US08672982B2
Bone plates and methods of using the bone plates for adjoining bone fragments are disclosed herein. A device for adjoining at least two bone fragments includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one filling material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source; a conformable bone plate releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable bone plate has a first surface, a second surface, a proximal end, and a distal end and at least one aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving a fastener; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and a delivery system housing the at least one filling material.
US08672974B2
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.
US08672960B2
The invention pertains to a method, apparatus, and system for cutting anatomic members, such as ligaments, in surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release, plantar fasciotomy, gastroc release, cubital tunnel release, and tarsal tunnel release. The apparatus includes a retrograde knife and a guide tool for guiding the knife and a scope during surgery. Relevant features include a knife stop for preventing the knife from inadvertently raising out of the knife channel, indicators showing the proper orientation for the guide tool, a self dilating tip and channel design on the guide tool, a cover piece and/or pivotable panel system for preventing ligaments and other anatomy from getting caught in the guide tool, a pivot pin and groove system for stabilizing the knife and also assuring that the knife blade is not inadvertently raised out of the channel, and a use indicator for preventing re-use of a single use device.
US08672958B2
Methods and devices for treating obesity are provided, and more particularly, methods and devices for performing gastric bypasses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment a gastric bypass procedure is provided that includes forming a gastro-entero anastomosis between a stomach and an intestine and forming an entero-entero anastomosis between a portion of the intestine distal to the gastro-entero anastomosis and a portion of the intestine proximal to the gastro-entero anastomosis. A surrogate path is formed between the esophagus and the gastro-entero anastomosis to at least partially direct fluid from the esophagus to the intestine by way of the gastro-entero anastomosis, thereby bypassing the stomach. Still further, methods for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm and leaking heart valve are also disclosed.
US08672956B2
An endoscopic suturing machine, having a housing with a housing upper part for receiving drives for the stitch-forming tools, a housing shaft adjoining the housing upper part for a receiving device for transmitting the motions generated by the drives to the stitch-forming tools, which have at least one needle bar guided in the housing shaft with a thread-carrying needle and a shuttle cooperating with same for forming stitches. The shuttle is received by a shuttle bar. The needle bar (5) is designed as a hollow body for receiving and guiding the thread. The thread guide elements are arranged between the thread spool 31 receiving the thread reserve and the needle bar (5) and are arranged in relation to the needle bar (5) such that the thread runs essentially in a straight line between the exit from the mounting device (17) and the entry into the needle bar (5).
US08672946B2
A set of instruments for preparing a femur and tibia for receipt of a partial knee prosthesis can include a femoral drill guide that is selectively connected to an intramedullary (IM) rod. At least one sizing spoon can communicate with the femoral drill guide. The femoral drill guide can have terminal cutting surfaces. A tibial cut guide can be selectively connected to the femoral drill guide. A dial member can be disposed on one of the femoral or tibial cut guides that when rotated moves at least one of the spoons in a superior/inferior direction.
US08672938B2
A system for controlling temperature of a fluid used during treatment of biological tissue includes a fluid temperature control apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one heat transfer device and a solution bag and/or a heat transfer membrane. The solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane reside in thermal communication with the heat transfer device. When the solution bag and/or the heat transfer membrane is fluidically coupled to an electrosurgical device, fluid is supplied to the electrosurgical device at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue. A corresponding method includes fluidically coupling the fluid temperature control apparatus to the electrosurgical device and supplying fluid at a controlled temperature during a surgical procedure utilizing the electrosurgical device to enable more efficient treatment of the biological tissue.
US08672936B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing tissue contact, e.g., for mapping tissue ablation or other procedures. An exemplary tissue contact sensing system comprises a flexible tip device. At least one piezoelectric sensor is housed within the flexible tip device. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is responsive to contact stress of the flexible tip device by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of contact stress. An output device is electrically connected to the at least one piezoelectric sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing tissue contact by the flexible tip device. Methods for assembling and using the flexible tip device are also disclosed.
US08672934B2
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical probe connected to a control console, wherein the probe is capable of coagulating and ablating tissue depending on a selected operating mode. Before operating the system, probe-specific data stored in a memory device associated with the probe is read by a processing device in the console. The data includes source impedance values specific to a coagulation or cutting mode of operation. A constant duty cycle value for a modulated cutting mode also is provided. Depending on the operating mode selected, an RF generator adjusted to have a predetermined source impedance value provides a voltage value to the probe. During the duty-cycled mode, the RF generator generates an instantaneous voltage value output for a duty cycle portion that is less than 100% of a time period, which value is no less than a maximum continuous average voltage value for the electrosurgical probe.
US08672926B2
The invention relates to a device for shortening hairs growing from human skin. The device has a laser source for generating a laser beam during a predetermined pulse time, an optical system for focusing the laser beam into a focal spot, and a laser beam manipulator for positioning the focal spot in a target position. According to the invention, a dimension of the focal spot and a power of the generated laser beam are such that, in the focal spot, the laser beam has a power density which is above a characteristic threshold value for hair tissue above which a laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) phenomenon occurs in the hair tissue. The LIOB phenomenon results in a number of mechanical effects in the hair tissue, such as cavitation and the generation of shock waves, which damage the hair in positions surrounding the position in which the LIOB phenomenon occurs.
US08672924B2
A system and method for treating ophthalmic target tissue, including a light source for generating a beam of light, a beam delivery system that includes a scanner for generating patterns, and a controller for controlling the light source and delivery system to create a dosimetry pattern of the light beam on the ophthalmic target tissue. One or more dosage parameters of the light beam vary within the dosimetry pattern, to create varying exposures on the target tissue. A visualization device observes lesions formed on the ophthalmic target tissue by the dosimetry pattern. The controller selects dosage parameters for the treatment beam based upon the lesions resulting from the dosimetry pattern, either automatically or in response to user input, so that a desired clinical effect is achieved by selecting the character of the lesions as determined by the dosimetry pattern lesions.
US08672922B2
In one embodiment, a method of wireless communication in a robotic surgical system comprises providing a carriage link of a robotic manipulator including a printed circuit assembly and a link communication device, positioning a sterile drape over the robotic manipulator, mounting a removable surgical instrument on the carriage link, and passing data wirelessly in either or both directions through the sterile drape between the link communication device and the surgical instrument along with power for electrical circuitry on the instrument. A robotic manipulator and robotic surgical system are also provided.
US08672918B2
The present embodiments relate to methods and systems for identifying areas of a subject's skin that lack sufficient volume. In some embodiments, this can be used to direct the administration of filler compositions or the application of techniques that increase the volume or firmness of the area. In some embodiments, the methods and systems provide for improved aesthetic benefit as well as suitability for instruction and training. In some embodiments, the methods are especially useful in the administration of dermal fillers to a subject.
US08672913B2
A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.
US08672912B2
An absorbent article includes a chassis extending about a longitudinal axis and having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a first transverse axis dividing the absorbent structure into a front body panel terminating in a front waist region and a rear body panel terminating in a rear waist region. The rear waist region has a first elastic region. The chassis is delimited by opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges. In the rear waist region, the absorbent structure terminates at a first distance from the transverse edge and the first elastic region extends substantially parallel to the transverse edge and spaced therefrom by a second distance and spaced from the absorbent structure by a third distance. The third distance is greater than said second distance or substantially equal thereto.
US08672911B2
A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern.
US08672908B2
A convex barrier ring, that includes a generally oval shaped body and tapered peripheral end portions, is provided. In use, the convex barrier ring is sealed against peristomal skin surfaces such that the tapered peripheral end portions are aligned with folds or creases in the skin surfaces to reduce leakage of stomal effluent. The convex barrier can also have an oval stoma-receiving aperture to provide an improved fit for oval or loop stomas.
US08672906B2
A medical dressing containing an antimicrobial agent is disclosed. The medical dressing comprises a layered fabric comprising an inner layer of substantially hydrophilic material, an outer layer of substantially hydrophobic material on both sides of the inner layer; and an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent may be releasably impregnated into the fabric, coated on said fabric or a combination thereof. The antimicrobial agent may be a biguanide, such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). The fabric inner layer material may be substantially a cellulose fiber, preferably substantially rayon, and the fabric outer layer material may be substantially polyester, e.g., a combination of textile matrix grade polyester fiber and amorphous binder grade polyester fiber. The fabric is preferably treated with an aqueous solution of surfactant and PHMB to have about 1500-3500 ppm of extractable PHMB.
US08672901B2
A product container holder for accommodating a product container, wherein the product container holder can be separately handled and can be inserted into an injection device, and includes an engaging member that can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the product container holder and which can block a movement of the product container relative to the product container holder in the distal direction, and a securing structure which can be moved relative to the engaging member from an initial position to a securing position in which it restricts the mobility of the engaging member. In some embodiments, a method of making and a method of using the product container holder is encompassed, as is a container and an injection device with which the holder can be used.
US08672899B2
A medication injector apparatus such as an injection pen. The injection pen may include a doseable quantity identifier that uses a rotational matrix and a sensor for electrically sensing the arrangement of the dose setting mechanism of the the pen, which identifier may be part of a therapeutic dose indicating system that utilizes a cartridge recognizer to recognize a concentration of medication so as to allow an automatic determination of a therapeutic dose.
US08672890B2
Seal assemblies or valves, generally for use in trocar assemblies, are provided for reducing the amount of contact between an instrument being passed into and out of a trocar assembly and an inner surface of a sealing wall of such seal assemblies or valves. In one exemplary embodiment a valve includes an activation extension that is formed on the inner surface of the sealing wall of the valve and is configured such that a distal end of the sealing wall is moved to the open position by an instrument contacting the activation extension. In one embodiment the instrument does not come into contact with the inner surface of the sealing wall during the procedure. In another embodiment a distal-most end of the activation extension can be closer to a longitudinal axis extending through the flange than the inner surface of the sealing wall.
US08672866B2
An orthopedic device to provide support, to help heal and prevent plantar fasciitis and alleviate pain caused by plantar fasciitis, heel pain, fallen arches, bunions, neuromas, arthritis and other foot conditions. Said orthopedic device is simple to use, comfortable, non-limiting to daily routines and types of footwear.
US08672864B2
A body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprises an elastically stretchable framework. The framework includes an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments. A first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework, and a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework. One of the plurality of permanent openings comprises an alignment opening. None of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset.
US08672860B2
A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter. A self-reversing cutter translation mechanism translates the cutter proximally and distally in response to rotation of the cutter in a single rotational direction. The cutter translation mechanism comprises a lead screw with discretely formed threads and a rotatable pawl. The cutter is translated proximally when the pawl is in a first rotational orientation; and distally when the pawl is in a second rotational orientation. Resilient members cause the pawl to be rotated between the first and second rotational orientations when the cutter reaches a distal position and a proximal position. A vacuum draws severed tissue samples through the interior of the cutter to deposit the samples in a holder. The translation mechanism engages a valve mechanism to provide simultaneous venting to part of the needle and reversal of the pawl orientation when the cutter reaches a distal position.
US08672858B2
A method of creating a noninvasive predictor of both physiologic and imposed patient effort of breathing from airway pressure and flow sensors attached to the patient using an adaptive mathematical model. The patient effort is commonly measured via work of breathing, power of breathing, or pressure-time product of esophageal pressure and is important for properly adjusting ventilatory support for spontaneously breathing patients. The method of calculating this noninvasive predictor is based on linear or non-linear calculations using multiple parameters derived from the above-mentioned sensors.
US08672839B2
An access system comprises an access device. The access device is adapted to be disposed within an opening in a body wall. The access device has an external flange adapted to be disposed external to the body wall and an internal flange adapted to be disposed internal to the body wall. Holes extend through the access device between an external surface and an internal surface of the access device. The holes span the thickness of the body wall between a location external to the body wall and a location internal to the body wall. The access device is formed of an elastomeric material adapted to conform to surfaces of instruments inserted through the holes to form instrument seals along at least a portion of a length spanning the thickness of the body wall. The elastomeric material is compressible and adapted to form a seal with the body wall.
US08672837B2
Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include preparing a robotic medical system for use with a shapeable instrument and controlling advancement of a shapeable medical device within an anatomic path. Also described herein are methods for altering a data model of an anatomical region.
US08672831B2
A bariatric device and method of causing at least partial satiety includes a body having a wall defining a lumen. The wall is configured to generally conform to the shape and size of i) the abdominal portion of the esophagus and/or ii) the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach. The wall is adapted to exert a force on the i) abdominal portion of the esophagus and/or ii) the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach thereby influencing a neurohormonal feedback mechanism to cause at least partial satiety by augmenting fullness caused by food and simulating fullness in the absence of food. A fixation system is included to resist distal migration of the body. The fixation system includes at least a portion of the wall having a tissue ingrowth characteristic to promote ingrowth of tissue in the wall.
US08672825B2
An apparatus is provided for producing longitudinally corrugated product. The apparatus includes a guide roll for guiding a web of medium material, wherein at least a portion of the guide roll is adapted to be arranged at an angle relative to another portion of the guide roll. The apparatus further includes a plurality of flute forming bars oriented generally along a longitudinal axis of the web to define a first corrugating labyrinth effective to longitudinally corrugate the web to an intermediate geometry. The apparatus further includes a pair of corrugating rollers that cooperate to define, at a nip therebetween, a second corrugating labyrinth effective to longitudinally corrugate the web to a substantially final geometry. The apparatus further includes a web travel pathway for the web that follows a path around a portion of the guide roll, through the first corrugating labyrinth, and through the second corrugating labyrinth.
US08672818B2
An apparatus for improving posture comprises a bar element and a pad element centered along the length of the bar element. The bar element is constructed from a weighty material so as to provide a significant and constant downwardly directed weight. The pad element is constructed from a relatively lightweight material as compared to the bar material, but has a very specific cervical curve-accommodating, outer pad diameter or outer pad radius of curvature. The outer pad diameter or outer pad radius of curvature substantially matches that of a normal cervical curve. Together, the radius of curvature of the pad element and the weight of the bar element provide the user with a weighted template against which the user may align the cervical portion of his or her spine and commence resistance muscle training against the downwardly directed weight for improving core muscle groups for improving and/or maintaining one's posture.
US08672812B2
In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.
US08672807B2
A speed-changing device includes a motor, a reduction gear train that reduces a rotation speed of the motor in accordance with a speed reduction ratio and transmits the rotation at the reduced speed, and a speed reduction ratio switching unit that switches the speed reduction ratio. The speed reduction ratio switching unit includes an actuator that switches the speed reduction ratio, a controller that controls the actuator, and a drive state detector that detects an index value representing load torque applied to the motor. The controller activates the actuator when the index value exceeds a first threshold value and activates the actuator when the index value fluctuates between the first threshold and a second threshold thereby forming an undulated pattern that satisfies a predetermined condition.
US08672793B2
The invention relates to a drive device for motor vehicles with at least one longitudinal output or transverse output differential gear, with an input shaft, and with a means for controlled torque distribution to the two output shafts. A quick-response, structurally advantageous drive device is thus achieved in that the differential gear is a self-locking differential gear and in that a speed-regulation drive, which changes the differential-side speed of 1:1 in the plus or minus direction based on dynamic performance parameters, is integrated into one of the output shafts, or in that speed-regulation drives, which alternately change the differential-side speed of 1:1 in the plus direction or in the negative direction based on dynamic performance parameters, are integrated into two output shafts.
US08672789B2
A transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input element, an output element, a first motor generator, a second motor generator, a first planetary gear set where the input element, the output element, and the first motor generator may be connected, a second planetary gear set where the output element and the second motor generator may be connected, a third planetary gear set, and a first clutch and a second clutch.
US08672788B2
A vulcanized rubber CVT belt in the form of an endless V-belt having a belt body with angled sides, a tensile cord layer of helically spiraled tensile cord embedded in the belt body, an overcord rubber layer, and an undercord rubber layer, wherein the tensile cord is a twisted, single-tow bundle of continuous-filament, carbon fiber impregnated with an adhesive treatment and/or overcoated with adhesive compatible with the rubber of the tensile cord layer. The tow may be 18K. The carbon fiber may have a filament diameter of from about 6.0 to about 6.4-micron, a tensile modulus of from about 200 to about 300 GPa, an elongation at break of from about 1.9% to about 2.3%.
US08672779B1
A swing analyzer is disclosed. The swing analyzer may be used to analyze the swing an object such as a golf club. The swing analyzer accounts for individual differences between users and/or sensors to improve performance. The swing analyzer includes a motion sensor that is attachable to the object. The motion sensor communicates wirelessly with a terminal device. The terminal device includes a swing analysis unit for performing swing analysis based on sensor data output from the motion sensor. The swing analyzer determines a target line based on position of the motion sensor while a user is at the address posture before a swing. The target line is used as a reference to provide swing analysis.
US08672772B2
Embodiments of a golf club set with progressive tapered face thickness coordinated with club loft are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08672767B2
A portable electronic device 100 includes a horizontally long casing, both ends of which are gripped by a user's both hands, respectively. The device further includes a LCD fit into the front face of the casing 10. Outwardly projecting bulges are respectively formed at both sides of the rear face of the casing where fingers of the user gripping the casing 10 placed. Since the fingers and palms are naturally flexed to fit to the dome-like bulges 42L, 42R, the portable electronic device 100 fits comfortably in the user's hands. The operability is hard to be degraded even if the device is vibrated strongly during a game play with the device.
US08672765B2
A system and method for capturing and sharing console gaming data is described. Embodiments capture gameplay data directly at the gaming console, without the need for external hardware. This allows users to easily capture rich console gaming experiences and share them across a variety of outlets. In one embodiment, the methods described herein can be implemented with a patch or driver on the operating system of the user device, rendering it unnecessary to heavily modify the source code of the game.
US08672764B2
Matchmaking processes at online game services often result in players having to wait unacceptably long times to receive a match or immediately receiving a poorly matched session. By using a matchmaking process which dynamically adapts a good balance is achieved between the quality of proposed matches (for example, in terms of how balanced, interesting and fun those matches are likely to be) and the waiting time for potential matches. A matchmaking threshold is specified. When a player seeks a match a waiting time is observed, for example, as to how long that player waits until starting a game or dropping out. Information about such waiting times is used to dynamically update the matchmaking threshold. The update is made on the basis of a relationship between information about the observed waiting time and a target waiting time. Further control may be achieved by using separate matchmaking thresholds and target waiting times for different game categories.
US08672761B2
A hand held controller includes a controller body, and a control module having a pressure sensitive control, wherein the pressure sensitive control includes a pressing steering control for rotatably control a directional movement of at least one playable object by player's finger and a pressing pedal control for adjustably controlling a speed movement of the playable object by another finger of the player in responsive to a pressure on the pressure sensitive control. Therefore, the hand held controller simulates the real racing techniques to enhance the reality of the video game.
US08672757B2
A gaming system includes a chair communicably coupled to a gaming device. The chair includes an audio playback device operable to receive audio playback commands. The audio playback commands may be received from a gaming device physically attached to the chair, a remote gaming device, or from a network interface communicably coupling the chair to a gaming establishment audio system, a player tracking system, or other gaming establishment system. Additionally, the chair may include an audio data storage device. Audio data from the storage device may be played through speakers on the chair, audio output devices on a gaming device, or audio output devices on a peripheral attached to the gaming device such as a top box or signage peripheral.
US08672751B2
A system for providing enhanced services to users of a gaming application comprises a server and a platform remotely coupled to the server. The server executes a gaming application. The platform receives a request for enhanced services, and establishes an enhanced services session with a user of the gaming application in response to the request for enhanced services. The enhanced services session corresponds in time at least in part with the execution of the gaming application. The platform further provides enhanced services to the user of the gaming application during the enhanced services session.
US08672750B2
The gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to simultaneously or concurrently play a plurality of games at a gaming device regardless or independent of if the gaming device accounting system in communication with the gaming device is configured to support such simultaneous or concurrent game play. The gaming system disclosed herein additionally or alternatively enables a player to simultaneously play a plurality of games wherein certain of the games are eligible to operate with a remote host and certain of the games are ineligible to operate with the remote host.
US08672742B2
A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player in terms of one or more credits, displaying an image representative of a game, and determining an outcome associated with the game. The method further includes determining if an event has occurred, calculating a purchase cost for each payout in a plurality of payouts when the event occurs, displaying an image representing the plurality of payouts, the image including the payout cost for each payout in the plurality of payouts, receiving a selection from the player of one of the plurality of payouts, receiving from the player the purchase cost of the one of the plurality of payouts selected by the player, and transmitting a request to provide the one of the plurality of payouts to the player.
US08672732B2
A system for cooling a data center designed to house a plurality of electronic equipment racks, with each equipment rack being adapted to support at least one piece of electronic equipment and having an industry-standard width, includes at least one cooling rack including a housing having a width approximately one-half the width of each of the plurality of equipment racks. The system further includes cooling system components supported by the housing. Methods of cooling a data center are further disclosed.
US08672727B2
A system for adjusting the fit of a bra includes a bra having cups, a bridge therebetween, and an underwire channel sewn beneath each cup. The underwire residing in each channel is bendable along at least one axis, can be lengthened, and is capable of retaining its adjusted shape after being adjusted.
US08672723B2
A top emission type organic electroluminescent display device includes a first substrate including a pixel region, a switching TFT and a driving TFT, a passivation layer exposing a drain electrode of the driving TFT, a connection electrode contacting the drain electrode of the driving TFT, a partition wall corresponding to a border between adjacent pixel regions and overlapping an edge portion of the connection electrode, an x-ray shield layer on the connection electrode between adjacent partition walls, the x-ray shield layer patterned in the pixel region due to the partition wall, a first electrode on the x-ray shield layer, a bank covering the partition wall and contacting an edge portion of the first electrode, an organic emission layer on the first electrode between adjacent banks, a second electrode on the organic emission layer, and a second substrate facing the first substrate and being transparent.
US08672721B2
A spark-ignited, internal combustion engine ignition device to increase electrical transfer efficiency of the ignition by peaking the electrical power of the spark during the streamer phase of spark creation and improving combustion quality, incorporating an electrode design and materials to reduce electrode erosion due to high power discharge, an insulator provided with capacitive plates to peak the electrical current of the spark discharge, and concomitant methods.
US08672719B2
An aquatic sport board includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is coupled to the top portion by a first side portion and a second side potion. The first portion and the second portion taper inward towards a front portion and a rear portion of the top and bottom portions. Recessed areas are situated on the top portion and extend inward towards the bottom portion. A plurality of sections is situated between the top portion and the bottom portion. Each section in the plurality of sections is sealed off from one another.
US08672717B2
An improved connector assembly that provides stabilization of a compression member and the junction between two body parts by securing a compression member between the two body parts with multiple posts extending from each body part and providing a stopper at a union point of the body parts.
US08672715B2
An electrical connector including: an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts, the insulative housing defining a first mating face, a second mating face and a mounting face opposite to the mating faces, each contact includes a retaining portion for engaging on the insulative housing and a pair of contact portions exposed on the first mating face and the second mating face respectively, wherein the first mating face is higher than the second face in a direction perpendicular to the mating first and second faces.
US08672713B2
A connector to be electrically connected to a connecting target including plural electrical objects and to a substrate provided with plural concave portions, includes plural contacts, each including a first terminal configured to extend in a first direction to be connected with the object of the connecting target and include a first contact portion and a second contact portion, a second terminal configured to extend in a second direction opposite to the first direction to be fitted in the concave portion of the substrate, and a base portion configured to be provided with a support portion that separately supports the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first terminal at different positions and separately support the second terminal from the first terminal.
US08672700B2
The present invention provides a connector assembly allowing attachment of a connector to a connector receptacle with a limited attachment space. The connector assembly includes the connector having a terminal and a connector housing, the connector receptacle having a case and a terminal portion, and a fastening member. The terminal has an electrical contact portion with a hole. The connector housing has a column portion for receiving the electrical contact portion with the hole aligned in an insertion direction of the connector. The terminal portion has a connection portion to be superposed with the electrical contact portion and has a second hole to be communicated with the hole. The case has a housing portion for supporting the connection portion so that the second hole of the connection portion is aligned with the insertion direction of the connector. The electrical contact portion and the connection portion are fastened together with the fastening member passed through the communicated hole and the second hole.
US08672696B2
[Problem] To provide a hybrid connector and a cable with the connector which correct a positional error of connector units and enable to connect connectors when they are connected and even if there is a small positional error of the connection unit.[Solving Means] A hybrid connector holds plural connector units 2a to 4b in a common connector housing 5a, 5b. Each of the plural connector units is held individually movably in a direction (XY) orthogonal to an axial direction (Z) of connection. The connector unit is preferably movably held through a holding member 18 formed by an elastic matter. Front edges at the fitting start of the plural connector units 2a to 4b are tapered, and the connector units move along tapered portions in the connection fitting time. The plural connector units may be different in front-edge fitting start position along a connecting direction.
US08672695B2
An electrical cord including a plug on a first end and at least one socket on a second end opposite the first end, a protective shutter assembly disposed within the at least one socket, the shutter assembly including a first and second shutter members positioned proximate the cover assembly and each of the first and second shutter members is at least partially aligned with separate cover openings in the cover assembly and being configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade, a third shutter member positioned behind the first shutter member, a fourth shutter member positioned behind the second shutter member, and wherein the first and second shutter members pivot from the closed position to the open position and the third and fourth shutter members slide from the closed position to the open position.
US08672691B2
The invention provides a connector including a body having insulation properties and a terminal group arranged in a row in a first direction of the body. The terminal group includes a pair of first signal terminals, a second signal terminal, and a ground terminal. The first signal terminals extend in a second direction and are adjacent to each other in the first direction. The second signal terminal extends in the second direction. The ground terminal extends in the second direction and is disposed between one of the first signal terminals and the second signal terminal. A widthwise dimension in the first direction of the ground terminal is less than twice that of each of the first signal terminals. A thicknesswise dimension of at least a part of the ground terminal in a third direction is larger than that of each of the first and second signal terminals.
US08672687B2
A new design for a dry-erase board allows for writing on a clear top surface or a second surface under the clear top surface. The dry-erase board includes an insert positioned between the clear top surface and a second surface, the insert being protected by the clear top surface.
US08672682B2
A method of automatically converting alphabetic text written in a text based language into a non-text based language. The method can include parsing the text to identify at least one word. The method also can include via a processor, identifying within a lexicon database data corresponding to the word, wherein the data corresponding to the word identifies at least one pictograph or symbol selected from a group of pictographs or symbols consisting of between twenty seven and thirty three distinct pictographs or symbols that visually look different than the text, wherein each pictograph or symbol corresponds to a unique speech sound of the text based language. The pictograph or symbol can be rendered in a view.
US08672673B2
A nitrogen oxide reduction baffle for a heat exchanger of a furnace and a gas furnace incorporating at least one such baffle. In one embodiment, the baffle includes: (1) a body having a predetermined length, cross-sectional configuration and longitudinal slot, the longitudinal slot having a predetermined width and position and (2) a locating structure coupled to the body and configured to place the body in a predetermined longitudinal location within a heat exchanger and orient the slot relative to the heat exchanger, the body laterally constrained within the heat exchanger when the body is located at the predetermined longitudinal location.
US08672659B2
A vane air motor is disclosed which is configured to prevent grease in a radial bearing from leaking into a rotor chamber. The vane air motor has a motor housing (20) having a rotor chamber, a rotor (22) with vanes (24) disposed in the rotor chamber, a first end wall (16) of the motor housing equipped with a radial bearing (50) rotatably supporting a support shaft portion (28) of the rotor, and a casing contiguously joined to the motor housing to form a compressed air supply chamber (44) together with the first end wall to supply compressed air into the rotor chamber through an air supply hole (46) formed in the first end wall. The first end wall has communication means (16-5, 16-6 and 16-7) for supplying compressed air from the compressed air supply chamber to the side of the first radial bearing closer to the rotor.
US08672653B2
A fuel pump for a direct injection system having: at least one pumping chamber; a piston which is mounted sliding inside the pumping chamber in order to vary cyclically the volume of the pumping chamber; an intake duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by an inlet valve; a delivery duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by a one-way delivery valve which allows exclusively a fuel flow outgoing from the pumping chamber; and a damping device, which is placed along the intake duct upstream of the inlet valve, and comprises at least one elastically deformable damping body that has internally a closed chamber filled with pressurized gas and composed of two metal plates cup shaped and welded together at their annular edges by an annular weld without interruptions.
US08672647B2
A high reliability water injected scroll air compressor is provided with an orbiting scroll, a fixed scroll corresponding to the orbiting scroll, a motor that generates driving force for making the orbiting scroll orbit the fixed scroll, a compressing path from a suction port to a discharge port, and a portion for injecting water into the compressing path. The operation is controlled by a switching operation in which water is injected into the compressing path and then no water is injected. Corrosion, failure of activation, and concerns about wrap contact when water is injected into an air end are avoided by switching the operation with water injection and the operation without water injection so as to prevent water from remaining in the air end.
US08672643B2
One of the main objects in providing optimal mass exchange for fuel cells, especially mobile fuel cells, is anode gas supply to fuel cell stack based on stoichiometric characteristics depending on variable loads and anode gas recirculation. External loads may vary in wide range and arbitrary change, thus complicate the optimal mass exchange in fuel cell stack. A new original technology is disclosed for anode gas supply using a multi-stage ejector. This technology, an ejector design and control system allow increasing fuel cell efficiency with quick loads changing from minimal to maximal as well as at cold start.
US08672641B2
An electric submersible pump contains an AC permanent magnet motor having three or more phases A, B, C and has a drive circuit for supplying varying drive signals to all the phases of the motor at the same time. Each drive signal is constituted by a cyclically smoothly varying voltage applied to the corresponding motor phase during driving of the motor. The circuit includes switches (902, 903) for each motor phase, a control arrangement for turning the switches (902, 903) on and off at a frequency greater than the frequency of the cyclically smoothly varying voltages, and a filter (907, 908) for filtering the output voltages of the switches (902, 903) to produce the cyclically smoothly varying voltages. Such a drive circuit drives all the phases of the motor continuously such that damaging transients will not arise and without requiring the motor emf or drive signals to be sinusoidal.
US08672623B2
A stator vane assembly includes: inner and outer vane supports, and vanes extending radially between the supports. The supports have openings for receiving the ends of the vanes, and each vane is connected to the supports by a vane boot. Each vane boot has: a rim portion shaped to locate the boot within the corresponding opening in the vane support, the rim portion engaging with the inner surface defining the opening, an abutting portion for abutting against the vane support in the region surrounding the opening, and a vane pocket for accommodating the end of the vane. The vane pockets of the vane boots are shaped so as to position the vane with a predetermined stagger angle.
US08672615B2
A diagonal fan has a diagonal fan impeller (1) which is fastened to a rotor (2) of an external rotor motor (3) and which is arranged between a front plate (5), which has an in particular central inflow opening (6), and a motor bracket (4). The motor bracket (4) is connected to the front plate (5) via a plurality of peripherally arranged spacers (21). Here, the front plate (5) and the motor bracket (4) are formed as plastic or metal injection molded parts. The spacers (21) are formed, as plastic or metal injection parts, in one piece with the front plate (5) or with the motor bracket (4).
US08672614B1
Exhaust apparatus for exhausting “dirty” exhaust gases accept a core flow of such exhaust gases and combine that with an annularly-surrounding “rooftop” flow of ambient air for diluting the exhaust gases as well as expelling the diluted flow in a forcibly expelled plume in order to ensure that the “effective” expulsion distance of the expelled diluted flow is at least the physical length of the exhaust apparatus plus the gains gotten from efflux velocity and flowrate.
US08672609B2
A fan case for a gas turbine engine includes a composite fan containment case having an outer surface, a front and a rear. An attachment flange and a mounting ring are respectively provided on the front and the rear. A bolt attachment is supported on the outer surface. The composite fan containment case has a containment area that is configured to be axially aligned with a fan blade. A ballistic liner is arranged in the containment area.
US08672605B2
Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
US08672599B2
A securing element (26) for securing against the loosening by rotation of at least two screwable housing parts (3,2), the securing element (26) being arranged so as to be clamped in one of the housing parts (3) and interact with the other housing part (2).
US08672597B2
A fastener in combination with a substrate wherein the fastener is affixed to the substrate in a manner that does not damage the substrate. The fastener comprises a barrel having an interior, an exterior, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the barrel includes a flange. The exterior of the barrel proximate the flange includes a gripping portion with a spline having at least 12 teeth. The interior of the barrel proximate the second end portion of the barrel includes a counterbore. The interior of the barrel proximate the intermediate portion is threaded. The second end portion of the barrel is flared. The substrate includes a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough. The barrel of the fastener partially resides in the bore of the substrate and the 12-toothed spline on the exterior of the barrel of the fastener engages the bore of the substrate and surrounding material with minimal deformation.
US08672596B2
Systems, methods and apparatus for applying a stud are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an applicator for temporarily holding a fastener that includes a base and shaft against a contact surface includes a generally planar body having a lower surface, an upper surface, and a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to releasably receive at least a portion of the shaft of the fastener. The applicator further includes at least two legs extending from the body, each leg being movable between a relaxed position and a contact or applied position.
US08672587B2
A pile guide (10) for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising: a base frame (12) having a planar substrate-engaging surface (14) and a pile guide member (16) configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate (18), the pile guide member (16) being mounted on the base frame (12) via a plurality of support members (20) extending therebetween; characterised in that at least one of the plurality of support members (20) has an adjustable length, with length adjustment of the or each support member (20) enabling the predetermined direction to be varied relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface (14) of the base frame (12).
US08672586B2
The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for exchanging heat from the degradation, decomposition, and chemical/biochemical transformation of municipal, industrial, and other types of waste. In one embodiment, a heat extraction system may include a closed-loop fluid circulation piping channeled throughout at least one heat extraction well oriented throughout a waste mass. The piping is fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger. A first circulation fluid is circulated through the closed-loop circulation piping into various depths of the waste mass to transfer thermal energy between said mass and said heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the transfer of thermal energy between the waste mass and the heat exchanger is used as alternative energy method and to control at least one of shear strength, compressibility, and hydraulic conductivity of the waste mass.
US08672585B2
A flood wall system and method of constructing same, including providing a first main panel section; attaching sleeves to each side of a main panel prior to configuring the final chamber; providing two sleeves of fabric at the upper opening of each chamber for supporting the chambers while the chambers are being filled with materials such as sane; providing a series of chambers sewn together to define a continuous cellular wall; the final chamber having a horizontal height two feet longer (0.61 meters) than the vertical height further having a front toe portion one foot (0.30 meters) min height; filling each chamber with a quantity of material, such as sand; on each end of a completed chain of chambers, further comprising a set of loops or ties so that a chain of chambers is capable of being tied to other chains of chambers to define the continuous flood wall system.
US08672580B1
This invention relates to an apparatus for simulating the appearance of individually laid materials, such as bricks or cobblestones, in a curved pattern in a concrete surface. The apparatus includes a flexible spine with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface of the flexible spine. The apparatus further includes a texture mat for imprinting a pattern, for example a brick surface, a stone surface or a wood grain surface, into the concrete surface. This invention also relates to a method of using of the apparatus for simulating the appearance of individually laid materials in the concrete surface.
US08672579B2
Expansion joint system of a concrete slab arrangement, comprising an expansion joint reinforcement to be arranged between a first and a second concrete slab (1, 2), the expansion joint reinforcement comprising at least two local dowels (3)transferring loads perpendicular to the slab plane. The dowels comprise a dowel plate (4) and a casing part (5). The dowel plate (4) and the casing part (5) are attached to the concrete slabs on different sides of the joint. The casing part (5) prevents the dowel plate from adhering to the concrete slab and allows the dowel plate (4) to move inside the casing part and thus allows the movements of the slabs (1, 2) in the horizontal direction. The dowels (3) are installed alternately relative to the joint so that the casing parts (5) of the adjacent dowels (3) are always installed on different sides of the joint.
US08672572B1
A cooking oil applicator comprises a body, including: a tank capable of holding cooking oil; a sponge capable of absorbing some of the cooking oil; a flow control valve situated between the tank and the sponge for controlling an amount of the cooking oil flowing from the tank to the sponge; and a fire-retardant pad below the sponge capable of receiving cooking oil from the sponge and facilitating application of the cooking oil to a hot grill. The tank includes a level window so that the user can determine the degree to which the tank is full. Additionally, the cooking oil applicator includes a handle attached to the body for holding the cooking oil applicator during usage. The cooking oil applicator also includes a cradle attachable to the body allowing the cooking oil applicator to be placed safely on a flat surface while not in use.
US08672568B2
A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a sheet feeder, a discharge unit, a sheet path including a feeding path, a discharge path, and a reversing path, a manual sheet inlet and a manual sheet path for a manually-inserted recording sheet, a detecting unit to detect the manually-inserted recording sheet fed through the manual sheet inlet whilst a double-face printing operation is conducted with a preceding recording sheet, a judging unit to judge as to whether the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted recording sheet, and a conveyer controller unit to convey the preceding recording sheet in the double-face printing operation to the discharge unit without reversing when the judging unit judges that the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted recording sheet.
US08672566B2
A first node apparatus includes: ports; a storage device; and receiving, updating, and transmitting circuits. The storage device stores: information associating, with first identification information identifying a first frame, information distinguishing a first port having been used as a destination port when the first node apparatus has transmitted the first frame; and information associating, with each node apparatus, state information indicating whether frame transmission from each port is feasible. The receiving circuit receives, from a second node apparatus, a second frame including second identification information. When the second identification information is identical with the first, the updating circuit updates the state information associated with a node apparatus being a destination of the second frame to make the state information indicate frame transmission from the first port is not feasible. The transmitting circuit selects a second port from which transmission of the second frame is feasible, and transmits the second frame.
US08672562B2
An optical transceiver having a effective heat conducting path from the TOSA to the metal housing is disclosed. The TOSA has a bottom member, on which a heat generating device such as TEC is mounted, extending to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the metal housing. The optical transceiver further includes a block movably in contact with the bottom member of the TOSA and the inner surface of the metal housing to establish the effective heat conducting path from the TOSA to the metal housing.
US08672556B2
The present invention provides a member, for a resin-made rolling bearing, which has a low extent of a moisture absorption-caused change in its dimension and mechanical properties, keeps sufficiently high mechanical properties after the member absorbs moisture, and is excellent in its resistance to hydrolysis, grease deterioration, and heat and also provides the rolling bearing in which the member for the rolling bearing is used. A rolling bearing (7) has an inner ring (8), an outer ring (9), a plurality of rolling elements (10) interposed between the inner ring (8) and the outer ring (9), a crown-shaped cage (11) for retaining the rolling elements (10), and a seal (12) covering an opening disposed at a gap between the inner ring (8) and the outer ring (9). The cage (11) and the seal (12) are moldings of a resin composed of polyphthalamide resin.
US08672555B2
Rolling bearing having an inner ring (1) and an outer ring (2) with a row of rolling elements (3) held by a cage (4) between bearing races provided on the two rings, and an annular housing (5) surrounding one of said rings. Said ring forms with the housing at least one closed space (21a), (21b), inside which a lubricant is located.
US08672549B2
An improved air foil bearing assembly is disclosed. The air foil bearing assembly includes a bearing housing having an axially extending bore therein and a shaft arranged within the bore for relative coaxial rotation with respect to the bearing housing. The shaft cooperates with the bearing housing to define an annular gap therebetween. A foil assembly is disposed in the annular gap, including at least one foil having at least one laterally extending tab. The tab is adapted to be received in and extend axially from the annular gap and is further adapted to be bent into frictional contact with an outer surface of the bearing housing to militate against axial movement of the foil.
US08672548B2
To increase fixation strength of a bearing sleeve with respect to a bottomed cylindrical housing, a fluid dynamic bearing device (1) is provided with a bottomed cylindrical housing (7), a bearing sleeve (8) fixed to an inner periphery thereof, and a shaft member (2) inserted along an inner periphery of the bearing sleeve (8). An adhesive pool (11) is provided between an inner peripheral surface (7a2) of a smaller diameter portion (7a) of the housing (7) and an outer peripheral surface (8d) of the bearing sleeve (8), which are opposed to each other. Further, an inner peripheral chamfer (7f) continuous with the adhesive pool (11) is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the housing (7), and a first tapered space (12) formed between the inner peripheral chamfer (7f) and the bearing sleeve (8) is sealed with an adhesive (13).
US08672545B1
A liner bag for use with a warming device has an inner bag and an outer bag. The inner bag has an inner chamber for receiving and at least partially enclosing a container. The outer bag has an outer chamber that at least partially encloses the inner bag and that receives and encloses a heat transfer fluid that transfers heat to the container. The side edges of the inner bag are joined to the side edges of the outer bag but the front face, rear face, and bottom edge of the inner bag are not joined to the front face, rear face, and bottom edge of the outer bag so that the heat transfer fluid may flow between the outer bag and inner bag for more effectively transferring heat to the inner bag and the container enclosed in the inner bag. The liner bag may also have an anti-microbial agent for disinfecting the heat transfer fluid placed in the outer bag.
US08672538B2
The invention relates to a tempering apparatus for tempering a sample comprising: at least one tempering block configured for receiving at least one sample, at least one tempering device arranged for tempering the tempering block, at least one temperature measurement device assigned to the tempering device, at least one control loop to which the tempering device and temperature measurement device are assigned to, at least one control device configured for control of the tempering of the tempering block, wherein the tempering apparatus comprises at least two temperature measurement devices assigned to the control loop, and that to the tempering apparatus a testing device for performing a test method is assigned to, wherein the testing device comprises a signal-connection to at least one of the at least two temperature measurement devices, such that at least one testing quantity of the tempering apparatus is detectable, which characterizes the operational status of the tempering apparatus.
US08672537B2
The invention relates to a method for the detection and/or measurement of fouling in a heat exchanger, whereby the resistance value (R1, R2) of a resistor (R), placed on a wall (P) of this heat exchanger, is measured at two different instants and a value of the measurements (R2; R1) that corresponds to a function of the values measured at these two instants is determined, characterized in that the resistor (R) is subjected in succession to two power levels (P1, P2) that are each maintained for a certain duration, the first power level (P1) being below the second power level (P2), and the measurements of the two resistance values (R1, R2) being respectively carried out during application of these two power levels. The invention also relates to a device for the detection and/or measurement of fouling in a heat exchanger, characterized in that it includes a resistor (R), placed on a wall (P) of this heat exchanger, means (16) for delivering a constant power to said resistor (R) and processing means (17), these various means being capable of implementing the method according to the invention Finally, the invention relates to the use of said method or of said device.
US08672532B2
This invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a fluidics layer having microfluidic channels and one or more regulating layers that regulate the movement of fluid in the channels. The microfluidic devices can be used to mix one or more fluids. At least a portion of the fluidics layer can be isolated from the regulating layer, for example in the form of a shelf. Such isolated portions can be used as areas in which the temperature of liquids is controlled. Also provided are instruments including thermal control devices into which the microfluidic device is engaged so that the thermal control device controls temperature in the isolated portion, and a movable magnetic assembly including magnets with shields so that a focused magnetic field can be applied to or withdrawn from the isolated portion or any other portion of the microfluidic device. Also provided are methods of mixing fluids. The methods include stacking a plurality of alternating boluses of different liquids in a microfluidic channel, and moving the stacked boluses through the channel. In another method, the boluses are moved into a diaphragm valve having a volume able to accommodate several boluses, and then pumping the liquids out of the valve.
US08672531B2
The LED system has a set consisting of multiple LED lamps and an integrally formed electrical connecting member common to the LED lamps, wherein the electrical connecting member has multiple connection points for contacting a respective LED lamp.
US08672530B2
Disclosed is a display device wherein a light emitting element can have a longer service life, while suppressing luminance unevenness without causing an increase in cost or size. The display device comprises a light guide plate (21), an LED (25) that is arranged on the side of at least one corner portion (21d) of the light guide plate (21), a frame (4) that has a lateral portion (4b), and a bezel (5) that has a lateral portion (5b). The LED (25) is attached to a part (4d) of the lateral portion (4b) of the frame (4), and the part (4d) is thermally connected to a part (5d) of the lateral portion (5b) of the bezel (5).
US08672523B2
The invention relates to a light emitter adapted for emitting light with a predefined angular color point distribution, to a method of use for a light emitter in video flash applications, in automotive headlight applications and/or in automotive lamp applications, and to a method, adapted for generating light with a predefined angular color point distribution. The light emitter is adapted for emitting light with a predefined angular color point distribution through an output and comprises a phosphor (2) and a pump source (1), wherein the pump source (1) is adapted for emitting pump light to at least part of the phosphor (2), and the phosphor (2) is adapted for emitting phosphor light by light conversion of absorbed pump light, and wherein a matching element (4) is provided which is arranged at least partly between the phosphor (2) and the output of the light emitter, and which is adapted for adjusting the ratio of the light intensity of the emitted phosphor light emitted by the phosphor (2) towards the output of the light emitter to the light intensity of the transmitted pump light going through the phosphor (2) towards the output of the light emitter. In this way, a versatile light emitter with a predefined angular color point distribution in conjunction with any desired angular light intensity distribution is provided at low costs.
US08672522B2
Disclosed is an optical sheet for use in liquid crystal displays, which is not easily damaged by external impact, thus facilitating handling thereof and decreasing defective rates, resulting in reduced production costs and increased production efficiency. Decreases in the luminance of the optical sheet due to damage can be prevented.
US08672520B2
A lamp with an AC lamp burner may include two electrodes spaced apart from one another, a device configured to apply a voltage with alternating polarity to the electrodes; and a reflector, which has a first partial section, which is in the form of a partial body of a first ellipsoid, which has a first and a second focus, or is in the form of a partial body of a first paraboloid, which has a first focus, the reflector having a second partial section, which is in the form of a partial body of a second ellipsoid, which likewise has a first and a second focus or is in the form of a partial body of a second paraboloid, which has a first focus, the first foci of the two ellipsoids or paraboloids being located at different points.
US08672517B2
A light-emitting module includes a heat-dissipating structure, a multichip package structure and a protection cover structure. The multichip package structure is disposed on the heat-dissipating structure, and the multichip package structure includes a substrate unit, a light-emitting unit, a frame unit and a package unit. The protection cover structure is disposed on the heat-dissipating structure to cover and protect the multichip package structure, and the protection cover structure has an opening for exposing the package unit.
US08672501B2
The present disclosure provides a mirror device with illumination comprising a transparent conductive substrate, an isolation layer, a mirror layer and a light emitting diode (LED) layer. The isolation layer, formed on a surface of the transparent conductive substrate, divides the surface of the transparent conductive substrate into at least one first region and at least one second region. The mirror layer formed on the transparent conductive substrate within the at least one first region, while the LED layer is formed on the transparent conductive substrate within the at least one second region, wherein the mirror layer and the LED layer are electrically isolated from each other. In another embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a mirror box having the mirror device with illumination disposed therein so that the mirror device can be easily carried and kept in the pocket, or purse of user.
US08672497B2
A phosphor plate may be provided that includes a base plate transmitting light; and a lens being disposed on at least one of both surfaces of the base plate and including a fluorescent material.
US08672494B2
Asymmetric sectioned mirrors are presented. The mirrors include, for example, constant radius of curvature sections that are selected to increase the sizes and improve the definitions of images, for example images of children milling, walking and/or standing about either the front or alongside regions of a school bus. The mirrors may be asymmetric in either or both the horizontal and vertical directions. The mirrors may include a mounting system capable of using both ball mounts and tunnel mounts.
US08672490B2
Described is a device comprising a retro-reflective marker sphere comprising: a core ball comprising: a generally spherical body portion, a mounting base extending from one end of the body portion of the core ball, and a mounting recess having a recess opening in the mounting base and extending into the body portion of the core ball, and a retro-reflective covering on the core ball, the retro-reflective covering comprising an opening through which the mounting base of the core ball extends, wherein a flat lower surface of the mounting base is spaced proximally from a lower edge of the opening of the retro-reflective covering, and wherein the mounting recess includes an interior screw thread for engaging an exterior screw thread of a mounting post when the retro-reflective marker sphere is mounted on the mounting post.
US08672489B2
Medical lens assemblies and sterile drapes with a lens assembly are presented herein. In one embodiment, a lens assembly includes an annular lens housing that is attachable to a medical drape. The lens housing is configured to releasably attach to a medical device, such as a surgical microscope. An annular lens cover holder is removably attachable to the lens housing. A lens cover for shielding the objective lens is pivotably hinged to the lens cover holder. In another embodiment, a drape assembly includes a flexible body sized to cover an optical device. A lens housing attached to the drape body is engageable with the optical device to attach proximate an objective lens thereof. A lens cover holder is removably attached to the lens housing to rotate about a first axis. A lens cover is mounted to the lens cover holder to pivot about a second, different axis.
US08672481B2
An object of one aspect of the present invention is to obtain a measurement value in accordance with the condition of a crystalline lens of an examinee's eye. An apparatus for measuring ocular axial length includes: a measuring unit which irradiates measurement waves toward a fundus of the examinee's eye, and calculates the ocular axial length of the examinee's eye based on detection signals obtained from reflected waves including waves reflected from the fundus; and a determining unit which acquires reflection information related to an anterior segment of the examinee's eye, extracts reflection signals corresponding to a reflection object between a cornea and a posterior capsule of a crystalline lens based on the acquired reflection information, and determines whether the examinee's eye is a phakic eye or an IOL eye based on the extracted reflection signals.
US08672479B2
Visual equipment includes an ophthalmic lens having an edge face provided with an engagement ridge. Also described is a method of preparing such equipment. The engagement ridge includes at least fifteen bearing sections alternating with as many free singular sections, the free singular sections being smaller in width and/or in height by at least 0.05 millimeters relative to the bearing sections (Sa).
US08672471B2
A feeding apparatus for roll paper that enables downsizing and a stable feeding of a printer pressurizes a roll paper shaft to press-contact with a feeding roller, and thereafter, drives the feeding roller to feed the paper, and urges a pick-up guide to contact an outer circumference of the roll paper. In a feeding mechanism for picking up the leading edge of the roll paper, a tip end of the pick-up guide rotates in a direction to widen a paper conveyance path as a remaining amount of the roll paper becomes less, and a part of the pick-up guide moves to a direction to approach the roll paper to be conveyed or a direction to urge the roll paper according to the rotation of the pick-up guide.
US08672461B2
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including: an inlet opening; an outlet opening; an inside channel; and ejection openings; a tank; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device to perform a circulating operation in which the liquid in the tank is transferred to the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order and returns to the tank, and wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device such that a unit-time supply amount that is an amount of the liquid to be supplied to the inside channel per unit time in a first period in the circulating operation is less than that in a second period that is after the first period.
US08672459B2
A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles for ejecting liquid; pressure generation chambers, each in fluid communication with one of the nozzles; and a manifold substrate with manifolds disposed therein. Each manifold supplies liquid to at least one of the pressure generation chambers. The liquid ejecting head also includes a head case with a piezoelectric element housing unit. Piezoelectric elements, for changing pressure of liquid within the pressure generation chambers, are provided in the piezoelectric element housing unit. The liquid ejecting head also includes a vibrating element for absorbing pressure changes in the liquid within the manifolds, cavities provided on the vibrating element at positions that correspond to positions of the manifolds, and an atmosphere exposure channel that fluidly connects one of the cavities to the atmosphere. At least one other one of the cavities is in fluid communication with the atmosphere exposure channel via the first cavity.
US08672456B2
A piezoelectric film has a columnar crystal structure constituted of a plurality of columnar crystals, and contains a perovskite oxide represented by the following formula (P) as a main component: PbaAb[(ZrcTi1-c)1-dBd]Oe, (P) where Pb and A are A-site elements, and A is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Ca, Sr and Ba; Zr, Ti and B are B-site elements, and B is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Nb, Ta and Sb; a is an amount of lead, b is an amount of the element A, c is a Zr/Ti ratio, d is an amount of the element B, e is an amount of oxygen; values of a, b and d satisfy a<1, a+b≧1, and 0
US08672440B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid on recording media, an output tray that supports the recording media stacked thereon, a curl-correcting device, a detecting device, and a controller. The curl-correcting device performs curl-correction processing on the recording media, which reduces an amount of curl of the recording media. The detecting device detects information related to a stacking thickness of the recording media. The controller sets the curl-correcting device to perform the curl-correction processing on the recording media at a first processing level when the stacking thickness is greater than or equal to the threshold stacking thickness. The controller sets the curl correcting device to perform the curl-correction processing on the recording media at a second processing level when the stacking thickness is less than the threshold stacking thickness. The first processing level includes more curl-correction processing than the second processing level.
US08672439B2
Provided is a printing apparatus including a sensor unit for measuring a moving state of a sheet by optically detecting a surface of the sheet conveyed by a conveying unit. The sensor unit measures and compares the moving states of the sheet at a first measurement position and a second measurement position which are distinct from each other in a main scanning direction, to thereby obtain information on a skew state of a skew component of the moving sheet.
US08672435B2
A driving-signal applying section maintains a first driving signal at a first low voltage prior to and subsequent to a first voltage application period during which voltage is applied to a first active portion based on image data for one recording medium, maintains a second driving signal at a second low voltage prior to and subsequent to a second voltage application period during which voltage is applied to a second active portion based on the image data, changes the second driving signal from the second low voltage to a second high voltage at a first time point that is a first predetermined period before a second time point that is a starting time point of the first voltage application period, and maintains the second driving signal at the second high voltage from the first time point until the second time point.
US08672421B2
A pressure control valve arrangement is described for controlling the fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle in such a manner that, in the event of a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in associated brake cylinders can be adaptively adjusted, at least two diaphragm valves which have diaphragms loaded by spring elements, as well as at least one electromagnetic control valve which can be activated by an electronic control device for the pilot control of the diaphragm valves. Also described is a method for producing the pressure control valve arrangement.
US08672418B2
A sealing structure is provided wherein an annular groove formed in a pump cylinder of a piston pump receives therein a seal ring made of a synthetic resin material and having an inner circumferential surface fluid-tightly contacting an outer circumferential surface of the pump piston and an O-ring arranged on the outer circumferential side of the seal ring and urging the seal ring radially inward. The seal ring is formed at its axial end portions with flange portions for preventing the O-ring from coming off. In the state that the seal ring and the O-ring are fitted in the annular groove, the flange portions do not receive a load from the O-ring, and a surface pressure which the seal ring applies to the outer circumferential surface of the piston at an axial center portion thereof is set to be higher than surface pressures which it applies to the outer circumferential surface of the piston at axial end portions thereof.
US08672413B2
A web harness system for use with a child safety seat device for use in automobiles. The web harness having two spaced apart shoulder straps, each having a buckle insert and a latchable connector having two separable components attached. A first integrally formed structure including sleeve covers having a an upper portion, a central portion, and a lower portion coupled to the web harness and latchable connector. A second integrally formed structure including an upper sleeve portion spaced apart from a lower sleeve portion capturing a buckle insert coupled on the shoulder straps. A lower connecting buckle member includes a rotatable handle attached, providing a grasping and manipulating opportunity.
US08672409B2
A vehicle seat with an adjustable head restraint assembly is provided with a controller configured to receive an instruction signal to actuate a head restraint from a use position to a stowed position. A detection signal indicates whether an object is within a predetermined range of the head restraint. A stow signal is transmitted to an actuator to actuate the head restraint to the stowed position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is not within the predetermined range of the head restraint. A use signal is transmitted to the actuator to maintain the head restraint in the use position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is within the predetermined range of the head restraint.
US08672399B2
A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant having a seat bottom, a seat back connected to the seat bottom and a reclining mechanism configured to adjustably position the seat back relative to the seat bottom. A head restraint assembly adjustably connected to the seat back includes a headrest and one or more guides connected to and cooperating with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. A headrest adjustment mechanism for adjustably positioning the headrest relative to the seat bottom includes a locking member that releasably engages the one or more guides and a cable that cooperates with the release mechanism and the locking member to adjustably position the head restraint when the release mechanism is activated.
US08672398B2
Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.
US08672392B1
An instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided wherein the instrument panel is operable to hold a meter cluster. The meter cluster is positioned adjacent to a shifter of an automotive vehicle. The meter cluster is mounted within the center of the vehicle. The instrument panel includes a main panel having a plurality of apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster. A mounting aperture for the meter cluster is provided wherein the meter cluster is mounted to the mounting aperture for the meter cluster. The plurality of apertures on the main panel located adjacent to the meter cluster are operable to weaken the structure of the main panel to facilitate a controlled collapse of the instrument panel when the shifter hits the meter cluster. The positioning of the apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster prevents damage to the meter cluster during the accident.
US08672390B1
An aerodynamic reducer for a trailer comprising one or more sheet members which are secured to the lower ends of at least some of the cross-members positioned beneath the floor of the trailer. The sheet members enclose the space between at least some of the cross-members.
US08672378B2
Provided is a multi-fingered type hand device that facilitates arrangements of wirings connecting driving members which drive fingertips and the like of a robot with members which control the driving members. The multi-fingered type hand device 1 includes a wrist portion 10, a base portion 20, and a plurality of finger mechanisms 30, the wrist portion 10 having therein a wrist sensor 12, at least one of the plurality of finger mechanisms 30 having therein a fingertip sensor 321, the base portion 20 including a frame-shaped frame portion 21, a tactile sensor 25, a first substrate 23 that controls outputs of the wrist sensor 12, the fingertip sensor 321, and the tactile sensor 25, and a second substrate 24, the first substrate 23 and the second substrate 24 being disposed opposite to each other so as to sandwich the frame portion 21 from the upper and lower.
US08672371B1
A plug for enclosing a bumper compartment of a vehicle which will maintain the compartment pest free, allow air flow therethrough and securely retain accessories placed therein. The plug includes a front, a body and a rear, with the front and rear attached to the body. The front defines a pair of openings while the body and the rear define a pair of cavities. The front openings are in communication with the body cavities to provide a handle for easily grasping the plug for removal and insertion. Apertures are formed in the rear to allow for air flow and also act as an insect screen. The plug also includes grippers attached to the exterior of the body for frictional engagement with the inside of the bumper compartment.
US08672370B2
A latch assembly for securing a furnace door to a furnace casing, the latch assembly comprising: a latch for placement on an inside of the furnace door; a knob for placement through a hole in the furnace door, the knob snapped into the latch, the knob for placement on a front surface of the furnace door; a gasket for placement between the knob and the latch; and a cap secured at an end of the knob, wherein the latch, knob, and cap are keyed to allow assembly in only one orientation.
US08672365B2
A coupling device including a tubular body defining a channel having a reception segment for receiving a pipe end, the reception segment being provided with a locking member for locking the pipe end in the reception segment, a sealing member for fitting tightly against an outside surface of the pipe end, a guide for guiding the pipe end in the reception segment, and an abutment for stopping the pipe end being pushed into the reception segment, wherein the sealing member is placed in a groove formed between the abutment and the guide, and the locking member is placed between the guide and an inlet to the reception segment.
US08672364B2
A quick disconnect device for connecting a sprayer tank to a portable pump assembly has a tubular body with an internal passageway for conveying gas between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A first plunger member is mounted within the internal passageway of that device for moving reciprocally between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A second plunger member, mounted within the internal passageway, moves reciprocally between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A first resilient member urges the first plunger member away from the sprayer tank to prevent gas from flowing into the sprayer tank. A second resilient member urges the second plunger member toward the sprayer tank to prevent gas from flowing out of the sprayer tank. The first plunger member moves toward the sprayer tank to overcome the spring constant of the first resilient member to direct gas from the portable pump assembly into the sprayer tank. And the internal pressure of the sprayer tank moves the second resilient member to overcome the spring constant of the second resilient member for relieving pressure from the sprayer tank.
US08672360B2
A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired.
US08672358B2
A mounting system for a pressure vessel is disclosed. The mounting system includes a first retention cap, a second retention cap, and a plurality of fastening bands coupled to the first retention cap and the second retention cap, wherein the first retention cap and the second retention cap each include a concave inner surface and a mount, the concave inner surface substantially corresponding to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the pressure vessel to secure the pressure vessel between the first retention cap and the second retention cap.
US08672356B2
An engagement fixture of a shoulder belt is connected to and supported by an engagement buckle disposed in a vehicle interior. When a platform is positioned in a getting in/out position in a vehicle exterior, the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be temporarily connected to a temporary fastening fixture provided to the platform. To the contrary, when the platform is positioned in a loading position in a vehicle interior, a connection condition of the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be changed from a temporary connection of the fastening fixture to a securely supportable connection of an engagement buckle in the vehicle interior. Thus, it is possible to simplify a belt attaching operation after a wheelchair is loaded in a vehicle while a columnar support member used in the conventional platform is abolished.
US08672353B2
A supporting foot for a supporting device for vehicles, such as semi-trailers, comprising a foot element with a resting portion for resting on an underlying surface, and a compensating element for receiving a supporting element and for compensating for a positional offset of same by the compensating element being movable between a first and a second position with respect to the foot element, wherein the foot element has a guiding device in order to guide the supporting element in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the guiding device is formed from guiding portions which are arranged on either side of the supporting element and at least partially overlap with a distal end portion of the supporting element.
US08672346B2
An airbag device includes an airbag, an inflator and a plurality of contact projections for horn switch which are held by a retainer, such that switching operation can be performed with respect to a steering wheel. When the contact projections for the horn switch are brought into contact with contact receiving portions of the steering wheel in response to a tilt operation according to a press by a driver, the horn are blown. Horn switch contacts are respectively provided in a plurality of contact members so as to be spaced from each other in a predetermined configuration, and each contact member is electrically connected to each other via the inflator.
US08672345B2
An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part.
US08672344B2
A cladding section is provided for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. An airbag flap arrangement is located in the cladding section, and pivots along at least one hinge line during the actuation of an airbag. This type of cladding section provides that it have one stepped height difference on the surface relative to the passenger compartment, and that the airbag flap arrangement is located in the area of the height difference.
US08672341B2
A vehicle frame assembly (4) including a hinge device (16), the hinge device (16) having first and second hub devices (22) and a third hub device (22) interposed between the first and second hub devices (22), the first and second hub devices (22) releasably engage with the third hub device (24) for locking the vehicle frame assembly (4) in an erected condition, wherein the first and second hub devices (22) have inwardly-projecting lugs (26) about their periphery and the third hub device (24) includes at its periphery recesses (28), the recesses (28) and the inwardly-projecting lugs (26) arranged to loosely interdigitate in the erected condition, and wherein the inwardly-projecting lugs (26) comprise inwardly-projecting ramped portions and the third hub device (24) comprises, bounding the recesses (28), corresponding outwardly-projecting ramped surface portions (40).
US08672339B2
An unmotorized sand-rideable bicycle utilizes oversized balloon tires that have an enlarged footprint to permit the bicycle to ride up over even loose sand to provide ease of pedaling as well as enhanced steering and stability over that associated with standard bicycles.
US08672333B2
A vehicle moving apparatus includes a torque transmitter (16) positioned on the outer circular plane of a wheel with a tire (15). A collar (50), is positioned on the inside circular plane of the tire (15) and flexible linear-force elements (31), routed radially around the outer diameter of the tire (15), connect the collar (50) to the torque transmitter (16). A source of torque or a torque arm (71) can be connected to the torque transmitter (16) that enables a single user to move a vehicle.
US08672331B2
The invention relates to a tool holder for an electric tool, particularly for a chisel hammer and/or drill hammer. A tool receptacle is provided for receiving a cylindrical shaft of an insertion tool introduced through an insertion opening. The cylindrical shaft has at least two diametrically opposed detent depressions on its circumferential surface. The tool holder further has a locking device having at least one locking element, at least one blocking element and at least one restoring element. According to the invention, the locking device has at least two locking elements. Upon insertion of the cylindrical shaft of the insertion tool, the restoring element applies different forces to the locking elements of the locking device.
US08672322B2
A tri-roll curler apparatus includes an inlet roll, and exit roll, and a penetrating roll. The three rolls have substantially equal radii. At least one of the penetrating roll, and the inlet and exit rolls may be movable. Distances between the penetrating roll and the inlet roll, and the penetrating roll and the exit roll are substantially equal.
US08672318B2
Provided is an automatic document conveying device, including: a document feeding portion that feeds a document from a document stacking tray; a conveying portion that conveys the document which is fed, to a document reading portion; a discharge portion that discharges the document after being read to a discharge tray; a branching guide that switches a conveying path so that a second surface is read after a first surface of the document is read; and a switchback portion including a switchback roller pair for sending the document to the conveying portion again after the conveying path is switched by the branching guide, in which a switch of the conveying path by the branching guide and open/close of a nip of the switchback roller pair are performed in one drive portion.
US08672313B2
A sheet processing device for stacking one or more sheets temporarily on a stacking unit, and stapling the sheets by a stapling unit after aligned by an alignment unit. The device includes a shift unit that shifts the sheet in both a sheet conveying direction and a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and a control unit that controls a shift amount of the shift unit so that an alignment distance of a width direction alignment unit to align the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction is constant regardless of a staple position and a sheet size, when stacking the sheets on the stacking unit.
US08672294B2
A wall-mounted faucet control module comprises: two control handles, three joints and a panel set. Each control handle has a containment space for accepting the joints. The joint has an insertion aperture, the insertion aperture of each joint has a different cross-sectional shape such that the control handle can be installed with the various control rod. The panel set has an assembling panel and two ornament covers, the ornament cover engages with the connecting slot of the assembling panel, and the two ornament covers respectively have an assembling hole with different diameter such that the assembling panel can be installed with the main body of the various water valve. The joints, the sleeves and the ornament covers can be correspondingly alternated for the various water valves, the control handles and the panel set can be installed with the various water valves, which can provide variety and convenience.
US08672290B2
A gate valve assembly having a body, a gate, a stem, and a backseat for sealing between the stem and the body. The backseat is an annular member with a complementary surface on its inside that fits over a spherically shaped section of the stem; thus allowing the backseat to rotate and pivot with respect to the stem. An outer surface of the backseat is beveled for sealingly engaging a stem passage formed through the body. A flex member is provided that is for sealing a surface adjacent the backseat. The flex member can form a seal between the backseat member and the stem or between an annular retainer and the backseat.
US08672278B1
A multiuse platform and system having a flexible shape-retaining shaft for engaging, holding and pointing devices (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders). It includes a respositionable mounting system having a flexible assembly having a first end and a second end, the assembly adapted to be repetitively positioned into a plurality of orientations by moving the assembly into a first particular orientation wherein the assembly retains the particular orientation until the assembly is moved into a second particular orientation; and a first mounting head, coupled to the first end, for engaging a first mating structure.
US08672275B2
A metal casing strip for a fire collar to be arranged around a duct has a line of succesive tongues and cutouts in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The tongues and cutouts are arranged in the strip in an alternating fashion. The tongues are bendable out of the surface of the casing strip such that in use, when the casing strip is arranged around a pipe such that two end regions overlap, an outwardly bended tongue from the one end region is inserted in a cutout of the overlapping other end region and folded over the edge of the cutout to retain the casing strip in the closed collar shape.
US08672264B1
For retrieval of a hovering aircraft, a cable, bar, or similar fixture is suspended in an approximately horizontal orientation across the retrieval area between two well-separated supports. The aircraft slowly flies into this fixture, which then slides along the aircraft in a direction approximately parallel with the aircraft's thrust line. This leads to the aircraft becoming fastened to the fixture by an interceptor or aircraft capturer, which in alternative embodiments are respectively on the aircraft or the fixture or both. Thrust is then reduced, and the aircraft comes to rest hanging from the fixture for subsequent removal. Retrieval is thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus, light and unobtrusive elements on the aircraft, low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy.
US08672262B2
A vibration isolator includes an upper housing and a lower housing; an upper reservoir housing defining a upper fluid chamber; a lower reservoir housing defining a lower fluid chamber; a piston spindle resiliently coupled to the upper housing with an upper elastomer member, the piston spindle being resiliently coupled to the lower housing with a lower elastomer member; an elongated portion having a tuning passage; and a tuning fluid disposed there within. The vibration isolator cancels vibratory forces at an isolation frequency. The vibration isolator is utilized in a pylon system for mounting a transmission in an aircraft. The vibration isolator is located between a pylon structure and a roof structure. The isolator includes a spherical bearing assembly that is located near a waterline location of a rotational axis of a drive shaft.
US08672261B2
An engine mount of an aircraft and an aircraft are provided, which can reduce a size of an engine mount and can effectively use a space in an engine nacelle even in an engine with a high bypass ratio. An engine core section 20b at a rear of an engine 20 is supported by a rear engine mount 40 comprising an engine side mount member 41 fixed to a side of the engine 20 and a strut side mount member 42 fixed to a side of a pylon strut 11. The rear engine mount 40 is divided into the engine side mount member 41 and the strut side mount member 42, and thereby, even in the engine 20 with a high bypass ratio in which an outside diameter of the fan section 20a and the outside diameter of the engine core section 20b significantly differ, the lengths in the vertical direction of the engine side mount member 41 and the strut side mount member 42 are suppressed.
US08672246B2
An easy and effective method for purifying graphene powder by removing magnetic impurities, wherein magnetic impurities are incorporated during the process of fabricating the graphene powder, is provided. The method for purifying graphene powder, the method including: (1) ball-milling a graphite material to form graphene powder; (2) dispersing the graphene powder in a solvent to form a suspension; and (3) separating magnetic impurities during stirring the suspension, by using a magnet, Wherein the magnetic impurities were incorporated into the graphene powder during ball-milling from the balls and dispersed in the suspension.
US08672244B2
A jet former (1), which can be fitted into the water outlet (2) of a sanitary outlet fitting and has at least one homogenizing device (3) with a multiplicity of throughflow holes (4), which are respectively enclosed by flow guiding walls (5). The jet former (1) has a greater jet width (1) in comparison with the jet depth (t) to create a flat water jet, by a flow guide (6) that tapers in a nozzle-like manner, at least in a partial region in the direction of throughflow, being arranged upstream or downstream of the at least one homogenizing device (3) and by the flow guide (6) having on both sides of its longitudinal extent edge regions (7, 8) with a greater throughflow cross section in comparison with the longitudinal center region (9). While a smooth, homogenized jet with a transparent, clear jet pattern can be formed with the aid of the homogenizing device (3) and its throughflow holes (4) enclosed by flow guiding walls (5), this jet can be continued as a clearly contoured, flat water jet over a comparatively long free distance by the flow guide (6).
US08672236B2
Provided is a sprinkler configured for irrigation of a predetermined area, the sprinkler including a sprinkler body having a central axis. The body is formed with an irrigation inlet configured for receiving irrigation fluid, and a nozzle configured for discharging therethrough a directional jet of the irrigation fluid. The sprinkler further includes a reciprocal element configured for performing a reciprocal rotary motion about the central axis, and a deflecting member including an attachment mechanism for fixed attachment thereof to the reciprocal element. The deflecting member is formed with at least a first deflective surface, and is configured for performing a reciprocal rotary motion about the central axis together with the reciprocal element. The deflecting member is configured to assume at least a first position with respect to the nozzle in which a first portion thereof faces the nozzle, by virtue of which the directional jet is emitted from the sprinkler at a first angle, and at least a second position with respect to the nozzle in which a second portion thereof faces the nozzle, by virtue of which the directional jet is emitted from the sprinkler at a second angle different from the first angle.
US08672213B2
A food container having at least two open cone shaped spaces is formed from a sheet folded along three folding lines. The first and second folding lines intersect at a point near or in a point along a center line of the sheet to allow upper surfaces of the sheet on each side of the folding lines to be moved against each other. The third folding line extends transversally in relation to the center line and intersects the first and second folding lines substantially at the point. The third folding line allows folding of the sheet on each side of the third folding to move the surfaces on the under side of the sheet against each other thereby forming two open cones when parts respectively on each side of the third folding line are brought against each other.
US08672211B2
A vibration welding system includes an anvil, a welding horn, a thin film sensor, and a process controller. The anvil and horn include working surfaces that contact a work piece during the welding process. The sensor measures a control value at the working surface. The measured control value is transmitted to the controller, which controls the system in part using the measured control value. The thin film sensor may include a plurality of thermopiles and thermocouples which collectively measure temperature and heat flux at the working surface. A method includes providing a welder device with a slot adjacent to a working surface of the welder device, inserting the thin film sensor into the slot, and using the sensor to measure a control value at the working surface. A process controller then controls the vibration welding system in part using the measured control value.
US08672202B2
System and method for carrying loads by a user are disclosed. According to embodiments of this invention a load is carried attached to the back of the user and concurrently vertically supported to the ground on supporting means. The system comprising means that allow vertical free movements of the load with respect to the user's back within a defined range so that the load substantially carried by the supporting means while providing stable attachment of the load to the user's back in two other linear axes of freedom and in all three circular axes of freedom. The supporting means includes means to adjust the support according to the user's height and to the grounds bumpiness.
US08672201B2
A concealable handgun holster is disclosed with a handgun encasement supported within clothing of a wearer by one or more attachment clips, the attachment clips being hidden “in plain sight” by decorative features that deceive an observer into thinking the clips are decorations rather than part of a holster. In preferred embodiments, the holster is a hybrid holster with a handgun encasement formed by a leather sheet attached to a rigid plastic cover, preferably made of Kydex®. The clips can be plastic or metal, preferably steel, and can be attached to the encasement by rivets, screws, or any other suitable fastening means known in the art. Decoration of the attachment clips can be by shaping of the clips, perforation of the clips with decorative shapes, engraving on the clips, printing on the clips, and/or attachment of decorative items to the clips.
US08672200B2
A tailgating system for attachment to a transport vehicle includes a cabinet configured to include at least one of a refrigerator, a grill, a draft system, and a dry storage cabinet. A movable hitch assembly includes a hitch coupling configured to be coupled to a hitch ball connectable to the transport vehicle. The movable hitch assembly is configured to move the hitch coupling up and down relative to the cabinet to raise and lower the cabinet when the movable hitch assembly is coupled to the transport vehicle.
US08672195B2
A container including a nozzle and body depending therefrom. The body is preferably tubular and defines an interior which retains a product to be dispensed. A cap engages the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the product. In order to dispense the product, the cap is removed and pressure is applied to the body and the nozzle allows release of the product. The nozzle releases the product without exposing the remaining product to the external atmosphere, thus the sterility of the interior of the body is maintained and the shelf life of the product is increased. The nozzle includes an inner body, coupled to the tubular body, surrounded by a flexible outer cover. A seam between the inner body and flexible outer cover forms a one-way release valve wherein a portion of the seam remains closed during dispensing the product.
US08672193B2
The invention relates to a dispenser for discharging at least one component. Said dispenser comprises a base body (100) and an advancing element (300) that can be slid. The advancing element (300) acts upon a container having the component so that the component is discharged from the container by means of an advancement of the advancing element (300). The advancing element (300) comprises teeth (321) in the advancing direction. An actuating lever (400) can be swiveled relative to the base body (100) between an initial position and an activated position. The actuating lever comprises one or more teeth (421), which are engaged with the teeth (321) of the advancing element when the advancing element (300) is advanced. In order to enable a simple resetting motion of the actuating lever (400) from the activated position back to the initial position, the actuating lever (400) can be moved as a whole to a decoupled position relative to the base body (100), in which decoupled position the teeth (421) of the actuating lever (400) disengage from the teeth (321) of the advancing element (300). A very simple design of the dispenser having few individual parts is thereby enabled.
US08672186B2
The present invention relates to a multi-chamber container having a container housing (4), which comprises a first chamber (1) for receiving a first product component and a second chamber (2) for receiving a second product component. The container further has a device (15, 16; 60, 61) for producing a pressure difference delivering the first and/or second product components out of the respective chamber, a removal opening (33), which communicates with the first chamber (1) and/or the second chamber (2) and is disposed on a housing head (3, 53), and further a metering device (3, 15, 16; 60, 61, 66) for dispensing the product component from the first and/or second chambers (1, 2). The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-chamber container, which has a relatively space-saving and compact design. In order to achieve this objective, the invention proposes that the first chamber (1) be disposed between the second chamber (2) and the housing head (3) and that the removal opening (33) communicates with a rising pipe (12), which penetrates the first chamber (1) and extends into the second chamber (2).
US08672182B2
The invention relates to a discharge spout for flexible bags, of the type comprising a rigid plastic body forming a discharge passage and having a tube (3) intended to be inserted between two walls of a flexible bag and joined to such walls by means of sealing. The tube (3) has a smooth outer surface and two opposite flat flaps (4) extending externally in a mid-plane of said tube (3). The outer surface of the tube (3) forms, together with the surface (6) of the flat flaps (4), a sealing surface. The outer surface of the tube (3) has a middle area (5a), that is in the axial direction of the tube, in which the distance to the axis (7) of the tube is maximum, separating two side sections (5b, 5c) in which the distance to the axis (7) is decreasing toward the ends of the tube.
US08672181B2
A dispenser for administering strip-shaped substances, includes a housing having a chamber to store a stack of the strip-shaped substances and forming a removal opening for the strip-shaped substances that can be opened and closed again with a lid, said lid being joined to the housing, and being joined to a transport bar that can be moved together with the lid in order to transport the strip-shaped substances. The objective of designing and refining a dispenser of the above-mentioned type in such a manner as to allow a contamination-free and reliable transport of one single strip-shaped substance from the inside of the housing merely by moving the lid is characterized in that the transport bar is elastically pre-tensioned and mounted in the housing in such a way that it is at a distance from the stack when the removal opening is closed.
US08672178B2
A hole plug assembly includes a covering base connected to a first lip, at least one extensible member having a first portion connected to one or both of the covering base or the first lip, and a second lip connected to a second portion of the at least one extensible member. The at least one extensible member is configured to expand and contract with respect to a central axis of the covering base.
US08672176B2
An apparatus for holding a beverage includes a base, a frame, and a plurality of biasing members. The base includes at least one inner region and at least one outer region for collecting moisture. The frame is configured to be supported by the base and to receive drinking vessels of varying sizes and configurations. The plurality of biasing members are detachably coupled to the frame and form with the frame an inner cavity of varying capacity for supporting a drinking vessel. The capacity of the inner cavity is adaptively configured when a portion of the drinking vessel is received in the inner cavity.
US08672174B1
A lid assembly including a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover including first and second apertures providing access to contents of the container; a drinking member having a bore there through, the drinking member pivotal between a first closed position wherein the drinking member seals the first aperture and a second open position wherein the bore is aligned with the first aperture to allow contents of the container to pass through the first aperture and the drinking member; and a closure member pivotal between a first closed position wherein the closure member seals the second aperture and a second open position wherein the second aperture is exposed to allow contents of the container to pass there through.
US08672171B2
A trashcan includes a container having a base and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base forming an interior space for receipt of a trash bag therein; and a trash bag retention member disposed on the peripheral wall, the retention member defining a passageway into the interior space of the container and comprising a plurality of resilient, flexible fingers configured to receive and retain therebetween a portion of a trash bag. Each finger includes a portion thereof that extends away from the peripheral wall. Each finger is “bent” and extends away from the peripheral wall. A finger may extend away from the peripheral wall on the exterior of the container, away from the peripheral wall on the interior of the container, or both. A method of making the trashcan includes injection molding the container and the retention member separately or, alternatively, together.
US08672157B2
The procedure for manufacturing bottles (2) containing fluids, particularly—cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical products or the like, comprises a forming phase of a hollow body (4) having a dispensing mouth (5) that can be closed by means of removable closing means (8) comprising shutter means (10) that can be coupled with the mouth, the closing means being made in a single body with the hollow body. During the forming phase, the closing means are arranged with the shutter means substantially transversal to the direction of coupling with the dispensing mouth. After the forming phase a coupling” phase is contemplated of the shutter means with the dispensing mouth.
US08672149B2
A thermochromic indicator is vertically disposed on a rack. Such that the thermochromic indicator is visible from a distance. In some examples, the thermochromic indicator indicates a bulk air temperature and a gradient air temperature. The thermochromic indicator provides a real-time visual of air temperatures of computing equipment and devices housed within a computing facility. The thermochromic indicator may be vertically disposed on a front-face and/or a back-face or a rack. A plurality of thermochromic indicators may be disposed on a plurality of front-faces and/or back-faces of racks of an array of racks.
US08672143B2
Disclosed is a composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separation functional layer on a microporous support, and in which the separation functional layer is made of a condensation product of a polymer that has acidic groups and a trialkoxysilane groups having an imidazolium structure in side chains. The composite semipermeable membrane has excellent selective separation performance for divalent ions over monovalent ions, while exhibiting excellent long-term durability. Also disclosed is a method for producing the composite semipermeable membrane. The composite semipermeable membrane is suitable for uses in various water treatment fields such as the desalination of seawater and the production of drinking water. In addition, the composite semipermeable membrane does not deteriorate as much as conventional composite semipermeable membrane even in cases where the membrane is sterilized by having chlorine-containing raw water permeate therethrough continuously or intermittently.
US08672128B2
A container for sanitizing an article includes a case defining a central void sized to accommodate at least a portion of the article, a receptacle in fluid communication with the central void, and a granular, antiseptic media disposed within the receptacle. The granular, antiseptic media includes at least one out-gassing, antimicrobial agent such as, thyme oil or thymol. The granular, antiseptic media may further include a granular, fragrance blended with the granular, out-gassing, antimicrobial agent in a select ratio to remediate an antiseptic odor of the out-gassing, antimicrobial agent. The article may be a toothbrush or other type of brush, a mouth guard, a comb, a sponge, or other article which may be stored in a damp or wet condition after use.
US08672117B2
An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.
US08672116B2
A roller bearing end hub has a housing that internally houses a plane bearing, pin, and spring. The spring is biased against the plane bearing which is rotatably connected with the pin. The housing includes two half-housings which are configured to be mated together. The bearing is formed of a shape similar to the housing interior. The pin is smaller than an attached axle stub and the spring does not directly interact with the pin such that the amount of friction between the pin and bearing is minimized.
US08672114B2
A release bearing assembly for an automotive clutch connecting an engine with a transmission is provided. The release bearing assembly can have a front slinger with a main body with a generally radial planar portion that at least partially covers an annular spacing between the bearing inner and outer races of the release bearing assembly. A rear slinger is provided which contacts an outer race of the bearing and forms an annular groove portion adjacent the annular spacing between the inner and outer races.
US08672112B2
A drive system for a vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, a clutch mechanism including first and second clutch portions, the clutch mechanism being switchable between connected and disconnected states, and a clutch operation mechanism switching the clutch mechanism between the connected and disconnected states, the clutch operation mechanism including a clutch drum forming a drum chamber, a piston dividing the drum chamber into a spring chamber and a pressurizing chamber, a control valve, a biasing member arranged in the spring chamber and exerting a biasing force in a direction in which the first and second clutch portions are engaged with each other, and a bore formed in the clutch drum, the bore discharging oil of the spring chamber to an outer side of the spring chamber in a state where a counteracting force against a centrifugal force acting in the pressurizing chamber is generated in the spring chamber.
US08672109B2
A narrow double clutch transmission to be mounted in a drive train with a drive unit comprises a clutch part and a transmission part with two sub-transmission units. The clutch part has one input hub connected with the drive unit and two output hubs, which are connected with two input shafts of two sub-transmission unit respectively. The two sub-transmission unit input shafts are arranged coaxially to each other. At the output side the input hub is connected with a damping mechanism, which is connected with two clutches. The two clutches and the damping mechanism are arranged in a clutch chamber filled with oil, which is sealed floatingly to a clutch cover. The output hub connected with the sub-transmission input shaft is axially supported by the sub-transmission unit input shaft.
US08672096B2
Methods and apparatus for lubricating suspension seals by pumping fluid to the seals using a compression or rebound action of a suspension component.
US08672095B2
A method and a system for lubricating a turbine engine including at least three separate housings each including at least one roller bearing. The method pressurizes the housings through seals, of which two main housings are pressurized at a pressure higher than that of a remaining secondary housing, lubricates a secondary roller bearing only by injecting an oil mist from at least one of the main housings, the oil mist being supplied by a pressure difference between the main housings and the secondary housing, recovers a remainder of the lubrication oil injected into the main housings to supply the same to an oil tank, and supplies the air/oil mixture from the secondary housing to an oil separator.
US08672090B1
A vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component having an inlet and an outlet. The exhaust component is configured to be fixed to a vehicle body. A pipe extends through the exhaust component from the inlet to the outlet. The pipe is mounted for movement relative to the exhaust component at the inlet and the outlet.
US08672089B2
A baffle arrangement for a genset enclosure is disclosed. The genset enclosure may include an opening in a side of the enclosure and a plurality of baffles internally supported in the enclosure between the opening and a radiator portion. The baffles may be positioned in a sound path to reflect a sound transmitted along the sound path. A method for reducing sound in a genset enclosure is also disclosed. The method may include arranging a plurality of baffles within the enclosure between an opening and a radiator portion, the baffles being positioned in a sound path to reflect a sound transmitted along the sound path.
US08672086B2
A steering apparatus includes a rotatable steering shaft having an exterior, an input end for connecting a steering member and an output end for connecting to at least one steerable wheel of a vehicle. An electric motor is operatively connected to the steering shaft for rotating the steering shaft. The shaft is magnetized and serves as a torque sensor transducer. At least one magnetic field sensor is adjacent to the exterior of the steering shaft. The steering shaft and the at least one magnetic field sensor form a torque sensor for sensing torque applied to the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member and provide a signal to operate the electric motor to assist steering of the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member.
US08672085B2
A variable ratio transmission mechanism is used in an automobile. The automobile includes first and second steering shafts extending along a first direction. The variable ratio transmission mechanism includes a securing unit connected to the first steering shaft, a connecting unit connected to the second steering shaft, a motor connected to the securing unit and including a revolving shaft that extends rotatably along a second direction different from the first direction, and a transmitting unit including a worm gear that is provided on the connecting unit and a worm that is provided on the revolving shaft and that engages and is angularly-slidable relative to the worm gear.
US08672082B2
A urea water tank (23) is arranged in a cab (10) at which an operator boards, thereby making it possible to arrange urea water under a preferred temperature environment for preventing freeze and crystallization of the urea water. A water supply port (24A) is provided to be opened to a left surface portion (19C) of a cab box (19) constituting the cab (10) for supplying the urea water to the urea water tank (23) from an outside of the cab (10). Therefore, even in a case of resupplying the urea water to the urea water tank (23), an operator can easily resupply the urea water through a water supply hose (24) to the urea water tank (23) from the outside of the cab (10) without entering into the cab (10).
US08672078B2
An external airbag module for a vehicle, installed to be located in a space formed between a back beam and a front bumper may include an inflator secured to a front of the back beam and accommodated in the back beam, and an airbag cushion surrounding the inflator and secured to the back beam together with the inflator between the back beam and the front bumper.
US08672077B2
This invention comprises a frame for an electric motorcycle. Electric motorcycles have vastly different component requirements compared to internal combustion engine motorcycles, and, therefore, require a radical redesign of the frame in order to maximize the efficiency of the system.
US08672076B2
A rear-wheels transmission and suspension system, adapted for modifying a two wheeled motorcycle into a motorcycle containing two rear wheels, includes a suspension device, a rear axle and a transmission device. The suspension device includes a supporting frame longitudinally extending along the central axis of a construction frame and pivotally connected with a seat portion of the construction frame of the motorcycle for supporting the rear axle at the rear end the supporting frame while defining a transmission cavity after a rear end of the supporting frame and at a central position behind an output of said engine along the central axis of the construction frame. Therefore the transmission device is able to be supported by the rear axle in the transmission cavity to transmit a rotation output from the engine to drive the rear axle to rotate for driving the rear wheels to rotate.
US08672075B1
A vehicle assembly is provided for facilitating transportation in a stable vehicle not requiring government licensing. The assembly includes a frame assembly having a left frame coupled to a right frame. The frame assembly has a center frame coupled to and positioned between the left frame and the right frame. A plurality of wheels is coupled to the frame assembly including a left front wheel and a left back wheel coupled to the left frame and a right front wheel and a right back wheel coupled to the right frame. A seat assembly is positioned between the left frame and the right frame. A steering mechanism is coupled to the frame assembly and mechanically coupled to the left front wheel and the right front wheel. A drive system is operationally coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels.
US08672070B2
A vehicle includes a chassis, a traction member associated with the chassis, and a drive system associated with the chassis and the traction member comprising an electric traction motor, a planetary gear assembly coupled to the electric traction motor, the planetary gear assembly comprising an output member coupled to the traction member, wherein rotation of the output member provides a drive torque for the traction member.
US08672055B2
Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated.
US08672054B2
A hand tool that is preferably hydraulically actuable includes a working head and a body unit that remains in place with respect to the head, drive elements for driving the working head being provided in the body unit, for example a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic supply, a switching movement also allowing a powered movement of one or more working parts of the working head to be triggered and the working head being swivelably connected to the body unit in a rotary connection region. In order to configure and develop a hand tool so that safe working is assured by virtue of unambiguous and clear handling, by swivelling of the body unit relative to the working head about an axis of rotation provided in the region of the rotary connection of the working head to the body unit, switching over can be carried out with regard to the powered movement of the working part.
US08672053B2
A tool holder for a hand supported impacting machine, which tool holder is suitable for receiving a tool having a shank portion on which is formed a retaining collar. The tool holder includes a tubular main body for receiving the tool and at least one locking element moveably mounted with respect to the main body and having an engaging portion moveable between a radially inner locked position in which the engaging portion is engageable with the retaining collar of the tool and a radially outer unlocked position in which a tool can be inserted into or removed from the tool holder. The tool holder additionally comprises a manually actuable sleeve moveable between a locked position in which the locking elements are held in their locked position and an unlocked position in which the engaging portions of the locking elements are moveable to their unlocked position.
US08672043B2
An apparatus including a coiled tubing unit coupled to a drilling rig, and an enclosure surrounding the coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include a coiled tubing reel and a coiled tubing injector, wherein the injector may move relative to the coiled tubing reel. The coiled tubing unit is configured to move relative to the drilling rig in both longitudinal and lateral directions.
US08672035B2
A pressurization tool comprises a body for connection to a tubular by box, and pin, and providing for flow of fluid by way of a throughbore of varying cross-section to form chambers. A lower chamber accommodates a spring that contacts a shoulder providing a reaction surface for compression of the spring under applied force. The chamber merges into intermediate chamber that accommodates a movable index sleeve that cooperates with an index pin inserted through the wall of the tool body. Associated with the upper part of the index sleeve is a valve seat assembly, positioned to abut the index sleeve and moveable therewith, said valve seat assembly being configured to receive a plug or ball, and in one unpressurised configuration, is located in a wider chamber that permits fluid flow around the assembly.
US08672026B2
A pumping system comprising: a probe to suction a fluid from a fluid reservoir; a pump in fluid communication with said probe; a sensor for detecting phase changes in said pumping system, said sensor in fluid communication with said probe or pump, said sensor generating a sensor signal; a fluid exit from said pumping system, said fluid exit being in fluid communication with said pump; and a variable force check valve located between said probe and said fluid exit.
US08672024B2
A subsurface well completion system including a subsurface heat exchanger section that includes an outer shell and an inner shell having an upper threaded portion, an open inside diameter, one or more inlet boxes and one or more outlet boxes. An upper annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell and has one or more openings. A lower annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell. The lower annular ring is spaced apart from the upper annular ring and has one or more openings. One or more tubes are sealably connected at a first end and a second end to the one or more openings in the upper annular ring and the one or more openings in the lower annular ring, respectively, and extend between the upper and lower annular rings in an annular space between the inner shell and the outer shell.
US08672023B2
In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of performing a wellbore operation, which in one embodiment includes supplying a mixture containing a fluid and shape memory particles of a first size into a selected region in the wellbore, retaining the shape memory particles of the first size in the selected region while expelling the fluid from the selected region, and activating the shape memory particles retained in the selected region to cause them to expand to attain a second shape to fill the selected region with shape memory particles having the second shape.
US08672022B2
A method and a correspondingly designed motor vehicle are provided for pre-climatizing the motor vehicle when shut-off by way of a heating and/or cooling unit, which draws its energy for heating and/or cooling from an electric storage unit. When the heating and/or cooling unit is activated by a vehicle external operator control element, the heating and/or cooling unit is initially activated in a first output stage. Then, the heating and/or cooling unit is switched from the first output stage to a second output stage as a function of predetermined conditions.
US08672020B2
The present invention discloses a method for producing an aluminum-zirconium-carbon (Al—Zr—C) intermediate alloy; the Al—Zr—C intermediate alloy has a chemical composition of 0.01% to 10% Zr, 0.01% to 0.3% C, and Al in balance; the producing method comprising the steps of: producing commercially pure aluminum, zirconium metal, and graphite material according to the weight percentages of the aluminum-zirconium-carbon intermediate alloy; the graphite is graphite powder having an average particle size of 0.074 mm to 1 mm; and the graphite powder is subjected to the following treatments: being added to the aqueous solution of KF, NaF, K2ZrF6, K2TiF6 or the combination thereof, soaked for 12 to 72 hours, filtrated or centrifuged, and dried at 80° C. to 200° C. for 12 to 24 hours; melting the commercially pure aluminum and keeping it at 700° C. to 900° C. to provide aluminum liquid, in which the prepared zirconium and the treated graphite powder are added and melted to provide an alloy solution; and keeping the alloys solution at 700° C. to 900° C. under mechanical or electromagnetic agitation and performing casting molding. The present method produces a high-quality Al—Zr—C intermediate alloy in low cost.
US08672015B2
The present invention relates to a device for security and privacy that is securable to the frame of a window and mountable from the interior of a building. The device comprises a slanted front panel mounted at an angle to allow an open bottom panel and side panels to provide airflow. The panels may be comprised of a mesh screen material to allow airflow when secured in place over an open window, providing airflow and privacy while still providing a level of security for a user. A vertical frame mounts to the rails of a sliding screen along its upper edge, and secures around the bottom of the sliding screen to allow synchronized movement of the two during operation.
US08672011B2
There is provided a rubber composition for a bead apex which can enhance extrusion processability by optimizing a rate of vulcanization during a vulcanization process, and can improve rigidity, steering stability and a low fuel consumption property, a tire having a bead apex prepared by using the rubber composition for a bead apex and being capable of enhancing steering stability and reducing rolling resistance and a tire for a sports utility vehicle (SUV) having further enhanced durability. The rubber composition for a bead apex comprises a diene rubber, a phenol resin and/or a modified phenol resin, sulfur, hexamethylenetetramine, a vulcanization accelerator, and at least one kind of vulcanization acceleration auxiliary selected from the group consisting of a citraconimide compound, a condensate of alkyl phenol and sulfur chloride, an organic thiosulfate compound and a compound represented by the general formula: R1—S—S-A-S—S—R2.
US08672009B2
A pneumatic radial ply tire includes a pair of beads, a single carcass ply, a tread, and a pair of sidewalls. The pair of beads each has an associated chaffer. The single carcass ply is folded about each bead so as to define a main body portion and a turnup portion associated with each bead. The tread is disposed radially outward from the single carcass ply. The tread has shoulder portions disposed at axial outer edges of the tread. The pair of sidewalls extends radially outward from each chaffer to a location adjacent each shoulder portion. Each sidewall is disposed axially outward of the single carcass ply. Each sidewall includes a first outer layer extending from the chaffer to the shoulder portion and a second inner layer extending from the chaffer to the shoulder portion. The second inner layer is disposed entirely between the single carcass ply and first outer layer. The second inner layer comprises a foamed structure of a rubber composition having a density ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 g/cm3.
US08672001B2
A stump grinding wheel tooth assembly having a mounting block positioned around the periphery of the wheel and a cutting bit attached to the mounting block by a pin passing through a hole in the cutting bit and a corresponding hole in the mounting block and capped by a nut. The mounting block may support multiple cutting bits arranged into a predetermined patterns based on the location of the holes, such as pairs of cutting bits or even a quad formation. The cutting bits may be provided in various geometric configurations, such as round, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or decagonal.
US08672000B2
A package system for dispensing a flowable material into a conduit of a dispensing apparatus. The package system includes a package and a connector. The package, e.g., a bag-in-box, comprises a hollow bag and a tap fitment for enabling the contents of the bag to flow out when the fitment is open. The connector includes an automatic shut off valve and is arranged to be fixedly secured to the conduit of the dispensing apparatus and releasably secured to the fitment. The valve is arranged to enable the flow of flowable material from the package into the conduit when the fitment is open, while preventing any of that material from flowing out of the conduit when the connector is disconnected from the fitment.
US08671992B2
This disclosure relates to a spoolable pipe or tube that comprises two or more channels or cells, for example, a plurality of channels, for enhanced or improved fluid transport of one, two, or multi-phase fluids, such as found in the transport of oil and/or natural gas. Also provided are methods for making the disclosed tubes, and methods of transporting multi-phase fluids.
US08671989B2
In order to improve a drive arrangement (15) for valve devices (1) comprising a closing member (3), comprising a movable drive element (6) for making an operative connection with the closing member (3), pre-tensioning means for exerting a pre-tensioning force on the drive element (6) in order to hold the closing member (3) in a base position, preferably closed position, against the working forces acting on the closing member (3), and driving means (17, 21) to move the drive element (6) from the base position against the pre-tensioning force in the direction of the working forces, with a view to the disadvantages of the known drive arrangements, in particular in order to reduce the weight, it is proposed that the pre-tensioning means comprises a compressible fluid, preferably compressed air (21), enclosed in a pre-tensioning container (16), with a static pressure for producing the pre-tensioning force.
US08671987B2
A two-stage, slow-start valve includes a minor valve assembly inside a major valve closure member of a major valve closure assembly so that fluid can flow through the valve at a higher rate by opening the major valve assembly or at a lower rate by opening the minor valve assembly while the major valve closure assembly is closed in order to allow fluid to flow in an alternate flow path through the major valve closure member. The example minor valve closure assembly has a minor valve closure member that is actuated to open by a minor valve piston on which minor valve actuating fluid is applied to the minor piston via a diaphragm seal positioned between the minor piston and the minor valve actuating fluid. Both the major valve closure assembly and the minor valve closure assembly can be pneumatically actuated to open.
US08671971B2
An apparatus for indicating a leak in a beverage dispensing system and sealing a leak in a beverage dispensing system includes a deactivating means including a channel, a sealing ball, a sealing element and a reset means. The sealing ball and sealing element are located within the channel. When a leak is present, the sealing ball is moved from its resting position. Once the leak reaches a predetermined level, the sealing ball is pressed against the sealing element by the force of the gas in the chamber. This seals the chamber and prevents further gas flow through the system.
US08671969B2
Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide a soil moisture level; and a memory coupled to the controller circuit. The controller, sensor circuits, and the memory integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the controller circuit is adapted to cause interruption of irrigation based on the moisture level of the soil and a soil moisture threshold; the memory adapted to store data of the soil moisture threshold level and the moisture level of the soil.
US08671968B2
A device is described for combined fluid replacement and pressure testing in pipes with inaccessible end points. The device is characterized in that it is a two-piece circulation valve structure comprising: a first valve unit (4) comprising a seal element (1) which closes and opens depending on the dynamic fluid pressure through the valve, and a second valve unit (6) arranged to permanently close off the fluid flow when the pressure testing terminates. The first valve unit (4) comprises an elastic sealing ring (1) arranged to close against a seat in the valve unit in step with an increase in the fluid flow velocity through the valve, while the second valve unit is a casing (6) which is arranged inside the valve an closes when a pressure differential arises between a chamber (7) and the inside of the valve (4).
US08671967B2
A relief valve is provided and may include a housing having a first inlet port and a second inlet port. An initiator may be disposed within the housing and an engagement member may be slideably disposed within the housing and may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position under force of the initiator. The engagement member may include a first bore aligned with the first inlet port in the extended position and a second bore aligned with the second inlet port in the extended position.
US08671966B2
Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve piston and/or plug that exudes silicone oil when stressed or squeezed while providing antimicrobial agents within and on the surface of the piston and/or plug. The pliant valve piston may have an integrally formed plug and one or more ports or a separately formed plug located inside a plastic housing. The plug cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port or a Luer inlet, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.
US08671961B2
An apparatus for cleaning and conditioning the surface of a semiconductor substrate such as wafer includes a rotatable chuck, a chamber, a rotatable tray for collecting cleaning solution with one or more drain outlets, multiple receptors for collecting multiple cleaning solutions, a first motor to drive chuck, and a second motor to drive the tray. The drain outlet in the tray can be positioned directly above its designated receptor located under the drain outlet. The cleaning solution collected by the tray can be guided into designated receptor. One characteristic of the apparatus is having a robust and precisely controlled cleaning solution recycle with minimum cross contamination.
US08671954B2
A hair coloring tool which includes a body which has an opening and interior walls that define an interior cavity for containing a fluid hair colorant. At least one dispensing structure is provided on the body which is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. A plunger is pivotally connected to the body. The plunger is removably positioned in the opening of the interior cavity and is in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the interior cavity such that upon manual depression of the plunger, fluid hair colorant is forced from the interior cavity through the dispensing structure. A variety of configurations of combing tines, brushes, and nozzles are provided to accommodate varying hair types and textures as well as for the chosen width of the application of hair colorant.
US08671945B2
The present invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical formulation techniques. The invention provides a low dosage pharmaceutical composition for transdermal delivery of hormones, preferably a progestin, such as a Gestodene, and an estrogen, preferably Ethinylestradiol so as to achieve plasma concentration profiles effective in inhibiting ovulation in a woman.
US08671941B2
A respirator with a breathing gas block (2) and with breathing gas ducts (13, 15, 17) and with a heater has the electric components located outside of the breathing gas-carrying areas. A heated distributor plate is flatly in contact on the underside of the breathing gas block (2) and has heating ribs (21, 22) that are in contact with breathing gas ducts (13, 15) at least in some areas.
US08671937B2
Described is a dry powder inhaler comprising an intake section; a mixing section, and a mouthpiece.
US08671936B2
An apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas includes a conveyor device for conveying the respiratory gas, a conduit for feeding the respiratory gas conveyed by the conveyor device to a person, and a humidification device for humidifying the respiratory gas. A sensor device is configured to generate a signal indicative of the respiratory gas humidity and a control device is configured to control the humidification device with regard to the signal which is generated by the sensor device. A method of supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, in which the respiratory gas is introduced by means of a conveyor device into the conduit leading to the patient and is humidified, includes operating the conveyor device so that a respiratory gas pressure which is above ambient pressure is provided in the conduit, and adjusting the humidity on the basis of signals indicative of the relative and/or absolute humidity of the respiratory gas generated by the sensor device.
US08671931B2
A multiplexed torque brake (MTB) system for preventing the accumulation of torsional forces at a center drive and thereby significantly reducing the design load requirements for trough frames of a corresponding solar concentrator assembly (SCA). In one embodiment, an MTB system for an SCA having a plurality of solar reflector frames spaced along a length of the SCA includes a plurality of brake mechanisms arranged at locations spaced apart from each other along the length of the SCA, each of the brake mechanisms coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of supporting pylons and configured to constrain the solar reflector frames from rotating when subjected to torsional loads, the brake mechanisms adapted to transfer the torsional loads to the corresponding supporting pylons.
US08671929B2
In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser, a first limb and a second limb. A drawstring extends between the first limb and the second limb, for example extending between rotatable members supported by the limbs. A first cable, such as a power cable, also extends between the first limb and the second limb. A cable guard is attached to the riser, which comprises a body portion and a cable engaging portion. The cable guard biases a portion of the first cable in a direction away from the riser.
US08671928B2
A pneumatic assembly for a projectile launching system includes a body defining a continuous bore. A nozzle is positioned within the bore adjacent a forward end and is moveable between a rearward position wherein the nozzle facilitates passage of a projectile through a projectile port and a forward position wherein the nozzle prevents passage of a projectile through the projectile port. The nozzle is biased to the forward position and configured for fluid actuation to the rearward position by activation of a first fluid control valve. A valve seat defines an accumulation chamber rearward of the nozzle. A firing valve member is moveable between a forward position wherein the firing valve member fluidly seals a passage through the valve seat and a rearward position wherein the passage is fluidly opened such that fluid in the accumulation chamber is free to flow through the passage and out of the nozzle.
US08671926B1
A toy launcher apparatus having inner and outer concentric tubes forming a chamber between the tubes. Within the inner tube in a piston and an attached rod, the piston being movable between front and rear positions by a user of the launcher apparatus. The other end of the rod is attached to a handle and upon being pulled rearward, compressed air causes discharge of a projectile. The inner tube has a closed front end portion and an open rear end portion with vents. An end cap is connected to the tubes to prevent relative movement between the tubes and to provide an air path from a region in the inner tube rearward of the piston, through the vents and into the chamber. A front cap is attached to the outer tube, a projectile restraining seal is mounted to the front cap, and a perforated cup is mounted rearward of the seal. A spring is positioned in the chamber between the inner tube and the perforated cup to bias the cup and a loaded ball toward the seal.
US08671923B2
A kit for converting a compound bow into an inline crossbow includes a draw-lock bar with a mechanism to attach the bow to one end. Near the other end of the draw-lock bar is a trigger assembly that attaches to one side of the bar and a string latch and release assembly that attaches to an opposite side of the bar. The trigger assembly and the latch/release assembly—can be attached on either side of the bar such that the bow is configured for left or right hand shooting. The trigger assembly is attached to the bar well forward of the latch/release assembly, and an actuator rod that passes inside of the draw-lock bar connects the trigger with the string latch/release. A sliding cover over the string latch prevents the released bow string from stinging the archer's cheek.
US08671914B2
In a high pressure fuel supply pump for transmitting rotation of a cam to a reciprocating plunger via a tappet and a retainer, a diametric force acting on the plunger is reduced. The pump includes the retainer disposed on the plunger and a return spring exerting an urging force on the retainer in a direction of the tappet. A clearance between a plunger leading end and a tappet bottom surface opposed thereto is set to be greater than a clearance between a retainer bottom surface and the tappet bottom surface opposed thereto, and a clearance between a retainer inside diameter section and a plunger peripheral surface section opposed thereto is set to be greater than a clearance between a retainer outside diameter section and a tappet inner wall opposed thereto.
US08671913B2
A method for determining the phasing of the angular position of a four-stroke internal combustion engine with indirect injection and time-controlled sequential reinjection/sequential injection cutoff, characterized in that it includes, with the engine running, the following steps: observing the curve (3, 4) of engine speed (1) as a function of time (2) during a phase of sequential reinjection and/or sequential injection cutoff, performed in accordance with the expected oscillations of the transmission, discriminating, according to the shape of the curve (3, 4), a substantially linear shape (3) being indicative of correct phasing, whereas a substantially sinusoidal shape (4) is indicative of incorrect phasing.
US08671911B2
A dual fuel engine operates on a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel. The engine comprises a supply of gaseous fuel controlled by a first valve, a supply of compression ignitable liquid fuel controlled by a second valve, a control unit for controlling the supply of gaseous fuel and liquid fuel to each combustion chamber in the engine, and at least one knock sensor arranged to detect knock in each combustion chamber and to transmit an output signal proportional to the detected level of knock to the control unit. If knock is detected, the amount of gaseous fuel injected will be reduced while the amount of liquid fuel will be increased. The engine control system will subsequently adapt to the lower grade fuel and perform a calibration to operate as close as possible to the knock limit for the particular fuel.
US08671898B2
In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder which includes a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve, the internal combustion engine is operated in a scavenging operating mode in that the closing times of the exhaust valves after an ejection stroke of a four-stroke operating cycle are situated after an opening time of an intake valve, and the second exhaust valve is opened with a time delay relative to the first exhaust valve in the scavenging operating mode.
US08671895B2
Variable compression ratio apparatus with reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset
A variable compression ratio apparatus with means to vary compression ratio of an internal combustion engine is provided. The variable compression ratio apparatus with reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset of the invention has a rocker arm/lever assembly pivotally mounted on a crankpin of a crankshaft and a fulcrum which moves along only within confines of a pathway/guide. This confined pathway/guide itself can be either pivoted to swing from side to side on a pivot or can move only along a predefined path towards the crankshaft and away in its own defined tracks. A swing or move of the pathway/guide leads to a corresponding change in stroke positions of the piston within the cylinder. Such construction allows a simple and easy way to vary compression ratio of the engine. At the same time all benefits of the reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset are preserved.
US08671890B2
The invention relates to a pipe assembly (102) for use in a boiler. The pipe assembly (102) comprises a pipe (104) having an outer wall (106) adapted for heat exchange. The pipe (104) having heat sensing means (116) located in a recess section of the outer wall (106) thereof, wherein an internal bore (108) of the pipe (104) has a substantially constant cross section in the region of the heat sensing means (116).
US08671885B2
In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller operable to access a first image generated by a first camera. The controller determines a reference point from at least one main feature of a dairy livestock included in the first image. The controller is further operable to access a second image generated by the second camera. The second image includes at least a portion of an udder of the dairy livestock. The controller determines a location of a teat of the dairy livestock based on the second image.
US08671883B2
An animal milking method and apparatus wherein a single milk meter measures the total milk flow from all four quarters of an animals udder, and the data generated by the milk meter is used to detect a departure from a predicted milk flow versus time relationship, indicative of an injured teat or an infected udder quarter, for altering the herdsman to a condition which warrants medical inspection of the animal concerned.
US08671882B2
A plasma processing apparatus capable of, over a prolonged period of time, controlling a decrease in the value of a DC current flowing within an accommodating compartment. The plasma processing apparatus comprises an accommodating compartment adapted to accommodate a substrate and perform a plasma treatment thereon, a high-frequency power source adapted to supply high-frequency power to the inside of the accommodating compartment; a DC electrode adapted to apply a DC voltage to the inside of the accommodating compartment, a ground electrode provided within the accommodating compartment and used for the applied DC voltage, and an exhaust unit adapted to evacuate the inside of the accommodating compartment.
US08671880B2
The present invention provides a liquid application device and an ink jet recording apparatus each capable of reducing deterioration in application quality due to an increase in the number of times of use of a roller, thereby improving durability. The present invention includes an application roller which applies liquid to an application medium, and a liquid retention member which retains the liquid in a liquid retention space formed by making the application roller be in contact with the retention member. With this structure, a pool of the liquid is formed, with rotation of the application roller, in an area upstream of a contact area, in a rotational direction, between the application member and the retention member at a side where a surface of the application member enters the contact area therebetween.
US08671879B2
Systems and methods for plasma processing of microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a plasma in a chamber while a microfeature workpiece is positioned in the chamber, measuring optical emissions from the plasma, and determining a parameter of the plasma based on the measured optical emissions. The parameter can be an ion density or another parameter of the plasma.
US08671878B2
An apparatus for forming spacers is provided. A plasma processing chamber is provided, comprising a chamber wall, a substrate support, a pressure regulator, an antenna, a bias electrode, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. A gas source comprises an oxygen gas source and an anisotropic etch gas source. A controller comprises a processor and computer readable media. The computer readable media comprises computer readable code for placing a substrate of the plurality of substrates in a plasma etch chamber, computer readable code for providing a plasma oxidation treatment to form a silicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, computer readable code for sputtering silicon to form silicon oxide with the oxygen plasma, computer readable code for providing an anisotropic main etch, computer readable code for etching the spacer layer, computer readable code for removing the substrate from the plasma etch chamber after etching the spacer layer.
US08671874B2
Methods are presented for applying a coating material to the particle collecting regions and surfaces of the stages of a cascade impactor after the impactor is assembled for use. The methods comprise generation of a multimodal droplet aerosol of liquid coating material and delivering it into the impactor. The modes of coating droplet aerosol are selected to produce droplets that span the range of cutoff diameters for the stages of the cascade impactor. The coating substance improves the trapping of particles on the stages. The methods limit the total amount of coating material applied and confine it to the regions of particle impact opposite the stage orifices, thereby reducing the possibility of chemical interference when analyzing a test aerosol.
US08671871B2
A temperature-activatable time-temperature indicator that can be used to monitor the historical exposure of a host product to ambient temperatures includes an optically readable, thermally sensitive indicator element. The indicator element can be inactive below a base temperature and is intrinsically thermally responsive at or above an activation temperature which is equal to or greater than the base temperature. The indicator can record cumulative ambient temperature exposure above the activation temperature irreversibly with respect to time. The indicator element can include a synthetic polymeric material, and optionally, a dye. A side-chain crystallizable polymer such as poly(hexadecylmethacrylate), that is solid below the base temperature and is a viscous liquid above the activation temperature can be employed. Intense indicator element colors can be obtained using an appropriate dye or dyes. Various structural configurations of indicator are described and illustrated.
US08671866B2
The disclosure relates to a system for loading/unloading a vehicle into/from a carrier ship through at least one opening provided in the rear of said ship comprising an angled vehicle-receiving ramp combined with a motor-driven means for loading/unloading the vehicle, characterized in that the motor-driven means for loading/unloading the vehicle comprises a crossbeam-shaped means for the ship that extends above the ramp and is combined with a vehicle-hoisting/releasing cable, which is in turn combined with a first drive means for hoisting/releasing the vehicle, and in that the crossbeam-shaped means is longitudinally movable, by means of a second drive means above the ramp, between a rear position for hoisting/releasing the vehicle and a front position for storing the vehicle on the ramp in the ship.
US08671862B2
A device with microbubble-induced superhydrophobic surfaces for drag reduction and biofouling prevention includes an anodic microporous plate, a cathodic microporous plate, and a DC power supply. The anodic microporous plate and the cathodic microporous plate are mounted to a hull surface of a ship. The DC power supply includes a positive pole electrically connected to the anodic microporous plate and a negative pole electrically connected to the cathodic microporous plate. Seawater is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen microbubbles adjacent to a surface of the cathodic microporous plate and to generate oxygen microbubbles adjacent to a surface of the anodic microporous plate, forming superhydrophobic surfaces on the surfaces of the anodic microporous plate and the cathodic microporous plate. Electric current flows through the anodic microporous plate and the cathodic microporous plate to prevent biofouling.
US08671861B2
A placement device (3) for placing decorative elements (5) on a textile or non-textile sheet material is connected to a sewing machine. The decorative elements (5) are stored in an ordered way in magazines (7) and are fed in a controlled way by the control of the sewing machine to the appropriate set positions on the sheet material (39) and are connected to this material.
US08671854B2
The inventive subject matter is directed toward a pyrolytic waste treatment system comprising a pyrolysis chamber having a chamber wall with a hole through which a shaft passes. An insulating mechanism is used at the hole to inhibit heat from escaping through the opening in the chamber wall.
US08671853B2
An adjustable desktop workspace is disclosed having a base having a lower platform, an upper platform, and two pivoting arms mounted between the two. Each pivoting arm has a front and rear bracket. A locking lever on each arm fixedly engages the platform in an upright position at a variety of levels above the lower platform. There are also two stabilizing bars to limit side-to-side relative movement, and a biasing spring between the front and rear brackets to aide moving the upper platform.
US08671848B2
A pallet protector unitarily formed as a molded plastic part reinforces a wooden pallet. Its faceplate is nailed or screwed to the front and optionally the back face and side faces of the pallet. The protector has entry openings for the tines of a forklift and the openings are articulated into hollow collars that extend into the pallets inner regions. These collars provide a structure that accepts the weight and moment between the tines and the pallet and spread it across of the entire front of the pallet. RFID modules can also be included.
US08671847B2
A hunting tray is presented that is configured to be removably attached to a tree. The hunting tray includes a body portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces, the top surface of the body portion dimensioned and configured to receive at least one item and a folding arm assembly detachably connectable to the body portion, the folding arm assembly configured to include at least one attachment member at a distal end thereof for facilitating removable attachment of the hunting tray to the tree. The at least one attachment member is a tapered screw. The folding arm assembly includes a first arm segment, a second arm segment, and a third arm segment, such that the first and second arm segments are pivotally connected to each other and the second and third arm segments are pivotally connected to each other.
US08671842B2
A gas generator includes an outer wall delimiting a first chamber, a source of gas and a second chamber for diffusing gas outwards between which is found a nozzle. The nozzle includes a first through-hole for letting through gas from the first chamber to the second chamber. The first hole is closed by a cap capable of being opened from the triggering of an electro-pyrotechnic device located towards the first chamber. The second diffusion chamber includes in the wall at least one second through-hole for letting through gas outwards. The outer wall includes at least one overmolded plastic material around a portion of the metal nozzle.
US08671835B2
A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate.
US08671829B2
A brewing device includes a brewing cylinder and a piston received in and reciprocally movable inside the brewing cylinder. The brewing device is connected to a water supply device that supplies a liquid to the brewing cylinder. The piston includes a piston head that is hollow and includes a bar mounted to an inside wall thereof and a piston rod that forms a pivot hole rotatably jointed to the bar to allow the bar to do movement. The piston rod forms a lid at a location close to the pivot hole that selectively sets the piston in a closed condition, whereby through change of position of the lid by the piston rod, the piston is switchably set in an open configuration and a closed configuration for readily controlling amount of water contained in the brewing cylinder to meet various conditions for different quantities of brewing water.
US08671825B2
When a fluid pressure cylinder (1) is in a maximum expansion state, a piston (40) contacts a cylinder head (30). The cylinder head (30) is fixed to a cylinder tube (10) by a plurality of head bolts (12). The cylinder head (30) includes a pipe attachment seat (36), and the head bolts (12) are disposed in a first region (A) that avoids the pipe attachment seat (36). A non-contact portion in which contact is avoided between the piston (40) and the cylinder head (30) is formed in a second region (B) other than the first region (A), and therefore, when the fluid pressure cylinder (1) is in the maximum expansion state, a tensile load acting on the head bolts (12) on either side of the first region (A) can be suppressed to become equal to a tensile load acting on the other head bolts (12).
US08671813B2
Apparatus and methods for resizing electronic displays are provided. The display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, image-generating medium contained in an area between the plates, and polarizing layers and/or other films on the outer surfaces of the plates. A target portion of the display is identified, and a saw is passed along a cut line to create a channel that extends through the polarizer to the outer surface of the top plate. A scriber tool is passed along the cut line within the channel to create a scribe line in the outer surface of the top plate. The display is inverted, and the process repeated to cut a channel and scribe the bottom plate. The plates are broken along the scribe line, and a seal is applied along the exposed edge, which may penetrate between the plates.
US08671807B2
An extension tool is provided to improve operation of handwheels, for example by allowing railroad operators to more safely reach the handbrake wheel of a train car. The tool includes a head with an upper tapered jaw designed to fit against the handwheel rim and particularly to fit the junction of the handwheel spoke and the handwheel rim circumference. The jaw may be a tapered circular rotating block. Below the jaw is a lower block designed to press against the outer circumference of the handwheel rim. The tool may also include a recess for operating a quick release lever on a train car.
US08671800B2
A transmission device includes a drive shaft and two driven shafts. The drive shaft is connected to a wheel and first engagement rotors are arranged therebeside so that the wheel is located therebetween and can rotate together with them. The first engagement rotors having an axial hole in which a driven shaft is rotatably arranged, the first engagement rotors are coupled or uncoupled with second engagement rotors coaxially arranged therebeside, by extracting or retracting, respectively, at least one mobile tooth rotatable in a seat of the first engagement rotors, each driven shaft being keyed to a second engagement rotor. Driving rotors are arranged around the driven shafts between the wheel and the first engagement rotors and are provided with a brake, so that relative rotation of the driving rotors with respect to the first engagement rotors causes extension or retraction of the mobile tooth according to the relative rotation direction.
US08671793B2
A machine has a shaft rotatable in at least one lubricated bearing. A lubricant duct for lubricating the bearing extends along the first shaft. A turbine, having blades engaging radially in the lubricant duct and oriented warped to the axis of the first shaft, is situated in the lubricant duct.
US08671792B1
A multimode actuator for a document scanning apparatus is used to manipulate a book cradle along two degrees of freedom. The apparatus includes a drive shaft that is moveable along an axis to actuate the drive shaft in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the drive shaft engages with a spacing gear and disengages with a translation gear, wherein a rotation of the drive shaft while in the first position causes spacing between cradle halves to change. In the second position, the drive shaft engages the translation gear and disengages the spacing gear, wherein a rotation of the drive shaft while in the second position causes the lateral position of the document cradle to change while maintaining the spacing between the cradle halves.
US08671791B2
A direction-reversing device includes at least one input shaft, an output shaft, and direction-reversing element with a clutch sleeve including a moving clutch sleeve, mounted to move axially on one of the shafts carrying it to enable occupying forward and reverse positions. This device also includes a blocking element that is driven in rotation by the input shaft that carries the moving clutch sleeve, whereby this blocking element is mounted to move between the off position, in which the moving clutch sleeve is able to switch from one operating position to the next, and the on position, in which the blocking element forms an obstacle that prevents the switching of the moving clutch sleeve from one position to the next, being able to switch automatically from the off position to the on position when the input shaft is driven at a speed of rotation that exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US08671790B2
Transmission mechanism housing (1) of the type including two half-shells (1A, 1B) that can be assembled generally via a parting line, this housing (1) accommodating at least one control member (2) moved angularly with the aid of a lever (3) outside the housing (1), the lever (3) including a sleeve (4) that can be inserted removably into a receiving bearing (5) of the housing (1), the sleeve (4) being capable, in the state in which it is inserted into the receiving bearing (5), of being held in at least one predetermined axial position by locking elements (6A, 6B). The locking elements (6A, 6B) are configured in order to travel from the locked position to the unlocked position, and vice versa, by simple relative rotary movement of the sleeve (4) and of the bearing (5) about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve (4).
US08671787B2
An output shaft, to which the rotational force of a motor is transmitted, is rotatably supported and housed in a case. One end of the output shaft protrudes from the case, and a pinion gear is provided on this one end. Teeth that mesh with the pinion gear are provided on the outer circumferential surface of cables. A guide member for guiding the cables in such a way that they mesh with the pinion gear is mounted on the case. An urging plate portion that presses against the side of the pinion gear is provided on the guide member. The urging plate portion urges the output shaft in the axial direction and, as a result, rattle of the output shaft is alleviated.
US08671786B2
A starter control apparatus is provided which is used with a starter equipped with a pinion engageable with a ring gear coupled to an output shaft of an engine and a motor operable to rotate the pinion to crank the engine. The starter control apparatus works to determine whether the engine has been placed to continue to run by itself after cranked by the motor or not. When such a condition is encountered, the starter control apparatus releases the engagement of the pinion with the ring gear while keeping the pinion rotated by the motor, thereby decreasing the torque exerted by the ring gear on the pinion to minimize the wear of the pinion.
US08671781B2
A method for detecting a developing torque for a hybrid drive, the hybrid drive having a first drive unit, in particular an electric motor, and a second drive unit, in particular an internal combustion engine, the drive units being coupleable with the aid of a separating clutch, wherein the separating clutch is brought into a predefined engaged position, the torque of the first drive unit is changed, and the developing torque is detected at the predefined engaged position as a function of the change in the torque of the first drive unit.
US08671775B2
When a flow rate is equal to or more than a reference flow rate, a reference voltage is changed to a level capable of measuring stably to thereby realize the improvement of measurement accuracy at the time of a large amount of flow rate. A flow rate determination means compares a flow rate calculated by a flow rate calculation means with the reference flow rate. When the calculated flow rate is larger than the reference flow rate, the reference voltage set by a reference voltage setting means is changed, whereby the zero cross point can be detected stably at the portion where the degree of the influence of the change in the amplitude of the received signal is small. Thus, it is possible to provide a flow rate measuring device capable of measuring a flow rate stably with high accuracy even when a fluid flow is disturbed due to a large amount of flow rate.
US08671773B2
An electronic flow meter includes a magnetic sensor, phase-A and phase-B drivers, a phase-A comparator, a phase-B comparator, a two-phase encoder, and a rotational speed timer. The two-phase encoder determines a normal/reverse direction where the impeller is rotated based on event signals sampled by the phase-A and the phase-B comparators, respectively, causing a counter to count up or to count down according to the normal/reverse direction as determined, thereby outputting an event count signal. The rotational speed timer calculates a rotational frequency of the impeller from the event count signal outputted by the two-phase encoder and sets frequencies of respective sampling signals of the phase-A and the phase-B comparators at a time when the rotational frequency of the impeller is measured next, and respective drive periods of the phase-A and the phase-B drivers in accordance with the rotational frequency of the impeller as calculated.
US08671769B2
The present invention is directed to a device for measuring a deformation ratio of a structure which includes a photonic crystal layer containing nanoparticles aligned at a certain interval. The device is useful for detecting when various industrial structures are deformed by a working load. The presence of deformation and the deformation ratio in the structures may be simply and easily measured by measuring the change of structural color or magnetic flux in the device. The device may be useful to prevent accidents due to excessive deformation in structures.
US08671765B2
A pressure sensor comprising: a sensor chip; a differential pressure diaphragm provided in the center portion of the sensor chip; a differential pressure gauge provided in the differential pressure diaphragm; a static pressure diaphragm provided at the outer peripheral portion of the differential pressure diaphragm; a first static pressure gauge formed at an edge portion of the static pressure diaphragm; and a second static pressure gauge formed at a center portion of the static pressure diaphragm.
US08671762B2
An ultrasonic sensor is described having a housing which has a circumferential side wall and a base surface. A transducer element for generating ultrasonic vibrations is mounted on the base surface. The side wall includes a lower side wall section, in which the side wall has an essentially rotationally asymmetrical profile in a plane parallel to the base surface, and an upper side wall section in which the side wall changes to an essentially rotationally symmetrical profile toward an upper edge of the side wall. In other respects, the present system provides a parking assistance system for a vehicle, having a control unit and such an ultrasonic sensor, as well as a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic sensor.
US08671760B2
The present invention relates to a drivable device for compacting a soil layer structure, having at least one vibration means or device, such as a vibration roller or a vibration plate, via which load pulses (P), which compact the soil layer structure, can be introduced into at least one load introduction area. At least one first and one second detection means or devices for detecting the modulus of elasticity of the soil layer structure are provided, which are situated spaced apart from one another on the drivable device in such a way that the first detection means or device allows a detection in the load introduction area and at least the second detection means or devices allows a detection outside the load introduction area. The present invention also relates to a method for ascertaining a layer modulus of elasticity.
US08671755B2
An angular velocity detection circuit is connected to a resonator for making excited vibration on the basis of a drive signal and detects an angular velocity. The angular velocity detection circuit includes: a self-vibration component extraction unit that receives, from the resonator, a detection signal including an angular velocity component based on a Coriolis force and a self-vibration component based on the excited vibration of the resonator and extracts the self-vibration component from the detection signal; a direct-current conversion unit including an integration unit that integrates an output signal of the self-vibration component extraction unit; and an offset addition unit that adds an offset value to an output signal of the direct-current conversion unit.
US08671748B2
A pressure sensor includes an outer body defining a sensor cavity and a resonator element located at least partially within the sensor cavity. The pressure sensor also includes a bellows having an outer side and an inner side and that is located at least partially within the outer body. the inner side of the bellows defines an internal volume and is configured to receive a measured fluid into the internal volume. The pressure sensor also includes a measuring fluid filling at least a portion of an area between the outer side and the outer body.
US08671747B1
A TPMS monitor mounting bracket consisting of a flat square base having a centrally located clearance hole therein. The bracket includes an upward-extending S-shaped angular arm that is integral with the base. The bracket also includes a first flat mounting surface located on the same horizontal plane above the square base, and includes a centered first tapped hole. An upward-extending inverted V-shaped angular arm having a second flat mounting surface integral with and positioned essentially 87-degrees from the square base, and having an centered second tapped hole therein. A hollow screw is disposed within the square base clearance hole for attachment to a tire inflation valve, and a threaded screw engages the S-shaped angular arm tapped hole for attachment of a TPMS monitor into a steel or aluminum wheel.
US08671746B2
A piezoelectric generator includes a piezoelectric element, a spring element, a mass element, and at least one stop. The piezoelectric element, the spring element, and the mass element form a system which can oscillate. The stop limits the oscillation of the system which can oscillate, at least on one side. The stop is formed from a ductile material or has a coating of a ductile material.
US08671740B2
The sensor element, which can detect the concentration of a specified gas, is held with a housing with a front end thereof exposed. A protective cover includes an inner cover and an outer cover, and secured to the housing. A ratio φ1/φ2 is set to a range from 0.6 to 0.9, where φ1 represents an outer diameter of a portion where an inner gas aperture is formed in the inner cover, and φ2 represents an inner diameter of a portion where an outer gas aperture is formed in the outer cover.
US08671739B2
The present invention provides an indicator material suitable for detecting relative humidity exceeding a specific limit value and/or liquid water comprising (a) a first fibrous sheet containing an indicator composition which comprises a water-soluble dye and, optionally, a deliquescent salt, in finely divided form, and (b) a second fibrous sheet laminated to one surface of said first fibrous sheet by means of a hot-melt adhesive that does not cover the entire surfaces laminated to each other such that permeation of an aqueous solution from said first fibrous sheet to said second fibrous sheet is allowed. The invention also provides an indicator device comprising said indicator material on a carrier and a process for the manufacture of said indicator material and said indicator device.
US08671736B2
A sensor includes a housing, a central sensor electrode assembly, an insulating member, and a trace. The central sensor electrode assembly is coupled to a supply side of a voltage source. The insulating member is coupled between the housing and the central sensor electrode assembly. The insulating member circumscribes a section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace is coupled to the insulating member and circumscribes the section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace directs at least a portion of leakage current away from a voltage ground offset on an opposite side of the central sensor electrode assembly.
US08671718B2
A drum-type washing machine is disclosed, in which bearings are received in the bearing housing assembly. The bearing housing assembly may include a support portion coupled to a motor, and a coupling portion connected to a damper bracket.
US08671717B2
A high transmission and low iron glass is provided for use in a photovoltaic device such as a solar cell. The glass substrate may be patterned on at least one surface thereof. In certain example embodiments, a combination of lithium oxide, antimony oxide, and salt cake is used in the glass to improve the refining conditions by lowering the melting temperature of the batch, thereby resulting in a quicker seed free time in the manufacturing process.
US08671711B2
An icemaker assembly and a refrigerator having the icemaker assembly are provided. The icemaker assembly includes a cover directing cool air toward an ice tray and a bracket for enhancing flow of the cool air directed toward the ice cover.
US08671710B2
A ventilation device of a refrigerator is configured to prevent freezing of condensed water. The condensed water does not accumulate at the corresponding portion, and hence formation of ice is prevented. The generation of noise and the change of the efficiency of the ventilation fan do not occur, and the risk of ice contacting the shroud of the ventilation fan is reduced and reliability may be improved.
US08671709B2
The invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing frozen products using a liquid cooling freezing method, enabling the number of times for replenishing a freezing solvent to be reduced and completely preventing alcoholic odor from occurring. The apparatus 1 for producing frozen products according to the invention includes, in a freezing chamber 2, a freezing tank 3 having a freezing solvent 30 stored therein for immersing therein products and freezing them, gas jetting units 4 for jetting a gas having a temperature of 0° C. or below against the products frozen in the freezing tank 3 to remove the freezing solvent adhering to the products, and a transferring device 5 for transferring the products to be frozen in the freezing chamber 2 in a manner that the products to be frozen are immersed in the freezing solvent 30 in the freezing tank 3 and then lifted from the freezing tank 3 and further the freezing solvent adhering to the products is removed by the gas jetting units 4.
US08671706B2
A heat pump according to the present invention comprises a plurality of the compression chambers, and compresses refrigerant with multistage, and injects vapor refrigerant into the space between the plurality of the compression chambers by using the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path. Performance and efficiency of the heat pump can be improved compared with non-injection, as flow rate of the refrigerant circulating the indoor heat exchanger is increased. Thus heating performance can be improved also in the extremely cold environmental condition such as the cold area by increasing the injection flow rate. Also, because the heat pump according to the present invention comprises the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path, refrigerant is injected twice. Thus, as the injection flow rate of the refrigerant is increased, heating capacity can be improved. Also, the difference between the suction pressure and the discharge pressure of the rotary compressor may be decreased, and thus the reliability and the performance of the rotary compressor can be improved.
US08671705B2
A showcase having a fin-and-tube type cooler includes planar fins and a refrigerant pipe penetrating through the planar fins. The planar fins include long fins arranged in parallel to an air flow direction through the cooler, and short fins shorter in length than the long fins and arranged between adjacent long fins at a downstream side of the cooler. The refrigerant pipe includes first U-shaped hair pins having two straight pipe portions, and second U-shaped hair pins having two straight pipe portions. The pitch between the two straight pipe portions of each second U-shaped hair pin is set to double the pitch between the two straight pipe portions of each first U-shaped hair pin. The first and second U-shaped hair pins penetrate through the hole portions formed in the plural planar fins so as to be arranged in a predetermined style.
US08671701B2
Methods for storing human breast milk, preserving its natural flavor and nutritional content. Through the use of an apparatus such as a breast pump, breast milk is expressed from a lactating woman. The milk is transferred through a fill line into a storage container. After the container is substantially filled with breast milk, the fill line is decoupled from the breast pump output, and a vacuum is applied to the line. After the remaining air is evacuated from the container, an isolation valve in the fill line is closed, sealing the container in an evacuated condition. The fill line is removed from the valve, and the container is placed into a freezer or refrigerator for storage. When ready for use, the container is removed from the freezer or refrigerator, the milk is thawed, and the vacuum is broken, allowing removal of the milk for transfer to a bottle.
US08671693B2
A multi-layered honeycomb structure adapted to reduce and/or eliminate thermal deformation is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, walls of the honeycomb structure comprise a first layer, optionally, a second layer, and a core layer adjacent to the first layer or between the first and second layers. The first and second layers may be compositions of Inconel or other high strength materials. The core layer may be copper or another thermally conductive material. The core layer is adapted to transmit heat between a first region of a structure and a second region. In this manner, heat can be transferred from the heated region to an unheated region, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the regions and thus the amount of thermal deformation.
US08671692B2
A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
US08671687B2
A hydrogen based combined steam cycle apparatus having an irreversible isobaric Rankine steam cycle portion, an irreversible isobaric Carnot steam cycle portion and a reversible isobaric Rankine steam cycle portion, all three portions of which operate simultaneously. The apparatus includes a source of liquid oxygen, a source of liquid hydrogen, a combustion chamber, a first pump, a second pump, a pressure vessel, a steam turbine, a superheater, and a condenser.A plurality of valves and a computer are used to control the flow of working fluid in the hydrogen based combined steam cycle apparatus.
US08671684B2
A method and device to optimize the cumulative beneficial effect of harvesting all available forms of lost energy, including energy that is lost while a vehicle is in motion (e.g., kinetic, inertia, friction, thermodynamic, and aerodynamic losses). The cumulative energy that is recovered is converted to electrical energy which powers the on-board electrolyzer to produce more hydrogen and oxygen while the system is in operation and stationary. Stationary, passive means of energy, solar, wind, hydro, etc. will also be available to power the electrolyzer. The system also contemplates utilizing passive means of energy to power a non-mobile system which incorporates an internal or external combustion engine in place of a fuel cell.
US08671683B2
A butterfly valve for a turbocharger system in which the leak path through the valve is controlled by keeping the clearance between either a shaft of the valve and two bushings small or the clearance between the bushings and the counter bores in the valve element small, and making the other clearance larger.
US08671677B2
An improved free piston Stirling machine having a gamma configuration. The displacer and each piston is reciprocatable within a cylinder having an unobstructed opening at its inner end into a common volume of the workspace. The common volume is defined by the intersection of inward projections of the displacer cylinder and the piston cylinders. The displacer and the pistons each have a range of reciprocation that extends into the common volume. A displacer drive rod is reciprocatable in a drive rod cylinder and both are positioned outside the common volume and on the opposite side of the common volume from the displacer. The displacer is connected to the displacer drive rod by a displacer connecting rod. Importantly, the displacer and pistons have complementary interfacing surface contours formed on their inner ends which substantially reduces the dead volume of this gamma configured machine.
US08671673B2
There are provided: a first circuit for traveling HC1, formed through a closed circuit connection of a variable displacement hydraulic pump 2 and a variable displacement hydraulic motor 3, that includes a motor control unit 10, 11 that controls a displacement of the hydraulic motor 3; a second circuit for working HC2 that drives a work hydraulic actuator 114, 115 by pressure oil from a work hydraulic pump 4; and a maximum value control unit that controls a maximum displacement of the hydraulic motor 3 in accordance with load pressure Pf in the second circuit HC2. The maximum value control unit decreases the maximum displacement to a minimum limit q1 corresponding to a maximum load pressure Pr in the second circuit when load pressure Pf in the second circuit exceeds a predetermined value Ps.
US08671664B2
A system for purging a device for injecting fuel into an exhaust system of an engine comprising a device having an input and an output coupled to an exhaust system, at least one air valve and at least one fuel valve. The air valve has an input an input coupled to an air supply and an output coupled to the device through a check valve. The fuel valve has an input coupled to a fuel supply and an output coupled to the device through a check valve. When the air valve is open and the fuel valve is closed, air flows from the air supply to the device and is injected into the exhaust system of the engine. When the air valve is closed and the fuel valve is open, fuel flows from the fuel supply to the device and is injected into the exhaust system of the engine.
US08671658B2
A mixture of air and fuel is received into a reaction chamber of a gas turbine system. The fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber, and a maximum temperature of the mixture in the reaction chamber is controlled to be substantially at or below an inlet temperature of a turbine of the gas turbine system. The oxidation of the fuel is initiated by raising the temperature of the mixture to or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel. In some cases, the reaction chamber may be provided without a fuel oxidation catalyst material.
US08671655B2
Devices and a method for releasing gas in a container after closing and sealing to pressurize and/or prevent or counteract buckling thereof, and or provide structural rigidity and strength thereto and or release components. The method introduces a reactive agent into the container after filling and before sealing. The reactive agent is controlled to react to provide a gas and optionally components, which a) provides a positive pressure to prevent or counteract buckling and provide structural rigidity to the container, and b) and or changes the state or characteristics of the headspace and or contents of the closed container. The devices include a closure, a cap and a container. The reactive agent is brought to chemical reaction by moistening, heating, catalyst and the like. The closure includes the reactive agent and is disposed in the container. The external trigger is a device that emits energy that provides heat to the reactive agent to stimulate the chemical reaction.
US08671648B2
A packing method and machine for producing a package, the method including the steps of feeding the content of the package into a first pocket of a first packing conveyor; transferring the content of the package from the first pocket of the first packing conveyor to a second pocket of a second packing conveyor at a first transfer station; feeding a first blank to the second pocket by means of a first feed device; and folding the first blank, in the second pocket, about the content of the package to form a container with a lid.
US08671642B2
A tapered truss is provided. In one embodiment, the truss has a pair of base members configured to be attached to a top surface of a vertical support member. The truss may further have an upper pair of truss members and a lower pair of truss members. Each upper truss member each forms an acute angle with a respective base member and each lower truss member forms an obtuse angle from the respective base member such that the lower truss member is not parallel to the upper truss member. The truss may additionally include a ceiling joist member connected to each of the lower truss members. In one embodiment, the ceiling joist member is substantially parallel to the pair of base members.
US08671635B2
Pedestal assemblies configured to support first and second pavers positioned adjacently against an elevated periphery and methods of making the same are provided herein. Preferred assemblies include a cap, base, and at least two towers configured to be sandwiched between the cap and base. Kits can be sold with just cap and base alone. Preferred caps and bases can be formed in the same shape or substantially so, and are racetrack-shaped. Preferred towers include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylindrical tubing. The cap can advantageously include an upwardly-projecting fin used to align and separate two pavers positioned alongside an elevated periphery. A pedestal support system can include both periphery pedestals in addition to conventional pedestals positioned away from the elevated periphery.
US08671630B2
In certain aspects, the present invention relates to a photovoltaic roof covering in the form of overlapping elements (i.e., tiles, shingles or panels), electrically connected to one another. Each of the elements includes a backing material and a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to the outside. Electrical conductors are positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and are configured to collect the electrical current generated by said layer when it is exposed to light. Notably, at least one of the connectors includes or is incorporated into a foldable moving tongue or strip and in that said tongue or said strip is kept in electrical contact with a connector of an underlying element and in a position that is folded over between the element and the underlying element.
US08671626B1
A drilling rig assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising a drilling rig skid and a derrick assembly having a derrick assembly pivot axis and being adapted to move relative to the drilling rig skid. The derrick assembly comprises a pair of derrick masts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and comprising a rack, and a carriage assembly being substantially disposed between the pair of derrick masts, being adapted to move along the pair of derrick masts and comprising a pinion. The drilling rig assembly also comprises a means for moving the derrick assembly relative to the drilling rig skid, a pipe loader assembly having a pipe loader assembly pivot axis, and a means for moving the pipe loader assembly relative to the drilling rig skid. The derrick assembly pivot axis and the pipe loader assembly pivot axis are co-axial.
US08671619B2
In a drive apparatus for a swiveling swing-out element of a motor vehicle, in particular for a swing-out window, which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, an adjusting lever that is flexurally elastic in the x direction in relation to the motor vehicle coordinate system is provided for compensating the swivel movement of the swing-out element.
US08671616B2
Compositions and methods that relate to a biopolymer medium for growing plants. In certain embodiments, the biopolymer growth medium comprises or consists essentially of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or a mixture of them. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a biopolymer growth medium.
US08671610B2
The invention is a throw lever assembly used to affix an accessory to a firearm. The throw lever assembly utilizes a base unit having a cam bed in which rests the cam. An anchor clamp secured to one end of an engagement rod with the other end affixed to the cam. The cam has an arm extending from it which is used connected to a handle portion. The handle portion is selectively locked/unlocked to the cam via an upper surface the arm. When locked to the arm, the handle portion is able to move the cam causing the assembly to be either locked or unlocked from the firearm.
US08671608B2
A stock assembly for attachment to a firearm assembly is described. The stock assembly includes a buttstock having a longitudinal conduit and a locking member; a connector tube with front and back ends slidable within the buttstock conduit between a fully inserted position and a fully extended position, the tube having a longitudinal conduit; an attachment member slidable within the tube conduit between a forward position and a rearward position, the attachment member having a front end attachable to the firearm assembly and a rear end; a spring within the connector tube engaging the rear end of the attachment member, the spring urging the attachment member toward its forward position; and locking means preventing rotation of the attachment member relative to the connector tube, while allowing the attachment member to move within the tube between its forward and rearward positions.
US08671607B2
A breech plug for a muzzle loading firearm is attachable to a barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end. A breech element having a breech face is connected to the breech end of the barrel. The breech element moves between an open position in which the breech face is away from the breech end of the barrel, and a closed position in which the breech face abuts the breech end of the barrel. A breech plug body is removably attachable to the breech end of the barrel. The breech plug body has a rear face that abuts the breech face when the breech element is closed, so that a primer contained in a primer pocket in the rear face of the breech plug body is fully supported on all sides.
US08671602B2
An identification label for a cylindrical vessel has a first label portion with an underside coated with adhesive, an opaque second label portion with a non-adhesive underside and a transparent third label portion with an underside coated with adhesive. The transition from a first outside edge of the first label portion and a second outside edge of the third label portion has a rounded line profile.
US08671601B2
A system and method for mounting a badge to a component of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a mounting base including first and second fastening apertures defined therein, and a trim ring coupled with the mounting base having an opening defined therein. The badge is adapted to be securely mounted between the trim ring and the mounting base so that the badge is positioned within the opening in the trim ring. The system further includes a flexible fastening member that is configured to be positioned within the first and second fastening apertures, positioned around at least a portion of the component of the vehicle, and between the mounting base and the badge to fasten the badge to the vehicle.
US08671591B2
A footwear article that has an insert pad filled with loose particulate material which is configured within the pad to provide the feeling of walking on a sandy beach and with the same massage affect to the foot as walking on a sandy beach. The pad is particularly configured to prevent the loose particulate material inside of it from flowing to the sides of the pad and destroying the massaging affect.
US08671587B2
A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.
US08671572B2
The invention discloses a novel implant provided with a macroporous surface on the top surface, and a method for the production of such a metallic and/or ceramic implant having a textured, particularly porous, surface for the at least partial insertion in hard tissue, such as in a bone, and/or into soft tissue. The implant is produced as a green compact, at least in sections, using a cold isostatic pressing, casting, and/or injecting (CIM, MIM) with subsequent sintering to obtain an implant, and is particularly characterized in that the surface is modified and/or prepared before sintering such that a macroporous surface is present after sintering without requiring any finishing.
US08671571B2
This invention is about a method and apparatus for fabricating large scale stationery parabolic solar collector. The method involves use of a robot like apparatus for determining locations and height of support piles to be staked to the ground such that the tips of the piles define contour and shape of a parabolic collector. The reflective panels installed on the support piles form a parabolic shaped mirror which reflects the sun's rays to a well defined focal point. The method of construction is scalable and can be used for fabricating small size parabolic collectors as well as large scale ones. The construction apparatus and method of operation are also used for periodic cleaning of solar collector in a practical and fast manner.
US08671560B2
Low temperature bond balls connect two structures having disparate coefficients of linear thermal expansion. An integrated circuit is made to heat the device such that the low temperature bond balls melt. After melting, the bond balls solidify, and the device is operated with the bond balls solidified. In one example, one of the two structures is a semiconductor substrate, and the other structure is a printed circuit board. The integrated circuit is a die mounted to the semiconductor substrate. The bond balls include at least five percent indium, and the integrated circuit is an FPGA loaded with a bit stream. The bit stream configures the FPGA such that the FPGA has increased power dissipation, which melts the balls. After the melting, a second bit stream is loaded into the FPGA and the FPGA is operated in a normal user-mode using the second bit stream.
US08671557B2
A tray is provided in combination with an electronic component attaching tool attached to the tray and includes an attachment depression part that includes an inner wall and to which an electronic component is attached, wherein forming of the inner wall of the attachment depression part does not substantially depend on an external shape of the electronic component, and a standard part formed in the inner wall of the attachment depression part and engaging with a first structure part of the electronic component attaching tool to align a position of the electronic component attaching tool to the standard part when a position of the electronic component is aligned to a first position of the tray using the electronic component attaching tool, the standard part having a shape which does not substantially depend on the external shape of the electronic component.
US08671554B2
An example method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element having a magnetic layer, a free magnetization layer, and a spacer layer includes forming a first metallic layer and forming, on the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer. A first conversion treatment is performed to convert the second metallic layer into a first insulating layer and to form a first metallic portion penetrating through the first insulating layer. A third metallic layer is formed on the first insulating layer and the first metallic portion. A second conversion treatment is performed to convert the third metallic layer into a second insulating layer and to form a second metallic portion penetrating through the second insulating layer.
US08671548B2
Providing a greeting card display fixture having multiple rows, one or more of which are convertible rows to allow for adjustment of the number of rows in a display. When desired, the convertible row may be used to display another row of greeting cards, increasing the density of the overall display. When not desired, the convertible row may be pushed flush against the back of the display fixture, while still attached, allowing the full depth of the row of the display fixture to be used. A divider or support clip is used to support the convertible row when in use and to hold it in a storage position when not used. The divider clip also separates greeting cards within a row. The divider clip includes a clipping mechanism to attach the divider clip to the display fixture and an adjustable portion to support an adjacent convertible row.
US08671541B2
The present invention concerns a method for producing a shutter (2) designed to be rolled up and unrolled, characterized in that on each face, opposite one another, is provided a serrated belt (3,4) comprising a succession of teeth, and in that, in order to make it possible for both belts (3,4) to mesh, the position of the teeth of at least one of the belts (3,4) is adjusted by deforming said belt (3,4) in such a way that both belts (3,4) can mesh, and that this mutual position of the belts (3,4) can subsequently be stabilized.
US08671536B2
An apparatus for installing a turbine casing including a first drive subassembly and a member coupled to the first drive subassembly configured for engaging a first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may also include a second member coupled to the second drive subassembly configured for engaging the first segment of the turbine casing. The apparatus may be provided with a first retainer connected to the first member and configured for engaging a second segment of the turbine casing, and a second retainer connected to the second member and configured for engaging the second segment of the turbine casing.
US08671526B2
Drawstrings or cords of clothing or non-clothing items such as carrying apparatuses are prevented from receding and being lost in the item by providing a flexible string covering apparatus through which strings or cords are passed. A central body region of a string covering apparatus is adorned with a team logo, company emblem, or the like, and aperture regions are arranged on opposite ends of the central body region in which to thread the string or cord. The thermoplastic composition material and the shape of apertures within the aperture regions prevent the string covering apparatus from sliding, allowing the user or maker of the string covering apparatus to display a desired image unobstructed by the string or cord.
US08671520B2
A slide assist device includes a draw-in unit including a case attached to one of a main body or a mobile body, a slider slidably placed on the case, a latch pivotally supported in the slider and switchable between a standby position locking in a corresponding portion of the case and a draw-in position releasing the locking; and an urging device; and an actuating member attached to the other of the main body or the mobile body, switching the latch from the standby position to the draw-in position, or from the draw-in position to the standby position. The latch includes an axis portion having a flat surface and rotatably fits in an axis hole of the slider and forming a positional control surface corresponding to the flat surface. When the latch is switched to the standby position, the flat surface and the positional control surface face each other.
US08671516B1
The gas-powered dual-hosed blower features two discharge tubes that are each outfitted with a valve that provides for independent adjustment of air speed therefrom. The two discharge tubes have full flexibility, which is associated with backpack blowers so that an end user may direct the air flow in a multitude of directions while simultaneously enabling the end user to adjust the air speed of each discharge tube independently. The valves for each discharge tube are positioned adjacent the blower, and are manipulated by a control stick located on the respective discharge tube. One of the control sticks includes a throttle, which enables adjustment of the engine speed therefrom.
US08671508B2
In a dust collector, a main body includes a motor and a rotary fan. The rotary fan is to be driven by the motor to suck air from outside through an intake port provided at the main body. A receptacle unit configured to allow a battery pack to be attached thereto and an exhaust port configured to allow a dust bag to be detachably attached thereto are provided at the main body. A handle capable of being grasped and a belt fastening part configured to allow a belt to be fastened thereto are also provided at the main body. At an underside of the main body, a supporting surface is provided which is configured to allow the dust collector with the dust bag and the battery pack attached to the exhaust port and to the receptacle unit respectively to be placed thereon.
US08671506B2
A washing device has a washing cloth for removing contaminants, ink, etc. from a surface and an ultrasound device for assisting a cleaning operation. The washing device includes one or more ultrasound generators and one or more resonators each in the form of an oscillating flat metal body, from which sound energy is output onto a substantially linear region on the surface to be cleaned.
US08671504B2
A vehicle optical sensor device has a snow/ice removal orifice for jetting the cleansing fluid toward an upper space of a lens and an optical sensor cleansing orifice for jetting the cleaning fluid toward a lens surface of the lens of a camera. The jetted fluid from the snow/ice removal orifice and the optical sensor cleansing orifice removes snow/ice protruding from a sensor top cover of a case into a front upper space of the lens in an eaves shape and foreign matter on the lens surface of the lens of the camera.
US08671496B2
The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a base from which extends an outer wall that defines a chamber. A plurality of complaint fingers extend from the base into the chamber. A plurality of wipers extend radially inward from the outer wall into the chamber to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior surface of the medical device.
US08671494B2
The mechanical system includes an interface for moving parts, with the mechanical system including a driving assembly and a driven assembly, wherein the driving assembly mates with the driven assembly at a mechanical joint (41). The driving assembly includes a rotating disc (16) and a drive arm (18) rotatably connected thereto. The driven assembly includes a pivot arm (40) which is driven by the drive arm and also a grounded member (44) fixed to the handle about which the pivot arm moves. A preload assembly, which includes a spring or springs (54, 56) is connected to the drive arm and the pivot arm so as to place a preload at the axis of rotation of the mechanical joint between the drive arm and the pivot arm.
US08671493B2
An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
US08671489B2
The invention relates to a device (1) for bridging an expansion joint (2) in the region of a carriageway, comprising a superstructure (5) and a substructure (6), and the superstructure (5) comprises at least one elastic element (15) and the substructure (6) forms a support for the superstructure (5). At least one holding element (19, 20) is disposed in the superstructure (5), which is at least partially embedded in the elastic element (15).
US08671488B2
A steam control device and method of a washing machine are disclosed. The steam control method includes determining whether an instruction of course washing with steam is input; opening a water supply valve to supply water into a steam generator if the instruction of course washing is input; detecting a temperature of water supplied to the steam generator using a temperature sensor; and checking a water supply time corresponding to the detected water supply temperature and supplying water to the steam generator for the water supply time.
US08671487B2
The invention relates generally to a multi-bladder air mattress where only two inflation-deflation port members are required to inflate an air mattress having either four or six separate air bladders.
US08671482B2
An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. The central portion has regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has regions of varying flexibility. The bowl portion applies an upwardly and inwardly compressive force when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, and rotates on a supporting surface between a first position when the lower pelvic area is not disposed in the bowl portion, and a second position, rotationally forward of the first position, when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, to thereby cause a forward rotational tilting of the lower pelvic area into a forward lordotic position after the lower pelvic area is placed in the bowl portion.
US08671479B2
A vacuum patient positioning cushion includes an integrated rigid or semi-rigid positioning element located within a gas-impermeable outer cover, making it possible to easily and correctly position a patient for a radiation therapy or other procedure without the need or use of external positioning devices. The gas-impermeable outer covering defines an airtight enclosure having a valve stem and closeable vacuum control valve in selective fluid communication with the enclosure. The enclosure houses a filler material and a rigid or semi-rigid positioning element. A method of positioning a patient using the vacuum patient positioning cushion is also provided.
US08677511B2
The present disclosure describes an apparatus of leveling a substrate in a charged particle lithography system. In an example, the apparatus includes a cantilever-based sensor that includes an optical sensor and a cantilever structure. The optical sensor determines a distance between the optical sensor and a surface of the substrate based on light reflected from the cantilever structure. In an example, a first distance is between the cantilever structure and optical sensor, a second distance is a height of the cantilever structure, and a third distance is between the optical sensor and the surface of the substrate. The optical sensor determines the first distance based on the light reflected from the cantilever structure, such that the third distance is determined from the first distance and the second distance.
US08677506B2
In an application, variants of a class may be generated and associated with different security permissions for the application. When a class is to be loaded, a determination is made as to the application's security permissions, e.g. by decoding a security token. The class is then retrieved from a repository that stores class variants matching the required security level. The retrieved class variant, which may have a full or a reduced functionality as appropriate for the security permission may then by loaded.
US08677505B2
The method for securing data includes establishing a group of security sensitive items, filtering data and extracting and separating the security items from remainder data. The filtered data are separately stored (locally on a PC or on another computer in a LAN or WAN or on the Internet.) A map may be generated. The filter and/or map may be destroyed or stored. The data input, extracted data and remainder data may be deleted from the originating computer. Encryption may be utilized to enhance security (including transfers of data, filter and map). Reconstruction of the data is permitted only in the presence of a predetermined security clearance. A plurality of security clearances may be used to enable a corresponding plurality of partial, reconstructed views of the plaintext (omitting higher security words).
US08677503B2
A mechanism for protecting software and computing devices from unintentional pre-release disclosure (“leak”) is provided that includes applying a security enhancement to an object on the graphical user interface of the computing device such that the object can be used to visually determine the origin of the leak without obstructing the user's experience or being easily detected or defeated.
US08677502B2
Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for manipulating media. In one aspect, one or more processes executing on a host computer system detect that a portable electronic device is within a predefined communications proximity relative to the host computer system, establish wireless communications and exchange information with the portable electronic device sufficient to determine that metadata relating to one or more items of visual media content reside on the portable electronic device. The metadata is used to retrieve the one or more items of visual media content from a storage location separate from the portable electronic device. The retrieved one or more items of visual media content are added to a list of visual media content available for presentation on a presentation device associated with the host computer system.
US08677492B2
System and method for detecting a security compromise of a service module of an operating system running on a computer. At least one native service module returns a first set of requested information relating to at least one object in the computer system in response to a request made by at least one process or thread. A secondary service module generates and returns a second set of requested information relating to the at least one object in the computer system in response to a request made by at least one authorized process or thread, bypassing the at least one native service module. Access of threads is limited to the secondary service module such that only predetermined threads generated by a trusted security application are permitted to access the secondary service module.
US08677488B2
Provided is a DDoS attack detection apparatus including an information collecting unit to collect DDoS detection information including rate information about traffic change, variation of a first type flow and a Packet Per Second (PPS) for a second type flow, in which the rate information about traffic change is obtained using packet count of packets input per a unit time, flow count of flows input per the unit time and the byte count of bytes input per the unit time; and a testing unit to calculate a probability of occurrence of the DDoS attack by use of a first probability determined by the rate information about traffic change, a second probability determined by the variation of the first type flow and a third probability determined by the PPS for the second type flow and detect occurrence of the DDoS attack based on the probability of occurrence of the DDoS attack.
US08677481B1
Methods and systems for checking for malicious modifications in web pages. A web page may have corresponding portal page and web page verifier. To receive the web page in a client computer, the portal page is provided to the client computer. The portal page allows for checking of the web page for malicious modifications. For example, the portal page may include or download the web page verifier. The web page verifier may check the web page for signs indicative of malicious modifications. The web page itself may be verified by program code included in the web page.
US08677478B2
According to one embodiment, a method for removing authentication of a supplicant includes monitoring communication between the supplicant and an authenticator. The method also includes determining, based on the monitored communication, the MAC address for the supplicant and an attachment port of the supplicant to the intermediate network device disposed between the supplicant and the authenticator through which the monitored communication occurs. The method also includes determining that the supplicant no longer has a link connection with the intermediate network device, and in response, sending via the intermediate network device a logoff message having a spoofed source address of the supplicant to the authenticator.
US08677477B2
Provided is an application program launching method and system for improving security of an embedded Linux kernel by distributing superuser privileges. The method includes: searching security set information on an application program selected by a user; changing a user account for a processor of the application program to a user ID associated with the application program in the security set information; setting a capability for the processor according to setting information for the capability in the security set information; changing a basic directory for the processor according to a basic directory in the security set information; and launching the application program.
US08677473B2
Improved techniques are disclosed for use in an intrusion prevention system or the like. For example, a method comprises the following steps performed by a computing element of a network. A packet of a flow is received, the flow comprising a plurality of packets, wherein the plurality of packets represents data in the network. A network intrusion analysis cost-benefit value is determined representing a benefit for analyzing the received packet for intrusions in relation to a cost for analyzing the received packet for intrusions. The method compares the network intrusion analysis cost-benefit value to a network intrusion analysis cost-benefit threshold to determine whether analyzing the received packet for intrusions before forwarding the received packet is warranted. Responsive to a determination that analyzing the received packet for intrusions before forwarding the received packet is not warranted, the received packet is forwarded, an indication is made that subsequent packets of the flow should be forwarded, and a determination is made whether the received packet indicates an intrusion after forwarding the received packet.
US08677472B1
A method of operating a VM server (VMS) is described, including (a) executing a VM instance (VMI) at the VMS, the VMI having a remote display within a terminal program of a client computer, the terminal program being configured to send commands received by the client from a user to the VMS to affect operation of the VMI, (b) running a browser within the VMI, the browser having a connection to a secure web application running on a web application server, the commands sent from the terminal program to the VMS allowing the user to interact with the web application via the terminal program and the browser running on the VMI, (c) at the VMS, asynchronously collecting information in connection with the commands sent from the user to the VMS, and (d) at the VMS, asynchronously sending the collected information to an analysis server to be analyzed for anomalous behavior.
US08677470B1
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for security verification of communications to tenants of an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for security verification of communications to tenants of an on-demand database service can enable embodiments to allow tenants to selectively implement security measures with respect to inbound communications, etc. The ability of embodiments to provide such feature may allow tenants to efficiently and effectively implement security measures for in-bound emails.
US08677467B2
A computer, such as a WINDOWS® operating system-based PC, has associated with it a Subscriber Identity Module (or SIM), such as of the type used in a GSM cellular telephone system. The SIM can be authenticated by the telephone network, in the same way as for authenticating SIMs of telephone handset users in the network, and can in this way authenticate the user of the PC or the PC itself. Such authentication can, for example, permit use of the PC in relation to a particular application which is released to the PC after the authentication is satisfactorily completed. The application may be released to the PC by a third party after and in response to the satisfactory completion of the authentication process. A charge for the session can be debited to the user by the telecommunications network and then passed on to the third party.
US08677464B2
According to various embodiments, a session manager generates, stores, and periodically updates the login credentials for each of a plurality of connected IEDs. An operator, possibly via an access device, may provide unique login credentials to the session manager. The session manager may determine the authorization level of the operator based on the operator's login credentials, defining with which IEDs the operator may communicate. According to various embodiments, the session manager does not facilitate a communication session between the operator and a target IED. Rather, the session manager maintains a first communication session with the operator and initiates a second communication session with the target IED. Accordingly, the session manager may forward commands transmitted by the operator to the target IED. Based on the authorization level of the operator, a session filter may restrict what may be communicated between an operator and an IED.
US08677452B2
A computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system includes a remote management computer with a user input device and a display device, a plurality of target computers communicatively connected to the remote management computer over a communications link, and a computer-executable remote management application. Each target computer includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) executing a keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) redirection application and storing remote management data. The remote management application causes the remote management computer to perform functions that include receiving user authentication data for a user to remotely access particular target computers, sending a request for remote management data to each of the particular target computers, receiving remote management data from each of the particular target computers in response to the request, and causing the display device to simultaneously display the graphical user console for each one of the particular target computers in a common graphical interface.
US08677447B1
Techniques for identifying user names and enforcing policies are disclosed. An external user account associated with an external application request is identified. A policy is applied based on the identified external user account. One example policy is that access to the external application (via the external user account) should be blocked.
US08677444B2
A set-top box for receiving radio and television signals is disclosed in which there is the presence of at least one unit (2) for receiving a signal (S) and at least one unit (3) for sending the received and processed signal (S′) to an image and/or sound broadcasting apparatus (4) such as a television set, radio set, PC, iPOD, and any other existing and/or achievable apparatus; means for processing the signal (S) converts said signal (S)—into the signal (S′) to be sent through a circuit (5) adapted to allow passage towards the broadcasting apparatus' (4) of information, data, promotions or advertising depending on suitable scheduling of said circuit.
US08677443B2
A method for performing a service action on a particular set top box based on a particular private identifier associated with the particular set top box is disclosed. At a database associated with a service provider, a user record is created. The user record includes a public identifier and a private identifier for each set top box that is available to the user. The public identifier for a particular set top box is accessible by the user and may be used to determine the private identifier for the particular set top box.
US08677440B2
Apparatus to determine the position of a user terminal, the apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media, comprise: a receiver to receive at the user terminal an American Television Standards Committee Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal from a ATSC-M/H transmitter; and a pseudorange module to determine a pseudorange between the receiver and the ATSC-M/H transmitter based on the ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal; wherein the position module determines the position of the user terminal based on the pseudorange and a location of the ATSC-M/H transmitter.
US08677433B2
A content processing device is configured to selectively receive a media signal from a media signal provider. A distribution device is configured to selectively receive a media signal from the content processing device, and to selectively provide one or more command signals to the content processing device. A computer is configured to selectively receive the media signal from the distribution device, and to selectively provide commands to the distribution device. The distribution device is further configured to provide the received one or more commands to the content processing device via the one or more command signals.
US08677427B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for enabling playback of licensed media content. The depicted embodiments provide a method to enable users to play a high-quality media file on a computing device. More specifically, the method provides a method to authenticate a high-fidelity license on a computing device to enable playback of an associated high-quality media file. Illustrative examples of high-quality media files include any media file that may contain a video and/or audio component.
US08677425B2
The present invention provides a Set-Top Box, a home gateway, and a method and a system for implementing interaction between the Set-Top Box and the home gateway, and the method comprises: the Set-Top Box transmitting a subscription message to the home gateway by means of a UPnP protocol message; the home gateway receiving and parsing the subscription message, combining a subscription response event according to the parsed subscription information, and then transmitting the subscription response event to the Set-Top Box by means of a UPnP protocol message; and the Set-Top Box triggering a corresponding operation according to a subscription response event message, after receiving the subscription response event message. The flexible coordination between the home gateway and the Set-Top Box can be implemented in accordance with the present invention, which can achieve the purposes of automatic diagnosis and automatic adjustment of services, and improve the user experience effectively.
US08677416B2
A method, system, and software for improved display of multiple media channels are disclosed herein. A system may be used to select, independent of direct user input, a subset of a plurality of media channels based on a user's viewing pattern. The system can include one or more media sources, a media processing system, and a display device, as well as a method for its use. The media processing system receives a plurality of media channels from the one or more media sources. One or more attributes associated with each media channel are compared with a user's viewing pattern determined independent of direct user input by the media processing system. A surf list is generated from the plurality of media channels, where the surf list includes a subset of the plurality of media channels having one or more attributes that are congruent with the user's viewing pattern. A portion, such as a still image, of each media channel in the surf list is output to an output device, such as a display device or storage device. The portions can be displayed simultaneously in a grid on the screen of the display device; the portions can be displayed individually in sequence; or displayed using a combination thereof.
US08677388B2
A system and method for verifiable two-way communication and interaction with audiences using Visual Cues and images to enable an audience, irrespective of size, to interact with multiple media formats, using smart devices such as smartphones and smart cameras. Allows interactions with viewers in real-time that will provide richer data that can be used to measure an audience more reliably.
US08677385B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first program identification data and audience identification data during a first time period, the audience identification data being collected by prompting audience members in the monitored household to self-identify using a people meter, developing audience member behavior data based on the first program identification data and the audience identification data collected in the first time period, collecting second program identification data in a second time period after the first time period without collecting audience identification data, and identifying the audience members associated with the second program identification data based on the audience member behavior data.
US08677381B2
An optical drive installation device including: a support frame that disposes a removable optical drive to an installation position; a lock mechanism that has a locking member which can move to a locked position preventing the optical drive from being removed or an unlocked position not interfering with the optical drive being removed, and supports the optical drive at the installation position of the support frame when the locking member is set to the locked position; an unlocking mechanism that releases the lock mechanism from the locked position; and a pushing member that pushes the optical drive in the direction in which the optical drive is removed from the installation position.
US08677380B2
A laser diode assembly for an optical pickup includes a laser diode, a holding member, and a position adjustment member. The holding member has a housing portion formed therein. The laser diode is housed in the housing portion. The position adjustment member is disposed between the laser diode and an inner wall of the housing portion and configured to adjust a mounting position of the laser diode by abutting the inner wall and the laser diode.
US08677372B2
An improved method to compensate for coupling overhead in a distributed computing system offering a raw processing capacity, comprising an effective processing capacity (404) and the coupling overhead, is disclosed, wherein the distributed computing system comprises at least one computer system and at least one coupling facility. The method comprises determining a coupling efficiency, determining and adding an amount of missing processing capacity to the effective processing capacity based on the coupling efficiency in a way that the effective processing capacity of the raw processing capacity corresponds to a billable target processing capacity.
US08677371B2
Functionality is implemented to determine that a plurality of multi-core processing units of a system are configured in accordance with a plurality of operating performance modes. It is determined that a first of the plurality of operating performance modes satisfies a first performance criterion that corresponds to a first workload of a first logical partition of the system. Accordingly, the first logical partition is associated with a first set of the plurality of multi-core processing units that are configured in accordance with the first operating performance mode. It is determined that a second of the plurality of operating performance modes satisfies a second performance criterion that corresponds to a second workload of a second logical partition of the system. Accordingly, the second logical partition is associated with a second set of the plurality of multi-core processing units that are configured in accordance with the second operating performance mode.
US08677370B2
A resource consumption control method and system. The method includes deploying by a computing system, a portlet/servlet. The computing system receives monitor data associated with a first resource consumed by the first portlet/servlet during the deploying. The monitor data comprises a maximum resource consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet and a mean resource consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet. The computing system generates a resource consumption rate limit value for the first portlet/servlet based on the monitor data. The computing system generates action data comprising an action to be executed if the resource consumption rate limit value is exceeded by a consumption rate value for the portlet/servlet. The computing system transmits the resource consumption rate limit value and the action data to the portlet/servlet. The resource consumption rate limit value and the action data are stored with the portlet/servlet.
US08677367B2
An execution sequence decision device is capable of efficiently and appropriately determining the execution sequence of processing modules even in a case where those have a closed circuit in the input/output dependencies. A dependence evaluation sub-unit and an anti dependence evaluation sub-unit evaluate the dependence and anti dependence of each processing module in a processing module group. A priority evaluation sub-unit determines the priority of each processing module in the processing module group based on the dependence and anti dependence. An execution order allocation sub-unit allocates the top of execution sequence to one processing module that has the highest priority obtained by the priority evaluation sub-unit. An execution sequence allocation unit causes the respective sub-units to repeatedly execute the above-mentioned process every time the order of execution sequence of one processing module is determined, and then sequentially allocates the orders of execution sequence to the respective processing modules.
US08677364B2
In an apparatus for generating a series, a task discrimination unit identifies a task executed on a first device and tasks executed on a second device, on the basis of messages exchanged between those devices. A memory stores models defining caller-callee relationships between caller tasks on the first device and callee tasks on the second device. A series grouping unit produces a series of tasks from a callee-eligible sequence of tasks executed on the second device during a processing time of the identified task on the first device. The series grouping unit achieves this by selecting one of the models that defines the identified task on the first device as a caller task and extracting a portion of the callee-eligible sequence that matches at least in part with the callee tasks defined in the selected model while excluding therefrom the tasks that cannot be the callee tasks.
US08677361B2
Scheduling threads in a multi-threaded/multi-core processor having a given instruction window, and scheduling a predefined number N of threads among a set of M active threads in each context switch interval are provided. The actual power consumption of each running thread during a given context switch interval is determined, and a predefined priority level is associated with each thread among the active threads based on the actual power consumption determined for the threads. The power consumption expected for each active thread during the next context switch interval in the current instruction window (CIW_Power_Th) is predicted, and a set of threads to be scheduled among the active threads are selected from the priority level associated with each active thread and the power consumption predicted for each active thread in the current instruction window.
US08677360B2
Various embodiments provide techniques for managing threads based on a thread history. In at least some embodiments, a behavior associated with currently existing threads is observed and a thread-related action is performed. A result of the thread-related action with respect to the currently existing threads, resources associated with the currently existing threads (e.g., hardware and/or data resources), and/or other threads, is then observed. A thread history is recorded (e.g., as part of a thread history database) that includes the behavior associated with the currently existing threads, the thread related action that was performed, and the result of the thread-related action. The thread history can include information about multiple different thread behaviors and can be referenced to determine whether to perform thread-related actions in response to other observed thread behaviors.
US08677358B2
A client hypervisor comprises a virtual agent that runs outside of a system OS and that allows device management independent of the OS and user. The virtual agent is tied to a device and not a specific instance of the OS. Such client hypervisors expose new functionality to ease managing systems. Some of these capabilities come from the persistence and privileges outside the OS. In some embodiments of the invention, this new management functionality is exposed to allow device management via new virtualization concepts, such as multiple VMs per system, VM replacement, snapshot/rollback, etc.
US08677353B2
A shared server 40 includes an active virtual machine 41 where a sufficient amount of resources are allocated to an operation of an application system and a standby virtual machine 42 that starts with a minimum amount of resources. When it is predicted that a provisioning request is generated, a standby construction determining unit 22 previously executes provisioning on a standby virtual machine 42, and performs a start of an OS and an application or a setting change of a network apparatus. A provisioning determining unit 23 changes the resource allocation amounts of the active virtual machine 41 and the standby virtual machine 42, allocates a sufficient amount of resources to the standby virtual machine 42, registers the standby virtual machine 42 as a target of load balancing in a load balancer 11, and executes provisioning.
US08677351B2
One embodiment entails delivering a software payload to guest software in a virtual machine so that the software payload is part of a file system accessible by the guest software, wherein delivery avoids a data path involving a network stack of the virtual machine.
US08677345B2
A virtual application creating system comprises: a virtual environment library block including a plurality of modules that process native application program interfaces (APIs) of an operating system such that the native application APIs are suited to a virtual environment, finding a module capable of processing a specific native API from the plurality of modules when the specific native API is called and operating the found module; a virtual application installation block receiving position information of an application to be virtualized and information on an installation place where the application will be virtualized and installed from a user and inserting the virtual environment library block into a memory to install a virtual application in the installation place; and a virtual application execution block executing the virtual application installed in the installation place.
US08677336B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for block count based procedure layout and splitting. Embodiments of the invention utilize code block counts to provide a total ordering of code blocks that improves execution time of generated procedure code by minimizing branches along more frequently executed paths. The total ordering is optimized using prioritized precedence relationships. For example, the total ordering is optimized to maximize the appropriate placement of code block chains after other code block chains. The total ordering is also optimized to place zero count (untouched) code blocks after any non-zero (touched) code blocks.
US08677331B2
A lock-clustering compiler is configured to compile program code for a software transactional memory system. The compiler determines that a group of data structures are accessed together within one or more atomic memory transactions defined in the program code. In response to determining that the group is accessed together, the compiler creates an executable version of the program code that includes clustering code, which is executable to associate the data structures of the group with the same software transactional memory lock. The lock is usable by the software transactional memory system to coordinate concurrent transactional access to the group of data structures by multiple concurrent threads.
US08677328B2
Provides methods and apparatus that can reduce the time required for processing, when generating a dynamic content using JSP or the like. An example device for generating a dynamic content creation program internally handles text by expressing the text in a predetermined general character encoding format. The device generates a dynamic content creation program, based on a predetermined file containing static text for constituting static part of a content; and prepares in advance content character encoding format-based character code information on the static text so that the program can utilize the information.
US08677325B2
An embodiment of the disclosure can compile source of an interactive application with debug options enabled. Execution activity of the interactive application can be enabled. A code path of a selected service of the interactive application can be executed in a debug environment using a user interface of the selected service to identify execution data associated with the selected service. Unresolved branch conditions in the execution data can be addressed for each code path of the selected service. A source extraction of the selected service can be performed.
US08677320B2
A software testing system and method provides full reuse of software tests and associated test data in a centralized shared repository, including enabling the full reuse of test assets including test actions, test scenarios, test data; and automation scripts. Reusable test components consisting of test steps and the type of test data needed by those test steps, are managed and maintained. These components are assembled into reusable components with no binding of test data until execution time, thereby treating the test data as a reusable asset. A reusable test is initially defined using only an indication of a type or category of data, and not bound to the actual data itself, until it is assembled into an executable immediately prior to automated or manual test execution.
US08677319B2
Computer method and apparatus manage requests to make changes to a given software system (e.g., application program or program portion). The invention method and apparatus form a change request object representing a user's request to make a change to the given software system. The invention method and apparatus form one or more hierarchies of objects and sub-objects to represent work to be performed and work performed in making the requested change. One embodiment creates a root issue object for each change request object and allows a user to partition an issue object into issue sub-objects. The embodiment (a) allows a user to create a task object to define the work needed to address an issue and allows a user to partition a task object into task sub-objects, and (b) allows a user to create an activity object to track work performed and allows a user to partition an activity object into activity sub-objects. Issue objects and issue sub-objects are relatable to task objects and task sub-objects. Task objects and task sub-objects are relatable to activity objects and activity sub-objects. State of an object is determined based on the status of each of its related objects and sub-objects.
US08677318B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, computer usable program code, and active repository are provided for management of a software service. A request is received to deploy the software service in a computer network. A dependency analysis is performed for the requested software service to determine component software services and physical resources necessary to deploy and manage new software service as a composite in responsive to the software service being the new software service. An active object is created to manage the new software service using an active template based on the analysis. The new software service is deployed in the computer network using the active object. The new software service is managed using the active object.
US08677317B2
A deployment modeling platform enables a user to model application characteristics of target software and to associate application modeling parameters to the modeled application characteristics. A user may also model environment characteristics of a target deployment environment and to associate environment modeling parameters to the modeled deployment environment characteristics. Still further, a user may create a deployment model that associates and maps selected parameters of the modeled application characteristics of the target software to associated parameters of the modeled environment characteristics of the deployment environment, and to verify that each parameter that relates to a requirement is mapped to and is fulfilled by an associated parameter that relates to a corresponding capability to determine whether validation problems exist in order to deploy the target software in the associated deployment environment.
US08677316B2
Architectural design intent for software is represented in some type of concrete form. A set of computable rules are inferred from the representation of the architectural design intent. The rules are applied to the codebase at various points in the development process including but not limited to when source code is checked into a project or when a build is run, or when a test run is performed. If the codebase being developed is not consistent with the architectural intent of the designer as captured, feedback concerning non-compliance is provided.
US08677312B1
A computer implemented method of generating a compiler description from an architecture description. Information is automatically extracted from an architecture description that is usable in a description of an architecture described by the architecture description. The extracted information is imported into a program comprising a graphical user interface that accepts user provided additional information that is usable in the compiler description. User provided additional information is accessed that is usable in the compiler description. A compiler description is automatically generated for the architecture described by the architecture description, based on the automatically extracted information and the accessed user provided additional information.
US08677310B2
The invention relates to a system and/or methodology for the abstraction and creation of templates for use in industrial automation. The system providing for the abstraction of one or more engineering specifications, and creation of design templates based at least in part on the abstracted design templates. Additionally, the invention provides a user interface for modification of the template creation process and/or templates.
US08677299B1
A method, system, and computer usable program product for latch clustering with proximity to local clock buffers (LCBs) where an algorithm is used to cluster a plurality of latches into a first plurality of groups in an integrated circuit. A number of groups in the first plurality of groups of clustered latches is determined. A plurality of LCBs are added where a number of added LCBs is the same as the number of groups in the first plurality of groups. A cluster radius for a subset of the first plurality of groups of clustered latches is determined, a group in the subset having a cluster radius that is a maximum cluster radius in the subset. The plurality of latches are reclustered into a second plurality of groups responsive to the maximum cluster radius exceeding a radius threshold, the second plurality of groups exceeding the first plurality of groups by one.
US08677298B1
A method of configuring an integrated circuit device with a user logic design includes analyzing the user logic design to identify critical and near-critical cyclic logic paths within the user logic design, applying timing optimizations to the critical and near-critical cyclic logic paths, and retiming logic paths other than the critical and near-critical cyclic logic paths.
US08677295B1
The circuit design process requires ways to reduce the power consumption of large integrated circuits and system-on-chip designs. This is typically done by introducing a process of clock gating thereby enabling or disabling flip-flops associated with specific functional blocks within the circuit. However, such changes in the circuit require synthesis and verification to ensure correctness of design and operation as sequential clock gating changes the state function dynamically. It is therefore necessary to define synthesis methods adapted to such dynamic changes in the design. According to an embodiment a sequential clock gating method uses an exclusive-OR technique to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art methods.
US08677283B2
A first set of entries in a list having multiple entries is displayed. Different ones of the multiple entries are displayed as the list is scrolled through in response to a first user gesture. Additionally, in response to the first user gesture when a second set of entries at an end of the list is being displayed, the second set of entries is displayed in a manner in which the second set of entries appear to react against (e.g., bounce or compress) against a barrier at the end of the list. Furthermore, in response to a second user gesture when the second set of entries is being displayed, the first set of entries at the beginning of the list is displayed.
US08677278B2
A method, apparatus, and data structure provide the ability to author and maintain assets in a computer system. Assets belonging to disconnected applicative fields are defined and represented in a hierarchical structure. The structure includes data (i.e., physical resources), nodes that act as a container for the data and other nodes, and constructs that establish a template that defines a contextual structural view for the data and nodes. The constructs are bound to the data and nodes and access is provided to the assets to a user using a computer and display.
US08677270B2
An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.
US08677269B2
Method, device, and computer product for displaying a single focus on a device. A piece of content is displayed in a first application on a display of the device. The piece of content is enlarged to create a single focus on the piece of content on the display. Parameters of the piece of content are passed to a second application. The piece of content is duplicated as an identical piece of content in the second application, and the identical piece of content is visually exactly positioned behind the piece of content on the display. The piece of content is seamlessly swapped with the identical piece of content of the second application, so that the identical piece of content is visually positioned to be viewable by the user. Tools of the second application are visually presented in an incremental transition until the tools are viewable and available to the user.
US08677248B2
Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from first and second sources indications of an ability to supply values for, respectively, an indicated one of the state attributes and another of the state attributes. In such situations, the providing also includes, in response to receiving a request from a first client for a value of the indicated one attribute, determining that the first source is available to supply the value, obtaining the value from the first source, and supplying a value obtained from the first source to the first client.
US08677241B2
A method and system are disclosed for adapting the media contained in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, which may include a presentation, into a single media format such as an audio/video file or stream by creating a logical timeline from information found in the presentation, creating an adaptation pipeline from the logical timeline, and executing the adaptation pipeline.
US08677236B2
Word predictions in a message are selected or prioritized based on the recipient of the message and a previous location of use by a user. An input history is created based on messages sent to the recipient from the user at a particular location (e.g., global positioning system coordinates). As the user composes subsequent messages, a current location of the user is determined. Word predictions are performed based on a comparison of the current location to the previous locations, and based on the recipient(s). In further embodiments, location-aware spell-check functionality is provided for the messages.
US08677223B2
An apparatus and method for processing fast feedback payload data to generate symbols for transmission through a fast feedback channel in a wireless network are presented. The technique first encodes payload data using a tail biting convolutional code. The encoded bits are then de-multiplexed to five different data subblocks in a sequential fashion. Subblock interleaving is then used to interleave the data of the subblocks according to a predetermine scheme. A bit selector then selects interleaved subblock bit for output. The selected bits may then be modulated by a modulator using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK). The resulting symbols may then be mapped to a predetermined fast feedback subcarriers within a feedback channel.
US08677201B2
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of retrieving signal to semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit is configured so that a transition scan test can be performed thereon. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of logic circuit blocks having different operation frequencies; a clock supply unit for supplying a plurality of clock signals having frequencies corresponding to the operation frequencies of the logic circuit blocks from a clock supply source; a compression scan circuit including a plurality of scan chains formed of a plurality of flip-flop circuits, a pattern deployment circuit connected to the scan chains on an input side thereof, and a pattern compression circuit; and a clock control unit for controlling the clock supply unit to stop supplying the clock signals to specific ones of the flip-flop circuits of the scan chains when a capture operation is performed during a transition scan test.
US08677195B2
Disclosed is a data transmission method in a wireless network capable of improving transmission performance on a wireless network by transmitting data, on which ACK is piggybacked, using the ACK transmission opportunity having high priority. The data transmission method includes acquiring a wireless channel by a STA to transmit a first data to the AP, transmitting the first data by the STA acquired the wireless channel to the AP through the wireless channel, analyzing by the AP whether there are second data intended to any one of the plurality of STAs, and, if there are the second data to transmit, transmitting the second data, on which an ACK is piggybacked, to the intended STA from the AP using ACK transmission opportunity having higher priority than that of data transmission.
US08677190B2
Disclosed is a method and system for transmitting data on a data channel from a source to a destination. The data channel has a plurality of wavelength channels and a throughput. The system and method include a storage application for multicasting data on each of the plurality of wavelength channels, a storage protocol extension device using buffer credits to adjust the throughput during the multicasting, and an application optimization device for managing data channel latency to achieve asymmetric mirroring behavior at the same time as the multicasting.
US08677187B2
Core dump is performed over a network without relying on network device drivers. Instead of network device drivers, firmware of network devices that is typically used during boot is preserved in memory post-boot, and one or more application program interfaces of the firmware are invoked to perform the network core dump. For ease of implementation, a network bootstrap program that has standard application program interfaces for calling into the firmware of network devices may be invoked when performing core dump over the network.
US08677182B2
A computer system including a first processor, an error detecting circuit and a south bridge chip is provided. The first processor outputs a first catastrophic error signal. The error detecting circuit is coupled to the first processor to receive the first catastrophic error signal. When the first catastrophic error signal changes to a first level and is maintained for a period exceeding a first predetermined time, the error detecting circuit outputs an internal error reset signal. When the first catastrophic error signal changes to a first level and passes a second predetermined time, the error detecting circuit outputs a machine error reset signal. Here, the second predetermined time is greater than the first predetermined time. The south bridge chip is coupled to the error detecting circuit and reboots the computer system according the internal error reset signal or the machine error reset signal.
US08677181B2
A storage apparatus includes a drive unit device including multiple storage drives, a drive interface unit and a power supply unit, a storage controller including multiple processing units and a drive control interface unit, a recording part recording whether a relevant data input/output process was successful for each of multiple data paths, and a failure detection unit performing a process which, when one processing unit determines the data input/output process not being performed successfully, determines whether a result of the data input/output process performed by other processing units is recorded in the recording part within a predetermined period of time after an abnormality of the relevant data input/output process is recorded, and, when the first processing unit detecting the abnormality determines that the data input/output process abnormality is recorded, provides an instruction to stop the data input/output processes to the drive unit device in which the abnormality is detected.
US08677177B2
An apparatus and method for automatically recovering a hardware when the hardware is not accessible from the processing unit. The hardware is recovered via a path different from a path which the processing unit uses when the processing unit fails to access to the hardware via the path initially used.
US08677165B2
A computing system includes a controller to undergo a variably delayed wakeup transition. The controller is to transition a processing module from an idle state to an active state in response to successive assertions of a wakeup interrupt command. The system includes a variable delay module to vary delay lengths between assertion and execution of each of the successive wakeup interrupt commands during the wakeup transition to substantially cause power supply components to vibrate in a non-periodic manner.
US08677163B2
Embodiments of an invention related to context state management based on processor features are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes instruction logic and state management logic. The instruction logic is to receive a state management instruction having a parameter to identify a subset of the features supported by the processor. The state management logic is to perform a state management operation specified by the state management instruction.
US08677159B2
A system and method for extending the USB VBUS power signal. A system for extending the USB VBUS power signal includes at least one PCA board. The system includes a USB host. The USB host outputs a new power signal compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements. The VBUS signal may be connected to a voltage converter to change the voltage level to a desired enable signal for the voltage supply at the receiving end of the system. The VBUS signal may be connected to logic to change the polarity of the enable signal. The enable signal is routed across traces on the one or more PCA boards. A voltage supply is located on a PCA board and receives the enable signal. The enable signal causes the voltage supply to output a new power signal that is compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements.
US08677155B2
The invention comprises an intrusion-detection system based on a switch 1 that provides more effective protection by means of an innovative arrangement of three intrusion-detection contacts 16-17-18 on an electronic circuit, connected to two different intrusion-detection electronic circuit and an intrusion-detection switch 1 with a special design that provides three different interconnections between said contacts in response to different intrusion attacks. The special arrangement of the contacts on the electronic board provides protection against different sophisticated attacks even without the participation of the intrusion-detection switch.
US08677150B2
A method, system, and apparatus for managing a plurality of cipher processor units. A cipher module may receive a cipher instruction indicating a cipher algorithm to be used. The cipher module may identify a cipher processing unit of the plurality of cipher processing units associated with the cipher algorithm. The cipher module may execute the cipher instruction using the cipher processing unit and the common register array. The cipher module may store a state of a common register array to be used by the cipher processing unit of the plurality of cipher processing units.
US08677145B2
A method and device include a power pin, a ground pin, and a communications pin. A communications module receives power from the power pin and utilizes an edge counting communication protocol over the communication pin.
US08677127B2
An electronic device includes a first connection interface and a second connection interface. The first connection interface is operable to exchange security information with another electronic device for use in encrypting data transmissions with the other electronic device. The first connection interface is inoperable to communicate payload data encrypted using the security information. The second connection interface is different than the first connection interface and operable to securely communicate payload data with the other electronic device over an unsecure medium in accordance with the security information exchanged via the first connection interface.
US08677126B2
A method and system for transmission of digital content via e-mail with point of use digital rights management is disclosed. The secured access rights to the digital content may be customized for individual recipients by the sender, and may evolve over time. The access rights are enforced according to a time-dependent scheme. A key server is used to arbitrate session keys for the encrypted content, eliminating the requirement to exchange public keys prior to transmission of the digital content. During the entire process of transmitting and receiving e-mail messages and documents, the exchange of cryptographic keys remains totally transparent to the users of the system. Additionally, electronic documents may be digitally signed with authentication of the signature.
US08677122B1
Method and apparatus for secure processing. The method includes detecting communication among secure and non-secure data entities, prohibiting execution of non-secure executable instructions on secure data entities unless the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in a permitted instruction record, and prohibiting execution of non-secure executable instructions if the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in a prohibited instruction record. The apparatus includes a processor, at least one non-secure data entity, and secure data entities including: a communication monitor adapted to detect communication among secure and non-secure data entities; a permitted instruction record; a first prohibitor adapted to prohibit execution of non-secure executable instructions on secure data entities unless the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in the permitted instruction record; a prohibited instruction record; and a second prohibitor adapted to prohibit execution of non-secure executable instructions if the non-secure executable instructions are recorded in the prohibited instruction record.
US08677120B2
System, computer program product, and method embodiments for communication between a kernel operational on a storage subsystem and a key manager (KM) through a hardware management console (HMC) to provide encryption support are provided. In one embodiment, an event request is initiated by the kernel to the KM to execute an event flow. Pursuant to a communication request by the kernel to the HMC, a socket of the HMC is opened along a communication path between the KM and the kernel according to an event flow type selected by the KM for the event flow. Pursuant to a data request by the kernel to the KM, data including a data payload is sent by the KM to the kernel, the data payload corresponding to the selected event flow type.
US08677116B1
Computer systems and methods are provided for authenticating a user seeking to conduct at least one interaction with a secured capability provided by a computer. The method includes receiving a first signal from the computer providing the secured capability. The first signal includes a reusable identifier corresponding to the secured capability. The method further includes receiving a second signal from an electronic device being used by the user. The second signal includes a copy of the reusable identifier and user verification information. The method further includes using a processor to evaluate, based at least on the first signal and the second signal, whether the user is authorized to conduct the at least one interaction with the secured capability. The method further includes, in response to an indication from the processor that the user is authorized to conduct the at least one interaction with the secured capability, transmitting a third signal including authorization information to at least one of the electronic device and the computer.
US08677114B2
Techniques are provided for enabling application steering/blocking in a secure network which includes a network entity, and a first tunnel endpoint coupled to the network entity over an encrypted tunnel. The first tunnel endpoint associates at least a first Security Parameter Index (SPI) to a first application identifier to generate first mapping information (MI), communicates the first MI to the network entity, and transmits an encrypted message to the network entity over the encrypted tunnel. The encrypted message includes an encrypted packet and an unencrypted header including the first SPI. The network entity determines the first SPI from the unencrypted header, determines the first application identifier based on the first SPI and the first MI, and identifies a first application associated with the first application identifier. The network entity can still perform application steering/blocking even though traffic passing through the tunnel is encrypted.
US08677113B2
A method and system for providing e-mail messages to a receiving e-mail application. The e-mail messages as sent from a sending e-mail application being secure and in opaque signed format. The opaque signed e-mail messages being converted to clear signed e-mail messages by decoding extracting message content and digital signatures. The clear signed e-mails being sent to a receiving e-mail application.
US08677107B2
Processing circuitry 4 has a plurality of exception states EL0-EL3 for handling exception events, the exception states including a base level exception state EL0 and at least one further level exception state EL1-EL3. Each exception state has a corresponding stack pointer indicating the location within the memory of a corresponding stack data store 35. When the processing circuitry is in the base level exception state EL0, stack pointer selection circuitry 40 selects the base level stack pointer as a current stack pointer indicating a current stack data store for use by the processing circuitry 4. When the processing circuitry 4 is a further exception state, the stack pointer selection circuitry 40 selects either the base level stack pointer or the further level stack pointer corresponding to the current further level exception state as a current stack pointer.
US08677101B2
A processor system executes multiple applet programs within a software application program in an information handling system. The information handling system includes operating system software that manages processor system hardware and software in a multi-tasking environment. In particular, the operating system software manages partitioning of a register file in the processor system to achieve a cooperative relationship among multiple applet programs within respective partitions of the register file. In one embodiment, the operating system software manages unique applet ID's to modify register file partition sizes and locations during applet program instruction text execution. In one embodiment, applet ID masking hardware provides sharing of register file space among multiple copies of applet program code.
US08677100B2
An integrated circuit memory device has a memory array and control logic with at least a first addressing mode in which the instruction includes a first instruction code and an address of a first length; and a second addressing mode in which the instruction includes the first instruction code and an address of a second length. The first length of the address is different from the second length of the address.
US08677095B2
An apparatus and method to allocate memory in a storage system. Firmware running the method uses an iterative approach to find the best optimal memory configuration for a particular storage system given a variety of configuration data parameters stored as persistent data in non-volatile flash memory. The configuration data relates to resources in the environment that the storage system is found in, such as the number of virtual ports, targets and initiators supported by a storage system IOC. The configuration data is alterable, to allow flexibility in updating and changing parameters, and is employed at runtime when the storage system powers on, to enable the most flexible resource allocation. In a preferred method of determining the most optimal memory configuration for a given set of parameters corresponding to a given set of resources, an iterative method is employed to decrement parameter values from their maximum values, taking into account the minimums, and then testing the configuration by performing a memory allocation. If the allocation fails, because for example the wrong type memory or size of memory for any of the resources found, then the firmware resets the memory areas back to predetermined Start of Day (SOD) parameter values, decrements the values until a successful configuration of memory is found for the given set of parameters, and tries again, or until the firmware is caused to fault, whichever comes first.
US08677092B2
A computing device and method for managing security of a memory or storage device without the need for administer privileges. To access the secure memory, a host provides a data block containing a control command and authentication data to the memory device. The memory device includes a controller for controlling access to a secure memory in the memory device. The memory device identifies the control command in the data block, authenticates the control command based on the authentication data, and executes the control command to allow the host device to access the secure memory.
US08677088B1
A computer-implemented method for recovering primary sites after failovers to remote secondary sites may include: 1) identifying a primary system configured to replicate data to both a local bunker system and a remote secondary system, 2) failing the primary system over to the remote secondary system, 3) replicating, to the local bunker system, data changes made on the remote secondary system, and then 4) updating the primary system with the data changes stored on the local bunker system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08677082B2
A data mask system includes a processor providing control signals including a command signal, an address signal, and a data signal, a data mask processor receiving the control signals and providing either write data or masked data in response to the control signals, and generating data mask information and a data mask selection signal from at least one of the control signals, and a data mask register unit receiving the data mask selection signal, storing the data mask information, selecting a subset of the stored data mask information in response to the data mask selection signal, and returning selected data mask information to the data mask processor. The data mask processor receives the selected data mask information from the data mask register unit and provides the masked data as a result of performing a data mask operation on the data signal according to the selected data mask information.
US08677079B2
An apparatus and method are provided for selecting a specific position from a plurality of positions in a memory to which data elements are cyclically written. A specific data element is stored in the plurality of positions. The apparatus comprises a determination unit for determining whether the plurality of positions include any position in a specific area of the memory to which data elements are written in a current cycle. The apparatus further comprises a selection unit for selecting at least one position in the specific area out of the plurality of positions as the specific position if the determination unit determines that the plurality of positions include any position in the specific area, and for selecting at least one position out of the plurality of positions as the specific position if the determination unit determines that the plurality of positions do not include any position in the specific area.
US08677078B1
A device for managing multiple instructions to access multiple wide registers may include logic to receive the multiple instructions to access one of the multiple wide registers, associate each received instruction with a corresponding one of multiple buffer memories, and allow simultaneous processing of the multiple instructions associated with each of the multiple buffer memories, where the multiple instructions are processed such that data is transferred between the multiple buffer memories and the multiple wide registers in one operation.
US08677075B2
Described embodiments provide a network processor having a plurality of processing modules coupled to a system cache and a shared memory. A memory manager allocates blocks of the shared memory to a requesting one of the processing modules. The allocated blocks store data corresponding to packets received by the network processor. The memory manager maintains a reference count for each allocated memory block indicating a number of processing modules accessing the block. One of the processing modules reads the data stored in the allocated memory blocks, stores the read data to corresponding entries of the system cache and operates on the data stored in the system cache. Upon completion of operation on the data, the processing module requests to decrement the reference count of each memory block. Based on the reference count, the memory manager invalidates the entries of the system cache and deallocates the memory blocks.
US08677064B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method associated with a RAID configuration, wherein RAID storage volumes are created by RAID controllers from a shared pool of disk drives. A specified RAID volume is mapped to a virtual target port, and is accessed by each of one or more servers via the virtual target address. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method associated with multiple RAID controllers, and a pool of disk drives that comprises multiple storage disks. The method comprises operating one or more of the RAID controllers to each configure one or more RAID volumes from selected storage disks. A unique identifier is assigned to each of the RAID volumes, wherein a specified RAID volume is assigned a specified unique identifier, and a particular RAID controller is provided with ownership of the specified RAID volume at a particular time. The method further comprises using the specified unique identifier in an address to route an I/O message at the particular time between a selected host and the specified RAID volume, wherein the unique identifier includes no information that identifies the particular RAID controller.
US08677063B2
This disclosure relates to parity declustered storage device arrays having partition groups. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage system includes a storage device array, such as disk array. Each storage device is divided into partitions. Each partition includes stripe units, such as hundreds or thousands of stripe units in exemplary embodiments. The storage system also includes a physical array controller coupled to the storage device array. In an exemplary embodiment, the array controller includes a partition group lookup table and stores and retrieves data and parity in the storage devices based on the partition group lookup table. In this exemplary embodiment, the array controller also includes a stripe lookup table and/or a log. In an exemplary embodiment, the partition group lookup table and the stripe lookup table take up less memory (e.g., by an order of magnitude) than a single-level stripe map conveying the same information.
US08677055B2
Approaches for performing a write operation on a solid state device (SSD). One or more containers are maintained on the solid state device. Each container is a logical grouping of objects independent from where the logical grouping of objects are physically stored on the solid state device. When a write operation is received at the SSD, the manner is which changes requested by the write operation should be stored are determined based on which container is being written. Containers provide a flexible approach for specifying attributes of how data should be stored and accessed which is independent from where the data is physically stored. Containers also have particular utility in performing load balancing and ensuring high availability and recovery.
US08677048B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for enabling communication between a SAS communication port of a SAS communication component and multiple storage devices. In a first example, a first SAS to SATA bridge chip and a second SAS to SATA bridge chip may be configured to route data from a SAS communication component to multiple storage devices. In a second example, a SAS to SATA bridge chip and a port multiplier may be configured to route data from a SAS communication component to multiple storage devices. In a third example, a four port SAS to SATA bridge comprising two SAS ports and two SATA ports may be configured to route data from a SAS communication component to multiple storage devices. Supporting two or more storage devices with a single SAS communication port allows storage enclosures to increase storage capacity, while decreasing cost per slot.
US08677044B1
Method and system for sending data from a memory of a computing system interfacing with a device is provided. An input/output control block (IOCB) from the computing system for transferring the data from the memory of the computing system is received by the device. The device then allocates a plurality of DMA channels to the IOCB for transferring the data from the memory of the computing system when a number of pending input/output (I/O) requests when the IOCB is received is less than a number of available direct memory access (DMA) channels to receive the data from the memory of the computing system.
US08677038B2
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software that is operable to disambiguate text input. In addition to identifying and outputting representations of language objects that are stored in the memory and that correspond with a text input, the device is able to employ contextual data in certain circumstances to prioritize output and to learn new contextual data.
US08677035B2
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a data storage system controller including a host interface configured to be coupled to a host device, to receive data from the host device, and to send data to the host device. In certain aspects, the data storage system includes a primary compression engine configured to compress data received from the host device via the host interface, and a secondary compression engine configured to decompress and compress data associated with operations internal to the data storage system. In some implementations, the data storage systems can further include a processor configured to transfer data between the host interface and the primary compression engine, between the primary compression engine and a non-volatile storage medium, between a memory and the secondary compression engine, and between the secondary compression engine and the memory. A data storage system is also provided.
US08677029B2
As part of a communication session, a wireless source device can transmit audio and video data to a wireless sink device, and the wireless sink device can transmit user inputs received at the wireless sink device back to the wireless source device. In this manner, a user of the wireless sink device can control the wireless source device and control the content that is being transmitted from the wireless source device to the wireless sink device. As part of establishing the communication session, the wireless sink device and the wireless source device may perform capability negotiation.
US08677023B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for virtualizing port adapter resources such as network interface cards (NICs) used to connect servers to packet based networks. Resources are offloaded from individual servers onto a resource virtualization switch. Servers connected to the resource virtualization switch using an I/O bus connection share access to NICs. Redundancy can be provided using multipathing mechanisms implemented at individual servers or high availability mechanisms implemented at the resource virtualization switch. Switchover can occur between ports on the same port adapter, between ports on separate adapters, or between ports on separate resource virtualization switches.
US08677014B2
Fine granularity exchange level load balancing may be performed in a device in a storage area network in order to ensure that processors in a multi-core environment are not overloaded. This may be accomplished by assigning input/outputs relating to a particular exchange to a specific processor, and maintaining that association so that subsequent related input/outputs are handled by the same processor. In this process, the system may first determine if a received IO is new. If so, then it may assign the IO to a particular data path processor and create a context corresponding to the IO and the processor, as well as to the type of the non-command frame. Subsequently, an event may be received corresponding to the IO, which may then be forwarded to the processor assigned to the IO.
US08677001B2
A data processing apparatus edits an actual data portion excluding a header from data transmitted by streaming transmission from a first information processing apparatus after start of streaming transmission. The data processing apparatus transmits edited actual data portion and header to a second information processing apparatus by streaming transmission. The second information processing apparatus reproduces the voice data or the animation data transmitted by streaming transmission. The actual data portion is edited so that the voice data or the animation data to be transmitted may be reproducible in the second information processing apparatus, and so that a program may become unexecutable even if it would be transmitted to the second information processing apparatus. Even if the voice data or the animation data transmitted from the first information processing apparatus by streaming transmission would be deteriorated, an executable virus program does not transmitted to the second information processing apparatus, thereby that makes it possible to realize the streaming transmission method which can realize simple and high security.
US08676999B2
An apparatus comprising a client node configured to communicate with a server node and a plurality of mobile nodes, wherein the client node is configured to obtain Prefix Authorization (PA) for the mobile node from the server node using a Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS) protocol. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising sending an Access-Request message to an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) PA server using a RADIUS protocol, receiving an Access-Accept message from the AAA PA server using the RADIUS protocol if the Access-Request message is accepted by the AAA PA server, and receiving an Access-Reject message from the AAA PA server using the RADIUS protocol if the Access-Request message is not accepted by the AAA PA server.
US08676998B2
A client-server communication protocol permits the server to authenticate the client without requiring the client to authenticate the server. After establishing the half-authenticated connection, the client transmits a request and the server performs or responds accordingly. A network management system and environment where this protocol can be used is also described and claimed.
US08676985B2
A system context aware resource management, method of managing shared resources and services and a computer program product therefor. Client devices, e.g., handheld or mobile devices, request resources from provider computers, e.g., in a cloud environment. The provider computers provide cloud-based personal assistants. Resource requests from client devices may be context related that may be provided in response to a selected context. A resource management system schedules resource processing for requesting mobile client devices, initially, and responds to device context changes by selectively adjusting shared resource job priorities, e.g., creating a new job, pausing or restarting/resuming a respective job.
US08676981B2
A method for providing a virtual cloud service at the lowest actual cost can begin with an optimal transaction handler of a federated virtual service cloud maintaining a virtual resource pool of transactional units. Each transactional unit can represent a service application deployed to a cloud service provided by a cloud service provider having a usage-based service cost model that allows transactional units to be placed in an inactive state to suspend its operating expense. Operational metrics data for the cloud service providers can be continuously captured. In response to a service request, the transactional unit that meets fulfillment requirements of the service request and incurs a lowest actual cost can be determined based upon cost factors derived from the operational metrics data, the usage-based service cost model, and a current usage state of the virtual resource pool. The received service request can be routed to the determined transactional unit.
US08676974B2
Embodiment of the present invention include a method, system and computer program product for a data processing system for QoS based planning in a Web services aggregation. The system can include Web service aggregation and coordination logic configured to identify accessible Web services in a registry and to arrange an aggregation of the Web services for invocation responsive to requests received from communicatively coupled clients over a computer communications network. The system further can include QoS planning logic coupled to the Web service aggregation and coordination logic. The QoS planning logic can be enabled to measure both the individual performance of the Web services in an aggregation of Web services and also the cumulative performance of the aggregation of Web services. Finally, the QoS planning logic can be enabled to modify the aggregation of Web services responsive to measuring both of the individual performance of Web services in the aggregation of Web services and also of the cumulative performance of the aggregation of Web services.
US08676966B2
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for detecting and monitoring server side state during the scanning of a web application. The method includes: monitoring executed code of the web application while scanning the web application; retrieving code coverage information from the monitoring of the executed code and retrieving scanning information from the scanning of the web application; correlating the code coverage information with the scanning information; and determining a change in the server side state based on the correlation. The system includes one or more devices that executes the steps of the method. The computer program products includes computer program instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium, where the instructions, when executed, will cause a computer to perform the steps of the methods.
US08676963B1
Determining an attribute of a target computer is disclosed. A first ICMP query is set to a first state. A second ICMP query is set to a second state. The first and second ICMP queries are sent to the target computer. Responses associated with the first and second ICMP queries that are received from the target computer are combined. An attribute of the target computer is determined based on the combination of the responses.
US08676961B2
An improved system and method for web destination profiling for online population-targeted advertising is provided. A web destination profiler may be provided for generating web destination profiles. Traffic may be analyzed at a particular web destination in order to understand the population visiting the web destination. The analysis of user traffic, including differentiated clickstream data, may be applied for determining known characteristics of a web destination profile. Moreover, unknown characteristics of a web destination profile may be determined using a variety of techniques including inferring characteristics by modeling traffic flow through other web destinations, estimating characteristics from other web destination profiles by predicting traffic flow through other web destinations, propagating characteristics to a web destination profile by smoothing a joint distribution of characteristics of other web destination profiles, and so forth. Web destination profiles may be used by applications such as an online application for population-targeted advertising.
US08676956B1
A system and method are provided for monitoring utilization of network resources in a photonic network. A monitoring threshold is set for monitoring utilization of network components of interest. A resource utilization data processor obtains resource utilization data indicating utilization of the network resources. A threshold crossing determination unit determines if threshold crossing has occurred based on the utilization data and the monitoring threshold. A user interface indicates the utilization of the network components in accordance with the determination of the threshold crossing.
US08676949B2
Methods for controlling a virtualized computer service remotely through a client includes receiving a connection request from the client for controlling the virtual service available at a virtual machine. The request includes a plurality of connection parameters that describe the connection requirements of the client and is received at a virtual machine that is equipped with an image processor algorithm. The connection parameters are interrogated using the image processor algorithm to identify a specific virtual machine that provides the requested virtualized computer service. A framebuffer data for the identified virtual machine located in virtual memory is accessed and read directly through a hypervisor. The framebuffer data is processed into a plurality of image data packets using the image processor algorithm and transmitted to the client for presenting on a display device associated with the client. The image data packet grammar is tailored to the client and represents an image of the virtual machine display for the specific virtual machine.
US08676944B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide network models, methods, systems, and computer program products for managing a service. For example, in some embodiments, a network model for managing a service includes an end service domain that associates the service with an end service provider. The end service domain includes a plurality of wholesale service domains that each includes one or more networks that provide traffic transport for the end service domain. One or more gateways are used to couple one of the wholesale service domains to another one of the wholesale service domains, and to perform protocol translation on traffic passing between the coupled wholesale service domains. In addition, one or more gateways are configured to couple a user to the end service domain, and are further configured to communicate with the user by a protocol associated with the service. A process domain provides an abstract representation of applications provided by the end service domain.
US08676930B2
A system and method are disclosed for enhancing the throughput of signals from a security system receiver to an associated automation server. Multiple parallel Ethernet connections or ports are provided between the receiver and server to enable multiple signals to be transmitted between the two when such signals are received from a client's security system panel. The system and method may access the ports in a variety of orders to provide efficient transmittal of signals from the receiver to the server. In one embodiment, received event signals may be routed though the ports in numeric sequence, forward or reverse. In another embodiment, received event signals may be routed preferentially to the first port, if it is not busy. If the first port is busy then the signal may be routed to the second port, and so on. In a further embodiment, received event signals from specific client panels may be directed through predetermined ports, and a predetermined automation server at the central monitoring facility.
US08676926B2
Examples of systems and methods are provided for handling remote drawing commands. A system may comprise a buffer module configured to receive, at the system from a remote server system over a remote access connection between the system and the remote server system during a remote connection session, remote drawing commands, according to a drawing command rate, of a remote application running on the remote server system. The buffer module may be configured to store the remote drawing commands. The system may comprise a timer module configured to facilitate sending at least some of the remote drawing commands in the buffer module to a graphics module according to a refresh rate that is less than the drawing command rate. The timer module may be application agnostic.
US08676922B1
The proxy settings for a browser are modified to route public Internet traffic through a local client assistant, while keeping previous proxy policies intact. The process compares the previous proxy results for a known, public Internet address to the previous proxy results for the desired Internet address. If the two proxy results are equivalent, then the request is directed to the local client assistant, otherwise the request is directed according to the previous proxy results. If the testing of the public Internet address had resulted in the use of a proxy, then the local client assistant will route its requests to the proxy so indicated.
US08676921B1
A method, network server, communication device and system of preparing a pictorial representation of information. The system comprises a server for providing information and generating the pictorial representation, a wireless network for communicating said server over the air waves, and wireless terminals of said wireless network for receiving the information and making mark-ups or indications to the information from which the pictorial representation is created.
US08676920B2
A method and system for cooperatively caching digital content in a vehicle for sharing with other vehicles in a vehicle-to-vehicle network. A content utility value is assigned to each piece of digital content available on the network, where the utility value is a function of the popularity of the content, the freshness of the content, and the size of the content. Any piece of content with a sufficiently high content utility value is stored in a host vehicle's collective cache, so that other vehicles may be able to retrieve it quickly on demand. The host vehicle may cache a particular piece of digital content even if the host vehicle is not interested in it. The host vehicle periodically re-computes the content utility value for all digital content in the vehicle's cache to determine if any of the data should be evicted from the cache.
US08676918B2
A system and method for the management of client computing device DNS queries and subsequent resource requests within a content delivery network service provider domain are provided. The management of the DNS queries can include the selection of computing devices corresponding to various Point of Presence locations for processing DNS queries. Additionally, the management of the content requests can include the selection of computing devices corresponding to resource cache components corresponding to various Point of Presence locations for providing requested content. The selection of the computing devices can incorporate logic related to geographic criteria, performance threshold criteria, testing criteria, and the like.
US08676915B2
Apparatus and method for controlling peripheral in wireless communication system using an IP address
An apparatus and method control a connection between peripheral devices in a control server of a wireless communication system providing an IP-based communication service. The method for controlling the connection between peripheral devices includes registering at least one device in a group list classified by user identification information. The method also includes, if a control node including a user identifier of the group list requests a control of any one device included in the group list, checking an IP address of the device that is requested to be controlled by the control node. The method further includes sending a control command of the control node using the IP address.
US08676911B1
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media that may be used to present messages posted on messaging networks to a user in a time-shifted manner are provided. One method includes transmitting a request to a server to provide messages posted by users of one or more messaging services. Each of the messages has a timestamp associated therewith that falls within a time range associated with the request. The timestamp is based on a time at which the message was originally posted. The method further includes receiving the messages from the server. The method further includes correlating, for each of the messages, the time at which the message was originally posted with a time in the time range associated with the request. The times are correlated based on the timestamp of the respective message. The method further includes transmitting, to one or more display devices, display data representing the messages. Display of each of the messages is shifted based on the correlation such that the messages are displayed in substantially the same manner as if the messages had been viewed live during the time range associated with the request when they were posted.
US08676906B2
In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for management of email access for a wireless communication device (WCD). The techniques may utilize an email access manager that selects a synchronization mode to synchronize with a remote email server and selects a transfer mode to transfer email messages with the remote email server based on context data regarding the WCD. The context data of the WCD may include one or more of quality of service (QoS) of network connections with the remote email server, battery status of the WCD, and user settings for the WCD. The email access manager monitors the context data from one or more managers, applications, and/or memory within the WCD. The techniques described herein enable an email application on a WCD to dynamically alter synchronization and transfer of email messages with a remote email server as appropriate given the context of the WCD.
US08676905B2
A method for processing a DCD content in a DCD (Dynamic Content Delivery). When a DCD content is delivered between a server and a terminal in a DCD service system, a client of the terminal delivers the DCD content to a DECA (DCD Enabled Client Application) of the terminal. If the DECA cannot play (execute) the content, the DECA sends to the client an error notification message and a generated status value (information about device capabilities of the terminal), and the client sends the error notification message and the status value to the server. Accordingly, if an error informing that the content received from the server cannot be played has occurred, the error is processed between the terminal and the server from the point of the terminal.
US08676899B2
An instant message (IM) connection is established at an IM server in the usual manner, under the policies and security rules promulgated by the IM service provider. Using this connection to the IM server, an offline IM chat request is made at the IM server for establishing an offline connection directly between consenting IM clients. The request may be included in a message to the IM server from a client, or the request may be in the form of IM session parameter, for the client, that authorizes an offline chat as the preferred type of IM session under certain conditions, such as the IM server being unavailable, IM server loading level or other factors that are under the control of the server. The conditions may also specify the presence of other IM clients as a criterion for establishing an offline chat, whether present in an online chat session or merely available.
US08676897B1
A method and apparatus for collaborative chatting on a plurality of hand held computer systems are disclosed. A Bluetooth communication may be established among several hand held computer systems. A participants list may be cached from previous sessions, eliminating a typical step of discovery. Collaborative chatting software may be automatically initiated on the hand held systems in the group. Information entered by any member of the group may be displayed in substantially real time on all hand held computer systems. Information may be color coded to identify its source. In this novel manner, collaborative chatting on a plurality of hand held computer systems may occur, resulting in richer, more efficient and more secure communication between group members.
US08676895B1
A method, computer-readable medium and system for interacting using content are disclosed. A web response may be executed on a first computer system and/or another computer system associated with the first computer system responsive to the initiation of a call over a voice channel between the first computer system and a second computer system. The web response may include automatically downloading content over a data channel so that it can be automatically presented at the first computer system and/or another computer system associated with the first computer system. The content may include video, audio, information from a social networking website, a blog, other content, some combination thereof, etc. In this manner, more and/or different types of content can be used to communicate with callers by causing content to be presented in conjunction with communication over a voice channel.
US08676892B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting a content data set to a computing device for displaying content to a non-author user, receiving user input from the non-author user, the user input corresponding to the content, and, in response to receiving the user input, transmitting first data and second data to the computing device for display to the non-author user, the first data comprising a number of contacts associated with an author user, the author user having authored the content, the second data being a sub-set of the first data and comprising a number of contacts associated with the non-author user.
US08676891B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transmitting a content data set to a computing device for displaying digital content to an author user, the author user having authored the digital content, receiving user input from the author user, the user input corresponding to the digital content, and, in response to receiving the user input, transmitting first data and second data to the computing device for display to the author user, the first data comprising a number of contacts that are able to access the digital content and the second data indicating one or more relationships between the author user and the contacts.
US08676889B2
A connection device according to an aspect of the present invention is a server (104) which establishes a connection among a terminal (101), a terminal (102), and a terminal (103) for a multipoint conference in which media data is directly transmitted and received among the terminals (101 to 103), the connection device includes a caller information obtaining unit (202) and a callee information obtaining unit (203) which obtains media information of the terminals, a holding unit (204) which transmits, to the terminal (101), a first message for preventing the terminal (101) from starting a transmission of the media data to the terminal (102) and the terminal (103), when the media information of the terminal (102) and the terminal (103) is not obtained, and a communication starting unit (205) which transmits a second message (i) including the media information of the terminal (102) and (ii) for causing the terminal (101) to start transmitting the media data to the terminal (102), when the media information of the terminal (102) is obtained after the first message is transmitted.
US08676885B2
The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file.
US08676881B2
A location update method, and a heterogeneous network communications system and a device are provided herein. The method includes: an information server receives a location update request message from a multimode terminal; the information server searches the pre-stored location area mapping information for the location area information of the second interface; and the information server sends the location update request message of the second interface to a second Paging Coordinator (PC) corresponding to the second interface, where the request message carries the found location area information of the second interface so that the second PC can update existing location area information of the second interface. The system includes an information server, a first PC and a second PC. Therefore, the interfaces of the multimode terminal do not need to initiate location update frequently, message interactions between the terminal and the network are reduced, and not all interfaces of the multimode terminal need to report location area information, thus saving power.
US08676880B2
A server apparatus includes, a transceiver unit to transmit to a communication apparatus a web page having link information to each of a plurality of contents, to transmit to the communication apparatus a content requested by the communication apparatus among the plurality of contents, and to transmit to the communication apparatus navigation information that includes link information to any of the plurality of contents; a storage unit to store identification information for identifying each of the plurality of contents and reference information indicating whether each content corresponding to the identification information is transmitted to the communication apparatus; and a generation unit to generate, on the basis of the reference information, the navigation information which does not include the link information corresponding to the content requested by the communication apparatus from among the plurality of contents.
US08676873B2
A circuit is provided with a plurality current cells. The current cells each comprise a main current source and an auxiliary current source coupled in parallel. The main current source supplies a main current to a current output of the current cell, and the auxiliary current source supplies an auxiliary current to the current output of the current cell. The main current sources are weighted according to a first predefined waveform, and the auxiliary current sources are weighted according to a second predefined waveform which is different from the first predefined waveform.
US08676867B2
A new file system is mounted to a mount point of an existing file system implemented in a computational system. A sentinel indicator is stored in the mount point. Prior to initiating an input/output (I/O) operation by a program, a determination is made by the program as to whether the sentinel indicator exists. In response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is performed by the program. In certain alternative embodiments, in response to determining by the program that the sentinel indicator exists, the I/O operation is not performed by the program.
US08676866B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for receiving a plurality of source hierarchical schemas, processing the source hierarchical schemas to generate a merged graph, which is comprising a plurality of merged nodes, each merged node being provided based on one or more nodes from at least two of the source hierarchical schemas, determining and resolving using conflicts in the merged graph to generate a conflict-free merged graph, wherein resolving comprises splitting one or more merged nodes into respective sub-sets of merged nodes, defining and processing a constraints satisfaction problem (CSP) to generate a plurality of mediated hierarchical schemas (MHSs), each MHS being a solution to the CSP, identifying an MHS of the plurality of MHSs as an optimum MHS, wherein a canonical hierarchical schema (CHS) is provided as the optimum MHS, and storing the CHS as a computer-readable document in a computer-readable memory.
US08676865B2
A query processing method intersects two or more unsorted lists based on a conjunction of predicates. Each list comprises a union of multiple sorted segments. The method performs lazy segment merging and an adaptive n-ary intersecting process. The lazy segment merging comprises starting with each list being a union of completely unmerged segments, such that lookups into a given list involve separate lookups into each segment of the given list. The method intersects the lists according to the predicates while performing the lazy segment merging, such that the lazy segment merging reads in only those portions of each segment that are needed for the intersecting. As the intersecting proceeds and the lookups are performed, the intersecting selectively merges the segments together, based on a cost-benefit analysis of the cost of merging compared to the benefit produced by reducing a number of lookups.
US08676860B2
A method includes querying a discovery registry associated with a data abstraction model of a database to discover one or more web services that are resolvable based on a particular logical field selected via a database query interface. The data abstraction model includes a plurality of logical fields that each correspond to a particular data structure of the database. A web service input of a discovered web service is associated with a first logical field of the data abstraction model via the discovery registry, and a web service output of the discovered web service is associated with a second logical field of the data abstraction model via the discovery registry. A modified database query interface includes a text entry element to receive a text search term and a first selectable input associated with the first discovered web service.
US08676850B2
A reference counter corresponding to a base chunk of a plurality of chunks of a deduplicated data object is maintained, where the reference counter is incremented in response to an insertion of any chunk that references the base chunk, and where the reference counter is decremented, in response to a deletion of any chunk that references the base chunk. A queue is defined for processing dereferenced chunks of the plurality of chunks. The dereferenced chunks in the queue are processed in a predefined order, to free storage space.
US08676840B2
A network's evolution is characterized by graph evolution rules. A graph, formed by merging multiple graphs representing the multiple snapshots of the network, that represents an evolutionary network is mined to identify evolutional patterns of the network. A pattern is selected from the identified patterns. Graph evolution rules are generated using identified evolutional patterns. The generated graph evolution rules represent the evolutional patterns of the network, the rules indicating that any occurrence of a child pattern of the selected pattern implies a corresponding occurrence of the selected pattern.
US08676838B2
Disclosed is a system for, and method of, determining whether records and entity representations should be linked. The system and method include assigning to each pair of entity references a match value reflecting the likelihood that the entity references are related. Based on the match values, each entity reference may then associated with a preferred entity reference. Pairs of entity references that are mutually preferred may then be identified and linked. The process may be iterated to generate further links.
US08676837B2
A system customizes a news document associated with a user of a news aggregation service. The system includes multiple news source servers that store news content and a remote news aggregation server. The news aggregation server creates a customized news document based on one or more personalized search queries received from a user. The news aggregation server fetches the news content from the multiple news source servers, aggregates the news content, and searches the aggregated news content based on the one or more personalized search queries. The news aggregation server provides selected news content to the customized news document based on results of the search.
US08676835B2
The invention described herein is generally directed to a method and apparatus for creating and retrieving audio data. In one implementation the invention comprises an annotation system configured to record, store, and retrieve media. The annotation system contains a set of client-processing devices configured to capture media for subsequent playback. Each client-processing device typically contains a record button to initiate the capture and is configured upon performing the capture operation to trigger an association of a unique ID with the media. The client-processing devices are further configured to upload the media and a unique ID to a server for purposes of storage. The server obtains the media and unique ID for subsequent retrieval and provides the media and the unique ID to at least one client-processing device from the set of client processing devices.
US08676829B2
There is provided an ecommerce method and system to generate a data dictionary for searching data items stored in a database. In one embodiment, the system comprises a candidate list generator module to generate a list of keywords from search query information and generate a set of token pairs including a keyword from the list of keywords and a token, the token being a synonym of the keyword. Demand information retrieved from query logs maintained for user-provided query entries is used to apply candidate selection rules to token pairs. The system also comprises a validation module and a data dictionary module to receive validated token pairs as entries in a vocabulary.
US08676824B2
A first search query is received from a user, the first search query having one or more characters, and a search result is determined based on the first search query. Based on the search result, the first search query is determined to have an incorrect input mapping. A first keyboard layout is identified for the first search query, and a second keyboard layout is identified. A corrected search query is generated from the first search query by mapping characters from the first keyboard layout to characters in the second keyboard layout. A corrected search result is determined based on the corrected search query, and the corrected search result is presented to the user.
US08676815B2
The subject innovation provides for systems and methods to facilitate weighted suffix tree clustering. Conventional suffix tree cluster models can be augmented by incorporating quality measures to facilitate improved performance. Further the quality measure can be employed in determining cluster labels that show improvements in accuracy over conventional means. Additionally “stopnodes” can be defined to facilitate traversing suffix tree models efficiently. Quality measurements can be determined based in part on weighting factors applied to terms in a vector model, said terms being mapped from a suffix tree model.
US08676809B1
Embodiments of the present invention include a method and apparatus for performing incremental mapping of virtual machine incremental images. The method and apparatus comprise creating a map of the base file as well as the incremental file, utilizing at least a portion of the file tables contained in the various images. This map indicates the type of change (i.e., whether the file is contained completely in an incremental image, is contained in the base image, or is contained in both). In another embodiment, the map may also contain the location of the change or the location of the file within the sequentially stored images upon the backup media.
US08676808B2
Methods and systems for facilitating distribution of application functionality across a multi-tier client-server architecture are provided. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for instantiating a DataMap. A data store interface reads a set of definitions and instructions from a datastore that describe the structure of the DataMap. The data store interface interprets the set of definitions and instructions to instantiate the DataMap. According to another embodiment, a method is provided for indexing into a DataMap. A data store interface receives an expression. The data store interface parses the expression to identify a set of keys suitable for indexing into the DataMap and corresponding DataPoints.
US08676796B2
The present invention relates to displaying coordinated related-search feedback in a single active window, to help a user develop, refine and select a useful search. In particular, it relates to conducting a plurality of related searches and making the results simultaneously available to the user in a coordinated display.
US08676789B2
Systems and methods sort location dependent information based on selecting multiple groups of information according to location, ordering the groups based on location, and ordering the information within the groups based on at least one or more other criteria. The size(s) of the areas used to select the groups may be predetermined, or dynamically determined (e.g., based on clustering of information along distance to a location of interest).
US08676785B2
System and method for translating statements and expressions within statistical language programs into SQL. These statements include one or more input statements and have a plurality of data rows. These statements include one or more array statements, the array statements having a set of original variables. The method for translating statements and expressions within statistical language programs into SQL includes the step of defining a select statement including a subset of the original variables. The expressions include one or more assignment expressions, the assignment expressions including a set of original variables and a set of new variables affected by the assignment expressions.
US08676782B2
The present invention provides an information collection apparatus, an information collection method, and a program capable of collecting information from information resources on a network effectively as well as a search engine that searches the information resources collected. An information collection apparatus of the present invention that collects information from information resources on a network includes an extraction unit that acquires data from an information resource via the network to extract a link-destination address included in the data, a calculation unit that calculates, by comparing each link-destination address with a collection rule describing a set of addresses qualified for a collection target, a score for each link-destination address that reflects a distance from the set to a link-destination information resource indicated by the link-destination address, and a judgment unit that judges whether the link-destination information resource is to be included in the collection target or not in accordance with the score calculated for the link-destination information resource.
US08676779B2
A computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying machine-readable digital data arranged to facilitate expedited searching. The data includes a plurality of words residing in a table having rows and columns, each word residing in a different row and each letter of the word occupying a different column in that row. Each continuous run of same letters in a column forms an interval. The words are positioned relative to each other to maximize lengths of the intervals, and/or optimize efficiency of compression of the columns by run length encoding.
US08676773B2
Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to performing sub-transactions from a long-lived transaction using an identifier, wherein the sub-transactions are required to be completed in a sequence for the long-lived transaction. In some embodiments, the method is further directed to determining that the sub-transactions require a write of a data value to a database, writing in a log, using the identifier, an entry that indicates the data value, detecting an interruption in performing of the write of the data value to the database, and initiating re-performance of the sub-transactions in order of the sequence. Some embodiments are further directed to, during re-performance of the sub-transactions, detecting the data value in the entry of the log using the identifier, and using the data value indicated in the entry of the log to write the data value to the database.
US08676766B2
A computer-readable recording medium stores a cluster system control program controlling a cluster system in which clustered nodes are connected to a shared disk having a journaling file system. The cluster system control program causes a computer to execute a request reply information generation procedure for, when a request is accepted from a client, generating request reply information including an identification number identifying the request and reply data to respond to the request from the client, and a saving procedure for saving the request reply information generated by the request reply information generation procedure in the journaling file system.
US08676764B1
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for backing up data. In some embodiments, this includes setting a minimum number of files modified, setting a minimum amount of time elapsed, scanning a computer system for files to backup, determining if there were at least the minimum number of files modified on the computer system within the minimum amount of time elapsed, grouping the files based on the determination, and storing the grouping in a storage device.
US08676759B1
A continuous data backup using real time delta storage has been presented. A backup appliance receives a backup request from a backup agent running on a computing machine to back up data on the computing machine. The computing machine is communicatively coupled to the backup appliance. Then the backup appliance performs block-based real-time backup of the data on the computing machine. The backup appliance stores backup data of the computing machine in a computer-readable storage device in the backup appliance.
US08676753B2
Replicated instances in a database environment provide for automatic failover and recovery. A monitoring component can obtain a lease enabling the component to periodically communicate with, and monitor, one or more data instances in the data environment, where the data instance can be a replicated instance including a primary and a secondary replica. For a large number of instances, the data environment can be partitioned such that each monitoring component can be assigned a partition of the workload. In the event of a failure of a monitoring component, the instances can be repartitioned and the remaining monitoring components can be assigned to the new partitions to substantially evenly distribute the workload.
US08676752B2
A method and system that annotates a redo log to provide information concerning the execution of a procedure at a primary database. The annotations include entry and exit markers that indicate the beginning and the end of the execution along with any arguments passed to the procedure, and whether the execution of the procedure was successful. At the standby database, these markers are used to create a logical transaction associated with the procedure. The operations performed by the procedure are grouped into individual transactions, and these individual transactions are grouped as belonging to the logical transaction. If the execution of the procedure was successful at the primary database, then the individual transactions are discarded, and the logical transaction is applied by executing the procedure at the standby database. If the execution of the procedure failed at the primary database, then the individual transactions and the logical transaction are discarded.
US08676746B2
A method of evaluating an implementation of a DBMS is provided. The method comprises collecting data associated with the implementation of the DBMS and accessing a database comprising problems and their associated solutions, wherein the solutions are configured to remedy at least one of the problems. The method further comprises comparing the data associated with the implementation of the DBMS with the problems and identifying at least one problem associated with the DBMS. Finally, a DBMS risk assessment report is generated that identifies the problem associated with the DBMS and a solution configured to remedy the problem.
US08676741B2
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a method, product, apparatus and system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring, by a processor, a predetermined number of web pages viewed by a user; determining a likelihood that the user is interested in a related web page based on previously viewed web pages; comparing the determined likelihood against a predetermined threshold value; and preloading the related web page for viewing by the user if the determined likelihood is greater than the predetermined threshold value.
US08676736B2
A system and method of providing personalized item recommendations in a communication system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices. At the server, a plurality of user rating vectors are received from a plurality of client devices and aggregated into a rating matrix that is factorized into a user feature matrix and an item feature matrix, with the product of the user feature and item feature matrixes approximating the user rating matrix. The factorization comprises the steps of the ALS1 or the IALS1 algorithm including: initializing the user feature matrix and the item feature matrix with predefined initial values; alternately optimizing the user feature matrix and the item feature matrix until a termination condition is met. The item feature matrix is transmitted from the server to at least one client device, and a predictive rating vector is generated as the product of the associated user feature vector and the item feature matrix. At least one item is selected for recommendation to a user from the items associated with the predictive rating vector.
US08676734B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure support techniques for storing synaptic weights separately from a neuro-processor chip into a replaceable storage. The replaceable synaptic memory gives a unique functionality to the neuro-processor and improves its flexibility for supporting a large variety of applications. In addition, the replaceable synaptic storage can provide more choices for the type of memory used, and might decrease the area and implementation cost of the overall neuro-processor chip.
US08676731B1
A data extraction system for receiving and scanning documents to generate ordered input for storage in a database employs a non-linear statistical model for a data extraction sequence having a plurality of transformations. Each transformation transitions an extracted data value in various forms from a raw data image to a computed data value. For each transformation, a confidence model learns a confidence component for the particular transformation. The learned confidence components, generated from a control set of documents having known values, are employed in a production mode with actual raw data. The confidence component corresponds to a likelihood of transformation accuracy, and the confidence model aggregates the confidence components to compute a confidence for the extracted data value. A database stores the extracted data value labeled with the computed confidence attribute for subsequent use by an application employing the extracted data.
US08676727B2
Provided is an apparatus determining values of N and K for an abnormality diagnostic logic which makes a diagnosis N times for each diagnosis target by using observation values collected therefrom, and generates a diagnosis result showing that the diagnosis target is abnormal if the diagnosis target is judged to be abnormal K or more times. A calculator calculates average false detection rate PFP, average overlooking rate PFN, bias level of false detection MFP, and bias level of overlooking MFN, based on diagnosis result data and inspection result data. A determiner calculates an optimization metric for each combination of values N and K by using the average false detection rate, the bias level of false detection, the average overlooking rate, and the bias level of overlooking, and selects a pair of N and K by which the optimization metric becomes minimum or a threshold value or less.
US08676715B2
Methods and systems for verification of indicia that do not require key management systems, and in which revocation of key pairs is easily performed without adding costs to the verification process are provided. Indicia are generated and authenticated utilizing an identity-based encryption (IBE) scheme. A key generating authority generates a private key for a PSD, distributes the private key securely to the PSD, and provides public information for use by a verification service when verifying cryptographic digital signatures generated with the private key. The corresponding public key is a string consisting of PSD information that is provided as part of the indicium. The verification service can verify the signature of each indicium by obtaining the public key string from the indicium, and utilizing the key generating authority's public information.
US08676707B2
A credit card system is provided which has the added feature of providing additional limited use credit card numbers and/or cards. These numbers and/or cards can be used for a single or limited use transaction, thereby reducing the potential for fraudulent reuse of these numbers and/or cards. The credit card system finds application to “card remote” transactions such as by phone or Internet. Additionally, when a single use or limited use credit card is used for “card present” transactions, so called “skimming” fraud is eliminated. Various other features enhance the credit card system, which will allow secure trade without the use of elaborate encryption techniques. Methods for limiting, distributing and using a limited use card number, controlling the validity of a limited use credit card number, conducting a limited use credit card number transaction and providing remote access devices for accessing a limited use credit card number are also provided.
US08676703B2
An insurance policy is stored (101) as a plurality of discrete temporally-sequential policy data revisions. A legally binding revision for a first given date is then determined (102) by identifying all policy data revisions effective on the first given date and choosing a most temporally recent policy data revision temporally prior to a second given date. When a new policy data revision is (103) temporally subsequent as compared to a first policy data revision and also comprises a legally effective date range preceding at least in part an effective date range of the first policy data revision, legally non-overlapping policy data revisions are created (104) for each legally overlapping effective date range as exists between the new policy data revision and all temporally preceding revisions. Each newly-created legally non-overlapping policy data revision comprises changes introduced by the new policy data revision and at least one temporally preceding policy data revision.
US08676702B1
A method and apparatus for generating at least one bill in a packet network is described. In one embodiment, a request to change a billing cycle is received by an application server from a customer via a packet network. The billing cycle is subsequently changed to a modified billing cycle in accordance to the received request. Lastly, at least one bill is generated by the application server in accordance with the modified billing cycle.
US08676696B2
The present invention is a system and method for providing a trading platform for the trade of F.I.s. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a server or server cluster including at least one Interfacing Server adapted to interface with a user, possibly via a distributed data network such as the interne. The IS1 may be adapted to present to a user a trading platform, to receive from a user trade instructions, via the platform, and execute them. The trading platform may include innovative trade options including mid-trade options (e.g. trade insurance), batch trade options, series trade options, parlay trade options and “close now”/“extend” options.
US08676693B2
A margin requirement is computed while trading. The margin requirement may be calculated while trading because the preferred system takes into account working orders to generate the margin requirement. The on the fly possibility allows the preferred system to provide pre-trade risk calculations, but can also be used to provide post-trade calculations. A generic spread number and the maximum number of outright positions are determined. Average expirations for the generic spread are computed. Using the spread positions, the average expirations and the maximum number of outright positions, a spread margin and an outright margin are calculated, which when summed provide a total margin requirement. Limits based in part on the total margin requirement may be imposed on one or more traders.
US08676686B2
An investment program for funding benefits by maintaining assets in the investment program that includes an employer owned trust account and at least one life, disability, health or annuity contract (including a terminal annuity) obtained directly or indirectly from a partially or wholly owned or non-owned captive insurance company. The insurance contract is purchased with assets from the trust account and the partially or wholly owned or non-owned captive insurance company is a least partially, wholly or non-owned by the employer. When paying or reimbursing benefits, the employer or the trust may pay the benefit and if the employer pays the benefit, the trust may reimburse the employer.
US08676685B2
Financial and player tracking/reward transactions are facilitated by a system including at least one server and a plurality of gaming machines. The server has a memory containing data files corresponding to players that contain information such as credits or monies in an account belonging to the player. The data files also contain player tracking information, such as points awarded to a player based upon their game play. Players are issued media in the form of player cards having identification information thereon that may be used to access the player's account or files. A player and a casino may manage the player's accounts, such as by placing criteria upon the account, including the use of associated credits. A player may play a game using credits associated with their account. A player may also manage their accounts, including viewing financial and game play or reward information and transfer funds into and out of an account.
US08676683B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and computer program products for facilitating a business relationship between a customer and at least one provider. The methods, systems and computer program products allow for a system for conducting business transactions and/or facilitating business relationships wholly electronically via an e-vault system. The e-vault system provides at least one interface for one or more client systems to upload data to and from an storage system via a network.
US08676682B2
A system for generating a schedule for use in triggering transmission of message content in a telecommunications network is provided. The system comprises a store for storing profiles of a plurality of recipients, and a plurality of message delivery campaigns with one or more criteria. The campaigns to be executed in relation to a given inventory, which may relate to a predetermined time period, may be arranged into one or more campaign clusters. A suitable allocation method may be used individually for each of said plurality of campaign clusters to allocate, among the plurality of recipients, target recipients for each of the campaign clusters based on campaign criteria and the profiles. The allocation process may be repeated to obtain, for example as high a number of messages as possible with the network resources available without exceeding a predetermined maximum number of messages per any given recipient. After the allocation process is completed, the campaign messages are delivered to the allocated target recipients via a communications network.
US08676679B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for establishing and using credit limits between counterparties and for managing risk in the trading of financial interests. A trading party may control the amount of future financial exposure that the trading party will incur with any counterparty in one or more future time periods in trades by the trading party during a trading session. Credit limits may be used to permit proposed trades to be completed or not depending upon available credit. Where there is insufficient credit, the trade may be blocked or otherwise prevented from progressing towards completion. If there is insufficient credit and if trading up to available credit is permitted, a partial trade for an amount up to the credit limit may be allowed. During a trading session, the credit remaining of a set credit limit between the trading party and the respective counterparty is changed according to trades executed between the trading party and the counterparty. After the end of the trading session, the remaining credit may be automatically reset to the set credit limit for each counterparty and future time period.
US08676676B2
A system and method for associating payments with spending vehicles so that an individual who is entitled to receive periodic or special payments such as social security checks receives in place of the payment a spending vehicle such as a discount card, rebate, or coupon for use with purchases of the sponsor's products or services. Sponsors include companies and organizations interested in offering purchase incentives to their customers. An individual who wishes to receive a spending vehicle rather than the regular payment selects the spending vehicle he or she would like to receive. The individual then assigns his or her right to receive the payment to a third party. The third party then arranges to give a spending vehicle to the individual and to transfer the individual's payment to the sponsor of the spending vehicle. The third party may take a portion of the payment as compensation for the service.
US08676672B2
Systems and methods for electronic delivery of stored value are provided. An example method includes receiving a set of identifiers corresponding to a merchant's stored value tracking system, receiving a request for an electronic value card, associating an identifier from the set of identifiers with the electronic value card, synchronizing the merchant's stored value tracking system with the issued electronic value card, and delivering the electronic value card to a customer. An example system includes a merchant stored value tracking system having a set of unique identifiers, a network communicatively linked with a merchant stored value tracking system; and a value card manager communicatively linked with the network. The value card manager may be configured to receive a request for an electronic value card, synchronize the electronic value card with the merchant stored value tracking system using the unique identifiers, and deliver the electronic value card to a customer for use in the merchant stored value tracking system.
US08676671B2
Systems and methods provide shipping services information. In one implementation, a method is provided in which an e-commerce server receives a request for shipping information from an end-user. The e-commerce server generates an extensible markup language (XML) request based on the requested shipping information and sends the XML request to an application programming interface (API) server. The API server determines, based on the XML request, one of a plurality of API modules stored in the API server to process the XML request and generates an XML response based on data included in the XML request. The API server sends the XML response to the e-commerce server, which sends the XML response to the end-user.
US08676669B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for providing confirmations for list modifications. A network page is sent to a client. The network page includes one or more components for requesting that one or more items be added to a list of items. The item(s) are added to the list of items in response to a request from the client. A display region is encoded for rendering in the client as a layer superimposed on the network page. The display region includes a confirmation that the item(s) have been added to the list of items. The display region includes one or more undo components for requesting that a last modification to the list of items be reversed.
US08676667B1
A method for simulating the entire superset of potential valid keyword regular expression requests constructed during an Internet browser search and converting the result sets into Environmental summary report to enable efficient and accurate searching without requiring Browser Engine supercomputer cluster searching capabilities.
US08676664B2
A method and system are provided that enable buyers and sellers to communicate with each other and to negotiate the purchase terms of featured merchandise in a group-buying opportunity. Sellers and buyers may use various forms of on-line group-buying mechanisms in conjunction with the negotiation features of the invention. Buyers may send various inquiries to sellers regarding merchandise offered for sale through the online group-buying sale. Sellers may respond to buyer questions and queries, and in some instances, sellers may communicate instructions to the on-line group-buying mechanism to alter the course of an on-line group-buying sale in progress, e.g., a further reduction in price. The method and system further provides a mechanism for calculating a demand curve based on received buyer offers and applying the demand curve to an on-line group-buying sale.
US08676662B1
A method is provided for selecting one of a plurality of different bedding mattresses for a customer. The method includes the steps of receiving a first set of data related to body characteristics of the customer and receiving a second set of data related to a dominant sleep position of the customer. The method further includes the steps of processing the first and second sets of data to evaluate support needs for a customer and determining which of the plurality of bedding mattresses has support characteristics that closely match the support needs of the customer.
