US08637114B2
A method of manufacturing a paper substrate comprising a color former which is capable undergoing a light activated color change reaction, wherein the color former is applied to the paper substrate during the manufacture of said paper substrate, and the color former is a metal oxyanion or a molecular organic. A paper substrate obtainable by this method is also provided.
US08637110B2
Methods of coating a stent are disclosed. In one example, the method includes positioning the stent on a support element configured to support the stent while rotating the stent. The support element has at least three elongate elements converging inwardly from a proximal end to a distal end of each element to form a conical or frusto-conical shape. The support element can be configured to be positioned within an end of the stent. The stent can be pinched between the support element and a second support element. A coating composition is applied to the stent. The method can further include pulsing the support element and/or the second support element to change a contact position of the stent with respect to the support element or the second support element; rotating the support element and the second support element at two different rates; or translating the support element from a first point of contact with the stent to a second point of contact with the stent.
US08637101B2
The present invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode novel lipolytic enzymes, as well as functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequences with high homology thereto. The invention also relates to methods of using these lipolytic enzymes in industrial processes, for example in the dairy or baking industry.
US08637099B2
The present invention relates to the use of fruit extract from Vitex agnus castus and/or one or more isolated and/or synthetically prepared bicylic diterpenes from Vitex agnus castus for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of movement disorders. In particular, the invention is directed to the preparation of medicaments for treating Parkinson disease (PD), Periodic Limb Movement disorder (PLMD) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Huntington disease (HD) and Essential Tremor (ET), preferably familiar ET. Furthermore, the invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fruit extract from Vitex agnus castus and/or one or more isolated and/or synthetically prepared bicylic diterpenes from Vitex agnus castus and at least one pharmaceutically compatible dopamine D2 and/or D3 receptor agonist.
US08637085B2
An aqueous disinfecting solution having a pH from about 0.5 to about 6 and consisting essentially of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration from about 0.05 to about 8 w/w % of the total solution; at least one anionic surfactant in a concentration from about 0.02 to about 8 w/w % of the total solution, selected from sulfonated C12 to C22 carboxylic acids and alkali metal, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts thereof; naphthalene sulfonic acids and alkali metal, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts thereof; C8 to C22 alkyl sulfonic acids and alkali metal, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts thereof; and alkyl or alkenyl esters or diesters of sulfosuccinic acids in which the alkyl or alkenyl groups independently contain from six to eighteen carbon atoms and alkali metal, ammonium, calcium and magnesium salts thereof; and benzyl alcohol in a concentration from about 0.1 to about 10 w/w % of the solution.
US08637083B2
The present disclosure generally relates to lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles which, upon reconstitution, have low levels of greater than 10 micron size particles. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.
US08637079B2
A solid preparation containing compound (I), wherein the definition of compound (I) is as defined in the description, and pioglitazone, which is useful as a therapeutic drug for diabetes and the like and superior in the dissolution property, chemical stability and dissolution stability, is provided. A solid preparation containing the following first and second parts: (1) the first part containing compound (I) or a salt thereof and, as the first excipient, sugar or sugar alcohol; and (2) the second part containing pioglitazone or a salt thereof and, as the second excipient, sugar or sugar alcohol.
US08637069B2
A method including introducing a treatment agent at a treatment site within a mammalian host; and introducing a bioerodable gel material at the treatment site. An apparatus including a first annular member having a first lumen disposed about a length of the first annular member and a first entry port at a proximal end of the first annular member, and a second annular member coupled to the first annular member having a second lumen disposed about a length of the second annular member and a second entry port at a proximal end of the second annular member, wherein the first annular member and the second annular member are positioned to allow a combining of treatment agents introduced through each annular member at the treatment site.
US08637068B2
Biocompatible intraocular implants include a prostamide component and a biodegradable polymer that is effective in facilitating release of the prostamide component into an eye for an extended period of time. The prostamide component may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat or reduce at least one symptom of an ocular condition, such as glaucoma.
US08637067B1
A tissue-derived hydrogel, as well as methods of making and using such hydrogels, are provided.
US08637066B2
A biocompatible ligament repair implant or scaffold device is provided for use in repairing a variety of ligament tissue injuries. The repair procedures may be conducted with ligament repair implants that contain a biological component that assists in healing or tissue repair. The biocompatible ligament repair implants include a biocompatible scaffold and particles of viable tissue derived from ligament tissue or tendon tissue, such that the tissue and the scaffold become associated. The particles of living tissue contain one or more viable cells that can migrate from the tissue and populate the scaffold.
US08637052B2
The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigen, a vector comprising such nucleic acid molecule and a host cell comprising such vector. Furthermore, the invention provides antigens from Klebsiella species, fragments and variants thereof, a process for producing such antigens, and a process for producing cells expressing such antigens. Moreover, the present invention provides antibodies binding to such antigen, hybridoma cells producing such antibodies, methods for producing such antibodies, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody, the use of such nucleic acid molecule, antigen, vector or antibody for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, methods for identifying an antagonist capable of binding such antigen or of inhibiting the interaction activity of such antigen, methods for diagnosis or for treatment or prevention of an infection. More specifically, such antigens are associated with nosocomial bacterial infections or infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
US08637049B2
Safe and effective live vaccines against bacteria infecting aquatic animals were created through the induction of novobiocin-resistance in liquid culture and novobiocin- and rifampicin-resistance in liquid culture.
US08637044B2
Hybrid molecules comprising CD4 minimal modules or mimetics that bind to HIV Env polypeptides in combination with one or more HIV Tat polypeptides are described. Also described are complexes of these hybrid molecules with Env as well as methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.
US08637042B2
Drug delivery compositions and methods of delivering compounds are disclosed. Vaccines and methods of immunizing individuals are disclosed. Compositions for drug delivery including gene therapy and methods of treating individuals using such compositions are disclosed.
US08637041B2
The invention relates to an immunogenic composition composed of secreted polypeptides derived from Campylobacter jejuni non-flagellar proteins that are coordinately expressed with the flagellar regulon. The invention also relates to a method of inducing an immune response to the non-flagellar protein polypeptides.
US08637025B2
The present invention provides a method of treatment or prophylaxis of enteric disease caused by Gram negative bacteria. The method includes the step of administering a vaccine or a hyperimmune material raised against said vaccine to an individual. The vaccine comprises one or more cell wall antigens reactive in a manner characteristic of O group serotypes, or reactive in a manner characteristic of lipopolysaccharide associated antigens, and at least some of said antigens are separated from bacterial cell walls or wall fragments. The invention also provides composition containing hyperimmune material as well as uses of the composition and vaccine.
US08637022B2
The invention provides functionalized polypeptides, especially therapeutic polypeptides (e.g., scFv), comprising a linker sequence that can be rapidly and specifically functionalized by the addition of one or functional moieties (e.g., PEG) or binding specificities (e.g., an amino acid sequence with a particular binding specificity). Such functionalized polypeptides are advantageous in that they have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., improved in vivo half-life, tissue penetration and tissue residency time) over non-functionalized polypeptides. Methods for the rapid and reproducible generation of functionalized polypeptides are also provided.
US08637019B2
The invention relates to binding compounds that specifically bind to human TSLP, as well as uses thereof, e.g., in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and allergic inflammatory response.
US08637016B2
The invention provides methods and compositions comprising anti-EphA3 antibodies for the treatment of solid tumors.
US08637015B2
Use of antagonists to IL-31 are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.
US08637011B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing inflammation associated with viral infection and solid organ transplant rejection. In particular, the present invention provides therapeutics for impairing the expansion and function of autoreactive T cells, NK cells and/or NKT cells, by modulating NKG2D.
US08637010B2
The present invention relates to the use of plasminogen and plasmin as agents for enhancing healing of tympanic membrane perforations or other wounds, and for reducing scars or necrotic tissue forming during wound healing. The invention also relates to a method for screening of compounds which enhance wound healing by evaluating the healing of tympanic membrane perforations in an animal model.
US08637007B2
The present invention relates to a proteinaceous construct comprising plasmatic or recombinant factor VIIa (FVIIa) or biologically active derivatives thereof, which are bound to a carbohydrate moiety comprising 1-4 sialic acid units, wherein the in vivo half-life of the proteinaceous construct is substantially prolonged in the blood of a mammal, as compared to the in vivo half-life of a FVIIa molecule not bound to a carbohydrate moiety. The invention also provides a method for controlling bleeding in a mammal having a bleeding disorder due to functional defects or deficiencies of FVIIa, FVIII, or FIX. The invention also provides a method for controlling bleeding in a mammal during surgery or trauma.
US08636998B2
The present invention relates to improved therapies for the treatment of heart disease, particularly the improved delivery of therapeutic agents to heart tissue by direct infusion into the coronary circulation. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a method comprising, identifying a mammal in need of treatment or prevention of heart disease, and supplying NO to the coronary circulation prior to, and/or during the infusion of a therapeutic polynucleotide into a blood vessel of the coronary circulation in vivo.
US08636994B2
Provided herein are water-soluble polymer conjugates and polymer-based compositions of antimicrobial agents. Also provided are methods for synthesizing and administering such conjugates and compositions.
US08636991B1
The present invention is directed to a series of functionalized glycerin based polymers that have been designed to have very specific substitution patterns, herein referred to as regio-specific substitution (RSS). The properties of these polymers can be controlled and tuned by judicial control of the polymerization conditions, specifically by employing the use of mono-functional monomers. This polymer will has “compartments” of solid and liquid pendant group domains if the proper pendant groups are chosen. This unique multi-dimensional, high definition polymer will have very unique physical properties, including unique shear and flow behaviors. These polymers will provide outstanding and unique skin feels when used in cosmetic applications.
US08636982B2
Unique foamable vehicles or carriers comprising at least one wax, waxy substance, counterpart or derivative, a stabilizer, water, and a propellant are provided. In some embodiments, the wax is a liquid wax. In some embodiments, the wax includes a solid wax and a liquid wax. The compositions are substantially free of crystals. The components are selected to provide a composition that is substantially resistant to aging and to phase separation, and/or can substantially solubilize and or stabilize active ingredients. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions with potentially enhanced skin delivery and their uses are also provided.
US08636981B2
Methods useful for effecting prophylaxis or treatment of amyloidosis, including AA Amyloidosis and AL amyloidosis, by administering peptides comprising neoepitopes, such as AA fragments from a C-terminal region of AA, and antibodies specific for neoepitopes of aggregated amyloid proteins, for example, antibodies specific for the C-terminal region of AA fibrils. Antibodies for inhibition of formation and/or increasing clearance of amyloid deposits in a patient thus effecting prophylaxis or treating amyloid disease.
US08636977B2
The present invention relates to a novel class of diagnostically or therapeutically effective compounds comprising novel aza-bicycloalkane based cyclic peptides, acting as a targeting moiety towards integrin receptors.
US08636965B2
A microtitration plate, comprising: a frame which is made of at least one laser-inscribable plastic completely or in at least one area, and a multiplicity of receptacles arranged in the frame and having an opening on one side of the frame which are made of a plastic other than the laser-inscribable plastic.
US08636963B2
A non-electrolytic method and apparatus for treating an aqueous sample stream including analyte ions and matrix ions of opposite charge, for pretreatment or suppression. The apparatus includes an ion exchange membrane capable of passing only ions of opposite charge to the analyte ions, a sample stream flow channel, a first aqueous stream ion receiving flow channel adjacent one side of the sample stream flow channel and separated therefrom by the first ion exchange membrane, and stationary flow-through ion exchange packing disposed in the sample stream flow channel. The ion receiving channel has an ion exchange capacity for the matrix ions less than about 25% of the ion exchange capacity for the matrix ions.
US08636962B2
A set of vertically stackable interacting cartridges for improving the delivery of biocide of a bulk feeder by positioning the stackable cartridges in a stacked condition within a chamber in the bulk feeder wherein the stackable cartridges are maintained in vertical interacting flow alignment with each other to provide enhanced control of the delivery of the biocide carried within each of the stackable cartridges without replacing the control valves of the bulk feeder.
US08636957B2
The present disclosure relates to a spirally wrapped chromatographic structure, a system incorporating such structure and a method of providing such structure. The structure may include an absorber layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein one or a plurality of channels are defined in the first surface. The structure may also include a support layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the support layer disposed on the second surface of the absorber layer, wherein the absorber layer and the support layer comprise a spiral configuration such that at least a portion of the first surface of the absorber layer contacts at least a portion of the second surface of the support layer.
US08636949B2
Improved electron beam sterilization apparatus and shielding techniques for use in are provided. A controller modulates an electron beam when sterilizing an interior to an object to ensure that adequate dose is received. Sterilization carousels are configured with input/discharge feeds to reduce the possibility of humans being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The system reduces the amount of shielding required to thereby lower cost of installation.
US08636948B2
The present invention provides iron-based infiltration methods for manufacturing powder metallurgy components, compositions prepared from those methods, and methods of designing those infiltration methods. Iron-based infiltration methods table include the steps of providing an iron-based infiltrant composed of a near eutectic liquidus composition of a first iron based alloy system and an iron-based base compact composed of a near eutectic solidus powder composition of a second iron based alloy system. The base compact is placed in contact with the infiltrant and heated to a process temperature above the melting point of the infiltrant to form a liquid component of the infiltrant. Lastly, the base compact is infiltrated with the liquid component of the infiltrant. During infiltration, the liquid component of the infiltrant flows into the pores of the base compact.
US08636947B2
The present invention provides an improved metal separator for a fuel cell and a method for preparing same. More particularly, the invention provides a metal separator for a fuel cell, whereby the separator has a surface structure that imparts reduced contact resistance, improved corrosion resistance, and stable electrical conductivity. The invention further provides a surface treatment method for making the metal separator of the invention. The inventive method comprises sintering Fe—Cr—B—V-based powder on the surface of a metal foam to form an alloy layer; and forming a nitride layer of a (Cr—V—B)N-based material while supplying nitrogen gas on the surface of the alloy layer.
US08636935B2
A process for the production of a stiffener made of composite material that includes a central part with wings on both sides such that when the wings are resting against an element to be reinforced, the central part is separated from the element to be reinforced, with the process including producing a flat strip (16) that includes at least one layer of fibers, placing it on a mold (26) that includes at least one hollow shape that corresponds to the central part of the stiffener that is to be produced, heating the strip (16), and deforming it in such a way as to make it assume the shapes of the mold (26), characterized in that it includes exerting a transverse traction on the strip (16) during the deformation of the strip.
US08636931B2
A method of manufacturing a thermal paste, in which the method includes feeding the thermal paste into a chamber of an extruder; mixing the thermal paste at elevated temperatures; de-airing the thermal paste; and extruding the thermal paste out of the chamber through a die as a pre-form or into a cartridge, such that air channels and pseudo-grain boundaries are prevented from forming in the thermal paste.
US08636922B2
The present invention provides a process for recovering high purity gaseous hydrogen and high purity gaseous carbon dioxide from a syngas stream by utilizing a hydrogen selective membrane unit and a primary water gas shift reactor in combination with a cryogenic purification unit, a hydrogen recovery unit and a secondary water gas shift reactor or by utilizing a hydrogen membrane/water gas shift reactor in combination with a cryogenic purification unit, a hydrogen recovery unit and a secondary water gas shift reactor. Each of these embodiments may further include a sulfur recovery unit.
US08636921B1
Disclosed is a phosphor having a formula of M3-2xM′x(M″1-y-zPryGdz)(PO4)2. M is Li, Na, K, or combinations thereof. M′ is Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, Zn, or combinations thereof. M″ is Sc, Y, La, Lu, Al, Ga, In, or combinations thereof. 0≦x≦1, 0
US08636920B2
A method for industrially producing a phosphor with high performance, in particular, high brightness. Also disclosed is a nitrogen-containing alloy and an alloy powder useful for producing the high performance phosphor. The method for producing the phosphor includes heating a raw material for a phosphor in whole or in part comprising an alloy containing two or more different metal elements under a nitrogen-containing atmosphere and heating the raw material for a phosphor under conditions such that the temperature change per minute is 50° C. or lower. Using an alloy as all or part of the raw material constituting the phosphor precursor, it is possible to suppress the rapid progression of nitridation during heat treatment and industrially produce a phosphor with high performance, in particular, high brightness.
US08636914B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of forming a pattern, includes forming a guide pattern including a first region having a first surface energy and a second region having a second surface energy on a to-be-processed film, the first and second regions alternately arranged in one direction, forming a block copolymer layer on the guide pattern, and causing microphase separation in the block copolymer layer, the microphase-separated structure is a lamellar block copolymer pattern.
US08636909B2
A process of removing viruses from drinking water is disclosed. The process involves filtering drinking water, having a viral contaminant, through a layer of coarse sand; contacting the drinking water with a composite iron matrix; and purifying the drinking water by allowing the composite iron matrix to adsorb the viral contaminant for at least fifteen minutes. The major component of the composite iron matrix is an iron component, which is at least about 68% to about 92% iron by weight. Other components include manganese; cerium; carbon; phosphorous; sulfur; aluminum; silicon; chromium; copper; and zinc.
US08636892B2
Anode-cathode power distribution systems and methods of using the same for electrochemical reduction
Power distribution systems are useable in electrolytic reduction systems and include several cathode and anode assembly electrical contacts that permit flexible modular assembly numbers and placement in standardized connection configurations. Electrical contacts may be arranged at any position where assembly contact is desired. Electrical power may be provided via power cables attached to seating assemblies of the electrical contacts. Cathode and anode assembly electrical contacts may provide electrical power at any desired levels. Pairs of anode and cathode assembly electrical contacts may provide equal and opposite electrical power; different cathode assembly electrical contacts may provide different levels of electrical power to a same or different modular cathode assembly. Electrical systems may be used with an electrolyte container into which the modular cathode and anode assemblies extend and are supported above, with the modular cathode and anode assemblies mechanically and electrically connecting to the respective contacts in power distribution systems.
US08636880B2
The present invention provides an electrochemical cell for producing hydrogen gas and cupric chloride, comprising an anode compartment including an anode disposed in an anolyte, wherein the anolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid, a cathode compartment including a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises an electrocatalyst, and a cation exchange membrane disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.
US08636874B2
An absorbent cellulosic sheet includes (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions having fibers that are oriented in a direction transverse to a machine direction (MD) of the sheet, and (ii) a plurality of linking regions that link the fiber-enriched regions together. The linking regions have fibers that have an orientation that is offset from the orientation of the fibers in the plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions.
US08636872B2
Plasma uniformity can be improved. An upper electrode 105 for use in a parallel plate type plasma processing apparatus includes a base 105a made of a dielectric material; and a conductive layer 110 formed on at least a part of a surface of the base 105a facing a lower electrode 210 provided in the plasma processing apparatus. Further, the conductive layer 110 having a dense and sparse pattern such that the dense and sparse pattern at an outer portion of the surface of the base 105a facing the lower electrode 210 is denser than at an inner portion thereof.
US08636871B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode so arranged in the upper portion of a processing chamber as to face a mounting table, a gas supply unit for supplying a processing gas between the first electrode and the second electrode, a RF power supply unit for applying a RF power between the first electrode and the second electrode for converting the process gas supplied between the electrodes into a plasma, and a gas exhaust unit for evacuating the inside of the processing chamber to a vacuum level from the lower portion of the processing chamber. Since the electron temperature in the plasma is low near a substrate on the mounting table, damage to the substrate caused by the plasma can be suppressed. In addition, since a metal can be used as a material for the processing chamber, the processing chamber can have good temperature controllability.
US08636870B2
A structural reinforcement material is provided that includes a base material selected from thermosets, low viscosity thermoplastics with short transition phases and low viscosities, low melting point metallic alloys, and combinations thereof. At STP, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a formable dough or a mixture thereof. When heated to an activation temperature, the structural reinforcement material becomes flowable into a cavity. Following cooling, the structural reinforcement material is a solid or a thermoset with a strength sufficient to reinforce the cavity. A structural reinforcement insert comprising the structural reinforcement material is also provided, as is a reinforced cavity of an automobile and a method of reinforcing a cavity.
US08636866B2
A method of manufacturing a multi-axial laminate of webs produced from cables stretch broken into strips includes arranging, at an entry of a conveyor table, a first layer of pre-wound pre-cut strips along the longitudinal axis of the table, the strips being partially superimposed; arranging along the table at least two cross lappers transferring and depositing in an oblique and/or divergent position at predetermined angles a stretch broken strip; and arranging the strips in successive superimpositions on the first layer of pre-cut strips in different planes, to form a multi-axial web of stretch broken strips. The web then being treated by a fixing device. Movement of the support belt of the table taking place in steps to ensure the superimposition of the different layers of pre-broken strips deposited by the cross lappers. Implementation of the method taking place without any prior cohesion treatment of each strip.
US08636864B2
A heat-shrinkable tubular article for forming a wire splice is both resistant to high temperatures and capable of rapid installation. The heat-shrinkable tubular article includes a heat-shrinkable jacket material and an inner adhesive layer having a thixotropic heat-flowable additive. The tubular article having at least one of a maximum internal diameter of no more than 15 mm or a maximum length of no more than 100 mm.
US08636863B2
A system and apparatus relating to connecting at least one first longitudinal periphery of at least one first magnetic sheet with at least one second longitudinal periphery of at least one second magnetic sheet by placing such first longitudinal periphery in adjacent relationship with such second longitudinal periphery; and connecting such first longitudinal periphery in adjacent relationship with such second longitudinal periphery; wherein such connecting step comprises the step of unitizing such at least one first magnetic sheet and such at least one second magnetic sheet into one unitary magnetic sheet.
US08636859B2
Method for austempering at least one part of a work piece, which method comprises the steps of: a) heating at least one part of the work piece to an initial austenitizing temperature (T1); b) subjecting said at least one part of the work piece to one or more austenitizing temperatures (T1 . . . T1n) for a predetermined time to austenitize it; c) quenching said at least one part of the work piece; d) heat treating said at least one part of the work piece at one or more austempering temperatures (T2 . . . T2n) for a predetermined time to austemper it; e) cooling the at least one part of the work piece; whereby at least one of the steps a) to e) is/are at least partly carried out under Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) conditions.
US08636853B2
An Mg alloy provided with high strength and high ductility by matching the strength and ductility in tensile deformation and compressive deformation at the same levels is provided. The Mg alloy of the present invention is characterized by having a chemical composition consisting of Y: 0.1 to 1.5 at % and a balance of Mg and unavoidable impurities and having a microstructure with high Y regions with Y concentrations higher than an average Y concentration distributed at nanometer order sizes and intervals. The present invention further provides an Mg alloy characterized by having a chemical composition consisting of Y: more than 0.1 at % and a valance of Mg and unavoidable impurities, having a microstructure with high Y regions with Y concentrations higher than an average Y concentration distributed at nanometer order sizes and intervals and having an average recrystallized grain size within the range satisfying the following formula 1: −0.87c+1.10
US08636849B2
Disclosed herein are a dish washer which is capable of finishing a rinse mode within a predetermined time by changing an operation start time of a heater according to the temperature of washing water at the time of a final rinse mode of the dish washer, and a method of controlling the same. The method of controlling the dish washer including a washing tub for containing dishes to be washed using washing water and a heater for heating the washing water includes sensing a temperature of the washing water, determining an operation start time of the heater on the basis of the sensed temperature of the washing water, and operating the heater according to the determined operation start time of the heater.
US08636847B2
A flow inlet element (22) for a chemical vapor deposition reactor (10) is formed from a plurality of elongated tubular elements (64, 65) extending side-by-side with one another in a plane transverse to the upstream to downstream direction of the reactor. The tubular elements have inlets for ejecting gas in the downstream direction. A wafer carrier (14) rotates around an upstream to downstream axis. The gas distribution elements may provide a pattern of gas distribution which is asymmetrical with respect to a medial plane (108) extending through the axis.
US08636843B2
Heterogeneous nanowires having a core-shell structure consisting of single-crystal apatite as the core and graphitic layers as the shell and a synthesis method thereof are provided. More specifically, provided is a method capable of producing large amounts of heterogeneous nanowires, composed of graphitic shells and apatite cores, in a reproducible manner, by preparing a substrate including an element corresponding to X of X6(YO4)3Z which is a chemical formula for apatite, adding to the substrate a gaseous source containing an element corresponding to Y of the chemical formula, adding thereto a gaseous carbon source, and allowing these reactants to react under optimized synthesis conditions using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and to a method capable of freely controlling the structure and size of the heterogeneous nanowires and also to heterogeneous nanowires synthesized thereby.
US08636828B2
Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
US08636827B2
A method of operating a mixed ionic-electronic conducting ceramic membrane having an oxidizing side and a reducing side, said method comprising a start-up phase and a production phase, for producing a gas stream, characterized in that the start-up phase comprises a step of introducing, on the oxidizing side and the reducing side of the membrane respectively, first and second gas mixtures not capable of chemically degrading the membrane; and a step of establishing a stream of oxygen through the membrane.
US08636822B1
A granule fertilizer composition with dethatching agent. The fertilizer composition includes natural potassium, various micronutrients, humic acid and composted humus. Ingredients of the composition may include humic acid, nitrogen, sulfur, potash, iron, manganese, magnesium, and/or inert ingredients. In an embodiment, each ingredient is polymer-coated, depending on the needs of the user. The current invention also enables a method of manufacturing a fertilizer composition, along with methods of fertilizing, dethatching and irrigating a finite area of turf using a fertilizer composition. The novel fertilizer composition is environmentally friendly, can be utilized year round effectively for warm and cool turf needs, increases water retention (i.e., reduces amount of irrigation needed), aids in micronutrient uptake, provides soil biology, and prevents staining on concrete.
US08636819B2
A fiber assembly for a forward-flow fiber bed mist eliminator used to remove aerosols from a moving gas stream. The assembly incorporates an improved drainage system for draining aerosols from the fiber bed without the need for a conventional seal-leg.
US08636814B2
There is a coloring composition containing a compound represented by Formula (1): wherein D, M, N, R1, R2, m and n are defined in the specification and in the claims.
US08636795B2
Devices and methods for storing and injecting a corneal tissue graft are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a tissue container and an adaptor configured to be coupled to the tissue container. The tissue container defines an interior region configured to receive a precut corneal tissue graft therein. The tissue container is also configured to be coupled to an injector assembly that can be used to move the corneal tissue graft out of the interior region of the tissue container and into an anterior chamber of a recipient's eye. The adaptor can be configured to prevent the tissue graft from migrating out of the tissue container and/or can be configured to be coupled to the injector assembly. The tissue graft can remain within the tissue container during storage, transport and during the implantation procedure until it is injected into the patient's eye.
US08636787B2
The invention is to methods of deploying polymeric biodegradable or non biodegradable stents by use of stepwise creases in the pressure placed upon the inner diameter of the stent to slowly increase the stent diameter. In one embodiment, the pressure on the interior stent diameter is slowly increased. The stent is allowed to acclimate to this diameter for a set period of time, and then the pressure is again increased. This series of steps continues until the stent reaches its final diameter and a final period of acclimatization is maintained prior to the removal of the deployment/delivery device.
US08636785B2
A bone screw (10) having a lead portion (12) and a tail portion (14), each comprising a root and a thread (22, 24) (having a thread lead) formed on the root. The thread on each of the lead and tail portions has an approximately constant diameter along a significant portion of its length. The diameter of the thread on the tail portion is greater than that of the thread on the lead portion, and in which the thread lead of the thread on the lead portion is equal to the thread lead of the thread on the tail portion. The screw can be used to achieve fixation to a vertebra with an anterior approach.
US08636776B2
Spinal implants, spinal rod approximators for seating a stabilizing rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, a spinal rod approximator is provided including an elongate member having a grasping member formed on a distal end thereof, and a rod pusher member slidably mated to or mounted on the elongate member. The grasping member is effective to grasp a portion of a spinal implant, and the pusher member is effective to grasp and engage a stabilizing rod and push the rod into a rod-receiving portion of the spinal implant being grasped by the grasping member.
US08636774B2
An adjustable spinal implant device, comprising: a sliding portion provided with a tongue; and, a non-sliding portion provided with a slot adapted for receipt of the tongue; wherein the tongue is slidably and rotatably positioned within the slot.
US08636761B2
A bipolar forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The housing includes a drive assembly operable to reciprocate an actuation tube within the shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. One or both of the first and second jaw members is pivotable about a living hinge from a first position to a clamping position. One or both of the jaw members includes a cam slot defined at a proximal end thereof. One of the jaw members is operatively connected to a distal end of the actuation tube via a cam pin that operatively engages the cam slot such that proximal reciprocation of the actuation tube cams at least one jaw member towards the other jaw member about the living hinge.
US08636760B2
A system and method for deploying an occluding device that can be used to remodel an aneurysm within the vessel by, for example, neck reconstruction or balloon remodeling. The system comprises an introducer sheath and an assembly for carrying the occluding device. The assembly includes an elongated flexible member having an occluding device retaining member for receiving member for engaging a second end of the occluding device and a support surrounding a portion of the elongated flexible member over which the occluding device can be positioned. The elongated flexible member may be a integral portion formed thereof that form a coil portion.
US08636754B2
A clamp assembly comprising: (a) a clamping device biased toward a closed position; (b) a first retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device; (c) a second retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device, where the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar are oriented in parallel to one another.
US08636753B2
The present invention relates to medical prostheses and methods of manufacturing those devices. In particular, the prostheses are temporarily stiffened meshes with particular coatings to provide initial stiffness and thereby permit easier surgical handling for treatment or reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Preferred embodiments include surgical meshes coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and/or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The devices of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use. By including biologically active agents and/or drugs in the coating, the devices provide prophylaxis for and can alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or use of prostheses in general.
US08636751B2
Methods and devices reroute chyme to induce intestinal brake in order to improve the effectiveness of bariatric surgical procedures and to improve comorbidity resolution. A bowel is manipulated to provide a shortened path for chyme to travel to the ileum. These methods and devices of rerouting chyme to induce intestinal brake may include one or more of a surgical procedure, an implanted device, or a combination of an implant with an improved surgical procedure.
US08636746B2
An introducer can be used to implant a distractible intervertebral body fusion device into a patient's disc space and expand the device. Introducer includes a body 100 including a handle and a sleeve. Handle includes a slot for containing an actuation tool. A drive shaft and a securing shaft can extend through sleeve between a proximal end of the sleeve adjacent slot and a distal end of the device. At proximal end, actuation tool can connect to drive shaft where drive shaft extends through an opening in body. Drive shaft can extend out of an opening at distal end to engage a worm gear, drive shaft, or other actuation member of distractible device. Securing shaft can engage the device to stabilize the device during distraction. Activation of the actuation member rotates the drive shaft, which expands the distractible device.
US08636734B2
A device and method for treatment of a tissue specimen disposed in surrounding tissue has a tissue specimen isolating toot and a tissue specimen damager. The tissue specimen isolating tool isolates the tissue specimen from the surrounding tissue. The tissue specimen damager damages the tissue, with a possible end result being necrosis. The severing tool may have a cutting member that is extendable to an outwardly radially bowed position about device. The tissue specimen is isolated by rotating the cutting member about the tissue specimen. The cutting member may be functionally connected to a cutting member radio frequency generation source. The tissue specimen damager may damage the tissue specimen using ionizing radiation, cutting devices, thermal treatment devices, chemical treatment devices, or sealing an outer boundary of the tissue specimen.
US08636731B2
The present invention encompasses apparatus and methods for mapping electrical activity within the heart. The present invention also encompasses methods and apparatus for creating lesions in the heart tissue (ablating) to create a region of necrotic tissue which serves to disable the propagation of errant electrical impulses caused by an arrhythmia.
US08636730B2
A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator is contemplated by the present disclosure. The method includes applying an electrosurgical waveform to tissue through an electrode. The electrosurgical waveform includes one or more positive half-cycles one or more negative half-cycles. The method also includes measuring voltage and current of the electrosurgical waveform to detect a peak voltage of each of the positive half-cycles and the negative half-cycles and comparing the peak voltage of the positive half-cycles and the peak voltage of the negative half-cycles to determine generation of electrical discharges. The method further includes adjusting the current of the electrosurgical waveform to regulate the generation of the electrical discharges based on a comparison of the peak voltage of the positive half-cycles and the peak voltage of the negative half-cycles.
US08636729B2
A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.
US08636727B2
The present disclosure relates to a portable irradiating arrangement having a light source, particularly a laser diode, comprising an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a radiation distributing probe, whereby the inner sleeve is mounted in the outer sleeve and the radiation distributing probe may be attached at a probe-facing end of the outer sleeve, whereby the irradiating arrangement is designed in such a way that the light source can be turned on only when the radiation distributing probe is attached to the outer sleeve. The invention relates further to a portable irradiating arrangement, in which the inner sleeve is in contact with the radiation distributing probe in such a way that the inner sleeve must be detached from the radiation distributing probe before removal of the radiation distributing probe from the outer sleeve.
US08636726B1
An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low-OH optical fiber (˜100 μm diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.
US08636721B2
A manually operable pump for the effective removal of fluids to include blood, blood clots, fluid, and air from a body cavity of a subject is provided. The manually operable pump is adapted to be connect to a range of fluid conduits and is equipped with one-way valves that effectively permit flow of fluid through the pump in only one direction. The sensitivity of the one-way valves is such that when properly positioned, fluid can flow through the valves and out of the pump without manual compression of the pump and with the aid of gravity power alone.
US08636719B2
A luer connector assembly (100) including a luer connector body (102), a luer cap (110) and a protective flexible sleeve (120). The protective sleeve is assembled to the distal end (116) of the luer cap (110) to define a cap/sleeve subassembly (130), and the luer cap proximal end (112) is removably affixable to the distal end (106) of the luer connector (102). A prepared end (202) of a proximal catheter lumen (200) of a patient-implanted catheter assembly is inserted through the protective sleeve (120) and through and beyond the luer cap (110) to be affixed to the luer connector distal end (106). The luer cap/sleeve subassembly (130) is then slid proximally to be removably affixed to the luer connector distal end (106), whereafter the clamp (204) on the catheter lumen (200) is positionable onto and around the protective sleeve (120), to protect the catheter lumen (200) during clamping.
US08636718B2
An elongate medical device having an axis comprises an inner liner, a jacket radially outward of the liner, a braid comprising metal embedded in the jacket, a sensor, and at least one wire electrically connected to said sensor. The at least one wire is one of: embedded in the jacket and optionally disposed helically around the braid; extending longitudinally within a tube which extends generally parallel to the device axis and wherein the tube is embedded in the jacket; and disposed within a lumen, wherein the lumen extends longitudinally within the jacket.
US08636710B2
An absorbent article includes a fit system having fasteners and friction elements. The fasteners are located in the front waist area and the back waist area and are adapted to fasten the article about the waist of a wearer to define a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a pair of overlap regions. The friction elements are located in the overlap regions and are adapted to provide friction between the front waist area and the back waist area in the overlap regions. The friction elements have an upper portion oriented towards the waist opening and a lower portion oriented towards the leg opening. The upper portion and the lower portion have different concentrations of surface treatment, thicknesses, and/or surface areas.
US08636705B2
An injection needle assembly includes a needle having a needle point to puncture skin, a needle hub including a first member which holds the needle, and a second member in which a discharge part of a syringe is to be fitted, and an elastic member disposed inside the second member to make liquid-tight close contact with the inner surface of the second member, with the elastic member having an insertion hole in which the needle tube is inserted.
US08636704B2
Exemplary embodiments provide a syringe plunger formed of a polymeric material. The syringe plunger includes a pressurizer disposed at a proximal end, and a distal end bifurcated into a first plunger arm having a first conical surface and a second conical surface, and a second plunger arm having a first conical surface and a second conical surface. The distal end includes a first contact surface defined by the first conical surface of the first plunger arm and the first conical surface of the second plunger arm, the first contact surface configured to initially contact a firing engagement mechanism, the first contact surface disposed at a first angle of between about 40° and about 80° relative to a longitudinal axis of the syringe plunger. The distal end also includes a second contact surface defined by the second conical surface of the first plunger arm and the second conical surface of the second plunger arm, the second contact surface configured to contact the firing engagement mechanism subsequent to contact by the first contact surface.
US08636699B2
The present disclosure provide catheter anchoring devices including anchoring devices that can be used to secure percutaneous catheters to a patient. In some embodiments, a catheter anchoring device comprises a locking tab having a front surface including a first mechanical engagement material and a back surface to be adhesively secured to a catheter by wrapping the back surface around a catheter surface. The catheter anchoring device further comprises a base portion comprising a base material layer including a bottom surface for adhesive application to the skin of a patient and a top surface including a second mechanical engagement material for engagement with the first mechanical engagement material of the locking tab; and a flexible closure extending from the base material layer and including a third mechanical engagement material for engagement with the top surface of the base material layer and a through-hole sized to allow passage of a tab protrusion.
US08636698B2
An anchoring system for securing a dialysis catheter to a patient comprises an anchor pad and retainer. The anchor pad is attached to the skin of the patient by an adhesive layer on one side of the pad. The retainer is disposed upon the surface of the anchor pad opposite the adhesive layer and includes a base, a cover, and an adhesive spot. A groove upon the base is arranged to receive a Y-site portion of a dialysis catheter. A post also protrudes from the base to the cover at a position which will be disposed between the two distal branches of the dialysis catheter. The cover closes over the base, securing the Y-site between the groove and the post. Closing the cover places the catheter in contact with the adhesive spot. This contact between the retainer, adhesive spot and catheter inhibits inadvertent motion of the catheter.
US08636697B2
An insertion head for medical or pharmaceutical uses including a housing with a side that can be positioned on tissue and a penetrating device with a tip, the penetrating device carried by the housing in a protected orientation in which the housing covers the tip and a penetrating orientation in which the tip protrudes, wherein the penetrating orientation is angled relative to the protected orientation.
US08636684B2
Methods and systems for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.
US08636683B2
The present invention provides bariatric therapy systems. One system includes a gastrointestinal implant device and a delivery mechanism therefor. The device can include a sleeve for placement into a small intestine and to minimize absorption of nutrients by its walls. An anchoring mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve and designed to be secured within the stomach can be provided. A passageway extending through the anchoring mechanism and the sleeve can also be provided, along which food can be directed from the stomach to the small intestine. The delivery mechanism can include a housing for accommodating the device, and a deploying balloon situated within the housing and which can be actuated to direct the sleeve of the device from within the housing to the site of implantation. Methods for providing bariatric therapy are also provided by the present invention.
US08636681B1
The splint for the entire leg is a portable splint that is used to immobilize fractures that may occur to the leg of an accident victim. The splint includes two parts that are connectable when the splint is applied to the leg. An upper part functions to immobilize the femur and stabilize the hip. A lower part immobilizes the tibia and/or fibula and stabilizes the knee and foot. Straps are employed to secure the splint to the leg.
US08636676B2
A method and apparatus for evaluating labor progress during childbirth for an obstetrics patient are provided. A set of information data elements associated to an obstetrics patient are received, the set of information data elements including a cervical dilation measure and a level of descent indicator. The set of information data elements is processed to generate labor progress information associated to the obstetrics patient. The labor progress information conveys whether the level of descent indicator is within an expected range of levels of descent corresponding to the cervical dilation measure. A signal for causing the labor progress information to be provided to a user is then released.
US08636675B2
The present invention provides a method and a device for piercing a body part and determining whether a sufficient volume of blood has been withdrawn. A lancing element is rapidly inserted into a body part in a forward phase and retracted quickly to a lesser puncturing depth. Subsequently, the lancing element is retracted slower than during the first retraction movement and the distance retracted during the second retraction is shorter than the first retraction movement. During the second retraction movement, body fluid is collected in a collection phase by a capillary structure of the lancing element. Contact between the lancing element and the body fluid is detected after the forward phase at the beginning and the end of a waiting period.
US08636660B1
A system and method for dynamic multi-stage test administration for detection of cardiovascular disease may include performing a first set of tests in a first stage of testing on a patient. Physiological results for each of the tests in the first stage may then be received. Then, based on the physiological results, dynamically determining a set of tests to perform on the subject in a second stage of testing. Additionally, the dynamically determined set of tests in the second stage of testing may be performed on the subject.
US08636658B2
A surgical retractor includes an outer ring unit, a tubular retraction membrane made of a resilient material and including an inner surface defining a passageway, and a lighting unit. The tubular retraction membrane has an outer tubular end connected to the outer ring unit and rollable about the outer ring unit. The lighting unit is connected to an inner tubular end of the retraction membrane and includes a light-emitting ring, and a heat-dissipation ring in contact with the light-emitting ring.
US08636655B1
Instruments, and methods for performing surgical procedures on the spine, including creating an operative corridor to the spine with a tissue retraction system and registering the tissue retraction system to the patient.
US08636653B2
An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.
US08636640B2
The present invention is a method of modifying music files to induce a desired state of consciousness. First and second modulations are introduced into a music file such that, when the music file is played, both of the modulations occur simultaneously. Additional modulations can be introduced, as well as sound tones at window frequencies.
US08636634B2
Disclosed are a reaction and separation processor and a process for producing biodiesel. The processor is comprised of a stationary casing and a rotor located internal to the casing, with a gap formed between the rotor and casing. A fluid inlet port is located at the upper end of the casing for delivering fluid, which is used to produce the biodiesel, into the reaction zone of the processor, in which the reaction zone is defined as a gap between an upper portion of the rotor and casing. Surface irregularities for inducing fluid turbulence in the reaction zone are located on an inner surface of the casing, an outer surface of the rotor, or both. A rotor inlet port is located at a lower end of the rotor for directing fluid from the reaction zone into the separation zone, which is located within the rotor. A heavy phase port is at the upper end of the rotor for directing a heavy phase of the fluid, which contains glycerol produced in the process, from the separation zone to a heavy phase outlet port located at the upper end of the casing. A light phase port is at the upper end of the rotor for directing a light phase of the fluid, which contains the biodiesel produced in the process, from the separation zone through the upper shaft and to a light phase outlet port at the upper end of the casing.
US08636630B2
One example embodiment includes a ball nest for providing resistance in an exercise system. The ball nest includes a first portion, where an interior section of the first portion forms at least part of a zone of a sphere. The ball nest also includes a second portion. An interior section of the second portion forms at least part of the zone of the sphere and the second portion is configured to mate with the first portion. The mating of the first portion and the second portion is configured to enclose a ball. The ball nest further includes an adjustable attachment, where the adjustable attachment is configured to adjust the position of the first portion relative to the second portion.
US08636619B2
A drive train component includes a housing having a plurality inner surfaces that collectively define an interior portion. A gear set is arranged within the interior portion. The gear set includes a first side and a second side. A gear shock control member is positioned between one of the first and second sides of the gear set and an adjacent component. The gear shock control member includes a plurality of pre-loaded biasing members that direct an axial force onto the gear set.
US08636615B2
A planetary gear train is provided with: a planetary gear; a planetary pin for supporting the planetary gear; a carrier for supporting the planetary pin; and a housing for accommodating at least a portion of the carrier, the planetary gear and the planetary pin. The planetary gear is rotatable with respect to the planetary pin by a bearing. An oiling flow path for supplying lubricant oil to the bearing is formed inside the carrier. The carrier receives the lubricant oil into the oiling flow path from an oiling member stationarily fixed to the housing. The inlet for receiving the lubricant oil into the oiling flow path of the carrier from the oiling member is positioned inside the housing.
US08636597B2
Two-way communications between casino games and diverse master controllers using a universal game module there between allows routing event messages with standard protocols. The universal game module with a computer processor, circuitry, connection ports, interfaces and protocols allows the communications by evaluating, prioritizing, polling and routing communications. A jackpot group of differing games is possible because the win cycles of the various games can be equalized. The volatility of the games in the group is increased by randomly segregating a percentage of the machines to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot for a limited time period. A life changing jackpot is thus payable for a variety of games in a casino on a relatively frequent basis.
US08636590B2
A gaming machine may be activated by an individual player for subsequent play by displaying to the gaming machine, without physical contact with the gaming machine, a card carried by the player. The card carries indicia which may include suitable electronic memory, to be sensed by apparatus associated with the gaming machine, to cause the wireless transfer of individualized data concerning the player from the card to the gaming machine or to a computer network that is associated with the gaming machine. The data is evaluated against a stored database, which database may include identification of the card holder. The data is then evaluated against the stored database, and the gaming machine is activated for subsequent play upon favorable evaluation of the data.
US08636589B2
The field of the invention relates to multi-user online gaming systems, and more particularly to systems and methods that enable a spectator's experience for online active games. In a preferred embodiment, an online multiuser game system includes an online game session server system communicatively coupled to a public network for access by a plurality of users to establish a plurality of real-time interactive games sessions. The online multiuser game system further includes a spectator server communicatively coupled to the online game session server system and configured to enable a user to view and time shift an active game session.
US08636588B2
An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character's traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.
US08636585B2
A gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine, that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes according to a determined payout table, is used to perform a gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but that permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method additionally provides the player with the option to randomly determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments to a payout table, depending on the player's actions during game play.
US08636567B2
A damper for controlling fluid flow includes a main body, a stator and a rotor. The stator may be carried by the main body and include at least one blade having a predetermined shape. The rotor may be moveably connected to the stator and carried by the main body. The rotor may include at least one blade having a predetermined shape and may be moveable between an opened position and a closed position. The predetermined shape of the at least one stator blade and the at least one rotor blade may form a converging-diverging nozzle, and the stator and the rotor may be carried by the main body so that fluid flows through the main body substantially perpendicular thereto. The opened position may be defined as the at least one stator blade being aligned with the at least one rotor blade, and the closed position may be defined as the at least one stator blade being offset from the at least one rotor blade.
US08636564B2
A feeding device for suspension elements, for feeding flexible suspension elements into a packaging machine, in particular into a clipping machine, wherein the suspension elements are detachably disposed in the form of loops by an adhesive on a carrier strip transversely to the feeding direction and may be conveyed of said carrier strip to a delivery point at which a suspension element may be removed from the carrier strip. In the region of the delivery point for the suspension elements, a holding-down device is provided above the carrier strip.
US08636559B2
A method of reducing manufacturing defects of semiconductor wafers during a back-grinding process. The method includes receiving a semiconductor wafer on a chuck table, wherein said chuck table has a surface upon which a front side of the wafer is placed, and wherein said chuck table has one or more holes in surface and one or more sensors placed in said one or more holes. The method further includes grinding at least a portion of a back side of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes monitoring a parameter, while grinding, measured by the one or more sensors and adjusting the grinding based at least on the monitored parameter.
US08636557B2
A hand-held bubble generating apparatus designed to mimic the appearance of a gun or a cannon. A housing may be coupled with a non-spill reservoir, and bubble generating liquid may be stored in the non-spill reservoir. A tube may communicate the bubble generating liquid from the reservoir to a bubble assembly support inside the housing. The bubble assembly support may hold a rotational bubble ring comprising a plurality of individual rings spaced about the outer circumference. When rotated proximate to and across a liquid dispensing section, each individual ring may receive enough bubble generating liquid to form a film across each ring. By rationing the amount of bubble liquid released on each individual ring, the device can incorporate a closed, non-spill reservoir. When air is generated and blown through the film of bubble generating liquid on each of the individual rings of the rotational bubble ring, bubbles are produced.
US08636552B2
A surfboard has a surfboard body, an electric motor, and a propeller. An electric power circuit provides power to the electric motor from a source of electro-motive force within the interior of the surfboard body. Additional electrical components, which may be capacitor banks, limit the rate of acceleration of the surfboard body. Several different capacitor banks may be included to provide selectable rates of acceleration.
US08636551B2
Embodiments include an electrical contact including a tubular body formed of a flexible and insulative material. The tubular body includes an inner surface. The electrical contact also includes at least one wire partially embedded into the tubular body such that at least a portion of the at least one wire is exposed within the inner surface of the tubular body. At least a portion of the inner surface of the tubular body and at least the exposed portion of the at least one wire forms a channel.
US08636547B2
There are provided a connector and a connector module which may commonly use mutually different interface schemes, and an electronic apparatus having the same. The connector includes a body having a fixed volume; and at least one coupling hole formed inwardly in a side of the body, and electrically coupled with a pin from the outside, wherein the coupling hole includes a first coupling unit having a predetermined first depth and electrically coupled with the pin from the outside, and a second coupling unit having a second depth deeper than the first depth and electrically coupled with another pin from the outside.
US08636546B2
A connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a set of contacts (3) attached to the insulative housing, and a metal shell shielding the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a base portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending forwardly from the base portion. The base portion has a pair of first bumps (1124) protruding therefrom and located at two sides thereof, and a second bumps (1125) protruding therefrom and located between the first bumps. The metal shell has a pair of first notches (44) locating at two sides thereof and locking with the first bumps, and a second notch (45) located between the first notches and locking with the second bumps.
US08636545B2
A electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (2), a shielding shell (7) enclosing the insulative housing, a ground plate (547, 5232) supported by the insulative housing and, a gap defined between an edge of the ground plate and the shielding shell and a conductive member (90, 91) positioned between the ground plate and shielding shell for filling the gap. The conductive member is provided to shield the electromagnetic interference (EMI) leaking from the gap.
US08636531B2
The invention provides a connector including a housing, contacts, and an actuator. The housing includes a first depression and second depressions. The second depressions are provided at opposite edges of the first depression and each include a bottom surface forming a slope. The contacts are arranged at intervals in the housing and each include a hook to be disposed within the first depression. The actuator includes bosses and a shaft. The bosses are received in the second depressions. The shaft is received in the first depression. When the actuator is in an upright position, the bosses are on the slopes and the shaft is positioned on the other side of the hooks. When the actuator rotates from the upright position to a lying position, the bosses rotatingly move up along the slopes and the shaft thereby move to the one side to be engaged with the hooks.
US08636522B2
A coaxial connector includes a center contact and an outer contact. The outer contact has a central cavity and the center contact is disposed in the central cavity. The outer contact has a mating end configured to be mated to a mating connector and a terminating end configured to be mounted to a circuit board. A circuit board mount is coupled to the terminating end and is configured to mechanically and electrically connect the outer contact to the circuit board. A dielectric insert is received in the central cavity and holds the center contact. The dielectric insert has structural features extending axially along an exterior of the dielectric insert with air gaps therebetween. The structural features engage the outer contact to secure the dielectric insert in the central cavity.
US08636518B2
A self-exploration assembly includes a base and a plurality of petals each shaped so that when the plurality of petals are coupled to the base in a first orientation, the plurality of petals together resemble an onion, and, when the plurality of petals are coupled to the base in a second orientation, the plurality of petals resemble a flower.
US08636517B1
An educational game used for enhanced word learning of words in a different language. In one format using playing cards, a player picks a first card from a plurality of like cards in a card deck. The player then turns the first card over to reveal an English word with its corresponding image. The player now looks at a plurality of second cards with a Spanish word or other language word, which are placed face up to see if he or she can quickly match the English word with the Spanish word. If the player picks the correct corresponding word, the card is turned over to reveal the word and its corresponding image. By continuous playing the game, the players quickly can learn words in a different language prior to associating the word with its image.
US08636515B2
A system and method for displaying content in a browser window associated with an end-user is described. In one implementation, data that includes links is received from a content provider, each of the links is identified and encoded, and the received data along with the links are displayed in the end-user's browser window.
US08636512B2
A set of elements is described for use in the production of a dental prosthesis (20), in particular of a crown, a bridge, an inlay or an onlay, comprising: a framework (3) and one or more model parts (5) for defining parts of the outer contour of a veneer (15) for the framework (3), wherein the model part or parts (5) can be mounted on the framework (3) in such a way that, at one and the same time, (i) a gap (7) remains between the model part or parts (5) and the framework (3) and (ii) the model part or parts (5) define parts [lacuna] the outer contour. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US08636497B2
The invention concerns an extruder screw for a screw extruder for plasticizing and/or transporting thermoplastic materials comprising at least one extruder cylinder, a material feed means and at least one extrudate discharge at the end of the extruder cylinder, that is remote from the material feed means. The extruder screw has a screw flight, wherein the extruder screw has at least one intake region and forms at least one transport and mixing region and provided in the transport and mixing region are means for shearing the extrudate. The extruder screw according to the invention is distinguished in that provided as means for shearing the extrudate there is provided at least one shearing land which extends over more than half the length of the extruder screw, over the periphery of the extruder screw, wherein the shearing land is in the nature of a screwthread in opposite relationship to the screw flight.
US08636494B2
An apparatus to help control the quality of printed three-dimensional objects is provided. The apparatus may include a printing head to print a three-dimensional object and a printing tray having defined surface characteristics serving to control adherence of the object being printed to the printing tray and/or prevent deformations in the printed object.
US08636487B2
A hydraulic pump is disclosed. The hydraulic pump may have a first fluid section (12), a second fluid section (14), and an input shaft (16) extending through the first fluid section and the second fluid section. The input shaft may have a first end (44), a second end (46), and a mid-portion (48) located between the first and second ends. The hydraulic pump may also have a first bearing (30) configured to continuously support the first end of the input shaft, and a second bearing (32) configured to continuously support the second end of the input shaft. The hydraulic pump may further have a third bearing (56) configured to intermittently support the mid-portion (58) of the input shaft.
US08636484B2
A pump system includes at least one pressure chamber at least partially defined by a helical bellows plunger comprised of a tubular body, a closed front portion, an open rear portion, and at least one contour extending continuously as a helix, longitudinally from proximate the front portion to proximate the rear portion. Methods for forming a helical bellows plunger include molding the helical bellows plunger using a mold core comprising a helically extending exterior contour and a cooperatively associated mold cavity comprising a helically extending interior contour of substantially a same pitch and configured to align with the helically extending exterior contour of the mold core, introducing a molding material therebetween, curing the molding material, and unscrewing the cured molding material from the mold core. Various configurations of helical bellows plungers are also disclosed.
US08636483B2
A pump apparatus configured with a first pump for pumping working fluid in accordance with a reciprocation of a piston using a space between a first open/close valve for suction and a second open/close valve for discharge as a pump chamber. The pump apparatus is also configured a first flow passage for supplying the working fluid from a supply source to an operation subject via the first open/close valve, the pump chamber, and the second open/close valve in accordance with an operation of the first pump. A second flow passage supplies the working fluid pumped by a second pump, which is different from the first pump, to the pump chamber. A selector is configured to select either the first flow passage or the second flow passage.
US08636478B2
A sensor assembly (51) for sensing one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a subsurface well (12) having a well fluid level (42W), a surface region (32) and a riser pipe (30) includes a sensor apparatus (52) and a pump assembly (54) that are positioned within the well (12). The sensor apparatus (52) includes a sensor (682) that senses one of the fluid properties. The pump assembly (54) can be positioned in an in-line manner relative to the sensor apparatus (52). The pump assembly (54) can be positioned between the sensor apparatus (52) and the surface region (32). Alternatively, the sensor apparatus (52) can be positioned between the pump assembly (54) and the surface region (32). In one embodiment, the sensor apparatus (52) is positioned above the well fluid level (42W). The pump assembly (54) can pump fluid toward the sensor apparatus (52) or the pump assembly (54) can pump fluid to draw more fluid to the sensor apparatus (52). The pump assembly (54) can be a two-line, two-valve pump that is removable from the riser pipe (30). The sensor assembly (51) can include a controller (17) that receives data from the sensor (682) regarding one of the fluid properties of the fluid.
US08636477B2
This invention provides a chemical supply system for supplying chemical solution from a chemical tank. The chemical supply system includes a chemical supply pump, a pressure adjuster configured to suction the chemical solution into the pump chamber by setting the pressure of working gas to a suction pressure, a switching controller configured to switch the suction-side opening-closing valve to the open state for starting to fill the pump chamber with the chemical solution, a pressure detector configured to detect at least one of a gas pressure in a space connected to the working chamber and a gas pressure in the working chamber when the suction-side opening-closing valve is switched to the open state and starts an inflow of the chemical solution to the pump chamber, and a suction controller configured to control the suction pressure applied to the working chamber by the pressure adjuster, based on a detection result of the pressure detector.
US08636470B2
A turbine blade includes an airfoil defined by a convex suction side wall, a concave pressure side wall, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a root, and a tip, the walls and the tip each including an interior surface that defines an interior with the root, the interior including an airfoil cooling circuit for directing airflow through the blade, and a platform supporting the airfoil and having a leading side edge, a trailing side edge, suction side edge, a pressure side edge, an airfoil-facing wall, and a root-facing wall, the platform including a platform cooling circuit having an inlet on the leading side edge and an outlet. The turbine blade may be included in a turbine rotor assembly.
US08636467B2
A variable geometry turbine of the kind used in a turbocharger has a variable geometry element such as a nozzle ring that is operated by an actuator. The actuator comprises a motor which drives a cross-shaft in rotation. The cross-shaft in turn drives a pair of guide rods on which the nozzle ring is supported in translation so as to move the nozzle ring and control the width of the inlet passage of the turbine. The cross-shaft and guide rods are drivingly engaged by a rack and pinion or thread or another toothed or threaded formation suitable for converting rotational movement into translational movement. The cross-shaft can be located in close proximity to the guide rods and the output of the motor shaft so as to provide a compact package. Moreover, the torque required to resist movement of the nozzle ring in operation is much reduced in comparison to existing designs.
US08636466B2
A ferrule of a stator with blades of an axial turbomachine consists of at least two segments having the general form of an arc of a circle and intended to be arranged end to end, so as to form the ferrule, where each segment contains on its outside a plurality of openings arranged at regular distances along the general arc of the circle of the segment, into each of which fits the end of a blade of the stator. Each end of a segment possesses a section of which the profile essentially corresponds with that of the end of the corresponding blade when the segment is placed on the blades of the stator, such that the joint between two adjacent segments corresponds with the profile of the corresponding blade.
US08636461B2
An apparatus for moving parked aircraft with an omni-directional tractor via an aircraft lift dolly that is revolvably coupled thereto which includes a hinged gate to entrap the aircraft nose gear. The aircraft lift dolly may be removably detachably coupled to the omni-directional tractor or may be integral to it through two attachment points via attachment members. The aircraft lift dolly includes a lift mechanism having a lift carriage which is selectively elevated. The lift carriage includes a fixed forward chock and a rear chock that it repositioned longitudinally with respect to the forward chock and is hingedly coupled. The chocks are positioned about the aircraft nose gear without movement of the aircraft. Elevating the lift cradle elevates the chocks and the nose gear cradled therebetween.
US08636459B2
Within a storage compartment, closely spaced rows of adjacent stacks are supported on a plurality of parallel sliding rails. A pair of coordinated robots is positioned with one robot on one side of the stacks to push the stacks within a selected row toward the other robot. The pushing robot on one side of the row starts off with a starting stack supported in its support arms. The pushing robot pushes the starting stack into one end of the selected row, causing the row to shift toward the waiting receiving robot, which receives the stack at the opposite end of the row from the starting stack. A series of pushes between the two robots moves a stack containing a desired sample into alignment with an access port in the storage compartment.
US08636452B2
A tie down strap is used for securing cargo or to attach various objects. A tie down strap is made from a bicycle tire inner tube and clips which can be removeably and adjustably attached to either end of the bicycle tire inner tube which is cut along a radial axis.
US08636449B2
A method of drilling one or more holes, substantially in situ, in a turbomachine casing includes locating piping including at least one vacuum head within the turbomachine casing in proximity to a hole to be drilled; drilling at least one hole in the casing such that drill chips or shavings caused by the drilling are collected in the vacuum head; and applying a vacuum through the piping to the at least one vacuum head to thereby remove the drill chips or shavings collected in the vacuum head to a location outside the turbomachine casing.
US08636448B2
A method of supporting a substrate includes inserting a rock bolt into a hole and using the rock bolt to form a groove in a wall of the hole when the rock bolt is inserted therein. The rock bolt is caused to interact with the groove in such a way that the rock bolt is secured in the hole at least in part by the interaction.
US08636443B2
A compactor includes a rotatable compacting element, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a liquid onto an outer surface of the compacting element to prevent sticking of paving material. The compactor further includes an electronic control mechanism configured to activate the dispensing mechanism, and further configured to deactivate the dispensing mechanism responsive to data indicating an extent of coverage of the outer surface with the liquid is sufficient. Related systems and methodology are also disclosed.
US08636439B2
A latching mechanism includes a pusher member formed with an internal ring and being attached to a first object. A center post formed with a relief groove is secured to a release button and is connected to a second object. A slidable sleeve biased upwardly surrounds the center post and carries a pair of detent balls in a position to be alignable with the relief groove. The internal ring of the pusher member pushes the detent balls downwardly until the detent balls become aligned with the relief groove allowing the internal ring pass below the detent balls and thus latch the first and second objects together. Release is attained by pressing the release button to raise the center post into alignment with the detent balls to allow the internal ring to move past the detent balls and affect a release of the latching mechanism.
US08636433B2
A microbe detecting and/or treating toothbrush that includes a handle that comprises a head portion, a neck portion and a grasping portion, an upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of bristles, positioned on and attached to the upper surface of the head portion of the handle and a dental hygiene device being parts of the handle, which comprises a dispensing aperture from which an effective amount of a disclosing and/or treating agent is dispensed and a dispensing mechanism comprising an actuator, which upon actuation, enables the dispensing aperture to provide an effective amount of a disclosing and/or treating agent, wherein the dispensing aperture and the dispensing mechanism of the dental hygiene devices are situated in the neck portion or the grasping portion of the handle.
US08636429B2
An easily adjustable tripod includes a main body, legs, a positioning piece, and a spring. The main body includes an adjustable connection part having protruding parts that function as gear teeth. Each leg includes a connector having two protruding side walls. The connector and the adjustable connection part are coupled with mounting screws. The positioning piece is coupled to the connector between the two protruding walls and meshes with the protruding parts on the adjustable connection part. The opening angle of the legs can be easily adjusted and fixed using the positioning piece and the adjustable connection part. The spring and the positioning piece are installed to form an organic whole, so the positioning piece can be conveniently adjusted without changing the opening angle after fixation. It is easy to close and fold the tripod because of the applied force of the spring.
US08636421B2
A fiber optic connector holder is sized to fit within an opening for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to permit a fiber optic connector with a dust cap positioned about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule to be inserted within and releasably held by the connector holder. A system for holding fiber optic connectors includes a fiber optic connector holder mounted within an opening in a bulkhead for mounting a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector holder is configured to receive a fiber optic connector with a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule. A optical fiber connector may be held to a bulkhead when the fiber optic connector includes a dust cap mounted about a ferrule and a polished end face of an optical fiber held by the ferrule.
US08636420B2
A flange part of an inner ring member (11) used in a roller bearing has a thin-wall part (13) having a relatively small diameter direction thickness on its end face side, and a thick-wall part (14) having a relatively large diameter direction thickness on its center side, and an inner diameter surface has a contact part (15) fitted to a shaft at its center part, a non-contact part (16) apart from the shaft in a diameter direction at its outer edge, and a ridge line part (17) positioned on the boundary between the contact part (15) and the non-contact part (16). The axial direction width L1 of the thin-wall part (13) from an end face (12) of the inner ring member (11) and the axial direction distance L2 between the end face (12) and a ridge line part (17) of the inner ring member (11) have a relation of L1>L2.
US08636419B2
A bearing assembly includes at least one rolling bearing unit having an outer race and an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, and two annular bodies of plastic material overmoulded on the outer race and the inner race, respectively, of the bearing unit. At least one of the two annular bodies has a free cylindrical surface. One of the two bearing races forms a radially extending flange having a cylindrical end surface, circumferentially continuous or discrete, which ends flush with the free cylindrical surface of plastic material.
US08636413B2
A rotary bearing that includes an inner race and an outer race the races are configured between a rotor and a housing body. At least one of the outer race and a mounting surrounding an outer race sleeve is at least one of clamped and fixed in a predetermined position on the housing body by at least one of a holding device and a locking device of a material damping structure.
US08636411B2
A physical phantom reference to control for variability of computed tomography measurement results duplicates the density curve of blood perfusion of contrast material in a healthy aorta or large artery to normalize observed changes in healthy arterial blood perfusion when calculating the reduction in tumor blood perfusion between two examination times. In one embodiment, a plurality of compartments with different concentrations of contrast material corresponding to a density curve of blood perfusion of a healthy tissue are positioned-in a screening field of a CT machine so the CT machine images the compartments when it images the healthy tissue. In another embodiment, a pipe containing fluid receives an injection of contrast material from the injector when the injector injects the contrast material into the patient, the pipe having sections of varying diameter so the sections together correspond to a blood perfusion curve of the contrast material in a healthy tissue.
US08636409B2
A heat treatment apparatus includes: a furnace body including a heating part; a processing vessel wherein a space having a plurality of regions is formed between the furnace body and the processing vessel; an in-furnace temperature sensor disposed corresponding to each of the plurality of regions in the space; an in-furnace temperature calculating unit configured to calculate an in-furnace temperature based on signals from each of the in-furnace temperature sensors; and a control unit configured to control the heating part based on the in-furnace temperature calculated by the in-furnace temperature calculating unit. The in-furnace temperature sensor disposed in the reference region includes: a first thermocouple formed of an R thermocouple or an S thermocouple; and a second thermocouple formed of a thermocouple other than the R thermocouple or the S thermocouple. The in-furnace temperature sensor disposed in the other region includes the second thermocouple.
US08636405B2
The invention relates to a system (9) for securing a part (7) made of a material with no usable plastic domain, including a securing device (11) on an arbour (3) passing through a hole (8) in said part. According to the invention, the securing device (11) includes a recess (4) that communicates with the hole (8) in said part and securing means (6) attached to the arbour (3) and at least partially matching the shape of the recess (4), so as to make the movement of the part (7) integral with that of the arbour (3).The invention concerns the field of timepiece manufacture.
US08636399B2
A backlight assembly includes a plurality of point light sources, a light guide plate (“LGP”) and a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The LGP has a light incident face in which light is incident, a side surface extending from an edge portion of the light incident face, and a fixing groove which is formed from the side surface toward an inner portion thereof. The PCB includes a point light source disposing portion in which the point light sources are disposed along a first direction, an extending portion extending from the point light disposing portion along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a protrusion which is fixed at an end portion of the extending portion. The protrusion of the PCB is coupled with the fixing groove of the LGP.
US08636395B2
A light bar is described that is of a modular construction based on one or more large circuit boards that are populated with light beam assemblies and then fastened to an interior space of the light bar housing. Keys that automatically align the light beam assemblies on each of the boards precisely control placement of the assemblies on the board. In turn, each of the boards is keyed to the interior of the light bar housing so that when the board is fastened to the housing the light beam assemblies are automatically registered into alignment with the lenses in the housing so that the beams from the assemblies are properly oriented. The light bar is inexpensive to fabricate and can be assembled quickly and reliably, yet it provides for a high degree of customization, which is a requirement in the emergency vehicle lighting industry.
US08636394B2
A light emitting diode perimeter lamp assembly generally includes a housing a receiving pocket formed therein for receiving a circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted thereon. In addition, a culminating lens having a plurality of light directing elements is positioned within the receiving pocket of the housing above the circuit board such that light emitted from said plurality of light emitting diodes passes through said plurality of light directing elements. An outer lens is also mounted over the receiving pocket. When the perimeter lamp is installed on a truck body, the bottom side of the lamp housing is at an acute angle to a ground surface while the back end of the perimeter lamp is adjacent and parallel to a truck wall such that light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes is projected onto the ground surface adjacent to the truck wall.
US08636391B2
A rod-shaped retrofit lamp may have a mechanical sensing unit, and a current path has a plurality of electrically conductive sub-segments of which a first sub-segment is connected to the associated pin and of which a sub-segment is connected to the lamp's electronics unit, wherein the mechanical sensing unit is elastically pushed in counter to its projection direction from a released condition into an engaged condition and interacting with two current paths in such a way that the respective current path's first and second sub-segment will have been galvanically mutually coupled when the sensing unit is in the engaged condition so that the respective current path will have been closed and associated pin thereby electrically connected to the internal electronics unit.
US08636390B2
A light emitting diode lamp, includes a pair of contacts for the electrical connection of the light emitting diode, wherein the pair of contacts includes two crimp contacts separated electrically from one another, each crimp contact including a conducting input including a conducting crimping skirt and a clinching zone intended to receive by clinching an electrical contact of the light emitting diode.
US08636383B2
A signaling buoy and method suitable for emitting a light signal over long distances in marine environments. The buoy includes a watertight enclosure having a compartment, an aperture at an upper end of the enclosure for emitting a laser light beam therethrough, a laser light source disposed within the enclosure for generating the light beam, and a battery within the enclosure for powering the light source. Electrical contacts are disposed on an exterior of the enclosure and are adapted to complete an electrical circuit when an electrical short exists therebetween to conduct electrical power from the battery to the laser light source. The buoy is configured to float upright in water with the electrical contacts submersed in the water.
US08636380B2
A lighting module (1; 7; 11; 31; 41; 61; 71; 81; 91; 97; 109; 115), comprising: a circuit board (2), on which are mounted at least one component (3; 12; 22; 32; 42; L; 92; 99; 108; 116; 119) and at least one attachment element; (5; 98), wherein the at least one attachment element (5; 98) is fastened on the at least one component (3; 12; 22; 32; 42; L; 92; 99; 108; 116; 119) mounted on the circuit board (2) in a locking manner.
US08636376B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a lighting element integrated into a handle or hand-grip of a tool is disclosed, including at least one, but preferably two lighting fittings which have a modular constructions such that a lamp holder and a lens holder can be mounted in diverse positions relative to the longitudinal axis, and with which the direction of the light beam can be adjusted to the shape and size of the handle.
US08636372B2
The present invention relates to a cooking oven with at least one cavity (12) and an illumination-equipment (e.g. a LED-lamp) for illuminating said cavity (12). The illumination-equipment, comprises a plurality of light emitting elements (30) for illuminating the cavity (12). The light emitting elements (30) have at least two different colors. Single light emitting elements (30) and/or groups of light emitting elements (30) are separately controlled or controllable. The color or a combination of colors of the light emitting elements (30) is provided to indicate information about an operation mode of the cooking oven and/or a state of the cooking process. The light emitting elements (30) and/or groups of light emitting elements (30) are arranged at multiple positions within the cavity (12) in order to indicate information related to said positions. Further, the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a cavity (12) of a cooking oven.
US08636369B2
A polylaminate film system for protecting optical surfaces, such as a lens, has plural polymer thin films arranged in a polylaminate stack, with each thin film coupled to adjacent films via solvent welding. The film system is adhered to the optical surface to be protected and, as each film in the stack becomes damaged or dirty, it may be sequentially removed to present a clean film surface. The transparent film may be composed of the same material as the optical surface to minimize distortion and loss of optical transmission when radiation passes through the combined film and lens.
US08636365B2
A projection display device includes first to third display panels configured to realize first to third color images and a fourth display panel configured to realize a white image. The first to third color images and the white image may be combined and projected.
US08636360B2
The present invention relates to a beveling wheel and method for forming a beveled lens with the beveling wheel for use with eyeglasses. One embodiment includes a prescription lens for use on an eyeglass frame having a receiving channel. The receiving channel includes a channel bottom and opposed interior wall surfaces having a first angle therebetween. The prescription plastic lens includes a prescription lens body generally defined by a peripheral edge having a bevel extending away from the edge to a vertex. The bevel has a distal portion with a second angle. The bevel is receivable within the receiving channel. At least a portion of the vertex of the bevel has an interference fit with the receiving channel bottom when held within the eyeglass frame. The first angle is greater than the second angle.
US08636352B2
There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus which includes a recording portion, and a contact portion configured to come into contact with an upper surface of the sheet. The contact portion has a storage portion provided on a side of the recording portion and configured to store an ink, and a protruding portion is provided between both ends in a width direction intersecting the transporting direction of the storage portion, and which is protruded toward the recording section, and an upper end of the protruding portion is the highest in the contact portion.
US08636351B2
The inkjet ink includes at least a carbon black, a surfactant, a polyether-modified silicone oil having a polyoxyalkylene group in a side chain thereof, an anionic self-emulsifying polyether-modified polyurethane resin having a polyoxyalkylene group in a main chain thereof, and water. The inkjet ink contains particles having a particle diameter of not less than 0.5 μm in an amount of from 500,000 to 2,000,000 pieces per 5.0 μl, and has a volume average particle diameter (D50) of from 80 nm to 120 nm and a 90% cumulative particle diameter (D90) of from 160 nm to 200 nm.
US08636343B2
A liquid ejecting head contains a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer and an electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, in which the piezoelectric layer contains a complex oxide containing bismuth, iron, barium, and titanium and having a perovskite structure, has a yield stress of 5.66 GPa or more, and has a Young's modulus of 114 GPa or more.
US08636341B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a flow channel forming substrate having a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and arranged in parallel along a lateral direction. A piezoelectric element is provided on one surface of the flow channel forming substrate in correspondence to the pressure generation chamber, and has a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. In a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the pressure generation chamber, in boundaries between an active section that is a substantial driving section and an inactive section that is not a substantial driving section of the piezoelectric layer of the first electrode, an opening group is provided including at least one opening in the active section and the inactive section.
US08636340B2
Disclosed is a printhead for a printer that includes a plurality of ejection chip units. Each ejection chip unit of the plurality of ejection chip units is configured to eject at least one fluid. The printhead further includes a plurality of supporting units. Each supporting unit of the plurality of supporting units is fluidly coupled with a corresponding ejection chip unit. The each supporting unit includes a plurality of trenches adapted to receive an adhesive to facilitate attachment of the each supporting unit with the corresponding ejection chip unit. Furthermore, the printhead includes a base unit fluidly coupled with the each supporting unit of the plurality of supporting units. The base unit is adapted to provide the at least one fluid to the each ejection chip unit through a corresponding to supporting unit. Further disclosed is a method for assembling the printhead.
US08636339B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a print head to form an image on a recording medium; a carriage, including the print head, which scans in a main scanning direction; a linear encoder scale with scale marks and elongated in the carriage moving direction to detect a position of the carriage; an encoder sensor disposed on a side wall of the carriage including a groove with an upper open concave-shaped cross-section if seen from the carriage moving direction and reads scale marks on the linear encoder scale by passing the linear encoder scale through the groove; and a through-hole forming member, disposed on the side wall of the carriage, configured to cover the encoder sensor, and forming a through-hole extending in the carriage moving direction which the linear encoder scale is passed through. The through-hole forming member is disposed openable with respect to the carriage.
US08636336B2
A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate having a discharge-port surface having a discharge port discharging a liquid, side surfaces on sides of the discharge-port surface, and a back surface of the discharge-port surface having an opening of an ink supplying port supplying ink to the discharge port; a supporting member having a depression accommodating the recording element substrate, the depression including a supporting part disposed at a bottom surface of the depression and supporting the recording element substrate with an adhesive and an opening of an ink channel communicating with the ink supplying port; and an electric wiring substrate disposed on a surface of the supporting member having the depression and having an electric connecting part connecting with a side of the discharge-port surface of the recording element substrate.
US08636335B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a main liquid ejecting head body, a head holder, and a sealing member, disposed between the main liquid ejecting head body and the head holder, that has a communication opening that communicates between a first liquid flow channel and a second liquid flow channel. The sealing member further has a close-contact portion provided at the circumferential edge of the communication opening; a first contact portion, provided in correspondence with the external circumferential portion of the main liquid ejecting head body, that protrudes toward the main liquid ejecting head body and makes contact with the main liquid ejecting head body; and a second contact portion that protrudes toward the head holder and makes contact with the head holder.
US08636334B2
The present invention provides an printing apparatus including a pattern printing unit for causing printing elements in partial regions of first and second printing element arrays to print adjustment patterns on a print medium, the adjustment patterns being for acquiring an amount of printing position shift of the second print head with respect to a printing position of the first print head, an acquisition unit for acquiring an amount of relative inclination between the first and second print element arrays, and a selection unit for selecting positions of the partial regions of the first and second printing element arrays based on the amount of relative inclination between the first and second print element arrays. As a result, consumption of media and ink upon a registration process and the amount of time required for the registration process can be reduced.
US08636323B2
A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from at least one shaft. One or more heater sources are located in one or more heater wellbores coupled to at least one of the substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels.
US08636312B2
A C-hook for lifting heavy coils, such as coils of steel, includes a lifting frame which has an upper arm that is formed with a lifting point in the form of integrally formed lug for receiving a lifting hook of a crane. A counterweight is fixed at a forward end of the upper arm. The lower end of the frame is formed with a slide that receives a slideable load support member in the form of foot. The foot has a forward front foot end for penetration of the lumen of a coil to be lifted. The opposite, rearward end of the foot is mechanically interlinked by a mechanical linkage to a coil backstop member. The mechanical linkage includes a lever arm, which pivots about a fixed pivot point that is fast with the frame. The foot and backstop member facilitate the balanced transportation of steel coils of varying widths.
US08636307B2
The present invention relates to printing inks for the intaglio printing process, also referred to as engraved steel die printing process. In particular, oxidatively curing inks comprising a combination of fusible wax and a UV curing binder component are disclosed. These inks can be printed on a standard printing press, and, through a short UV irradiation after printing, allow to significantly reduce or eliminate the undesired set-off which can occur after printing and stacking the printed sheets. Using the inks of the present invention results in less set-off contaminated printed sheets, allowing for a higher pile-stacking of the printed good, for the use of increased engraving depths, of a more challenging intaglio design, and for the printing on less porous substrates, while enabling the printing on a standard printing press, and offering the possibility of using a lower printing plate temperature.
US08636304B2
Provided are a webbing-threading member and a seatbelt device that can prevent deviation of webbing (a so-called jamming phenomenon) by preventing rotation of the webbing-threading member. A webbing-threading member 1 of the present invention includes a body 2 rotatably mounted on the side of a vehicle, a threading hole 3 formed in the body 2 for guiding the webbing W, and a guide piece 4 placed on a surface of the threading hole 3 and forming a sliding surface 41 over which the webbing W slides. The guide piece 4 has, on the sliding surface 41, engaging grooves 42 that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle front side at the time of withdrawing the webbing W, and that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle rear side at the time of retracting the webbing W.
US08636297B2
A hitch includes a vertically extending trunk portion, a first limb horizontally extending from the trunk portion and a second limb horizontally extending from the trunk portion below the first limb.
US08636294B2
The invention relates to a passage system for transmission elements for controlling bicycle components. In order to provide larger passages through a frame tube, a passage system for transmission elements of bicycle components is proposed, with a bicycle frame with a tube construction of frame tubes, a passage for transmission elements, and at least one transmission element. At least one frame tube has in its lateral surface a first opening and a second opening, which lie opposite each other. The first opening has a first edge region and the second opening has a second edge region, which are formed with a statically effective reinforcement. A passage opening of the passage for transmission elements is formed between the first and the second opening, wherein the transmission element is arranged leading through the passage opening.
US08636279B2
This invention provides a bottom removal-type paper supply apparatus used in an image reading apparatus or the like which can always accurately supply paper into the image reading apparatus regardless of whether the amount of paper stacked on a paper support base is small or large. In order to transport paper stacked on the paper support base into the apparatus, a first pickup roller to which a pressing force can be applied by a pressing roller and a second pickup roller at a central portion of the paper support base which assists the first pickup roller are provided. The second pickup roller is provided with a shutter. By closing the shutter when the paper stacked on the paper support base is less than or equal to a prescribed number of sheets or weight, the pickup roller and the paper can be prevented from contacting.
US08636277B1
In an imagining apparatus having a removable media input tray that moves in a direction transverse to a media feed direction and includes a reference edge surface and a media alignment guide moveable to a selected position within a predetermined range of travel with respect to a reference edge surface, a system for automatically translating the pick mechanism to a selected position during insertion of the media input tray based on the position of the media edge guide.
US08636276B2
An image reading device includes a sheet tray, a conveying unit, a reading unit, a detecting unit, and a control unit. The conveying unit conveys the sheet along a conveying path in a conveying direction. The reading unit reads the sheet at a reading position in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. The control unit controls the reading unit to start reading the sheet when the detection unit detects that a leading edge of a sheet reaches a position upstream of the reading position by a first distance. The control unit controls the reading unit to stop reading the sheet when the detection unit detects that a trailing edge of the sheet reaches a position downstream of the reading position by a second distance. The first distance and the second distance are determined according to the size of the sheet.
US08636269B2
A corrugated laminate material (44) for use in an evaporative heat exchanger, said material including a water retaining medium having a wettable surface (40) and an opposed vapour resistant surface (42).
US08636264B2
A powder metal component (34) has an outer diameter that is inserted in a bore of another component (18) during assembly with an interference fit between the two components. Ribs (30) are formed on the outer diameter of the component (34) during compaction and sintering of the component. The ribs (30) have a surface that has been compressed to a greater density than a surface (31) of the outer diameter between the ribs to produce a major diameter and effective roundness defined by high points of the ribs.
US08636261B2
A formliner is disclosed. The formliner includes a plurality of courses, each course having a plurality of pockets, each pocket sized and configured to receive a decorative brick. The formliner is modular in nature and includes a joining portion for overlapping or being overlapped by a second formliner. At least one ridge of the formliner is at least partially within the joining portion.
US08636256B2
The invention relates to a curtain support assembly to receive a curtain rail for a curtain for separating at least two regions in a cabin of a vehicle, comprising one or several header components for covering a space formed between the curtain rail and a ceiling in the cabin. The assembly according to the invention comprises one or several load-bearing frame structures, each comprising at least one profile component, on which in each case on at least one side the header components are arranged. The frame structure may be made from standard components and may comprise header components that are hardly subjected to any mechanical loads and that are therefore less demanding to produce.
US08636250B2
An external hook system for a rotary-wing aircraft includes a lower frame interface which accommodates longitudinal and lateral loads and an upper frame interface. A tension member is mountable between the lower frame interface and the upper frame interface to transfer tension loads between the lower frame interface and the upper frame interface.
US08636248B2
A tailwheel assembly for an aircraft includes a ventral fin including a fixed airframe portion of the ventral fin and a moveable tailwheel portion of the ventral fin. A tailwheel strut extends through the ventral fin and includes a fixed first strut portion and an extendable second strut portion having the moveable tailwheel portion of the ventral fin secured thereto. A tailwheel is secured to the extendable second strut portion. A method of operating a tailwheel assembly for an aircraft includes extending an extendable portion of a tailwheel strut from an airframe of the aircraft. The tailwheel strut has a tailwheel secured thereto and is located at least partially in a ventral fin of the aircraft. A tailwheel portion of the ventral fin is moved away from a fixed airframe portion of the ventral fin via extension of the extendable portion of the tailwheel strut.
US08636237B2
A herb grinder includes a metal sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface. the sheet being configured to include, on at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and said at least one of the surfaces, a plurality of grooves extending parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another, wherein the grooves and at least one of the surfaces define a square wave shape having flat valleys and flat peaks, wherein the flat valleys are roughened by a process of photochemical etching. A plurality of holes of a first type, extending from a peak to the bottom surface of the metal sheet, and a plurality of holes of a second type extending from a valley to the bottom surface of the metal sheet.
US08636236B2
The present invention involves a method for producing pearl powder through levigation and rolling porcelain balls. The method the present invention prevents metal element from mixing into the pearl powder, thus ensuring the pure naturalness and medicinal value of the pearl powder.
US08636230B1
An irrigation sprinkler includes a riser and a nozzle mounted at an upper end of the riser for rotation and configured with a high flow rate port and a low flow rate port that can each emit a stream of water from a high flow rate nozzle port and a low flow rate nozzle port. The sprinkler further includes a diverter valve that can intermittently shift the flow of water between the high flow rate port and the low flow rate port as the nozzle rotates. The sprinkler also includes a gear train reduction mounted in the riser and coupled to rotate the nozzle. A turbine is coupled to an input shaft of the gear train reduction and is rotatable by water flowing through the riser.
US08636225B2
This thermostat (1) comprises a body (10) which comprises a one-piece metal part (11) including simultaneously, in succession along the axis (X-X) of a thermostatic element (20) of the thermostat, a transverse tab (12) against which the piston (22) of this element can bear, a tubular part (13) centred on this axis and defining a shut-off seat (13A), and two support arms (14) supporting a return spring (40) for returning this element, which arms extend lengthwise more or less in the axial direction of the element and each delimits, at their opposite end (14A) to the tubular part, a surface (14A1) for contact with the spring against which surface the compressed spring is pressed. To make it easier to manufacture this body and to assemble it with the other components of the thermostat, each arm is, at its end (14B) facing towards the tubular part, connected to the rest of the one-piece metal part in a way that can be deformed between a service position in which the contact surface is plumb with one end of the spring, and an assembly position in which this surface is away from the axis.
US08636212B2
A decodable indicia reading terminal can comprise a multiple pixel image sensor, an imaging lens configured to focus an image of decodable indicia on the image sensor, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert an analog signal read out of the image sensor into a digital signal, a communication interface, and a microprocessor configured to output decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia by processing the digital signal. The decodable indicia reading terminal can be configured, responsive to a triggering event, to transmit via the communication interface a decoding result and an indicia readability rating. The triggering event can be provided by a failure to detect decodable indicia, the indicia readability rating being less than a pre-defined threshold, exceeding a pre-defined time period to decode decodable indicia, a user interface action, and a command received via said communication interface.
US08636210B2
A method for printing an image on a receipt is disclosed. The method may begin with the initiation of a transaction such as a purchase or return at a point-of-sale system. Next, an image unique to the transaction may be obtained or generate. The image may comprise non-textual graphics. While the transaction is being performed, the image may be passed to a receipt printer and stored with memory thereof. Accordingly, the images may be stored in memory of the receipt printer before the other tasks associated with the transaction have all been performed. Finally, to complete and document the transaction, the receipt printer may print a receipt. The receipt may have the image printed thereon.
US08636205B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a verification value in response to a transaction involving a portable consumer device, where the verification value is generated using a first dynamic data element and a second dynamic data element. The verification value is sent to a service provider associated with the portable consumer device so that the service provider can verify the transaction.
US08636203B1
Embodiments of methods and systems in accordance with the present invention allow partial authorization of a financial transaction. In one embodiment, where a balance of a prepaid card is insufficient to cover the entire amount of a transaction, the issuer of the prepaid card transmits over a payment processing system, approval for only the amount remaining on the card. The transaction can then be completed by the purchaser providing an additional sum from another source, such as a credit card. Such automatic partial authorization in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention avoids the delay and cost associated with having to re-execute the transaction for a less than the entire amount.
US08636192B2
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a drive assembly, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members, a dynamic clamping member, and a tissue stop. The drive assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a movable handle of the handle assembly. The endoscopic portion defines a first longitudinal axis. The jaw members are each longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The dynamic clamping member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with a distal portion of the drive assembly and includes an upper beam, a lower beam, and a vertical beam having a cutting edge on a distal portion thereof. At least a portion of the dynamic clamping member is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue stop is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member and configured to impede tissue from distally escaping the jaw members.
US08636191B2
A surgical fastener for use with an anastomosis of two tissues includes a base leg and an upright leg. The base leg is selectively deformable and includes a traumatic tip for piecing tissue. The surgical fastener also includes at least one capillary disposed on the base leg which has a reservoir defined therein for retaining a liquid, e.g., bioadhesive, bonding agent, medicament, etc. Each of the capillaries is ruptureable upon deformation of the surgical fastener to dispense the liquid to the anastomosis site.
US08636189B1
An exemplary active wedge for use with surgical staples, comprising a wedge base having an upper surface; and at least one wedge grate movable relative to the wedge base between a first position and a second position, where in the first position of the wedge base substantially all of the wedge grate is located below the upper surface of the wedge base, and where in the second position at least part of the wedge grate is positioned above the upper surface of the wedge base.
US08636186B2
An apparatus for aligned supply of fastening parts into an automatic assembling machine includes a rotary holding claw body, disposed at a lower position of a pressing punch, for gripping the fastening parts supplied in a position of a lateral direction by way of a supply passage, by passing through an intersection of an axial line of the pressing punch and an axial line of the supply passage, and rotating and displacing by a specific angle about a lateral axial line orthogonal to the both axial lines, and positioning and holding the fastening parts coaxially with the pressing punch at a lower position of the pressing punch. The rotary holding claw body has a pair of mutually opposing disk-shaped gripping claws, and the both disk-shaped gripping claws are forced to as to press push springs each other, and the fastening parts are gripped by the both disk-shaped gripping claws.
US08636183B1
A protective cover for a personal electronic device incorporates a case received over the personal electronic device and providing viewing of a screen on the personal electronic device. At least one suspension flap has a first position extending over an upper edge of the personal electronic device substantially flush with the case and a second position released from the upper edge and rotated rearward. The flap includes an angled element to engage a vent slat to suspend the personal electronic device.
US08636181B2
A child carrier that may be worn by an adult and support a child in either a forward-facing or rearward-facing position is provided. The child carrier may include a pouch assembly including a bottom portion and a front portion, where the weight of the child in a first position is configured to be substantially supported by the bottom portion. The child carrier may further include a removable insert configured to be removably installed into the child carrier, where when the removable insert is installed in the child carrier, the weight of the child in a second position is configured to be substantially supported by the removable insert. The child carrier may further include a harness assembly attached to the pouch assembly, where the removable insert may be configured to be attached at one end to the pouch assembly and at another end to the harness assembly.
US08636173B2
A user interactive custom cosmetic powder color and effects dispensing system and method of doing business.
US08636157B2
A lifting system for a vertically-elevating cab, the lifting system includes a frame assembly having a first and a second support column, first and a second lift screws which are attached to the, respective, first and second support columns, a cab-lifting beam that has a first and a second end attached to the, respective, first and second lift screws. A vertically-elevating cab is mounted on the cab-lifting beam in such a manner that a center of gravity of the cab is not aligned with a center of the cab-lifting beam. A plurality of rollers are located on each end of the lifting beam. Each one of the plurality of rollers is in contact with a guide bar on each of the respective first and second support columns, and a first and a second power system is connected to the, respective, first and second lift screw.
US08636153B1
A dart shelf designed to safely store and display darts in an upright position along with accessories involved with playing the game of darts. The dart shelf is secured to a wall and has built in openings for darts, flights, and shafts. The shelf has a recessed cut-out for storage of chalk, dart wrench, chalk eraser and dart sharpening tool.
US08636152B1
The greeting card outpost of the present disclosure and related inventions is a unique and versatile structure which maximizes the number of greeting cards which can be displayed for sale in retail areas which are limited in space. The fixture includes a plurality of adjacent vertically arranged card pockets attached to an angled support structure and standard tube frame which creates angled array of greeting cards extending outward from a front of the display and ending in a fin-like fashion at the back of the display. The novel arrangement decreases the size of space required to display the variety of greeting cards which can be accommodated upon the outpost fixture.
US08636149B2
A sand washing apparatus may be used for separating organic material from a mixture comprising sand and organic material. The apparatus may comprise: a wash chamber for accepting a mixture comprising sand and organic material, the chamber including a lower portion; and an agitator comprising a screw having two or more flights extending into the lower portion. A method for recovering sand from a mixture comprising sand and organic material may comprise the steps of: introducing a mixture comprising sand and organic material into a water-filled chamber having a net flow of water in an upwardly direction; allowing organic material from the mixture to ascend in a net upwardly direction and allowing sand from the mixture to descend in a net downwardly direction; subjecting at least a portion of the descending sand to a turbulence; and recovering sand that has descended past the turbulence.
US08636145B1
The paint carrier and organizer is a paint caddy that supplies paint from within a container, which can be sealed closed for storing paint and paint tools between uses. The paint carrier and organizer includes a container from which a hinged member rotates to either open and expose the contents therein or close forming a watertight seal so as to preserve paint therein. The container features paint tool-securing means along an interior and across a top thereof such that paint tools may be supported and stored therein and between use. At least one hook is provided such that the device may be supported upon a ladder rung. A plug is provided at or near a bottom portion of the container such that the contents may be removed. A removable storage container may be provided, which can attach along an exterior surface of the container for use in conjunction with painting.
US08636143B1
An organization container having multiple internal compartments or straps to secure and organize personal care and hygiene items with a flap top to provide easy access to personal care and hygiene items. The organizing container can fit into different size purses or bags and be moved easily between bags, and that can stand securely on its own when outside the purse or bag.
US08636138B2
A polymer finishing process including: recovering polymer powder from a polymerization reactor; feeding the polymer powder to an inlet of a mass flow screw conveyor and one or more mass measuring devices for determining a mass of polymer powder within at least a portion of the mass flow screw conveyor; measuring at least one of a mass of the polymer powder in the screw conveyor and a combined mass of the screw conveyor and the polymer powder within the screw conveyor with the one or more mass measuring devices; and determining a mass flowrate of polymer powder through the mass flow screw conveyor based on the at least one of the measured mass of the polymer powder in the mass flow screw conveyor and the measured combined mass. A method of controlling a polymerization process using a mass flow screw conveyor is also disclosed.
US08636132B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for storing banknotes, having at least two banknote storage containers (26 to 40). Each of the banknote storage containers (26 to 40) has at least one banknote withdrawal and/or feed opening. Further, a first receiving unit (14) for receiving at least the first banknote storage container (26 to 32) is provided. Moreover, a second receiving unit (16) for receiving at least the second banknote storage container (34 to 40) is provided. The second receiving unit (16) is arranged horizontally offset relative to the first receiving unit (14).
US08636129B2
An automotive clutch housing and a method of manufacture thereof is provided. The clutch housing has a cylindrical body that is formed from a form folded strip metal sheet that is later formed into a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is then joined to a hub to form a clutch housing.
US08636125B2
A dual clutch actuation device generates the axial compression force required to compress a first and second set of frictional elements of a dual clutch module. Dual clutch actuation device includes a first and second annular piston. The annular pistons are arranged in concentric annular piston slots. Together the piston and annular slots form annular piston chambers. The actuation device further includes a first set of wiper seals and a second set of wiper seals disposed in a first and a second annular channel in each of the annular pistons. Advantageously, contamination of the piston chambers is reduced or eliminated through the wiping or cleansing action of the first and second set of wiper seals against walls of the annular slots formed in the housing of the actuation device.
US08636122B2
A method of customizing a luggage item includes providing a plurality of size options of a luggage item to allow a customer to select a particular size for a luggage item to be built. A virtual model of the size option of the luggage item selected by the customer is displayed for inspection by the customer. A plurality of different color options for a plurality of functional components to be included on the luggage item are displayed for viewing and selection by the customer. The functional components in the color option selected by the customer are displayed on the virtual model. A plurality of different color and pattern options for a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of opposing side panels a displayed for viewing and selection by the customer. The front panel, the back panel, and the pair of opposing side panels in the color and pattern option selected by the customer are displayed on the virtual model. One all the sections are completed, the luggage item is built and delivered to the customer in accordance with said selected options.
US08636119B2
Partially lined disk brake having a spring arrangement for improved clearance and spring arrangement
A partially lined disk brake includes a brake anchor plate, mountable on which are two brake linings, which are arranged at a distance from one another and which between them are capable of receiving a brake disk capable of rotating about an axis of rotation, wherein an application movement serves to bring the two brake linings into engagement with a friction surface of the brake disk, including a brake caliper, which is arranged on the brake anchor plate and which engages at least partially over the brake linings and the brake disk, and which in the direction of movement of the brake linings can be displaced by an actuating device in relation to the brake anchor plate, wherein the actuating device produces the application movement of the brake linings, and having at least one spring element, which moves the brake linings away from one another again after an application movement.
US08636107B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for repairing a portion of an acoustic panel for a nacelle of an aircraft turbojet engine. The panel includes an acoustic skin in which a plurality of acoustic holes are drilled, a solid skin, and a cellular acoustic structure. The cellular acoustic structure, being arranged between the acoustic skin and the solid skin, has a plurality of cells, each of which has one or more drainage openings arranged in one or more of the walls forming each cell. The method includes a step of: defining a part of the acoustic panel to be cut; forming a cutting area closed by the acoustic skin; injecting a resin through the acoustic holes; positioning a replacement cellular acoustic structure in the cutting area and on the acoustic skin; forming a solid replacement skin on the replacement cellular acoustic structure.
US08636099B2
Rack-driven steering apparatus and rack-driven auxiliary power steering apparatus including the same
Disclosed are a rack-driven steering apparatus and a rack-driven auxiliary power steering apparatus including the same. The present invention can protect peripheral parts such as a motor for driving a nut pulley and an electronic control unit to improve durability when an excessive load reversely input from the outside is transmitted during an operation of a belt by the motor, and prevent a steering disabling state during a high speed travel of the vehicle, thereby providing a driver with a stable steering condition.
US08636098B2
A hydraulic steering control valve, including a valve core. When an automobile runs in a straight line or the steering angle is maintained, the valve core of the hydraulic steering control valve is positioned in a middle position to cut off hydraulic pipelines of oil cylinders on two sides of a steering power cylinder or a hydraulic shock-absorbing part, and a piston of the steering power cylinder or the hydraulic shock-absorbing part is unable to move. A self-aligning mechanism is arranged at an input shaft end of the hydraulic steering control valve, and after a driver eliminates the steering torque and loosens the control to a steering wheel, the self-aligning mechanism drives the input shaft or the steering wheel to turn to the middle position, so as to fulfill the self-aligning function.
US08636095B2
An electric power-assisted bicycle includes a transmission mechanism (3), a speed reduction mechanism (16) and a drive motor (15) which are arranged in parallel in the direction of the an axle, inside a rear hub (1) of a drive wheel. The transmission mechanism (3) and the speed reduction mechanism (16) are each formed by planetary gear mechanisms, and a planetary carrier (3c) is shared between the transmission mechanism and the speed reduction mechanism.
US08636094B1
A bicycle trailer with a platform and a single pneumatic bicycle tire is herein disclosed. The front of the trailer's platform is supported by a gooseneck-shaped arm extending upward to connect with the seat post of a conventional bicycle, thereby providing clearance for the rear wheel of the bicycle. The connection is made with a quick-connect universal-type joint so that a user can easily hitch and unhitch the trailer. The platform is situated to have a low center of gravity which results in stability and less pedaling effort. The narrow width allows the trailer to traverse narrow paths making it ideal for transporting camping supplies, hunting supplies, school books, equipment to and from sports areas, or groceries from a store.
US08636090B2
A hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a motor; a power transmission mechanism and an oil pump for lubricating the engine and the power transmission mechanism with the rotation of a crankshaft. The oil pump has an oil pump shaft with an oil pump driven gear on one end thereof through a one-way clutch and an oil pump driven sprocket on the other end of the oil pump shaft through a one-way clutch. The oil pump driven gear is connected to a primary drive gear rotating integrally with a motor driven gear for transmitting the power of the motor to the drive wheel. The oil pump driven sprocket is connected to a cam chain of the engine to be rotated by power of the engine. The motor driven gear is disposed on one side of the crankshaft and the cam chain is disposed on the other side of the crankshaft.
US08636076B2
A method of firestopping a through-penetration is disclosed, which makes use of a fusible inorganic blended-fiber web. The fusible inorganic blended-fiber web can provide a fire-stopped through-penetration without the use of sealants, intumescent materials, and the like. The fusible inorganic blended-fiber web may comprise a blend of at least first, low melting inorganic fibers and second, high melting inorganic fibers. The fusible inorganic blended-fiber web comprises a bulk density of at least about 7 pounds per cubic foot (0.112 grams/cc).
US08636071B2
A method includes performing a chemical process to create a chemical product and an amount of heat, and transferring the heat to a first fluid. The method further includes hydrating a polymer in the first fluid, and adding the chemical product from the chemical process to the first fluid to create a treatment fluid. The method further includes diluting the treatment fluid with respect to at least one constituent of the treatment fluid. The method includes treating a formation of interest in a wellbore with the treatment fluid. The method includes changing a formulation of the treatment fluid during the treating. The method also includes extending the treating beyond a design amount, or ending the treatment before the design amount and preserving some reagents of the chemical process.
US08636053B2
This invention relates to an internal jet impingement type shell and tube heat exchanger in which the jet cooling tubes and the heating tubes in shell and tube heat exchanger are formed either as a staggered tube bundle or as a square tube bundle, and the orifices on each jet cooling tube are provided according to the arrangement of tube bundle. Thus, the heat transfer performance of jet impingement type shell and tube heat exchanger is remarkably enhanced.
US08636051B2
The present invention relates to heat exchangers, and more particularly to a heat exchange apparatus configured to operate in a free air stream. In an embodiment, a heat exchange apparatus configured to operate in a free air stream includes a heat exchange structure having a shape configured to conform to a body of a vehicle when in a stowed condition; and a deployment mechanism for moving the heat exchange structure to a deployed condition external to the vehicle. The heat exchange structure has a curved surface that is concave into the air stream when the heat exchange structure is in the deployed condition.
US08636050B2
The invention relates to a method of fabricating a micromechanical part made of a single piece material. According to the invention, the method includes the following steps: a) forming a substrate which includes the negative cavity for said micromechanical part to be fabricated; b) forming a sacrificial layer on one portion of the substrate; c) depositing particles on the substrate intended to form a germ ination layer; d) removing the sacrificial layer so as to selectively leave one portion of the substrate free of any particles; e) depositing a layer of material by chemical vapour phase deposition so that the material is exclusively deposited where the particles remain; f) removing the substrate to release the micromechanical part formed in said negative cavity.
US08636046B2
A labeling machine, comprising a conveyor of containers, each to be labeled with a label taken by cutting from a continuous ribbon wound in a reel, and further comprising feeder elements which are adapted to convey with the appropriate timing the ribbon to a device for the intermittent cutting of each individual label, and elements for locking the label during cutting which are inserted between the cutting device and a drum for transferring the cut label to a container provided on the conveyor.
US08636044B2
Embodiments include a retreaded tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band may include a tread groove having a bottom and a top, the top of the groove open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band, the precured tread band further comprising a back face, the back face bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom is aligned over a length of the base groove. In some embodiments, the tread groove bottom may be open to the base groove over at least 50% or the entire length of the base groove.
US08636033B2
In a method for initialization of a microfluidic device including a first substrate including a microfluidic channel disposed therein, a valve seat disposed in a microfluidic channel and protruding from the first substrate, and a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate and including a space formed therein and corresponding to the valve seat, and a polymer film disposed between the first and second substrates, the method includes separating the polymer film from a surface of the valve seat by applying a positive pressure into the microfluidic channel of the first substrate and applying a negative pressure into the space of the second substrate.
US08636029B2
A color changer has a valve block for connecting a plurality of coating material lines to an application device. The valve block has a parallelepiped housing. The housing has a central color channel with an axial direction and contains valve bores for receiving valves and a length of a central color channel is as short as possible with a simultaneous supply of many paint feed lines. A first number of parallel valve bores open into the color channel at first openings, a second number of parallel valve bores open into the color channel at second openings on the opposite side of the color channel and offset in the axial direction with respect to the first number of valve bores. A third number of parallel valve bores open into the color channel at third openings and a fourth number of parallel valve bores open into the color channel at fourth openings.
US08636028B2
A propane system including a refillable and reusable propane cylinder having a volume configured for containing no more than about one pound of propane and a valve assembly detachably coupled to the cylinder. The valve assembly includes a swivel outlet connector configured for operatively coupling the valve assembly to an appliance, a manually activated flow valve arranged for selectively preventing a flow of propane from the cylinder to the appliance, a relief valve and a fixed liquid level gauge configured for alerting a safe filling level of the propane cylinder during cylinder refilling. A back check valve is contained at least partially within a space defined by the swivel outlet connector for selectively allowing the flow of propane out of the valve assembly to a propane fueled appliance or into the valve assembly from a propane source and into the cylinder.
US08636027B2
A relief vent including a vent body having an opening configured to be in communication with the internal volume of a tank. The relief vent further includes a movable portion that is movable relative to the vent body. The movable portion or the vent body includes a base and a sealing member coupled thereto. At least part of the sealing member is elastically deformed to press at least a portion the sealing member against the base. The portion of the sealing member pressed against the base is positioned to sealingly engage the other one of the movable portion or the vent body.
US08636024B2
A fuel supply device for generating mixed gas in which air and/or oxygen are mixed into fuel gas and supplying the mixed gas to a burning appliance comprises a flow rate control module disposed in a supply path of the fuel gas and flow rate control modules disposed in supply paths of the air and/or the oxygen. The flow rate control module includes a thermal mass flow rate sensor, a first calculator for calculating the thermal flow rate of the fuel gas from the output of the thermal mass flow rate sensor, a control computing unit for controlling the flow rate of the fuel gas via a flow rate regulating valve according to the calculated thermal flow rate, a second calculator for calculating the calculated calorific value per unit volume of the fuel gas, and a computing unit for computing the ratio of the calculated calorific value to the reference calorific value per unit volume of the fuel gas in a reference state. The ratio is used for the control of the flow rates of the air and/or oxygen by the flow rate control modules.
US08636014B2
A hair styling system comprising a handle and at least one roller, and a connector for releasably securing the roller to the handle. The connector includes a sleeve slidably mounted on the handle and a compression spring for urging the sleeve axially outwardly whereby a trio of locking balls are biased radially outwardly into mating notches formed in an orifice at one end of the roller to prevent axial separation and rotation of the roller on the handle. Retraction of the sleeve on the handle releases the trio of balls from the notches for separation of the roller from the handle. The rollers are provided in a plurality of sizes and shapes and preferably are coated or formed from a ceramic ionic material.
US08636006B2
A mask for use with the administration of CPAP therapy includes a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas pressurized above ambient; and a compliant patient contacting element including a multilayered cushioning interface. The interface has an interior layer and an exterior layer provided in spaced relation to the interior layer when the mask is not in use. The exterior layer is elastically and resiliently movable towards and away the interior layer in use. Only the exterior layer forms a contacting seal with the patient in use.
US08636003B2
An oxygen supply system is provided for generating oxygen from cabin air in an aircraft. The oxygen supply system exhibits a modular cabin unit with an oxygen port and a decentralized oxygen supply unit with an oxygen outlet, and the decentralized oxygen supply unit is set up in the modular cabin unit. The decentralized oxygen supply unit is set up to generate oxygen-enriched air from the cabin air by means of electrical power, and the oxygen-enriched air can be provided to the oxygen port of the modular cabin unit via the oxygen outlet.
US08636000B2
There is provided a drug dispenser device comprising a housing; extending from the housing, an outlet for insertion into a body cavity of a patient; provided to the housing and moveable with respect thereto, a drug discharge device having a longitudinal axis and comprising a container for storing a drug formulation to be dispensed, a discharge mechanism and a discharge channel from the container for discharge of the drug formulation to the outlet; connecting to the drug discharge device, a container collar; connecting to the container collar and moveable with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of the drug discharge device, a transfer element, the transfer element including an actuating portion; provided to the housing, at least one finger operable member moveable to apply a force to the actuating portion of the transfer element to move the transfer element along the longitudinal axis in a first direction; linking the container collar with the transfer element, a biasing mechanism to store biasing energy on moving the transfer element along the longitudinal axis in the first direction; and provided to the container collar, a pre-load mechanism to prevent transfer of the biasing energy to the container collar to move the drug discharge device along the longitudinal axis in the first direction to actuate the discharge mechanism until a pre-determined threshold force is overcome.
US08635999B2
An insulating cover for floating on liquid, such as in a spa, has an area for covering an area of the surface of the liquid. The cover generally comprises a first rectangle for covering a first area and a plurality of successive rectangular tubes connected to either the first rectangle or to a larger rectangle formed by the addition of a prior successive tube so as to form another rectangle for covering additional area. The amount of coverage area can be adjusted by selectively detaching tubes, such as by cutting them off, and by changing the amount of inflation of tubes such that the cover is adaptable to spas of different sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, tubes adjust both the width and length of the cover, and the cover is adapted for folding substantially in half when inflated.
US08635997B2
Systems and methods for controlling gas to gas-fired appliances are disclosed. An illustrative system can include a modulating gas valve adapted to supply gas to a burner unit, an inducer fan adapted to produce a combustion air flow at the burner unit, a pressure reducing element in fluid communication with the gas valve and adapted to output at least one pressure signal for sensing the combustion air flow outputted by the inducer fan, and a controller for controlling the speed of the inducer fan. The pressure reducing element can include a venturi tube, flow nozzle, or other suitable device capable of producing pneumatic signals that can be used by the gas valve to modulate the gas supplied to the burner unit. By pneumatically linking the gas valve to the actual combustion air flow, the gas valve can be operated over a wide range of firing rates by adjusting the speed of the inducer fan.
US08635995B2
An oven for use in an aircraft is disclosed, including a preparation space. A fan and a heater are located behind a separating wall. The separating wall has at least one of the following devices for enhancing the uniformity of air flow: —a throat around a central air intake opening in the separating wall—the separating wall provided with end edges which run close to the side walls of the preparation space and which are curved or bent towards the preparation space—flow guides extending along an edge of the separating wall and directed away from the preparation space.
US08635990B2
A solenoid operated valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly may include a solenoid having a solenoid coil and an armature movable under influence of the solenoid coil. The valve assembly may also include a valve member operably connected to the armature and configured to selectively contact a valve seat. The valve assembly may further include an outer body containing the solenoid, the armature, the valve member, and the valve seat. In addition, the valve assembly may include a grounding device including an electrically conductive element disposed between the valve member and the outer body.
US08635988B2
A variable valve device for an internal combustion engine includes a cam phase variable mechanism for varying a phase difference (split) between first and second intake cams. Under predetermined operating conditions of the internal combustion engine, the second intake cam is controlled to take a phase (split) (S1) which is within a predetermined pumping-loss reduction operation phase range and entails a minimum fluctuation (oscillation width) of drive torque on an intake camshaft.
US08635982B2
A method for producing a piston for an internal combustion engine, composed of first and second piston components, has the following steps: (a) providing a blank of the first piston component composed of a tempered or precipitation-hardened steel, having at least one joining surface, (b) providing a blank of the second piston component composed of a tempered or precipitation-hardened steel, having at least one joining surface, (c) tempering or precipitation-hardening the blanks, (d) friction-welding the joining surfaces of the blanks to produce a piston blank, with the formation of at least one friction-welding seam and a heat influence zone in the region of the at least one friction-welding seam, (e) annealing or low-stress annealing of the piston blank, thereby obtaining the heat influence zone(s), (f) re-machining and/or finishing the piston blank to produce a piston. A piston so produced is also provided.
US08635979B2
A drag lever for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The drag lever includes an oblong lever body formed of sheet metal material, wherein the lever body has a bottom and side walls integrally formed at an angle of about 90° onto the bottom on both sides. A first end section of the lever body includes a joint socket formed into the bottom between the side walls. The joint socket serves to pivotally moveably support the drag lever on a joint head mounted stationary in the internal combustion engine. A middle section of the lever body is provided with a cam gripping surface, and a second end section of the lever body has a contact surface extending on the bottom. The contact surface serves for actuating the gas exchange valve. The lever body is dimensioned so as to have essentially the same width in a cross section through the joint socket and in a cross section through the middle section. Starting from the first end section of the lever body, the angle of the side walls increases continually to about 90°.
US08635970B2
A mask includes a base board, a number of wing boards, and aluminum foil. The wing boards are detachably attached to the base board in pairs, in a certain disposition and order and are rotatable relative to the base board in a substantially coplanar manner. The aluminum foil wraps around the base board and the wing boards so as to achieve a contour that is cooperatively defined by the base board and the wing boards.
US08635968B2
A substrate subjected to back surface cleaning by a back surface cleaning processing unit is held by a hand of an interface transport mechanism and transported to a cooling unit. The substrate whose temperature has been adjusted by the cooling unit is held by a hand of the interface transport mechanism and transported to an exposure device. The substrate subjected to exposure processing by the exposure device is held by a hand of the interface transport mechanism and transported from the exposure device to a substrate platform.
US08635967B1
A method and apparatus for reducing mixing between a first water-type and a second water-type and for increasing the efficiency of ballast water exchange procedures on a ship. The apparatus includes a plurality of ballast water tanks, each having an arrangement to reduce water-mixing. Each arrangement includes a horizontal flow restraining box and two anti-mixing brackets. The ballast water tanks are divided into a plurality of compartments including a main compartment. The arrangement to reduce the water-mixing is provided in the main compartment of each tank.
US08635964B2
In an automated skip checker device for sewing machine 1, a detector device 8 detects a slack portion 3a of a predetermined length D. The slack portion 3a definitely corresponds to a skip of a stitch or a disconnection of a sewing thread so as to unerringly carry out the detection with a high accuracy. The detector device 8 of the skip checker device has an air stream provider 19 which transfers a tension to an upper thread 3 as a pneumatic pressure to energize an optoelectronic switch 23 so as to make the detector device 8 structurally compact and cost-saving.
US08635960B2
A free ball bearing includes: a main body that has a ball retainer where a ball-retaining recess having an inner surface of a semi-circular recessed surface is formed; a plurality of retainer balls that is disposed on the semi-circular recessed surface of the main body and a main ball that has a diameter larger than the retainer balls and is rotatably supported through the retainer balls; a cover portion that surrounds the ball retainer of the main body while ensuring a predetermined internal space; a retained ball-pressing ring that has a ring-shaped pressing member that is inserted in between the semi-circular recessed surface of the main body and the main ball and presses the retainer balls, and is disposed to be movable in the internal space in the depth direction of the ball-retaining recess, between a pressing position where the retainer balls are pressed and a releasing position where the retainer balls are released; and a releasing mechanism that moves the retained ball-pressing ring from the pressing position to the releasing position by applying a displacement force to the retained ball-pressing ring.
US08635953B2
A method and apparatus of securing and tensioning a printing form in an apparatus having a rotatable drum includes securing a first portion of the printing form to a first means for receiving that is coupled to a surface of the drum, and securing a second portion of the printing form to a second means for receiving that is disposed on a rotatable member that extends over a portion of the drum. The rotatable member is rotated so that the circumferential distance between the first receiving means and the second receiving means is about the same as a length of the printing form. A rotary torque means is coupled to the rotatable member to apply a substantially constant torque on the member and tension the printing form about the surface of the drum. The rotary torque means adjusts torque on the member which adjusts tension on the printing form.
US08635951B2
A baler having a bale chamber comprising chamber doors pivotably connected to a fixed frame part. Upon obtaining at least one crop parameter, a door angle value between two side sections of a door is selected; and the position of one of the side sections with respect to the other one is adapted in accordance with the selected door angle value. A corresponding baler and a control system for such baler are also provided.
US08635946B2
A coffee maker comprises a filter basket assembly that enables two coffee dispensing modes. The assembly comprises a filter basket, an actuator that cooperates with a carafe and a motor driven valve. The actuator stops coffee from dispensing when the carafe is removed, but can be defeated by the user to dispense into a cup or mug when the carafe is absent.
US08635940B2
A solenoid valve including a spool received within a housing. The spool is configured to move to multiple positions within the housing. The housing includes supply ports, exhaust ports, and outlet ports. When the spool is in a specific location, two outlet ports are in fluid communication with each other.
US08635938B2
The technology can include a retractable rotary turret system. The system includes a base comprising two support arms. The system further includes a turret platform that is a truncated sphere having a substantially flat side and a substantially spherical side. The turret platform includes a turret support ring rotary coupled to the two support arms and a turret device isolatively coupled to the turret support ring. The turret platform is rotatable along a first dimension for deployment of the spherical side and is rotatable along the first dimension for deployment of the flat side.
US08635937B2
Systems and methods for launching munitions are provided. In some embodiments, the system may include a launcher coupled to a vehicle and configured to retain a munition during transport by a vehicle and configured to route electrical signals from the vehicle to the munition. The system may also include a flexible, peel-away connector coupled to the launcher, the peel-away connector comprising an adhesive for coupling to at least a portion of the munition. The flexible, peel-away connector may be configured to route electrical signals from the launcher to the munition during transport and detach from the munition as the munition exits from the launcher during a launch.
US08635931B2
The invention relates to a flexible flywheel (2), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two stacked flexible discs (9, 10, 11). The inner peripheries (12) of the flexible discs are secured to a drive shaft, and the outer peripheries (30) of are secured to an inertia mass (31). Each flexible disc (9, 10, 11) includes at least two parallel flat parts (15, 16, 17), which are offset axially (D1, D2) and connected to one another by a curved part (18, 19). The curved parts (18, 19) of the discs (9, 10, 11) are substantially nested one inside the other, characterized in that, in at least one region adjacent to a curved part, the discs (9, 10, 11) are spaced one from the other so as to form a space (23, 27, 29) which facilitates the axial deformation of the discs (9, 10, 11).
US08635929B2
A robot joint driving apparatus has an improved structure, a robot having the same, and a cable linkage method of the robot joint driving apparatus. In the robot joint driving apparatus, lines of a cable to drive a robot joint unit are connected plural times in parallel, thereby increasing torsional stiffness of the robot joint unit. Further, a cable fixing unit is provided on an output pulley, thereby preventing slippage of the cable on the output pulley. Moreover, the overall size of the robot joint driving apparatus is reduced due to an improved power transmission structure from a driving motor to the output pulley.
US08635926B2
The present invention provides a system for controlling a vehicle comprising a prime mover, a first sensor, a transmission, a second sensor, and a transmission controller. The first sensor outputs a first signal that indicates a speed of an input shaft of the transmission and the second sensor outputs a second signal that indicates a speed of the prime mover. The transmission controller includes control logics that control the transmission using the first signal, perform a diagnostic check on the first sensor, determining whether the diagnostic check of the second control logic indicates that the first sensor meets a predefined performance characteristic, instruct the transmission controller to use the second signal of the second sensor to control the transmission if the third control logic indicates that the first sensor does not meet the predefined performance characteristic, and control the transmission using the second signal of the second sensor.
US08635924B2
A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, first, second and third countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of gears, synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08635921B2
The invention relates to a measurement apparatus for vacuum therapy system (60) for wound treatment, comprising an artificial wound unit (44) with a wall (43) that encloses an artificial wound cavity (45) open at least on one side, wherein passages for fluid are provided in the wall and can be supplied with a fluid via fluid delivery lines (46,80), and wherein the open side of the wound cavity (45) can be covered by a vacuum therapy system (60), wherein the vacuum therapy system (60) can apply a vacuum to the wound cavity (45) via a vacuum-generating device (90,92,100) of the measurement apparatus, and wherein a controllable heating device (39,40) is provided for regulating the temperature of the wound unit (44) and/or of the fluid.
US08635917B2
A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has a magnetically conditioned region with an initial direction of magnetization that is perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.
US08635914B2
An acoustic sensor system includes a first plurality of acoustic sensors, and an acoustic transmitter structured to generate acoustic noise to mimic acoustic noise induced by an electrical conductivity fault. A smaller second number of acoustic sensors of the first plurality of acoustic sensors are structured to identify a plurality of locations in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of electrical joints, in order that the smaller second number of acoustic sensors can monitor the plurality of electrical joints of the electrical distribution system.
US08635909B2
The invention relates to measuring devices to be used in the measuring of angular velocity and, more precisely, to vibrating micromechanical sensors of angular velocity. In a sensor of angular velocity according to the invention, a mass is supported to the frame of the sensor component by means of an asymmetrical spring structure (1), (2), (3), (4), (22), (24) in such a way, that the coupling from one mode of motion to another, conveyed by the spring (1), (2), (3), (4), (22), (24), cancels or alleviates the coupling caused by the non-ideality due to the skewness in the springs or in their support. The structure of the sensor of angular velocity according to the invention enables reliable measuring with good performance, particularly in small vibrating micromechanical solutions for sensors of angular velocity.
US08635906B2
A wheel monitoring system that includes a tracking filter apparatus for tracking a signal that has a varying main frequency. The tracking filter apparatus has an adjustable filter and a filter controller arranged to measure the amplitude of the filtered signal and to compare amplitude against a reference value. The filter controller adjusts the cut off frequency of the filter if the measured amplitude differs from the reference value by an amount that exceeds a threshold value. The filter controller adjusts the cut off frequency such that the main frequency lies within the roll off region of the filter's frequency response. The system may be used to track signals that are produced by shock sensors in a wheel mounted monitoring device.
US08635903B2
A system for compaction measurement, including at least two compaction measurement systems for determining the compaction state of various portions of a material region at a worksite and a display system for displaying aggregated data from the compaction measurement systems.
US08635899B2
A method of operating a process a combustion analyzer having a measurement cell is provided. The method includes exposing the measurement cell to exhaust of a combustion process where fuel and oxygen are combined in a burner to produce a flame. The measurement cell is heated to a temperature above a flashpoint of the fuel. When a condition is detected, such as a fault or abnormal situation, gas is directed to the measurement cell to form a gaseous barrier between the measurement cell and unburned fuel while the detected condition exists. Once the condition abates, the gas flow is disengaged and process combustion gas measurements are provided.
US08635898B2
Provided is a spinning method of reducing a diameter of a work piece pipe body with processing rollers disposed on an outer surface of the work piece pipe body, the processing rollers being configured to be relatively revolved around the work piece pipe body, wherein, when the processing rollers are axially reciprocated while being moved in a radius direction of the work piece pipe body, wherein the diameter reducing process with the processing rollers is performed under a state in which a wound body formed of an elastic sheet-like material is inserted as a core body into the inside of a portion of the work piece pipe body to be subjected to the diameter reducing processing.
US08635889B2
A known refraction-sensitive optical fiber comprises a core zone with an index of refraction nK, a jacket zone surrounding the core zone, said jacket zone having an index of refraction nM, and an annular zone made of quartz glass doped with fluorine, said annular zone surrounding the jacket zone and having an index of refraction nF, where nF
US08635881B2
A system for providing cooled air to electronic equipment includes a data center having electronic equipment in operation, a plurality of on-floor cooling units, and a cooling water source. The on-floor cooling units cool air warmed by the electronic equipment. The cooling water source is configured to supply cooling water that reduces a temperature of the on-floor cooling units. The power usage effectiveness (“PUE”) of the system is less than 1.3, wherein the PUE is defined by energy used to operate the data center divided by energy used to run the electronic equipment.
US08635880B2
A refrigerator having a valve to control the supply of a refrigerant to a plurality of storage chambers and a control method of the same. An opening time rate of the valve is changed based on modes of the storage chambers to control the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the storage chambers, thereby avoiding concentration of the refrigerant in one of the storage chambers and thus preventing refrigerant shortage in the other storage chambers. Also, left and right temperature deviation of each storage chamber is reduced, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution of each storage chamber.
US08635879B2
A heat pump and a method of controlling a heat pump are provided. The heat pump may perform gas injection through a plurality of coolant injection circuits formed in a compressor, such as a scroll compressor, to increase a corresponding flow rate. The heat pump may control the plurality of coolant injection circuits based on one or more operation conditions by selecting an appropriate optimal middle pressure from a high-and-low pressure difference, a pressure ratio, and a compression ratio of the compressor to enhance cooling/heating performance.
US08635868B2
A self-aligning memory alloy wire actuator has a memory alloy wire having first and second ends with at least one terminal coupled to one end of the memory alloy wire. The terminal includes two wings and an extended piece connected in the shape of a T. The two wings are disposed on opposite sides of the extended piece and perpendicular to the extended piece. Each wing comprises top and bottom surfaces, a front surface, and an outside end. The top surfaces of the two wings lie on a common top plane and the front surfaces of the two wings lie on a common front plane. The memory alloy wire is coupled to the extended piece of the terminal.
US08635858B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a catalyst, and injector positioned upstream from the catalyst, and a fluid-spray atomizer positioned between the catalyst and the injector. The fluid-spray atomizer includes a plurality of horizontal slats, wherein each horizontal slat is a different size and a smaller horizontal slat is nested at least partially inside a larger horizontal slat.
US08635853B2
An exhaust system for use with an engine is disclosed. The exhaust system may have a first treatment device situated to receive a flow of exhaust and convert a first constituent of the exhaust to a second constituent, and a second treatment device located downstream of the first treatment device to reduce the first and second constituents. The exhaust system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of one of a temperature and an oxygen concentration of the exhaust, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to vary the other of the temperature and the oxygen concentration based on the signal such that a desired amount of the first constituent is converted to the second constituent by the first treatment device prior to reduction by the second treatment device.
US08635849B2
A preferred of operating a gas turbine engine having an inlet for receiving a stream of air to be compressed includes providing a first and a second set of interchangeable spray nozzles. Each of the nozzles in the first set is capable of discharging fluid supplied to the nozzle at a first pressure at a first flow rate. Each of the nozzles in the second set is capable of discharging fluid supplied to the nozzle at the first pressure at a flow rate that is different from the first flow rate.
US08635846B2
A fire retardant fabric is manufactured from oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers having a fineness of about 0.5 to about 1.5 denier per fiber.
US08635841B2
To reduce the complexity, maintenance, and cost and increase reliability of a riding lawnmower employing a center rear discharge deck, the riding lawn mowers may be configured with a cutter engagement system which allows for a cutting system to be engaged and disengaged by a user without a motor clutching system. A riding lawn mower may comprise a center rear discharge deck having a single sided belt and a cutter engagement system. The cutter engagement system may be configured to interface with the belt to provide power and opposing rotation movement through one or more cutter engagements and/or gear boxes.
US08635839B2
A method for producing containers filled with liquids, wherein the containers are filled with the liquid and closed with a keg fitting, includes supplying the keg fitting to the container by means of a relative movement between the container and the keg fitting and connecting the keg fitting with the container. A cleaning treatment of the keg fitting is carrier out at least prior to or during the supply process or the connection process.
US08635835B2
A lightweight hollow member having excellent stiffness and impact properties and which is suitable for automotive parts due to having a high strength such as at least 780 MPa and a complicated shape is provided. A hollow member 11 has a hollow steel body 14. The body 14 is constituted by a single member at least in the lengthwise direction. The body 14 has a flat cross section having at least a portion with a maximum outer dimension L1 and a portion with an outer dimension L2 shorter than the maximum outer dimension L1. The body 14 has a twisted portion in a portion of its length. The angle of intersection between an imaginary plane 15a including the portion having the maximum outer dimension L1 in a first portion 15 present on one side of the body 14 in the lengthwise direction with the twisted portion 17 as a border and an imaginary plane 16a including the portion with the maximum outer dimension L1 in a second portion 16 present on the other side in the lengthwise direction of the body 14 with the twisted portion 17 as a border is at least 4 degrees. The twisted portion 17 has a tensile strength of at least 780 MPa.
US08635827B2
A method of roofing an occupancy structure comprising providing a roofing membrane that comprises at least one thermoplastic membrane layer, bonding the roofing membrane to the roof of an occupancy structure, where the occupancy structure includes a roof member that is at least partially constructed of a plastic material and extends above the roofing membrane when the roofing membrane is applied to the occupancy structure. A substantially solid hot melt thermoplastic sealant is heated to enable the substantially solid hot melt thermoplastic sealant to flow and a layer of the substantially solid hot melt thermoplastic sealant is applied to an exterior surface of the thermoplastic membrane layer and a plastic portion of the roof member to seal the joint between the roofing membrane and the roof member.
US08635823B2
The present invention comprises an effective manufactured insulation and ventilating assembly that can insulate a structure, usually in roofing or exterior wall applications, from conductive, convective and radiant heat. The radiant insulating and venting assembly is comprised of a rigid upper layer that is moisture resistant. The bottom layer of the assembly is made up of a radiant reflective surface. Between the rigid upper moisture resistant layer and the radiant reflective layer are non-collapsing air spacer columns, approximately ⅝ths to 1 inch in length, that create the needed air space for effective radiant heat reflection and air and moisture venting. The radiant reflective layer may be attached to the ends of the air spacers during the rigid upper layer and air spacer manufactured forming or the radiant reflective layer may be applied to the roof sheathing or rafters, or to the wall sheathing or wall stud members before the formed rigid layer with air spacers is applied to the roofing or wall application.
US08635817B2
Technologies and implementations for reflective roofs are generally disclosed.
US08635816B2
A crawlspace encapsulation system that enables sealing and insulating of the crawlspace while allowing for the venting of gases trapped between the ground and the sealing and insulating system. The crawlspace encapsulation system includes an insulation joist plug, one or more insulation panels, and a polymeric membrane.
US08635814B2
The invention is a wall for interior architecture, particularly for partitioning adjacent rooms, comprising a substantially rigid frame (2) suited to define an external perimeter surface (4) of the wall (1), and one pair of opposite faces (3) constrained to the rigid frame (2) and made of a flexible material. In particular, the opposite faces (3) comprise elastic constraining means (5) suited to maintain them tensioned and substantially parallel to a geometrical plane, while the rigid frame (2) and the opposite tensioned faces (3) delimit an internal hollow region (6).
US08635803B1
A buoyant fishing device with a housing having a first end and a second end and containing an elongated passageway having an axis, at least one weight disposed within the passageway, wherein the housing is further configured to float with the axis oriented substantially perpendicular to gravity when the weight is in the first position and wherein the housing is further configured to float with the axis oriented substantially parallel to gravity when the weight is in the second position.
US08635798B2
A communication connector system for a weapon having an upper receiver at an upper part of the weapon with electronics associated with the upper receiver and a base at a lower part of the weapon with a lower receiver and a hand grip and that houses electronics and with the upper receiver rotatably coupled to the lower receiver and movable between a closed position and an open position includes an upper connector assembly configured to be coupled to the upper receiver. The upper connector assembly has an upper connector being configured to be communicatively connected to the electronics in the upper receiver. The upper connector has a mating interface. A lower connector assembly has a lower connector that is configured to be communicatively connected to the electronics in the base of the weapon. The lower connector is configured to be mounted to the hand grip. The lower connector has a mating interface configured to be mated with the mating interface of the upper connector when the upper receiver is in the closed position. The mating interfaces are physically separable from one another so the upper receiver is able to move to the open position.
US08635788B2
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
US08635782B2
A knife having an interlocking arrangement between handle assembly and the blade assembly provides a durable connection between the knife's blade and handle. Additionally, by directly connecting the blade assembly to the hilt section of the knife, the connection between the blade assembly and handle assembly is not only strong, but also, the size of the blade is not limited by the size of the hilt section on the handle assembly.
US08635764B2
A system is provided that increases the spindle stiffness of a disk drive while optimizing power consumption. A multipurpose bearing provides axial stiffness and enhanced stiffness against radial and pitch loads applied to the spindle. When used in combination with a journal bearing, conventional thrust bearings may be eliminated without sacrificing overall stiffness. As a result, the height of the disk drive may be reduced, thereby making the system desirable to be used in smaller electronic devices.
US08635761B2
A method for printing an electrical conductor on a substrate has been developed. In the method, a reverse image of the electrical conductor pattern is printed on a substrate with an electrically non-conductive material to form a second pattern that exposes a portion of the surface area of the substrate. The entire surface area of the substrate is then covered with an electrically conductive material. The non-conductive material of the reverse image electrically isolates the electrically conductive material covering the reverse image from the electrically conductive material covering the second pattern.
US08635753B2
A lateral pipe lining material having a flange on one end thereof is installed on a head collar which is hermetically mounted on a pressure bag that stores the lateral pipe lining material. The head collar comprises a curved section and a cylindrical section projecting from the curved section. An expandable member is mounted to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical section of the head collar, and expanded so that the outer circumferential surface of the expanding member comes into close contact with the inner circumferential surface near the flange, and the inner circumferential surface thereof comes into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical section of the head collar. This allows a hermetical connection between the lateral pipe lining material and the head collar and ensures a reliable eversion and insertion of the lining material into a lateral pipe.
US08635751B2
A clamping system with a clamping nut and a wrench for tightening the clamping nut, wherein the clamping nut includes at least one recess on either the outside edge or the inside edge of the end face of the clamping nut to receive projections of the wrench. The edge opposite the edge with at least one recess is closed. The at least one recess is provided with at least one undercut, which the projections of the wrench can grip from underneath.
US08635744B2
Resiliently movable fingers receive a portion of a foldable handle therebetween to retain the handle against folding relative to a frame.
US08635736B2
A drive provides rotational movement and linear movement to an output. A first gear is operatively connected to the output, such as a roller. A drive assembly comprises a first cam surface, a second cam surface and a second gear. The first cam surface engages a first follower where the first follower is operatively connected to the output such that linear movement of the first cam follower results in linear movement of the output. The second cam surface engages a stationary follower. The second gear engages the first gear. The drive assembly rotates over a range of motion such that for a first portion of the range of motion the drive assembly causes the rotational and linear movement of the output and rotation of the drive assembly for a second portion of the range of motion causes only the rotational movement of the output.
US08635735B2
A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body and a surface configured to enable an instrument having contaminants to be inserted into the body. The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument.
US08635731B2
A full mouth toothbrush for simultaneously brushing the facial, lingual, occlusal and incisal surfaces of all the maxillary and mandibular teeth is provided. The full mouth toothbrush can include a handle, a power source, a motor assembly, and a drive assembly. The full mouth toothbrush can further include a mouthpiece configured to collectively contact multiple surfaces of multiple teeth simultaneously that brushes and, thus, cleans the teeth and gums.
US08635728B2
A modular ramp system contemplates two molded plastic ramps placed back-to-back so that one would travel up one ramp and then down the other. The ramps are interconnected by a spine. The spine connectors are dovetail recesses and projections. The ramps have connections on their sides, so other ramps may be assembled to the two ramps to make a wider ramp. The ramp can have a plurality of ramp sections assembled together to create a ramp. A table is designed to be used with ramps and other components and includes openings facilitating installation of a grind rail or a support rail. The table surface includes a peripheral coping. A grind rail includes legs with arcuate bottoms to facilitate support of a grind rail regardless of angulation. Curved sections of grind rails allow lateral and vertical curvature of a grind rail configuration. Connectors are provided to interconnect adjacent grind rail sections.
US08635727B2
The present invention relates to a variable-size bed (10) comprising a mattress core (16) and a base (14), which base is adapted to support at least a portion of the mattress core, wherein the mattress core and base have adjustable widths or lengths and each of the mattress core and base is changeable between an expanded state and a contracted state corresponding to an expanded state and a contracted state of the bed, respectively, and wherein the bed further comprises a cover means adapted to provide covering over the mattress core in both the expanded state and the contracted state of the bed. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a variable-size bed.
US08635722B2
The invention is directed to a molded bed having a contoured sleeping surface surrounded by a liquid barrier. The sleeping surface having a plurality of channels formed therein terminating at a plurality of drains extending through the bed to direct loose liquid on the sleeping surface through a drain. The bed further comprising a means for attaching the bed to a floor and a tamper resistance glide assembly inserted in a foot on the bed, the glide comprising a floor engaging pad having a support shaft extending there from, a traveler on the support shaft. The traveler fixed in a glide pocket in the foot. The pad traversing axially in the glide pocket to orient the sleeping surface.
US08635716B2
A urinal for boys, the urinal including: a urinal main body having a urine receptacle at a front surface; a body having one side on which the urinal main body is mounted, and including a plurality of stopper portions spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction at the other side; and a lifting unit including a lifting portion having coupling grooves at a top for lateral side coupling in accordance with the plurality of stopper portions, and a support portion connected to the lifting portion and having a bottom surface formed such that the lifting unit stands on the ground.
US08635715B2
A visor locking assembly alone or in combination with a helmet shell and visor. The visor locking assembly is attached to said shell and is used to mount the visor in a manner that allows the visor to be locked in a desired position. The visor locking assembly is configured to prevent the visor from being moved from a fully lowered position to a raised position unless the visor is displaced laterally forward away from the face of the wearer of the helmet. The locking assembly further comprises a body and a rotatable hub, wherein the body comprises a cavity, and wherein the cavity further comprises a protrusion on the wall of the cavity, and wherein the rotatable hub comprises a recess formed along the circumference of the hub. The hub is positioned to rotate within the cavity, and the hub is prevented from rotational movement when the protrusion is positioned within (engaged with) the recess. When the hub is displaced laterally within the cavity away from the protrusion, the hub becomes rotatable. A spring is attached to the hub inhibiting said displacement. The system may comprise a single visor locking assembly or two visor locking assemblies on a helmet. If two assemblies are utilized, the visor cannot be raised from a fully lowered position unless both assemblies are unlocked.
US08635713B2
A collapsible hat comprises a front portion, at least one band portion extending from the front portion, at least one first top portion extending from the at least one band portion, and a plurality of second top portions extending from the at least one band portion. The first top portions include a connector and the second top portions include a slot, and the connector of the first top portions are configured to extend through the slots of the second top portions.
US08640261B2
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling use of content protected with a digital rights management license which contains conditions for the use. When a request to use the content is received by a client agent controlling the use of the content, the conditions of use are checked. Within this check, a determination is made that the use of the content is conditional upon an obligation to perform a parental control operation on the content. A request for authorization to use the content is then transmitted from the controlling client agent to a parental control management module. After a parental control operation has been performed on the content by the parental control management module, the agent receives a result of the parental control operation. If the result is negative, a denial of use of the content is notified in response to the request to use the content.
US08640257B1
In one embodiment, a method for enabling user privacy for content on a network includes receiving input from a first user instructing at least one change in user access to shared content provided by a network system. The change modifies the user access from an existing set of one or more users of the network system to a different set of one or more users of the network system. The method checks a privacy setting associated with each of one or more referred users of the network system who are referred to by the shared content. The privacy setting indicates whether the associated referred user is to be sent a notification indicating that the at least one change in user access has been instructed.
US08640255B2
An authorization device for authorizing operations of a remote server requested from user computers via a data communications network includes a computer interface configured to connect to a local user computer for facilitating communication with the remote server via a data communications network, a user interface configured to present information to a user, and control logic. The control logic is adapted to use security data accessible to the control logic to establish, via the local user computer, a mutually-authenticated connection for encrypted end-to-end communications with the server; collect from the server, via the connection, information indicative of any operation requested via a different connection to the server and requiring authorization by the user; and present the information to the user via the user interface to prompt for authorization of the operation.
US08640252B2
A method, system, and computer program product for obfuscating entry of information are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A set of additional aspects to be applied to a part of an input is communicated to a provider of the input. The set of additional aspects is distinct from a second set of additional aspects to be applied to another input. An obfuscated input corresponding to the part of the input is received. A subset of the set of additional aspects is present in the obfuscated input. The part of the input from the obfuscated input is recovered by removing, using a processor and a memory, the subset of the set of additional aspects from the obfuscated input. An entry field input corresponding to the input is generated. The entry field input is sent to an application executing in a data processing system.
US08640250B2
A system and method for automating the creation, optimization and deployment of multimedia, interactive, mentoring communication modules (“MIPs”) is provided. Simplified interfaces allow superiors to generate MIPs and asynchronously deploy them to subordinates' mobile devices or personal computers. The completed MIP are automatically coded for optimal performance on specific mobile operating systems to which they are deployed. Automatic notifications are sent to registered subordinates upon deployment of a completed MIP. User configurable and system updatable management portals and subordinate portals are automatically generated to provide a user interface to enable mentoring interactions between the superior and subordinates. The MIPs allow custom tailoring of educational and developmental exercises. Performance of the exercises can be monitored by a superior for each of a plurality of subordinates.
US08640244B2
A declared origin policy may be provided. First a plurality of records comprising addresses that an application is allowed to access may be received. The received plurality of records may be placed in a manifest. Then, a request containing an address may be received and compared to the plurality of records in the manifest. Access to the address may be allowed when one of the plurality of records in the manifest matches the address or when an ambiguity is encountered as to whether the one of the plurality of records in the manifest matches the address. Access to the address may be denied when none of the plurality of records in the manifest matches the address. Moreover, any request to change any of the plurality of records in the manifest may be denied when the application is updated, uninstalled, or reinstalled.
US08640241B2
Disclosed is a method of operating a data storage system. The method comprises identifying changed segments of a primary storage volume, receiving a data request for a plurality of data items in a secondary storage volume, identifying changed data items of the plurality of data items in the secondary storage volume based on a correspondence between the plurality of data items in the secondary storage volume and the changed segments of the primary storage volume, and transferring the changed data items in response to the data request.
US08640233B2
A method and system for detecting whether a computer program, sent to a first computer having an operating environment including a plurality of files, includes malware is provided. A second computer lists in a file a plurality of environment details of the operating environment of the first computer. The second computer simulates in the second computer the presence of the plurality of files in the operating environment by exhibiting the plurality of environment details without installing the plurality of files in the second computer. The second computer executes the computer program in the second computer with the simulation and determines whether the computer program attempts to access or utilize the plurality of files in a manner indicative of malware. If not, the second computer records and generates a notification that the computer program is not malware.
US08640228B2
A system for managing a user's access rights to avionic information, loaded on board an aircraft, that includes at least one identification device able to read the user's identity information contained on a personal card, and an avionic computer having means of managing access rights able to authenticate the user and determine access rights to avionic information based on the user's identity.
US08640222B2
The present disclosure describes a method for protecting real-time data exchanged between a mobile electronic device and a VPN gateway over a communications link. The method comprises: establishing a first VPN connection between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the communications link; establishing, while the first VPN connection is established, a second VPN connection between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the communications link; providing key information to at least one of the mobile electronic device or VPN gateway through the first VPN connection; and exchanging real-time data packets between the mobile electronic device and the VPN gateway through the second VPN connection, wherein the key information is for encrypting and decrypting the real-time data packets exchanged through the second VPN connection.
US08640208B2
The present description refers in particular to a computer-implemented method, a computer system, and a computer program product. The method may comprise providing authentication enforcement at resource level by specifying at design time at least one authentication key for at least one data storage unit of a resource. A request may be received at a server from a requester through a client to access the resource. Authentication of the requester may be enforced through the at least one authentication key at the at least one data storage unit of the resource.
US08640202B2
A mechanism is provided for synchronizing a first user session and a second user session in a client-server system. The first user session is between a first Web service and a client and the second user session is between a second Web service and the same client. A request is received with a first session value by the second Web service. An indicator of the first session value is assigned to a shadow, and the shadow is sent in a response to the client. A subsequent request with the shadow and a subsequent session value is received from the client. The indicator is used to verify the subsequent session value at the second Web service. The second user session is terminated if the indicator in the shadow does not correspond to the subsequent session value.
US08640196B2
A network system of a projector is provided in which a network connection is established between a plurality of information terminal apparatus and the projector, and an image data file owned by an information terminal apparatus can be commonly used. A network system of a projector is arranged by an information terminal apparatus and a projector connectable to the information terminal apparatus via a network. The information terminal apparatus is arranged by a personal computer which supplies image data to the projector, and personal computers which are connected to this personal computer by a wireless manner. When the network connection is established between the personal computer and the projector, and when the network connection between the personal computer and the personal computers is established, the image data is commonly used among these personal computers.
US08640191B2
Code is associated to a target based on an inspection of the code. A target may be a device or a user. A number of code components may be inspected at one time and then transferred or otherwise associated to a target based on the target's profile. A code component may be a policy of an information management system.
US08640183B2
Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.
US08640177B2
A method, program product and system are provided to enable a new software interface and program to manage DVR content including methods for separating storage partitions, e.g. by user and also on a shared basis on local media. The partitions may either be logical or physical partitions and may be allocated differently based on the user. In an exemplary illustration, a shared partition/buffer is used for multiple users who may each initiate the recording of various shows or recordings which may be shared by other users. The interactive shared partition is used to allow multi-room coordination, messaging, content cloning, user-to-user notifications, and specific user to user messaging facilities, with the capability of setting notifications for other parties on the addition/removal of content, “pushing” recommendations of shows to other users of a shared DVR system, and allowing messages to be left to other users regarding content.
US08640176B2
The present disclosure provides an apparatus, method, and computer programs for obtaining content from a communications network. One aspect of the disclosure includes: storing an aggregator on a Set Top Box (STB) associated with a television set, wherein the aggregator is adapted to obtain content corresponding to a plurality of feeds from a communications network; displaying the plurality of feeds on the television set in response to a first input received by the STB; accepting at the STB a selection of at least one feed from the plurality of feeds; obtaining content from the communications network corresponding to the selected at least one feed; and providing the obtained content for display on the television set.
US08640175B2
Disclosed is a mobile device. The mobile device includes: a display; a user input receiving unit which receives input by a user; a storage unit; a communication unit which communicates with an external AV device via a network; and a controller which receives UI information of the AV device from the AV device through the communication unit to display the UI information on the display, controls the storage unit to store a user setup value of the AV device according to the input of the user, and controls the communication unit to transmit the user setup value to the AV device when the communication unit starts communicating with the AV device.
US08640149B2
A method for service invocation, including: receiving a first request for a service to be invoked, wherein the first request includes a semantic description of the service; creating a processing graph for the first request from planning domain descriptions of a plurality of services; deploying the processing graph in an execution environment as a composite service; invoking the composite service; and returning a response provided by the invoked composite service.
US08640147B2
A method, system and computer program product of setting up a virtual connection at run time. The method includes the steps of: analyzing a topology of an application to determine at least one port pair where the port pair comprises an output port of a first operator and an input port of a second operator; configuring a first auxiliary operator to receive data from a first operator; configuring a second auxiliary operator to send data to a second operator; deploying the first operator, the second operator, the first auxiliary operator and the second auxiliary operator; receiving a function address of the second auxiliary operator; and sending the function address of the second auxiliary operator to a first destination; where at least one of the steps is carried out using a computer device so that the virtual connection is setup at run time.
US08640142B2
A wake-and-go mechanism is provided for a data processing system. When a thread first starts executing, a wake-and-go mechanism automatically allocates space for thread state in a hardware private array and space for a target address and other information, if any, in a wake-and-go array. If the hardware private array comprises a reserved portion of system memory, then the wake-and-go mechanism may request a sufficient portion of memory to store thread state for the thread. When a thread is waiting for an event, rather than performing a series of get-and-compare sequences, the thread updates a wake-and-go array with a target address associated with the event. The thread then goes to sleep until the event occurs. When a thread ends execution and is no longer in the run queue of the processor, the wake-and-go mechanism de-allocates the space for the thread state information for that thread.
US08640141B2
A wake-and-go mechanism is provided for a data processing system. When a thread is waiting for an event, rather than performing a series of get-and-compare sequences, the thread updates a wake-and-go array with a target address associated with the event. The wake-and-go mechanism may save the state of the thread in a hardware private array. The hardware private array may comprise a plurality of memory cells embodied within the processor or pervasive logic associated with the bus, for example. Alternatively, the hardware private array may be embodied within logic associated with the wake-and-go storage array.
US08640140B2
A task management methodology for system having multiple processors and task queues adapts a queuing topology by monitoring a queue pressure and adjusting the queue topology from a selection of at least two different queue topologies. The queue pressure may be periodically monitored and queues with different granularities selected. The methodology reduced contention when there is high pressure on the queues while also reducing overhead to manage queues when there is less pressure on the queues.
US08640135B2
A mechanism is provided for scheduling virtual interfaces having at least one virtual interface scheduler, a virtual interface context cache and a pipeline with a number of processing units. The virtual interface scheduler is configured to send a lock request for a respective virtual interface to the virtual interface context cache. The virtual interface context cache is configured to lock a virtual interface context of the respective virtual interface and to send a lock token to the virtual interface scheduler in dependence on said lock request. The virtual interface context cache configured to hold a current lock token for the respective virtual interface context and to unlock the virtual interface context, if a lock token of an unlock request received from the pipeline matches the held current lock token.
US08640119B2
An administrator system can generate a version identifier for a computing system based on the software packages installed on a computing system. The administrator system can utilize the version identifier to determine if software package updates will install properly on a computing system. When the computing system request an update to a software package, the administrator system can generate a version identifier for the software package, as installed on the computing system and to be updated. The administrator system can compare the generated version identifier to a test version identifier. The test version identifier can be a version identifier generated for a version of an exemplary software package known to properly install the update. Once compared, the administrator system can notify the user of the computing system of the comparison, for example, if the version identifier and the test version identifier are different indicating potential problems in the update.
US08640118B2
An embodiment includes a computer comprising a system board and a removable programmable storage device. If the system board is replaced, the removable programmable storage device may be transferred to the replacement system board for the automatic transfer of information to the replacement system board and configuration of the replacement system board. In one embodiment, the computer receives a start up command. The computer determines whether a firmware image on the system board matches a firmware image on the removable programmable storage device. Based on determining that the firmware images do not match (when the system board is replaced with a new system board, for example), the computer replaces the firmware image on the system board with the firmware image on the removable programmable storage device. After the check and replacement, the computer proceeds with boot sequences.
US08640111B2
Provided is a file conversion device which converts a file form written in a given language to a file form that can be interpreted by another language, which includes: a file readout device which reads description contents of an inputted file by each line, and manages the description contents by adding an index to each line of the read description contents; a syntax tree creating device which converts the description contents into a syntax tree of a tree structure based on the indexes through linearly scanning the indexes of the file managed by the file readout device; a syntax tree optimizing device which optimizes the tree structure of the syntax tree as a flowchart according to an optimization rule; and a file dividing device which divides the inputted file by having controllers in the flowchart optimized by the syntax tree optimizing device as identifiers.
US08640099B1
Disclosed are various embodiments of a method and system for detecting feature conflicts in a vendor account configuration. A request to modify an account configuration for an account holder is obtained. The configuration describes at least one feature provided to the account holder by a hosted service provider. A determination is made as to whether the requested modification complies with at least one vendor feature rule. If the modification complies with the at least one vendor feature rule, the configuration is modified as requested.
US08640093B1
Hosted applications are developed to be run in a hosted network environment and with access to host resources such as server databases and messaging systems. The host applications may include tag based requests for host resources. A platform-specific native host is used on a mobile device which interacts with a hosted application and identifies content-based request for host resources. The native host then determines and performs appropriate functionality in the context of a mobile platform to satisfy the host resource request. Hosted applications may thereby be run natively on mobile devices of various mobile platforms and accessed even when the mobile devices lack network connections.
US08640092B2
A compatibility evaluation apparatus for evaluating compatibility between a platform program and an application program that uses interfaces provided by the platform program, includes an application analyzing unit configured to analyze the application program and extract a list of the interfaces used by the application program; an incompatibility interface usage determination unit configured to extract, from the list of the interfaces used by the application program, an interface that corresponds to an incompatible interface that does not satisfy a specification, the interface being extracted with the use of a first storage unit storing information indicating contents of incompatibility for each of the incompatible interfaces among the interfaces provided by the platform; and a compatibility report creating unit configured to record, in a second storage unit, the information indicating contents of incompatibility for each interface that has been extracted by the incompatibility interface usage determination unit.
US08640091B2
A method of operating a data processing system comprises running a source code editor, displaying source code in a graphical interface of the source code editor, and displaying a summary box, the summary box comprising a list of one or more aspects affecting the source code. The system is configured so that on receipt of a user input corresponding to an aspect listed in the summary box there is displayed one or more cross-reference markers of the selected aspect in the graphical interface of the source code editor.
US08640082B2
A method and system for specifying a data occurrence in a service-oriented architecture based environment. After a service specification phase of a service, a service interface is received and a service implementation is created. During a service realization phase, a data element of the service is determined to be sourced or not sourced by the service implementation. If the data element is sourced, then the data element is determined to be optional. If the data element is not sourced, then the data element is determined to be mandatory. The data occurrence including an indication of whether the data element is optional or mandatory is displayed. The service specification phase is repeated and the service interface is modified based on the displayed data occurrence.
US08640081B2
Techniques for determining resistances of analog routes in electronic designs are described herein. In an example embodiment, a computer system receives first user input that indicates, in a user interface, a first component in an electronic design. The electronic design has been placed and routed for a programmable target device. The computer system receives second user input that selects, in the user interface, a particular component from one or more second components of the electronic design, where the one or more second components have analog connectivity to the first component. The computer system determines a resistance value of an analog route between the first component and the particular component, and displays the resistance value in association with the analog route in the user interface.
US08640076B2
A methodology is provided on developing metal fill as a library device and, in particular, a method of generating a model of the effects (e.g., capacitance) of metal fills in an integrated circuit and a design structure. The method is implemented on a computing device and includes generating a model for effects of metal fill in an integrated circuit. The metal fill model is generated prior to completion of a layout design for the integrated circuit.
US08640075B2
Some example embodiments include a computer-implemented method for designing an integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a hierarchical network design for the integrated circuit, wherein the hierarchical design comprises a number of components that are coupled together. The computer-implemented method includes detecting that a component of the number of components has at least one of failed timing and incomplete timing based on a problem that comprises at least one of a missing assertion, one or more missing latches, a source driver having an input source slew that is greater than a source slew limit threshold, and a sink having an input sink slew that is greater than a sink slew limit threshold. The computer-implemented method includes replacing the component with a different component that is independent of the problem and testing others components of the number of components based on the different component.
US08640068B2
Techniques generally disclosed herein relate to computation of a guard zone of a three-dimensional object. In some examples, guard zones may be computed by identifying intersection lines that couple adjacent planes of an object, and categorizing an external angle at an intersection line between adjacent planes as concave or convex. In some embodiments, for convex angles, a cylindrical surface can be determined that is located about an outside surface of the object and centered along the intersection line between the adjacent planes. In some embodiments, for concave angles, the external angle can be bisected with a bisection plane. A guard zone may be formed by one or more of (i) providing a guard zone plane parallel to the object that is a tangent to a given cylindrical surface, (ii) providing a guard zone plane parallel to the object that intersects a given bisection plane, and/or (iii) coupling adjacent guard zone planes.
US08640065B2
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method includes: receiving a first description for a circuit whose operation over a plurality of inputs is to be verified; receiving a second description for expected behavior of the circuit, where the expected behavior in the second description is expressed as a set of algebraic systems of multivariable polynomials over at least one Galois field; applying at least one computational algebraic geometry technique to a combination of the first description and the second description to determine whether the circuit is verified, where verification of the circuit confirms that at least one output obtained based on the first description corresponds to at least one expected value based on the expected behavior expressed in the second description; and outputting an indication as to whether the circuit is verified.
US08640062B2
A mechanism is provided for rapid estimation of temperature rise in wires due to Joule heating. The mechanism provides fast and accurate estimation of temperature rise in wires due to self heating. Fast estimation is important to handle millions of nets at the full-chip level. The mechanism models lateral heat flow by considering longitudinal heat flow along the wire and lateral thermal coupling to the other wires in the same level. Lateral heat flow can have a significant effect on the temperature rise. The mechanism also models vertical heat flow to the substrate and the heat sink by considering thermal conductivities of vias and inter-layer dielectric (ILD). The mechanism efficiently solves the thermal system to enable physical design optimizations (e.g., wire sizing, etc.) for fixing electromigration violations.
US08640059B2
Separation directives for integrated circuit layout design data are formed based upon one or more printing feasibility analyses performed on the layout design data. At least one printing feasibility analysis is performed on layout design data to identify portions of the design that may not be correctly formed or “printed” during a photolithographic process. The geometric element edges involved in a potential printing defect are then identified as edges to be formed using separate masks. Further, separation directives may be created to specifically designate the identified edges as edges to be formed using separate masks in a photolithographic manufacturing process.
US08640056B2
Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention provide for representing a plurality of data values of a hierarchical dataset as graphical elements in a configurable data visualization. A first data visualization may be displayed in a data visualization display page, along with a user interface. A selection of a rendered root node and rendered leaf nodes to be displayed in a second data visualization is received from the user interface. Based on the selection of the rendered root node and rendered leaf nodes, a number of depth levels to display is determined. Also, which of the depth levels to display are identified based on the selection of the rendered root node and rendered leaf nodes. The second data visualization is rendered based on the determined number of depth levels and the identified depth levels.
US08640047B2
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for asynchronous handling of a user interface manipulation. These techniques handle a user interface manipulation with two or more asynchronous processes. One asynchronous process, for example, may determine a position responsive to the user interface manipulation while another asynchronous process determines the pixels to render. By so doing, these techniques enable a quick and/or consistent response to a user interface manipulation.
US08640046B1
Techniques for jumping to a specific location in a list of items displayed at a touch-sensitive display of a computing device may include outputting, for display at the touch-sensitive display, a first sub-portion of a list of items, receiving an indication of a first gesture input entered at the touch-sensitive display, determining a first alphanumeric character based at least in part on the first gesture input, receiving an indication of a second gesture input entered at the touch-sensitive display, determining a second alphanumeric character based at least in part on the second gesture input, and responsive to determining the second alphanumeric character, outputting, for display at the touch-sensitive display, a sub-portion of the list of items that includes one or more entries having a first character that corresponds to the first alphanumeric character and a second character that corresponds to the second alphanumeric character.
US08640036B2
Techniques are provided herein for establishing at a network management server a presence on a network. A presence associated with one or more managed devices on the network is detected. An instant messaging (IM) session is established with the one or more managed devices. The IM session forms a virtual chat room for performing a management function on the one or more managed devices, and IM messages are sent that are configured to perform the management function on the one or more managed devices. Techniques are also provided herein for establishing on a network an enriched presence by a network management server that is configured to perform a management function via a presence function of a messaging and presence protocol.
US08640034B2
Under the present invention, an illustrative feature is to provide a method and system/structure for remotely controlling multiple computer systems by interacting with GUIs. Specifically, the present invention allows a controlled computer/system to be remotely controlled via a controlling computer/system. To this extent, data/action capture instrumentation is provided on the controlling system for automatically creating a representation of content of the GUI of the controlling system, for automatically observing a set of actions performed by a user on the GUI of the controlling system, for automatically creating a representation of the observed actions, and for sending to the controlled system the representation of the observed actions. In addition, execution instrumentation is provided on the controlled system for receiving the representation and replicating the actions on the controlled system by interacting with a GUI of the controlled system.
US08640033B2
Various implementations are described herein for providing unified user experiences using data attributes and data models. By referencing structural information of data attributes included in data models, users are able to interact with and/or view related data stored in different databases. Contextual information for the different databases, data attributes, and data models provide a seamless unified user experience when running reports, scripts, web controls and so forth associated with the related data.
US08640031B2
A method and apparatus for controlling a Remote User Interface (RUI) by a Remote User Interface Client (RUIC) device in a home network, in which it is checked whether control information received from the third RUIC device capable of controlling an RUI realized in the RUIC device was generated by a Control User Interface (CUI) included in an allowed CUI list, and a CUI of the third RUIC device is updated if the received control information was not generated by a CUI included in the allowed CUI list.
US08639999B2
To suppress deterioration of retransmission efficiency and retransmit a transmission signal efficiently even when the system bandwidth is extended, provided are a base station apparatus (20) which divides, in a retransmission block dividing section (21), a transmission signal into retransmission blocks according to a retransmission block table in which the number of the retransmission blocks each of which is a retransmission unit of a transmission signal is increased corresponding to the number of transmission antennas and registered, and retransmits in downlink transmission signals associated with the divided retransmission blocks, and a mobile terminal apparatus (10) which receives the transmission signals associated with the retransmission blocks from the base station apparatus (20), and combines the retransmission blocks to restore the transmission signal prior to division.
US08639998B2
Methods and apparatus are described for determining, via a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) module, that a maximum number of retransmissions has been reached for a HARQ packet. The HARQ module may communicate an internal NACK to a message retransmission module indicating a transmission failure. The message retransmission module may retransmit at least a part of the message. The retransmission may be performed prior to the expiration of a timer.
US08639997B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate utilizing timers in conjunction with transmitting buffer status reports (BSR). A prohibit timer can be utilized to determine when BSRs can be transmitted to an eNB. The prohibit timer can be initialized or restarted upon transmitting a BSR to an eNB. A BSR retransmit timer can be used to determine when to retransmit a BSR. The BSR retransmit timer can be initialized upon transmitting a BSR to an eNB and restarted each time an uplink resource allocation is received from the eNB. Once the timer expires, if an uplink transmission buffer contains data (e.g., size>0), the BSR can be retransmitted to the eNB. Control data feedback can additionally be used to determine when to retransmit the BSR. In addition, in either case, the timer duration values can be provided by the eNB.
US08639995B1
Signature circuits are used during testing of an integrated circuit. Test vectors are applied as inputs to a circuit under test. A signature circuit stores a “signature” for the circuit under test based on a combination of signals from the circuit under test in response to test vectors and a previous stored state of the signature register. The value contained in the signature register at the end of the test is the signature. A fault-free circuit generates a particular signature for the applied test vectors. Faults can be determined by detecting variances from the expected signature. In one embodiment, the signature circuit uses a combination of two error detection codes.
US08639991B2
An indication of a start of an execution of a process can be received, and a time counter associated with measuring a time elapsed can be initiated by the execution of the process. The time elapsed by the execution of the process can be compared with a predetermined threshold timeout value, and a report indicating the time elapsed by the execution of the process and whether the elapsed time exceeded the predetermined threshold timeout value can be automatically generated.
US08639987B2
A data processing apparatus and method are provided that use monitoring circuitry to control operating parameters of the data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus has functional circuitry for performing data processing, the functional circuitry including error correction circuitry configured to detect errors in operation of the functional circuitry and to repair those errors in operation. Tuneable monitoring circuitry monitors a characteristic indicative of changes in signal propagation delay within the functional circuitry and produces a control signal dependent on the monitored characteristic. In a continuous tuning mode operation, the tuneable monitoring circuitry modifies the dependency between the monitored characteristic and the control signal in dependence upon certain characteristics of the errors detected by the error correction circuitry. An operating parameter controller is then arranged, in the continuous mode of operation, to control one or more performance controlling operating parameters of the data processing apparatus in dependence upon the control signal. This enables efficient and robust control of those operating parameters in response to changes in environmental conditions.
US08639981B2
A system and method of various SoC design verification techniques. A model of an SoC design is simulated in an emulator, and the emulator is connected to a debugger. Scripts are conveyed from a host computer to the debugger. The debugger translates the commands in the scripts from a first language into commands in a second language. The debugger then conveys the commands in the second language to the emulator. The debugger is also configured to utilize the same scripts to perform tests on an actual SoC on a development board.
US08639980B2
Administering incident pools including receiving, by an incident analyzer from an incident queue, a plurality of incidents from one or more components of the distributed processing system; assigning, by the incident analyzer, each received incident to a pool of incidents; assigning, by the incident analyzer, to each incident a particular combined minimum time for inclusion in one or more pools, each particular combined minimum time corresponding to a particular incident; in response to the pool closing, determining, by the incident analyzer, for each incident in the pool whether the incident has met its combined minimum time for inclusion in one or more pools; and if the incident has been in the pool for its combined minimum time, including, by the incident analyzer, the incident in the closed pool; and if the incident has not been in the pool for its combined minimum time, including the incident in a next pool.
US08639978B2
An automation process verifies that a test bed includes a set of devices specified by at least one script which are to be executed by the automation process on the test bed. The test bed is locked and the set of devices is allocated to the automation process. Performance data collection and logging for the set of devices is started and the at least one script is executed on the set of devices. After executing the at least one script, the set of devices is de-allocated and the test bed is unlocked. A notification is generated indicating that the at least one script has been executed.
US08639977B2
The control device has a receiving device, an output stage, a checking device and a reset device. The receiving device is used to receive at least one data block including control commands from a data bus, the output stage is used to output an output signal in response to the control commands, the checking device is used to output an error signal if the at least one received data block is faulty and/or if no data block is received within a predetermined time, and the reset device is used to reset the output stage in a predefined state if the checking device outputs the error signal. The control device is thus able to react automatically to faultily transmitted data blocks without having to wait for return messages from a transmitting central processor unit.
US08639975B2
A data processing system 2 is used to perform processing operations to generate a result value. The processing circuitry which generates the result value has an error resistant portion 32 and an error prone portion 30. The probability of an error in operation of the error prone portion for a given set of operating parameters (clk, V) is greater than the probability of an error for that same set of operating parameters within the error resistant portion. Error detection circuitry 38 detects any errors arising in the error prone portion. Parameter control circuitry 40 responds to detected errors to adjust the set of operating parameters to maintain a non-zero error rate in the errors detected by the error detection circuitry. Errors within the one or more bits generated by the error prone portion are not corrected as the apparatus is tolerant to errors occurring within such bit values of the result value.
US08639973B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques whereby a user may perform a system reset (e.g., to address system performance and/or reliability degradation, such as which may be caused by unused applications that unnecessarily consume system resources, an attempted un-install of an application that left remnants of the application behind, and/or other causes). In some embodiments, performing a system reset replaces a first instance of an operating system on the system with a new instance of the operating system, and removes any applications installed on the system, without disturbing the user's data.
US08639969B2
A storage system comprises a first storage device having a first plurality of hard disk drives and a first controller. The first controller stores data in the first plurality of hard disk drives by stripes. Each stripe includes M data and N parity data allocated to M+N hard disk drives of the first plurality of hard disk drives. A first hard disk drive includes data or parity data of both a first stripe of the stripes and a second stripe of the stripes, while a second hard disk drive includes data or parity data of only one of the first stripe or the second stripe. During data recovery involving failure of one of the first plurality of hard disk drives, the data in the failed hard disk drive is recovered for each stripe by calculation using data and parity data in other hard disk drives for each stripe.
US08639960B2
A data processing apparatus is provided comprising data processing circuitry configured to perform data processing operations. A plurality of state retention circuits forms part of the data processing circuitry and these circuits are configured to hold respective state values at respective nodes of the data processing circuitry it enters a low power mode. One or more scan paths connect the plurality of state retention circuits together in series, such that the state values may be scanned into and out of the respective nodes. A plurality of parity information generation elements are coupled to the scan path(s) and configured to generate parity information indicative of the respective state values held at those respective nodes by the state retention circuits. The plurality of parity information generation elements are arranged to provide one or more parity path(s), such that an output parity value generated at an output of the parity path will invert if one of said respective state values changes, providing an external indication of the integrity of the state values held by the state retention circuits.
US08639949B2
A secure computing device includes a secure cryptographic module with a key generation unit for generating a cryptographic key in dependence on received input. A storage is used for storing a virtual machine that is executable on a processor and at least one program that is executable on the virtual machine. A virtual machine manager including a unit 132 for determining an identifier associated 5 with the virtual machine, a unit 134 for supplying a representation of the identifier to the secure cryptographic module and retrieving a cryptographic keyfrom the secure cryptographic module; and a unit 136 for, under control of the cryptographic key, decrypting at least a part of data input to the processor and encrypting at least part of data output from the processor when the processor executes the virtual machine.
US08639943B2
Methods and systems to guard against attacks designed to replace authenticated, secure code with non-authentic, unsecure code and using existing hardware resources in the CPU's memory management unit (MMU) are disclosed. In certain embodiments, permission entries indicating that pages in memory have been previously authenticated as secure are maintained in a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) and checked upon encountering an instruction residing at an external page. A TLB permission entry indicating permission is invalid causes on-demand authentication of the accessed page. Upon authentication, the permission entry in the TLB is updated to reflect that the page has been authenticated. As another example, in certain embodiments, a page of recently authenticated pages is maintained and checked upon encountering an instruction residing at an external page.
US08639941B2
Systems, methods for computer program products for securely storing data in a data store or in an external data store associated with a mobile device are described herein. Data that is being sent from an application module to a data store, on the mobile device or an external data store used by the mobile device is first encrypted by a security manager. The security manager encrypts data based on an encryption algorithm that may be selected by a user. Data received from an application module is thus stored in an encrypted form on a data store. When an application requests data from the data store, the security manager decrypts the data and provides the data to the application module in its decrypted form. All data that is transmitted to or received from a data store or an external data store is intercepted by the security manager for encryption and decryption respectively.
US08639934B2
Technologies are generally described for using metrics of radio path characteristics within a wireless network to establish signal signature vectors. These signal signature vectors may be used as a shared secret between network nodes to establish affirmative identification. For example, a signal signature vector may be established when a new node sends a fixed number of packets to the existing nodes and the existing nodes send a fixed number of other packets back to the new node. The number of properly received packets can be counted to establish a success probability between the new node and each existing node. These probabilities can be normalized and quantized to generate signal signature vectors at each node. Without every transmitting any of the vectors, the vector at the new node should be highly correlated to the vectors at existing nodes since the pair-wise channels between each of the nodes should be reasonably symmetrical.
US08639929B2
A method, device and system for authenticating gateway, node and server are provided in this invention. The node receives a message sent by a gateway, wherein the message comprises a number T3 shared by the gateway and a server, and a gateway identification. The node encrypts data with a key K1 shared by the node and the server, the data including T3, the gateway identification, and a random number T1 generated by the node, and then sends the encrypted data and a node identification to the server through the gateway. The node decrypts data encrypted by the server and forwarded by the gateway with the key, determines that the server is a valid server according to a T1-related number obtained by decryption, and establishes a security channel with the gateway according to a new key obtained through the decryption.
US08639922B2
A secure communications and location authorization system using a power line or a potion thereof as a side-channel that mitigates man-in-the-middle attacks on communications networks and devices connected to those networks. The system includes a power grid server associated with a substation, or curb-side distribution structure such as a transformer, an electric meter associated with a structure having electric service and able to communicate with the power grid server, a human authorization detector input device connected to the electric meter and the power grid server. The human authorization detector is able to receive an input from a user physically located at the structure and capable of communicating with the power grid server via the electric meter. The user's physical input into the device causing a request to be sent to the power grid server that then generates a location certificate for the user. Without the location certificate, access to the communications network and devices connected to those networks can be denied.
US08639920B2
Embodiments facilitate confidential and secure sharing of anonymous user profile data to improve the delivery of customized content. Embodiments of the invention provide a data appliance to an entity such as a business to convert profile data about the business's customers into anonymous identifiers. A similar data appliance is provided to a content provider in one embodiment to generate identifiers for its user profile data. Because the anonymous identifiers are generated with the same anonymization method, identical identifiers are likely generated from profile data of the same users. Therefore, the identifiers can be used to anonymously match the customers of the business to the users of the content provider. Therefore, data can be shared to improve customized content such as advertisements that the business wishes to place with the content provider without requiring the business to disclose customer data in an unencrypted form, and any non-matched data can remain confidential.
US08639914B2
An apparatus includes an instruction decoder, first and second source registers and a circuit coupled to the decoder to receive packed data from the source registers and to unpack the packed data responsive to an unpack instruction received by the decoder. A first packed data element and a third packed data element are received from the first source register. A second packed data element and a fourth packed data element are received from the second source register. The circuit copies the packed data elements into a destination register resulting with the second packed data element adjacent to the first packed data element, the third packed data element adjacent to the second packed data element, and the fourth packed data element adjacent to the third packed data element.
US08639910B2
A memory controller writes to a virtual address associated with data residing within an asymmetric memory component of main memory that is within a computer system and that has a symmetric memory component, while preserving proximate other data residing within the asymmetric memory component. The symmetric memory component within the main memory of the computer system is configured to enable random access write operations in which an address within a block of the symmetric memory component is written without affecting the availability of other addresses within the block of the symmetric memory component during the writing of that address. The asymmetric memory component is configured to enable block write operations in which writing to an address within a region of the asymmetric memory component affects the availability of other addresses within the region of the asymmetric memory component during the block write operations involving the address.
US08639901B2
A memory controller (MC) is associated with a remapping table to enable access to content in a memory system that includes asymmetric memory. The MC receives a request for a memory read or an Input/Output (I/O) write from a central processing unit (CPU) for a physical address specified by the system's memory management unit (MMU). The CPU uses the MMU to manage memory operations for the CPU, by translating the virtual addresses associated with CPU instructions into physical addresses representing system memory or I/O locations. The MC for asymmetric memories is configured to process the MMU-specified physical addresses as an additional type of virtual addresses, creating a layer of abstraction between the physical address specified by the MMU and the physical memory address with which that address is associated by the MC. The MC shields the CPU from the computational complexities required to implement a memory system with asymmetric components.
US08639900B2
In a computer-implemented data storage system comprising at least one storage control and data storage, wherein data is stored in the form of volumes, at least a plurality of volumes having at least some freespace, and a grouping of a plurality of volumes comprises a pool. In response to a defragmentation request, the storage control initiates migration of data from a pool to generate additional freespace. Subsequent to the migration of data, fragmentation of data of the pool is computed, and the amount of existing freespace of the pool is determined. The amount of existing freespace is compared to a freespace threshold, where the freespace threshold is related to the computed fragmentation. If the comparison indicates the amount of freespace is below the threshold, spill volumes are added to the pool; and, else, the pool is kept intact without adding spill volumes. Then, defragmentation of the pool is initiated.
US08639890B2
Systems and methods for implementing a distributed shared memory (DSM) in a computer cluster in which an unreliable underlying message passing technology is used, such that the DSM efficiently maintains coherency and reliability. DSM agents residing on different nodes of the cluster process access permission requests of local and remote users on specified data segments via handling procedures, which provide for recovering of lost ownership of a data segment while ensuring exclusive ownership of a data segment among the DSM agents detecting and resolving a no-owner messaging deadlock, pruning of obsolete messages, and recovery of the latest contents of a data segment whose ownership has been lost.
US08639887B2
A mechanism for dynamically altering a request received at a hardware component is provided. The request is received at the hardware component, and the request includes a mode option. It is determined whether an action of the request requires an unavailable resource and it is determined whether the mode option is for the action requiring the unavailable resource. In response to the mode option being for the action requiring the unavailable resource, the action is automatically removed from the request. The request is passed for pipeline arbitration without the action requiring the unavailable resource.
US08639886B2
A system and method to optimize runahead operation for a processor without use of a separate explicit runahead cache structure. Rather than simply dropping store instructions in a processor runahead mode, store instructions write their results in an existing processor store queue, although store instructions are not allowed to update processor caches and system memory. Use of the store queue during runahead mode to hold store instruction results allows more recent runahead load instructions to search retired store queue entries in the store queue for matching addresses to utilize data from the retired, but still searchable, store instructions. Retired store instructions could be either runahead store instructions retired, or retired store instructions that executed before entering runahead mode.
US08639884B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for multi-threading computer systems. In a computer system executing multiple program threads in a processing unit, a first load/store execution unit is configured to handle instructions from a first program thread and a second load/store execution unit is configured to handle instructions from a second program thread. When the computer system executing a single program thread, the first and second load/store execution units are reconfigured to handle instructions from the single program thread, and a Level 1 (L1) data cache is reconfigured with a first port to communicate with the first load/store execution unit and a second port to communicate with the second load/store execution unit.
US08639868B2
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to customization of a bus adapter card. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a processor and a program memory, a bus adapter card coupled with the computing apparatus and configured to connect with a storage device, the bus adapter card comprising a cache memory and a controller to cache in the cache memory data associated with the storage device, where the program memory includes a driver to communicate with the bus adapter card responsive to requests corresponding to the storage device, and the driver is configured to modify its communications with the bus adapter card responsive to information provided separate from the requests.
US08639851B2
A serial bit processor is disclosed that configures a timer/counter module to determine a number of data bits to be decoded from a serial bit stream. In some implementations, a serial peripheral is coupled to a timer/counter module. The serial peripheral sends a restart command to reload an internal count register of the timer/counter module with a pre-defined value. The serial peripheral then sends count commands that cause the timer/counter to decrement (or increment) by one each time a count command is received. When the count reaches zero, a compare match command is generated and sent to the serial peripheral where it is used to resume or complete the decoding of data bits from the serial bit stream. In some implementations, a serial peripheral is included in a microcontroller that has an event system. The event system is used to communicate commands between peripherals.
US08639848B2
To reduce repetitive data transfers, data content of an outgoing message is stored within cache storage of an intermediate node of a data communications network. A token for identifying the cached data content is stored at the intermediate node and the sender. When a subsequent outgoing message is to be routed from a first network node to a target destination via the intermediate node, a process running at the first node checks whether the content of the message matches data cached at the intermediate node. If there is a match, a copy of the token is sent from the first node to the intermediate node instead date data content. The token is used at the intermediate node to identify the cached data, and the cached data is retrieved from the cache and forwarded to the target destination as an outgoing message.
US08639844B2
In one implementation, an intermediary receives a message from an endpoint, includes a flow around address and a flow through address to a second network device listed in the first message. The intermediary requests another endpoint to perform a connectivity test to determine the reachability of the originating endpoint. The connectivity test may be performed using methods such as ping, probe, interactive connectivity establishment (ICE), or session traversal utilities for network address translation (STUN). The intermediary may request originating endpoint a similar connectivity check and establish a media stream based on results of the connectivity tests. The media stream may be a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call.
US08639841B2
A video signal and an audio signal are TMDS transmitted from a source device to a sink device. Through a reserved line and a HPD line provided separately from a TMDS transmission line, an Ethernet™ signal is bidirectionally transmitted, and also, a SPDIF signal is transmitted from the sink device to the source device. The Ethernet™ signal bidirectionally transmitted between Ethernet™ transmitter/receiver circuits is differentially transmitted by an amplifier and is received by the amplifier. The SPDIF signal from a SPDIF transmitter circuit is common-mode transmitted from an adder and is received by the adder to be supplied to the SPDIF receiver circuit.
US08639832B2
Methods and apparatuses provide real-time or near real-time streaming of content using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method includes providing multiple redundant locations that provide media content to client devices using alternative streams. To implement failover protection, a first server device or first content distribution service creates a stream, or multiple alternate bandwidth streams and generates playlist file(s). A second server device or second content distribution service creates a parallel stream, or set of streams. A client attempts to download the playlist file(s) from a first uniform resource locator (URL) using a first stream associated with the first server device or the first content distribution service. If a client is unable to download the playlist file(s) from the first URL, the client attempts to switch to an alternate stream associated with another URL.
US08639831B2
A method and apparatus is provided for delivering a content file to a client over a packet-switched network. The method begins by determining a suitable throughput required to deliver the content file to the client. Next, the throughput available in a peer-to-peer network for delivering the content file to the client is determined. The required throughput is compared to the available throughput. If the available throughput is less than the required throughput, the available throughput is supplemented with additional throughput. The content is then delivered to the client over the packet-switched network using the available throughput of the peer-to-peer network and the additional throughput.
US08639829B2
A system and method to facilitate translation of communications between entities over a network are described. Multiple predetermined language constructs are communicated to a first entity as a first transmission over the network. Responsive to selection by the first entity of a language construct from the predetermined language constructs, a translated language construct corresponding to the selected language construct is identified. Finally, the translated language construct is communicated to a second entity as a second transmission over the network.
US08639827B1
A self-service system is provided that can automatically identify one or more existing groups to which a user can self-select to access a resource. The self-service system can identify any suitable existing group without requiring an administrator to predefine groups according to roles. In some implementations, the system intelligently identifies one or more suitable groups for a user from a list of available groups by analyzing a set of rules or criteria. For instance, the system can perform a weighted analysis of various rules and/or criteria to automatically and dynamically identify groups that have a closest fit to the access rights needed or requested by the user. Further, the system can evaluate certain best or preferred grouping practices to identify suitable groups. As a result, in certain embodiments, the self-service system alleviates planning burdens on administrators and provides greater flexibility in providing users with access to resources.
US08639824B1
A system and method for dynamic account management in a grid computing system. In one embodiment, a system for dynamic account management in a grid computing system is disclosed. The system comprises a distributed resource management system, and a link mapper that is coupled to the distributed resource management system. The link mapper provides a unique symbolic link comprising a modified user identifier to a user. As such, the user is authorized by providing a dynamic account that is associated with the symbolic link to the user.
US08639817B2
A system and method for management and processing of resource requests is provided. A content delivery network service provider determines a class associated with a set of client computing devices and monitors resources requests for the determined class. The content delivery network service provider then identifies at least one cache component for providing additional content, such as advertisement content or other additional content provided in anticipation of future resource requests, to client computing devices as a function of the determined class. In other embodiments, instead of cache components, the content delivery network service provider identifies a second set of client computing devices as a function of the determined class for providing the additional content information.
US08639815B2
A system and a computer program product for selecting a primary-secondary host pair for mirroring virtual machines. The system includes a processor collecting data related to each of a plurality of potential primary-secondary host pairs in a computer network. The processor analyzes each of the plurality of potential primary-secondary host pairs in the computer network utilizing performance metrics. An ideal primary-secondary host pair in the computer network is determined by the processor based on the analysis of the performance metrics of each of the plurality of potential primary-secondary host pairs. In response to determining the ideal primary-secondary host pair, a primary host virtual machine is mirrored onto the secondary host of the primary-secondary host pair.
US08639806B2
Embodiments include devices, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture that facilitate sending notices that a previously identified malfunctioning link or pointer has been restored or otherwise rendered useable. Embodiments can include systems with a registry wherein when a user discovers that a link is not functioning properly the registry may register the malfunctioning link, may facilitate further queries of the malfunctioning link, and may provide updates to one or more user portals that the previously malfunctioning link or pointer is no longer malfunctioning.
US08639804B2
Techniques, including systems and methods, for maintaining current content are described and suggested herein. In an embodiment, information from a plurality of information sources is received. Communications between the computer system and a network are monitored. Subsequent to an inability to communicate over the network, an ability to communicate over the network is detected. Responsive to detecting the ability to communicate over the network, information from one or more of the information sources is requested. The one or more information sources may be servers providing web pages.
US08639802B2
A management server uses one or more performance monitoring data collectors to generate SNMP queries. Each collector can be configured to specify one or more performance parameters. Using each configured collector, the management server can collect performance parameter data for managed devices in a network. When the management server receives performance data, the management server traverses through each response to look for performance values associated with each performance parameter. The management server can dynamically create and destroy performance monitoring instances supported by each collector to accommodate components added to or removed from the devices in the managed network.
US08639798B2
There is provided a method for managing a plurality of configuration items that includes a repository that holds, for each configuration item, one set of data indicating at least one predetermined attribute of the configuration item and a relationship with another configuration item and a discovery section that detects information on configuration items. The method includes creating at least one new set of data from information detected by the discovery section. The method also includes storing the new set of data in the repository and managing the new set of data as a combined configuration item.
US08639788B2
Rapid demanding for storage capacity at internet era requires a much flexible and powerful storage infrastructure. Present invention disclosed a type of storage system based a model of centrally controlled distributed scalable virtual machine. In this model, one or more service pools including virtual storage service pool and application service pools can be automatically created to meet the demands for more storage capacity from various applications. Specially this model provide a solid foundation for distributing storage volumes for supporting storage on-demand and sharing with exceptional management capabilities.
US08639769B2
There is disclosed a method, system and computer readable medium for transferring data in a LAN-free environment, in particular for a tape backup or restore operation. Data of a client partition of a first server is sent to a partition of a LAN-free server through the Local Area Network (LAN). The data sent is then converted from TCP/IP protocol to Fibre Channel protocol. The converted data is sent to a Storage Area Network (SAN) through a Fibre Channel card and finally to a tape library. An advantage is thus to mutualize and virtualize resources, in particular Fibre Channel cards. Storage Area Network tape drives are shared using such host bus adapter cards. Certain embodiments avoid the reconfiguration of Storage Area Network tape drives when the client partition moves to a new hardware.
US08639765B2
Within a network-based discussion environment, a moderation mechanism is implemented to encourage posts of high relevancy. The moderation mechanism is configurable so as to support distributed access control. In one case, the moderation mechanism is configured to support an allocation of a limited number of responses to a user based on the number of new threads the user has started.
US08639763B2
Methods and apparatus to forward documents in a communication network are disclosed. An example method to forward a resource in an extensible markup language (XML) document management (XDM) system disclosed herein comprises receiving an XML document command protocol (XDCP) forward request specifying a first identifier corresponding to the resource to be forwarded and a list of recipients to be notified, the first identifier comprising a uniform resource identifier (URI), and notifying a recipient in the list of recipients that the resource is available.
US08639758B2
A system for determining presence of and authorizing a quorum to transact business over a network includes a first set of machine-readable instructions resident on a digital medium accessible to a computing machine, the instructions causing the machine to monitor a network for active presence of individual ones of communications devices associated with members of an authorized team of individuals from which the quorum may be determined, a second set of machine-readable instructions resident on the medium for causing the computing machine to make a confirmation of the quorum against a set of rules, and to authorize one or more of the individual communications devices making up the quorum to perform one or more tasks based on quorum consensus, and a user configuration, scheduling, and notification application resident on the digital medium for enabling a user to configure, schedule, and notify team members of a pending quorum event.
US08639757B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for estimating a location of a user using location information of the user's friends. The user's friends are identified, and a social-interaction strength between the user and each of the friends is determined. This results in a set of weights of social ties that respectively indicate a level of social interaction between the user and the user's friends. The location of the friends is determined. The user's location is estimated based on the set of weights of social ties and the friend locations.
US08639754B2
Described herein are systems and methods for enabling access to messages on a message service system via user interfaces of receiving client devices. The message service system comprises a message storage system and a message access system. The message storage system receives messages from sending client devices and stores message data. The message access system comprises a message server and UI server. A receiving client device is connected with the UI server through a first HTTP connection for receiving UI data for building webpages of the user interface and is connected with the message server through a second non-HTTP connection for receiving message data for populating the webpages. The UI data does not comprise any message data. A client protocol engine on the receiving client device and a server protocol engine on the message server define and provide the non-HTTP protocol for receiving and transmitting message data.
US08639744B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided for improving utilization of a communications system (e.g., a satellite communications system) when handling live content requests. Embodiments use various techniques (e.g., dictionary coding techniques) to create fingerprints of content traversing the links of the communications system. These fingerprints are used to identify and exploit opportunities for using multicasting to share forward-link capacity by collapsing multiple, substantially identical live content session streams into fewer shared session streams (e.g., a single shared session stream).
US08639738B2
A low-error reduced-width multiplier is provided by the present invention. The multiplier can dynamically compensate the truncation error. The compensation value is derived by the dependencies among the multiplier partial products, and thus, can be analyzed according to the multiplication type and the multiplier input statistics.
US08639736B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a signal using a cyclo-stationary characteristic value is provided. A method of detecting a signal using a cyclo-stationary characteristic value includes: calculating cyclo-stationary characteristic values with respect to a cyclic frequency domain of an input signal; multiplying the calculated cyclo-stationary characteristic values with each other; and detecting the signal from the input signal based on the result of the multiplication.
US08639734B1
An apparatus or method in which information external to a file is used to select a directory within a file system where the file is to be stored. In one embodiment of the method a first request is received to create a first file in a file system, wherein the first request comprises a first file system path. First information is also received that describes data contained in a first data object. A first redirect file system path component is selected from a plurality of redirect file system path components in response to receiving the first information. The first file system path is then modified by adding the first redirect file system path component to the first file system path.
US08639726B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for methods management. A methods management method can include establishing default structured relationships between different reusable method elements. The methods management method also can include creating descriptors within a process that mirror the default structured relationships. Finally, the methods management method can include configuring the created descriptors to permit changes to the mirrored default structural relationships between the created descriptors in the process without changing the default structured relationships between the source reusable method elements.
US08639720B2
A computer implemented method for accessing data begins with receipt of a data access request. In response to determining that the requested data needs to be acquired in real time from an original data source, the processor acquires and stores that data. In response to determining that the data cannot be acquired in real time from the data source, the processor acquires the data from a configuration management database in which the requested data was previously stored.
US08639719B2
System and methods are provided that enable a data and information repository with a semantic engine that enables users to easily capture information in various formats from various devices along with rich metadata relating to that information. The information repository can be configured to query the captured information and any metadata to extrapolate new meaning, including semantic meaning, and to perform various tasks, including but not limited to sharing of the information and metadata. In some embodiments, the information repository is configured to generate recommendations to users based on analysis of the captured information.
US08639718B2
Network operators are striving to find ways to provide stable video services amid a rapid increase in video traffic. In order to provide stable video services with constrained network resources, network operators attempted to reduce video file sizes using a content adaptation engine (CAE). However, network operators failed to efficiently readdress video flows to CAEs. This disclosure provides systems and methods for efficiently readdressing video flows to CAEs.
US08639714B2
A variety of computer based service that permit users to edit, compose, upload, or otherwise generate content also provide for the integration of sponsored media into presentations along with user-generated content. An exemplary service generates text based on user input, provides tags based on the text to a sponsored media repository, receives a sponsored media data structure in return, and formats sponsored media from the data structure for display to the user.
US08639712B2
A method for creating a relational database schema is provided. The method comprises accessing (110, 210) a reference ontology (101) comprising a first number of concepts and a second number of properties, selecting (120, 220) a first set of concepts from the reference ontology, determining (130, 230) a first set of properties from said second number of properties, associated with the selected first set of concepts, determining (140, 240) a second set of concepts associated with the determined first set of properties, and generating (150, 250) a relational database schema comprising a number of tables, of which at least one table pertains to a concept of said second set of concepts. Further, a module (300) for creating a relational database schema is provided.
US08639699B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices, and more particularly, to a system, an apparatus and a method configured to generate arrangements of data, including data catalogs, to facilitate discovery of items via an interface depicting item representations based on similarity of one or more attributes. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a request to transmit data; executing instructions at a processor to determine the relationships of the item representations to the principal item representation for records stored in a memory, associating the item representations to positions of a data arrangement based on the relationships of the item representations. Also the method can include transmitting to a computing device data representing the data arrangement including data representing the item representations to be presented on an interface of the computing device.
US08639692B2
In one aspect, a processing device of an information processing system is operative to perform high-dimensional stratified sampling of a database comprising a plurality of records arranged in overlapping sub-groups. For a given record, the processing device determines which of the sub-groups the given record is associated with, and for each of the sub-groups associated with the given record, checks if a sampling rate of the sub-group is less than a specified sampling rate. If the sampling rate of each of the sub-groups is less than the specified sampling rate, the processing device samples the given record, and otherwise does not sample the given record. The determine, check and sample operations are repeated for additional records, and samples resulting from the sample operations are processed to generate information characterizing the database. Other aspects of the invention relate to determining which records to sample through iterative optimization of an objective function that may be based, for example, on a likelihood function of the sampled records.
US08639689B2
In response to a query of discernable facial attributes, the locations of distinct and different facial regions are estimated from face image data, each relevant to different attributes. Different features are extracted from the estimated facial regions from database facial images, which are ranked in base layer rankings by matching feature vectors to a base layer ranking sequence as a function of edge weights. Second-layer rankings define second-layer attribute vectors as combinations of the base-layer feature vectors and associated base layer parameter vectors for common attributes, which are matched to a second-layer ranking sequence as a function of edge weights. The images are thus ranked for relevance to the query as a function of the second-layer rankings.
US08639688B2
A targeted advertising system performs context-based association mining using a publicly available corpus to identify a product or brand name that, under a given context, is associated with a product or brand being marketed. The system analyzes documents within the publicly available corpus that are associated with the given context, and identifies products or brand names that have a high association to the product or brand being marketed. The system can also analyze the publicly available corpus to determine contextual information which is correlated to two or more products or brand names. This contextual information includes a set of terms that facilitates filtering the publicly available corpus into an optimal set of documents that has a high association to a desired market category or demographic.
US08639680B1
A method for creating a hidden text data index for ranking computerized query search results that includes generating a render tree based on a document object model (DOM) tree for a web page. The render tree includes nodes that correspond to text that will be visually displayed by a client device when executed. The method includes comparing nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree with the nodes corresponding to text of the render tree to identify the nodes in the DOM tree that will not be visually displayed when executed by the client device. The method also includes creating a hidden text data index for the nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree not in the render tree. The hidden text data index identifies nodes corresponding to text of the DOM tree as hidden that will not be visually displayed when executed by the client device.
US08639667B2
Techniques are disclosed for generating conditional functional dependency (CFD) pattern tableaux having the desirable properties of support, confidence and parsimony. These techniques include both a greedy algorithm for generating a tableau and, for large data sets, an “on-demand” algorithm that outperforms the basic greedy algorithm in running time by an order of magnitude. In addition, a range tableau, as a generalization of a pattern tableau, can achieve even more parsimony.
US08639664B2
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for accessing, navigating, and displaying multiple versions of claims in an efficient and customer-friendly manner. In various embodiments, claims can be processed and stored such that they can be displayed via an interface in a graphical format (e.g., textual, circular, hierarchical, etc.).
US08639662B2
Methods and apparatus for content based notification using hierarchical groups. In an aspect, a method is provided that operates to provide an event notification. The method includes maintaining an event description dictionary comprising one or more event descriptors, and associating content with a selected event descriptor. The method also includes compressing the selected event descriptor to generate a compressed event descriptor, and transmitting the compressed event descriptor on a notification channel.
US08639657B2
The present invention generally relates to reorganization of table-based data objects. In a typical embodiment, the present invention utilizes SQL based scripts to run and manage online “reorgs” on DB2® table data. Such reorgs can occur synchronously or asynchronously and typically include: defragmenting the data objects to reclaim free space; sorting the data objects according to an index; and/or eliminating overflow rows in order to improve data objects access performance. Also under the present invention, information pertaining to the reorg (e.g., status) will be collected. DB2® tables can be used to drive, control, manage and track the reorganization operation. Still yet, “runstat” maintenance can be performed against data objects affected by the reorgs.
US08639655B2
Improved Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (“LDAP”) server architectures using dedicated threads to respond to different classes of LDAP requests are described and claimed. Some servers classify an LDAP request from a client, then store the classified request with similarly-classified requests. One of the classified LDAP requests is selected and executed to prepare a corresponding LDAP response. Other arrangements are also described and claimed.
US08639651B2
In a method for manipulating environmental conditions in an infrastructure containing one or more adaptive vent tiles, correlations between opening levels of the one or more adaptive vent tiles and an environmental condition at one or more heat dissipating devices are identified. In addition, one or more environmental conditions at locations proximate to or within the one or more heat dissipating devices are received and errors between the received one or more environmental conditions and one or more reference environmental conditions are identified. Moreover, opening levels for the one or more adaptive vent tiles are determined based upon the identified correlations and errors.
US08639635B2
A computer-implemented method for mortality tracking. The method includes electronically receiving contact information of a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The method also includes electronically receiving a unique identifier of the policyholder of the life insurance policy. The method further includes periodically electronically searching mortality database records to obtain a periodic mortality search result. Upon occurrence of an aperiodic triggering event, the method may further aperiodically electronically search the mortality database records for the unique identifier of the policyholder to obtain an aperiodic mortality search result. The method may include verifying the deceased status of the policyholder upon occurrence of an indication that the policyholder being deceased according to the periodic mortality search result. The method further includes transmitting a deceased status notification to the beneficiary of the life insurance policy based on the policyholder being deceased according to the periodic or the aperiodic mortality search result.
US08639634B2
A computer system and computer-implemented method are provided for management of employee leave and absence policies. The system is configured to receive data related to an employee leave claim at a single point of contact. The single point of contact may be implemented as a single address for leave issues related to any type of leave, including for example for employment-related injuries compensated through workers compensation, short term disability, long-term disability, and other types of leave. The system may be configured to provide prompts to a user for claims relating to multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to furnish data to separate computer systems for administration of multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to provide communications related to employee leave claims between separate computer systems responsive to receipt of data from one or more of the computer systems.
US08639633B2
Systems and methods for collecting data from one or more scoring candidates, storing such data in a database, and transforming such data using various techniques and software modules to generate a personal tracking and development score that determines an individual's proficiency for skills that are mapped to a job profile are depicted. Users may be ranked or compared against each other with similar units of measure. An attribute score may be used as a benefit for career development similar to the benefit a credit score may provide in assessing a user's financial records.
US08639628B2
A method for calculating a One Time Password. A secret is concatenated with a count, where the secret is uniquely assigned to a token. The secret can be a private key or a shared secret symmetric key. The count is a number that increases monotonically at the token with the number of one-time Passwords generated at the token. The count is also tracked at an authentication server, where it increases monotonically with each calculation of a one-time Password at the authentication server. An OTP can be calculated by hashing a concatenated secret and count. The result can be truncated.
US08639625B1
The present invention provides systems and methods for electronic commerce including secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers employed in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Secure subsystems used with such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Secure distributed and other operating system environments and architectures, employing, for example, secure semiconductor processing arrangements that may establish secure, protected environments at each node. These techniques may be used to support an end-to-end electronic information distribution capability that may be used, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.”
US08639621B1
A computer-implemented method includes capturing an image by a mobile computing device and determining a geographic location and a direction of the mobile computing device while capturing the image. The method includes generating a display that includes the image and that identifies the locations of merchants that have at least one offer available for a user of the mobile device based on the geographic location and the direction of the mobile computing device and generating the at least one offer based on the past transactions of the user.
US08639604B1
A system and method of managing tax-deferred retirement accounts that enable the participants to invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs) and to forecast and intelligently plan for their retirement savings needs. The system and method preferably allow each participant to select an asset allocation model pursuant to which their investments will be managed and periodically rebalance the portfolio of each participant based on the selected asset allocation model.
US08639589B2
A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.
US08639587B1
A user and a merchant register an account with a payment processing system and each receive a unique identifier. When the registered user enters a search query for a product, the search engine system locates a product that matches the search query and that is associated with a registered merchant. The search engine system then confirms that the user and the merchant are registered, and creates a unique product identifier for the product. After associating the unique product identifier with the product, the search engine presents the product to the user with a direct purchase option. If the user selects a direct purchase option, the search engine system communicates with the payment processing system and merchant system to facilitate and verify the purchase transaction. The merchant then provides the product to the user.
US08639586B2
A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.
US08639565B2
An advertisement space auction apparatus enabling for a more strategic and open auction transaction to be realized is provided. The advertisement space auction apparatus using a network, comprising a memory storing advertisement space information and being accessible by a plurality of entities connected to the network, a bid data communication unit receiving a bid data submitted via the network from at least one of the plurality of entities, the bid data corresponding to the advertisement space information stored in the memory; and a winning bidder determination unit determining a winning bidder of an advertisement space designated by the advertisement space information, on the basis of the bid data received by the bid data communication unit.
US08639563B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages using current events data. In one embodiment, external marketing data is received from a set of sources to form the current events data. The current events data is processed to form dynamic data. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer using the dynamic data.
US08639562B2
A method for cost entity matching can include constructing a first graph including a number of first entities and a number of second entities, and assigning a number of first cost values to each of a number of first edges connecting one of the number of first entities to one of the number of second entities in the first graph; adding a second graph to the first graph, wherein the second graph includes the number of first entities and the number of second entities, and assigning a second cost value to each of a number of second edges connecting one of the number of first entities in the first graph to the corresponding first entity in the second graph; and, matching each one of the number of second entities to one of the number of first entities based on the number of first cost values and the second cost values.
US08639540B2
Method for directed advertising and information distribution using a wireless communications network
A method of and system for directing individualized information to end users, using wireless or mobile media is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method and system interconnects (a) advertisers or sponsors, (b) wireless device users (“system users”), and (c) wireless telecommunications companies, via (d) an intermediary or “hub entity.” The hub entity maintains and controls computer operated software and data bases to direct specific advertising or information to targeted system users; collects subscription fees and distributes advertising fees; and determines the effectiveness of various advertising or information transmitted to specific system users. The method can further be customized for application as an information provider, alert notice or security warning system. In other embodiments the method and system may be applied to work with the membership of an organization, such as credit card companies' cardholders, an insurance companies' policy holders, employees, tenants, or other local, national, or world-wide groups or organizations.
US08639538B2
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive, from a user, an input of at least one value associated with financial information of a married couple, and calculate, using the at least one value, an average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) value and a primary insurance amount (PIA) value for each individual from the married couple. The code represents instructions to cause the processor to calculate, using the AIME value or the PIA value for each individual from the married couple, a set of Social Security election outcomes using each election strategy from a set of election strategies for each age combination from a set of age combinations for the married couple. The code further represents instructions to cause the processor to present the set of Social Security election outcomes to the user.
US08639535B1
Methods and systems for providing supplemental insurance to insure the deductible amount of a primary insurance policy are described. In an example, data is received about a first insurance policy of an insured party; a deductible amount of the first insurance policy is determined; a premium to insure the deductible amount is determined using a computing device and a second insurance policy for the deductible amount is offered to the insured party. In an example, the first insurance policy may be provided by a third party provider. In an example, all of the deductible amounts of the insured party's insurance policies may be added and supplemental insurance for the total deductible amount offered. In an example, the deductible amounts of a group of insured members may be added and supplemental insurance for the total deductible amount offered. In an example, the deductible amount of an insurance policy may be added to a loan.
US08639532B2
A consumer is provided with continuity of medical care by being prompted to transfer data to a recipient, upon completion of the consumer's interaction with a brokerage system. The data obtained during the interactions is transferred to one or more recipients selected by the consumer.
US08639522B2
Transaction-based behavioral profiling, whereby the entity to be profiled is represented by a stream of transactions, is required in a variety of data mining and predictive modeling applications. An approach is described for assessing inconsistency in the activity of an entity, as a way of detecting fraud and abuse, using service-code information available on each transaction. Inconsistency is based on the concept that certain service-codes naturally co-occur more than do others. An assessment is made of activity consistency looking at the overall activity of an individual entity, as well as looking at the interaction of entities. Several approaches for measuring consistency are provided, including one inspired by latent semantic analysis as used in text analysis. While the description is in the context of fraud detection in healthcare, the techniques are relevant to application in other industries and for purposes other than fraud detection.
US08639521B2
The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing care to a patient, comprising a patient care device having a number of configuration databases stored in a memory in the device. Each configuration database preferably includes protocols, operating limits, rule sets and/or operating features that collectively define an operating environment, or personality, of the device. Selection of a specific configuration database preferably is based at least in part upon patient-specific information obtained from any location in a distributed hospital network. Examples of such patient-specific information include patient age or size, patient medical characteristics, a location of the patient or a location of the care device. In a preferred embodiment, programming a patient care device to deliver a drug to a patient entails activating a configuration database and scanning a machine-readable drug label identifying a particular protocol stored in the activated database. The selected protocol includes default parameters for delivering the drug, and the label optionally includes instructions for deviating from the default protocol.
US08639518B2
According to an embodiment, an information retrieving apparatus includes a housing; an input-output unit to perform dialogue processing with a user; a first detecting unit to detect means of transfer which indicates present means of transfer for the user; a second detecting unit to detect a holding status which indicates whether the user is holding the housing; a third detecting unit to detect a talking posture which indicates whether the housing is held near the face of the user; a selecting unit to select, from among a plurality of interaction modes that establish the dialogue processing, an interaction mode according to a combination of the means of transfer, the holding status, and the talking posture; an dialogue manager to control the dialogue processing according to the selected interaction mode; and a information retrieval unit to retrieve information using a keyword that is input during the dialogue processing.
US08639516B2
Systems, methods, and devices for user-specific noise suppression are provided. For example, when a voice-related feature of an electronic device is in use, the electronic device may receive an audio signal that includes a user voice. Since noise, such as ambient sounds, also may be received by the electronic device at this time, the electronic device may suppress such noise in the audio signal. In particular, the electronic device may suppress the noise in the audio signal while substantially preserving the user voice via user-specific noise suppression parameters. These user-specific noise suppression parameters may be based at least in part on a user noise suppression preference or a user voice profile, or a combination thereof.
US08639506B2
Method, system and computer program for determining the matching between a first and a second sampled signals using an improved Dynamic Time Warping algorithm, called Unbounded DTW. It uses a dynamic programming algorithm to find exact start-end alignment points, unknown a priori, being the initial subsampling of the similarity matrix made via definition of optimal synchronization points, allowing a very fast process.
US08639503B1
A method for encoding speech includes processing an input speech signal using an encoder, resulting in a compressed encoder representation of the input speech signal. The method also includes, if a speech recognizer identifies, in the input speech signal, a corresponding dictionary speech element that approximates the input speech signal, determining, with an electronic device, a compressed recognizer representation of the corresponding dictionary speech element, calculating, with the electronic device, one or more differences between the compressed encoder representation and the compressed recognizer representation, and compiling, with the electronic device, compressed speech information that includes representations of the one or more differences. The encoder and the speech recognizer are implemented with the electronic device.
US08639498B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for coding and decoding a multi object audio signal with multi channel. The apparatus includes: a multi channel encoding means for down-mixing an audio signal including a plurality of channels, generating a spatial cue for the audio signal including the plurality of channels, and generating first rendering information including the generated spatial cue; and a multi object encoding unit for down-mixing an audio signal including a plurality of objects, which includes the down-mixed signal from the multi channel encoding unit, generating a spatial cue for the audio signal including the plurality of objects, and generating second rendering information including the generated spatial cue, wherein the multichannel encoding unit generates a spatial cue for the audio signal including the plurality of objects regardless of a Coder-DECoder (CODEC) scheme the limits the multi channel encoding unit.
US08639496B2
A method includes accessing text that includes a plurality of words, tagging each of the plurality of words with one of a plurality of parts of speech (POS) tags, and creating a plurality of tokens, each token comprising one of the plurality of words and its associated POS tag. The method further includes clustering one or more of the created tokens into a chunk of tokens, the one or more tokens clustered into the chunk of tokens based on the POS tags of the one or more tokens, and forming a phrase based on the chunk of tokens, the phrase comprising the words of the one or more tokens clustered into the chunk of tokens.
US08639487B1
An automated system-on-chip (SOC) hardware and software cogeneration design flow allows an SOC designer, using a single source description for any platform-independent combination of reused or new IP blocks, to produce a configured hardware description language (HDL) description of the circuitry necessary to implement the SOC, while at the same time producing the development tools (e.g., compilers, assemblers, debuggers, simulator, software support libraries, reset sequences, etc.) used to generate the SOC software and the diagnostics environment used to verify the SOC.
US08639486B2
Provided are methods for identifying and/or designing inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus biological activity. Also provided is a computer readable medium encoded with instructions executable by a CPU for performing the functions of identifying or designing inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus biological activity, and a system comprising the computer readable medium and a CPU. Also provided are compounds identified and/or designed by the methods, methods of treatment including the compounds, methods of inhibiting S. aureus using the compounds, medicaments including the compounds for use in the treatment of S. aureus infection, or conditions related to S. aureus infection, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds. Methods for identifying a bacterial cell that is resistant to methicillin are also provided.
US08639475B1
A system and method of signal detection from a given point, in which a radiative aperture, such as a sonar sensor, radar antenna, acoustic sensor, or the like, receives radiation from the point at more than one range. At each range, the signal incident on each point within the aperture is weighted by the cosine of the angle between a surface normal at the point on the aperture, and a vector from the point on the aperture to the given point. The physical size and shape of the aperture may also be changed to cause the aperture to subtend the same solid angle having the given point as the vertex, at each range. In this manner, the signal from the given point becomes aperture shape independent, facilitating object recognition and imaging.
US08639470B2
A digital spectrum analysis apparatus and method for direction finding (DF) and location is provided. The digital spectrum analysis apparatus for single-channel direction finding includes: a digital processing unit configured to receive a signal, convert the received signal into a digital signal, reduce a sampling rate of the digital signal by using a digital down converter (DDC), and convert the digital signal into a baseband complex signal; a spectrum processing unit configured to map a bearing and a power level of the baseband complex signal into coordinate system, and allocate different colors to the power levels depending on the accumulation ratio of the power levels; and a display unit configured to display the power levels with colors in order to estimate the bearing of the signal.
US08639469B2
Computerized sequential bounded estimation is performed on time-series data. Robust methods use bounds and probability distributions to estimate target parameters for time-dependent data, including but not limited to the location of objects or phenomena. Realistic prior probability distributions of pertinent variables are utilized, and time-dependent measurements and errors in measurements are received. Bounds and probability distributions can be obtained without making any assumption of linearity. The sequential methods used for location are applicable in other applications in which a function of the probability distribution is desired for variables that are related to measurements.
US08639467B2
A measuring system for determining a value of a physical or chemical, measured variable of a medium, includes: a base unit; at least one relay unit connected with the base unit and a sensor unit connected with the relay unit. The sensor unit includes a circuit having at least one microcontroller, at least a first memory region, and a second memory region. The upload software is embodied, in interaction with the microcontroller, to perform an updating of the basic software with at least one software module provided from the base unit. The relay unit includes a circuit having at least one microcontroller, and at least a first memory region, in which a basic software of the relay unit is stored. The circuit of the relay unit further includes a second memory region, in which an upload software of the relay unit is stored.
US08639466B2
A method, apparatus and software is disclosed, for use in a computerised storage system comprising one or more replaceable units, for managing testing of one or more replacement units, where the storage system is automatically placed in a testing mode in response to a given unit being replaced and if testing fails the storage system automatically fails back to a service mode.
US08639463B2
An electron beam apparatus for inspecting a pattern on a sample using multiple electron beams includes a plurality of primary electro-optical systems and a plurality of secondary electro-optical systems associated with the respective primary electro-optical systems. The primary electro-optical systems are for irradiating multiple primary electron beams on a surface of the sample, and each includes an electron gun having an anode and an objective lens. The secondary electro-optical systems are for inducing secondary electrons emitted from a surface of the sample by irradiation of the primary electron beams. Detectors are each for detecting the secondary electrons and generating electric signals corresponding to the detected electrons. The anodes of the electron guns of the primary electro-optical systems comprise an anode substrate in common having multiple holes corresponding to the axes of the respective primary electro-optical systems. The anode substrate has metal coatings around the respective holes.
US08639457B2
A method for ascertaining and monitoring the fill level of a medium in a container via a field device, wherein transmission signals are transmitted toward the medium and are received as reflection signals. The transmission signals and the reflection signals are registered by means of data points in an envelope curve dependent on travel time or travel distance. Disturbance echo signals are registered by means of data points in a masking curve, the data points are connected with one another via connecting functions An evaluation curve is ascertained from the envelope curve; wherein, by means of a reduction algorithm, the number of data points in the masking curve and/or in the evaluation curve is reduced; and wherein, by an echo search algorithm, by means of the reduced masking curve and/or reduced evaluation curve, at least one wanted echo signal in the current envelope curve is ascertained.
US08639437B2
The present invention discloses a back-propagating intersection collision avoidance (ICA) system for preventing two or more vehicles from colliding at an intersection. The ICA system can calculate predicted positions of the two or more vehicles in the near future, and both the current and future positions can be broadcast to surrounding vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communication. For each vehicle, a set of states, for example position, speed, acceleration, and the like, where a collision is imminent can be identified using state information for a local vehicle, a remote vehicle, and a known collision zone for the intersection. If the current states of the vehicles are determined to be in danger of entering the collision zone, the ICA system can control the vehicles to perform evasive driving maneuvers and/or alert the drivers.
US08639429B2
A tractive force control part of a wheel loader reduces the maximum tractive force when determination conditions are satisfied during tractive force control. The determination conditions include that the work phase is excavation, that the working implement is in the raising hydraulic stall condition and that drive circuit pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure threshold.
US08639426B2
A GPS/IMU safety sensor platform is proposed, consisting of data fusion Processors, GNSS Signal Acquisition and Tracking Processors, MEMS IMU sensors, one or multiple accelerometers able to provide orientation information, optional V2V communication modules, and optional V2I communication modules. The data fusion processors provide interface ports to GNSS/IMU processors, odometers, video (Visual/Infrared) cameras installed in the vehicle, V2V relative positioning sensors (laser, radar or any other distance measuring), and V2V and V2I communication modules. The data fusion processors are interfaced to a driver warning system and optionally to the vehicle controls for providing safety warning messages to drivers, or for automatic control the vehicle for preventing and reducing accidents.
US08639424B2
A system and method for controlling automatic stop-start of a motor vehicle is provided. The system and method is configured to enable an automatic stop-start mode of operation based on vehicle conditions. In addition, the system and method is configured to selectively actuate an accumulator to prime the transmission for a smooth restart.
US08639421B2
Industrial truck with an electric travel drive and controls that can switch the electric travel drive to regenerative operation to brake the industrial truck, wherein an eddy current brake is provided that can be controlled or regulated by the controls during regenerative operation to brake the industrial truck, wherein the controls control or regulate the eddy current brake depending on the rpm of the electric travel drive, and wherein the controls control or regulate the eddy current brake in a manner such that the braking torque of the travel drive is supplemented at high rpms by the braking torque generated by the eddy current brake.
US08639407B2
A switch image control system includes at least one first switch having a first image viewable when a backlighting is applied to the at least one first switch. The system also includes at least one second switch having a second image viewable when the backlighting is applied to the at least one second switch. The backlighting is independently applicable to either or both of the at least one first switch and the at least one second switch.
US08639400B1
Altitude control of a toy flying vehicle intended for indoor hovering flight comprises providing a selected altitude level for the vehicle. A position control signal is transmitted from the vehicle towards a surface. A receiver in the vehicle receives the signal reflected from the surface. A level of the reflected signal by the receiver is determined, and a change of the reflected signal is an indicator of a change of altitude of the vehicle relative to the selected altitude level. The vehicle receiver communicates with the remote controller, and the remote controller can adjust and control speed and direction of the vehicle. Controlling the altitude can be by a stop control; an up and/or down control; and/or a high and/or low height sensitivity control, take-off/landing control; gesture mode control; left/right trim control; control between altitude control mode and manual control mode.
US08639393B2
A control system is disclosed for a mobile excavation machine operating at a worksite. The control system may have a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the mobile excavation machine, and a position sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of a work tool. The control system may also have an offboard planner configured to receive a first input indicative of a characteristic of an intended work area, a second input indicative of a characteristic of the mobile excavation machine, and a third input indicative of a desired change in the intended work area. The offboard planner may also be configured to generate an excavation plan based on the first, second, and third inputs. The control system may further have a controller configured to autonomously control the mobile excavation machine based on the first and second signals and based on the excavation plan.
US08639391B1
A building automation system including a controller, at least one outlet for providing electrical energy to one or more electrical devices, at least one sensor for detecting one or more characteristics of the electrical devices, and a communication link configured to allow communication between the controller and other components of the system, wherein the controller is configured to control (e.g., interrupt, change, adjust, terminate, increase, and/or meter) the supply of power to the at least one outlet based, in part, on one or more characteristics of the electrical device.
US08639386B2
An interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals includes a plurality of articulating arms (107, 108, 109) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing. A button (118) is provided to switch between at least two modes, wherein when in a first mode control signals are used to control a vehicle base (502), and when in the second mode control signals are used to control a robotic arm (504) coupled to the vehicle base (502).
US08639379B2
A detecting device for preventing a substrate from being scratched by an apparatus and a detecting method using the same is provided. The device comprises a detecting substrate, a controlling module, a transmitting module and a monitoring module. The controlling module detects a position information of a contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate and transmits the position information to the transmitting module. The transmitting module transmits the position information received from the controlling module to the monitoring module. The monitoring module determines the coordinates of the contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate according to the position information. The detecting substrate can be employed to simulate the substrate used in the real manufacture process of the TFT-LCD so that the apparatus in each step can be detected before the real manufacture process is performed. Thus, the apparatus can be adjusted before the real manufacture process is performed, and therefore the substrate can be effectively prevented from being scratched by the apparatuses in the real manufacture process.
US08639378B2
A device safety apparatus, in particular a hand-held device safety apparatus, having an antenna unit having at least one antenna element, which is provided for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving a safety signal. The antenna unit has at least one additional component, which in conjunction with the antenna element is provided to specify a safety zone.
US08639366B2
A control device for generating a second trigger with a delay of a predetermined time from generation of a first trigger, the control device having: a counter for counting numbers from 0 to n−1 at a frequency with cycles of a first period; a control section, which operates at a frequency with cycles of a second period that is longer than the first period, for calculating a remainder of a division by adding a number of counts of the counter corresponding to the predetermined time to a count value of the counter at the time of generation of the first trigger and by dividing a result of the addition by n; and an output section for outputting the second trigger at a time when the count value of the counter becomes equal to the remainder.
US08639363B2
A system and method are provided for managing a plurality of components. The system can comprise a first component having a first operational parameter and a second component having a second operational parameter. The operational parameters of the first and second components can be modified in response to signals regarding the other one of the first and second components. Further, a component of the system can operate with a delay period during which an operational parameter of the component does not change in response to an operational parameter of the other component, but after which the operational parameter of the other component can cause a change in the operational parameter of the component.
US08639359B2
A system and method of generating electrode stimulation signals for an implanted multi-channel electrode array of a cochlear implant includes processing an acoustic audio signal with a bank of filters. Each filter in the bank of filters is associated with at least one channel having an electrode. The bank of filters includes a first band pass filter that produces a broadband signal b(t) with frequencies that substantially cover at least one of a pitch frequency range of 100 Hz to 400 Hz and a first format range of 400 Hz-1000 Hz. At least one electrode associated with the first band pass filter is activated with electrode stimulation signals based, at least in part, on the broadband signal b(t). The filter bank may include at least one electrode associated with one or more filters other than the first band pass filter, the one or more filters producing signals having only higher frequencies than broadband signal b(t).
US08639356B2
Defibrillator lead designs and methods for manufacturing a lead having attachment between a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. An electrode coil fitting is disposed within the shocking coil electrode. In an option, the fibrosis limiting material extends past the ends of the electrode coil, and is wrapped between the coil electrode and the electrode coil member.
US08639351B2
System and methods for adjusting electrical therapy based on impedance changes are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes applying a therapeutic electrical signal to a patient via an implanted portion of a patient stimulation system that includes a signal delivery device in electrical communication with a target neural population of the patient. The electrical signal is delivered in accordance with a signal delivery parameter having a first value. Using the implanted portion of the patient stimulation system, a change in an impedance of an electrical circuit that includes the signal delivery device is detected. Based at least in part on the detected impedance change, the method can further include automatically adjusting the value of the signal delivery parameter from the first value to a second value different from the first, without human intervention.
US08639339B2
A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance.
US08639326B2
An implantable medical device operates to promote intrinsic ventricular depolarization according to a pacing protocol. When a cardiac rate exceeds a predetermined threshold, the implantable medical device modifies the pacing protocol parameters to promote AV synchrony.
US08639321B2
A method may include placing a first device on a first side of a skin portion of a subject and transferring a material through the skin portion of the subject from the first device to a subdermal second device disposed on a second side of the skin portion of the subject.
US08639310B2
The disclosure relates to a variety of systems and methods for sensing electrical events about a selected annulus region of the heart and for treating tissue in the selected annulus region. Wherein the system includes a first catheter that has an expandable member, an ablation element, and a lumen configured to allow a second catheter therethrough. The second catheter includes a distal section in a ring shape and a plurality of electrodes coupled around the ring. Optionally a second lumen can be included through the first catheter that allows for contrast media to be delivered to the distal end of the system.
US08639309B2
A method and system for continually monitoring oxygenation levels in real-time in compartments of an animal limb, such as in a human leg or a human thigh or a forearm, can be used to assist in the diagnosis of a compartment syndrome. The method and system can include one or more near infrared compartment sensors in which each sensor can be provided with a compartment alignment mechanism and a central scan depth marker so that each sensor may be precisely positioned over a compartment of a living organism. The method and system may comprise hardware or software (or both) may adjust one or more algorithms based on whether tissue being monitored was traumatized or is healthy. The method and system can also monitor the relationship between blood pressure and oxygenation levels and activate alarms based on predetermined conditions relating to the oxygenation levels or blood pressure or both.
US08639308B2
There is provided a fingertip oximeter that has a plurality of display modes which are presented sequentially in a circulating way, allowing users to easily observe a measurement result from any of surrounding directions. The present invention makes users to be able to observe a measurement result of the fingertip oximeter from any of surrounding directions, without the need of bending his/her finger. Thus, any partial occlusion of the arterial blood capillary can be avoided, so that strength of the pulse will not decrease, and strength of the signal will not be affected. As a result, the precision of the measurement is improved.
US08639306B2
An eye-property monitoring system and method for performing the steps of (1) illuminating the eye from at least one light source whose wavelength interacts with internal eye properties in an optically active manner, (2) controlling, to make known and stable, the operating-power/light-output level of the source, (3) by such illuminating, producing light-source eye reflections including (a) multiple internal reflections within the outer structure of the eye, and (b) linked with those internal reflections at least one resulting outbound reflection, (4) monitoring the outbound-reflection to detect therein the reflection level associated with the at least one source, and (5) associating such detected reflection level as an indication of certain eye properties, such as aqueous glucose concentration.
US08639304B2
In one embodiment, a mobile communication device comprises a first antenna; a second antenna; a transceiver for processing a received signal and generating a transmit signal; and a controller, based on a detected condition of one of the first antenna or second antenna, for selecting the other one of said first antenna or said second antenna and coupling the transmit signal to the selected other one of said first antenna or said second antenna.
US08639302B2
The invention provides a portable communication device and enclosure therefor where separation of its antenna from the user's head is facilitated. The device comprises: a case; a speaker port; an antenna located in the bottom of the case; and a spacer located on the front of the case for resting against a cheek of a user of the device. When the device is held against the head of a user of the device with the spacer resting against a cheek of the user, the spacer biases the bottom of the device away from the user's head. The spacer may be located at a distance from the speaker port on the front of the case to comply with a Cellular Telephone Information Association (CTIA) test plan for Mobile Station Over the Air Performance.
US08639301B2
This portable telephone includes an imaging portion, a first communication portion for telephone communication and a control portion controlling the imaging portion to execute an imaging operation on the basis of a prescribed first operation of an operating-side portable telephone while establishing a telephone call state by making a telephone call to the operating-side portable telephone with the first communication portion so that the operating-side portable telephone takes the telephone call.
US08639300B2
A method for maintaining transmit audio quality under harsh environmental conditions, the method includes receiving audio signals into a microphone of a portable communication device and determining at least one parameter associated with the received audio signals. In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one parameter is compared with a received audio parameter threshold. When the at least one parameter falls outside of the received audio parameter threshold, the audio routing is switched from the microphone to the loudspeaker. Subsequent communication may revert back to the microphone or remain at the loudspeaker depending on monitored audio conditions.
US08639292B2
A multi-mode base station and an operating method and a wireless communication system thereof are provided. The multi-mode base station includes: at least two protocol processing modules, vested in at least two modes respectively, and adapted to process data and/or signaling of the mode according to the protocol corresponding to the mode; and an interface processing module, adapted to distinguish the mode of the data and/or the signaling while receiving the data and/or the signaling, and distribute the data and/or the signaling to the protocol processing module corresponding to the mode. Thus, the reconfiguration of the multi-mode base station can be performed more conveniently and quickly.
US08639291B1
A mobile phone configured to complete payment transactions while the mobile phone is in a low battery shut-off state. The mobile phone comprises a secure element configured to store payment cards, a near field communication transceiver, wherein the near field communication transceiver is configured to complete a payment transaction based on a payment card stored in the secure element, a memory, a processor and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application detects whether a power reserve is below a predefined threshold. When the power reserve is detected below the predefined threshold, the application prompts selection of a payment card stored in the secure element for use in completing payment transactions while the mobile phone is in a low battery shut-off state and configures one of the secure element or the near field communication transceiver to complete payment transactions using the selected payment card.
US08639289B2
A system for managing at least one service access authentication data item, including a device for accessing at least one service. The system also includes a mobile terminal including a mechanism managing the authentication data item and an identifier of the service, a communication interface between the access device and the management mechanism, and a software interface configured to determine the service identifier and to utilize the management mechanism, via the communication interface, on access to the service. The system for example is applicable to website access authentication services.
US08639286B2
Systems and methods are provided for a broadband, closed-loop RF transmitter for multi-band applications that employs a single RF path to service multiple bands of operation. Embodiments of the present disclosure implement a broadband impedance matching module, which avoids the need for several costly and complex narrow-band matching networks. In an embodiment, the broadband impedance matching module includes concentric, mutually-coupled inductors. By adding this broadband impedance matching functionality, delay is significantly reduced because a single path can be used to service multiple bands.
US08639283B2
A mobile wireless communication apparatus allows access to the internet by connecting to a public wireless communication network, based upon an internet access request from a wireless communication terminal. The apparatus performs wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal and with the public wireless communication network, and stores web pages that have been accessed in a first storage unit. When an internet access request is made, the apparatus searches the web pages stored in the first storage unit for a web page that complies with the access request, and if found, transmits the web page to the wireless communication terminal. Web pages that have a higher frequency are stored in a second storage unit and notified to an external control apparatus.
US08639279B2
An originating mobile station seeks to establish a push-to-talk (PTT) communication session with a destination mobile station. To do this, the originating mobile station transmits a first request message that requests the PTT session. Before receiving a predefined indication that the requested PTT session has been accepted, the originating mobile station transmits a first continuation message that includes first session description information to facilitate establishment of the PTT session. A PTT server receives the first request message and, before receiving the first continuation message, transmits to the destination mobile station a second request message that requests the PTT session. The PTT server then transmits a second continuation message that includes second session description information. The destination mobile station receives the second request message and, before receiving the second continuation message, transmits an acceptance message indicating acceptance of the requested PTT session.
US08639275B1
Disclosed herein is a method that enables a radio access network (RAN) to page more mobile stations concurrently. By reducing the size of the individual page record, more page records can fit within a general page message (GPM), and thus more mobile stations can receive page messages. One method of reducing the size of an individual page record is to reduce the size of the terminal IDs that page records carry. Currently, terminal IDs are globally unique, but they can be shortened if replaced with locally unique IDs. These locally unique IDs are unique for only mobile stations in a given paging area, unique for only mobile stations assigned to a given paging channel time slot, and/or unique for only mobile stations in a subgroup of mobile stations assigned to a given paging channel time slot. The number of mobile stations in any of these groups is smaller than the number of mobile stations in the global network. Therefore, the length of a terminal ID that is unique for only mobile stations in one of these groups can be shorter than a globally unique identifier.
US08639274B2
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which 1×CSFB for communication of SMS messages in an LTE environment may be avoided. An IWS may receive a paging request message from a MSC, wherein the paging request message includes a first SMS service option indicating communication of a SMS message using a first RAT. The IWS may avoid an ESR procedure by analyzing the first SMS service option in the paging request message. Further the IWS may establish a common channel connection between the IWS and a target UE using a second RAT, wherein the first RAT and the second RAT are different.
US08639273B2
A power conservation method and system are provided for conserving power in client terminals by using a partitioned proxy server. The client terminal, having low-power and high-power communication interfaces, may power down its high-power communication interface to conserve power. Prior to shutting off its high-power communication interface, the client terminal may assign a partitioned proxy server to act as its proxy. The partitioned proxy server may include remote and local paging proxies which communicate with each other over an IP network. The remote paging proxy receives paging requests from an access point or the communication network and forwards it to the local paging proxy. The local paging proxy then forwards the paging message to the client terminal via a low-power communication interface. Upon receipt of the paging message via its low-power communication interface, the client terminal may power up its high-power communication interface and directly respond to the paging message.
US08639270B2
A mobile device receives signals from base stations each with multiple distributed transceivers. Each distributed transceiver may operate at different carrier frequencies. Each distributed transceiver is equipped with an independently configurable antenna array handling transmissions of the radio frequency signals to the mobile device. The mobile device generates channel measurements for the received signals, and subsequently receives a position estimate from a remote location server. The location server determines corresponding transmit diversity configurations applied to the base stations for conducting the channel measurements for the mobile device, and channel measurements at scanned locations in a location scanning region. The location server selects and utilize a signature function to calculate the position estimate for the mobile device over the transmit diversity configurations. A multi-level positioning process may be performed by adopting various signature functions, subsets of transmit configurations and/or subspaces of the location scanning region for accurate device positioning.
US08639269B2
A wireless communication system includes a mobile terminal and a wireless base station that transmits to the mobile terminal notification information that is used for establishing a call between the mobile terminal and the wireless base station. The mobile terminal transmits identification information of predetermined notification information to the wireless base station. The wireless base station compares the identification information that was transmitted in from the mobile terminal and the identification information of the notification information of the current transmission, and based on the result of the comparison, transmits to the mobile terminal information for acquiring the notification information of the current transmission.
US08639268B2
A mobile communication network includes a media controller (MC) for tracking popularity statistics of cells of the network, a location database (LDB) connected to the MC for storing the statistics, a position monitor (PM) connected to the MC for detecting a position of subscribers within the network and at least one local cache (LC) connected to the MC and for pre-storing content to be delivered to the subscribers wherein the MC further includes a communication means for receiving content and subscriber information and for communicating portions of the received information to the PM, to the LDB and to the LC.
US08639266B2
To determine the location of a querying mobile device, a request is received from the querying mobile device via a communication network. One or several participating mobile devices that potentially are physically proximate to the querying mobile device are identified. A request to scan for a location broadcast message transmitted by the querying mobile device is sent to the participating mobile devices. One or more location broadcast reports from participating mobile devices are received, where each received location broadcast report indicates that the location broadcast message was received at the corresponding participating mobile device. The location of the querying mobile device is estimated based on (i) the received one or more location broadcast reports and (ii) respective locations of the participating mobile devices from which the one or more location broadcast reports were received.
US08639252B2
A method in a first base station for supporting DTX is provided. The first base station serves a first cell being in an active mode. The first base station communicates with a user equipment within the first cell. The first base station is comprised in a radio communications system further comprising the user equipment and a second base station serving a second cell being in a non observable mode. The first base station sends (602) to the second base station, a request to switch the second cell state from a non observable mode to an observable mode. It further sends (603) to the user equipment or to the second base station, a request to perform signalling between the user equipment and the second base station for quality measurements. The first base station then obtains (604) information that handover is feasible, based on quality measurement of the performed signalling. The first base station sends (605) to the second base station, a request to prepare handover of the user equipment from the first cell to the second cell, and further (606) to the user equipment, a command to perform handover to the second cell.
US08639244B2
In a wireless communication system having at least first and second radio stations located at a network end and connected to a core network, the first radio station receives a registration message from a user station to initially register the user station in a radio station located at the network end, after the user station has been switched on. Subsequently, communication takes place between the core network and the user station. Signaling messages that are to be sent from the core network to the user station are transmitted, at least at the beginning of the communication between the core network and the user station, from the core network to the second radio station, then from the second radio station to the first radio station or another radio station located at the network end, and from the first radio station (or the other radio station) directly to the user station.
US08639232B2
A system and method to manage processes of a mobile device based on available power resources is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an interface configured to receive a user selection of a scheduled program to be received at a mobile device. The apparatus also includes a battery threshold calculator configured to determine a battery charge threshold based on at least one of a duration of the scheduled program and a processing complexity of the scheduled program. The apparatus includes an alert generator configured to generate a battery alert notification prior to receiving the scheduled program in response to a determination that a battery charge of the mobile device at a starting time of the scheduled program does not satisfy the battery charge threshold.
US08639226B2
The invention relates to a method for weighing a use located on an electronic scale in communication with a mobile telecommunication terminal having a display screen, the scale and the mobile terminal both wirelessly communicating with a telecommunication network adapted to put at least the mobile terminal in communication with an additional communication device, the method including a weighing step, a two-way communication step during which the scale transmits weighing data resulting from the weighing to the mobile terminal, and a display step during which the mobile terminal displays weighing data on the screen.
US08639221B1
What is disclosed is a method and system for determining an anonymity level of a user's data. If it desired to change the anonymity level, location and time information may be changed and/or deleted to effect the change. The change may be user directed, or may be achieved by the system, before providing the information to a third party.
US08639209B2
Communications are established with a first base station and the communications include first validation information associated with the first base station. Second validation information is obtained and the second validation information is stored in a data structure. The second validation information is associated with a second and valid base station. The first validation information is compared to the second validation information stored in the data structure and it is determined whether the first base station is valid based upon the comparison. When the comparing indicates that the first base station is not valid, a warning is initiated to a user.
US08639199B1
A system for estimating a peak compression of a wireless signal is disclosed. The system may include a reference signal generator configured to provide a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is associated with an ideally amplified and time aligned version of the wireless signal. The system may also include a gain error generator configured to provide a gain error signal, wherein the gain error signal is based at least on the reference signal and the wireless signal. Further, the system may also include a peak compression estimator configured to provide a compression detection flag based at least on the reference signal and the gain error signal.
