US08616615B2
A method of reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving blunt-edged body, the method comprising actively generating a flow of air at a blunt edge of a body and using the generated flow of air to control an external flow of air moving relative to an edge of a moving blunt-body.
US08616606B2
The present invention relates to a glove and storage box assembly (1) which is located in vehicles, into which articles are placed, opened slowly and prevented from vibrating after being opened, has low production cost, does not resist while being dosed and does not make a sound during opening and closing. The inventive glove and storage box assembly (1) essentially comprises at least one shell (2) which has at least one clearance (3) providing access to the chamber formed in the vehicle cockpit in order that articles are placed on thereof and at least one cover (4) which is disposed on the shell (2) and ensures to access the clearance (3) from out-side by opening and closing.
US08616600B2
A portable ski carrier includes at least one flexible strap having a strap receiver disposed at one end and a strap fastener disposed at the other end. The strap receiver is configured to receive the strap fastener and secure a pair of skis within the strap. A handle is attached to the strap between the ends and disposed perpendicular to the pair of skis. A grip may be disposed about at least a portion of the handle. The grip may include a rubber or foam material and may be rotatably attached to the handle. In another embodiment, the handle is attached to a pair of flexible straps and aligned to the pair of skis. The interior of the strap may include a non-slip material to help secure the pair of skis.
US08616598B2
An apparatus configured to handle an object in a contactless manner, the apparatus includes a carrying body having a carrying surface which is configured to be directed towards the object, the carrying surface being provided with a plurality of traction members and a plurality of overpressure members, each overpressure member being provided with at least one exhaust opening, each traction member being provided with an indentation and at least two suction openings that are arranged in the indentation, the at least two suction openings of each traction member being configured to generate a pressure gradient between them so as to create a traction fluid flow in the indentation in a direction substantially parallel to the carrying surface; and a pressure controller configured to control the pressure gradient between the at least two suction openings of each traction member.
US08616596B2
A bumper fastening structure is provided for a motor vehicle with a bumper and a fastening for the bumper, which has a screw and a screw cover. The bumper has at a fastening point a depression to receive a head of the screw and a recess for the mounting of the screw cover.
US08616589B2
A tube and fitting assembly can be used in a domestic appliance, such as an oven range, and includes a tube provided through an internal bore of a fitting. The tube includes a first end that is outwardly flared against a shoulder of the fitting via plastic deformation. The inner wall of the tube adjacent the outwardly flared portion is threaded and can be fastened to an orifice such that an internal bore of the orifice is in fluid communication with the tube.
US08616585B2
A pipe joint includes a first pipe that includes a first flange and a second pipe that includes a second flange. A first sleeve is installed within the first pipe and a second sleeve is installed within the second pipe. Further, an annular ring is positioned between the flange of the first pipe and the flange of the second pipe. The annular ring includes a first hub that extends into the first pipe and a second hub that extends into the second pipe. Moreover, a first complementary engagement structure is formed between the first sleeve and the first hub of the annular ring. The first complementary engagement structure provides a first seal interface within the pipe joint. A second complementary engagement structure is formed between the second sleeve and the second hub of the annular ring. The second complementary engagement structure provides a second seal interface within the pipe joint.
US08616562B2
An adapter is provided for coupling an accessory tool to any of a plurality of power tools wherein each of the plurality of power tools has a distinct tool drive structure. The adapter has body that includes a first side surface, and a second side surface positioned opposite to the first side surface. An inner peripheral surface extends from the first side surface to the second side surface that defines a central opening, and an outer peripheral surface extends from the first side surface to the second side surface. The first side surface has defined therein a plurality of recesses positioned around the central opening. In addition, the body has a first adapter drive structure and a second adapter drive structure. The first adapter drive structure and the second adapter drive structure define the plurality of recesses, and the first adapter drive structure and the second adapter drive structure each possesses a distinct configuration in comparison to each other. The first adapter drive structure is configured to mate with a first tool drive structure of a first power tool of the plurality of power tools, and the second adapter drive structure is configured to mate with a second tool drive structure of a second power tool of the plurality of power tools.
US08616558B2
An overlay component (such as a seal) is provided for mounting to an elongated vehicle structure (such as a door check link) without passing the overlay over the end of the structure. The overlay component has a first body section and a second body section comprised of resilient material. The first body section has a first structure receiving portion and a first interlocking portion. The second body section has a second interlocking portion complementary with the first interlocking portion. The first and second interlocking portions resiliently deform as they are interlocked while the elongated vehicle structure is being received by the first structure receiving portion, thereby retaining the overlay component on the elongated vehicle structure without adhesives or fasteners.
US08616556B2
A combined oil ring includes an oil ring having upper and lower rails formed integrally at an outer circumferential side of the oil ring to slide on a cylinder wall; a coil expander installed at an inner circumferential side of the oil ring to force the oil ring radially outwards; and a side rail installed at an upper side of the oil ring and having no torsion along an axial direction of the oil ring.
US08616555B2
A packing assembly adapted to be mounted on and seal a reciprocating shaft includes a packing nut, an elastomeric sealing member releasably coupled to the packing nut, and a keeper to facilitate the releasable coupling between the elastomeric sealing member and the packing nut, wherein the entire assembly is removable from the reciprocating shaft as a unit.
US08616547B2
A sheet processing apparatus capable of improving sheet processing performance and productivity is provided. While sheets are conveyed in a piled state toward a rear-end stopper, displacement is produced between the sheets by a pair of discharge rollers. Even if adhesion occurs between the sheets during conveyance thereof, the adhesion between the sheets can be removed before the sheets come into contact with the rear-end stopper.
US08616540B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a jaw apparatus that is tied to a stable anchor (e.g., a vehicle) and that holds wood off the ground in a stable manner to enable cutting by a user. The jaw apparatus can include a main shaft that defines a shaft axis. The main shaft can have a first end and a second end. The first end of the main shaft can have an insertion portion that is configured to be inserted into a trailer-hitch-like receptacle (e.g., a trailer hitch receptacle). The jaw apparatus can include an indentation structure coupled to the second end of the main shaft. The indentation structure can form an indentation, which can have interior surfaces. The interior surfaces can extend upwardly and away from the main shaft. The interior surfaces can be configured to exert upward force on the piece of wood when received in the jaw apparatus. The jaw apparatus can include one or more bars coupled to the main shaft at a bar connection location between the first and second ends of the main shaft. Each of the one or more bars can extend upwardly and away from the main shaft in a direction toward the second end of the main shaft. Each of the one or more bars can have a downward facing surface configured to exert downward force on the piece of wood when received in the jaw apparatus.
US08616534B2
A diffuser tube is capable of preventing sludge from entering the tube when a diffusion operation is not performed, thereby preventing clogging of diffusion holes and inside of the tube and reducing a pressure loss during the diffusion operation. The diffuser tube is formed of an elastic tubular body, and slit cutting surfaces of a diffusion slit are slanted with respect to a radial direction of a membrane member in a slanted surface portion.
US08616530B2
The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for reeving a hoisting cable of a crane, wherein the load to be transported can be suspended from a lower hook block (3), which is held by the hoisting cable (12), from single-loom to double-loom and from double-loom to triple-loom mode, in which an auxiliary cable and/or a chain are utilized such that the weight of the lower hook block causes the hoisting cable to be pulled around the respective roller.
US08616527B2
Disclosed is a hoist using a friction wheel to maximize horizontal movement of a load to be lifted while preventing a wire from deviating from a winding orbit while being wound on a wire drum, the friction wheel having a simplified configuration and being designed to stably support horizontal and vertical movable guide rollers. The hoist includes a single friction wheel on which a wire at a winding side is wound, a wire drum on which the wire at a drawing side is wound, a driven friction wheel through which the wire is guided from the friction wheel to the wire drum, vertical and horizontal stationary guide rollers and vertical and horizontal movable rollers for guidance of the wire, a movable roller mount to horizontally reciprocate the horizontal and vertical movable guide rollers, and upper and lower sheaves to guide the wire to the friction wheel.
US08616518B2
A stairway forming system includes a plurality of stacked, elongate stair riser form carriers, the carriers being longitudinally displaceable relative to one another. An anchoring unit anchors at least a lowermost riser form carrier in position relative to a substrate. A positioning assembly is attached to at least one of the riser form carriers and cooperates with the remaining riser form carriers for displacing the carriers in unison relative to one other to adopt a staggered operative configuration approximating an angle of the stairway to be formed.
US08616517B2
A turbomachine foot unit with a plurality of feet is provided. The plurality of feet is fastened to a turbomachine. The turbomachine stands upright on a horizontal base. The turbomachine foot includes fastening devices for fastening the feet to the base. At least one of the feet is mounted in a horizontally moveable manner relative to one of the fastening devices fastening the foot to the base.
US08616516B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting bracket for use in connection with a rail, for assembling cabin interior components into an aircraft.
US08616514B1
An off-road motorcycle stand is selectively adjustable between vertically-aligned and vertically-offset positions such that a user can drive a variety of motorcycles to the stand, lean the motorcycle onto the top plate and quickly park the motorcycle. Such a motorcycle stand preferably includes a base, a first support member connected to the base, and a second support member statically attached to the first support member such that the second support member is capable of engaging a portion of an existing motorcycle thereon. In this manner, the first support member may be selectively pivotal between vertically-aligned and vertically-offset positions relative to a centrally registered longitudinal axis of the base.
US08616508B1
A portable mobile media device adapter to enable secure and adjustable mounting of a mobile media device on a standard tripod or other supporting devices to allow hands-free viewing and operation of the mobile media device. The portable mobile media device adapter consists essentially of a snap-on shell portion; a flat tablet portion which has one flat surface and one decorated surface, the flat surface adhered to the outside surface of the snap-on shell portion, the decorated surface further has a surface aperture, one threaded nut further having a threaded through hole disposed permanently within the flat tablet portion; and an elongated kick stand assembly having a top end and a bottom end, the top end further has one horizontal threaded through hole and one matching threaded bolt wherein the matching threaded bolt fastens the top end to the threaded nut of the flat tablet portion, the bottom end further has an elongated bottom threaded bolt extending downwardly therefrom.
US08616504B2
A gurney flap assembly has an actuator and a body. The body has a leading edge and a trailing edge and includes a first panel attaching to the actuator proximate the leading edge, and a second panel attaching to a first hinge at the trailing edge. A second hinge attaches the first and second panel. Linear motion of an actuator output is transposed to the gurney flap, thereby causing the gurney flap to expand and deploy into the airstream on the pressure side of the wing.
US08616499B2
A wing structure is provided, wherein the wing structure comprises; an upper covering, a lower covering, and a spar, the spar comprising; a spar web, an upper spar cap attached to the upper covering, and a lower spar cap attached to the lower covering, the wing structure also comprising a face spaced apart from the spar web extending between the upper and lower spar caps. The wing structure is arranged to contain fuel in a fuel containment area between the upper and lower coverings on one side of the spar web. The upper and lower spar caps extend from the spar web only on the other side of the spar web to the fuel containment area.
US08616494B2
The invention relates to a vortex generator (10), in particular for a model (12) in a fluid-dynamic channel. In order to save time during the development of vehicles, in particular aircraft, in particular to save wind tunnel time, it is suggested to configure the vortex generator (10) switchable. Further, the invention relates to various uses of such a switchable vortex generator (10), in particular on models in fluid-dynamic channels and in fluid-dynamic channel tests.
US08616493B2
The invention concerns a device and a method to cause the rotation of at least one wheel of the landing gear of aircraft, according to which between the supporting structure (12) of the landing gear and the brake group of the wheel is placed at least an actuator element with variable geometry (35) controlled and managed to develop such a force in order to impose an intermittent angular rotation of the wheel (15) when the brake group is operated.
US08616492B2
A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft having a fuselage with three wings and six synchronously tilt-able propulsion units, each one mounted above, below, or on each half of the aforementioned three wings. The propulsion units are vertical for vertical flight, and horizontal for forward flight. The aircraft wings are placed such that the rear wing is above the middle wing which is placed above the front wing. The placement of each of the propulsion units relative to the center of gravity of the aircraft about the vertical axis inherently assures continued stability in vertical flight mode, following the loss of thrust from any one propulsion unit. The placement of the propulsion units, viewing the aircraft from the front, is such that each propulsion units' thrust wake does not materially disturb the propulsion unit to its rear. When engine driven propellers or rotors are utilized, flapped wing panels are attached outboard of the forward and/or rearward propulsion units to provide yaw control during vertical flight.
US08616488B2
A web winding up or unwinding device adapted for a web-form material coating machine comprises a web roll support, the web roll support comprising a web roll changing device, and a web edge guide device, the web edge guide device comprising a sensor device adapted for determining a shifting of a lateral edge of a web of the web-form material to be wound up on or unwound from the web roll arranged on the web roll support, a web roll support displacing device adapted for laterally displacing the web roll support, and a control device adapted for controlling the sensor device and the web roll support displacing device.
US08616486B2
A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.
US08616479B2
A roller mill includes a grinding table arranged for rotation about a mill axis, at least one grinding roller rotated about a grinding roller axis and in rolling engagement with the grinding table, and at least one pivot lever retaining the grinding roller and having a pivot axis orientated parallel with or inclined relative to the grinding roller axis. A fixed motor is connected to the grinding roller via a drive train to transmit drive power, the drive train including a fixed drive train and a movable drive train. The fixed drive train has a drive element in contact with the movable drive train and arranged coaxially relative to the pivot axis of the pivot lever. The two drive trains may be connected to each other via two bevel wheels arranged so that the axes of the bevel wheels intersect in the pivot axis.
US08616477B1
A wood chipping apparatus having: an hydraulic belt tensioner for gearbox to chipper wheel belts; hydraulic cylinders for adjusting belts from motor to gearbox; three wear plates in chip pockets; three wear plates on chipper base forming a semi-circle; and a gear to gear chipper chute rotation device.
US08616472B2
A container for a substance to be sprayed, wherein the container comprises a reservoir for the substance, wherein the container is provided with operable spraying means connected to the reservoir for spraying the substance, wherein the spraying means (3, 4, 13, 14) are provided with at least two spaced apart outflow openings (7, 8; 17, 18, 18′) which can be brought into fluid communication (2; 12) with the reservoir (1; 11) for spraying the substance in at least two spray beams (B1, B2; B 11, 11′, B12) to surroundings. The invention further relates to a cap evidently destined for such a container. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a container.
US08616469B2
In the present invention, a new air-pressure utilizing water-saving shower head which takes in external air to increase the spray pressure is introduced. According to the present invention, this water-saving shower head comprises, a holding space for water inside, a body that contains an air hole at the bottom to take in the external air, the internal cross-sectional areas decreasing and then increasing, an air intake hole connecting into the air hole of the upper body, a pressure applying unit which mixes the external air coming through the air hole with the novelty of the pressure of the water flow movement, positioned at the front side of upper body and consists of an extended spray tube with multiple spray boards protruding outward.
US08616467B1
A sprinkler head cover. Implementations may include an artificial turf portion including a backing, a stiffener coupled to the backing, and a bag coupled to the stiffener where the bag has at least one reclosable opening therein. The bag may be configured to receive a quantity of fill material when the at least one reclosable opening is opened and to retain the quantity of fill material within the bag when the at least one reclosable opening is closed. The bag may also be configured to rest on a top surface of a sprinkler head when the sprinkler head is in a retracted position in a grassy area.
US08616462B2
A purge valve comprising a valve body having a valve inlet and a valve outlet and a water flow passage between the valve inlet and the valve outlet; first valve means adapted to set the valve in open position by opening the water flow passage in response to a user's action; second valve means adapted to hold the valve in open position if and until the water flowing through the water flow passage is below a predetermined temperature; third valve means adapted to automatically set the valve in close position when the water flowing through the water flow passage is at the predetermined temperature; and, fourth valve means adapted to alert the user that the valve has closed and water having the predetermined temperature is available at the valve inlet.
US08616461B2
A printed dynamic optical illusion printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, wherein one or more of the colorants are appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by application of an appropriate external stimulus, and wherein one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image are printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant. The mutable portions are controllable such that when they are in a first appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a first illusion state, and when they are in a second appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a second illusion state, thereby changing the optical illusion image from the first illusion state to the second illusion state so as to affect the perception of an optical illusion by a human observer.
US08616449B2
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture for interacting with a multiple criteria buying and/or selling system to conduct business electronically. In particular, the architecture can include a dynamic discount card that includes an information access component for receiving information. In addition, the dynamic discount card can include a presentation component for displaying information to a user via the dynamic discount card.
US08616445B2
A portable electronic device includes an image capture module that captures a digital image of a symbology that is affixed to a regulated product. The device decodes the symbology to identify an end user functional element which has a public component and a law enforcement component. If the device has received a law enforcement official verification, then the device may use the law enforcement component of the functional element to take a first action. If the device has not received the law enforcement official verification, then the processor device may use the public component of the functional element to take a second action.
US08616444B2
A system for authorizing a financial transaction includes a processor operable to execute an application on a wireless communications device that is communicatively coupled to a data stripe through a wired connection, receive a request to authorize a financial transaction involving a financial account associated with account data, access authorization criteria for determining whether to authorize the financial transaction, apply the authorization criteria to the financial transaction, generate an authorization code based on the application of the authorization criteria to the financial transaction, and communicate the authorization code.
US08616443B2
A data string that includes potentially sensitive information, such as an account number for a payment card, may be evaluated using a delimiter search to provide an increased level of confidence that the data string encodes the sensitive information of interest. A delimiter search may include an evaluation of the bytes adjacent to the beginning and end of the data to determine whether or not those bytes have values that correspond to the values of known delimiters. A data string that is not surrounded by known delimiters may be disregarded (i.e., considered not to comprise sensitive information of interest), while a data string that is surrounded by known delimiters may warrant further evaluation.
US08616434B2
A printable and imprintable multi-component form is described that features detachable components including a correspondence piece, an envelope, and a variable element. The multi-component form is formed from two plies of material such as paper, plastic, foil, or paperboard. The correspondence piece can be a greeting card or a post card. The variable element can be a scrip, a customizable component, e.g., a wallet-sized photograph, or a product stamp. The scrip can be any non-monetary certificate exchangeable for currency, goods, or services including, for example, a gift card or a gift certificate. The assembled envelope can be used to mail the correspondence piece and variable element to a recipient. The detachable components can be separated from one another and from the sheet of material of the form at a plurality of lines of separation such as perforations.
US08616428B2
An anvil and anvil delivery system is provided which includes a head assembly and a center rod defining a longitudinal axis. The head assembly defines a transverse axis and is pivotally secured to the rod and movable from an operative position wherein the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tilted position wherein the transverse axis defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A flexible tube is secured to the center rod which includes gradations along the length of the tube. The gradations are positioned to provide an indication of a length of the tube remaining in a patient during removal of the tube from the patient. An adapter is secured to one end of the flexible tube and to the center rod. The adapter is configured to secure the anvil assembly to the flexible tube.
US08616427B2
A surgical device with a body portion defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, a dynamic clamping member movable relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples, and an articulation and firing actuator extending at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly. The articulation and firing actuator and is movable in relation thereto to selectively pivot the tool assembly relative to the body portion and move the dynamic clamping member relative to the tool assembly to eject the staples.
US08616421B2
A machine, and a related method, for automatically transferring tubular items for manufacturing men's socks, comprising a station (S1) for loading automatically the tubular items (1) arranged on a longitudinal axis thereof, a station (S2) for positioning the items in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, a station (S3) for orienting angularly the items with respect to a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a station (S4) for transferring along a transfer line (T) the oriented items, the transfer station comprising a first and a second leader for aligning a portion of the tubular items (1), in which the leaders are arranged one after the other along the transfer line (T) and are separated by a non-controlled section of said line, for correcting in the second leader possible errors of insertion of the item into said first leader.
US08616420B2
A closure for a non-refillable bottle is provided wherein the closure is designed to break apart into at least two portions when an attempt is made to pry the closure from the bottle. The breakage is directed across a frangible demarcation that is configured such that breakage of the closure into pieces does not compromise the seal of the closure on the bottle.
US08616418B2
A liquid dispensing device including a sealing component which can take up a liquid release position and a liquid blocking position. The sealing component includes an elastomer part and a rigid part, these parts being fastened to each other when moving.
US08616417B2
Proposed are an outlet valve and a dispensing device with an outlet valve for a cosmetic liquid. The outlet valve has a flatly resting valve element with an outlet formed therein. The outlet valve is able to open through the elastic deformation of the valve element.
US08616415B2
A pneumatic dispenser is provided comprising a handle with an actuation arrangement comprising two actuation surfaces, each for actuation by an operator holding the handle to selectively apply pressure to a respective one of the front and rear chambers on either side of a piston couple to a rod for applying a dispensing force, thereby controlling advance and retreat of the rod. Further, a valve is provided comprising a body and first and second moveable members. The valve can be arranged as a space saving five port valve for use in the disclosed dispenser. Additionally, a dispenser comprising a stock portion and a cylinder secured to the stock portion is disclosed. Pressure is supplied to the rear chamber of the cylinder from the stock portion through its front chamber and the piston moveable inside the cylinder.
US08616408B2
A paper towel dispenser includes a housing for holding a stack of interfolded towels. The housing includes a front wall, a rear wall, two outer side walls, an upper wall and a support surface for the stack of towels, the stack of towels being located adjacent and parallel to at least the front wall. The front wall extends a predetermined distance below the support surface. A dispensing opening is located between the front wall and the support surface, and at least one guide element is arranged to support a leading panel of a first towel adjacent the front wall and a leading edge of the leading panel parallel to the lower edge of the front wall.
US08616405B2
A lid is configured to mate with a brim of a cup to form a liquid container. The lid is formed to include a liquid-discharge outlet so that consumers can drink liquid stored in the cup while the lid is mounted on the brim of the cup. The lid comprises a ring-shaped brim mount adapted to mate with the brim of a cup and a central closure surrounded by the ring-shaped brim mount, wherein the central closure includes channel means for conducting any overflow liquid leaking inadvertently out of a cup coupled to the drink cup lid through the liquid-discharge outlet into the raised-liquid collection region formed in the elevated basin downwardly along a first predetermined path on an exterior surface of the elevated basin into the ring-shaped low-elevation liquid-retention channel.
US08616403B2
Disclosed is a fuel filler port device that is of a fuel tank for a straddled vehicle and that can utilize the upper space of the fuel tank without leading to an increase in size of a fuel filler guide tube. The fuel filler port device (60) of a fuel tank for a straddled vehicle is provided with: a fuel filler guide tube (61) that extends from the fuel filler port (53) provided to the upper wall of the fuel tank (16) to the interior of the fuel tank (16), and a flame arrester (62) that is disposed at the bottom of the fuel filler guide tube (61); and the flame arrester (62) is provided in a manner allowing a nozzle (N) of a fuel gun inserted from the fuel filler port (53) to be inserted lower than the upper end of the flame arrester (62).
US08616402B2
A bowl includes a main bowl portion and an ancillary portion or trough integral with the side of the bowl that is shaped to receive cereal or other food as a staging location before the food is maneuvered into the main bowl portion.
US08616399B2
Disclosed is a plastic lid for a container, which has a mounting hole in the lid's center and an in-and-out hole that is tightly closed until opened for the first time, and which has a plastic opening mechanism that can additionally pivotally cover the in-and-out hole. The opening mechanism has a valve that has a hole around which there are at least two latches which interact with a knob that has an arm terminated with a cylindrical element that has at least one carrier and is able to rotate in the mounting hole. The valve and the knob are sealed and immobilized with a plastic foil. Once opened, the in-and-out hole can be covered again using the valve and the mouth contact area using a plastic hygienic cover.
US08616397B2
A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) for disposing of one or more of fluid pharmaceutical waste and solid pharmaceutical waste includes a first waste receiver (614) and a receiver retainer (16). The first waste receiver (614) includes a first receiver body (621) having a first body access (621BA). Additionally, the pharmaceutical waste moves in a first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA) through which the pharmaceutical waste is directly received by the first receiver body (621). The receiver retainer (16) substantially encloses the first waste receiver (614). Further, the first waste receiver (614) is removable from the receiver retainer (16). Moreover, one of the first waste receiver (614) and the receiver retainer (16) includes a first waste guide (667A) that guides the pharmaceutical waste in a second direction (695A) away from the first body access (621BA) and in the first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA). Additionally, the first waste guide (667A) inhibits removal of the pharmaceutical waste from the first receiver body (621).
US08616392B2
Anti-filling device to be attached to the neck of a bottle to be closed by a sealing cap, including attachment means for attachment to the bottleneck, a chamber including a lower lip surrounding a lower orifice and confining a moveable part which forms a valve in conjunction with the lower lip, and an axial distribution duct. The device further includes a moveable axial rod, secured to the anti-filling device, the axial movement of which relative to the device is limited between a low position and a high position, and at least one stopper which is in engagement with the moveable axial rod such that, when the moveable axial rod is located in the low position, the stopper shuts an orifice which is arranged in the chamber. The low position is imposed by a projection attached to the cap, which comes into contact with the moveable axial rod when the cap is attached to the bottleneck.
US08616389B2
A mating cam coupler device includes a coupler head having a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion. A male cam is associated with the first lateral portion. A male cam locking mechanism is disposed within the first lateral portion and is operably connected with the male cam. A female cam is associated with the second lateral portion. A female cam locking mechanism is disposed within the second lateral portion and is operably connected with the female cam. The male cam is positioned to engage the female cam of an opposing coupler and the female cam is positioned to engage the male cam of the opposing coupler and operation of the male cam locking mechanism is triggered by engagement of the male cam with the opposing female cam and operation of the female cam locking mechanism is triggered by engagement of the female cam with the opposing male cam.
US08616388B2
A shelving assembly including a frame including a plurality of support columns. A shelf unit includes a plurality of sides disposed inside the frame. A gear assembly is disposed adjacent to one of the plurality of sides of the shelf unit. The gear assembly includes a drive shaft, a translational shaft and a translational gear disposed on a distal end of the translational shaft. A vertically-extending toothed rack is positioned on the frame. The vertically-extending toothed rack is operably engaged with the translational gear such that rotation of the drive shaft causes rotation of the translational shaft and rotation of the translational gear, which results in vertical translation of the shelf unit.
US08616387B2
A device and method for providing selective concealment and access to items stored on an overhead part of a retail shelving system. The device includes one or more mounting posts attachable to the retail shelving system and one or more panel support units. The mounting posts further include one or more substantially vertical channels. The panel support unit is engaged with the mounting posts and extends above the retail shelving system. The panel support unit is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration such that when in the open configuration the panel support unit is displaced to provide access to the items stored on the overhead part of the retail shelving system, and when in the closed configuration the panel support unit conceals the items stored on the overhead part of the retail shelving system.
US08616381B1
A cantilever carousel system for efficiently storing multiple print cylinders while providing a common access point for loading and unloading the print cylinders. The cantilever carousel system generally includes an external frame structure defining an internal cavity and a shell connected to the external frame structure to surround the cavity, wherein the shell includes at least one access opening extending therethrough. An internal frame structure is positioned within the cavity and a vertically oriented carousel is supported by the internal frame structure. A drive assembly is mechanically connected to the carousel, wherein the drive assembly circulates the carousel and a plurality of cantilever mandrels are supported by the carousel and circulate with the carousel. A plurality of print cylinders are removably received by the plurality of cantilever mandrels through the access opening.
US08616365B2
A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of laterally and substantially parallel longitudinal trough-like subdecks and a plurality of longitudinal slats adjacent to and parallel to each other. The slats are in a sliding relationship with a pair of adjacent subdecks and cover the longitudinal space between the pair of adjacent subdecks. The subdecks longitudinally support two adjacent slats at or near a slat longitudinal side edge. The subdecks conduct the movement of the slats, preferably without distinct bearing elements therebetween. Some preferred embodiments include raised double-seal system.
US08616364B2
A crop delivery system for a harvester including a vessel positioned in a harvester for securing a crop therein. A first tube has a first angled orientation and configured to receive the crop from the vessel. A second tube has a second angled orientation. A transition area is positioned between the first tube and the second tube. A continuous belt extends from the first tube to the second tube. A portion of the belt carrying the crop between the first tube and the second tube is structurally supported and substantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and the transition area. The transition area includes a roller positioned substantially transverse to the first tube and the second tube and in contact with the belt, the roller forming a substantially flat bend area in the belt for transitioning the belt from the first angled orientation to the second angled orientation.
US08616358B2
An inflatable liner with vibratory function related to lining mining hoppers and other such devices. The inflatable liner has an exterior expandable layer and ceramic wear layer beneath that assists maintaining a long-use-life of the inflatable liner. Use of the air-control device to rapidly inflate and deflate exterior expandable layer vibrates in the exterior expandable layer and assist removing unwanted material/debris from the exterior lining of exterior expandable layer to further maintain a long-life use of the inflatable liner and lower maintenance of the machinery/hopper.
US08616356B2
A friction clutch device for coupling a first rear motor shaft to a second front forced shaft by allowing free relative axial displacement between the two shafts. The clutch device includes a double shock-absorbing steering wheel having a primary couple input assembly which is fixedly mounted axially to the motor shaft, a secondary couple output assembly which is rotatably connected to a reactive plate of the clutch device which is supported by the forced shaft. An elastic circumferential action member is arranged in a cavity that is peripheral to the primary assembly to rotatably connect the secondary assembly, with circumferential shock absorption, to the primary assembly. The secondary assembly is fixedly mounted axially relative to the reactive plate.
US08616355B2
A hydraulic control device used in an automatic transmission includes an oil pump, a working pressure regulating portion, a first lubricant supply passage, a lockup switch mechanism, and a second lubricant supply passage. The oil pump is driven in accordance with rotation of a driving source. The working pressure regulating portion regulates a working pressure based on an oil pressure generated by the oil pump. The first lubricant supply passage supplies a back pressure of the working pressure to a lubricant passage. The lockup switch mechanism turns on/off a lockup clutch of the automatic transmission by switching a supply/discharge path of the working pressure to/from a fluid transmission apparatus of the automatic transmission. The second lubricant supply passage supplies the working pressure to the lubricant passage and is disconnected when a lockup clutch of the automatic transmission is turned on by the lockup switch mechanism.
US08616353B2
A device (10) for damping the vibration of a structure is provided. The device includes a main mass (12) and an auxiliary mass (20) mounted on a support (11) that is suitable for having one end held fixedly in the structure (1). The auxiliary mass (20) includes a threaded member (21) arranged around a drive screw (40) inside a casing (30) fastened to the main mass (12). The device includes manual drive (50) engaging the drive screw (40) to move the auxiliary mass (20) along the drive screw (40).
US08616351B2
A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly that provides a high damping load during a compression stroke and an extension valve assembly that provides a high damping load during an extension stroke. One or more digital valve assemblies is positioned to work in parallel with the compression valve assembly and the extension valve assembly to provide a lower damping load. The lowering of the damping load is based upon the cross sectional area of flow passages provided by the one or more digital valve assemblies.
US08616349B2
A disc brake to receive a disc and a brake pad. The disc brake includes an inner pad to produce friction with one side of a disc, an outer pad to produce friction with an opposite side of the disc, and a caliper housing including a cylinder part provided therein with a cylinder to receive a piston to press the inner pad and a finger part provided in front of the cylinder part to press the outer pad. The caliper housing includes a spacer to variably change an interval between the cylinder part and the finger part.
US08616345B2
Systems and methods for whirl mitigation in an aircraft braking system are provided. For example, an apparatus is provided comprising a brake disk stack including a torque tube having a first axial end and a second axial end, a back leg near a first axial end of the torque tube, and a circumferentially disposed spline extending from the back leg towards the second axial end of the torque tube.
US08616344B2
A brake comprising a brake disk stack including stators alternating with rotors that are rotatable relative to the stators about an axis of the disk stack, an annular torque plate at one axial end of the brake disk stack, and a circumferential arrangement of actuators at the other axial end of the brake disk stack for urging the brake disk stack against the torque plate thereby to effect a braking force on the rotors. A back leg (33) of the annular torque plate includes a plurality of apertures (110a-110f) arranged asymmetrically around the axis of the brake disk stack.
US08616343B2
A linear stopper including a stopper body having an inclined surface with a wedge-like space between the inclined surface and a surface of the guide member with a gap decreasing gradually toward one side of an extending direction of the guide member; rolling elements that are arranged in said wedge-like space so as to be rollable therein; and rolling element pressing means that presses the rolling elements in a direction to bite into the wedge-like space, so that the rolling elements are forced into pressure contact with the surface of the guide member and the inclined surface of the stopper body. A one-way stopper mechanism restricts the relative movement of the stopper body with respect to said guide member toward a side at which the gap in the wedge-like space is large, but allows the relative movement toward a side at which the gap in the wedge-like space is small.
US08616336B2
A method for setting a ladder in place includes the steps of leaning a top edge of the ladder against a work surface and swivel shoes on the bottom end of each leg of the ladder onto ground, positioning the ladder until a bubble of a rung of the ladder indicates a level reading. The method also includes the steps of sliding a rectangular closed box section metal leg having a cap which acts as a stop in an upper housing portion, the upper housing portion has two holes side by side, and a lower housing portion spaced apart from the upper housing portion of a housing of the leg attached to a rail of the ladder and inserting a holder through a hole of the two holes of the upper housing portion and a hole of two rows of holes which are set side by side but offset vertically from each other and extend through the leg.
US08616330B1
In one embodiment, provided is an actively tunable acoustic attenuator having a frame, a membrane within the frame, and a mass secured to the membrane. In another embodiment, provided is an actively tunable acoustic attenuator having a frame, a membrane within the frame, and a mass secured to the membrane. The membrane is coupled, either indirectly or directly, to the frame via a variable stiffness coupler. In another embodiment, provided is an actively tunable acoustic attenuator having a frame and a plurality of membrane layers within the frame. An active material is between at least two of the plurality of membrane layers. A mass is secured to at least one of the plurality of membrane layers.
US08616325B1
A drive shaft damper assembly installed onto a drive shaft bearing secured to a drive shaft mounted to a vehicle. The drive shaft bearing assembly includes a bearing collar assembly securely attached to the drive shaft bearing. The drive shaft damper assembly also includes an inner damper assembly, interconnected to the bearing collar assembly, which defines an inner bushing interface, and an outer damper assembly defining an outer bushing interface. A bushing assembly is disposed in an operative engagement between the inner and outer damper assemblies, wherein each of a plurality of bushing members are individually interconnected between the inner bushing interface and the outer bushing interface via corresponding bushing fasteners, the bushing members being removable and replaceable to permit tuning of the operation of the drive shaft. A mounting mechanism is structured to securely attach the outer damper assembly to a portion of the vehicle.
US08616323B1
The present invention generally relates to hybrid power systems for vehicles. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to hybrid power systems for various types of transportation vehicles where the hybrid power systems is partially, or even totally, based on the use of at least one hydraulic system to provide supplemental, or even the primary, motion power for a hybrid vehicle. In another embodiment, the hybrid power systems of the present invention are capable of providing both motion power as well as cabin comfort heating and/or cooling. In still another embodiment, a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention comprises a power generating system and passenger cabin comfort system, wherein the power generating system comprises a thermodynamic working fluid (FA) in a first thermodynamic cycle (C1), a pump (P1), a motor (M1), a high pressure accumulator, a low pressure reservoir, and at least one heat exchanger, wherein the thermodynamic working fluid (FA) is concurrently operable to create either vehicle motion through the motor (M1) or electricity through a generator and is operable to create passenger cabin cooling or heating through the expansion or contraction of the thermodynamic working fluid (FA).
US08616322B2
Since a stand including a plurality of supports and a top plate is built in on one side of a rear part of an upper frame of an upper rotating body as seen from an operator in a cabin, and a power storage device is installed on the top plate of this stand, the power storage device is arranged at the highest position among all the devices mounted in the upper rotating body. The power storage device is made up of a main body and a casing, and cooled down by taking cooling air into the casing.
US08616294B2
The present invention is an in-situ apparatus for generating carbon dioxide gas at an oil site for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The apparatus includes a steam generator adapted to boil and superheat water to generate a source of superheated steam, as well as a source of essentially pure oxygen. The apparatus also includes a steam reformer adapted to react a carbonaceous material with the superheated steam and the pure oxygen, in an absence of air, to generate a driver gas comprising primarily carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas. A separator is adapted to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the rest of the driver gas to generate a carbon dioxide-rich driver gas and a hydrogen-rich fuel gas. A compressor is used for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich driver gas for use in enhanced oil recovery, and the compressed carbon dioxide-rich driver gas, with substantially no oxygen, is injected to a predetermined depth in order to enhance oil recovery at the oil site. Unlike traditional CO2-EOR, which requires large power plants stationed near metropolitan areas and expensive pipeline networks, the in-situ apparatus can be placed or constructed at the site of the oil field, while a portion of the carbonaceous material may be obtained from a site outside the oil field.
US08616291B2
A hydraulic control system for a sub-surface safety valve has control lines in hydraulic communication with the valve. A first control line communicates hydraulic pressure to actuate the valve, while the other control line communicates hydraulic pressure to compensate for hydrostatic pressure associated with the first control line. A regulator regulates hydraulic communication between the two control lines. The regulator prevents fluid communication from the first to the balance control line as long as integrity of the second line is maintained. When the second line fails, the safety valve can fail in the open position. In this case, the regulator permits hydraulic pressure to bleed from the first line to the second line. This allows the safety valve to then fail in a closed condition and allows the second line to potentially be recharged if its integrity is regained.
US08616281B2
A well bore servicing apparatus comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and a through bore, and a movable member disposed in the housing, the movable member having a through bore and a fluid aperture therein, wherein the movable member is movable between a first stop position and a second stop position relative to the housing, wherein the fluid aperture is in fluid communication with the housing through bore and the movable member through bore to provide a fluid stream to the well bore in the first and second axially spaced stop positions.
US08616280B2
A method of completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation. The method principally has application to subsurface formations comprising organic-rich rock that is to be heated in situ. Heating the organic-rich rock pyrolyzes solid hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon fluids. The method includes identifying sections along the wellbore where the organic richness of formation rock within the identified zones varies over short distances. Such variance presents a risk of mechanical failure to downhole equipment. The method further includes strengthening the downhole equipment in at least one of the identified sections.
US08616278B2
Certain viscous oil reservoirs are too deep to be commercially mined but lack an adequate top seal to employ in situ recovery methods such as SAGD. Without an adequate top seal, gases from the reservoir can rise into overlying aquifers and potentially to the surface. While ice-like hydrates would not normally form above the oil reservoir during in situ recovery, an additive can be added to promote hydrate formation. In this way, a hydrate barrier can be formed to act as a top seal to contain these gases.
US08616269B2
A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates (7, 9, 11, 13) each having first (15, 19) and second (17, 21) heat transfer surfaces on reverse sides. The plates are arranged in a stack with spacings between mutually facing heat transfer surfaces of adjacent plates. Alternate spacings in the stack providing respectively, a first fluid path (51, 52) for a first fluid and a second fluid path (57, 59) for a second fluid. The plates are arranged in a plurality of groups, each comprising at least two plates. Pin means are provided in the form of a plurality of groups of pins (23). The pins of each pin group are arranged to bridge plates of a respective plate group.
US08616266B2
The present invention is a thermal spreader for providing a high effective thermal conductivity between a heat source and a heat sink. The thermal spreader may include a mechanically flexible substrate. The mechanically flexible substrate may be at least partially constructed of organic materials. The mechanically flexible substrate may form an internal channel which is configured for containing an electrically-conductive liquid. The thermal spreader may further include a pump. The pump may be configured for being connected to the substrate and for circulating the electrically-conductive liquid within the internal channel. The thermal spreader may further include one or more thermally-conductive, rigid metal inserts. Each insert may be configured for being in thermal contact with the electrically-conductive liquid and the substrate and for promoting heat transfer between the thermal spreader and the electrically-conductive liquid.
US08616265B2
The invention concerns a cooler assembly for a vehicle cooling system, with a cooling unit pivotally attached to a retaining element. The retaining element is slidable in a lengthwise direction along a guide element which is attached to the cooling system, so that the cooling unit can be moved from an operating position by sliding and subsequent pivoting into a maintenance and cleaning position.
US08616253B2
A tire for vehicle wheels, in particular for heavy load vehicle wheels, has a tread band including an annular central portion astride an equatorial plane and two annular shoulder portions arranged on axially opposite sides with respect to the annular central portion. The annular central portion is separated from a respective annular shoulder portion by a respective circumferential groove. The annular central portion includes a plurality of blocks arranged along at least one circumferential row between two circumferential grooves and at least one transversal sipe arranged between two circumferentially consecutive blocks. The transversal sipe has a main surface oriented in a substantially radial direction and provided with at least one deformation defining, in the adjacent blocks, respective portions of mutual constraint. The deformation has an overall decreasing width from an axial end of the sipe to a central zone thereof and has a radial extension smaller than that of the aforementioned main surface.
US08616252B2
A nozzle including a dispensing path configured such that fluid is dispensable therethrough and into a vessel, and a sensing path in which a negative pressure is generated when fluid flows through the dispensing path. The nozzle further includes an attitude sensing device configured to sense an attitude of the nozzle. The attitude sensing device is in fluid communication with the sensing path and includes a ball received in a track. The track includes a generally spherical portion configured to receive the ball therein to generally block the sensing path when the nozzle is raised to a sufficient angle. The spherical portion has a radius generally corresponding to a radius of the ball.
US08616244B2
An apparatus for conveying fluid comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a passage for fluid and an outer wall has at least one first receiving section for receiving an inner wail from the second tube. The second tube has a first end and a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a chamber for receiving the first tube and has at least one second receiving section for receiving the outer wall of the first tube wherein at least one of the first tube and the second tube are drawn down such that the first receiving section and the second receiving section of the first tube and the second tube are in close proximity to each other and sealed.
US08616228B1
A multi-stage pressure regulator system. The system of the present invention provides for distribution of the Joules-Thomson (J-T) cooling effect between multiple stages. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure is first reduced by a set ratio in one or more stages followed by an adjustable pressure output stage. The present invention thereby provides a system to control pressure reduction and thus prevent condensation (and associated distortion of a vapor composition sample) of a gas due to J-T cooling effect. The system of the present invention is particularly suitable for use placement (via, for example, a probe) within the source gas supply containment vessel, pipeline or the like, so that pressure reduction occurs at or near isothermal conditions, further lessening the likelihood of J-T condensation.
US08616227B1
Multilevel microfluidic devices include a control line that can simultaneously actuate valves for both sample and reagent lines. Microfluidic devices are configured to contain a first reagent in a first chamber and a second reagent in a second chamber, where either or both of the first and second reagents are contained at a desired or selected pressure. Operation of a microfluidic device includes transmitting second reagent from the second chamber to the first chamber, for mixing or contact with the first reagent. Microfluidic device features such as channels, valves, chambers, can be at least partially contained, embedded, or formed by or within one or more layers or levels of an elastomeric block.
US08616226B2
A shelter that includes a slider and a strut mechanism mounted on support posts of the shelter that automatically actuate and extend from the side of the support posts when the shelter is expanded from its collapsed state. The strut mechanism provides support for an eave that extends outside from all or a portion of the perimeter of the shelter defined by the corners of the support posts. An automatic hard-stop mechanism is incorporated into the support posts that prevent the eave sliders and strut mechanisms from becoming over-extended. The support posts are configured and oriented relative to the other components of the shelter frame and shelter boundary so to minimize the footprint or size of the shelter when in the collapsed state. Accordingly, the protected and shaded area offered by the shelter is greatly increased without sacrificing the stability and strength of the shelter, complicating the operation of the shelter, or increasing the weight, storability or cost of the shelter.
US08616224B2
A method and apparatus for supplying a gas mixture to a load lock chamber is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus supplies a gas mixture to a pair of process chambers, comprising a first ozone generator to provide a first gas mixture to a first process chamber, a second ozone generator to provide a second gas mixture to a second process chamber, a first gas source coupled to the first ozone generator via a first mass flow controller and a first gas line, and coupled to the second ozone generator via a second mass flow controller and a second gas line, and a second gas source coupled to the first ozone generator via a third mass flow controller and a third gas line and coupled to the second ozone generator via fourth mass flow controller and a fourth gas line.
US08616219B2
A filter (3) for a smoking article (1) comprises one or more segments (4a, 4b, 4c) of filtration media and a substantially transparent wrapper (5). The one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) and the wrapper (5) define a recess or cavity in the filter (3). An anchoring adhesive (7) is provided to secure the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) to the wrapper (5). The anchoring adhesive (7) is disposed exclusively between the wrapper (5) and portions of the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) other than those corresponding to the recess or cavity.
US08616217B2
A smoking article comprises a multilayered tube member (9) including at least one metal layer and one paper layer, a carbon heat source (4) arranged in an end portion of the tube member (9) to be at least partly in direct close contact with an inner surface of the tube member (9), the carbon heat source emitting heat when ignited, a smoking flavor releasing source (8) arranged in the tube member (9) to adjoin the carbon heat source (4), and a holder part (14) keeping the carbon heat source (4) in direct contact with said end portion and holding the carbon heat source (4) against said end portion.
US08616197B2
A dose counter system, and a dispensing apparatus having such a dose counter system, for counting activations of a pressurised dispensing container including: a hydraulic system; and a counter; the hydraulic system having a hydraulic cylinder with a primary piston, a secondary piston and a working fluid, wherein the secondary piston is coupled to, or otherwise operates the counter and the primary piston is engaged by, fixed to, coupled to, or otherwise moved by, a pressurised dispensing container.
US08616181B2
A variety of methods and arrangements for improving the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines are described. In some aspects, methods and arrangements are described for operating an engine in a throttled skip fire mode. In other aspects, methods and arrangements are described for controlling the operational state of a variable displacement engine.
US08616175B2
An internal combustion engine and a method for maximizing fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block assembly having an electromagnet coupled thereto and an engine component movable relative to the engine block assembly. The engine component includes a permanent magnet coupled thereto. A control system is provided to selectively provide an electrical current to the electromagnet to produce a desired magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field of the electromagnet cooperates with a magnetic field of the permanent magnet to affect a motion of the engine component in respect of the engine block assembly.
US08616173B2
An engine assembly may include an engine block, a first piston, a second piston, and a cylinder head. The cylinder head and the engine block may define a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber. The cylinder head may define a first intake port and a second intake port. The first intake port may be in communication with the first combustion chamber and may include a first inlet extending through an upper surface of the cylinder head. The second intake port may be in communication with the second combustion chamber and may include a second inlet extending through a side of the cylinder head.
US08616161B2
A method for the production of a piston for an internal combustion engine, having a circumferential cooling channel, whereby a blank of a lower piston part is forged, and a blank of an upper piston part is produced, the blanks are pre-machined and joined together to form a piston blank, which is finished to produce a piston. At least one depression or recess is formed into the blank of the lower piston part during the forging process. In the finished piston, the depression forms an opening for a coolant inflow and/or a coolant outflow, or the recess forms an excavation groove for a pin securing ring, respectively.
US08616160B2
A cooling apparatus for a water-cooled engine includes a radiator that cools coolant that has been circulated in the engine; a radiator fan that delivers air to the radiator; a determination portion that determines whether the engine is operated under a high load; and a setting portion. If the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, the setting portion sets an operation rate of the radiator fan at a time point at which the determination portion determines that the engine is operated under a high load, to a value higher than a normal operation rate at the same coolant temperature as a coolant temperature at the time point.
US08616158B2
A blower housing of novel two-piece construction is comprised of first and second housing parts of stamped or drawn sheet metal that are attached together. The two-piece construction provides the housing with two interior portions separated by an interior wall. The interior wall has an opening that is spaced from the aligned exhaust opening of the heater and the output opening of the housing. This creates a winding exhaust gas flow path through the blower housing. The interior wall is also provided with a recessed cavity that receives a portion of a fan rotated by a motor supported by the blower housing. Positioning of at least a portion of the fan in the cavity reduces the overall height dimension of the blower housing and facilitates the retrofitting of the blower housing between an existing exhaust opening of a heater and an axially aligned flue pipe.
US08616157B2
A steam generating apparatus includes a body for receiving water to be heated and has a first portion including a first metal, and a heating device having a second portion including a second metal. The heating device includes a heating plate connected with the body by forming an intermetallic layer between the first and second portions. A temperature sensor measures temperature indicative of pressure inside the body and thermally contacts the heating device outside the body. A method of controlling the pressure of steam in the steam generating apparatus includes setting the target water temperature for a first time period to a first set temperature; setting the target water temperature for a second time period to a second set temperature higher than the first set temperature; and setting the target water temperature for a third time period to a third set temperature lower than the second set temperature.
US08616156B2
A system for treating water for subsequent consumption by animals. Illustratively, the system includes a wastewater treatment facility configured to treat wastewater effluent from an egg washer for subsequent consumption by egg producing birds. Further illustratively, stormwater run off collected from the facility is treated for subsequent consumption by the birds.
US08616149B2
A manufacturing method for a tampon having an absorbent body that absorbs liquid includes obtaining the absorbent body by compressing and shaping an absorbent-body material, and applying a melted agent to an outer surface of the absorbent body, the outer surface having a temperature lower than or equal to a freezing point of a main ingredient of the agent.
US08616145B1
A flagpole having a shaft assembly comprising first and second ends. The first end defines a head. Positioned between the head and the second end is a channel. A snap cap has an exterior sidewall with a top face and an exterior bottom edge. An interior sidewall extends from the top face to an interior bottom wall. The interior bottom wall comprises an edge that protrudes inwardly from the interior sidewall. At least two notches are defined at the top face. The at least two notches extend along the interior sidewall to the interior bottom wall. A clamp assembly has a shaft member with third and fourth ends. The third end extends from the second end. Extending from the fourth end is a connector section that terminates as a clamp. In use, the flagpole is mounted onto a tubular section of vessel to display a flag mounted thereon.
US08616135B2
A transit vehicle for use in the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers and cargo remain inside the roadway vehicle during transit, and the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers travel in a separate passenger area. The transit vehicle is essentially an overland ferry wherein drivers park their roadway vehicles in easy-access bays and remain inside their vehicle during commuter journeys or take a place in the passenger area on longer journeys. With rapid loading and unloading functions, and capable of high speed when powered by an appropriate motive source, the transit vehicle can reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by transporting a substantial number of commuters.
US08616129B1
A cartridge useful as an activator of other systems, and related method of manufacture. The cartridge's casing includes a fuse delimited by placing a plate at each end staked to the casing for fixing the fuse. This configuration permits precise control of the length of the fuse during manufacture, eliminates the need for separate structures in the casing to aid fuse location, and simplifies manufacture and assembly. This configuration supports the fuse lessening stresses that can lead to fractures. A portion of the casing is thinned by a preselected amount to permit fracturing of the casing to launch the projectile. The projectile may be attached to the cartridge casing more simply, e.g. by screw threading.
US08616112B2
A drive for a weapon is provided, wherein rotational motion of a motor is converted to a forward or reverse motion of the breech in a simple manner using the Scotch yoke principle. In order to allow rest periods of the breech in the end positions, the crank radius is defined by a control cam, which changes when the crank is rotated. The hinge pin of the crank may be externally driven via a pinion shaft. A yoke pin is arranged in a groove of the crank so as to be radially displaceable and carries the breech carrier or the breech in a groove extending transversely to the direction of fire via a sliding block. Two rollers are arranged on the crank pin and run in control cams in the weapon or crank housing. The control cam is subdivided into different sectors/sections, thereby achieving the desired motion of the breech.
US08616111B2
A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.
US08616108B2
A guide rail for a portable power tool includes a releasable connecting device and at least two individual rails which are to be joined together to form a common rail and which can be locked together via the releasable connecting device. The releasable connecting device includes at least one connecting latch on a first individual rail of the at least two individual rails. The connecting latch is adjustable between a locking position and a release position. The connecting latch, for shifting from the locking position into the release position, performs a movement relative to the first individual rail on which the connecting latch is held. The connecting latch is engaged in the locking position with a locking counterpart arranged on a second individual rail of the at least two individual rails.
US08616105B1
A slicing apparatus for vegetables includes a slicing apparatus with a base portion, a slicing area, an actuator support portion adapted to be releasably connected to the base portion; and an actuator, attached to the actuator support portion comprising a drive rod and a slicing blade portion. Another embodiment includes a mounting plate having a base-mounting surface and a wall-mounting surface, the base-mounting surface adapted to be removably attached to the base portion, and the wall-mounting surface adapted to be permanently attached to a vertical wall surface, the base-mounting surface and the wall-mounting surface being arranged at an angle to one another such that the drive rod is maintained at an angle to the vertical wall surface.
US08616104B2
A table saw includes a support arrangement, a table top assembly connected to the support arrangement, the table top assembly having (i) a work piece support surface, and (ii) a saw blade opening defined in the work piece support surface, a saw assembly supported under the table top assembly including a saw blade, and a saw assembly adjustment mechanism having a user actuator. The user actuator causes movement of the saw blade in relation to the work piece support surface. A first extension element extends from the support arrangement and defines a first extension space, and a second extension element extends from the support arrangement and defines a second extension space, wherein a first protection zone is defined between the first extension space and the second extension space, and wherein the actuator is completely contained within the first protection zone.
US08616103B2
A food article slicing machine includes a slicing station, a food article feed apparatus, and an automated blade retraction mechanism. The food article feed apparatus supports one or more food articles for movement along food article paths intersecting the cutting path. The automated blade retraction mechanism periodically retracts the blade from the cutting plane to make empty cuts during a continuous cutting operation. The retracting mechanism includes a sliding member arranged outside the blade shaft, the sliding member guided for sliding movement and non-rotation and arranged to exert a sliding force on the blade shaft. A linear actuator causes the sliding member to slide and exert a sliding force on the blade shaft to retract the knife blade away from the cutting plane in a direction along the axis of the blade shaft.
US08616101B2
A device for manufacturing a product from strip tape includes a roll that draws off and separates a web of material. The web of material is severed into individual strips in cooperation with a multiple circular knife roll. A vacuum conveyor channel is associated with each strip. The vacuum conveyor channel is designed such that each strip is turned on its way to the channel or through the channel by about 90°. The end of the vacuum conveyor channel brings the strips together at one site to form a unit and at that site there are provided a guide and a transport device for the further transport to conversion equipment.
US08616090B2
A seal breaker to break the seal of a container includes the container cap having either one or more slots with an adjacent rigid portion capable of penetrating the seal or one or more pointed projections capable of penetrating the seal or one or more pointed projections.
US08616087B2
A power transmission device is comprised of a first shaft having a first gear and a second gear and capable of being drivingly coupled with the engine; a second shaft drivingly coupled with the electric motor and the first shaft; a third gear meshing with the first gear to form a first gearing having a first gear ratio; a fourth gear coaxial with the third gear, the fourth gear meshing with the second gear to form a second gearing having a second gear ratio; a third shaft coaxial with both the third gear and the fourth gear, the third shaft being drivingly coupled with the axles; a first clutch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the third gear with the third shaft; and a second clutch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the fourth gear with the third shaft.
US08616082B2
The control device comprises an elongated mechanical transmission member (10; 110) interposed between the gearbox and a control member (100) for transmitting to the gearbox the commands imparted through the control member, in such a manner that the gear engaged by means of the gearbox is linked to the linear position of the transmission member (10; 110). The device is provided with a position sensor (26; 126) comprising a movable reference element (28; 128), the movement of which is univocally determined by the movement of a rigid end portion (14; 114) of the transmission member (10; 110), and a stationary detection element (30) for detecting the position of the reference element (28; 128). The reference element (28; 128) is mechanically connected to the rigid end portion (14; 114) and spaced apart from it. Preferably, the position sensor is a linear position sensor (26) arranged to detect the linear position of the reference element (28), which is drivingly connected for translation with the rigid end portion (14) of the transmission member (10).
US08616075B2
A system is provided to facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.
US08616073B2
A sampler for an elemental analyzer comprises a sample housing suitable to accommodate one or more samples, sealed in tin or silver capsules, to be analyzed, a closure mechanism suitable to reversibly seal the sample housing, a sample passage having a connection opening for the passage by gravity of the one or more samples from the sampler into the analyzer through the connection opening. The sampler further comprises a heater for heating the sample housing and a vacuum system or other means for pumping out environmental gases and vapors from the sample housing.
US08616072B2
Provided herein are systems and methods for storage, retrieval and sampling of materials.
US08616069B2
A fiber optic sensor based on spiral structure is a multi-loop spiral member formed by spring wire. A plurality of deformation teeth are continuously distributed on the upper surface and the lower surface (12) of the spring wire in a longitudinal direction along the spring wire; in two adjacent loops of the spring wire, the deformation teeth on the lower surface of the upper loop of the spring wire and the deformation teeth on the upper surface of the lower loop of the spring wire correspond to each other in a staggered way. A signal optical fiber is clamped between the deformation teeth on the lower surface of the upper loop of the spring wire and the deformation teeth on the upper surface of the lower loop of the spring wire, and connected to a test unit (5) by a transmission optical fiber.
US08616065B2
The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors. In some cases, the pressure sensor may include a membrane or diaphragm, multiple sense elements connected to one another in a bridge configuration and positioned on the membrane, and an amplifier coupled to an output of the bridge configuration and having an output, where the diaphragm, sense elements and amplifier may be formed on a singled substrate or formed integrally therewith, or both. In one example, the pressure sensor may sense a particular range of pressures applied to the sensor, and/or may include an amplifier that has a selectable gain for amplifying an output of the bridge.
US08616063B2
A multiple chamber test system is provided. The multiple chamber test system includes a plurality of test chambers that each include a vibration table. In addition, each of the test chambers is provided with thermally controlled air from a common source. An output plenum for providing thermally controlled air to the test chambers may include a flow control device, to provide the same or similar thermal conditions in each of the test chambers. Where pneumatic actuators are used to impart movement to the vibration tables, the exhaust air from the actuators can be prevented from mixing with the thermally controlled chamber air.
US08616061B2
An ultrasonic sensor includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, and a circuit device. The circuit device determines that the receiving device receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an object, when an output voltage of the receiving device is equal to or greater than a first threshold. The circuit device includes a humidity detection section configured to detect an ambient humidity of the transmitting and receiving devices and a threshold adjustment section configured to calculate, based on the detected ambient humidity, a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave that is received by the receiving device after propagating over a round-trip distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the object. The threshold adjustment section reduces the first threshold, when the output voltage corresponding to the calculated sound pressure is less than a second threshold that is greater the first threshold.
US08616059B2
A MEMS or NEMS device for detecting a force following a given direction, comprising a support and at least one seismic mass capable of moving under the effect of the force to be measured in the direction of the force, and a detector for detecting the movement of the seismic mass, the seismic mass being articulated relative to the support by at least one pivot link, and an actuator capable of varying the distance between the axis of the pivot link and the center of gravity of the exertion of the force on the seismic mass.
US08616049B2
Next-generation intelligent tire systems, such as active and adaptive tire systems and methods, are disclosed. Various embodiments of the invention can sense actual tire, road and driving conditions and characteristics, and/or respond to externally controlled influences, and dynamically adapt thereto, thereby improving vehicle and passenger safety.
US08616048B2
A microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers may carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by a tunnel passing through at least one layer. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to certain embodiments of the sensor. Sensors generally include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. Sensors may operate under the Coulter principle, and/or Stokes' shift phenomena. In certain embodiments, the sensor may be carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform. In any case, coupling desirably places the sensor in-circuit with operable interrogation structure, as well as with a fluid-flow control device. Structure included in a cartridge may provide fluid sample loading, routing, and storage capabilities.
US08616046B2
A hydrogen sensor includes a housing, which is closed off by a membrane that is made of palladium and selectively only pervious to hydrogen. The housing is evacuated and contains a Pirani pressure sensor. The membrane and the Pirani pressure sensor are each attached to a carrier. Both carriers are joined directly next to one another or kept at a distance by a connection piece. The hydrogen sensor has a high sensitivity and a low response time due to the relatively large membrane surface and the low housing volume. It can be produced in a small size and integrated in the handle of a sniffer-type leak indicator.
US08616043B2
Systems and methods for calibrating pressure gauges in one or more process chambers coupled to a transfer chamber having a transfer volume is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a first pressure in the transfer volume and in a first inner volume of a first process chamber coupled to the transfer chamber, wherein the transfer volume and the first inner volume are fluidly coupled, injecting a calibration gas into the transfer volume to raise a pressure in the transfer volume and in the first inner volume to a second pressure, measuring the second pressure using each of a reference pressure gauge coupled to the transfer chamber and a first pressure gauge coupled to the first process chamber while the transfer volume and the first inner volume are fluidly coupled, and calibrating the first pressure gauge based on a difference in the measured second pressure between the reference pressure gauge and the first pressure gauge.
US08616032B2
A combined mechanical and electronic key includes a housing with an edge area having a link configured with grooves, electronics disposed in the housing, a key portion, which has a bearing surface mounted in a rotatable manner about an axis along the link, an activating element in the bearing surface having at least two radially projecting wings and a radially projecting driver, where the activating element is movable between a passive and an active position, the key portion is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position, where in the inoperative and operative positions, in which the activating element occupies the passive position, each wing is in a respective groove, and during the movement between the inoperative and operative positions, in which the activating element occupies the active position, the wings are detached from the grooves, and the driver engages with a contour of the bearing surface.
US08616030B2
A porthole door for a front-loading laundry appliance includes a door glass, a frame and a centering device. The door glass is curved inward toward an inside of the appliance. The frame includes an inner ring and a cover ring. The centering device is disposed on the frame and configured to bear resiliently against a peripheral edge of the door glass so as to provide a radial force acting on the door glass via the peripheral edge at various locations. The radial force brings the door glass into a centered position within the frame.
US08616029B2
A washing machine with a direct drive system including a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, a shaft connected to the drum at a first end for transmission of a driving force of a direct drive motor, a coaxial support connected to a rear portion of the tub and having a first seat for a first bearing supporting a second end of the shaft opposite the drum, a stator secured to the coaxial support and having a plurality of magnetic cores, a rotor including permanent magnets and connected to the shaft, and a second bearing for supporting the shaft between the second end and the first end. The tub is made of polymeric material in which a second seat for said second bearing is co-molded.
US08616028B2
Provided is a driving device for a full automatic washing machine in which a clutch unit can stop rotation of a dehydration axis without having a particular brake unit, since the clutch unit is closely adhered to a first dehydration axis and a bushing when the rotation of the dehydration axis is controlled according to a wash or dehydration stroke in a full automatic washing machine. In addition, since a clutch coupler of the clutch unit moves at a wash or dehydration stroke in a driving device of a washing machine to thus be attached to and detached from a clutch gear which controls rotation of the first dehydration axis, and to thereby control a rotational force which is transferred to an inner tub, the washing machine is embodied to have a simple clutch coupling structure. Further, a double-rotor and a single-stator of a brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor which is applied to a driving device of a washing machine are insert-molded into a waterproof structure, to thus maximize a contact area of a bulk molding compound (BMC) molding material to thereby maximize durability.
US08616018B2
An ice making unit and a refrigerator having the same are discussed. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit arranged in the ice making compartment, to produce ice, and a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant pipe to supply cooling energy to the ice making compartment. Air present in the ice making compartment is cooled while undergoing direct heat exchange with at least one of the ice making unit and the refrigerant pipe.
US08616013B2
A method of determining a amount of ice collected in a storage container of a refrigerator, the ice being discharged into the storage container by an ice maker having an ice detecting sensor with a heater, the method comprises determining whether or not the ice storage container is full or nearly full of ice by turning on the detecting sensor for a prescribed period of time. In one embodiment, the heater is turned on while the determining step is preformed. In an alternative embodiment, the heater is continuously maintained in an “ON” state.
US08616012B2
A vaporizer for a cooling circuit, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided that includes a vaporization region, wherein a coolant flowing through the vaporization region takes up heat from an outside region, wherein the vaporization region is downstream of a first expansion element on the inlet side in the direction of flow of the coolant, wherein an exchanger member is provided between the vaporization region and the first expansion element, and wherein heat can be transferred from the coolant upstream of the vaporization region to the coolant downstream of the vaporization region.
US08616011B2
An apparatus and method providing a refrigeration servicing system that comprises a clean refrigerant source, a recovery circuit and a flushing circuit. The recovery circuit can be configured to recover refrigerant from a cooling system. After recovery cycle is completed, the flushing circuit that is coupled to the recovery circuit can flush clean refrigerant through the recovery circuit. A housing can be provided and configured to house the refrigerant source, the recovery circuit and the flushing circuit.
US08616008B2
The present invention discloses a non-freezing refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non-frozen state by an electric field. The non-freezing refrigerator includes a setting unit for selecting and setting a magnitude and frequency of a voltage, a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the voltage having the set magnitude and frequency, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents, and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space. The contents are kept in the non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.
US08616006B2
A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system including a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam, an ignition port configured to provide optimized optical access of the laser beam to a combustion chamber and an optical beam guidance component disposed between the laser light source and the ignition port. The optical beam guidance component is configured to include optimized optic components to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on a fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.
US08616002B2
Methods and systems are provided for premixing combustion fuel and air within gas turbines. In one embodiment, a combustor includes an upstream mixing panel configured to direct compressed air and combustion fuel through a premixing zone to form a fuel-air mixture. The combustor also includes a downstream mixing panel configured to mix additional combustion fuel with the fuel-air mixture to form a combustion mixture.
US08615996B2
A turbine assembly for an exhaust gas turbocharger has separate first and second volutes that are sequentially activated via a valve that receives exhaust gases from an engine. In a first position of the valve, only the first volute receives exhaust gas; in a second position, both volutes receive exhaust gases. In a third position, a bypass passage is also opened so that some exhaust gas bypasses the turbine wheel. Unlike conventional twin-scroll turbines, each volute receives exhaust gases from all engine cylinders, and the first volute feeds gas into the B-width portion of the wheel, while the second volute feeds gas into the wheel after the contour portion.
US08615994B2
A master cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body, a piston member operably fitted therein, and a pressure valve assembly to establish a variable fluid output upon operation of the piston member. The cylinder body includes two or more pressure chambers to hold hydraulic fluid, each having a transfer port. The piston member includes two or more pistons respectively received in the pressure chambers, and is operable to move the pistons, in parallel, to transfer hydraulic fluid through the transfer ports. The pressure valve assembly includes a selector and is operable to direct fluid transferred through selected transfer ports out of the cylinder body through an outlet port by means of a movable valve member that establishes a passageway communicating the selected transfer ports with the outlet port. A pivot adjustment mechanism allows adjustment of the lever's mechanical advantage, and a stroke adjustment mechanism allows adjustment of the lever's rest position.
US08615992B2
A construction machine includes a negative parking brake whose braking state is released by a supply of hydraulic fluid. It also includes a parking brake hydraulic circuit that is branched from a hydraulic fluid supplying circuit, which supplies the hydraulic fluid to a transmission of the construction machine, and supplies the hydraulic fluid to the parking brake. The parking brake hydraulic circuit includes a check valve that prevents backflow of the hydraulic fluid of the parking brake to the hydraulic fluid supplying circuit, and it includes an operation switching valve, which is provided closer to the parking brake than the check valve, for switching between an activation and a release of the parking brake. The parking brake hydraulic circuit also includes a relief valve, which is interposed between the check valve and the operation switching valve and which discharges the hydraulic fluid of the parking brake when the relief valve is opened.
US08615985B2
A method for providing a reducing agent-containing gas flow in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes providing at least one reducing agent precursor, evaporating the precursor to provide a gas flow, at least partially heating the gas flow to temperatures of at least 250° C., at least partially converting the precursor in the gas flow to a reducing agent and adding the reducing agent-containing gas flow to the exhaust of the engine. The method and a device provide a reducing agent-containing gas flow in a quantity being easily controllable and adaptable to dynamic changes especially in exhaust systems of mobile applications such as automobiles. A temperature of a first zone is kept at 150° C. or just below while a temperature of a second zone is kept at more than 300° C. A hydrolysis catalytic converter is hardly cooled upon receiving the precursor as a vapor, positively affecting the method.
US08615980B2
A rotary-wing aircraft includes a retractable port movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively control flow of combustion gases into a bypass passage to change a power distribution between a rotor system and a secondary propulsion system.
US08615976B1
A clutch/brake assembly is provided which includes a coil plate non-rotatably captured between the upper housing and the lower housing and having affixed thereon a ring shaped coil, a clutch rotor rotatably secured to the shaft and having a groove configured to accommodate therein the ring shaped coil, and a clutch output assembly having a clutch/brake disc and a clutch output shaft. The clutch/brake disc and the clutch output shaft are attached to one another by a plurality of springs. The clutch/brake assembly may be mounted on a deck of a lawnmower to drive a blade.
US08615973B2
The invention relates to a thermoform packaging machine for manufacturing a multilayer package, to methods for manufacturing a multilayer package comprising three or four product layers as well as to multilayer packages comprising three or four product layers.
US08615970B2
An assembly comprised of at least one fixed panel and at least two moveable panels is provided. The moveable panels are capable of being controllably shifted relative both to each other and to the fixed panel such that first and second aligned and non-aligned positions can be achieved. The assembly is further comprised of two or more drive links which are, in turn, comprised of a center pivot which engages with the fixed panel and two or more outer pivots which engage with the movable panels.
US08615963B2
A building structure comprises a post having a vertically extending longitudinal face. A plurality of horizontal logs extends from said longitudinal face and has an end face in abutment with said longitudinal face. The post having an undercut channel in said longitudinal face and extends along said post. At least one of said end faces has a recess aligned with said undercut channel, and a spline assembly extends between said post and said log to secure said log to said post. The spline assembly includes a key located in and extends between said channel and said recess and an insert in one of said undercut channel and said recess. The insert co operates with said key to facilitate relative sliding movement therebetween.
US08615953B2
A panel having a core and at least two opposite edges with coupling parts at two opposite edges. The coupling parts of the panels can be coupled to each other by means of a downward movement, such that a locking is obtained in the plane of the panels and perpendicular to the edges, as well as perpendicular to the plane of the panels. The coupling parts at the two edges comprise locking parts ensuring locking in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the panels, and at least one of these locking parts forms part of a flexible portion made in one piece with the core. The flexible portion is bendable at least in the plane of the panel. The panel includes at least one support portion which forms a support against bending of the flexible portion in a direction transverse to the plane of the coupled panels.
US08615948B2
A seismic bracket for supporting ends of suspended ceiling grid runners from a wall comprising a stamped sheet metal body, the body having a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion, the vertically extending portion, in its installed position, rising above the top of a standard grid runner a distance at least 1½ times the height of such standard grid runner, the vertically extending portion having two sections generally coextensive in the vertical direction, a first section being integral with the horizontally extending portion and a second section arranged to be in a vertical plane that intersects a vertical plane occupied by the horizontally extending portion, the horizontally extending portion being arranged to support a grid runner to move longitudinally a limited distance, the second section of the vertically extending portion having an aperture for securing the bracket to the wall at a location substantially above the grid tee.
US08615945B2
A multi-plenum structural panel comprising a top sheet, a middle sheet, and a bottom sheet, all three sheets being parallel in plane; a first plurality of spacing structural elements, fixedly attaching the top sheet to the middle sheet, and a second plurality of spacing structural elements fixedly attaching the middle sheet to the bottom sheet, such that the yield strength of the combined panel is greater than the combined individual yield strengths of the top, the middle, and the bottom sheets; an upper plenum defined by a spacing between the top sheet and the middle sheet; a lower plenum defined by a spacing between the middle sheet and the bottom sheet; a plurality of unobstructed pathways are created in each plenum for air to move from at least one edge of the panel to at least one of an opposite and an adjacent edge of the panel.
US08615944B2
A stop bead for mounting along a frame or jamb of a window or door of a building to separate the frame or jamb from plaster or stucco material during application of the plaster or stucco material to the building comprises a first side end portion and a second side end portion, the first side portion having a leading edge for engaging the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, a base panel having a front face, a wall formed on the base panel and extending outwardly above the front face of the base panel, the wall having an engaging surface for engaging plaster or stucco and a frame/jamb facing surface that faces the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, and a spacing member formed on the stop bead and extending outwardly away from the frame/jamb facing surface of the wall for spacing the wall a predetermined distance from the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb, the spacing member forming the leading edge of the first side portion of the stop bead and forming gap between the wall and the frame or jamb when the stop bead is mounted adjacent to the frame or jamb.
US08615934B1
A modular, panelized 12-foot wide shelter that has a standard 20-foot length. The shelter has a number of premade frame panels that are assembled over a deck floor. An outer covering of hard, 0.040″ black ABS sheeting, which can be painted, is applied to the frame. The walls, roof arches, and end panels can be insulated to reduce or eliminate condensation. The floor is insulated as a standard feature. Each wall/roof section has one 5,000 pound rated galvanized anchor ring attached for tie-downs in windy locations, if needed. Because the entire shelter fits on a single pallet, it can be transported to remote sites by various methods—trucks, barges, helicopters, or snowmobiles. The shelter can be assembled by two workers in less than a day using simple tools. The structure is designed to be transported by truck, helicopter or snowmobile.
US08615932B2
A barrier element for protecting an interior vehicle door panel comprises a body shaped to fit over the vehicle door interior panel and to block access to at least one of an interior door handle, a lock control and a window control. The barrier element is removably securable to the vehicle door or to the vehicle door panel such that the barrier element can be removed to expose the panel.
US08615929B2
A door opening/closing device for an ice dispenser is disclosed. The door opening/closing device includes a DC motor 1 which is rotated in forward and reverse directions, a 2-staged spur gear 3 meshed with a worm gear 2 installed on a driving shaft, a 3-staged spur gear 4 meshed with the 2-staged spur gear 3, and a fan-shaped output gear 5 meshed with the 3-staged spur gear 4 and rotated in forward and reverse directions by interconnection of the motor 1 and the gears 2, 3 and 4. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the forward direction, a rod-shaped boss 5a pushes and rotates a link lever 6a to press a coil spring 8 wound around an opening/closing link 6 and thus open a door 7. If the output gear 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, the coil spring 8 is released from a pressurized state, and the rod-shaped boss 5a rotates in the reverse direction while abutting against the link lever 6a, so that the door 7 is closed without generating impact and sound.
US08615928B2
A safety gate has a doorframe, a fence door and a repositioning unit. The doorframe has a base frame, a first side frame, and a second side frame. The repositioning unit is mounted on a bottom of the fence door and has a repositioning recess. The repositioning recess selectively engages a top of the base frame and has two opposite guiding surfaces. When the fence door is open at an angle under 5 degrees relative to the doorframe, one of the guiding surfaces abuts a side of the top of the base frame. Because the guiding surface is curved and inclined relative to the fence door and because a distance between the guiding surfaces is decreased gradually, the guiding surface gradually rotates the fence door to close. As a result, the repositioning unit can close the fence door that is open slightly at a small angle.
US08615921B1
The thermally insulated vest for use with a modified bait storing bucket is an improvement over existing bait buckets in that it includes a thermally insulated vest that adorns an exterior surface of the bucket. The thermally insulated vest is comprised of a plurality of layers consisting of a plastic mesh, foil liner, insulation, and gel pack. At least two freezer packs adorn an exterior surface of the thermally insulated vest, and aid in cooling the contents of the bucket. The bucket includes a drain hole and plug to evacuate fluids from within. A lid having a lid vent rests atop the bucket, and is secured thereon via securing means. The thermally insulated vest has a height less than the height of the vest.
US08615913B1
A sign system includes a sign member and a mounting member. The sign member is configured to be used as a display for displaying words, graphics, etc. In this regard, the sign member has a front surface on which the words or graphics can be displayed. In an embodiment, the sign member is made of a material that is rigid or substantially rigid such that the sign member 105 can maintain its shape on its own. The mounting member is at least partially made of a flexible material that can conform to a display post of various shapes.
US08615909B2
A steam discharge unit (1) comprises a chamber (10) for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture, an inlet (11) to the chamber (10), and an outlet (12) from the chamber (10). In order to avoid water droplets from exiting the chamber (10) through the outlet (12) along with a flow of steam, special measures are taken, which comprise a barrier (20) arranged inside the chamber (10), in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet (11) to the outlet (12), and a hydrophobic surface (30) arranged preferably close to the outlet (12). In case water droplets remain inside the chamber (10) and tend to move towards the outlet (12), an actual release of the water droplets from the chamber (10) cannot take place by virtue of the presence of the barrier (20) and the hydrophobic surface (30) as mentioned.
US08615905B1
Footwear includes an insole with integral massaging pads to aid in relaxation, relief of sore feet, and stimulation for various body parts through reflexology. A sole portion is provided with a plurality of bumps and ridges designed to impact and massage various reflex areas of the feet while walking. These bumps and ridges correspond to various areas of the foot that are linked to various points and organs in the human body such as kidneys, liver, skeletal joints, and the like. Thus, as the user walks, they experience a massaging effect resulting in increased comfort, relaxation, and overall body wellness. The beneficial features of the footwear may be incorporated various styles of footwear including sandals, shoes, boots, and the like.
US08615897B2
A drying device has been developed having a single electric motor configured to drive a drum and directly drive an air blower. The single electric motor is a non-line frequency electric motor. The drum is coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum relative the support frame. The drum has an interior space for holding a load of articles, such as clothing. The motor includes a controller configured to increase gradually the angular velocity of the drum to provide a “soft start” for the dryer.
US08615896B2
A clothing dryer having a cover structure capable of increasing quantity of air generated from a cooling fan. The clothing dryer includes a first cover covering the cooling fan and a second cover connected to the first cover. A cutoff is provided at a connection area between the first cover and the second cover to branch a flow of air and is positioned below a rotational center of the cooling fan.
US08615890B2
A chain saw includes a guide bar for a saw chain, a housing, a sprocket wheel cover, and a stud fixed on the housing for threadably fastening the sprocket wheel cover and the guide bar. The free thread end of the stud has a maximum usable screw-in depth (tmax) for a nut. A stop for the sprocket wheel cover having a stop surface as well as a support surface for contact engaging the stop surface are provided. In the mounted state of the guide bar, a distance (a) remains between the stop surface and the support surface. The support surface contact engages the stop surface when the guide bar is removed and the nut is tightened and screwed onto the studs to a stop screw-in depth. The stop is configured in such a manner that the maximum usable screw-in depth (tmax) is greater than the stop screw-in depth.
US08615868B2
A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.
US08615856B1
An apparatus and method for forming retainers on a continuous strand such as, for example, of suture material and a suture produced by the same. The apparatus may include a retainer forming member configured to rotate about a first axis. The retainer forming member may include a cutter, the cutting edge of which may directed substantially inward toward, or outward away from, the first axis to define a retainer forming zone when the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis. The apparatus may further include a support member arranged adjacent to the retainer forming member and configured to receive and support the continuous strand in the retainer forming zone. When the retainer forming member rotates about the first axis, the passing strand may be intermittently or continuously cut by the cutting edge of the cutter.
US08615851B2
A patching system for a net in a frame with hard points at select nodes of the net includes a patching device with a pair of spaced sockets each configured to receive a hard point therein. A member interconnects the pair of spaced sockets and is configured to properly space the hard points. Another patching device is for reconnecting hard points to the net frame.
US08615846B2
A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod includes an outer tube, a lock body connected to the outer tube, an inner tube, slidingly disposed within the outer tube and lock body, the inner tube having an outer surface, and a friction pad captured between the lock body and the outer surface of the inner tube. A method for damping movement of a telescoping rod is also provided. The method includes attaching the locking body to an outer tube, configuring the outer tube and the inner tube to move with respect to each other in a telescoping manner, fitting a damper between an outer diameter of an inner tube and a locking body, and fitting the damper to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the inner tube and the locking body.
US08615842B2
A mop bucket system may include a mop bucket to contain fluids, a wringer unit including a wringer cone connected to the mop bucket to remove the fluid from a mop, and a pivotable energy-dissipation device connected to the wringer unit to dissipate energy of the fluid in the wringer unit. The energy dissipation device may pivot between a first position and a second position, and the energy dissipation device may include a aperture. The energy dissipation device may include a notch, and the energy dissipation device may include a sleeve bushing. The energy dissipation device may include a side surface having a curved portion.
US08615841B2
A connecting unit for separably connecting a flat wiper blade to a hook wiper arm is provided. The connecting unit has a bracket fixed to a frame of a flat wiper blade, an adaptor pivotally mounted on the bracket and a cover pivotally attached to the adaptor. The adaptor and a linear section of a hook wiper arm are fixed via a first fixing element of the adaptor in a lateral direction of the linear section. The adaptor and a curved section of the hook wiper are fixed via a second fixing element of the adaptor and a third fixing element of the cover in a longitudinal direction of the linear section. When a first locking element of the adaptor and a second locking element of the cover engage each other, the third fixing element fixes the curved section relative to the second fixing element.
US08615838B1
A barbeque grill brush including a handle with the head portion attached thereto, multiple metal bristles embedded in the bottom of the head portion, a pair of spaced L-shaped arms attached to the bottom of the head portion, and an elongated bumper spaced from the head portion and end being interconnected to the L-shaped arms.
US08615821B2
A clutch assembly is provided for coupling a drive shaft with a drive arm of an actuator for use with an automatic toilet flushing system, wherein the drive shaft is adapted for rotation via a motor in the actuator. The clutch assembly includes a rotatable body extending between the drive shaft and the drive aim and having a first engaging member. A clutch disk is secured to the drive shaft and includes a second engaging member adapted for cooperating with the first engaging member of the body. A fastener secures the clutch disk to the drive shaft and a biasing member is provided for biasing the body toward the clutch disk. The body is adapted to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member should a predetermined torque on the drive shaft be exceeded to disengage the first and second engaging members and prevent damage to the drive shaft.
US08615820B2
The present invention relates to a cageless lavatory dispensing device comprising a hanger (10) and a compressed solid block (50). The hanger (10) has a hook end (20) for suspending the dispensing device to a sanitary-appliance, and the compressed solid block (50) comprises at least one chemical agent. A process for delivering a treatment composition to a sanitary appliance is also disclosed. Said process comprises the steps of: providing and suspending a cageless lavatory dispensing device within the sanitary appliance; periodically flushing water about the exterior of the compressed block to elute at least one chemical constituent to form a treatment composition with said water, which treatment composition provides cleaning and/or sanitizing and/or disinfecting benefit to the sanitary appliance.
US08621651B2
A system includes a network interface, a memory, and a processor. The network interface is configured to communicate, over a network, with a user device associated with a user. The memory is configured to store instructions to be executed by the processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to: receive, from the user device via the one or more network interfaces, a request for content; initiate an upload of the requested content to the user device in response to the request; receive a request for a license key from the user device in response to the initiation of the upload; determine whether the user device is outside a blackout region associated with the content; generate a license key when the one or more processors determine that the user device is outside the blackout region; and send the license key to the user device.
US08621648B2
Some embodiments provide a system that facilitates the use of an electronic business card. During operation, the system obtains one or more permissions for the electronic business card. Next, the system manages use of the electronic business card by a recipient of the electronic business card based on the permissions.
US08621647B1
Some embodiments provide a system that restricts privileges for a target process in an operating system. During operation, the system receives a request from the target process to restrict the privileges. Next, the system executes a binary that processes the request using services provided by a kernel of the operating system.
US08621644B2
A system for protecting data stored in a memory of a removable data storage device is provided. The system includes a personal electronic device, a removable solid state data storage device operatively coupled to the personal electronic device, and a circuit configured to protect data stored in a memory of the data storage device in response to detecting impending removal of the data storage device from the personal electronic device.
US08621596B2
A method and system for best effort propagation of security group information is disclosed. The method includes determining if a reserved group identifier is associated with a destination and, if the reserved group identifier is associated with the destination, indicating that a packet received at a network node can be sent to another network node. The packet includes destination information that identifies the destination as a destination of the packet.
US08621587B2
A method for facilitating distributed authentication includes the step of requesting, by a user of a client machine residing in a first domain, access to a resource residing in a second domain. The client machine authenticates the user to an intermediate machine. The intermediate machine impersonates the client machine. The intermediate machine impersonating the client machine requests access to the second domain from a domain controller residing in the second domain. The domain controller authorizes the requested access, responsive to a determination that the impersonated client machine is trusted for delegation. The domain controller transmits to an application server residing in the second domain, authentication data associated with the impersonated client machine. The application server transmits, to the intermediate machine, a launch ticket uniquely identifying a logon token. The client machine provides, to the application server, the launch ticket to access the resource residing in the second domain.
US08621582B2
Methods, interface, and a communication network in a 3GPP network are presented. A user is authenticated and application service rules are binded to the user in GGSN filters ensuring that the correct charging, QoS level or similar function rules apply to the user for specific application services available from both external application service providers and network operator supplied specific services.
US08621576B2
A method includes receiving an authorization from a multimedia distribution system of a multimedia distribution network at a multimedia receiver. The multimedia receiver includes a peripheral device interface, and the authorization identifies a peripheral device that is authorized to transfer content data via the peripheral device interface. The method further includes providing the peripheral device interface with access to a selectively inaccessible peripheral device driver that is associated with the peripheral device in response to receiving the authorization at the multimedia receiver.
US08621575B2
Methods of securely performing online transactions are described which involve two independently controlled web servers. In order to complete a transaction, a user interacts concurrently with each of the two web servers and authentication may occur between the user and each web server and between web servers. Each of the two web servers provide data which is used to complete the transaction and the data provided by the first web server is communicated directly to the second web server for use in the transaction. In an embodiment, the first web server provides a web page which enables a user to specify a variable which is used in the transaction. This is communicated to the second web server which processes the transaction along with an identifier for the message. The identifier may be used in validating the variable before it is used in processing the transaction. Following completion of a transaction this may be reported in real time to the first web server.
US08621574B2
Embodiments described herein provide communication control features and functionality, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computing environment includes an access control component that can use a number of access states to control access to computing data and/or services. In one embodiment, a server computer can control access to data and/or services using a number of access states including, but not limited to: an allowed state, a blocked state, a device discovery state, and/or a quarantined state. Other embodiments are available.
US08621573B2
An application network appliance with virtualized services is described herein. According to one embodiment, a packet of a network transaction is received from a client for accessing an application server of a datacenter, where the network element operates as an application services gateway of the datacenter. A context associated with the application server is identified based on the packet, including information that identifies application services to be performed on the packet and resources to be allocated for performing the application services. A context includes information representing a logical instance of physical resources of the network element shared by multiple contexts. One or more application services are performed on the packet using the resources identified by the context. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08621568B2
A WAN module based remote wakeup system and apparatus comprise a terminal including a security control module connected to an embedded controller, a power supply module and a serial port bus led from an WAN module side by a bus connection module, respectively, and the power supply module is connected to the bus connection module. The power supply module is adapted to supply power to the security control module and the bus connection module. The security control module is adapted to perform security verification on information carried by a signal received on the serial port bus led from the bus connection module, and to generate a wakeup signal and send it to the embedded controller if the security verification is successful. The embedded controller is adapted to start the terminal according to the received wakeup signal.
US08621567B2
A method and apparatus for securing networks, focusing on application in Fibre Channel networks. A combination of unique security techniques are combined to provide overall network security. Responsibility for security in the network is assigned to one or more designated entities. The designated entities deploy management information throughout the network to enhance security by modifying the capabilities and operational permissions of the devices participating in the network. For example, through network control: logical management access or physical I/O access may be limited on a per device or per I/O basis; and all devices and ports in the network operate only with other approved devices and ports. These designated entities can better manage network security by exploiting a unique link authentication system as well as a unique push-model secure distributed time service. The link authentication involves a multi-phase nonce exchange exploiting various derivations of the nonce and other information such as hashes and encryptions. The push-model secure time distribution departs from the traditional Fibre Channel pull mode time distribution and provides for secure and reliable distributed time so that various security attacks may be defeated.
US08621559B2
Methods and systems for managing data communications are described. The method includes receiving a data communication; analyzing the data communication to determine a particular type of sender or recipient activity associated with the data communication based at least in part on an application of a plurality of tests to the data communication; assigning a total risk level to the data communication based at least in part on one or more risks associated with the particular type of sender or recipient activity and a tolerance for each of the one or more risks; comparing the total risk level assigned to the data communication with a maximum total acceptable level of risk; and allowing the data communication to be delivered to a recipient in response to the comparison indicating that the total risk level assigned to the data communication does not exceed the maximum total acceptable level of risk.
US08621554B1
A computer program product has a computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions embodied therein for performing a method for implementing a privacy policy for a user. The method may include the user developing rules that determine whether another user (requester) can access information related to the user. The rules may be stored in a database coupled to a server and evaluated when a request is received from the requester to access the information. If a rule is satisfied by the requester, the server can return the information to the requester. The information can be returned at a level of granularity specified by the user in the satisfied rule. A privacy level can be set by the user to allow access to requesters based on the rules or to deny access to any requesters.
US08621550B1
A compliance manager presents a set of selectable compliance tests (e.g., templates) in a graphical user interface. For example, each compliance test has a unique configuration operable for evaluating data associated with Information Technology “IT” resources. In particular, the compliance tests can include policy and/or rule templates for use in creating targeted compliance testing of IT resources. During operation, the compliance manager receives a selection of a compliance test (e.g., from a network administrator). The compliance manager additionally enables modification of a configuration associated with the compliance test. In turn, the compliance manager applies the compliance test (along with any modifications) to the data associated with the IT resources.
US08621549B2
A method and apparatus for controlling document access and application usage using centrally managed rules. The rules are stored and manipulated in a central rule database via a rule server. Policy enforcers are installed on client systems and/or on servers and perform document access and application usage control for both direct user document accesses and application usage, and application program document accesses by evaluating the rules sent to the policy enforcer. The rule server decides which rules are required by each policy enforcer. A policy enforcer can also perform obligation and remediation operations as a part of rule evaluation. Policy enforcers on client systems and servers can operate autonomously, evaluating policies that have been received, when communications have been discontinued with the rule server.
US08621547B1
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.
US08621543B2
A method of distributed statistical multiplexing of video data. The method includes generating a plurality of blocks forming a pre-processed video media corresponding to an original video media, the plurality of blocks including, for one or more sub-portions of the original video media, a plurality of interchangeable blocks that represent the sub-portion. Optionally, at least some of the blocks are transmitted to at least one multiplexer and reconstructed by the at least one multiplexer, for a plurality of communication channels, from at least some of the transmitted blocks.
US08621540B2
Apparatus and methods for provisioning of customer premise equipment (CPE) equipped with a secure microprocessor to receive e.g., digital video content by entering unique identification of the CPE at one or more servers located at the headend or other location of a content-based network. In one embodiment, the CPE comprises a download-enabled (e.g., DCAS) host with embedded cable modem and embedded set-top box functionality, and the provisioning includes enabling DOCSIS functionality of the CPE, assigning an IP address to the CPE and providing the CPE with a client image for the conditional access system chosen by the network operator. In one variant, the network operator can deactivate a provisioned device while connected to the network, as well when disconnected from the network. The network operator can also add, delete or replace conditional access client image in a provisioned device.
US08621539B1
A physical layer transmitter that communicates between nodes in a broadband cable network by transmitting and receiving packets containing data and control information. Packets are constructed by the physical layer transmitter and transmitted to one or more receiving nodes that are capable of processing the packets. Packets are directed to specific nodes utilizing link layer control data. The packets may also contain control information that may include formatting, encoding and modulation parameters that are capable of being processed by the appropriate receiving nodes. The physical layer transmitter allows node-to-node communication within a broadband cable network and each node in the network is capable of communicating with every other node in the network.
US08621537B2
A method of processing channel information of a transmitter/receiver and a receiver are disclosed. The method of processing channel information of the transmitter includes service provider identification information in service provider discovery information, includes content provider identification information and content service identification information in service discovery information and transmitting the resulting service discovery information, and transmits the resulting service provider discovery information and service discovery information to the receiver.
US08621535B2
A control apparatus accepts a request for transmission of a content from a content transmission apparatus to the control apparatus, passes on the request to the content transmission apparatus by way of a communication network allowing a transmission quality to be reserved, and issues a request to a content accounting server to carry out a content accounting process according to the substance and content quality. The control apparatus receives a specified substance of the content and transmits a request to the content transmission apparatus to transmit the content, determines a transmission quality and an optimum content quality, makes a reservation for the determined transmission quality of a transmission line based on the transmission quality, and issues a request to a transmission-quality accounting server to carry out an accounting process according to the transmission quality.
US08621534B2
The present invention discloses a method, system, and device for admission control and pertains to the communications field. The method includes: admitting a subscriber for watching a multicast video only if each multicast bandwidth management device has sufficient remaining bandwidth after receiving a multicast video request from the subscriber; refusing the subscriber for watching the multicast video if any multicast bandwidth management device has insufficient bandwidth and fails to borrow bandwidth from a unicast bandwidth management device; and after receiving a unicast video request from the subscriber, admitting the subscriber for watching a unicast video only if remaining unicast bandwidth corresponding to a multicast bandwidth management device in each level is sufficient, or else, refusing the subscriber for watching the unicast video. Through bandwidth negotiation between the unicast bandwidth management device and each multicast bandwidth management device, admission control is implemented.
US08621533B2
Systems and methods allow playback of a media stream received via a network. The media stream is received and stored in a buffer prior to playback. Responsive to receiving the user command to change the content of the media stream, the buffer is flushed prior to receiving the changed content in the media stream.
US08621530B1
A method and system for controlling a group of user receiving devices includes a local headend in communication with the group of user receiving devices through a local network. A management control system of the local headend generates a control signal and simultaneously communicates the control signal to the group of user receiving devices through the local network. The group of user receiving devices is controlled in response to the control signal.
US08621518B2
A media recommendation system gathers negative user feedback associated with media content. Based on the gathered feedback, the media recommendation system extracts a list of recommended media content from program data describing available media content.
US08621517B2
A method and apparatus for channel surfing through multiple sources based on user-definable preferences includes accessing a user-definable preferences list that identifies a plurality of channels from a plurality of different sources. One of the plurality of identified channels is selected for provision to a user.
US08621513B1
Systems, methods and media are provided for presenting a group of available broadcast channels utilizing a wireless network upon initiation of a channel-viewing graphical user interface (GUI). The group comprises channels that can be broadcast most efficiently to the mobile device. After initiating the channel-viewing GUI on the mobile device, requests are communicated to elements on the network to retrieve lists of currently broadcast channels in the area and currently viewed channels throughout the wireless network. A list also is retrieved of recently viewed channels on the mobile device. At least a portion of each list is then presented on the channel-viewing GUI. The lists can be sent by a first video media proxy (VMP) server and a broadcast management server (BMS).
US08621512B2
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.
US08621511B2
A television converter system (16) comprises a receiver (94) for receiving a transmission signal from a transmission signal source. A processor (24) in the converter is capable of executing a plurality of independently executable application programs. A first one of the plurality of programs has a focused execution state. The remaining one or more application programs have a defocused execution state. The processor generates an application program output signal from the application program that currently has the focused execution state. An output provides either the transmission signal or the application program output signal for display on a television display. An input is received, requesting a transfer of focus from the first one of the plurality of programs to a second one of the plurality of application programs. The focus is transferred from the first application program to the second one of the plurality of programs for display on the television display.
US08621509B2
A method for operating an image display apparatus is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes reproducing content, storing at least part of the reproduced content, upon receipt of a content save command, displaying a content object representing the stored content, displaying objects representing other users or electronic devices of a connected network or a network linked to the connected network, and transmitting, when the content object is dragged and dropped on an object selected from among the objects representing other users or electronic devices, the stored content to a selected user or electronic device represented by the selected object. The content is at least one of a broadcast image, an external input image, an audio file, a still image, a connected Web page, or a text file.
US08621503B2
Apparatuses, system, method, and storage medium for crowd game are disclosed. A series of missions forming a crowd game are outputted to a display device, each mission specifying a task for spectators of an event. A result for a mission is determined on the basis of participation and/or reaction by the spectators for the task. A total result for the crowd game is determined on the basis of the results for the missions.
US08621490B2
Embodiments of a method and system for utilizing user-designed applications are disclosed. A user-designed application that utilizes at least one high-level API available within a system may be received. The user-designed application may be deployed server-side within the system. A user request may be processed server-side for the user-designed application in the system.
US08621488B2
Techniques for intercommunication amongst device drivers are described herein. In one embodiment, an application programming interface (API) is provided by a kernel of an operating system (OS) running within a data processing system. The API is accessible by device drivers associated with multiple devices installed in the system. In response to a request from a first instance of a driver the API, information indicating whether another instance of the same driver is currently started is returned via the API. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US08621481B2
An apparatus and a method for performing a resource rebalance during a boot operation of a computer is provided. The apparatus includes a resource manager that is coupled to a plurality of devices. The resource manager is configured to receive a signal indicative of a desired set of requested resources from each of the plurality of devices and to determine that a first child device requires more resources than an amount previously assigned thereto. The resource manager is configured to locate a lowest common parent device to the first child device, which forms a lowest common subtree and to determine a resource range and to calculate a resource requirement request for the lowest common subtree. The resource manager is further configured to compare the resource requirement to the resource range to determine if a first range of resources is adequate to satisfy a second range of requested resources.
US08621477B2
Techniques used to enhance the execution of long-running or complex software application instances and jobs on computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a real time, self-predicting job resource monitor is employed to predict inadequate system resources on the computing system and failure of a job execution on the computing system. This monitor may not only determine if inadequate resources exist prior to execution of the job, but may also detect in real time if inadequate resources will be encountered during the execution of the job for cases where resource availability has unexpectedly decreased. If a resource deficiency is predicted on the executing computer system, the system may pause the job and automatically take corrective action or alert a user. The job may resume after the resource deficiency is met. Additional embodiments also integrate this resource monitoring capability with the adaptive selection of a computer system or application execution environment based on resource capability predictions and benchmarks.
US08621472B2
A scheduler is provided, which takes into account the location of the data to be accessed by a set of jobs. Once all the dependencies and the scheduling constraints of the plan are respected, the scheduler optimizes the order of the remaining jobs to be run, also considering the location of the data to be accessed. Several jobs needing an access to a dataset on a specific disk may be grouped together so that the grouped jobs are executed in succession, e.g., to prevent activating and deactivating the storage device several times, thus improving the power consumption and also avoiding input output performances degradation.
US08621464B2
In the dynamic sampling or collection of data relative to locks for which threads attempting to acquire the lock may be spinning so as to adaptively adjust the spinning of threads for a lock, an implementation for monitoring a set of parameters relative to the sampling of data of particular locks and selectively terminating the sampling when certain parameter values or conditions are met.
US08621449B2
There is provided an autonomic software system and method for normalizing a profile collected for an executing application to account for one or more actions applied to the executing application after the profile was collected, comprising: predicting an impact of applying the one or more actions to the executing application by utilizing the profile and the one or more actions; and adjusting the profile to form a normalized profile according to the predicted impact. A plurality of different a profile consumers, such as, a phase shift detector, an action evaluator as well as a normalizing controller, may utilize the normalized profile to improve the behavior of the executing application. In addition, online visualization tools may be implemented to graphically depict the normalized profiles, as well as differences between the collected profiles and the normalized profiles.
US08621443B2
A method and apparatus for processor emulation using speculative forward translation are disclosed. A potential candidate for forward translation is identified from one or more portions of target system code. A priority for forward translation is assigned to the potential candidate. It is determined whether the potential candidate is a valid candidate for forward translation. If valid, the potential candidate is translated with a host system to produce one or more corresponding blocks of translated code executable by the host system.
US08621442B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for managing translation of a source code of a computer application, at a processing device, are described. A pre-translation analysis of the source code may be performed to determine a plurality of look-alike code snippets. Thereafter, a report may be generated for indicating at least one parameter associated with the plurality of look-alike code snippets. Subsequently, at least one of the plurality of look-alike code snippets may be modified with at least one pre-stored code snippet, based on the at least one parameter.
US08621441B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for analyzing source code and identifying potential defects. The methods employ both static analysis and dynamic testing to detect program defects early in the development stage for better quality with less cost. The analysis also ranks identified potential defects and reports only the most likely defects to a human developer. Once defects are detected, they can be removed right away and similar defects can be prevented automatically.
US08621437B2
Embodiments of a computer system that determines a performance metric are described. During operation, the computer system determines the performance metric for tasks performed by financial software during a time interval. This performance metric is based on a weighted summation of contributions from the tasks, and a given weight associated with a given task is based on a frequency of occurrence of the given task. Then, the computer system performs a remedial action to improve the determined performance metric during a subsequent time interval.
US08621433B2
A system manages version information for a group of software components by maintaining a version repository containing version information for all of the components. The system determines a baseline for the components, modifies data in the repository in connection with updating software components, and accesses the data in the repository to determine version information for the components. The system described herein also determines if a group of software components correspond to a particular baseline by maintaining baseline information in the version repository. The system obtains the particular baseline for the group of components, compares the version information for each of the components with a corresponding minimum version provided in connection with the baseline, and determines whether a group of software components correspond to the particular baseline.
US08621424B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to alter an expression of executable instructions via a compiler component for use in ranking of electronic documents.
US08621411B1
Bit stacks of an integrated circuit design are identified in a netlist by analyzing cell clusters. Candidate bit stacks are generated for each cluster using cone tracing, and wirelength costs are calculated for the candidate bit stacks based on the cells' locations from a previous (e.g., global) placement. The bit stack partition having a minimum total wirelength cost is selected for the final bit stacks. The invention can find K bit stacks in a cell cluster having N input cells and M output cells, where K, N and M are all different. The method is advantageously made timing aware by weighting connections between cells using weights based on timing information. Once the final bit stacks have been identified, the information can be included in the netlist and passed to a datapath placer for optimized placement.
US08621407B2
In a circuit design support apparatus, a selection unit selects a delay circuit model from among two or more delay circuit models with wire load based on different values of physical parameters relating to wiring, on the basis of a difference value in a physical parameter between a first path and a second path, the first path being from a branch point of a clock signal line for supplying a clock signal to a register model of a semiconductor integrated circuit model to be designed up to a clock signal input terminal of the register model, the second path being from the branch point up to a data signal input terminal of the register model. An arrangement unit arranges the selected delay circuit model on a data signal line connected to the data signal input terminal.
US08621401B2
The invention relates to a method of selecting a set of illumination conditions of a lithographic apparatus, in a process for transferring an integrated circuit layout to a target substrate. The layout is comprised of a number of polygon patterns having a predetermined geometrical relation relative to each other. An initial set of illumination conditions is provided and a plurality of polygon patterns requiring illumination conditions critical for circuit functionality. For the initial set of illumination conditions a local cost number is calculated, defining a difference measure of at least one critical dimension, between the polygon pattern and a transferred polygon pattern as a function of illumination condition. For each polygon pattern the cost numbers are aggregated; and the illumination conditions are varied so as to select an optimal set of illumination conditions having an optimized aggregated cost number. Polygon patterns are identified as predefined complex circuit elements and wherein the cost numbers are expressed as circuit element cost number functions that are individually associated with said identified complex circuit elements, so as to express circuit design intent. The cost number functions can further have interdependencies in multiple critical dimensions of the polygon patterns so as to take the two dimensional nature into account.
US08621399B2
Methods of designing semiconductor devices and methods of modifying layouts of semiconductor devices
In a method of designing a semiconductor device, a transistor included in a layout of the semiconductor device may be selected. A biasing data may be set for changing a characteristic of the selected transistor. A design rule check (DRC) process for the layout of the semiconductor device may be performed after ignoring the biasing data. An optical proximity correction (OPC) process for the layout of the semiconductor device may be performed based on the biasing data.
US08621396B1
A computer-implemented method may include presenting to a user an image, receiving a manipulated image by the user and providing access to a computing service based on a comparison of the manipulated image to a predefined arrangement of the image. In one exemplary implementation, presenting to the user the image may include presenting to the user a figure, receiving the manipulated image may include receiving a manipulated figure by the user and providing access to the computing service may include providing access to the computing service based on a comparison of the manipulated figure to a predefined arrangement of the figure.
US08621394B2
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products are provided for displaying search results and other points of interest located on multiple floors or levels in a multi-level map. A method may include receiving an input indicating a search criteria. Further, the method may include determining at least one search result position related to the search criteria, and determining a relationship between the at least one search result position and a multi-level map. In addition, the method may further comprise causing, based at least in part on the relationship, a level of the map and the at least one search result position to be displayed as a search result position indicator, wherein the displayed search result position indicator may be presented in a different manners based at least in part on what level the search result position is located. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided.
US08621389B2
A system and method is disclosed that provides for the displaying, on display screen of an electronic device, a list of contact names, and further provides for the designating, by sequentially scrolling through the list of contact names, individual contact names in the list of contact names and wherein designation of an individual contact name reveals available information about the contact.
US08621386B2
A user device to receive a request to open an application associated with a file; retrieve information regarding a remora user interface (UI) associated with the application via which operations on the file are automatically performed, where the information regarding the remora UI includes information associated with a UI corresponding to the application, and information associated with a group of remora icons that correspond to a group of other applications, each of the group of remora icons corresponding to a respective different one of the group of other applications; present, for display, the remora UI based on the information regarding the remora UI; receive, via the remora UI, an instruction to transfer the file to one of the group of remora icons; and performs the operation on the file using a particular application, of the group of other applications, that corresponds to the one of the group of remora icons.
US08621384B2
To obtain an information delivery service system, an in-train information delivery method, and an in-train information display apparatus that can deliver many pieces of information simultaneously. In an information delivery service system applied to a passenger train to display an image for delivering information to passengers, an in-train information display apparatus that groups a plurality of windows of the passenger train and uses the grouped windows as one display area, and a display information processor that outputs image information to the in-train information display apparatus are provided, thereby displaying an image on a horizontally long and large screen.
US08621380B2
A method of operating a multifunction device includes displaying a soft keyboard having a plurality of unconditionally enabled buttons and one or more conditionally enabled buttons, detecting a first input with a first button at a first time, and responding to detecting the first input by activating the first button. In response to detecting a second input with a second button at a second time, when the first button is an unconditionally enabled button and the second button is an unconditionally enabled button, the second button is activated. When the second button is a conditionally enabled button, and when the period of time between the first and second times is above a predefined threshold, the second button is activated; and when the period of time between the first and second times is equal to or below the predefined threshold, the second button is prevented from being activated.
US08621379B2
A method for duplicating and using virtual keys includes displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys. The method also includes detecting a first input to the device that activates a key cloning mode. The method further includes: while in the key cloning mode, detecting selection of a first key on the virtual keyboard; and in response to detecting selection of the first key, displaying a duplicate of the first key. The method further includes detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key, performing an action in accordance with the first key.
US08621378B2
A mobile terminal device, method, and program that displays, on a display unit, an image indicating an operation unit corresponding to a physical operation unit and used to navigate in place of the physical operation unit, detects a touch operation performed on the display unit, and changes the image indicating the operation unit according to a trajectory of the touch operation.
US08621373B2
A method and system for providing an aggregate view of information that a user may need is provided. A desktop assistant system collects information items that a user may need such as scheduling information and recently received messages. The desktop assistant system may also identify documents that the user may need and contacts with whom the user may need to communicate based on analysis of the collected scheduling information and the collected messages. The desktop assistant system then displays indications of the collected scheduling information, the collected messages, the identified documents, and the identified contacts so that the user has an integrated view of the needed information items.
US08621371B2
A data transmission device comprises: an entry information acquisition unit which acquires entry information from a storage device; an entry information display unit which displays the acquired entry information on a display device in a style discriminating between entry information including detailed information and entry information not including the detailed information; an entry information selection unit which selects a piece of entry information including the detailed information from the entry information displayed on the display device depending on an input through an input device; a detailed information display unit which displays the detailed information included in the selected entry information on the display device; a destination information acquisition unit which acquires destination information from the selected entry information; and a data transmission unit which executes data transmission using the acquired destination information.
US08621363B2
Method, apparatus and system to modify a user interface implemented in a communication network associated with a plurality of mobile devices. In one embodiment a mobile device associated with a communication network is configured to sense mood data that quantifies a frustration parameter based at least in part on interaction of a user with a user interface mode portion of a user interface and associates the mood data with mode data, wherein the mode data identifies the user interface mode operation of a user interface and transfers the mood data and the mode data to a mobile service provider portion of the communication network. Furthermore, the mobile service provide may transfer at least a portion of an updated user interface to one or more of the plurality of mobile devices based at least in part on the identification of the one or more user interface modes that are frustrating.
US08621359B2
A method for generating 3D carousel visualization of large-scale tree data, which comprises the steps of: receiving a user's selection of a node in the carousel; according to the radius of a sub-carousel corresponding to the user-selected node and the radius of a carousel at which the selected node is located, judging whether or not the sub-carousel can be expanded at the carousel at which the selected node is located; expanding the sub-carousel at the carousel at which the selected node is located, if it is determined that the sub-carousel can be expanded at the carousel at which the selected node is located. A device capable of implementing the method is provided. The number of carousel levels visualized on a visualization device can be adjusted dynamically, and the visualization of a focus becomes more prominent, and relationships between nodes at each level of the tree data visualization get more apparent.
US08621356B1
A method for editing the playback speed of a partial sequence of video and a digital device therefor are disclosed. A video editing method includes providing a timeline interface corresponding to a video sequence, receiving a first user input for specifying a first location on the timeline interface and a second user input for specifying a second location on the timeline interface, setting an editing interval between the first location and the second location of the timeline interface, receiving a third user input with respect to the editing interval, adjusting at least one of the thickness and length of the editing interval in response to the third user input, and editing playback attributes of the partial sequence based on the adjusted thickness and length of the editing interval.
US08621347B2
This invention pertains to a system for providing a handling interface. More specifically, a display module for displaying the contents as images, and a control module for displaying a handling interface having a shape corresponding to a handling device is shown on the display module when an access signal is received from the handling device. The control module is also configured to perform a function displayed on the handling interface according to a signal from the handling device. In particular, the access signal represents the access of user's hand or a handling tool to the handling device, thereby allowing to user to more conveniently handle contents provided from a multimedia device in an automobile.
US08621339B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer program products for generating search results comprising web documents with associated expert information. One embodiment of a method for generating such search results includes receiving one or more search queries, selecting one of the one or more search queries, determining one or more categories of web documents responsive to the selected search query and crawling a web graph of linked web documents to identify one or more web documents tagged as within the one or more categories responsive to the selected search query. The method further includes generating a result set of the one or more web documents identified as within the one or more categories responsive to the selected search query, ranking the result set and generating a list of ranked search results responsive to the selected search.
US08621334B1
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system, device and a method performing N read cycles on a plurality of memory cells of a memory sector, wherein N is an integer greater than one; constructing (N+1) bin histograms based at least in part on performing the N read cycles; identifying a shortest bin histogram of the (N+1) bin histograms; and based on a height of the shortest histogram, assigning a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) to the shortest bin histogram. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08621323B2
The present invention presents methods and architectures for the pipelining of read operation with write operations. In particular, methods are presented for pipelining data relocation operations that allow for the checking and correction of data in the controller prior to its being re-written, but diminish or eliminate the additional time penalty this would normally incur. A number of architectural examples are described to facilitate these methods, including: introducing two registers on the memory where each is independently accessible by the controller; allowing a first memory register to be written from while a second register is written to; introducing two registers on the memory where the contents of the registers can be swapped.
US08621321B2
A system and method for using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to evaluate error corrections. A set of data and initial CRC values associated therewith may be received. The set of data by changing a sub-set of the data may be corrected. Intermediate CRC values may be computed for the entire uncorrected set of data in parallel with said correcting. Supplemental CRC values may be computed for only the sub-set of changed data after said correcting. The intermediate and supplemental CRC values may be combined to generate CRC values for the entire corrected set of data. The validity of the corrected set of data may be evaluated by comparing the combined CRC values with the initial CRC values.
US08621307B2
A soft decision threshold control system and method may be used with a forward error correction (FEC) scheme to adjust or tune one or more soft decision thresholds in response to one or more bit value averages for the threshold(s) and in response to a bit error rate (BER). The bit value average for a soft decision threshold generally refers to an average number of binary values (e.g., logic ones and/or zeros) occurring in a bit stream detected using the soft decision threshold. For different BER levels in a particular system, for example, one or more of the soft decision thresholds may have a predetermined bit value average, which has been determined to provide a certain level of performance (e.g., an optimum performance). Thus, one or more of the soft decision thresholds may be adjusted such that the bit value averages for the soft decision thresholds are adjusted as a function of the BER. The settings of the soft decision thresholds may also be adjusted in response to changes in a signal amplitude of the input signal being detected.
US08621298B2
An apparatus for protecting against external attacks for a processor based on an ARM core and a method using the same are provided. A method for protecting against external attacks for a processor based on an ARM core in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: setting up a register using a reset handler, which is executed first within a boot image; generating a control signal for protecting against external attacks using any one of an external debug request signal and an output signal of the register; and blocking a JTAG interface used for JTAG communication with the processor based on the ARM core according to the control signal for protecting against external attacks.
US08621289B2
In one embodiment, a de-interleaver receives soft-output values corresponding to bits of an LDPC-encoded codeword. The de-interleaver has scratch pad memory that provides sets of the soft-output values to a local de-interleaver. The number of values in each set equals the number of columns in a block column of the LDPC H-matrix. Each set has at least two subsets of soft-output values corresponding to at least two different block columns of the LDPC H-matrix, where the individual soft-output values of the at least two subsets are interleaved with one another. Local de-interleaving is performed on each set such that the soft-output values of each subset are grouped together. Global de-interleaving is then performed on the subsets such that the subsets corresponding to the same block columns of the H-matrix are arranged together. In another embodiment, an interleaver performs global then local interleaving to perform the inverse of the de-interleaver processing.
US08621285B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with event logging are described. One example method includes collecting request-based event log data associated with processing a request and temporarily storing the event log data in a memory. In the event of an error, the event log data is transferred to a storage device.
US08621283B2
A method includes instantiating a cloned network that includes a second set of virtual service nodes. The second set of virtual service nodes includes at least one cloned virtual service node that is a clone of a corresponding virtual service node in a first set of virtual service nodes. The at least one cloned virtual service node has access to a history of events that occurred at the corresponding virtual service node in the first set of virtual service nodes. The method includes initiating an interactive debugging session that includes processing of the events of the history of events.
US08621278B2
An automated support system includes a database of statistics used to calculate and store the solution ratings. The database is connected to a decision-making module that selects appropriate solutions. A known computer operation-related problem is stored in the database. The problem is represented by a set of parameters of a user computer system. Any given set of parameters defines a problem existing on the user(s) computer system. A solution formed by the solution adding module is represented by a special file. The selected solution is automatically executed on the user computer system and operation-related problem is solved. The effective solution is assigned rating stored in the solution database.
US08621271B2
A method begins by a processing module identifying a memory device having an expired useable memory life with respect to a legacy storage protocol. The method continues with the processing module extracting data from the memory device. The method continues with the processing module reprovisioning the memory device from the legacy storage protocol to a dispersed storage error coding storage protocol.
US08621261B2
Techniques are provided for establishing a Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) connection at a virtual desktop thin client (VDTC) device, between a VDI client in the VDTC device and a VDI server in a hosted virtual desktop server (HVDS). A unified communications (UC) control connection is established between a UC protocol stack on the VDTC device and a primary call agent, where the UC control connection is configured to allow the UC protocol stack to register with the primary call agent, and to send or receive commands from the primary call agent that are based on signals from a UC control application running on the HVDS. A UC control backup application is started on the virtual desktop thin client device in a standby mode that is configured to switch to an active mode in response to a failure to establish or maintain the UC control connection, or a failure to establish or maintain the VDI connection. A user interface is launched on the virtual desktop thin client device that is configured to perform UC backup functions.
US08621246B2
A power manager controls the supply voltage level at a load according to load current demand, and optionally the impedance of the power delivery path, by adjusting the supply voltage. The supply voltage may be reduced by determining a fixed load current that corresponds to a first operating frequency, determining a supply voltage that corresponds to the fixed load current, and then powering the load based on the supply voltage. Alternatively, the supply voltage may be increased along with increasing the operating frequency of the load while maintaining system power consumption within a predetermined limit.
US08621244B1
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a first record set from a first compute device and a second record set from a second compute device. Each record from the first record set has a first attribute string; and each record from the second record set has a first attribute string. The method includes defining a third record set to include each record from the first record set that has a first attribute string equal to a first attribute string of a record from the second record set. The method also includes repeating the above steps for a fourth record set from the first compute device and a fifth record set from the second compute device to further define the third record set. Each record from the fourth record set has a second attribute string and each record from the fifth record set has a second attribute string.
US08621241B1
Example embodiments provide various techniques for storing and recovering a cryptographic key identifier that may be used to recover encrypted data. The cryptographic key identifier may be stored with the encrypted data itself. In an example, the cryptographic key identifier may be stored in particular blocks on a logical disk that are specifically designated to store the cryptographic key identifier. To store the cryptographic key identifiers in the designated blocks, the data within the blocks is compressed to fit the cryptographic key identifiers within the blocks. This cryptographic key identifier can be recovered at a later time by locating the designated blocks and retrieving the cryptographic key identifier from the blocks.
US08621240B1
Backup data in a single-instance storage device is accessed through a backup server using hashes representative of and pointing to the backup data. To prevent unauthorized access, the server provides each client with encrypted versions of hashes corresponding to data backed up by the client. The hashes can be encrypted using client-specific symmetric encryption keys known to the server. To request data, a client provides the backup server with a corresponding encrypted hash. The backup server decrypts the encrypted hash using the client's encryption key. The original hash is only obtained if the key used for decryption is identical to the key used for encryption. Consequently, if an encrypted hash is stolen or otherwise acquired by a client different from the client that backed up the corresponding data, it cannot be used by the different client to request the corresponding data from the backup server.
US08621232B2
In a method for producing, allocating and checking authorization approvals that are required in order to fulfill tasks specified by an action plan through performance, by a service technician, of actions defined by the tasks on a device or component of a distributed structure on-the-fly generation and distribution of authorization approvals for service technicians is enabled as a function of necessary actions or measures which are to be performed in the form of tasks and are defined as part of an action plan which is contained or recorded in a work schedule.
US08621223B2
A method of verifying integrity of a digital file includes receiving the digital file subsequent to exposure to a foreign environment and validating the digital file. The received digital file has an appended signature label that includes one or both of a first hash value and a digital signature. Validating the digital file includes hashing the digital file to obtain a second hash value, retrieving the first hash value from the signature label, and comparing the first hash value and second hash value.
US08621221B1
A method for transmitting verified notification messages from a service provider to a PID (personal information device) user. The method includes the step of registering a plurality of users and providing each of the users with respective public and private encryption keys. A message is then received from a first user of the plurality of users. The received message is signed with the first user's private encryption key. A signature of the message is verified by using the first user's public encryption key. The authority of the first user to transmit notification messages is then verified. The message is then resigned with the second user's private encryption key and transmitted to at least a second user of the plurality of users, wherein the second user verifies the signature by using the second user's public encryption key. Thus, the encryption provides a reliable means for differentiating between regular notifications and emergency notifications and is secure for authenticating and authorizing the messages sent from the service provider. A priority can be assigned to the message in accordance with a priority indicated by the first user. The message can be transmitted with the assigned priority to the second user, thereby allowing the second user to process the message in accordance with the assigned priority. The encryption keys can be stored in a database of the service provider.
US08621220B2
A method and a system to provide identity encapsulated cryptography are provided. A method may comprise receiving a user key to access a service. The service may be provided by an enterprise and hosted within a public cloud. A request for a country key assigned to a country of a user is transmitted and the country key is received. Session data resulting from the use of the service hosted within the public cloud is encrypted using the user key and the user key is encrypted using the country key. The encrypted session data and the encrypted user key are stored in the public cloud. The country key may be provided to a legal agency of the country of the user to decrypt session data of the user and to not decrypt session data of other users of another country.
US08621210B2
Methods for ad-hoc trust establishment using visual verification are described. In a first embodiment, a visual representation of a shared data is generated on two or more devices and the visual representations generated can be visually compared by a user. This method can be used to verify that the correct devices are involved in a negotiation, when pre-existing trust relationships do not exist between the devices. The visual representation may, for example, comprise a picture with a number of different elements, each representing a part of the shared data. In another embodiment, a method of secure key exchange is described in which, before sharing the keys, the parties exchange information which encapsulates the key. This information can be used subsequently to check that a party has not changed the key that they are using and prevents a man in the middle attack.
US08621194B2
A system for booting a processor from NAND flash, comprising a NAND agnostic boot controller and a NAND flash device, wherein the NAND flash device further comprises a boot wrapper storing boot code in a predetermined format.
US08621192B2
To start-up a computer system promptly at the time of power-on. The system includes an expansion card having an initialization command set in advance and a main body unit on which the expansion card is mounted. The main body unit includes a central processing section for executing initialization of the expansion card at the time of power-on based on the initialization command, a history holding section for storing the initialized expansion card, and a dictionary section for storing a common command which is the initialization command common to different expansion cards. The central processing section executes the common command, and also executes the initialization command set in the expansion card other than the expansion card stored in the history holding section and not included in the common command.
US08621191B2
An apparatus for providing a secure predefined boot sequence may include a processor. The processor may be configured to verify a predefined boot sequence certificate that defines a boot sequence for a device, verify one or more software elements referenced by the predefined boot sequence certificate, and execute one or more software elements that have been verified in the sequence defined by the predefined boot sequence certificate. Corresponding methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
US08621190B2
A method of manipulating a system setting when booting an information handling system can include providing an update request repository that includes a plurality of entries. Each of the plurality of entries can correspond to a particular system setting. A system setting value associated with each entry can be included in a handoff block (HOB) of a plurality of handoff blocks associated with a cache. The method also includes receiving a command from a PEI module (PEIM) indicating a change to be made to a particular system setting at the information handling system. The method also includes creating or changing a particular entry of the update request repository based on the command.
US08621185B1
Apparatus having corresponding methods and non-transitory computer-readable media comprise a processor, wherein the processor is configured to count a number of iterations of an idle task loop executed by a processor during a first predetermined interval, determine a current load of the processor based on the number of iterations of the idle task loop executed by the processor during the first predetermined interval, determine a current operating frequency of the processor, and determine a desired operating frequency of the processor based on i) the current operating frequency of the processor and ii) the current load of the processor.
US08621184B1
A novel technique for improving throughput in a multi-core system in which data is processed according to a producer-consumer relationship by eliminating latencies caused by compulsory cache misses. The producer and consumer entities run as multiple slices of execution. Each such slice has an associated execution context that comprises of the code and data that particular slice would access. The execution contexts of the producer and consumer slices are small enough to fit in the processor caches simultaneously. When a producer entity scheduled on a first core completed production of data elements as constrained by the size of cache memories, a consumer entity is scheduled on that same core to consume the produced data elements. Meanwhile, a second slice of the producer entity is moved to another core and a second slice of a consumer entity is scheduled to consume elements produced by the second slice of the producer.
US08621175B2
A configurable memory includes an interface section, a plurality of memory modules, and an internal configuration section. The interface section includes a millimeter wave (MMW) transceiver and interfaces with one or more external components. Each the plurality of memory modules includes a memory MMW transceiver and a plurality of memory cells. The internal configuration section includes a memory management unit and a memory management MMW transceiver. The memory management unit is operable to determine configuration of at least some of the plurality of memory modules to form a memory block, identify an interface MMW transceiver to provide a wireless link to the memory block, and generate a configuration signal based on the determined configuration and the identified interface MMW transceiver. The memory management MMW transmits the MMW configuration signal to the identified interface MMW transceiver and the MMW transceivers of the memory modules.
US08621166B1
Technologies are described herein for providing efficient backup of multiple versions of a data file using data de-duplication. A CDP module copies blocks of data of a specific block size from a current version of the data file to a master file maintained in a backup location for the data file. Only blocks of data not matching a unique data block already in the master file are copied. The CDP module then creates an anterior file in the backup location for the current version of the data file containing an ordered list of references to the unique data blocks in the master file. The order of the list of references is based on the order of occurrence of each unique data block in the modified version of the data file. Finally, the CDP module creates a posterior file in the backup location for the current version of the data file containing any remaining block of data in the data file that is less than the specific block size.
US08621163B2
According to an embodiment a management apparatus includes: a stream storage configured to store a stream constituted by a plurality of pages; a trace information storage configured to store trace information in each stream, a receiving unit configured to receive a request to write the pages constituting the stream; and a management unit. The management unit refers to the trace information; writes the page into the stream storage when the write rule indicates that the page is to be written in the stream storage; writes the page into the temporary storage when the write rule indicates that the page is to be written in the temporary storage; and writes the page that has been written in the temporary storage into the stream storage in units of extents at a predetermined timing.
US08621162B2
A method and system for automatically associating primary process data with reference data. The primary process data may include image, video, audio, text, search data, and the like. The reference data may include location, temperature, pressure, and the like. A primary process data processor device, such as a digital camera, is used to acquire the primary process data with time information, but without any reference data. A reference data collector device, such as a cellular telephone, is used to acquire the reference data with time information. The primary process data and the reference data are uploaded to a server and each are associated with a shared identifier, such as a user ID. Of the content and reference data associated with the shared ID, the server determines which primary process data and reference data were acquired near the same time, and automatically associates the reference data with the primary process data.
US08621160B2
A memory control unit of a turbo code decoder includes a buffer having a plurality of storage slots, a buffer control operatively coupled to the buffer, a router operatively coupled to the buffer control and to a plurality of data sources, and a conflict detection unit operatively coupled to the router, to the buffer control, and to the plurality of data sources. The buffer temporarily stores information intended for storage in a memory bank. The buffer control determines a number of available storage slots in the buffer. The router routes data from the data sources to the buffer control. The conflict detection unit initiates a temporary halt of some of the data sources when the number of available storage slots is insufficient to store all of the data from data sources attempting to access the memory bank.
US08621159B2
A memory device loops back control information from one interface to another interface to facilitate sharing of the memory device by multiple devices. In some aspects, a memory controller sends control and address information to one interface of a memory device when accessing the memory device. The memory device may then loop back this control and address information to another interface that is used by another memory controller to access the memory device. The other memory controller may then use this information to determine how to access the memory device. In some aspects a memory device loops back arbitration information from one interface to another interface thereby enabling controller devices that are coupled to the memory device to control (e.g., schedule) accesses of the memory device.
US08621157B2
An apparatus is disclosed for performing cache prefetching from non-uniform memories. The apparatus includes a processor configured to access multiple system memories with different respective performance characteristics. Each memory stores a respective subset of system memory data. The apparatus includes caching logic configured to determine a portion of the system memory to prefetch into the data cache. The caching logic determines the portion to prefetch based on one or more of the respective performance characteristics of the system memory that stores the portion of data.
US08621153B2
Methods and apparatus relating to microcode refactoring and/or caching are described. In some embodiments, an off-chip structure that stores microcode is shared by multiple processor cores. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08621151B2
In general, the present invention relates to data cache processing. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system that provides reconfigurable dynamic cache which varies the operation strategy of cache memory based on the demand from the applications originating from different external general processor cores, along with functions of a virtualized hybrid core system. The system includes receiving a data request, selecting an operational mode based on the data request and a predefined selection algorithm, and processing the data request based on the selected operational mode.
US08621145B1
Described is a technique for managing the content of a nonvolatile solid-state memory data cache to improve cache performance while at the same time, and in a complementary manner, providing for automatic wear leveling. A modified circular first-in first-out (FIFO) log/algorithm is generally used to determine cache content replacement. The algorithm is used as the default mechanism for determining cache content to be replaced when the cache is full but is subject to modification in some instances. In particular, data are categorized according to different data classes prior to being written to the cache, based on usage. Once cached, data belonging to certain classes are treated differently than the circular FIFO replacement algorithm would dictate. Further, data belonging to each class are localized to designated regions within the cache.
US08621144B2
A non-volatile (NV) memory may store hiberfile data before entering a hibernate state, and retrieve the data upon resume from hibernation. The reserve space in the NV memory (i.e., the erased blocks available to be used while in the run-time mode) may be used to store hiberfile data. Further, a write-through cache policy may be used to assure that all of the hiberfile data saved in cache will also be stored on the disk drive during the hibernation, so that if the cache and the disk drive are separated during hibernation, the full correct hiberfile data will still be available for a resume operation.
US08621135B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plural number of data input/output pins, a plural number of banks, in each of which a plural number of the information data is stored, a selector and a control circuit. In a first access mode, the control circuit simultaneously accesses the multiple banks in response to a single read-out command or to a single write-in command from outside. In the first access mode, the selector coordinates a plurality of data input/output pins with the multiple banks in a predetermined relationship.
US08621133B1
A disk drive comprising a rotatable disk, a head configured to read data from the disk, and a controller is disclosed. The controller is configured to read a plurality of track metadata files from the disk during one revolution of the disk using the head, wherein each track metadata file defines logical address to physical address mapping for a track of the disk, each track metadata file is located on a different track of the disk, and the track metadata files are located at track locations such that one of the track metadata files is read shortly after a track-to-track seek from a previous track.
US08621124B2
A method of operating a data library system wherein a host requests media movements from storage slots to and from media drives and also data operations on the media and wherein an operations controller responds to the host with virtual movements of the media according to a protocol associated with a robotic library.
US08621108B2
A user interface and gateway can be synchronized with each other by maintaining a sequential synchronization parameter in the network gateway, which value is retrieved from the network gateway and compared against a stored value in the user interface. If the retrieved synchronization value is other than expected in comparison with the stored synchronization value, the user interface is reloaded from the network gateway. The synchronization parameter may be a counter that is incremented based on the occurrence of a given event, such as a request provided by the user interface. The user interface may intermittently request retrieval of the synchronization parameter to verify synchronization between the user interface and the network gateway. The synchronization mechanism can operate in unidirectionally triggered communication protocol environments, as may be implemented in web 2.0 applications with pull technology.
US08621107B2
The invention relates to message-based communication between at least two units (100; 200) participating in a communications session. A first communications unit (100) generates and stores a state (10) comprising unit-associated data applicable for multiple messages to be communicated between the unit (100) and a second unit (200). A copy of this state (10) is then transmitted to the second unit (200), where it is stored. The state (10) and state copy can now be used in message processing for the purpose of reducing the message size and reducing utilization of communications resources. Data contained in the state (10) or state copy and found in the message (m1) is removed from the message prior transmission thereof. The resulting reduced-size message (m1′USD) is transmitted to the receiving unit, where the message (m1′USD) is anew processed by re-entering the data, removed by the transmitting unit, into the message (m1′USD) using the state copy or state. The original message (m1) is then recreated.
US08621092B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system to be performed by a WSRP consumer portal server for accessing a remote network resource addressed by a respective resource URL in a web portal infrastructure comprising at least a WSRP Consumer Portal connectable to a client Browser requesting the remote network resource, and a remote communication partner. A method for accessing remote network resources, a WSRP consumer portal includes: in response to an incoming client request for a web page, determining if remote portlets are comprised of said requested web page; for remote portlets sending a request for a respective portlet markup to a producer of said remote portlets; receiving a response to said request comprising a markup document including encoded representations of network URLs of a respective remote network resource; searching said response for producer encoded resource URLs of remote network resources, resulting in a set of found URLs; generating for each producer encoded resource URL a set of rewritten URLs, wherein each rewritten URL provides an access performable by said client to said remote resource; generating from said received markup document a new markup document comprising an executable code fragment, having the function to be executed by the client to select a specific rewritten URL out of said set of rewritten URLs; and sending a newly assembled web page comprising said new markup document for remote portlets and an unchanged markup document for non-remote portlets.
US08621090B2
A method for facilitating a sequenced, anonymous communications session in a communications environment is provided in one example that includes receiving, from a first endpoint, an anonymous, sequenced request for a communication session involving a second endpoint. The communication session is sequenced to occur at designated periods provided by the end user(s) and/or an administrator, while maintaining end user(s) anonymity.
US08621086B2
The present invention relates to a system and domain name server for ad-hoc networks. Embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile router providing connectivity to end users in an ad-hoc network. The mobile router includes a domain name server (DNS server) configured as a master DNS server at a node associated with the mobile router for end users that enter the ad-hoc network through the node. The DNS server stores records of name-address translations for the end users. A management structure of the DNS server at the node includes a domain name for the node coinciding with a domain name at a lowest level in a hierarchy of a domain name system.
US08621063B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a Byebye message when an operation of a controlled device is abnormally terminated are provided. A new field is added to discovery and Event messages defined in the UPnP standard. These messages are exchanged to allow a control point to monitor the controlled device. When the operation of the controlled device is abnormally terminated, the control point monitoring the operation of the controlled device determines whether or not the operation of the controlled device is abnormally terminated according to the presence or absence of a response to a Subscription Renewal message. The control point multicasts the Byebye message over the network instead of the controlled device abnormally terminated. It is possible to notify all control points in a network that the operation of the controlled device is abnormally terminated without increasing the load on the network and compatibility problems with existing UPnP devices.
US08621062B1
Embodiments are directed towards push signaling to run jobs on available servers. Users may provide jobs or job instructions to a job control node. Job control node may determine one or more available job target nodes from among a plurality of managed nodes associated with the job control node. The job target nodes may be determined based on information included in the provided job instructions. If there are available job target nodes, the job control node may provide the job instructions to each available job target node. Further, the job control node may receive communications from one or more available job target nodes that indicates that the job target node is prepared and ready to execute the received job instructions. Next, the job control node may issue a job start command that triggers the prepared job target nodes to begin executing the provided job instructions.
US08621060B2
A system and method provide comprehensive and highly automated testing of vulnerabilities to intrusion on a target network, including identification of operating system, identification of target network topology and target computers, identification of open target ports, assessment of vulnerabilities on target ports, active assessment of vulnerabilities based on information acquired from target computers, quantitative assessment of target network security and vulnerability, and hierarchical graphical representation of the target network, target computers, and vulnerabilities in a test report. The system and method employ minimally obtrusive techniques to avoid interference with or damage to the target network during or after testing.
US08621055B2
An apparatus and method for quickly searching for an accessible network in a wireless terminal. A wireless terminal registers information about a current location and information used to access a network in an access history table, when it succeeds in accessing the network. Thereafter, when accessing a network, the wireless terminal attempts to access a network that it previously accessed, using information about a current location and the access history table.
US08621052B2
A mechanism is provided for performance tuning for software as a performance level service. At the request of a customer, a cloud provider may use a performance tuning component to determine performance parameters to increase performance of an application running on a given hardware platform. The cloud provider may then generate a tuning configuration and associate the tuning configuration with the customer such that when the cloud provider deploys a customer's software to a partition in a host system, the cloud provider sends the tuning configuration with the deployment package. The performance tuning component at the host system then applies the performance parameters in the tuning configuration to increase performance.
US08621046B2
Methods and apparatus for provision of offline advertising services are described. In one embodiment, content data is stored in a local memory of a computing device prior to going offline. Once offline, the stored content is provided from the local memory, while the metrics regarding the provided content is collected and later transmitted to a remote server. Other embodiments are also described.
US08621045B2
A method and apparatus for accessing media with a portable communication device presents media available for display to a user based on user preferences. A user can select media to be output from an external display by entering commands into the portable communications device. In addition, a second external display can be used to display a subset of the media available for display.
US08621042B2
A method and system for delivering content with a content delivery network (CDN) to a user computer is disclosed. After an initial request to a point of presence (POP) of the CDN for the location of the content object, an Anycast Internet protocol (IP) address is assigned. The user computer requests the content object which may find its way to the same or a different POP depending on what is closer in Internet terms. The request returns a POP-specific IP in a redirect such that the request resolves to the POP referenced in the immediately preceding sentence. One or more edge servers deliver the content object to the user computer.
US08621041B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to Web services construction and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for message-oriented Web services construction. A method for the message oriented construction of a Web service can include graphically assembling a selection of message flow primitives defining an operation for a Web service, interconnecting selected ones of the message flow primitives to represent a flow of messages from one interconnected message flow primitive to another interconnected message flow primitive, and generating Web service logic from the selection of message flow primitives. The method further can include interpreting or executing the Web service logic in response to receiving a request to invoke the Web service.
US08621035B2
An IP multimedia gateway (IMG) receives content sharing service profiles generated by a service manager for communication devices that are coupled to the IMG. Content and/or content information that is received for communication to a first device, is communicated to other devices in response to a request. Content sharing profiles comprise permissions, group members, user preferences, device capabilities and security profiles. Content streams communicated to the first device may be shared with a second device based on the profiles. The second device may share additional streams with the first device. The first device or other devices may communicate the request. The content may be received from a service manager network device. The IMG and a communication device that may display the content may be integrated in a set-top-box or digital TV. Login access is enabled to devices for requesting content. Cooperation with other IMGs may enable discovery and/or content communication.
US08621025B2
The invention relates to the transference of data between two systems independent of the form in which the data is kept on the respective systems, and in particular to providing an efficient means of communicating data between systems and devices. It further relates to a system for allowing users to provide other individuals with a personalized representation of the user in a network environment, such as a cellular telephone network and the backup and restoration of data stored in a wireless telephone, and in particular a mobile telephone having data storage capabilities.
US08621023B2
A message filtering system is provided including a message management unit and a message monitoring unit in communication with the message management unit. The message management unit is configured to send and receive message over a network and to route messages to the message monitoring unit based on a message source, and the message monitoring unit is configured to parse the message and locate identifiers in the message and to re-route the message based on the identifier located in the message.
US08621022B2
A server having one or more processors and memory receives a plurality of messages organized as conversations associated with a user. The server receives, from a client, a request for a list of conversations associated with the user and sends, to the client, display information for displaying a list of conversations comprising a set of rows, each conversation in the list of conversations being represented as a single row. The list of conversations includes a first row representing a first conversation and a second row representing a second conversation. The first row includes a first recipient indicator that indicates that the user is a primary recipient of a message in the first conversation. The second row includes a second recipient indicator, different from the first recipient indicator, that indicates that the user is a secondary recipient of a message in the second conversation.
US08621019B2
Example systems and methods of content sharing within a social networking environment are presented. In one example, a first user device that is available to provide live media content is detected. A second user related to a first user of the first user device is identified within a social network. A notification of the availability of the first user device is transmitted to a second user device being operated by the second user. The notification is presented within a social networking website of the social network. In response to the notification, a request to receive the live media content is received from the second user device. In response to the request, transmission of the live media content provided by the first user device to the second user device is initiated, the live media content being presented within the social networking website.
US08621013B2
To solve the problem with mobile phone carriers that increasing mail traffic increases storage capacity of a mail server and network load, a relay server which relays a mail transfer (SMTP communication) and a mail fetch (IMAP communication) is installed in a carrier facility network. The relay server compresses a mail including a header transferred from a mail transfer server, adds a new header to encapsulate the mail, and transmits the encapsulated mail to an IMAP server as a compressed mail. In response to a mail fetch request from a communication terminal, the relay server decapsulates and restores the compressed mail fetched from the IMAP server, and transmits the restored mail to the communication terminal. The relay server changes parameters such as the mail size, so that no inconsistency of IMAP commands occurs in compressing/restoring the mail.
US08621012B2
A computer-implemented method can include accessing a micro-blog to retrieve a real-time copy of the micro-blog thread and delivering the real-time copy of the micro-blog thread for display in an e-mail message.
US08621009B2
A method and system for optimizing transmission of electronic messages. In one embodiment, the method includes maintaining a database to store electronic messages received from various clients. The method further includes receiving a new electronic message from a client, determining whether the new electronic message is associated with one or more messages stored in the database. If the new electronic message is not associated with any messages stored in the database, the new electronic message is sent to the recipients. If the new electronic message is associated with some messages stored in the database, the new electronic message is sent to the recipients, and in addition, the associated messages that are not stored locally at a particular recipient are sent to this recipient.
US08620998B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for mobile application deployment in a distributed computing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for mobile application deployment in a distributed computing environment is provided. The method includes uploading a mobile application into a secured central mobile application repository and modifying a distribution policy for other mobile applications in the secured central mobile application repository to account for the uploaded mobile application and changes within the distribution policy. Thereafter, both the distribution policy and the uploaded mobile application can be transmitted to a distributed application repository by way of an intermediate server coupled to a secured distributed application repository. The intermediate server is charged with synchronizing messages, calendaring and contacts with wirelessly linked pervasive mobile devices and an associated messaging server. Finally, the intermediate server selectively deploys the uploaded mobile application to different coupled mobile devices from the distributed application repository according to the distribution policy.
US08620994B2
Described are various mechanisms and techniques for influencing or controlling a content update schedule for a content-based software application on a mobile device. A content server issues one or more commands to the mobile device that establish a content update schedule for the mobile device. The mobile device then performs content update sessions with the content server based on that schedule. During any one or more refresh sessions, the content server delivers another command to establish a new content update schedule. This system provides the advantage of allowing the content server to regulate how frequently the mobile device retrieves new content.
US08620987B2
Systems and methods for multi-regime detection in streaming data are disclosed. An example method includes generating vectors for each sample of the streaming data. The method also includes inducing mean independence of the vectors to find an embedded data trajectory. The method also includes comparing the embedded data trajectory with known data trajectories. The method also includes issuing an alert if the embedded data trajectory corresponds to a known data trajectory indicating an anomaly in the streaming data.
US08620986B2
The embodiments disclosed herein provide a system, apparatus, and method for managing requests in a peer-to-peer network. A processor determines whether to reduce an amount of checks for connectivity for the device in the peer-to-peer network in response to a device being in the peer-to-peer network. The processor configures the device to send a message indicating a status of the device to a number of other devices in the peer-to-peer network without receiving a request for the status of the device in response to a determination to reduce the amount of checks for connectivity for the device in the peer-to-peer network.
US08620984B2
A first systolic array receives an input set of time division multiplexed matrices from a plurality of channel matrices. In a first mode, the first systolic array performs triangularization on the input matrices, producing a first set of matrices, and in a second mode performs back-substitution on the first set, producing a second set of matrices. In a first mode, a second systolic array performs left multiplication on the second set of matrices with the input set of matrices, producing a third set of matrices. In a second mode, the second systolic array performs cross diagonal transposition on the third set of matrices, producing a fourth set of matrices, and performs right multiplication on the second set of matrices with the fourth set of matrices. The first systolic array switches from the first mode to the second mode after the triangularization, and the second systolic array switches from the first mode to the second mode after the left multiplication.
US08620966B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the modification of network source content. According to various embodiments described herein, source content that includes primary source content and secondary source content is received via a network. Secondary source content is identified for modification. Insertion content is identified for use in modifying the secondary source content. The secondary source content is then modified prior to providing the modified source content to a user device for presentation to a user. Content management criteria that may include provider agreements, user preferences, and a user profile may be used in the content modification procedure.
US08620963B2
A large-scale data processing system, a large-scale data processing method, and a non-transitory tangible machine-readable medium are provided. The large-scale data processing system comprises an interface and a processor. The interface accesses a multi-dimensional data model, wherein the multi-dimensional data model comprises a plurality of dimensions, the dimensions form a multi-dimensional space of measures, each dimension is a single space comprising a plurality of members with a common set of attributes, and each measure is a data element organized and accessible through the multi-dimensional space of the cross-product of all dimensions. The processor builds at least one Tree Object (TO), wherein the TO is derived by converting the multi-dimensional data model into an N-level tree data structure according to a level order of N attributes, each tree node in the TO meets all conditions of attributes for all ancestor nodes, and N is a positive integer.
US08620961B2
A Bell Tree data structure is provided to model the process of chaining the mentions, from one or more documents, into entities, tracking the entire process; where the data structure is used in an entity tracking process that produces multiple results ranked by a product of probability scores.
US08620951B1
Systems and methods for returning results to a query based upon topic are disclosed herein. Aspects disclosed can be particularly useful when searching for videos or other media content for which associated textual information are generally relatively sparse compared to other types of content. Text associated with the query can be semantically associated with various domain topics by mapping one or more words included in the query to one or more domain topics based upon a conditional probability of the domain topic given the query. A set of results can be identified based upon a conditional probability of the result given the domain topic.
US08620944B2
In one embodiment, a system and method is provided to browse and analyze files comprising text strings tagged with metadata. The system and method comprise various functions including browsing the metadata tags in the file, browsing the text strings, selecting subsets of the text strings by including or excluding strings tagged with specific metadata tags, selecting text strings by matching patterns of words and/or parts of speech in the text string and matching selected text strings to a database to identify similar text string. The system and method further provide functions to generate suggested text selection rules by analyzing a selected subset of a plurality of text strings.
US08620941B2
An apparatus and method of searching and visualizing an instance path, which can search for a path between class-based instances and effectively display a path between two or more instances in order to rapidly search for diverse and complex relationships and search for a relationship between instances based on a relationship between classes in order to avoid comparison between the relationship being searched and the relationship of unnecessary objects when comparing the relationship between instances, are provided.
US08620932B2
A parallel sorting apparatus is provided whose sorting processing is speeded up. A reference value calculation section calculates a plurality of reference values serving as boundaries of intervals used for allocating input data depending on the magnitude of a value. An input data aggregation section partitions the input data into a plurality of input data regions, and calculates, by parallel processing, mapping information used for allocating data in each of the partitioned input data regions to the plurality of intervals that have boundaries on the reference values calculated by the reference value calculation section. A data allocation section allocates, by parallel processing, data in each of the input data regions to the plurality of intervals in accordance with the mapping information calculated by the input data aggregation section. An interval sorting section individually sorts, by parallel processing, data in the plurality of intervals allocated by the data allocation section.
US08620925B1
This specification describes technologies relating to content presentation. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of processing quantities of query instances to calculate (a) a volume differential between the quantities, (b) a percentage differential between the quantities, and (c) a volume differential between the impressions per query instance values, computing a first opportunity index that includes a product of: (a) an absolute value of the volume differential between the quantities, and (b) the percentage differential between the quantities, computing a second opportunity index including a product of: an absolute value of the first opportunity index, the volume differential between the impressions per query instance values, and the impressions per query instance values, and providing campaign improvement suggestions to an advertiser based on the second opportunity index. Other embodiments include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
US08620923B1
Instead of using a separate database to store meta-data for computer files, the file system itself is used to store the meta-data associated with computer files and meta-data index files that allow searches to be performed quickly on meta-data values. The meta-data index files may store the filenames of computer files having a particular meta-data value. The filenames stored within the meta-data index file may also be sorted according to another meta-data type in order provide additional information. When adding a new computer file to a particular meta-data index file, that computer file may be added to a meta-data index appendix file that is not sorted. Periodically, the meta-data index appendix file will be integrated into the main meta-data index file. This may occur when the meta-data index appendix file reaches a particular size.
US08620921B1
Described herein is a system and method for dynamically managing service-level objectives (SLOs) for workloads of a cluster storage system. Proposed states/solutions of the cluster may be produced and evaluated to select one that achieves the SLOs for each workload. A planner engine may produce a state tree comprising nodes, each node representing a proposed state/solution. New nodes may be added to the state tree based on new solution types that are permitted, or nodes may be removed based on a received time constraint for executing a proposed solution or a client certification of a solution. The planner engine may call an evaluation engine to evaluate proposed states, the evaluation engine using an evaluation function that considers SLO, cost, and optimization goal characteristics to produce a single evaluation value for each proposed state. The planner engine may call a modeler engine that is trained using machine learning techniques.
US08620915B1
An information server identifies a list of search results associated with a search query from a user. Each search result has an initial position in the list. The information server then identifies a user profile associated with the user. In some embodiments, the user profile includes a set of user-preferred search results that is determined at least in part from the user's search history and one or more supplemental search results that are deemed similar to at least one of the user-preferred search results. Among the list of search results, the information server identifies one or more search results that are associated with the supplemental search results. Finally, the information server reorders the list of search results by moving each of the identified search results from its initial position by an offset and then provides the reordered list of search results to the user.
US08620910B2
A search system includes a scoring engine weight value database that stores weight value information of each scoring engine corresponding to a plurality of users, a search result response unit that causes weight value information that is stored in the scoring engine weight value database to be reflected in search results that are searched by a search engine and that reflect scores computed by scoring engines to create search results that are presented to a user; and a search result behavior acquisition unit that acquires selection behavior information of a user with respect to search results that are presented and that causes the acquired selection behavior information to be reflected in the scoring engine weight value database.
US08620890B2
A computer-implemented method is provided for searching documents containing complex bodies of knowledge, such as patents and research papers. The computer-implemented method and related hardware and software provides methodology to interpret the intent of the searcher (the meaning of the searcher's query) into a MetaLanguage, including but not limited to the use of Fundamental Nature Attributes, Fundamental Action Attributes and Weighting of these attributes as it pertains to the intent of the searcher. The invention relates to semantic based searches. The same methodology that is used on the searcher's query is also used to mine and store the existing databases of patents and research papers into databases of MetaLanguage for the purpose of producing search results that better match search inquiries.
US08620889B2
A file fetcher manager provides commonly-utilized management and resource allocation for multiple file fetchers that each implement a different type of mechanism or protocol for transferring data files between peer endpoints in meshes associated with a cloud-computing service. Each file fetcher is configured with both client-side and server-side components to retrieve and serve out data files. The file fetcher manager encapsulates the file fetchers to provide an abstract interface to callers while hiding the underlying details of the file fetchers. The file fetcher manager is arranged for managing simultaneous operations of the multiple file fetchers to route requests from the callers to the appropriate file fetchers, and for scheduling work items for the file fetchers so that data transfers efficiently utilize available resources while keeping the entire transfer process coherent and organized.
US08620888B2
Techniques are described herein for partitioning a database table using a virtual column as the partitioning key. A virtual column is defined by the database to contain results of a defining expression. Partitioning can be performed using a variety of partitioning schemes, such as range partitioning and hash partitioning. The partitions are automatically updated to reflect changes to the values in the base columns upon which the virtual column depends. Partition pruning and parallel-wise partition joins can be performed on database tables which have been partitioned on virtual columns.
US08620876B2
Network security is enhanced in a multi-tenant database network environment using a query plan detection module to continually poll the database system to locate and raise an alert for suspect query plans. Security also can be enhanced using a firewall system sitting between the application servers and the client systems that records user and organization information for each client request received, compares this with information included in a response from an application server, and verifies that the response is being sent to the appropriate user. Security also can be enhanced using a client-side firewall system with logic executing on the client system that verifies whether a response from an application server is being sent to the appropriate user system by comparing user and organization id information stored at the client with similar information in the response.
US08620874B1
A source application reads a body of data in data block sized units and calculates a checksum value for each data block before sending the data block, the calculated checksum value and the identifier. Upon receipt, a destination application independently calculates a checksum value for each received data block and compares the two checksums. Non-matching checksums indicate a network-induced error in the data block. Identifiers for the erroneous data blocks are transmitted to the source application after all of the data blocks have been initially transmitted. The source application thereafter resends only those data blocks identified. The destination application repeats the process of comparing checksums and transmitting identifiers to the source application until all of the data blocks of the body of data have been correctly received, and then uses the data blocks to recreate the body of data.
US08620857B1
Separate subsystems are dedicated to handle fact and dimension data storage and retrieval in an optimized manner. Each subsystem acquires, processes, and stores its data separately in a manner appropriate to the characteristics of that data. A query engine combines the data from each subsystem at query time. When a user queries the system, the query engine interacts with each of the subsystems to fetch the data needed to generate a single result set.
US08620852B1
Provided are improved systems, methods, and computer programs to facilitate predictive accuracy for strategic decision support using Continuous Time Bayesian Networks. A simple semantic is provided for both probabilistic and temporal relationships that can be automatically translated into functioning Bayesian and Continuous Time Bayesian Network formalisms and applied by a user for reasoning analysis, such as to assess a hypothesis or respond to a query with a probabilistic and temporal prediction of a future event.
US08620849B2
Systems and methods (e.g., utilities) for use in providing automated, lightweight collection of online, open source data which may be content-based to reduce website source bias. In one aspect, a utility is disclosed for use in extracting content of interest from at least one website or other online data source (e.g., where the extracted content can be used in a subsequent search query). In other aspects, utilities are disclosed that are operable to perform various types of analyses on such extracted content and present graphical representations of such analyses on a display of a client device.
US08620832B2
Network-centric systems and methods for monitoring the security of a cargo container during shipment from an origination point to a destination are described. The cargo container includes a container security unit (CSU) having an electronic container identifier. As the container is loaded with various contents, a container processing system obtains produces a manifest of the contents using wireless data collection. The manifest, which also includes the container identifier, is sent to a central server for storage. As the cargo container is shipped through a port, warehouse or other shipping location, the CSU provides a status update to the central server. The status update may include a location of the cargo container, the container identifier and a status of a door seal, hazard detector and/or the like. As the cargo container arrives at its destination, another container processing system creates an arrival report of the received contents that can be compared to the manifest at the central server. The central server may also process data from the manifest, status update(s) and/or arrival report for the cargo container to further identify any security issues arising during shipment.
US08620825B1
Disclosed are systems and methods for establishing a personal identification number (PIN). The systems and methods provide techniques to begin a remote session with a customer, prompt the customer to select a PIN to associate with a financial account card during the remote session, and receive the PIN from the customer during the remote session.
US08620814B2
A system for making a purchase by a customer from a merchant, wherein an electronic message represents an instruction for payment from an account with a financial institution, includes a method of: associating a public key with identity information regarding the account; receiving by the merchant both encoding information for the electronic message and the identity information; forwarding by the merchant the electronic message, encoding information, and identity information; upon receipt of the electronic message, the encoding information, and identity information, retrieving the public key associated with the identity information; and determining a validation result as a function of the electronic message, the encoding information, and the retrieved public key. Upon successful validation, an account authorization is performed or payment from the account is made.
US08620811B2
A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction is provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer. A method for encouraging use of electronic payment methods is also disclosed, wherein an oligopolistic entity and a group of business consumers in an industry vertical are identified based on sales information, and an economic incentive is provided to the oligopolistic business entity after it agrees to accept electronic payment transactions for conducting business with the group of business consumers.
US08620809B2
Money transfer method and system for quickly and easily sending cash from one party via electronic mediums such as phones and computer modems using one of a credit card, debit card, ATM (automated teller machine) card, and/or a bank card and/or bank checking account and/or bank savings account, to another party who accesses an electronic retrieval site using a specialized card, credit card, debit card, ATM card account, or debit card account. Simultaneous money transfers from human sender's available and accessible funds debit card accounts to human recipient's receiving debit card accounts are processed by computer without the necessity of a pre-established relationship between the sending and receiving accounts, and the method and system repeats simultaneous money transfers between other senders and receivers.
US08620807B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for processing bills for a customer. A request for master data of the customer is received from a first processing module by means of a second processing module having access to the master data of the customer and the master data comprising bill format information. The second processing module sends the requested master data to the first processing module and receives a bill in a format specified in the master data of the customer from the first processing module.
US08620802B1
A method of evaluating customers is provided. The method is used for customers of two or more divisions of a business. The method involves collecting information indicative of the customer's influence on division performance metrics of several divisions of a business, where the division performance metrics each influence a business performance metric of the business. After it is collected, the information is electronically stored. The method includes the step of periodically calculating a customer division profit indicator for each of the divisions based on the information. The method also includes the step of periodically calculating a customer business profit indicator based on the customer division profit indicators, where the customer business profit indicator indicates a net influence of the customer on profits of the business. One or more of the customer division profit indicators and the customer business profit indicator are transmitted for display on a display device.
US08620795B2
A system of advertising on the Internet, including: an on-line system for sellers of future advertising space to create advertising contracts; an on-line system for presenting the advertising contracts to purchasers of advertising space; an on-line system for the purchasers of future advertising space to select the sellers' advertising contracts; a system to integrate purchased advertising contracts to a delivery mechanism that displays purchasers' advertising in the sellers advertising space; and a system for transferring funds from the purchasers to the sellers after completion and audit of the advertising contracts.
US08620794B2
Systems and methods for chart-based order entry are described. According to one example method a chart is used to display historical market data corresponding to a tradeable object. An order entry interface is displayed in relation to the chart. The order entry interface includes a plurality of price objects for selecting price levels to be used for trade orders to buy or sell the tradeable object. According to one example method, the price levels corresponding to the price objects depend on a location of the interface in relation to the chart, and as the interface is moved in relation to the chart, the price levels are automatically updated. Upon selection of the price level on the interface, a trade order to buy or sell is submitted to a matching engine at an electronic exchange.
US08620790B2
A mobile payment transaction aggregator designed to identify, on a per transaction basis, a payment processor from a plurality of available payment processors with the lowest processing fee for the given transaction. Additionally, the aggregator may bundle multiple payment transactions of a single consumer across multiple merchants for additional savings.
US08620774B1
Techniques described herein provide a self-service, run-time configuration store for interaction between a business owner and a Web service. For instance, the techniques may receive entity-specific configuration data from a business entity, may validate and store the entity-specific configuration data in a central location, and may receive a service-specific schema definition from a Web service. In response to a command to push the validated configuration data, or in response to a request to pull the validated configuration data, the techniques serve the entity-specific configuration data to configure the Web service for use with customers of the business entity.
US08620773B1
Systems, methods and computer program products provide e-commerce capabilities that enable integration of manufacturers, dealers and customers. An application may be utilized by a dealer to integrate manufacturer and customer information, including cost information, into a coordinated application. The e-commerce application may also be utilized to quickly and efficiently construct customer-specific web-based homepages that custom-tailor the display of information to a customer's needs or perceived needs. Further, the invention provides for the integration of information amongst multiple manufacturers, dealers and customers. The e-commerce application may also be utilized to provide numerous other features and aspects, as set out more fully herein.
US08620765B2
Mechanisms are provided to facilitate buying and selling products utilizing social pricing. Sellers initiate sale of a product with volume discounts for a limited time. In other words, the more people that buy a product, the lower the price for the group. Buyers have a real incentive to become prosumers that not only purchase a product but also promote purchase by others. A social pricing system brokers interaction between sellers and buyer groups, and provisions mechanisms to aid promotion of products by consumers utilizing social networks and other online activities.
US08620757B2
A computer system including at least one computer-readable medium has software to provide online account statements for accounts of customers of a company. The at least one computer-readable medium includes: a transaction database comprising a transaction history for an account of a customer of the company; a merchant database comprising variations of merchant names for merchants; software to compare the merchant name of the transaction entry of the transaction history from the transaction database with the variations of merchant names from the merchant database; software to provide a hyperlinked special offer indicia if a match occurs between the merchant name from the transaction database and one of the variations of merchant names from the merchant database; and software to provide an online account statement web page to the customer via the network.
US08620756B2
The present invention provides Internet users with access to an on-line vendor that has detailed product information some or all of which is supplied by at least one product supplier. Through selected storage and sharing of data, an on-line store is married to a supplier's product database. The on-line vendor is able to provide greater product information at a vastly reduced cost. The product supplier is provided with a unique company forum in which company activities such as sales training can be consolidated with advertising activities and product information to provide the most economical and up-to-date training information for the company.
US08620746B2
A software and/or hardware facility for scoring the quality of traffic to a site accessible via the Internet or other network. The facility may evaluate traffic based on multiple agent actions in order to detect bogus agent actions. The agent actions may be generic agent actions that are applicable to substantially all network sites. The facility may characterize the quality of an agent's interaction with the network site based on whether one or more of the multiple agent actions occurred during the agent's interaction. The facility may generate non-binary generic and custom scores, classifying traffic as fraudulent if its custom score is substantially higher than its generic score. The facility may characterize the quality of traffic to a network site based on dual algorithms. A first algorithm may be applied to traffic that is statistically significant, while a second algorithm may be applied to traffic that is not statistically significant.
US08620744B2
Systems and methods for placing ads in a block on a webpage are disclosed. Generally, two ranking models are trained using a first and second ads data set. The first model predicts a first click probability for each ad in the first ads data and rank the ads based on the eCPM. The second model is trained using the second ads data set comprising a subset of the first ads data set and interaction features related to ad position in the block. The second model predicts a second click probability for each ad in the second ads data set. An overall expected revenue for each arrangement of ads in the second ads data set is then calculated. The computer system selects the arrangement with maximum computed overall expected revenue and places the ads in the block on the webpage according to the selected arrangement.
US08620739B1
Techniques are described for using loyalty program points and other non-monetary loyalty rewards from a first organization in a monetary manner at a distinct second organization, such as to acquire an item from a merchant at a cost that is reduced by a monetary amount based on the loyalty reward used. In some situations, the first organization programmatically interacts with a merchant to cause a gift certificate to be dynamically created for the merchant in an appropriate monetary amount, and later applies the gift certificate to reduce the cost of the item acquisition. In addition, in some situations such acquiring of items by a user from a merchant is performed based on interactions between the user and the merchant that are performed so as to appear to the user to be with the first organization and such that subsequent interactions continue between the user and the first organization.
US08620738B2
The eligibility of an transaction between a consumer and a merchant toward an incentive for a loyalty program is determined using a globally unique identifier (GUID) matching algorithm. Information characterizing the transaction may include a GUID for the merchant and a GUID for an account of the consumer on which the transaction is payable. The GUIDs are each matched against GUIDs of merchants and accounts stored in a database, some of which are distinguished as loyalty program participants. When both the GUID for the merchant and the GUID for the account match with respective GUIDs in the database that are distinguished as loyalty program participants, the transaction is eligible toward the incentive.
US08620735B2
A method and system is described for targeting advertisements to a targeted travel habit. A targeted travel habit is comprised of a derived travel habit and associated values for any variables relevant to the derived travel habit. A derived travel habit allows targeting an advertisement towards a specific travel habit of a traveler, and utilizes the raw data entered by a traveler into a location calendar system. This raw data includes the traveler's home locations and travel plans. Raw data may be for the past, present, or future.
US08620733B2
A method and system for electronic distribution of incentives having real-time consumer-based directions according to another embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. An online promotion service may receive user profile information, which may include demographic information, location information, user preferences, user requests, and other information. Online promotion service may provide targeted incentives and promotions to a particular user or class of users based on user profile information and other information. Incentives may include coupons, promotions, rebates, sales notifications, free samples, and other product or service related incentives. A map and street directions identifying the location of associated facilities, such as redemption and retail/point-of-sale facilities, from a user's location may also be provided. The user's location may be identified as the user's home address, work address, or other convenient locations.
US08620730B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method promoting products in a virtual world. An association of product information for a product with a texture of an object assigned to the advertising user is provided for an advertising user. The product information with the texture of the object is rendered to be observable by interacting users in the virtual world when the texture of the object presenting the product information is within an observable range of avatars of the interacting users. Tracking information is updated for the advertising user in response to the texture of the object presenting the product information being within the observable range of the avatars of the interacting users. The tracking information generated for the advertising user is provided for use in determining rewards to assign to the advertising user for promoting the product.
US08620729B2
A robust method for solving in a computer, optimization problems under uncertainty including the steps of: specifying the uncertainty as a hierarchical series of sets of constraints on parameters, with the parameters restricted to each constraint set forming an ensemble, and the hierarchy of constraints, represented as mathematical sets forming a hierarchy of ensembles, said hierarchy being based on subset, intersection or disjoint relationships amongst them; utilizing optimization techniques to create effective identify minimum and maximum bounds on the each objective function, said bounds depending on the constraints comprising each ensemble of parameters and being computed for each of the assumptions about the future; estimating a volume of candidate ensembles and relating the volume to one or more information theoretic measures; and utilizing information theoretic measures to analyze and improve the candidate iteratively refine the ensembles and associated by changing a specificity of the bounds on the objective function.
US08620724B2
Integration framework for enterprise content management systems, in which a request related to performing an operation associated with enterprise content management is received from a customer relationship management application. In response to the request, a standard user interface is provided and user input that is entered into the standard user interface and that requests performance of an enterprise content management operation is received. In response to the user input, a particular enterprise content management system to perform the enterprise content management operation is identified from among multiple, different enterprise content management systems and a particular connector component configured to interface with the particular enterprise content management system is selected from among multiple, different connector components. The particular connector component is used to interface with the particular enterprise content management system and control the particular enterprise content management system to perform the enterprise content management operation.
US08620723B1
A system and method for generating a community contribution index (CCI) for organizations and providing reports pertaining to the CCI for one or more organizations is described. The CCI for an organization is calculated based upon monetary donations provided by the organization and the members associated with the organization and the number of volunteer hours provided by the members. The CCI provides a standardized way to measure an organization's contributions to the community.
US08620716B2
The system enables business people to understand the impact of business transactions, changes and events in real-time using advanced rules and analytics to filter, categorize and interpret the significance of streams of real-time information. Most business performance analysis today is done manually and this process is a time consuming and skilled task leading to a time delay in producing the analysis. This time lag between the transaction or event happening and being able to take action on the analysis is measured in weeks or months at many companies. By blending real-time information with historical data and performance goals, this system enables business users to assess business events and collaborate within teams to drive optimal business performance. Using forecasting techniques enables business managers to predict the likelihood of achieving a particular goal without relying on manual analysis by a skilled analyst. The system automatically updates the forecast based on real-time changing data, enabling the business manager to have an up to the minute and statistically valid projection of future business performance.
US08620694B2
A variable resolution grid provides a mechanism for focusing specific concentrations of risk exposure on a geographical grid to determine projected loss caused by a particular catastrophe. The geographic grid provides a stable base map by using latitudes and longitudes to define the grid points and cells. Each cell is assigned a geographic identifier or geocode that identifies the location of the cell and its associated resolution. The resolution of the grid may be varied depending in part, on the resolution of any available of hazard data.
US08620676B2
A credentials record system that captures personnel background data, such as license information, education and training, work experience, performance data and electronic signature at the time of entry using graphical user interfaces through a network, wherein it permits instant, sophisticated analysis of background data to identify relationships among the data, including archived data and includes the capability to access reference databases for consultation regarding verification of data for accuracy on a continuous basis. The system also provides for an automated auditing process to ensure data integrity and includes the capability to incorporate legacy data, such as paper files and mainframe data, for each personnel record.
US08620673B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an audio decoding method, including: determining that bitstreams to be decoded are monophony coding layer and first stereo enhancement layer bitstreams; decoding the monophony coding layer to obtain a monophony decoded frequency-domain signal; reconstructing left and right channel frequency-domain signals in a first sub-band region by utilizing the monophony decoded frequency-domain signal after an energy adjustment; and reconstructing left and right channel frequency-domain signals in a second sub-band region by utilizing the monophony decoded frequency-domain signal without the energy adjustment.
US08620668B2
Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.
US08620662B2
Methods and apparatuses to perform context-aware unit selection for natural language processing are described. Streams of information associated with input units are received. The streams of information are analyzed in a context associated with first candidate units to determine a first set of weights of the streams of information. A first candidate unit is selected from the first candidate units based on the first set of weights of the streams of information. The streams of information are analyzed in the context associated with second candidate units to determine a second set of weights of the streams of information. A second candidate unit is selected from second candidate units to concatenate with the first candidate unit based on the second set of weights of the streams of information.
US08620659B2
A system and method are provided for receiving speech and/or non-speech communications of natural language questions and/or commands and executing the questions and/or commands. The invention provides a conversational human-machine interface that includes a conversational speech analyzer, a general cognitive model, an environmental model, and a personalized cognitive model to determine context, domain knowledge, and invoke prior information to interpret a spoken utterance or a received non-spoken message. The system and method creates, stores, and uses extensive personal profile information for each user, thereby improving the reliability of determining the context of the speech or non-speech communication and presenting the expected results for a particular question or command.
US08620657B2
One aspect includes determining validity of an identity asserted by a speaker using a voice print associated with a user whose identity the speaker is asserting, the voice print obtained from characteristic features of at least one first voice signal obtained from the user uttering at least one enrollment utterance including at least one enrollment word by obtaining a second voice signal of the speaker uttering at least one challenge utterance that includes at least one word not in the at least one enrollment utterance, obtaining at least one characteristic feature from the second voice signal, comparing the at least one characteristic feature with at least a portion of the voice print to determine a similarity between the at least one characteristic feature and the at least a portion of the voice print, and determining whether the speaker is the user based, at least in part, on the similarity.
US08620649B2
A method of decoding speech data generated from a speech signal includes receiving the speech data having at least one main pulse in a subframe of the speech data, and generating a first predicted pulse, based on the at least one main pulse, on one side of the main pulse in the subframe of the speech data, where the first predicted pulse has a lower gain than the main pulse. The method also includes generating a second predicted pulse, as a mirror image of the first predicted pulse on a reverse time scale, on the other side of the main pulse in the subframe of the speech data, and reconstructing the speech signal using the at least one main pulse, the first predicted pulse and the second predicted pulse.
US08620641B2
A user interface routine includes an intelligent elision routine having a plurality of language objects, plurality of abbreviation objects, and a plurality of preference objects. Each language object that has an associated abbreviation object and preference object is an abbreviatable language object. The user interface routine and/or the intelligent elision routine is structured to determine a text field's length, also identified as a limited space, receive a text string and replace selected language objects in the text string with the associated abbreviation objects to create an abbreviated text string. The process is, preferably, repeated on the abbreviated text string until the abbreviated text string is shorter than the limited space or until no more abbreviatable language objects are in the text string.
US08620640B2
A back-up storage system that emulates a sequential storage medium such as a tape and stores data on a randomly accessible storage medium, such as disk. The back-up storage system includes a randomly accessible storage medium, a front-end interface to emulate the sequential storage medium, to communicate with external devices using a protocol that supports the sequential storage medium, and to receive sequential-format data from the external devices, and a back-end interface to receive the sequential-format data from the front-end interface and to store the sequential-format data on the randomly-accessible storage medium.
US08620638B1
A method of performing a simulation of a design under test is disclosed. The method comprises implementing an input block having an adjustable output width; coupling test data to the input block; generating an input signal comprising the test data for the design under test according to an input requirement for the design under test by way of the input block; implementing an output block having an adjustable input width for receiving data from an output of the design under test; and coupling the output of the design under test to the output block according to an output requirement of the design under test. A circuit for enabling testing of a circuit design implemented in an integrated circuit is also disclosed.
US08620637B2
Disclosed is a fuel cell simulator for predicting the power generation performance of a fuel cell including a membrane-electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane, a catalyst layer, and a diffusion layer. The fuel cell simulator includes a model creation unit for modeling a catalyst layer from the geometry and property data of the catalyst layer, and a calculation unit for calculating the power generation state distribution of the catalyst layer or macro physical property values by using the catalyst layer model and establishing simultaneous equations of gas transportation, water production-transportation phase change, electrical conduction, heat conduction, and catalytic reaction.
US08620635B2
The composition of multiple analytical visual composition models into a single whole. A model importation mechanism allows a model author or other user import all or portions of other models. By so doing, the author might cause the following to be supplemented or changed in an existing analytics-driven model: 1) additional model input data as well to generate a supplemented set of model input data; 2) additional bindings between the supplemental set of model input data to the model parameters; 3) additional model parameters to generate a supplemental set of model parameters; and 4) additional analytical relationships between the supplemental set of model parameters. Accordingly, the author may borrow from models by other authors, allowing for effective collaboration in order to construct increasingly complex models.
US08620629B1
A Discrete Event System model created or provided in a time domain modeling and simulation environment and/or an event domain modeling and simulation environment may be divided into multiple independent regions, e.g. “subgraphs”, to achieve interleaved execution of the components from different domains. The subgraphs are automatically identified by the modeling and simulation environment during the compilation. Each subgraph consists of one or more interconnected event-driven components. Each subgraph is associated with an event calendar that controls the execution of the associated subgraph. Such multiple event calendar design enables multi-domain simulation, where event-driven components modeled by an event domain modeling environment and time-driven components modeled by a time domain modeling environment are simulated in an integrated fashion.
US08620628B2
Programming or modeling environments in which programs or models are simulated or executed with tunable sample times are disclosed. The tunable sample times can be changed during the simulation or execution of the programs or models without recompiling the programs or models. The sample times are parameterized and the value of the sample times is changed during the simulation or execution of the programs or models. The sample times may be changed manually by a user. Alternatively, the sample times may be automatically changed by programmatically defining when and how the sample times are determined.
US08620626B2
A characteristic thumbprint is extracted from a data signal, the thumbprint based on statistics relating to the data signal. The data signal can be compared indirectly by matching this thumbprint against one or more reference thumbprints. The data signal may be any type of signal, including streaming digitized audio or obtained from static files. A database may contain a number of these characteristic thumbprints, and the database can be searched for a particular thumbprint.
US08620625B2
A monitoring system for monitoring a patient in a patient-support apparatus includes a detector, a standard, and a controller. The detector detects electromagnetic radiation in a field. The standard conveys a predetermined electromagnetic signature to the detector. The controller monitors the electromagnetic radiation in the field and compares the electromagnetic radiation to the standard to determine the position of a patient supported on a patient-support apparatus positioned in the field.
US08620621B2
A work performance acquisition module of an intelligent assets maintenance system obtains work performance data of intelligent assets from a device operation production control system. A status monitoring module obtains operation status data of the intelligent assets. A loss calculation module calculates a loss degree of the intelligent assets according to the obtained work performance and operation status data. A maintenance determining module determines whether the intelligent assets need maintenance according to the loss degree of the intelligent assets.
US08620616B2
Marking devices of the type used for marking a presence or an absence of underground facilities and including motion detectors such as accelerometers are described. Methods of collecting and analyzing motion information indicative of the motion of a marking device are also described. The motion information may be used for various purposes, including documenting performance of a marking operation and/or performance of a particular technician, pattern determination and comparison, as well as quality control assessment.
US08620614B2
Methods and apparatus are described for characterizing the temporal-spatial properties of a dynamic fluid front within a mold space while the mold space is being filled with fluid. A method includes providing a mold defining a mold space and having one or more openings into the mold space; heating a plurality of temperature sensors that extend into the mold space; injecting a fluid into the mold space through the openings, the fluid experiencing a dynamic fluid front while filling the mold space with the fluid; and characterizing temporal-spatial properties of the dynamic fluid front by monitoring a temperature of each of the plurality of heated temperature sensors while the mold space is being filled with the fluid. An apparatus includes a mold defining a mold space; one or more openings for introducing a fluid into the mold space and filling the mold space with the fluid, the fluid experiencing a dynamic fluid front while filling the mold space; a plurality of heated temperature sensors extending into the mold space; and a computer coupled to the plurality of heated temperature sensors for characterizing the temporal-spatial properties of the dynamic fluid front.
US08620612B2
A circuit constant analysis method for an equivalent circuit of an inductance element includes determining values of various elements constituting the equivalent circuit from measured values of select electrical characteristics of the actual inductance element. The equivalent circuit includes: a parallel circuit connecting in parallel an inductance Ls, a capacitance Cp, and a resistance Rp; a capacitance Cr connected in series to said resistance Rp; an inductance Lr connected in parallel to said resistance Rp; a resistance Rs connected in series to said parallel circuit; a plurality of closed circuits including a resistance Rmi and an inductance Lmi magnetically coupled with a coupling coefficient ki by a mutual inductance Mi to said inductance Ls; and a resistance Rc connected in series to said capacitance Cp.
US08620608B2
An intelligent electronic device (IED) having a gain control unit adapted to selectively regulate operating ranges of output signals of a sensing circuit of the device is described. In one embodiment, the IED is a digital electric power and energy meter, which operating ranges for supply voltages and supply currents of electrical services may be adjusted to match pre-determined ranges for input signals of a data acquisition system or a data processing module of the meter.
US08620600B2
A system assesses and displays activity of a sportsman. At least one sensor detects movement of the sportsman, and a processor processes data from the sensor to assess activity of the sportsman. A heads-up display mounted with a pair of goggles or glasses displays data indicative of the activity to the sportsman.
US08620595B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for separating or isolating a peptide using reverse phase chromatography. The disclosure also relates to methods for calculating or determining the slope S of a peptide, wherein S is defined according to the Linear-Solvent-Strength equation log k=log k0−S*φ. Also provided are a set of peptides with known S values suitable for use in the described methods.
US08620590B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for accurately determining a proportion (ratio) of two analytes is provided, as well as provide a concentration of a first analyte from a determined concentration of a second analyte and from a proportion of the analytes to each other. In one aspect, a surface model (called a “dose surface” herein) relating the concentrations of the two analytes to the proportion can be used to obtain accurate values for one of the variables (e.g. a concentration or the proportion) when the other two variables have previously been obtained. The dose surface can be a three-dimensional surface and be non-linear. The dose surface model can include multiple regression functions. For example, measured responses can be individually converted to concentrations using two dose-response curves, and the concentrations can be input to a dose surface function to obtain the proportion.
US08620585B2
In at least one embodiment, a system for presenting athletic performance information includes a server configured to store information related to a previous traversal of a route by a user, and a mobile device in communication with the server, the mobile device configured to receive the information related to the previous traversal of the route by the user from the server, and present athletic performance information based at least in part on the information related to the previous traversal of the route to the user during a subsequent traversal of the route.
US08620584B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, navigation software is integrated with other kinds of software running on the same device so that capabilities of the navigation software can be made available from within the other applications. In one example embodiment, those applications can export street, city or postcode format address data to the navigation software. The address data can then be converted to a co-ordinate system based address by the navigation software, which can then automatically be set as the destination address used by the navigation software in calculating the route and/or automatically marked on a map generated and displayed by the navigation software.
US08620580B2
The invention relates to a navigation systems and elements. A network element (M) includes a receiver (M.2.2) for forming assistance data relating to at least one navigation system. The network element (M) inserts indication of the navigation system and a selected mode into the assistance data and constructs the assistance data according to the selected mode. The network element (M) has a transmitting element (M.3.1) for transmitting the assistance data via a communications network (P) to a device (R). The device (R) includes a positioning receiver (R.3) for performing positioning on the basis of one or more signals of the at least one satellite navigation system; a receiver (R.2.2) for receiving the assistance data from the network element (M); and an examining element (R.1.1) adapted to examine the received assistance data. The assistance data is adapted to be used by the positioning receiver for performing positioning of the device (R).
US08620566B2
An accelerator pedal depression force control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle is arranged to increase the depression force of the accelerator pedal than a base depression force when the accelerator opening degree becomes larger than an accelerator opening degree threshold value, and arranged to set a the first accelerator opening degree based on an accelerator opening degree which switches from a first running mode in which the vehicle runs by driving only the electric motor, to a second running mode in which the internal combustion engine is driven, to set a second accelerator opening degree based on the accelerator opening degree by which the vehicle can run at a constant speed at each vehicle speed, and to set the accelerator opening degree threshold value as a larger one of the first accelerator opening degree and the second accelerator opening degree.
US08620564B2
An abnormality detection apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine changes a fuel injection quantity of a predetermined target cylinder to detect an abnormality of an internal combustion engine based on values of rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity. The abnormality detection apparatus corrects the values of the rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity based on at least one of the number of revolutions of the engine and an engine load at a corresponding detection time.
US08620561B2
A control for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve for directly injecting fuel to a combustion chamber of the engine, an ignition device for burning an air-fuel mixture containing the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve, and a variable cylinder management mechanism that is capable of changing the number of operating cylinders is provided. The control includes making a transition to an operating mode where the number of operating cylinders is decreased through the variable cylinder management mechanism. It is predicted based on an operating condition of the engine that an air-fuel ratio of an exhaust atmosphere of the engine becomes lean due to a stop of the fuel injection into one or more cylinders to be halted by the transition. If it is predicted that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust atmosphere of the engine becomes lean, additional fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve to the one or more cylinders to be halted after ignition performed by the ignition device in a combustion cycle where the prediction is made.
US08620555B2
A method for assessing slippage of wheels in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring, via a sensor, an initial value of vehicle speed, determining, via a processor, at least one of a minimum vehicle speed and a maximum vehicle speed, and determining, via the processor, wheel slip using the initial value and the at least one of the minimum vehicle speed and the maximum vehicle speed.
US08620550B2
A final drive assembly is driven by an electric motor and includes a park and service brake arrangement including a shared disc brake pack that is compressed by a preload exerted by a compression spring arrangement defined by a stack of Belleville springs for establishing an engaged park brake condition in the absence of pressurized brake actuating fluid being routed to a park brake piston. An electrical control is provided for computing disc brake pack wear based on a stored load curve of the stack of Belleville springs containing information correlating preload amounts to various compressed heights of the stack of Belleville springs, and on the magnitude of a drive signal sent to the electric motor for causing sufficient drive torque to be developed for causing the rotor discs of the engaged disc brake pack to slip relative to the stator discs.
US08620547B2
A method for controlling braking of a vehicle includes the steps of calculating a first pressure based on a driver request, and providing pressure that does not exceed a predetermined pressure threshold if the vehicle is stationary and the first pressure is less than the predetermined pressure threshold.
US08620545B1
A background map remains stationary while a portable unit moves within a plane parallel to the screen of the portable unit. As the user moves the unit, images of the background map appear on the screen of the portable device. The user scans the stationary map presented on the screen of the portable unit. This has several benefits since now relative distances and angular displacements within the plane between objects that are outside of the range of the screen of the handheld unit can be immediately be located and placed into view on the screen of a portable unit. The handheld unit is like a Sliding Window which provides a view of this image of a stationary map lying in the background of the portable unit.
US08620542B2
It is provided a vehicle shift control apparatus that electrically controls switchover of a shift range of a transmission based on a position signal corresponding to an operational position in a shift operating device, the vehicle shift control apparatus being capable of storing therein a determination result of whether the position signal is normal or abnormal, the shift range being switched based on the position signal acquired when a vehicle electric power supply is turned on if a memory of the determination result is retained when the vehicle electric power supply is turned on, the shift range not being switched based on the position signal acquired when the vehicle electric power supply is turned on if the memory of the determination result is not retained.
US08620539B2
A continuously-variable transmission for a vehicle includes a belt-type continuously-variable transmitting mechanism connected to a drive source and configured to continuously vary a speed ratio of the belt-type continuously-variable transmitting mechanism; an auxiliary transmitting mechanism provided in series with the belt-type continuously-variable transmitting mechanism and configured to attain a plurality of shift steps for a forward running of the vehicle; and a speed-increasing gear mechanism provided upstream from the auxiliary transmitting mechanism and configured to increase an input rotational speed of the auxiliary transmitting mechanism.
US08620537B2
A shift-by-wire system improves responsiveness to a shift command and ensures safety. An electric motor generates a rotational output to be used to switch the ranges of an automatic transmission. A by-wire control circuit unit electrically controls the rotation of the electric motor to comply with an inputted shift command. If a re-shift command is inputted during switching control, the by-wire control circuit unit modifies rotation control. The modification can be implemented until the rotational position of the electric motor reaches a new target rotational position to comply with the re-shift command.
US08620531B2
In a method and device for correcting temperature-dependent changes in the mechanical properties of a closing part of a vehicle, the closing part can be moved by a direct current motor. As part of the production of the vehicle, the mechanical properties of the mobile closing part are ascertained during a closing procedure at a first ambient temperature and stored in a non-volatile manner in the form of a first reference characteristic in a memory of the vehicle. While the vehicle is running at least one more reference characteristic is ascertained and likewise stored in a non-volatile manner in the memory of the vehicle, whereby every additional reference characteristic is associated with a different ambient temperature. The stored reference characteristics are compared to a calculated characteristic while the vehicle is running in order to check whether jamming exists or not.
US08620530B2
A control system is disclosed. The control system includes a first set of operator input devices and a laser target located on a first machine. The control system also includes a first laser measurement system located on a second machine and configured to measure a distance to the laser target. The control system further includes a communications system configured to selectively communicate a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the second machine follows the first machine based on the measured distance. In the second mode of operation, the second machine moves based on a signal from the first set of operator input devices.
US08620524B2
A correction torque command is outputted to a driving/braking torque producing means in accordance with a correction torque to suppress vehicle body spring vibration. When a state of the correction torque amplitude being greater than a predetermined amplitude continues for a given predetermined time, a control apparatus outputs a hunting time correction torque command smaller than a normal time correction toque command. When a state of the correction torque amplitude being smaller than or equal to the predetermined amplitude continues for a first predetermined time, the control apparatus returns the output of correction torque command from the hunting time correction torque command to the normal time correction torque command. The control apparatus continues the output of the hunting time correction torque command if the state in which the correction torque amplitude exceeds the predetermined amplitude continues for the given predetermined time, before the expiration of the first time period.
US08620521B2
A method and apparatus for operating a vehicle HVAC system includes detecting an elevated risk of water splash expulsion from an evaporator through a vent outlet and controlling a voltage supplied to at least one blower of the vehicle HVAC system to reduce a risk of water splash expulsion if the elevated risk is detected. Water splash risk is determined in view of a voltage supplied to a subject blower, a vehicle tilt angle, and a condensation risk or value. The condensation risk or value is determined in view of a window open/close value, a temperature value, and a humidity value. Each of these factors are, either independently or in combination, compared with a corresponding threshold value to determine if the water splash risk warrants voltage control.
US08620520B2
A method for managing a plurality of devices interconnected as a communications network in a motor vehicle via one or a plurality of interconnected bus systems is presented, the method including recognizing and generating a device specific control component for newly attached devices. The method includes operating a generic control module to operate upon data stored in a newly attached device to generate the device-specific control component, which is used to control the device. The device-specific control component either can be added to the generic control module or can be stored independently of the generic control module in the respective device. The generic control module is used in a gateway or a system manager of the communications network. A human-machine interface adapts to the device-specific control component. The network is interconnected by a bus system, preferably embodied according to IEEE 1394.
US08620517B2
This disclosure relates to distributed control of a platoon of vehicles with nonlinear dynamics. Distributed receding horizon control algorithms are presented to derive sufficient conditions that guarantee asymptotic stability, leader-follower string stability, and predecessor-follower string stability, following a step speed change in the platoon. Vehicles compute their own control in parallel, and receive communicated position and velocity error trajectories from their immediate predecessor. Leader-follower string stability requires additional communication from the lead car at each update, in the form of a position error trajectory. Communication from the lead car is required only once at initialization. Provided an initially feasible solution can be found, subsequent feasibility of the algorithms are guaranteed at every update. The theory is generalized for nonlinear decoupled dynamics, and is thus applicable to fleets of planes, robots, or boats, in addition to cars.
US08620513B2
An actuator arrangement for a motor vehicle drive train has a control device, an electric actuator and a drive circuit for the actuator. The drive circuit receives at least one nominal signal relating to an actuator from the control device and converts it into a drive signal for the actuator. The control device is checked for faults by means of a monitoring device. The drive circuit and/or a power stage which is arranged between the drive circuit and the motor receives a reset signal when such a fault occurs. Further, the control device is configured to check the function of the drive circuit and to generate a reset signal for the drive circuit and/or for the power stage if a malfunction occurs.
US08620502B2
An electric vehicle battery heater includes a housing having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A heating element is positioned within the housing in a heat transfer relationship with coolant for transferring heat to an electric vehicle battery. A thermistor is positioned in the housing to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery coolant. A controller energizes the heating element when the signal represents that the coolant temperature is less than a predetermined lower limit.
US08620501B2
A starting system of an engine mounted in a vehicle capable of running using torque output from an electric motor includes a estimation portion that estimates engine speed and output torque of the engine when the engine is driven to realize the power requested by the driver, a comparing portion that compares a time for which the engine continues to be stopped with a first time and a second time that is longer than the first time, a first starting portion that starts the engine when estimated engine speed is greater than first speed and less than second speed, and the estimated output torque is greater than first value and less than second value, and a second starting portion that starts the engine when the time for which the engine continues to be stopped is longer than the second time.
US08620499B2
After completion of warm-up of an engine, upon satisfaction of an exhaust gas recirculation condition by setting the drive mode of a hybrid vehicle to a normal mode according to the driver's accelerator operation, when a power difference ΔPe representing a decrease rate of a power demand Pe* required for the engine is less than a preset reference value α, the engine and motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled to ensure output of a power equivalent to the power demand Pe* from the engine with prohibition for exhaust gas recirculation via an EGR valve and to ensure output of a torque equivalent to a torque demand Tr* to a ring gear shaft or an axle (steps S300 to S330 and step S390).
US08620494B2
In one embodiment, the invention is an interface for communicating a vehicle command from a user to a vehicle. The interface preferably includes a support system to support at least a portion of the weight of a user, a sensor system to sense the weight distribution of the user, and a processor to interpret a vehicle command based on the weight distribution of the user and to communicate the vehicle command to a vehicle.
US08620489B2
The subject disclosure is directed towards a robot device including a computational intelligence system that can be coupled to/decoupled from different interchangeable mobility mechanisms at different times. The robot may operate with its intelligence portion detached from the mobility portion, whereby the intelligence portion may be easily to interact therewith out lifting the (typically dirty) mobility mechanism. The robot may operate according to a coupled state, a decoupled state, or in a transition state when being moved for purposes of coupling or decoupling.
US08620488B2
A method for determining set-point values for a vehicle's control systems having the steps of: determining a horizon by means of position data and map data of an itinerary made up of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment; calculating threshold values for at least one characteristic of segments according to one or more vehicle-specific values, which threshold values serve as boundaries for assigning segments to various categories; comparing the at least one characteristic of each segment with the calculated threshold values and placing each segment within the horizon in a category according to the results of the comparisons; calculating set-point values for the vehicle's control systems across the horizon according to rules pertaining to the categories in which segments within the horizon are placed; regulating the vehicle according to the set-point values. Also a module adapted to determining set-point values for a control system in the vehicle.
US08620487B2
A vehicle screening method and system. A vehicle occupant can be identified utilizing one or more biometric identifiers input by or obtained from the vehicle occupant via a biometric input device. A barcode can also be provided by the vehicle occupant from a scanned card or other structure upon which the barcode is maintained. Additionally, a unique identification number can be provided by the user in order to match the unique identification number against a database of identification numbers, thereby permitting the vehicle occupant to be remotely screened and verified for entry into a secure facility based on the biometric identifier(s), the barcode and the unique identification number.
US08620468B2
A computing device develops a first non-adaptive virtual metrology (VM) model for a manufacturing process based on performing a non-adaptive regression using a first data set. Upon determining that an accuracy of the first non-adaptive VM model satisfies a first quality criterion, the computing device develops an adaptive VM model for the manufacturing process based on performing an adaptive regression using at least one of the first data set or a second data set. The computing device evaluates an accuracy of the adaptive VM model using a third data set that is larger than the first data set and the second data set. The computing device determines that the adaptive VM model is ready for use in production upon determining that an accuracy of the first adaptive VM model satisfies a second quality criterion that is more stringent than the first quality criterion.
US08620458B1
An implantable medical lead of the invention comprises an electrically active helix electrode extendable and retractable relative to a distal tip of the lead, an electrically conductive mapping collar disposed at the lead's distal tip and a proximal end carrying an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly comprises a first terminal connected to the helix electrode and a second terminal separately connected to the mapping collar. An advantage of the independent helix electrode and mapping collar circuits is that the implanting physician can confirm from separate electrode impedance readings that the helix is in fact extended and fully embedded within the myocardium. Further, the independent mapping collar and helix electrode circuits may be used, in conjunction with a configurable or programmable switch network, to provide the implanting physician with a choice of electrode impedances.
US08620442B2
The present invention is a method of stimulating visual neurons to create the perception of light. A visual prosthesis electrically stimulating the retina with implanted electrodes exhibits interaction between electrodes stimulated closely together in both space and time. The method of the present invention includes determining a minimum distance at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, determining a minimum time at which spatiotemporal interactions occur, and avoiding stimulation of electrodes within the minimum distance during the minimum time. The minimum are ideally established for each individual patient. Alternatively, approximate minimums have been established by the applicants at 2 mm and 1.8 μsec.
US08620441B2
In order to generate the smallest phosphenes possible, it is advantageous to selectively stimulate smaller cells. By hyperpolarizing the somas of the large cells selectively with sub-threshold anodic ‘pre-pulse’ stimuli (making them more difficult to stimulate) and then selectively depolarize the smaller cells one can selectively stimulate smaller cells. Alternatively, one can hyperpolarize the dendrites of the cells with larger dendritic fields by applying sub-threshold anodic currents on surrounding electrodes and then depolarizing the smaller cells in the center. Further, one can manipulate the phases of an individual biphasic wave to affect selective stimulation resulting in more focal responses. It is possible to increase resolution with the ‘pre-pulse’ described above. One can also effect resolution by modifying the pulse order of the cathodic and anodic phases. Further, one can isolate the effect of the phases by separating them in time (long inter-phase interval) or by making one of the phases long and low amplitude—always keeping equal total charge for the two phases. As an example, one can preferentially stimulate smaller ganglion cells by providing a longer sub-threshold anodic pulse balanced with a shorter supra-threshold cathodic pulse. Preferentially stimulating the smaller ganglion cells will allow stimulation of different brightness levels while maintaining high spatial resolution.
US08620440B2
According to one aspect, a stimulation system is provided for electrically stimulating a predetermined site to treat a fragile bone disorder or condition. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into a subcutaneous area in communication with a predetermined site, wherein the site is neuronal tissue that is associated with C2/C3 dermatome area. The stimulation lead includes one or more stimulation electrodes adapted to be positioned in the predetermined site. The system also includes a stimulation source that generates the stimulation pulses for transmission to the one or more stimulation electrodes of the stimulation lead to deliver the stimulation pulses to the predetermined site to treat a fragile bone disorder or condition.
US08620439B2
An apparatus, method, and medium for generating electrical stimulation, including an electromyogram detector detecting an electromyographic signal of a body, a fatigue index calculator calculating a fatigue index indicating a degree of muscle fatigue by converting the electromyographic signal detected by the electromyogram detector during a predetermined time unit into a frequency-domain electromyographic signal, and an electrical stimulation signal generator adjusting an electrical stimulation signal according to the calculated fatigue index and generating the electrical stimulation signal. Accordingly, a health training/monitoring apparatus can include an electrical stimulation generator adjusting an electrical stimulation signal according to a degree of fatigue and generating the electrical stimulation signal, a physical activity monitor monitoring a physical activity using at least one of a heart rate measurer and an accelerometer, and a mode selector selectively driving the electrical stimulation generator or the physical activity monitor according to an amount of the physical activity.
US08620435B2
Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
US08620433B2
Generally, the disclosure is directed one or more methods or systems of cardiac pacing employing a right ventricular electrode and a plurality of left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using the right ventricular electrode and a first one of the left ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using the right ventricular electrode and a second one of the ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Employing sums of the measured activation times to select one of the left ventricular electrodes for delivery of subsequent pacing pulses.
US08620430B2
Systems and methods for selection of electrodes and related pacing configuration parameters used to pace a heart chamber are described. A change in the hemodynamic state of a patient is detected. Responsive to the detected change, a distribution of an electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical parameter related to contractile function of a heart chamber with respect to locations of multiple electrodes disposed within the heart chamber is determined. A pacing output configuration, including one or more electrodes of the multiple electrodes, is selected and the heart chamber is paced using the selected pacing output configuration.
US08620429B2
An implantable medical device delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). If a detected tachyarrhythmia is classified as a type suitable for treatment using ATP, the implantable medical device selects one of an atrial ATP (A-ATP) mode, a ventricular ATP (V-ATP) mode, and a concurrent atrio-ventricular ATP (concurrent AV-ATP) mode according to the characteristics of the detected tachyarrhythmia. The concurrent ATP mode is an ATP mode during which the atrial pacing pulses and the ventricular pacing pulses are delivered concurrently. In one embodiment, the concurrent AV-ATP mode includes a synchronized atrio-ventricular ATP (synchronized AV-ATP) mode during which atrial and ventricular pacing pulses are delivered synchronously and an independent atrio-ventricular ATP (independent AV-ATP) mode during which atrial and ventricular pacing pulses are delivered concurrently but timed independently.
US08620422B2
A tissue stimulation device includes an electrode array having at least four independently switchable electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrode array comprises a flexible base to which the electrodes are fixed that flexes to encompass at least a portion of an artery or other elongate biological structure. The electrodes are electrically coupled to and energized by a signal generator coupled to a control system. In one embodiment, the array of electrodes are configured such that a suitable signal pattern for stimulation pulses between or among a set of the switchable electrodes may be determined without having to reposition the electrode assembly by using a series of signal patterns activating different combinations of switchable electrodes in response to sub-stimulation test signals to determine a signal pattern that provides suitable patient response. In another embodiment, the array of electrodes includes an array of selectively activatable multi-polar electrodes.
US08620421B2
A massaging apparatus capable of charging ion on a face contacting portion is provided.The massaging apparatus capable of iontophoresis has an effect to make isometrics permeated deeply through skin by charging ion on the face contacting portion.Further, the massaging apparatus capable of iontophoresis has another effect to prevent cosmetics from deterioration in advance by providing the airless pump container for blocking inflow of air.Further, the massaging apparatus capable of iontophoresis has still another effect to increase credibility by including the self-awareness portion for making user aware whether ion is charged on the face contacting portion.
US08620404B2
System and method of high-frame rate, time-resolved, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiograpy
A system and method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject includes acquiring a time series of two-dimensional (2D) data sets from a portion of the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and reconstructing the time series of 2D data sets into a 2D time series of images of the subject having a given frame rate. The process also includes acquiring a time-independent, 3D volume of the portion of the subject and combining the 2D time series of images of the subject with the time-independent 3D volume of the subject to generate a set of time-dependent 3D volume images of the portion of the subject at the given frame rate.
US08620396B2
Slide mechanism includes: a slide pin; a base in which formed are a first guide portion guiding the pin upwardly and downwardly and a first hook portion formed integrally with and bent to the right from the upper end of the portion; a slider slidable upwardly and downwardly relative to the base, in which formed are a second guide portion guiding the pin upwardly and downwardly, a second hook portion formed integrally with upper end of the second guide portion and bent to the left, and a runout formed integrally with lower end of the second guide portion; and an urging mechanism that has one end attached to the pin and the other end attached rotatably to base such that the vertical position of the other end is between both ends of the first guide portion, and that urges the pin away from the other end.
US08620389B2
A method for operating a communications device can include receiving a plurality of spoken commands uttered by a user, the plurality of spoken commands comprising a custom written communication message to be displayed. The method can also include executing a speech recognition engine to recognize and convert each of the spoken commands into corresponding electronic signals that selectively enable and operatively control each of a plurality of multimedia units and at least one light array, wherein the electronic signals are configured to cause multiple light units of the light array to be selectively activated and display the custom written communication message. The method can further include transmitting audio signals received from different ones of the plurality of multimedia units to a radio via a preset open radio channel for broadcasting the audio signals through at least one speaker connected to the radio.
US08620377B2
A hybrid phone to acquire channels has a first communication mode supporting voice/low-rate data communications and a second communication mode supporting high-rate data communication, and includes a phone control unit having a communication processor controlling voice/data communications according to programs stored in a memory. The communication processor includes a channel acquisition processor attempting to acquire channels for the first and second communication modes. If the channel acquisition processor cannot acquire a channel for the second communication mode within a predetermined time, the channel acquisition processor stops attempting to acquire the channel for the second communication mode and reattempts to acquire the channel for the first communication mode. If the channel acquisition processor acquires the channel for the first communication mode, the channel acquisition processor reattempts to acquire the channel for the second communication mode.
US08620375B2
An operation control method in a base station of a wireless communication system includes: checking whether or not an allowed mobile station exists in coverage of the base station and overall coverage of base stations adjacent to the base station; and controlling the base station to perform transmission/reception at a predetermined period through a first discontinuous operation, when the allowed mobile station does not exist in the coverage of the base station and the overall coverage of the adjacent base stations.
US08620367B2
An apparatus and method for managing a Random Access CHannel (RACH) in a mobile communication system, in which a User Equipment (UE) receives a UE information transmit request for a RACH procedure from a network, and transmits, to the network, a message including information indicating a contention detected in the RACH procedure.
US08620360B2
A system and method for making vehicle originated calls to a telematics service provider or other call center. The method includes identifying a call type associated with a desired wireless communication of speech or data to the call center, and then carrying out one of a number of different call connection processes depending on the call type. For voice channel cellular connections, an in-band modem cellular connection is preferably established in most instances using a connection retry strategy that includes primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary connection attempts each of which utilize at least one of a number of different voice and data call origination processes. The system and method can be carried out in connection with various cellular system technologies, but is especially suited for use with GSM systems.
US08620359B2
Coincident with the evolution, maturation, etc. of wireless messaging ecosystems an infrastructure that provides for intelligent and dynamic alternate Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message delivery channels. Occasions may arise where a Mobile Subscriber would like to use their Wireless Device to exchange (for example, MMS) messages but circumstances may prohibit or limit same. On such occasions the MMS messages may be appropriately processed and then routed through one or more alternate message delivery channels such as, possibly inter alia, E-Mail. The infrastructure may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor.
US08620354B2
The present invention relates to a communication system that selectively limits functionality of one or more portable electronic communication devices. More particularly, in one embodiment the apparatus for selectively limiting functionality may comprise a transmission device comprising a transmitter configured to transmit an activation signal to an activation radius. The transmission device may further comprise one or more motion sensors configured to provide power from a battery to the transmission device upon physically detecting activity (e.g., motion, vibration) of a vehicle. The activation signal allows the transmission device to communicate with a plurality of portable electronic communication devices that detects a condition of the portable electronic communication devices and that execute a control software application that limits functionality if the detected condition violates the predetermined safety condition and if the activation signal indicates that the portable electronic communication device should have a limited functionality.
US08620350B2
A user equipment (UE) location in a wireless network can be determined by leveraging geometric calculations for an overlaid bin grid framework mapping the wireless network area to store differential values for each frame of the bin grid framework for each pair of relevant NodeBs. A timing offset can be determined, such that when a time value from a target UE is accessed, the location can be quickly determined with minimal real time computation. In an aspect, the time value from an idle-state target UE can be accessed. The target UE time value can be searched among pre-computed differential value data sets indexed by relevant NodeB site pairs to return sets of frames that can facilitate converging on a location for the target UE. Intersecting frames can represent the geographic location of the UE in the wireless network. Further, the data can be leveraged to correct timing in the network.
US08620340B2
There is provided a solution for improving the efficiency of a mobile communication network applying a distributed antenna system. The solution includes avoiding inter-cell interference with only a limited amount of backhaul information exchange between the base stations of the distributed antenna system, and applying beamforming techniques according to determined user allocation.
US08620328B2
Various techniques for handing over a wireless terminal from a serving node to a target node in a radio access network is disclosed. transferring a session in a cluster are disclosed. These techniques include exchanging messages between a wireless terminal and with a serving node to support a handover to a target node. Each of the messages includes an identifier. The wireless terminal is configured to determine whether it has received any stale messages from the target node following handover based on one or more of the identifiers.
US08620326B2
A handover processing method includes obtaining, by a relay station, information, where the information is used for determining whether a mobility management entity (MME) of a user equipment is in a mobility management entity pool (MME pool) to which a neighboring eNB belongs; and determining, by the relay station, that an X2 interface between a serving eNB of the relay station and the neighboring eNB cannot be used for handover if the MME of the user equipment is not in the MME pool to which the neighboring eNB belongs. The foregoing solutions enable the relay station to initiate a correct handover procedure.
US08620317B2
A method and system facilitates communicating network feature support between a mobile device and cellular network. The system protects network feature support information from tampering or spoofing during a periodic routing area update (RAU). In some cases, the network is prohibited from transmitting network feature support information in response to a periodic RAU. Instead, the mobile device may use previously provided network feature support information. In other cases, the network establishes integrity protection before transmitting network feature support information in response to a periodic RAU. The mobile device rejects responses that do not comply. If the mobile device rejects the response, it may also use previously provided network feature support information instead.
US08620306B2
A position location system, method, and apparatus are disclosed. A wireless device receives a first signal and obtains an identifier indicative of a first location from the first signal. The first signal can be received from a cellular base station and the first identifier can be a mobile country code. The wireless device uses the identifier to determine the availability of signals from a regional satellite system at the first location. If signals from the regional satellite system are available at the first location, the wireless device retrieves information associated with one or more satellite vehicles in the regional satellite system. The information can include pseudo-random number codes and a Doppler search range corresponding to the first location. The wireless device receives a second signal and processes the second signal to obtain first satellite signal information. The wireless device determines its position at least partially based on the first satellite signal information.
US08620305B2
A mobile device test framework is used in combination with client controllers and device controllers so that a single mobile device API test can be used with mobile devices having different operating system platforms. The client controllers can provide information specific to the client and the device controllers can provide information needed to apply the test to each of the mobile device platforms. The test framework can navigate through the controls of the mobile device GUIs and input information. The test framework can then check that the text and images displayed by the mobile devices match the expected information.
US08620301B1
A process and apparatus that are described measure characteristics of radiated waves in an uncontrolled environment. These measurements are useful for the design of communications installations (site surveys) among other signal measurement applications.
US08620298B2
Methods and apparatus that effectively manage capacity of a wireless-based communication infrastructure are presented herein. An evaluation component can generate configuration data associated with a base station of a cellular wireless network. Further, a radio network controller component can determine capacity of a physical port coupled between a radio network controller and the base station. The radio network controller component can configure the radio network controller to utilize an increase in capacity of the physical port based on the determined capacity of the physical port. A base station component can configure the base station to utilize the increase in capacity of the physical port based on the configuration data generated by the evaluation component.
US08620295B2
A method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device is provided, the mobile electronic device comprising a processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at least one notification device. It is determined that the at least one notification device has been activated using a given notification setting. A menu list is responsively changed to include a notification setting change option, the menu list associated with the input device and stored in the memory, such that when the input device is activated, the display is controlled by the processing unit to provide a representation of the menu list such that the notification setting option can be selected and the given notification setting changed.
US08620294B2
A mobile device dynamic background is described. In embodiment(s), a mobile device includes selectable controls via which a selectable input can be received to initiate activation of an operational state of the mobile device. A background image that corresponds to the operational state of the mobile device can be determined, and a current display on the mobile device can be changed to display the background image that is determined to correspond to the operational state when the selectable input is received.
US08620293B2
An automatic radio station tuning control system senses when a mobile radio receiver is leaving the coverage area of the transmitter that is transmitting program content, and entering the coverage area of another transmitter that is transmitting the same program content. The program content can be from a radio station, a mobile internet application, or the like. The mobile radio performs re-tuning to the other transmitter in order to continue to receive the program content even though the mobile radio is leaving the coverage area of the first transmitter. The tuning control system can provide uninterrupted coverage to a listener of a radio when the radio receiver is, for example, in a vehicle traversing a mountainous area, or when the radio receiver is moving from one WiFi hot spot to another.
US08620282B2
A handsfree device is disclosed that offers additional wireless telephone services to the user of a wireless device in a minimally distracting manner. A call-waiting notification of a second call is presented acoustically via the handsfree device to a user. A responsive action by the user to request caller-ID information yields an audible presentation of caller-ID information related to the second call. The user may then elect to answer the second call.
US08620276B2
Automatically retrieving messages by a wireless telephone based on user preferences. A method of the invention receives a notification, on a wireless device, indicating that a computing device has a message for a user. One or more rules associated with the user are evaluated based on the received notification. The method also automatically requests the message from the computing device as a function of the evaluated rules and received from the computing device. The method further stores the received message in a memory area of the wireless telephone for rendering to the user. Alternatively, one or more rules associated with the user are dynamically generated by monitoring the user interaction with the wireless telephone.
US08620268B2
The invention relates to a system implementing a mobile telephone (20) to which a master user authorized to program a lock (22) has access. A remote management site (10) includes a database (12) of locks and authorized users, having, for each lock, a list of authorized users with corresponding access rights, as well as an accreditation data generator (14). The accreditations are encrypted acoustic accreditations in the form of single-use audio signals, suitable for programming locks indexed in the database by the access rights indexed in the database and/or by additional data. The system includes a means for securely transmitting the encrypted acoustic accreditations from the management site to the mobile telephone of the master user. The lock (22) includes an electro-acoustic transducer (54) that is suitable for picking up acoustic accreditations reproduced by the telephone placed beforehand near the lock, as well as a means for recognizing, analyzing and authenticating the picked-up acoustic accreditations, and for programming access rights and/or additional data upon recognizing a compliant accreditation.
US08620264B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to associate two or more phone numbers with two or more phone bills, where the controller is adapted to send outgoing phone calls and receive incoming phone calls on multiple telephone numbers assigned to the mobile communication device in accordance with at least one user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08620256B2
A data channel for the transmission of voice from a subscriber and of additional data characterizing the cause of an accident is used for an emergency call from a vehicle. These characterizing data are likewise transmitted in the form of voice. The data transmission is effected sequentially in this case.
US08620243B2
A method a system for receiving signals from plural frequency bands and plural communication protocols. An interchangeable radio frequency (“RF”) front end may receive RF signals from plural frequency bands and plural communication protocols. Intermediate frequency (“IF”) circuitry may produce one or more common IF signals from the received RF signals. A common digital back end may then receive digitized versions of the IF signals, modify IF signal bandwidth as a function of the plural communication protocols, and process plural received signals without knowledge of the underlying communication protocols.
US08620234B2
A predistortion system for linearizing the output of a power amplifier includes a first signal representative of an RF modulated signal and a feedback signal representative of nonlinear characteristics of a power amplifier. The system also includes a predistortion controller, comprising at least one lookup table, adapted to receive the first signal and the feedback signal and to generate a correction factor for correcting the nonlinear characteristics of the power amplifier and combining logic which combines the RF modulated signal with a signal corresponding to the correction factor and supplies it to the power amplifier to linearize the output of the power amplifier.
US08620226B2
A method for operating an integrated transceiver, comprising coupling an operating transmitter and an operating receiver within the integrated wideband receiver, inputting a signal into the operating transmitter, performing a first conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a second signal, transmitting the second signal into the operating receiver, performing a second conversion of the signal, wherein the signal is converted into a third signal, transmitting the third signal into the operating transmitter, and adjusting the operating transmitter.
US08620219B2
Provided is a wireless communication system between medical devices. A wireless communication apparatus between medical devices using a cognitive technology may receive, from an external frequency coordination database server, state information of frequencies that are available in a predetermined area, and store interference information associated with the frequencies. The communication apparatus may sense an external interference signal that affects the frequencies outside the predetermined area, and an internal interference signal that affects the frequencies within the predetermined area. The communication apparatus may determine a priority of each of the frequencies that are available in the predetermined area based on the interference information, the external interference signal, and the internal interference signal, and may determine a frequency to be assigned based on the priority.
US08620217B2
A short range wireless communication apparatus is disclosed. When multiple communication protocols including a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol are simultaneously connected between the short range wireless communication apparatus and another short range wireless communication apparatus, the short range wireless communication apparatus notifies the another short range wireless communication apparatus a second communication protocol connection request if the first communication protocol is disconnected in response to transmission of a first communication protocol disconnection request to the another short range wireless communication apparatus and then the second communication protocol is disconnected in response to transmission of a second communication protocol disconnection request from the another short range wireless communication apparatus.
US08620208B2
A portable device is provided for allowing a user operating the portable device to communicate with a remotely located entity. An object or a device connected to an object emits a signal containing an electronic address of the remotely located entity. The portable device includes a button and a wireless receiver. The button facilitates communication between the portable device and the remotely located entity. The wireless receiver receives and automatically captures the signal emitted by the object or the device connected to the object without selection of any buttons on the portable device. The portable device automatically establishes communication with the remotely located entity upon selection by the user of the button. Selection of the button causes the portable device to automatically contact the electronic address contained within the emitted signal.
US08620198B2
An image forming apparatus includes a toner supply member which is in contact with the toner carrier and is provided within the container, has a foam layer on its surface, rotates in a predetermined direction for image formation and supplies the toner to the toner carrier and has a contact area with the toner carrier with an uppermost stream position in the predetermined direction of the contact area being higher than a lowermost stream position and has a period when the toner supply member rotates in the opposite direction of the predetermined direction to increase the toner amount contained in the foam layer.
US08620186B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a brush roller, rotatable in a predetermined rotational direction, contacted to the image bearing member; and an applying device for applying a bias to the brush roller. The brush roller includes a shaft and a woven fabric brush including fibers planted in a strip-like base material, which is wound helically about the shaft with a helical winding gap. The woven fabric brush is subjected to fiber slanting processing so that the fibers of the helically wound woven fabric brush are slanted, so as to cover the helical winding gap, from a downstream side toward an upstream side with respect to a longitudinal direction in which a helically extending widthwise edge of the base material appears to be moving when the brush roller rotates in the predetermined rotational direction.
US08620185B2
A phase synchronization mode is performed at a time of subsequent rotation after image formation. After detection of a phase difference by phase detecting sensors 103a, 103d, rotation phases are synchronized between driving motors 111, 102d after a lapse of a variable time. Specifically, timing for starting the rotation phase synchronization is shifted by 20 msec for each phase synchronization control so as to vary angular positions of the photosensitive drums 101a, 101b, 101d at which phase control is started. In this manner, sliding-contact positions are distributed and development and concentration of sliding-contact damages are prevented on the photosensitive drums 101a, 101b, 101d.
US08620182B2
An image forming device has a housing, a cover, a frame, a heating member, a transfer roller, a first shaft, and a shielding assembly. The housing has an opening. The cover opens and closes the opening. The frame is provided in the housing. The heating member is supported to the frame and heating a recording sheet. The transfer roller is rotatably positioned between the heating member and the opening in the frame. The transfer roller conveys the recording sheet in a sheet conveying direction and is positioned downstream of the heating member in the sheet conveying direction. The first shaft is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The first shaft supports the transfer roller and facing the frame through a gap through which the sheet passes. The heating member is exposed to the opening through the gap. The shielding assembly extends in the first direction and is movable between a first position where at least a part of the shielding assembly is aligned with the gap in the sheet conveying direction and a second position where the shielding assembly is offset from the gap in the sheet conveying direction.
US08620179B2
A tandem type photosensitive unit includes: a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged in parallel with one another; a first structure member having a side surface extending in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums as viewed from an axial direction of the photosensitive drums for collectively retaining the plurality of photosensitive drums and relatively positioning the plurality of photosensitive drums; and a second structure member having a side surface extending in the arrangement direction as viewed from the axial direction for collectively retaining developer cartridges provided correspondingly to the photosensitive drums respectively. The first structure member is fixed to the second structure member on one side in the arrangement direction, and mounted on the second structure member with a clearance on the other side in the arrangement direction.
US08620178B2
A developing cartridge and an image forming apparatus employing the same which include a developer sealing configuration to prevent a developer in a developing chamber of the developing cartridge from leaking during a distribution process are disclosed. The developing cartridge of an image forming apparatus, the developing cartridge including: a developing housing which accommodates therein a developer and includes an opening through which the developer is supplied to the outside; an image carrier which is mounted in the developing housing; a developing roller which is mounted in the opening of the developing housing to face the image carrier and develops an image on the image carrier; and a sealing member which includes a sealing part partially provided between the image carrier and the developing roller in a sealing location and sealing the opening and a grip part extended from the sealing part to an outside of the developing housing.
US08620177B2
A developing device includes a seal member adhered to a frame along an axial direction of a developing roller. The seal member seals between the frame and an outer peripheral surface of the developing roller. The frame has a seal supporting surface extending along the axial direction, on which the seal member is supported in a cantilevered fashion. The seal member includes a sheet-like member and an elastic adhesive member. One end portion of the sheet-like member is fixed to the seal supporting surface through the elastic adhesive member, and the other end portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller. The elastic adhesive member has a first surface adhered to the sheet-like member and a second surface adhered to the seal supporting surface, and at least one slit is formed along the axial direction from the second surface toward the first surface.
US08620173B2
An image forming device fusing a developer transferred to a recording medium surface based on inputted print data includes a heat source, a fusion member supported in a freely rotatable manner and heated by the heat source, a pressure application member positioned to face the fusion member and pressing against the fusion member, a temperature detection device positioned to face the pressure application member and detecting a surface temperature of the pressure application member, and a temperature control part controlling a heating temperature by the heat source based on a detection result by the temperature detection device. The temperature control part selects a second set temperature that is lower than a preset first set temperature when the surface temperature of the pressure application member detected by the temperature detection device is less than a predetermined temperature, to control a temperature of the fusion member.
US08620171B2
A transfer device includes a transfer belt, a transfer roller and a tension roller over which the transfer belt is passed in a tensioned condition and which is made to be in an electrically floated state; it also includes a guide member that is installed in the vicinity of the tension roller. A control section, in transfer processing, controls a first switch so that the guide member is in a grounded state while controlling a second switch so that an electric current being caused to flow to the transfer roller becomes a first electric current; and in cleaning processing, controls the first switch so that the guide member is in an electrically floated state while controlling the second switch so that an electric current being caused to flow to the transfer roller becomes a second electric current.
US08620169B2
An image forming apparatus includes a transport member that transports a recording medium, an image carrier that carries a toner image, a transfer member that transfers the toner image onto the recording medium, a fixing device that fixes the toner image, a reversing path that reverses the recording medium, and a controller. When the toner image is a borderless image and there is a burr on an edge portion of the recording medium, the controller controls the transport member, the image carrier, and the transfer member so that the recording medium passes between the image carrier and the transfer member and through the fixing device without the toner image being transferred onto the recording medium, and then the recording medium is transported along the reversing path to between the image carrier and the transfer member and the toner image is transferred onto the recording medium.
US08620164B2
Described herein is a hybrid III-V Silicon laser comprising a first semiconductor region including layers of semiconductor materials from group III, group IV, or group V semiconductor to form an active region; and a second semiconductor region having a silicon waveguide and bonded to the first semiconductor region via direct bonding at room temperature of a layer of the first semiconductor region to a layer of the second semiconductor region.
US08620162B2
An electronic device may include wireless circuitry such as infrared sources that control external equipment such as televisions and set-top boxes. An infrared source may be mounted within an electronic device housing in a visually inconspicuous location such as in a connector port. A button may be provided with transparent structures that allow infrared light to pass through the button. A removable accessory port may be provided with an infrared transmitter accessory that allows an electronic device to serve as a remote control device. Portions of an electronic device housing may be provided with thin housing walls or holes that are too small to be noticeable to the naked eye to serve as windows for infrared light. An audio port may serve as an infrared light window. Gasket structures, bezel structures, and the edges of displays and other planar glass members may be used in transmitting infrared light.
US08620161B2
When using a wavelength multiplexing unit of a wavelength multiplexing optical transmission system in which a wavelength tunable type optical transmitter and a wavelength multiplexer having no wavelength selectivity are combined, undesired light that is not supposed to be flown into a wavelength channel may be mixed therein. A wavelength multiplexing unit includes: transmitters having functions of outputting signal lights of different wavelengths from each other and changing the wavelengths; band-limiting filters provided to each of the transmitters, which have functions of eliminating the lights out of bands from the signal lights outputted from the transmitters, and changing the center wavelengths of the bands; and a wavelength multiplexer including ports capable of inputting the lights of any wavelengths, which inputs signal lights from which the light out of the bands is eliminated by the band-limiting filters and multiplexes the signal lights.
US08620158B2
A communications device includes a transmitter device including first and second optical sources, a first optical coupler coupled to the first and second optical sources, and a first modulator coupled to the first optical coupler and to modulate a combined carrier signal including the first and second optical carrier signals with an RF input signal. The communications device includes a receiver device having a second modulator to further modulate the modulated combined carrier signal with an LO signal, a FM-PM discriminator coupled to the second modulator and to convert the modulated combined carrier signal to an intensity modulated combined carrier signal based upon the LO signal, a second optical coupler coupled to the FM-PM discriminator and to generate first and second intensity modulated carrier signals, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the second optical coupler and to generate an IF signal.
US08620157B2
In a passive optical network, upstream transmission frames from an ONU to an OLT can include additional delimiters that assist in overcoming high signal distortion at the beginning of the frame that can obscure an initial frame delimiter. The second delimiter can be inserted into the frame at various locations within the frame known to the OLT such that the OLT can active a delimiter detector at the beginning of a timing window for delimiter detection. The ONU can assist the OLT in synchronizing the frame by ensuring that a frame header immediately follows a second delimiter or appears at the start of a first FEC code block following the second delimiter. Depending on where the ONU inserts the second delimiter in the frame generation process, the second delimiter may be scrambled and/or may form part of the FEC.
US08620155B2
An optical noise monitoring method and monitor, the monitor comprising an optical transmitter for receiving at least a portion of an optical signal, a device arranged to extract a reflected optical signal comprising a portion of the optical signal back-reflected by stimulated Brillouin scattering in the optical transmitter, and a photodetector for receiving the reflected optical signal. The optical transmitter can scatter the optical signal by stimulated Brillouin scattering.
US08620154B2
A visible light communication (VLC) device is provided for use in a VLC system. The VLC device detect a trigger condition indicating a failure of a VLC link associated with first allocated resources used to communicate with a second VLC device. In response to the detection, the VLC device terminates on the first allocated resources transmission of data to the second VLC device and transmits a fast link recovery (FLR) signal using the first allocated resources. The VLC device receives a fast link recovery response (FLR RSP) signal indicating the second VLC device received the FLR signal and, in response, the VLC device resumes transmission of data to the second VLC device.
US08620138B2
To more flexibly reproduce moving image data obtained by capturing a plurality of frames within the period of a single frame of display output while changing the exposure condition. For example, moving image data, which has been obtained by capturing a plurality of frames within the period of a single frame of display output while changing the exposure condition, is stored in a recording portion. When the moving image data is reproduced from the recording portion, a single frame is selected and output by a reproduced frame selecting portion for each period of a single frame of display output. If a user operation instructing to make the displayed image darker, in response to this user operation, a frame having an exposure condition of underexposure is selected and output from the moving image data to be reproduced from the recording portion for each period of a single frame of display output.
US08620136B1
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving video data propagating in a network environment; maintaining the video data in a buffer having a predetermined size; generating meta-information associated with the video data; and receiving a recording request from an end user participating in a video session associated with a video data. The recording request triggers the video data to be recorded in the network environment remote from the end user.
US08620131B2
A variable optical attenuator includes a collimating unit that collimates an incident light beam, a polarization splitting member that separates the collimated light beam into a first polarized light beam having a first polarization and a second polarized light beam having a second polarization, a birefringence control unit through which the first and second polarized light beams pass, the birefringence control unit including a liquid crystal cell having a birefringence is controlled by a voltage or current, wherein the birefringence of the liquid crystal cell is substantially zero when no voltage or current is applied thereto, and a reflection member that reflects the first and second polarized light beams output from the birefringence control unit. The variable optical attenuator has high stability, high precision, and low volume.
US08620129B2
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a cable pulling assembly. The fiber optic cable includes a first end and an oppositely disposed second end. The fiber optic cable further includes an outer jacket and a strength member disposed in the outer jacket. The cable pulling assembly is engaged to the second end of the fiber optic cable. The cable pulling assembly includes an enclosure defining a cavity. The second end of the fiber optic cable is disposed in the cavity. An adhesive is disposed in the cavity. The adhesive secures the strength member of the fiber optic cable to the enclosure.
US08620121B2
An expanded-beam all-glass retroreflector for a fiber laser cavity. The retroreflector consists of a section of a tapered double-clad fiber for beam expansion, e.g. a tapered section of the laser fiber itself, or a piece of coreless fiber spliced to the laser fiber, and a reflective surface for reflection of the expanded beam back into laser cavity through the tapered fiber section.
US08620115B2
A semiconductor-based optical modulator is presented that includes a separate phase control section to adjust the amount of chirp present in the modulated output signal. At least one section is added to the modulator configuration and driven to create a pure “phase” signal that will is added to the output signal and modify the eiφ term inherent in the modulation function. The phase modulation control section may be located within the modulator itself, or may be disposed “outside” of the modulator on either the input waveguiding section or the output waveguiding section. The phase control section may be formed to comprise multiple segments (of different lengths), with the overall phase added to the propagating signal controlled by selecting the different segments to be energized to impart a phase delay to a signal propagating through the energized section(s).
US08620112B2
A RAW image, a parameter set used in a development process for the RAW image data, and attribute information of the parameter set are obtained, and a development processing apparatus (or development processing software) to be used for development of the RAW image is determined. The attribute information of the parameter set includes information which identifies a development processing apparatus (or development processing software) that performed development. Based on this information, an apparatus or software which is to perform a development process is searched for. The RAW image and development process parameters are transmitted to the detected development processing apparatus or software.
US08620107B2
An apparatus for extracting features from a video includes a frame rate converter for performing a frame rate conversion on the video to a preset frame rate, a gray scale converter for performing a grey scale conversion on the frame rate-converted video, a frame size normalizer for performing a frame size normalization on the gray scale-converted video to a preset image size, and a feature extractor for partitioning the normalized video into image blocks of a predetermined size, and extracting features from the image blocks on the basis of luminance values of the image blocks. A video identification system employs the feature extracting apparatus to identify an original video and an object video.
US08620101B2
A display control apparatus includes a synthesizing unit for synthesizing multiple pieces of image data to generate synthesized image data; an image quality adjustment unit for carrying out image quality adjustment for the synthesized image data output from the synthesizing unit; a format discrimination unit for discriminating a format of each of the multiple pieces of image data; a determination unit for determining referenced image data for the image quality adjustment from the multiple pieces of image data based on discrimination results from the format discrimination unit; and a control unit for controlling the image quality adjustment unit so as to carry out the image quality adjustment for the synthesized image data using a parameter suitable for image quality adjustment of the referenced image data for the image quality adjustment determined by the determination unit.
US08620096B2
Provided are a virtualization server for presentation virtualization and a method thereof. The virtualization server includes: a virtual layer management unit which generates a virtual screen for a user terminal; a service operation unit which executes a service requested from the user terminal, and displays a result of the executed service on the virtual screen; a screen division processing unit which divides the virtual screen into a plurality of sub-blocks; and an image data encoding unit which classifies the plurality of sub-blocks into image sub-blocks and text sub-blocks and encodes the image sub-blocks by a first encoding scheme and encodes the text sub-blocks by a second encoding scheme.
US08620095B2
A technology is described for performing structure from motion for unordered images of a scene with multiple object instances. An example method can include obtaining a pairwise match graph using interest point detection for obtaining interest points in images of the scene to identify pairwise image matches using the interest points. Multiple metric two-view and three-view partial reconstructions can be estimated by performing independent structure from motion computation on a plurality of match-pairs and match-triplets selected from the pairwise match graph. Pairwise image matches can be classified into correct matches and erroneous matches using expectation maximization to generate geometrically consistent match labeling hypotheses and a scoring function to evaluate the match labeling hypotheses. A structure from motion computation can then be performed on the subset of match pairs which have been inferred as correct.
US08620088B2
Methods, articles of manufacture, and apparatus to count people in an image are disclosed. An example method includes capturing an image of a body region in a first frame; and when a second frame different from the first frame includes the image of the body region, incrementing a first count of persons in the second frame.
US08620064B2
A method is provided for imaging a workpiece by capturing successive frames of an elongate stationary field of view transverse to a workpiece transit path of a robot, while the workpiece is transported by the robot. The robot transit path is illuminated with an elongate illumination pattern transverse to the transit path to obtain a workpiece image of successive frames. Motion-induced image distortion is prevented or reduced adjusting the camera frame rate in real time in proportion to changes in robot velocity profile of the workpiece along the transit path.
US08620059B2
A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.
US08620057B1
Systems for processing digital check image files include an image classification module programmed to review a plurality of attributes associated with a digital check image file including at least one check image, and to categorize the digital check image file into at least one category of a plurality of categories, and a decision module programmed to decide how to process the digital check image file based on the category.
US08620044B2
An average color bar indicating the overall imaging period of images taken in time sequence by a capsule endoscope is displayed. A list of checked images in the entire taken images is displayed in a checked-image display field, computation is made to what time during an observation period each checked image corresponds is computed, and a mark is displayed with a scale of the average color bar by a number corresponding to each checked image on the average color bar.
US08620038B2
The present invention is directed at modifying digital images of faces automatically or semi-automatically. In one aspect, a method of detecting faces in digital images and matching and replacing features within the digital images is provided. Techniques for blending, recoloring, shifting and resizing or portions of digital images are disclosed. In other aspects, methods of virtual “face lifts” are methods of detecting faces within digital image are provided. Advantageously, the detection and localization of faces and facial features, such as the eyes, nose, lips and hair, can be achieved on an automated or semi-automated basis. User feedback and adjustment enables fine tuning of modified images. A variety of systems for matching and replacing features within digital images is also provided, including implementation as a website, through mobile phones, handheld computers, or a kiosk. Related computer program products are also disclosed.
US08620026B2
Training data object images are clustered as a function of motion direction attributes and resized from respective original into same aspect ratios. Motionlet detectors are learned for each of the sets from features extracted from the resized object blobs. A deformable sliding window is applied to detect an object blob in input by varying window size, shape or aspect ratio to conform to a shape of the detected input video object blob. A motion direction of an underlying image patch of the detected input video object blob is extracted and motionlet detectors selected and applied that have similar motion directions. An object is thus detected within the detected blob and semantic attributes of an underlying image patch extracted if a motionlet detectors fires, the extracted semantic attributes available for use for searching for the detected object.
US08620024B2
A gesture recognition system and method that inputs videos of a moving hand and outputs the recognized gesture states for the input sequence. In each image, the hand area is segmented from the background and used to estimate parameters of all five fingers. The system further classifies the hand image as one of the postures in the pre-defined database and applies a geometric classification algorithm to recognize the gesture. The system combines a skin color model with motion information to achieve real-time hand segmentation performance, and considers each dynamic gesture as a multi-dimensional volume and uses a geometric algorithm to classify each volume.
US08620018B2
A digital watermark embedding apparatus for embedding embedding information into an input signal having dimensions equal to or greater than N(N is an integer equal to or greater than 2). The apparatus generates an embedding sequence based on the embedding information, generates an N−1-dimensional pattern based on the embedding sequence, generates an N-dimensional embedding pattern by modulating a periodic signal according to a value on the N−1-dimensional pattern, and superimposes the embedding pattern in the input signal and outputs it. A digital watermark detection apparatus measures a component of a predetermined periodic signal in a direction of a dimension of the input signal to obtain an N−1-dimensional pattern, obtains a detection sequence from values of the N−1 dimensional pattern, and detects the embedded digital watermark based on a size of correlation value between the detection sequence and an embedding sequence.
US08620013B2
A communication system has a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The transmitter is built into a hearing device to be worn at one or both ears of an individual. The hearing device has an input acoustical-to-electrical converter unit and an output electrical-to-mechanical converter unit. The wireless transmitter is operationally connectable to the output of the input converter unit. The receiver is remote from the hearing device by a distance larger than any distance between two areas at one single individual. The transmitter and receiver form a wireless communication link at least for audio representing signals.
US08620008B2
An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof, comprising receiving a downmix signal comprising at least one normal object signal, and bitstream including object information determined when the downmix signal is generated; extracting extension type identifier indicating whether the downmix signal further comprises a multi-channel object signal, from extension part of the bitstream; when the extension type identifier indicates that the downmix signal further comprise multi-channel object signal, extracting first spatial information from the bitstream; and, transmitting at least one of the first spatial information and the second spatial information; wherein the first spatial information is determined when a multi-channel source signal are downmixed into the multi-channel object signal, wherein the second information is generated using the object information and mix information, are disclosed.
US08620005B2
The present invention disclosed an all-digital speaker system device based on multi-bit Σ-Δ Modulation, comprising an A/D converter, an interpolation filter, a Σ-Δ modulator, a dynamic mismatch regulator, a differential buffer and a speaker array. The present invention takes advantage of the Σ-Δ modulation technique to effectively reduce the cost and complexity of the hardware realization of the speaker system device, thus realizing the full digitalization of the whole sound transmission link and the integration of the system device with low power dissipation and volume. Furthermore, the system device according to the present invention is provided with a better control ability on the local sound field, thus providing a better practicable method for the voice secret transmission.
US08620001B2
A vehicle sound generator system is configured to generate a signal configured to drive one or more speakers produce sound waves simulating sounds associated with a desired engine type. The signal is based on one or more operating conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle sound generator system is configured to select sounds from a plurality of sounds based on the operating conditions of the vehicle. Each sound corresponds to a simulated sound of an engine operating in a respective gear. The vehicle sound generator system may generate the signal to drive the speakers to produce selected sounds to simulate shifting between the respective gears.
US08619990B2
A system for creating a secure key is provided that includes a computer processor and an application configured to execute on the computer processor, the application implementing a method that includes creating a token and populating a key control information section of the token with a value to indicate a minimum number of key parts used to form a key. Creating the secure key also includes populating a payload section of the token with a first key part, binding the key control information section to the payload section, adding a second key part to the first key part and iterating the value and binding the key control information section to the payload section after the second key part has been added. Creating the secure key further includes indicating the key is complete, wherein the key comprises a combination of the first and second key parts.
US08619985B2
For a defined cryptographic process including an original substitution table, split masked substitution tables are provided to resist cryptographic attacks. The split masked substitution tables are defined with reference to a set of random value data words and a mask value. An entry in the split masked substitution tables is defined by selecting bits from the corresponding entry in the original masked substitution table, as masked by the corresponding one of the set of random value data words and by selecting bits from the corresponding one of the set of random value data words as masked by the mask value. The split masked substitution tables are usable in a modified cryptographic process based on the defined cryptographic process to permit a masked output to be generated. The split masked substitution tables are refreshed by each entry in the tables being refreshed upon access during execution of the modified cryptographic process.
US08619966B2
A method includes accessing information associated with a call at an attendant interaction module. The call is associated with a task. The information associated with the call includes a first action object identifier, a first result identifier, and a first reason identifier. The first action object identifier is associated with the task, the first result identifier indicates a status of the task, and the first reason identifier includes information related to the first result identifier. The method includes generating an attendant interaction signal subsequent to receiving the information associated with the call.
US08619965B1
Certain embodiments of the present invention employ targeted speech detection as part of end-of-hold detection in an end-of-hold notification system. The targeted speech detector is configured to be particularly sensitive to specific words or phrases so as to increase the likelihood of detecting a correct end-of-hold condition while reducing the likelihood of false end-of-hold detection. Targeted speech detection may be used along with other detection mechanisms such as DTMF detection and/or background noise detection.
US08619964B2
Methods and devices for controlling a set-up of a call from a calling entity (CE201) to a called entity in a telecommunications network are described. The telecommunications network comprises a service control entity (SCE205) and a service switching entity (SSE204). The service control entity (SCE205) is adapted to perform the steps of receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication that the first call attempt failed, receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication of the further call attempt, obtaining call information related to the first call attempt, determining a call establishment procedure for the further call attempt based on the call information related to the first call attempt, sending an instruction to the service switching entity (SSE204) to continue the set-up of the further call attempt according to the call establishment procedure.
US08619960B1
A system, method, and computer readable medium for establishing communication between two devices comprises connecting, by a first computer, to an open source Private Branch Exchange (PBX) platform via a port, receiving a phone number sent by a first one of the two devices at the open source PBX platform, invoking an interface module by the open source PBX platform, where the interface module resides on the open source PBX platform, and building a Calling Name request by the interface module related to the received phone number.
US08619936B2
A radio system having multi-standard mixed mode radios is described. The mixed mode radios are used to support combining of digital baseband from a first and a second radio equipment controller. A primary clock associated with the first radio equipment controller and a secondary clock associated with the second radio equipment controller is provided. The quality of the primary clock is evaluated and the primary clock is referenced to the first radio equipment controller if the clock is determined to have appropriate quality factors. The quality of the secondary clock is then evaluated and the secondary clock is referenced to the second radio equipment controller if the secondary clock is determined to have appropriate quality factors. The second radio equipment controller is then referenced to the primary clock once the primary and secondary clocks are aligned.
US08619934B2
A clock data recovery system is described. It includes a high pass filter for transmitting a filtered data signal in response to receiving an input data signal; an adder for summing the filtered data signal with a feedback signal, wherein the adder produces a summed input signal; a plurality of clocked data comparators for receiving the summed input signal, wherein the clocked data comparators determine an input data bit value; a plurality of clocked error comparators for receiving an error signal associated with clock recovery; an equalization and adaptation logic for selecting an error sample such that a phase associated with the error sample is locked at a second post cursor; and a phase mixer for transmitting a delay in response to receiving the phase and the delay is transmitted to the clocked-data comparators and the clocked-error comparators.
US08619933B2
Data received by a receiver is processed at a sampling rate indicated manually or automatically in the receiver. The sampling rate of the received data is controlled in accordance with the processing rate. The sampling rate controlled data is then processed so as to convert its frequency distribution to that the received data originally had.
US08619931B1
Integrated circuits having transceivers capable of high-speed (e.g., 1 Gbps) operation without dedicated phase-locked loop circuitry are provided. One such integrated circuit device may include one or more transceivers capable of transmitting and receiving serial signals of approximately 1 Gbps or greater, and a multi-purpose phase-locked loop capable of providing a multi-phase clock signal to the one or more transceivers.
US08619928B2
A multi-stage interference suppression receiver includes a short equalizer section configured to operate on a first portion of a received signal received over a channel to produce a first equalized signal and a first estimate of the channel, a channel estimator section configured to operate on the first equalized signal to produce a second equalized signal, the channel estimator section comprising a linear estimator and a non-linear estimator, a long equalizer section configured to operate on a second portion of the received signal to produce a first estimate of symbols in the received signal and a second estimate of the channel and an interference canceller section configured to operate on the first estimate of symbols in the received signal to generate a second estimate of symbols in the received signal based on, at least in part, the second estimate of the channel.
US08619926B2
Provided is a method and system for estimating a channel in a wireless communication system. An interference coefficient is calculated based on a known structure of a pilot, and a channel value in a frequency domain is estimated. A channel value in a time domain is obtained by transforming the channel value in the frequency domain and the channel delay values are subtracted from the channel value in the time domain, thereby cancelling interference.
US08619923B2
The present invention relates to a combiner, channel identifier, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) receiver and method for optimizing use of channel state information of a received signal. The method comprises analyzing a received signal in a time domain and extracting from the received signal characteristics of a communication channel. The method furthermore comprises determining a dynamic indicator of channel station information accuracy based on the characteristics of the received signal. Additionally, the method comprises applying a weight to the channel state information according to the dynamic indicator.
US08619920B2
A transmitter comprises a first spreading unit configured to multiply each of multiple data symbols with a first spreading code sequence of a first spreading factor; a compression and repetition unit configured to compress output signals of the first spreading unit in time domain and repeat the compressed signal L times (where L is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); a phase modulation unit configured to multiply the compressed and repeated signal with a user dependent phase and output a data block consisting of L sub-blocks; a second spreading unit configured to replicate the data block according to a second spreading factor and multiply each set of the replicated sub-blocks with a second spreading code sequence of the second spreading factor to produce a two-dimensionally spread signal; and a wireless transmission unit configured to transmit the two-dimensionally spread signal using a single-carrier transmission scheme.
US08619917B2
A decoding apparatus and method of a terminal in a wireless communication system are provided. A carrier to interference and noise ratio (CINR) estimator estimates a CINR value of a received signal, and a controller generates a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level candidate set satisfying the estimated CINR value and a target packet error rate (PER) based on a look-up table. A decoder switch determines if an MCS level of a burst is included in the MCS level candidate set when the burst having no connection identifier (CID) information exists in a corresponding frame, and determines to decode the corresponding burst if the MCS level of the burst is included in the MCS level candidate set and to discard the burst otherwise.
