aggregated media item for storage and/or display. In addition, the aggregated media item is capable of being manipulated to create an enhanced and customizable viewing and/or listening experience. Accordingly, media item aggregation can be accomplished.
US08612515B2
The present invention, generally speaking, provides an improved web-based media submission tool. As with some existing tools, operation of the tool is drag and drop or the user can “click” to browse a directory to select media objects. Unlike existing tools, the tool provides the user an opportunity to confirm the submission, for example by generating a thumbnail image of an image file that has been dragged and dropped. Batch submission is provided for in which a user drags and drops a plurality of images or other media objects. Submission from a web page to a web page is also provided for. The submission tool is configurable to perform a variable amount of intelligent preprocessing on media objects prior to upload. In the case of digital images, the tool can perform sizing and formatting, for example. Information capture is performed with information being uploaded together with the media objects. In an exemplary embodiment, information capture is both user-transparent (e.g., user ID and/or password) and user-visible (e.g., the user can provide captions for media objects). The submission of information about the user and the media objects facilitates automatic integration of the media objects within existing databases.
US08612513B2
A method, system and apparatus enables on-line selection and personalization of greeting cards over a computer network. The printed personalized greeting card can be shipped alone, or in conjunction other items as a single entity, and serves as any of: 1) a direct source of information for generating a shipping label or an intermediate document used for matching/picking multiple items, 2) as a reference to a file containing data defining the shipping label or packing list used for matching/picking multiple items, 3) as the source of information for generating any of a gift card, gift certificate or addressed envelope that is matched/packaged with the card, 4) as a reference to a data file containing information for enabling generation of a gift card or gift certificate that is matched/packaged with the card, and/or 5) as the actual medium on which the recipient/shipping address is printed.
US08612511B2
A stationary data processing device communicates with a mobile data processing device, such as a client in the field of augmented-reality techniques in an automation system, or a production machine, or a machine tool or parts thereof. The stationary data processing device includes a server for communication with a browser on the mobile data processing device; an information broker for providing context-related information; legacy systems that contain and store information; and an information model that represents the information space and that allows navigation within the information and access to the information by the information broker independent of the legacy systems. The information broker utilizes the actual context, especially location, work situation, EA devices used and the information model.
US08612508B1
A device may include a compressor. The compressor may receive a first number of inputs, each of the inputs having a predetermined width. The compressor may also compute a one's complement sum of the first number of inputs to generate carry bits having the predetermined width and sum bits having the predetermined width, modify the carry bits by moving a most significant bit of the carry bits to a least significant bit position, and output the modified carry bits and the sum bits.
US08612503B2
A Signal Processing Engine (SPE) includes circuitry for generating a selectable forward tap and a selectable reverse tap from a forward delay chain and a reverse delay chain, respectively. An add/subtract unit arithmetically combines the selectable forward tap and the selectable reverse tap to generate an intermediate output. A multiplier combines the intermediate output and a coefficient output from a circular coefficient buffer to generate a multiply result. Another adder/subtractor combines the multiply result with a second term including a processed input or an accumulator feedback by bypassing, adding, or subtracting the second term with the multiply result to generate an accumulator output. The accumulator output may be delayed a programmable number of clock cycles to generate a processed output. In some embodiments, the SPE is coupled to programmable logic blocks forming a programmable logic array through a programmable SPE routing block.
US08612488B1
The present invention provides for an efficient method, apparatus, and system for updating file system information when shared memory contents are moved from one physical location in memory to another. Traditional file systems manage such memory movement at the granularity of physical memory blocks. However, it will often be the case that multiple blocks will be moved, and the present invention takes advantage of the fact that it is more efficient to process the shared memory movement of memory contents at the granularity of an extent. The invention employs a data structure, where each record in the data structure contains information about the shared memory extents of the file system.
US08612484B1
ZIP code connection matrices are created for use in insurance ratemaking by identifying common borders of geographically defined regions. ZIP codes and associated cartographic boundaries are read from a database. Pairs of coordinates for the boundaries are stored in a matrix and values are calculated that represent each pair of coordinates in the matrix. The calculated values are stored in an encoded coordinates matrix and used to determine common segments. A connection matrix is formed representing connections among ZIP codes. A neighborhood matrix is then calculated, which stores values that represent an indication of closeness of each ZIP code in the neighborhood matrix to a target ZIP code.
US08612477B2
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods customizing electronic communications. A future event associated with a first user may be determined, and a second user that is associated with the first user and the future event may be identified. A plurality of communications involving the first user and the second user may be analyzed. A selection rule may be applied based on the analyzed plurality of communications, the selection rule identifying content from the database. Content from the database may be selected based on the application of the selection rule. An electronic message may be provided to the first user identifying the future event, and the selected content may be provided to the first user.
US08612469B2
A network-accessible toolbox permits collaborative annotation, facilitating interaction and communication among users. In an implementation, content on a Web page, or other page or document accessible through a network or the Internet, can be annotated. A user can view the page and with the toolbox, select content on the page and make an annotation or suggestion. Multiple users can view and make annotations to the same page at the same time. After annotations are made, users can view the page with annotations made by other users. The author or owner of the page can accept or reject the annotations or suggestions made to the page. If the owner accepts a particular suggestion, the selected content is replaced with the suggestion.
US08612468B2
As method is disclosed for retrieving data from a relational database management system (RDBMS). An object-oriented environment submits a query to an object relational layer to access data contained in the RDBMS. The object query can result in at least one logical object description that is defined using one or more predetermined expressions. The logical object descriptions are translated to corresponding relational descriptions, and a relational query is subsequently generated. The relational query is applied to the RDBMS in order to retrieve data satisfying the object query. Various error checks can be performed to detect correctness of the query. Additionally, the relational queries can be optimized to improve processing by the RDBMS.
US08612466B2
An information processing apparatus includes a database management unit that generates an index including access authority for a document and manages the index together with the document, a user information acquisition unit that acquires, as user information, the access authority for a user identification value, a document search unit that acquires the user information and a search request including a search expression, generates a combined search expression by combining an inclusion relationship expression with the search expression, the inclusion relationship expression including an operator that designates an inclusion relationship for access authority of an originator, and acquires a search result at a shared level enabling sharing under a plurality of user identification values in a domain including the plurality of user identification values, and a cache management unit 218 that registers the search result at the shared level as a cache item identified as the one at the shared level.
US08612464B2
A system and method for locating a data entry in a server cluster using a hash function and hash codes that can be implemented on any platform, system, or in any language. In one embodiment, a client hashes a key corresponding to a data entry to be accessed from the server cluster. The hashing is performed with a hash function that is used by a cluster of servers to provide a distributed data repository. The client further compares the hash result with hash codes of the servers to identify one of the servers as a key holder that stores the data entry. The client then requests the key holder for access to the data entry.
US08612455B2
A method for retrieving Internet posts, implementable on a computing device, includes analyzing Internet posts to define segments in the Internet posts, where the segments at least contain terms consistent with user generation of a personal experience event report associated with a pre-defined search subject, and scoring each of the segments, where the score indicates a likelihood that the Internet post associated with the segment represents a user generated the personal experience report associated with the pre-defined search subject. A method for detecting personal experience event reports from user generated content on the Internet includes filtering a collection of Internet posts to include only Internet posts containing personal experience terms, and further filtering the filtered Internet posts by removing the Internet posts with non-personal experience terms.
US08612449B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for using contributor-provided attributes in conjunction with an electronic item catalog. A request is received from a catalog user to obtain information an item in a catalog of items. Responsive to the request, the catalog is queried to obtain a plurality of attributes associated with the item. The attributes include at least one operator-controlled attribute and at least one contributor-provided attribute. A page is generated for display to the catalog user. The page includes the at least one operator-controlled attribute and at least one contributor-provided attribute.
US08612443B2
Various embodiments included herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software for explanatory animation generation. Some embodiments include receiving data representative of at least two data items, each data item to be presented as a node. Relationships between these data items are discovered in an interrelated dataset and the relationship is illustrated as a set of sequential nodes on a canvas. A text-script descriptive of each of the nodes is then generated. Finally, such embodiments include generating a visualization with a synchronized voiceover based on the sequence nodes and the text-script, the visualization including each node with a synchronized voiceover of each node.
US08612438B2
Techniques for dynamic cross-filtering are described. An apparatus may comprise a filter manager component for an application program. The filter manager component is operative to manage cross-filtering operations for the application program. The filter manager component may comprise a filter control module operative to determine a selection state for a filter data element of a first filter component, and a relationship state for the filter data element of the first filter component with a filter data element of a second filter component. The filter manager component may also comprise a filter interface module communicatively coupled to the filter control module. The filter interface module is operative to dynamically display a different visual indicator for the filter data elements based on the selection state and the relationship state, among other filter criteria or filter states. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08612434B2
Methods and systems for providing related social profiles in a social network are disclosed. One method identifying a plurality of social profiles within the social network, wherein the plurality of social profiles each have a relationship with the first file, wherein the social network allows uploading and sharing of social profiles of users, and wherein each social profile includes a representation of a user. The method further includes generating, by a system server, a list of inquiries based on the plurality of social profiles, providing, by the system server, the list of inquiries to at least one author of the first file, receiving from the at least one author at least one response to the list of inquiries, selecting a subset of the plurality of social profiles based on the at least one response, and storing information related to the selected subset of the plurality of social profiles.
US08612419B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for intelligent content discovery for content consumers in the global Internet. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for intelligent content discovery for content consumers includes parsing a list of previously viewed content in a content browser executing in memory of a computer to identify different content sources for the previously viewed content. The method also includes directing crawling of the content sources over a computer communications network to retrieve updated content from the content sources. The method yet further includes filtering the updated content into a subset of updated content according to at least one parameter corresponding to one of an end user profile of an end user and an end user preference of the end user. Finally, the method includes presenting a list of the subset of updated content in the content browser.
US08612417B2
Inverse search systems and methods operate on identifiers of content items in a corpus such as the World Wide Web In an inverse search, the user submits a query that includes an identifier of a target content item in the corpus and receives information (metadata) about the target content item being returned to the user. Many types of metadata can be returned, including ratings or other metadata related to the target content item obtained from users, popularity data specific to the target content item, information about previously submitted forward search queries that led to the target content item being identified as a hit, and metadata extracted from the target content item.
US08612412B2
Methods, apparatus, and products for searching for a directory in a file system are disclosed that include selecting, by a word selection module for inclusion in a word list, a word of text whose frequency of occurrence meets a predefined criterion; inserting, by the word selection module into the word list, the selected word; inserting, by an indexing module into a search index, the selected word in association with the directory name; receiving, by a search module from a user, a search request that includes the selected word; and returning, by the search module to the user in dependence upon the search request and the search index, a search result that includes the directory name. The directory is characterized by a directory name and includes computer storage resources, the computer storage resources including words of text, each word of text characterized by a frequency of occurrence among the computer storage resources.
US08612408B2
A management system has a reconciliation engine that reconciles information describing resources from a computer network service and stores reconciled information in a database. An editing engine or server is used to access and search reconciled information in the database based on at least one search criterion. Preferably, the search criterion is user-entered. The editing engine is then used to create at least a portion of a service model of the computer network service using reconciled information obtained through accessing and searching the database. Preferably, creating the service model is done with a graphical user interface application that enables a user to graphically build and modify aspects of the service model. When the service model is created or updated, a publishing engine or server is used publish at least a portion of the service model to one or more impact managers of the computer network service.
US08612403B2
A method includes selecting a contact for receiving a message from a computing device, and determining delivery report options individually for the selected contact, where the delivery report options are maintained for each message sent to the contact regardless of a global setting for delivery reports in the computing device.
US08612388B2
A file monitoring system tracks progress of data processing of a data file. Various applications and systems transmit status updates at one or more stages of processing to the file monitoring system. The file monitoring system monitors the status updates and generates reports displaying the status of the date file at the predetermined processing states. Reports include end to end status, files received and files delivered.
US08612379B2
A method, system, architecture and apparatus for deploying multiple e-commerce systems in a single computing platform. In accordance with the present invention, an e-commerce systems architecture can include an instantiable owning business logic component derived from an abstract business definition and one or more instantiable business element components configured for aggregation under the control of a business facility instance. The business facility instance can include a coupling to an instance of the owning business logic component. Finally, the architecture can include an instantiable partner business component derived from the abstract business definition. In particular, the instantiable partner business component can include a configuration for limited access to selected ones of the instantiable business element components aggregated under the control of the business facility instance.
US08612378B2
The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for merging information originating from several non-independent sensors. This invention makes it possible to prevent the same item of information from being reckoned twice during merging. The solution afforded consists of the creation of a new combination operator applying to latent belief structures. Said latent belief structures are obtained previously from conventional belief functions. These conventional belief functions are produced directly on the basis, for example, of the sensors of the system. The invention also proposes a means of transforming these latent belief structures into a probability distribution useful for decision taking.
US08612373B2
A method is provided for transforming data elements within a classification system based in part on input from a human annotator or expert. A first concept evolution model as a training set is composed from a first set of selectively determinable annotations and the first concept evolution model. A trained model is generated after training a learning algorithm with the training set and the concept evolution model. A confidence factor is computed that a predicted annotation is accurately identified. A selected element instance and a corresponding suggested annotation are identified to have a low confidence factor. The classifying of the applied annotation is adjusted where a second concept evolution model is composed for more accurate classifying of the data item.
US08612372B2
An apparatus for generating event detection rules in a multiple-component computer system in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a configuration information-extracting section for acquiring system configuration information from a multiple-component computer system. The system configuration information may include related information that describes relationships among system components. The apparatus may further include a history information-collecting section for collecting history information from the multiple-component computer system, such as log information and/or failure information output from a component upon a system failure. A candidate event-identifying section may identify candidate events that may be selected by a user to generate a detection rule based on the system configuration information and the history information. Finally, a candidate event-presenting section may present the candidate events to a user for selection.
US08612369B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to perform preference learning on a set of documents includes receiving raw input features from the set of documents stored on a data storage device; generating polynomial combinations from the raw input features; generating one or more parameters; applying the parameters to one or more classifiers to generate outputs; determining a loss function and parameter gradients and updating parameters determining one or more sparse regularizing terms and updating the parameters; and expressing that one document is preferred over another in a search query and retrieving one or more documents responsive to the search query.
US08612366B2
A method of automatically designing a plurality of experiments for analyzing at least one data set from a process to determine a relationship of a plurality of process factors of interest to a process output of interest. The method uses a computer to elicit input from a user to determine at least one characteristic of the data set including a quantity of the plurality of factors and whether one or more of the plurality of factors has greater than two levels, selects a design from a plurality of experiment designs based on established conventions for each of the plurality of experiment designs, the design applicable to the elicited at least one characteristic of the data set, and provides a design of experiments including a standard order of the experiments and a run order of the experiments, the design of experiments indicating the combinations of factors and levels for each experiment.
US08612364B2
Systems and methods are described that facilitate categorizing a group of linked web pages. A plurality of web pages each contains at least one link to another page within the group. A feature analyzer evaluates features associated with the one or more web pages to identify content, layout, links and/or metadata associated with the one or more web pages and identifies features that are labeled and features that are unlabeled. A graphing component creates a vector associated with each web page feature wherein vectors for unlabeled features are determined by their graphical proximity to features that are labeled. A co-training component receives the graph of vectors from the graphing component and leverages the disparate web page features to categorize each aspect of each feature of the page. A page categorizer receives aspect categorization information from the co-training component and categorizes the web page based at least upon this information.
US08612349B1
A cloud computing system and method for accumulating money using a client device, a computing cloud, and a network, wherein a cloud data storage contains computer instructions for presenting a user interface, creating a user profile, forming an account for accumulating money linked to another account, enabling the user to input goals, and enabling the user to make and receive deposits into the account for accumulating money. The deposits can include an amount of money selected by the user, an amount of money saved by not purchasing a product or service, an amount of money saved by purchasing a lower priced product or service, a similar product with a rebate, another promotional incentive for purchasing a product, or an amount of money associated with a non-monetary goal.
US08612348B1
In an implementation, a transaction request message is received at a computing device, wherein the transaction request message is associated with a merchant. Profile information associated with the merchant is retrieved by the computing device. Based in part on the retrieved profile information associated with the merchant or the transaction request message, third-party service providers associated with the transaction request message are determined by the computing device. Profile information associated with the determined third-party service providers is retrieved by the computing device. Based in part on the retrieved profile information associated with the merchant, the retrieved profile information associated with the determined third-party service providers, or the transaction request message, a formatted transaction request message is generated from the transaction request message by the computing device. The formatted transaction request messages may be provided to the determined third-party service providers by the computing device simultaneously or in the future.
US08612346B2
A trusted closed loop payment system and method that reduces the liability imposed upon carriers for delivery of C.O.D. shipments is provided. A third party payment system is authorized by the buyer to make payments to a shipper (and, if applicable, a freight forwarder) on behalf of the buyer upon receipt of goods by the buyer. Since the payment for the shipment is being made by the third party payment system, and guaranteed by the third party payment system, the liability imposed on the carrier to ensure the payment is proper and will be honored is removed. In addition, the present invention provides several advantages for shippers and buyers as well, including receipt of payment by a shipper in a much shorter time frame, and multiple payment options for buyers for account reconciliation with the third party payment system for the C.O.D. shipments.
US08612338B2
A purchase information collecting method collecting reliable purchase information about any kind of commodity using a network. In the purchase information collecting method, a server apparatus is used, which communicates with a seller computer and a purchaser computer, and which stores received sales information in the first storing part when the sales information identifies a deal about a commodity and is generated and transmitted by the seller computer. The server apparatus, when receiving purchase information, which consists of personal information of a purchaser of a commodity and the sales information that is presented to the purchaser by a seller of the commodity, judges whether the sales information included in the received purchase information is stored in the first storing part. If the sales information is stored, the server apparatus stores the received purchase information as valid purchase information in the second storing part.
US08612337B1
A method and system converts OTC positions into contracts clearable at a futures clearing house. Each OTC position has a maturity date. The method comprises: a) defining a plurality of tenors. The plurality of tenors is fewer in number than the OTC maturity dates of the OTC positions. The method also comprises: b) defining a contract, which is clearable at the clearing house, corresponding to each tenor defined in step a); c) mapping each OTC position, as it is executed, into one or more of the contracts, based on the maturity date of the OTC position; and d) between business days, re-mapping each contract mapped at step c) to account for the move of calendar day. The invention finds particular application as a method and system to convert OTC Foreign Exchange (FX) positions into futures contracts clearable at a futures clearing house. The OTC FX positions may include OTC FX spot positions and OTC FX forwards positions.
US08612334B2
The invention is directed to systems and methods for indicating volatility adjusted price information for at least one article of commerce or market therefore, and various tools for providing valuation indicators for both current and historical price activity in terms of valuation rather than absolute price. The invention provides users indicators which quantify the degree in which a market is currently trading at fair value, overvalued or undervalued conditions using enhanced tools.
US08612313B2
Exemplary metadata subscription methods and systems are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a metadata subscription system receiving data representative of a subscription by a user to one or more metadata values, identifying at least one media content instance that has the one or more metadata values, and providing the user with access to the identified at least one media content instance. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08612310B2
The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for delivering a media program and purchase opportunities related to the media program to user equipment. A media program and its related merchandise information can be located at a distribution facility. The distribution facility can tailor the purchase opportunities it provides to the user equipment based on the user equipment's equipment category. When user equipment receives purchase opportunities, the user equipment can select the opportunities based on which types of merchandise are supported by the user equipment. The user equipment and/or a distribution facility may be able to determine the location of the user equipment. When the distribution facility provides merchandise information for physical merchandise to the user equipment, the merchandise information can be selected to include physical merchandise that are available for purchase at stores that are, for example, near the location of the user equipment.
US08612307B2
The invention provides a method and system to enable buyers and sellers of data items to adjust fees for one or a plurality of data items according to the compatibility of the data items with research and dataset compatibility requirements of the end user or buyer of the data items. It further provides a method for constructing data item pairs consisting of targets for observations and observations upon targets compatible with the requirement of the purchaser of the data.
US08612305B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, devices and computer-readable media. In embodiments of the invention, a user is authenticated using an authentication process that is capable of authenticating a user using an inline authentication form that can authenticate a consumer without transferring a session maintained by a merchant. The inline authentication form is used if the components of the authentication system are capable of supporting an inline authentication form. If the components of the system cannot support an inline authentication form, a different authentication process is used. In one embodiment, an inline authentication form is presented to the user asynchronously. This inline authentication form may be presented within an iFrame embedded in a merchant's checkout page after verifying that the components to be used during the authentication can support the inline authentication form.
US08612299B2
A system is designed for processing instructions in real time during a session. This system comprises: a preloader for obtaining reference data relating to the instructions, the reference data indicating the current values of each specified resource account data file, and the preloader being arranged to read the reference data for a plurality of received instructions in parallel from a master database; an enriched instruction queue for queuing the instructions together with their respective preloaded reference data; an execution engine for determining sequentially whether each received instruction can be executed under the present values of the relevant resource account files and for each executable instruction to generate an updating command; and an updater, responsive to the updating command from the execution engine (for updating the master database with the results of each executable instruction, the operation of the plurality of updaters being decoupled from the operation of the execution engine.
US08612289B2
Methods and systems for paying with loyalty currency at a merchant website by a user using a browser app are provided. The user is presented with the loyalty currency balance information based on the loyalty currency units available in the loyalty currency account. Thereafter, the user is presented with an option to pay for the purchase transaction using the loyalty currency. The user may select the option of paying for the purchase transaction using the loyalty currency, thereby redeeming the loyalty points.
US08612284B1
A system, method and computer program product for managing the quality of service differentiated cloud storage. The cloud storage (and its services) is highly distributed. An overall speed of the storage is calculated based on storage speed and a traffic speed of the connection to the particular cloud storage. Data access expenses are calculated. Then, for each of the portions of the cloud storage the associated speed and traffic costs are calculated, so the user can select a level of data access guarantee (DAG) for his particular needs. In order to maintain the desired overall speed of the data access, geo-targeting with the cloud storage system is implemented, where the same data is retrieved from different locations based on optimal data movement costs.
US08612281B1
A method and system for producing and distributing audio-visual content for a program such as, for example, a television program. The method includes producing the audio-visual content for a first predetermined number of program episodes and transmitting the audio-visual content for the first predetermined number of episodes to a distribution entity for display over a network to a plurality of consumers. After the first predetermined number of episodes are displayed to the plurality of consumers, the method includes receiving performance data relating to viewership of the first predetermined number of episodes by the plurality of consumers and evaluating the performance data to determine whether the performance data for a portion of the first predetermined number of episodes meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is met or exceeded, an order for a second predetermined number of program episodes is automatically triggered. The first and second predetermined numbers of episodes total a syndicatable number of episodes.
US08612277B2
A system allowing a user to answer a series of questions to generate survey data, associating system data with the survey data to generate a highly accurate report. The user may, customize the survey by selecting categories corresponding to certain series of questions and be presented with a running total of costs associated with each selected action, a total cost for all selected actions, and an impact on the property FCI corresponding to the selected action. The report allows, for example, for targeted assessment of select facilities systems including a time frame within which work to be performed on select facilities systems and/or a cost associated with work to be performed.
US08612270B2
A system and method to simulate the impact of leadership activity for individuals in leader and/or manager roles to be able to model their organization as a system and to simulate a plurality of actions that might be taken and their impact on the non-linear dynamics of the organization, its functions, capabilities, processes and outcomes. The system includes an Organization State component, a Leadership Activities component, an Environment State component, and a Simulation Module component. The Simulation Module component takes in initial conditions defined for the Organization State, Leadership Activities and the Environment State, iterates the functions and process of the organization through time, simulates the interactions of the various variables described in the Organization State, the Leadership Activities and the Environment State and the interactive effects among them and provides outputs of a plurality of measures for each time step.
US08612261B1
In at least one embodiment, an automated medical data machine learning system and method allow a natural language processing (“NLP”) system to automatically learn via, for example, feedback to improve ongoing performance of the natural language processing system. The particular technology for improving the interpretation by the NLP system of future input data is a matter of design choice. In at least one embodiment, the automated medical data learning system and method includes a linguistics module that determines the part of speech of a particular term or term, such as use as a noun or verb. In at least one embodiment, the system and method learns an interpretation based on a source of the input data. In at least one embodiment, the system and method includes a statistics module that allows the system and method to determine a most probable interpretation or multiple interpretations.
US08612258B2
Methods and system to manage patient information are described. An example computer-implemented method to manage patient information includes analyzing a first patient identification to extract first information. Additionally, the example method includes comparing the extracted first information to extracted second information related to a second patient identification to determine if the first patient identification and the second patient identification are associated with the same patient. Further, the example method includes associating the first information and the second information with the same patient identification when the first patient identification and the second patient identification are determined to be associated with the same patient.
US08612254B2
A system and method to manage a quality of delivery of healthcare to a patient. The method includes tracking completion of a portion of a protocol associated with one of a series of candidate hypotheses to deliver healthcare to the patient; tracking a change in a quality of care metric directed to the patient with completion of a portion the protocol, the quality of metric including at least one of a time to rate of reduction in a health risk to the patient and a time to or rate of reduction in symptom or abnormal biometric data of the patient; and outputting an alert in response to the quality of care metric exceeding a threshold.
US08612253B2
Enhanced techniques for the extraction and use of metadata from medical images are disclosed herein. Based on the information in the metadata, specific processing may be performed within an image order management system, radiology information system (RIS), or like system. A radiology read order may be created, pre-populated, and transmitted via a processing system (e.g., a teleradiology image order management system) based on the metadata within the radiology image. For example, this metadata may exist within the header of a DICOM-formatted image data file or a DICOM communication protocol transmission. The processing system may then provide the pre-populated read order back to the source of the medical images for verification and submission. Other processing actions may also occur based on information extracted from the image metadata, such as custom workflows and handling based on an originating facility, or transferring the images to a particular radiologist or location.
US08612247B2
A healthcare professional terminal 90 creates a question message based on an input operation of a healthcare professional, and transmits the question message to a game apparatus 12. The game apparatus 12 creates, based on an input operation of a healthcare recipient, an answer message including an answer to a question contained in the question message received from the healthcare professional terminal 90, and transmits the answer message to the healthcare professional terminal 90 together with automatically obtained biological information (weight data, exercise time data, and step count data) of the healthcare recipient.
US08612237B2
Techniques for evaluating the audio quality of an audio test signal are disclosed. These techniques provide a quality analysis that takes into account spatial audio distortions between the audio test signal and a reference audio signal. These techniques involve, for example, determining a plurality of audio spatial cues for an audio test signal, determining a corresponding plurality of audio spatial cues for an audio reference signal, comparing the determined audio spatial cues of the audio test signal to the audio spatial cues of the audio reference signal, and determining the audio quality of the audio test signal.
US08612231B2
A method and a system of history tracking corrections in a speech based document are disclosed. The speech based document comprises one or more sections of text recognized or transcribed from sections of speech, wherein the sections of speech are dictated by a user and processed by a speech recognizer in a speech recognition system into corresponding sections of text of the speech based document. The method comprises associating of at least one speech attribute (14) to each section of text in the speech based document, said speech attribute (14) comprising information related to said section of text, respectively; presenting said speech based document on a presenting unit (8); detecting an action being performed within any of said sections of text; and updating information of said speech attributes (14) related to the kind of action detected on one of said sections of text for updating said speech based document, whereby said updated information of said speech attributes (14) is used for history tracking corrections of said speech based document.
US08612227B2
The present invention provides a method and equipment of pattern recognition capable of efficiently pruning partial hypotheses without lowering recognition accuracy, its pattern recognition program, and its recording medium. In a second search unit, a likelihood calculation unit calculates an acoustic likelihood by matching time series data of acoustic feature parameters against a lexical tree stored in a second database and an acoustic model stored in a third database to determine an accumulated likelihood by accumulating the acoustic likelihood in a time direction. A self-transition unit causes each partial hypothesis to make a self-transition in a search process. An LR transition unit causes each partial hypothesis to make an RL transition. A reward attachment unit adds a reward R(x) in accordance with the number of reachable words to each partial hypothesis to raise the accumulated likelihood. A pruning unit excludes partial hypotheses with less likelihood from search targets.
US08612214B2
An apparatus for generating bandwidth extension output data for an audio signal has a noise floor measurer, a signal energy characterizer and a processor. The audio signal has components in a first frequency band and components in a second frequency band, the bandwidth extension output data are adapted to control a synthesis of the components in the second frequency band. The noise floor measurer measures noise floor data of the second frequency band for a time portion of the audio signal. The signal energy characterizer derives energy distribution data, the energy distribution data characterizing an energy distribution in a spectrum of the time portion of the audio signal. The processor combines the noise floor data and the energy distribution data to obtain the bandwidth extension output data.
US08612203B2
This invention relates to a means and a method for translating source text into a target text where the context information is taken into consideration. A source text unit is defined around a translation unit which is to be translated. This source text unit is mapped onto a bilingual sublanguage space where the bilingual sublanguage space comprises a source sublanguage space and mappings to the target language. The translation is adapted to the source text unit, thereby considering contextual information.
US08612198B2
Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors.
US08612195B2
A method for correlating predicted data describing a subsurface region with obtained data describing the subsurface region is provided. Data is obtained describing an initial state of the subsurface region. Data describing a subsequent state of the subsurface region is predicted. A likelihood measure that determines whether the predicted data is within an acceptable range of the obtained data is dynamically and/or interactively updated. The predicted data is compared with the obtained data using the likelihood measure and determining a sensitivity of the predicted data if the predicted data is not within an acceptable range of the obtained data as measured by the likelihood measure. Data describing the initial state of the subsurface region is adjusted based on the sensitivity before performing a subsequent iteration of predicting data describing the subsequent state of the subsurface region. The predicted data is outputted.
US08612194B2
To update a subterranean model, an initial subterranean model is provided, and based on the initial subterranean model, changes to subterranean parameters are predicted using a reservoir simulator. Electromagnetic data representing characteristics of a subterranean structure is computed according to the predicted changes to the subterranean parameters, and the initial subterranean model is modified based on comparing the computed electromagnetic data with observed electromagnetic data.
US08612191B2
A method of and an apparatus for performing a collision simulation on a two-wheeled vehicle using a virtual model of a dummy developed for use on four-wheeled vehicles.
US08612189B2
A method of and a computer program for analyzing models of dry pipe systems. The computer program includes a user interface and a model generator in communication with the user interface. The method and computer program provide for modeling a referential dry pipe system as a plurality of interconnected nodes, the nodes corresponding to a pipe connector, the interconnection between the nodes corresponding to a pipe device. The plurality of nodes can define a dry portion and a wet portion with the wet portion including a liquid source and the dry portion including a plurality of interconnected pipes to define a volume of gas. The nodes in the dry portion can define a set of nodal devices open to ambient. The method and computer program can provide for computing fluid time based parameters to simulate the liquid flowing from the wet portion to determine at least flow time of the liquid from the wet portion to the open devices. The method and computer program can provide for verification of the liquid flow time in the model within 20% of an actual liquid flow time in the referential dry pipe system.
US08612177B2
Method for presenting measured results from a network analyser with a simultaneous tolerance display
A method for determining measurement uncertainty of measured values of a network analyzer. For every measured value of a respectively-selected measurement type, the measurement uncertainty is calculated in an internal computer of the network analyzer according to modulus and/or phase and displayed together with the respective measured value. Data required for this computation, which result directly from properties and an operating mode of the network analyzer, are stored in databanks allocated to the internal computer and are therefore directly accessible to the internal computer, and only data from additionally-used measurement resources, which differ from the data already stored in the databanks, are entered externally into the databanks, where they are set off against the originally-stored data and included as new data in the calculation of the measurement uncertainty.
US08612176B2
Clustering of nominal attributes using a nominal population metric enables comparisons of entities which are not easily comparable. In some embodiments, nominal population metrics are determined using a similarity matrix and a nominal population matrix using comparisons. In some embodiments, nominal population metrics are determined using a nominal population matrix using distributions. A computing device is able to determine the nominal population metrics with the appropriate hardware and applications configured for computing the nominal population metrics.
US08612173B2
A motion control apparatus for measuring and scanning an object. The motion control apparatus includes a base. The motion control apparatus also includes an object support assembly that is coupled to the base. The object support assembly receives the object to be scanned and measured. The motion control apparatus includes a scanner track that extends above from the base. The scanner and object are moveable about multiple axes to position to the scanner with respect to the object for viewing the object by the scanner for obtaining measurements of the object.
US08612172B2
For supporting a relative positioning, information on barometric pressure at a first device and information on barometric pressure at a second device is converted into a difference in altitude between the first device and the second device. The difference in altitude between the first device and the second device is then used in determining a position of the first device relative to the second device.
US08612155B2
Methods and systems for the detection and localization of microseismic events are proposed which operate in real-time. Hypocenters in three spatial dimensions are provided along with an estimate of the event origin time. Sensor positions may be distributed in 3D space, and are not confined to linear arrays in vertical wells. A location of the event is approximated and a grid search, based on the approximate location of the event, is used to derive a residual function over a finer sampling followed by a gradient search of the residual function to optimize the location of the event.
US08612145B2
In a method for stand-alone alignment of an inertial unit for an onboard instrument capable of being mounted in an aircraft, the method includes monitoring the appearance of a movement of the inertial unit during the alignment, suspending the alignment of the inertial unit in the event of the appearance of movement, and resuming the alignment of the inertial unit on the disappearance of the movement.
US08612142B2
A method of creating a customizable exercise route for a user of a personal navigation device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of terrain type or difficulty level from the user, receiving a selection of a length of an exercise route to be generated, generating an exercise route for the user according to a current position of the personal navigation device, the selected terrain type or difficulty level, and the selected length of the exercise route, and providing routing instructions for the user to follow the generated exercise route.
US08612137B2
A system, method and apparatus for tracking the parking behavior of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a circuit located within the vehicle, the circuit comprising a processor, movement detection means, location identification means, a memory, a transceiver, and a timer operably coupled together; wherein for each occurrence in which the movement detection means detects that the vehicle has entered into the parked state, the circuit is configured to: (1) measure at duration that the vehicle remains in the parked state; (2) identify the geographic location of the vehicle; (3) detect whether the vehicle transitions into the non-parked state from the parked state; (4) upon the duration exceeding a predetermined minimum time threshold, storing parking information data relating to the occurrence in the memory as a parking instance; and (5) upon the duration failing to exceed the predetermined minimum time threshold, discarding the parking information data.
US08612136B2
The present invention provides system and method for creation of a road map, the system comprising a plurality of navigation devices; and an application server to receive from the plurality of navigation devices time series of location points, and to create a road map based on the time series of location points. The method comprising receiving location points from plurality of navigation devices, along with respective time stamps indicating the time of recordation of each of the location points; identifying at least one route according to the location points and respective time stamps; and creating a road map based on the at least one route.
US08612130B2
Method for identifying an airplane and indicate airplane type and version in connection to parking of the airplane at a gate or a stand, for possible connection of a passenger or a loading bridge to a an airplane door, where the airplane is positioned and stopped at a predetermined position using a touchless measurement of the distance between the airplane and a fixed point, where the distance is indicated on a display mounted in front of the pilot of the airplane on for instance an airport building (7), which display (6) shows the position of the airplane (5) relative to a stop point for the airplane and shows the current airplane type and version, where the distance measurement and display are caused to be activated by a computer system (20), belonging to the airport, or manually, and wherein an antenna (16) is caused to receive information transmitted by an airplane.
US08612125B2
A method for acquiring operating data of an internal combustion engine in a control unit during a diagnostic function of the control unit, and for transmitting the operating data from the control unit to a diagnostics device, the operating data being determined in the control unit with the aid of sensors assigned to the internal combustion engine. Desired operating data type and time resolution of the value reception is transmitted from the diagnostic device. Operating data are collected in the control unit with the aid of a diagnostic function. The diagnostics device and the control unit are connected via standardized interfaces, whose transmission speed is limited. Data values are buffered in a memory in the control unit. Speed of data acquisition may be selected independently of the transmission speed of the interface between the control unit and the diagnostics device. Data acquisition synchronous with the rotational speed is possible.
US08612122B2
A method controls an internal-combustion engine (1) supercharged by a turbocharger (12) and including a turbine (13) and compressor (14). The control method comprises steps of determining a current reduced-mass-flow rate (QAHR) of the compressor (14), determining a safety threshold (Mmax_turbo) of the reduced-mass-flow rate (QAHR) that delimits in a “reduced-mass-flow rate/compression ratio” plane an area substantially close to achievement of sonic conditions, and imposing that the reduced-mass-flow rate (QAHR) has to be lower than a safety threshold (Mmax_turbo) of the reduced-mass-flow rate (QAHR).
US08612114B2
A method and system are provided for controlling the operating temperature of a torque converter during torque converter stall conditions. The torque converter has a pump rotatably driven by an internal combustion engine and a rotatable turbine fluidly coupled to the pump. The system first determines whether the torque converter is currently in a torque converter stall condition, and, if so, determines a slip speed as a difference in rotational speeds between the pump and the turbine, determines an engine output torque limit as a function of the slip speed and a desired slip speed, and controls the operating temperature of the torque converter by limiting output torque produced by the engine based on the engine output torque limit.
US08612107B2
Method, control apparatus and powertrain system controller are provided for real-time, self-learning control based on individual operating style. The method calibrates powertrain system performance in a passenger vehicle in real-time based on individual operating style. The method includes powering the vehicle with the system and generating a sequence of system operating point transitions based on an operating style of an operator of the vehicle during the step of powering. The method further includes learning a set of optimum values of controllable system variables in real-time during the steps of powering and generating based on the sequence of system operating point transitions and predetermined performance criteria for the system. The method still further includes generating control signals based on the set of optimum values to control operation of the system.
US08612103B2
A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system comprises a controller that is configured to calculate a first angle correction signal based at least upon an engine speed signal and an operator interface actuation signal, the operator interface actuation signal commanding movement of a lift arm on a loader; calculate a second angle correction signal based at least upon a coupler angle signal; transmit the first and second angle correction signals to change the angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm; and temporarily disable transmission of the second angle correction signal.
US08612097B2
A method of deploying a side impact airbag is provided. The method includes selectively determining a delay time based on an impact type, where the delay time associated with an impact on a first side is different than the delay time associated with an impact on a second side; and selectively generating a control signal to at least one of deploy and not deploy the side impact airbag based on the delay time.
US08612092B2
A request heat calculation unit calculates a request heat power requested to heat sources to supply. A heat cost calculation unit calculates a relationship between a heat power supplied from each of the heat sources and a heat cost, which is a fuel quantity consumed to supply a unit heat power. An abnormal source detection unit detects an abnormal heat source, which cannot normally supply a heat power, from the heat sources. An abnormal heat calculation unit calculates an abnormal heat power supplied from the abnormal heat source. A determination unit determines distribution of heat power supplied from the heat sources based on both the relationship and the abnormal heat power, such that a sum of the heat power supplied from the heat sources coincides with the request heat power, and the heat cost of all the heat sources is minimized.
US08612090B2
Geo-referenced and/or time-referenced electronic drawings may be generated based on electronic vehicle information to facilitate documentation of a vehicle-related event. A symbols library, a collection of geo-referenced images, and any data acquired from one or more vehicles may be stored in memory for use in connection with generation of such drawings, and a drawing tool graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided for electronically processing vehicle data and geo-referenced images. Processed geo-referenced images may be saved as event-specific images, which may be integrated into, for example, an electronic vehicle accident report for accurately depicting a vehicle accident.
US08612088B2
A system for determining if a tire of a vehicle is improperly inflated. The system includes a radar, a wheel speed sensor, and a controller. The radar is configured to emit a signal to detect a reflection of the signal off of an object positioned perpendicular to the vehicle, and to output an indication of a speed of the vehicle. The wheel speed sensor is configured to sense a speed of a wheel of the vehicle. The controller is configured to receive the indication of the speed of the vehicle from the radar, to calculate a speed of the vehicle based on the sensed speed of the wheel, and to determine a tire of the wheel is improperly inflated when the speed of the vehicle calculated using the wheel speed sensor varies by more than a predetermined amount from the speed of the vehicle determined using the radar signal.
US08612085B2
An automated method for autonomous navigation of a maneuverable platform is disclosed. The method includes providing an autonomous navigation system that includes a situation awareness module to receive data from one or more sensors on one or more identifying parameters selected from the group of identifying parameters that includes position, course and speed, relating to the platform and obstacles in the vicinity of the platform. The platform also includes a decision module to choose course and speed for the platform based on the identifying parameters of the obstacles in the vicinity of the platform and the data on the position of the platform. The method further includes providing the decision module with information on a mission that includes at least one task assigned to the platform; and periodically obtaining the data and choosing a preferred option using the decision module, based on the identifying parameters, by assigning, for each option from a set of options, each option defining a distinct combination of course and speed, a grade which is indicative of the desirability of that option with respect to each of the obstacles and with respect to each of a plurality of objectives, for each option summing the grades assigned to that option with respect to all obstacles, wherein the preferred option is the option whose summed grades is indicative of the greatest desirability of that option.
US08612083B2
The invention provides an autonomous vehicle for displacing feed laterally, comprising a frame having two separately drivable rear wheels and a front supporting point, and a feed displacer in the form of an annular element which is freely rotatable and has a radius r, said element forming the outer circumference of the vehicle. In order to enhance the control stability, the rear wheels are situated at a distance of less than a radius from the geometric center of the vehicle.
US08612082B2
Information providing device has: travelling route searching section searching for a travelling route; and power consumption amount calculating section calculating a total power consumption amount. The power consumption amount calculating section has: first calculating section that refers to travel information correlated with a first unit area that belongs to the searched travelling route and calculates each first power consumption amount consumed to travel in the first unit area; second calculating section that refers to weather information forecasted for each second unit area that belongs to the searched travelling route, predicts setting temperature of an air conditioner and calculates each second power consumption amount consumed when the air conditioner into which the predicted setting temperature is inputted is operated during the travel in the second unit area; and totalizing section that calculates the total power consumption amount on the basis of the first and second power consumption amounts.
US08612080B2
A hybrid drive (52) of a motor vehicle (50). In the motor vehicle (50), an electric motor (58) acts as the driving force on a first axle (54) and an internal combustion engine (60) as a driving force on a second axle (56). In an operation, in which only the electric motor (58) acts on the first axle (54), a check is made to determine whether the internal combustion engine (60) is to be started to drive the second axle (56), wherein a first set of conditions for a road start, taking into account first criteria, and a second set of conditions for a starter motor start, taking into account second criteria, are defined and checks are made independently of one another to determine whether the first set of conditions for a road start or the second set of conditions for a starter motor start has been met.
US08612076B2
The invention provides a method and a system for enabling antilock braking in a vehicle which is propelled at least by an electric motor. The method includes detecting tendency of locking of the at least one wheel by comparing actual rate of change of speed of the at least one of the motor, wheels, transmission, shaft and ground speed with expected rate of change of speed of at least one wheel, wherein the vehicle is being decelerated. Based on the tendency of locking at least regenerative braking is modulated to prevent locking of at least one wheel of the vehicle.
US08612059B2
Various methods and systems are provided for evaluation of events such as the startup of power generation units. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time; determining start and end times for a startup phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined startup conditions corresponding to the startup phase; and generating a network page including the start and times. In another embodiment, a system includes a unit evaluation system executable in a computing device that includes logic that obtains operational data associated with a power generation unit, the operational data corresponding to a predefined period of time and logic that determines start and end times for an event phase associated with the power generation unit based upon a set of predefined conditions corresponding to the event phase.
US08612056B2
Method of configuring a home automation installation comprising a plurality of mobile screens driven by actuators identified by an identifier, the method comprising the following steps: a) a step of constructing a first list of identifiers of actuators of the installation, b) a step of locating all the locations of the screens that make up the part of the installation to be configured, c) a step of associating a list of possible actuator identifiers with each screen location, d) a step of transmitting a movement control command to each actuator of a group of actuators, e) a step of designating locations that correspond to a group of screens that have reacted to the control command, f) a step of updating the lists of possible actuator identifiers for each location, the steps d) to f) being reiterated as long as at least one list of possible actuator identifiers for a screen location comprises more than one actuator identifier.
US08612054B2
Disclosed are a robot walking control apparatus, which removes an ineffective motion, generated by a robot walking based on torque, by selecting a motion state of the robot based on torque and controlling torques of joints of the robot so that a ZMP of the robot is located in a safety area, when the walking of the robot is controlled, and a method thereof.
US08612050B2
Intelligent product feed systems and product transport methods are presented in which an array of variable speed transport modules is positioned between an input transport mechanism and an output mechanism, with the individual module speeds being controlled by a model-based planner to transport products delivered in an uncertain fashion by the input transport mechanism to the output mechanism synchronized and oriented according to a specified product configuration.
US08612045B2
Variables in each step in a double patterning lithographic process are recorded and characteristics of intermediate features in a double patterning process measured. The final feature is then modeled, and the values of the variables optimized.
US08612043B2
A yield prediction is received by a run-to-run controller that includes an intra-process run-to-run control module that specifies process performance targets, wherein the yield prediction is associated with at least one of a manufacturing tool, a product or a process. The run-to-run control module adjusts first parameters associated with intra-process run-to-run control based on the yield prediction, wherein the first parameters include processing parameters of a process recipe.
US08612042B2
A method of executing a batch process in a manufacturing environment according to a product recipe, such that the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, includes performing at least one action of the batch process corresponding to a first version of the product recipe, receiving a second version of the product recipe, such that the second version of the product recipe is distinct from the first version of the product recipe, suspending the execution of the batch process prior to completion of the batch process, and resuming the execution of the batch process according to the second version of the product recipe.
US08612040B2
A system and method for creating a derivative view from graphical data which is derived from native application data. The native application data may be extracted from a graphical application, such as a CAD application, converted to an intermediate or derivative format, and a derivative view of the graphic information produced by the original, native application is provided from the intermediate format.
US08612039B2
A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed.
US08612038B2
A processing system for performing a predetermined process on a target object includes one or more processing apparatuses that process the target object and a controller that controls the processing apparatuses. Here, the controller performs a control to select any one of a shutdown state in which a multiple number of end devices of the processing apparatuses are all stopped and a standby state in which some or all of the end devices are ready to perform a process on the target object, when the controller is shut down.
US08612035B2
An audio file editing system enabling creation and editing of audio content within a single multi-layer audio file. The audio editor and method of the invention enables “layering” of audio content relative to other audio content within a single file to create a multi-layered audio file. This enables audio information to be combined in a way that keeps all content active and editable until the final product. An unlimited number of layers can be assembled within a file, constrained only by practical file size limits and system capabilities.
US08612029B2
A system includes at least one piece of equipment. The system also includes a state detector adapted to measure one or more operating parameters of the equipment. The system has a signature generator adapted to encode a plurality of data streams from the state detector into an operating signature for the equipment.
US08612027B2
A circuit breaker includes several elementary circuit breakers (1) arranged as several segments (2), each suitable for powering several independent loads (3). These provisions make it possible to improve the thermal equilibrium on each segment by distributing the heating over all the segments. The segmental circuit breakers are more particularly suitable for multi-wire networks which power a single load through a multitude of wires of the network in parallel.
US08612024B2
The disclosure describes a method and system that allows a user to configure electrical stimulation therapy by defining a three-dimensional (3D) stimulation field. After a stimulation lead is implanted in a patient, a clinician manipulates the 3D stimulation field in a 3D environment to encompass desired anatomical regions of the patient. In this manner, the clinician determines which anatomical regions to stimulate, and the system generates the necessary stimulation parameters. In some cases, a lead icon representing the implanted lead is displayed to show the clinician where the lead is relative to the 3D anatomical regions of the patient.
