US08617376B2
γ-Hydroxycarboxylic esters and γ-lactones which are suitable as flavors can be prepared by electrochemical reductive cross-coupling of α,β-unsaturated esters with carbonyl compounds in an undivided electrolysis cell having a cathode composed of lead, lead alloys, cadmium, cadmium alloys, mercury, steel, glassy carbon or boron-doped diamonds and a basic aqueous electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt which suppresses the cathodic formation of hydrogen.
US08617373B2
A cathodic electrodeposition coating material comprising (A) at least one water-dispersible organic binder containing cationic groups, where the cathodic electrodeposition coating material has been admixed with 0.005%-0.5% by weight, based on the solids content of the cathodic electrodeposition coating material, of (B) an organic, tetravalent titanium, zirconium or hafnium complex having one or more oxygen-containing ligands.
US08617357B2
A twin wire press for dewatering solid-liquid suspensions, such as pulp suspensions, between top and bottom webs is described herein which includes consecutive primary, secondary and tertiary dewatering sections. The primary dewatering section includes a wedge area. The secondary dewatering section is positioned adjacent to the primary section downstream therefrom and includes grooved rolls in an s-roll configuration. The tertiary dewatering section includes rolls in a scissor-nip configuration. The press rolls in the secondary and tertiary section are all supported onto a frame. Whenever maintenance is to be performed on any one of the grooved rolls or on the press roll assemblies, an overhead crane can for example be used since no frame structure is provided on top thereof.
US08617351B2
A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece, includes a vacuum chamber defined by a sidewall and ceiling, and a workpiece support pedestal having a workpiece support surface in the chamber and facing the ceiling and including a cathode electrode. An RF power generator is coupled to the cathode electrode. Plasma distribution is controlled by an external annular inner electromagnet in a first plane overlying the workpiece support surface, an external annular outer electromagnet in a second plane overlying the workpiece support surface and having a greater diameter than the inner electromagnet, and an external annular bottom electromagnet in a third plane underlying the workpiece support surface. D.C. current supplies are connected to respective ones of the inner, outer and bottom electromagnets.
US08617349B2
A showerhead for a plasma process apparatus for processing substrates, comprising a showerhead body comprising a top plate and a bottom plate defining a cavity in between; a gas inlet formed in the top plate; a perforated plate positioned between the top plate and the bottom plate and dissecting the cavity into an upper gas compartment and a lower gas compartment; and, wherein the bottom plate comprises a plurality of elongated diffusion slots on its lower surface and a plurality of diffusion holes on its upper surface, each of the diffusion holes making fluid connection from the lower gas compartment to more than one of the diffusion slots.
US08617343B2
An embodiment of manufacturing method of a flat-panel display device having a display panel and a transparent protector sheet; comprises: applying of adhesive resin onto the transparent protector sheet or the display panel to form dot patterns of applied adhesive resin; seizing the protector sheet and the display panel on upper and lower chucking parts; colliding of undermost tip of the applied resin onto the panel or the protector sheet at an approaching rate no more than a predetermined rate, preferably in a range of 0.01-0.5 mm/sec; and squeezing of the layer by moving the upper or lower chucking part at a rate no less than three times of the approaching rate at a time of the colliding, preferably in a range of 1-10 mm/sec.
US08617327B1
The present invention is an electrically controlled propellant comprising a binder, an oxidizer, and a cross-linking agent. The boric acid (the cross-linking agent) has been found to function as a cross-linking agent for the high molecular binder used to make the propellant, thereby improving the composition's ability to withstand combustion without melting. The present invention also may include 5-aminotetrazole (5-ATZ) as a stability-enhancing additive. The binder of the present invention may include polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and/or the co-polymer of polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylamine nitrate (PVA/PVAN).
US08617324B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a method for producing hot dip galvannealed steel sheet which exhibits high strength, high ductility, and a significant degree of alloying. Such exemplary method can be applied to, e.g., a pickled hot rolled steel sheet or an annealed and pickled cold rolled steel sheet containing between about 0.02% and about 0.2% C and between about 0.15% and about 2.5% Mn, and may include one or more procedures for rinsing the sheet, preplating the sheet with Ni, rapidly heating the sheet in a nonoxidizing atmosphere to a sheet temperature of about 430° C. to 500° C., then hot dip plating the sheet in a galvanizing bath containing between about 0.05% and about 0.2% Al, and then immediately heating the sheet rapidly for an alloying treatment. Such exemplary method can provide an improved alloying speed, improved plating appearance and better plating adhesion.
US08617322B2
A laminated structure by internal oxidation includes an alloy coating layer structured as columnar grains. The alloy coating layer includes a first metal element and a second metal element, wherein the first metal element is oxidized more easily than the second metal element. The surface layer portion of the alloy coating layer has a plurality of oxide layers and a plurality of metal layers stacked alternately with each other. The material of the oxide layers includes the oxide of the first metal element and the material of the metal layers includes the second metal element.
US08617310B1
Methods of evaluating a superabrasive volume or a superabrasive compact are disclosed. One method may comprise exposing a superabrasive volume to beta particles and detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. Further, a boundary may be perceived between a first region and a second region of the superabrasive volume in response to detecting the quantity of scattered beta particles. In another embodiment, a boundary between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond volume may be perceived. In a further embodiment, a boundary may be perceived between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond compact. Additionally, a depth to which a catalyst-diminished region extends within a polycrystalline diamond volume of a polycrystalline diamond compact may be measured in response to detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. A system configured to evaluate a superabrasive volume is disclosed.
US08617307B2
The present invention relates to an alkali-activated binder which can be used as a binder for replacing cement, and more particularly, to an alkali-activated binder, and to mortar, concrete, concrete products, and wet loess paving material comprising the binder, in which inorganic sodium-free alkaline materials are contained to reduce the total amount of Na2O and K2O in concrete, thus improving the workability and the strength stability and inhibiting the alkali-aggregate reaction.
US08617303B2
Crosslinking systems suitable for use in a polymer melt composition wherein the polymer melt composition comprises a hydroxyl polymer; polymeric structures made from such polymer melt compositions; and processes/methods related thereto are provided.
US08617302B2
A white ink composition contains a white or whitish pigment, an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin or a polyolefin wax, and a fluorene resin or a styrene acrylic resin.
US08617300B2
The invention relates to a filtering media having a photocatalytic action which has a thickness of at least 2 mm, which is homogeneous and which is devoid of orifice apparent to the naked eye, comprising a felt of inorganic fibers, the fibers of which are coated with a coating comprising a catalyst having a photocatalytic action, said felt exhibiting a weight per unit area of between 30 and 80 g/m2, said coating representing 5 to 80% of the weight of said media, said media exhibiting a gas pressure drop of less than 150 Pa at 1 m/s in unpleated condition. This media is intended to be incorporated in a purifier of gas, such as air, furthermore comprising a system for illuminating said media with UV radiation. The media exhibits an excellent purification efficiency and a very low pressure drop.
US08617299B2
A canister includes a first fuel vapor adsorption device and a second fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device can adsorb a part of fuel vapor that still remains in a gas after desorption by the first fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device includes a first passage containing a fuel vapor adsorption material and a second passage containing no fuel vapor adsorption material. The first passage and the second passage allow the gas to flow therethrough. A gas introduction device allows the fuel vapor to flow from the second passage into the first passage.
US08617297B2
A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.
US08617295B2
An air filter that includes a primary filter and a polishing filter. The primary filter comprises a monolith 10 that contains active-particulate. The air-to-be-filtered travels through the primary filter in a path generally parallel to the passageways 12. The polishing filter 36 has first and second major surfaces and also contains active-particulate. The polishing filter is generally arranged such that air travels from the first major surface to the second major surface when passing through it. The inventive filter demonstrates extraordinary performance over the same primary and polishing filters taken individually.
US08617294B2
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.
US08617286B2
The method for increasing yield of crop plants uses foliar application to the plants during the plant growth stage of a granular fertilizer consisting essentially of urea, ammonium sulfate and a fertilizer stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent regulates and slows down decomposition nitrogen in urea and/or ammonium sulfate to maximize use thereof. The granular fertilizer has a urea/ammonium sulfate weight ratio of about 4/1 and contains at least 40% nitrogen and at least 4% sulfur. The relatively high N—S fertilizer is applied at relatively high rates of about 100 to 150 pounds per acre to ensure that the fertilizer nutrients are always available to the plants at several stages of growth.
US08617277B2
A pressure control valve assembly, (i.e. pressure regulator valve assembly) is described which is configured for at least a two stage operation including: a first stage in which flow is allowed through two sections of the valve frame; and, a second stage in which the valve member is biased against one of the sections of the valve frame and not the second section. Specific example features and configurations are depicted and described. A crankcase ventilation filter assembly including the pressure control valve assembly is described.
US08617264B2
Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feed stocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles and contain a sorbent. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels. In addition, one or more sorbents can be added to the feed stocks in order to reduce the amount of a variety of pollutants present in traditional fuel and feed stocks, including, but not limited, sulfur and chlorine. Further, these feed stocks with added sorbent can mitigate corrosion, improve fuel conversion, extend power generating plant lifetime, reduce ash slagging, and reduced operating temperature.
US08617262B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for converting light glycol streams of biological origin into products suitable for use as oxygenated fuel additives. These methods involve the acidic condensation of light glycols to form larger products, termed low molecular weight poly-glycols. The remaining hydroxyl functional groups of the poly-glycol products are then modified to decrease the overall polarity of the products, and improve their suitability for use as an oxygenated fuel additive.
US08617261B2
A process is disclosed for converting aquatic biomass to a bio-oil. The process comprises mixing the aquatic biomass with a particulate catalytic material; subjecting the aquatic biomass to a catalytic cracking reaction to form a reaction mixture comprising a bio-oil; and isolating the bio-oil from the reaction mixture. Preferably the process is integrated with a plant for producing aquatic biomass, so that heat and CO2 generated during the process may be used in the production of aquatic biomass.
US08617251B2
An implant for the trapezium of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint comprising an integral elastomeric member configured to include a body portion having a tapered neck, having extending from one end thereof an elongated, longitudinally extending tapered portion adapted to be embedded into a reamed out-channel in the thumb metacarpal bone. After implantation, in the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a segment of a nearby tendon, for example, the APL or FCR tendons, may be wrapped around the tapered neck of the implant to secure it in position, thereby forming a reinforced structure to inhibit dislocation of the prosthesis. However, in other methods, various other securing elements, including, but not limited to acellular matrices, may be used to retain the implant in position.
US08617243B2
A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.
US08617239B2
The invention refers to a catheter pump to be positioned in the ascending aorta (11) near the aortic valve (10) of a human being, comprising an elongated sleeve 6 with a drive cable (5) extending through the sleeve and connectable at its proximal end to an external drive source and a drive rotor near the distal end of the drive cable (5) mounted on a drive shaft (4) being connected with the drive cable (5), wherein the drive rotor consist of a propeller (3) being enclosed in a cage (2) and wherein the propeller (3) and the cage (2) are foldable from an insertion position close to the drive shaft (4) to an expanded working position, characterized by means (7, 7a, 2a, 19) for anchoring the drive rotor (3) in the ascending aorta (11) near the aortic valve (10) after insertion. The invention also refers to a method to position the pumping means of a catheter pump in the ascending aorta (11) just above the aortic valve (10).
US08617228B2
A method of treating tissue is provided, including positioning a stimulation device proximate a phrenic nerve; stimulating the phrenic nerve with the stimulation device; measuring a physiological response to the stimulation; defining a threshold physiological response value based at least in part on the measured physiological response; positioning a thermal treatment element proximate to an arrhythmogenic cardiac tissue region; applying a thermal treatment regimen to the cardiac tissue region with the medical device; measuring a physiological parameter during the thermal treatment regimen application; and conveying the measured physiological parameter to a controller, the controller comparing the measured physiological parameter to the defined physiological response value threshold, the controller adjusting the thermal treatment regimen in response to the comparison of the measured physiological parameter to the defined physiological response value threshold.
US08617225B2
A threaded bone anchor includes a plurality of recesses formed lengthwise along an exterior cylindrical surface for engagement with a driver instrument through which a user applies clockwise or counterclockwise torque for the insertion or removal of the bone anchor into and from bone. The bone anchor includes a cross-sectional geometry that minimizes the anchor's outer diameter, survives high insertion/removal torque without compromising the anchor's bending/shear strength, and allows a mating clamp to be attached to the entire non-threaded surface, including the recessed portion.
US08617224B2
A plate of biocompatible material is provided having curvature in two planes such that it conforms to the curvature of the L5 vertebral body and to the patient's lordotic curve. Holes are provided receiving screws for anchorage in the vertebral body and sacrum. A flange or foot portion on the plate provides a wider base end area for support in the L5-S1 interspace. The foot portion is also arranged for appropriate entry angle of screws into the sacrum such as to improve anchorage in the sacrum. Anti-backout and low profile features are incorporated. The anterior lumbar plate is situated to maintain the anterior interbody bone graft in compression by resisting tensile forces during extension.
US08617223B2
A bone fastening assembly for use with a screw and including a bone plate and a bushing having a bore adapted for receiving the screw. The bone plate has a substantially planar portion and is provided with a hole in the portion for receiving the bushing. The portion of the bone plate and the bushing are cooperatively configured for providing pivotal movement of the bushing within the hole about a pivot axis and restricting the pivot axis to a plane extending in the portion of the bone plate. A new bone attachment screw for use with the bone fastening assembly is provided.
US08617217B2
The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US08617213B2
Provided is a novel low profile transverse connector system having a first and second spinal rod connection member disposed at opposing ends of an elongated cross connection device, each connection member having a distal end configured to be capable of connecting to a spinal rod and a proximal end having a multidirectional articulation joint at which a centrally disposed cross connecting assembly is provided to attach the first and second connection members to each other, the first and second spinal rod connection members each defining two opposing compression slots that serve to facilitate a secure connection to spinal rods and to the cross connecting assembly by the tightening of only one locking screw. Also provided is a method of stabilizing vertebrae using the disclosed system.
US08617205B2
A closure device for closing a bodily passageway is provided. The device includes first and second frames and first and second crossbars. A sheet of biocompatible material is attached to one or more of the frames. The first crossbar extends across the first frame and has terminal crossbar ends connectively linked to separate sites on the first frame; the second crossbar is similarly linked to the second frame. The crossbars are attached to each other at a connection point, and they are each configured to bend away from the connection point when the closure device is deployed to close a bodily passageway. A method of making the closure device is provided, as well as a method for closing a bodily passageway using such a device. Further, a closure device assembly is provided, including a closure device, a delivery catheter housing, and a delivery release member.
US08617204B2
An apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a vessel includes an elongate occlusion member including an expandable member, a cartridge carried on the occlusion member, and a sealant carried within the cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer member and a pusher member within the outer member. The sealant is disposed within the outer member adjacent the expandable member distal to the pusher member. During use, the occlusion member is introduced into a puncture until the expandable member and the sealant extend from the puncture into the vessel. The expandable member is expanded, and withdrawn until the expanded expandable member contacts the vessel wall, thereby withdrawing the sealant back into the puncture. The outer member is withdrawn to expose the sealant within the puncture, while the pusher member prevents removal of the sealant, and then the cartridge, occlusion member, and pusher member are successively removed.
US08617190B2
A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis, including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple. A second aspect of the invention includes an anastomotic fitting, having an inner flange over which the graft vessel is everted and an outer flange which contacts the exterior surface of the target vessel. A tailored amount of compression applied by the inner and outer flanges grips the target vessel wall and creates a leak-proof seal between the graft vessel and the target vessel. A third aspect of the invention has a flange to which the graft vessel attaches, by everting the graft vessel over the flange, and a plurality of staple-like members which attach the flange and the everted end of the graft vessel to the wall of the target vessel to form the anastomosis.
US08617187B2
Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic or open surgeries, including ear, nose, and throat procedures. Articulation motions may be transferred from a handle to needle grasping jaws using an axial movement of a shaft. Portions of the devices may be disposable, replaceable, and/or reusable, with different needle-grasping jaws and/or different elongate extension bodies having different configurations optionally being selectably coupleably to an articulatable handle and housing so as to allow the user to configure the device for a particular procedure.
US08617182B1
A surgical staple remover apparatus includes a handle located at a rear of the apparatus, an upward sloped jaw element comprising a pair of parallel jaws, an arm having a hook element on a first end, a pivot point located along the arm, such that the arm pivots about the pivot point, a lever coupled to the arm, wherein moving the lever closer to the handle results in the arm pivoting about the pivot point, the hook element moving downwards towards the jaw element and the arm retracting toward the rear, thereby resulting in the hook element pressing against a crown of a surgical staple and moving the surgical staple towards the rear, and a strip element located on top of the jaw element, such that the surgical staple is moved under the strip element and held in place by same.
US08617179B2
A new connecting mechanism for the Valtchev® uterine mobilizer, model VUM-6 having a straight tube with a locking wheel attached close to one end of the tube pivotally mounted in a housing of the space bar and maintained by a spring loaded pin in realizable way. The another end of the tube is attached to a piston pivotally mounted and maintained within a hole in the head of the uterine mobilizer via the tube engaging a connecting slot in the head, and adapted to be disassembled by first releasing the locking wheel of the tube from the space bar and second, by rotating the tube in a prescribed degree which will align the tube with the vertical slot allowing removal of the tube with attached piston from the head. The distal end of a rod is bended 15°, which allows retroversion of the head at the same degree.
US08617178B2
A medical device for removing an object from a body includes a retrieval basket having a distal section and a proximal section, at least two strands extending through the proximal section of the retrieval basket, and at least three prestressed filaments extending from a distal end of each of the at least two strands through the distal section of the retrieval basket. The filaments are spaced from each other through the entire distal section of the retrieval basket between a proximal end of the filaments and a distal end of the filaments. The filaments also converge at a distal end of the distal section of the retrieval basket, and the filaments are entwined to form each of the at least two strands.
US08617173B2
A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.
US08617170B2
A customized patient-specific orthopaedic surgical system including a first surgical block, a second surgical block, and a computer-controlled milling machine. The first surgical block includes a first bone-facing surface having a first customized patient-specific negative contour to receive a first corresponding contour of a bone of a patient and a first mounting surface. The second surgical block includes a second bone-facing surface having a second customized patient-specific negative contour to receive a second corresponding contour of the bone of the patient and a second mounting surface to be separately mated with the first mounting surface. The computer-controlled milling machine includes a third mounting surface to be separately mated with the first mounting surface of the first surgical block.
US08617169B2
A surgical instrument is described which comprises an alignment guide having a first part including a distal end and a second part having a proximal end. The first part is attached to the second part by a pivot mechanism so that the first part can be tilted relative to the second part. A brace is attached toward the proximal end of the alignment guide for attaching the instrument to a limb of a patient. A component is attached toward the distal end of the alignment guide. The pivot mechanism is configured so that tilting the first part does not substantially change the separation between the component and the brace.
US08617161B2
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of an implant, such as an intramedullary nail, and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The implant in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture and a cross-section that may be shaped to more accurately conform to the anatomical shape of cortical bone and to provide additional strength and robustness in its lateral portions, preferably without requiring significant additional material. The fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the implant. In some embodiments, the engaging member and the compression device are configured so that the compression device interacts with a portion of the implant and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between the first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US08617159B2
An instrumentation for performing an endoluminal or transluminal anastomosis, comprises an anastomotic ring device including a proximal ring (5) having two guide wire seats (22) adapted to slidably receive two guide wires (1, 2) and a distal ring (6) having two guide wire seats (25) adapted to slidably receive the two guide wires (1, 2), the proximal ring 5 and the distal ring 6 being snap-connectable to each other, a surgical probe (7) comprising an elongate insertion shaft (30) and a probe head (32) adapted to be endoluminally advanced to a proximal tissue portion (3), the insertion shaft (30) defining guide wire canals (8, 9) extending into two guide wire exit openings (31) defined in the probe head (32) and adapted to deliver the distal ends (1″, 2″) of said guide wires (1, 2) to said proximal tissue portion (3). The distance between the two guide wire exit openings (31) of the probe (7) is substantially equal to the distance between the two guide wire seats (22) of the proximal ring (5) and to the distance between the two guide wire seats (25) of the distal ring (6).
US08617158B2
A medical assembly and method are provided to effectively treat abnormal tissue, such as, a tumor. The target tissue is thermally ablated using a suitable source, such as RF or laser energy. A cooling shield is placed in contact with non-target tissue adjacent the target tissue, and actively cooled to conduct thermal energy away from the non-target tissue. In one method, the cooling shield can be placed between two organs, in which case, one of the two organs can comprise the target tissue, and the other of the two organs can comprise the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shield may comprise an actively cooled inflatable balloon, which can be disposed between the two organs when deflated, and then inflated. The inflatable balloon can be actively cooled by pumping a cooling medium through it. In another method, the cooling shield can be embedded within the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shield can comprise one or more needles. If a plurality of needles is used, they can be embedded into the non-target tissue in a series, e.g., a rectilinear or curvilinear arrangement. The needle(s) can be actively cooled by pumping a cooling medium through them.
US08617156B2
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
US08617155B2
A system for determining proximity of a surgical device relative to an anatomical structure includes at least one surgical device having a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit. The sensor assembly is configured to transmit at least one electrical signal through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure. The processing unit is configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response and to determine proximity of the at least one surgical device relative to the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property. An indicator is operably coupled to the processing unit and is configured to alert a user of the identified target anatomical structure based on the determined proximity.
US08617152B2
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue and treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. An ablation system includes an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements and a location element, an esophageal probe also including a location element, and an interface unit that provides energy to the ablation catheter. The distance between the location elements, determined by calculating means of the system, can be used by the system to set or modify one or more system parameters.
US08617150B2
Apparatus is provided that includes an ultrasound ablation system, which includes a reflection-facilitation element, configured to be placed at an extramyocardial site of a subject, and to provide an extramyocardial reflective region. The system further includes an ultrasound tool, which comprises at least one ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned within a heart chamber of the subject, and to ablate myocardial tissue by applying ultrasound energy to the myocardial tissue such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy is reflected by the reflective region onto the myocardial tissue. Other embodiments are also described.
US08617147B2
A method for providing vision correction to a patient. The method includes: (a) measuring the degree of vision correction needed by the patient and determining the location and shape of refractive structures that need to be positioned within the cornea to partially correct a patient's vision; (b) directing and focusing femtosecond laser pulses in the blue spectral region within the cornea at an intensity high enough to change the refractive index of the cornea within a focal region, but not high enough to damage the cornea or to affect cornea tissue outside of the focal region; and (c) scanning the laser pulses across a volume of the cornea or the lens to provide the focal region with refractive structures in the cornea or the lens. Again, the refractive structures are characterized by a change in refractive index, and exhibit little or no scattering loss.
US08617145B2
Methods of treating a subject for a cardiac arrhythmia are provided. Aspects of the methods include thoracoscopically producing a cardiac Cox maze III set of lesions in cardiac tissue of the subject in a manner sufficient to treat the subject for the cardiac arrhythmia.
US08617138B2
A catheter connection system and a method of connecting the catheter connection system to a catheter. The catheter connection system includes a hub assembly and a collar. The hub assembly includes a cannula extending from a distal end thereof, and a collet defining an inner surface spaced apart from the cannula to permit passage of a catheter wall between the body and the cannula.
US08617132B2
The present disclosure is generally directed to an embolic material which, in some embodiments, may be in the form of a microsphere or a plurality of microspheres. The embolic material generally comprises carboxymethyl chitosan (CCN) crosslinked with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In some embodiments, the embolic material may further comprise a therapeutic agent, such as doxorubicin.
US08617111B2
A rotational orientation indicating hollow needle assembly having a needle, stylet, and hub. A hub sidewall has at least one external surface with at least one humanly tactilely discernible surface feature indicating the rotational relationship between the hub and the needle. Any portion of any of the assembly may bear indicia, or may be color-coded, to represent the size (gauge) of the needle, or needle type as an additional guide. In an exemplary embodiment the hub may be configured with two bevel face orientation features and two bevel orthogonal orientation features alternately spaced in a radial manner about the hub. An operator pinching the hub between a thumb and forefinger thus immediately feels these orientation features. When the assembly is rotated between the thumb and forefinger, these differing orientation features rotate as well, and the difference in tactile sensation immediately alerts the operator to the position of the needle bevel.
US08617103B2
A catheter having improved ability to cross body passage obstructions and that more easily allows backloading of a guidewire into the lumen of the catheter is comprised of a tip, a shaft, and a lumen. The distal end of the catheter tip is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the lengthwise axis of the catheter tip. A guidewire may be easily backloaded into the elongated catheter lumen at the location of the angled catheter tip.
US08617091B2
An animal spine brace is described. In one or more implementations, a brace is comprised of an upper panel and a lower panel that extends from the upper panel. The lower panel is configured to be releasably secured to the upper panel to form a sleeve around an animal. The upper and lower panels may be made of a breathable material that is configured to stretch, wick moisture from the animal, and/or control odor. Additionally, both the upper panel and lower panel are configured to include supportive stays, which may be arranged on a respective panel to fan out.
US08617089B2
Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user's body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures include beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer's and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers.
US08617088B2
Medical guide wire assembly comprising a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one physiology parameter sensor, and that the proximal end of the guide-wire is provided with an elongated connector part, having connection electrodes, for insertion into a connector housing provided with an elongated tubing adapted to achieve electrical and mechanical connection to the elongated connector part, the connector housing is in its turn electrically or wirelessly connectable to a physiology monitor. The guide wire is provided with a core wire running essentially along the entire guide wire. A sensor signal processing circuitry is arranged in connection with the physiological sensor and is adapted to generate a processed sensor signal in response of a sensed parameter. The sensor signal processing circuitry comprises a modulation unit arranged to modulate the processed sensor signal and to generate a modulated sensor signal. The assembly comprises exactly two micro-cables that are connected to the sensor signal processing circuitry, the micro-cables run along the guide wire and are connected to the connection electrodes of the connector part, wherein one of the core wire and the two micro-cables are actively used when transferring the processed and modulated sensor signal to the connector housing.
US08617083B2
A method of creating a non-invasive predictor of both physiologic and imposed patient effort from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using an adaptive mathematical model. The patient effort is commonly measured via work of breathing, power of breathing, or pressure-time product of esophageal pressure and is important for properly adjusting ventilatory support for spontaneously breathing patients. The method of calculating this non-invasive predictor is based on linear or nonlinear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.
US08617080B2
Methods, systems and devices are provided for reducing the amount of data, processing and/or power required to analyze hemodynamic signals such as photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, pressure signals, and impedance signals. In response to detecting a specific event associated with a cyclical body function, a hemodynamic signal is continuously sampled during a window following the detecting of the specific event, wherein the window is shorter than a cycle associated with the cyclical body function. The hemodynamic signal is then analyzed based on the plurality of samples. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US08617079B2
There is disclosed a medical needle comprising a needle shaft that defines a longitudinal axis, a tip formed at one end of the shaft, and an ultrasonic reflector formed in an outer surface of the needle shaft. The reflector comprises a first reflector surface that is at an angle of no more than 35° to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and that faces towards the tip, and at least one additional reflector surface that forms an angle to the first reflector surface within the range of 75° to 105°, and that is substantially concave in a direction towards the first reflector surface.
US08617075B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is disclosed for imaging 3-dimensional images by irradiating ultrasonic waves to an object and reconstructing the 3-dimensional image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined, an ultrasonic image construction unit for constructing a 3-dimensional ultrasonic image based on the 3-dimensional ultrasonic image data from the ultrasonic signals received from the ultrasonic probe, and a display unit for displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasonic image. A position sensor is provided for detecting the position of the ultrasonic probe. A positional information analyzing unit stores the first position of the ultrasonic probe obtained from the position sensor and analyzes the positional relationship between the first position and the second position. The ultrasonic image construction unit converts the 3-dimensional ultrasonic image data obtained at the second position into a 3-dimensional ultrasonic image at the first position according to the positional relationship, thereby constructing the 3-dimensional ultrasonic image at the first position.
US08617071B2
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08617070B2
A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating disorders or other diseases, disorders or conditions (e.g., bleeding, ischemic or necrotic tissue, and presence of certain chemicals or substances) of the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract and sensing optical characteristics as the capsule passes through. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of optical characteristics may be derived from the pass of a capsule to diagnose the disorder or disease. The capsule or subsequently passed capsules may treat, further diagnose or mark the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length.
US08617063B2
A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround.
US08617062B2
A device, system and method for dilating a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. A surgical dilation system includes a dilator having an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member sized to be movably received within an inside diameter of the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a vertical slot running through a side of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has an upper portion and a lower portion. The retractor has a proximal end including at least one mounting member protruding outwardly from a side surface of the retractor and a distal end including at least one fanned blade protruding outwardly from the side surface. When the inner tubular member is oriented in a first position the vertical slot is in a closed state, when the inner tubular member is oriented in a second position the mounting member is permitted to travel downwardly a predetermined distance in the vertical slot, and when the inner tubular member is positioned in a third state the mounting member is permitted to freely travel through the vertical slot.
US08617061B2
The present application concerns a device for measurement and analysis of the middle ear and ear channel color for the diagnosis of ear infections. The device is composed of a otoscope (1), including two optical fibers (2a and 2b): one for ear illumination and another returning the reflected light. The electronic unit (3) can change linearly the power of emitted light, as well as, its color. The received light is also independently measured, enabling the determination of changes on color and texture associated with the ear inflammations. Command buttons in the otoscope handler (4) enable the user to save the values of the three color components. The combined value of the components is shown in the digital display (5) of the electronic unit, as well as, by a set of LEDs (6) green, yellow and red that gives a diagnosis in a simple and immediate way. The otoscope allows, simultaneously, directly ear view through a magnifying glass (7) applied in the head of the otoscope, with a standard white light. This device is also useful in food industry.
US08617059B2
An endoscope adapter for use with an endoscope is provided. The endoscope includes an endoscopic insertion section subject to be inserted into an object subject to inspection and the endoscope adapter so that the endoscopic insertion section has an insertion section electrodes; the endoscope adapter comprises a lighting section for emitting light to the object and an adapter electrode section connected to the lighting section. The adapter electrode section comprises: an elongated hollow casing having an opening section at one end in the longitudinal direction of the casing; and a columnar electrode terminal configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction in the hollow casing and capable of projecting from the longitudinal direction end of the hollow casing. The inner diameter of the opening section is equalized to the outer diameter of the electrode terminal. It is possible to provide an endoscopic apparatus and an endoscope adapter having an endoscope adapter and an endoscopic insertion section not so significant in sizes; being capable of closing an opening section in a state where the endoscope adapter is attached to the endoscopic insertion section; and being capable of maintaining the electrode terminal clean for a prolonged period.
US08617055B2
An endoscope apparatus includes: a plurality of connection portions to which an endoscope can be connected, respectively, wherein a priority setting portion sets a connection priority of the plurality of connection portions, a drive portion supplies a drive signal to one endoscope and a control portion that controls so that the drive portion supplies the drive signal to any one endoscope only based on the connection priority. The endoscope apparatus further includes an identification portion that identifies the kind of endoscope based on a resistance value of a specific resistance that differs according to a kind of the endoscope that is arranged in the endoscope, and that is detected by cancelling a contact resistance in the connection portion.
US08617054B2
The medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention includes a sheath having a flexibility; at least one arm member having a bending part that projects out from a front end of the sheath and performs bending actions; an open/close mechanism which directs the arm member from a direction along a central axis of the sheath to a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath, and from a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath to a direction along the central axis of the sheath; and a viewing device and an illuminating member that are disposed to the front end side of the sheath.
US08617044B2
A method and system for reducing stress in a working environment. In a conditioning phase a positive association of a sensory stimulus, such as a scent, image and/or sound with a relaxed feeling is created. Following the creation of this positive association the “relaxing” stimulus will be used as a de-stressor in the usage phase. That is, when it is detected that the user is stressed, the “relaxing” stimulus is released to reduce stress.
US08617043B2
A system for monitoring the physiological conditions of an infant includes an infant microenvironment. A motion sensor is disposed about the microenvironment. A processor is communicatively connected to the motion sensor. The processor receives motion signals from the motion sensors and processes the motion signals to derive an indication of a stress level of the infant. A method of monitoring the physiological condition of an infant includes detecting motion of the infant with motion sensors. A baseline motion for the infant is derived from the detected motion with a processor. An onset or change in at least one auxiliary parameter is monitored with an auxiliary sensor. Motion of the infant is monitored with the motion sensor after the onset or change in the at least one auxiliary parameter. A stress level of the infant is derived with the processor from the monitored motion of the infant.
US08617034B2
A rotary type punching exerciser is disclosed. The rotary type punching exerciser includes a punchball, a support arm to support the punchball, the support arm being adjustable in length in a direction in which one end of the support arm extends, to enable adjustment of a punching cycle of the punchball, a support bar to support the other end of the support arm such that the support arm is rotatable by 360 degrees, the support bar being adjustable in length in a vertical direction, to enable adjustment of a punching height of the punchball, and a pedestal to support the support bar. With the use of the rotary type punching exerciser, a user can anticipate a movement path of the punchball, which allows the user to easily successively punch the punchball.
US08617026B2
A mode shift assembly for a transmission comprises has a first side coupled to a rotational input, a second side coupled to a rotational output, and an actuator. The actuator acts on the first side to move the first side between a first position in which the first and second engagement surfaces are disengaged and a second position. In the first position, rotation between the first and second sides is independent. In the second position, the first and second engagement surfaces are engaged such that rotation is transferred from the first side to the second side.
US08617022B1
An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first pinion, and a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. The transmission includes a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second pinion, and a common gear. The transmission includes a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, the second pinion, a third pinion, and the common gear. The transmission also includes a fourth planetary gear set including the common gear, a fourth pinion, and a ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set and the third planetary gear set form a Ravigneaux gear set. The fourth planetary gear set is concentrically arranged with the second planetary gear set or the third planetary gear set, and the second and third planetary gear sets are radially inward of the fourth planetary gear set.
US08617009B2
A baseball swing training device includes a rear foot pivot limiting mechanism, wherein the rear foot pivoting mechanism includes a rotating element and a rotation limiting element. The rear foot pivot limiting mechanism may be adapted to limit the rotation of a user's pivot foot to a prescribed degree of rotation and communicate to the user when the prescribed degree of rotation has been completed. The baseball swing device may further include a foldable base including two positions at which the adjustable rear foot pivot limiting mechanism may be implemented, wherein the first position is adapted for use by a right handed hitter and the second position is adapted for use by a left handed hitter.
US08617007B2
A training sled including a pair of nonlinear runners of tubular construction arranged in parallel relative to a center axis and a plane. A head crossbar of tubular construction may extend between first ends of the runners and may be joined thereto so as to form a continuous tubular U-shaped member with the runners. A weight bearing member may be affixed to and extend between the pair of nonlinear runners near mid-sections thereof. A rear crossbar of tubular construction may extend between and may be disposed above the plane of the runners proximate second ends thereof and may be joined thereto opposite the head crossbar, so as to present a rearward facing surface against which force may be applied. The training sled may include a removable handlebar in a variety of configurations. A ski accessory may be configured to removably attach to the training sled. The ski accessory may include a pair of nonlinear skis arranged in parallel relative to a center axis and a plane. A friction-reducing layer may be disposed on a bottom portion of each of the pair of skis. A ski head crossbar may extend between head ends of the pair of skis. A ski rear crossbar may extend between rear ends of the pair of skis. Attachment arms may be disposed on an inner portion of each of the pair of skis and may be configured to removably attach to the athletic training sled.
US08617006B2
The present invention relates to a smart golf ball comprised of one or more mantle layers juxtaposed between an inner core and outer cover, where the core, the mantle layer(s), and/or the cover are further comprised of a ferrofluid, a magnetorheological fluid, an inverse magnetorheological fluid, and/or a magnetorheological elastomer, in any of its construction. These nano-engineered materials make possible a golf ball with heretofore-unprecedented levels of adaptive play.
US08617001B2
A golf club head has a main body including a top portion, a bottom portion opposite the top portion, a striking face, a rear portion opposite the striking face. The striking face has a striking face plane and a striking face outer periphery that is coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face outer periphery has an outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery toe portion opposite the outer periphery heel portion, an outer periphery top portion, and an outer periphery bottom portion opposite the outer periphery top portion. The striking face also has a recess extending rearward from the striking face plane, and the recess includes a recess periphery coplanar with the striking face plane. The striking face further has an insert disposed within the recess. The striking face additionally has a minimum periphery width separating the striking face outer periphery and the recess periphery. The periphery width is no greater than 1.25 mm.
US08616995B2
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US08616994B2
A multi-purpose golf accessory that incorporates various golfing related functions is disclosed. The golf accessory may comprise a retractable divot fork, a ball marker, a level, a cleaning pad, a nylon brush, a stroke counter, or any combination thereof. The divot fork may be attached to a brush head that comprises one or more brushes, an abrasive brush, an abrasive surface for maintaining golf balls, or any combination thereof. The brush head may be attached within a brush head cover that comprises a counter, tee holders, therapeutic magnets, or any combination thereof. The multi-purpose golf accessory and the brush cover are configured to be attachable to a golfer's belt, other piece of clothing, or a golf bag for convenient carry.
US08616991B2
A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased moment of inertia (MOI) and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable center of percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
US08616987B2
A constant velocity joint for a drive system includes: an outer joint member and an inner joint member, each having a plurality of ball grooves, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a first skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, and a second group of grooves of a skewed groove shape with a second skew angle other than zero and alternately arranged in opposite directions relative to an axis of rotation of the outer and inner joint members, the second skew angle less than the first skew angle. In addition to the differentiated skew angles, the contact angles of the balls in the first and second group of grooves may also be differentiated.
US08616983B2
A controller for a gaming machine, the controller adapted to receive data from a bill acceptor that may represent bill data or ticket data, the controller arranged to process the data and to output bill data to a game controller, and output ticket data to a ticket processing mechanism.
US08616981B1
Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive an indication of a physical location of a mobile computing device; determine if the physical location of the mobile computing device corresponds to or is within a predetermined proximity of a designated hotspot location; and, if so, determine a location-based gaming feature associated with the designated hotspot location and automatically triggering the location-based gaming feature without requiring an input from a user of the mobile computing device. Automatically triggering the location-based gaming feature includes, in some embodiments, initiating play of at least a portion of the wagering game.
US08616980B2
A method and a device for simplifying the forming of game parties in wireless communication networks is provided. A game directory is generated comprising all available (multi-player) games on a mobile device and exchanging said information between different gaming devices. Said game directory is generated by querying a memory accessible by said electronic gaming device for electronic games available for execution on, and generating a game directory having entries for each electronic game which is determined. Said game directory is then exchanged to visualize all available games to all potential game partners.
US08616978B2
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include managing multiple instances of gaming applications associated with a wagering game client device and determining event data from the multiple instances of gaming applications. The operations can further include aggregating the event data into an event repository and determining that a requesting application requests some portion of the event data. The operations can further include opening a communication channel between the event data repository and the requesting application, formatting the requested portion of the event data in a format understandable to the requesting application, and communicating the requested portion of the event data to the requesting application via the communication channel. The operations can further include receiving response event data from the requesting application and presenting the response event data on a presentation device associated with the wagering game client device.
US08616976B2
Providing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves configuring a device to offer a generic peer-to-peer gaming service that facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the device. The device advertises the gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. Game play is facilitated via the gaming service. Accessing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves coupling a device to the network. The device discovers a generic peer-to-peer gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. The generic gaming service is offered by a peer device and facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the peer device. The device selects a networked game from the plurality of specific networked games of the peer device, and play of the networked game occurs at least between the device and a peer device of the network.
US08616975B1
A first wireless device including a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to detect a wireless signal from a target device. The processor is configured to determine a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal. The processor is configured to execute a program. The program allows a user of the first wireless device to play a game with a second wireless device executing the program. The program is configured to generate a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The processor is configured to alter the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device.
US08616973B2
A system and method is provided for controlling a device through air pressure waves, or “sound”. The system and method involve receiving a sound and analyzing the sound to determine whether or not it has one or more predetermined characteristics. If it is determined that the sound does have one or more predetermined characteristics, at least one control signal is generated for the purpose of controlling at least one aspect of the device.
US08616971B2
Position data is generated. The position data describes a respective current position of each of one or more billiard game objects in relation to a billiard table having a playing surface. A state of a billiards game being played is determined based on the position data. One or more perceptible effects associated with the determined state of the billiards game are selected. The one or more perceptible effects are produced in connection with the billiards game.
US08616967B2
A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.
US08616964B2
Methods and systems for hosting a betting pool are disclosed. The betting pool can be hosted by a lead participant. Pool participants can be maintained through a partner relationship module. The betting pool lead participant manages events associated with the betting pool through an event manager and through a pool manager. Winning participants in the betting pool are determined and payouts can be processed.
US08616962B2
A method of funding features of a wagering game, comprises receiving a first sum of money generated from extra-casino activity associated with at least one person and depositing the first sum into a feature fund. The method further comprises allocating the first sum to at least one account of the feature fund in accordance with a first rule set. The method further comprises, in response to a triggering event, withdrawing a second sum of money from the at least one account. The method further comprises funding at least one feature associated with the wagering game from the second sum of money and activating the funded feature.
US08616955B2
A gaming machine comprising a processor configured to execute a game displaying a matrix of symbol containing elements having a plurality of rows and a plurality columns; at least one column of said matrix comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel of a plurality of said symbol containing elements; said simulated rotatable reel comprising sections of symbol containing elements displaying a plurality of symbols; said simulated rotatable reel including at least one section in which a consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements is populated by a first identical symbol so that, said first identical symbol being used for a first play of said game, a second identical symbol being randomly selected, the first identical symbol being replaced by the second identical symbol in said consecutive run of two or more of said symbol containing elements, said second identical symbol being used for a second play of said game.
US08616950B2
In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.
US08616946B2
A game situation information storage section (71) stores game situation information. A moving destination acquiring section (72) acquires one of a plurality of positions and a plurality of regions in a game space as a plurality of moving destinations to which a game character should be headed. A priority information acquiring section (74) acquires priority information about priorities of the plurality of moving destinations. A determining section (76) determines, while selecting in turn one of the plurality of moving destinations in an order determined based on the priority information, a game character to be moved to the selected one of the plurality of moving destinations from among the plurality of game characters based on a content stored in the game situation information storage section (71). A game character control section (78) controls movements of the plurality of game characters.
US08616944B2
A pressure relief valve for relieving air pressure from an automotive vehicle interior. The pressure relief valve mounts on a valve mounting location that surrounds a body opening and includes flexible interleaved flaps and a securing mechanism. The flaps cover the body opening, with each of the flaps being generally triangular in shape and having an outer end adjacent to the valve mounting location and a pair of sides extending from the outer end inward to an inner corner, with the inner corners meeting to form a peak. The interleaved flaps form a generally pyramidal-shape that angles away from the automotive vehicle interior as the interleaved flaps extend inward from the outer ends toward the peak. The securing mechanism is secured to the radially outer ends of the flaps and to the valve mounting location.
US08616942B2
A bulk coin dispenser bin holds nonaligned coin inventory even when removed from a base containing drive mechanisms and control electronics. A rotor assembly at the bin outlet retains coin inventory during separation, with a rotating disk dispensing coins through a discharge slot in a controlled manner. Optional adjustment of the rotor assembly's angular positioning changes the coin size/denomination dispensed by the bin. Uniqueness required to dispense coins of a given size/denomination is embodied in the bin, such that any base may operate with the bin without adjustment other than update of bin denomination in the dispensing system controller. Bin location and the combination of coin denominations dispensed may thus be readily altered within the dispensing system. Optional bin memory and optical level sensing improve inventory management functionality.
US08616936B2
To polish polishing target surfaces of SiO2 insulating films or the like at a high rate without scratching the surface, the present invention provides an abrasive comprising a slurry comprising a medium and dispersed therein at least one of i) cerium oxide particles constituted of at least two crystallites and having crystal grain boundaries or having a bulk density of not higher than 6.5 g/cm3 and ii) abrasive grains having pores. Also provided are a method of polishing a target member and a process for producing a semiconductor which make use of this abrasive.
US08616933B2
A toy is provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge for the dynamo located within a housing. A miniature vehicle is induced to locomote through receipt of the electrical charge. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the vehicle to the dynamo to transfer the electrical charge and decoupling to allow the vehicle to locomote. A charge storage device and an electrical motor in the vehicle allow for prolonged vehicle locomotion separate from the charge transfer by the dynamo. A toy is also provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge, the dynamo located within a housing. The dynamo transfers an electrical charge to a wheeled miniature vehicle through an electrically conductive circuit about which the vehicle travels. Additional amusement functions of LED light output or speaker auditory output are optionally provided.
US08616932B2
A collapsible umbrella gym for an infant or toddler which is highly portable, and combines the desirable attributes of an activity arch and support mat such as an activity mat. The gym comprises a frame assembly which is selectively movable between collapsed and uncollapsed states. When in its fully deployed, uncollapsed state, the frame assembly assumes a configuration which provides the functional attributes of an activity gym or activity arch, with multiple toys or mobiles being suspended from the frame assembly at locations which are easily accessible to an infant or toddler lying underneath the frame assembly.
US08616931B2
An electron emitting element of the present invention includes an electron acceleration layer between an electrode substrate and a thin-film electrode. The electron acceleration layer includes a binder component in which insulating fine particles and conductive fine particles are dispersed. Therefore, the electron emitting element of the present invention is capable of preventing degradation of the electron acceleration layer and can efficiently and steadily emit electrons not only in vacuum but also under the atmospheric pressure. Further, the electron emitting element of the present invention can be formed so as to have an improved mechanical strength.
US08616924B2
A female terminal includes an electric contact portion that has a cylindrical box portion and an elastic contact spring disposed in the inner part of the box portion. An abutment portion of the metal plate is disposed on the upper wall portion of the box portion, and an indent is formed, from the outside of the box portion, at the upper wall portion having the abutment portion disposed thereon. A projection portion is provided at the inside of the box portion, and an apex of the projection portion is made to be a contact portion with respect to the male terminal.
US08616919B2
An electrical connector includes at least one leadframe assembly, including a leadframe housing that carries a plurality of electrical contacts, and an external component, such as an electrically conductive plate, configured to be attached to the leadframe housing. The leadframe assembly includes an attachment system that includes an alignment assembly configured to align the electrically conductive plate with the leadframe housing as the plate is attached to the housing, and an attachment assembly that can be mated to attach the plate to the leadframe housing. The attachment assembly can be provided without creating any openings in the plate.
US08616918B2
Disclosed is type THHN cable having a reduced surface coefficient of friction, and the method of manufacture thereof, in which the central conductor core and insulating layer are surrounded by a nylon sheath. A high viscosity, high molecular weight silicone based pulling lubricant for THHN cable, or alternatively, erucamide or stearyl erucamide for small THHN gauge wire, is incorporated, by alternate methods, with the nylon material from which the outer sheath is extruded, and is effective to reduce the required pulling force on the cable during installation.
US08616914B2
The present application relates to a checkable plug-in connection comprising a plug having at least one latching element, a verification element which is secured to the plug via a connection element so as to be prevented from being removed, and a mating plug which can be connected to the plug and comprises at least one counter-latching element. The plug-in connection is configured so as to be able to pass from a pre-connection configuration, in which the verification element is prevented from being removed from the plug by the connection element and in which the plug and mating plug are separate from one another, into an end connection configuration, in which the counter-latching element is engaged with the at least one latching element and in which the plug and mating plug are prevented from being pulled apart.
US08616913B2
Systems and methods are provided fir coupling a plurality of electrical conductors, such as wires. A connector is provided including a plurality of bores or channels formed into a preferably unitary connector body, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the bores or channels intersects at least a portion of another of the bores or channels. The bores or channels are preferably formed along bore axes, which may be coplanar. A method according to the present invention includes inserting an insulated electrical conductor into a connector body and rotating a conductive rotational member threaded into a bore or channel formed in a connector body so as to electrically contact the conductive portion of the insulated conductor and at least one other electrically conductive surface.
US08616912B1
An electrical outlet assembly includes a housing that has a back panel and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending from a perimeter edge of the back panel. The perimeter wall has a distal edge relative to the back panel. The distal edge of the perimeter wall defines an outlet opening into the interior of the housing. An electrical outlet is positioned within the interior of the housing. An electrical cord is electrically coupled to the electrical outlet. The electrical cord extends from the housing so that a medial section of the electrical cord is positioned outside of the interior of the housing. A fastener is coupled to the housing. The fastener couples the housing to the ladder. A plurality of straps is coupled to the medial section of the electrical cord. Each of the straps is configured for coupling the electrical cord to the ladder.
US08616911B2
A power line connector apparatus and a method of coupling a first power line connector to a second power line connector are provided. Embodiments include a first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing; a second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; and a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the recessed space of the groove, the ring compressing against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second connector, the ring uncompressing within the recessed space of the rib as the first connector is fully inserted into the housing.
US08616910B2
A fastening device is described that is arranged on a plug assembly having a connector plug and a base housing, having a fastening element for fastening the connector plug to the base housing, the connector plug having a plug housing with a screw shaft. The fastening element has a first fastening region and a second fastening region, wherein the first fastening region of the fastening element can be fixed to the screw shaft of the plug housing, and the second fastening region of the fastening element can be fixed to an outer surface of the base housing.
US08616907B2
A test socket may include a socket frame, a plate, a socket pin and a link. The socket frame may have a slot configured to accept an object. The plate may be free to move in the slot along an inserting direction of the object to support a lower surface of the object. The socket pin may be movably arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inserting direction of the object. The socket pin may selectively make contact with a tab of the object. A link may be pivotally connected to the socket pin and the plate. Thus, the socket pin of the test socket may avoid dragging along the tab of the object during insertion, and accordingly, the tab of the object may avoid damage.
US08616906B2
An engaged protrusion is formed in a flat cable connected to a connector. The housing of the connector has an engaging protrusion rising in front of the position in which the engaged protruding portion is arranged when the flat cable is connected. A reinforced metal fitting has a reinforced protrusion raised along the engaging protrusion. The rear surface of the engaging protrusion is positioned to the rear of the rear surface of the reinforced protrusion. The rear surface of the reinforced protrusion is formed so as to extend upward and forward.
US08616897B2
A slip-ring unit includes a first and a second group of components which are arranged in a manner allowing rotation relative to each other about an axis. The first group of components includes a slip-ring brush which is secured to a holder that is mounted between two components which are offset relative to each other in the direction of the axis. The second group of components includes at least one slip ring. The holder and at least one of the components each have an effective area by which a form-locking connection is produced between the holder and the at least one component. Forces having a directional component parallel to the axis are transmittable by the form-locking connection.
US08616893B2
An apparatus is described that allows a table to be turned upside down so that a toddler can use the upright legs as grips and the horizontal cross support beams as obstacles to master the art of stepping over this obstacle height of the cross support beams. Once the art of stepping is mastered, the table is flipped upright to function as a table again. Several adjustments are added to a table so that the height of the cross support beams and length of the legs can be adjusted to provide a range of mastering possibilities when in the upside down position. When flipped upright, the surface of the table can have adjustable to have uniform height or a top that slants.
US08616878B2
A heat-sensitive adhesive label manufacturing device has a thermal head for heating and thermally activating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and a platen roller for conveying the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet between the platen roller and the thermal head to transport the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in a transport direction. At least one discharge roller is disposed on a downstream side of the thermal activation section and is configured to undergo rotation at a peripheral speed different from a peripheral speed of the platen roller to convey the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the transport direction. A guide member is disposed opposite and spaced apart from the at least one discharge roller to provide a space therebetween along which the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is conveyed by the at least one discharge roller without being sandwiched between the at least one discharge roller and the guide member.
US08616877B2
In a method for the preheating of cement raw meal for the production of cement-clinker, in which the cement raw meal is conveyed towards the feed side of a cement clinker kiln (1) in at least one heat exchanger-line in counter flow to hot gases, the hot gases are drawn off via at least a first heat exchanger (2) connected with the feed end of the cement clinker kiln (1) and via heat exchanger-lines (3,4) following this first heat exchanger (2) and being parallel to each other. The device for carrying out said method is characterized in that heat exchanger-lines (3,4) arranged in parallel to each other are connected to at least a first heat exchanger (2) joined to the feed end of the cement clinker kiln.
US08616873B2
A micro-conformal nanoimprint lithography template includes a backing layer and a nanopatterned layer adhered to the backing layer. The elastic modulus of the backing layer exceeds the elastic modulus of the nanopatterned layer. The micro-conformal nanoimprint lithography template can be used to form a patterned layer from an imprint resist on a substrate, the substrate having a micron-scale defect, such that an excluded distance from an exterior surface of the micron-scale defect to the patterned layer formed by the nanoimprint lithography template is less than a height of the defect. The nanoimprint lithography template can be used to form multiple imprints with no reduction in feature fidelity.
US08616867B2
A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.
US08616860B2
A noise reduced compressor has a body, an energy dissipation element, and a structural element configured to retain the energy dissipation element relative to the body. A noise reducer for an HVAC system compressor has an energy dissipation element and a structural element connected to the energy dissipation element. A method of reducing compressor noise includes disposing an energy dissipation element between a body of the compressor and a structural element and compressing the energy dissipation element against between the body of the compressor using the structural element.
US08616853B2
A method of fabricating a guide vane. The method produces a fiber preform by 3D weaving a single piece, the preform including a first portion extending along the longitudinal axis and constituting the preform for an airfoil of the vane, and at a longitudinal end of the first portion, a second portion constituting the preform for the platform of the vane, the second portion being produced as a first layer and a second layer facing the first layer and separated from the first layer by unlinking without cutting while producing the preform; folding the first and second layers such that each of them lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, substantially symmetrically to each other relative to the first portion, and such that a first region of the first layer covers a second region of the second layer in front of a front edge of the first portion; conforming the preform in a mold; and densifying the preform with a polymer matrix.
US08616840B2
A sealing arrangement is provided, including a sealing ring for sealing two machine elements from one another, the sealing ring being conFIGUREd in an installation space for the second machine element that is open toward the first machine element to be sealed, and sealingly contacting the surface to be sealed of the first machine element, by way of at least one dynamically loaded first sealing lip. The sealing ring is arranged under elastic axial and radial preloading within the installation space.
US08616829B2
A turbine that allows for the conversion of the kinetic energy of waterway to mechanical power for use in an energy accepting apparatus is described. The turbine has complimentary components that improve the power efficiency of the turbine. The turbine may include a blade shroud and a plurality of blades that are connected to the blade shroud. On the external surface of the blade shroud, a drive mechanism and/or a brake mechanism may be disposed. An inlet nozzle and outlet diffuser may be used in combination with the turbine. The turbine may be useful in a number of settings, including, but not limited to, streams, rivers, dams, ocean currents, or tidal areas that have continuous or semi-continuous water flow rates and windy environments.
US08616827B2
A system for adjusting a clearance between blade tips of a turbine and a shroud assembly encircling the turbine in a turbine engine is disclosed herein. The system includes a first fluid passageway operable to extend from a first source of fluid at a variable pressure to a shroud assembly of a turbine engine. The first fluid passageway directs a first stream of fluid to the shroud assembly. The system also includes a first valve positioned along the first fluid passageway and moveable between open and closed configurations. The first valve is biased to the open configuration and moved to the closed configuration passively and directly by a first predetermined level of pressure of the first stream of fluid. During periods of relatively low power production of the turbine engine, the first valve is in the open configuration and moves to the closed configuration when power production of the turbine engine increases from relatively low power production.
US08616816B2
A fastener for composite or plastic material having a dense composition employs a head which has a socket and a recessed underside and a lower rim. In one embodiment, the shank has an upper portion with an enlarged diameter and a left hand thread while the lower portion has a tri-lobed configuration and is traversed by a right hand thread. The right hand thread may have a plurality of notches which, in one embodiment, are arranged in a spiral array. One embodiment of a fastener has longitudinally spaced rings which project from an enlarged diameter portion of the shank. The lower portion of the shank has a thread with a plurality of notches. The rings have a major diameter and spacing greater than the major diameter and spacing of the thread.
US08616813B2
A strap that includes a casing, and a plurality of stuffer strands that extend lengthwise through the casing. The stuffer strands are located between two layers of the casing and are arranged in at least two sets. The stuffer strands resist elongation of the strap in response to tensile forces applied in the elongate direction of the strap, and have a maximum elongation at break of less than 7.5%.
US08616809B2
The present invention provides a toolholder mountable on a lathe or other machine tool for supporting a cutting plate relative to a workpiece for cutting or shaping the workpiece. The toolholder including a body having a tapered tool base at one end thereof, the tool base defining a tool seat for supporting a cutting plate. A plug screw having a head defining threads on an outer surface thereof for engaging a threaded hole in the tool base is also provided. The plug screw further defining a shank extending eccentrically from the head, the shank being receivable through a mounting hole defined by the cutting plate for locating the cutting plate relative to the tool seat upon rotation of the plug screw relative to the tool base. A lock nut is provided for receiving a threaded end of the shank for securing the cutting plate to the tool base and toolholder.
US08616807B2
A two-stage retaining wall and related systems and methods are disclosed. The wall may include a welded-wire earth wall comprising a plurality of generally horizontal bars. The wall may include a foundation spaced apart from the welded-wire earth wall. The wall may include a plurality of concrete panels positioned on the foundation to form a concrete wall. Each concrete panel may include at least one pair of loop anchors disposed on a back face, wherein the back face faces the welded-wire earth wall. The wall may also include a plurality of connector assemblies, each of which may include a rebar hook and a threaded bar. The rebar hook is adapted for engagement with the generally horizontal bars on the welded-wire earth wall. A first end of the threaded bar may be threadably engaged with the rebar hook and a second end of the threaded bar may be adapted for connection to one of the pair of loop anchors. Each threaded bar is preferably connected to a pair of loop anchors on each of the concrete panels in a substantially horizontal plane.
US08616794B2
In a printer that prints to continuous paper, starting to backfeed the recording paper for printing the next print job before the user cuts the previously printed page can be prevented. The printer prints while conveying recording paper delivered from fanfold paper through a transportation path, and after printing cuts the recording paper using a cutter disposed near the paper exit. When printing ends, the control unit positions the perforation at the trailing end of the printed page to a cutting position, and sets a tear-off state holding the recording paper where positioning was completed. When new print data is received while in the tear-off state, the recording paper transportation operation is prohibited and the tear-off state is continued until a preset delay time passes. When the delay time has passed, the recording paper is immediately fed back and indexed for the next print job.
US08616783B2
Fiber optic assemblies including a plurality of optical fibers in a connector having a ferrule are disclosed. The ferrule has a front end face and a plurality of bores with the plurality of optical fibers being disposed within one of the respective plurality of bores. The fiber optic assemblies have the plurality of optical fibers recessed from the front end face of the ferrule by a suitable distance to inhibit physical contact of the plurality of optical fibers when mated with a complementary connection. Consequently, the fiber optic assemblies are suited for hundreds or thousands of connections and disconnections (i.e., mating cycles) with reduced susceptibility from damage and/or optical attenuation caused by dirt, debris and the like as expected with the consumer electronic/device environments.
US08616778B2
A rolling bearing apparatus capable of restraining the residence of air bubbles in the water-cooling jacket while curbing the running cost and the production cost is provided. A rolling bearing apparatus is configured to include a rolling bearing, and a housing which houses the rolling and in which a water-cooling jacket into which cooling water is introduced. By forming the bottom portion of the water-cooling jacket by an inclined surface in the axial direction, it is possible to preferably rectify the cooling water in the water-cooling jacket and therefore effectively restrain the residence of air bubbles without increasing the amount of water supplied to the water-cooling jacket.
US08616775B2
Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane.
US08616772B1
Bearing apparatus includes: (a) a first member comprising rigid material and having a bore defining a first contact surface; (b) a second member disposed in the bore, the second member comprising rigid material and having a cylindrical surface defining a second contact surface; (c) wherein both contact surfaces are wear-resistant, and wherein the first and second members are positioned relative to each other by a plurality of protruding bearing elements contacting at least one of the first and second contact surfaces, so as to transfer mechanical loads between the members, each bearing element including a raised central portion flanked by a pair of beam portions, while allowing relative translation and/or rotation between the members; and (e) wherein the bearing elements are shaped and sized so as to deform elastically and conform in an irregular shape to the at least one contact surface.
US08616770B2
In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced first bearing elements each of which includes a first bearing surface. The bearing apparatus further includes a second bearing assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced second bearing elements each of which includes a second bearing surface oriented to engage the first bearing surfaces of the first bearing assembly during operation. At least one of the second bearing elements may be circumferentially spaced from an adjacent one of the second bearing elements by a lateral spacing greater than a lateral dimension of the at least one of the second bearing elements.
US08616760B2
An apparatus and method for combining multiple materials into a stream. The multiple materials may include both a major material and one or more minor materials. The minor materials are added using inlet tubes. The major and minor materials are added at transient or steady state flow rates, depending upon a command from a control signal. The apparatus and method utilize a control system which does not have flow control valves, flow control feedback loops or a dynamic mix tank. The actual flow rates track the commanded flow rates, but deviate by an error. The claimed arrangement provides a time-based error believed to be unobtainable in the prior art.
US08616758B2
A mixer drum driving device includes a hydraulic motor that rotates a mixer drum, a first hydraulic pump that is driven by an engine to be capable of supplying working oil to the hydraulic motor, an electric motor, a power supply connected to the electric motor, a second hydraulic pump capable of supplying the working oil to the hydraulic motor on the basis of a driving force of the motor, and a flow dividing valve that divides the working oil discharged from the first hydraulic pump and supplies the working oil to the hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic pump. The second hydraulic pump is configured to rotate the electric motor using the working oil. The electric motor is configured to generate electric power so as to charge the power supply when driven to rotate by the second hydraulic pump.
US08616752B2
A backlight unit includes a bottom cover, a first heat sink portion disposed on the bottom cover, a second heat sink portion extended upward with respect to the first heat sink portion, and at least a portion of a light emission module placed in at least one recess or at least one hole of the first heat sink portion, and the light emission module disposed on the second heat sink portion.
US08616751B2
A light guide for interfacing between a light source having a light emitting surface with a first shape and a light receiver with a light receiving surface of a second shape. The light guide has a light emitting end having a first shape of substantially the same size as the first shape of the light emitting surface. A light receiving end has a second shape of substantially the same size as the second shape of the light receiving surface. A free form body between the light emitting end and the light receiving end causes a transition between the first and second shape.
US08616749B2
A planar light-emitting device includes a first reflecting surface, a rectangular support disposed adjacent to the first reflecting surface, light sources each including a light-emitting surface and disposed along, at least one side portion of the rectangular support, and a lens including a light-receiving surface disposed to face the light-emitting surfaces of the light sources, and configured to introduce light emitted from the light sources into a space that is demarcated by at least the first reflecting surface and the rectangular support.
US08616744B2
A vehicle headlamp includes a lamp unit having a bulb attaching portion into which a bulb is inserted and attached, an outer housing configured to engage with the lamp unit at a location behind the bulb attaching portion, an inner housing disposed inside the outer housing such that a clearance is provided in a radial direction between the outer housing and the inner housing and such that, relative to the outer housing, the inner housing is movable in an axial direction and is rotatable about an axis extending in the axial direction, and a spring disposed between the outer housing and the inner housing to bias the inner housing toward the bulb in the axial direction. When the outer housing is engaged with the lamp unit, the spring biases the inner housing such that a flange of the bulb is pressed against the bulb attaching portion.
US08616733B1
A light emitting diode (LED) optical system. Implementations may include an LED coupled with a printed circuit board and an optic. The optic may include a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The optic may also include a first optical stage including the first end and a second optical stage including the second end. The first optical stage may include a total internal reflector and a second optical stage includes an upper reflector located at the second end. The optic may be coupled over the LED at the first end. The second optical stage may be configured to emulate a point light source for an outer lens coupled over the LED optical system using light emitted from the LED.
US08616732B2
According to one embodiment, a light-emitting device comprises a substrate on a surface of which a light-emitting element is mounted, a light reflection layer formed on a second area of the surface of the substrate other than a first area on which the light-emitting element is mounted, and a sealing member sealing the light-emitting element. An engagement protrusion part protruding toward the sealing member is provided at an edge part of the light reflection layer at which the light reflection layer is in contact with the area on which the light-emitting element is mounted. The engagement protrusion part juts out into the sealing member to prevent exfoliation of the sealing member.
US08616728B2
A solid state light (SSL) including solid state emitters (SSEs), and methods of manufacturing SSLs are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an SSL comprises a support having a first portion and a second portion inward of the second portion. A first set of first SSEs having a first performance specification rating can be located at the first portion, and a second set of second SSEs having a second performance specification rating different than the first performance specification rating can be located at the second portion. The first and second sets of SSEs can emit a desired output across the SSL.
US08616726B2
A LED lamp assembly includes a rectangular electrical box formed of two symmetrical U-shaped frame panels that are detachably fastened together by a tongue-and-groove joint and holding therein a control circuit board that is affixed to two parallel mounting grooves in one U-shaped frame panel by screw nails, a back cover plate and a bracket affixed to the electrical box at two opposite sides for mounting, and an elongated, rectangular light source unit affixed to the bracket and controllable by the control circuit board to emit light.
US08616725B2
A deep submersible light fixture includes a substantially spherical exterior housing made of metal. The housing has a hollow interior and a first aperture extending through a front side of the housing. The first aperture communicates with the hollow interior of the housing. At least one LED is mounted inside the first aperture adjacent to the hollow interior of the housing. A transparent window extends across the first aperture. A seal is situated between a periphery of the window and the housing adjacent the first aperture for providing resistance to the entry of water into the hollow interior of the housing. An electrical connector extends through a second aperture in a rear side of the housing.
US08616720B2
A linkable linear light emitting diode (LED) system provides apparatus and method for mechanically, optically, and electrically linking multiple LED modules disposed over a wide and separated area of a ceiling system. Openings can be cut in ceiling tiles of a drop ceiling system and the LED lighting modules are coupled to the tile through the opening, with the tile being sandwiched between different portions of the module. A remote driver system is placed within the drop ceiling above the tiles and provide multiple connectors for powering a multitude of lighting modules. Certain of the LED lighting modules include both input and output connectors for both receiving power or data and providing power or data to other modules. In this manner, some of the modules act as master LED lighting modules and those receiving power and/or data therefrom are act as slave modules.
US08616719B1
The lighted safety vest device provides a flexible material that can be laid flat out or even folded if desired, easing transport and storage and also providing for most comfortable fit. The embedded circuitry is flexible and connects the control to the embedded plurality of lights. Preferably LED lights are importantly arranged in sets with rows of three, with a row width of about 3½ inches. Rows are arranged in side-by-side columns with column heights of about 15 inches. Rows of the front proximal to the first end are disposed on either side of the front division. A single grouping of three columns with three rows in each is arranged centrally most proximal to the second end. Row width and set arrangements provide visibility from virtually any angle by which a user may be viewed. Set size also provides distant viewing of a user.
US08616709B2
In a projection display apparatus in which a laser beam source and an optical engine are connected together through an optical fiber, safety is improved against temperature rise in the optical fiber and its periphery. A projection display apparatus includes a temperature sensor 4 provided on the end portion, of the side of an optical engine 6, of an optical fiber group 1 for connecting a laser beam source 5 and the optical engine 6 to each other, in which, by detecting temperature and informing to a controlling unit 71 for controlling the laser beam source 5, when temperature rise exceeding a set value having been set previously is detected, the controlling unit 71 is made to control so as to decrease or stop output from the laser beam source 5.
US08616705B2
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a projection system using a solid-state light source and a color wheel. A set of primary light sources (such as RGB light source) with a light source controller is utilized to replace the UHP lamp. The color wheel has multiple color filter segments that are sequentially disposed on the path of the light when the wheel rotates. Based on a sync signal received from the rotating color wheel, the light source controller sequentially turns the primary light sources on and off in accordance with the sequence of the color filter segments of the color wheel. During each of the spoke periods, to generate a varying mixture of the two color lights, at least two primary color light sources are turned on simultaneously.
US08616704B2
An area projection system for reproducing a visual signal on a surface, comprising a light source, a fiber element comprising a plurality of light guide elements, a carrier element and imaging optics, wherein the fiber element comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the fiber element is arranged on the light source and the second end of the fiber element is arranged on the carrier element, wherein the imaging optics are arranged on the second end of the fiber element, wherein the area projection system is adapted to transmit a visual signal from the light source to the fiber element and subsequently to the imaging optics, and wherein the imaging optics are adapted to reproduce the visual signal on a surface.
US08616702B2
Provided is a hybrid laser ophthalmoscope comprising a laser light source, a LED light source, and a holographic diffuser, wherein the holographic diffuser is configured to shape a beam of light into a Maxwellian ring.
US08616680B2
A micro-fluid ejection head has multiple ejection chips joined adjacently to create a lengthy array across a media to-be-imaged. The chips have fluid firing elements arranged adjacently along corresponding ones of fluid vias skewed variously or not to enable seamless stitching of printed images from the adjacent firing elements. The firing elements are energized to eject fluid and individual ones are spaced according to colors or fluid types. Overlapping firing elements serve redundancy efforts during imaging for reliable print quality. Variable chips sizes and shapes, including chevrons, are disclosed as are relationships between differently colored fluid vias. Skew angles range variously each with noted advantages. Bond pads and overlying encapsulation materials are still other features as are metallization lines for distributing power to ones of firing elements. Singulating chips from larger wafers provide still further embodiments as does increased usage of the wafer.
US08616676B2
A sub-carriage includes a housing unit that houses at least part of each of multiple recording heads, and a head passage opening and an upper opening serving as opening portions through which the housing unit passes. A flow channel anchoring member for anchoring a flow channel member is attached to the sub-carriage so as to span across the aforementioned opening portions, and each of the recording heads is sequentially anchored to the sub-carriage to which the flow channel anchoring member has been attached.
US08616674B2
A printing apparatus includes a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal which contact with respective two first terminals of each of printing material containers; a third detection terminal and a fourth detection terminal which contact with respective two second terminals of each of the printing material containers; a first detection unit detects a first detection signal from the first detection terminal via a first attachment detection path; and a second detection unit detects a second detection signal from the third detection terminal via a second attachment detection path. The first detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the second detection terminal and the third detection terminal on the basis of the second detection signal, and the second detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the first detection terminal and the fourth detection terminal on the basis of the first detection signal.
US08616670B2
An image forming method, including: a first process for ejecting liquid droplets of a radiation curable ink composition onto a recording medium from an ejection head capable of ejecting the radiation curable ink composition using an ink jet recording device; and a second process for irradiating the liquid droplets with active radiation by an irradiation measure capable of emitting the active radiation, in which, among the liquid droplets of the radiation curable ink composition irradiated with the active radiation, a difference of the total irradiation energy of a liquid droplet having the highest total irradiation energy of the active radiation and a liquid droplet having the lowest total irradiation energy of the active radiation in the second process is 30% or more and 50% or lower of the irradiation energy (E90) [mJ/cm2] required for curing 90% of the radiation curable ink composition.
US08616669B2
A control device is adapted to control a recording device provided with a nozzle for discharging a color ink and a nozzle for discharging an adhesive fluid. The control device is configured to generate color image data representing a color image made up from color dots formed by the color ink, to generate adhesion image data representing an adhesion image made up from adhesion dots, which are dots formed by the adhesive fluid, wherein the adhesion image data is generated such that the adhesion dots are arranged so that the adhesive fluid is applied at an amount that corresponds to the amount of the color ink applied per unit area and the adhesion dots are arranged so that, when the amount of the color ink applied per unit area is zero, the amount of the adhesive fluid applied differs between inside and outside of a region of the adhesion image.
US08616664B2
A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a floor panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel; and a floor lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. In this configuration, the bracket can facilitate precise but simple mounting of the drawer.
US08616661B2
An enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprises a plurality of peripheral frame members, a plurality of corner frame members, a plurality of corner members, a plurality of primary surface sheets, and a plurality of secondary surface sheets. In preferred embodiments, the components of the enclosure are joined together in a manner that inhibits liquids from accessing the junctions between the components. In this manner, the interior of the enclosure can be shielded from various weather and other conditions.
US08616659B2
The invention concerns a steering and braking system for a motor vehicle which has wheels on opposite sides thereof. Each wheel has a brake unit that can be controlled by an operator actuating a brake device, such as a brake pedal. At least one of the brake units is controlled in response to a turning maneuver of the motor vehicle independent of the actuation of the brake pedal, so that a higher braking force is applied to an inside one of the brake units with respect to the curve than is applied to an outside one of the brake units with respect to the curve.
US08616657B2
A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and a restraining element. The retainer housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve. The pin sleeve includes a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining member is in the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is in the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The restraining element is configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel. A wheel assembly can include the hub assembly and a wheel.
US08616653B2
A frame structure of a seat cushion can include a right and left plate-like side panel having side portions of the seat cushion, and a tubular front pipe reinforcing front side portions of the right and left side panels. The front pipe can include right and left erect portions extending over the length of front sides of the side panels, right and left extending portions extending forward from upper end portions of the right and left erect portions, and a bridge portion bridging across front end portions of the right and left extending portions.
US08616650B2
A head support for a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, which can be folded out of an upright use position into a cargo position directed in driving direction. The head support is mounted to be foldable toward the front side of the backrest between an upright operative position is in the use position, and a folded down inoperative position when the backrest is in the cargo position, around a horizontal head support spindle of a holder arranged at the backrest and carries the head support the head support spindle extends transverse to the driving direction. The holder is lowered completely or partially into a lowered position in the backrest in the inoperative position of the head support and can be raised from the lowered position into the raised position of the operative position.
US08616647B2
A release actuator can comprise a support element, a latch mechanism, a release button movably assembled with the support element, a transmission element connecting the latch mechanism with the release button, and a safety latch key disposed adjacent to the release button. The release button can be movable parallel to a first axis for driving unlocking operation of the latch mechanism. The safety latch key and the release button are assembled so as to be movable relative to each other parallel to a second axis for either blocking or unblocking movements of the release button parallel to the first axis. Moreover, one embodiment of an infant carrying apparatus is also described.
US08616638B2
An infant carrier apparatus having multiple seating positions comprises a support frame, a seat assembly connected with the support frame, and a backrest assembly including a backrest frame. The seat assembly includes a first seat frame and a second seat frame, and the second seat frame is operable to rotate relative to the first seat frame between an unfolded position and a folded position. The backrest frame is operable to rotate about a pivot axle relative to the support frame, wherein the folded position of the second seat frame is substantially parallel and adjacent to the backrest frame. Because the second seat frame can be conveniently folded to a disabled state adjacent to the backrest frame, erroneous use of the second seat frame can be prevented.
US08616632B2
A child safety seat comprises a backrest, a seat portion connected with a lower end portion of the backrest, and a tether including a strap held with the child safety seat, and a resilient member assembled with the strap. The resilient member and the strap have different elasticity, and a tensioning of the strap causes deformation of the resilient member. When the vehicle is subject to a frontal collision or suddenly brakes, the resilient member can deform to cushion the retaining force applied by the tether, which can reduce the risk of injuries.
US08616616B2
The present invention relates to a device for minimizing the aerodynamic drag that results when tractors, trailers, rigid trucks, lorries, and other vehicles are moving through air. In particular the invention relates to a plate-shaped flow conductor having a front edge, a lower edge, a rear edge and an upper edge. The flow conductor is mountable along the upper edge in a substantially vertical position to a body portion of a pulled vehicle of a vehicle combination of at least two pivotally connected vehicles. When mounted the flow conductor extends at least partially under the body portion in a longitudinal direction of the pulled vehicle. Characteristic for the flow conductor according to the invention is that the flow conductor comprises locally in conjunction with the front edge a thickened portion, which has a streamlined outer contour in a cross section transversally to the front edge.
US08616614B2
An armrest structure for a vehicle of the present invention comprises a first armrest to support an elbow of one of arms of a passenger seated in a seat and a second armrest to support an elbow of the other arm of the passenger. A horizontal distance W1 between a vertically-extending seat center line of the seat and an elbow's support position at the first armrest is greater than a horizontal distance W2 between the vertically-extending seat center line and an elbow's support position at the second armrest, and a height H1 of the elbow's support position at the first armrest is greater than a height H2 of the elbow's support position at the second armrest. Accordingly, the passenger's elbows can be properly supported at the armrests on both sides, in a seat width direction, of the seat.
US08616605B2
In one embodiment, a vehicle floor console is provided that includes a support structure and a retaining feature pivotally biased toward the support structure. The retaining feature is configured to secure cargo between the support structure and the retaining feature.
US08616604B2
Emergency vehicle patient transport systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an emergency vehicle patient transport system includes: a loading passage providing access to an interior of an emergency vehicle; one or more tracks coupled to a floor of the emergency vehicle, a ceiling of the emergency vehicle, a wall of the emergency vehicle or combinations thereof wherein, a travel path is delineated by the one or more tracks; and a chair slidingly engaged with the one or more tracks, and vertically positioned between the floor and the ceiling. The chair locks in one or more set positions. And, the one or more set positions are selected from a group consisting of an airway care position, an extended airway care position, a procedural care position, a responder position, a patient care position, and a patient load position.
US08616591B2
A push plate assembly (10) that may be used for driving a bolting mechanism is disclosed. The push plate assembly (10) may be included as part of a push pad assembly or panic bar assembly, such as may be fitted to single or multipoint bolt mechanisms, for example, those fitted to emergency exit doors. The push plate assembly comprises a housing (32), a push plate (36), a slide plate (45) and a drive cam (55). The drive cam (55) is arranged to rotate within the housing so as to rotationally drive a bolt mechanism.
US08616590B2
Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that dispose in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud.
US08616583B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to reusable notecard. In one embodiment, the reusable notecard is comprised of a trifold panel having a left panel, a center panel and a right panel and a reclosable closing mechanism, connected to the trifold panel, to releasably secure the left panel to the right panel when folded over one another. In one embodiment, the adjustable left panel is comprised of a plurality of left panel fold lines and the right panel is comprised of a plurality of right panel fold lines, the plurality of left panel fold lines and the plurality of right panel fold lines for adapting to dimensions of contents inside the notecard. In one embodiment, the trifold panel is made of a material allowing for non-permanent markings.
US08616582B2
An ultra removable booklet with label for application to media is described. The booklet with label includes a release liner, an ultra removable adhesive layer, a paper stock layer, a booklet, an adhesive layer, and a clear plastic cover layer. The clear plastic cover layer has the adhesive layer applied to a bottom surface thereof and the bottom surface is positioned over the booklet. The booklet is positioned over the paper stock. The ultra removable adhesive layer is attached to the lower surface of the paper stock. The release liner is applied to the ultra removable adhesive layer. A process for forming an ultra removable booklet with label for application to media is also described.
US08616579B2
A side airbag capable of fully absorbing impact directed to a chest region while keeping an arm from being pressed against the chest region due to inflation is provided. A side airbag 30, an arm facing section 38 which faces an arm H2 of the occupant H in an inflated state has a dented shape and serves to push up the arm H2 to a position where the arm H2 does not overlap a chest H3 region of the occupant.
US08616576B2
A hitch apparatus has a tongue member with drawpin hole. Upper and lower clevis straps are pivotally attached to a corresponding top and bottom sides of the tongue member about vertical pivot axes, such that the clevis straps can pivot from an operating position, where the upper clevis strap is above the drawpin hole and the lower clevis strap is below the drawpin hole, to an idle position where the clevis straps extend laterally from the tongue member. When the clevis straps are in the operating position, upper and lower clevis holes in the corresponding clevis straps are vertically aligned with the drawpin hole in the tongue member, and a recess is formed between one of the upper and lower clevis straps and the tongue member. A drawpin retainer prevents upward movement of a drawpin out of engagement with the clevis and drawpin holes.
US08616572B2
A mono-fork assembly for a front wheel of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a mono-fork member, an axle, and a retaining member. The mono-fork member has a single tine with a threaded aperture formed therein. The front wheel is rotatable on the axle. The axle has a distal end and a threaded proximal end. The proximal end is configured to be threaded into the threaded aperture of the tine and may be permanently bonded therein. A retaining member is coupled to the distal end of the axle to retain the front wheel on the distal end as the front wheel rotates about the axle. The mono-fork member may include a collar portion aligned along a steering axis for rotation thereabout. The mono-fork assembly may include a bumper configured to extend circumferentially about the collar portion within a circumferential groove formed in the collar portion.
US08616567B2
It is an object to effectively enhance rigidity of a subframe installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members, with a simple structure, and allow a stabilizer to be adequately installed. A subframe (3) installed to couple a pair of right and left wheel suspension members (2) together comprises a cross member (31) provided with a lateral-link support portion (14, 18) supporting an end of the lateral link (5, 6), a pair of right and left side members (33) each extending from a respective one of opposite vehicle-widthwise outer ends of the cross member (31), in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a pair of right and left reinforcing members (35) each reinforcing a coupling section between the lateral-link support portion (14, 18) of the cross member (31) or a vicinity thereof, and a respective one of the side members (33). A stabilizer (10) is installed above the cross member (31) to extend in a vehicle widthwise direction in such a manner as to couple the right and left wheel suspension members 2, and each of the reinforcing members (35) is provided with a stabilizer support section torsionably supporting the stabilizer (10).
US08616566B2
A vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate having a rounded back edge and/or a pocket is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions.
US08616564B2
A cargo container handling cart and system comprises a plurality of cargo container handling carts 10, each cart comprising a frame 12 supported on wheels 16, the frame having two support surfaces 26 and at least one centrally disposed container guide 20, each support surface having two cart pins 32, and a cart end edge 28, the support surface 26 bounded by the container guide 20 and the cart end edge 28 for supporting the end of a cargo container, wherein the support surface 26 has a width substantially equivalent to a standard cargo container, the container guide 20 abuts a container end resting on one of the support surfaces 26, and the cart pins 32 extend upwardly from the support surface 26 between the container guide 20 and the cart end edge 28 for engaging with the corner casting holes of the corner fittings of the container end for holding the container end on the support surface 26 against the container guide 20.
US08616561B2
A chuck including a body having a nose section, a tail section and a center axis, the nose section defining an axial bore and a plurality of passageways. A plurality of jaws is disposed in the passageways, a nut is rotatably mounted about the body so that rotation of the nut either moves the jaws toward or away from the center axis, and a sleeve that is rotatably mounted about the body, the sleeve being rotatable with respect to the nut between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. An annular array of locking teeth is non-rotatable with respect to one of the body and the nut. A lock ring includes a projection and is axially movable so that, when engaged, the projection and the locking teeth prevent the lock ring from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the body.
US08616554B2
The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.
US08616553B1
A basketball game assembly includes a backboard, a hoop mounted on a front side of the backboard and a ball blocking device. The ball blocking device includes a shaft, a blocking member and a driving arrangement. The shaft at its rear end is rotatably mounted to the backboard. The blocking member is connected to a front end of the shaft and disposed adjacent to a front edge of the hoop. The driving arrangement is configured to rotate the shaft so as to have the blocking member move to a blocking position higher than the hoop or depart from the blocking position.
US08616549B2
A computer readable storage medium stores a feeding and conveyance control program. The feeding and conveyance control program causes a computer to perform executing sequence control of a feeding sequence module with respect to a feeding mechanism that feeds the recording medium. The sequence control includes two kinds of sequence control executed in accordance with an identifier indicating whether the vertical conveyance mechanism exists. Sequence control of a vertical conveyance sequence module is executed with respect to a vertical conveyance mechanism that relays conveyance of the recording medium. Sequence control of a resist conveyance sequence module is executed with respect to a resist conveyance mechanism that conveys the recording medium to the transfer position at a predetermined timing. Overall management of the above-described modules is executed. The overall management includes determining, based on the identifier, whether to execute the sequence control of the vertical conveyance sequence module.
US08616548B2
A sheet conveying device includes a blocking member having a blocking surface with which a leading end of a sheet that is being conveyed comes into contact for obliquity correction. The blocking member is rotated by being pushed by the sheet against an urging force of a positioning unit that positions the blocking member to be in the standby position. The blocking member is rotatable to be in a sheet-passage-allowing orientation in which the sheet is allowed to pass. When a trailing end of the sheet that is being conveyed has passed the blocking member, the blocking member that is in the sheet-passage-allowing orientation rotates in a same direction as a sheet conveyance direction and is positioned to be in a standby position.
US08616544B2
A document feeder feeds document sheets one by one from a stack on a tray by pressing one or more pick-up rollers against an uppermost document sheet and guiding one widthwise edge of the document sheet. The width direction is perpendicular to a document transport direction. The document feeder includes: a document size obtainer that obtains size information indicating a width of the document sheet; and a center-of-contact shifting mechanism that shifts a center of contact of each pick-up roller along an axial direction of the pick-up roller according to the obtained size information. The center of contact is a central point of an area where the pick-up roller is in contact with the document sheet. Each pick-up roller is in a barrel shape. The center-of-contact shifting mechanism shifts the center of contact of each pick-up roller by axially tilting the pick-up roller relative to the document surface.
US08616539B2
The present disclosure relates to a wafer chuck configured to provide a uniform photoresist layer on a workpiece. In some embodiments, the wafer chuck comprises a plurality of vacuum holes. The plurality of vacuum holes (i.e., more than one) are in fluid communication with a cavity that continuously extends along the top surface between the vacuum holes. A vacuum source, connected to each vacuum hole, is configured to remove gas molecules from the cavity located below the workpiece leaving behind a low pressure vacuum. The use of a plurality of vacuum holes increase the uniformity of the vacuum, thereby preventing the formation of high vacuum areas in close proximity to any specific vacuum hole. The reduction of high vacuum areas reduces wafer bending associated with the high vacuum areas.
US08616523B2
An electromagnetically actuated valve with a valve body which is assigned to a valve seat, is mechanically prestressed in a first direction toward a first switching position and can be adjusted by means of a magnetic actuator in a second, opposite direction into a second switching position is disclosed. The valve body has a planar contact surface which can be brought into sealing contact with a surface of the valve seat, which surface is planar at least in sections.
US08616500B2
An aircraft fuselage may include a barrel section having a side region. The fuselage may include a first cutout and a second cutout formed in the side region in side-by-side relation to one another. The fuselage may provide a direct load path extending along the barrel section. The load path may extend substantially continuously from a lower portion of the side region generally under the first cutout to an upper portion of the side region generally over the second cutout.
US08616496B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for a self-deploying vehicle drag device. In one embodiment, a drag device for a vehicle can be provided. The drag device can include a chute body, wherein the chute body is connected to the vehicle. The drag device can also include at least one collapsible member mounted to the chute body, wherein the at least one collapsible member and chute body are maintained in respective compressed configurations until deployed. Furthermore, the drag device can include at least one device adapted to release the chute body from the vehicle, wherein the chute body and the at least one collapsible member are deployed in expanded configurations with respect to the vehicle.
US08616485B2
The present invention is a unique cart for transporting and dispensing spooled or reeled materials such as carpet or cable. The apparatus allows a user to elevate a spool of material off the ground into a suspended position where the material can be unreeled, without the user having to manually lift the spool. The apparatus also allows the user to transport or move the elevated material from place to place while still in the cart.
US08616480B2
A shredder for producing particles from a sheet material is disclosed herein. The shredder can have a longitudinal cutting device with a first cutting roller and a second cutting roller. A transverse cutting device can be positioned after the longitudinal cutting device. The first cutting roller and the second cutting roller can each have special profiles.
US08616478B2
The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the treatment of a material in the form of fragments or particles which is moved and/or rotated, mixed, heated and, if appropriate, comminuted by at least one mixing element (12, 21) in a receiver or cutter-compactor (1), where, in the course of the process, undesired substances which impair the treatment of and/or further operations on the material are removed from the material by introducing a gas, in particular air or an inert gas, in a region below the level of the material located in the receiver (1) during its operation, or below the level of material of the mixing vortex which forms within the receiver (1), where the gas is forced to flow through at least a subregion of the material, and where the gas then saturated with, or with an increased concentration of, undesired substances is discharged from the receiver (1) in a region above the level of the material located in the receiver (1) during its operation or above the level of the material of the mixing vortex.
US08616475B1
The present invention provides a process for recovery of copper, aluminum, carbon and cathode material from spent lithium ion batteries having lithium metal oxide cathode material. The cathode material which is recovered can be regenerated with lithium hydroxide and reused as cathode material.
US08616473B2
An injector (10) includes a valve body (16), an armature tube (20) in the valve body, a seal disk (24) carried by the armature tube, a spring (30) associated with the seal disk, a seat (34) defining an outlet. The seat includes a seat surface (38) engaged with the seal disk that is biased by the spring, when the injector is in a closed position, preventing fuel from exiting the outlet. A movable armature (42) is coupled to an end of the armature tube. An adjusting tube (48) engages an end of the spring. An inlet tube (50) defining an inlet has an end surface that is spaced from the periphery of the armature in the closed position. An electromagnetic coil (58) is disposed about a portion of the inlet tube. A flux member (60) is associated with the coil. A housing (62) covers at least a portion of coil.
US08616468B2
A spray assembly for dispensing a mixture is provided. The spray assembly includes a connector configured for operable engagement with a first and a second source of component and a source of pressurized fluid, and a tip operably connected to the connector. The tip includes an opening and defines a mixing chamber between the connector and the opening of the tip, and an insert member configured to be received in the mixing chamber. The insert member includes a plurality of radially extending slots on at least one end of the insert. The plurality of radially extending slots is configured to mix the first and second components prior to the mixture exiting the opening in the tip.
US08616465B2
A nozzle body (1) for a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the nozzle body is arranged to receive a liquid substance from the liquid droplet spray device, wherein the nozzle body includes: (a) a substrate (2), and (b) a plurality of traversing output nozzles (4, 24, 34) formed in the substrate (2, 22, 32) for ejecting liquid as a low pressure mono-dispersive droplet spray, wherein each traversing output nozzle is arranged to receive the liquid such that the liquid may be expelled from the nozzle body by traversing the output nozzles, wherein the output nozzles (4, 24, 34) have straight and parallel side-walls that have a near vertical profile. The output nozzles are arranged in the substrate such that the density of the output nozzles increases from the center towards the edges of the substrate.
US08616464B2
A method of forming droplets comprises flowing a liquid through a channel; spreading the liquid into a thin film in the channel; and impinging the thin film with a flowing gas to atomize the liquid into droplets. The droplets may then be dried to produce dried particles, such as particles comprising a pharmaceutical active agent. The droplets formed by the disclosed process have improved size and/or size distribution characteristics.
US08616460B2
A method for providing a printed optical illusion image having first and second illusion states, comprising: receiving a specification of an optical illusion image having one or more mutable portions; and printing the optical illusion image on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, wherein one or more of the colorants are appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics can be switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by application of an appropriate external stimulus. The printed optical illusion image can be switched between the first and second illusion states by applying the appropriate external stimulus to controllably switch the one or more appearance mutable colorants between their first and second colorant states, thereby switching the mutable portions of the printed optical illusion image between corresponding first and second appearance states.
US08616458B2
A non-contact IC tag of the present invention includes a first member including an IC chip and a first antenna connected to the IC chip; a second member including a second antenna; and a movement restriction unit that, when the first member is moved to a predetermined position in the second member, restricts a movement of the first member from the predetermined position. The predetermined position is a position where the first antenna and the second antenna are electromagnetically coupled to each other or a position where the first antenna and the second antenna are electrically conducted to each other.
US08616456B2
A passive RFID transponder includes a coder and a modulator. The coder generates a digital coded data stream based on a digital data stream to be transmitted. The digital coded data stream includes an initialization bit sequence having a maximum data frequency of the digital coded data stream. Furthermore, the digital coded data stream changes its value at the latest after a predefined number of bits. The modulator modulates an amplitude of a carrier signal with the digital coded data stream to provide an amplitude-modulated coded signal.
US08616454B2
Systems and methods for making and using handheld data readers comprising one or more fluid lenses. One or more fluid lenses are provided to allow a handheld data reader to perform such operations as reading indicia, including such additional operations as zooming, reorienting a viewing direction, focusing, adjusting an optical axis, and correcting for the effects of motion such as hand jitter. The fluid lens or lenses can be operated for example by applying electrical signals to fluid lenses comprising a plurality of fluids including at least one that is conductive and at least one that is non-conductive.
US08616441B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for processing a transaction associated with a contactless transaction card. In one embodiment, a method for processing a transaction associated with a contactless transaction card can be provided. The method can include polling for at least one transaction application program via a contactless transaction card reader. Further, the method can include receiving account information from the contactless transaction card via the contactless transaction card reader. In addition, the method can include activating a corresponding transaction application program based at least in part on the received account information. Moreover, the method can include advancing a transaction counter associated with the contactless transaction card and a transaction counter associated with the corresponding transaction application program.
US08616438B2
A patient support apparatus including a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. The optical detector secured to the barrier and configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor. The memory unit stores a unique identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receiving a signal from the optical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector and performing a set of instructions in response to the optical detector communicating the data, the set of instructions performed by the processor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.
US08616435B2
A mailbox accessory device for insertion within the cavity of a mailbox for more easily accessing mail located towards the rear portion of the mailbox including a first member extending along at least a portion of the length of the mailbox cavity, the second member being coupled to the first member. The mailbox device is movable within the mailbox cavity from a position wherein the second member lies in the vicinity of the rear wall of the mailbox to a position wherein the second member lies in the vicinity of the access opening of the mailbox. The second member extends above the first member and engages mail located in the mailbox cavity so as to move such mail to the access opening of the mailbox.
US08616431B2
A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
US08616412B2
A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
US08616396B2
The invention provides a fiberglass reinforced plastic pressure tank including a first tank section and a second tank section; a welded diffuser plate having and a weld guide disposed about a circumference of the diffuser plate and including first and second weld grooves; a first weld joint between the first weld groove and the first tank section; a second weld joint between the second weld groove and the second tank section; wherein the welded diffuser plate forms a hermetic seal in an exterior wall of the combined tank sections, and further wherein the welded diffuser plate seals the plastic tank sections together and contains the diffuser plate inside the welded plastic tank.
US08616395B2
A container body and base being lightweight structures designed to accommodate vacuum forces either simultaneously or in sequence. The container body and base each absorb a significant percentage of the vacuum. By utilizing a lightweight base design to absorb a portion of the vacuum forces enables an overall light-weighting, design flexibility, and effective utilization of alternative vacuum absorbing capabilities on the container body.
US08616394B2
An aspect of the invention provides a container cap. The container cap comprises a cap, a handling outer portion, and connecting walls. The cap has a closed end and an open end. The handling outer portion encloses the cap and including recesses and a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of connecting walls connect an outer wall of the cap and an inner wall of the handling outer portion, wherein the connecting walls are disposed radially. The voids are provided between the outer wall of the cap, the inner wall of the holding outer portion, and the connecting walls.
US08616390B2
A bottle including a body portion having a plurality of dividing walls extending from a base portion to a plurality of connection regions; a first chamber for holding a first liquid; a second chamber for holding a second liquid; a third chamber for holding a third liquid; and a removable cap; wherein a height of the plurality of dividing walls is less than an overall height of the body portion and the plurality of connection regions are configured to be a maximum height of the plurality of dividing walls.
US08616377B2
The present invention provides devices and methods for facilitating the single stream recycling of toxic substance-containing products. A toxin impermeable container designed to enclose the product containing toxic substances incorporates graphic markings or radiofrequency tags to facilitate automated or manual sorting from single stream recycling processes, identification of the toxic component, identification of the person or entity recycling the toxic to allow verification and documentation of compliance with government regulations or reimbursement of a recycling deposit that may be associated with the particular product.
US08616376B2
A container of opening a container is provided. The container includes an outer shell slidably carrying a dispensing cartridge between open and closed states. A cooperating catch arrangement is operably interposed between the outer shell and the dispensing cartridge. The cooperating catch arrangement has a locked state that fixes the dispensing cartridge in the closed state relative to the outer shell and an unlocked state in which the dispensing cartridge is permitted to slide relative to the outer shell from the closed state to the open state. The cooperating catch arrangement is operable to be transitioned from the locked state to the unlocked state by resiliently reducing a width of the outer shell along a compression axis which resiliently expands a thickness of the outer shell along an expansion axis to disengage cooperating catch arrangement. A method of opening includes compressing the outer shell to disengage the cooperating catch arrangement.
US08616375B2
A dishwasher treating packet for use in a dishwasher having a treating chamber comprising a body defining a reservoir, a treating chemistry in the reservoir, and a manual dispenser coupled to the reservoir and selectively operable to dispense at least a portion of the treating chemistry from the reservoir.
US08616369B2
A golf bag is disclosed that includes base formed of a flexible material, such as a polymer foam material. The base is formed as a one-piece element, and the base may be flexible such that the golf bag is supportable in an upright position or an inclined position. A flexion line may be formed in the base to promote flexing or pivoting in a specific area, and wear elements may be added to an exterior surface of the base to impart wear-resistance.
US08616361B1
According to one aspect, there is provided a diverter assembly for diverting articles on a load bearing surface of a conveyor, the diverter assembly comprising: a base frame; a slider assembly that is movable with respect to the base frame; a deflector pivotally connected to the slider assembly, the deflector pivoting between a passive position, in which the deflector extends generally along the base frame to allow articles on the conveyor to pass freely, and an active position in which the deflector extends away from the base frame to divert articles on the conveyor; and a crank link configured to reciprocate the slider assembly while rotating in a single direction.
US08616357B2
A viscous fan drive with a front-mounted fan and electrical actuation without a tethered harness. The mechanical package includes an inverted viscous clutch, a drive pulley and a split electromagnetic actuator with the electrical portion mounted to a stationary mounting member. An axially moveable valve member controls the flow of viscous fluid.
US08616354B2
A configurable briefcase desktop having two generally planar support columns, each support column having a fixed length section and an extendable section. The extendable section of each support column is comprised of a scissors linkage and an elongated foot member. The elongated foot member provides improved load distribution across the surface supporting the invention. Embodiments typically include a fold lock mechanism to releasably lock each support column in its folded configuration. Other embodiments have a support stiffening mechanism adapted to yieldably resist movement of its respective support member from its support configuration. Further embodiments comprise at least one load sensor system to provide a warning signal when the extendable section of a support column is in extended configuration and subjected to a compression force in excess of a predetermined amount. In some embodiments the fold lock mechanism and support stiffening mechanism of a particular support column may be mechanically ganged.
US08616347B2
A pneumatic disc brake includes a caliper which straddles a brake disc, brake pads pressable against the brake disc and a rotary lever actuated brake application device, and a self-energizing mechanism. The brake lever is pivotable about an eccentric axis by a brake cylinder plunger. A self-energizing factor is selected to ensure that the brake automatically releases after braking events. The brake lever is supported on a spherical bearing element mounted to the caliper and forming the eccentric axis. The brake lever bears against a bearing ball which is arranged above the bearing element in the direction of the plunger engagement point, which bearing ball is positioned in a brake ram coupled to the brake pad.
US08616341B2
A device for indirectly sensing tension of a chain in a railroad handbrake includes an elongated bore formed through a holding pawl of the handbrake, sensor target attached to the holding pawl and a sensor mounted in close proximity to an upper end of the housing so as to sense the sensor target. The ratchet wheel of the handbrake positions the sensor target for operative sensing alignment with the sensor during at least partial handbrake application. A biasing member moves the sensor target away from the operative sensing alignment during handbrake release.
US08616334B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to prevent a user from using the top step of a ladder. The apparatus comprises a substantially solid front face on which a first side flap and second side flap are disposed. The first and second side flaps are disposed at an angle to the front face in order to create a spring force when inserted in a “C” shaped cross section of a ladder. The apparatus is held to a ladder through the spring force and by securing the side flaps and front face to the ladder legs.
US08616332B2
Deployable fall protection systems and components are disclosed for protecting against worker falls in cargo handling operations. Workers wearing harnesses are attached to a lifeline supported from overhead, the support being attached to ground-standing mast assemblies stabilized by the weight of a vehicle parked on a foot portion of the mast assembly.
US08616329B1
A broadband acoustic lens and method of designing same is provided for focusing an incident acoustic wave. The broadband lens includes a plurality of concentric rings, where each concentric ring of the plurality of concentric rings has a ring width, and a plurality of gaps, where each gap of the plurality of gaps has a spacing. The concentric rings are separated by a spacing corresponding to a gap of the plurality of gaps. The widths of the plurality of concentric rings and the spacings of the plurality of gaps are arranged such that the incident acoustic wave is focused to a spot within a sub-wavelength of the incident acoustic wave in air. The arrangement of the widths of the plurality of concentric rings and spacings of the plurality of gaps is aperiodic.
US08616324B2
A sub-frame and component configuration for mounting on a motorcycle includes a body frame structure including a main frame portion; and a sub-frame portion, he sub-frame is fixedly secured to the main frame portion and is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat providing a rider with a seating area that is relatively closer to the ground than the seating area of a conventional motorcycle seat. A method of mounting the sub-frame on a motorcycle includes: fixedly securing a drop seat sub-frame portion onto a main frame portion, wherein the drop seat sub-frame portion is configured for receiving and securing thereon a drop seat.
US08616316B2
A forward structure of a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a drive unit and a radiator arrangement for releasing the heat of the drive unit into the environment. The radiator arrangement encompasses at least two cooling unit, which are spatially separated from one another and which are arranged so as to overlap at least area by area in cross direction of the motor vehicle. An imaginary connecting line between the cooling units crosses at least one component of the drive unit.
US08616308B2
Mobile robot systems and methods are provided. At least one tracked mobile robot has a first end comprising a first pair of wheels, a second end comprising a second pair of wheels, an articulated arm coaxial with the first pair of wheels, and a driven support surface surrounding the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels. The at least one mobile robot surmounts obstacles and performs additional maneuvers alone and in combination with at least one other mobile robot.
US08616307B2
Thermally stable diamond bonded construction comprise a diamond bonded body including a thermally stable region, comprising a plurality of diamond grains bonded together by a reaction product of the diamond grains with a reactant such as Si, and a polycrystalline diamond region, comprising intercrystalline bonded diamond and a catalyst material. The body further comprises a ceramic compound formed by reaction of an Nb, Zr, Ti, or Mo getter material with a gaseous element generated during HPHT sintering of the diamond bonded body. The diamond bonded body may comprise from 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of the ceramic compound. The diamond bonded body can be formed during a single HPHT process operated at different temperatures when the reactant has a melting temperature above the catalyst material. The construction may include a metallic substrate attached to the diamond bonded body to facilitate use as a wear or cutting element.
US08616306B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a polycrystalline diamond compact. In an embodiment, the polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table including a first polycrystalline diamond layer bonded to the substrate and at least a second polycrystalline diamond layer. At least an un-leached portion of the polycrystalline diamond table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions and a metal-solvent catalyst occupying at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The plurality of diamond grains and the metal-solvent catalyst collectively exhibit a coercivity of about 115 Oe or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 15 G·cm3/g or less. The second polycrystalline diamond layer exhibits a second average diamond grain size that is less than a first average diamond grain size of the first polycrystalline diamond layer and/or the first polycrystalline diamond layer includes a tungsten-containing material therein.
US08616305B2
In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole fixed bladed bit comprises a working surface comprising a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working surface and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, at least on blade comprising a cutting element comprising a superhard material bonded to a cemented metal carbide substrate at a non-planer interface, the cutting element being positioned at a positive rake angle, and the superhard material comprising a substantially conical geometry with an apex comprising a curvature.
US08616302B2
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.
US08616301B2
A pneumatic hammer mechanism is disclosed. The hammer mechanism features: a flying mass, which is movable along an impact axis; an impact surface, which limits a movement of the flying mass along the impact axis in the impact direction; an exciting piston, which limits a movement of the flying mass along the impact axis opposite from the impact direction; a pneumatic chamber between the flying mass and exciting piston; and a drive for periodically moving the exciting piston with a stroke along the impact axis. The flying mass is excited to a periodic movement between the impact surface and a minimum approach of the exciting piston. A length ratio of the maximum length of the pneumatic chamber to the stroke is selected as less than 1.55.
US08616277B2
A system for measuring a formation parameter, the system including: a formation parameter test device having: a structure capable of segregating a discrete volume including a formation interface surface within a well, and a parameter sensor in operable communication with the volume; a high bandwidth communications system in operable communication with the parameter sensor; and a processing unit in operable communication with the high bandwidth communications system and disposed remotely from the parameter sensor, the processing unit configured to receive parameter data.
US08616276B2
An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element, an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal transmitted through the impervious body.
US08616274B2
A method of servicing a wellbore is provided. The method comprises establishing a communication link between a wellsite and a central control site, wherein the communication link carries sensor, audio, and video data to the central control site and carries command parameters to the wellsite to command wellbore servicing equipment on the wellsite. The data transmitted by the wellsite is analyzed at the central control site, stored in a data store at the central control site, and the results of analysis displayed on a display at the central control site.
US08616272B2
Disclosed herein is a downhole water-oil separation arrangement which includes a body having one or more portions thereof configured to have an affinity to a selected fluid. The body further will include one or more portions thereof that are configured to have an affinity to another fluid.
US08616267B2
A fluid-cooled heat sink (1) for electronic components having a heat exchanger (2) which can be associated with at least one electronic component (3), the heat exchanger having at least one channel (6) with an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) for a cooling fluid. The heat exchanger (2) having a first outer surface (4) for contact with the electronic component (3) and a second outer surface (5). The heat sink (1) having a stiffening element (15) operating on the heat exchanger (2) at the second outer surface (5) for associating and pressing the heat exchanger (2) on the electronic component (3).
US08616260B2
A hollow built-in window blind is provided. The window blind includes an outer glass (13a), an inner glass (13b), a spacing strip (14), a curtain (12), and a fixing device for the curtain. The curtain (12) is installed in a closed space enclosed by the outer glass (13a), the inner glass (13b), and the spacing strip (14). Furthermore, the spacing strip (14) has a step part to be connected with the curtain (12), and the fixing device includes an upper beam (1) with a projection, left and right frames (10a, 10b) with a projection respectively. The upper beam (1), left and the right frames (10a, 10b) are connected to the spacing strip (14) by the projections set on the step part of the spacing strip (14).
US08616254B2
A wheel hub extends from an outboard end to an inboard end and has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface spaced radially inward of the outer peripheral surface. A first air passage extends from the outboard end toward the inboard end. A second air passage extends from the inner peripheral surface to intersect the first air passage. The second air passage comprises a removed portion that extends circumferentially beyond a cross-section of the first air passage at the intersection.
US08616248B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for preparing frozen drinks. In one example, the apparatus includes a platform configured to support a blender cup, the platform reversibly translatable between a first position beneath an ice shaver and a second position beneath a flavoring dispenser. A weight sensor mechanically coupled to the platform. The weight sensor is configured to produce an output signal indicative of a weight of an object present on the platform. The apparatus further includes a safety circuit configured receive a sensor input and to facilitate safe operation of the apparatus responsive to the sensor input being indicative of a safe condition of the apparatus.
US08616235B2
Valves, and particularly check valves, are detailed. The valves may isolate a spring or other biasing member from flowing fluid so as to reduce the possibility of damage to the spring caused, for example, by chemicals contained in the fluid. In some versions of the valves, the spring may be positioned within a cavity of a cover sealed from the fluid.
US08616234B2
A diaphragm-type control valve having a diaphragm and a valve body is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. The diaphragm element and a port in the body together form an intermediate chamber that eliminates the need for a check-valve downstream of the valve. In one preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member defining a groove in communication with the port. A diaphragm member having upper and lower surfaces is disposed within the chamber. The lower surface preferably includes a pair of spaced apart elongated members defining a channel therebetween. The diaphragm member engages the seat member placing the channel in communication with the groove to define an air seat in communication with the port.
US08616233B2
A typical rotary face seal employs a seal ring rotating relative to a sealing surface and also employs means to urge the seal ring towards the sealing surface in order to effect a seal. The seal ring may itself comprise a seal face bonded to a backing ring. In certain applications, the seal face may deform significantly as a result of the temperature variations experienced and an undesirable crowning of the seal face may occur. Such crowning may be reduced by employing an improved seal ring with anti-crowning features in which the thickness of an edge of the seal face is different from that in the middle of the seal face, or in which a relief slot is employed in the seal face. The improved seal ring is particularly suited for rotary face seals used in a rotary valve in a rotary gas separation device.
US08616223B2
An applicator for use with an eyelash extension system that has a backbone and a backbone surface configured to be joined with a closure surface. A plurality of eyelash extensions are attached to the backbone. The applicator includes a frame having a first end and a second end spaced laterally from the first end, a rail attached to the frame and extending laterally between the first and second ends, and a cam. The cam has a cam surface configured to contact the backbone of the eyelash extension system to urge the backbone to come into contact with the closure as the cam is moved laterally along the rail.
US08616221B2
Provided is an oral pouch flavor product with a fibrous flavored wrapper that encloses an inner filling material. Preferably, the fibrous flavored wrapper includes embedded flavorants. The fibrous flavored wrapper may also include a softening agent, colorants, and/or browning inhibitors. The inner material may include non-tobacco, plant material fibers and preferably has a low moisture content so as to prevent the need for preservatives or refrigeration.
US08616215B2
A container holds at least one surgical implement, has a lock mechanism, and has a signature label that impedes access to the surgical implement until the correct surgical site is confirmed. A method of using the container includes the steps of confirming the correct surgical site, signing the label and removing it from the container, placing the label in the medical record, unlocking the container, removing the implement, and beginning the surgery, wherein the surgical team is forced to pause to confirm the correct surgical site before starting the surgery. Preferably, the container top may be removed and placed between the surgeon and surgical technician to define a no-hands “neutral zone” to avoid being stuck by the sharps. Also, the container preferably includes compartments for storing used sharps and/or a local anesthetic-loaded syringe, and the top may be replaced and secured for safely disposing of the sharps after the surgery.
US08616209B2
A supplemental gas delivery device is described for a mask assembly having at least one supplemental gas port, the at least one supplemental gas port including an aperture in communication with an interior of the mask assembly. The mask assembly may include an aperture communicating with an interior of the mask assembly, and a cannula for communicating with the supplemental gas port. The cannula is positioned to deliver supplemental gas adjacent to the patient's nares and/or mouth, to increase an efficacy of treatment for the patient by more directly applying the flow of supplemental gas to the patient's nares. An optional bridging portion may be included to provide a connection between supplemental gas port and the cannula.
US08616208B2
A method for automatically controlling negative pressure supplied in oral cavity, for relieving sleep apnea and snoring is provided. The method includes: sensing a physiological signal from the user and outputting the sensed physiological signal; extracting a physiological status based on said sensed physiological signal; and automatically controlling said negative pressure provided to the user's oral cavity based on said physiological status.
US08616207B2
Described herein are various embodiments of an oxygen concentrator system. In some embodiments, an oxygen concentrator system includes one or more components that improve dissipation of heat formed during operation of the oxygen concentrator system.
US08616202B2
A breathing assistance system is provided for delivering a flow of gases to a user. The system includes a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port. The flow of gases passes through the humidifier and exits via an exit port. The system further having a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream. The system also has a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response. The control output is configured to adjust the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port.
US08616201B2
A medicinal inhalation device having applied to a surface thereof a composition comprising a multifunctional polyfluoropolyether silane.
US08616200B2
An oxygen delivery system is provided that employs a reservoir for holding oxygen or an oxygen and medicine mixture while the patient is not inhaling. The reservoir generally prevents waste and reduces cost and helps prevent the patient from re-inhaling the previously exhaled gases.
US08616194B2
A gas-fired air conditioning furnace comprises a monolithic intake manifold including an inlet at a first end and a plurality of outlets at a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the furnace comprises a burner assembly including a plurality of burners, each burner is configured to combust an air-fuel mixture at least partially within an interior space of the burner. Further, each burner extends into one of the outlets of the intake manifold.
US08616192B2
The invention relates to a gemstone (10) comprises a girdle (13), a crown (11) and a pavilion (12). The crown (11) comprises a table (14), eight star facets (15) surrounding the table (14), eight first half facets (16) aligned between the star facets (15), eight second half facets (17) aligned adjacent to the first half facets (16) and sixteen upper girdle facets (20) aligned between the second half facets (17). The pavilion (12) comprises sixteen pavilion main facets (23) and sixteen lower girdle facets (25) aligned between the pavilion main facets (23). The invention also relates to a method of cutting the gemstone.
US08616190B2
A cutter for cutting a workpiece while using a water includes a housing, an electric motor disposed in the housing, a rotation shaft, a base, and a splashboard. The rotation shaft is supported by the housing for rotatably supporting an end tool driven by the electric motor. The base supports the housing, and has a top surface and a bottom surface to be in contact with the workpiece. The end tool has a part protrudable from the bottom surface. The splashboard section is positioned on the top surface and behind the end tool in a cutting direction. The splashboard section protrudes in a direction away from the top surface and extends in a direction substantially parallel to an axial direction of the rotation shaft.
US08616188B2
An engine air management system is provided for an internal combustion engine generating blowby gas in a crankcase containing engine oil and oil aerosol. The system includes combinations of two or more of an air-oil separator, an air filter, and an acoustic silencer.
US08616186B2
Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, calculating an EGR mass flow from a difference between measurements of clean air mass flow and total mass flow, and correcting for a transient mass flow error.
US08616185B2
A supercharged internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a supercharger operatively connected to the crankshaft via a clutch supported by an intermediate shaft such that torque variations are partially absorbed by the clutch.
US08616182B2
A direct-injection internal combustion engine is fluidly coupled to a passive SCR system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream to an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. Transition from an HCCI combustion mode to an SI combustion mode includes determining a preferred air/fuel ratio to achieve a minimum fuel consumption and maintain combustion stability at an acceptable level for a predetermined engine operating point during the SI combustion mode. A fuel injection timing, an engine spark timing and an engine valve lift are substantially immediately controlled from respective HCCI combustion mode settings to respective SI combustion mode settings. A transition to the preferred air/fuel ratio is coordinated with a transition of an engine valve phase from a respective HCCI combustion mode setting to a respective SI combustion mode phase setting.
US08616169B2
The invention relates to a method of controlling the stopping and starting of a heat engine (2) of a vehicle. The invention is of the type in which (i) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine stop request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the stopping of the engine (2), in order for the engine (2) to be stopped or (ii) it is necessary for the vehicle to be in an engine start request phase, and not in pre-defined operating conditions that oppose the starting of the engine (2), in order for the engine to be started. The invention is characterized in that the vehicle operating conditions that oppose the stopping of the engine (2) comprise slow congested traffic conditions constituting specific identification criteria.
US08616167B2
Actuator device of a sliding cam system, having at least one sliding cam (2) and having an engagement pin (9) which protrudes out of a housing (6), wherein the housing (6) can be fastened to a component of a cylinder head or to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, and it is possible for contact to be made with the engagement pin (9) by at least one groove (3) of the sliding cam system, which groove (3) has at least one ejection ramp (4), and wherein, within the housing (6), the engagement pin (9) has a permanent holding magnet (11) and, adjoining it, is a controlling stationary coil core (9) which can be magnetized by an electric coil (7), and the engagement pin (9) is spring-loaded in the direction of the sliding cam (2), and wherein an actuating device is installed at least at that end region of the engagement pin (9) which faces the sliding cam (2), which actuating device is active in the region of the run-out of the ejection ramp (4) to the high circle (18) and generates an additional force on the engagement pin (9) in the direction of the housing (6).
US08616163B2
A lean combustion method is provided for a four-stroke reciprocating internal combustion engine having a cylinder, in which a combustion chamber is delimited by a cylinder head and a piston is movable in a reciprocating manner, the piston being able to vary the volume of the combustion chamber. A fuel can be introduced directly into the combustion chamber, and at least one gas exchange inlet valve and one gas exchange outlet valve are provided for a gas exchange. An intermediate compression can be set in the combustion chamber at a gas exchange top dead center and a main compression can be set at an ignition top dead center.
US08616162B2
A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of bounce chambers, a pair of scavenging chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of the bounce chambers is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder and includes substantially constrained air configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion.
US08616154B2
A device for and method of milking dairy animals, in particular cows includes teat cups that are connected by a robot arm to respective teats of the dairy animal. This makes it possible to start the milking of the teats of the dairy animal. A milk flow from the respective teat can be measured. The milking can be ended by a control unit in dependence on a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of a milking parameter representative of a milk flow from the respective teat and in dependence on a deactivation threshold. A second manner of calculating is used for calculating the comparison value of the last teat. The milking of the last teat can also depend on the moment of ending the milking of the one-but-last teat.
US08616153B2
Method and device for ensuring high yields during spraying of a settable slurry composition. The slurry is conveyed through a length of hose to a nozzle spray-orifice, and a set accelerator is introduced into the slurry at a distance “D” from the nozzle spray-orifice. The level of accelerator is monitored using a sensor located in the slurry path at a point after the set accelerator is injected. A preferred sensor comprises two pairs of conductivity sensors each having an annular body with a bore corresponding to the diameter of the hose or nozzle bore. Voltage of the slurry can be correlated to yields obtained when a salt-based accelerator fluid is injected into the slurry, such that levels of accelerator can be finely adjusted, and consistently high yields of spray coatings can be achieved.
US08616151B2
A paste formation pattern for odd numbers on which dot groups are arranged in an island form and a paste formation pattern for even numbers on which dot groups are arranged at opposing positions to the dot groups on the paste formation pattern for odd numbers in an island form are set. Further, a paste discharge head is controlled such that the set paste formation pattern for odd numbers is formed on an adhesion surface of an odd-numbered sheet of paper and the discharge head is controlled such that the set paste formation pattern for even numbers is formed on an adhesion surface of an even-numbered sheet of paper.
US08616146B2
An indicator assembly for an aircraft landing gear for providing indication of a hard landing. The indicator assembly including a actuator member movable when the pressure on a shock strut of the aircraft landing gear exceeds a desired load and stroke threshold indicative of a hard landing. A shear pin is coupled to the actuator member which is configured to shear when a desired level of force is applied to at least a portion of the shear pin. A visibly recognizable indictor is moved from a non-indicating position to an indicating position upon shearing of the shear pin.
US08616141B2
A method for designing and creating material made from fish skins, wherein said material is made from individual fish skins and can be stretched, mechanically or automatically manipulated, sewn, and ironed to ensure that all the unions and surfaces are perfectly uniform, flat, and free of ripples in order to produce a highly-tensile, uniform cloth of variable dimensions. A material includes a plurality of pieces of fish skin, wherein the pieces of fish skin are connected by sewing and/or adhesive. A method of manufacturing a material includes sewing or adhering pieces of fish skin to each other.
US08616140B1
In an air seeder assembly having a base mount member with a at least one base ear with a base bore, and a seed boot with at least one boot ear with a boot bore, a fastening assembly mounting the seed boot to the base mount member is disclosed. The fastening assembly comprises a fastener structure fastening the seed boot to the base mount member by extending through the base bore and the boot bore. The fastening assembly includes a fastener interface device inserted into at least one of the bores. The interface device comprises a substantially tubular insertion portion inserted into the at least one bore and a flange portion connected to the insertion portion, and extends radially outwardly from the insertion portion.
US08616136B2
A work station comprises a work platform that may be mounted on a movable carriage. The work platform may support a keyboard tray on a drawer where the drawer may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The tray is mounted for pivoting motion in a first direction and a second direction between a lowered position and a raised position. A gear is operatively connected to the tray such that rotation of the tray causes rotation of the gear. A pawl is biased into engagement with the gear to prevent movement of the tray in the second direction to lock the tray in an angular position when the tray is moved in the first direction. A latch disengages the pawl from the gear when the tray reaches the fully raised position to allow the tray to move in the second direction to the lowered position.
US08616134B2
Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.
US08616125B2
An embossing assembly for forming an embossment pattern on a tube blank having a first roll and a second roll. The first roll includes a first shaft having a first axis of rotation and an embossing element joined to the first shaft. The second roll is configured to engage a tube blank when the tube blank at partially surrounds the first roll. The second roll includes a second shaft and a hub joined to the second shaft. The hub includes an engagement region configured to apply pressure to a tube blank adjacent to the embossing element thereby causing part of the tube blank to at least partially conform to the shape of the embossing element. The engagement region includes a compliant material which is more compliant than the second shaft thereby allowing the engagement region to compensate for variations in a wall thickness of a tube blank.
US08616124B2
A pressure-relief valve is provided. The pressure-relief valve having a valve body with a passage that can be closed by a moving closure element. An electromagnet is mounted detachably on the valve body and interacts with an armature in driving connection with the closure element. A spring interacts with the closure element the bias tension of which can be changed by an adjustment element that can be moved manually relative to the valve body. The adjustment element and the valve body are constructed such that a manual change of the bias tension of the spring by means of the adjustment element is then possible only when the electromagnet is detached from the valve body. Also provided is a round baler employing such a pressure-relief valve.
US08616120B2
A grilling device with the rotatable lock catch, has a pin module and a rotary shaft joint with two semi-shafts. The upper half shaft of the rotary shaft has a post rod, the lower half shaft of the rotary shaft has a through hole for accommodating the passing in and out of the post rod. The upper end of a supporting shelf of the pin module is disposed with a U-shaped opening for adapting the rotary shaft, two short shafts are respectively disposed by the two sides of the U-shaped opening, two arc-shaped spacing flakes with opposite openings are respectively hinged joint with the corresponding short shafts. A movable ejector pin is disposed on the supporting shelf and along the midline of the U-shaped opening. A pressing board of the middle portion of the ejector pin upward presses the lower portions of the two spacing flakes.
US08616116B2
A multi-brewer apparatus includes a plurality of brew groups that are configured to be selectively operated either in a ganged mode, wherein plurality of brew groups cooperate to rapidly produce a larger quantity of brewed beverage at a single dispensing location, or in a independent mode wherein the plurality of brew groups operate independently and dispense brewed beverage spaced apart dispensing locations. The apparatus includes a programmable controller apparatus that controls the delivery of the hot water and brewable material, and the operation of the brew groups. In an embodiment, an inline sensor array monitors a quality of the brewed beverage and reports to the programmable controller to maintain a consistent quality brewed product.
US08616113B2
An encapsulated ballistic protection system (EBPS). In one embodiment, an EBPS for protecting a human or an object from a projectile includes one or more ballistic protection material layers at least substantially encapsulated by encapsulation material having a tensile strength of 20,000 psi or greater. Additionally, in one embodiment, an EBPS includes one or more ballistic protection material layers that are substantially encapsulated by the encapsulation material on a first side adapted to face the human or the object and on a second side opposite the first side and adapted to face the projectile, and the EBPS further includes a compressible layer between the one or more ballistic protection material layers and the encapsulation material on the first side, the compressible layer configured to at least one of dissipate energy, reduce velocity of the projectile, and reduce backface deformation.
US08616099B2
An apparatus for portioning meat includes a base unit, controlling means, first drive means mounted on the base unit, a casing mounted on the base unit, second drive means that cooperates with the first drive means to rotate the casing, and a pressing member dividing the casing into at least two chambers, an in-feed chamber and a pressing chamber. The pressing member is rotatably mounted between the base unit and a top plate, so as to be off-center with respect to the casing, substantially closer to the pressing chamber than the in-feed chamber, such that the pressing member has freedom to move in direction substantially perpendicular to the off-center direction. The apparatus also includes an ejecting device mounted on the base unit, a portioning plate receiving the meat ejected from the pressing chamber, a position adjustable bottom piece, and a cutting means, positioned between the pressing chamber and the portioning plate.
US08616085B2
A bicycle crank assembly is provided that basically provided with a crank arm that includes a first outer shell, a second outer shell, a first axle supporting member and a second axle supporting member. The first and second outer shells are adhesively attached together to form an interior cavity. The first axle supporting member is disposed at the first axle attachment end of the first outer shell. The first axle supporting member has a first bore with a first splined inner surface at least partially disposed in the interior cavity. The second axle supporting member is disposed at the second axle attachment end of the second outer shell. The second axle supporting member has a second bore with a second splined inner surface aligned with the first splined inner surface of the first bore and at least partially disposed in the interior cavity.
US08616084B2
A bicycle crank arm assembly is provided having at least one axle portion, a crank arm mounted on the at least one axle portion, the crank arm having a coupling seat and the axle portion a coupling portion coupled to the coupling seat, the coupling seat and the coupling portion being shaped so as to make a shape coupling to ensure that the crank arm can transmit a torque to the axle portion. Between the crank arm and the axle portion adhesive material is applied. The shape coupling ensures that the crank arm and the axle portion are integral in rotation, whereas the gluing ensures the sealing of the coupling area against corrosion phenomena. The gluing also ensures a predetermined minimum force limit necessary to disassemble the crank arm assembly. The crank arm assembly has a low overall weight, a simple assembly process, and a suitable resistance to disassembling.
US08616081B2
A shift lever device includes: a body case configured to pivotally support a shift lever swingably; a circuit board including a electric component disposed on a board of the circuit board; a board cover including a housing part housing the circuit board in the board cover and configured to be mounted to the body case with the circuit board being housed in the housing part; a board supporting part provided to the board cover and configured to support the circuit board in the housing part; and an electric component supporting part provided to any one of the body case and the board cover and configured to support the electric component disposed on the circuit board. The circuit board is configured to be supported to the body case via the board cover.
US08616076B2
Testing the reliability of flexible separators arranged under conditions enabling the cycling rate of testing to be accelerated. According to the invention, two separators are enclosed in two rigid chambers, each defining a liquid capacity and a gas capacity. The two gas capacities communicate with each other, and each of the liquid capacities communicates with means for causing the volume of each of them to vary in alternation.
US08616070B1
Methods of/for testing fire fighting vehicle foam delivery systems using an environmentally benign fluid. Systems and methods test the foam delivery systems' piping, valves, pump, proportioner, educator, and nozzles while minimizing the release of Aqueous Film Forming Foam to the environment. The testing system complies with the National Fire Protection Association.
US08616062B2
In an ultrasonic inspection method or ultrasonic inspection system in which an ultrasonic wave is propagated to an test object via a medium such as a liquid or a gas, an incident position of the ultrasonic wave is accurately and reliably identified. In an ultrasonic inspection method based on an immersion technique, an optical irradiator is mounted on an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving unit, an optical marker is irradiated from the optical irradiator to the test object, and an irradiated position of the optical marker is imaged using imaging equipment in order to perform inspection.
US08616058B2
A high-performance angular rate detecting device is provided. A driving part including a drive frame and a Coriolis frame is levitated by at least two fixing beams which share a fixed end and are extending in a direction orthogonal to a driving direction, thereby vibrating the driving part. Even when a substrate is deformed by mounting or heat fluctuation, internal stress generated to the fixed beam and a supporting beam is small, thereby maintaining a vibrating state such as resonance frequency and vibration amplitude constant. Therefore, a high-performance angular rate detecting device which is robust to changes in mounting environment can be obtained.
US08616056B2
A bulk acoustic wave gyroscope has a primary member in a member plane, and an electrode layer in an electrode plane spaced from the member plane. The electrode layer has a first portion that is electrically isolated from a second portion. The first portion, however, is mechanically coupled with the second portion and faces the primary member (e.g., to actuate or sense movement of the primary member). For support, the second portion of the electrode is directly coupled with structure in the member plane.
US08616055B2
In an inertial sensor having a resonator and an accelerometer, acceleration signals are induced by resonating at least one shuttle of the resonator in a device plane at a shuttle resonance mode frequency and modulating the motion of the at least one resonator shuttle to induce accelerometer signals from the accelerometer. The motion may be modulated in the device plane or out of the device plane. A shuttle resonance mode and an accelerometer resonance mode may me matched based on the induced accelerometer signals, for example, by providing a feedback signal to the inertial sensor in response to such induced accelerometer signals to substantially nullify the induced accelerometer signals.
US08616050B1
A bond surface testing apparatus includes a solution chamber; a plurality of solutions in the solution chamber, the solution chamber adapted to dispense the solutions onto a bonding surface; an information capture module carried by the solution chamber and adapted to capture information relating to bonding surface properties of the bonding surface; at least one analysis module interfacing with the information capture module and adapted to analyze the bonding surface properties of the bonding surface; and a structural wettability factor prediction module interfacing with the at least one analysis module and adapted to predict a structural wettability factor based on the bonding surface properties.
US08616045B2
A method for deriving the concentration of a gas dissolved in an electrical insulating oil (2) comprises the following steps:—preparing a membrane (5) permeable to the gas, interposed between a container (7) of the oil (2) and a measuring chamber (4) that receives a part of the gas through the membrane (5);—measuring the value of gas concentration in the measuring chamber (4);—deriving an estimated value of the concentration of the gas in the oil (2) as a function of the measured value,—the measuring step comprising taking at successive measuring instants a plurality of measurements of the values of gas concentration in the measuring chamber (4);—the deriving step comprising calculating the estimated value of gas concentration in the oil (2), at an instant selected from said measuring instants, according to a non-linear function of the values measured at the selected measuring instant and at one or more of the measuring instants preceding the one selected.
US08616039B2
A clinch-type fastener is formed by simultaneously creating an undercut during the same forging that creates the head and displacer of the fastener. A fastener blank is compressed end-to-end between top and bottom dies whereby the axial compression of a blank causes the outward bulging of the shank at its midline. Simultaneously, a tapered end point and a tangential interference band are formed provided by a curvilinear-shaped bulge in the shank. As the bulge is formed an undercut is created between the bulge and a shoulder which extends downwardly from a head of the fastener. This method of formation and the fastener produced thereby are particularly suited to the manufacture of small clinch pins having a diameter in the range of 1.0 mm.
US08616037B2
A re-turning plant for rollers of rolling mills of the type comprising at least one roller stand and a plurality of rollers mounted to respective arms pivoting in the plane of the roller stand about respective pins that are fixed to the roller stand. The rollers are positioned within the roller stand in a work position in which work surfaces of the rollers determine the outer profile of a body to be rolled. The re-turning plant comprises a support structure configured to support the whole roller stand in a turning position, a tool-holding device that can be displaced in contact with the work surfaces of each roller fixed in the roller stand and mandrel means with means that can be rotatably coupled to each roller of the plurality of rollers fixed to the roller stand to rotate the same substantially in the work position.
US08616035B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a lateral guiding device for a metal strip (1), the lateral guiding device comprising a guide (2, 4) disposed laterally to the metal band (1) on both sides thereof, it being possible for the two guides (2, 4) to be displaced independently of each other, and both guides (2, 4) being operated in a position-controlled manner, forces of the metal strip that act on a first guide (2) of the two guides (2, 4) and on a second guide (4) of the two guides (2, 4) being measured, and the target position for the first and/or the second guide (2, 4) being controlled as a function of the forces measured at the first and at the second guide (2, 4), such that the lesser value of the forces measured at the first guide (2) and at the second guide (4) is above a selectable lower limit force and below a selectable upper limit force.
US08616025B2
A method of manufacturing glass comprises a stirring step in which molten glass MG is stirred. The stirring step comprises a first stirring step and a second stirring step. In the first stirring step, the molten glass MG is stirred while being directed upward from below in a first stirred tank 100a. In the second stirring step, the molten glass MG stirred in the first stirring step is stirred while being directed downward from above in a second stirred tank 100b. The first stirred tank 100a has a first discharge pipe 110a capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the bottom of a first chamber 101a. The second stirred tank 100b has a second discharge pipe 110b capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the liquid level LL of the molten glass MG in a second chamber 101b.
US08616024B2
Methods for separating strengthened glass articles from glass substrate sheets and strengthened glass substrate sheets are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of separating a glass article from a glass substrate sheet includes forming at least one groove on at least one surface of the glass substrate sheet. The at least one groove continuously extends around a perimeter of the glass article and extends partially through a thickness of the glass substrate sheet. The method further includes strengthening the glass substrate sheet by a strengthening process and separating the glass article from the glass substrate sheet along the at least one groove such that one or more edges of the glass article are under compressive stress. In another embodiment, a strengthened glass substrate sheet includes an ion exchanged glass having one or more grooves in one or more strengthened surface layers, the one or more grooves defining glass articles.
US08616020B1
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a multi-configurable frosted bar rail system. The multi-configurable frosted bar rail system comprises a chilling and frost system having a compressor and refrigerant and a plurality of modular rail sections configured to be coupled together in series and to the chilling and frost system. Each rail section comprises a base pan configured to catch and drain defrosting ice and fluids; a top rail plate supported within the base pan; and a rail freezing and chilling mechanism coupled immediately under the top rail plate. The freezing and chilling mechanism is configured to create a continuous layer of frost on top of the top rail plate.
US08616017B2
A first cycle, in which a first medium is circulated, employs a compressor, a first heat exchanger structured with an air heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. A second cycle, in which a second medium is circulated and heat is exchanged with the first medium through the second heat exchanger, employs indoor units, each having a fan. A third cycle, in which the second medium is circulated and heat is exchanged with the first medium through the third heat exchanger, shares the indoor units with the second cycle. Flow path switching valves switch flow paths between the second cycle and third cycle. Before the first heat exchanger is defrosted, a halted indoor unit is filled with the second medium in the third cycle with its fan being halted. The third heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during a defrosting operation.
US08616010B2
An apparatus for cooling an enclosure provided. The enclosure has at least one opening for receiving cool air and discharging heated air. The apparatus includes a vortex tube with a first end for discharging warm air and a second end for discharging cool air. The apparatus further includes an inlet between the ends of the vortex tube for directing compressed air tangentially into the interior of the vortex tube. A first housing covers the first end of the vortex tube and creates a space through which warm air is channeled to the exterior. The vortex tube is connected by an attachment to the opening of the enclosure so that the vortex tube can discharge cool air into the interior of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes an air outlet conduit at an end of the attachment to facilitate discharge of heated air for the enclosure. Also, the apparatus includes at least one barrier that permits the outflow of warm air from the first housing and heated air from the air outlet conduit while blocking the inflow of moisture and other substances.
US08615990B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling regeneration events on multiple diesel particulate filters (DPFs) of an exhaust after-treatment system includes a regeneration event synchronization module and regeneration event termination module. The regeneration event synchronization module is configured to simultaneously initiate a regeneration event on a first DPF and a regeneration event on a second DPF in response to a regeneration event request being triggered for one of the first and second DPFs. The regeneration event termination module is configured to terminate the regeneration event on the first DPF and the regeneration event on the second DPF. Under normal operating conditions, the termination of the regeneration event on the first DPF is performed independently of the termination of the regeneration event on the second DPF.
US08615983B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine configured to operate lean of stoichiometry includes reducing temperature of a portion of an exhaust gas feedstream recirculated to an intake system of the engine, and reducing mass flowrate of particulate matter and hydrocarbons borne in the recirculated portion of the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the heat exchanger effective to reduce deposition of particulate matter and hydrocarbons onto and adhesion to surface areas of the heat exchanger.
US08615982B2
An integrated variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) and thrust reversing actuation system (TRAS) system includes movable surfaces for adjusting an exit area for bypass flow and cowls moved for directing discharge flow in a reverser manner. The movable surfaces of the VAFN and TRAS systems are both coupled for movement by a common actuator arrangement. A power drive unit drives each of the actuators on each of the actuators through a gearbox or other linkage such that one common motor or motor combination is utilized for driving all of the actuators. A series of redundant and separately actuateable locks control deployment of the surfaces of the thrust reverse system such that thrust reversing system can move to an open or deployed position only in response to each of the locks being actuated to an unlocked condition.
US08615975B2
The invention relates to safety improvements for mowers incorporating a chipper, and/or catcher. In one aspect the invention provides safety improvements that only allow operation of the chipper when the mower is below a predetermined threshold ride height. In another aspect, the mower includes one or more side skirts to prevent body parts from entering the cutting zone under the mower. In a still further aspect, the mower has a rear flap including a sub-flap. The mower is arranged so that the sub flap remains closed when a catcher is installed.
US08615964B1
An improved mounting structure for the posts of hand rail systems including a mounting arm member positioned within a sleeve monolithically formed within the inner chamber of the post. The sleeve includes a slit that allows for the outflow of water, thereby limiting corrosion and degrading of the post and mounting structure. A series of nubbed projections create grooves within the surface of the sleeve, to secure the mounting arm into the sleeve in a strong manner. A secure fit limits the amount of liquid trapped within the sleeve reducing corrosion. The mounting arm has smaller dimensions, reducing the chances that the arm comes into contact with support rods embedded within the concrete during installation. By avoiding contact with the support rods, concrete spalling is dramatically reduced, adding to the lifetime of the rail system.
US08615962B1
A retention feature for securing a trim component to a panel of an automotive vehicle includes an elongate clip extending from the trim component and a selectively releasable locking device disposed on the panel. The clip is configured to be inserted through an opening defined by the panel. The locking device includes: a restraining portion on a first side of the panel; an actuating portion on a second side of the panel; and a biasing feature configured to compliantly bias the restraining portion into the locked state. The restraining portion of the locking device obstructs the withdrawal of the elongate clip from the panel when in a locked state, and is configured to transition from the locked state to an unlocked state in response to the application of a force to the actuating portion.
US08615956B2
The invention relates to a panel structure, in which structure at least two layer sheets (1,6;12,13;22,23;31,32;41,44,45) are fixed to each other with at least one connection member (2,11,21,33,42,43,46) and the connection member (2,11,21,33,42,43,46) is generated from one of the at least two layer sheets (1,6;12,13;22,23;31,32;41,44,45). At least part of the connection member (2,11,21,33,42,43,46) is diverged from the layer sheets (1,6;12,13;22,23; 31,32;41,44,45) forming at least one opening (8,17,27,35) through the layer sheet (1,6;12,13;22,23;31,32;41,44,45) wherefrom the connection (2,11,21,33, 42,43,46) is generated.
US08615941B2
A PV module kit for non-penetrating rooftop installation, including a plurality of PV modules and a plurality of connectors. Each of the PV modules includes a PV laminate and a frame forming a mounting region assembled thereto. The connectors include a male connector having a male fastener extending from a head, and a female connector having a female fastener assembled within a head. The heads are entirely formed of plastic. The kit provides a mounted array state including a junction at which the mounting region of at least two of the PV modules are aligned and interconnected by engagement of the male connector with the female connector. The so-formed junction is substantially electrically insulated. The plurality of connectors can further include a spacer connector including a head forming a bore sized to slidably receive the male fastener, with all of the connector heads being identical.
US08615931B2
A low-profile barrier and method of installation is provided including a barrier door located in an opening defined by a frame having a pair of upwardly extending arms connected to a lower cross member. In an un-installed position, the lower cross member has a curvature biasing the upwardly extending arms outward. In an installed position, the curvature of the lower cross member is compressed to zero so that the lower cross member lays flat against a lower surface.
US08615926B1
A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the ground cover.
US08615924B2
An enhanced-stability, A-frame-shaped plant support for the support of plants such as tomato vines, or other fruits and vegetables growing in soil which, while supporting plants laden with heavy fruits or vegetables, is stable and greenhouse tent wind-sail resistant, in part because of a readily usable starting width gauge indicator on detent latch members operable to controlling the ultimate width between pivotable opposing halves of the plant support during installation to a desired depth in the soil. After use, when removed from the soil, the A-frame-shaped plant support collapses, pivoting about preferably hog-ring type interconnection rings between the opposing halves of the plant support for facilitating easy removal from the ground and folding flat for easy storage.
US08615920B2
A saltwater fishing assembly including a body resembling a forage fish. The body includes a quick connect device that is swivelable relative to a fishing line and is reelable to a fishing rod tip. A quick connection subassembly is connectable to the quick connect device of the body and includes a hook and is releasable with a hooked fish. Methods of using the fishing assembly are also provided.
US08615919B2
A rod and reel assembly for deep water fishing. The rod employs a structure that eliminates the need for line guides along the length of the structure by use of a swivel guide that maintains the line between two rod members. The swivel roller is placed at the distal end of the structure allowing fishing line deployed from a mounted reel to the swivel roller to pass unobstructed through the structure. Also disclosed is an electric reel that includes a cantilever spool having an enlarged interior allowing hand control of free spooling. A two stage drag system employs a first set of springs to allow hands free spooling with minimal drag and a second set of springs for proper setting for the fish hauling.
US08615915B2
A bullpup conversion kit for a firearm includes a housing, a forward trigger assembly, a trigger actuator and a linkage connecting the forward trigger assembly with the trigger actuator. The trigger actuator includes a first locator plate, a second locator plate and a cam actuator positioned between the locator plates. The cam actuator includes a primary trigger engagement surface.
US08615902B2
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.
US08615901B2
An article of footwear with a shock absorbing heel system is disclosed. The heel system includes a lower heel plate, a set of support members, and an upper heel plate. Also, the heel system includes a heel cover configured to hide the upper heel plate from view. The lower heel plate is associated with a cantilever portion that supports the upper heel plate laterally. As force is applied to the heel system, the support members may compress slightly and the cantilever portion may lower, absorbing energy and or shocks applied by the ground.
US08615899B2
Apparatus and method for the non-contact drying of a web of material. The apparatus includes air flotation nozzles for floating the web, and direct air impingement nozzles for enhanced drying of the web. The nozzle arrangement is particularly well-suited to float and dry light weight webs under moderate to high tension. Increased cushion pressure is created to support the web preferably with the same horsepower as conventional arrangements. The increased cushion pressure pad of the nozzle arrangement allows for good flotation with reduced velocities below about 11,500 FPM. Machine direction wrinkles are removed and the result is positive flotation with no marking on the web or ink build up on the air bars. The nozzle arrangement includes pairs of flotation nozzles directly opposing pairs of direct impingement nozzles. A perforated member can be positioned between flotation nozzles within a pair of flotation nozzles to control return air.
US08615894B1
A marking device for marking the location for a support for a mountable object, such as a picture frame, has a body with a compressible or collapsible configuration and adhesive for removably attaching a back face to a backside of the mountable object. A marker is coupled to the body and disposed below a front face in an uncompressed configuration and projects at least to the front face to mark the surface in the compressed configuration. The marker is disposed adjacent a perimeter edge of the body to facilitate alignment. A sighting notch can be formed in the body with the marker at the apex of the notch to facilitate alignment.
US08615888B2
A knife has a handle with an enlarged proximate end grip portion having ribbed and unribbed surfaces. The handle has oppositely disposed thumb receiving concave unribbed surfaces at the distal end for alternate pinch-grip functions. The knife blade has a cutting edge that extends proximately below and adjacent the enlarged grip portion, and is proximately disposed with respect to the thumb receiving pinch-grip concave surfaces. The knife provides diverse impaired grip cutting functions with comfort and with fatigue.
US08615887B2
Line-type grass cutting head which can be alternatively used on machines with left or right rotation
A head including a housing (3A, 3B) for a winding spool (7) for winding the cutting line (F), provided with projections (15, 19) cooperating with teeth (17, 21) integral with the housing. The teeth and the projections are arranged in such a way so as to allow a stepped rotation of the spool with respect to the housing, when the spool is translated alternatively in opposite directions parallel to the axis of the head. The head includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth (21A, 21) which can be used alternatively and which are suitable each to allow the rotation of the spool (7) in one direction and to prevent the rotation in the opposite direction with respect to the housing.
US08615886B1
A shaving implement includes a blade assembly configured for a wet shaving process wherein a user of the shaving implement grips a handle and draws the blade assembly across a surface of skin to be shaved. The shaving implement also includes an energy-imparting device, circuitry, and an activation device. The energy-imparting device is configured to impart energy to enhance the wet shaving process. The activation device is configured to impart a signal to the circuitry in response to handling of the shaving implement during the wet shaving process. In response to receiving the signal, the circuitry either extends or initiates an application of signals to the energy-imparting device that enable the energy-imparting device to impart energy that enhances the wet shaving process.
US08615870B1
An installation tool to install a cruise control stop switch onto a brake pedal of an automotive vehicle includes a cylindrical shaped main body, a cylindrical shaped top portion attached to an open end of the main body, a power supply enclosed within the main body and the top portion, multiple indicators attached to an outer surface of the main body, and a removable coupler located in a recess in the top portion. The coupler, which is electrically connected to the power source and the multiple indicators, is configured to receive the cruise control stop switch.
US08615869B2
A system of assembling storage devices in the form of electrical energy modules includes two pairs of positive and negative terminals for each module, in which each of the pairs of positive and negative terminals is distributed over at least one of the external faces of each module, thus forming a terminal strip of the module. At least one interconnection block can be inserted onto part of each of the terminal strips of two separate modules and itself includes at least two pairs of anchoring points so as to form an assembly block, either by stacking the storage modules or by juxtaposing the same. At least two anchoring points of each interconnection block are in electrical contact, while stiffening the assembly, in a manner complementary to the other anchoring points.
US08615865B2
Methods, gaskets, and couplings for connecting two pipes are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of placing the assembled coupling over one end of a pipe, aligning the second pipe with the first pipe, sliding the coupling off the end of the first pipe so that a portion of the coupling is around each pipe, and securing the coupling.
US08615860B2
The invention provides a system configured to adjust a jaw gripping force of a pulling head. A locking nut is threadedly attached to the pulling head and defines an aperture which extends therethrough. A frame adaptor is at least partially positioned within the aperture of the locking nut. The frame adaptor further receives a portion of the pulling head and a piston of a power tool within an aperture thereof, with the portion and the piston engaging one another within the aperture of the frame adaptor. The portion of the pulling head is operatively associated with a jaw of the pulling head. An adjustment nut is threadedly attached to the frame adaptor. Rotation of the adjustment nut, with the locking nut in an unlocked position, causes the jaw gripping force of the pulling head to either be strengthened or weakened, depending on the direction of rotation.
US08615854B2
A fixturing apparatus (100), including a first fixturing surface (230), and a plurality of locking teeth (210) attached to and extending outwardly from that fixturing surface, wherein each locking tooth includes a parallelepiped comprising a rectangular base (310), a first rectangular side (320) attached to a first end of that rectangular base and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second rectangular side (330) attached to an opposing end of the rectangular base and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein a first rectangular side distal end (324) is attached to a second rectangular side distal end 336.
US08615852B2
A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and an umbrella positioned on the base. A boss is attached to the umbrella and extends outwardly from the umbrella and away from the base. The magnetic fastener has a hole with a diameter to receive the boss. The boss is welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella. An optional carrier is attached to the base to provide additional height for suitable applications. The umbrella is positioned on the base or is attached to the carrier and positioned opposite the base. The boss is attached to the magnetic fastener such that the umbrella flexes to permit the magnetic fastener to pivot about the boss. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. roof.
US08615849B2
A cord management system includes a case and a strap. The strap has a first attachment point at a first location on the strap and a second attachment point a second location on the strap. The strap also includes at least two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the first attachment point is attached to the second attachment point so that a first segment of the strap located between the first attachment point and the second attachment point forms a loop configured to secure a cord that is wrapped around the case. In a second mode of operation, the first attachment point is detached from the second attachment point so that the first segment no longer forms the loop. In some embodiments, the strap is permanently attached to the case, while in other embodiments the strap is semi-permanently attached to the case.
US08615839B1
A roller guide assembly is attached to a paint roller frame to maintain a consistent space between a surface adjacent to the surface being painted and a roller cover carried by the roller frame. The roller guide assembly includes a guide arm attached to a vertical portion of the roller frame and a mounting clamp that that fits on the roller frame. The mounting clamp uses an adjustable locking screw and tightening knob to secure the mounting clamp to the roller frame. The mounting clamp has a cavity configured to receive the guide arm such that the guide arm extends past the roller cover. The roller guide assembly has a storage clip mounted on the roller frame for temporarily storing the guide arm while the roller cover is being reloaded with paint.
US08615833B2
A washing machine provided with recirculation with controlled flow. It further presents a method to control the level of the washing liquid, associated to the said machine, providing economy of resources such as water and cleaning products, guaranteeing an effective washing of clothes and similar articles, still associated with a decreases foam formation and lower nose emissions during the process, thus improving the operation of the equipment. The washing machine is provided with a washing tub (2), a basket (3), a two-way pump (7), level sensor (5), pool (6), recirculation hose (9), drainage hose (8) and control circuit.
US08615830B2
A pillow system comprises a pillow having a pocket extending inside the pillow that contains one or more articles having a theme which corresponds to the theme of the outer surface of the pillow. The pillow has a top panel and a bottom panel joined at the periphery to define a peripheral edge and cushioning material disposed inside. The outer surface, having a cover theme, substantially covers one or both of the panels. The pocket extends into and is substantially enclosed by the cushioning material. Access to the pocket is through a pocket inlet along a portion of the peripheral edge. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper, at the inlet substantially closes the pocket to enclose the articles inside. The articles have an article theme that corresponds to the cover theme. If desired, the pillow can also have a theme shape that corresponds to the cover and article themes.
US08615827B2
A person-support apparatus comprises a lower frame, a support, and an upper frame. The support is coupled to the lower frame. The upper frame is supported on the support above the lower frame. The upper frame includes a head support section and a foot support section including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to support at least a portion of the lower extremities of a person supported on the person-support apparatus. No components of the first portion and the second portion are removed from the first portion and the second portion when the first portion and the second portion are moved from a first position to a second position. The person-support apparatus can be configured to support any one of the posterior pelvic region and the feet, calf region, upper torso, or feet of a person on the foot section.
US08615826B2
An encasement for a bedding item includes a cover comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall attaching the top portion to the bottom portion, an opening in the encasement is sized to permit an item to be removably placed therein. A zipper disposed in the opening is configured to reversibly seal the encasement. The zipper includes an open end, a closed end, a zipper pull, and opposing complementary zipper tracks, and a zipper end stop disposed at the closed end of the zipper. The zipper end stop includes an interior support panel, a first securement member affixed to the interior support panel, and a second securement member associated with the opposing complementary zipper tracks. Closing the zipper forms a beg bug impervious seal. The encasement may further include a removable cover.
US08615818B2
A cover for an eyewear strap is provided. The cover may include a first member, a second member associated with the first member and movable toward and away from the first member, and a fastener connected to the first member and the second member for removably connecting the first member to the second member. The cover may be adapted to receive an eyewear strap between the first and second members when the first and second members are disconnected, and the cover may be securable to the eyewear strap when the first and second members are connected together.
US08615817B2
The present invention provides protective headgear comprising a shell (26) having an inwardly facing surface which in use faces the head (10) of a user of the headgear and an outwardly facing surface which in use faces away from the head (10) of a user. An outer layer (28) overlies at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the shell (26) and rupturing means (30) is provided for fixedly attaching the outer layer (28) to the remainder of the headgear at one or more locations. The rupturing means (30) is configured so as to fail when a force greater than a selected threshold is received on an outer surface (28) of the headgear which acts in an at least part tangential direction to rotate the headgear and the head (10) of the user. Upon failure of the rupturing means (30) at the one or more locations, the received force causes at least part of the outer layer (28) receiving the force to move relative to the shell (26) in a manner which is similar to the protective movement of the human scalp (18) relative to the skull (16). The present invention also relates to protective armor (100) and to a method of modifying protective headgear and protective armor.
US08621660B2
Provided is a method of evaluating a probe tip shape in a scanning probe microscope, including: measuring the probe tip shape by a probe shape test sample having a needle-like structure; determining radii of cross-sections at a plurality of distances from the apex; and calculating, based on the distances and the radii, a radius of curvature when the probe tip shape is approximated by a circle.
US08621637B2
Systems, methods, and program product to perform a cyber security risk assessment on a plurality of process control networks and systems comprising a plurality of primary network assets at an industrial process facility, are provided. An example of a system and program product can include an industrial and process control systems scanning module configured to identify networks and systems topology and to execute system and network security, vulnerability, virus, link congestion, node congestion analysis to thereby detect susceptibility to know threats to define potential vulnerabilities; a threats to vulnerabilities likelihood and consequences data repository module configured to determine a likelihood of each of a plurality of known threats exploiting identified vulnerabilities and to identify consequences of the exploitation to individual impacted systems and to overall plant operation; and a risk level evaluator module configured to determine a risk level rating for any identified vulnerabilities and provide recommended corrective actions.
US08621636B2
A system for collecting and reporting sensor data in a communication network includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory and an electronic storage device. The microprocessor receives sensor data from sensors, and stores the sensor data for each sensor in the electronic storage device. The microprocessor also receives, via the communication network, a data reporting instruction defining a data reporting technique corresponding to the sensor data associated with one or more of the sensors. The data reporting instruction is stored in the electronic storage device, and the microprocessor transmits, to a trust mediator over the communication network, at least a portion of the sensor data based on the data reporting instruction. The trust mediator maintains an acceptable level of security for data throughout the communication network by adjusting security safeguards based on the sensor data.
US08621633B2
A mobile terminal and a method of controlling operation of the mobile terminal may be provided that include outputting a sensing signal corresponding to a detected attempt to make a call, connecting the call when user input indicates that it is allowed to connect the call, and if the user input indicates that it is not allowed to connect the call, shutting down the detected attempt. Accordingly, suspicious operation that may have been caused by a virus may be shut down to prevent damage to a mobile terminal caused by a virus.
US08621632B1
A computer-implemented method for locating malware may include identifying a malicious behavior in a computing system. The computer-implemented method may also include determining that the malicious behavior arises from a set of interrelated executable objects. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying an executable object recently added to the set of interrelated executable objects. The computer-implemented method may additionally include attributing the malicious behavior to the recently added executable object based on when the recently added executable object was added to the set of interrelated executable objects. The computer-implemented method may also include performing a security action on the recently added executable object. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08621626B2
Various embodiments include a method of detecting shell code in an arbitrary file comprising determining where one or more candidate areas exist within an arbitrary file, searching at least one nearby area surrounding each of the one or more candidate areas within the arbitrary file for an instruction candidate, and calculating for any such instruction candidate a statistical probability based on a disassembly of instructions starting at a found offset for the instruction candidate that the disassembled instructions are shellcode.
US08621625B1
A computer-implemented method for detecting infected files may include identifying a set of known-clean files. The method may also include identifying a set of characteristics of an unchecked file. The method may further include determine that the unchecked file is related to a clean file in the set of known-clean files. The determination may be based on the set of characteristics of the unchecked file. The method may additionally include determining whether the unchecked file is functionally equivalent to the clean file. This determination may be based on the set of characteristics of the unchecked file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08621623B1
False or spam business listings may be identified by searching reviews associated therewith. The associated business reviews may be searched for one or more keywords that suggest the business listing is spam. Moreover, business listings may be categorized based on a type of business in the listing, and the associated reviews for business listings in each category may be searched for characteristics particular to that category. Further business reviews may be searched for hits matching portions of business reviews associated with known spam business listings. Once a business listing is identified as potential spam using these techniques, the listing may be flagged for further review.
US08621622B2
A method for conditioning multimedia containers to be compatible with decoding facilities of receivers of diverse types is disclosed. Content of a multimedia container may include components of different encoding formats. Container conditioning also detects and, where feasible, removes undesirable insertions within each content component of a multimedia container. A content component of a container may be filtered, re-encoded, or deleted. Notifications indicating conditions of a container and any modifications performed are appended to the container. A notification may be presented in at least one form compatible with characteristics of a respective receiver. An editing engine implementing the method is associated with a network entity to which multimedia containers are directed. The editing engine accesses a receiver database storing information on several types of receivers and a repository of notification templates encoded in several forms.
US08621620B2
In one embodiment, a system for securing a storage device includes an electronic device comprising a processor, a storage device communicatively coupled to the processor, and a security agent. The security agent is configured to execute at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device, intercept a request to access the storage device, identify a requesting entity responsible for initiating the request, and utilize one or more security rules to determine if the request from the requesting entity is authorized. In some embodiments, the security agent is configured to determine whether the request involves a protected area of the storage device. If the request involves a protected area of the storage device, the security agent may be configured to allow the request if the requesting entity is authorized to access the protected area of the storage device.
US08621613B1
Disclosed are various systems, methods, and other embodiments directed to detection of malware in content items. To detect the malware, for example, an environment is simulated in a computing device configured to render a network page having a container for content placement. The existence of malware in a content item is detected in the computing device by implementing a rendering of the network page in the environment with the content item inserted in the container to detect an unauthorized action by the content item.
US08621612B2
A control system and protection method for integrated information security services are provided, which include protecting data packets of a user end device by a protecting device; generating an event log according to the protection result and transmitting the recorded event log to a collective control platform for standardizing and analyzing association by the collective control platform; detecting and transmitting abnormal information by the collective control platform to a service platform for integrating the information with network status information; displaying the integrated information on a webpage interface and transmitting the same to the user end device, thereby providing direct information on network security to save the high costs of purchasing, configuring and maintaining an information security protection system by the user.
US08621606B1
A computer-implemented method for identifying external functions called by an untrusted application may comprise loading an untrusted application into an emulated computing environment, executing a first computer-readable instruction of the untrusted application within the emulated computing environment, intercepting a request to access an external-function-specific region of memory, and identifying, by analyzing the request, an external function to be called by the first computer-readable instruction. The method may also comprise identifying an address associated with the external function and/or identifying a name associated with the external function. The name associated with the external function may be used to recreate an import table for the untrusted application. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08621602B2
An authentication system includes a plurality of electronic tags (120, 122, 124) that are each associated with a respective unique identity ID. The tags include a memory (220) with a first memory location (222) for storing a pre-computed challenge and a second memory location (224) for storing a pre-computed response that is associated with the challenge. The first memory location (222) is non-readable from outside the tag. An access circuit (210) only provides the response after having received a challenge that matches the challenge stored in the first memory location. A reader station (110) obtains the identity associated with a tag. It then determines a corresponding challenge and sends the challenge to the tag. It receives a response from the tag and verifies the authenticity of the tag by comparing the received response to a response that corresponds to the challenge.
US08621580B2
A method begins by a processing module obtaining a set of recovered random numbers, decoding encrypted share slices to produce a set of encrypted shares, and obtaining a set of personalized authenticating values regarding user access to data. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of hidden passwords based on the set of personalized authenticating values, generating a set of blinded passwords based on the set of hidden passwords and a set of blinded random numbers, and generating a set of passkeys based on the set of blinded passwords and the set of recovered random numbers. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of decryption keys based on the set of blinded random numbers and the set of passkeys, decrypting the set of encrypted shares to produce a set of shares, and decoding the set of shares to reproduce the data.
US08621577B2
A method and apparatus for performing a multiple Pre-Shared Key (PSK) based authentication in a single procedure is described, where the multiple PSK based authentication generates a combined credential in a terminal by using a plurality of credentials including a user identifier and the PSK, and authenticates the terminal in an authentication server by using the combined credential.
US08621572B2
The present disclosure relates to a method, an apparatus and a system for updating an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting AAA session. The method includes: receiving an AAA session request sent by a second network access server, where the AAA session request includes a second session identifier and an ERP message; and updating a session according to the second session identifier and a stored first session identifier after successful user authentication that is performed according to the ERP message, where the first session identifier and the second session identifier correspond to the same user. As the session is updated according to the second session identifier and the stored first session identifier, synchronization of session information is ensured, thereby resolving an abnormal session problem that occurs when a home AAA server initiates a session or the network access server uses a session after re-authentication.
US08621569B1
Data storage and management systems can be interconnected as clustered systems to distribute data and operational loading. Further, independent clustered storage systems can be associated to form peered clusters. As provided herein, methods and systems for creating and managing intercluster relationships between independent clustered storage systems, allowing the respective independent clustered storage systems to exchange data and distribute management operations between each other while mitigating administrator involvement. Cluster introduction information is provided on a network interface of one or more nodes in a cluster, and intercluster relationships are created between peer clusters. A relationship can be created by initiating contact with a peer using a logical interface, and respective peers retrieving the introduction information provided on the network interface. Respective peers have a role/profile associated with the provided introduction information, which is mapped to the peers, allowing pre-defined access to respective peers.
US08621561B2
Embodiments for providing differentiated access based on authentication input attributes are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method includes receiving an authentication input at an authentication authority using an authentication protocol. The authentication input being associated with a client. The method also includes providing one or more representations for the authentication input, wherein each of the representations represents an attribute of the authentication input.
US08621555B2
An access control method and system for packet data network, Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) entity, the method includes: a policy and charging rules function entity receiving an indication of gateway control session establishment from a bearer binding and event report function entity, wherein the indication of gateway control session establishment carries a session identifier, and the session identifier is used to identify whether a user equipment accesses the same packet data network again or the bearer binding and event report function entity relocation occurs; the policy and charging rules function entity receiving the indication of gateway control session establishment, acquiring the session identifier, and judging whether the user equipment accesses the same packet data network again or the bearer binding and event report function entity relocation occurs according to the session identifier.
US08621552B1
A method for evaluating a deployment of a network access change request, the method includes: (a) formatting a network access change request to provide a formatted network access change request; wherein the formatted network access change request includes multiple formatted request items; wherein the multiple formatted request items includes a requested access type, an address of an access source, an address of an access destination; (b) determining multiple relationships between the multiple formatted request items and corresponding items of at least one entity out of a network model and a current network policy; and (c) responding to the network access change request in response to the multiple determined relationships.
US08621546B2
A method for displaying two different content items on a main display device and a remote device includes displaying content in a first display mode, generating a content switch event to switch from the first display mode to a second display mode, and displaying content in the second display mode. In the first display mode, a first content item is displayed on the main display device. In the second display mode, a second content item is displayed on the main display device, and the first content item is displayed on the remote device.
US08621544B2
Methods, systems and computer-readable storage media are disclosed to mitigate video artifacts in video content transmission. A method to mitigate video artifacts in a video content transmission includes analyzing one or more video quality metrics received from each of a first plurality of video content receivers to determine a representative set of one or more video quality metrics. At least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set is associated with artifacts of a first portion of the video content transmission. The method further includes setting one or more encoder parameters based on the at least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set, encoding a second portion of the video content transmission using the one or more encoder parameters, and transmitting the encoded second portion to a second plurality of video content receivers.
US08621542B2
A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.
US08621531B2
Various embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions for providing real-time content in an on-demand environment. In a novel aspect of some embodiments, a real-time on demand server may be configured to integrate real-time content with on-demand content. This can allow a subscriber to enjoy the benefits of on-demand programming without having to forego access to real-time news, sports, weather information and/or the like.
US08621529B2
A method and apparatus of receiving over-the-air television content is disclosed and includes receiving input at a media processor. The media processor is coupled to a presentation device and includes processing logic and memory storing instructions executable by the processing logic to perform operations including sending a control command to the presentation device via a second interface having a data connection where the control command instructs the presentation device to tune an over-the-air tuner at the presentation device to a requested channel and receiving the over-the-air television content from the over-the-air tuner in the presentation device via the data connection. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08621522B2
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08621520B2
Methods and systems enable application content for use by an application running on a receiver device to be broadcast by a mobile multimedia broadcast network for energy-efficient reception and use by receiver devices. Information about application content that will be broadcast is broadcast in application metadata messages. Receiver devices may receive such application metadata messages in a broadcast receiver client which passes the information to the application. The application may inform the broadcast receiver client of particular application content or filtering attributes to use in selecting application content to be received. The broadcast receiver client receives the indicated application content at the designated broadcast time and passes the received content to the application for processing. In an embodiment the application is a Mobile Billboard Advertising (MobAd) application, the application metadata includes attributes about ad content and the broadcast application content includes ad content.
US08621519B2
A system and method for use in a cable network to acquire electronic programming guide (EPG) content signals from one or more EPG vendors. The system includes a set-top box (STB) for receiving cable signals and EPG signals from a headend controller so that the STB can output the signals to a media output device for display. A conversion table is provided to each STB for use by the STB in determining source IDs associated with a given channel for each EPG vendor, the source IDs for use in acquiring the EPG content signals.
US08621505B2
Methods and systems for closed caption processing are described. In an embodiment, a source signal may be accessed. The source signal may include a video signal and closed caption information embedded within the video signal. The closed caption information may be extracted from the source signal. A content request may be received over a network from an access device. A caption setting associated with the access device may be accessed. The video signal may be provided in a video stream over the network to the access device. The closed caption information may be provided over the network in a caption stream in accordance with accessing of the caption setting. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.
US08621501B2
Methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to commercials by incentivizing viewers to watch. Viewers are notified that they can receive rewards for answering one or more questions during or at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.
US08621500B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. A user's bandwidth consumption is monitored and compared to a threshold value. When the user's bandwidth consumption equals or exceeds the threshold value, then behavior is incentivized that reduces the user's bandwidth consumption.
US08621497B2
An optical disc drive including a housing, a tray that is installed in the housing and that is configured to receive an optical disc, which has a spoke region on a surface thereof, an optical pickup unit which is attached to the tray, a main circuit board which is installed on the tray and is operatively connected to the optical pickup unit, and a spoke sensor which is arranged on the main circuit board and corresponds to the spoke region of the optical disk.
US08621484B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for executing a first reduction operation on data in an input buffer, executing a second reduction operation on the data, where the second reduction operation has a higher reliability than the first reduction operation, and comparing the first and second results. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08621483B2
An apparatus for providing one or more applications to an IVI client device(s) may include a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including providing an application(s) and associated data to a device in response to receipt of an indication of a selection associated with the application(s). The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable the application(s) to access requested data via a plurality of application programming interfaces during execution of the application. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to provide the requested data to the application in response to receipt of a message(s) generated by a first application programming interface of the interfaces that received a request for the requested data from a second application programming interface of the interfaces. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.
US08621480B2
A method and apparatus for balancing processing loads to avoid starvation of threads is described. A method of load balancing evaluates the load and state of multiple processors. If at least one processor is in a source state and at least one processor is in a sink state, the processing load is balanced to avoid starvation. A thread is transferred from the heaviest loaded, source state processor to the least loaded, sink state processor. Each processor load and state is then reevaluated and, if needed, the load balancing with starvation avoidance repeated.
US08621474B2
A computer system having a process running unit which runs processes of a plurality of programs; a user input unit through which a command of a user to select one of a plurality of performance modes is inputted; and a controller which controls the process running unit to run a process of a program of the programs, which are currently being executed, according to a priority order corresponding to the performance mode selected by the command of the user if the command of the user is inputted.
US08621473B2
A method for scheduling schedulable entities onto an execution timeline for a processing entity in a constrained environment includes determining available capacity on the execution timeline for the processing entity based on constraints on the execution timeline over a plurality of time periods, wherein schedulable entities can only be scheduled onto the execution timeline during schedulable windows of time that are not precluded by constraints. The method further includes determining whether enough available capacity exists to schedule a schedulable entity with a budget at a rate. The method further includes when enough available capacity exists to schedule the schedulable entity with the budget at the rate, scheduling the schedulable entity onto the execution timeline for the processing entity during a schedulable window of time. The method further includes when the schedulable entity is scheduled onto the execution timeline, updating available capacity to reflect the capacity utilized by the schedulable entity.
US08621471B2
Technologies for a high-accuracy timer in a tasked-based, multi-processor computing system without using dedicated hardware timer resources.
US08621468B2
An apparatus and method provide for profile optimizations at a binary level. Thread specific data may be used to lay out a procedure in a binary. In one example, a hot thread may be identified and a layout may be generated based on the identified hot thread. Also, threads of an application may be ranked according to frequency of execution of the corresponding threads. The layout may be created based on the different threads of differing frequency of execution and conflicts between a hottest thread and each of the other threads of the application. In another example, different threads of the application may conflict. For example, two threads may contain operations that overlap temporally to create a race condition. A layout of the application threads may be created based on conflicting threads.
US08621467B2
In the event that job data to be transmitted from a first information processing device is first-type job data, but a second information processing device is not ready to immediately perform processing of the job data, the first information processing device can be inhibited from transmission of the job data. In the event that job data to be transmitted from the first information processing device is the first-type job data and the second information processing device is ready to immediately perform processing of the job data immediately, the first information processing device is permitted to transmit the job data. Thus, various types of problems or user demands that can occur in a situation in which a user accidentally or inadvertently transmits critical data such as secret documents or private documents or the like to a device which cannot process the job data immediately are handled as much as possible.
US08621463B2
A method of dynamically reconfiguring a distributed computing architecture having a plurality of processing nodes, where each processing node hosts a respective plurality of virtual machines, includes detecting a fault condition on a first processing node, assessing the criticality of a software function performed by each of the respective virtual machines on the first processing node, and reassigning at least one of the plurality of virtual machines on the first processing node to a second processing node if the at least one virtual machine is deemed critical.
US08621457B2
An example method of installing an application onto an apparatus involves displaying an application menu screen comprising a fixed number of menu item display locations, at least one of the menu item display locations displaying a first menu item for an non-installed application. An announcement screen is displayed in response to selection of the first menu item for the non-installed application, the announcement screen comprising a selection item configured to initiate a downloading operation for the non-installed application. The downloading operation is initiated in response to selection of the selection item. The application can be installed/non-installed separately from other applications.
US08621454B2
A virtual installation map, and method involving installing a software functionality using the same, the virtual installation map including a first software installation map including a plurality of software elements representative of a related software file, the software elements also including at least one dependency to another software element. The virtual installation map further including a second software installation map also including a second plurality of software elements representative of related software file along with related dependencies. The first and second software installation maps may be hosted in separate databases and may relate to software products provided by different vendors. One or both software installation maps may include a pointer or other reference to the other installation map thereby providing a virtual installation map, in one example.
US08621438B2
An introspection tool monitors the execution of software. The operating system is being executed using an executable of a software source code file. The software source code file is associated with one or more additional source files. The introspection tool detects a trigger in a user script pertaining to monitoring of the execution of the software. The introspection tool identifies an additional source file that corresponds to the trigger in the user script and causes the additional source file to be compiled. The compiling of the additional source file generates debug information that pertains to the trigger and the introspection tool analyzes the debug information to respond to the trigger in the user script.
US08621435B2
A design time debugging tool provides debugging information available from the compiler during design time, as if a user were debugging code that provided the debugging information, by exposing information available from the compiler without initiation of a debugging session and without executing the program being debugged.
US08621430B2
A method of code transformation supporting temporal abstraction of parameters is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: extracting a set of statements from an original code and further creating a residual code being the original code without the statements, wherein two or more of the extracted statements are not on a same loop in the original code; adding conditions from the original code to the extracted set of statements, such that the added conditions are sufficient to render the set of statements executable; adding statements from the original code to the residual code, such that the added statements are sufficient to render the residual code executable; and adding code portions and variables to the set of statements and the residual code, such that a passing of values between the enhanced set of statements and the residual code maintains a respective passing of values in the original code.
US08621428B2
Methods, systems, frameworks, and software products are disclosed for building well-defined software modules through the optionally nested, aggregation of other similar modules at any depth. The invention provides visual methods of aggregation and nesting of software interfaces within composite software services with an automated runtime platform. Other aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, innovative methods for routing the flow of invocation, inter-service communication, and exception handling. Industry standards are leveraged to integrate the methods discussed in this invention to any computer system, programming language or software platform. The semantic-based and visual nature of the inventions discussed can significantly reduce the complexity of building, maintaining and deploying computer systems and software products.
US08621427B2
Code compatibility provisions are provided. These may include identifying coding that is incompatible with a rule-based environment, searching replacement code solutions for compatible code and identifying a replacement code solution, manipulating the identified incompatible code using the identified replacement code solution, and, after manipulating the incompatible code with the replacement code solution, loading the services across a rule-based environment.
US08621426B2
Systems and methods of conducting interoperability assessments provide for generating a feature interoperability matrix based on feature data and interoperability data, wherein the feature data defines a plurality of features of a product and the interoperability data indicates levels of interoperability of the plurality of features. A validation set can be generated based on the feature interoperability matrix, wherein the validation set includes a plurality of feature combinations. A subfeature interoperability matrix can be used to convert the validation set into a test plan for the product, wherein the test plan minimizes test configurations for the product.
US08621425B1
In an embodiment, code may be acquired that calls a first function defined to return a plurality of output arguments. The code may designate, with a designator, one or more output arguments, in the plurality of output argument, that are not present. Processing logic may generate a second function based at least on the designated one or more output arguments being designated as not present.
US08621423B2
A customized software application can be built for a specific type of Wireless Computing Device by (a) automatically determining attributes of that type of Wireless Computing Device; (b) automatically determining which Software Components from a library of Software Components are compatible with that type of Wireless Computing Device based on values of the attributes determined in (a); and (c) automatically combining the compatible Software Components together to generate a customized build of the application, compatible for that type of Wireless Computing Device. The attributes can be metadata. This approach enables rich Network Applications to be automatically built for Wireless Computing Devices of a wide variety of types.
US08621422B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide tools and methods for the development and specification of a responsive graphical design. A graphical user interface allows a user to specify a design. The graphical user interface has a area for displaying a rendering of the design according to a first dimension specification. The system also has a dimension specification interface that allows the user to set a second dimension specification. The system also has a widget interface that allows the user to (i) add a widget to said design, (ii) specify a first state for the widget when the design is rendered according to the first dimension specification, and (iii) specify a second state for the widget when the design is rendered according to the second dimension specification.
US08621420B2
A system, method and program product for creating a UML model of a user interface environment, such as a website. A UML design system is disclosed that includes: a system for defining use cases within the UML model; a system for associating an affinity representing a user-perceived relationship between use cases within the UML model; and a system for assigning a weight to the affinity within the UML model.
US08621417B2
Rule merging in system for monitoring adherence by developers to a software code development process
In a rule-based system for monitoring process adherence, first and second processing patterns are received and merged to provide a merged processing pattern. Each processing pattern, which may be expressed in a state graph representation, embodies at least a portion of a desired software code development process. Optionally, the merged processing pattern may be presented to a subject-matter expert to obtain feedback thereon. The merged processing pattern may then be converted into an executable process verification rule for use in monitoring process adherence. In an embodiment, development process event data is compared to the executable process verification rules. Violations of the rules result in the generation of failure indications that may be stored and subsequently reported as needed. In this manner, efficiency of automated process adherence monitoring systems may be improved when determining the level of compliance by developers with one or more software code development processes.
US08621410B2
An innovative realization of computer hardware, software and firmware comprising a multiprocessor system wherein at least one processor can be configured to have a fixed instruction set and one or more processors can be statically or dynamically configured to implement a plurality of processor states in a plurality of technologies. The processor states may be instructions sets for the processors. The technologies may include programmable logic arrays.
US08621409B2
A method includes extracting a first netlist from a first layout of a semiconductor circuit and estimating layout-dependent effect data based on the first netlist. A first simulation of the semiconductor circuit is performed based on the first netlist using an electronic design automation tool, and a second simulation of the semiconductor circuit is performed based on a circuit schematic using the electronic design automation tool. A weight and a sensitivity of the at least one layout-dependent effect are calculated, and the first layout of the semiconductor circuit is adjusted based on the weight and the sensitivity to provide a second layout of the semiconductor circuit. The second layout is stored in a non-transient storage medium.
US08621390B1
A method for providing table-of-contents extensions for items displayed on an electronic device may include displaying contents of the item other than a table of contents for the item. The method may also include receiving user selection of a navigation option while the contents of the item are being displayed. The navigation option may correspond to a part of the item that is listed in the table of contents for the item. The method may also include navigating to the part of the item corresponding to the navigation option in response to the user's selection of the navigation option.
US08621387B2
User interfaces for multiple display regions are described. One embodiment provides an array of non-overlapping windows that are created from a set of overlapping windows, and a user can select one of the non-overlapping windows to obtain an enlarged view of that selected window while keeping the other windows in their non-overlapping state. In one embodiment, the array of non-overlapping windows can include minimized windows or windows in other virtual desktops (e.g. windows in other “Spaces”) or both. In one embodiment, only windows of a selected application are shown in non-overlapping mode while opened windows of other applications are not shown.
US08621385B2
A system and method for displaying a scroll-bar or toggle-button-set to control a display of data of an individual column and/or row. A table of intersecting columns and rows is displayed, each intersection forming a cell, and a scroll-bar or toggle-button-set is displayed for an individual column and/or row if a cell of the column and/or row contains data, the display settings of the data requiring for a display of the data an area that is larger than an area allotted to the cell.
US08621383B2
Systems, methods, and computer programs are provided for smart interfaces that shift the burden of cognition from a user to a computer system. More particularly, a method is presented for using a computer system to interpret data. The method includes an operation for accepting data from a data entry field of the user interface, where the data is provided to the data entry field in a selected format. The selected format is different from a common data format expected by the user interface. In another operation, the accepted data is normalized to conform to the common data format expected by the user interface. This normalization is based on information about one or more of a geographic location of the user, a geographic location of a server, and a geographic location of a product being used. Further, the method includes an operation for providing the normalized data in the common data format.
US08621381B1
Computer-implemented methods for deciding whether to display a keyboard on a touchscreen device are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, on a touchscreen device, a request to load a display comprising an input field and selectable content, and determining, based on prior user behavior, the probability of whether the user will enter content into the input field or select the selectable content. The method also includes controlling whether to display a keyboard when the determined probability indicates that the user will enter content into the input field or hide the keyboard when the determined probability indicates that the user will select the selectable content. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
US08621375B2
Associating an object with a relevant data source is disclosed. In some embodiments, an object pasted into a destination document is associated with a data source included in the destination document. In various embodiments, the data source associated with the object may comprise a data source concurrently pasted with the object into the destination document, a data source already existing in the destination document prior to the object being pasted into the destination document, or a data source generated in the destination document using data extracted from the pasted object.
US08621370B2
When a plurality of objects are subjected to a batch processing by an object selection unit and a batch processing execution unit, if an input is made to an object included in the plurality of objects, an information processing apparatus controls the processing execution unit so as to execute a processing on the object based on the input, thereby executing a processing of moving all of the selected plurality of objects simultaneously with a processing of moving an arbitrary object separately from other objects among the selected plurality of objects.
US08621366B1
Communications to be shared on social networks and other electronic modes of communication are presented in comic strip form. The comic strips are created with a simplified user interface and are formatted to be well-suited for display on a selected social network or other electronic facility. The comic strips are displayed in an embedded form directly in the social network or other facility, without the need for a user to go to a separate site to view the comic strip.
US08621360B2
The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.
US08621353B2
A method and system for designating and identifying individual programming that is available in a subscriber television system as a pay-per-view event. The identified programming includes programs that are not normally available for viewing by some subscribers or for which a subscriber has not subscribed. The programming can include an individual program, groups of programs, and non-pay-per-view channels. The subscriber can then elect to view the programming as a pay-per-view event.
US08621350B2
An audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user is developed around a microprocessor device. The system includes memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information, and a display and digital audio reproduction unit, for creating a multimedia environment. The display includes a video monitor and an interactive user interface which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events activating, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing control of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system. The external events includes at least a down-event where the user contacts a representation displayed on the touch screen, selecting a parameter to modify, and an up-event where the use breaks contact with the screen, which triggers modification of the selected parameter, saving the parameter in the memory.
US08621348B2
Systems, methods, and associated software are described herein for enabling a regular user of an end user device, such as a cellular telephone, to customize parameters associated with haptic effects applied to the user by the end user device. In one implementation, among several, a method described herein includes enabling a user of an end user device to access software adapted to design or modify haptic effects of the end user device. The method further includes enabling the user to open a haptic track file and enter or modify parameters associated with the haptic effects of the opened haptic track file.
US08621345B2
To prevent exposing secure information, a first alphanumeric string is received and compared to a second alphanumeric string. After comparing the first alphanumeric string to the second alphanumeric string, it is determined whether the first alphanumeric string includes one of a limiting character and an instruction to send a message. The first alphanumeric string may be modified based on a result of comparing the first alphanumeric string to the second alphanumeric string, thereby altering the first alphanumeric string, and the first alphanumeric string, as modified, may be transmitted.
US08621343B2
The present invention is and includes a device, system and method for providing an image enhancement widget. The device, system and method include a javascript component that, upon execution, obtains at least one subject of primary content on a networked page, and at least one permission for enhancement of the primary content, ones of a plurality of content produced remotely from the javascript component and according to the javascript component, and an enhancement widget. The enhancement widget may be a flash widget.
US08621342B2
A system and method can provide a re-parsing mechanism that is plugged into a delegation layer that is transparent to the XML applications. The re-parsing mechanism can perform one or more XML parsing operations based on a local document type definition or schema file. If an error is detected during one or more XML parsing operations based on the local document type definition or schema file, the re-parsing mechanism allows for retrieving an updated document type definition or schema file from a remote application server and performing the one or more XML parsing operations again based on the updated document type definition or schema file.
US08621340B2
Block properties and improved calculated columns properties are provided in a spreadsheet application. Once block properties are set for a group of spreadsheet cells or a spreadsheet list, the properties may be applied to the entire group of selected cells or list as opposed to requiring application of properties to individual cells. If rows or columns are added to the group of selected cells or list, properties applied to the group of cells or list are automatically applied to the new rows or columns. Block properties also provide for intelligent-behaving list borders where list borders are not corrupted by the movement or changing of columns or rows sharing edges with a list border. Calculated columns are a type of block property that extends the functionality of formulas throughout an entire column of an associated group of cells or list.
US08621338B2
A method and system for converting interactive animated information content for display on handheld or mobile devices is presented. Information content that includes files with frames intended to be sequentially played out for display may be converted into a single frame or a smaller collection of frames for display on a device, so that a user of a device may have access to some of the content contained in the file. A server may receive a request for information content that includes a file with frames for playout, and the server will playout the file in an accelerated manner so as to arrive at one or more selected frames quickly. The server will then send the selected frames, or intermediary frames reached during playout, to a client device that requested the web page, for example.
US08621330B2
Data storage techniques and solutions simultaneously provide efficient random access to information and high noise resilience. The amount of storage space utilized is only slightly larger than the size of the data. The solution is based on locally decodable error-correcting codes (also referred to as locally decodable codes or LDCs). Locally decodable codes are described herein that are more efficient than conventional locally decodable codes. Such locally decodable codes are referred to as “multiplicity codes”. These codes are based on evaluating multivariate polynomials and their derivatives. Multiplicity codes extend traditional multivariate polynomial based (e.g., Reed-Muller) codes. Multiplicity codes inherit the local decodability of Reed-Muller codes, and at the same time achieve substantially better parameters.
US08621329B2
An apparatus generally having a port, a first circuit and a second circuit is disclosed. The port may be configured to receive a current length of a codeword. The current length may be less than a maximum length of the codeword that the apparatus is designed to decode. The first circuit may be configured to calculate in parallel (i) a sequence of intermediate syndromes from the codeword and (ii) a sequence of correction values based on the current length. The second circuit may be configured to generate a particular number of updated syndromes by modifying the intermediate syndromes with the correction values. The particular number is generally twice a maximum error limit of the codeword.
US08621326B2
An error correction circuit 1 in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an associative memory 20, a logic circuit 10 disposed in parallel with the associative memory 20, and selection unit 30 that receives an output signal from the associative memory 20 and an output signal from the logic circuit 10 as an input. The associative memory 20 includes a table that handles an input signal as a word and holds an output signal related to the word and an error correction code used to correct the output signal as data. The associative memory 20 further includes error correction unit that outputs a signal in which an error was corrected based on data related to a word corresponding to an input signal. The selection unit 30 selects and outputs one of an output signal from the associative memory 20 and an output signal from the logic circuit 10.
US08621325B2
A packet switching system includes a forwarding processing unit determining a destination of an input packet by analyzing the input packet and outputting it as an output packet, the forwarding processing unit comprises an ingress interface card checking if the input packet has a sequential cyclic number and an egress interface card creating a sequential cyclic number and assigning it to the output packet.
US08621318B1
A nonvolatile memory controller to recover encoded data by performing a hard-decision inner error correction code decoding and an outer error correction code decoding of the data decoded using the hard-decision inner error correction code decoding and then determining if the encoded data has been successfully decoded. If the encoded data has not been successfully decoded, the controller performs a soft-decision inner error correction code decoding of the encoded data using a soft-decision algorithm and an outer error correction code decoding of the data decoded using the soft-decision inner error correction code decoding and then determining if the encoded data has been successfully decoded. If the encoded data has not been successfully decoded, the controller recovers the data by performing a RAID operation on the encoded data.
US08621313B2
A method for adapting error protection in a communication network includes: a step of determining periods of time that are homogeneous as regards the distribution law of losses over the network, a step of classifying the homogeneous periods of time into at least two classes, on the basis of information representing losses over the network and/or representing a corresponding level of protection, during these periods of time, a step of determining a probability of alternation between two of said classes, and a step of selecting a protection strategy on the basis of said probability of alternation. A method of detecting transition between two states of a communication network corresponding to different loss rates of sent data includes: a step of determining a probability of transition, and a step of determining the existence of a transition on the basis of said probability.
US08621312B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, including a transceiver operable for communication using LDPC codes for error correction, the transceiver adapted to use an LDPC decoder that acts as a server to serve all LDPC codewords contained in at least one block transmission, and wherein the LDPC decoder consumes a certain number of clock cycles per decoding of a single codeword and a length of the block dictates a clock cycles budget that the server can use.
US08621309B2
A processor including: a first storage unit that stores data; an error detection unit that detects an occurrence of error in data read out from the first storage unit; a second storage unit that stores data read out from the first storage unit based on a load request; a rerun request generation unit that generates a rerun request of a load request to the first storage unit in the same cycle as the cycle in which error of data is detected when the error detection unit detects the occurrence of error in data read out from the first storage unit by the load request; and an instruction execution unit that retransmits the load request to the first storage unit when data in which error is detected and a rerun request are given.
US08621308B2
Various embodiments are provided to address some of the current issues in establishing and adapting an HARQ operating point. Some embodiments include determining a metric that indicates the predictability of a signal to noise plus interference ratio (SINR) for signaling from a wireless device and setting a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) operating point for communication with the wireless device using the metric. By setting the HARQ operating point based on a metric that indicates the predictability of SINR for wireless device signaling, throughput can be improved over present-day HARQ operating point adaptation techniques.
US08621299B2
In a first embodiment a TAP 318 of IEEE standard 1149.1 is allowed to commandeer control from a WSP 202 of IEEE standard P1500 such that the P1500 architecture, normally controlled by the WSP, is rendered controllable by the TAP. In a second embodiment (1) the TAP and WSP based architectures are merged together such that the sharing of the previously described architectural elements are possible, and (2) the TAP and WSP test interfaces are merged into a single optimized test interface that is operable to perform all operations of each separate test interface.
US08621296B2
An integrated circuit device includes first and second latches (e.g, D-type flip flops) responsive to a clock signal. Each of the first and second latches respectively includes a data input terminal, a scan input terminal, a scan enable terminal and an output terminal. A combinational logic circuit may be provided, which is configured to receive the signal from the output terminal of the first latch and configured to generate a signal at the data input terminal of the second latch. A scan path is also provided, which is responsive to a scan enable signal. The scan path is configured to selectively pass a signal from the output terminal of the first latch to the scan input terminal of the second latch when the scan enable signal is active. A power saving switch is also provided. This switch, which is responsive to the scan enable signal, includes a first current carrying terminal electrically coupled to the scan path. The switch is configured to disable the scan path from passing the signal from the output terminal of the first latch to the scan input terminal of the second latch when the scan enable signal is in an inactive state.
US08621294B2
Various embodiments comprise a method, the method comprising determining whether each of a plurality of memory blocks in a memory device is defective, wherein the plurality of memory blocks are organized into memory block groups, and one of the memory block groups comprises a base memory block group; forming a grouping of non-defective memory blocks; forming a remapped grouping of memory blocks that includes a non-defective memory block from the base memory block group and at least one non-defective memory block in another memory block group that includes a defective memory block; and storing a mapping of the remapped grouping in at least one of the memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device.
US08621292B2
A device for testing a semiconductor memory device, the device including a code table that is configured to store at least a first received code and a second received code received via a host interface, a pattern generation engine that is configured to determine a third code based on at least one of the first and the second received codes stored in the code table and to output the third code, in response to a request to perform a test operation, received via the host interface, and a signal generation unit that is configured to generate control signals for testing the semiconductor memory device, based on the third code received from the pattern generation engine.
US08621290B2
A memory system that facilitates probabilistic error correction for a failed memory component with partial-component sparing. The memory system accesses blocks of data, each block including an array of bits logically organized into R rows and C columns. The C columns include (1) a row-checkbit column containing row-parity bits for each of the R rows, (2) an inner-checkbit column containing X=R−S inner checkbits and S spare bits, and (3) C-2 data-bit columns containing data bits. Each column is stored in a different memory component. When the memory system determines that a memory component has failed, the memory system examines the pattern of errors associated with the failed component to determine if the failure affects a partial component associated with S or fewer bits. If so, the memory system corrects and remaps data bits from the failed partial component to the S spare data bits in the inner-checkbit column.
US08621288B2
A device management apparatus acquires the state of a device (image forming apparatus), and determines whether or not an error occurring in the image forming apparatus is the already-occurred error based on the change in the state of the image forming apparatus. When the error occurring in the image forming apparatus is an already-occurred error, the device management apparatus determines whether or not the error continues for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined period of time. When the error continues for a period of time equal to or longer than a predetermined period of time, the device management apparatus changes an error notification destination, and retransmits an electronic mail regarding the error to the changed notification destination.
US08621269B2
A method begins by a processing module sending list digest requests to a set of dispersed storage (DS) units. The method continues with the processing module receiving list digest responses from at least some of the set of DS units and determining whether an inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses. The method continues with the processing module requesting at least a portion of each of the slice name information lists from first and second DS units of the set of DS units and identifying a slice name information error associated with the inconsistency based on the at least a portion of each of the slices name information lists of the first and second DS units when the inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses.
US08621266B2
A memory system comprises a flash memory and a memory controller. The flash memory comprises a plurality of memory blocks. The memory controller performs a read retry operation on a memory block containing an uncorrectable read error until an accurate data value is read from the memory block. The memory controller then controls the flash memory to perform an erase refresh operation on the memory block.
US08621258B2
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide devices and methods for operating two memory cards. In one embodiment, an electronic device includes a host controller, a first socket in communication with the host controller, for receiving a first memory card and a second socket, and a second socket in communication with the host controller, for receiving a second memory card. The physical pin arrangement of the second socket is in an order reversed from the physical pin arrangement of the first socket. The host controller transmits power to the first memory card and cuts off power to the second memory card during a first time period, and cuts off power to the first memory card and transmits power to the second memory card during a second time period. The first socket and the second socket transmit and receive same set of data signals.
US08621251B1
A computing device may operate in various modes, which may include a full operational mode and a reduced operational mode. When operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may reduce power, reduce radiation output, and/or power off various components to achieve operation in accordance with an operational policy. While operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may restrict user access to or adjustment of the impacted components thereby preventing the user from restoring the computing device to the full operational mode, at least temporarily. In some aspects, the device may initiate or terminate the reduced operational mode in response to a signal from a beacon, parameters from a monitored environment, or in response to user commands. In various aspects, the device may provide messaging to inform the user about the modes of operation.
US08621248B1
A method of controlling power usage in a data center includes monitoring a power usage of a plurality of computers in the data center, generating a signal indicating that the power usage is within a threshold of a maximum power capacity, and in response to the signal, adjusting performance of at least one computer in the plurality of computers.
US08621239B2
A method of inhibiting the disclosure of confidential information through power analysis attacks on processors in cryptographic systems. The method masks a cryptographic operation using a generator G. A secret value, which may be combined with the generator G to form a secret generator is generated. The secret value is divided into a plurality of parts. A random value is generated for association with the plurality of parts. Each of the plurality of parts is combined with the random value to derive a plurality of new values such that the new values when combined are equivalent to the secret value. Each of the new values is used in the cryptographic operation, thereby using the secret generator in place of the generator G in the cryptographic operation. The introduction of randomness facilitates the introduction of noise into algorithms used by cryptographic systems so as to mask the secret value and provide protection against power analysis attacks.
US08621238B1
An apparatus, method and program product are provided for securing a computer system. A digital signature of an application is checked, which is loaded into a memory of the computer system configured to contain memory pages. In response to finding a valid digital signature, memory pages containing instructions of the application are set as executable and memory pages other than those containing instructions of the application are set as non-executable. Instructions in executable memory pages are executed. Instructions in non-executable memory pages are prevented from being executed. A page fault is generated in response to an attempt to execute an instruction in a non-executable memory page. In response to the page fault, an exception list of a sequence of instructions is checked for the attempted instruction in the non-executable memory page and if on the list, the page is set to executable and the attempted instruction executed.
US08621237B1
A technique protects source code and is performed in an electronic device. The technique involves performing, on the source code, a scanning operation which provides a scanning result indicating whether the source code includes a cryptographic key. The technique further involves performing a remedial operation (e.g., alerting an administrator, deleting the key, replacing the key, combinations thereof, etc.) to prevent undesired exposure of the cryptographic key when the scanning result indicates that the source code includes a cryptographic key. The technique further involves refraining from performing the remedial operation when the scanning result indicates that the source code does not include a cryptographic key.
US08621230B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for secure verification of electronic transactions, and in particular secure processing of personal identification numbers when third party processors are involved. In an embodiment, a variable length PIN associated with a credit card or debit card is encrypted, then hashed using a one-way hash algorithm before it is passed along to and stored by a third party processor. The encrypted-hashed PIN always remains in an encrypted form while in the hands of the third party processor. At the third party processor, secure cryptographic hardware is used to store the one-way hash algorithm. Encrypted PIN values received for verification are converted and hashed using the one-way hash algorithm, and the resulting hashed-encrypted value is compared against the hashed-encrypted PIN values previously stored at the third party processor. As the PIN has a variable length, and the third party processor has no access to the hash algorithm, the encrypted PIN values are highly resistant to reverse engineering or decryption.
US08621222B1
In various embodiments, a computerized method includes receiving electronic content to be archived. The electronic content comprises a digital signature. The method also includes archiving the digital signature, wherein archiving of the digital signature comprises determining a validity status of the digital signature and storing the validity status in the electronic content. The method includes archiving the electronic content after the validity status has been stored in the electronic content. The method includes storing the archived electronic content and the attestation signature into a machine-readable medium.
US08621219B2
A method and communication system for assigning the control authorization for controlling functions of a device from a terminal to another terminal in a communication system is provided. Through the method, it is possible to simplify the authentication process of a terminal having the communication function based on the short messaging service, and to reduce the security information size generated in the authentication process.
US08621218B2
Disclosed is a mutual authentication method and apparatus in a CAS including a headend system and DCAS host. In particular, example embodiments relate to a mutual authentication method and apparatus in DCAS, wherein the mutual authentication is performed between an authentication server of the headend system and an SM of a DCAS host, and then CAS software is downloaded to the SM. According to the example embodiments, there is provided a mutual authentication protocol between the authentication server of the headend and the SM of the DCAS host in a cable network, and also provided a mutual authentication method and apparatus in the DCAS where a substantial authentication based on a hardware, such as a smart card or a cable card, is not needed.
US08621213B2
Systems and methods for remote control and management of medical workstations using an instant messaging infrastructure. A remote client, such as a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or other computing device, is used to generate instructions or information requests in one or more data packets. The remote client sends the one or more data packets using the instant messaging infrastructure to a medical workstation at another location. A service application in communication with the medical workstation receives the data packets and causes the medical workstation to retrieve the requested information or execute the instruction. The communications between the remote client and the service application are encrypted and signed to ensure secure communications.
US08621209B1
Disclosed are various embodiments that perform confidence-based authentication of a user. An identification of a user account is obtained from a user, and a minimum confidence threshold is determined. Multiple authentication questions are presented to the user, where the authentication questions are determined based at least in part on stored transaction information associated with the user account. Answers are obtained from the user to a subset of the questions, with each answer having a corresponding authentication point value. A confidence score is generated for the user, where the confidence score is increased by the respective authentication point values of the correct answers. Access by the user to a resource associated with the user account is authorized in response to determining that the confidence score meets the minimum confidence threshold.
US08621203B2
An approach is provided for authenticating a mobile device. A mobile device initiates transmission of a request to an authentication platform for generating a public-key certificate to access a service from the mobile device. The mobile device receives an identity challenge and responds by initiating transmission of a tag specific to the mobile device to the authentication platform. The authentication platform uses the tag to generate a public-key certificate.
US08621202B2
An externally managed security and validation processing device includes a cryptographic processing subsystem configured for performing security or validation services; an application interface configured for communicating security or validation services with an application system; and a secure management interface configured for communicating information, including configuration information for the cryptographic processing system for performing said security or validation services, with a service profile system external to the apparatus without passing said configuration information through the application system. The service profile system can typically also migrate security services provided by one apparatus to another apparatus.
US08621201B2
In a wireless communications network including at least one authenticator and at least one authentication server, wherein the authenticator is adapted to interact with the authentication server for authenticating supplicants in order to conditionally grant thereto access to the wireless communications network, a short authentication method for authenticating a supplicant, the method including: providing a shared secret, shared by and available at the supplicant and the authentication server; having the supplicant provide to the authenticator an authentication token, wherein the authentication token is based on the shared secret available thereat; having the authenticator forward the authentication token to the authentication server; having the authentication server ascertain an authenticity of the received authentication token based on the shared secret available thereat; in case the authenticity of the authentication token is ascertained, having the authentication server generate a first authentication key based on the shared secret available thereat, and provide the generated authentication key to the authenticator; having the supplicant generate a second authentication key based on the shared secret; and having the supplicant and the authenticator exploit the generated first and the second keys for communicating with each other. The short authentication method is particularly useful in situations of handoff of the supplicant from an authenticator to another.
US08621198B2
Methods and system for simplified Protocol for Carrying Authentication for Network Access (sPANA) are disclosed. In the broadband architecture such as Broadband forum or WiMAX forum, a Network Access server (NAS) is one IP hop away from a user. Therefore, it is possible to relax the need in PANA to obtain an IP address prior to authentication. A PANA client (PaC) may use an unspecified IP address (e.g. 0.0.0.0 in TPv4) as a source address for authentication. A PANA Authentication Agent (PAA) may use an IP broadcast address as a network layer destination address (e.g. 0xffffffff). The present invention defines PANA Attribute-Value Pairs (AVPs) and procedures that allow a Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) exchange to occur in PANA. The PANA CHAP support may facilitate smooth migration from Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) sessions to IP sessions in a DSL Broadband network environment. The sPANA can be desirably compatible with the PANA.
US08621196B2
A device is provided in a data center that is connected to a cloud computing environment. The device receives unencrypted information, and divides the unencrypted information into multiple data chunks. The device also derives an encryption key for each data chunk, of the multiple data chunks, based on a master key, a chunk number associated with each data chunk, and a salt value. The device further encrypts each data chunk with a corresponding derived encryption key, combines the encrypted data chunks to create encrypted information, and provides the encrypted information to the cloud computing environment.
US08621195B2
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to enabling or disabling a port by writing to a reset write-once register. A boot process for a device is initiated. The reset write-once register is set, during the boot process, to disable or enable the port.
US08621186B2
Obfuscating a multi-threaded computer program is carried out using an instruction pipeline in a computer processor by streaming first instructions of a first thread of a multi-threaded computer application program into the pipeline, the first instructions entering the pipeline at the fetch stage, detecting a stall signal indicative of a stall condition in the pipeline, and responsively to the stall signal injecting second instructions of a second thread of the multi-threaded computer application program into the pipeline. The injected second instructions enter the pipeline at an injection stage that is disposed downstream from the fetch stage up to and including the register stage for processing therein. The stall condition exists at one of the stages that is located upstream from the injection stage.
US08621171B2
An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented process for compaction planning selects a source region from a set of regions to form a selected source region, initializes process data using information from the selected source region and responsive to a determination that a current destination is not NULL and not full, determines whether to atomically consume from a destination. Responsive to a determination to atomically consume from a destination, the computer-implemented process plans to evacuate into a consumed extent and updates the process data and responsive to a determination that the source region is empty, determines whether more work remains. Responsive to a determination that more work does not remain, the computer-implemented process generates a relocation table.
US08621168B2
Systems, methods, computer programs, and devices are disclosed herein for partitioning the namespace of a secure element in contactless smart card devices and for writing application data in the secure element using requests from a software application outside the secure element. The secure element is a component of a contactless smart card incorporated into a contactless smart card device. A control software application resident in the same or a different secure element provides access types and access bits, for each access memory block of the secure element namespace, thereby portioning the namespace into different access types. Further, a software application outside the secure element manages the control software application by passing commands using a secure channel to the secure element, thereby enabling an end-user of the contactless smart card device or a remote computer to control the partitioning and use of software applications within the secure element.
US08621167B2
A device for copying performance counter data includes hardware path that connects a direct memory access (DMA) unit to a plurality of hardware performance counters and a memory device. Software prepares an injection packet for the DMA unit to perform copying, while the software can perform other tasks. In one aspect, the software that prepares the injection packet runs on a processing core other than the core that gathers the hardware performance counter data.
US08621164B2
A system comprises a first storage system including a first storage controller, which receives input/output commands from host computers and provides first storage volumes to the host computers; and a second storage system including a second storage controller which receives input/output commands from host computers and provides second storage volumes to the host computers. A first data storing region of one of the first storage volumes is allocated from a first pool by the first storage controller. A second data storing region of another one of the first storage volumes is allocated from a second pool by the first storage controller. A third data storing region of one of the second storage volumes is allocated from the first pool by the second storage controller. A fourth data storing region of another one of the second storage volumes is allocated from the second pool by the second storage controller.
US08621161B1
A data object may be moved from a source data store to a destination data store via replication. The replication is initiated when an original data object in a source data store that is capable of being both read from and being written to is read. Following the read, the original data object is then duplicated to a destination data store. The duplicate data object is provided with a state that indicates the duplicate object is duplicated from the source data store and can be read but cannot accept a data write. Subsequently, the state of the original data object is changed to can be read but cannot be written to using optimistic locking. Further, the state of the duplicate data object is also modified to being capable of both read from and written to with the use of optimistic locking. The replication is completed with the deletion of the original data object from the source data store.
US08621156B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for labeled caching techniques. In one aspect, a method includes placing a plurality of items into a cache, each item having a label based on metadata associated with the item. A number of accesses are performed to respective items in the cache. A per-label stack distance histogram is determined for each label, including, for each label, determining a plurality of stack distances for accesses to items having the label. The cache is adjusted using the per-label stack distance histograms.
US08621146B1
A network storage system includes “raw” flash memory, and storage of data in that flash memory is controlled by an external, log structured, write out-of-place data layout engine of a storage server. By avoiding a separate, onboard data layout engine on the flash devices, the latency associated with operation of such a data layout engine is also avoided. The flash memory can be used as the main persistent storage of a storage server and/or as buffer cache of a storage server, or both. The flash memory can be accessible to multiple storage servers in a storage cluster. To reduce variability in read latency, each flash device provides its status (“busy” or not) to the data layout engine. The data layout engine uses RAID data reconstruction to avoid having to read from a busy flash device.
US08621143B2
A set of data caching techniques are described which are used to seamlessly store data across both RAM and flash based memory. The techniques utilize a memory manager that includes a RAM journal and a flash journal to efficiently store the data and to make the management of the data across both mediums transparent to the user. The flash based journal works in conjunction with the RAM journal and takes the overflow of data from the RAM journal when certain capacity limits are reached. The resource manager uses journaling techniques to write data to the cache and manages the garbage collection created by the data journaling.
US08621140B2
Described herein is a flash memory apparatus and method controlling the same. The flash memory apparatus includes a processor and one or more flash memory units. The processor controls one or more memory operations performed in the one or more flash memory units. The processor stops controlling a memory operation in a flash memory unit when the memory operation is performed, and continues performing the memory operation in the flash memory unit when the flash memory unit generates an interrupt signal.
US08621134B2
Disclosed is a method of storage tiering with minimal use of DRAM memory for header overhead that utilizes the beginning of the volume to store frequently accessed or hot data. A solid state storage device is placed at the beginning of a tiered volume and is used to store frequently accessed data. When data becomes less frequently accessed it is moved to a cold data storage area on a hard disk drive in the tiered volume. The data exchange is performed on a one-to-one basis reducing the amount and use of DRAM.
US08621132B2
This document discusses, among other things, an example system and methods for memory expansion. An example embodiment includes receiving first initialization data from a physical dual inline memory module (DIMM) and converting the first initialization data to second initialization data of a logical DIMM mapped to the physical DIMM. The example embodiment may further include programming a memory controller based on the second initialization data.
US08621126B2
Provided is a communication device including a first communication unit that is capable of sending a polling-signal in a specific polling cycle and receiving a response-signal sent from a counterpart device in response to the polling-signal, based on a first scheme, a second communication unit that is capable of sending a polling-signal in a longer polling cycle than the first communication unit and receiving a response-signal sent from the counterpart device in response to the polling-signal, based on a second scheme, and a scheme determination unit that waits for reception of the response-signal by the second or the first communication unit for a specific period of time longer than the polling cycle of the second communication unit with a time of the response-signal being received by the first or the second communication unit as a reference, and determines a scheme usable by the counterpart device based on the reception result.
US08621122B2
One embodiment of the invention comprises a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium encoded with processor readable instructions to perform a method of transferring SDIO data. One method comprises buffering multiple IP packets to transfer from one of a SDCC host and a SDIO client to the other of the SDCC host and the SDIO client. A multiplexing header is attached to each of the multiple IP packets and one of at least one SDIO read command and at least one SDIO write command issued. The multiple IP packets are then transferred in a single SDIO transfer between the one of a SDCC host and a SDIO client to the other of the SDCC host and the SDIO client.
US08621112B2
A tiered discovery capability is employed to obtain attributes regarding adapters of an I/O configuration. The first tier obtains a list of the adapter functions accessible to an operating system; the second tier obtains attributes regarding a selected adapter function of the list of adapter functions; and a third tier obtains common attributes of a group of adapter functions, the group including the selected adapter function.
US08621109B2
Synchronization of two or more items can be optimized through the use of parallel execution of synchronization tasks and adaptable processing that monitors and adjusts for system loading. Two or more synchronization tasks required to be performed for an item can, if not inherently serial in nature, be performed in parallel, optimizing synchronization of the item. Even if multiple synchronization tasks required for one item must be serially executed, e.g., download the item prior to translating the item, these synchronization tasks can be executed in parallel for different items, optimizing a download request involving two or more items. Moreover, multiple threads for one or more synchronization tasks can be concurrently executed when supportable by the current operating system resources. Rules can be established to ensure synchronization activity is not degraded by the overextension of system resources.
US08621098B2
A method and an apparatus for providing media content using a mobile device as a media server. For example, the method discovers at least one target mobile device, and determines whether the at least one target mobile device is capable of supporting wireless streaming media. The method streams the media content to the at least one target mobile device using the mobile device if the at least one target mobile device is determined to be capable of supporting wireless streaming media.
US08621095B1
Techniques are provided for management of virtual machines in a Fiber Channel (FC) network that comprises a switched fabric having a plurality of switch ports (disposed in one or more switches). In accordance with one example, a Fabric Login (either FLOGI or FDISC) request is received, on a first switch port, from a first virtual machine. A determination is made as to whether the first virtual machine is currently logged into the switched fabric via a second switch port. If the first virtual machine is currently logged into the switched fabric via a second switch port, a determination is made as to whether the first virtual machine is an element (or part) of a virtualization zone defined for the switched fabric. If the first virtual machine is an element of the virtualization zone, the Fabric Login request is accepted from the first virtual machine via the first switch port and the first virtual machine is logged out of the switched fabric at the second port.
US08621089B2
An approach is provided for transmitting supplemental visual content to a user. A command is received to retrieve visual content associated with a transaction conducted with a user over a source device. In response to the command, the visual content is retrieved for presentation to the user via a target device.
US08621085B2
Methods for managing, and utilizing connections between an application server and an enterprise information system (EIS) based on a Daytona architecture are provided. The methods may include operating a resource adapter conforming to the JCA standard, and interfacing with and being managed by the application server. The resource adapter may be configured to provide a connection to the EIS and to submit a query request to and receive query results from the EIS, including receiving the query request from a client; instructing the EIS to open a query, compile the query, execute the query, and return the results of the execution of the query; receiving the results of the execution of the query from the EIS; instructing the EIS to terminate the connection; and returning the results of the execution of the query to the client. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
US08621083B2
A system and method is provided for sending a multicast broadcast through a localized computer network that restricts multicast broadcasts. The system includes a dynamic multicast slave that is located within the localized computer network. The dynamic multicast slave is configured to receive a data stream broadcast via a point-to-point connection. A multicast socket is included for the dynamic multicast slave, and the multicast socket is configured to transmit a multicast data stream to the localized computer network based on the data stream received by the dynamic multicast slave. An internal multicast client is located within the localized computer network, and configured to receive the multicast data stream from the dynamic multicast slave.
US08621077B2
A security policy distribution system encapsulates parameters for a security policy and instructions for applying the parameters to a corresponding security program into a self-contained configuration file. When the self-contained configuration file is executed on behalf of a computer, the corresponding security program on the computer is updated with the parameters, thus distributing the security policy to the computer.
US08621072B2
Remote event receivers can register with a document repository computing system to receive notifications of events occurring at a document repository. The remote event receivers may register to receive notifications synchronously, whereby the remote event receivers can provide a response to the notification prior to the occurrence of the event, or asynchronously, whereby the remote event receivers provide no response. Synchronous remote event receivers can also specify in a response to the notification that the event should be canceled or may specify properties that should be changed. Remote event receivers can be pre-event receivers that receive notifications prior to the occurrence of an event, or post-event receivers that receive notifications following the event. When an event is to occur at the document repository, notifications are provided to the pre-event remote event receivers. Once the event has occurred, notifications are provided to the post-event remote event receivers.
US08621064B2
The present application is directed to systems and methods for associating a geographic location with an IP address. Generally, an IP address from which each of a plurality of users accesses a network is recorded. A geo tag is associated with each of the plurality of users and a subset of the plurality of users is identified, the subset including users associated with a first IP address. The subset of the plurality of users is clustered into a spatial cluster including users associated with geo tags located with a defined distance of a geo tag of at least one other user of the cluster. A geographic location associated with a geographic center of the cluster is then associated with the first IP address.
US08621057B2
Establishing relationships among elements in a computing system, the computing system including one or more servers, one or more switches, the one or more servers and one or more switches forming one or more local area networks and also forming one or more virtual local area networks, including: identifying, for each server in the computing system, physical topology data; identifying, for each server in the computing system, virtual topology data; and creating, in dependence upon the physical topology data and the virtual topology data, a system map.
US08621051B2
Embodiments discussed in this disclosure provide an integrated provisioning framework that automates the process of provisioning storage resources, end-to-end, for an enterprise storage cloud environment. Such embodiments configure and orchestrate the deployment of a user's workload and, at the same time, provide optimization across a multitude of storage cloud resources. Along these lines, input is received in the form of workload requirements and configuration information for available system resources. Based on the input, a set (at least one) of storage cloud configuration plans is developed that satisfy the workload requirements. A set of scripts is then generated that orchestrate the deployment and configuration of different software and hardware components based on the plans.
US08621049B2
The invention relates to a network system of at least two appliances, each appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article, and each appliance having its own software architecture. An embedded virtual router enables communication among appliance components independent of the architecture of the software.
US08621048B2
Disclosed is a method for processing content published on-line so as to identify each item in a unique manner. In some implementations, an RSS feed is received from a publisher and a unique identifier is identified for each item in the feed. Each item then has third party content or advertisements associated with the item based on the unique identifier. The feed is then stored and, when appropriate, updated. The augmented feed, which contains the third party content and the items in the feed, is provided to user devices.
US08621039B2
A communication service method wherein a user ID is registered at server. Video data from the user's terminal is transmitted to the server. The user selects the setting of whether image data is used with that video data; and the user's selected setting is stored at the server with the user ID. When the stored setting indicates that image data is used, the video data and the image data are transmitted from the server to one or more other terminals.
US08621037B2
System and method to create a bi-directional event subscription. The method includes responding to a request by providing a URI of the subscription factory of the first topic; receiving a request to create a bidirectional subscription; creating a first subscription resource to represent an outbound event flow from a first topic to a second topic; sending a discovery request to a remote host for a URI of a subscription factory of the second topic; receiving the URI of the subscription factory of the second topic; requesting creation of a second subscription resource, to represent an outbound event flow from the second topic to the first topic; receiving from the remote host a URI of the second subscription resource; entangling the first subscription resource with the second subscription to form the bi-directional event subscription; and providing to the web browser a URI of the first subscription.
US08621033B2
Method for identifying Internet users, comprising: identifying or authenticating an Internet user at the Internet access point in the course of an access check when using the Internet access service of an Internet Service Provider with whom the Internet user maintains a business relation; and after the Internet user successfully passed the access check adding Internet user identification information to an Internet user's IP message by the Internet access point prior to forwarding said IP message, guaranteeing the integrity of this information with cryptographic means.
US08621030B2
Techniques are described that can be used to enable a transfer of an operating system from one machine to another. The transfer permits the operating system to be available to the target machine at buffers that are accessible to one or more application or other logic. In some implementations, information related to an operating system migration is stored in a buffer that is accessible to an application that is to use the information and thereby avoids a copy of such information from an intermediate buffer to an application buffer.
US08621029B1
A system and method provides a remote direct memory access over a transport medium that does not natively support remote direct memory access operations. An emulated VI module of a storage operating system emulates RDMA operations over such a medium, e.g., conventional Ethernet, thereby enabling storage. Storage appliances in a cluster configuration utilize the non-RDMA compatible transport medium as a cluster interconnect.
US08621021B2
A wireless communications system may include a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices each having a subscriber account associated therewith including a respective personal identification number (PIN) and a unique identification (ID). The system may further include at least one electronic mail (email) server comprising a database of subscriber accounts and for sending emails to and receiving emails from the mobile wireless communications devices based upon the PINs and unique IDs. The at least one email server may compare a given PIN and unique ID, based upon a communication from a given mobile wireless device, with a corresponding PIN and unique ID for the corresponding subscriber account in the database, and update the corresponding subscriber account based upon a discrepancy.
US08621010B2
The present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer-program product for protecting messaging consumers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for protecting messaging consumers can be provided. The method can include intercepting a message prior to arrival at a destination, comparing the message to one or more known message structures to determine the message structure, and determining if a message has a valid message structure for the destination. Intercepting a message prior to arrival at a destination may intercepts a message on a queue before the message is consumed by a consumer. Comparing the message to known message structures compares a message to message schemas, for example, XML schema, Java object definition or C structure format.
US08621008B2
A system, method and computer program product are provided for performing an action based on an aspect of a thread associated with electronic mail messages. In use, an aspect of a thread associated with a plurality of electronic mail messages is identified. Further, an action is performed based on the aspect of the thread.
US08621005B2
Methods and systems for verifying, authenticating, and/or rating the identity or profile characteristics of users of online social networks and other websites and applications. And improved systems and methods that allow one or more individuals to meet or otherwise network or connect or transact or exchange information, tangibles or intangibles with other individuals and methods and systems for verifying and/or rating the identity or profiles of users of online social networks and other websites or applications.
US08621001B2
A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons.
US08621000B2
A device may include an interface and one or more processors. The interface may obtain, from a content source via a network, a playlist file including a plurality of content file identifiers corresponding to a plurality of content files associated with alternate encodings of a content stream. The one or more processors may determine that the alternate encodings correspond to different logical divisions of an image area associated with the content stream, forward, to a client device, the playlist file for selection of one logical division of the different logical divisions, and request, from the content source via the communication interface and responsive to the forwarding, one or more content file, of the plurality of content files, associated with a particular encoding of the alternate encodings.
US08620999B1
Implementations for network resource modification for enabling higher network connection concurrence are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request from a client for a network resource having references to objects, and retrieving the network resource from one or more servers. The method further includes modifying the network resource to cause the client to open a greater number of concurrent TCP connections to the network appliance than otherwise would have been opened had the network resource not been modified due to a browser program imposed limit on a number of concurrent TCP connections. The method further includes sending the modified network resource to the client, receiving a plurality requests for the objects from the client over the greater number of concurrent TCP connections, and replying to the plurality of requests for the objects by sending the objects to the client over the greater number of concurrent TCP connections.
US08620993B2
An activity monitoring system and method are disclosed to reduce the size of an activity sensor device to reduce its power consumption and smoothly transmit activity and occupancy information from the activity sensor device and an occupancy sensor device to an activity monitoring server to monitor an individual's activity and occupancy information. The activity monitoring system includes: an activity sensor device configured to detect a physical activity of a user, classify the detected physical activity, and transmit activity classification information as a result along with user identification information; one or more occupancy sensor devices configured to receive the activity classification information and the individual's identification information from the activity sensor device, and transmit the received information along with occupancy information; and an activity monitoring server configured to manage the activity classification information, the occupancy information, and the individual's identification information received from the occupancy sensor devices.
US08620992B2
A method, system, and device for reporting User Agent Profile (UAP) information are disclosed. In the embodiments of the invention, UAP information is associated with an attribute group label, and a client identifies the attribute group label and reports UAP attribute information associated with the identified attribute group label to a server side according to the identified attribute group label, thereby avoiding reporting all UAP attribute information and further saving network resources. Moreover, in the case that a change occurs in the value of a device capability UAP attribute of a terminal or in the attribute group label of the server side, if such a change affects an existing service, the client only needs to send the changed device capability UAP information to the server side, thereby further avoiding transmitting a large volume of UAP information and further saving the network resources.
US08620989B2
In a system and method for processing messages in a gateway, a gateway message is received at the gateway, the gateway message including a gateway message header and a payload, the gateway message header including a unique message identifier block, a target block identifying where the gateway message is going, and a history block providing a log of what has happened to the gateway message. Each block in the gateway message header is processed by the gateway in accordance with a message type, the processing including determining a target application for receiving the payload. The payload is provided to the determined target application. Each block includes one or more values.
US08620980B1
A specialized multiplier block in a programmable device incorporates multipliers and adders, and is configurable as one or more types of finite impulse response (FIR) filter including a Direct Form II FIR filter. The specialized multiplier block further includes input and output registers to allow chaining of Direct Form II FIR filters into longer Direct Form II FIR filters. An output accumulator also allows the specialized multiplier block to operate as a time-division multiplexed FIR filter, performing several filtering operations during each clock cycle of the programmable device.
US08620969B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for presenting intelligent tagging suggestions for a photograph are provided. Embodiments include identifying, by a tagging module, contextual information indicating circumstances in which the photograph was taken; based on the contextual information, selecting, by the tagging module, candidate profiles from a plurality of friend profiles associated with a profile of a user; and suggesting, by the tagging module to the user, the selected candidate profiles as potential friends to tag in the photograph.
US08620967B2
A method and a system are provided for managing metadata for occurrences of a recording. In one example, the system receives a recording. The recording includes computer readable media data. The system generates an internal identifier of the recording. The internal identifier is a signature that uniquely identifies the recording. The system then adds the internal identifier to metadata that are associated with at least one occurrence of the recording. The metadata are data that describe the recording.
US08620964B2
Disclosed are methods in which ontologies are automatically (i.e., with little or no human interaction) constructed from data. The constructed ontology may be provided for use by an application or device. An ontology may be constructed as follows. Firstly, a lexical graph is constructed. Secondly, a concept-detection process is performed on the lexical graph to detect concepts (prominent terms) in the lexical graph. Thirdly, a clustering method is performed on the lexical graph to form groups of concepts. Fourthly, relationships between the concepts are determined based on the interconnections of the concepts in the groups. Lastly, the concepts and detected relationships therebetween are structured using a formal ontology specification.
US08620958B1
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product generate and utilize a dimensionally constrained hierarchical synthetic context-based object library for multiple synthetic context-based objects. A non-contextual data object is associated with a context object to define a synthetic context-based object, where the non-contextual data object ambiguously relates to multiple subject-matters, and where the context object provides a context that identifies a specific subject-matter, from the multiple subject-matters, of the non-contextual data object. The synthetic context-based object is then associated with at least one specific data store, which includes data that is associated with data contained in the non-contextual data object and the context object. A dimensionally constrained hierarchical synthetic context-based object library for multiple synthetic context-based objects is then constructed for handling requests for data stores, where a requester requests data stores that are associated with a same dimension of the dimensionally constrained hierarchical synthetic context-based object library.
US08620957B1
This disclosure generally may disclose a web-based online network drive that may be utilized by many users. Furthermore, this disclosure may provide for an efficient, web-based file system, which may be available as a network drive on a local computer.
US08620949B2
A display apparatus includes a display unit and receives a broadcasting signal, the display apparatus including: a communication unit which communicates with an external server; and an integrated searching unit which requests a broadcasting schedule information of a provider providing the broadcasting signal and a current popular search word to the server if a user inputs a search signal to execute a searching function, generates at least one recommended search word based on the broadcasting schedule information and the popular search word received from the server and displays on the display unit the generated recommended search word.
US08620947B2
A method and system for full text search for use during destination selection with a navigation system is disclosed. The method partitions a full text search index based on frequently used terms. These frequently used terms are then mapped to dedicated full text search indexes, where each document contains this frequently used term but the term itself is not stored in the index. A relation maps the frequently used terms to the inverted indexes.
US08620936B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system for facilitating transfer of data and information over a network includes a database component for storing data and information related to a machine and at least one part thereof, a communication component adapted to communicate with a user via a user device over the network, and a processing component adapted to receive a request for data and information from the user over the network via the user device and process the request by retrieving data and information from the database component related to the machine or the at least one part thereof specified by the user passed with the request. The communication component is adapted to transfer the data and information related to the machine or the at least one part thereof from the database component to the user device for viewing by the user on the user device.
US08620935B2
An Internet or other online service is personalized or customized based on data collected for a user of a computing device. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing a plurality of person profiles for persons associated with communications received by a user of a computing device; receiving data associated with an online service; and filtering, using at least one processor, the data based on the plurality of person profiles, wherein the filtered data is for display to the user on the computing device.
US08620927B2
Provided are techniques for receiving data comprising an entity having at least one feature; determining how the entity correlates with an existing entity, identifying an additional feature to increase confidence of the entity resolution, searching a data source for the additional feature to obtain an observation containing the additional feature, and performing the entity resolution using the at least one feature and the additional feature.
US08620926B2
In association with a data processing system that includes one or more servers, one or more clients and a partitionable distributed directory contained in a database, a computer implemented method is provided for selectively processing data entries that reside in the directory. The method comprises the steps of generating a request to perform an operation on each data entry in a specified group of intended entries, and specifying a hashing control index that uniquely identifies each entry of the specified group, and excludes all other entries. The requested operation is applied only to data entries in the directory that are identified by the specified hashing control index.
US08620922B2
A method and system for generating a taxonomy for documents from tag data are provided. The method includes obtaining tag data in the form of tags on documents with tag weightings for a document and clustering the tags using the tag weightings for documents, wherein each cluster is an identified subject. The documents are associated with each identified subject and the subjects are compared to identifying relationships between subjects to build a taxonomy of subjects. A tag weighting for a document is the number of times the tag is applied to the document with a user rating of the relevance of the tag to the document. The steps are carried out automatically without user intervention.
US08620919B2
Methods and arrangements for facilitating generation of media mixes for a program participant based at least in part on media library inventory information provided by a number of program participants. Those individuals that decide to be program participants are interested in organizing, maintaining and playing their music, based at least in part, on data derived from a population of other participants in the program. A program participant must send, and the system, receive, data representative of that program participant's media inventory. The system or program determines a relative similarity of each item from the collection of program participants as compared to each other item and from the similarity information clusters of similar items are identified. The clusters can be used to identify clusters of similar items in an individual program participant's media library and therefrom mixes of similar media items can be created.
US08620918B1
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a plurality of electronic documents associated with a domain at a server. Each of the plurality of electronic documents includes meta-data and textual content. The method includes identifying one or more text strings in the textual content that are to be processed differently than an identical or similar text string in other electronic documents, and associating, with the electronic document, data indicating that each of the identified text strings is to be processed differently than an identical or similar text string in other electronic documents. The method also includes performing an analysis of the electronic documents to identify one or more subsets of the electronic documents that include related subject matter. A plurality of degrees of relatedness can be associated with text strings associated with data indicating that each of the text strings is to be processed differently.
US08620917B2
An application server includes a Semantic Analysis Core Service (SACS) function that communicates with a Semantic Analysis Client (SAC) in a Set Top Box (STB). The SACS groups programs available for rendering to a subscriber into program clusters. The SACS generates the program clusters based on a determined semantic similarity between the programs, and on parameters that indicate a subscriber's preference for certain program content. The program that are semantically similar to existing clusters within a predetermined viewing window are provided to the STB and output to the subscriber on a display as a program preference list or channel line-up. The STB also monitors the subscriber's interaction with the programs and calculates a preference score for each program indicating the subscriber's continuing, or waning, interest in a given program. The preference score is used to update the score of the program cluster to which the program belongs.
US08620912B2
While browsing, a user may interact with a wide variety of images. The user may upload and share images taken with a digital camera and/or search for image using a search engine. Because images are rich in contextual information, it may be advantageous to provide additional information, such as adjacent market advertising based upon matching advertisements with contextual information of the images. Accordingly, a query image may be used to retrieve a video frame set. The video frame set may be expanded with related video frames corresponding to adjacent markets. The expanded video frame set may be grouped into clusters of similar frames. The clusters may be used to rank advertisements based upon how similar the advertisements are to the clusters and/or video frames within the clusters. In this way, one or more ranked advertisements may be presented with the query image.
US08620909B1
Information retrieval systems face challenging problems with delivering highly relevant and highly inclusive search results in response to a user's query. Contextual personalized information retrieval uses a set of integrated methodologies that can combine automatic concept extraction/matching from text, a powerful fuzzy search engine, and a collaborative user preference learning engine to provide accurate and personalized search results. The system and method can normalize documents or information objects into a graph of relationships between concepts (e.g., a knowledge base) and can normalize a search query into the same graph as a set of search criteria. The search can be executed using this graph and using indexes of concepts of the graph, and the results can be scored and presented to the user. User feedback (e.g., explicit and implicit feedback) can be collected to improve future searches.
US08620901B2
Systems and methods for operating a database using distributed memory and set operations, and for evaluating graphs stored in the database. Any system may be represented as a graph structure having nodes and edges. The graph structure is stored in a distributed memory system using a key/value schema wherein each node is stored as a key and a set of neighbor nodes is stored as the corresponding value. A short path from one node to another may be determined by traversing the graph in stages, moving outward from each node in stages until common midpoint nodes are found indicating connections between the nodes. When the midpoint nodes are found, the paths connecting the nodes may be reconstructed
