US08628639B2
Apparatus for processing a workpiece comprises a base adapted to have a workpiece placed thereon. A vacuum bag is placed over the workpiece, and the bag is sealed to the base using inner and outer seals. The inner and outer seals are spaced apart from each other to form a channel therebetween. A vacuum port coupled with a vacuum source is used to evacuate air from the channel.
US08628625B2
A method that uses an L-α-dipalmitoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) surfactant based device that reacts with a substance in a known manner, to detect a substance of interest or to extract a substance of interest from a material is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a substance that is harmful to a human, and also to extracting NACL from saltwater.
US08628620B2
A vapor deposition device (50) includes a mask (60) having periodic patterns, and only a region of the mask (60) where a one-period pattern is formed is exposed. A length of the mask base material along a direction perpendicular to a long-side direction of the mask base material is shorter than a length of a film formation substrate (200) along a direction of scanning of the film formation substrate (200). The mask (60) is provided so that the long-side direction of the mask base material is perpendicular to the direction of scanning and that the exposed region is allowed to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning by rotation of a wind-off roll (91) and a wind-up roll (92).
US08628613B2
Silicon semiconductor wafers are produced by pulling a single crystal at a seed crystal from a melt heated in a crucible; supplying heat to the center of the crucible bottom with a heating power which, in the course of the growth of a cylindrical section of the single crystal, is increased at least once to not less than 2 kW and is then decreased again; and slicing semiconductor wafers from the pulled single crystal.
US08628606B2
An exhaust gas treatment device includes at least a first at least partially electrically conductive honeycomb body having a first front side and a first rear side, a second at least partially electrically conductive honeycomb body having a second front side and a second rear side, an intermediate space between the first honeycomb body and the second honeycomb body, a power supply for the formation of an electric potential between the first honeycomb body and the second honeycomb body, and a multiplicity of electrodes fastened to the first honeycomb body, extending beyond the first rear side over a first length into the intermediate space and positioned at a first distance from the second front side of the second honeycomb body. A method for treating motor vehicle exhaust gas containing particles and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US08628604B2
The invention provides systems and methods for the pre-concentration of a target molecule from feed solution comprising a low concentration of the target molecule.
US08628600B2
One embodiment of method for extracting hexavalent chromium includes preparing a liquid sample by adding a fatty acid to a polymer material, adding water or an aqueous alkali solution to this sample, and extracting hexavalent chromium contained in the sample in the water or the aqueous alkali solution.
US08628592B2
The present invention provides a gas oil composition that can achieve environment load reduction, low temperature properties and low fuel consumption all together and is suitably used in a winter season. The gas oil composition comprises an Ft synthetic base oil in an amount of 60 percent by mass or more on the basis of the total mass of the composition and has a sulfur content of 5 ppm by mass or less, an aromatic content of 10 percent by volume or less, an oxygen content of 100 ppm or less, an end point of 360° C. or lower, an insoluble content after an oxidation stability test of 0.5 mg/100 mL or less, an HFRR wear scar diameter (WS1.4) of 400 μm or smaller and a specific relation in normal paraffin contents and the total content thereof.
US08628589B2
More stable and valuable bio-oil produced from biomasses are provided. More specifically, more stable and valuable bio-oil useful as heating oil is provided. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide for a bio-oil having sufficient heating value and stability to be useful as heating oil without the need to hydrotreat the bio-oil or use a similar deoxygenating process.
US08628581B2
A medical implant includes a body having a conical portion and adapted for implantation into a person's body. A plurality of threads formed around an exterior surface of the conical portion of the body are adapted to help secure the implant in place within the person's body.
US08628576B2
Systems for interbody fusion of adjacent bone portions may include an expanding implant and related instruments. An expanding implant may be formed as a linkage which is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. A shaft of the implant may increase and decrease in length to move between the compact and expanded configurations, and an implant width perpendicular to the length may be increased in the expanded configuration. The implant width may increase more in a first direction than a second direction opposite the first direction. An inserter instrument may releasably grasp the spacer and transform the implant between the compact and expanded configurations.
US08628572B2
Provided herein is an endothelial scaffold comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of decellularized corneal stroma. In some embodiments, the scaffold has cultured endothelial cells seeded thereon. Methods of treating a patient in need of corneal endothelial transplant are also provided, including implanting the scaffold as described herein onto a cornea of the patient (e.g., by deep keratectomy).
US08628563B2
A uniformly expandable support prosthesis has bending curves which taper in the region of curvature toward a narrowing. This allows uniform bending of the bending curves along the individual support rings.
US08628562B2
A medical device delivery system comprises an inner tube, a medical device disposed about a portion of the distal region of the inner tube, a medical device sheath disposed about the medical device, a medical device sheath retraction device extending proximally from the medical device sheath and an outer sheath disposed about a portion of the medical device sheath retraction device. The distal end of the outer sheath terminates at least one medical device length proximal of the medical device. The medical device sheath is movable relative to the outer sheath and relative to the inner tube.
US08628558B2
A bone fixation assembly includes a plurality of bone fixation elements that each include a bone anchor configured to be implanted into underlying bone, such as a vertebra. Each bone anchor is received in an anchor seat, and the anchor seats are joined by a fixation rod so as to operatively couple and fix the position and orientation of the vertebrae relative to each other. The bone anchor is free to rotate relative to the anchor seat, and is also free to pivot in a desired direction relative to the anchor seat.
US08628549B2
The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and methods relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. In some variations, the methods comprise providing a vascular device comprising a catheter body, a cutter assembly, a drive mechanism, a torque shaft, and a deflecting mechanism. The methods may further comprise operating the drive mechanism to cut occlusive material, operating the deflecting mechanism to deflect the cutter assembly, and rotating the distal end of the catheter body to sweep the cutter assembly.
US08628544B2
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate member, and an actuation assembly operatively associated with the handle assembly. The actuation mechanism includes a thrust bar disposed at least partially within the elongate member and a distal slide member. The thrust bar has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side and a second lateral side and is configured to move between proximal and distal positions with respect to the handle assembly. The distal slide member is positioned adjacent the first lateral side of the thrust bar and is adjacent the distal portion of the thrust bar. The proximal portion of the distal slide member is adapted to slide relative to the thrust bar when thrust bar moves in a curvilinear direction.
US08628543B2
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for adhering tissue to one another. In an embodiment of the present invention the two tissues to be joined, for example the lower esophagus and the fundus of the stomach, are first placed adjacent to one another. Next a first restraint is placed near the outside surface of one of the tissues and a second restraint is placed near the outside surface of the other tissue. An irritant is then placed between the two adjacent tissues. The restraints, and consequently the tissue surfaces, are then drawn together. As the touching irritated tissue surfaces heal they will become bonded to one another and their need for the mechanical fastening of the restraints, to secure them together, will be diminished.
US08628541B2
Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the tissue manipulation assembly, which may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly. A deployment assembly is provided for securing engaged tissue via one or more tissue anchors, the deployment assembly also being configured to disengage the anchors endoluminally or laparoscopically by applying thermal energy through at least one suture cutting element disposed along the deployment assembly.
US08628536B2
A system for harvesting, preparing, and delivering biological materials or other therapeutic agents is disclosed. The system is adaptable to a variety of biological materials or other therapeutic agents. The system is adaptable for minimally invasive procedures where access may be limited. The system includes provisions for delivering biological materials or other therapeutic agents along a curved path. The system is adaptable to maximize the delivered quantity of biological materials or other therapeutic agents, thus minimizing waste.
US08628525B2
An interventional device (12) is configured to be positioned in a body and includes an electrically operable unit (E1, E2) configured to carry out an interaction with the body upon a receipt of electric power. The device further includes a sensor (2) configured for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic energy from a remote source. The sensor is configured as a resonant circuit (2a, 2b) which converts the received electromagnetic energy into the electric power. The electrically operable device may include a diagnostic and/or therapeutic module.
US08628524B2
A return electrode detection and monitoring system and method thereof are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure provide for a combined universal recognition feature, that is to identify whether a return or neutral electrode coupled to an electrosurgical generator is a capacitive electrode or a split or non-split (solid) resistive electrode. Furthermore, the system and method will monitor both capacitive and resistive return electrodes when the electrosurgical generator is operating in the 4 Mhz range to notify an operator when the return electrode is not coupled enough which would effect power delivery to the patient and hence effect on the targeted tissue.
US08628518B2
A surgical instrument includes a distal portion. A force sensor is operatively mounted on the distal portion. The force sensor includes a wireless package, which wirelessly provides (1) identification information of the surgical instrument and (2) strain data related to the distal portion. A surgical end effector includes a jaw and the distal portion is on a non-contact portion of the jaw. The wireless package includes a surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The wireless package also includes a small folded antenna electrically coupled to the surface acoustic wave strain sensor with identification information. The identification information includes an identification of a type of surgical instrument and unique identification of the specific surgical instrument in the type of surgical instrument.
US08628516B2
A fluid flow connector including a housing assembly, having a first end and a second end arranged along a common longitudinal axis, and a resilient fluid flow conduit member having a forward end, disposed alongside the first end of the housing assembly, formed with a selectably closable slit and with at least one side opening. The resilient fluid flow conduit member is positionable in a closed position wherein the slit is closed but the at least one side opening is open and in an open position, allowing the slit to open and leaving the at least one side opening open, whereby when the resilient fluid flow conduit member is in the open position, the selectably closable slit and the at least one side opening each provide a fluid flow pathway between an interior of the resilient fluid flow conduit member and the first end of the housing assembly.
US08628511B2
Some embodiments of a method of anchoring a catheter include an anchor device that receives the catheter (or other medical instrument) and secures the catheter in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some embodiments, the anchor device can secure the catheter in an operative position relative to the skin penetration point without use of sutures or skin tapes.
US08628504B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the meibomian gland orifice and out of the gland orifice. Repeated application of the heated fluid jet may also be necessary to soften and/or express the obstruction.
US08628503B1
An eye watering/treating hands free system 12 for use with a computer system 10 or any other type of system and which selectively emits an eye watering/treating substance 80 in the direction of the eyes 35, 37 of a user 30 in order to treat eyes 35, 37 for dryness and/or discomfort.
US08628498B2
An insertion device and insertion set. The insertion device for inserting at least a portion of at least one piercing member of an insertion set through the skin of a patient includes a device housing, a carrier body and a driver. The carrier body is slidably received within the device housing for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The carrier body also includes a receiving structure to support the insertion set in a position with the at least one piercing member oriented for insertion through the skin of the patient at a predetermined angle relative to the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The driver is operatively coupled between the device housing and the carrier body to urge the carrier body with a controlled force and speed from the retracted position toward the advanced position to place at least a portion of the at least one piercing member of the insertion set thorough the skin of the patient to install the insertion set to the patient. The receiving structure of the carrier body is removable from the insertion set while maintaining the installation of the insertion set to the patient.
US08628492B2
An implantable glaucoma drainage device (GDD) system is disclosed. The GDD system comprises a microflow control system for controlling intraocular pressure, a protective capillary carrier tube housing the microflow control system, and anchoring arms holding the implanted device in place. The overall GDD size can be in a needle-implantable form factor for minimally invasive implantation. The GDD may be implanted via subconjunctival needle implantation to mimic the normal aqueous humor drainage pathway.
US08628489B2
A blood processing system for collecting and exchanging blood components includes a venous-access device for drawing whole blood from a subject and returning blood components to the subject. The system may also include three lines connecting the venous access device to a blood component separation device and an anticoagulant source. A blood draw line fluidly connects to the venous-access device to the blood component separation device. An anticoagulant line introduces anticoagulant into the drawn whole blood. A return line, fluidly connected to the venous-access device and the blood component separation device, and returns uncollected blood component to the subject. Each line may have a pump that controls flow through the line. The blood component separation device separates the drawn blood into a first blood component and a second blood component, and may be configured to send the first blood component to a first blood component bag.
US08628479B2
A plethysmograph is described that includes a test chamber having an opening; a sealing member including an annular flexible seal to receive at least a part of the head of the test animal mounted across the opening whereby the animal breathes air outside the test chamber, while the animal's body is within the test chamber; and a restraining member attachable to the sealing member, the restraining member including a clamp positionable behind the test animal's head, to prevent the animal from withdrawing its head from the restraining member. The animal is positioned in the restraining member and the sealing member is attached to the restraining member before insertion of the animal and assembly into the test chamber, avoiding previous difficulties in simultaneously placing an animal into the chamber while inserting the animal's nose into the seal. The plethysmograph also eliminates the necessity for a plunger to prevent rearward movement of the animal.
US08628475B2
A hyperechogenic needle includes a rigid shaft, which can be a hollow metal cannula, having a hyperechogenic particulate material affixed on an outer surface of the shaft that provides for visualization of the needle in two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound, particularly when the needle is in a position forming a non-90° angle between the longitudinal axis and the direction of the ultrasound waves in the two-dimensional ultrasound plane. The hyperechogenic particulate material can be covered by a polymeric coating or embedded in a polymeric material to provide a hyperechogenic layer. The polymeric coating and polymeric material can be electrically non-conductive or electrically conductive.
US08628473B2
An ablation catheter with acoustic monitoring comprises an elongated catheter body; a distal member disposed adjacent a distal end and including an ablation element to ablate a biological member at a target region outside the catheter body; and one or more acoustic transducers each configured to direct an acoustic beam toward a respective target ablation region and receive reflection echoes therefrom. The distal member includes a transducer housing in which the acoustic transducers are disposed, the transducer housing including at least one transducer window which is the only portion in the distal member through which the acoustic beam passes, at least the at least one transducer window portion of the distal member being made of a material comprising at least 50% carbon by volume, the transducer window material having an acoustic impedance between that of the acoustic transducers and that of the biological member.
US08628471B2
Systems and Methods for predicting patient health and patient relative well-being within a patient management system are disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes an implantable medical device comprising an analysis component and a sensing component further comprising a three-dimensional accelerometer, a transthoracic impedance sensor, a cardio-activity sensor, an oxygen saturation sensor and a blood glucose sensor. Some embodiments of a system disclosed herein also can be configured as an Advanced Patient Management System that helps better monitor, predict and manage chronic diseases.
US08628458B2
A separator including a separator drum having a conical interior and rotatably mounted at an axial end about a vertical axis of rotation. A rotating spindle is located at either a lower or upper end of the separator drum and is configured to drive the separator drum. The rotating spindle is disposed in an oscillating manner about a hinge point. Also included is supply tube for a product to be processed and two fluid outlets. One fluid outlet is for a light phase and one fluid outlet is for a heavy phase. A solids material discharge opening is located in an area of the separator drum's largest inner circumference. Further included is a separation pan assembly. A pressure chamber is configured to be acted upon by a fluid to change a location of a separation zone between the light phase and the heavy phase.
US08628452B2
A method is provided for controlling an output torque of an automated transmission coupled to an internal combustion engine and having a transmission controller. The internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas turbocharger and an injection air device for injecting air into an intake line. The method receives a torque requirement by the transmission controller, generates an injection air signal by the transmission controller based on the torque requirement and current operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and the automated transmission, and controls the output torque by activating the injection air device based on the injection air signal for injecting air into the intake line of the internal combustion engine for a duration to be determined. A corresponding device is provided for carrying out the method.
US08628451B2
A method for activating an oncoming clutch in a transmission includes monitoring rotational speeds of clutch elements of the oncoming clutch wherein the clutch elements are coupled to first and second rotationally independent torque actuators. A control speed profile for the first rotationally independent torque actuator is commanded. A speed profile of the oncoming clutch approaching zero speed is generated as is a control speed profile for the second rotationally independent torque actuator corresponding to a speed of the first rotationally independent torque actuator, the speed profile of the oncoming clutch, and an output speed of the transmission. A speed of the second rotationally independent torque actuator is controlled using the control speed profile for the second rotationally independent torque actuator. A speed of the oncoming clutch is monitored and the oncoming clutch is activated when the speed of the oncoming clutch is zero.
US08628447B2
The present invention relates to a shifting device for a transmission unit of a vehicle, in particular a vehicle that is driven by muscle force. The transmission unit has a first shaft, which is formed as a hollow shaft, on which a plurality of free gears is mounted. The free gears are in engagement with a corresponding plurality of gearwheels, which are mounted on a second shaft, wherein the free gears are connectable to the first shaft by means of selecting devices. The selecting devices can be actuated by means of a camshaft arranged coaxially in the first shaft, wherein the camshaft is connected to a driving device in order to be rotated relative to the first shaft to actuate the selecting means.
US08628446B2
A transmission module 1 has an input 3 which can be connected to a drive source, and an output 5 which can be connected to a differential. The transmission module 1 further has a clutch 7 and an epicyclic gearing 21 with three rotational members, of which a first rotational member 23 is connected to the clutch housing 9, a second rotational member 25 is connected to a brake 27 and a third rotational member 29 is coupled to the output 5. A transmission 31 also forms part of the transmission module 1. Between the clutch 7 and the epicyclic gearing 21 is located a partition 45 which is connected to the transmission housing 33 while a wet space 47 is formed between the partition and the transmission housing. The actuation cylinder 15 of the clutch, the operating cylinders 48 of the brake 27, as well as the oil pipes leading to it are fixed to the partition 45 as a result of which the actuation is arranged as a single module.
US08628439B2
Cones or cone assemblies with one or two oppositely positioned torque transmitting devices, such as torque transmitting arcs of constant pitch (formed by torque transmitting members) or teeth. The torque transmitting devices will be used for torque transmission between at least one means for coupling, such as transmission belt or chain, and a cone or cone assembly. The cones or cone assemblies can be used to construct CVT's for which significant circumferential sliding between the torque transmitting surfaces of the torque transmitting devices and the torque transmitting surfaces of the means for coupling engaged to them due to change in pitch diameter can be eliminated, as to reduce wear and frictional energy loses typical in similar devices of prior art and allow the usage of positive engagement devices, such as teeth, in coupling the torque transmitting devices with their means for coupling. CVT's that consist of at least one cone or one cone assembly of this invention that is coupled by a means for coupling to at least one means for conveying rotational energy, such as a pulley, a sprocket, a cone assembly of this invention, or a cone of this invention. Adjuster systems that can increase the performance of the CVT's of this invention and other CVT's that suffer from either or both transition flexing and a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed, so that efficient non-friction dependent CVT's and efficient friction dependent CVT's that do not suffer from transition flexing and/or a limited duration at which the transmission ratio can be changed can be constructed.
US08628431B2
A golf club head can comprise a head body and a protrusion weight coupled thereto. The protrusion weight can protrude from at least the heel portion of the head body. The head center of gravity of the golf club head can be defined by both a mass of the head body and a mass of the protrusion weight. The body center of gravity of the head body can be defined by the mass of the head body independent of the mass of the protrusion weight. A weight center of gravity of the protrusion weight can be defined by the mass of the protrusion weight independent of the mass of the head body, and can be external to a body volume of the head body. The protrusion weight can be at least partially visible from an exterior of the club head. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08628427B2
A somewhat flexible floor assembly is supported by a matrix of spaced-apart vertically-adjustable devices, such as electrically-operated jacks operated by servo motors. The devices are centrally individually controlled whereby height of the devices may be individually varied so that the floor surface may have its contour varied as desired. Somewhat flexible metal rods are supported by the jacks, and they in turn support joist assemblies which support a subfloor and flooring surface. The vertically-adjustable devices may be controlled by a computer, which may access data corresponding to a number of selectable pre-configured contours, such that selection of one of the pre-configured contours causes the height of the devices to vary so as to move the floor surface to a configuration corresponding to the selected pre-configured contour. The pre-configured contour may be, for example, a simulation of a real-life golf green.
US08628426B2
The system provides a tristable environment that effects reorientation of horizontal and vertical surfaces at a human scale. The system allows the engagement and disengagement of the effect via movement of the observer without loss of the intensity of the effect. The system also provides a combined vection/motion induced blindness environment at human scale with interactivity available to non-trained participants.
US08628409B2
A system and method of enhancing shopping search engines and games of chance by permitting the user to search for and locate the prize the user seeks to win or buy, and then playing a game of chance to win the specified item, or going to the web site to buy. The system calculates a dynamic probability of winning the item based on several factors. The system randomly generates a trial outcome of an event trial and an outcome indicator, with the probability of the event trial generating a winning trial outcome corresponding to the calculated probability of winning. The outcome indicator represents either a winning trial outcome or a losing trial outcome. In response to a winning trial outcome, the system purchases the item for the user from the independent third-party retail vendor at no cost to the user.
US08628406B1
A method for implementing a Keno-type wagering game may involve providing game tickets. Each game ticket may include a plurality of numbers. The method may also involve receiving completed game tickets from participating players. Each completed game ticket may include a player selection of a certain quantity of the plurality of numbers. The method may also involve holding a drawing in which multiple numbers are chosen. The method may also involve providing payouts to winning players based on how closely the players' number selections on the game tickets match the numbers chosen in the drawing. At least one number chosen in the drawing may be a bonus number that has greater value than other numbers chosen in the drawing.
US08628404B2
A method of awarding wins for game play comprises determining winning outcomes from all possible outcomes of game play and assigning at least one of two different types of awards, such as either or both primary and secondary credit awards, to each winning outcome. Preferably, the winning combinations and associated awards are selected so that, when assigned to a secondary event, the outcome of the game may be represented as the outcomes of a secondary event. In one embodiment, the outcomes of a Class II game, such as bingo, are represented by outcomes Class III type event, such as the game of slots. In accordance with the invention, the representation of the game outcomes mimics the frequency of wins and the payouts associated for those wins in a true Class III game, including as dependent upon the size of a player's wager.
US08628401B2
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.
US08628397B2
After the offensive selection element images are moved along the joining direction to the offensive selection image display area (70c) and displayed one after another in an alternating manner thereon, based on the control of the offensive selector (73), the images are halted and displayed in a matrix-wise arrangement. The character property (79) and physical strength value (72) are stored in association with the character, and the character corresponding to a physical strength value (72) equal to or lower than a predetermined final value is determined to be the loser, the physical strength value of the attacked character being calculated using the offensive value and a formula corresponding to the character property and the offensive type. Furthermore, the image of the character determined to be the loser by the winner/loser determinator (76) is varied.
US08628392B1
The invention is a method of game play to facilitate managing tasks by providing a virtual pet, providing a database storing tasks, determining a current state of said virtual pet, displaying a virtual pet, said displayed pet based on the current pet state, linking a task related action to a pet related activity associated with status of said virtual pet, and maintaining said virtual pet by performing task related actions to activate a pet related activity to change said status of said virtual pet. The invention provides a system to allow players to make, revise, review, share, and keep track of plans in an enjoyable way. The invention also provides a method to associate friends who share the same life contents. Players of the game can find friends through the system who have the most similar actual tasks.
US08628391B2
A main player operates a controller while viewing a monitor game image displayed on a monitor. A sub player operates a terminal device while viewing a terminal game image displayed on an LCD of the terminal device. A game image that is substantially identical to the monitor game image viewed by the main player is displayed on the LCD. By touching a touch panel provided on a screen of the LCD of the terminal device, the sub player can generate various events at a position in a game world corresponding to a touched position.
US08628388B2
A laboratory bench-top fume hood comprises an enclosure containing a working chamber with a frontal opening for manual access and airflow into the chamber. A plenum behind the working chamber is connectable to an air extraction system. An apertured, curved baffle plate separates the working chamber from the plenum, and is convex from the plenum side, improving airflow and increasing usable volume of the working chamber. Slots in the baffle plate may be fitted with guide vanes extending into the plenum. A slot adjacent a roof of the working chamber is effective for creating evenly-distributed air flows. The roof may be curved to encourage an airflow to follow the roof profile to the baffle plate. Sidewalls of the working chamber may bow outwardly but converge towards the opening. The baffle plate may comprise a set of separately dismountable panels, to aid cleaning and provide access to the plenum.
US08628386B2
A method for coating tubular food-casings (2), particularly skins with flavoring substances in particle form, includes wetting the casing (2) on the inside with adhesive, and then applying desired flavoring substances (6) onto the formed adhesive layer. The tubular casing (2), coated on the inside with adhesive, is guided through a first squeezing zone (5) and a second squeezing zone (8) in the travel direction, where the respective interior cross-sections of the tubular casing are temporarily closed. The second squeezing zone (8) is positioned higher than the first squeezing zone (5). The tubular casing is brought into the form of an inflated sack (2b) in between the two squeezing zones (5, 8) by a supply of particulate flavoring substances (6) and an air pocket (7) inserted into the interior of the tubular casing. During travel, the casing entrains the flavoring substances (6) from the supply.
US08628378B2
A retainer is used with an apparatus for polishing a substrate. The substrate has upper and lower surfaces and a lateral, substantially circular, perimeter. The apparatus has a polishing pad with an upper polishing surface for contacting and polishing the lower face of the substrate. The retainer has an inward facing retaining face for engaging and retaining the substrate against lateral movement during polishing of the substrate. The retaining face engages a substrate perimeter at more than substantially a single discrete circumferential location along the perimeter.
US08628373B2
A toy vehicle playset having a toy vehicle and a vessel holding a body of water is provided. The toy vehicle traverses a gap above the vessel when a toy creature is in a first position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of first and second track segments into a gap. The toy vehicle is captured by the toy creature and subsequently lowered into the vessel and the body of water when the toy creature is in a second position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of the first and second track segments into the gap. A thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color when it is lowered into the body of water by the toy creature.
US08628372B2
An actuator assembly including a resilient substrate having one or more shape memory alloys secured to the substrate. The shape memory alloys are configured to move a portion or all of the actuator assembly between an at-rest configuration and an actuated configuration. The shape memory alloys are elastically bendable and can be contracted from an elongated length to a contracted length in response to transmission of an electrical current therethrough. The electrical current is of a magnitude sufficient to heat the shape memory alloys from a first temperature to a second temperature so that a portion of or the entire actuator assembly can move from the at-rest configuration to the actuated configuration. Termination or reduction of the electrical current allows the shape memory alloy to cool and thereby elongate from the contracted length to the elongated length.
US08628369B2
An organic lighting emitting diode display device (OLED display device) and a method of fabricating the same. The OLED display device includes: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate; an emission layer disposed on the first electrode; a second electrode disposed on the emission layer; and a hole injection layer disposed between the first electrode and the emission layer or between the emission layer and the second electrode, and formed of an inorganic semiconductor material, which evaporates at a temperature of 1100° C. or less. The method includes forming the hole injection layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, by thermally evaporating the inorganic semiconductor material, at a temperature of 1100° C., or less.
US08628366B2
An aquatic exercise device is provided for assisting a user staying afloat and maintaining balance while performing exercises within a body of water. The device comprises a frame, a contoured body support bar, a pair of handles and a plurality of flotation and balance elements. The frame and body support bar form a “D” shape that surrounds a user's midsection when in use. Handles are disposed along the front of the device so that a user may grip the device to stabilize his or her upper body during use. The frame is encased in floatation foam to provide buoyancy. Additional balance and buoyancy is provided by larger balancing elements disposed around the floatation frame. A user may utilize the device for swimming or exercising in water in a variety of positions, particularly for the elderly, those with limited mobility or those unable to swim independently.
US08628354B2
An adapter element for serial data transfer in a vehicle, the adapter element including a first housing part, which is designed electrically conductively and is connectable to a shield and a second housing part, which is designed electrically conductively and includes a contact element. The first housing part and the second housing part are disposed such that the second housing part is enclosed by the first housing part in a first region that extends along a longitudinal axis of the adapter element. The contact element is in electrical contact in the first region with the first housing part, and the contact element produces the electrical contact at least in part by the adapter element being configured such that accessibility to the contact element from a position exterior to the adapter element in a direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis is ensured. In addition, the second housing part is surrounded on both sides of the first housing part by the first housing part inside a second region, which extends along the longitudinal axis.
US08628349B2
A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connector configured to be inserted into a socket, the FPCB connector including a plurality of supports that extend from the FPCB connector and support the FPCB connector by contacting a device where the socket is formed to couple the socket and the FPCB connector.
US08628348B2
A contact component of an implantable medical device connector module assembly includes a threaded bore in fluid communication with a connector bore thereof, and a flanged bore in fluid communication with the threaded bore. A perimeter surface of the flanged bore creates a shutoff with a pin during injection molding to form an insulative body of the assembly, and a perimeter surface of an insulative bore formed around the pin is preferably flush with that of the flanged bore of the contact component. A centerline axis of the flanged bore is preferably aligned with that of the threaded bore, for example, so that the molded insulative bore has a centerline axis aligned with that of the threaded bore of the contact component.
US08628346B2
Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides.
US08628344B2
A connector assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector housing and a sliding mechanism. The first connector housing includes a first power terminal cavity and a retaining member. The sliding mechanism slidably engages the first connector housing and includes a first locking member fixed to a first signal terminal cavity. The first locking member includes a first projection. The retaining member may be configured to engage the first projection when the first connector is disconnected from the second connector such that the first signal terminal cavity is maintained in an axially retracted position relative to the first power terminal cavity.
US08628340B2
A vertical connector including an insulating body, a conductive casing and a terminal set. The insulating body has a plurality of spaced formed terminal grooves thereon. The conductive casing is assembled with the insulating body and has an insertion opening. The terminal set has a plurality of terminals disposed on the terminal grooves. Each terminal has a fixing segment assembled on the bottom surface of the insulating body, an extending segment formed by bending the free end of the fixing segment toward the insertion opening and a connecting segment formed by extending from the free end of the extending segment.
US08628335B1
A power terminal connector includes a flexible conductor and first and second terminals. The terminals have terminal bodies each defining a receptacle and each being welded to a corresponding mounting portion of the flexible conductor to mechanically and electrically connect the terminals to the flexible conductor. The terminals have terminal body defining a receptacle and being welded to a corresponding mounting portion of the cable conductor to mechanically and electrically connect the terminals to the cable conductor. Each terminal has a contact spring received in the receptacle that is electrically connected to the terminal body. The contact spring has spring beams being configured to engage a power terminal plugged into the receptacle. The flexible conductor is configured to electrically interconnect the first and second power terminals. The cable conductor is configured to electrically interconnect the power terminal.
US08628333B2
The invention is an apparatus and method of biofeedback training for attaining a physiological state optimally consistent with the successful performance of a task, wherein the probability of successfully completing the task is made is inversely proportional to a physiological difference value, computed as the absolute value of the difference between at least one physiological signal optimally consistent with the successful performance of the task and at least one corresponding measured physiological signal of a trainee performing the task. The probability of successfully completing the task is made inversely proportional to the physiological difference value by making one or more measurable physical attributes of the environment in which the task is performed, and upon which completion of the task depends, vary in inverse proportion to the physiological difference value.
US08628325B2
A dental implant system for placement within a jaw of a patient includes an envelope including an outer surface and an inner surface defining a barrel. At least one barrier is located in the barrel. The barrel having a first region on one side of the barrier and a second region on an opposing side of the barrier. An expander member is movable within the barrel along a longitudinal axis of the barrel from the first region to the second region. The barrier prohibits the expander member from moving from the second region to the first region.
US08628324B2
A single burner snow melter is capable of a snow start. The burner assembly has a fuel burner having adjustable combustion output and a nozzle through which products of combustion emerge, and a combustion chamber which has a first portion in substantially air-tight communication with the fuel burner and which encloses the nozzle. A second portion of the combustion chamber is shaped and dimensioned such that the second portion is placed into a snow melting receptacle or pit. The combustion chamber has a plurality of directional discharge means formed at least on its second portion through which products of combustion from the fuel burner emerge, and thus agitate, and melt snow loaded into a tank or pit. The burner assembly also includes an air cooling assembly for supplying air to cool at least the first portion of the combustion chamber.
US08628323B2
There is provided an injection unit. The injection unit comprises an extruder that is structured to continuously melt, in use, a molding material; a nozzle that is connectable, in use, to a mold; a melt accumulator that is structured to selectively buffer and transfer, in use, the molding material towards the nozzle, the melt accumulator including a first melt accumulator and a second melt accumulator selectively connectable to the extruder via a distribution assembly, and wherein each of the first melt accumulator and the second melt accumulator defines a respective melt accumulation volume; the melt accumulation volume being configured to accumulate and hold, for a first time after being molten by the extruder a volume of molding material sufficient to transfer for downstream processing; a melt filter placed before the melt accumulation volume, such that the molding material if subjected to filtering prior to entering the melt accumulation volume, the melt filter being configured to remove contaminants from the molding material.
US08628322B2
A mold apparatus used in injection molding of liquid silicone composition. The mold apparatus is made of several components aiding in the overall process. The mold apparatus has two main sections, a cold section to prevent the liquid silicone from curing and a heated section for curing the liquid silicone. The two sections are separated by a thermal insulating plate. The metering of the flow is achieved by an actuator providing linear movement of a valve pin position in the center of the flow path of the runnerless nozzle resting against a gate orifice. The runnerless nozzle is keep cooled with an annular heat pipe surrounding the body of the runnerless nozzle and circulating a liquid coolant at one end of the runnerless nozzle. The cavity block receive heat from an heating element incorporated in the cavity back plate. Heat is evenly distributed in the cavity block by vaporization.
US08628321B2
Various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the molding of an item having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure. One disclosed embodiment provides an injection molding device for molding a part having a non-uniform thickness and an undercut structure, the injection molding device comprising a pair of opposing end walls, a first mold surface being stationary with respect to the pair of opposing end walls, and a second mold surface being movable toward the first mold surface such that a first end of the second mold surface is movable a larger travel distance toward the first mold surface than a second end during a molding process. Further, the pair of opposing end walls comprises a slider with an undercut mold surface that is movable in a direction transverse to a direction in which the second mold surface is movable toward the first mold surface.
US08628320B2
A mold assembly having a mold cavity formed by liner plates, at least one being moveable, an actuator having an actuator axis, and a force multiplier formed by first and second drive elements, the first drive element positioned off-axis from the actuator axis and in mechanical communication with the moveable liner plate, the second drive element operatively coupled to the first drive element, and the actuator configured to provide a first force having a first magnitude in a first direction along the actuator axis to the second drive element which moves the first drive element and the moveable liner plate in an extending direction, wherein a magnitude of a force applied to the moveable liner plate resulting from compression of dry cast concrete in the mold cavity that is required to move the moveable liner plate in a direction opposite the extending direction is greater than the first magnitude.
US08628311B2
A cassette for a heated fluid ablation system, comprises a fluid supply lumen receiving an ablation fluid from an external fluid source and a fluid chamber containing a therapeutic agent in combination with an impeller pumping the ablation fluid out of the cassette via to a fluid delivery lumen when the cassette is in a first configuration and pumping the therapeutic agent out of the cassette via the fluid delivery lumen when the cassette is in a second configuration.
US08628309B2
A turbomolecular pump having a pump main unit having, at least, a rotary vein provided on a rotor, a static vein for working in cooperation with the rotary vein to perform a vacuum exhaust, and a motor for driving the rotor, comprising: a controlling device that includes a motor driving circuit for converting into thermal energy, in a regenerative braking resistance, the regenerative electric current that is produced at the time of regeneratively driving the motor; and a cooling device for cooling the controlling device. A rod-shape heating resistive element is used as the regenerative braking resistance, where this resistive heating element is routed along the inner peripheral surface of an end portion 14a of the controlling device case that contacts the cooling device.
US08628299B2
A system, in one embodiment, includes a turbine blade having a radial blade tip. The system further includes a trailing edge trench that is formed in the radial blade tip and which extends towards a trailing edge of the turbine blade. The trailing edge trench further includes a first set of cooling passages, each of which includes a first slot formed along a first sidewall of the trailing edge trench, whereby the slot is coupled to a first respective hole extending through a floor of the trailing edge trench.
US08628297B2
An apparatus is provided and includes a turbine including a casing and a turbine bucket having a tip proximate to the casing and a trailing edge defined relative to a direction of fluid flow through the turbine and a diffuser, defined between a central surface and a downstream section of the casing, which is fluidly coupled to the turbine and disposed downstream from the trailing edge, a slope of the downstream section of the casing being angled by at least 6 degrees relative to a slope of the tip within about 0.5 turbine bucket chord lengths as measured at the tip from the trailing edge, and the central surface and the downstream section of the casing being at least substantially parallel or divergent from the trailing edge.
US08628290B2
A handling device which has a first bearing device forming a pivot point for two inner pivot arms, to each of which one outer pivot arm is pivotally attached. The two outer pivot arms support a platform. The platform is pivotally connected to the outer pivot arms by an outer three-ring bearing.
US08628288B2
In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiments, a substrate transport apparatus is provided comprising a drive mechanism, a movable arm assembly connected to the drive mechanism, an end effector connected to the arm assembly. A chuck for holding a substrate is mounted on the end effector and having a movable edge gripper with a contact surface and an edge of the substrate may be gripped by actuating the movable edge gripper to engage the substrate with the contact surface. The apparatus further comprising a motion sensor for providing a signal to actuate the movable edge gripper to close and open the moveable edge gripper for capturing and releasing the substrate.
US08628283B1
A seed transporter for transporting seeds in their seed boxes having a frame with an upper surface for supporting the seed box. The frame has upstanding members that extend upwardly from the frame and are adapted for contacting opposite sides of the seed box and for restraining movement of the seed box when the seed box is located between the upstanding members. The upstanding members include a draw bar that is slidingly retained within the upstanding members. The draw bar includes a catch affixed to the draw bar adapted for catching a retention surface on the seed box. The draw bar is movable between a first and second position. The first position locates the catch above the retention surface and the second position locates the catch beyond the retention surface on the box.
US08628281B2
An exchangeable cutting head that is inserted into a mounting hole formed on a tool body, screwed on a mounting screw section provided on a bottom portion of the mounting hole, and is attached removably to the tool body, the exchangeable cutting head includes: a cutting head body including: a cutting portion provided at a front-end section; a mounting portion provided at a rear-end section and inserted into the mounting hole; and an engaging hole having an inner-peripheral face on which a recessed portion is formed, the cutting head body being made of a hard material; and a connection member including: a shaft portion that is inserted into the engaging hole, includes an outer periphery attached firmly to the inner-peripheral face of the engaging hole, and is engaged with the inner-peripheral face; a head screw section screwed with the mounting screw section; and a hole section formed inside of the head screw section and the shaft portion and along a center line of the shaft portion, the connection member being made of a metal material having a degree of hardness lower than a degree of hardness of the hard material and the connection member being connected to the cutting head body.
US08628280B2
A router includes a motor assembly, at least a first rail and at least a first rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the first rolling element pair engages the first rail. The router may further include a second rail and a second rolling element pair mounted to the motor assembly, where the second rolling element pair engages the second rail.
US08628279B2
A chip discharge device for a machine tool is provided that has a simple structure, enables automatic replacement of tools, and is suitable for a machine tool in which a spindle head is turned about an axis of turning that is not parallel to the center axis of the spindle. A suction pipe 73 on the first support member side is disposed in parallel to a first axis of turning 191 to be centered on the axis of the through hole 192 of a first support member. A right end of the suction pipe 73 on the first support member side is fixed by bolts to a left end surface of the spindle head 18. An outer circumferential surface of the left end of the suction pipe 73 on the first support member side is connected to be able to relatively rotate to an inner circumferential surface at the lower end of a second communicating pipe 74. A seal mechanism 8 is provided in the connection portion, preventing the external air from being sucked into the second communicating pipe 74.
US08628267B2
An exemplary actuating mechanism includes a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The driving shaft includes a connecting end. Engaging blocks are formed on the connecting end with a clearance defined between each two neighboring engaging blocks. The driven shaft includes a pivot end. Protruding blocks are formed on the pivot end with a gap defined between each two neighboring protruding blocks. The driving shaft is connected with the driven shaft via the engaging blocks of the connecting end respectively engaged in the gaps and the protruding blocks of the pivot end respectively engaged in the clearances.
US08628263B2
An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a releasable material (e.g., an oral medicament) and a tissue cleanser for cleaning the soft tissues and removing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed on the surface of the tissue cleanser. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed behind the tissue cleanser. In one arrangement, the releasable material is incorporated in the composition of the tissue cleanser.
US08628261B2
An apparatus includes a platen including a supporting surface that supports a sheet that is conveyed, a sensor unit including an image sensor that takes an image of the sheet so as to detect the movement of the sheet. The sensor unit is embedded in the supporting surface and takes an image of a back side of the sheet, the sheet being supported on the supporting surface.
US08628258B2
A holder for an optical device for changing the orientation of the optical device, such as for photographic, video or film cameras, having a first component having a first pivot axis for connecting to a tripod and a second component having a second pivot axis for connecting to the optical device, wherein the two pivot axes extend transversely with respect to each other and can each be adjusted in a mutually independent manner, wherein the first pivot axis is arranged in the first component and the second pivot axis is likewise arranged in the first component.
US08628254B2
An optical fiber adapter includes a first housing and an elastic shutter member. The first housing includes a flange and an accommodation room with an opening. A hollow cylinder extends from the front surface of the flange and is positioned within the accommodation room. The shutter member includes a horizontal portion, two vertical portions, two hooks, a shutter plate and a connecting portion. The horizontal portion is positioned within the accommodation room. The two vertical portions extend from two opposing sides of the horizontal portion, respectively, and go through the openings on the flange, respectively. The two hooks extend from the two vertical portions, respectively, and are configured to hook on to the flange. The connecting portion connects the horizontal portion with the shutter plate. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and into the accommodation room to arrive in front of an opening of the hollow cylinder.
US08628245B2
A connection structure of first and second linear motor type transport devices each having a base part, and a rail part set on the top surface of the base part is provided, including: a notch concave part formed in the top surfaces of the base parts with both devices connected; a reference positioning part serving as a reference position of lower edges on one side in the width direction of the rail parts; a bottom surface support part disposed in the notch concave part, and set between the bottom surface of the notch concave part and the bottom surfaces of the rail parts; and a pressing member interposed between the wall part of the notch concave part and lower edges on the other side of the rail parts, and urging the lower edges on the other side of the rail parts toward the reference positioning part, thereby linearly fixing the first and second linear motor type transport devices to be connected.
US08628243B2
The bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth. The bag may also include a first strip of material disposed on the inside surface of the bag body proximate the rim. The strip may include an inside surface, an outside surface that faces the inside surface of the body, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The bag may also include a front wall, a back wall, and a hem, the hem including a drawstring. The strip may include a printed design. The design could be letters, numbers, pictures, writing, or any other design. When the bag is inserted into a trash receptacle such that the rim of the bag is folded over the rim of the receptacle, the printed design is visible from outside the receptacle.
US08628239B2
A test slot assembly is provided for testing a storage device. The test slot assembly is configured to receive and support a storage device, or a storage device supported by a storage device transporter. The test slot assembly also includes a temperature sensing assembly. The temperature sensing assembly is arranged to measure a temperature of a storage device by way of physical contact. The test slot assembly also includes a clamping mechanism operatively associated with the housing. The clamping mechanism is operable to move the temperature sensing assembly into contact with a storage device.
US08628238B2
A multi-purpose, cylindrical thermal insulation test apparatus is used for testing insulation materials and systems of materials using a liquid boil-off calorimeter system for absolute measurement of the effective thermal conductivity (k-value) and heat flux of a specimen material at a fixed environmental condition (cold-side temperature, warm-side temperature, vacuum pressure level, and residual gas composition). The apparatus includes an inner vessel for receiving a liquid with a normal boiling point below ambient temperature, such as liquid nitrogen, enclosed within a vacuum chamber. A cold mass assembly, including the upper and lower guard chambers and a middle test vessel, is suspended from a lid of the vacuum canister. Each of the three chambers is filled and vented through a single feedthrough. All fluid and instrumentation feedthroughs are mounted and suspended from a top domed lid to allow easy removal of the cold mass. A lift mechanism allows manipulation of the cold mass assembly and insulation test article.
US08628233B2
The invention relates to a flow channel having a mixing insert and a plurality of tubes guided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel over the length of the mixing insert, each mixing insert including at least twenty-eight pairwise crossed multi-wall sheets, the ratio of the width of the multi-wall sheets to the inside diameter of the flow channel being no more than 0.25, the ratio of the length of the mixing insert to the inside diameter of the flow channel being no less than 0.4, and the angle of the multi-wall sheets to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel being 30° to 60° and the ratio of the intermediate spacing of neighboring planes to the inside diameter of the flow channel being no more than 0.3, and to the inside diameter of the tubes being less than 6.
US08628219B2
The present invention is directed to a compact omnidirectional light emitting diode (LED) light. In one embodiment, the compact omnidirectional light includes a metal base including a stalk, a power supply coupled to the metal base, a reflector including one or more reflector cups coupled to the metal base and enclosing the power supply, an LED circuit board including one or more LEDs coupled to the reflector and a lens coupled to the metal base and enclosing the LED circuit board and the reflector, wherein the lens surface is smooth.
US08628212B2
A conductive end cap for a linear lighting apparatus is disclosed. The first embodiment of the present invention comprises, among other things, an insulating cap for one end of the linear lighting apparatus, the cap including a first orifice extending from the exterior side of the cap to the interior side of the cap and a conducting shaft extending through the first orifice and protruding from the exterior side of the cap, such that the shaft may rotate about its central axis within the first orifice. The conductive end cap also includes a second orifice extending perpendicularly through a portion of the shaft for accepting a conductive line and a static conductive element protruding from the interior side of the cap so as to provide a conductive terminal for a lighting element located within the linear lighting apparatus.
US08628209B2
A light assembly includes a housing containing at least one solid state lighting device. The solid state lighting device electrically communicates with an AC energy source in a known manner. At least one photovoltaic cell is connected to an inner wall of the housing adjacent to the solid state lighting device whereby the photovoltaic cell absorbs radiative energy from the solid state lighting device. At least one battery pack derives energy from the artificial light of the lighting device, by and through the photovoltaic cell. One or more LED lights, or an LED array, are contained within the housing, and electronically communicate with the battery pack. An actuation sensor activates a switching means to energize the LED light(s) with DC power from the battery pack.
US08628204B2
The present invention relates to a cooking oven with at least one cavity (12) and an illumination-equipment for said cavity (12). The cooking oven comprises a number of outer walls (14, 16, 18, 44) forming a casing (10) of the cooking oven, a number of inner walls (20, 22, 24, 40) enclosing the cavity (12), and a plurality of light emitting elements (30) arranged between the outer wall (14, 16) and the adjoining plane-parallel inner wall (20, 22), wherein the light emitting elements (30) are arranged in a distance from the inner wall (20, 22). At least one of the light emitting elements (30) is thermally connected to the casing (10) of the cooking oven, so that the light emitting element (30) is arranged within a heat sink of the cooking oven. The invention relates further to a corresponding illumination-equipment.
US08628202B2
An optical filter having improved visibility under external light and an organic light-emitting device including the same.
US08628200B2
A hinge assembly for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprising a central shaft and a mirror housing pivotably arranged around the central shaft. In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the mirror housing is supported on a supporting surface at the base of the central shaft and, through cooperation, first and second run-on surfaces define a predetermined angular position between the central shaft and the mirror housing corresponding to a folded-out position of the mirror housing. In an embodiment, first run-on surfaces are provided on a side of the mirror housing remote from the supporting surface, and second run-on surfaces are connected with the central shaft to be axially compliant and rotation-coupled.
US08628197B2
Display systems and methods for mobile devices and mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display system for a mobile device is provided. The mobile device is handheld and includes a primary display screen. The display system includes an auxiliary screen and a connecting device coupled to the auxiliary screen and attachable to the mobile device. An image from the mobile device is producible on the auxiliary screen. The display system is removable from the mobile device.
US08628195B2
The invention relates to an optical article including a transparent substrate of organic glass, preferably a substrate of an ophthalmic lens, an adhesive layer covering at least one of the faces of the transparent substrate, a transparent film of thermoplastic polymer fixed on the transparent substrate by means of the adhesive layer, an anti-abrasion hard coating covering the transparent film of thermoplastic polymer, and a multilayer antireflection coating formed from alternating mineral layers with high and low refractive index. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said article.
US08628187B2
Methods of forming images on substrates in printing and apparatuses for forming images on substrates in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods of forming images on substrates in printing includes applying ink onto a surface of a substrate; irradiating the ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure the ink; applying pressure to the substrate and partially-cured ink at a nip with a first surface of a first member and a second surface of a second member to level the ink on the surface of the substrate; and irradiating the as-leveled ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation to substantially fully cure the ink.
US08628176B2
A method of driving an electromechanical converter of a print head of a continuous inkjet printer, wherein the electromechanical converter is arranged to break up a continuous stream of ink into a plurality of drops. The method includes determining a modulation voltage to drive the electromechanical converter, at least a property of the modulation voltage being controlled to take into account movement of a break up point of the continuous stream of ink, and to ensure that in a characteristic of modulation voltage versus a property at least indicative of a break up point of the continuous stream of ink, the characteristic has a predetermined gradient, or a gradient related to this predetermined gradient; and driving the electromechanical converter at the determined modulation voltage.
US08628174B2
A piezoelectric element 10 includes a supporting body 12, a lower electrode 16 that is formed over the supporting body, a piezoelectric layer 20 that is formed over the lower electrode, and an upper electrode 24 that is formed over the piezoelectric layer so as to oppose the lower electrode via the piezoelectric layer. A step portion 20A is formed at a peripheral portion of the piezoelectric layer at a side of the lower electrode such that a surface of the piezoelectric layer at the side of the lower electrode is larger than a surface of the piezoelectric layer at a side of the upper electrode.
US08628170B2
A recording apparatus, including: a recording head; a conveying member for conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction; a wiper whose distal end is to come into contact with and separate away from the surface; a wiper driving mechanism for driving the wiper to conduct a wiping operation in which the distal end is brought into contact with the surface and the wiper is moved relative to the surface in an intersecting direction that intersects the conveyance direction for wiping the surface; a retainer for giving, to the conveying member, a retaining force for preventing a movement of the conveying member in the intersecting direction; and a controller for controlling the retainer to give the retaining force to the conveying member and for controlling the driving mechanism to conduct the wiping operation, in a state in which the movement of the conveying member in the conveyance direction is halted.
US08628169B2
A method of cleaning a print head assembly comprising a print head and a cover includes removing the cover from the print head assembly. A cleaning unit includes a fluid chamber, a fluid intake port, and a fluid exit port. The cleaning unit is attached to the print head such that the fluid chamber surrounds a portion of the print head. A solvent is introduced into the fluid chamber to contact the print head. The solvent is allowed to clean the print head. The solvent is removed from the chamber.
US08628167B2
There is provided a printing device configured to eject a dispersed body containing a solid particle and a liquid. The printing device includes a film and an acoustic head. The film has a first major surface and a second major surface on an opposite side of the first major surface. The first major surface is provided with a first recess accommodating the liquid and a second recess provided on a bottom face of the first recess and accommodating the solid particle. The acoustic head focuses an acoustic wave from a side of the second major surface toward the first recess and the second recess. Thus, even in the case of discharging a dispersed body containing solid particles, it is possible to uniformize the amount of solid particles contained in ejected droplets and it is possible to uniformly make a print.
US08628164B2
A process of detecting a defective recording element and a process of correcting the defective recording element are performed with appropriate processing loads. When the detection process and the correction processes are performed with small loads, for example, at a time of recording, a resolution used for reading an inspection pattern is set lower than that set in a case where the processes can be performed with small loads, for example, at down time before recording. The reading resolution to be set may be determined by an apparatus in accordance with a processing load or may be arbitrarily determined by a user.
US08628163B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method even with a variation in the temperature of a print head, thus keeping the quality of images resulting from printing high. Adjustment patterns used to adjust the difference in ink ejection timing between ink ejected in a forward direction and ink ejected in a backward direction during scanning are printed at a plurality of different temperatures. Adjustment values for the ink ejection timing at the respective temperatures are selected from the adjustment patterns. Then, the correction value for the ink ejection timing is calculated from the adjustment values based on the temperature detected by the detection device. Printing is then performed with the difference in ink ejection timing between the ink ejected in the forward direction and the ink ejected in the backward direction during scanning, adjusted based on the correction value.
US08628161B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits a treatment liquid onto a recording medium; an ink ejection device which ejects droplets of ink onto the recording medium; a conveyance device including: a conveyance body having curvature by which the recording medium is carried and conveyed, a holding device which holds a leading end of the recording medium, suction holes for suctioning the recording medium with negative pressure, and a suctioning device which performs suctioning via the suction holes; a heating device which heats the conveyance body and the recording medium from an opposite side of the recording medium to the conveyance body; and a non-contact-type recording medium restricting device which is provided on an upstream side of the heating device so as to press in a non-contact fashion a trailing end of the recording medium from the opposite side to the conveyance body.
US08628155B1
A drawer organizer for use in a drawer, the drawer organizer being installed in a drawer and receiving utensils for storage in the drawer. The drawer organizer includes a base liner having an upper surface and a bottom surface, and includes multiple separate retaining members that may be selectively positioned and affixed to the upper surface of the base liner. The bottom surface of the base liner is placed on a base surface of a drawer and the retaining members are selectively positioned on the upper surface to retain utensils in a desired position on the drawer organizer.
US08628154B2
The aisle containment system is mounted to two rows of equal width cabinets or cabinets varying in width between 600 mm, 700 mm and 800 mm. The aisle containment system includes door assemblies on both ends of the cabinet rows, vertical panels that mount to the cabinets and door frames to support the ceiling, cross tees that span the aisle, and ceiling panels. Additional cabinets of equal or varying width may be added to an aisle containment installation.
US08628141B1
A vehicle includes a body and a closure panel moveably attached to the body. When the closure panel is in a closed position, a closure restraint system interconnects the body and the closure panel and restricts lateral movement of the closure panel relative to the body. The closure restraint system includes a fixed wedge block attached to one of the body and the closure panel, and a rotatable wedge block attached to the other of the body and the closure panel. The rotatable wedge block includes a curved cam surface, and is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the fixed wedge block when engaged by the fixed wedge block to move the contact between the fixed wedge block and the rotatable wedge block along the curved cam surface to maintain a consistent closing force for closing the closure panel.
US08628138B2
A drawer-type cooling box assembly includes a cooling box which is mounted in a housing, in particular in a kitchen unit of a camping vehicle, so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed in on pull-out guides and has an upwardly directed access opening and an upper cooling box covering. The drawer-type cooling box is able to be operated very much more easily and significantly improving the accessibility to foodstuffs stored in the drawer-type cooling box, which is obtained in that the cooling box covering is mounted movably in the kitchen unit via coupling elements, is lifted off upward from the cooling box in a pulled-out position of same and, in a pushed-in position, is lowered downward onto the access opening of the cooling box.
US08628132B2
An electrical gripper has a housing and a solenoid plunger. A pair of jaws are movably mounted with the housing. The jaws are movable towards and away from each other. The jaws are coupled with the solenoid plunger to provide movement to the jaws. A first mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a first position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. A second mechanism is associated with the solenoid plunger to lock the solenoid plunger in a second position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger. Thus, the jaws are actively locked in an open or close position when power is terminated to the solenoid plunger.
US08628125B2
A lock structure with at least one latch comprises a base, a link member, a sliding member and a rotating member. The link member is moveable relative to the base to drive the latch. The sliding member is engaged with the link member and being capable of driving the link member. The rotating member is rotatably disposed between the base and the sliding member, wherein the rotating member is capable of driving the sliding member and the link member to drive the latch.
US08628123B2
A case for motor vehicles is equipped for removably fastening to a support plate on the motor vehicle and includes a base part and a cover hinged together and equipped with a locking mechanism for holding the cover in position and that preferably also includes a lock able to be controlled to prevent a control to open the cover. The locking mechanism allows partial shifting the cover from the base part that acts positively on the closed cover when the locking mechanism passes from the holding position to the release position.
US08628118B2
A removable and reusable multiple application fitting is disclosed that enables removal of the hose without significant damage to the hose. The removable and reusable multiple application fitting properly seals with hoses made of only one compound, such as rubber, as well as hoses of multiple compounds with or without linings, such as a rubber hose with a plastic lining. The multiple application fitting has a taper step and o-ring step to guide a hose over an installed o-ring to prevent the o-ring from being displaced during installation. The multiple application fitting is versatile and in some embodiments is used with hoses that require o-rings, and in other embodiments used with hoses that do not.
US08628115B2
A storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage system includes a pressure vessel, a plurality of mounting systems disposed on each end of the pressure vessel, each mounting system having a vessel shell having an end coupled to the end of the pressure vessel, a mounting shell having a first end coupled to the vehicle and a second end coupled to another end of the vessel shell, and an impact element formed in one of the vessel shell and the mounting shell having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the vessel shell and the mounting shell, a clamping element for coupling the vessel shell to the pressure vessel, and a coupling means for coupling the vessel shell and the mounting shell together through the impact element.
US08628112B2
With the curtain air bag system according to this aspect, if the vehicle ends up rolling over, the main deployment portion receives a supply of gas and consequently inflates and deploys in a curtain shape. Also, the auxiliary deployment portion inflates and deploys by receiving a supply of gas from this main deployment portion via the gas passage. The head of an occupant seated in the front seat is protected against a rollover by the main deployment portion and the auxiliary deployment portion. Here, with the curtain air bag system described above, the upper end portion of the auxiliary deployment portion is connected to the front pillar via the connecting portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress the upper end of the auxiliary deployment portion from becoming offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front pillar when protecting the head of an occupant, which improves occupant head protection performance forward of the seat.
US08628108B2
A light weight foldable and customizable wheelchair (4) is described. It is comprised of a tubular frame (9) formed at least in part of molded polymer matrix composite material tubes and connectors. The wheelchair has two side frame tubular assemblies (9, 9′) interconnected in side-by-side relationship by a pair of cross-brace (8, 8′) members. The side frame tubular assemblies define a seating section (6) therebetween. A rear wheel mounting post (80) is secured to each of the side frame assemblies adjacent a rear end section thereof for securing a rear wheel (86) to each of the side frame tubular assemblies (9, 9′) at a desired selected position. A front wheel assembly (7, 7′) is secured to a lowermost front end of each of the side frame tubular assemblies. The seating section (6) is configurable along three axes. Each of the side frame tubular assemblies (9, 9′) is adjustable in depth and in height, constituting a first and second of the three axes, by cutting tubes (70′, 70″, 71, 72) of the side frame tubular assemblies to a desired length and gluing them to associated ones of the connectors (71′, 71″, 72′, 73). Each cross-brace member (8, 8′) of the pair of cross-brace members, have a cross-brace connecting tube (30) adjustable in length to provide a width adjustment which constitutes a third of the three axes of the side frame tubular assemblies. A pair of back canes (10) is secured to the two side tubular assemblies (9, 9′).
US08628093B2
A waterproof sealing lip section is pressed onto a vehicle body panel, thereby enhancing a high waterproof function even if projecting amounts in height of the burrs are random. A conical waterproof flange projects from an outer peripheral surface of a body side cylinder for passing the wire harness so that the waterproof flange is inclined on the outer peripheral surface. An annular bent end extends from the conical waterproof flange. First and second annular sealing lips project from an inner surface of the bent end. The first and second sealing lips of the waterproof flange are pressed onto the vehicle body panel.
US08628092B2
A seal assembly for a turbomachine is provided. The turbomachine includes a stationary housing and a rotor rotatable about an axis. The seal assembly includes a plurality of arcuate packing ring segments disposed intermediate to the rotor and the stationary housing, and a plurality of inter-segment gaps disposed between the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments. The plurality of inter-segment gaps are inclined at a first angle from a radial axis of the rotor and inclined in a direction of motion of the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments. The seal assembly also includes a biasing member disposed intermediate to the stationary housing and the plurality of arcuate packing ring segments and coupled to both.
US08628090B2
Children and adults are often seen collecting shells at the beach. Most don't know the name of the shell or anything about it. There's a need to create interest and education about seashells.There is literature which identifies seashells but nothing in the form of a game which would spark that interest.I've invented a seashell game geared for specific geographic locations that identifies indigenous seashells. The game consists of a plastic board with several indentations for specific shells to be placed into. A picture of that shell, its name and interesting information is printed next to the appropriate indentation. The object of the game is for players to fill each indentation with the proper shell within a time limit.The game provides a fun way to learn about seashells and occupy one's time while at the beach. Once filled, the game can be displayed in home, school or office.
US08628082B2
A lottery instant-game ticket and method of making same. On a substrate is placed a first set of game indicia including a first set of game symbols, and a second set of indicia larger than the first set of game indicia and including a second set of game symbols, and includes any winning symbol. A subset of the second set of game indicia with each symbol including a non-winning indicator. The first set and second of game indicia are covered with a removable covering, with the covering having position indicators positioned substantially over each of the first set of game indicia, and identical game symbols positioned substantially over a corresponding identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia such that removal of the identical game symbol reveals the identical game symbol of the second set of game indicia and any non-winning indicator, if present.
US08628074B2
A sheet feeding device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder including a belt unit including an attraction belt facing a sheet stack and first and second tension rollers to keep the attraction belt taut, and a side holder to rotatably support the belt unit about the first tension roller that serves as a pivot of the sheet feeder being disposed upstream from the second tension roller in the sheet conveyance direction, a contact and separation drive unit to swing the sheet feeder to make the attraction belt contact with and separate from the sheet stack, and a swing range adjuster to adjust a range of swing of the belt unit with respect to the side holder between contact and separation of the attraction belt with respect to the sheet stack, according to a predetermined condition.
US08628067B2
Cushions include a plurality of core structures and a support material at least partially surrounding each core structure of the plurality of core structures. The core structures and support material comprise different deformable polymer materials. Each of the core structures may be configured as a column having a column axis. Methods of forming cushions include forming a plurality of core structures, and at least partially surrounding each core structure of the plurality of core structures with a support material comprising a second, different deformable polymer material. The core structures may be configured such that each core structure is integrally interconnected along a length thereof to no more than two other core structures of the plurality of core structures.
US08628056B2
A dual sealing system (20) is provided for use with a probe (21) to allow access to an interior space (34) from an exterior environment (32). The system (20) includes a housing (22) defining a port (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (26) between an exterior end (28) of the housing and an interior end (30) of the housing to establish communication between an exterior environment (32) and an interior space (34); a first flexible, resilient penetratable member (40) extending across the port at a first location along the axis, the first penetratable member configured to create a seal around the probe with the probe inserted therethrough; and a second flexible, penetratable member (42) extending across the port at a second location along the axis spaced toward the interior end from the first location, the second penetratable member configured to create a seal after having been penetrated by the probe and the probe has been removed from the second penetratable member.
US08628051B2
An adjustable display mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket, a linkage unit, and a fixing plate. The mounting bracket includes a main body, at least one first connecting member, at least one second connecting member, and a support body. The first and second connecting members are pivotally connected to the main body and the support body. The second connecting member can slide relative to the main body for adjusting the mounting bracket. The linkage unit is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket on one end and the fixing plate on opposite end. The linkage unit allows the distance between the mounting bracket and the fixing plate to be adjustable.
US08628049B2
Low-profile fastener assemblies for mounting objects, such as decorative architectural resin panels, to a support structure at a standoff include a standoff barrel, threaded rod, and low-profile cap. The low-profile cap can have a curved profile configured to reduce its height while also allowing for one or more separated recesses to be formed therein. Implementations of the present invention also include a cap key configured to engage the one or more separated recesses of the low-profile cap for use in tightening the low-profile cap onto the threaded rod. In addition, one implementations of the present invention include systems having a plurality of panels mounted to one or more support structures using one or more low-profile fastener assemblies.
US08628038B2
The method involves preparing an end of a new band of a new bobbin (6), and fitting a gluing joint on a connection assembly (4). Another gluing joint to be transferred is mounted on the connection assembly corresponding to a bobbin (8) unrolling a completed band. The bobbin (8) is stopped, and a junction is formed by gluing the new band with a section of the completed band using connections of the connection assembly. The unrolling of the new bobbin is started. An independent claim is also included for an end-to-end cutting and gluing device for an unrolling machine.
US08628032B2
An irrigation emitter is provided for delivering irrigation water from a water supply conduit, such as an irrigation supply tube, pipe, or other water supply apparatus, at a low volume or drip-like flow rate. The emitter operates generally through the use of a relatively long flow channel that causes a pressure reduction between the water supply conduit and an emitter outlet. The emitter includes an inlet component for tapping a portion of the water flow from the water supply conduit and, when the water pressure is above a predetermined minimum level, directing the flow to and through the flow channel for subsequent discharge to a desired location. The emitter also may regulate to accommodate for changes in supply pressure. The emitter also may include automatic flushing to dislodge debris trapped within the emitter.
US08628029B2
A sprayer for spraying a fluid can include a sprayer body, a trigger assembly, a flow adjustment mechanism and a fluid reservoir. The sprayer body can include a handle portion and a nozzle portion, the nozzle portion defining a fluid outlet and including a fluid conduit in communication with the fluid outlet. The trigger assembly can be coupled to the nozzle portion and be configured to open the fluid outlet. The flow adjustment mechanism can be coupled to the trigger assembly and be configured to adjust a flow rate of the sprayer. The fluid reservoir can be coupled to the sprayer body and be in communication with the fluid outlet and fluid conduit. The fluid reservoir can include a cap and first and second necks, the first neck being coupled to the sprayer body and the cap being removably coupled to the second neck.
US08628028B2
A method and system of providing a mist in a grocery display that injects biocidal solution into a misting line of water during a phase of the misting cycle.
US08628021B2
A debit/credit card (chip card) having a body, storage element, at least one processor, a display element (LCD screen) and at least one touchpad, allowing a user to manually enter electronic information to be stored by the at least one storage element and displayed by the at least one display element, such that the at one display element displays the electronic information in the form of at least two credit and/or debit card transactions. A method of keeping track of a person's spending, the method involving providing a chip card, manually entering the electronic information; and viewing the electronic information on the at least one display element, the at least one display element displaying at least two credit and/or debit card transactions.
US08628016B2
There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having a picture taking mode of operation. In the picture taking mode of operation the terminal can capture a frame of image data into a buffer memory prior to activation of a trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal, the terminal transmits one or more frames of the buffer memory to a storage memory. The terminal can further be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal an operator is presented with indicators of frames captured both prior to and subsequent to the activation of the trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that an operator can select for archiving one or more frame. The one or more frame can comprise one or more frame captured prior to activation of a trigger signal and one or more frame captured subsequent to activation of a trigger signal.
US08628007B2
A banking system comprises automated banking machines which include a card reader, check imaging device, and cash dispenser. Each system machine can cash a code-correlated check in exchange for receiving both the check and the code assigned to the check, without requiring any user identifying input through the machine's user input devices as a condition for cashing the check. The system allows a potential recipient of a personal check to call in a given code to a system computer, which can verify whether the check is backed by funds reserved for the check amount and whether the check can be anonymously cashed. From the call the system computer can obtain the mobile phone's GPS location to determine the system machine nearest to the phone. When informing the phone user that a check is as good as cash, the system computer can also provide directions to that nearest system machine.
US08628003B2
A product dispensing container including a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, at least one of the walls including an access door panel, a priming area and a severance line, and a plurality of products received in the internal volume, wherein the priming area is displaceable relative to the wall to form a free edge, and wherein the access door panel is at least partially defined by the free edge and the severance line when the priming area is displaced relative to the wall.
US08628002B2
A packing box comprising a rectangular bottom plate and a plurality of side plates erected from the periphery of the bottom plate and surrounding the bottom plate, in which at four corners in corner parts formed by the plurality of side plates, frame columns, each erected from the bottom plate side and extending to the midway to a distal end of the side plates, are formed and joined to the side plates, and the bottom plate, the side plates, and the frame columns are formed by one corrugated fiberboard sheet.
US08627999B2
A beverage container includes right, left, front, and rear sidewalls that define a closed space there between. The right sidewall defines an opening. The beverage container also includes a bag for storing fluids that is positioned within the closed space. The bag includes a spout for dispensing the fluids. At least a portion of the spout extends through the opening in the right sidewall. The beverage container includes first and second lid members that extend from respective top edges of the front sidewall and the rear sidewall, respectively. The first and second lid members cover the bag when in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a side edge of at least one of the lid members is positioned behind at least a portion of the spout and is configured to prevent the spout from falling into the closed space.
US08627997B2
Apparatus and methods for removing components soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB). Embodiments presented generally include a contact plate having a component specific platform offset from the contact plate body. The offset platform may be substantially identical in size and shape as the component to be removed. Accordingly, contact between a heated platform and component may allow for conductive heating to occur based on contact with the component. Thus, forced air or convective heating of the component does not occur such that solder joint defects in adjacent components may be prevented. A vacuum retention port may be provided at an interface of the platform and component when in contact. The vacuum retention port may allow the freed component to be removed from the PCB using vacuum to hold the freed component to the platform. Also, apparatus for automation of a process according to the forgoing are presented.
US08627993B2
An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor.
US08627986B2
A device for spraying contents from a pressurized container. The device has an anti-pre-spray mechanism which prevents inadvertent actuation or spray when a new container is loaded into the device. The anti-pre-spray mechanism provides a dead band between a valve assembly in the pressurized container and an actuation mechanism. The dead band may comprise a gap, spring, etc. The actuation mechanism may be activated by the consumer at the point of use.
US08627970B2
A closure is shown for closing an opening of a vessel. The closure includes a stopper, a shield, and a pusher. The stopper seats at least partially within the vessel opening. The shield includes a recess configured to receive the stopper and at least partially defined by the inner surface of a skirt. The skirt is positioned outside the generally cylindrical neck of the vessel when the stopper is seated in the vessel opening. The pusher extends into the recess of the shield. The pusher is configured to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially, as when removing the closure from the opening. A method of assembling a closure is also shown, in which the pusher is positioned to push the stopper out of the opening when the shield is withdrawn axially from the vessel opening.
US08627962B2
The invention is a screen (1) for separating solid residues, comprising: a plurality of parallel rotary shafts (2) spaced from each other and associated with a supporting structure (3); drive means (4, 4a) of the shafts (2) suited to set them rotating around their longitudinal axis (Y); a plurality of screening discs (8) arranged spaced from each other along the rotary shafts (2) to which they are fixed through connection means (9); a plurality of anti-clogging sleeves (10; 20) coupled externally to the rotary shafts (2) and each included between two corresponding screening discs (8). A stabilizing body (11, 21) is arranged peripherally inside each one of the anti-clogging sleeves (10, 20).
US08627959B2
A separate supporting body for supporting semiconductor wafers of φ450 mm is attached to the inner surface of either side wall of a container body. Each supporting body is formed of a front supporting piece that is projected laterally from a frame and horizontally retains the wafer on, at least, the side part in the front peripheral edge; and a rear supporting piece that is projected laterally from frame and horizontally retains the wafer on, at least, the side part in the rear peripheral edge. Front supporting piece is formed of a projected part that extends from the front of frame toward the front peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer and a curved part that extends rearwards from projected part along the peripheral edge of the semiconductor wafer.
US08627958B2
A packaging assembly can include a container comprising a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame can include a first support panel including a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and located between the first support panel and the bottom. The first leg portion can cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The second frame can include a second support panel. The second frame can nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.
US08627952B2
A packaging is provided for the transport, storage and display of rounded articles. The packaging may include an elongated arm, a gripping portion and a mounting portion. The packaging may be configured to be stacked onto other packagings of like structure. The packaging may also be configured for mounting to a vertical surface.
US08627945B2
The invention relates to a container treatment machine for treating containers, especially a labeling machine, comprising a rotor which can be driven to revolve about a vertical machine axis and a plurality of treatment positions configured on the rotor and having at least one container support and a clamping and/or centering unit each. Said unit can be displaced in a controlled manner in a controlled travel movement between an initial position and a position which centers and/or clamps the respective container.
US08627942B2
A synchronized carrying system comprising: an overhead conveyor which transports a vehicle body; a floor-side conveyor which transports an underbody part; a control device which operates and controls the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor; and a carrying device on which the underbody part is mounted, wherein the synchronized carrying system synchronizes the overhead conveyor and the floor-side conveyor during a process that loads the underbody part to the vehicle body.
US08627941B2
A food handling system having a positioning system and method. The positioning system includes a main conveying surface, an electronic sensor, a controller and a robot. The main conveying surface is configured to move food products. The electronic sensor is configured to capture position data about one or more food products on the main conveying surface within a sensor range of the sensor. The controller is signal-connected to the electronic sensor and the robot. The controller is configured to receive data captured by the sensor and is configured to instruct the robot to move a food product to a destination position. The robot is configured to reposition one or more food products on the conveying surface according to instructions sent by the controller. The robot has a longitudinal and a lateral working range. The food product may include formed meat patties or sliced meat or cheese products.
US08627935B2
A clutch assembly having a driver, an output member, a clutch spring, an armature and an actuator. The clutch spring includes a plurality of coils that are configured to be drivingly engaged with the driver. The clutch spring further includes first and second ends. The first end is configured to drivingly engage the output member to facilitate the transmission of rotary power from the driver, through the clutch spring and into the output member. The second end is engaged to the armature. The actuator is selectively operable for rotating the armature relative to the driver in a rotational direction opposite a predetermined rotational direction in which the driver is driven to thereby initiate at least partial disengagement of the coils of the clutch spring from the driver.
US08627923B2
Lifeline systems include a worker harness hooked and slideable along a cable attached to a ratchet mechanism and extending between posts, through stand off pipes, or the like and generally parallel to, but spaced from, sides of a tank. The lifeline system utilizes supports which can be removably attached to the reinforcement rib or the cantilevered edge of the tank. The supports can include fastening rings to connect to braces, stabilizers or the ratchet mechanism. The reinforcement rib is received in an omega shaped channel and sandwiched by a clamp located on the first side and moveable relative to a second side of the channel. The cantilevered edge is received between upper and lower plates extending in openings of C-shaped sides in a spaced, angled relation and is sandwiched by a fastener threadably received in the upper plate.
US08627922B2
A laminated acoustic building panel comprises a pair of plasterboard substrates which are bonded together by an adhesive layer, the panel having a dynamic Young's modulus of 0.1 to 5 GPa and a damping loss factor of 5-30% (η=0.05-0.3), and the ratio of the adhesive to the applied surface area of the substrates being 80-250 g/m2. The laminated panel is relatively soft in construction and hence sound waves caused by knocking or impact noise is surprisingly damped using considerably less adhesive than known panels. The use of soft substrates and less adhesive significantly reduces the weight of the panel. Furthermore, the use of less adhesive significantly reduces costs and makes production easier.
US08627912B2
A CNG filling receptacle holding device for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises additional elements for the installation of CNG filling receptacle with the fuel filling path opening on the body of the vehicle to that of the typical installation of the gas filling receptacle inside the engine compartment wherein a number of molded plates are made into elements for assembling onto a frame at the position of the CNG filling receptacle holding device for the vehicle according to the present invention.
US08627885B2
A swage is made from segments that slide relatively to each other to go from a run in dimension to a maximum or built dimension when the segments move into alignment. The angle of inclination of the sliding axis between the members is less than the swaging angle for the pipe on the exterior of the segments so that once the segments are aligned and driven into a tubular for swaging they are precluded from extending into misalignment to clear an obstruction. In this manner a minimum drift is provided or the swage simply stalls. The swage in a tubular goes to the predetermined maximum dimension using the sliding surfaces that are at an angle to bear the radial reaction forces from the tubular more directly, thereby reducing the contact forces and the resulting friction. The edge connections reduce bending which can cause segment binding as the swage is built in the tubular.
US08627866B2
A tire and wheel rim assembly comprising a wheel rim having flange portions and ledge portions, wherein each ledge portion has at least one circumferentially continuous groove with a circumferentially continuous surface. The assembly further includes a tire having bead regions comprising a ledge portion having a toe, a heel, and at least one circumferentially continuous rib with a peak, wherein the at least one circumferentially continuous rib of the tire extends radially into the at least one circumferentially continuous groove of the wheel rim.
US08627859B2
A method and apparatus for recharging depleted tennis balls that uses pressurized gas. A recharge pressure vessel includes a cylindrical shell with a closed end and a spaced apart opening top with a connecting wall forming a charging chamber. The vessel may be pivotally secured to a base. A pressure port proximate the open end permits gas entry and exit for charging. The chamber may be filled with any number of discharged tennis balls and then is sealed and charged with high pressure gas such as carbon dioxide. The balls will become sufficiently recharged and the pressure may be released and the recharged balls remove from the vessel.
US08627846B2
A high flow pressure regulator valve is disclosed having an integral pilot valve. The disclosed valve includes a pressure regulating portion including inlet and outlet ports, a valve seat, valve disc and a spring for biasing the valve disc into engagement with the valve seat. The valve also includes a pilot valve portion positioned on the flow regulating portion. The pilot valve portion includes a pilot spring, a diaphragm and a pusher post. One end of the pusher post is positioned toward the diaphragm and a second end is disposed within an annulus region. The valve further includes a pressure path that enables selective fluid communication between the outlet port, the annulus, an inner chamber region disposed beneath the diaphragm, and an intermediate chamber disposed above the valve disc. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08627828B2
The invention features tobacco compositions and methods of their use and manufacture. Compositions of the invention may be based on a variety of technologies. Technologies include films, tabs, shaped parts, gels, consumable units, insoluble matrices, and hollow shapes. In addition to tobacco, compositions may also contain flavors, colors, and other additives as described herein. Compositions may also be orally disintegrable. Exemplary compositions and methods of their manufacture are described herein.
US08627825B2
Filter rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements are provided, with each rod having a longitudinal axis and incorporating a generally longitudinally extending filter material and a generally longitudinally extending strand within that filter material. A filter making unit receives a continuous supply of a filter material, and forms the filter material into a gathered composite having a continuous cylindrical shape. A continuous supply of a strand (e.g., colored thread) is provided and is introduced into the filter material gathered composite in the tongue of the filter making unit. The filter material and continuous strand positioned therein are formed into a continuous rod having the strand material laterally positioned within that rod, and the continuous rod is subdivided at pre-determined longitudinal intervals to provide a plurality of rod portions.
US08627823B2
The present invention provides for pleated bags used with interventional pullback systems, including imaging catheters such as IVUS catheters, as well as for use with other catheters. An exemplary pleated bag of the present invention may be an elongate, sterile bag, having a plurality of pleats near the distal end, and including an orifice proximal to the pleats designed to allow passage of a catheter into the bag. The present invention also provides for a system that includes a pullback device, catheter, and pleated bag. The present invention allows for improved imaging catheter procedures at reduced costs.
US08627820B2
A device for supplying a patient with breathing gas, in which an initially high initial pressure Paw(t=0) applied from the outside is automatically lowered by means of a control circuit to a lower inspiratory pressure Paw(t) as soon as a pulmonary internal pressure Plung(t) threatens to exceed a predetermined pulmonary target pressure Plung,soll. Overinflation of the lungs due to the respiration is thus ruled out according to the present invention. The device permits, moreover, rapid filling of the lungs with breathing gas and makes thus possible a comparatively long phase of expiration. A process is also provided for regulating a respirator and for respirating a patient.
US08627818B2
A sealed self-piercing capsule for storing and delivering a substance, such as a medicine, comprises one or more barrier layers forming a sealed chamber for containing the substance. An internal puncturing mechanism is disposed within the capsule chamber for puncturing a barrier layer to release the substance from the chamber. The internal puncturing mechanism may comprise a sharpened edge located on a movable tube, which moves relative to a barrier layer forming the sealed chamber to puncture the barrier layer.
US08627808B2
In a control device and a method for regulating a combustion process in an internal combustion engine, fuel is injected into the internal combustion engine for combustion, wherein exhaust gas is returned in an intake channel, wherein a combustion point of the combustion is detected, wherein the detected point of time is compared to a target value, wherein depending on the comparison result the injection is changed in order to move the combustion toward the target value, wherein part of the change of the injection is translated into an adaptation value for regulating the exhaust gas return in order to move the combustion in the direction of the target value.
US08627804B2
A method for controlling a multi-cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine includes establishing an external exhaust gas recirculation valve from a present position to a target position to achieve a target exhaust gas recirculation, and synchronizing combustion initiation timing with actual exhaust gas recirculation as actual exhaust gas recirculation changes from a first exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the present position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve to a second exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the target position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve.
US08627801B2
A structural assembly (1) for a high pressure fuel pump, with the structural assembly (1) having a tappet (3) connected to a pump piston (2), which bears frontally against a contact surface (7) of an inner side (8) of the bottom (5) of the pump piston (2), the bottom (5) being connected to a guide skirt (10) of the tappet (3). An outer peripheral wall (11) of the pump piston (2) is surrounded near the inner side (8) with radial lash by a bore (12) of a spring plate (13) on whose bottom-distal side (14) a coil compression spring (15) bears for resetting the pump piston (2), and a bottom side (16) of the spring plate (13) is situated opposite an annular surface (17) of an entraining collar (18) on the pump piston (2). The entraining collar (18) is a separate, disk-like element seated on the pump piston (2) with slight axial distance to the spring plate (13), which spring plate (13) possesses a disk section (19) with the bottom side (16) having the bore (12). A concentric bushing (21) projects from the outer edge (20) of the disk section (19) in direction of the bottom (5) and surrounds the entraining collar (18) with radial lash, which bushing (21) merges into an annular collar section (22) that includes the bottom-distal side (14) that supports the coil compression spring (15) and is supported directly on the inner side (8) of the bottom (5), and an outer peripheral wall (23) of the pump piston (2), free of radial collars, is finely machined by centerless grinding.
US08627793B2
A directional control valve is configured to switch among a first position at which a discharge passage communicates with a phase-advance passage and a phase-retard passage and a lock passage communicates with a drain passage, a second position at which the discharge passage communicates with the phase-advance passage and the lock passage and the phase-retard passage communicates with the drain passage, a third position at which the discharge passage communicates with the phase-retard passage and the lock passage and the phase-advance passage communicates with the drain passage, and a fourth position at which the discharge passage communicates with the lock passage and fluid-communication between the discharge passage and each of the phase-advance passage and the phase-retard passage is blocked. The directional control valve is further switchable to a sixth position at which the phase-advance passage, the phase-retard passage, and the lock passage all communicate with the discharge passage.
US08627791B2
Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate engine valves for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element to actuate one of the engine valves. Master and slave pistons may be provided in the primary rocker arm. The master piston may be actuated by the auxiliary rocker arm.
US08627782B2
A method for coating with a coating liquid according to the present invention is a method for coating an object-to-be-coated with a coating liquid containing dispersed particles, using a die, wherein the flowage of the coating liquid within a manifold 5 provided within the die is such that the deviation of the average flow rate of the coating liquid in the direction of the width becomes equal to or less than 60% of an average flow rate over the entire area of the manifold 5, in at least 80% of the area from a liquid supplying portion 8 in the manifold to an end portion P of the manifold.
US08627780B2
Exemplary painting devices for painting components, e.g., motor vehicle bodies or parts thereof, and associated exemplary methods are disclosed. An exemplary painting device may include a multi-axis painting robot positioning an atomizer, a robot controller for controlling the painting robot, and a controls enclosure comprising the robot controller. An exemplary controls enclosure may be a load-bearing column that mechanically supports the painting robot.
US08627779B2
A jack plate for vertically raising and lowering an outboard motor mounted on a boat. The jack plate comprises a motor lift and a jack plate mounting assembly. The jack plate mounting assembly has a transom plate and a pair of spacing brackets with jack plate rails. The motor lift has a pair of bearings that are interlocked to a lift plate. The motor lift is slidably situated within the jack plate rails. Complementary geometries of the outer side edges of the lift plate and inner edges of channels in the bearings, as well as the spacing between the jack plate rails, provide a pressure fit that secures the lift plate between the bearings once the bearings are inserted into the jack plate rails.
US08627777B2
A water-resistant connector for use with fabric and sheet-like material comprises two plates stitched to each other on either side of and through the fabric or sheet-like material with at least one gasket made of an elastomeric material such as neoprene being placed between one of the plates and the fabric or sheet-like material. The gasket is stitched through and compressed between the plates so as to press against the stitching for water resistance. A suitable elastomeric material is a sheet of elastomeric compound adhered to either side of a reinforcing scrim.
US08627773B2
A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform, and a block joined to the bottom deck. The system may also include a top deck joined to the block. The system may further include a T1 lead-board structurally different from the top deck fastened to an edge of the top deck.
US08627767B2
The apparatus forms a unitary bale of agricultural or forestry biomass of uniform density and having a level top. The apparatus includes packer apparatus configured and supported in the chamber for reciprocating movement through a compacting chamber and progressive movement upwardly to form the bale. A crop deflector is supported in the chamber above the packer apparatus for deflecting a stream of the biomass downwardly, and is configured and operable so as to move continuously with the packer apparatus between the ends of the chamber and to substantially constantly reconfigure as a function of a position of the packer apparatus and a direction of the movement thereof so as to deflect the stream of the biomass directly in a path of the packer apparatus in the current direction of the movement thereof so as to be immediately compacted thereby onto the floor or the bale.
US08627764B1
The embodiments disclosed herein is having designed specifically for the use in cooking of ribs such as beef ribs, pork ribs etc. although it has been found that the apparatus disclosed herein can also be utilized for other meats such as steaks as well as larger plainer vegetables such as large onions slices sliced eggplant etc. In general, the apparatus will be defined and described in its use relative to cooking of ribs or even understanding. If the disclosure relates to the device which improves upon known prior art cooking racks in that the rack members are not stationary but rather had it about a transverse horizontal axis which allows the need to be pasted on both longitudinal sides for even basting as well as allowing the ribs to be pivoted substantially half way through the cooking process such that the ribs are more evenly cooked on both sides.
US08627758B2
An axial piston pump, comprising a cylinder block having one or more cylinder bores; and one or more piston assemblies; wherein number of piston assemblies matches number of cylinder bores; wherein each of the piston assemblies having a piston being disposed reciprocating in each of the cylinder bores; and wherein each piston being fitted with a metallic sealing ring, which is a coiled felt seal (CFS), for reducing leakage and keeping concentric of the piston within its corresponding cylinder bore.
US08627748B2
The invention relates to a drill bit wrench (10) for use on a drilling apparatus for loosening a drill bit segment of a drill bit during drilling of holes into the ground. The wrench includes a carrier member (12) operatively supported on the drilling apparatus. A gripping member (26) is displaceably located on the carrier member and a lever arm (38) is pivotally located on the gripping member, displacement mechanisms (20, 34, 42) providing for required displacement of the parts of the wrench for its operation. One displacement mechanism (42) provides for an initial direct gripping force to be applied on a drill bit segment, which force is sufficient to permit loosening of the segment in normal circumstances, an additional gripping force, to be induced by a wedging action of a wedge face of the lever arm, being provided for, where required.
US08627743B2
A distal end portion of a pedal rod is press-fitted into a press-fitting hole, which is formed in a rotatable member. An intermediate portion of the pedal rod extends from and is bent relative to the distal end portion. The intermediate portion is received in a guide groove, which is formed in the rotatable member. An elongated portion of the pedal rod extends from the intermediate portion in a direction opposite from the distal end portion. A pad is provided to an end part of the elongated portion, which is opposite from the intermediate portion, and is adapted to receive a pedal force from a driver of a vehicle. The rotatable member includes a receiving hole that is adapted to receive a jig therethrough to enable the jig to contact the intermediate portion at time of press-fitting the distal end portion into the press-fitting hole.
US08627739B2
A multiple shift fork, single shift rail assembly reduces weight and complexity in manual and dual clutch transmissions. In a first embodiment, a stationary shift rail includes pluralities of detenting recesses and cooperating detent assemblies are mounted on the shift forks. Associated actuators translate the shift forks and synchronizer clutches. In a second embodiment, the detenting recesses reside on the outside surface of the shift forks and the detent assemblies are mounted in the transmission housing. In a third embodiment, one shift fork is slidably mounted on the shift rail and includes an external detent assembly. The shift rail itself translates and includes detenting recesses and a second shift fork connected thereto.
US08627738B2
A general purpose linkage apparatus is adaptable for moving or guiding objects along a linear or curvilinear path. The apparatus includes linkages with revolving joints. In self-powered adaptations, a rotating motor may extend and retract the apparatus.
US08627729B2
A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium. At least one piezoelectric transducer element is joined directly or indirectly to at least one matching member for promoting vibration coupling between the piezoelectric transducer element and the fluid medium. A matching member is used which has at least one porous molding of a polymer.
US08627720B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor mass element configured to move in response to an applied acceleration. The mass element is defined by trenches etched into the semiconductor substrate and a cavity below the mass element. The semiconductor device includes a sensing element configured to sense movement of the mass element.
US08627719B2
A micromechanical sensor element includes: a substrate; a first seismic mass suspended from the substrate, which is deflectable from a first rest position by an acceleration acting perpendicularly to a main plane of extension; and a second seismic mass, which is deflectable from a second rest position by the acceleration. At least a partial overlap is provided between the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass perpendicular to the main plane of extension.
US08627716B2
A novel capacitive proximity tactile sensor is formed by an electrode layer and a compressible non-conductive layer. Positioning a conductive object in contact with the sensor and applying contact force onto the sensor surface allows for both detecting the location of touch (as in traditional proximity sensors) as well as measuring contact force (as in tactile array sensors) due to a capacitance-measuring sensor formed between the electrode layer and the object with the compressible non-conductive layer therebetween. Useful applications of the sensor include input device for consumer electronic item, flexible and thin weight scale, shoe insole for monitoring pressure distribution of a foot while walking, pressure-monitoring seat cushion and others.
US08627715B2
A system for imaging rock formations while drilling a wellbore includes a drill collar and a plurality of acoustic emitting transducers mounted in the drill collar at angularly spaced apart locations and oriented to emit acoustic energy at least one of laterally away from the drill collar and longitudinally away from the drill collar. A plurality of arrays of acoustic transducers arranged is longitudinally along the drill collar and angularly spaced apart from each other. Each transducer in the plurality of arrays is oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the collar. Angular spacing between adjacent arrays is selected to provide lateral beam steered receiving response having a selected main lobe width and side lobe response for a plurality of rock formation acoustic velocities. A controller selectively actuates the emitting acoustic transducers at selected times. The controller beam steers response of the plurality of arrays of transducers to detect reflected acoustic energy from the emitting acoustic transducers.
US08627713B2
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the fatigue life of a polymer composition, including the following steps: i) providing a polymer composition; ii) manufacturing a plurality of axisymmetric test tubes cut from said composition; iii) subjecting said test tubes to a uniaxial traction fatigue test including a plurality of loading and unloading cycles for the test tube, the geometry of the test tube making it possible to subject the material to triaxial stresses, in the area of the test tube cut, simulating the stress conditions for the pressure sheath of a flexible pipe, particularly for off-shore use; and iv) predetermining the number of cycles until the rupture of said polymer composition. The invention is related to the use of said polymer composition selected through the predetermining method for manufacturing pipes or conduits to convey a pressurized and/or corrosive fluid.
US08627711B1
Sensor switch includes a compromisable mechanical restrainer and a biased member. Before compromise, the restrainer can hold the biased member in a first position. When contacted with a target chemical and/or composition, the restrainer is physically compromised by being softened or dissolved such that the biased member can assume a second position different from the first position. Monitoring a sample for a target chemical and/or composition can be carried out with the sensor switch.
US08627710B2
A gas probe for sampling gas molecules from a fluid. A housing includes an orifice and is adapted to be arranged in gas communication with a test gas sensor. The probe includes a stack of layers, whereby gas sample molecules have to pass through all layers of the stack in order reach the sensor. The stack includes at least a first membrane layer, a first spacer layer, a first filter layer and a second spacer layer. The housing includes an inlet for introducing blocking gas molecules into the second spacer layer and an outlet for discharging blocking gas molecules out of the first spacer layer. The gas probe is connectable to a control unit for controlling the blocking gas flow into the second spacer layer.
US08627709B2
A porous medium sensor apparatus includes a sensing portion at least partially insertable in the porous medium. The sensing portion has a housing with a gas exchange aperture defined therein and a water-repellant membrane mounted in the gas exchange aperture, the water-repellant membrane preventing water communication through the gas exchange aperture. The sensing portion also has a parameter sensor mounted in the housing for measuring a parameter of the porous medium in which the sensing portion is inserted.
US08627698B2
A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, while gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.
US08627697B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a method of performing non-shape forming operations during vessel shaping, the method comprising indexing a cylinder across a pathway of at least one of an operation wheel, the operation wheel further having a plurality of work zones, performing at the plurality of work zones a plurality of operations on the cylinder in a sequence of a first shaping plurality of operations followed by a non-shaping plurality of operations followed by a second shaping plurality of operations, and effectuating transformation of the cylinder into a shaped vessel.Other embodiment include applying decoration to the cylinder contoured surface during non-shaping operations, trimming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, and top-forming the cylinder during non-shaping operations, to name a few.
US08627694B2
During the bending of sheet metal sections (1, 2) for forming can bodies by means of a bending machine, the sheet metal characteristics of the individual sheets are measured, e.g. the thickness and/or the strength of the sheets. The measured value is used to control the bending machine (4). This permits a substantially constant bending result to be achieved, even with varying sheet metal characteristics.
US08627688B2
There is described a control system (15) for controlling unbalance of the wash assembly (5) in a vertical-rotation-axis washing machine (1), wherein a wash assembly (5) is housed inside a casing (2), and has a wash drum (8) rotating about an axis of rotation (R) substantially parallel to a vertical reference axis (V), and an electric drive unit (12) for rotating the wash drum (8) about the relative axis of rotation (R); said control system has first computing blocks (19, 20, 21) for determining a number of operating quantities (Cm(t), J, alpha (t)) associated with rotation of the wash drum (8), and for determining, as a function of the quantities, the time pattern of the amplitude (h(t)) of vertical oscillation of the centre of mass (B) of the wash assembly (5) in a first direction substantially parallel to the vertical reference axis (V); and a second computing block (23) for determining the maximum amplitude (H) of vertical oscillation of the wash assembly (5) within a given time interval (T); the second computing block (23) also determines whether the maximum amplitude (H) of vertical oscillation satisfies a predetermined relationship with a predetermined threshold (SA), and determines a critical unbalanced condition of the wash assembly (5) when the predetermined relationship is satisfied.
US08627686B2
The automatic strand take-up installation comprises at least one gripping member (12) for taking hold of at least one strand coming from a bushing (2), the gripping member being guided by a single conveying loop (1) to the vicinity of a chopper (7). One system for maneuvering the gripping member allows the gripping member (12) to be opened and closed in such a way as to release said strand at the chopper (7).
US08627679B2
A refrigerator which has a refrigerating section maintained above 0 degrees C., and a freezer section located below the refrigerating section maintained below 0 degrees C. A refrigerating section door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating section. An ice compartment is located on the refrigerating section door. An ice is located in the ice compartment with an ice storage bin located in the ice compartment below the ice maker. A dispenser located on the refrigerating section door can dispense ice from the ice storage bin.
US08627677B2
An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator includes a support bracket having at least one support arm and a rear panel section, a bin slidably attached to the at least one support arm, an icemaker unit having an ice mold is also supported by the at least one support arm within the freezer compartment. The icemaker assembly also includes a fan mounted to the rear panel portion of the support bracket. The fan is selectively operable to direct an airflow onto the icemaker unit in order to speed ice production. Operation of the fan is tied to activation of a water inlet valve. A controller is coupled to the fan and the water inlet valve such that once the water inlet valve opens, fresh water enters the ice mold and the control activates the fan to hasten the production of ice.
US08627673B2
An atmospheric water harvester includes a cooling member over which humid air flows to condense moisture from the atmosphere. The cooling member may be the evaporator of a conventional, gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit. If a gas vapor-based refrigeration circuit is used, the compressor of the circuit may be variable speed. A fan or impeller used to move air through the system may also be variable speed. A preferred embodiment includes a variable flow geometry thermal economizer section configured such that, to varying degrees, the incoming air may be pre-cooled, before it passes over the cooling member, by heat exchange with colder air that has already flowed over the cooling member.
US08627670B2
A vertical discharge condenser includes a generally cylindrical heat exchanger having a vertical interruption between a first and a second end of the heat exchanger, a panel enclosing the vertical interruption in the heat exchanger to form an uninterrupted generally cylindrical enclosure, a generally circular fan grille enclosing a top of the cylindrical enclosure, and a generally circular base pan enclosing a bottom of the cylindrical enclosure.
US08627669B2
A combustor basket (20) is provided comprising a generally tubular wall (22) defining a cavity (24) and a liner (26) of a ceramic matrix composite material disposed within the cavity (24), wherein an interference fit exists between an outer surface (34) of the liner (26) located in the cavity (24) and an inner surface (28) of the generally tubular wall (22). Advantageously, the novel combustor basket (20) greatly reduces the amount of air or other medium needed to cool the combustor basket body and increases the maximum allowable flame temperature that the combustor basket (20) can withstand. A method of manufacturing the combustor basket (20) is also provided.
US08627663B2
An energy recovery system and method using an organic rankine cycle is provided for recovering waste heat from an internal combustion engine, which effectively controls condenser pressure to prevent unwanted cavitation within the fluid circulation pump. A coolant system may be provided with a bypass conduit around the condenser and a bypass valve selectively and variably controlling the flow of coolant to the condenser and the bypass. A subcooler may be provided integral with the receiver for immersion in the accumulated fluid or downstream of the receiver to effectively subcool the fluid near the inlet to the fluid pump.
US08627660B2
In an internal combustion engine with a variable nozzle vane turbocharger, when the flow rate (VN passage flow rate) of exhaust gas passing through nozzle vanes has reached a spatial resonance region in an exhaust gas passage space between a turbine housing and a catalyst during acceleration, the flow rate is increased so that the spatial resonance region can be quickly passed. When the flow rate (VN passage flow rate) of exhaust gas passing through the nozzle vanes has reached the spatial resonance region during deceleration, the flow rate is decreased so that the spatial resonance region can be quickly passed. Such a control can reduce a period of time during which the frequency of pressure pulsation occurring at the rear ends of the nozzle vanes is amplified in the spatial resonance region, whereby noise caused by the pressure pulsation can be reduced.
US08627651B2
A system includes an internal combustion engine producing an exhaust gas, an aftertreatment system receiving the exhaust gas, the aftertreatment system including a particulate filter positioned upstream of an SCR catalyst component, and a urea injector operatively coupled to the aftertreatment system at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst component. The system further includes a controller that interprets an exhaust temperature value, an ambient temperature value, and a urea injection amount. The controller determines a urea deposit amount in response to the exhaust temperature value, the ambient temperature value, and the urea injection amount, and initiates a desoot regeneration event in response to the urea deposit amount. The desoot regeneration event includes operating the engine at a urea decomposition exhaust temperature.
US08627646B2
A catalyst deterioration diagnostic device for a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine including a first cylinder group having exhaust system that is equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device with an EGR catalyst and a second cylinder group having exhaust system that is not equipped with the EGR device. The catalyst deterioration diagnostic device implements active air-fuel ratio control to diagnose deterioration of a main catalyst. During the active air-fuel ratio control, the catalyst deterioration diagnostic device oscillates only a target air-fuel ratio of the second cylinder group, without oscillating a target air-fuel ratio of the first cylinder group, in a case where the EGR device is stopped.
US08627624B2
An elongate channel insert configured for installation between elongate structural members to prevent water from flowing through an overlying structure into the area beneath the structural members includes a U-shaped hook on a first side of the insert that goes over the top and both sides of a joist, an L-shaped ledge on the other side of the channel insert prevents the inserts from becoming off center as they are placed side by side on joists across the entire width of a deck with the base of the insert angled along its length such that water captured within the channel will drain from one end of the insert to the other.
US08627609B2
A mounting system for securing a light fixture to a wall includes a mounting device having a flat plate with a leading edge, a trailing edge, and top and bottom planar surfaces extending between the leading and trailing edges. An elongated slot is formed in the flat plate and extends along the leading edge of the flat plate. The mounting device has a storage compartment underlying the flat plate for defining an enclosed area extending between the leading and trailing edges of the flat plate. The mounting system includes a conduit adapter coupled with the storage compartment. The conduit adapter has at least opening aligned with the rear opening of the storage compartment for providing access to the enclosed area of the storage compartment. A conduit, adapted to receive electrical wiring, is coupled with the at least one opening. Electrical wiring is passed through the conduit.
US08627593B1
A remote controlled fishing line bobber includes an elongate bobber shell floatable in a body of water and defining an interior compartment. An elongate connecting rod extends generally axially through the bobber shell from a leading end to a trailing end of the shell portion. The connecting rod includes a pair of attachment components disposed proximate respective ends of the rod and exteriorly of the shell for attaching the rod to respective segments of fishing line. A battery powered propulsion device is mounted to the lower shell portion. A receiving unit mounted on the compartment senses wireless propulsion signals transmitted by a remote control unit and a controller directs the propulsion device to drive the bobber through the water in accordance with the transmitted signals.
US08627591B2
A sighting device is mountable to a gun. The device includes a light source (preferably a laser), a power source connectable to the light source and a mount attachable to the gun so that the laser is juxtaposed either the top surface of the gun or a side surface of the gun. In one embodiment, the sighting device includes a bottom rail mountable in a slot on the gun, wherein the slot is preferably positioned on the top surface of the gun. The sighting device may also include a mechanical sight that functions as the rear mechanical sight on the gun and/or a secondary light source.
US08627587B2
A double wide pole bracket and banner system is used to apply banners to poles. The double wide pole bracket system uses slotted, typically steel channel brackets that are affixed to the pole using long, slotted hose clamps with Neoprene pads to protect the pole and prevent slipping. The banner itself can be designed to attach to the brackets with zip ties with a reinforced cutout in the center of the top and bottom hem that permits mounting without infringing on the view of the banner's content. The double wide pole bracket and banner system permits a significantly wider, stronger and more taut pole bracket and banner solution as compared to conventional solutions. The banners can be, for example, as wide as five feet of continuous banner, making the message visible and understandable.
US08627584B2
The invention is a product that allows one to determine precisely how many times a particular garment has been worn, its relative cleanliness status, the last day a garment was worn, and helps the consumer coordinate their outfits. The invention provides the necessary information to fully utilize and manage a consumer's wardrobe and closet. Using the invention dramatically increases total closet awareness resulting in faster and easier wardrobe decisions. In addition, by removing the guesswork from the “wash or wear” equation, the consumer knows when the garment is sufficiently clean, and will generally be able to extend the wearing of the garment between cleanings. Use of the invention will result in the conservation of resources in terms of reduced consumption of water, energy, detergents/softeners, and dry cleaning services and harmful dry cleaning chemicals; it will also increase the life span of garments as well as cleaning/drying appliances.
US08627574B2
An electric shaver includes a rod-shaped body part, a head part, and an interposer. The head part projects from one end portion, in a longitudinal direction, of the body part and swingably attached to the body part. The head part includes a shaving portion and a drive mechanism. The interposer is configured to support the head part swingably about a first swing axis parallel with a longitudinal direction of the shaving portion, and to be supported on the body part swingably about a second swing axis orthogonal to the projecting direction of the head part and orthogonal to the first swing axis.
US08627567B2
Provided is a method of producing a liquid-cooled jacket wherein deformation of a seal body can be minimized. A method of producing a liquid-cooled jacket constituted by fixing a seal body which seals the opening of a recess, by friction stir welding, to a jacket body having a partially opening recess through which heat transport fluid for transporting heat generated by a heat generating body to the outside flows, wherein the seal body is mounted on a supporting surface which is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening of the recess in the jacket body and consists of the bottom surface of a step lower than the surface of the jacket body, the side surface of the step of the jacket body and the outer circumferential surface of the seal body are butted each other, a plasticized region is formed by making one round of a rotary tool which is equipped with a stir pin having a length greater than the thickness of the seal body round along the butting portion of the side surface of the step of the jacket body and the outer circumferential surface of the seal body, and then the seal body is welded to the jacket body.
US08627562B2
A tool for installing compression connectors of various sizes and types on the end of a coaxial cable has a base mounting a pair of movable anvils for engaging two different lengths of connectors. The base further incorporates a fixed anvil for engaging a third length of connector. The movable anvils define an aperture which is shaped to permit easy entry and exit of a cable while still applying a suitable retention force to an inserted cable. A connector seating holder is formed in the front of the tool. A slidably mounted plunger cooperates with the anvils to compress a connector. The plunger has a push head and a slide rod. A lock nut is threaded on the push head and is engageable with the slide rod to prevent rotation of the push head.
US08627560B2
An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization. The methods comprise preparing a cell stack for the electrical purification apparatus to provide a first fluid flow path or compartment and a second fluid flow path and compartment that is in a direction different from the first flow path.
US08627556B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising breaking an electrode into subsections with signal bus lines connecting said subsections and a solid electrode to improve Q.
US08627554B1
Buckle assemblies with swivel and dual release features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage a web connector coupled to a first web. The buckle assembly includes a support structure coupled to a first release actuator, a second release actuator, and a swivel subassembly. The buckle assembly is configured to allow a user to detach the web connector from the buckle assembly via the first and/or second release actuators. Moreover, the swivel subassembly is configured to be coupled to a second web and to prevent the second web from twisting with reference to the buckle assembly.
US08627552B2
A fastener clip includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole (slot) defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis. At least four wings extend from the arms. Each wing includes at least one engagement portion including a depressed portion formed on each wing, wherein each depressed portion is operative to engage a portion of the hole. According to one embodiment, each arm is coupled to at least one wing at a distal end of each arm (i.e., a long arm), so that each wing extends inwardly towards the base plate. According to an alternative embodiment, each arm (i.e., a short arm) is coupled to the at least one wing, so that each wing extends outwardly away from the base plate.
US08627546B2
A hinge mechanism includes a first rotation assembly, a second rotation assembly substantially parallel to the first rotation assembly, a first connection member, and a second connection member. The first and second rotation assemblies include a first and second pivoting shafts and a first and second brackets sleeved on the first and second pivoting shafts, respectively, and both the first and second brackets includes an engaging portion eccentrically formed on one end respectively thereof. The first connection member includes two pivotal portions. The pivotal portions are rotatably connected to the engaging portions of the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively. The second connection member is sleeved on the first pivoting shaft and the second pivoting shaft.
US08627537B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hairbrush for detangling human or animal hair. In some embodiments, the hairbrush includes a field of bristles where bristle height is substantially random and substantially independent of position on the hairbrush. In some embodiments, within the bristle field, the bristle width and/or the bristle material may vary between bristles—for example, substantially randomly with respect to position and/or in a manner that is correlated with bristle height.
US08627531B2
When the electrically driven fan (14) of a vacuum cleaner is driven, air containing dust is drawn into the cleaner main body (1) through a hose (7) connected to a hose socket (8) and is exhausted into the outside of the cleaner main body (1) through an exhaust port (1b) via first and second suction passageways (10, 13). Disposed outside the first suction passageway (10) is an ion generator (23), it being arranged that plus and minus ions generated in the ion generator (23) are fed to the air stream flowing in the first suction passageway (10). Since the plus and minus ions kill floating germs in the air stream, the exhaust can be purified.
US08627528B2
A stand, for a footwear customization kit including an article of footwear having a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated, includes first and second members that can be assembled to hold the article of footwear in a steam environment by engaging an outer periphery of a vessel. The first member includes a first center projection, a first lower central surface, a pair of first shoulders, first and second arms disposed above the first lower central surface, and engaging slots formed in the first lower central surface. The second member includes a second center projection, a second lower central surface, a pair of second shoulders, third and fourth arms disposed above the second lower central surface, and receiving slots formed in upper surfaces of the second shoulders. The first and second members are attached by interlocking engagement of the engaging slots and the receiving slots.
US08627527B2
A laundry treating device includes two separate laundry washing mechanisms. Methods of controlling such a laundry treating device include steps for supplying water to a first tub provided in the first laundry treating device and to a second tub provided in the second laundry treating device. The water can be supplied to the two tubs simultaneously or separately. Also, the water supply steps can be alternated. Further individual hot and cold water supply steps can include simultaneously or sequentially supplying the hot and cold water.
US08627518B1
A portable toilet (12) is provided having a bowl (14), a seat (16), legs (20), and wheels (28) mounted to the legs (20). The legs (20) are spaced apart and telescopically extensible to allow positioning of the bowl (14) above a conventional building toilet (60). The bowl (14) has a lower end (48) defined by sections (50) which pivot to open the bowl (14) and allow the contents to spill therefrom into the conventional toilet (60). A liner (34) fits in the bowl (14) and is held in place by the seat (16). The bowl (14) is placed over the conventional building toilet (60), the lower end (48) of the bowl is opened, the seat (16) is raised, and then the liner (34) and its contents fall through the open lower end (48) of the bowl (14) and into the conventional toilet (60).
US08627517B2
A head suspension headband includes an elongated headband having a band length and configured to be disposed across a forehead of a user, and a plurality of suspension elements disposed along the band length and configured to contact the forehead of a user.
US08627515B1
A high fashion, crushable, lightweight, collapsible hat using a method of construction that produces a blockable, washable, stylish, comfortable, pliable, breathable hat, that maintains its original shape or can be easily restored to its original shape. The hat employs an open-cell foam material and a plurality of woven materials in a lamination, all materials being breathable and lightweight and as well as a method of construction that is versatile and usable for countless variations is style. The lamination is blockable even when fabrics that are not traditionally blockable are used. A stitching pattern of topstitching forms a plurality of sacs that maintain the original shape of the hat after blocking by creating an air bubble matrix structure that refills after crushing. Optional trim elements are constructed from the lamination using the stitching pattern to create a wide variety of high fashion hats styles with flat or peaked crowns.
US08627512B2
An article is provided that includes a core with a plurality of plates. A first one of the plurality of plates is hingedly attached, at one or more edges of the first plate, to one or more substantially adjacent other plates in the plurality of plates. Each hinge that hingedly attaches an edge of the first plate to another plate joins less than the entire respective hingedly attached edge to a corresponding one of the one or more substantially adjacent other plates and is integrally connected to the first plate.
US08631510B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor simply configured so as to magnetically measure not only conductive materials but also nonconductive materials over a wide temperature range and which offers high performance and high reliability, as well as a scanning microscope that uses the magnetic sensor. A scanning microscope according to the present invention includes a magnetic sensor with a magnetic sensing element provided at a free end of a cantilever-like flexible member and a strain gauge installed on the flexible member, driving means for driving the flexible member or a measurement sample, and control means for controlling driving provided by the driving means based on an output signal from the strain gauge.
US08631504B2
A computer-based method for defining an enterprise organization providing electronic document security. Enterprise elements of management groups are defined to correspond with an area of accountability, each group having one of several types, including “line of business”, “key results area”, and “senior management”. Each group has several subgroups, including “group head”, “administrative assistant” and “direct report”. Employees are assigned to one or more management group and subgroup, and management groups are related to each other to represent the organization hierarchy. Groups may be related as “reports to”, “services”, or other defined relationships. Documents are defined having document content and properties. The properties include owning and related management groups. Access to the document is declared so that employees have a level of access based on membership of one or more groups.
US08631502B2
Method of updating revocation list is disclosed. Time information of revocation list indicating registration time of most recently registered revocation entity included in revocation list of first device is extracted, and time information of revocation list indicating registration time of the most recently registered revocation entity included in the revocation list of a second device connected to the first device is also extracted. A revocation entity registered in the first device after the registration time of time information of the revocation list of the second device is copied in the revocation list of the second device, if the registration time of extracted time information of the revocation list of the first device is later than the registration time of the extracted time information of the revocation list of the second device. Thus, the revocation list can be updated by connecting the first and second devices even in an offline state.
US08631492B2
System and method for dynamically managing utilization of computing capacity by an antivirus application having distinct security modules configurable by adjustment of operational parameters. An identification of the computing resources required by each of the security modules to perform certain corresponding security-related functionality is obtained. A current state of authorization granted to the antivirus application to access each of the plurality of computing resources is determined. The operational parameters are adjusted for the at least one of the security modules in response to a determination that the current state of authorization is insufficient for the antivirus application to access certain ones of the computing resources required by the at least one of the security modules to perform its corresponding functionality. The operational parameters are adjusted to disable the corresponding functionality and to thereby de-allocate a portion of the computing capacity needed to execute that corresponding functionality.
US08631484B2
Systems and methods for inhibiting attacks with a network are provided. In some embodiments, methods for inhibiting attacks by forwarding packets through a plurality of intermediate nodes when being transmitted from a source node to a destination node are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a packet at one of the plurality of intermediate nodes; determining at the selected intermediate node whether the packet has been sent to the correct one of the plurality of intermediate nodes based on a pseudo random function; and forwarding the packet to the destination node, based on the determining. In some embodiments an intermediate node is selected based on a pseudo random function. In some embodiments, systems and methods for establishing access to a multi-path network are provided.
US08631481B2
A transmission of a digital content to a user terminal is managed by a network comprising a service subnetwork adapted for providing the terminal with a service token, and a digital contents distribution subnetwork which includes a control part and a transmission part. The control part of the distribution subnetwork receives a request from the user terminal for a digital content, indicating a service token. Next, if the service token is recognized as valid, an address relating to the distribution subnetwork is determined and a session token associated with said address is generated. A message indicating said address and the session token associated with said address is then transmitted to the user terminal.
US08631465B2
A terminal of an environment management station that calculates an evaluation value of a user terminal security, the evaluation value being used to determine whether to provide a service from a service provider to the user terminal, the terminal of the environment management station set in a third-party organization and stores environment information about to identify software or hardware that can be incorporated in the user terminal or hardware that can be connected to the user terminal, and the evaluation value of the user terminal in association with each other; a receiving unit that receives the environment information of the user terminal; an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates the evaluation value of the user terminal based on the evaluation value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the evaluation value to the terminal of the service provider.
US08631461B2
A request to process a request message using a request queue within a request-reply messaging environment is detected at a dynamic data protection module. At least one authorized sender module and a sole authorized recipient module of a response message to the request message is identified using a request queue policy of the request queue. A reply queue policy is dynamically created to process the response message using the identified at least one authorized sender module and the sole authorized recipient module of the response message. The dynamically-created reply queue policy is associated with a reply queue. The response message is processed responsive to a request to process the response message using the dynamically-created reply queue policy and the associated reply queue.
US08631452B2
A channel switching processing method, system, and related devices are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a switching server, a channel switching request sent by a receiving end; and when the switching server determines that current switching resource information does not meet a switching condition according to the channel switching request, performing, by the switching server, an exception handling procedure, and sending channel switching instruction information to the receiving end, in which the channel switching instruction information is configured to instruct the receiving end to perform a channel switching operation corresponding to the channel switching instruction information. A channel switching processing system and related devices are also provided. Therefore, the channel switching efficiency may be effectively improved.
US08631441B2
EPG data regarding programs and their scheduled times are structured and/or transmitted in such a way that program and schedule records are interleaved. This scheme allows better handling by receiving devices such as embedded devices (i.e. LCD remote controls), because a more efficient reception and storage of transmitted data is possible. In particular, the receiving device can read, parse and store the downloaded EPG data on the fly as it is being received (it can start reading, parsing and storing before the complete reception of data id finished). At any time when the device would have to stop storing EPG data into persistent storage, (almost) all of the data that was stored can actually be used.
US08631439B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for navigating during playback of media content on a content viewing device are provided. A method includes associating a descriptor with a time element. The time element references an instantiation of the descriptor in a content file. The method also includes applying a reference tag that identifies the descriptor to a location on the navigational search structure associated with the content file. The location is determined by the time element. The method further includes displaying the reference tag on the navigational search structure at the content viewing device while viewing the content file in playback mode.
US08631437B2
A favorite channel list for a media system is generated by observing the viewing, surfing, and recording habits of a user. The viewing habits may include the duration and frequency of viewing a channel. A user's surfing habits, including navigation habits of a guide, the method used for navigation to a channel, and information queries made during a surfing session may be used to determine which channels may be added to a favorites list. When the user has an ability to record a program and view the program later, the user's behavior in selecting programs for recording, and the behaviors of playing back and archiving recorded shows may also be used to identify favorite channels. In some embodiments, the favorites list may be customized for a user or node of a playback system, as well as time of day.
US08631424B2
The present invention provides a method, system and computer program product for exposing at least one local service as at least one web service. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a call for the at least one web service, where the call comprises a request and a response. The method also includes delegating the call to a client bundle. The method further includes obtaining the at least one local service from a service registry via the client bundle. The method also includes invoking at least one method on the at least one local service via the client bundle. The method further includes returning a response from the invoked method for the at least one web service.
US08631419B2
A task disruption and recovery system and methods are described that detects shifts away from ongoing tasks, whether by self-interruption or by disruptive events from within or outside a computing system, based on signals detected. Among other functions, the system works to enhance the efficient recovery of suspended tasks or problem-solving sessions via storing and presenting representations of the suspended sessions in a manner that facilitates recovery and continuation.
US08631414B2
In a portable computing device having a node-based resource architecture, a first or distributed node controlled by a first processor but corresponding to a second or native node controlled by a second processor is used to indirectly access a resource of the second node. In a resource graph defining the architecture each node represents an encapsulation of functionality of one or more resources, each edge represents a client request, and adjacent nodes represent resource dependencies. Resources defined by a first graph are controlled by the first processor but not the second processor, while resources defined by a second graph are controlled by the second processor but not the first processor. A client request on the first node may be received from a client under control of the first processor. Then, a client request may be issued on the second node in response to the client request on the first node.
US08631408B2
A host controller system monitors virtual machine hosts for a tuning event. Upon detecting a tuning event, the host controller system identifies at least one virtual machine potentially affected by the tuning event, and determines whether a corresponding guest operating system should be tuned (e.g., whether configuration parameters should be adjusted). If so, the host controller system obtains configuration data for the corresponding guest operating system and provides the configuration data to the corresponding guest operating system.
US08631401B2
Capacity planning is performed based on expected transaction load and the resource utilization for each expected transaction. Resource usage is determined for one or more transactions or URLs based on transaction specific and non-transaction specific resource usage. Once the resource usage for each transaction is known, the expected resource usage may be determined for an expected quantity of each transaction. The actual resources needed to meet the expected resource usage are then determined. Resources may include hardware or software, such as a central processing unit, memory, hard disk bandwidth, network bandwidth, and other computing system components. The expected resource usage for a transaction may based on the usage directly related to the transaction and usage not directly related to the transaction but part of a process associated with the performed transactions.
US08631396B2
Provided are techniques for retrieving a universal schema specification file that defines a structure of a product specific data set, retrieving the product specific data set that defines a specific configuration for a version of a product, validating the product specific data set using the universal schema specification file, and using the validated product specific data set and a product specific installable to automatically install the version of the product with the specific configuration.
US08631395B2
Whole program analysis during a link time code generation part of compilation can be used to detect and eliminate dead catch handlers. If all catch handlers of a try clause in a computer program are found to be dead then the try clause can also be eliminated. Detection of dead catches can be automatic, using iterative propagation of the types of thrown exceptions from callee function to caller function from bottom to top in the call-graph and iterative propagation of the types of in-flight exceptions from caller function to callee function from top to bottom in the call-graph.
US08631375B2
Solutions for efficiently implementing a via into a multi-level integrated circuit layout are disclosed. In various embodiments, a method of creating a multi-level integrated circuit layout with at least one via is disclosed, the method including: providing at least two layers of the multi-level integrated circuit layout; and selecting a via for connecting the at least two layers, wherein the selecting includes retrieving the via from a via library including a plurality of via types, the plurality of via types prioritized in the via library according to a predicted manufacturing yield for each of the plurality of vias.
US08631370B2
In an embodiment, a list of ports and a physical location of the ports specified in a circuit design is created. Physically adjacent port pairs are determined within the list of the ports that are physically adjacent. For each respective physically adjacent port pair, the following elements are performed: calculating a timing window overlap for a current port and a next port in the respective physically adjacent port pair, computing a timing window overlap for the current port and each following port that is within a predetermined physical distance, and if the timing window overlap between the respective physically adjacent port pair is not smaller than the timing window overlap for the current port and each following port, swapping a physical location of the adjacent port with a physical location of the following port that has a smallest timing window overlap with the current port.
US08631369B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of statically analyzing an integrated circuit with process and environment variations is provided. The method includes characterizing each circuit cell of a cell library for a sensitivity to process parameter variations within a predetermined range; creating a timing graph corresponding to a netlist representing an integrated circuit design; along nodes of the timing graph, computing delay values including sensitivities to process variations; for each selected output node of the netlist, propagating a full timing value function with the sensitivities to the selected output nodes; and generating a parameterized timing report including the sensitivities to the process variations.
US08631364B1
A method of circuit design performed in which a description of a multi-clock-domain circuit is analyzed to locate clock domain crossings. A processor automatically identifies, for at least one of the located clock domain crossings, one or more elements of a synchronization circuit of the clock domain crossing, which require constraining. The processor then generates a constraint for implementation of the identified one or more elements in a design of the circuit.
US08631359B1
A method of calibrating a compact model for a lithographic process is described. In this method, the nominal compact model can be provided. Notably, an input energy effect can be separated from chemical effects and other factors regarding the photoresist. Using a processor, the compact model can be calibrated based on the input energy, thereby generating an energy-sensitive compact model. The energy-sensitive compact model can quickly construct 3D resist profiles capturing resist profile degradation at any horizontal plane. Because this method does not change any form of compact modeling, it can be integrated as is into validation and correction processes. In other embodiments, the energy-sensitive compact model can be further calibrated based on one or more of the chemical effects and/or other factors.
US08631355B2
Techniques for assigning a gesture dictionary in a gesture-based system to a user comprise capturing data representative of a user in a physical space. In a gesture-based system, gestures may control aspects of a computing environment or application, where the gestures may be derived from a user's position or movement in a physical space. In an example embodiment, the system may monitor a user's gestures and select a particular gesture dictionary in response to the manner in which the user performs the gestures. The gesture dictionary may be assigned in real time with respect to the capture of the data representative of a user's gesture. The system may generate calibration tests for assigning a gesture dictionary. The system may track the user during a set of short gesture calibration tests and assign the gesture dictionary based on a compilation of the data captured that represents the user's gestures.
US08631339B2
A mobile terminal and a displaying method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a first touch screen which displays a first object, a second touch screen which displays a second object, and a controller which controls display of a virtual keypad on the second touch screen when a touch input is applied to the first touch screen.
US08631330B1
In some embodiments, a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer security application is automatically configured according to a user profile of the user. Upon installation of the computer security application, a desired GUI complexity questionnaire is displayed to the user. The application then matches the user to a user profile out of a set of predefined user profiles, according to the user's answers to the questionnaire. User profiles reflect a user's desired complexity of display and control (e.g. Novice/Intermediate/Expert, Basic/Intermediate/Advanced). The information displayed and application controls provided by the GUI window vary in detail according to the user profile. Selecting a user profile propagates multiple individually-user-configurable display and control settings of the GUI, as well as under-the-hood (non-GUI) settings of the anti-malware application.
US08631327B2
A method consistent with the present invention involves displaying a window on a computer monitor; at one or more programmed processors, determining a position of the window on the computer monitor; at the one or more programmed processors, deducing a user position for a user of the window with the window based on the position of the window on the computer monitor; and steering audio signals from an application running in the window to a loudspeaker in an array of loudspeakers, where the loudspeaker is a loudspeaker in the array of loudspeakers closer to the deduced user position than another loudspeaker in the array. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08631323B1
In a computing environment, a method for treating display characteristics of input displayed via a user interface includes receiving input from a user interface, the input including at least one character, determining the scope of the input, categorizing input into at least one category, and applying at least one display treatment to the input associated with at least one category, wherein the display treatment is applied as each character is received from the user interface.
US08631318B2
Methods and apparatus for versioning an electronic document based on XML and methods and apparatus for providing an updated electronic document based on XML can use a version value. The electronic document being managed can use a syntax defining a structure of the structured electronic document. One method is characterized in that date information of when a content of the electronic document is changed is used as a version value.
US08631315B2
The invention relates to a system for delivering information related to a product, including a computer, a webpage displayed on the computer that is directed to the product, a program executing on the computer for placing an overlay over the webpage where at least one portion of the overlay is generally transparent, and a program executing on the computer for displaying a plurality of hyperlinks on the overlay, each hyperlink indicating a different characteristic of the product. The invention also includes a program executing on the computer for, when a hyperlink is actuated, automatically displaying a sample and a menu of other samples of a characteristic of the actuated hyperlink.
US08631314B2
A system for delivering advertisement units that interact with each other on a webpage is disclosed. The system includes a web browser, a web server, and an advertisement server. The web browser is configured to generate a request for a webpage. The web server is communicatively connected to the web browser and is configured to receive the request for a webpage from the web browser and send the requested webpage to the browser in response to the request. The webpage includes an ad unit request script that is configured to direct the web browser to generate a request for an advertisement unit.The advertisement server is communicatively connected to the web browser and the web server. The advertisement server is configured to receive advertisement unit requests and send a first ad unit and a second ad unit to the web browser in response to those requests. The first and second ad units are rendered by the web browser onto the webpage. The first ad unit is communicatively interfaced with the second ad unit and is configured to detect the second ad unit and send instructions to the second ad unit if the second ad unit possesses specified attributes. The second ad unit is configured to receive and execute instructions received from the first ad unit.
US08631312B2
LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes with corresponding parity check matrices selectively constructed with CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) and null sub-matrices. An LDPC matrix corresponding to an LDPC code is employed within a communication device to encode and/or decode coded signals for use in any of a number of communication systems. The LDPC matrix is composed of a number of sub-matrices and may be partitioned into a left hand side matrix and a right hand side matrix. The right hand side matrix may include two sub-matrix diagonals therein that are composed entirely of CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices; one of these two sub-matrix diagonals is located on the center sub-matrix diagonal and the other is located just to the left thereof. All other sub-matrices of the right hand side matrix may be null sub-matrices (i.e., all elements therein are values of zero “0”).
US08631303B2
A distributed storage network generates a plurality of data segments from a data object and stores each of the plurality of data segments as a plurality of encoded data slices generated from an error encoding dispersal function. When the distributed storage network receives a modification request for the data object, it determines a size of the plurality of data segments of the data object from a segment size field and identifies one of the plurality of data segments requiring modification. The identified data segment is reconstructed from the plurality of encoded data slices and modified in accordance with the modification request.
US08631298B2
A method for mapping a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) is described. The method for mapping a PHICH includes determining an index of a resource element group transmitting a repetitive pattern of the PHICH, according to a ratio of the number of available resource element groups in a symbol in which the PHICH is transmitted and the number of available resource element groups in a first or second OFDM symbol, and mapping the PHICH to the symbol according to the determined index. In transmitting the PHICH, since efficient mapping is performed considering available resource elements varying with OFDM symbols, repetition of the PHICH does not generate interference between neighbor cell IDs and performance is improved.
US08631296B2
This invention proposes an automatic retransmission controller and a retransmission block recombination apparatus, of which the automatic retransmission controller comprises a responsive reception unit that receives the information fed back from the receiver; a retransmission judging unit that determines coded data blocks to be retransmitted according to the information received by the responsive reception unit; and a data acquisition unit that acquires a part of data in each of the coded data blocks to be retransmitted judged by the retransmission judging unit for recombination to form a retransmission coded block, when the number of the coded data blocks to be transmitted is more than one.
US08631291B2
A semiconductor device includes a clock control unit configured to receive an external test clock signal in a boundary scan test mode and generate a boundary test clock signal in synchronization with an entry time point of the boundary scan test mode, and a plurality of latches configured to receive and store a plurality of data in parallel in a boundary capture test mode and form a boundary scan path to sequentially output the plurality of stored data in the boundary scan test mode in response to the boundary test clock signal.
US08631286B2
During initial access in which a control unit 8 accesses a disk device 3 for a first time following execution of a command, the control unit 8 waits for an access response from the disk device 3 until a first timeout value, which is set at a time for completing access to the disk device 3, is counted, and during an access retry subsequent to the initial access, the control unit 8 waits for an access response from the disk device 3 until a second timeout value, which is larger than the first timeout value and set at a time required to specify a source of an access error, is counted.
US08631283B1
The monitoring and recovery of data instances, data stores, and other such components in a data environment can be performed automatically using a separate control environment. A monitoring component of the control plane can include a set of event processors for monitoring a workload of the data environment, where an event processor detecting a problem in the data plane can cause a recovery workflow to be generated in order to recover from the detected problem. The event processors can communicate with each other such that if one of the event processors becomes unavailable, the other event processors in a set are able to automatically redistribute responsibility for the workload.
US08631269B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a system and method for replacing a failed node in a distributed data storage network. The network includes storage nodes storing source data amongst them in a redundant manner that is coded using one of minimum-storage, minimum-bandwidth or twin code techniques. On failure of a storage node, means of obtaining the data of the failed node from the existing nodes are described, under each of these coding techniques. This action is performed in a manner that requires a minimal amount of download. The storage space required in the nodes is also minimized.
US08631256B2
Microprocessors are provided with decentralized logic and associated methods for indicating power related operating states, such as desired voltages and frequency ratios, to shared microprocessor power resources such as a voltage regulator module (VRM) and phase locked loops (PLLs). Each core is configured to generate a value to indicate a desired operating state of the core. Each core is also configured to receive a corresponding value from each other core sharing the applicable resource, and to calculate a composite value compatible with the minimal needs of each core sharing the applicable resource. Each core is further configured to conditionally drive the composite value off core to the applicable resource based on whether the core is designated as a master core for purposes of controlling or coordinating the applicable resource. The composite value is supplied to the applicable shared resource without using any active logic outside the plurality of cores.
US08631252B2
Disclosed is an integrated circuit card which includes a central processing unit (CPU); a first memory block and a second memory block configured to operate responsive to a control of the CPU; and a high voltage generator block configured to generate a high voltage to be supplied to the first and second memory blocks. When bit lines of the first memory block are set by the high voltage, the CPU controls the high voltage generator block to supply the second memory block with the high voltage for a program operation of the second memory block during the program operation of the first memory block.
US08631250B2
Designating and handling confidential memory allocations of virtual memory. An operating system provides a memory allocation flag that applications may use to indicate any arbitrary area of physical memory marked with this flag may contain confidential data and should be handled accordingly. The operating system also ensures that memory allocated with this flag can be placed in physical memory. When freeing up memory, the operating system protects any data in the memory allocated with this flag. For example, the operating system may prevent the confidential memory from being swapped out to storage or from being accessible to other applications, such as debuggers. Alternatively, the operating system may encrypt any data in the confidential memory before it is swapped out to storage.
US08631244B1
A system for preventing computer malware from exfiltrating data from a user computer in a network via the internet. A host-based network process monitor intercepts network traffic information from the user computer and transmits a network request including user and application information including the network traffic information. An authorization server cooperates with the host-based network process monitor for i) verifying whether the user and process in the network request should have network access, and ii) cryptographically signing the intercepted network traffic information with an authorization server key, to authorize network access for the intercepted network traffic information. A firewall system is operably connected to the user computer and the authorization server configured to inspect the network traffic information from the user computer and reject any traffic information not signed with the authorization server key.
US08631243B2
A biometrics template matching method includes the steps of: providing a reference biometric template and a candidate biometric template, each including position data and orientation data of a respective plurality of minutiae; comparing the orientation data of each minutia from the candidate template with the orientation data of each minutia from the reference template; when the orientation data of a selected pair differ by no more than a first threshold, determining a displacement vector representative of the difference in position data of the selected pair of minutiae; determining the maximum number of displacement vectors that differ from each other by less than a second threshold; if the maximum number of displacement vectors is less than a third threshold, returning a mismatch, otherwise returning a match.
US08631236B2
Online file locker system, method, and computer software are described. Some such tools can employ a universal serial bus memory drive, a residential gateway, and/or a data server over a network. In some cases, when the universal serial bus memory drive is inserted into a universal serial bus port of the residential gateway, data stored on the universal serial bus memory drive is automatically uploaded to, and/or synchronized with data stored on, the data server, which is in communication with the residential gateway over the network. In other cases, data deletion is accomplished in a similar manner, for example, upon removal of the universal serial bus drive and/or upon detection of files deleted from the universal serial bus drive.
US08631232B2
A wireless personal area network accessing method is provided, the method includes that: a coordinator broadcasts a beacon frame, the beacon frame includes the information about whether the coordinator sends an authentication requirement, the beacon frame also includes the authentication supported by the coordinator and key management package when a device receipts the authentication requirement, the device receives the beacon frame, the authentication between the coordinator and the device is made by using a authentication method corresponding to the authentication supported by the coordinator and key management package, when the device determines that the coordinator and the device is directly made according to the authentication result, or the association between the coordinator and the device is made after making session key negotiation.
US08631227B2
Electronic document processing logic coupled to a computer and to a quarantine is operable to identify an encrypted electronic document received at the computer; determine whether the key server stores particular decryption data, or credentials to access decryption data, that can decrypt the encrypted electronic document; in response to determining that the key server does not store particular decryption data that can decrypt the encrypted electronic document: store the electronic document in the quarantine; notify one of the users; receive from the one of the users the particular decryption data; decrypt the electronic document; scan the electronic document to identify specified content in the electronic document; and perform one or more responsive actions based on the specified content. As a result, encrypted content in documents or e-mail can be decrypted, scanned for viruses, malware, or prohibited content, and re-encrypted or delivered.
US08631226B2
An approach is provided for video monitoring. A video server records an event to output a video master and to generate a video proxy of the master. A monitoring server transmits the video proxy to a central monitoring system that is configured to correlate the video proxy with other video proxies from a plurality of sources.
US08631218B2
In order to further develop a method of and a system (100) for controlling the programming of, in particular the erase/write access to, a memory device (10) comprising multiple memory cells (20, 22), said memory cells (20, 22) being exposed to wear resulting from repeated programming, in such way that an increased lifetime of the memory device (10), in particular on an integrated circuit, is provided even under exceptional stress of the memory device (10), it is proposed to provide—at least one quality measuring/determining means (40, 42) being assigned to each memory cell (20, 22) in order to measure and/or to determine the quality of the respective memory cell (20, 22), in particular in order to measure and/or to determine the prospective endurance specified according to a number of change cycles which the respective memory cell (20, 22) can endure within a performance tolerance, and—at least one control means (50), in particular by at least one access load distributor, —being coupled to each quality measuring/determining means (40, 42), and—deciding depending on the measured and/or determined quality of the memory cells (20, 22), which one is selected for programming.
US08631217B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a virtual machine backup. A name module establishes an administrative machine name for a virtual machine. A space module associates at least one administrative name space with the administrative machine name. A backup module backs up files belonging to the virtual machine using a backup proxy, wherein the files are segregated under the administrative machine name and are accessible using only a secure key belonging to the virtual machine and without using a backup proxy secure key. A mask module masks out pathname components for each backup file pathname so that the backup file pathname is equivalent to a virtual machine file pathname.
US08631215B1
Example embodiments provide various techniques for provisioning a write once, read many (WORM) state. In one embodiment, an identifier is accessed. This identifier is assigned to a volume that is associated with an aggregate of storage devices and identifies a first type of the WORM state that is different from a second type of the WORM state associated with the aggregate. The first type of the WORM state is applied to the volume and the application results in different types of WORM states between the aggregate and the volume. Modification of data stored in the volume is then restricted based the first type of WORM state.
US08631214B2
In one embodiment, a circuit includes an input buffer, an output buffer, a counter, an issuing unit, a first controller, a register, and a second controller. The input buffer and the output buffer have a variable storage capacity. The counter cyclically counts from a first value to a second value. The issuing unit issues a write command if a count value of the counter is a third value and issues a read command if the count value is a fourth value. The register stores a first setting value, a second setting value and a third setting value to be capable of changing each of the setting values. The second controller controls the components to set the storage capacity, the second value, and one of the third and fourth values respectively to values corresponding to the first to third setting values.
US08631209B2
Techniques are described for using chunk stores as building blocks to construct larger chunk stores. A chunk store constructed of other chunk stores (a composite chunk store) may have any number and type of building block chunk stores. Further, the building block chunk stores within a composite chunk store may be arranged in any manner, resulting in any number of levels within the composite chunk store. The building block chunk stores expose a common interface, and apply the same hash function to content of chunks to produce the access key for the chunks. Because the access key is based on content, all copies of the same chunk will have the same access key, regardless of the chunk store that is managing the copy. In addition, no other chunk will have that same access key.
US08631185B2
A system for high-speed data transfer within a portable device, such as, cell phone or a set-top box, which includes a memory medium and a processor. The system includes a first port for coupling to the processor, and a second port for coupling to the memory medium. Further, the system includes an embedded Universal Serial Bus (USB) host configured for receiving data transfer commands from the processor, and transferring data at high speed between a USB device on the processor and the memory medium. Moreover, a data path is provided between the embedded USB host and the first port.
US08631177B1
Various techniques are provided for hosting storage media devices using multi-port devices having a plurality of ports. For example, in one embodiment, a method of operating a multi-port device includes detecting whether a host device or a storage media device is connected to a first port of the multi-port device or a second port of the multi-port device. The method also includes, if the host device is connected to the first port, configuring the first port as a slave port and operating the multi-port device as a slave hosted by the host device. The method also includes, if the host device is connected to the second port and the storage media device is connected to the first port, configuring the first port as a host port and hosting the storage media device from the multi-port device.
US08631155B2
In a networking environment, multiple end-users applications running on computing devices may operate behind a respective NAT device. Information transferred from one end-user application to another can be accomplished by establishing a connection from one private network to another. The NAT device translates information related to an end-user application operating within a private network to information that is understood by the public network environment. This translated information is communicated to the associated NAT device of the intended recipient. The NAT device of the intended recipient translates the public environment related information to information for the end-user in the private network.
US08631148B2
A system and method for providing proximity-based quality for multimedia content, including: transmitting multimedia content, and intentionally controlling a quality level of a presentation of the multimedia content based on proximity of a user to a particular location.
US08631147B2
Systems and methods for configuring and evaluating policies that direct processing of one or more data streams are described. A configuration interface is described for allowing users to specify object oriented policies. These object oriented policies may allow any data structures to be applied with respect to a payload of a received packet stream, including any portions of HTTP traffic. A configuration interface may also allow the user to control the order in which policies and policy groups are executed, in addition to specifying actions to be taken if one or more policies are undefined. Systems and methods for processing the policies may allow efficient processing of object-oriented policies by applying potentially complex data structures to unstructured data streams. A device may also interpret and process a number of flow control commands and policy group invocation statements to determine an order of execution among a number of policies and policy groups. These policy configurations and processing may allow configuration and processing of complex network behaviors relating to load balancing, VPNs, SSL offloading, content switching, application security, acceleration, and caching.
US08631146B2
Systems and methods provide for dynamic generation of media content at the point that content is served. The system and method work within the bounds of simple, existing, open protocols and the media files served are playable by standard media playback clients. The method is driven by a request for media content from a client specifying an edit list. The server opens one or more source files and selects portions of one or more files to transmit based on edit list instructions, and sequentially writes those portions to an output for serving to the client. The method allows for various modifications of the content before serving.
US08631134B2
A network architecture includes a perimeter network connected between an internal network and an external network. The perimeter network includes one or more external edge nodes that are connected to the external network and a plurality of proxy servers that are each connected to one or more of the external edge nodes. One or more internal edge nodes are connected between the plurality of proxy servers and the internal network. The proxy servers are operable to establish a first secure connection between a destination through the external network and a second secure connection to a destination in the internal network. Each of the plurality of proxy servers provide a substantially identical identification for authentication when establishing the first and second secure connections.
US08631133B1
A method and system of providing a virtual transport session is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a virtual transport session is provided by establishing a virtual transport session between an initiator module and a target module across a network, wherein the virtual transport session comprises a transport session. Thereafter, information is transferred between the initiator module and the target module using the virtual transport session. According to another embodiment, establishing a virtual transport session between an initiator module and a target module across a network comprises associating a globally unique identifier to an initiator module.
US08631131B2
A host controller initiates a virtual machine pool, the virtual machine pool including a plurality of stateless virtual machines. The host controller identifies a virtual machine pool cache size value for the virtual machine pool, the virtual machine pool cache size value indicating a number of active, unassigned, stateless virtual machines to maintain in a virtual machine pool cache for the virtual machine pool. The host controller automatically loads the indicated number of active, unassigned, stateless virtual machines into the virtual machine pool cache for the virtual machine pool prior to receiving a request for one of the plurality of stateless virtual machines.
US08631129B2
A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance metric information associated with processing a request for an original resource and any embedded resource. The processing device uses the processed performance metric information to determine a set of service providers for alternatively hosting, processing, and/or transmitting at least a portion of the original resource and/or any embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance metric information collected and associated with subsequent resource requests for the original resource and any embedded resources using each of a variety of alternative set(s) of service providers. Aspects of systems and methods for generating recommendations associated with monitoring the operation and performance of service providers with respect to specific resource requests are also provided.
US08631128B2
An apparatus includes memory and a processor. The processor is operable to receive identification information of a user from a portable computing device. The processor is also operable to access the memory to identify a previous trip record based on the identification information of the user and to identify a user preference based on the previous trip record. The processor is further operable to generate reservation information based on the user preference, where the reservation information is associated with a requested trip of the user.
US08631115B2
Techniques for accurate determination of service impact are provided by provisioning network deployed probes with actual business object information related to business entities, such as VPN sites. Such probes are capable of sending a network trap (or alarm) containing actual business information in response to detecting a loss of connectivity. As a result, service impact caused by the loss of connectivity may be determined accurately by simply parsing the contents of a network trap, thus avoiding the complication and inaccuracy of conventional impact analysis.
US08631106B2
A protocol element referred to as a secure handle is described which provides an efficient and reliable method for application-to-application signaling in multi-process and multi-computer environments. The secure handle includes an absolute memory reference which allows the kernel to more quickly and efficiently associate a network data packet with an application's communication context in the kernel.
US08631103B1
A solution for remotely administering dynamic computing environments is provided. A list of administrative actions and computing devices are displayed on a user interface. The user then can select an administrative action to be performed on any number of the computing devices in the list. Once selected, a signal is sent to the remote computing environment indicating the administrative action to be performed on the selected computing devices. The administrative action is then performed on the selected computing devices.
US08631100B2
In general, techniques are described for automatic assignment of hardware addresses within computer networks. As one example, a network device comprising a physical network interface and a control unit may implement these techniques. The network interface receives a first message from a client device requesting a layer three (L3) network address. The first message also includes a layer two (L2) hardware address currently assigned to a network interface of the client device. The control unit selects a replacement L2 hardware address for use by the network interface of the client device as a replacement for the L2 hardware address included in the first message and generates a second message having a field that specifies the replacement L2 hardware address. The network interface outputs the second message to the client device so as to automatically assign the replacement L2 hardware address for use by the network interface of the client device.
US08631086B2
Embodiments of the invention may be used to manage message queues in a parallel computing environment to prevent message queue deadlock. A direct memory access controller of a compute node may determine when a messaging queue is full. In response, the DMA may generate an interrupt. An interrupt handler may stop the DMA and swap all descriptors from the full messaging queue into a larger queue (or enlarge the original queue). The interrupt handler then restarts the DMA. Alternatively, the interrupt handler stops the DMA, allocates a memory block to hold queue data, and then moves descriptors from the full messaging queue into the allocated memory block. The interrupt handler then restarts the DMA. During a normal messaging advance cycle, a messaging manager attempts to inject the descriptors in the memory block into other messaging queues until the descriptors have all been processed.
US08631061B2
A mantissa/exponent splitter splits an input value X=(1+X1/223)×(2^X2) into a mantissa X1 and an exponent X2. An interpolation processor references the mantissa/exponent splitter using the mantissa X1 and determines a power value (log2(1+X1/223)) through an interpolation process. A logarithmic calculator determines a logarithmic value Z=log2 XY=Y(X2+log2(1+X1/223)) from the exponent X2 and the power value from the interpolation processor. The integer/fraction splitter splits the logarithmic value Z into an integer Zint and a fraction Zamari. The interpolation processor references a power of fraction table storage unit in response to the fraction Zamari and determines a power value (2^Zamari) through the interpolation process. The power calculator determines XY=2^Z=(2^Zamari)×(2^Zint), thereby resulting in the input value X to the power of Y.
US08631055B2
Configurable compression and decompression of waveform data in a multi-core processing environment improves the efficiency of data transfer between cores and conserves data storage resources. In waveform data processing systems, input, intermediate, and output waveform data are often exchanged between cores and between cores and off-chip memory. At each core, a single configurable compressor and a single configurable decompressor can be configured to compress and to decompress integer or floating-point waveform data. At the memory controller, a configurable compressor compresses integer or floating-point waveform data for transfer to off-chip memory in compressed packets and a configurable decompressor decompresses compressed packets received from the off-chip memory. Compression reduces the memory or storage required to retain waveform data in a semiconductor or magnetic memory. Compression reduces both the latency and the bandwidth required to exchange waveform data. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims.
US08631044B2
A method, system, computer program product and computer readable media for matching using degree distribution information are disclosed. An embodiment of the method can include performing b-matching on a graph data structure expanded using degree distribution information in order to identify neighbors of a selected input node. The b-matching can be performed using belief propagation. The belief propagation method is adapted to use a compressed message update rule and to be suitable for use with distributed processing systems. An embodiment can also include enhancing a matching result by applying degree distribution information to a first matching result to generate a second matching result. Embodiments for online advertisement/search term matching, product recommendation, dating service and social network matching, auction buyer/seller matching and resource allocation, among other, are disclosed.
US08631037B2
A data storage system may contain a changeable database that includes: advisory information that includes the content of multiple advisory statements; query information that includes the content of multiple user queries; and flow logic information indicating a sequence for the delivery of the advisory statements and the user queries based on answers to the user queries. A user interface may deliver the user queries and the advisory statements to a user and receive answers in response to the user queries from the user. An information delivery engine that is separate from the changeable database may cause the user interface to deliver the user queries and the advisory statements to the user in a sequence based on the user's answers to the user queries and the flow logic information. This in system may be adopted to troubleshooting equipment, such as an optical network terminal.
US08631035B2
A method to support efficient, interactive, and fuzzy search on text data includes an interactive, fuzzy search on structured data used in applications such as query relaxation, autocomplete, and spell checking, where inconsistencies and errors exist in user queries as well as data. It utilizes techniques to efficiently and interactively answer fuzzy queries on structured data to allow users to efficiently search for information interactively, and they can find records and documents even if these records and documents are slightly different from the user keywords.
US08631033B2
The present invention relates to compliance rules analytics systems and methods for facilitating compliance, such as the compliance of an investment portfolio or a set of investment portfolios, with a rule or a set of rules.
US08631030B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enhancing selecting relevant and diverse advertisements. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an initial query, selecting one or more additional queries relating to the initial query, including selecting a first additional query and a second diverse additional query, identifying one or more content items for each of the additional queries, the one or more content items forming a content block, and providing a content block and associated additional query to be displayed at a client device along with search results associated with the initial query.
US08631018B2
A computer-implemented method for positioning targeted sponsored content on a cellular phone includes the steps of (a) assessing a likelihood of an interaction by a user of the cellular phone with a sponsored content, wherein the assessment is based on a plurality of user characteristics associated with the cellular phone including (i) a credit card datum; and (ii) a predefined hardware or software characteristic of the cellular phone; (c) prioritizing the placement of the sponsored content within one of a plurality of predefined areas of a graphical user interface of the cellular phone over the placement of other sponsored content within the same area, wherein the prioritization is based on the assessment of the likelihood of the interaction of the user of the cellular phone with the sponsored content; and (d) presenting the sponsored content within the one of a plurality of predefined areas of the graphical user interface.
US08631010B1
A method may include obtaining, based on a content of a search query, one or more documents in a first language; identifying one or more documents in a second language that contain an anchor that links to the one or more documents in the first language, the second language being different than the first language; and translating one or more terms of the search query into the second language using content included in the one or more documents in the second language.
US08631005B2
A method and a system to automatically segment text based on header tokens is described. A relevance value and an irrelevance value are determined for each token in a description, assuming no tokens are left out of computations. The irrelevance value is based on occurrences of a token in a sample set of descriptions. The relevance value is an estimated probability of relevance based on the header of the description being segmented.
US08631001B2
Systems and methods for weighting a search query result are described. In one described system, a program, such as a query system, determines a first article identifier associated with a source and receives an input signal indicating an interest in the first article identifier. The query system then determines a second article identifier associated with the source and determines a score associated with the second article identifier based at least in part on the input signal.
US08630999B2
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, provided are systems and computer program products for incrementally estimating the cardinality of a derived relation including statistically correlated partially applicable predicates for a range-partitioned table. During the generation of a QEP a cardinality estimate is calculated in which one or more partially applicable predicates is correlated to another partially applicable predicate and/or to one or more fully applicable predicates. The cardinality includes a number of rows expected to be returned by the QEP and is computed in an incremental fashion for each operator of the QEP.
US08630994B2
A system has a processor and tangible, non-transistory media that stores a program that when executed by the processor is configured to perform operations. The system receives a request from a requesting user to reconfigure a search screen on a display, adds at least one search window to the search screen; receives a plurality of search requests from the search screen, and performs a plurality of searches to perform a separate search resulting in separate search results for each of the search requests provided by the requesting user. Each of the search results is displayed on a separate frame on a display. Other embodiments include operations other than searches.
US08630990B2
A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to send a first signal to cause a client device to display an instruction directing a user to perform a task associated with a user profile of an online entity. The code is configured to cause the processor to produce a query formatted according to an API associated with the online entity. The code is configured to cause the processor to send a second signal including the query to at least one of the client device or the online entity, and receive a third signal including a datum associated with the task. The code is configured to cause the processor to update a status of the indicated task based on the datum, and send a fourth signal to cause the client device to produce an indication associated with the status of the task.
US08630989B2
Described herein are methods, systems, apparatuses and products for automatically discovering patterns in a text corpus. An aspect provides extracting at least one context string related to at least one annotator from the at least one text corpus; analyzing the at least one context string for at least one sequence, the at least one sequence comprised of at least one subsequence; determining at least one sequence signature for each at least one sequence by applying applicable rules to the at least one sequence; and grouping the at least one sequence signature into at least one group.
US08630986B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, that include generating a first application by providing a definition of an object representing a first set of attributes of a first collection of data elements and a first set of operations on the first collection, each data element in the first collection having the attributes and a list of the operations in common with other data elements from the first collection. The method also includes extending the definition of the object with a second definition, the second definition comprising a second set of attributes of the data elements or a list of second set of operations on the data elements, receiving from the client a request to execute an operation from the first set of operations or the second set of operations on one or more data elements from the first collection, the request having input parameters, checking the request against the definition and the second definition, executing, with a first set of parameters, the operation on the one or more data elements of the first collection, the operation resulting in output parameters, and sending a second set of parameters.
US08630985B2
Techniques used in an automatic failover configuration having a primary database system, a standby database system, and an observer for preventing divergence among the primary and standby database systems while increasing the availability of the primary database system. In the automatic failover configuration, the primary database system remains available even in the absence of both the standby and the observer as long as the standby and the observer become absent sequentially. The failover configuration further permits automatic failover only when the observer is present and the standby and the primary are synchronized and inhibits state changes during failover. The database systems and the observer have copies of failover configuration state and the techniques include techniques for propagating the most recent version of the state among the databases and the observer and techniques for using carefully-ordered writes to ensure that state changes are propagated in a fashion which prevents divergence.
US08630983B2
A distribution plan that indicates how to encode and distribute backup data across multiple data centers may be generated. The distribution plan may be generated such that one or more characteristics of the distribution plan, such as costs, are optimized while constraints on the plan, such as protection level, recovery point objective (RPO), and recovery time objective (RTO) are satisfied. The protection level may indicate the number of the data centers that are to remain available such that the backup data is recoverable from encoded fragments of the backup data stored in the data centers that remain available.
US08630978B2
Techniques for enabling writing and reading to and from a user file by at least a virtual software application. The user file includes a session file, an index file, and a data file. The techniques enable roaming between computers without the need to reconfigure, for example, the personalized information when switching between computers.
US08630977B2
A method, an apparatus, and a system for data synchronization are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a parameter value change notification message which carries a parameter change event and/or a digest of a specific parameter; and synchronizing data according to the parameter value change notification message. The synchronizing the data includes synchronizing the data in a parameter change record table stored in a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). An Auto-Configuration Server (ACS) includes a receiving unit and a synchronizing unit. In this way, the requirement on the ACS is lowered and the burden of the ACS is relieved.
US08630976B2
A method and medium for performing a replication process are provided. The method includes receiving a request to perform an initial load of a first persistence of at least one business object node to replicate the at least one business object node to a second persistence of the business object node; providing a queue to store updates of the at least one business object node; setting a lock for the at least one business object node, the lock indicating a replicating process is performing the initial load of the at least one business object node; determining whether the lock is set for the at least one business object node; and storing, in the queue, the updates of the at least one business object node that occur in parallel with the replicating process in an instance it is determined the lock is set for the at least one business object node.
US08630965B2
Provided herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses that can utilize a grammar hierarchy to parse out observable activities into a set of distinguishable actions.
US08630964B2
Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a patient is described. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise generating successive generations of child populations until a confidence threshold is reached. This confidence threshold comprises determining whether the values of each parameter value to be selected have converged on particular value with a specified confidence level. In determining whether the values have converged, one or more initial generations of the search may be excluded in computing the likelihood that the value has converged.
US08630960B2
A recommender system can be analyzed to determine various performance characteristics of an online content service provider. The recommender system is analyzed using a predetermined policy, to determine if it satisfies such policy, and/or has other measurable intended and/or unintended biases. The policy can include such parameters as whether a particular profile is presented with certain particular types of items by the recommender system. The reliability of search engines can also be tested using a similar approach.
US08630957B2
A system for charging one ore learning session to one or more student accounts comprises an online learning system having one or more nodes that creates one or more online learning sessions. An enrollment node receives student enrollment information, including responsible authority information. A scheduling node schedules the online learning session. A database stores one or more student accounts created based on the received student enrollment information. The same or another databases stores information relating to one or more responsible authority charge criterion for charging the one or more learning sessions to the one or more student accounts. An activity node receives one or more session activity information associated with the one or more learning sessions and an accounting node associates a charge information for a learning session to an student account based the one or more responsible authority charge criterion and one or more session activity information.
US08630942B2
A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database. A sale transaction is completed when the payment authorization information is affirmative. Sale charge information associated with the sale effected over the computer network is transmitted to the payment authorization database when the sale transaction is complete. The sale charge information includes information for charging the method of payment an amount representing a charge for the sale.
US08630933B1
Tokenless biometric authorization of transaction between a consumer and a merchant uses an identicator and an access device. A consumer registers with the identicator a biometric sample taken from the consumer. The consumer and merchant establish communications via the access device. The merchant proposes a transaction to the consumer via the access device. The access device communicates to the merchant associated with the access device. After the consumer and merchant have agreed on the transaction, the consumer and the identicator use the access device to establish communications. The access device communicates to the identicator the code associated with the access device. The identicator compares biometric sample from the consumer with registered biometric sample. Upon successful identification, the identicator forwards information regarding the consumer to the merchant. These steps accomplish a biometrically authorized electronic financial transaction without the consumer having to present any personalized man-made memory tokens.
US08630931B2
A system and method for funding investment seeking companies (ISCs), e.g., startup companies, by a funding company is disclosed. For each of the ISCs, in exchange for private equity therein, the funding company issues a corresponding publicly tradable class of its own stock substantially based on the performance of the ISC. The ISCs are categorized according to characteristics important to investors, e.g., type of technology, revenue, and products or services (to be) offered so that ISCs in a same category compete against one another for funding distributions from the funding company. In particular, income returns on the investments of proceeds from public sales of each class of stock are periodically distributed among competing ISCs according to, e.g., the share prices of their corresponding class of funding company stocks.
US08630928B1
There is provided a financial unit security. The financial unit security includes a secured debt security and an option. The secured debt security and the option are coupled together as a unit.
US08630926B1
A method, system and program product, the method comprising: accessing Transfer Fee data to be paid to a third party that is not the borrower or the lender or the buyer or seller in a repurchase agreement transaction of a security for a right to loan or repo one or more units of the security; accessing data on a loan or repo of units of the security, calculating an amount of a Transfer Fee for the right to loan or repo the security; generating data for debiting an account or sending a bill for the Transfer Fee; and updating the database with data on the Transfer Fee.
US08630924B2
Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments. The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images. In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data. For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective. In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response. In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved.
US08630919B2
A method and system for automatically generating a self-updating naturally-reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the system and method includes evaluating an existing narrative product summary, comparing an existing attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model, respectively, to a current attribute name, attribute value, attribute unit, and assertion model to determine if one of the comparisons shows a change. The system and method further determines a new attribute associated with the selected product, selects an alternative product, retrieves a new assertion model with assertions that describe the selected product and identify an alternative product in a natural manner. The system and method then generates a naturally-reading narrative product summary by combining the new attribute with the new retrieved assertion model, and by combining the selected alternative product with another retrieved assertion model to recommend the selected alternative product in the narrative.
US08630913B1
In one embodiment, a web page presented to a user includes a header section that substantially spans the top of the web page and provides a menu of selectable options as well as a search input box. A main section beneath the header section provides a registry creation control, selectable to activate a gift registry creation process, and a registry search box, providing a user with a means for searching for a particular gift registry. Beneath the main section, two promotional regions are positioned side-by-side. One of the promotional regions includes two or more sub-regions, each sub-region presenting information regarding a respective promotional concept. The other promotional region presents information regarding a main promotional concept. In some embodiments, the sub-regions are vertically aligned in a column.
US08630908B2
A distributed point of sale, electronic article surveillance, and product information system. The system can include a central database and at least one integrated POS/EAS/information terminal adapted to communicate with NFC-enabled devices, RFID and EAS tags, and the database, wherein, when a customer places an NFC-enabled device and a product having an RFID and EAS tag and proximate the terminal, the terminal facilitates a transaction for purchasing the product. The terminal can include a processor, an NFC transceiver, a UHF RFID reader, and a Bluetooth transceiver. The transaction for purchasing the product can be performed via the NFC-enabled device.
US08630905B2
The invention describes how a consumer can hold their NFC enabled device in proximity to an NFC enabled point-of-sale terminal and with a single “wave” or “tap” to automatically redeem coupons, pay for a purchase using a default payment card or a selected card, view receipts view reward point balances, and receive relevant coupons and other digital artifacts both before and after the purchase. The NFC enabled device includes a secure element with a payment application, payment credentials, and other digital artifacts such as coupons. The secure element can be internal to the mobile device, externally affixed to the mobile device, or inserted into a slot within the body of the mobile device.
US08630889B2
A system for selecting products is described. The system includes a computer executing a process to retrieve a product aesthetic tag associated with a particular product type selected by a customer. The aesthetic tag contains values that represent aesthetic features of the product and a process to form a result tag that contains a value corresponding to how well aesthetic features of the product match to aesthetic preferences of the customer.
US08630884B2
A computer-implemented engine, system and method for generating business valuations, scoring, and/or flagging over a network, responsively to information input by a user remote from the engine, system and method. The invention may include a graphical user interface capable of locally querying a user to input the company information, at least one network port capable of remotely receiving the company information from the graphical user interface, and at least one engine communicatively connected to the at least one network port, which engine preferably includes a plurality of rules to generate, responsively to the input company information, at least one of a business valuation, a business score, and/or one or more business flags to be used as indicators in a network marketplace, for the company associated with the inputted company information.
US08630877B1
Methods and systems for retirement planning that provides an insurance against a failure to obtain a desired retirement savings amount because of market forces. A retirement planning engine may run on a server and operates to determine a customer's retirement plans. The retirement planning engine may define a customer's retirement plan using one or more savings or investment vehicles, and details an amount to be saved of time in order to provide a desired income for the customer's retirement years. In some implementations, the retirement planning engine may offer a retirement “gap” insurance product to the customer to protect against a difference between the amount saved by the customer and the amount needed to achieve desired annual income for the retirement years. The insurance policy may cover this “gap” if the customer adheres to the plan defined by the retirement planning engine.
US08630875B2
A system and method for allowing a patient to access an automated process for managing a specified health problem called a disease. The system performs disease management in a fully automated manner, using periodic interactive dialogs with the patient to obtain health state measurements from the patient, to evaluate and assess the progress of the patient's disease, to review and adjust therapy to optimal levels, and to give the patient medical advice for administering treatment and handling symptom flare-ups and acute episodes of the disease. The medical records are updated, the progression of the disease is stored and tracked, and the patient's preferences for treatment are stored and then used to offer medical advice based on the current state of the disease. A prestored general disease trend curve is compared against a patient specific disease trend curve, and the system makes an automated response such as adjusting therapy.
US08630863B2
Provided is a method of encoding an audio/speech signal, the method including determining a variable length of a frame, that is, a processing unit of an input signal in accordance with a position of an attack in the input signal; transforming each frame of the input signal to a frequency domain and dividing the frame into a plurality of sub frequency bands; and, if a signal of a sub frequency band is determined to be encoded in the frequency domain, encoding the signal of the sub frequency band in the frequency domain, and if the signal of the sub frequency band is determined to be encoded in a time domain, inverse transforming the signal of the sub frequency band to the time domain and encoding the inverse transformed signal in the time domain. According to the present invention, the audio/speech signal may be efficiently encoded by controlling time resolution and frequency resolution.
US08630861B2
A mixed lossless audio compression has application to a unified lossy and lossless audio compression scheme that combines lossy and lossless audio compression within a same audio signal. The mixed lossless compression codes a transition frame between lossy and lossless coding frames to produce seamless transitions. The mixed lossless coding performs a lapped transform and inverse lapped transform to produce an appropriately windowed and folded pseudo-time domain frame, which can then be losslessly coded. The mixed lossless coding also can be applied for frames that exhibit poor lossy compression performance.
US08630860B1
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for open-domain voice-enabled searching that is speaker sensitive. Techniques include using speech information, speaker information, and information associated with a spoken query to enhance open voice search results. This includes integrating a textual index with a voice index to support the entire search cycle. Given a voice query, the system can execute two matching processes simultaneously. This can include a text matching process based on the output of speech recognition, as well as a voice matching process based on characteristics of a caller or user voicing a query. Characteristics of the caller can include output of voice feature extraction and metadata about the call. The system clusters callers according to these characteristics. The system can use specific voice and text clusters to modify speech recognition results, as well as modifying search results.
US08630858B2
Methods and apparatus for initiating an action using a voice-controlled human interface. The interface provides a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. According to one embodiment, a method comprises electronically receiving first user input, parsing the first user input to determine whether the first user input contains a command activation statement that cues a voice-controlled human interface to enter a command mode in which a second user input comprising a voice signal is processed to identify at least one executable command and, in response to to determining that the first user input comprises the command activation statement, identifying the at least one executable command in the second user input.
US08630854B2
A method for generating a transcription of a videoconference includes matching human speech of a videoconference to writable symbols. The human speech is encoded in audio data of the videoconference. The writable symbols are parsed into a plurality of statements. For each statement of the plurality of statements, user profile data stored in computer-readable memory is used to determine which participant of a plurality of participants of the videoconference is most likely the source of the statement. A transcription of the videoconference is generated that identifies for each statement the determination of which participant of the plurality of participants of the videoconference is most likely the source of the statement.
US08630849B2
A method and apparatus to convert a linear predictive coding (LPC) coefficient into a coefficient having order characteristics, such as a line spectrum frequency (LSF), and to vector quantize the coefficient having the order characteristics when a speech signal is encoded. The method and apparatus split the vector of the coefficient having the order characteristics into a plurality of subvectors, select a codebook in which an available bit is variably allocated to each subvector according to distribution of elements of each subvector, and quantize each subvector according to the selected codebook. The method and apparatus use normalized codebooks.
US08630848B2
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for detecting whether a transient exists within an audio signal. According to one representative embodiment, a segment of a digital audio signal is divided into blocks, and a norm value is calculated for each of a number of the blocks, resulting in a set of norm values for such blocks, each such norm value representing a measure of signal strength within a corresponding block. A maximum norm value is then identified across such blocks, and a test criterion is applied to the norm values. If the test criterion is not satisfied, a first signal indicating that the segment does not include any transient is output, and if the test criterion is satisfied, a second signal indicating that the segment includes a transient is output. According to this embodiment, the test criterion involves a comparison of the maximum norm value to a different second maximum norm value, subject to a specified constraint, within the segment.
US08630833B2
A system, method, and article for diagnosing a test set of biological cells. For example, in one embodiment a normal set of cells is characterized using flow cytometry. A centroid and radius are defined for a set of clusters in an n-dimensional space corresponding to a normal maturation for a cell lineage in the normal set of cells. A test set of cells is characterized using flow cytometry and the characterization is compared to the set of clusters.
US08630831B2
To simulate a subterranean structure having fracture corridors, a model is used to represent the subterranean structure, where the model also provides a representation of the fracture corridors. A streamline simulation is performed using the model.
US08630827B1
A method and apparatus automatically determines equilibrium operating conditions of a system model. The automated method enables users of block diagram models of dynamic systems to utilize simulation to define operating conditions for linearization. The automated method further allows users to generate operating conditions during simulation instead of explicitly specifying them by hand or using trim analysis. In accordance with one example, the method of generating a linear time invariant model includes providing a system model. A user specifies at least one event at which a linearization analysis should be performed. A simulation of the system model is executed. The electronic device automatically performs the linearization analysis upon occurrence of the at least one event as the simulation is running. Output results are generated of the linearization analysis to form the linear time invariant model.
US08630822B2
A data center design tool is described herein. The tool receives a number of design specifications for a proposed facility of the data center. The tool determines requirements of the data center based on the design specifications. Further, the tool receives an equipment component input and attributes of the equipment component input for the data center. The tool determines additional equipment component inputs and additional attributes based on the received design specifications, the determined requirements, and the received equipment component inputs and attributes.
US08630818B2
A method and a device for determining a statistical parameter for all frequencies of a frequency distribution of signal levels of a test signal registered respectively in several observation intervals counts the frequency of the signal level of the test signal measured in each case within the respective signal-level range and at the respective value of the time or frequency raster of the frequency distribution from new within every observation interval, and buffers it for display on a display device. After every observation interval, for every signal-level range and every value of the time or frequency raster of the frequency distribution, the respective statistical parameter from the respective, newly-buffered frequency and all respective frequencies measured and buffered at earlier observation intervals is determined and buffered.
US08630815B2
A digital network quality control system and method utilizing feedback controlled flexible waveform shape for the carrier signal is provided. The system and method provides self-analysis and feedback to a variable waveform to increase network reliability and speed by modifying the shape of the waveform itself based on a self analysis of the waveform.
US08630804B2
A method for geolocating a fixed non-cooperating object by means of an embedded system onboard a mobile platform, equipped with distance acquisition means for acquiring the distance between the object and the system, and position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the system, includes acquiring two distance measurements of the object relative to two distinct positions of the system, thus defining two object position-distance pairs, the positions being those of the system and being obtained by the position acquisition means, and the distances being obtained by the distance acquisition means. The method also includes acquiring at least one other object position-distance pair, and calculating the geolocation of the object from these object position-distance pairs.
US08630799B2
A secondary optical system for object navigation in an array of beacons is provided that includes an optical source having at least one optical emitter emitting an optical signal and that is mounted to either the moving object or a beacon of the array of beacons. The moving object in simultaneous radio frequency communication the array of beacons to determine dynamic position of the object. An optical detector is mounted to the other of a moving object or the beacon of the array of beacons and the optical detector receives the optical signal when line of sight exists between the moving object and a beacon of the array of beacons. Electronics are provided for determining the dynamic position of the moving object uses weighting factor that favors the communication and at least two beacons of the array of beacons for which a moving object-beacon optical line of sight exists.
US08630798B2
An electronic system for providing personal navigation assistance to a user includes a first mobile electronic device having a first GPS module for generating first GPS data and an INS module for generating INS data, and a second mobile electronic device having a second GPS module for generating second GPS data. A wireless communication link allows for communication of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. A processor combines the first GPS data, the second GPS data, and the INS data to produce calculated location data indicative of the location of a user at each of a plurality of times. An output component provides personal navigation assistance to a user based on the calculated location data, such as audio instructions.
US08630796B2
A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. The range from the satellite (or other airborne transponder) to the terminal is determined using the known positions of an interrogating transmitter and a satellite, and a known terminal delay between the received signal and the transmission of the return signal, and the round trip time. An arc of locations is determined by computing an intersection of a sphere centered at the satellite having a radius given by the calculated range with a model of the Earth's surface. The candidate points are considered and refined using code phase measurements from a set of GPS satellites. The candidate point having the lowest residuals or expected to measured code phases is chosen as the location of the mobile terminal. The measurements can be refined to account for various sources of error including measurement bias, relative motion and timing errors.
US08630790B1
Systems and methods for receiving flight messages relating to a particular flight from multiple sources and processing information in those flight messages to create a single representation of an updated current and intended trajectory of such flight. Preferably, the system comprises one or more processors for performing the following operations: determining which flight message is the most recent; determining which flight messages are relevant; authenticating and processing proposed updates; and merging information contained in the flight messages to create a single representation of one or both of current or intended flight information.
US08630789B2
This disclosure describes embodiments that include systems and methods for integrating various efficient and beneficial transportation and network technologies into an energy-efficient, time-efficient, highly-scalable, semi-public transportation system. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments include methods and systems provide a distributed transportation computing system for routing clean-powered, semi-independent system vehicles within adapted existing metropolitan freeway systems. The embodiments reduce traffic congestion by synchronizing the movements of system vehicles within system roadways. System vehicles may be designed to incorporate clean-power, energy-efficiency, and both on- and off-system operational control. As system vehicles allow for both system and independent use, individuals desiring independence may be incentivized to participate in this semi-public, mass-transportation system. High scalability is possible because modifications to existing freeway infrastructures require minimal retrofitting and simplified expansion in comparison with the construction of presently available mass-transportation systems, such as light rail and subway systems.
US08630787B2
Methods and products for controlling exhaust gas recirculation.
US08630785B2
A fuel management system includes a pedal resistance determination module and a pedal resistance adjustment module. The pedal resistance determination module determines a desired accelerator pedal resistance based on at least one of engine and transmission operating conditions. The pedal resistance adjustment module adjusts a pedal resistance device based on the desired accelerator pedal resistance.
US08630783B2
A distance control system of a vehicle includes: a signal transmitter for transmitting wireless signals forward with respect to a distance-controlled vehicle; a signal receiver for receiving the wireless signals reflected and returned from an object vehicle; a relative velocity measuring unit for measuring the relative velocity of the object vehicle in relation to the distance-controlled vehicle on the basis of the received wireless signals; a vehicle-to-vehicle distance measuring unit for measuring a first vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the distance-controlled vehicle and the object vehicle; and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance calculating unit for calculating a third vehicle-to-vehicle distance based on the first vehicle-to-vehicle distance and a second vehicle-to-vehicle distance calculated from the relative velocity.
US08630782B2
A method and apparatus for calculating a standardized value for the actual runway braking coefficient of friction of one or more arriving aircraft using data from each aircraft's flight data recorder or flight data management system, standardizing the calculated information to provide redundancy and to make it usable by subsequently arriving aircraft, and reporting the calculated standardized value information to individuals and agencies including air traffic control, airport operations and maintenance, and aircraft pilots and ground crews; and A method and apparatus for calculating the actual runway braking coefficient of friction of an aircraft using data from the aircraft's flight data recorder or flight data management system, transmitting the data in real-time to an off-aircraft high-power computing system, calculating off-aircraft the landing aircraft's actual runway braking coefficient of friction, and reporting the calculated information to individuals and agencies including air traffic control, airport operations and maintenance, and aircraft pilots and ground crews.
US08630774B2
A method for preventing potential vehicle damage during operation of an automatic rocking control system in an automotive vehicle employing an automatic transmission is described. The method includes monitoring a plurality of actual and derived automatic transmission parameters and comparing the actual values with predetermined limits for the monitored parameters. Upon determining, based on the comparison, that an imminent component vulnerability level exists, the method transmits a warning signal. Further, upon determining, based on the comparison, that an immediate component vulnerability level exists, the method terminates the vehicle rock cycle assist mode. A system for preventing potential vehicle damage is also described.
US08630771B2
The invention relates to a control method for a steering system with electric power assistance, comprising a steering wheel, an electric power assist motor, an electric control unit, which includes a memory for storing digital data, a motor driver unit which based on a target engine torque that is delivered to the motor driver unit, determines and sends out electrical signals for controlling the electric power assist motor, at least one sensor device for determining a control variable introduced into the steering wheel, for example a manual torque, wherein in the control unit with the help of the control variable a preset value is determined for a engine torque of the power assist motor, characterized in that in the memory an upper threshold value for the target engine torque is stored and for a case A, in which the preset value exceeds the upper threshold value, the control unit sends out the upper threshold value as the target engine torque to the motor driver unit and in a case B, in which the preset value does not exceed the upper threshold value, the control unit sends out the preset value as the target engine torque to the motor driver unit.
US08630753B2
Method for dynamic determination of the true mass of a non rigid body subject to low frequency noise
A dynamic method to accurately determine the mass of a vehicle which deforms on acceleration and is subject to low frequency noise is disclosed. Only the greater than zero hertz frequencies of the signals are processed. Both signals are squelched during periods of high jerk to reduce the error between true mass and apparent mass. For a single body or combination vehicle such as a semi-rig with a propulsive body of known mass a reference for matched or Wiener filtering is constructed from the noisy signals to filter low frequency noise. A towing vehicle with a fifth wheel mounted on a dedicated load sensing apparatus can, therefore, determine the weight of any semi-trailer towed on any terrain of any inclination and any changing inclination with the greatest precision in the shortest possible time.
US08630751B2
An aircraft monitoring system comprising a computer system and a receiver for receiving tracking data from a tracking device associated with an aircraft, the monitoring system having a passive tracking mode in which the computer system is configured to receive tracking data and an active tracking mode in which the computer system is configured to determine a condition indicative of an aircraft incident based on the absence of received tracking data. The monitoring system is automatically triggered into the active tracking mode when a signal is received from the aircraft indicating the aircraft has taken-off.
US08630750B2
A steering control equipment has a controller having a provisional-target-angular-position calculating section calculating a provisional target angular position of a steering mechanism corresponding to the operation amounts of a steering handle and rudder pedals, a speed setting section setting the aircraft speed on the basis of detected ground speed and airspeed, a target-angular-position limiting section outputting the provisional target angular position as a final target angular position when the calculated provisional target angular position is equal to or lower than a limit value corresponding to the set speed and outputting the limit value as a final target angular position when the calculated provisional target angular position is larger than the limit value, and a actuating control section controlling an actuating mechanism for actuating the steering mechanism so that the output final target angular position and the actual angular position of the steering mechanism detected coincide with each other.
US08630743B2
Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.
US08630741B1
The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information, including one or more of electronically stored rules, parameters, and instructions, to determine whether or not one or more types of entities are present within an area, volume, or environment monitored by the intelligent controllers. The intelligent controllers select operational modes and modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers employ feedback information to continuously adjust the electronically stored parameters and rules in order to minimize the number of incorrect inferences with respect to the presence or absence of the one or more entities and in order to maximize the efficiency by which various types of systems controlled by the intelligent controllers carry out selected operational modes.
US08630736B2
A conveying device capable of sequentially and efficiently picking up a plurality of randomly located rods, and conveying the picked up rod to a predetermined place, without using a complicated mechanism. A sucking unit has a nozzle attached to a robot hand, and is configured to move the nozzle close to an end of a first cylindrical portion of a rod to be picked. The nozzle is configured to hold the rod by being lifted while sucking the first portion within the nozzle.
US08630733B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes a loading/unloading unit including a mounting table on which a storage container accommodating a target substrate is mounted; a processing unit set including a plurality of processing units that perform a process on the target substrate; a plurality of transit units that transit the target substrate between the loading/unloading unit and the processing unit set; a selection unit that receives input for selecting a storage container for loading, a storage container for unloading, and a processing unit to be used for processing the target substrate; and a transfer recipe creating unit that automatically selects a transit unit to be used among the plurality of transit units based on the storage container for loading, the storage container for unloading, and the processing unit selected through the selection unit, automatically generates a transfer route of the target substrate, and creates a transfer recipe.
US08630727B2
A system, device, and method for recording audio with the character and sonic benefits of a genuine analog recording is disclosed. More specifically, an electro-mechanical-software controlled closed loop analog signal processor (“CLASP”) system which is comprised of a CLASP unit containing firmware, a latency detection module, and CLASP hardware display and controls. The CLASP system further comprises CLASP software operably running on a digital audio workstation (“DAW”) which is also in operable communication with the CLASP unit. The CLASP unit is also in operable communication with an analog recordable medium. An analog audio signal is recorded on the analog recordable medium, which may consist of a coated tape, cup, cylinder, drum, or disk, and then immediately played back and routed to the DAW via an analog to digital converter, thus providing for digitally recorded analog audio. The CLASP system may also include converters and a mixing console.
US08630726B2
Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.
US08630723B2
A method for controlling behavioral intervention of a submodule, where a device model is used to model and operate an automation system, where the device model comprises an input/output device, a first module including at least one submodule and a first controller, a supervisory controller and a control module including at least one control submodule. The submodule is provided with a behavior identification code and behavior information in addition to interconnection information. A respective control submodule having a specific behavior identification code is addressed by the supervisory controller to control the intervention in the submodule, where the addressed control submodule thereupon issues a control command containing the specific behavior identification code to all other submodules, and where the other submodules having the specific behavior identification code are induced to adopt a behavioral change based on the behavior information.
US08630714B1
A non-invasive bone growth stimulation system and method of use are disclosed. The non-invasive bone growth stimulation system generates a substantially constant AC current signal that is delivered to a body to treat bone fractures. The substantially constant AC current is derived from a square wave that is converted to a sinusoidal signal with at least one low pass filter to effectively produce the constant AC current at the fundamental frequency of the square wave.
US08630707B2
According to various method embodiments, a person is indicated for a therapy to treat a cardiovascular disease, and the therapy is delivered to the person to treat the cardiovascular disease. Delivering the therapy includes delivering a vagal stimulation therapy (VST) to a vagus nerve of the person at a therapeutically-effective intensity for the cardiovascular disease that is below an upper boundary at which upper boundary the VST would lower an intrinsic heart rate during the VST.
US08630701B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electrical stability. A patient's heart is paced for a period of time using a patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats, and an electrical signal is obtained that is representative of a plurality of consecutive beats of the patient's heart while it is being paced using the patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats. Myocardial electrical stability is then analyzed using frequency domain techniques that are tailored to the patterned pacing sequence used to pace the patient's heart. In other embodiments, the patient's heart need not be paced. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention.
US08630699B2
A method for providing high voltage circuit protection for a patient monitor. The method includes providing a substrate that supports one or more electrical connections to a patient's body. The method further includes determining a print pattern and thickness of a first material having a first resistivity to be printed on the substrate, determining a print pattern and thickness of a second material having a second resistivity to be printed on the substrate, printing the first material onto the substrate, and printing the second material onto the substrate wherein at least part of the second the material overlays the first material.
US08630696B2
An integrated Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) system includes a patient support device supporting a patient pallet, a gantry having a space through which the patient pallet passes, a plurality of integrated PET/CT detector modules attached to one side of the gantry, an x-ray tube attached to the other side of the gantry, and a signal detecting/processing unit. Each of the plurality of integrated PET/CT detector modules include a plurality of PET detectors, a flat-panel x-ray detector disposed in contact with the PET detectors and a read-out driver mounted at a rear end of the PET detectors and electrically connected with the flat-panel x-ray detector.
US08630683B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method for displaying information associated with a cellular device on a display unit. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring for a signal transmitted by a cellular device. In response to detecting the signal from the cellular device, the method determines an identity and a call status of the cellular device from data associated with the signal. The method transmits the identity and the call status of the cellular device to a user specified device to display the identity and the call status on the display unit associated with the user specified device.
US08630679B2
A wireless communication unit has two or more communication modes including one or more mobile phone mode, in which mobile phone mode the wireless communication unit is able to transmit or receive wireless signals via an antenna from and/or to a mobile phone network in accordance with a communication protocol. The unit includes a baseband module and a radiofrequency module. A radiofrequency interface of the baseband module is connected to the radiofrequency module, for receiving and/or transmitting baseband signals from and/or to the radiofrequency module. The radiofrequency module includes a baseband interface, for receiving and/or transmitting the baseband signals to the baseband module and an antenna interface (AI) connectable to an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radiofrequency signals from and/or to the antenna. A clock system is connected to the radiofrequency interface and the baseband interface. The clock system can provide a clock signal with a clock rate of to the radiofrequency interface and the baseband interface in one or more of the one or more mobile phone modes.
US08630677B2
A group of multiple base stations implements distributed and coordinated antenna beamforming selection to achieve increased performance. Each of the base stations in the group determines an associated optimal set of antenna beam direction parameters in a distributed manner based on local radio information exchanged between neighboring ones of the base stations. Each of the base stations transmits to one or more user equipments (UEs) served by that base station using its associated optimal set of beam direction parameters. The local radio information generated by one of the base stations indicates how the transmissions of its neighbor base stations affect the performance of the base station. The performance of a base station may be measured by the difficulty or challenge in maintaining a minimum desired signal quality, e.g., a minimum SINR, for the UE served by the base station.
US08630670B2
A user may receive one or more text messages after the user is authorized. The potential user can opt in through a web page in one embodiment. Once the potential user sends an initial request, the user may receive a first text message containing an authorization code on their mobile phone. The user may enter the authorization code back to a web page. Receipt of the authorization code may trigger the phone number of the potential user to be added to a list of authorized text message receivers. One or more text messages may then be sent to authorized phone numbers on the list.
US08630666B2
A message composed by a user using a computer is stored in a computer-readable medium. The message is associated with a distribution list of one or more intended recipients of the message, and an identifier is associated with the message. An SMS message is received in an inbox of the computer. The SMS message is composed using an SMS-capable wireless device, and has a user-entered header. The user-entered header matching the identifier triggers sending of the message to the one or more intended recipients on the distribution list.
US08630659B2
A method of delivering content to an occupant in a vehicle, the method comprising: establishing an Internet connection using an electronic cellular device, the electronic device being integrated with an HMI system of the vehicle, the HMI system including HMI controls; searching for a content source providing an Internet media stream by selecting a content category using the HMI controls; connecting to the content source using the Internet connection; and playing the Internet media stream using a speaker of the vehicle.
US08630656B2
A method of determining the location of a mobile receiver is provided. The method works within a radio system in one or more dimensions, the radio system includes a network of transmitters the positions of which are known. The method comprises the steps of: compiling a list of the signals detected by the receiver, sending said list to a calculation device; constructing a position function which relates to the probability that the receiver is at a given location, which position function has components corresponding to each member of the list, each component including a predetermined probability function that depends on mobile receiver position; and evaluating said position function to determine a position that corresponds to the highest probability of location, and defining that position to be the location of the mobile receiver.
US08630650B2
A method for operating a femtocell in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: triggering the switching from the operation mode for providing a service to closed subscriber group (CSG) terminals which belong to a specific terminal group and to non-CSG terminals which do not belong to the specific terminal group, to the operation mode for providing the service only to said CSG terminals; and commanding said non-CSG terminals to change the operation mode, and carrying out a handover. The method of the present invention improves efficiency of femtocell operation, and reduces restrictions on terminals disposed in the vicinity of the femtocell. The method of the present invention can utilize the unused frequency range of the femtocell, thereby providing a service with a high data ratio.
US08630649B2
A handover method of a terminal in a macro cell including a plurality of femto cells includes scanning information on a femto base station for managing a femto cell that is near the terminal from among the plurality of femto cells, and reporting information on the femto base station to a macro base station for managing the macro cell.
US08630647B2
A wireless cellular telecommunications device stores a first parameter obtained from system information of a first cell and measures an attribute of a signal received from a candidate cell, determines if the candidate cell is a closed subscriber group cell, and evaluates the candidate cell for re-selection. If the candidate cell is determined to be a closed subscriber group cell, the evaluation of the candidate cell for re-selection is based on at least the measured attribute irrespective of the first stored parameter, that first stored parameter indicating a minimum value for the measured attribute.
US08630642B2
A method of handling proximity information transmission for a mobile device having a closed subscriber group (CSG) whitelist capable of providing a list of accessible CSG cells in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises sending the proximity information to a network of the wireless communication system when a CSG cell in the CSG whitelist is detected, and resending the proximity information to the network when the proximity information is not received by the network.
US08630638B2
A method of managing inbound communications received by a roaming wireless communications device entails enabling a user of the roaming wireless communications device to activate an inbound communications filter having filter criteria based on a current location of the user and a current location of a sender of an inbound communication. Once the wireless device has determined whether the inbound communication satisfies the filter criteria, the wireless device notifies the user that the inbound communication has been received provided that the inbound communication satisfies the filter criteria.
US08630634B2
A method for processing interactive screens for a wireless device is provided. The method includes receiving, from the wireless device, a download request for content. The method further includes determining whether the wireless device has an interactive screen associated with the content. If it is determined that the wireless device has the interactive screen associated with the content, the method further includes transmitting the content to the wireless device without transmitting the interactive screen.
US08630633B1
A mobile terminal is used to assist individuals with disabilities. The mobile terminal (e.g., a “smartphone” or other commercially available wireless handheld device) may be loaded with software. The software may be configured to: (i) receive information about a sensory deficit associated with a user, (ii) receive information about a sensory proficiency associated with the user, (iii) determine whether an event associated with a sensory deficit satisfies a criterion, and if so (iv) provide an assistive output based on a sensory proficiency and the event.
US08630630B2
A method performed by a network system communicatively coupled to a wireless device by a wireless access network, the network system including a network element corresponding to a network element destination, the method comprising providing at least a portion of a device policy to the wireless device, wherein the device policy is configured to assist in detecting wireless device traffic associated with a service activity, identifying the service activity as being included in a service usage activity classification, and directing or routing the wireless device traffic associated with the service activity over the wireless access network based on information identifying the network element destination; providing a network element policy to the network element corresponding to the network element destination; detecting, at the network element, traffic associated with the wireless device; and applying the network element policy at the network element to the traffic associated with the wireless device.
US08630629B2
A system and method of delivering targeted advertising to packet-based network telecommunications devices may include accessing a database configured to store telephone services information of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications services information may indicate whether a telecommunications device has packet-based network access. Telecommunications devices that have telephone number information including NPA-NXX of a certain NPA-NXX code and packet-based network access may be identified. Advertising content may be communicated to the identified telecommunications devices for display on the telecommunications device.
US08630617B2
A method performed by a network system communicatively coupled to an end-user device via a wireless network, the method comprising: obtaining usage information associated with the end-user device from one or more sources, the usage information identifying a device activity of the end-user device and including a measure of usage of the wireless network associated with the device activity; using one or more rules and the usage information, generating first information and second information, the first information for use in providing, to a first entity, a first accounting of a first portion of the usage, the first entity being other than a user of the end-user device and other than the operator of the wireless network, the second information for use in, providing, to a second entity, an accounting of a second portion of the usage; and providing the first information and the second information to a network element.
US08630611B2
Devices, methods, and computer-readable media for determining that an end-user device is connected to or attempting to connect to the first wireless access network; obtaining an indication that usage of the first wireless access network is associated with a first cost; and, based on one or both of the indication that first wireless access network is associated with the first cost and the determination that the end-user device is connected to or attempting to connect to the first wireless access network, restricting communications associated with a first service activity over the first wireless access network.
US08630610B2
Techniques are provided for using a location of a caller placing a call that is received at a call center to identify other sources of information that are relevant to the call. A call is received at a call center from a caller. The location of the caller is obtained from the received call, and other sources of information potentially relevant to the call are identified based on the location of the caller. For example, information is stored that identifies at lease one individual that is proximate to the location of the caller, and communication is initiated with at least one individual who is determined to be located proximate to the caller.
US08630609B2
A system and method for communicating an emergency data message includes receiving a data message and determining whether an emergency abbreviated dialing code was received with the data message. If an emergency data message includes an abbreviated dialing code, an emergency data message short code associated with the abbreviated dialing code may be requested. A cell code identifier in which the wireless communications device is located may be determined, and the data message, emergency data message short code, and cell code identifier may be communicated via a communications network for the data message to be routed to a PSAP handling emergencies in an area in which the wireless communications device is located.
US08630604B2
A method for wireless communication determines, for a client device having a first wireless connection with a first connection point, to initiate a second wireless connection between the client device and a second connection point, wherein the first connection point includes an Access Point and the second connection point includes a Base Station. The method sends a message from the second connection point to the first connection point, including instructions for the first connection point to communicate with the client device using either a Point Coordinate Function (PCF) or a Distributed Coordinate Function (DCF). In addition, the method initiates the second wireless connection between the client device and the second communication point.
US08630602B2
Techniques for generalized pilot interference cancellation in a communications receiver. In an exemplary embodiment, a residual pilot is cancelled from a post-traffic cancellation signal following initial first-pass pilot cancellation. Residual pilot cancellation is achieved by adding the first-pass cancelled pilot as earlier stored in memory back to the post-traffic cancellation signal, and pilot filtering the resulting signal to generate an improved pilot interference estimate. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, an arbitrary number of iterations may be applied to generate the pilot interference estimate by successively storing each generated pilot interference estimate in memory.
US08630595B2
A method and apparatus for applications of identification of variations of propagation path to transmit diversity control. Transmit diversity parameters may be modified according to detected dynamics, which may, for example, be related to changes in actual propagation and network conditions. Such dynamics may be referred to as mobility parameters. Mobility parameters may apply to variability in a propagation path due to any conditions. Determination of a mobility parameter may be conducted using one or more of multiple parameters available to the mobile terminal. Such feedback information indication, which is related to the propagation path conditions, may be provided to the apparatus, which would attempt to find a more desired mode of operation, which may lead to reduction in power and the improvement of the quality of transmission.
US08630594B2
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus includes a wireless unit and a control unit. The wireless unit is configured to set, for each period, a transmit state including a first period for transmitting a connection request to establish connection or a receive state including a second period for receiving a connection request and to transmit or receive a signal, both lengths of the first period and the second period being equal. The control unit is configured to control the wireless unit to operate in one of a transmit mode, a receive mode and a transceive mode. The control unit causes the wireless unit to operate in the receive mode or the transceive mode before a trigger signal is externally input, and to operate in the transmit mode if the trigger signal is input.
US08630593B2
A semiconductor device comprises synthesized frequency generation logic arranged to receive a reference signal, and to provide an output frequency signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic comprises divider logic arranged to receive the reference signal and to generate a divided signal comprising a frequency with a period equal to N times that of the reference signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic is further arranged to generate the synthesized frequency signal comprising a frequency with a period equal to 1/M that of the divided signal. The synthesized frequency generation logic comprises or is operably coupled to decision logic module and comprises or is operably coupled to a switching logic module such that the decision logic module is arranged to determine whether a near-integer spur arises in using the synthesized frequency signal, and configures the switching logic module to select the synthesized frequency signal in response thereto.
US08630591B1
Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a receiver in an RF system having a device under test (DUT) configured to receive at least one input signal and output at least one response signal. A method comprises setting a drive level of the RF system and making a pair of measurements at the drive level. Each of the measurements is made in a different gain state at a receiver. The method also comprises calculating a calibration factor for the receiver which is a ratio of the pair of measurements. These systems and methods can be used to calibrate receivers while preserving vector information and removing dynamic match effects.
US08630587B2
Communication techniques enable efficient communication to UE (User Equipment) that is subject to a dominant interference signal that is transmitted by a different base station. Disclosed interference cancellation techniques, both UE-centric and network-centric, are suitable to this situation. These techniques are particularly advantageous when it is undesirable or difficult to introduce changes in the physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers at the existing base stations. An UE-centric framework refers to an approach largely implemented by UEs to include pico or femto cells. Network-centric framework closed-loop coordination between base stations and UEs achieves interference mitigation thereby improving network performance. In particular, an interfering base-station can help a “victim” UE by adjusting downlink pilot and control power and to adjust traffic data rates responsive to information that the “victim” UEs provide, including information about the interfering link and performance of the cancellation itself sent over the air or using backhaul.
US08630581B2
A repeater and associated method of use includes at least one antenna element for communicating in one direction and at least one antenna element for communicating in another direction. A radio frequency uplink path and a radio frequency downlink path are coupled between the antennas. At least one of the radio frequency uplink path or the radio frequency downlink path includes an adaptive cancellation circuit. The adaptive cancellation circuit is configured to generate a cancellation signal without requiring an injected signal. The cancellation signal, when added to a radio frequency signal in the respective uplink and downlink paths, substantially reduces feedback signals present in the radio frequency signal.
US08630580B2
An analog space-time relay method and apparatus for a wireless communication relay channel is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the analog space-time relay channel (100) includes first and second relay antennas (122,124) arranged to relay an information signal transmitted from a source station (110) to a destination station (130). The method comprises the steps of: (i) receiving a first symbol sequence at the first relay antenna (122), the first symbol sequence comprising the information signal and a first noise element; (ii) receiving a second symbol sequence at the second relay antenna (124), the second symbol sequence comprising the information signal and a second noise element; (iii) transmitting a first signal by the first relay antenna (122), the first signal being associated with the second symbol sequence received at the second relay antenna (124); (iv) transmitting a second signal by the second relay antenna (124), the second signal being associated with the first symbol sequence received at the first relay antenna (122). Method and apparatus for deriving a complex conjugate for a symbol sequence and a frame header structure are also disclosed.
US08630575B2
The image forming apparatus comprising an image bearing member configured to carry a toner image and a rotatable belt member stretched by a plurality of stretching members and configured to carry and convey a recording material and a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member to the recording material carried by the belt member by pressing the belt member against the image bearing member and a first lifting member arranged more downstream than the transfer member in a recording material conveyance direction, to which the recording material is conveyed, and configured to locally lift the belt member from the inside thereof in a width direction orthogonal to the recording material conveyance direction and a second lifting member arranged more downstream than the first lifting member in the recording material conveyance direction, is disclosed as one of the aspects of disclosures.
US08630574B2
An image forming system includes a non-transparent image forming apparatus including a first image forming station for forming a non-transparent toner image and for transferring the non-transparent toner image onto a recording material, and a transparent image forming apparatus including a second image forming station for forming a transparent toner image and for transferring the transparent toner image onto the recording material discharged from a first image heating unit. Formation of images as a combination of the non-transparent image and the transparent image is capable on both sides of the recording material by controlling a first re-feeding unit and a second re-feeding unit. The image forming system further includes a first reversing unit for feeding the recording material discharged from the first image heating unit to the second image forming station with a reversed facing orientation, and a controller for controlling the first reversing unit in accordance with a combination of a non-transparent image formation process and a transparent image formation process for both sides of recording material.
US08630562B2
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer member that retains developer; a housing provided with a removing member that removes the developer and having an intake opening that is opposed to the transfer member, the developer removed by the removing member being taken into the housing through the intake opening; a guiding pipe connected to the housing and having a suction hole through which the developer is sucked and an outlet through which the developer is discharged; and a suction member that applies a suction force to an inner space of the housing through the guiding pipe. A capturing area for capturing the developer that flows through a flow channel from the suction hole to the outlet is provided in the flow channel. A cross section of the capturing area in a radial direction of the flow channel is larger than that of other areas.
US08630561B2
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image carrier which is irradiated with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image, and a charging device which is disposed in parallel to the image carrier and includes an electrode that charges an electric charge to the image carrier. The charging device has a cleaning device which includes a container accommodating a cleaning member abutting an end portion of a discharge side of the electrode, moves the container along the longitudinal direction of the electrode, removes foreign matter attached to the electrode by the cleaning member, and accommodates the foreign matter in the container.
US08630555B2
A printing apparatus includes a plurality of container units containing a recording material. In a case where it is determined that a container unit is lacking in the recording material when printing is executed based on print data, the printing apparatus moves the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material to a replaceable position. In a case where the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material is not a specific container unit among the plurality of container units and the printing based on the print data is canceled without replacing the container unit determined to be lacking in the recording material, the printing apparatus moves the specific container unit to a specific position in preparation for printing using the specific container unit.
US08630552B2
A digital coherent receiver includes a front end, an A/D convertor, and a processor. The front end converts a light signal into an electric signal by using a signal light and a local oscillator light. The A/D convertor converts the electric signal of the front end into a digital signal. The processor calculates a spectrum gravity center of the digital signal converted by the A/D convertor, estimates a frequency offset of the digital signal based on the calculated spectrum gravity center, and reduces the frequency offset of the digital signal based on the estimated frequency offset.
US08630548B2
In a passive optical network, upstream transmission frames from an ONU to an OLT can include additional delimiters that assist in overcoming high signal distortion at the beginning of the frame that can obscure an initial frame delimiter. The second delimiter can be inserted into the frame at various locations within the frame known to the OLT such that the OLT can active a delimiter detector at the beginning of a timing window for delimiter detection. The ONU can assist the OLT in synchronizing the frame by ensuring that a frame header immediately follows a second delimiter or appears at the start of a first FEC code block following the second delimiter. Depending on where the ONU inserts the second delimiter in the frame generation process, the second delimiter may be scrambled and/or may form part of the FEC.
US08630546B2
Techniques are disclosed that relate to synchronizing a clock on a network interface device with a clock on an optical line terminal (OLT). In one example, the technique to synchronizing the clocks may include monitoring one or more instances when the network interface device transmits information to the OLT and determining when a frame should be received by the network interface device based on the monitored one or more instances when the network interface device transmits information the OLT.
US08630545B2
Disclosed is an optical system including a polychromatic optical source emitting multiple transverse modes, an optical link having at least one portion of multimode optical fiber, and an optical device positioned between the optical source and the input of the multimode optical fiber. The optical device can modify the distribution of the energy coupling of the transverse modes emitted by the source in the propagation modes of the multimode optical fiber. The optical system makes it possible to use low-cost transverse multimode optical sources for producing high-bandwidth Ethernet transmission networks having excellent performance.
US08630543B2
An apparatus comprising a path computation element (PCE) coupled to a path computation client (PCC) and configured to perform a path computation using port wavelength restriction information for a network element (NE), wherein the port wavelength restriction information is encoded and received in a port wavelength restriction Type-Length-Value (TLV) that comprises a matrix identifier (ID), a restriction type, and the port wavelength restriction information. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to receive a port wavelength restriction information TLV that corresponds to a NE, and obtain a restriction type and port wavelength restriction information based on the restriction type from the port wavelength restriction TLV, and use the port wavelength restriction information to calculate a path for the NE.
US08630539B2
An optical communication system that connects a plurality of user-side optical line terminating apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as ONUs) to a station-side optical line terminating apparatus (hereinafter referred to as OLT) using a common optical fiber, wherein the ONU as at least a part of the ONUs includes a transceiver having a power saving function for inactivating a transmitting unit while supplying electric power to a receiving unit and a control apparatus that transmits support information of the power saving function to the OLT via the transceiver, and the OLT includes a control apparatus that generates transmission allowance information of upstream communication based on the support information of the power saving function and a transceiver that receives the support information of the power saving function and transmits the transmission allowance information to the ONU.
US08630538B2
A communication system includes a transmitter that combines and transmits a first signal light and a dummy light having a wavelength different from the first signal light; a first amplifier that amplifies a light transmitted by the transmitter to a constant power; a communication device that separates the dummy light from the light amplified by the first amplifier, has a variable transmittance and allows the separated dummy light to pass through, and combines and transmits the passed dummy light and a second signal light having a wavelength different from the dummy light; a second amplifier that amplifies a light transmitted by the communication device to a constant power; a receiver that receives the second signal light included in the light amplified by the second amplifier; and a controller that controls the transmittance.
US08630535B2
A control device is provided for controlling a light emission device. The control device includes a light metering unit configured to acquire respective light metering values from a plurality of light metering regions. The control device further includes a correction unit configured to correct information about a light metering value of a target region based on a result of comparison between the light metering value of the target region and the light metering value of the light metering region at the periphery of the target region among the plurality of light metering regions, the result being acquired by the light metering unit allowing the light emission device to perform pre-flashing. Also, a calculation unit is provided which is configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on the information about the light metering value corrected by the correction unit.
US08630534B2
A heating system according to the invention comprises a heating layer that is integrated into a prepreg layer of a high-resistance prepreg material. The heating layer may comprise a bonded heating fabric, a metal oxide coating or electrically conductive threads. According to the invention, the heating system is integrated into a component to be heated. This component may consist, for example, of a floor panel for an aircraft.
US08630533B2
In an editing apparatus; overwriting data used for insertion editing on base data, which is segmented into each picture including data having a predetermined unit of data amount X, and includes variable-length encoded real data, is variable-length encoded; each picture is sequentially obtained as a target picture, and regarding the target picture, if an amount of the overwriting data is equal to X, the overwriting data is handled as insertion data as it is, otherwise, insertion data is created by adding stuffing data to the overwriting data so that the amount of the overwriting data can be equal to X; a filler having the same amount as a filler of the base data is added to the insertion data having the same total amount as the real data; and the resultant insertion data is added onto the base data.
US08630526B1
A method of indexing multimedia content by creating database records that include location data is disclosed. Devices that generate multimedia content also generate location data corresponding to the location of the device when the content is generated. The location data includes geographical coordinates such as latitude and longitude as well as orientation and tilt. Other data may be recorded such as date and time of day, and light exposure. The content and location data are communicated to a Content Index Processor (CIP) that creates a database record from the location data and determines classifications for the database record that can be used by a person that is searching for particular multimedia content.
US08630522B2
The invention includes optical signal conduits having rare earth elements incorporated therein. The optical signal conduits can, for example, contain rare earth elements incorporated within a dielectric material matrix. For instance, erbium or cerium can be within silicon nanocrystals dispersed throughout dielectric material of optical signal conduits. The dielectric material can define a path for the optical signal, and can be wrapped in a sheath which aids in keeping the optical signal along the path. The sheath can include any suitable barrier material, and can, for example, contain one or more metallic materials. The invention also includes methods of forming optical signal conduits, with some of such methods being methods in which the optical signal conduits are formed to be part of semiconductor constructions.
US08630520B2
An optical transmission element comprises a core section including a plurality of optical fibers where each one of the optical fibers is in contact with at least two other optical fibers. The optical transmission element also has a sheath section including a sheath layer surrounding the core section such that the sheath layer is in contact with the optical fibers.
US08630519B2
Photodetecting fiber. The fiber detects and localizes an incident optical beam. A semiconducting core is in intimate contact with a material forming a resistive channel that breaks axial symmetry. The resistive channel has a resistivity between that of metals and the semiconducting core, enabling the imposition of non-uniform, convex electric potential distributions along the fiber axis allowing photo-current measurements along the fiber.
US08630517B2
A polarization-independent optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with wide passbands has a core including an input optical waveguide, an input slab optical waveguide connected to the input optical waveguide, a waveguide array connected to the input slab optical waveguide, an output slab optical waveguide connected to the waveguide array, a pair of multimode couplers connected to the output slab optical waveguide, and a pair of output optical waveguides connected to the multimode couplers. The multimode couplers are dimensioned so that as both TE and TM polarized light propagates through them, the phase difference between the fundamental and second-order modes changes by an odd multiple of pi radians.
US08630508B2
A target digital image is received from an image sensor. The image is contaminated by noise of unknown magnitude that is represented by a reference digital image. A process is applied that uses statistical analysis of the target digital image and of the reference digital image to estimate a magnitude of the noise for at least some pixels of the target digital image.
US08630505B2
Image processing devices include a color extractor circuit configured to extract color information from input image data, a color shifter circuit configured to color shift the input image data according to the extracted color information and a definition enhancement circuit configured to detect a color difference from the color-shifted image data and to unsharp mask filter the color-shifted image data according to the detected color difference.
US08630495B2
A computer program product for processing a video having a plurality of objects is provided. The computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith. The computer readable program code is configured for labeling at least one object among the plurality of objects with a property selected from the group consisting of: whether the object can be modified; whether the object can be replaced; and at least one of: name, color, size, and content. The computer readable program code is configured for replacing the at least one object with another object having a property matching therewith if the object has been labeled as one that can be replaced. The computer readable program code is configured for modifying the at least one object to obtain a new object if the object has been labeled as one that can be modified.
US08630490B2
Representative images are selected for display from a group. A dissimilarity measure is selected, by which to compute dissimilarities between features of respective images in the group. Dissimilarities between the images in the group are computed, based on the selected dissimilarity measure. A relative dissimilarity between each image and the other images in the group is determined, based on the relative dissimilarity between the feature of the image and the features of the other images in the group. An image in the group is selected as a representative image for display, using the relative dissimilarity of the image as a probability bias in the selection.
US08630479B2
A method for enabling more accurate measurements of localized features on wafers is disclosed. The method includes: a) performing high order surface fitting to more effectively remove the low frequency shape components and also to reduce possible signal attenuations commonly observed from SEMI standard high pass, such as Gaussian and Double Gaussian filtering; b) constructing and applying a proper two dimensional LFM window to the residual image from the surface fitting processing stage to effectively reduce the residual artifacts at the region boundaries; c) calculating the metrics of the region using the artifact-reduced image to obtain more accurate and reliable measurements; and d) using site-based metrics obtained from front and back surface data to quantify the features of interest. Additional steps may also include: filtering data from measurements of localized features on wafers and adjusting the filtering behavior according to the statistics of extreme data samples.
US08630466B2
An image processing method for providing a digitized image as an approximation of an image function ƒ, wherein the digitized image comprises a plurality of pixels with a predetermined pixel size, comprises the steps of providing the image function ƒ from Radon data comprising a plurality of projection functions measured corresponding to a plurality of predetermined projection directions (v), and determining pixel values from the image function, the pixel values representing the digitized image to be obtained, wherein the pixel values are determined in dependence on at least two image function values within the pixel size of the respective pixel. Furthermore, an imaging method and an imaging device using the image processing method are described.
US08630464B2
An adaptive iris matching approach for processing images of irises having a quality not sufficient for conventional non-adaptive matching approaches. Visible regions in a radial direction on an iris, without segmenting a circumferential of the iris, may be processed. A boundary of the visible region of the iris may be estimated. An iris map may be constructed with the non-visible portion of the iris masked. The iris map may be at least partially encoded. Partial codes of the iris map may be extracted to index at least portions of a database containing iris information. Irises may be retrieved from the database with an iris code as a query.
US08630459B2
A signal processing apparatus for displaying an input image in the sate in which a part of the image is enlarged, displays an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a part of a designated object in the input image so that the enlarged image is superimposed at a position in accordance with the position of the designated object.
US08630454B1
Embodiments for moving object detection in an image are disclosed. These include detecting a moving object in an input image by selecting video frames that are visually similar to the input image, generating a model motion image by estimating motion for each selected video frame, and detecting, using the model motion image, a moving object in the input image based on differences between the model motion image and the input image.
US08630451B2
A method of processing digital images, in which method a digital image is taken of a mailpiece, which image includes certain information, and certain OCR processing is applied to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information using OCR, the method is characterized in that it further includes a step of applying other OCR processing to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information, and a step of overlaying in said image results of said other OCR processing in a form recognizable by said certain OCR processing. This method makes it possible to obtain reinforced processing capacities by enriching the capacities of the first processing with the capacities of the other processing without calling into question the logical and physical interfaces of the first processing.
US08630449B2
The present invention relates to a water level monitoring device and method, which has an advantage of efficient water level monitoring and high device reliability by setting a portion of an area including the water area and the shore area in the image data, monitoring an area in the horizontal direction other than the vertical direction through the image, decreasing complexity by significantly reducing the computational amount over an existing vertical direction water level measuring system, excluding noises such as floating matters, irregular reflection and so on through a water level model generating process for area distinction, and generating a water level model adaptive to environmental factors such as algal bloom, muddy water and so on.
US08630448B1
Data indicating a user's desired, and/or mandated/prescribed, dietary guidelines and/or restrictions is obtained from one or more sources and then when the user is frequenting a restaurant, fast food establishment, supermarket, or any other establishment for obtaining food, an optical image of printed or visual nutritional information associated with the food item the user is contemplating purchasing/eating is obtained via one or more user computing systems. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is then used to transform the printed/visual nutritional information contained in the optical image into discrete nutritional information data. The nutritional information data is then analyzed and compared with the data indicating the user's desired, and/or mandated/prescribed, dietary guidelines and/or restrictions and a recommendation is made to the user as to whether the contemplated food item is a good/acceptable purchase for the user, and/or whether the user should eat/purchase the food item.
US08630445B2
A hidden image method comprising forming a set of carrier devices which when overlayed upon one another and aligned will reveal N images within a common area, the set of carrier devices being formed by: forming N latent images from respective ones of the N images and respective ones of N line decoders to hide the N images, each latent image being decodeable by the decoder from which the latent image is formed to reveal the image the latent image hides, the N latent images further formed such that the lines of the decoders cross one another within the common area at line angles displaced relative to one another so as to define a single axis of alignment; and forming each carrier device of the set of carrier devices by combining at least two items selected from the set of latent images and decoders so as not to decode any of the hidden images and such that the set of carrier devices includes all the latent images and all the decoders, whereby the set of carrier devices will reveal the N hidden images within the common area when overlayed upon one another and aligned. Also disclosed are a line decoder comprising a plurality of lines which diverge from one another, a line decoder comprising a plurality of lines at least some of which have an increasing average width from one end to another, a line decoder comprising at least some lines having non-integer line widths.
US08630443B2
A method automatically detects errors in a container inventory database associated with a container inventory tracking system of a container storage facility. A processor in the inventory tracking system performs a method that: obtains a first data record, identifies an event (e.g., pickup, drop-off, or movement) associated with the first record, provides a list of error types based on the identified event, and determines whether a data error has occurred through a checking process. In each of the checking steps, the processor selects an error type from the list of error types, determines a search criterion based on the selected error type and the first data record, queries the database using the search criterion, compares query results with the first data record to detect data conflicts between them, and upon the detection of the data conflicts, reports that a data error of the selected error type has been detected.
US08630431B2
A hearing aid system includes a first microphone and a second microphone for provision of electrical input signals, a beamformer for provision of a first audio signal based at least in part on the electrical input signals, the first audio signal having a directional spatial characteristic, wherein the beamformer is configured to provide a second audio signal based at least in part on the electrical input signals, the second audio signal having a spatial characteristic that is different from the directional spatial characteristic of the first audio signal, and a mixer configured for mixing the first audio signal and the second audio signal in order to provide an output signal to be heard by a user.
US08630427B2
A telecommunications terminal (100) includes an input audio transducer (111), a receiver (101) for receiving an electrical signal representing a transmitted audio signal, a noise energy estimator (117) for estimating an audio noise energy input received by the input audio transducer and an audio enhancement means (108) for applying to the received electrical signal in a selected audio frequency band a gain which is greater than the gain applied to audio frequencies of the received electrical signal outside the selected band, the gain applied being a function of the audio noise energy input.
US08630412B2
A method of facilitating transport of partially encrypted video is disclosed. The method re-packetizes or otherwise de-concatenates packets carrying the partially encrypted video into packets where all the video in each packet is either encrypted or unencrypted. The re-packetized video packets may include data that identifies whether the packet is carrying encrypted or unencrypted video.
US08630403B2
A question of a first caller from among multiple callers waiting in a hold queue of a call center is published. Responsive to a second caller from among multiple callers indicating a readiness to answer to the question, the first caller is connected with the second caller. Responsive to the second caller answering the question, the second caller is awarded an advancement token for storage in association with an authenticated identifier for the second caller in a caller profile for redemption by the second caller for a value selected by the second caller.
US08630402B1
Disclosed are systems and methods to provide a response to an inquiry. The systems and methods provide techniques to receive an inquiry from a party, wherein the inquiry comprises a plurality of inquiry classifiers that are provided by the party, determine a party status, translate the plurality of inquiry classifiers and the party status into a skill set, route the inquiry to a primary representative based on the skill set, and provide a inquiry response to the party.
US08630401B2
An approach is disclosed for providing an extended directory service over a communication system including a data network and a telephony network. A subscriber submits a request for directory information to the communication system according to a first communication mode. The system accesses a directory among multiple directories in response to the request, wherein the directories include an internal directory associated with the subscriber and an external directory not associated with the subscriber. The directory information from the selected directory is retrieved and forwarded to the subscriber according to a second communication mode.
US08630390B2
A device simulates an emergency services test call based on an automatic number identification (ANI) to be tested, and generates a test notification associated with the emergency services test call. The device also automatically initiates the emergency services test call, receives results of the emergency services test call, and generates an emergency services call information report based on the results of the emergency services test call.
US08630377B2
A method of detecting interference in a received sample vector using hidden Markov modelling by first estimating noise variance, where estimating noise variance comprises the steps of receiving a sample vector of noise and interference, sorting the sample vector in the frequency domain by order of increasing magnitude to produce an ordered vector, finding a sub-vector of the ordered vector that minimizes the distance from a noise measure, and estimating the noise variance.
US08630373B2
A receiver for receiving information that contains clock information and data information and a clock-embedded interface method. In the clock-embedded method, a clock signal and data may be reconstructed by receiving a pair of differential signals that contain clock information and data information and by using a change in a common voltage of the pair of differential signals.
US08630368B2
There is disclosed a radio transmission device capable of improving the throughput. The radio transmission device transmits a first signal and a second signal which are different from each other. In the radio transmission device, an FFT unit subjects first data to an FFT process. A sub-carrier allocation unit maps the first data which has been subjected to the FFT process and the second data into different frequencies. An IFFT unit subjects the mapped signal to the IFFT transform. A transmission radio processing unit transmits the signal which has been subjected to the IFFT processing, with a single carrier.
US08630363B2
The system (900), transmitter (700), receiver (800.a 800.b), and method of the present invention provide a technique to code data bits into symbols using TCM, MLCM or BIMLCM before the symbols are placed in an SCBT block. Generally, TCM, MLCM, and BIMLCM do not have good performance over the frequency selective channels. However, since the frequency domain equalization of SCBT will flatten the channel, the use of TCM, MLCM and BIMLCM can provide significant gain. Furthermore, since some of the bits are left uncoded, the speed requirements on the encoder and decoder can be relaxed. This feature is especially important for the very high data rate systems.
US08630356B2
Disclosed are a filter and a method to improve the objective and subjective video coding performance The filter comprises: a parameter estimation unit configured to determine means and variances from a pilot frame; a filter unit configured to receive quantized residual coefficients in video coding process and restore coefficients from the quantized residual coefficients and the determined means and variances; an inverse ICT unit configured to apply an inverse ICT to the restored coefficients to obtain a filtered frame; a rate-distortion optimization unit configured to determine a quadtree block partition index; and an adaptive block selection unit configured to select final blocks according to quadtree block partition index, the final blocks being utilized to form the filtered frame.
US08630342B2
The picture coding method of the present invention is a picture coding method for coding a picture on a block-by-block basis, comprising: a selection step of selecting one of at least two sizes as a size of a block on which orthogonal transformation should be performed; a transformation step of performing orthogonal transformation on a block having the selected size; a coding step of coding data of said block obtained in the transformation step; and a generation step of generating a coded stream that includes the coded data of the block and size information concerning the size selected in the selection step, wherein the size information indicates whether or not the size is a fixed block size within a predetermined section in the coded stream, and the predetermined section is one of a sequence, a group of pictures, a picture, a slice, and a macroblock.
US08630329B2
For a demand of high speed, low cost and low power loss short distance wireless communication, a high-speed sampling and low-precision quantification pulse ultra-wideband wireless communication method is provided. A baseband narrow pulse sequence is generated at a transmission end using the digital technology by the method, and is transmitted after modulating amplifying and filtering and amplifying at a reception end, after the digital-signal processing of synchronizing, channel estimating, related detecting, and channel decoding, tec, is performed for the quantified data, the transmission information is retrieved. Comparing with the present carrier mechanism UWB wireless communication technology, the method does not need the complex radio frequency processing of orthogonal modulation/demodulation and frequency spectrum moving, etc, the quantification precision of analog-to-digital conversion is also decreased greatly, so the cost and power loss are greatly decreased; comparing with the present pulse mechanism UWB wireless communication technology, the method provided by the present invention greatly increase the data transmission rate, and increases the stability, reliability and integration.
US08630322B2
A laser system capable of phase and/or amplitude manipulation of the output pulses is provided. In another aspect, a laser system includes a self-referenced pulse characterization method. A further aspect uses spectral amplitude modulation to isolate spectral bands by scanning one or more transmission slits or openings, and measuring and/or calculating the first derivative of a phase (group delay) across an entire spectrum. A single-beam pulse shaper-based technique for spectrometer-free measurement and compensation of laser pulse phase distortions is also provided in an additional aspect.
US08630319B2
A distributed antenna system and related methods are provided to reduce interference among wireless mobile devices in a distributed antenna system. A combiner is provided that is configured to be coupled to a plurality of remote transceiver stations deployed in a coverage area and which wirelessly transmit downlink signals to and receive uplink signals from wireless mobile devices. A plurality of input streams that carry uplink signals transmitted by wireless mobile devices are received on individually assigned signal paths from each of the remote transceiver stations. At least one parameter of an input stream received from the one or more of the remote transceiver stations is monitored. A mapping function is determined based on the monitoring. The plurality of input streams are combined based on the mapping function to produce the two or more output streams and the two or more output streams are sent to corresponding receivers in a base station.
US08630307B2
Methods and apparatus for allocating traffic contention resource units in a wireless communications system in which decisions are made in a distributed manner are described. A wireless communications device, corresponding to a link, self allocates resource units for traffic contention. Decisions regarding initially acquiring resources, relinquishing acquired resources, and/or acquiring additional resources for traffic contention are based on detected levels of network congestion and/or detected changes in network congestion. A wireless communications device detects a level of network congestion and determines a number of resource units to acquire for traffic contention based on the detected level of network congestion.
US08630296B2
A method for configuring a packet destination, that includes creating the packet destination on a host, obtaining a network configuration for the packet destination, determining whether the host comprises a virtual network stack, where the virtual network stack includes the network configuration, and assigning the packet destination to the virtual network stack.
US08630295B1
Techniques are described for providing QoS guarantees when coupling layer two (L2) networks via an intermediate Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. A network device, such as a router, receives a request to transport data from an L2 connection. The request specifies one of more characteristics of the L2 connection, such as bandwidth, color, end-to-end delay, jitter, a security requirement, or a classification of traffic for the L2 connection. The network device selects a label switched path (LSP) through the MPLS network based on the characteristics of the L2 connection, and forwards the data from the L2 connection via the selected LSP. In this manner, an LSP and, in particular, one or more forwarding next hops for the LSP, is selected that provides a “virtual” L2 connection, or pseudo-wire, that more closely emulates a direct L2 connection between the L2 networks.
US08630290B1
Systems and methods can operate to use a deterministic finite automata module to classify data. In various implementations, a converter can be used to convert a classification list to a state machine operable to be executed by the deterministic finite automata module. In some implementations, the converter can be used to produce a state machine from template data, the state machine being operable to be executed by the deterministic finite automata module.
US08630289B2
Disclosed is a switching device of a dual-port Ethernet system capable of solving a conflict caused by the dual-port in an Ethernet system having the dual-port. According to the present disclosure, there is little transmission delay when the data frame is relayed between ports in the dual-port Ethernet system. Further, when a frame relay transmission is simultaneously generated with a frame transmission of an upper layer device, it is possible to prevent a conflict by determining a priority.
US08630286B2
A system and method for improving multicast performance in banked shared memory architectures. Temporal localities created by multicast packets in a shared memory bank are addressed through caching. In one embodiment, multicast packets are stored in a cache memory that is associated with a bank of shared memory. In another embodiment, read requests for multicast packets are stored in a read request cache, wherein additional read requests are accumulated prior to an actual read event.
US08630282B2
Voice data from speech start till mute are transmitted as a section voice file to the opposite side voice data transmitting and receiving system, thus permitting voice data transmission free from voice interruption. By transmitting voice data from the speech start till the mute it is possible to eliminate packet losses in the data transmission channel and perform voice communication in the same voice quality as in the transmitting side. Besides, because of the use of HTTP communication port it is possible to obtain voice communication exceeding the rooter without any special setting.
US08630277B1
A self learning roaming optimization approach allows a wireless client device to build signal strength maps that store wireless network access point signal strengths at locations along paths traveled by the wireless client device within an operational environment. The signal strengths collected at locations along a path may be analyzed to determine a recommended wireless network access point at the respective locations to achieve a reliable wireless network connection along the mapped path. The stored recommendations may take into account changes in wireless network access point signal strengths, e.g. due to obstructions and/or electromagnetic shields that may block portions of a wireless network access point signal at subsequent locations along the mapped path. A wireless client device may recognize the wireless client device's location along a previously mapped path based on the unique combination, or signature, of wireless network access point signal strengths measured at the wireless client device's location.
US08630271B2
The object is to prevent a third party from specifying a condition of data communication executed by a radio terminal in a radio network using a radio communication device easily accessible to anyone such as WLAN. The radio base station 2 comprises a unit which determines whether to transmit a pseudo data frame assumed to be actual data communication according to a condition of data communication with the radio terminal 3 and a unit which stores information which is information for generating a pseudo data frame and based on actual data communication with the radio terminal 3, thereby generating and transmitting a pseudo data frame based on the stored information when starting pseudo data frame transmission.
US08630251B2
A data communication method is disclosed, which can simultaneously support heterogeneous systems in a wireless communication system based on multiple carrier multiple access. For a dual mode between heterogeneous systems, the data communication method includes transmitting control information for a first system mode and a second system mode to a mobile station through a channel resource zone used in the first system mode, and performing data transmission and reception between the system and the mobile station through channel resource zones allocated from the first system mode or the second system mode.
US08630250B2
Disclosed are a minimization of drive test (MDT) method, system, and device, relating to the technical field of radio communications for solving the problem that the MDT measurement data fails to be reported because the data volume of MDT measurement data reported by a user equipment (UE) exceeds the volume of data capable of being stored by a PDCP module. In the present invention, a UE receives a notification, sent from a base station, of reporting an MDT measurement result; and when a total data volume of the stored MDT measurement result data to be reported is greater than the volume of data capable of being stored by a PDCP module, the UE reports the MDT measurement result data to the base station in one or more times, the total data volume of MDT measurement result data reported each time being not greater than the volume of data capable of being stored by the PDCP module. With the present invention, the problem that the MDT measurement data fails to be reported because the data volume of MDT measurement data reported by the UE exceeds the volume of data capable of being stored by the PDCP module can be solved.
US08630247B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a plurality of queries associated with common tracking areas in a wireless network; identifying a set of serving gateways that serve the common tracking areas; generating a tracking area identity (TAI) list to be used in provisioning network resources for user equipment; and selecting a first serving gateway from the set of serving gateways for the user equipment, wherein the first serving gateway is selected based on the common tracking areas served by the set of serving gateways. In more specific embodiments, the queries are domain name system (DNS) queries that are supported by a network element and that have no cached DNS response.
US08630244B2
The present invention is directed to a channel structuring method that includes a step of providing time frames segmented at a predetermined interval in communication channels of n subcarriers, a step of selecting a predetermined number of subcarriers from n subcarriers and a step of inserting a common control channel signal and a common pilot signal periodically into each of the time frames of the selected subcarriers.
US08630243B2
A base station belongs to one of plural cells using a same portion of a system bandwidth including a part that determines which of user apparatuses existing in a service area should be assigned one or more resource block units, the resource block unit having predetermined bandwidth and time period and being identified by a shared resource number shared by the cells; a part that grades the user apparatuses based on their wireless transmission statuses and determines ranking numbers corresponding to the user apparatuses; a part that generates assignment information indicating which of the user apparatuses should be assigned to which of the resource block units according to a predetermined corresponding relationship between the shared resource number and the ranking number; and a part that reports the assignment information to the user apparatuses. The predetermined corresponding relationship is determined to be different among the cells using the same frequency bandwidth.
US08630241B2
Superframe preamble structures for wireless communication systems are provided. The preamble can include system determination information, which can improve acquisition performance. The superframe structures can allow efficient determination of flexible parameters that determine preamble structure. The superframe structures can also facilitate quick paging capacity to scale with bandwidth.
US08630233B2
Provided is a communication method of a vehicular access point, a vehicular user equipment, and a macro base station for a user present in a vehicle capable of effectively forming an operational relationship between the vehicular access point and the macro base station using a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes may be differentiated based on an operation of the vehicular access point and the macro base station, and are capable of transitioning the vehicular access point from an active state to an idle state by a triggering with respect to the vehicular access point.
US08630230B2
A method of reducing interference between two communication systems operating in adjacent frequency bands and coexisting in a communication device is provided, and the two communication systems are a first communication system and a second communication system. The method includes deciding whether to perform an arbitration procedure on a downlink subframe of the first communication system according to a CINR of the first communication system and a RSSI of the second communication system; deciding whether to perform the arbitration procedure on an uplink subframe of the first communication system according to a transmit power of the first communication system and a RSSI value of the second communication system; and when deciding to perform the arbitration procedure on the downlink or uplink subframe, further deciding whether to send a specific packet to request one or more stations not to send packets to the second communication system.
US08630228B2
Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose a method for providing positioning assistance data and other supporting information for positioning methods in a wireless communication system utilizing the long term evolution (LTE) standard. The positioning assistance data may be sent in a packet to a radio network node. The radio network node may broadcast the packet to one or more user equipments.
US08630226B2
A disclosed communication system includes multiple mobile stations and a base station. The mobile station maps a pilot channel comprising a CAZAC code to a signal including multiple frequency components arranged at regular intervals in a given frequency band, and transmits a transmission signal including the signal according to scheduling information. The mobile station performs the mapping such that its transmission signal and transmission signals of other mobile stations using different frequency bands become orthogonal to each other on a frequency axis. The base station calculates the correlation between a received signal and a pilot channel replica, performs channel estimation, and demodulates the received signal based on the result of channel estimation. The base station generates the pilot channel replica by mapping a pilot channel comprising a CAZAC code to a signal including multiple frequency components arranged at regular intervals in a given frequency band.
US08630225B2
A system and method supporting over-the-air programming of access device such as, for example, a mobile multimedia handset and a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) via a broadband access gateway, is disclosed. The broadband access gateway may receive identifying information from the access device via a personal area network and/or a wireless local area network, and may transfer the identifying information to a wide area network or a third party content provider, via a broadband network. The broadband access gateway may enable the registration of the access device with the wide area network, and may receive firmware/software updates and/or provisioning parameters via the broadband network. The gateway may then transfer the firmware/software update and/or provisioning parameters to the access device via the personal area network and/or wireless local area network.
US08630218B2
Provided is a method for maintaining a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection between a mobile device and a server over a wireless network in a manner that conserves the power supply of the mobile device and is suitable for connections that employ server-initiated traffic. After a successful login to a VPN server, a VPN client establishes a Transport Control Protocol (TCP) connection and a UDP connection with the server. After a power timeout, the server calculates the elapsed time between the current transmission and the last tunnel traffic. If the elapsed time exceeds a power timeout value, the VPN server transmits a simple control message to the client via the TCP channel. The client then reestablishes the UDP connection to the client and the server resumes transmission on the reestablished UDP channel.
US08630194B2
A process for dimensioning a cellular telecommunications network, including, for each of one or more network elements of the network: accessing network element environment data representing a configuration and environment of the network element; accessing QoS data representing quality of service criteria for users of the network; and processing the network element environment data and the QoS data to generate network element capacity data representing combinations of loads of network services corresponding to capacities of the network element that meet the quality of service criteria.
US08630193B2
A system and method for indicating performance information. Performance information is measured for a connection to a communications device. One or more trends and one or more averages associated with the performance information is determined. The one or more trends and the one or more averages is displayed to a user in response to the determination. Suggestions for the user are generated to enhance the connection to the communications device.
US08630189B2
Example methods and apparatus to monitor tunnels within traffic engineering/fast reroute (TE/FRR) enabled networks are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a message interface to receive from a router a change alert notification for a traffic engineering (TE) tunnel, a router interrogator to interrogate the router to obtain updated path information for the TE tunnel in response to the received change alert notification, and a topology database interface to update a database representative of a tunnel topology of a TE/FRR enabled network based on the updated path information.
US08630187B1
A system for testing a network switching apparatus includes one or more port connections external to the network switching apparatus. The one or more port connections are configured to interconnect selected ports of the network switching apparatus to transfer packets between the selected ports. Further, the system includes a test manager configured to automatically generate a plurality of test scenarios for testing a processing operation to be performed by the network switching apparatus on packets. The test scenarios define paths for forwarding packets multiple times among the ports of the network switching apparatus. The system also includes a packet generator configured to transmit packets to at least a first port of the network switching apparatus to test a processing operation performed by the network switching apparatus.
US08630181B2
A communication system transmits data from a first circuit over a communication channel to a second circuit, the data having a first priority and a second priority. The communication system includes a separation circuit, a first-in first-out (FIFO) memory, and a control circuit.
US08630180B2
A method and apparatus are provided to manage the assignment transmission resource of forward and reserve link that is assigned to transmitting entity for a period of time. An indication of a gap is provided whenever the transmitting entity is not transmitting actual data packets (e.g. whole or part of intended data or content), yet the transmitting entity is to maintain the assignment of the allocated resource. For example, an erasure signature packet comprising a first data pattern is transmitted on the assigned resource when there is no actual data to transmit on the assigned resource.
US08630176B2
A wireless user equipment (UE) configured to initiate a packet based session includes a reservation setup protocol (RSVP) message generator configured to transmit a RSVP PATH message. The RSVP PATH message includes a direction indication. The direction indicator indicates that reservations should be made for the UE to transmit only, to receive only or to both transmit and receive. The UE also includes an RSVP message receiver configured to receive an RSVP RESV message indicating that reservations have been made as a result of the RSVP PATH message.
US08630174B1
A system, non-transitory machine readable medium and method of delayed packetization of data packets is disclosed. The system and method includes requesting authorization from a QoS queue to transmit an intended data packet over a network, wherein the authorization request is sent from an application module of a transmitting network device. The system and method includes receiving from the QoS queue a transmission order to transmit the intended data packet at a future time. The system and method includes packetizing the intended data packet in accordance with the transmission order at the future time. The system and method includes transmitting the packetized data packet over a network to a receiving network device.
US08630172B2
The present invention provides for a method for reserving spare bandwidth for a link in a communication network including a plurality of links. The method provides for monitoring the volume of traffic routed through each link of the communication network. A single link failure for each link is then simulated and the volume of traffic which would be rerouted through each link for maintaining communication and the volume of traffic removed from each link are determined for each simulated single link failure. The difference between the volume of traffic which would need to be rerouted through each link and the corresponding volume of traffic removed from each link is then computed, and a maximum difference value is determined for each link for all simulated single link failures. An amount of spare bandwidth equivalent to the determined maximum difference is then reserved for each link.
US08630170B2
A software-defined radio system processes radio signals on multiple radios according to a task scheduling method. The scheduling method includes assigning a priority value to each received radio packet, the assigned priority value reflective of preset radio preferences and risk of radio packet loss, and determining a processing execution order for the received radio packets according to earliest associated processing deadline. If there is sufficient time to process each of the radio packets in the processing execution order ahead of their associated processing deadlines, the radio packet are so processed. Otherwise, the radio packet having the lowest priority is abandoned, the radio packets are re-ordered, and time sufficiency is re-checked.
US08630167B2
Link identifiers such as VIDs, selected from a defined range of values, are locally assigned by each node on a link state protocol controlled Ethernet network to each of its links or adjacencies. The link identifiers are assigned by the nodes such that each link or adjacency at the node is uniquely identified by a different link identifier. A link state protocol adjacency notification mechanism or other flooding mechanism is used to disseminate the locally assigned link identifiers to other nodes on the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network. The link identifiers are added by the nodes to their topology databases to enable detour routes to be locally calculated by the nodes on the network in a distributed manner. Upon occurrence of a failure, the link identifiers are used to source route traffic around the failure so that traffic may continue to traverse the link state protocol controlled Ethernet network.
US08630161B2
A method for processing a wireless signal includes performing by one or more processors, selecting a plurality of training sequences from a preamble of the wireless signal. Each of the selected plurality of training sequences may include a plurality of energy tones. The selected plurality of training sequences from the preamble may be shifted, in time domain, to generate a plurality of subsequent preambles for transmission. Each of the generated plurality of subsequent preambles may include the plurality of energy tones. The preamble may include a legacy preamble and/or an 802.11(n) preamble. The shifting in the time domain may include circular shifting. The circular shifting may include forward circular shifting and/or backwards circular shifting.
US08630157B2
According to one embodiment, a data reproducing apparatus includes a data recording medium, light source unit, light application unit, photodetector unit and control unit. An address mark string including address marks is formed on the data recording medium. The address marks are spaced from each other by a distance depending on address data. The light application unit is configured to split the light beam into a first branch light beam and a second branch light beam and apply the first and second branch light beams to the address mark string at different angles. The photodetector unit is configured to detect first reflected light beams and second reflected light beams from the address mark string to generate image data. The first and second reflected light beams result from the first and second branch light beams, respectively. The control unit is configured to reproduce address data based on the image data.
US08630153B1
A TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head uses the energy of optical-laser excited plasmons to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic field of the write head is enhanced by the formation of a leading shield that is formed in a concave geometrical shape and partially surrounds the waveguide portion of the head within the concavity, which allows the distal end of the waveguide to extend to the ABS plane of the write head. This arrangement reduces the gap between the shield and the magnetic pole and does not interfere with the ability of the waveguide to efficiently transfer its optical energy to the plasmon generator and, ultimately, to the surface of the magnetic recording medium.
US08630144B2
A semiconductor device is provided with a clock output control circuit which supplies a long-period clock signal having a period longer than an internal clock signal within an active period and supplies the internal clock signal within a read period subsequent to the active period, a clock transfer circuit which transfers the internal clock signal and the long-period clock signal outputted from the clock output control circuit, a data input/output terminal, and an input/output circuit which outputs read data to the data input/output terminal in synchronization with the internal clock signal having been transferred by the clock transfer circuit.
US08630138B2
Each memory block has a plurality of memory cells, and word lines and bit lines connected to the memory cells. Precharge switches connect the bit lines to a precharge line. A switch control circuit controls an operation of the precharge switches and sets a cutoff function that turns off connection switches in a standby period in which no access operation of the memory cells is performed. Since connections of the bit lines and the precharge switch and those of the bit lines and the sense amplifier are cut off in the standby period, if a short circuit failure is present between a word line and a bit line, a leak current can be prevented from flowing from the word line to a precharge voltage line and so on.
US08630135B2
A row decoder is disposed on a side of a memory cell array in a column direction and supplies one of word lines with a first drive signal for selecting one of memory cells. A dummy word line is formed extending in the column direction. A dummy bit line is formed extending in a row direction. At least one of the dummy word line and the dummy bit line is disposed outside of the memory cell array. The row decoder outputs a second drive signal toward a sense amplifier circuit via the dummy bit line and the dummy word line.
US08630120B2
A compact and versatile sense amp is presented. Among its other features this sense amp arrangement provides a way to pre-charge bit lines while doing data scanning. Another feature is that the sense amp circuit can provide a way to set three different bit line levels used in the quick pass write (QPW) technique using dynamic latch, where quick pass write is a technique where cells along a given word line selected for programming can be enabled, inhibited, or partially inhibited for programming. Also, it can provide a convenient way to measure the cell current.
US08630118B2
Methods and non-volatile storage systems are provided for detecting defects in word lines. A “broken” word line defect may be detected. Information may be maintained as to which storage elements were intended to be programmed to a tracked state. Then, after programming is complete, the storage elements are read to determine which storage elements have a threshold voltage below a reference voltage level associated with the tracked state. By tracking which storage elements are in the tracked state, elements associated with other states may be filtered out such that an accurate assessment may be made as to which storage elements were under-programmed. From this information, a determination may be made whether the word line is defective. For example, if too many storage elements are under-programmed, this may indicate a broken word line.
US08630116B2
A NAND flash memory, in a read operation, a p-type semiconductor substrate is set at a ground potential, a bit line is charged to a first voltage, a source line, a n-type well and a p-type well are charged to a second voltage, which lies between a ground potential and a first voltage, and in a block not selected by said row decoder, said drain-side select gate line and said source-side select gate line are charged to a third voltage, which is higher than said ground potential and is equal to or lower than said second voltage.
US08630101B2
A power converter for delivering power to a load at a regulated voltage 11 includes a regulating stage receiving an unregulated supply 10 and having a main transformer 18. Switches 16a and 16b are arranged in a half-bridge connect the transformer primary 17 to the unregulated supply 10 to drive the load via a rectifying stage connected to the transformer secondary 19. The on-time of the switch is controlled by a controller 14 to effect the regulation over a range of values of the unregulated supply. An auxiliary transformer 103 has a secondary winding 104 connected in series with the main transformer primary 17 and a primary winding that is selectively driven via a switch 106. A comparator 107 detects a low voltage event within the regulating stage, such as a drop in the intermediate voltage at 10. The primary winding 105 of the auxiliary transformer 103 is driven during the low voltage event.
US08630095B2
A linked semiconductor module unit links a plurality of semiconductor modules by a first bus bar and a second bus bar, which are embedded in resin parts. The linked semiconductor module unit is disposed in a place other than on a printed circuit board. The semiconductor module linking structure is implemented readily by molding the bus bars together with semiconductor chips and lands to form the resin parts.
US08630087B1
A method for cooling a system having a midplane design in which the midplane includes holes to allow air to flow via the midplane. Cards connected to the midplane have a front face that includes holes to allow the air to flow. The air flows from front to back or back to front to cool the cards connected to the midplane. A multi-slot chassis includes rails to support the cards. The rails form spaces to permit access to sockets associated with the cards to which cables may be connected. Platforms associated with the cards may permit a user to manage cables connected to the cards.
US08630082B2
There are provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component and a method of manufacturing the same, the multilayer ceramic electronic including: a ceramic body; and a plurality of internal electrodes laminated within the ceramic body, wherein, when T1 is the greatest distance between an upper outermost internal electrode and a lower outermost internal electrode among the plurality of internal electrodes and T2 is the distance between the highest point and the lowest point in each of the upper outermost internal electrode and the lower outermost internal electrode in a thickness direction of the ceramic body, T2/T1<0.05 is satisfied, and thus, defects in alignment of internal electrodes of the multilayer ceramic electronic component may be suppressed.
US08630076B2
A safe disconnect circuit is provided for mitigating the effect of harmful circuit conditions upon a load, such as an integrated power module (IPM). The safe disconnect circuit comprises a switching circuit operative to receive a pulsed input signal, and to detect the presence of a load threatening input signal, e.g. a load control signal, having an amplitude below a preset amplitude threshold and a duration beyond a present duration threshold. The switching circuit is operative to terminate load power in response to detect a presence of the load threatening signal.
US08630075B2
A protection circuit includes a coding chip, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and a control circuit. The coding chip receives parallel voltage identification definition (PVID) signals or serial voltage identification definition (SVID) signals from a central processing unit (CPU), and converts the PVID signals or the SVID signals to voltage identification definition (VID) signals. The DAC receives the VID signals from the coding chip, and converts the VID signals to an analog voltage. The control circuit receives the analog voltage from the DAC and a voltage received by the CPU, and compares the analog voltage from the DAC with the voltage received by the CPU. When the voltage received by the CPU is greater than the analog voltage from the DAC, the control circuit disconnects the CPU from a first power supply.
US08630069B1
In one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a magnetoresistance effect sensor including a free layer, a hard bias magnetic film adapted for performing magnetic domain control of the free layer by biasing a magnetization direction of the free layer towards a predefined direction that is positioned on both sides of the free layer in a track-width direction, an upper shield positioned above the hard bias magnetic film and the magnetoresistance effect sensor; and an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer positioned above the upper shield. The upper shield includes first and second upper shield layers, and an AFM coupling layer positioned between the first upper shield layer and the second upper shield layer that is adapted for antiferromagnetically coupling the first upper shield layer and the second upper shield layer, wherein a magnetization of the first upper shield layer is antiparallel with a magnetization of the hard magnetic bias layer.
