US08784472B2

A catheter assembly has an engaged state and an unengaged state comprising a proximal member having a longitudinal axis and a distal member having a longitudinal axis. A distal end of the proximal member is removably engageable to the distal member. The distal member has a first distal portion and a second distal portion, and the first distal portion is retractable from the second distal portion. In the engaged state the distal member is substantially freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis and in relation to the proximal member. In the engaged state the proximal member is constructed and arranged to be moved in a direction along the longitudinal axis such that proximal movement of the proximal member retracts at least the first distal portion of the distal member from at least the second distal portion.
US08784471B2

A method is described for delivering a prosthesis to a branch region of a blood vessel, the branch region having first and second blood vessel branches, the prosthesis comprising a main conduit and first and second branch conduits. The method includes inserting a first guide wire in the blood vessel such that it extends through the blood vessel into the first blood vessel branch; inserting a second guide wire in the blood vessel such that it extends through the blood vessel into the second blood vessel branch; moving the prosthesis to the branch region by moving the first branch conduit along the first guide wire and the second branch conduit along the second guide wire; and moving the first/second branch conduit along the first/second guide wire from a first position in which they project inside the main conduit to a second position in which they project out from the main conduit.
US08784468B2

Stent delivery systems, locking members for preventing unwanted actuation of a actuation member on a stent delivery system, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A deployment sheath may be disposed about the inner member. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath. A handle may be coupled to the inner member and to the deployment sheath. The handle may include an actuation member. The actuation member may be configured to shift the longitudinal position of the deployment sheath relative to the inner member. A locking member may be disposed on the actuation member. The locking member may be configured to prevent unwanted actuation of the actuation member.
US08784467B2

Non-occlusive modeling catheters including a dilation device for expanding an endoprosthesis implanted in a vessel are disclosed. In an embodiment, a modeling catheter includes a device comprising a plurality of compliant wires braided in a double overlapping pattern and having a length spanning between a proximal end of the device and a distal end of the device, wherein the device is positioned in at least a portion of an endoprosthesis implanted in a vessel, wherein, when the device is in a relaxed state, a plurality of spaces are formed between the plurality of wires to allow fluid to move freely through the plurality of spaces, and wherein, when the device is in a dilated state, the plurality of wires are sufficiently designed to exert a radial force on the endoprosthesis while continually allowing the fluid to move freely through the plurality of spaces.
US08784462B2

Method of producing a therapeutic laser device (TLD). The TLD includes stretchable, flexible membranes which comprise a high pressure air cavity. High air pressure is produced by fans which are speed controllable by computer. Standoff posts provide, an attachment function, and a separation function between the TLD and the patient. Semiconductor laser diodes and lens sets in a two dimensional array produce the therapeutic laser light. Cooling air tubes direct air controlled by temperature sensors from the high pressure cavity onto laser diodes. Capacitive proximity sensors in conjunction with infrared radiation sensors confirm close contact with a patient and allow lasing. Power is supplied either by battery or by connection to mains power. A touch screen computerized device with wireless communication displays information to the user and controls the therapy session. The TLD and the power supply both have stretchable straps enabling the TLD to be fixed to the patient.
US08784455B2

A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra, a receiving part connected to the shank the receiving part having a first end opposite to the shank and a second end facing the shank, a longitudinal axis passing through the two ends, a bore coaxial with the longitudinal axis extending from the first end through at least a portion of the receiving part and a substantially U-shaped recess for receiving a rod The U-shaped recess forms two free legs extending in the direction of the first end, the legs are provided with an internal thread. A locking device for securing the rod in the receiving part is provided which includes an external thread cooperating with the internal thread. An engagement structure is provided at the circumference of least a part of the outer surface projecting above the first end of the receiving part, the structure being engageable with a tool in a form-fit manner and wherein a maximum outer diameter of said first locking member in the region of said structure is larger than the inner diameter of the internal thread of the receiving part.
US08784453B1

A dynamic spinal stabilization system that enables spinal movements throughout a range of motions from a neutral condition of the spine, to a flexion condition, and an extension condition. The system includes elastomeric members operatively located to substantially eliminate metal-to-metal contact of metal components of the system that are movable relative to one another, one of the elastomeric members having a stepped configuration.
US08784452B2

A transconnector for joining adjacent longitudinal spinal rods. The transconnector preferably includes a bridge member and a pair of bone fixation coupling elements, the bridge member is preferably sized and configured to span a distance between the pair of bone fixation coupling elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the bridge member and sized and configured to receive one of the bone fixation elements. The bone fixation coupling elements are preferably sized and configured to engage the body portion of the bone fixation element. The bone fixation coupling elements may include a locking cap having a first set of threads for threadably engaging the bone fixation element.
US08784446B1

An implantable device for treating a vascular cavity or vascular malformation may include a plurality of wires woven to form a textile structure expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state. The textile structure may have a longitudinal axis and may include, in the expanded state, a first longitudinal segment, a second longitudinal segment, and a lumen configured to allow perfusion of blood through the textile structure parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal segment may include a first circumferential portion including a first braid angle and a second circumferential portion opposite the first circumferential portion and including a second braid angle greater than the first braid angle. At least one of the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment may comprise a bulb.
US08784445B2

An intravascular filter comprising a plurality of struts extending from a central hub. The distal ends of the struts are curved to form an anchor to the vessel wall. The hub has a hook for retrieving the filter. The filter may be removed by employing a torque force to the hook, so as to disengage the strut ends from the vessel wall.
US08784441B2

Embolectomy catheters, rapid exchange microcatheters, systems and methods for removing clots or other obstructive matter (e.g., thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, foreign objects, etc.) from blood vessels. This invention is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters of this invention are advanceable with or over a guidewire which has been pre-inserted through or around the clot. Also, in some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters include clot removal devices which are deployable from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the clot. The clot removal device may include a deployable wire nest that is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough. The delivery catheter may include telescoping inner and outer tubes, with the clot removal device being radially constrained by the outer tube. Retraction of the outer tube removes the constraint on the clot removal device and permits it to expand to its deployed configuration. An infusion guidewire is particularly useful in conjunction with the embolectomy catheter, and permits infusion of medicaments or visualization fluids distal to the clot.
US08784439B1

Percutaneous medical procedures are provided, which use endovascular instruments to install mechanical closures for closing vessels, such as veins. The mechanical closures can be one or more sutures that are anchored to the vessel walls and then cinched to closed the vessel. The mechanical closures can also be resilient clips or stents that are expanded within the vessel to pierce the vessel walls, and are then contracted to pull the vessel closed. Various techniques for installing the mechanical closures are also described.
US08784436B2

A proctological instrument is disclosed comprising an instrument handle to which at its proximal end a bending-resistant tubular shaft is mounted at the distal end of which a cap is fixed or formed to which a tissue clip adapted to be withdrawn from the cap by means of a releasing or withdrawing device is attached in a preferably spring-elastic manner. In accordance with the invention, the tubular shaft is offset at its distal end portion in an area directly ahead of the cap and/or the cap itself is offset at a predetermined fixed angle so that the withdrawing direction for the clip defined by the cap is aligned at the angle with respect to the tubular shaft axis.
US08784428B2

A device for measuring a degree of bending of an intramedullary nail comprises a probe sized and shaped for insertion into a cannulation of an intramedullary nail. The probe including a first longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end and a second longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal axis from a distal end to a proximal end, the distal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements attached to one another so that the longitudinal axes of the first and second longitudinal elements extend substantially parallel to each other and define a middle plane. A measuring element measures relative axial displacement of the proximal ends of the first and second longitudinal elements in the middle plane upon bending of the first and second longitudinal elements as the probe is inserted into a cannulation of the intramedullary nail.
US08784421B2

Tissue removal probes comprise an elongated member, a drive shaft rotatably disposed within the member, and a rotatable tissue removal element mounted to the distal end of the drive shaft. One tissue removal element comprises a plurality of tissue-cutting filaments affixed at proximal and distal ends of the tissue removal element. The cutting filaments may have optional hinge points that allow the distal end of the tissue removal element to be inverted, thereby transforming the tissue removal element from a tissue-cutting device to a tissue-grasping device. Another tissue removal element may have a blunted tip to prevent distal tissue trauma and an irrigation port to provide irrigation fluid to the removed tissue and/or tissue removal element. Another tissue removal element has a proximal and distal spiral grooves that are oppositely pitched, so that removed tissue can be collected in the middle of the tissue removal element.
US08784419B2

An adaptable bone fixation plate and bone fixation system are configured to provide an anterior spinal plate with anterior pedicle screws includes a first plate section adjustably coupled to a second plate section using an arrangement that provides both superior-inferior adjustability of the plate sections as well as lateral adjustability of the plate sections to orient the first and second plate sections with respect to the desired orientation and disposition of two or more bone screws.
US08784417B2

A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members having a proximal end and a distal end. The jaw members are moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface. An electrical energy source may be connected to the tissue sealing surfaces so that the sealing surfaces can conduct energy to tissue. Each electrode may be pivotably connected on a distal end to the respective jaw member to promote parallel closure of the sealing surfaces against tissue between the jaw members. Each electrode may be connected to its respective jaw member on a proximal end via a resilient member to bias the electrode against tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08784413B2

A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. A resilient member couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the distal tip engages the tissue. A position sensor within the probe senses a position of the distal tip relative to the distal end of the insertion tube, which changes in response to deformation of the resilient member.
US08784408B2

The present invention relates generally to methods of preventing or treating toxicities of the skin, hair, and/or nails, which are associated with administration of one or more vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors, with light-emitting diode photomodulation treatment, either alone or in combination with other agents.
US08784406B2

An ophthalmological patient interface device (27), for application onto an eye (3) comprises a coupling part (21) for attaching mechanically the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) to an optical projection system (20) of an ophthalmological apparatus (1). The ophthalmological patient interface device (27) further comprises a firm, ring-shaped, and transparent contact part (272) configured to contact a ring-shaped peripheral surface area (B) of the cornea, when the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) is applied on the cornea, while leaving uncovered by the contact part (272) a round central surface area (C) of the cornea, surrounded by the peripheral surface area (B), and to let pass a laser beam (L1) from the optical projection system (20) through the contact part (272) into eye tissue (30) covered by the ring-shaped peripheral surface area (B) of the cornea, when the ophthalmological patient interface device (27) is coupled to the optical projection system (20).
US08784404B2

A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.
US08784403B2

An actuator comprises a cavity containing a working medium that reversibly expands as it undergoes a phase change from a solid to a liquid state, a diaphragm disposed adjacent the cavity such that expansion and contraction of the expandable working medium causes the diaphragm to deflect, and a semiconductor element disposed in the cavity, wherein the semiconductor element is adapted to heat the working medium to cause it to undergo the phase change into the liquid state. The actuator may be used in a pump for an infusion system.
US08784399B2

The method described herein reduces the amount of aggregating metal released into solutions of Interferon-β.
US08784398B2

An absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a rear area (8), a front area (6) and an intermediate crotch area (12), first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body. Side parts (16,17) are joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16,17) having an inner face and an outer face, the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31). The retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the main part are lower than the retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the side parts (16) in the front area (6).
US08784395B2

A wearable absorbent article having features for the containment and absorption of bodily exudates. The article may comprise an outer cover and an absorbent insert. The outer cover may be formed of durable or semi-durable materials and be launderable. The insert may be disposable. The insert may have containment and absorption features that prevent soiling of the outer cover by the wearer's exudates, so that the outer cover may be reused after an exudation event and change of inserts. The insert and/or the outer cover may have features to enhance containment, absorption, economy of materials and/or fit that make them asymmetric about their respective lateral axes, and may have features that direct a user to install the insert and/or the outer cover with correct front-rear orientation relative the wearer. Articles of commerce including packages of outer covers and/or inserts in varying combinations of numbers and features are also described.
US08784394B2

A device for the drainage of a pleural effusion through an operatively engaged chest tube in the chest wall. The device employs a check valve situated between a vacuum source communicating with the chest tube to prevent reversal of the fluid flow out of the patient's body and possible contamination. A valve mounted on a vacuum bottle provides user control of communication of negative pressure from the vacuum bottle to the chest tube. Opening the valve on the bottle communicates negative pressure to the chest tube relative to the pressure in the tube thereby initiating a fluid flow out of the tube and the patient. Once the valve on the bottle is closed, fluid flow ceases and the check valve prevents reversal of the flow.
US08784390B2

A spray nozzle system for skin treatments includes separate air outlets moving over the skin surface to deliver one or more streams of supplemental air for the purpose of warming or drying the skin surface to improve efficacy and comfort of the spraying experience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin. A heating source is provided to warm the air directed through one or more heated air ports. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the heated air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the air emitted through the nozzle's higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effect inherent with the spray nozzle ports. In another implementation, the airflow is redirected from the nozzle jets to one or more of the supplemental ports using a control valve which proportions the amount of airflow directed to the main atomizer air jets, the pattern shaping air jets and the supplemental air for drying the skin.
US08784376B2

Syringe assemblies having a passive disabling system to prevent reuse are provided. According to one or more embodiments, the syringe assembly comprises a barrel, plunger rod and detachable thumb press wherein the plunger rod further comprises flexible locking petals that lock the plunger rod within the barrel and one or more frangible connection or break point at the proximal end of the plunger rod disposed either inside the thumb press or immediately adjacent to the thumb press to separate the thumb press from the main body of the plunger rod when a user applies sufficient proximal force to the plunger rod after it has been locked within the barrel.
US08784375B2

A safety carpule system with integral retractable needle includes a piston element disposed between a needle hub assembly and a plunger element, each being axially slideable within a cylindrical housing. A medication-filled fluid chamber is defined between the plunger element and the piston element. The piston element is forced to into a fluid release position by way of an increase in fluid pressure within the fluid chamber, which in turn is caused by actuation of the plunger element toward the needle hub assembly by way of a syringe plunger rod. When the piston element is in fluid release position, the medication is able to flow from the fluid chamber through the needle as the syringe plunger rod is further compressed. Once the carpule system is spent, the piston element is latchably engaged by both the needle hub assembly and the plunger element, thus allowing the needle to be fully retracted into the housing upon return of the syringe plunger rod to its extended position. The spent carpule system with retracted needle is then conveniently removable from the syringe barrel for safe handling and disposal.
US08784370B2

A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
US08784369B2

A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
US08784362B2

A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.
US08784359B2

A peritoneal dialysis (PD) system that includes a disposable PD cassette including a base having a substantially planar portion and a dome-shaped protrusion extending from the substantially planar portion and a flexible membrane attached to the base and covering a recessed region of the dome-shaped protrusion to form a pumping chamber between the flexible membrane and the recessed region of the dome-shaped protrusion. The system also includes a PD machine including a deck and a door hinged from one side to the deck. The door and the deck can cooperate to form a cassette compartment, and the door has a cylindrical recess positioned to receive the dome-shaped protrusion of the base of the disposable PD cassette when the disposable PD cassette is disposed in the cassette compartment and the door is closed.
US08784356B2

An ultrasonic endovascular clearing device for use in a bodily lumen includes a powering handle configured to enclose one or more acoustic drivers, an acoustic amplifier and/or acoustic matching section including one or more amplifiers and/or matching elements and a driven wire. The acoustic drivers are configured to produce acoustic vibration in the ultrasonic frequency range. The amplifier/matching section matches and amplifies the acoustic vibration and drives the wire accordingly. The wire cleans due to one or both of a) its asymmetric shape being driven, b) its feature-enhanced surface being driven, whether on an asymmetric wire or not. The driving is pulsed or continuous, cavitating or noncavitating, and torsional or radial/lateral in its possible operational embodiments. A drug may be used by or delivered by the device and wire/tissue parameter sensing is optionally provided.
US08784354B2

Described herein is a positioning tool having an elongate portion for carrying a medical implant. Also described is a method of positioning a medical implant using an elongate positioning tool. One form of the method includes positioning a medical implant on a distal portion of an elongate positioning tool, inserting the positioning tool with the implant thereon into a body cavity manipulating the positioning tool to position the implant into contact with tissue at an attachment location, attaching the implant to surrounding tissue at the attachment location, separating the implant from the positioning tool, and withdrawing the positioning tool from the body. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the implant is visually confirmed using an endoscope before the implant is attached to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the implant is a satiation device and the body cavity is the esophagus and/or stomach. In an alternative embodiment, an expansion structure on the distal end of the elongate portion expands and/or contracts the medical implant to facilitate positioning.
US08784353B2

A device for reversing the blood flow for an extracorporeal blood treatment device, which has an extracorporeal blood circuit, includes an arterial blood line leading from a patient to a blood treatment unit and a venous blood line leading from the blood treatment unit to the patient. Furthermore, an extracorporeal blood treatment device includes a device for reversing the blood flow, and a method includes determining the reversal of the blood flow during an extracorporeal blood treatment. The device for reversing the blood flow for an extracorporeal blood treatment device includes two valve bodies which are rotated relative to one another for reversing the blood flow. The device for reversing the blood flow includes a communication device for receiving an electromagnetic high-frequency field from a read unit of the extracorporeal blood treatment device and for generating at least one identifier characterizing the position of the valve bodies which can be read by the read device.
US08784351B2

A compression garment has panels of elasticized fabric joined by seams of flat lock stitching to define, when worn, specific areas of compression, areas of compression being the perineum, caesarian wound area and rectus abdominus muscles or the perineum and the pelvic joints.
US08784343B2

The application is directed to devices and methods useful for expanding the range of motion of joints based on principles of stress relaxation and creep. Expanded range of motion is achieved by placing body parts near the joint in positions that stretch tissue around the joint. Even when the device is in any one position, it can impart forces on the body members to urge them to stretch surrounding tissue even further.
US08784341B2

A body force measurement system for both assessment and therapeutic usage comprising a non-rigid tongue depressor with a force sensing element attached to it and a means of converting the force sensed into quantifiable data. The system provides convenient method for making body force measurements consistent with current clinical practice and without the need for a fixed registration point.
US08784337B2

Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include a core wire having a distal portion. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein and may have a longitudinal axis. The tubular member may include a variably spaced slot section that has a flexural rigidity that varies from a first flexural rigidity to a second flexural rigidity. The transition from the first flexural rigidity to the second flexural rigidity may be a function of a fourth power equation. The first flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10−6 to about 9×10−5 lbs-inches2. The second flexural rigidity may be in the range of about 1×10−3 to about 5×10−3 lbs-inches2.
US08784325B2

Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring blood pressure. The blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a pressure sensor detecting a sphygmus wave and pressure of a blood vessel in a subject, a pulse detecting unit detecting a peak-to-peak interval of the sphygmus wave of the subject, an optimum rate of pressure change detecting unit detecting an optimum rate of pressure change of the blood vessel by using the peak-to-peak interval of the sphygmus wave, a compression unit performing a compression operation in which the blood vessel is compressed at the optimum rate of pressure change detected by the optimum rate of pressure change detecting unit, or a decompression operation in which the blood vessel is compressed so as to be closed, and is then decompressed at the optimum rate of pressure change, and a blood pressure detecting unit detecting blood pressure of the subject, based on the sphygmus wave and the pressure of the blood vessel, which are detected in the compression operation or the decompression operation.
US08784322B2

A method and apparatus for sensing a sleeping condition of a user, including measuring a physiological signal of a user who is sleeping, determining whether or not a predetermined motion artifact is contained in the measured physiological signal, and determining that the user goes into an awake state when the predetermined motion artifact is contained in the measured physiological signal.
US08784321B2

The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image, signals during scanning a region of interest.
US08784313B2

Novel prognosis methods associated with cases of postpartum haemorrhage providing a predictive test enabling practitioners to provide better management of patients suffering from postpartum haemorrhage. Different risk factors exist on which a score allowing prediction of the need to carry out invasive procedures to stop bleeding has been developed.
US08784309B2

A mobile device monitors accelerations using one or more inertial sensors. A user activity is identified based on the accelerations. A first estimation is made of a user activity statistic associated with the user activity based on the accelerations. Location information is obtained by one or more location based sensors. A second estimation is made of the user activity statistic based on the location information. The user activity statistic is calculated based on the first estimation and the second estimation.
US08784308B2

A system and method are provided for securing an ingestible electronic device to a pharmaceutical product without damaging the ingestible electronic device. The product includes the ingestible electronic device being placed on the product in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the ingestible electronic device is placed inside the product. Various embodiments are disclosed in accordance with the present invention for protecting and/or coating of the electronic marker as well as securing the ingestible electronic device onto the product.
US08784304B2

An over-tube for use in an endoscopic treatment in an abdominal cavity using an endoscope includes an over-tube main body which is inserted from a distal portion thereof via a natural opening in a patient's body to access the inside of the abdominal cavity from the distal portion through a lumen wall, and an internal cover which is disposed in a passage of the endoscope disposed in an inner cavity of the over-tube main body and which is extractable from a proximal portion of the over-tube main body.
US08784303B2

The present invention relates, generally, to controlling a steerable instrument having an elongate body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for sensing the shape of a steerable instrument and controlling the steerable instrument in response to a control signal from a user input device and a shape signal corresponding to the sensed shape of at least a portion of the steerable instrument. The present invention also relates to a system for sensing the shape of a flexible instrument with an optical shape sensor.
US08784296B2

The invention describes a surgical introducer comprising a proximal tip portion and a distal tip portion, wherein each tip portion comprises a notch, a base portion comprising an angle, wherein the base portion is between the proximal tip portion and the distal tip portion and wherein the base portion is wider than the remainder of the introducer. The introducer can be used for insertion of arms of a urethral sling into a patient.
US08784291B2

A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.
US08784290B2

Radiosurgical treatments of tissues of the heart mitigate arrhythmias and treat other tumerous and non-tumerous disease using an implanted fiducial positioned in or near the heart using cardiac catheterization techniques. The fiducials may be implanted after diagnostic and planning images of the target tissues have been acquired. Fiducial implantation may take place the day of a scheduled radiosurgical treatment. Techniques to accommodate post-planning fiducial implantation may include registration of the implanted fiducial location with the treatment plan, and active fiducials may limit collateral imaging radiation exposure while enhancing tracking accuracy.
US08784287B2

The present invention relates to an exercise device that can function as a rolling exercise device. It comprises an elongate member that has a first handle assembly secured to its first end and a second handle assembly secured to its second end. The handle assemblies include a base that is rotatably secured to a handle support structure. The handle assemblies also include a handle for gripping. The handle assemblies further function as wheels on either side of the elongate member that allows the exercise device to roll. In addition, the handle assemblies can be removed from the ends of the elongate member and the assemblies can be mutually joined in a second configuration that does not include the elongate member. The second configuration can also be rolled along a surface by a user gripping the handles and applying a force that causes the base of each handle assembly to rotate.
US08784285B1

A wearable harness system for exercise including an elastic waistband, a harness assembly, swivel strap assemblies, fixed strap assemblies and elastic bands. At least one elastic band is engaged to the loops of gloves and/or footwear. The elastic waistband adjusts around a user's body. The fixed strap and the swivel strap assemblies mount upon the lower and upper corners, respectively, of the harness assembly. Each swivel strap assembly comprises a base plate and an exterior plate with first and second edges disposed at predetermined angles. Between the base plate and the exterior plate is a strap assembly with a loop. A pin passes through the central holes of the base plate, the exterior plate and the strap assembly. Threads secure the base plate and the exterior plate to the harness assembly and the elastic band. The strap assemblies may rotate from a vertical to a horizontal position.
US08784275B2

Methods and systems for use in connection with a fitness routine and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a fitness analysis system and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus and/or a wireless communication device. A fitness information request is received at the fitness analysis system, and the system sends a setting associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a workout using an exercise apparatus. The system receives exercise information corresponding to the workout, and updates fitness information during the workout. The updated fitness information is analyzed to generate associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a subsequent workout.
US08784274B1

Methods and apparatuses for athletic performance monitoring with body synchronization analysis are disclosed. In one example, a first sensor output associated with a movement of an user foot and a second sensor output associated with a movement of an user arm are received, the user arm on a body side opposite the user foot. The first sensor output and the second sensor output are analyzed to identify a degree of synchronization between the movement of a user foot and the movement of a user arm.
US08784272B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.
US08784260B2

A continuously variable transmission having a continuously variable transmission mechanism including an input member, an output member, and a rotary member sandwiched therebetween, transmitting torque between the input member and the output member by means of frictional forces generated by pushing the input member and the output member against the rotary member, and continuously varying a transmission gear ratio between the input member and the output member, an axial force generating portion which rotates in one direction to generate a first axial force for pushing one of the input member and the output member toward the other and rotates in the other direction to generate a second axial force opposite to the first force, and an opposite axial force transmitting portion for transmitting the second force to the other of the input member and the output member when the axial force generating portion generates the second force.
US08784257B2

A continuously variable transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The transmission includes a variator unit having an input shaft and an output shaft, and a planetary gear wheel unit having a planet carrier, a first sun wheel and a second sun wheel. The input shaft of the transmission is rotationally connectable to the planet carrier and to the input shaft of the variator unit, and a shaft rotationally fixed to the first sun wheel is rotationally connectable to the output shaft of the variator unit. The planet carrier is provided with a first inner set of planet wheels for meshing engagement with the first sun wheel and a second outer set of planet wheels for meshing engagement with the second sun wheel. The first and second sets of planet wheels are in meshing engagement with each other, and a shaft rotationally fixed to the second sun wheel is rotationally connectable to the output shaft of the transmission via a first output member for obtaining a powersplit mode in which power is transmitted via the second sun wheel.
US08784247B2

A drive arrangement for auxiliary equipment of an engine includes an epicyclical gear having a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier. A first component is connected to the engine, a second component is connected to a first electric machine, and a third component is connected to the auxiliary equipment. The first component is guided in rotation on the engine block and includes a rigid assembly which supports the other two components. The stator of the first electric machine is fixed on a holder. The holder is guided in rotation directly or indirectly on the first component rigid assembly, and the first component is guided in rotation on the engine block independently from the holder.
US08784239B2

A batting training device includes: a base having opposed front and rear portions and opposed left and right portions, each portion including at least one mounting point; a back pole extending upward from a mounting point in the back portion; a side pole extending upward from a mounting point in either the left or right side portions; and a tee extending upward from one a mounting point in the front portion.
US08784234B2

A golf club head includes a main body having a top portion, a bottom portion, a striking face, and an interior surface. A weight member is coupled to the interior surface of the main body. In an imaginary vertical plane that passes through the weight member, the interior surface of the main body comprises a first point and a second point. An imaginary line passes through the first point and the second point. A first imaginary boundary line and a second imaginary boundary line, both passing through the weight member and being perpendicular to the imaginary line, pass through the first point and the second point, respectively. Between the first point and the second point, the interior surface of the main body has an irregularity factor of at least 1.2 and the weight member comprises a distribution factor of at most 1.0 and a conformity factor of at most 0.07.
US08784232B2

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.
US08784231B2

A golf club according to one or more aspects of the present invention may have a mass less than 300 g, a length greater than about 45 inches, a swing weight between D0 and D6, a head weighing less than about 200 g, a club-head volume of at least about 360 cm3, a grip weighing less than about 50 g, and a shaft having a tip end, a butt end, and a shaft balance point located no more than 24 inches from the butt end. The shaft may have a torsional displacement angle greater than about 5.5° and a mass less than about 50 g. A coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes may have its origin at the center of gravity of the club head. The golf club head may have a moment of inertia of at least about 4500 g·cm2 about the z-axis and a moment of inertia of at least about 3000 g·cm2 about the y-axis.
US08784222B2

The present invention provides a race track configured to encourage passing. The race track includes a pavement that defines a turn, a first path around the turn, and a second path around the turn. The second path is longer than the first path, and the two paths are spaced-apart such that a first car can travel on the first path and a second car can travel on the second path in an overlapped position relative to the first car. At least a portion of the first path passing over a plurality of depressions defined in the pavement at predetermined positions. The depressions configured to reduce the amount of friction available to the first car such that the first car is slowed sufficiently for the second car to maintain the overlap position or pass the first car through the turn as the second car travels on the longer second path.
US08784219B2

A coupling for connecting a drive to a load has an input connector that defines with a plurality of radially spaced input attachment points all lying on a common radial plane of a rotation axis and a similar output connector with a plurality of output attachment points. Connecting elements each have one end connected to a respective input attachment point and an opposite end connected to a respective output attachment point by a link joint. The radial spacing of the input attachment points from the input rotation axis and the radial spacing of the output attachment points from the output rotation axis are the same. The input attachment points and the output attachment points coupled to these input attachment points by a connecting element are angularly spaced relative to each other about the input rotation axis by 80° to 100°.
US08784218B2

A protective device to be worn around the wrist of the user may include a wristband to be positioned around the wrist of the user and a hand band to be positioned around the wrist of the user in a first state and to be positioned around the hand of the user and a second state. The wristband may include a nerve point tool to scratch an assailant. The hand band may include a nerve point tool to scratch an assailant.
US08784216B2

Some embodiments include a method for controlling a wagering game server to make a game piece available in a wagering game on a wagering game machine. The method can include detecting, by the wagering game server, player input associated with the wagering game. The method can also include receiving, via a network, community information from a virtual community, wherein the community information arises from interaction between members of the virtual community and identifies the game piece available for use in the wagering game. The method can also include determining that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game, and determining content including an indication that the game piece is available for use in the wagering game. The method can also include providing the content for presentation on a wagering game machine.
US08784200B2

A gaming machine and method for displaying and highlighting a scatter symbol among a matrix of symbols. The display includes a first layer for displaying a background and a second layer overlying the first layer. In one embodiment the layers are virtual layers, in another embodiment the layers are discrete physical layers. The second layer displays the matrix of symbols including any scatter symbol included in the matrix of symbols. The second layer enables a gaming machine player to simultaneously view the background, or at least portions of the background. According to one aspect of the invention, the second layer is at least partially transmissive to permit simultaneous viewing of the background and the matrix of symbols. The background is changeable to highlight at least one of the symbols of the matrix of symbols. Preferably, the background highlights the scatter symbol by adding depth, color, light and imagery, such as a still, changing, or moving image.
US08784195B1

Disclosed is a system and method that uses digital signature technology to authenticate the contents of one or more manifests located on a storage device. Each manifest contains a list of file records, where each record contains the name of a file stored on the storage device, and a SHA1 hash value derived from the contents of the file. At boot time, the gaming machine first authenticates the contents of the manifest and then verifies the contents of the files using the SHA1 value stored in the manifest. Files are verified using the SHA1, as they are needed, during the boot up of the operating system and throughout normal operation. This method reduces the boot time of the gaming machine and eliminates the need to check digital signatures for each individual file or over the entire contents of a non-secure media.
US08784194B2

A gaming system for playing a progressive wagering game includes a progressive award having a default value, which is determined based on wagers received from a plurality of players. A bonus eligibility time period is enabled, in accordance with at least one of a wager size and a player speed of play, during which an award modifier is available to at least one of the players. Based on the award modifier, the default value is changed to a modified value that is displayed in response to the award modifier being available to the player. In response to the award modifier becoming unavailable, the default value of the progressive award is displayed. The progressive award is awarded in response to achieving a winning outcome.
US08784186B2

Disclosed are a game and method for a game including a perceived skill component comprising a skill-based award and a supplemental award that, when summed, are equal in value to a predetermined award.
US08784173B2

An electronic video poker machine configured to allow play of multiple hands of video poker. The electronic video poker machine comprises at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least three cards all face up, wherein a computer uses selected hold cards of the first hand to select the best poker hand for a second and subsequent poker hands. If the hold cards from the first hand make the best possible poker hands, they are used to replace one or more selected cards of the second and subsequent hands.
US08784161B1

The mandrel assemblies include a double face box mandrel assembly with box refacing tube, male mandrel adapter for engaging within a bore of the box refacing tube, a box mandrel assembly floating over the male mandrel adapter and connected to a drill pipe connection. A box facing mandrel adapter connects to the male mandrel adapter, an outer face plate mounts over the box mandrel assembly engaging the box refacing tube; an inner face plate mounts over the box facing mandrel adapter shaft and attaches to a flange. A double face pin mandrel assembly with pin refacing tube, male mandrel adapter, and pin facing mandrel adapter engages a male mandrel adapter, a pin mandrel assembly floats over the male mandrel adapter and pin facing mandrel adapter and connects to a drill pipe connection opposite the double face box mandrel assembly.
US08784157B2

A glass-plate working machine 1 is arranged such that while a cutting head 9 for forming a cut line on a glass plate 5 and a grinding head 10 for grinding a peripheral edge of the glass plate 5 bend-broken along the cut line are being moved simultaneously in parallel under numerical control, the cutting head 9 and the grinding head 10 respectively having angle control motors 46 and 49 are synchronously subjected to angular control about axes 39 perpendicular to the surface of the glass plate 5, and the cutting head 9 and the grinding head 10 are moved such that the orientation of a cutter wheel 52 is adjusted to a processing line, and the press contacting direction of a grinding wheel 64 of the grinding head 10 is kept in a normal direction with respect to a processing line of an edge of the glass plate 5.
US08784156B2

A core grinding wheel that has a grinding layer on an outer periphery of a core is used. An ultrasonic wave is output from an ultrasonic sensor to the grinding layer via grinding fluid. An ultrasonic measuring device control unit calculates a thickness of the grinding layer on the basis of a sonic velocity in the grinding layer and an arrival time difference between a reflected wave from a surface of the grinding layer and a reflected wave from a surface of the outer periphery of the core. A grinding process and a truing process are controlled on the basis of an outside diameter of the grinding wheel, which is calculated on the basis of the measured thickness of the grinding layer and an outside diameter of the core.
US08784152B2

A toy projectile that has two parts, a cup shaped inner core having a top wall, an annular wall extending from the top wall to a bead adjacent to a bottom end, and an outer covering being somewhat donut shaped with a central opening, a top end, a bottom end, a lower recess, a curved exterior surface and a chamfer adjacent to the bottom end. The inner core is received in the central opening of the outer covering such that the top wall of the inner core is continuous with the top end of the outer covering. The bottom of the projectile may be open or covered. The projectile includes geometric aspect ratios that provide the projectile with excellent flight characteristics. The ratios are: projectile outer diameter to projectile height between 4:1 to 5.2:1; projectile outer diameter to core outer diameter between 1.20:1 to 1.45 to 1; projectile height to core bead height between 2.3:1 to 3.25:1; outer covering volume to inner core volume between 2.4:1 to 5.8:1; profile radius to projectile height between 0.5:1 to 0.8:1; and chamfer height to chamfer width between 2:1 to 6.1.
US08784150B2

The present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same, the light emitting display including: a first substrate on which a plurality of light emitting devices are formed; a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate; a dam member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to surround the plurality of light emitting devices; an inorganic sealing material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate on an outward side of the dam member and attaching the first substrate and the second substrate; and a filling material provided between the first substrate and the second substrate on an inward side of the dam member and formed of at least one inert liquid selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbon and fluorinert.
US08784137B2

A charger includes a housing defining a receiving cavity, two through holes defined in the housing communicating with the receiving cavity, two slots defined in the housing, a fuse and a spring member received in the receiving cavity, a cap movably coupled to the housing, and an anode contact. The anode contact abuts between the spring member and the fuse engaging with the cap. A hooks engages in the through holes to prevent the cap from detaching from the housing, being disengageable from the through holes when pushed by a pin inserted into the through holes allowing the spring member to push the cap to move until the hooks engage in the slots. The cap is rotated a predetermined angel until the hooks are slidably received in a receiving grooves, thereby allowing the cap to be detachable from the housing through the opening.
US08784134B2

A cable assembly comprises a housing defining a receiving space; a spacer assembled to a rear end of the housing; a plurality of terminals integrated with the spacer, and arranged into two rows and received into the housing. And each row of terminals comprises at least two grounding terminals and a connecting piece connecting with rear ends of at least two grounding terminals. A metallic plate is received into the spacer and contacted to the connecting piece. And a cable is electrically connected with the plurality of terminals.
US08784132B2

An electrical connector assembly is provided including a connector having a mating end. The connector has contacts extending from the mating end. A connector shroud is positioned around the mating end of connector. The connector shroud has an asymmetrical configuration and positioning tabs to orient the shroud on the panel. A mating connector having a mating end is configured to engage the mating end of the connector. The mating connector has mating contacts configured to engage the contacts of the connector. The mating end of the mating connector has an asymmetrical configuration that mirrors the asymmetrical configuration of the connector shroud. The asymmetrical configurations of the mating end of the mating connector and the connector shroud align the mating connector with the connector in a single orientation.
US08784130B2

The present invention includes a back feed meter adapter having one or more electrical sockets disposed of the exterior surface for accepting a plug from an alternative electrical power generator in installations that include an existing electrical utility service panel. The sockets of the back feed meter can be rotated relative to the internal couplers such that it can be easily positioned relative to the back feed connections coming from the alternative electrical power generator. The back feed meter adapter can also include an electrical switch for coupling/decoupling the electrical sockets from the electrical meter, the electrical service panel, or the electrical power utility grid to which the back feed meter adapter is coupled. The back feed meter adapter can include a window for visual confirmation of the electrical switch state. Various functionality of the back feed meter adapter can be monitored or controlled via a wireless network.
US08784127B2

An electrical connection system and method includes a first connector housing matable to a second connector housing along a mating axis. The first connector housing contains a mating assist lever (MAL) that rotationally pivots between an INOPERATIVE position and a CLOSED position and includes a locking means. When the MAL is positionally rotatable to the CLOSED position the first connector housing and the second connector housing are mated together such that the locking means is disposed adjacent an external surface of the second connector housing. A sufficiently applied force against the locking means actuates the locking means so that the locking means latchingly secures the first connector housing to the second connector housing. A CPA member, also disposed on the MAL, slidingly communicates with the latched locking means transverse to the mating axis and ensures the latched locking means does not become unlatched so that electrical connection system remains mated.
US08784117B2

An electrical connector for connecting a package and a mother board includes an insulating sheet defining a top surface confronting with the package and a lower surface confronting with the mother board, and a plurality of contacts. The insulating sheet has a plurality of through holes through the top surface and the lower surface thereof and arranged in a matrix. The plurality of contacts is pressed in the corresponding through holes from the top surface of the insulating sheet. Each contact includes a main plate, a pair of first contacting arms from opposite edges of the main plates for contacting with the package and a pair of second contacting arm from another opposite edges of the main plate for contacting with the board.
US08784110B2

A multilayer urine stream target device usable as a toilet training aid includes an upper layer of a first relatively absorbent material, a lower layer of a second relatively non-absorbent material adhesively attached to the upper layer. The upper or first layer of material comprises an alkaline environment and a pH indicator. The pH indicator provides the upper or first layer with first coloration. The upper layer is floatable upon a water surface as typified within a toilet bowl by way of the relatively non-absorbent lower or second layer of material. When a urine stream makes contact with the upper or first layer, the pH-indicator causes a color change in the first material, which color change is believed to promote the targeting of the target device by a urine stream provider.
US08784107B2

This disclosure describes novel systems, methods and software for providing flight training. In an aspect of some embodiments, flight data is collected during a training flight. That flight data then can be used to provide a review and/or simulation of the training flight. The student may be allowed to participate in the simulation by providing input from a set of controls. In some cases, an instructor (or another) might provide modified flight data, which can be used to modify the simulation. Advantageously, this allows for the analysis and simulation of a variety of hypothetical, “what-if” scenarios.
US08784100B2

The invention provides a plastic impression tray for a lower jaw having an outer wall, an inner wall and a bottom portion and forming a U-shaped flat surface. A rim with a particular height is provided along each of upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall, through holes with particular widths are provided with a particular relationship between the distance between the adjacent through holes and a width of the through hole, circular through holes with particular diameters are provided between the through holes in the bottom portion, and bottom portion through holes with particular widths and lengths are provided on a line connecting the bottom portion sides of the through holes which are positioned at the closest side to the end portion of the U-shaped portion in the end portion thereof, or in a closer side to the end portion than the line, respectively.
US08784098B2

A shelf assembly for firing including plural struts for supporting shelf boards arranged upright in two or more rows in a cross direction and in three or more rows in a longitudinal direction on a longitudinally-long car with tie-beams connecting the struts. A thermal stress relief structure is provided in which the struts arranged upright in the adjacent rows in the longitudinal direction are connected only with tie-beams slanted in a cross direction between the struts, with the thermal stress relief structure preventing warpage or damage of the struts resulting from a bending stress generated in the longitudinal direction at the fixing parts of the struts.
US08784080B2

A diaphragm pump for a seat adjusting device comprises a diaphragm and a valve member which define a pump chamber therebetween. An inlet valve and an outlet valve are formed on the valve member. A pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the outlet valve and receives fluid discharged from the pump chamber via the outlet valve. One of the diaphragm and the valve member comprises a valve membrane of a pressure relief valve integrated in the pump. The valve membrane is integrally formed with the one of the diaphragm and the valve member. The valve membrane is moveable between a first configuration in which the valve membrane closes a pressure relief channel and a second configuration in which the valve membrane opens the pressure relief channel to allow fluid to be discharged from the pressure chamber.
US08784079B2

A module, a base module and a system which comprises a module and a base module includes a pump channel and a valve unit which is connected with the pump channel wherein a fluid can be pumped through the pump channel and the valve unit, wherein a first wall section of the valve unit is flexible. The pump module has a movable valve body arranged in the valve unit, wherein the valve body can occupy an idle position in which the valve body closes the valve unit to prevent fluid from passing through. The valve body can occupy an operating position in which the valve body allows the fluid to flow through the valve unit and in which the valve body can be put in operating position through a deformation of the first wall section of the valve bodies so that the fluid can flow through the valve unit.
US08784076B2

The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) having a cartridge (K), which is arranged in a turbine housing (2), for the variable turbine geometry, having a bearing housing (3) which is arranged between the turbine housing (2) and a compressor housing of a compressor wheel and in which is arranged a bearing arrangement for a shaft (W) which supports the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel, and having a plate spring (4) which is arranged between the cartridge (K) and the bearing housing (3), wherein the plate spring (4) is constructed from at least two material layers (5, 6) and an isolator (17).
US08784064B2

A multipart bladed rotor (1) for a flow machine, particularly a gas turbine or steam turbine or an axial compressor, has at least two disks (2) whose front sides, which face one another, are connected to one another, particularly by positive engagement, in a separating plane (7) so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to one another, wherein a groove (10) for receiving a blade root (14) of at least one rotor blade is formed in the separating plane.
US08784057B2

A disc rotor blade retraction system includes a main blade spar incorporating a hydraulic cylinder and having a screw thread. A ball screw is concentrically carried within the main blade spar and is operably connected to a ball nut which has an outboard end connected to an intermediate spar with a hydraulic piston received for reciprocation in the hydraulic cylinder. A first geared actuator engages the ball screw and a second geared actuator engages the main blade spar screw thread. A hydraulic fluid accumulator providing pressurized hydraulic fluid is connected to an outboard end of the hydraulic cylinder and a controller actuates the first and second geared actuators.
US08784055B2

A propeller system includes a plurality of propeller blades and a pitch lock mechanism operably connected to the plurality of propeller blades. The pitch lock mechanism includes a pitch lock chamber and a pitch lock piston located in the pitch lock chamber biased toward a locked position when there is insufficient pressure in the pitch lock chamber thereby locking the pitch of the plurality of propeller blades. The propeller system includes a pitch unlock mechanism including a pitch unlock housing and a pitch unlock piston disposed in the pitch unlock housing. A fitting extends through the propeller system to the pitch unlock housing and introduction of fluid flow into the pitch unlock housing through the fitting urges the pitch unlock piston into contact with the pitch lock piston to overcome the bias of the pitch lock piston thereby unlocking the pitch of the plurality of propeller blades.
US08784054B2

A fan module includes a receiving rack, a number of mounting members, a number of fans, and a number of fastening members. The receiving rack includes two side plates and a number of receiving spaces between the side plates. A top side of each side plate corresponding to one receiving space defines two cutouts. Each mounting member is latched in one corresponding cutout of the receiving rack. Each fan is received in one corresponding receiving space of the receiving rack. The fastening members are arranged on the fans and are latched in the mounting members.
US08784046B2

The turbine is provided with a blade (50) and a structure body (11) which rotates relatively with respect to the blade (50). A stepped part (52A) having a step surface (53A) is installed at one of the leading end of the blade (50) and the structure body (11) corresponding to the leading end thereof, while a seal fin (15A) which extends toward the stepped part (52A) to form a small space (H) is installed at the other of them. A cavity (C1) is formed between the blade (50) and the structure body (11) and also between the seal fin (15A) and the partition wall which faces thereto in the rotating shaft direction of the structure body (11) on the upstream side. When a distance of the cavity (C1) between the partition wall and the seal fin (15A) is given as a cavity width (W), and a distance between the seal fin (15A) and the end edge (55) of the stepped part (52A) in the rotating shaft direction on the upstream side is given as (L), at least one of the distances (L) satisfies the following formula (1). 0.7H≦L≦0.3W  (1).
US08784042B2

Fan downstream guide vane profiles have an optimized form of skeleton line angle distribution in an area situated between an upper and a lower limitation as well as a specific thickness distribution superimposed on the respective skeleton line angle distribution. Such guide vanes are characterized by lower pressure losses and a larger working range than the known downstream guide vanes, thereby reducing fuel consumption of the engine and increasing the operating stability thereof.
US08784040B2

A ventilator includes a body casing having an opening formed in its lower portion and an exhaust port formed on one side; a fan that is provided in the body casing, for sucking indoor air from the opening and exhausting the indoor air from the exhaust port; a resin fan casing that has a suction port and forms an air passage of the fan; a protection frame formed outside the air passage to cover a terminal block provided outside the air passage; a resin terminal block cover that watertightly seals a protection frame opening of a lower portion of the protection frame and is opened and closed; a sheet-metal case that is provided in the protection frame and stores the terminal block; and a sheet-metal terminal block cover that opens and closes a lower opening of the sheet-metal case.
US08784035B2

A bladeless pump for fluids, such as gases that may contain particulate matter, drivable by a motor, consisting of an assembly of rotors or discs stacked against each other. Each rotor/disc has a runner portion on an outer area separated from its center, and a central portion having two or more spokes, divided by openings. The spokes are typically thicker than the rest of the discs. When many discs are placed together and spun on a motor-driven axle, air may be drawn in adjacent the rotor assembly, to the inter-disc openings, and compressed as it enters the area A spiral-shape volute is provided adjacent the outer πM of the disc assembly, receiving pressurized air and releasing it from a motor housing. Applicant's bladeless pump may include a base for receiving the rotor housing and the motor, which may include a housing to substantially enclose the motor and its housing.
US08784033B2

Substrate transport systems, apparatus and methods are described. The systems are adapted to efficiently put or pick substrates at a destination by rotating a boom linkage to a position adjacent to the destination and then actuating a robot assembly to put or pick the substrate at the destination. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08784023B2

A screw has a head whose underside has impressions or embossings and faces towards the tip. The underside is divided into at least five sectors of the same size. Three-fifths of the sectors exhibit an identical pattern of impressions or embossings and at least one sector is provided with a different pattern of impressions or embossings or else with no impressions or embossings.
US08784022B2

A cooling assembly for a machine tool including at least first and second nozzle rings mounted on the spindle housing, respectively defining first and second coolant conduits and respectively including first and second pluralities of nozzles in fluid communication with the respective conduit. Each first nozzle is oriented with an outlet thereof directed toward a first machining zone containing cutting edges of at last one tool having a first length. Each second nozzle is oriented with an outlet thereof directed toward a second machining zone different from the first machining zone and containing the cutting edges of at least one tool having a second length.
US08784013B2

A pneumatic conveying system is disclosed for conveying a granular product, such as grain, from a grain inlet device to a selected one of a plurality of grain bins or other storage vessels. The system includes a blower for forcing air under pressure into a conveyor piping system. A grain inlet device is located downstream from the blower. The piping system has a portion leading from the grain inlet to an inlet in a first one of the vessels. A discharge/bypass valve is connected to a portion of the piping system leading from the grain inlet so as to receive the granular product being conveyed therethrough with the valve having a discharge outlet for discharging the granular product into the vessel. The valve is installed on the vessel such that the discharge outlet is in communication with the interior of the vessel. The valve further has an inlet coupling operatively connected to the piping system and an outlet coupling operatively connected to another portion of the piping system downstream of the valve leading to another of the vessels. The valve has a sleeve movable between a discharge position in which the inlet coupling is disconnected from the outlet coupling such that the granular product is discharged from the piping system into the valve and then is discharged into the vessel and a by-pass position in which the inlet and outlet couplings are operatively connected so that the granular product is conveyed through the valve and into the piping system downstream from the valve.A method of pneumatically conveying such a granular material to any one of a plurality of bins or other storage vessels is also disclosed.
US08784012B2

Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
US08784009B2

A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.
US08784003B2

A road construction machine, particularly a road finisher or a feeder for a road finisher, with a primary drive unit including at least one combustion engine driving a three-phase generator, and further including at least one connection means for at least one conventional alternating current standard consumer, at least one stabilized voltage supply unit is connected between the connection means and the three-phase generator, wherein the voltage supply unit provides standard mains voltage with a permanently stable frequency at the connection means independent of the speed of the combustion engine driving the three-phase generator.
US08784001B1

An oil field mat assembly having a pair of interlocking full mats connected by interlocking half mats. Each full mat has a bottom layer, a bottom interlocking segment formed on the bottom layer, a middle layer, an alignment control means, a top layer, a top interlocking segment formed on the top layer on the same side that the top layer connects to the middle layer, and an anti-curling bar.
US08783991B2

Described herein are techniques related to a magnetic tool for cleaning one or more surfaces of a plate of magnetically permeable material, such as a window. With an implementation described herein, the tool includes a pair of magnetically attracted utensils designed to be magnetically coupled together through a window. While a user slides the utensil along an interior surface of the window, the second utensil follows the first utensil and slides along the exterior surface of the window. The second utensil is tethered to a fluid pump via a fluid-conductive hose. In this way, cleaning fluid may be delivered to the second utensil while it is on the exterior surface of the window and cleaning that surface. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08783989B2

A cosmetic applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, having a first applicator region and at least one additional applicator region in which the applicator regions are connected to each other in movable fashion relative to each other by means of an articulation and/or the additional applicator region is connected to the first applicator region in a way that allows it to be slid in linear fashion relative to the first applicator region. A cosmetic product may also include the applicator.
US08783988B2

The assembly comprises a system for the packaging and application of a product and a device for protecting said system. The system comprises a receptacle for storing the product, a product applicator, and a member for closing the receptacle bearing the applicator. The protective device comprises a cap mounted on the system and at least one means for releasing the system. The releasing means comprises a means for holding the system relative to the device and a means for actuating the holding means in order to render the holding means inactive and at least partly separate the system and the protective device. The assembly also comprises return means capable of maintaining a sealed contact between the closing member and the storage receptacle in an active position of the holding means.
US08783985B2

A printing machine has at least one central impression cylinder, to which several inking units are allocated, in which a printing material sheet can be fed along a feed path to the impression cylinder in an area between a first inking unit and a last inking unit, and an unwinding station, from which the printing material sheet can be unwound, in which a passable area is provided between the impression cylinder and the unwinding station, at which the printing material sheet can be passed. Sound-absorbing elements are arranged above and/or beneath the feed path.
US08783980B2

A portable printer having improved ergonomic and operational characteristics. The printer includes an asymmetrically-damped media centering mechanism having first and second media support members moveable along a common longitudinal axis and configured to grasp roll media. The media support members are coupled to a reciprocal movement mechanism configured to translate a longitudinal movement of the first media support member into a corresponding opposite longitudinal movement of the second media support member. A pivoting arm is coupled to the reciprocal movement mechanism. The pivoting arm pivots to a first position when the first and second media support members are moved closer to each other, which causes a damping gear to engage the reciprocal movement mechanism, thereby damping the grasping motion of the media support members and providing an improved user experience. The printer facilitates one-handed operation, including one-handed loading and unloading of media, enabling its use in a variety of environments.
US08783978B2

A shutter assembly includes a drive ring having a permanent magnet disposed thereon. The shutter assembly also includes a solenoid defining a gap between first and second magnetic poles thereof, the drive ring being disposed coplanar with the solenoid and being rotatable in response to a magnetic field created between the first and second magnetic poles. The shutter assembly also includes a plurality of shutter blades configured to transition between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of the drive ring. The shutter assembly further includes a base plate separating the plurality of shutter blades from at least one of the drive ring and the solenoid.
US08783975B1

A monopod turret type support for a camera or the like comprises an upper shaft aligned along a common axis with a lower shaft, and a pivot joint located between and uniting the upper shaft and lower shaft. The pivot joint may comprise a screw disposed to vary pressure acting on the interface between the upper shaft and the lower shaft. Pressure acting on the interface may be adjusted by inserting a pin to lock the screw to one of the upper and lower shafts, and rotating the upper shaft relative to the lower shaft. The upper shaft may terminate in a threaded attachment for threading to the camera. The lower shaft may terminate in a threaded adapter to enable threading to a threaded shaft of an environmental object.
US08783967B2

This motor vehicle suspension stop comprises a first ring, a second ring, balls (26) bearing against two raceways (226, 246) respectively defined by the first ring and by the second ring, and a cage (30) for holding the balls between the raceways. The cage (30) is provided with abutment pins (50), each for bearing against one of the raceways (226, 246), thereby avoiding direct contact between the cage (30) and the adjacent edges (225, 227, 245, 247) of the rings. These pins (50) are distributed on either side of a radial midplane (P30) of the cage (30) that contains the centers of cells in the cage. The axial distance (d50) between the ends (52) of the abutment pins (50) is strictly less than the minimum distance (D28) between the raceways (226, 246).
US08783960B2

A dust-proof housing device is adapted for a bearing assembly and includes a housing body that includes two housing-half walls, each of which has a central hole defining an axis, and an inner peripheral end surrounding the central hole. A dust-proof cover has a fixing ring fitted in the inner peripheral end of at least one of the housing-half walls, and an annular flexible member secured to the fixing ring.
US08783956B2

A plain bearing having a depository surface which has at least one depository and which is a sliding surface and/or a surface of an oil supply groove, wherein the depository is a cutout which is open in the direction of the depository surface and which has a depository a wall and which extends away from the depository surface into the bearing, wherein the depository wall, in the direction of extent, forms an acute angle with a reference direction, wherein the reference direction is the tangent to the depository surface at the point at which the depository wall intersects the depository surface in the direction away from the depository.
US08783948B2

Techniques described herein generally relate to methods of manufacturing devices and systems including devices including a substrate with a surface, a conductive polymer film arranged on the surface of the substrate, wherein the conductive polymer film has one or more temperature reactive characteristics, and a pair of electrodes coupled to the polymer film, wherein the pair of electrodes are configured to communicate electrical signals to the conductive polymer film effective to measure the one or more temperature reactive characteristics. The conductive polymer film may be arranged on the surface of the substrate such that a thickness and dopant ratio of the conductive polymer film on the substrate is configurable.
US08783947B2

A food cooking container provided with an electronic temperature monitoring device, the electronic temperature monitoring device being powered by converting thermal energy into electrical energy by the parasitic exploitation of temperature differences generated between the hot container and a heat dissipating metal mass, and activates a device in the form of a piezoelectric buzzer or LEDs, to indicate pre-set safety temperature limits. The electronic temperature monitoring device includes an electronic thermoelectric harvesting sensor for converting thermal energy into electrical energy via its electronic thermoelectric harvesting system.
US08783942B2

A device for stirring a liquid or a granular material comprising a stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a rotating drive shaft for rotating the stirring agitator, a stationary axle extending in an essentially vertical direction about which the stirring agitator is adapted to rotate, and a transfer arrangement for contactless transfer of rotation of the drive shaft to the stirring agitator. The device has a center axis around which the stirring agitator and the drive shaft are adapted to rotate, and means for generating a magnetic force exerting an upwardly directed force component on the stirring agitator. The means for generating a magnetic force comprises a first element arranged in a stirring agitator and a second element associated with the stationary axle. At least one of the first element and the second element comprises a permanent magnet.
US08783940B2

It is intended to provide a kneading extruder which makes it possible to prevent breakage due to resonance regardless of the rotating speed of kneading screws. The kneading extruder comprises a driving motor, kneading screws for kneading a material, each of the kneading screws having a screw shaft, a motive power transmitting path including a first speed regulator for varying a rotating speed produced by motive power output from the driving motor, the motive power transmitting path serving to transmit the motive power which produces a rotating speed varied by the first speed regulator to the screw shafts of the kneading screws, and a resonance suppressor for suppressing torsional resonance of the kneading screws caused by fluctuations in load exerted on the kneading screws, the resonance suppressor serving to reduce a resonance response factor which is the ratio of an output amplitude of the kneading screw amplified by resonance response to an input amplitude of the kneading screw caused by the fluctuations in load to suppress the torsional resonance.
US08783937B2

The present disclosure generally relates to several embodiments of a new illumination device using a plurality of LEDs, the device is designed to better diffuse heat produced from a heating driver circuitry and the LEDs in a way that allows for either the operating or equilibrium temperatures of the heat sensitive elements as part of the device to be subject to less stringent temperature increases and therefore improve the viability and energy performance of the device. The new design includes toroid-shaped external rings for the plurality of LEDs and a middle opening for the driver circuitry. The new design further includes fins and the use of different spaces and openings within the housing to help control the flow of heat by way of thermal conduction, thermal convection, or thermal irradiation.
US08783936B2

Desk top items with LEDs also include USB-unit(s) or USB-module(s) and, optionally, additional outlet-units, to supply power to other electric or digital devices such as a smart phone or digital data device.
US08783935B2

An organic light emitting diode lighting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a light emitting panel including an organic light emitting diode, a receiver receiving the light emitting panel, a cover coupled with the receiver to cover a front edge of the light emitting panel, at least one permanent magnet disposed on the receiver or the cover, and at least one of electromagnet disposed on the receiver or the cover member.
US08783930B2

Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a light source, a light guide part to receive a light emitted from the light source, a light conversion member between the light source and the light guide part, and a spacer between the light source and the light conversion member.
US08783924B1

A wide angle illumination assembly for mounting on a vehicle has a reflector with a multifaceted reflective surface of that defines a convex arcuate configuration in a predetermined plane and an plurality of LEDs positioned with respect to the multifaceted reflective surface to emit light onto the multifaceted reflective surface. The multifaceted reflective surface is configured and the LEDs are so positioned with respect to the multifaceted reflective surface so that the light emitted from the reflector has a luminous intensity of at least 50% of the maximum intensity of the light in a narrow band through an arc of at least 90° of the reflector in the predetermined plane.
US08783922B2

Disclosed is a display device capable of achieving a decorative effect by utilizing a color filter at the front of a light-emitting display unit. Also disclosed is a meter device using the display device. Specifically disclosed is a display device comprising a light-emitting display unit and a color filter, which is arranged at the front of the light-emitting display unit. A light-emitting element for decoration is provided on the outside of the light-emitting display unit. The color filter is provided with a light-discharging surface for discharging the light from the light-emitting element for a decorative appearance in the forward direction.
US08783920B1

Systems for indicating visibility of a blind spot to a driver are provided. In some embodiments, the systems comprise: a housing; a mirror coupled to the housing, wherein the mirror is adjustable in at least a horizontal direction with respect to the housing; and a directional light source rigidly coupled to the housing such that a direction of the light source is substantially parallel to at least a portion of a typical driver's blind spot during operation of a vehicle to which the side mirror assembly is coupled, wherein the direction of the light source is angled with respect to the housing such that light emitted by the light source is reflected by the mirror into a passenger compartment of the vehicle to which the side mirror assembly is coupled in at least two positions of the mirror separated by at least ten degrees of horizontal rotation of the mirror.
US08783915B2

Surface-textured encapsulations for use with light emitting diodes. In an aspect, a light emitting diode (LED) array apparatus includes a plurality of LEDs mounted to a substrate and an encapsulation covering the LEDs and having a surface texturing configured to extract light, wherein the surface texturing is includes at least one light extracting feature having a diameter larger than two or more of the LEDs.
US08783913B2

An LED lighting fixture including a housing having a hollow interior cavity defined by a backwall and a surrounding wall extending therefrom to a forward edge. An LED illuminator is mounted in the housing. An LED-support structure extends in the interior cavity from the housing to an LED-supporting surface positioning the LED illuminator in a desired orientation and spaced from the backwall. The LED-support structure is a heat sink transferring heat from the LED illuminator to the housing.
US08783910B2

A LED lamp system including an electric linker, a heat conducting liquid, a hollow cooling system with an outer surface, a hollow chamber through which a heat conducting liquid is located, and a hollow cavity separate from the hollow chamber, at least one LED, an interface connected to the hollow cooling system and to the at least one LED, and a power supply connected between the electric linker and the interface.
US08783898B2

In one aspect, the present invention provides light emitting devices, including light fixtures and luminaires. In some embodiments, a light emitting device comprises at least one light source, a lightguide operable to receive light from the at least one light source at a first location on the lightguide, at least one light extraction region optically coupled to the lightguide and a substantially non-scattering region along a portion of the lightguide.
US08783894B2

A lighting system is described. The lighting system includes a lamp and a first container including a first phase change material thermally connected to the lamp. Heat generated by the lamp during operation is conducted to the first phase change material. The system also includes a second container including a second phase change material thermally connected to the lamp. Heat generated by the lamp during operation is also conducted to the second phase change material, and the second phase change material has a transition point temperature lower than the transition point temperature of the first phase change material of the first container to account for a temperature drop between the second container and the first container. The lighting system also includes a temperature sensor for reducing lamp power if the lamp becomes too hot, and a mounting bracket which may also conduct heat away from the lamp.
US08783885B2

An operating light (36) and a process are provided for lighting an operating table via an operating light (36). The operating light (36) includes at least one first radiation source (1), which is suitable for producing light (12) with locally different, especially radially outwardly decreasing color temperature distribution (18) in a plane extending at right angles to the work area.
US08783879B2

The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.
US08783877B2

The present invention provides a projection type display apparatus for displaying an image by which reduction of contrast is suppressed, including: a light source; a first lens array and a second lens array having a plurality of lens cell areas; a collecting lens; a display element; a projection lens; and a light shielding unit which light-shields the light fluxes from the first lens array to the second lens array, wherein the light shielding unit light-shields at least parts of all the lens cell areas except for the lens cell area in contact with an optical axis among a plurality of rectangular lens cell areas of the second lens array, and a light shielding area in the lens cell area in contact with the optical axis is smaller than that in any of the lens cell areas except for the lens cell area in contact with the optical axis.
US08783875B2

A light compensation scheme, an optical machine device, a display system and a method for light compensation are disclosed herein. The light compensation scheme includes a detector for inspecting a data related to a luminous flux of each of different color beams, and a controller for selectively adjusting anytime a luminosity of at least one of a plurality of pointolites and/or the transmittances of at least one part of liquid crystals disposed within a liquid crystal display panel, based on the inspected data.
US08783865B2

Electronic spectacles include a spectacle frame; lenses having electric elements; a control unit that generates electric signals for driving the electric elements of the lenses; electric connectors that transmit the signals from the control unit to wiring connector pads; and the electric connector have one end connected to a control unit for controlling the electric element and an another end connected to lens electrode pads. The lens has an inverted V-shaped protrusion.
US08783863B2

This invention provides a contact lens for myopia control comprising: an object-side surface comprising a central zone, a transition zone and a peripheral zone which are concentric and have different refractive power, at least one of the three zones being aspheric; and an image-side surface; wherein the central zone provides correction power to focus a foveal image on the retina, the peripheral zone provides a myopic defocus effect by generating a para-fovea image in front of the retina, and the transition zone with one or more focuses provides a refractive power in diopter (D) ranging from +0.25 D to +8.00 D.
US08783852B2

There is provided an intermediate transfer body for transfer inkjet printing methods in which an image is formed by selectively applying image-forming ink using an inkjet device to the intermediate transfer body and then transferred from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium to form a transferred image. The intermediate transfer body satisfies the relation E1
US08783851B2

To downsize a drying device that blows gas on a sheet to dry the sheet, a printing apparatus that includes a print head of an inkjet type is provided with a drying unit that dries a sheet printed by a print head. The drying unit has a plurality of conveying rollers that support the sheet; a conveying belt that conveys the sheet; and a nozzle that is arranged between the plurality of conveying rollers in a direction of the conveyance of the sheet by the conveying belt and blows gas toward the sheet. The nozzle has a blowout port and the blowout port is tilted with respect to a surface of the sheet, which is supported by the conveying rollers.
US08783846B2

An inkjet printer includes an inkjet head having a nozzle to eject ink in a first direction for recording information. A platen that has an ink storage unit for storing the ink ejected from the nozzle. The platen is opposite the inkjet head and configured to guide paper formed with an open part. A paper feed unit is provided in the inkjet printer and is configured to convey the paper in a second direction cross to the first direction, and to move the paper over the platen. A print control unit is further provided in the inkjet printer and is configured to cause the nozzle to eject ink into the ink storage unit when the open part of the paper is conveyed to a position opposite the inkjet head.
US08783842B2

The present disclosure provides a method of inkjet printing on non-porous media including inkjet printing a fixer fluid on the non-porous media and inkjet printing an ink onto the non-porous media, where the printing of the ink is within 125 milliseconds of the printing of the fixer fluid. Thus, the ink is printed to contact the fixer fluid within 125 milliseconds of each being printed. In one example, the fixer fluid can include a liquid vehicle including water and co-solvent having a boiling point from 160° C. to 250° C., a surfactant, and a cationic polymer; and the ink can comprise an anionic pigment dispersion.
US08783840B2

A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.
US08783839B2

An apparatus and method disclosed for delivering solid-ink pellets in an image-forming device comprises a hopper that houses solid-ink pellets. The hopper defines a vent and is provided with a mechanism to regulate the passage of the solid-ink pellets through the vent. A restrainer member configured to receive the solid-ink pellets defines a restrainer surface and a spreading arrangement to evenly spread the solid-ink pellets on its surface. Positioned below the vent, the restrainer retains the solid-ink pellets and is configured to transmit heat to solid-ink pellets causing them to melt evenly.
US08783833B2

An ink jet print head is provided which can improve throughput by increasing an ink ejection frequency and prevent crosstalk among a plurality of heat application portions, realizing a capability of printing high-quality images at high speed. An opening size of the supply ports in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the heat application portions is made greater than the length in the direction of electrothermal conversion elements. The supply ports are arranged along the array direction so that they adjoin the heat application portions in the array direction.
US08783822B2

A recording device includes: a detection unit converting scattering light generated by intersection between light emitted from a light-emitting unit and an ink droplet discharged from each nozzle of a nozzle array, into an electric signal in a light-receiving unit; a first signal generation unit amplifying the electric signal to generate a first electric signal; a determination unit determining presence or absence of an ink droplet based on a second electric signal representing change of the first electric signal; a relation information generation unit generating relation information in which an amplification value corresponding to the first electric signal generated when an arbitrary nozzle of the nozzle array discharges an ink droplet and the arbitrary nozzle are associated with each other; and a control unit performing control to amplify the electric signal at an amplification value according to a corresponding nozzle based on the relation information.
US08783818B2

A recording apparatus including a recording head that discharges UV ink onto a recording material and an ultraviolet light irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light to the discharged UV ink so as to harden the UV ink; further includes a failure diagnostic unit that diagnoses a failure condition of the ultraviolet light irradiation unit and a controller that controls operations of the recording head, the ultraviolet light irradiation unit, and the failure diagnostic unit. Further, the controller is so configured as to change the operation mode of the recording apparatus to a failure-state mode when the ultraviolet light irradiation unit has been diagnosed as a failure by the failure diagnostic unit.
US08783814B2

An apparatus for sensing indicators is disclosed herein. An example of the apparatus includes a roller over which a media passes, the roller including a first end that is dark in color and a second end that is light in color. The example of the apparatus also includes a sensor that is moveable between a first position over the first end of the roller and a second position over the second end of the roller. The sensor detects a first indicator on the media in the first position and a second indicator on the media in the second position. An example of a printing device is also disclosed herein. Modifications to and other examples of the apparatus for sensing and printing device are further disclosed herein.
US08783811B2

A printing apparatus, which includes a heating unit for heating a recording medium during printing, determines a pass number for multi-pass printing based on acquired information relating to the duty in each of a plurality of regions in one band of print region. The printing apparatus sets an amount of heat of the heating unit based on the acquired information.
US08783803B1

A method for printing on a print medium, where the method comprises receiving, into a printing apparatus, a print medium containing preprinted information located on a first portion of the print medium. The method further comprises the printing apparatus printing information on a second portion of the print medium, wherein the second portion is different from the first portion. The method also comprises the printing apparatus marking an indication on the print medium at or near the first portion of the print medium, wherein the indication identifies the preprinted information located on the first portion of the print medium as being distinct from the information located on the second portion of the print medium.
US08783801B2

A household appliance (1) that includes a cabinet (17), a door (2) mounted on the cabinet (17) and allowing access into the cabinet (17), a glass panel (4) having an inner surface (5) and a decorative outer surface (6), mounted on the door (2), and a control panel (3), enabling the user to change various parameters, adjust and/or monitor various functions of the household appliance (1).
US08783792B2

The invention relates to an electromechanical brake booster with an electric motor and a helical gearing. The brake booster is used for coupling an auxiliary force via a driver into a piston rod. The invention proposes connecting a spindle of the helical gearing elastically via a spring element to the piston rod such that, in the event of rapid actuation of the brake, the helical gearing and a rotor of the electric motor do not have to be accelerated entirely muscle power. The muscle power required for actuating a brake is reduced as a result in the event of a rapid actuation of the brake.
US08783788B2

A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed for covering a cavity (11) of a wheel of a long-haul tractor-trailer, truck or the like for decoration, streamlining, and/or advertising display. Such wheels have a face, a rim, the interior of the rim defining the cavity, a boss (30) on the rim having a relatively smaller diameter and spaced from the face. The disclosed method includes providing a device (10) comprising a generally flat cover portion sized to cover the outwardly facing opening of the wheel cavity, an opening through the device, and a releasable fastener (15) for selectively closing the opening through the device, and an attachment system (12) that is sized to extend axially across the boss of the wheel to the covered, accessing the attachment system through the opening, positioning the attachment system over the boss of the wheel by way of the opening, and closing the opening, such that the cover portion closes substantially all the outwardly facing opening of the wheel.
US08783787B2

A method of forming a protective tip on a wire brush so as to make the brush less prone to damage sensitive surfaces, includes the steps of providing a brush with a wire core and a plurality of bristles defining a bristle block extending radially from the core and anchored in the core, and melting a portion of the wire core at an end thereof, by applying an energy source to the end, to form a protective tip.
US08783785B2

The invention relates to a bit holder (20) for a cutting machine, road milling machine, surface miner, or the like, having a bit receptacle (29) that comprises an introduction opening, and having a bit supporting surface (26), at least one wear protection element (40) being arranged in a region associated with the bit supporting surface (26). In order to bring about effective wear protection with little outlay in a bit holder of this kind, provision is made according to the present invention that the at least one wear protection element is embodied as a weld (40), and is arranged at least locally in at least one recess (41).
US08783782B2

A safety belt for a vehicle which can be worn in a manner of wearing suspenders to prevent a concentration of pressure to a part of the body of a seat occupant, and to uniformly distribute impact to thereby safely protect the seat occupant even upon the occurrence of an emergency during travel. To accomplish the above-described object, the safety belt for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a pair of belts spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction on the front surface of a seatback and a connection unit for interconnecting the pair of belts.
US08783781B1

An inflatable reclining chair which provides therapeutic support while in a seated or lying position is capable of being inflated by an air compressor and a valve assembly. The recliner may be placed upon a floor or ground surface and includes conventional chair features such as armrests, a back rest, and a head rest to allow the user to relax in comfort while in a reclined state. The device further includes an inflatable footrest and an internal recline air bladder which allows a user to select a desired back rest angle. In this manner, the user may select a variety of resting configurations. Finally, the recliner may be deflated completely and stored in a carrying case along with the air compressor, for convenient transportation.
US08783772B2

A vehicle seat, in particular a utility vehicle seat, has a seat frame which can be pivoted by a pneumatic spring and which can be adjusted in terms of height. An adjuster (20) establishes the actual value of the height of the seat frame. The adjuster (20) has a cable roll (22) which is supported on a first portion of the seat frame so as to be able to be rotated about an axis (A), and a cable (24), which can be at least partially wound on the cable roll (22), unwound therefrom and is secured to a second portion of the seat frame that can be moved relative to the first portion, and which controls at least one control valve (36) of the pneumatic spring in accordance with a desired value of the height of the seat frame. A gear mechanism (30) creates an operational connection, in particular a gear connection, between the cable roll (22), a desired value generator (32), by which the desired value of the height of the seat frame can be adjusted, and a control device (34) which controls the at least one control valve (36).
US08783760B2

A vehicle suspension strut tower bracing system includes a first suspension strut tower and a second suspension strut tower spaced from the first strut tower. At least one wall extends between and interconnects the first strut tower to the second strut tower. At least one strut tower brace is attached to the wall and spaced from the first and second strut towers. The strut tower brace includes a first support member having a first end and an opposite second end, and a second support member attached to the first support member at location spaced inward from the first and second ends of the first support member. The second support member is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first support member so as to form a generally Y-shaped configuration.
US08783759B2

A chassis structure for a motor vehicle includes a forged base body of light metal and a reinforcement body made of fiber material. The base body and the reinforcement body are bought into forced engagement by an adhesive layer, wherein the base body has at least one first region which is plastically deformed and partially encompasses the reinforcement body by a form fit.
US08783758B2

A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend generally below a storage container of the trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer. The side skirt wall includes (i) a first wall panel having a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to a rear wheel assembly of the trailer and (ii) a second wall panel having a first end pivotably coupled to a second end of the first wall panel and a second end configured to be pivotably coupled to a rear portion of the trailer. The side skirt wall is movable between a fully-extended position wherein the first and second wall panels cooperate to define a generally planar side skirt wall and a fully-retracted position wherein the first and second wall panels are angled relative to each other.
US08783754B1

An MUV having a utility bed including a bed floor having at least one panel. The bed floor panel is convertible between a planar storage surface and at least one passenger seat back by displacement of a lever. The bed floor being devoid of a latch handle.
US08783745B2

A fail safe locking overshot device. The overshot device is connected to a hoisting line for retrieval of a spearhead. The device provides automatic engagement of a mechanical locking system through locking dogs for locking the lifting dogs after capture of a spearhead. Manual disengagement is required to unlock the lifting dogs and release the spearhead.
US08783744B2

An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.
US08783740B1

A security lock has first and second components with first base and extension flanges. The first extension flange extends perpendicular from the first base flange, and has a button extending from the first extension flange opposite the base. The second component has second base and extension flanges. The second extension flange extends hingedly from the second base flange, and has a longitudinal central slot extending therefrom for receiving the button. An apparatus for locking first and second extension flanges relative to one another and lock a door in at least two partially opened positions relative to a corresponding door jam.
US08783737B2

A closure lock, in particular to a lock for a cover of a laboratory centrifuge and a housing of the laboratory centrifuge. The closure lock provides a particularly effective, loadable and safe lock which is not only actuatable through a power drive, but which also provides robust self blocking with respect to strong vibrations and high crash energies.
US08783729B2

A coupling system including a coupling for fastening to one end of a pipe via a fastening connection is provided. The coupling system includes a safety fastener device in the form of a sleeve surrounding the fastening connection and having a first end for welding to the pipe, and a hook-forming second end for co-operating with the coupling in such a manner that the hook is suitable for providing fastening between the coupling and the pipe in the event of the fastening connection is damaged.
US08783711B2

An airbag module including a housing, an airbag disposed within the housing, and a chute enclosing the airbag within the housing. The chute includes a seam formed therein that is operable to open during deployment of the airbag, wherein the chute includes a projection that extends toward the housing, and the housing includes a grasping feature that engages with the projection during deployment of the airbag to assist in opening the seam.
US08783706B2

A gooseneck coupler may be used on a towing vehicle to help tow certain types of towed vehicles, such as trailers. The gooseneck coupler may include a first member, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, where the second member is capable of pivoting relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The gooseneck coupler may also include an opening in the first member, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball, and a clinch mechanism located within the opening where the hitch ball is wedged between the clinch mechanism and the second member when the second member is in the second position relative to the first member.
US08783696B2

In a vehicle-height adjustment apparatus of a motorcycle having the hydraulic jack attached to the damper, damping force characteristics of a damper are stabilized, the influence of the charged gas pressure of an oil reservoir chamber is eliminated, and the sealing performance of a hydraulic jack is reduced. In the vehicle-height adjustment apparatus of a motorcycle, a back pressure chamber is provided on a side opposite to a jack chamber, with a plunger being interposed therebetween inside a hydraulic jack, and this back pressure chamber is communicated with a hydraulic chamber inside a damper tube.
US08783691B2

A mechanical seal device is provided for use when fluid pressure is frequently switched between positive and counter pressures. A rotary ring is provided on a rotary shaft and a stationary ring assembly is provided on which the stationary ring side sliding face is formed. A seal cover is provided containing the stationary ring assembly on an inner diameter side and supports the freely moving assembly in an axial direction of the rotary shaft along with a first O-ring to seal the first fluid and a second O-ring to seal the second fluid. A low-pressure chamber is sealed from the first fluid and the second fluid and maintains pressure lower than those of the first and the second fluids.
US08783689B1

A mechanical roping steer apparatus for practicing roping of a steer may comprise a steer assembly having a front and a rear. The steer assembly may comprise a frame and a leg assembly mounted on the frame and including at least one leg member being movable with respect to the frame, the at least one leg member having a lower end movable along an arc. The steer apparatus may further comprise an actuation assembly configured to engage a ground surface below the steer assembly and move the at least one leg member when the steer assembly is moved across the ground surface. The steer apparatus may also comprise a rope deflection assembly configured to deflect a rope from looping about the at least one leg member for at least a forward portion of the arc of movement of the leg lower end.
US08783684B2

There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can suppress erroneous detection of a jam. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator for generating a sound signal, a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on the sound signal, a special sound detector for determining whether a special sound has been generated based on a component of the sound signal, and a control module for performing abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that a jam has occurred and the special sound detector determines that a special sound has not been generated, and determining that no jam has occurred and not performing the abnormal processing when the sound jam detector determines that a jam has occurred and the special sound detector determines that a special sound has been generated.
US08783682B2

There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a main body with first and second transporting paths, a transporting roller pair, a recording portion, a reversal roller pair, a re-transporting roller pair, a transporting motor, first and second transmission mechanisms, and a controller. The second transmission mechanism has: a sun gear, an arm, a pendulum gear, and a gear row. The second transmission mechanism is configured to change a posture between a first posture and a second posture. The controller is configured to determine a position of the sheet, determine a size of the sheet, switch the rotation of the transporting motor under certain conditions, and increase the rotation amount of the transporting motor more for the case that the size of the sheet is determined to be not less than a transport distance than for the case that it is determined to be less than the transport distance.
US08783681B2

A paper-pressing tray mounting apparatus for a printing apparatus includes a first paper support tray, a second paper support tray mounted on the first paper support tray, a paper-pressing tray pivotally mounted on the second paper support tray, and a sliding panel mounted on the second paper support tray. When the second paper support tray moves toward the first paper support tray along a first direction, the sliding panel moves on the second paper support tray along a second direction opposite to the first direction, the sliding panel abuts against the paper-pressing tray, the paper-pressing tray rotates toward the first paper support tray around the second paper support tray, the second paper support tray is accommodated in the first paper support tray, and the paper-pressing tray is accommodated between the first paper support tray and the second paper support tray.
US08783678B2

A sheet storage cassette can include a sheet supporting board and a restriction guide. The sheet supporting board can support at least one sheet thereon. The restriction guide can be arranged on the sheet supporting board and include a sheet holding surface that is substantially perpendicular to the sheet support board. The restriction guide can further include a mark indicated part at an upper side thereof, where the mark indicated part can extend at least partly along a plane that intersects a plane of the holding surface and can indicate a maximum storage capacity level of the sheet storage cassette.
US08783676B2

A feeding roller, a drive motor configured to drive the feeding roller, a control unit configured to perform one rotation control on the feeding roller, a sheet feeding path curved immediately after the feeding roller, a conveying roller pair provided in the sheet feeding path, and being set to a sheet conveyance speed higher than that of the feeding roller so as to eliminate a loop formed when a sheet passes through the sheet feeding path during one rotation control of the feeding roller; and a ratchet mechanism configured to stop the driving force from the drive motor and cause the feeding roller to be rotated by the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller pair when the feeding roller is pulled by the sheet being conveyed by the conveying roller pair in the course of the one rotation control of the feeding roller are provided.
US08783674B2

Provided is a substrate stage which can transfer a substrate at a high speed. In the substrate stage of the present invention, auxiliary mounting tables are attached to a main mounting table, and lower rails are arranged over on the main mounting table and above the auxiliary mounting tables. When both ends of the lower rails are bent upwardly by a vertically adjusting unit in order to prevent the both ends of the lower rails to be bent downwardly, the lower rails are made straight. Since the lower rail is not divided, the linearity is ensured and the moving plate does not stutter so that transfer of the substrate at high speed can be performed.
US08783669B2

A push-push type stylus eject mechanism includes a rail disposed on a substrate, a hook disposed on the substrate, a slide device sliding relative to the substrate, an elastic device connecting the slide device and the hook, and a guide arm having an end pivoted on the slide device and another end having a pin. The slide device could couple to a stylus. The slide device has a pressing element. The rail has a first positioning point and a second positioning point. The pin is moved between the first positioning point and the second positioning point when the stylus is pushed, and the guide arm is pressed by the pressing element to prevent the pin releasing from the rail.
US08783660B1

A selectively positionable lifting system for a utility trailer, or the like, in which a jacking system is selectively attachable to a strategic position of the utility trailer in order to lift said trailer at the jack point for maintenance and repair purposes, the jacking system being easily removed and stowed when not in use.
US08783657B2

A top entry plastic ball valve comprises a valve stem cap (1), a valve stem (2), a valve stem sealing ring (3), a valve ball sealing ring (5), a supporting ring (6) for the valve ball sealing ring, a valve ball (7), a connecting pipe (8), and a valve body (9). A hollow valve ball chamber (911) is provided inside the valve body (9), the valve body (9) is provided with a valve cover hole (912) just above the valve ball chamber (911), and the width of the valve cover hole (912) is larger than the diameter of the valve ball (7). The ball valve also comprises a valve cover (4), which is provided with a valve stem shaft hole (410) for allowing the valve stem (2) to pass through and corresponds to the valve cover hole (912) so that the valve cover (4) can cover the valve cover hole (912) and can be fusion-bonded to the valve body (9), thereby avoiding the need for electric fusion welding process in the manufacture of large-diameter ball valves.
US08783656B2

A valve assembly includes a valve body and a bonnet. The valve body has a cylindrical access channel with adjoining at least one radial keyway. At least one coupling cavity adjoins and is out of register with the at least one radial keyway. The bonnet has a cylindrical body with at least one radially extending lug. The at least one lug is configured and sized to be accepted by the at least one radial keyway and to be housed within the at least one coupling cavity when the cylindrical body is twisted so that the at least one lug is out of register with the at least one radial keyway.
US08783655B2

A connector structure for a pressure pipe includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a piston and a positioning sleeve therein. The female connector has inner threads. The positioning sleeve has outer threads. A nut is fitted on the positioning sleeve. The outer threads of the positioning sleeve are mated with the inner threads of the female connector. The piston has an insertion section to be inserted in the positioning sleeve. The insertion section has a slot and is provided with a first seal ring. The male connector has threads on an outer wall thereof for engagement of the nut of the female connector. The male connector has a coupling section and a second seal ring.
US08783639B2

Embodiments of a stand are provided with continuous adjustability within a range of travel. In one embodiment, a stand includes a movement mechanism adapted to allow a tray to move along a range of travel relative to a stand base. The movement mechanism is in some embodiments further adapted to position the tray at an infinite number of locations along the range of travel.
US08783628B2

A cable support apparatus is provided. The cable support apparatus includes an elongate spine member, and a plurality of support members each attached to the elongate spine member, each of the plurality of support members defining at least one cable receiving portion therein, wherein at least one of the plurality of support members further includes a hanger for retaining one or more cables separate from the at least one cable receiving portion.
US08783621B2

A method is provided for controlling a set of at least two satellites, designed to provide a service on a geostationary orbit, rendering said service on a non-geostationary orbit, in which means involved in the performance of said service, installed on board a satellite, are deactivated when the sun can damage it, and means involved in the performance of said service installed on board another satellite of the set are activated, when this is necessary to the continuity of the service.
US08783620B2

A method is provided for controlling a set of at least two satellites adapted to provide a service used by at least one portion of the set of the said satellites at a given moment, in which, continuously or pseudo-continuously, a mean value of the longitudes of the respective ascending nodes of each satellite is computed, and, for each satellite, a correction of trajectory of the satellite is applied by regulating the longitude of the ascending node on a setpoint equal to said current mean value.
US08783619B2

An air inlet of an aircraft nacelle includes a pipe, extending over the circumference of the air inlet and defined in the back by a front frame, and an element for the localized injection of hot air into the pipe, thus ensuring the flow of hot air into the pipe in one direction along the circumference of the nacelle. The inlet includes at least one vortex generator (38) in the pipe (22), the generator being plate-shaped or shaped in a manner projecting from the wall of the pipe (22), in order to disrupt the hot air flow so as to compensate the effect of the centrifugal force and reduce the temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the pipe (22).
US08783617B2

An air vehicle fuselage adapted for transonic operation is disclosed. The fuselage has a body and a close-out. A lower surface of the body has a waterline value that varies along a fore-aft direction of the fuselage and is equal to a first waterline value at a forward end of the close-out and rise to a second waterline value at an aft end of the close-out. The lower surface has a drag-reduction blivet that includes a first region wherein the lower surface drops to a point comprising a third waterline value that is below the first waterline value and a first inward radius and then rises over a second region disposed aft of the first region wherein a second radius that is a minimum radius of the lower surface within the second region is greater than the first radius.
US08783616B2

A loads interface (1), particularly a loads interface (1) of an aircraft door with an edge frame (13), an outer skin (15) and a beam (14). A loads transferring flange (11) is designed to transmit transverse, circumferential and/or longitudinal forces, is provided with at least three flanges (18, 19, 20) for distribution of the loads in the edge frame (13), the outer skin (15) and the beam (14).
US08783611B2

An aircraft has an armor releasably attached to the body of an aircraft, an actuator connecting the armor to the body of the aircraft, and a control that, upon operation, actuates the actuator to release the armor from the body.
US08783596B2

The present invention provides a fishing reel that allows the caster to cast from either side of the spool or an in-line position. Starting from a spool position with the line on the spool in the same direction as the retrieve referred to as the in-line position, the line can be cast from this position, or the spool can be rotated 90 degrees in either direction from the in-line position for the cast. After the spool is rotated, the cast is discharged from the side of the spool in a direction perpendicular to the line on the spool. After the cast, the spool is returned to the starting position of the in-line position, with the line on the spool in the same direction as the retrieve. The line is then retrieved by turning a handle connected to a series of gears that engage the spool and thereby reel in the line.
US08783587B2

A mobile pressure washing system is provided. The system comprises a frame with hinged elements for transitioning the frame between an upright position of use and a compact position for secure transport and storage of the system. System features further include a removable and replaceable tank adapted to fit on a portion of the frame, storage features, and pressure washing features such as a motor and pump.
US08783584B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a cold spray method in which spray efficiency is improved by using a device comprising a similar construction to the conventional ones with minor change in conditions. The cold spray method employs the nozzle for cold spray system which comprises a convergent shape part, a throat part and a conical divergent shape part widened forward from the throat part used for making the raw material powder introduce from an inlet of the nozzle, which is located in the convergent shape part, into and shoot as a supersonic flow by using a working gas having temperature equal to or lower than a melting point of the raw material powder from a spout provided at the tip of the divergent shape part, wherein the convergent shape part is composed of a preheating region and a convergent region.
US08783582B2

An adjustable arc spray nozzle for an irrigation sprinkler is provided, where positive indexing is provided at a plurality of present locations between relatively rotatable components of the nozzle for defining predetermined arcuate extents of the spray pattern.
US08783578B2

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a card (e.g., identification, debit card, credit card, smart card, etc.) having a dynamic information display panel integrated therein. The display panel is typically activated when user uses the card. This can occur when the card is swiped, and/or is powered up via an integrated energy panel (e.g., by an external light source). Alternatively, the card can be powered by RFID coupling, smart IC contact, battery, etc. Upon powering up, displayed information is used to: identify the user; and/or show private information to user only. Along these lines, displayed information can remain in card memory and/or on the display until next transaction, or it can be deleted after a programmed duration.
US08783575B2

A wireless laser detection system for use in a military training environment and method of implementing the same are described. The wireless laser detection system includes at least one laser detector module characterized by a sensor, a decoder, and a network adapter. The laser detection system also includes a control module and a status indicator. The sensor detects an information bearing laser signal and communicates it to the decoder. The decoder extracts event data from the laser signal and sends it to the network adapter. The network adapter wirelessly transmits the event data over a personal area network to the control module. The control module processes the event data and stores it in a memory. The control module also optionally downloads the stored event data to an external device.
US08783574B2

The invention relates to a peripheral unit system that provides a universally usable system for adding peripheral functions to off-the-shelf handheld host devices of variable size and configuration. The system and methods according to the invention allow adaptation to variably sized handheld host devices without the need to customize the peripheral unit to the host device. The invention provides added functionality such as increased ruggedness and durability, while providing an integrated system in association with a handheld host device, to provide the convenience of a one-piece form-factor, without sacrificing universality of the solution. The peripheral unit comprises a housing having a portion configured to engage with a handheld host device of various sizes and electrical configurations. An attachment mechanism is associated with the housing, being used to selectively secure the housing to the handheld host device to form a one-piece apparatus suitable for handheld use. The attachment mechanism is secured to the host device by selective adjustment of the size to adapt to a host device. In addition, the peripheral unit may provide a universal connection to at least one electrical connector of the host device, to provide added input-output functions to the operation of the combined system.
US08783572B2

A signal is transmitted into a computer in response to an image on a display screen of the computer such that the computer operates in response to the signal; this includes moving a scanner in optical communication with the display screen such that the scanner detects an image (for example, a bar code) displayed on the screen and generates the signal in response. One or more computers may be used, and this may be used for vending a product or other purposes. With or without such scanning, a portion of a store environment may be displayed on a screen of a computer, including showing images of actual products for sale at the store, in which images of actual products are accessed via the computer from a database containing in-store images recorded in the store during a period of non-existent or minimal customer presence in the store. A vending system is also disclosed.
US08783570B2

An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. Focusing optics and a sensor array define a field of view. A data processor has a memory for storing a pattern definition of previously imaged OCR characters and comparing a format of said previously stored characters to a present image to determine a character content of the present image.
US08783568B2

Telescopic sight, in particular for a handgun, comprising an optical lens system which is integrated in an essentially elongated outer tube which preferably has a circular cross section and can be fitted to the handgun or the like, which optical lens system is terminated by an eyepiece at an end facing the shooter's eye when the gun is being used, and by an objective at its opposite end, and has, between the eyepiece and the objective, at least one image plane lying in the optical beam path of light beams passing through the eyepiece and the objective, wherein a graticule structure lying in the beam path is arranged in the or at least one of the image planes, characterized in that the graticule structure comprises a virtual image of a graticule arranged outside the beam path, said virtual image being projected into the (respective) image plane.
US08783561B2

The present invention is directed to a system and method for administration of a customer loyalty program at a point of sale terminal. The system, in one embodiment, contains a database of customer records for the loyalty program where each customer record contains information about a customer's payment device and information about a customer's mobile device. The system may locate a customer record in a database based on payment device or mobile device information captured at the point of sale terminal and apply any applicable loyalty program discounts. The system may then forward the payment device information to a third-party payment processor for payment processing. The system may print out a receipt at the point of sale terminal indicating any discounts and containing a promotional message. The system may also send a promotional message to the customer's mobile device using the mobile device information stored in the customer's record.
US08783560B2

A virtual cash system, method, and apparatus has an account record containing a record of money amounts associated with a wireless device and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting to the wireless device predetermined information from the account record. Cash amounts can be spent from the account record directly from the wireless device via information derived from the wireless device via a bar code on the display, a short range radio signal, a light beam, or the like. A different security code is generated for each account transaction for verification.
US08783536B1

A universal bicycle rack with a lifting mechanism comprises a vehicle hitch-mounted bicycle carrier with mechanical vertical adjustment capabilities, a bicycle rack and a crank assembly. The bicycle rack comprises a durable metal bicycle receiving and retaining structure which provides securement of a plurality of bicycles to a motor vehicle for transport. The rack is connected to a crank assembly, comprising a hitch receiver, a vertical adjustment assembly, and a crank handle. The crank assembly is attached to an existing vehicle hitch via the hitch receiver portion. The vertical adjustment assembly provides attachment to the bicycle rack. The height of the attachment portion is manually adjustable via the crank handle. In use, a user may lower the rack, roll a bicycle into position over the rack, and utilize the crank handle to raise the rack and bicycles off of the ground surface for subsequent transport.
US08783535B2

The present invention provides an integrated attachment and carrying means for detachable attachment to a transport device comprising a carrying means for carrying by a user; and at least one attachment means comprising a means for attachment to a transport device, wherein the attachment means is attached to or integrated with the carrying means. The invention further provides a bag featuring such an integrated attachment and carrying means and a method of use of such an integrated attachment and carrying means.
US08783523B2

A bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a body wherein a reservoir is formed, the bottle including a device for sampling having a push-button with a dispensing orifice for the product, the push-button able to be displaced reversibly on an actuating stroke of the device between a position at rest and a depressed position wherein the dispensing orifice is in communication with the reservoir by the intermediary of the device, the body including a filling valve, the reservoir having an air depression arranged to carry out filling of the reservoir through suction of the product contained in a source, the bottle further including a cap which is associated to the body by forming a sealed internal space wherein the push-button is arranged, the internal space having an air depression and being arranged to maintain the push-button in depressed position to be in communication with the reservoir.
US08783513B2

A product dispensing system includes a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient. A pump module is configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient. A controller is configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe. The controller is further configured to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.
US08783510B2

A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes an electronically powered key device and/or identification code associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. The system utilizes a near field frequency response to determine whether a refill container is compatible with a dispensing system. In particular, the refill container is provided with a coil terminated by one of a number of capacitors. The container is received in a housing that provides a pair of coils that are in a spatial relationship with the installed refill container's coil. By energizing one of the housing's coils, the other coil detects a unique electronic signature generated by the container's coil. If the signature is acceptable, the dispensing system is allowed to dispense a quantity of material. The system also provides a unique latching mechanism to retain the container and ensure positioning of all the coils.
US08783509B2

A method, device and system for metering powder material from a powder material source by a metering device connected to the source. The device is charged from the source with a batch of powder material in a charging configuration. The batch is discharged from the device in a discharging configuration. The source is connected with a metering piston space in the charging configuration via a first channel of a fixed metering channel hub. The volume of the space is controlled between a metering piston and a hub peripheral surface by controlling the piston position in the space, to charge the volume with material by gravity. The metering space is turned around the hub, to the charging configuration. The volume filled with material is enclosed until reaching the discharging configuration. The metering piston space is connected with a discharge opening via a second channel of the hub for discharging the material.
US08783501B2

An apparatus and method for constructing a cryogenic storage tank (700) having a welded inner tank (702), an outer shell (704) surrounding the welded inner tank (702), a concrete foundation (728) comprising a raised portion (752), a plurality of cellular glass blocks (734) positioned directly on top of the raised portion (752) of the concrete foundation (728), a leveling course of concrete (736) poured on top of the uppermost layer of the plurality of cellular glass blocks (734), and a mounting apparatus (718) affixed to the concrete foundation (728), where the welded inner tank (702) is positioned on top of the leveling course of concrete (736) and the outer shell (704) is affixed to the mounting apparatus (718) at locations around the periphery of the outer shell (704).
US08783491B2

A washing container assembly for washing an article includes an outer container, a perforated inner container, and a perforated and dish-shaped lid. The outer container has a first top opening and a first compartment in spatial communication with the first top opening. The perforated inner container is coupled removably to the outer container, and defines a second opening and a second compartment that is in spatial communication with the second top opening and that is for receiving the article therein. The lid includes a peripheral wall connected removably to the first and second top portions of the outer and inner containers, and a depressed wall extending from the peripheral wall into the second compartment and for maintaining the article in the second compartment.
US08783469B2

A roll sorter device has a first roll that can be driven rotatably about its roll axis and a second roll that can be driven rotatably about its roll axis opposite the rotation of the first roll. The second roll is arranged spaced from the first roll such that the roll axes of the first and second rolls are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The roll sorter device may include a detection device for detecting seized and/or faulty preforms on the first or second roll and a roll arrangement modification element to modify the arrangement of the first and second rolls to each other when the detection device detects seized preforms. A sorting method for sorting performs and a transport device may employ the aforementioned roll sorter device.
US08783463B2

A wafer container utilizes a rigid polymer tubular tower with slots and a “getter” therein for absorbing and filtering moisture and vapors within the wafer container. The tower preferably utilizes a purge grommet at the base of the container and may have a check valve therein to control the flow direction of gas (including air) into and out of the container and with respect to the tower. The tower is sealingly connected with the grommet. The tower may have a getter media piece rolled in an elongate circular fashion forming or shaped as a tube and disposed within the tower and may have axially extending. The media can provide active and/or passive filtration as well as having capabilities to be recharged. Front opening wafer containers for 300 mm sized wafers generally have a pair of recesses on each of the left and right side in the inside rear of the container portions. These recesses are preferably utilized for elongate towers, such towers extending substantially from a bottom wafer position to a top wafer position. In alternative embodiment, a tubular shape of getter material is exposed within the front opening container without containment of the getter other than at the ends. The tubular getter form is preferably supported at discrete locations to maximize exposure to the internal container environment. A blocker member can selectively close the apertures. An elastomeric cap can facilitate securement of the tubular component in the container portion.
US08783458B2

Case accessories for portable electronic devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a case accessory may include a base configured to sit on a working surface, a support coupled to the base and configured to support a portable electronic device in an elevated position, a rotational mechanism coupled to the support configured to allow the holder to rotate in one or more directions relative to the support, and a holder coupled to the rotational mechanism and configured to secure the portable electronic device.
US08783451B2

A disposable sterile breakable vial includes a handle section and a vial section which are completely separable in response to a manually applied separation force. The vial section includes a sterile void dimensioned to contain a unit dose of a sterile therapeutic topical agent. An elongated member comprises a proximal portion supported by the handle section and a distal portion provided with a sterile applicator element, such as a brush. At least the applicator element is completely enclosed within the vial section with the applicator element immersed within the therapeutic topical agent. A hermetic seal between the handle and vial sections maintains sterility of at least the vial section prior to handle and vial section separation. Complete separation of the handle section and the vial section exposes the elongated member and the applicator element for topical application of the therapeutic agent saturating the applicator element.
US08783448B2

A conveyor belt comprising knit fabric of high practicality, and an apparatus which uses such a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes weft knit fabric. Suction of air from below belt(s) is used to convey sheet-like and/or small thing(s) which are object(s) to be conveyed that are placed. The strength of filament(s) of knit fabric at side end(s) is adequately maintained. Loops exhibit mutual intertwining of filament(s) Pitch Ps of loops in width direction is formed so as to be smaller than pitch Pg of loops in conveying direction. Adjacent loops are mutually flattened and filament(s) of loop(s) are entangled, mutual intertwining of filament(s) causes knit fabric to have suppressed percentage elongation and increased strength in conveying direction, fraying of filament(s) at side end(s) of belt(s) is prevented, and strength is adequately increased.
US08783447B1

An article metering device for use in a conveyor system includes a continuous belt, a body, a motor operatively connected to the body for drivingly moving the belt and a guide belt. The belt guide has opposed ends operatively connected to and continuously supported by the body in at least two directions, the belt guide having a support surface for continuously supporting the belt between the opposed ends. The belt guide has a different coefficient of expansion/contraction than the body. The belt guide is operatively connected to the body such that the belt guide can freely expand/contract relative to the body without distorting the support surface. The belt guide extends between adjacent conveyor sections of the conveyor system or between different positions of a conveyor section of the conveyor system.
US08783444B2

An alignment and bracing assembly and method of using the same to erect a bucket elevator. The assembly has first and second cross braces that are attached to trunking members of a bucket elevator in spaced relation where a plate is secured to each of the cross braces. The plate includes diagonal sections for additional bracing and in addition alignment openings so that alignment pins can be disposed therethrough to align additional sets of trunking members with one another during the erection process. The alignment pins are also used for the erection of a modular tower dryer.
US08783432B2

An ultralight suitcase comprises a case framework, case material, pull rods, wheels and supporting legs. The case framework comprises upper connectors, lower connectors, upper corner connectors and lower corner connectors; the bottom parts of the lower corner connectors are connected with the supporting legs; the upper connectors and the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors and the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the upper corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the lower corner connectors are connected through supporting connectors; the whole framework of the case is firmer through the buckling connection between the upper corner connectors and the upper connectors and between the lower corner connectors and the lower connectors, and the total weight of the suitcase remains unchanged.
US08783421B2

A brake device for an elevator system includes a brake disk adapted to interact with a brake rotor concentrically disposed on an extension of a traction sheave. A traction sheave adapted to be concentrically disposed on a shaft of an elevator system driving apparatus includes a main body including an integrally formed extension adapted to interact with a brake device.
US08783415B2

A safety device for a ladder and one or more support platforms disposed upon an underlying roof surface comprising a panel member having a top side, a bottom side, a back edge portion, a first side edge portion, a second side edge portion, and a front U-shaped edge portion with laterally spaced-apart forwardly extending arms for positioning a ladder there between to contain the ladder and prevent its lateral movement beyond the arms. The panel member and the support platform each has the means in cooperating relation to attach the panel member to the support platform in releasable engagement to enable the panel member and the support platform to easily disconnect and reconnect to further enable the adjustment of the positioning of the panel member relative to one or more adjacently or closely placed support platforms situated along or near the edge of said roof surface.
US08783402B2

In a vehicle having rear seats which can be swung up, a vehicle electric equipment mounting structure is provided which can ensure a sufficient space at a rear part of the vehicle which allows passengers to walk therethrough while arranging vehicle driving electric motor-related electric equipment at the rear part of the vehicle. Third row seats 5 which can be swung up towards side walls 9a are provided at a rear part of a vehicle 1. Electric equipment such as a battery unit 21, an inverter unit 22 and a DC-DC converter unit 23 is accommodated within a downwardly depressed portion 11 in a floor panel 2 underneath a rear lid board 34 on which the third row seats 5, taking a seating posture, are positioned.
US08783391B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to powered vehicles (e.g., lawn mowers) and, more particularly, to a control system for use with such a vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine and one or more drive control levers incrementally movable between a neutral position and a maximum velocity position. The system may also include a velocity profile control system having an adjustment member that permits altering a ratio between control lever movement and velocity of an associated drive member or wheel. Thus, the system may alter a maximum potential velocity of the vehicle while the drive control lever(s) are positioned in the maximum velocity position without varying an output level of the power source.
US08783383B2

A device used to break rock from within a predrilled borehole through the use of impact pins which strike against the interior sides of a drilled hole. The device is loaded into a drilled hole and then activated by a percussive hammer located above the hole, providing percussive energy to the device which is then transferred to the sidewall of the drilled hole. The device includes an inner piston assembly which includes a driving surface for causing impact pins to strike the interior sidewall of the drilled hole in a rapid percussive manner so as to greatly improve the ability to break and shatter surrounding rock or concrete.
US08783373B2

A sidewall fire protection sprinkler, including a deflector having a central portion curved about a first, horizontal axis that is transverse to a second axis that extends in an output direction of the sprinkler. End portions extend outwardly from the central portion along the first axis, the end portions each respectively including an upper part and a lower part separated by a gap which defines an elongated notch extending between the upper part and the lower part at an innermost portion of the gap adjacent to the central portion. The gap is formed extending outwardly from the central portion substantially along the first axis. Planar portions extend respectively from top edges of the upper parts of the end portions. The planar portions extend in the output direction. The sprinkler can provide extended coverage ordinary hazard protection.
US08783362B2

A subsea assembly for producing fluids from a well having a casing string in the well supported with a hanger on an upper end. Cement is in a portion of an annulus between the casing string and walls of the well, thereby leaving segment of the casing string unsupported in the well. A motion compensating element is coaxially provided in the unsupported segment of the casing string to absorb axial expansion and/or contraction that may occur in the unsupported segment of the casing string.
US08783361B2

There is provided a high power laser assisted blowout preventer and methods of use. In particular, there are provided systems and assemblies for utilizing high power laser energy within a blowout preventer to cut tubulars that are present within the bore of the blowout prevent, reducing the risk that such tubulars will inhibit the ability of the blowout preventer to seal a well.
US08783354B2

Apparatus and method for adjusting spring preloading in a downhole tool. In an apparatus, a mechanism includes a nut and a piston. The nut is configured to axially compress a spring in the downhole tool. The piston is coupled to the nut. Extension of the piston causes the nut to rotate and compress the spring. The nut is configured to maintain compression of the spring after the piston retracts.
US08783349B2

Embodiments disclose a sand screen apparatus for use in a well that intersects a hydrocarbon formation. The sand screen apparatus comprises a composite, the composite having a compressed state and an expanded state. In embodiments, the composite comprises a base polymer and one or a plurality of reactive fillers where the reactive fillers react with the base polymer in the expanded state after exposure to a first trigger.
US08783348B2

An apparatus for gravel packing includes a sand screen and a secondary flow path module. The module is installed over the sand screen with the sand screen positioned radially inward the secondary flow path module. The secondary flow path module includes a protective cover to which the secondary flow path hardware is attached on an interior of the protective cover.
US08783343B2

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tools and methods for hanging and/or expanding liner strings. In one embodiment, a method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore includes running the liner assembly and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string. The setting tool includes an isolation valve and the liner assembly includes a liner hanger and a liner string. The method further includes sending an instruction signal from the surface to the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve closes in response to the instruction signal and isolates a setting pressure in the setting tool from the liner string; and increasing fluid pressure in the setting tool, thereby setting the liner hanger.
US08783339B2

Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member.
US08783338B1

A tubing conveyed tool for use in perforating a well bore utilizing abrasive perforating techniques. The perforating tool is particularly useful in non-vertical wells. The perforating tool is designed to permit running and setting a bridge plug, and then perforating the well bore without requiring the removal of the tool string. An eccentric weight bar can also be used to allow for directional perforating in non-vertical wells. The eccentric weight bar uses gravity to cause the bar to rotate to a predetermined position.
US08783334B2

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for transmitting heat from a gaseous primary fluid to a liquid secondary fluid. In particular, the present invention relates to the thermal exchange means proper, the main feature of which is the use of a diverging tube sheet including a plurality of four-lobe cross-section tubes.
US08783330B2

A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.
US08783329B2

A sun shading apparatus includes a supporting frame, a shading frame and a shading fabric. The supporting frame includes first and second leg frames, and a supporting bar extended between the first and the second leg frames, while the second leg frame has third and fourth mounting slots. The shading frame includes first and second coupling joints each having a V-shaped cross section, first and second frame members, and a reinforcing frame, wherein the supporting bar is extended between the first and second coupling joints. The first and the second frame member are coupled with the first coupling joint and the second coupling joint respectively, while the reinforcing frame is extended between the first and second frame member and the supporting bar to form a support platform. The shading fabric is detachably mounted on the support platform for shading adverse weather condition.
US08783323B2

Disclosed is a platen opening mechanism in a portable labeling machine capable of simultaneously opening the platen through a single operation of opening a bottom cover to form an insertion passage for a label strip. The platen is pivotally opened from a machine side plate in interlock with opening a bottom cover that is also pivoted open in the opposite pivot direction from the side plate. The platen is pivotable to a closed position and an open position relative to the side plate to allow the label strip to be loaded.
US08783320B2

A label applying apparatus and a related method are provided. The label applying apparatus may include a label applicator and a receptacle. The label applicator may include a displaceable piston with an applicator surface configured to receive a label. The receptacle may include walls that define an interior compartment. Further the receptacle may include a pivotable cover member that pivots about a hinge between a closed position that covers an upper opening of the receptacle and an open position in which articles of material may be inserted into the interior compartment. The distal end of an upper portion of the pivotable cover member may engage the articles such that the articles are retained in a position whereby the displaceable piston extends into the interior compartment and applies a label to a label application surface of the most proximate one of the articles to the applicator surface of the displaceable piston.
US08783312B2

A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion divided into a crown land region, two middle land regions and two shoulder land regions. The crown land region and middle land regions are each divided into triangular blocks by axial grooves arranged in a zigzag fashion. The shoulder land regions are each divided into shoulder blocks by axial grooves extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees. The shoulder block is subdivided into an axially inner part and an axially outer part by a secondary groove extending at an angle of not more than 10 degrees. The outer part is provided with sipes extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees, each angle with respect the circumferential direction.
US08783304B2

A fuel reservoir for dispensing liquid fuel with a dispensing appliance includes a container having an opening, a liquid fuel in the container, a needle-pierceable septum disposed across the opening of the container, and a locking surface disposed on an exterior surface of the container and configured to engage a locking mechanism of a dispensing appliance.
US08783303B2

Disclosed is a simple, analytical method that can be utilized by hydrogen filling stations for directly and accurately calculating the end-of-fill temperature in a hydrogen tank that, in turn, allows for improvements in the fill quantity while tending to reduce refueling time. The calculations involve calculation of a composite heat capacity value, MC, from a set of thermodynamic parameters drawn from both the tank system receiving the gas and the station supplying the gas. These thermodynamic parameters are utilized in a series of simple analytical equations to define a multi-step process by which target fill times, final temperatures and final pressures can be determined. The parameters can be communicated to the station directly from the vehicle or retrieved from a database accessible by the station. Because the method is based on direct measurements of actual thermodynamic conditions and quantified thermodynamic behavior, significantly improved tank filling results can be achieved.
US08783300B2

A hose assembly and a method for forming the hose assembly are disclosed. The hose assembly includes a core tube having an outer peripheral surface and is formed from a fluoropolymer. The hose assembly also includes a first reinforcing layer disposed about the core tube and defining a plurality of first apertures, and a second reinforcing layer disposed about the first reinforcing layer and having an exterior surface and defining a plurality of second apertures. The hose assembly further includes a polymeric binder, formed from a binder composition, on the outer peripheral surface of the core tube, in the first and second apertures, and about the exterior surface of the second reinforcing layer to bond the first and second reinforcing layers to the core tube.
US08783296B2

A water-saving antiblocking anti-splash waterfall water curtain head core comprises a housing having an upper portion internally enlarged and a flow leading mouth set inside the housing; a block is set under the flow leading mouth, and there are spaces between the upper surface of the block and the exit of the flow leading mouth; the upper surface of the block is fixedly connected with a support rod going through the flow leading mouth; a flow leading bracket with through holes is fixedly connected to the internally enlarged upper portion and to a top of the support rod; the flow leading mouth is such sized to anti-block. During operation, the surface of the block equally blocks water flow and accordingly forms hollow film-like water curtain.
US08783292B2

A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.
US08783291B2

The present invention relates to a two-stage electrohydraulic servo valve with a first stage, which operates as pilot stage and includes a movable nozzle tube, and a second stage which operates as power stage, wherein the nozzle tube of the pilot stage is guided by means of a torsion element and the oil supply of the movable nozzle tube is integrated in the torsion element.
US08783287B2

A baffle has a sidewall and an interior space sized to receive the in-tank pump. The sidewall is formed of a flexible material so as to be longitudinally compressible. The compressibility of the sidewall allows the baffle to be mounted in fuel tanks of varying depths. The baffle is used in a method for mounting an in-tank fuel pump in a fuel tank. The method includes the steps of cutting a hole in a top wall of the fuel tank, inserting the baffle into the tank through the hole, compressing the sidewall of the baffle so that the baffle extends between the top and bottom walls of the tank, installing the in-tank pump in the interior space of the baffle and installing a cover plate over the hole.
US08783285B2

A smart drain valve comprises a support plate, a bolt passing through a center of the support plate, an outer plate connected to a first end of the bolt, an inner plate connected to a second end of the bolt, and a spring positioned between the inner plate and the support plate. The spring is made of a shape memory material.
US08783261B2

According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a dental attachment that includes an anchoring element configured to be outside the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a second arch. The dental device further includes a flexible tension element including a substantially planar surface extending along the longitudinal axis of the flexible tension element, the flexible tension element configured to couple to the second arch proximate to the midline of the second arch and to couple to the anchoring element outside the user's mouth.
US08783253B2

A decorative cover for a respirator mask includes a fabric panel formed from substantially non-filtering fabric material. A first fastener is attached to an interior surface on the fabric panel, and a second fastener is attached to an exterior surface of the respirator mask. The first and second fasteners releasably engage with each other to couple the fabric panel to the respirator mask.
US08783249B2

An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion.
US08783245B2

A ventilation system for a range hood of a kitchen area is provided. More particularly, a kitchen ventilation system is provided that has both exhaust and recirculation options that are provided by internally contained features for directing the flow of air. The system can be installed as a modular unit as part of a new or existing range hood.
US08783242B1

A charcoal grill includes a base for holding charcoal, support legs, and a lid mounted to the base. A metal band, having an opening formed therein, encircles the base. A box is secured to the metal band in registration with the metal band opening. The box includes a top wall and an opening formed in the top wall. The box has an open, ram-receiving back end and an open front end in open communication with the metal band opening. A chimney holds charcoal until it is ready to be used. A user inverts the chimney to charge charcoal into the box through the top wall opening. A ram inserted through the back end of the box slides the charcoal into the base through the metal band opening. In this way, charcoal is added to the apparatus when the lid is closed and before a prior charge of charcoal is consumed.
US08783219B2

A switchable cam follower (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having an inner lever and an outer lever (2, 3), wherein the levers (2, 3) can be connected to one another via coupling means (12) and run on a common pin (15) such that they can be moved pivotably relative to one another, which pin (15) is projected around by at least one group of turns (16) of a swivel pin spring (17) as cam restoring spring, wherein a first limb (19) which protrudes from an end side (18) of the group of turns (16) acts on a first clamping point (20) of the outer lever (3) and a second limb (22) which protrudes from another end side (21) of the group of turns (16) acts on a second clamping point (23) of the inner lever (2), in the rotational direction in such a way that the levers (2, 3) are present such that they are stressed towards one another, wherein the pin (15) runs in a “floating” manner with respect to the holes (13, 14), wherein the group of turns (16) comprises a bush (24) with play, wherein axial fixing of the pin (15) is produced via the offset contact of the group of turns (16) on the bush (24), which offset contact is brought about by the system stressing, and therefore the offset contact of said bush (24) on the pin (13), and wherein, in order to reduce a resulting contact force (FR) in the region of the contact of the group of turns (16) on the bush (24), the clamping points (20, 23) of the two limbs (19, 22) of the group of turns (16) are positioned in such a way that an angle (α) which is enclosed by intersecting force vectors at the clamping points (20, 23) [direction of action of the two contact forces (F1, F2)] lies in the range (90°<α<180°).
US08783190B2

A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.
US08783188B1

An inflator containing a housing having a first end and a second end is provided. An igniter is fixed within the first end of the housing for ignition of gas generant charges within the housing. A discrete fuel charge and a discrete oxidizer charge ignitably communicates with the igniter. The fuel charge and the oxidizer charge may be axially aligned and are substantially simultaneously combusted upon actuation of the inflator.
US08783175B2

A printing press includes an anilox printing unit having a screen roller and a feed blade as components, in which ink accumulates on an outer side of the feed blade during printing. A method for operating the anilox printing unit includes removing the accumulated ink from the feed blade by moving one of the two components relative to the other of the two components in a first direction in a first step, causing the accumulated ink to be flattened by the feed blade and to be spread onto the screen roller. The component that was moved in the first direction in the first step may be moved in an opposite, second direction in a second step, causing the accumulated ink to be scraped off the screen roller by the feed blade.
US08783171B2

A juice extractor is adapted to squeeze juice from oranges and similar kinds of fruits. The juice extractor includes a juice extractor base and a juice squeezing wheel rotatably disposed on the juice extractor base. An arcuate concave surface is formed on an upper portion of the juice extractor base. The juice squeezing wheel has an involute outer surface. A crushing space is defined between the juice squeezing wheel and the concave surface of the juice extractor base for receiving a half-cut fruit. When the juice squeezing wheel rotates, the half-cut fruit in the crushing space is crushed to produce fruit juice. The juice extractor can squeeze juice electrically, is structurally simple and is convenient to be washed.
US08783162B2

A hydraulic driven turning device to be installed to a construction machine has a first body and a second body turning in relation to the first body, and a hydraulic cylinder attached from the first and second bodies to another body. A piston is axially movable via a hydraulic pressure medium, and a spiral part is attached to the piston. The spiral part causes a rotational movement to a counter part equipped with a spiral, whereupon the rotational movement can be transferred to be a turning movement of another body. The piston is arranged to be non-rotating in the cylinder by forming the cross section of the piston and the cylinder to be deviant from a round form, such as having an oval or angular shape, or by adjusting the piston to be eccentric in relation to a bearing axis thereof.
US08783153B2

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a firearm actuation system is provided. The firearm actuation system, comprising a housing, a guide, a contoured actuation handle, and a bolt. The system provides an actuation mechanism for an AR-15 which is engagable by a shooter where the AR-15 is in a shouldered firing position. The contoured actuation handle may be retained in the retaining slot to provide an action-open-position. The housing may also comprise a mounting rail with a plurality of grooves, where each groove may be configured with a unique indicator.
US08783143B2

A cutting machine for trimming window covering work pieces is disclosed. The cutting machine includes a stand, one or more cutting mechanisms attached to the stand, a controller and one or more locators connected to the controller that are movable relative to the one or more cutting machines and are configured to engage at least a portion of a window covering work piece between the ends of the work piece. The controller has a memory having a program. The program enables the controller to cause one or more of the locators to move so that a desired amount of material can be trimmed from at least one end of the work piece after the controller receives information about the work piece. The controller may be connected to the one or more locators by one or more wireless connections or by one or more direct connectors such electronic wiring.
US08783142B2

Disclosed is a method for cutting pieces having a predefined length, i.e. sticks, out of a mass of cheese, in which a cheese bar is first cut into parallel longitudinal strips while being conveyed on a belt conveyer using a longitudinal cutting device. The longitudinal strips are then cut into pieces using a transverse cutting device having a transverse cutting knife, which is conveyed along with the cheese bar during the transverse cutting process.
US08783138B2

Exemplary embodiments are directed to tool bit holders that generally include a tool bit cartridge defined by side walls located opposite and facing away from each other, and at least one end wall that defines a curved, angled or staggered geometry. The exemplary tool bit holders generally include a pivot point located on the side walls of the tool bit cartridge. The tool bit cartridge includes tool bit storage holes in the at least one end wall. The tool bit cartridge generally rotates about the pivot point within a cavity of a device.
US08783127B2

A parallel-kinematical machine includes at least three length adjusting setting devices that are connected to a positioning head and a base. The positioning head is movable in response to manuvering of the setting devices. At least movable two reinforcing beams are connected to the positioning head via beam rotation bearings having one degree of freedom, and are adapted to slide transversely in the beam bearings with adjustments of the setting devices. Each beam bearing is connected to the base via a beam-universal-joint. The beam bearing of at least one movable reinforcing beam is connected to an inner gyro element mounted in an outer gyro element, and rotatable about inner and outer gyro axes of the inner and outer gyro elements, so as to be partly rotatable about an axis that parallels the longitudinal axis of the movable reinforcing beam.
US08783120B1

The present invention provides a testing system of metal sheet, and the system at least comprises a clipping apparatus, a hydraulic press apparatus and a measuring apparatus. The clipping apparatus comprises a first mold, a second mold and a hyperelastic plate. The hydraulic press apparatus connects to the clipping apparatus and transfer a hydraulic pressure via the second mold to the one of the testing sheet set to let it bulge along an orientation toward the first mold. The measuring apparatus connects with the clipping apparatus and the hydraulic press apparatus separately to measure a momentary pressure of the hydraulic pressure and the bulge height of the one of the testing sheet set. A testing method using the abovementioned system is also disclosed in the present invention.
US08783113B2

A pressure sensor of the MEMS and/or NEMS type is disclosed, including: at least one first deformable cavity (20) to receive pressure variations from an ambient atmosphere, this first deformable cavity being made in a first substrate and including at least one mobile or deformable wall (25), arranged at least partially in the plane parallel to the first substrate, called plane of the sensor, pressure variations from an ambient atmosphere being transmitted to said cavity, a detector (24, 24′) for detecting a displacement or deformation, in the plane of the sensor, of said mobile or deformable wall, under the effect of a pressure variation of the ambient atmosphere.
US08783105B2

A yaw-rate sensor is described as having a substrate which has a main plane of extension for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis extending parallel to the main plane of extension is provided, the yaw-rate sensor having a first rotation element and a second rotation element, the first rotation element being drivable about a first axis of rotation, the second rotation element being drivable about a second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being situated perpendicularly to the main plane of extension, the second axis of rotation being situated perpendicularly to the main plane of extension, the first rotation element and the second rotation element being drivable in opposite directions.
US08783090B2

The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods to determine real-time total carbon content, non-inclusive of carbon dioxide, and/or solid carbon content of engine exhaust. For a total carbon content determination, substantially all carbon dioxide is removed from the exhaust, and thereafter substantially all the remaining carbon of the exhaust is oxidized to provide a quantity of carbon dioxide which then may be used to determine total carbon content of the exhaust. For solid carbon content determination, in addition to substantially all carbon dioxide being removed from the exhaust, substantially all carbon-containing non-solid substances are also removed from the exhaust, and thereafter substantially all the remaining carbon of the exhaust is oxidized to provide a quantity of carbon dioxide which then may be used to determine solid carbon content of the exhaust.
US08783083B2

An apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station. A cradle assembly is configured to conform to the shape of a first sheet material and prevents deformation of the class-a surfaces. A first robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly and a slide-assist assembly cooperate to stabilize the cradle and secure a cradle anvil against the first sheet material. A roller head for hemming said first sheet material supported on a second robotic arm. The second robotic arm moves the roller head around the periphery of the first sheet material and against the cradle anvil to form a hem.
US08783077B2

A portable tool designed for effective and efficient lateral truing of damaged spoked wheels, in particular bicycle wheels, is described. The tool is mountable on the bicycle frame, and allows the user to position the truing gauge with four spatial degrees of freedom. The inventive tool features a non-rigidly mounted (floating) truing indicator tip to maintain accurate tool alignment when in contact with a rotating wheel rim that is severely bent out the of the plane of the rim by decoupling rim forces from the rest of the tool. In addition, the combination of the floating action of the truing tip and its construction from a soft polymeric material avoids scratching or otherwise marring the surface of the rim during the truing procedure.
US08783075B2

The present disclosure is directed to a latch assembly that includes a pawl assembly, a lever assembly and a lock assembly. The pawl assembly is actuated from an open position to a closed assembly by the lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a drive lever having a slot and a driven lever having a slot that is open on one end. The lock assembly has an engagement member that moves along the slot of the drive lever between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the engagement member is received within the slot of the driven lever. When in the disengaged position, the engagement member is outside of the slot of the driven lever.
US08783069B2

In a known process for producing a quartz glass cylinder, a porous soot tube, which is sintered to form the quartz glass cylinder, is produced by depositing SiO2 particles on an outer cylindrical surface of a support, which rotates about the longitudinal axis thereof and has a layer of silicon carbide (SiC layer). In order on this basis to specify a support having a high resistance to fracture, which firstly can easily be removed and which secondly presents a low risk of contamination for the soot body, the invention proposes that the SiC layer is treated at a high temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere before the SiO2 particles are deposited, in such a manner that an SiO2 protective layer having a thickness of at least 0.1 μm is produced by oxidation.
US08783057B2

A refrigerant distributor is described and which includes a tank defining an internal cavity for receiving a source of refrigerant; an inlet conduit for delivering the source of the refrigerant to the internal cavity of the tank; a contaminant collection container coupled in fluid receiving relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and in disposal fluid receiving relation relative to the inlet conduit; and a plurality of refrigerant distributor conduits coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and which have a multiplicity of apertures having variable diametral dimensions and which facilitate a variable flow of the source of refrigerant out through the refrigerant distributor conduits as the volume of the refrigerant in the tank increases.
US08783047B2

An installation and method for freezing and cold storage of palletized product. A chiller is provided in the interior of a cold storage warehouse space that maintains the temperature of ambient air within the space below freezing. A plurality of racking structures each define an air flow chamber having air intake openings on opposite sides thereof and an air outlet to enable freezing air to be drawn into the chamber through the intake openings and exhausting into the warehouse space. Pallets on pallet guides are pressed against the intake openings such that freezing air is drawn through the palletized product to thereby quickly freeze the product. The pallet structure and air flow chambers are arranged in spaced-apart rows to enable a forklift to pass down the aisles so as to place and remove the palletized product.
US08783046B2

An ice display device includes a chill tube and a piston that slides within the chill tube providing a fluidtight seal against the interior. The tube is filled with water and cooled to form an ice column. A shutter may selectively close the upper end of the chill tube with a fluidtight seal while the ice column is formed. The tube is warmed and the piston is lifted to an upper end of the tube to display the ice column. A plurality of water nozzles may selectively discharge streams of high pressure water inwardly to sculpt the ice column. An armature may extend upwardly from the piston to support and cool an interior of the ice column. The tube and armature may be cooled and warmed by a thermal transfer fluid. A device may be provided to induce turbulence in the thermal transfer fluid.
US08783044B2

In a gas turbine, a plurality of burners, which are arranged concentrically to the rotational axis in a regular arrangement, each directing hot gas through an associated combustion chamber outlet into a turbine, at the inlet of which a second plurality of stator blades are arranged in a ring, uniformly spaced apart around the rotational axis. Cooling openings are provided, which are distributed over the circumference, through which cooling air is injected into the hot gas flow at the combustion chamber outlet. An improvement of the flow conditions in the hot gas is achieved by the cooling openings being divided into first cooling opening groups and second cooling opening groups. The arrangement of the first cooling opening groups corresponds to the arrangement of the stator blades, and in that the arrangement of the second cooling opening groups corresponds to the regular arrangement of the burners.
US08783039B2

A supersonic nacelle design employing a bypass flow path internal to the nacelle and around the engine is disclosed herein. A set of aerodynamic vanes may be used to shape a supersonic airflow within a bypass around an engine. The vanes may be capable of directing the subsonic airflow around the engine, and then expanding the subsonic airflow into a supersonic exhaust. The vanes may shape the airflow by reducing sonic boom strength, cowl drag, and airframe interference drag.
US08783037B2

An electricity-generating system of the invention which includes the following: a carbonization apparatus for carbonizing a carbonization source to form a carbonized product; a heat recovery steam generator for producing first steam through heat exchange with the heat exhausted from the carbonization apparatus; a carbonized fuel steam generator which employs the carbonized product serving as a fuel; a mixing header for mixing the first steam and a second steam produced by the carbonized fuel steam generator, which steams are fed thereinto, to thereby discharge a steam mixture having a uniform pressure; an electricity-generating apparatus for generating electricity by means of the steam mixture discharged from the mixing header as an actuating source; and an electricity-storing apparatus for storing the electricity generated by the electricity-generating apparatus.
US08783034B2

A thermodynamic cycle is disclosed and has a working fluid circuit that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy on hot days. A pump circulates a working fluid to a heat exchanger that heats the working fluid. The heated working fluid is then expanded in a power turbine. The expanded working fluid is then cooled and condensed using one or more compressors interposing at least two intercooling components. The intercooling components cool and condense the working fluid with a cooling medium derived at ambient temperature, where the ambient temperature is above the critical temperature of the working fluid.
US08783033B2

A wind-energy and radiation-energy collector system has at least one radiation-energy collector with a radiation-absorbing absorber and a reflector element. The reflector element collects radiation and directs the radiation at the absorber. At least one wind wheel, which is arranged in a direction opposite the receiving direction of the radiation-energy collector and which is supported on the system, is provided. The arrangement of the radiation-energy collector and the wind wheel is movably supported so that the arrangement can be oriented either with the radiation-energy collector facing the sun or with the wind wheel against the prevailing wind direction.
US08783027B2

A pressure regulation circuit delivers pressurized fluid into a generator. The circuit includes pressure regulator structure and a primary valve. The pressure regulator structure outputs pressurized fluid at a predetermined output pressure that is greater than a desired operating pressure of the generator and less than a predetermined upper alarm pressure. The primary valve is downstream from the pressure regulator structure and is selectively opened and closed by a controller based on the pressure within the generator. The controller opens the primary valve to allow the pressurized fluid outputted from the pressure regulator structure to flow into the generator upon the pressure within the generator being at or below a predetermined lower limit. The controller closes the primary valve to prevent the pressurized fluid outputted from the pressure regulator structure from flowing into the generator upon the pressure within the generator being at or above a predetermined upper limit.
US08783026B2

A staged rocket apparatus includes first and second stages connected by a releasable connector. A plurality of pressurized gas struts are connected between the first and second stages and provide a separating force urging the first and second stages apart. The gas struts are held in a telescopingly collapsed first position by the releasable connector. The separating force is maintained at a minimum value so long as the releasable connector holds the struts in their first position. When the releasable connector is disconnected the separating force increases due to gas flow through a metering passage having a progressively increasing flow area from a high pressure chamber to a low pressure chamber.
US08783024B2

An exhaust chamber (34) for a motorcycle is disposed at a location upstream of a muffler (36) of an exhaust passage (38) leading from a combustion engine (E). The exhaust chamber (34) includes a chamber body (40) having expansion compartments (41, 42, 43) defined therein, a chamber outlet pipe (46) having an outlet passage defined therein for discharging the exhaust gases (G) from the chamber body (40), and an exhaust control valve (72) disposed in the chamber outlet pipe (46) for adjusting the sectional area of the outlet passage inside the chamber outlet pipe (46).
US08783005B1

In one embodiment of the invention, a mow and row apparatus includes: a lawn mower including a mower deck, a handle, a lawn mower motor, and a lawn mower blade configured for rotation by the lawn mower motor, and wherein the lawn mower further includes at least one expandable and retractable trimmer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for assembling a mow and row apparatus, includes: providing a lawn mower; attaching a circuitry to the lawn mower; and attaching at least one trimmer to the circuitry.
US08783001B2

A balloon filling device is provided. The balloon filling device includes a hose connector extending outwards from a body of the balloon filling device, a hose barb extending outwards from the body along a predominant axis, the hose barb being displaced on the body from the hose connector, a valve within the body having an opened state where the valve forms a conduit between the hose connector and the hose barb and a closed state where the conduit is blocked and a receptacle disposed in the body adjacent the hose barb that receives a balloon tying device.
US08782999B2

A tablet supply apparatus including a main body having a case accommodating unit at the upper portion thereof, plural tablet cases that are secured in the case accommodating unit and in which tablets are accommodated, a chute through which tablets discharged from each of the tablet cases drop, a hopper that is disposed below the chute and provided in the main body, a filling device for filling tablets received by the hopper into a container, and at least one tablet feeder for freely putting into the hopper tablets whose kinds are other than the kinds of the tablets accommodated in the table cases. The tablet feeder has an opening for putting tablets, a shutter for temporarily trapping the tables put from the opening and a switch for opening the shutter, and is designed so that the put tablets on the shutter are visually recognizable.
US08782998B2

A street pole (1) extending substantially along a longitudinal direction (8) and comprising a hollow cylindrical body (6) extending around the longitudinal direction (8) along a circumferential direction (9), the hollow cylindrical body (6) comprising at least one overlap (2) of a first (3) and a second edge (4) of a circumferential side wall (7) forming the hollow cylindrical body (6), the hollow cylindrical body (6) comprising fastening means (5) for interconnecting the first and the second edge (3, 4), the overlap (2) having a length (10) extending substantially parallel along the longitudinal direction (8), wherein the overlap (2) has a width (11) extending substantially along the circumferential direction (9).
US08782996B2

A modular oversized solar array with a support structure is provided that reduces land costs as a percentage relative to the production of electrical energy from solar installations. Components of the solar racking array may be manufactured using existing steel manufacturing facilities. The array may be configured to be temporarily held in place at a first position to allow workmen to perform panel installation work from ground level. The array may then be lifted, via a crane, to a second position (or a final tilted position) to allow for further assembly. The array may accommodate various topographical features or span over other structures, be lifted to higher than normal array heights or span over greater distances. The solar racking structure design has elevated minimum heights allowing for dual use of the underlying ground, as well as more efficient dismantling, decommissioning and relocation of the solar array.
US08782994B1

A collar-form, nodal connection between the ends of beams and the outside of a column including (a) column-mount node components, joined to and distributed around the outside of the column at a defined location along its length, (b) planar beam-mount node components connected to beam ends and arranged in a collar form circumsurrounding the column-mount node components, with adjacent beam-mount node components possessing adjacent lateral sides including confronting load-compression faces that lie in planes which are disposed at angles of substantially 45-degrees relative to the respective planes of their associated beam-mount components, and (c) for each pair of adjacent beam-mount-component lateral sides, operatively connected nut-and-bolt structure extending through the associated beam-mount components' lateral sides, appropriately tightened within the overall nodal connection to produce compression in confrontingly adjacent load-compression faces which is effective within the connection to promote column-circumsurrounding load delivery from the beams through the connection to the column.
US08782993B2

The present invention relates to improvements to building construction. Particularly, the present invention relates to a structural unit for the use in building construction of floors, roofs and walls of a building. There is provided a structural unit for a building comprising: at least one truss; at least one fibrous cementitious building element; and at least one connection member configured to connect the at least one truss to the at least one fibrous cementitious building element, wherein, the connection member is integral with the building element and accessible for connection of the at least one truss to the building element. Also claimed is a method of constructing the structural unit.
US08782989B2

This specification describes a tray substrate for tile flooring that can be used in modular floating tile assemblies. The tray is made of plastic and has vertical tray edges recessed under the surface.
US08782983B2

A roof mounting system for mounting one or more roof-mounted fixtures to a roof includes a roofing system having a top surface and a roof attachment assembly mounted to the top surface of the roofing system. The roof attachment system includes a plate having an aperture, at least one membrane patch coupled to the plate, at least one disc including a disc aperture, a nut, and a first fastener including a head positioned adjacent the at least one membrane patch and a shaft extending through the at least one disc aperture and the nut. A second fastener includes a head positioned adjacent the plate and a shaft extending through the plate aperture and through the roofing system top surface, to connect the roof attachment assembly to the roofing system.
US08782982B2

A thermal barrier is formed into a hat-shape by folding sections of an extended length of board formed for assembly and insertion as a barrier to thermal radiation into a space between two joists or studs of a floor, wall, roof, or ceiling of a building for completely covering the space while also covering protruding edges of the joists or studs so as to reduce thermal energy transfer through the joists or studs themselves. A thermal barrier assembly is shown with an outer reflective surface and is also shown for assembly into a form having an inner enclosure for enclosing an inner thermal barrier also having a reflective surface for reducing thermal radiation transfer by reflection and protected from dust by virtue of the enclosure.
US08782970B2

A portable surface anchor is presented. Such portable surface anchor is able to be transported to various and difficult geographical areas, placed on the surface and able to provide support for vertically elevated objects.
US08782962B1

A system and method of suspending storage containers is described. The system and method comprise, among other things, coupling sets of garage door track to ceiling joists in such a manner that one or more storage containers may be suspended from the garage door tracks. The garage door tracks are configured to allow for easy placement and removal of one or more storage containers. Additionally, the garage door tracks are positioned or coupled in such a way that when the system is loaded with storage containers, the garage door tracks remain stable.
US08782957B2

The invention relates to a pneumatic support (1) which can be folded together as a result of joints (10) in the pressure member (3) and has a flexible web (12) that is connected to the tractive member (4) over the entire length of the latter and is connected to the pressure member (3) only in the region of the joints of said member (10). This allows the joints (10) to be fixed in such a way that the pressure member (3) does not buckle at the site of the joints and thus remains stable.
US08782954B2

A glass run includes a glass run section, a trim section and a molding section. The glass run section is formed of a soft material, the trim section is formed of a hard material and the molding section is formed of a hard material by injection molding. The molding section includes a head part and a leg part, and has a generally T-shaped cross-section. A bottom wall of the trim section and an outer side wall of the glass run section are integrally joined to an interior surface of the head part of the molding section, while sandwiching the leg part of the molding section. A side wall of the trim section, is integrally joined to one of side surfaces of the leg part, whereas a bottom wall of the glass run section is integrally joined to the other side surface of the leg part.
US08782951B2

A sealing member for a louvre mounting assembly is described. The louvre mounting assembly is of the type to allow co-rotation of at least first and second louvre panes between open and closed positions. The sealing member located in an end clip for the first louvre pane of the louvre mounting assembly, wherein the sealing member includes a first sealing region for sealing against a portion of the second louvre pane to seal against movement of liquid into the end clip when the louvre mounting assembly is in a closed position.
US08782944B2

An apparatus for mounting accessories on a weapon mount. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an accessory interface system having a forward module coupled to a mounting module. The mounting module of the accessory interface system mounts on a weapon mount. The forward module of the accessory interface system provides a plurality of surfaces for mounting weapon accessories.
US08782935B2

A caution and barrier system for danger of electrical arcing is disclosed. The caution and barrier system includes at least two elongate arms that attach to respective sides of a piece of equipment. The arms carry warning indicia. Some embodiments attach via traditional mounting hardware, while others mount magnetically to the equipment. The arms may also pivot and may comprise separate sections attached together by hinges. Yet other versions of the arms may be mounted on equipment using a multi-position magnetic mount. The caution and barrier system is particularly suitable for use with high voltage apparatus where electrical arcing is likely.
US08782932B2

A funerary article for the identification and perpetuation of the memory of a deceased individual in a timeless manner, made of unalterable material, includes: a marked element (1) with a unique code that is assigned to the deceased individual, and on a pair of plates (3, 4) held together by an attachment member, both being marked with the unique code, the second plate including data for identification of the deceased individual in natural language to constitute a device for identification and remembrance. The marked element (1) is available when the Funeral Services take charge of the deceased, whereas the plates (3, 4) are produced following the burial or the cremation and are then to be attached together to definitively form the article for remembrance and identification of the deceased. A kit and a process for the production of this funerary article for identification and remembrance are also described.
US08782930B2

A clearing strip (1) for the clearing blade of a snowplow, which strip is provided at the top with a steel fastening neck for fastening to the clearing blade, wherein a curbstone deflector (2) is arranged at least on a lateral edge of the clearing strip (1), wherein the lateral edge of the clearing strip (1) can be inserted into a recess in the curbstone deflector (2).
US08782928B2

An article of footwear that includes an upper that secures the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly that is operably coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes an outsole having a plurality of cleats and a groove. The groove includes a first internal surface and a second internal surface. The first and second internal surfaces move away from each other as the sole assembly flexes in a first direction, and the first and second internal surfaces abut each other to limit movement of the sole assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08782924B2

A framework-chamber arrangement for an article of footwear, and an article of footwear having a sole structure including a framework-chamber arrangement, is provided that can cooperate to provide various advantageous features, such as multiple-stage cushioning and specialized attenuation of and reaction to ground contact forces. The framework-chamber arrangement can include a fluid-filled chamber forming laterally extending arms and a framework having corresponding recesses formed therein and receiving a lower portion of the chamber. The fluid-filled chamber can be retained within the framework without a bond being formed between lower regions of the chamber arms and the framework. Peripheral portions of some of the chamber arms can be spaced apart from adjacent portions of corresponding channels while in a relaxed state.
US08782923B2

A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.
US08782917B2

A tape measure comprises a housing having a tape reel rotatably mounted therein. A measuring tape is at least partially coiled about the tape reel. The measuring tape is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position at least a portion of the measuring tape extends outwardly of the housing. In the retracted position the measuring tape is substantially coiled about the tape reel and disposed within the housing. A spring mechanism biases the tape reel to rotate so as move the measuring tape from the extended position to the retracted position. A disc brake mechanism applies a frictional force to the tape reel to control rotation of the tape reel.
US08782915B2

A measuring device (10) and method for measuring a surface profile of a workpiece. A measuring carriage (15) is moved in a straight line at a distance from the workpiece surface in a moving direction (x), without accelerating a carried probe tip (25). The free probe end (40) of the probe tip (25) rests on the workpiece surface (11) with a measuring force (Fm) and is deflected during the measurement in a measuring direction (z), transverse to moving direction (x), the surface profile causes a track-dependent deflection (zT) of the probe end (49). A measured value receiver (45) detects the deflecting value (s) describing the deflection of the probe end (40) in measuring direction (z). In an analyzing unit (21), a measuring force change value describing the change of the measuring force (Fm) between the probe end (40) and the workpiece surface (11) is formed for detecting measuring errors/inaccuracies.
US08782913B2

A method of determining a heading by means of an inertial device (1) providing measurements by means of at least one vibratory gyro (3), the method comprising the steps of: •positioning the inertial device in such a manner that the gyro extends close to a plane that is substantially horizontal; •orienting the inertial device successively in a predetermined number of orientations about a vertical axis, the predetermined number being greater than one; •for each orientation, adjusting the electric angle of the vibratory gyro to a predetermined value, the predetermined value of the electric angle being the same for all of the orientations of the inertial device, and taking a measurement; and •determining the heading from the measurements and an angle between the orientations.
US08782898B2

A method for fabricating a hollow bar that forms elements of a grille or railing of a metalwork piece where the bar is twisted manually, machine-assisted or automated machinery, into a spiral form for decorative or ornamental purposes. By providing the hollow bar to be comprised of separate longitudinal parts which may be hinged-joined to complementarily fastened to each other to form the hollow bar, the longitudinal joints are thus amenable to increased torsional stress, such that each of the parts may be twisted without breaching the material's fatigue limit and the bar as a whole capable of being twisted with more spiral turns within its elasticity limits. The twisted bar may thus be released for re-working for adjustments or re-installation. A number of exemplary joint embodiments, internal and external bracing accessories are also disclosed to cater for the different longitudinal part fabrication, e.g. by extrusion or roll-milling.
US08782895B2

In a method for manufacturing a droplet ejection head, a structure of a substrate having an energy-generating element that imparts energy to a liquid to eject a liquid droplet from an ejection orifice and an orifice plate having the ejection orifice formed therein are laminated through a flow channel member for forming a pattern of a liquid flow channel that is a region in which the liquid flows. At least one of a plate before being laminated and the flow channel member before being laminated has a void of at least one of a through-hole other than the ejection orifice and a recess in the face to be laminated.
US08782893B2

A method for manufacturing a honeycomb-structured object having a plurality of through holes having ends thereof plugged, including a step of pressing a plugging material against one end surface of a honeycomb-structured object 70 having a plurality of through holes 70a by a plate 20 to fill one ends of the through holes 70a with the plugging material; and a step of protruding a part of a portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 toward the one end surface to pull the other part of the portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 and the one end surface away from each other.
US08782889B2

A heat-dissipation unit with heat-dissipation microstructure and method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The heat-dissipation unit with heat-dissipation microstructure includes a main body internally defining a chamber; a wick structure formed on an inner surface of the chamber; and at least a SiO2 nano thin film coated on the wick structure. The SiO2 nano thin film is formed of a plurality of SiO2 nanograins, and is coated on the wick structure of the heat-dissipation unit through the sol-gel process. With the at least one layer of SiO2 nano thin film coated on the wick structure, it is able to upgrade the heat dissipation performance of the heat-dissipation unit.
US08782888B2

A method for repairing a plate heat exchanger of the type comprising a plurality of plates which, together with side bars arranged on the plates, define fluid flow paths is presented.
US08782884B2

A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The method comprises: forming a comb having a plurality of electrode contacts, wherein the surface of at least one of the electrode contacts comprises a plurality of indentations such that the effective surface area per area unit of a center region of the at least one electrode contact is larger than the effective surface area per area unit of the of the region of the surface outside the center region; assembling an array of electrode contacts from the comb; molding a carrier member about the assembled array of electrode contacts, wherein a surface of the at least one electrode contact is covered by a layer of the carrier member material; and removing the layer of carrier member material on the surface of the at least one electrode contact.
US08782874B2

The invention is an apparatus for pre-plating railway ties, including switch ties of varying lengths. An infeed deck and singulator feeds individual ties, each provided with identifying indicia, to a pre-scanner. Using the scanned indicia, a control system accesses stored data to determine a preliminary drill pattern. A scanning and drilling station positions, secures and scans the tie. The scan results are combined with the stored data to produce a corrected optimal drill pattern, which is used to drill the tie. The drilled tie moves to a plate and screw loading station, where the proper plates and fasteners are attached. A fourth station inspects the assembled tie. If it is properly assembled, the screw spikes are tightened and the plated tie moves to an outfeed deck, where it is marked for identification and removed for storage and shipping.
US08782862B2

An assembly apparatus includes a spline sleeve defining a central hole having an inner surface defining a plurality of first and second sliding grooves, a first connecting member and a second connecting member positioned on opposite ends of the spline sleeve, a sliding member sildably received in the spline sleeve and having at least one first key portion slidably received in the corresponding first sliding groove, a rotation member rotatable relative to the sliding member and including a plurality of second key portions selectively slidably engaged in the corresponding first sliding grooves and interfering with the corresponding second sliding grooves, a first elastic member abutting the first connecting member and the rotation member, a second elastic member abutting the second connecting member and the sliding member, and a knockout pin assembly fixed to the sliding member and slidable relative to the second connecting member.
US08782855B2

A system and a device for anti-thief protection, especially for open pockets of trousers, bags and the like, includes a mobile protection strip element (1) to be applied on the pockets hooks (12). The aim is attained by superposing the strip (1) on the pocket (T) and blocking the strip (1) using a plurality of hooks (12) in the form of clips located in the lower part (5) of the strip (1), the strip (1) supported by support elements (G), located in the upper part (2) thereof, which insert or hook in the zone overlying the pocket (T) to be protected.
US08782852B1

A vacuum system has multiple vacuum motors and a receptacle in fluid communication with each of the motors. Each of the motors has a check valve that has an opening spaced apart from the respective vacuum motor by a distance at least as great as an effective diameter of the vacuum motor's inlet. Each of the check valves preferably has an airflow clearance that is at least as great as said effective diameter, and the check valves may also include warning signals that can indicate working motors and a bad motor.
US08782848B2

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
US08782836B2

A restraint device is disclosed for immobilizing an object, such as a child during diapering. The restraint device includes a strap extending through a base at a midsection thereof to prevent the object from rolling in a lateral direction. The device can also include a harness located within a pad of the base to firmly hold the strap in place. The harness can have a stiffness greater than the pad to provide the rigidity necessary to hold the strap in place, while having a hardness less than the support to provide comfort to the object restrained on the device. A cover can surround the base and can include sleeves to enclose a strap and protect the base from outside material such as excrement from a child.
US08782833B2

An inflatable body includes an elongate chamber delimited by two substantially parallel main walls and defining at least a portion of a base suitable for holding a person laid down thereon, the chamber being extended, integrally, on both sides of the base, beyond a transition area where the main walls are close to each other, by two raised lateral strips extending along at least the base portion, so as to laterally flank the person, wherein the main walls are braced by a plurality of drop stitch links, and at the location of the transition area, the inflatable body has seams bringing the main walls together, thereby causing a fold between the base and each of the raised lateral strips, with the seams being covered by a sealed lining wall.
US08782829B1

A body enveloping sleeping device has a generally pear shaped body member that has a mat, cushioned or uncushioned, that is encompassed by a cushion about the mat's outer periphery with a pocket formed between the mat and the cushion on an interior area of the device. A scalloped pillow is located atop the cushion at the cushion's wide end. At least one side opening is located in the body member for allowing the user's arms to pass therethrough. A blanket is attached, fixedly or removably, to the body member.
US08782828B2

A spring wire support for foundations and innerspring mattresses, and a variable spring surface deck for a foundation and variable spring surface for a mattress. The spring wire support comprises an elongated spring element enveloped in a pliant carrier, with the carrier including an attachment margin. The variable spring surface deck for a foundation comprises a plurality of the spring wire supports secured as desired to an upper surface of a foundation. The variable spring surface for a mattress comprises a plurality of the spring wire supports located between top and adjacent convolutions of rows or columns of springs of the mattress.
US08782825B2

An extendable system for sofas and armchairs uses a moveable seat and moveable head piece to travel along a curved head piece and stationary base. Frame members of the moveable seat and stationary base use a system of rails, ruler guides, notches and other wood components to facilitate the fluid movement and safe locking of the moving and stationary components.
US08782823B2

A system for stowing a swimming pool cleaner robot in a location has a deployment piston connected to the robot and suitable for moving in a pipe of the swimming pool. The system also has a device to generate extra pressure in the pipe during a cleaning stage during which the swimming pool is cleaned by the robot in such a manner as to drive the deployment piston to a first position in the pipe; and a device to generate suction in the pipe during a filtering stage during which the water of the swimming pool is filtered, while the robot is inactive in such a manner as to suck the deployment piston to a second position in the pipe, making it possible for the robot to be stowed in the location.
US08782821B2

Protective eyewear including a base, a floating protective wireframe (or lenses), an ear piece and a nose piece. The base can be substantially oval in shape, such that the base can surround the eyes of a user wearing the protective eyewear apparatus. The protective cage connects to the frame by snap fit or other means, and is otherwise spaced from and free-floating relative to the frame. This results in eyewear that is more comfortable to wear on a continuous basis and more reliable protection, at least meeting ASTM F 803-03 impact requirements.
US08782816B2

The present invention provides a scarf comprising one or more pieces of fabric comprising one or more moldable wires that are located along at least two sides of the scarf enabling the scarf to be sculpted into a desired shape around the neck and shoulders of a user.
US08782815B2

A baseball cap including features for stabilizing the cap in a moving stream of air. The cap includes a modified bill having a downforce generator configured to create a relatively stagnate recirculation zone between the downforce generator and the head covering. This recirculation zone tends to negate the lifting effect found in prior art bills. The invention preferably includes a vent through the bill. The vent is located behind the downforce generator, to connect the underside of the bill to the recirculation zone formed in the wake of the downforce generator. The vent is selectively closed by a flexible flap. The flap remains closed to prevent rain from passing through the vent. However, if pressure beneath the bill significantly exceeds pressure above the bill, the vent opens to equalize the pressure. This action prevents the creation of a net lifting force which might lift the cap off the wearer's head.
US08789208B1

Methods, apparatus, and computer-accessible storage media for controlling export of snapshots to external networks in service provider environments. Methods are described that may be used to prevent customers of a service provider from downloading snapshots of volumes, such as boot images created by the service provider or provided by third parties, to which the customer does not have the appropriate rights. A request may be received from a user to access one or more snapshots, for example a request to export the snapshot or a request for a listing of snapshots. For each snapshot, the service provider may determine if the user has rights to the snapshot, for example by checking a manifest for the snapshot to see if entries in the snapshot manifest belong to an account other than the customer's. If the user has rights to the snapshot, the request is granted; otherwise, the request is not granted.
US08789200B2

The present invention relates to an agent apparatus and method for sharing anonymous identifier-based security information among security management domains. A plurality of security information sharing agent apparatuses respectively located in a plurality of security management domains and configured to collect security information and transmit collected security information to outside of the security management domains. Each security information sharing agent apparatus includes an identifier conversion unit for converting real name identifier-based security information into anonymous identifier-based security information by converting a real name identifier included in the security information into an anonymous identifier, and a security information communication unit for transmitting the anonymous identifier-based security information obtained by the identifier conversion unit to outside of a corresponding security management domain so that security information is shared among the plurality of security management domains.
US08789190B2

A method in one embodiment includes identifying a set of known vulnerabilities and a set of new vulnerabilities in an asset, selecting one or more scripts that include checks for vulnerabilities in a union of the set of known vulnerabilities and the set of new vulnerabilities, and using the selected scripts to scan the asset. Known vulnerabilities and new vulnerabilities may be identified by accessing results of previous scans on the asset. The method may also include identifying a plurality of assets to scan in a network, identifying a plurality of sets of known vulnerabilities and a plurality of sets of new vulnerabilities in substantially all assets in the plurality of assets, and inserting checks for vulnerabilities included in a union of the plurality of sets of known vulnerabilities and the plurality of sets of new vulnerabilities into the selected scripts.
US08789188B2

Systems and methods are presented for automatically determining the security requirements of program code during the creation or modification of that program code and for presenting the necessary security permissions to a developer of the program code at the time of the creation or modification of the program code. A cache is established containing program code segments including library calls and application program interfaces that require security permissions at runtime. The cache also includes the security permissions associated with the stored program code segments. Program code editing is monitored in real time during the editing, and instances of edits that add, modify or delete the stored program code segments from the program code being edited are identified. The security permissions associated with the program code segments that are modified by the edits are retrieved from the cache. The retrieved security permissions are immediately presented to the developer in an interactive format that provides the developer with the ability to accept or decline the necessary changes to the security permissions.
US08789187B1

An apparatus and method of managing vulnerability testing of a web application is provided for running a set of one or more scripted tests against a web application, recording results of the one or more scripted tests, providing an interface for a human evaluator to review the recorded results, and accepting from the human evaluator custom test parameters based on observations of the recorded results, wherein custom test parameters include at least one context usable by a future tester in deciding whether to run the custom test, and also includes at least one instruction for automatically running custom test steps of the custom test.
US08789179B2

Cloud protection techniques are provided. A security breach is detected in a source cloud environment. An enterprise system processing in the source cloud environment is immediately locked down and is dynamically migrated to a target cloud environment. While the enterprise system is migrating, the source cloud environment creates a fake environment with fake resources within the source cloud environment to dupe an intruder having access as a result of the security breach. Metrics and logs are gathered with respect to activities of the intruder within the source cloud environment.
US08789174B1

A method and apparatus for examining network traffic and automatically detecting anomalous activity to secure a computer is described. In one embodiment, the method includes examining network traffic that is directed to at least one endpoint computer, accessing profile information associated with the at least one endpoint computer to determine confidence indicia associated with each portion of the network traffic, comparing the confidence indicia with heuristic information to identify anomalous activity for the at least one endpoint computer and communicating indicia of detection as to the anomalous activity to the at least one endpoint computer.
US08789170B2

A method and system for enforcing access control to system resources and assets. Security attributes associated with devices that initiate transactions in the system are automatically generated and forwarded with transaction messages. The security attributes convey access privileges assigned to each initiator. One or more security enforcement mechanisms are implemented in the system to evaluate the security attributes against access policy requirements to access various system assets and resources, such as memory, registers, address ranges, etc. If the privileges identified by the security attributes indicate the access request is permitted, the transaction is allowed to proceed. The security attributes of the initiator scheme provides a modular, consistent secure access enforcement scheme across system designs.
US08789169B2

A control unit controls execution of an instruction according to a decode result of an instruction code. A GRA register stores an access attribute for each of the plurality of general-purpose registers. A mode storage unit stores modes for controlling an operation of a CPU. When the control unit makes a request for access to the general-purpose register, register access allowance determining circuit determines whether the access to the general-purpose register in question is to be allowed or not, depending on the access attribute stored in the GRA register and the mode stored in the mode storage unit. Therefore, the number of the general-purpose registers used corresponding to the mode can be changed, and efficiency of use of the general-purpose registers can be optimized.
US08789167B2

Systems and methods for facilitating check-ins that are resistant to common fraud scenarios while also being relatively inexpensive. One or more embodiments include displaying unique tokens in quick succession on a display positioned at the check-in location (e.g., a store, restaurant, or other business or location). Customers have a short period of time (e.g., a few seconds, five minutes, etc.) to scan a particular check-in token before a new token is displayed on the display. Each token may encode a pre-determined number or identification code that cannot be guessed by the user and that can be verified by the system to validate the check-in. By periodically changing the check-in token displayed to users and limiting each token to a single use within a short timeframe, users are prevented from checking in remotely.
US08789163B2

A system and method is presented for providing verification of specified credentials to an independent person (a third party, that is, a user of a purported member's website) through the utilization of an “organization certificate” (OC) in combination with a “membership certificate” (MC), with the field structure of the OC limiting the type of information that can be certified by the issuing organization. The set of fields in the OC is defined as associated with a particular type of organization, where any extraneous information will not be permitted to form part of a legitimate membership certificate (hereinafter “MC”). The use of specific field descriptions thus assumes that any field appearing in an MC that does not have a corresponding tag in the OC will cause the MC to be flagged as invalid by the user's browser extension during the verification process.
US08789162B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of token-based rules that facilitate access to a resource, and a plurality of tokens indicating a user is using a device to request access to a resource over a network. The apparatus may receive a risk token indicating the risk associated with granting at least one of the user and the device access to the resource. The risk token may be computed from a set of tokens in the plurality of tokens. The apparatus may determine at least one token-based rule based at least in part upon the plurality of tokens and the risk token. The apparatus may then make an access decision based upon the at least one token-based rule, and communicate a decision token representing the access decision.
US08789152B2

A method and technique for managing authentication procedures for a user having access to several applications within a computing environment includes registering at an authentication manager different applications to which a user shall be given an authentication access by defining at the authentication manager a specific address identification allowing addressing the application specific authentication rules, logging the user to the authentication manager, the user requesting access to an application accessible by the authentication manager, and using the application specific address identification stored at the authentication manager to retrieve the application specific authentication rules for authenticating the user to the requested application.
US08789138B2

Application programming interface (API) calls made by an application are intercepted at runtime. A determination is made as to whether each intercepted API call is allowed or blocked by a restricted application execution environment. Each API call that is blocked by the restricted application execution environment is modified so that the API call is allowable such as, for instance, modifying the API call to execute against a shadow resource. Remediation code might also be executed at runtime to reformat the API call so that it is allowed to execute in the restricted application execution environment.
US08789136B2

A system and method for securing the mobile device applies the rules to determine if an event associated with an application is a secure event. If the event is a secure event, the system applies the rules to determine if the event is authenticated. If the event is authenticated, the event is authorized and the system updates rule data associated with the event and/or other associated events. Updating the rule data allows other associated events to be authenticated. If the event is not authenticated, the system requests authentication from a user. If the authentication is valid, the event is authorized and the system updates the rule data associated with the event and/or other associated events. If the authentication is not valid, the system secures the mobile device. Authorizing the event enables a user to access the application and/or data associated with the application.
US08789124B1

In one aspect, the invention provides an interactive, multi-platform video network. In another aspect, the invention provides a dynamic scheduling method.
US08789117B2

A content library may be provided. First, a video on demand content program may be received. Then, video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be added to a video on demand information list. The video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be maintained in the video on demand information list after a rental window for the video on demand content program is over.
US08789113B2

A method and system for providing a reminder notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that determines a reminder notification rule for a recipient with at least one descriptor of media content received by a set-top box, queries a database for one or more selections of scheduled media content in accordance with the reminder notification rule, and sends a reminder notification to the recipient based on a query result. Another embodiment is disclosed that receives a request for a usage information of a set-top box in accordance with a reminder notification preference that has a reminder notification rule with at least one descriptor of media content received by a set-top box, and sends the usage information for the set-top box based upon the reminder notification preference.
US08789097B2

A method for providing channel information is illustrated. The method includes: receiving a command for switching channels when a first channel content is displayed on a display unit; determining whether the command indicates a continuous switching mode or a discrete switching mode; displaying the first channel content and descriptive information of a plurality of channels being switched until a second channel among the channels being switched is selected at the continuous switching mode; displaying preview information of the second channel to replace the first channel content and loading the second channel content when the second channel is selected at the continuous switching mode or when the second channel is switched according to the command at the discrete switching mode; displaying the second channel content when loading completed. The data quantity of the preview information is larger than that of the description information.
US08789093B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), and transmit the security video content to the DVR for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television (TV) channel dynamically selected from available wireless TV channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08789091B2

In accordance with the invention, advertisement identifiers are stored in a queue in memory in the set top box or elsewhere corresponding to individual subscribers of a television service delivery network. The advertisements are retrieved and displayed in the order dictated by the queue as advertisement avails are detected in the particular channel information stream being watched by that subscriber. Accordingly, the subscriber sees the advertisements regardless of what channel or television program is being watched and sees them in the order dictated by the queue. The invention also is applicable to other information streams including Internet advertising, audio/radio advertising and advertising in electronic program guides.
US08789085B2

A method for detecting the presence of pornographic contents in a sequence of video frames having associated respective motion vectors, includes identifying groups of motion vectors having similar orientation and the presence, in subsequent frames of the sequence, of motion types defined by affiliated groups of motion vectors having homologous motion characteristics in subsequent frames. Thereafter, detection in these motion types of the occurrence of negative affiliations representative of an inversion in the motion of the respective group of vectors. If the number of such negative affiliations counted at a given interval reaches a given count threshold, identified in the sequence of frames is a periodic motion susceptible of having pornographic content. Repetition of the periodic motions may be verified, the image sequence identified as susceptible to having pornographic contents and/or subjected to an optional verification procedure such as “skin detection” type, and transmission may be blocked.
US08789082B2

A method and apparatus provides immediate audience interaction and participation with a movie while the movie is being shown to the audience, either in a public theater or at home. Theatre patrons are provided the option of responding to prompts on their handheld communication/computing devices to vote on upcoming pre-staged scene selections, thereby enabling majority voting audience participation to control a movie flow.
US08789076B2

A transportation body 1 for a flexible optical disk 10 has flexibility, and includes a rotation stabilizing board 2 having a disk-shaped form, an optical disk alignment unit 4 installed in the central part of the rotation stabilizing board 2, and a spacer 3 installed on a surface of the rotation stabilizing board 2. A combination of the transportation body 1 and the optical disk 10 can be treated as an equivalent of a conventional optical disk having rigidity, by transporting the flexible optical disk 10 placed on the transportation body 1 and by recording/reproducing information onto/from the flexible optical disk.
US08789074B2

An optical disc apparatus of the present invention is configured to include: a chassis which includes a supporting portion that supports an optical pickup, a pickup moving mechanism, and a disc motor, and coupling portions that are coupled to a tray at plural points, which is formed of a synthetic resin material, and in which the supporting portion and the coupling portions are integrated with each other; and a flexible flat cable which electrically couples between a first circuit substrate fixed to the bottom case side and a second circuit substrate fixed to the tray or the chassis side, and which is arranged between a bottom cover and a bottom case while its plane surface is folded in a state where the tray is inserted into an apparatus body.
US08789073B2

Embodiments are discussed for methods, systems, and computer readable media for creating a proxy object, comprising calling a second functionality in a proxy class, creating a proxy object by the second functionality, calling a third functionality by the second functionality, calling a fourth functionality by the third functionality, creating a reference object by the fourth functionality, returning the reference object to the third functionality, associating the reference object to the proxy object by the third functionality, and returning the associated proxy object by the second functionality to a first functionality.
US08789069B2

Various aspects are disclosed herein for replacing the hardware backing the memory locations associated with a virtual machine with a backing mechanism. The backing mechanism may have the memory locations appear to contain data convenient to the driver in the virtual machine, typically containing what the hardware would have returned if the hardware had been read from. The data image being returned from the memory locations may travel with the virtual machine even if the virtual machine moves to a different physical machine that does not contain hardware equivalent to the hardware that was recently removed from the virtual machine.
US08789067B2

Algorithm selection for data communications in a parallel active messaging interface (‘PAMI’) of a parallel computer, the PAMI composed of data communications endpoints, each endpoint including specifications of a client, a context, and a task, endpoints coupled for data communications through the PAMI, including associating in the PAMI data communications algorithms and ranges of message sizes so that each algorithm is associated with a separate range of message sizes; receiving in an origin endpoint of the PAMI a data communications instruction, the instruction specifying transmission of a data communications message from the origin endpoint to a target endpoint, the data communications message characterized by a message size; selecting, from among the associated algorithms and ranges, a data communications algorithm in dependence upon the message size; and transmitting, according to the selected data communications algorithm from the origin endpoint to the target endpoint, the data communications message.
US08789064B2

An object is to switch executions of applications appropriately from one to another when a plurality of applications use a limited resource. A mobile device (1) is provided with an execution state shift unit (61) for shifting an execution state between a multiplex-execution state and a single-execution state in a multi-application execution environment, a resource release unit (62) for releasing a resource used by applications being executed in the multi-application execution environment, an application stop unit (63) for stopping an application other than the application to be executed in the single-execution state, and a resource allocation unit (64) for allocating the resource released by the resource release unit (62) to the application to be executed in the single-execution state when the execution state is shifted from the multiplex-execution state to the single-execution state by the execution state shift unit (61).
US08789047B2

Technologies related to continuous world switch security are generally described. In some examples, a world switch indicator may indicate whether continuous world switch security is on or off for a cloud customer. A hypervisor world switch security setting may be activated and deactivated, according to the world switch indicator, to optionally allow world switches and not context switches between virtual machines executed by a cloud server. Continuous world switch security may optionally be controlled by a cloud customer. Load balancing, cloud customer billing and other techniques are also disclosed to accommodate the activation/deactivation of continuous world switch security.
US08789045B2

In a rejuvenation processing device (1), at least one host machine (3) is selected as an object to be rejuvenated from among each of the host machines (3). At least one virtual machine (302) is selected from among the virtual machines (302) operating in the host machine (3) which is not selected as an object to be rejuvenated. The operation of the selected virtual machine (302) is stopped, and the virtual machine (302) operating in the host machine (3) selected as the object to be rejuvenated is migrated to the host machine (3) in which the virtual machine (302) operates. The host machine (3) selected as the object to be rejuvenated is rejuvenated. Thereby, it is possible to provide a rejuvenation processing device capable of simultaneously rejuvenating the host machines and the virtual machines necessary to be rejuvenated, while continuously operating the host machines and the virtual machines which are not necessary to be rejuvenated.
US08789044B2

A network system includes a plurality of cloud systems. Each of the plurality of cloud systems includes a plurality of servers. Each of the plurality of servers allows virtual machines to run thereon. A first cloud system of the plurality of cloud systems includes a first generator and a deployer. The first generator generates, on the basis of first performance information regarding one virtual machine and a first predetermined coefficient predetermined for the first cloud system, second performance information regarding the one virtual machine. The first performance information is included in a first augmented image of the one virtual machine. The first augmented image is created in a second cloud system other than the first cloud system. The deployer deploys the one virtual machine on one of the plurality of servers included in the first cloud system on the basis of the generated second performance information.
US08789043B2

Methods and systems for generating a placement plan for one or more virtual machines (VMs) in a computing environment are provided. The method comprises providing, to a computing system, input parameters comprising a current placement for the one or more VMs on one or more hosts in a computing network; a target placement that assigns at least one of the one or more VMs to at least another host in said one or more hosts; and a set of constraints with which both the current placement and the target placement comply.
US08789036B2

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with device software configuration are described. One example method is executed by a personal electronic device (PED) having a read only memory (ROM) configured with a boot loader, a BASE ROM partition, and a customization file store partition (CFSP). The method includes receiving a customization package and storing it in the CFSP. The method includes invoking a one-time installation process to customize PED software, settings, characteristics, and so on, based on the CFSP contents. The method includes invoking a boot-time installation process to configure a file system filter driver on the PED to control access to CFSP contents based, at least in part, on a file attribute associated with the CFSP content.
US08789035B2

A method and apparatus for updating firmware using a firmware-over-the-air update. The apparatus comprises a plurality of repository files each comprising one or more settings. The apparatus is configured to store a specified value corresponding to at least one of the settings. The apparatus is capable of receiving a firmware over-the-air update which overwrites at least one repository file with an updated version. The apparatus is capable of identifying repository files which have been changed by the update and for which at least one corresponding specified value exists. Identification is achieved by comparing representations of repository files. Further, the apparatus is capable of merging updated repository files to retain specified values.
US08789026B2

A technique for compiling and running high-level program on heterogeneous computers may include partitioning a program code into two or more logical units, and compiling each of the logical units into one or more executable entities. At least some of the logical units are compiled into two or more executable entities, the two or more executable entities being different compilations of the same logical unit. The two or more executable entities are compatible to run on respective two or more platforms that have different architecture.
US08789014B2

Files supporting a development activity in an IDE are previewed and are not added to a collection of files in a working set for the development activity. A previewed file is represented by a single preview tab displayed on the user interface. The content of a previewed file can be displayed in a preview display portion of a user interface. The preview tab can be stylistically distinct from a durable tab and can identify the current previewed file. A previewed file can be promoted to a durable file. A promoted previewed file is added to the working set for the development activity.
US08789013B1

An event execution system comprises an ordering component that receives multiple events and dynamically organizes the multiple events based at least in part upon a predefined organization of devices affected by the multiple events. The system can additionally include an execution component that executes the multiple events with respect to the devices according to the organization of the multiple events.
US08789010B2

A method for managing static data structures of a legacy data modeling software product in a dynamic class loader environment comprises constructing a bundle-specific registry for each software bundle in the dynamic class loader environment and instructing the legacy data modeling software product to use the bundle-specific registry rather than its default registry when creating in-memory representations of data model classes associated with a particular software bundle. Constructing a bundle-specific registry may include using the bundle's configuration metadata to calculate a dependency graph identifying the other bundles on which the software bundle depends. An initializer may construct the initial set of bundle-specific registries, and a listener may construct bundle-specific registries for new software bundles entering the system.
US08789008B2

Methods for generating a device layout are provided. First, design rules corresponding to a specific technology are received. A selection of at least one element and a parameter value corresponding to at least one parameter on the selected element are received. A draft device layout corresponding to the selected element is generated by a device generator by referencing the parameter value and the design rules. A script is then executed to modify the draft device layout to generate an updated device layout. The script includes at least one command, and when the script is executed, the at least one command is performed to modify the parameter value of the at least one parameter of the selected element and cause the device generator to delete the old draft device layout and generate a new draft device layout by referencing the modified parameter value and the design rules.
US08789000B1

A system and design methodology for performing routing in an integrated circuit design is disclosed. An integrated circuit design is first created using standard cells having metal level 2 (M2) power rails. Routing is performed and power rail current density for the integrated circuit is computed. Standard cells that have power rail current density below a predetermined threshold are replaced with a functionally equivalent standard cell that does not have M2 power rails, and the routing operation is performed again, until the design converges.
US08788997B1

The number of nodes in an RTL schematic is reduced in a process of cloud grouping, a process whereby nodes that are not specified to be of interest will be grouped into a cloud to the extent possible. This results in a much simplified schematic as the remaining nodes within the schematic will be those nodes that the users desire to see. Analysis of all nodes including those designated as cut nodes is performed to determine what circuitry can or cannot be simplified. The user will also have the option to revert to the original schematic if viewing more than the cut nodes is desirable.
US08788989B2

System and method for developing an ASIC. A software program may be stored which includes program instructions which implement a function. The software program may be executed on a processing system at a desired system speed and may be validated based on the execution. A first hardware description of at least a portion of the processing system may be stored and may specify implementation of at least a portion of the processing system. A second hardware description may be generated that corresponds to a first portion of the first hardware description. The second hardware description may specify a dedicated hardware implementation of a first portion of the software program executing on the processing system. Generation of the second hardware description may be performed one or more times to fully specify the ASIC. An ASIC may be created which implements the function of the software program.
US08788971B2

Data defining several different information-carrying patterns can be stored on mass storage of a computer workstation and serve as a library of design elements for future designs. The same user-interface techniques that are employed to pick colors in image-editing software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop) and fill textures in presentation programs (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint) can similarly be used to present a palette of information patterns to a security document designer. Clicking on a visual representation of the desired pattern makes the pattern available for inclusion in a security document being designed (e.g. filling a desired area). A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08788962B2

A computer-implemented user interface is described that includes a display window displaying data files having a data file descriptor associated with each data file. The data file descriptor describe at least a data file size, a data file date, a data file name and data file type. A slider bar controls the data files displayed in the display window where movement of the slider bar displays a greater number of the data files and the data file descriptors than displayed without movement of the slider bar.
US08788953B2

A portal summary controller stores detected usage of at least one instance of at least one portlet application within at least one portal page at each of a plurality of different times. The portal summary controller dynamically creates a summary portal page displaying a separate instance of the at least one portlet application for at least one of each of the plurality of different times specified according to the detected usage separately stored at each of the plurality of different times, wherein the summary portal page provides a summary of at least a selection of a previous usage of the at least one portal page comprising each separate instance of the at least one portlet application that functions as if placed on the at least one portal page.
US08788952B2

The present invention provides a system and method for tagging Virtual Universe items as owned by a particular user and to use such tags to enable users and/or system administrators to locate lost or stolen items in a Virtual Universe. When items identified are located, the user/owners may be notified of the location or missing items; alternatively, the items may be automatically returned to the user/owners' inventories. By enabling differentiation between items that may be lost, stolen, or left intentionally in a Virtual Universe, the present invention addresses difficulties that may arise in managing the various items that populate a Virtual Universe, especially as a Virtual Universe expands or as Multiple Virtual Universes expand and partner with additional Virtual Universes.
US08788950B2

A computer (host), which is communicating with an interactive whiteboard projector (client) through a remote desktop connection, launches third-party applications supporting multiple mice (i.e. drawing pens) and provides these applications with virtual mouse device and input event signals for each pen device connected on the projector. The applications will behave as if the host system were configured with multiple installed mice, though no added driver or physical connected hardware is present.
US08788949B2

Techniques that enable instant communications services to be provisioned for an online community of users such that the members of the community can interact with each other using instant communications including using instant messaging (IM). In one embodiment, an instant communications facilitator operating from a first domain may provision instant communication services for members of an online community maintained in different domains from the first domain.
US08788946B2

This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for implementing application agnostic UI integration. Aspects of the invention relates to a generic architecture and a framework, which leverage the capabilities of a middleware server and application integration concepts, to support launching a User Interface (UI) of any target application from any source application. The source application can invoke, for example, a HTTP get request or fires a HTTP post to the target application, and the same interaction can take place while returning control back from target application to source application. Additionally, the target application can invoke a service hosted on the source application to return the control back to source application.
US08788931B1

A visual editor creates the meta rules for transforming or mapping data between the source meta data and target meta data representation via a wide variety of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). A set of transformation rules or scripts is generated by the editor using a transformation rule engine, e.g., XSL, and sent to a standard transformation engine, e.g., XSLT, which accepts an input data file and using the transformation rules generates a transformed output data file. The meta rules are represented in a template and stored in a configuration file. The configuration file can be updated with other rules by the visual editor specifying in the rule file the transformation/mapping language as an element of the rule file. The editor specifies any attributes or parameters on the rule transformation/mapping element. The transformation rule engine reads in a new meta rule generated by the editor. Parameter values are added to complete the rule based on the description from a meta rule configuration file. A locking mechanism in the template is selected to lock the context to the template or portion of the rule definition selected at the time the lock is clicked. The new transformation/rule is saved into the transformation rule file. An editor-mapping engine generates a notification of the creation of a new transformation-mapping rule; updates the meta data rules file; and provides the updated rule file to the transformation engine. Input data to the transformation engine is processed using the updated rule file and the transformed data is provided as an output.
US08788927B2

A system and method for presenting web page content to a user. A plurality of links are identified on a web page which share a designated characteristic. A user action is detected that indicates a user's intent to select a particular link. As a response to the user action, the resource of the particular link is cached. In response to detecting that the user selects the particular link, content is presented to the user that is based at least in part on the cached resource.
US08788923B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for soft demapping and intercell interference mitigation in flash memories. In one variation, a target cell in a flash memory device capable of storing at least two data levels, s, per cell is read by obtaining a measured read value, r, for at least one target cell in the flash memory; obtaining a value, h, representing data stored for at least one aggressor cell in the flash memory; selecting one or more probability density functions based on a pattern of values stored in at least a portion of the flash memory, wherein the probability density functions comprises pattern-dependent disturbance of one or more aggressor cells on the at least one target cell in the flash memory; evaluating at least one selected probability density function based on the measured read value, r; and computing one or more log likelihood ratios based on a result of the evaluating step.
US08788921B2

Various embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for data detection in a detector with soft pruning. For example, a data detector is disclosed that includes a branch metric calculator operable to calculate branch metrics for transitions between states in a trellis for the data detector, and a branch metric offset circuit operable to apply branch metric offsets to the branch metrics to yield soft pruned branch metrics. The branch metric offsets comprise a range of probability values from zero percent to one hundred percent.
US08788919B2

A method and apparatus for Convolutional Turbo Coding (CTC), and an apparatus for a turbo encoder are provided. The method for CTC includes the steps of encoding information bits A and B using a constituent encoder, and outputting parity sequences Y1 and W1, interleaving the information bits A and B using a CTC interleaver to obtain information bits C and D, and encoding the interleaved information bits C and D using the constituent encoder to obtain parity sequences Y2 and W2, interleaving the information bits A and B, the parity sequences Y1 and W1 and the parity sequences Y2 and W2, respectively, wherein the bits in at least one of a bit group constituted of the information bits A and B, a bit group constituted of the sequences Y1 and W1, and a bit group constituted of the sequences Y2 and W2 are alternately mapped to bits of constellation points with high reliability and low reliability and puncturing the interleaving result to obtain the encoded bit sequences.
US08788916B2

Systems and methods are provided for implementing various aspects of a Reed-Solomon (RS) error-correction system. A detector can provide a decision-codeword from a channel and can also provide soft-information for the decision-codeword. If the decision-codeword corresponds to an inner code and an RS code is the outer code, a soft-information map can process the soft-information for the decision-codeword to produce soft-information for a RS decision-codeword. A RS decoder can employ the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm (BMA), list decoding, and a Chien search, and can include a pipelined architecture. A threshold-based control circuit can be used to predict whether list decoding will be needed and can suspend the list decoding operation if it predicts that list decoding is not needed.
US08788912B2

A method for processing data packets of a data stream, in which the received data packets are processed in real-time by a first unit and only data packets that are received error-free are processed by a second unit, include a data sink initially receiving only the data packets processed by a first unit. Once a second unit and the first unit are processing identical data packets nearly simultaneously, data packets processed by the second unit can be routed to the data sink. Embodiments of the invention can be used advantageously in video coding, for example with a video-on-demand service or image analysis within the framework of a surveillance system.
US08788910B1

Apparatus and methods provide relatively low uncorrectable bit error rates, low write amplification, long life, fast and efficient retrieval, and efficient storage density such that a solid-state drive (SSD) can be implemented using relatively inexpensive MLC Flash for an enterprise storage application.
US08788908B2

A data storage device includes a multi-bit memory device including a memory cell array, the memory cell array including a first memory region and a second memory region, and a memory controller including a buffer memory and configured to control the multi-bit memory device. The memory controller is configured to control the multi-bit memory device to execute a buffer program operation in which data stored in the buffer memory is stored in the first memory region, and to control the multi-bit memory device to execute a main program operation in which the data stored in the first memory region is stored in the second memory region. The memory controller is further configured to generate parity data based upon the data stored to the first region, the parity data being copied from the first memory region to the second memory region via the main program operation.
US08788901B2

One embodiment relates to a method of communicating data between a transmitter and a receiver of a communication system. In this method, a payload data stream is received from a network interface layer. The payload data stream includes data units eligible for retransmission and data units non-eligible for retransmission. These data units are grouped into containers, where a container is associated with a container identifier that distinguishes the container from other containers. The containers are grouped into data transmission units, where a data transmission unit includes at least one container along with redundancy information that facilitates error detection for that data transmission unit. The data transmission units are transmitted to the receiver as a transmission data stream. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08788896B2

A scan chain lockup latch comprises at least one latching element and data input control circuitry configured to control application of data to a data input of the latching element responsive to a scan enable signal. The lockup latch is configured for coupling between first and second scan cells of a scan chain. The scan chain may be controllable between a scan shift mode of operation and a functional mode of operation responsive to the scan enable signal. The data input control circuitry may be configured to maintain the data input of the latching element at a constant logic value when the scan chain is in its functional mode of operation such that switching activity in the latching element is suppressed. The scan chain lockup latch and the associated scan chain may be implemented in scan test circuitry of an integrated circuit, for testing additional circuitry of that integrated circuit.
US08788894B2

A method of enhancing an error correction performance in a data storage system, and a storage device using the method, determines a deterioration status of a physical area of a memory device to which data is to be stored and compresses data and stores the compressed data and an error correction code (ECC) with respect to the compressed data in an area of which the deterioration status is equal to or greater than a threshold value that is initially set and stores uncompressed data and an ECC with respect to the uncompressed data in an area of which the deterioration status is less than the threshold value.
US08788889B2

An aliasing module is defined and connected to receive a first bit stream to be transmitted over a data bus from a memory to an external controller of the memory. The aliasing module is defined and connected to alias the first bit stream as a second bit stream and transmit the second bit stream over the data bus in lieu of the first bit stream. A de-aliasing module is defined and connected to receive the second bit stream from the data bus at the external controller. The de-aliasing module is defined and connected to de-alias the received second bit stream back to the first bit stream and provide the first bit stream to the external controller for processing.
US08788888B2

A method of controlling a play-out of media content in a UPnP network from a control point, wherein the media content has been delivered from a media server to a remote rendering device. Upon having establishing a UPnP remote access connection between the control point and the rendering device, the control point invokes a UPnP action at the rendering device, in response to a user interaction. The control point also initiates a subscription of a state variable at the rendering device, and starts a timer, which will indicate the time that has elapsed since the initiation of the subscription. The control point will regard the UPnP action as a successful action in case it recognises a predefined state variable transition, prior to the expiry of the timeout value, ors a failed action, in case no such predefined state variable transition has been recognised upon expiry of the time out value. The result of the UPnP action is provided to the user as a notification.
US08788886B2

Techniques are disclosed for verifying memory dump operations and scan dump operations. A memory specification is analyzed and parsed to generate a script for performing a memory dump operation. To verify the memory dump operation, first, a set of values are written to one or more memories of a SoC. Next, the script is executed to perform the memory dump operation, and then an output bitstream from the operation is compared to the set of values. The scan dump operation involves taking a snapshot of a model of a SoC in an emulator. A scan dump operation is performed, and an output bitstream from the operation is compared to the snapshot. The memory and scan dump operations are invoked using commands in a first language, and the commands are translated into a second language to perform the operations.
US08788870B2

Methods and systems are described for enabling display system data transmission during use. An integrated circuit package includes input interface circuitry configured to receive an audio-video data stream having a video signal and timing information and timing extraction circuitry that can identify blanking patterns for the video signal. The package includes input processing circuitry for receiving audio-video signal and converting the audio-video data stream input into a low voltage differential signal (LVDS). The package includes a timing controller having timing extraction circuitry, a set of symbol buffers, a scheduler, and timing control circuitry. All configured to implement LVDS data transfer and in some implementation enable point to point data transfer from data buffers to associated column drivers.
US08788869B2

An interchangeable lens that can be detachably fitted to a camera body includes: a clock signal reception unit that receives a clock signal outputted from the camera body; a control command reception unit that receives a control command and data signal from the camera body, the control command and data signal being in synchrony with the clock signal, specifying a control command for the interchangeable lens and including type data specifying a type of the control command; a response generation unit that generates a response data signal including the type data on the basis of the control command and data signal; and a response transmission unit that transmits the response data signal to the camera body in synchrony with the clock signal received by the clock signal reception unit when a control command and data signal is received from the camera body in a next communication cycle.
US08788865B2

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining power sourcing equipment. A system includes multiple power sourcing equipment that can provide power to one or more powered devices via network connections. One or more of the power sourcing equipment with excess power capacity are determined.
US08788863B2

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assigning power management classifications to a process, transitioning a computing environment into a connected standby state based upon power management classifications assigned to processes, and transitioning the computing environment from the connected standby state to an execution state. That is, power management classifications, such as exempt, throttle, and/or suspend, may be assigned to processes based upon various factors, such as whether a process provides desired functionality and/or whether the process provides functionality relied upon for basic operation of the computing environment. In this way, the computing environment may be transitioned into a low power connected standby state that may continue executing desired functionality, while reducing power consumption by suspending and/or throttling other functionality. Because some functionality may still execute, the computing environment may transition into the execution state in a responsive manner to quickly provide a user with up-to-date information.
US08788859B2

A method and system provides dynamic power control based on thermal sensitivity of a processor system. The method and system includes a circuit that reduces the clock frequency for the processor system in response to thermal characteristics satisfying a pre-determined threshold that allows maximal thermal temperature limit utilization without substantially degrading processor performance.
US08788857B2

To conserve power in a controlling device having a processing device in communication with an input element and a transmitting device the processing device is caused to be placed into a low-power state for at least a portion of a transmission inactive interval intermediate the transmission of at least a pair of command frames. The command frames are caused to be transmitted by the transmitting device in response to an activation of the input element sensed via the processing device to thereby command a functional operation of an intended target device.
US08788854B2

A microcontroller includes a first voltage detector that detects whether a power supply voltage is equal to or lower than a first voltage value to generate a first signal, a second voltage detector that detects whether the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than a second voltage value to generate a second signal, the second voltage value being lower than the first voltage value, a real-time clock that includes a memory and a clock counter responsive to a clock signal, and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that receives the first signal. The first voltage detector, the second voltage detector, the real-time clock and the CPU are formed on a single chip. The clock counter receives the second signal. The memory stores a first value according to a second signal, and stores a second value according to a setup of time information to the clock counter.
US08788847B2

A secure data processing method includes the following steps: padding (E206) a memory area (MAC′) with a pad value (A); writing (E208) a first datum in the memory area (MAC′); in the area, reading (E210) a second datum with at least one part of the first datum as it was written in the memory area (MAC′); and executing an operation (E210) using the second datum.
US08788842B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for encryption and key management. The method includes encrypting each file on a computing device with a unique file encryption key, encrypting each unique file encryption key with a corresponding class encryption key, and encrypting each class encryption key with an additional encryption key. Further disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for encrypting a credential key chain. The method includes encrypting each credential on a computing device with a unique credential encryption key, encrypting each unique credential encryption key with a corresponding credential class encryption key, and encrypting each class encryption key with an additional encryption key. Additionally, a method of generating a cryptographic key based on a user-entered password and a device-specific identifier secret utilizing an encryption algorithm is disclosed.
US08788840B2

A secure hardware comprises a secure pipe, a secure DMA, a secure assist and a secure bus, which connects between those blocks. The secure pipe stores a common encryption key in an encryption key table so as not to be able to access from software. The secure DMA comprises a data common key system process function and a hashing process function. The secure assist comprises a common key system process function and an authentication process function, receives an issued command from a program executed by the processor core via a public IF, and performs setting/control of the secure pipe and the secure DMA via the secure bus.
US08788835B2

Structures and methods are disclosed for selectively capturing (“peeling”) and replicating (“cloning”) OTP tokens from one device to another while maintaining OTP state. Embodiments described herein provide for sending, from a first device to a second device, state information including for example, a key, a current OTP sequence value and a time to expiry value corresponding to selected tokens to be cloned. The second device thereafter uses the state information to generate OTP sequences corresponding to the selected tokens in time-synchronization with corresponding authentication entities. Additionally, embodiments described herein provide for restoring the OTP sequence corresponding to the selected tokens on the first device following a loss of synchronization of the selected tokens on the first device.
US08788830B2

A method and apparatus for logging based identification are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises extracting entries of a hash chained log that represents a series of previous transactions. The method may also comprise ordering hash values of the entries extracted from the hash chained log into an ordered list. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise producing a cryptographic hash of the ordered list.
US08788827B2

Accelerated computation of combinations of group operations in a finite field is provided by arranging for at least one of the operands to have a relatively small bit length. In a elliptic curve group, verification that a value representative of a point R corresponds the sum of two other points uG and vG is obtained by deriving integers w,z of reduced bit length and so that v=w/z. The verification equality R=uG+vQ may then be computed as −zR+(uz mod n) G+wQ=O with z and w of reduced bit length. This is beneficial in digital signature verification where increased verification can be attained.
US08788826B1

A method and apparatus for dynamically allocating a mobile network prefix to a mobile terminal, in which the mobile terminal is associated with a user equipment. The method includes sending a message from the user equipment to a home agent to establish a security association between the user equipment and the home agent. The message includes a request for a mobile network prefix to be assigned to the mobile terminal equipment. The method further includes the home agent allocating a mobile network prefix to be assigned to the mobile terminal equipment, and assigning the allocated mobile network prefix to the mobile terminal equipment.
US08788819B2

Disclosed is a system and method for securely, conveniently and effectively storing information in a secure data repository or database, and securely delivering such information to a respective user. The secure repository and database, referred to as a Vault, is a secure storage utility used for storing and safekeeping valuable personal information and documents associated with a user. The Vault can store and provide access to personal documents for a user, such as but not limited to, wills, irreplaceable pictures or video, financial documents/bills, contracts, account numbers and credit card numbers. The Vault can be provided as a service within a smart, cloud-based system, which intelligently gathers, stores and initiates actions for a variety of user documents.
US08788818B2

An electronic device that generates first authentication data; outputs a first response request generated based on the first authentication data; receives a first response message based on the first response request command, the first response message including second authentication data based on the first authentication data; outputs a second response request command after receiving the first response message; counts a time elapsed from transmitting the second response request; receives a second response message based on the second response request command, the second response message including third authentication data generated at the second electronic device based on the first authentication data; compares the third authentication data included in the second response message with expected authentication data generated by the electronic device based on the first authentication data; and judges if the second electronic device is authorized to use content data based on the comparison result and the counted time.
US08788815B1

A method for accessing a protected file system includes receiving a request from a process to access the file system, the request including a requesting process identification and a requesting process name; decrypting an ACL to obtain ACL process names, ACL process identifications, and ACL process file checksums; allowing the process access to the file system if the requesting process name matches a corresponding ACL process name and the requesting process identification matches a corresponding ACL process identification; or allowing the process access to the file system if the requesting process identification does not match a corresponding ACL process identification but a calculated process file checksum matches a corresponding ACL process file checksum. In one embodiment, the ACL information can be stored in a key ring.
US08788812B2

A system and method for retrieving certificates and/or verifying the revocation status of certificates. In one embodiment, when a user opens a digitally signed message, a certificate that is required to verify the digital signature on the message may be automatically retrieved if it is not stored on the user's computing device (e.g. a mobile device), eliminating the need for users to initiate the task manually. Verification of the digital signature may also be automatically performed by the application after the certificate is retrieved. Verification of the revocation status of a certificate may also be automatically performed if it is determined that the time that has elapsed since the status was last updated exceeds a pre-specified limit.
US08788807B2

Methods and apparatus for protecting user privacy in a shared key system. According to one aspect, a user generates a derived identity based on a key and a session variable, and sends the derived identity to an application. In one embodiment, a key server may be used to receive the derived identity from the application, and return a sub-key to the application to use for encrypting communications with the user.
US08788805B2

Techniques for securely providing cryptographic keys to trusted intermediate nodes or monitoring devices are described so that SSL, TLS, or IPSec communications can be monitored, compressed over a WAN, or otherwise used. In an embodiment, a trusted intermediate node establishes a secure connection to a key server; receiving session identification data for an encrypted session between a client and a content server during negotiation of the encrypted session, and storing a copy of the session identification data; requesting from the key server, over the secure connection, a decryption key associated with the encrypted session; receiving an encrypted message communicated between the client and the content server; forwarding the encrypted message without modification to a destination address in the encrypted message; and decrypting the encrypted message using the decryption key to result in decrypted data and using or storing the decrypted data in a storage unit.
US08788801B2

Various embodiments includes at least one of systems, methods, and software for backup and recovery of systems including boot configuration data in an extension firmware interface partition. Generating a backup, in some embodiments, includes copying Boot Configuration Data (BCD) from a registry of an operating system executing on a computer into a file and storing the file. These and other embodiments may include a system restore process that consumes this file. Such a process may operate to identify an Extension Firmware Interface (EFI) hard disk partition on a hard disk of a system to be restored, temporarily assign a drive letter to the identified EFI hard disk partition, and copy files common amongst all installations an operating system to be restored on the system along with BCD data from the BCD file to the EFI hard disk partition according to the assigned drive letter. The system may then be rebooted.
US08788800B2

An operating system (OS) processing method for a host computer includes the following steps: when the host computer is booting, a boot loader is read from a boot reading device according to a boot priority order of the host computer. A signature detecting program included in the boot loader is executed to detect data stored in a specified address of a master boot record (MBR) of the host computer. When it is determined that the present version signature of the host computer does not match the preset version signature according to the data stored in the specified address, an OS image is read from the boot reading device, an OS is installed on the host computer according to the OS image. The data stored in the specified address of the MBR is amended according to an image version signature of the installed OS.
US08788793B2

A processor including L computing units, L being an integer of 2 or greater, the processor comprising: an instruction buffer including M×Z instruction storage areas each storing one instruction, M instruction streams being input in a state of being distinguished from each other, each of the M instruction streams including Z instructions, M and Z each being an integer of 2 or greater, M×Z being equal to or greater than L; an order information holding unit holding order information that indicates an order of the M×Z instruction storage areas; an extraction unit operable to extract instructions from the M×Z instruction storage areas; and a control unit operable to cause the extraction unit to extract L instructions in executable state from the M×Z instruction storage areas in accordance with the order indicated by the order information, and input the instructions into different ones of the L computing units.
US08788791B2

A comparand word is input to a plurality of hash circuits with each hash circuit responding to a different portion of the comparand word. The hash circuit outputs a hash signal which enables or pre-charges portions of a content addressable memory (CAM). The comparand word is also input to the CAM. The CAM compares the comparand word in the pre-charged portions of the CAM and outputs information responsive to the comparison. When Internet addresses are processed, the output information may be port information or an index for locating.
US08788789B2

A method and an apparatus for power filtering in a Translation Look-aside Buffer (TLB) are described. In the method and apparatus, power consumption reduction is achieved by suppressing physical address (PA) reads from random access memory (RAM) if the previously translated linear address (LA), or virtual address (VA), is the same as the currently requested LA. To provide the correct translation, the output of the TLB is maintained if the previously translated LA and the LA currently requested for translation are the same.
US08788788B2

A system and method for efficiently performing user storage virtualization for data stored in a storage system including a plurality of solid-state storage devices. A data storage subsystem supports multiple mapping tables. Records within a mapping table are arranged in multiple levels. Each level stores pairs of a key value and a pointer value. The levels are sorted by time. New records are inserted in a created newest (youngest) level. No edits are performed in-place. All levels other than the youngest may be read only. The system may further include an overlay table which identifies those keys within the mapping table that are invalid.
US08788782B2

Multiple memory pools are defined in hardware for operating on data. At least one memory pool has a lower latency that the other memory pools. Hardware components operate directly on data in the lower latency memory pool.
US08788776B2

A hard disk control method, a hard disk control device and a computer are provided The method includes detecting the current mode in which the system runs; determining the access frequency of the hard disk in the system when detecting the system runs in an idle mode currently; intercepting the hard disk access commands to be sent to the hard disk when the access frequency of the hard disk is lower than a predetermined access frequency threshold to make the hard disk enter into a preset power saving mode, and saving the hard disk access commands into a preset memory.
US08788774B2

Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to data protection. In aspects, during a backup cycle, backup copies may be created for files that are new or that have changed since the last backup. If external backup storage is not available, the backup copies may be stored in a cache located on the primary storage. If backup storage is available, the backup copies may be stored in the backup storage device and backup copies that were previously stored in the primary storage may be copied to the backup storage. The availability of the backup storage may be detected and used to seamlessly switch between backing up files locally and remotely as availability of the backup storage changes.
US08788771B2

Provided is a remote copy system capable of guaranteeing the time ordering of data to be handled by a remote site even when the tasks at the remote site are operated across a plurality of storages or a plurality of volume groups. A consistency group consisting of a secondary journal volume and a replica is associated with a journal group consisting of a primary data volume, a primary journal volume, a secondary journal volume, and a secondary data volume. Upon backing up a secondary data volume and forming a replica, the host system issues a backup time reservation command to a storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus creates a replica by comparing the time stamp added to the journal data and the backup reservation time.
US08788767B2

A register system includes a register unit and a control unit. The register unit is utilized for storing a first data packet, wherein the register unit has an end flag. The control unit is coupled to the register unit, for indicating a designated information and an end position of the first data packet by using the end flag.
US08788763B2

An apparatus and system for protecting memory of a virtual guest includes initializing a virtual guest on a host computing system. The host computing system includes a virtual machine manager that manages operation of the virtual guest. The virtual guest includes a distinct operating environment executing in a virtual operation platform provided by the virtual machine manager. The method includes receiving an allocation of run-time memory for the virtual guest, the allocation of run-time memory comprising a portion of run-time memory of the host computing system. The method includes setting, by the virtual guest, at least a portion of the allocation of run-time memory to be inaccessible by the virtual machine manager.
US08788760B2

Data access is facilitated by employing local caches and an adaptive caching strategy. Specific data is stored in each local cache and consistency is maintained between the caches. To maintain consistency, adaptive caching structures are used. The members of an adaptive caching structure are selected based on a sharing context, such as those members having a chosen association identifier or those members not having the chosen association identifier.
US08788739B2

A system and method is illustrated for comparing a target memory address and a local memory size using a hypervisor module that resides upon a compute blade, the comparison based upon a unit of digital information for the target memory address and an additional unit of digital information for the local memory size. Additionally, the system and method utilizes swapping of a local virtual memory page with a remote virtual memory page using a swapping module that resides on the hypervisor module, the swapping based upon the comparing of the target memory address and the local memory size. Further, the system and method is implemented to transmit the local virtual memory page to a memory blade using a transmission module that resides upon the compute blade.
US08788737B2

A system and method are disclosed for connecting PCI-ordered agents based on fully independent networks. The system and method are free of PCI topology constraints, so that the system and method can be implemented in an inexpensive and scalable way. The method disclosed is used to handle and transport PCI-ordered traffic on a fabric. Based on the actual ordering requirement of the set of PCI agents, the fabric includes two, three, or four independent networks.
US08788734B2

Methods and apparatus for implementing a port management protocol which can be used to manage communication between one or more USB devices and a USB host at a distance greater than that allowed by the USB Specifications are provided. In one aspect, a method for prolonging a bus event of a USB device at least until a notification is received that a corresponding bus event has been completed by the USB host is provided; and subsequently exchanging bus traffic between the USB host and USB device upon completion of the bus event by both devices.
US08788732B2

An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. The data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the messaging network connects to a high-bandwidth star-topology serial bus such as a PCI express (PCIe) interface capable of supporting multiple high-bandwidth PCIe lanes. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US08788731B2

A message filtering system for a communications system in a vehicle enabling communication between various systems and subsystems via a vehicle bus. Electronic devices may be coupled to the bus. Electronic control units (ECUs) may be located therebetween. The ECU may regulate or control the flow of messages between the bus and the electronic devices. Message filters may apply a filter policy to incoming and outgoing messages. In addition, the message filtering system may have an alert policy for violations of the filter policy. In one embodiment, the source identity of outgoing messages may be overwritten by a message filter dedicated to outgoing messages; this message filter may be an application specific integrated circuit.
US08788728B2

A first device of a Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network may communicate with a second device of the MoCA network to control power-save operation of the second MoCA device. The first device may control the power-save operation of the second MoCA device based on an amount of data stored in a buffer, wherein the data stored in the buffer is destined for the second device. The buffer may be in a third device which sends the data to the second device, and/or the buffer may be in the first device. The first device may be operable to buffer data destined for the second device while the second device is in a power-saving state.
US08788715B2

A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection.
US08788712B2

Exemplary system and computer program product embodiments compression blocks input/output (I/O) reduction are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, data blocks are arranged into groups to provide a single I/O. Lists indicating the available block space for the data blocks are organized in advance according to space size. The data blocks required for a single command are allocated as the single I/O. The data blocks are sequentially ordered. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages.
US08788703B1

At a gateway within a network, a message containing content is received. The message conforms to a protocol that specifies a format of the content, the message having been sent from a server outside the network to a client within the network. The message is routed from the gateway to the client. The message is analyzed to determine whether the content is static. Depending on a result of the analyzing, the content is selectively caused to be stored in the format specified by the protocol in a cache within the network.
US08788702B2

Provided are a method, computer program product and system for network multi-pathing. Paths to a storage system are through a first network type and a second network type. The first network type has a higher Input/Output (I/O) per second performance characteristic than the second network type. A length is determined from a received I/O request. The I/O request is sent on one of the paths to the storage system through the first network type in response to determining that the length of the I/O request is below a threshold length. The I/O request is sent on one of the paths to the storage system through the second network type in response to determining that the length of the I/O request is above the threshold length.
US08788696B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for media content streaming can include transacting access information associated with a media stream and transacting one or more fragments associated with the media stream to facilitate a delivery of media content associated with the media stream. Access information can include fragment sequencing information to facilitate individual retrieval of fragments associated with the media stream using a uniform resource identifier via a processing device configured to cache content. A fragment can include one or more stream messages. A stream message can include a message header and a corresponding media data sample. The message header can include a message stream identifier, a message type identifier, a timestamp, and a message length value.
US08788693B2

When generating a data stream, text data, an escape-start-sequence, a first number of data units, an escape-continuation-sequence and a second number of data units are entered into a data stream. A base decoder displays only the text data and skips the data units referenced by the escape-start-sequence and the escape-continuation-sequence, while an extension decoder reads those data units and processes them together.
US08788691B1

A method and apparatus for a connection manager have been disclosed. By providing for persistent connections with clients, the connection manager allows for servers to communicate with clients, which would otherwise be inaccessible.
US08788687B2

A dynamic medical object information base (DMOIB) is used with a communication protocol. A medical object information base (MOIB) may generally define rules of creation and modification of data defined for use in medical products. A dynamic version of the MOIB adapts to changing data classifications. DMOIB is preferably compatible with non-dynamic MOIB systems. DMOIB preferably reduces code space and simplifies management of software projects. DMOIB may allow for an entirely dynamic system using a discovery/negotiation process for determining full features of a device. DMOIB may also allow for generation of a dynamic interface to handle data from devices.
US08788679B2

The present invention relates to a method for exchanging data between at least two servers with use of a gateway. Preferably the method is applied to healthcare systems. Each server holds a unique federated identifier, which identifier identifies a single patient (P). Thus, it is possible for the servers to communicate with each other without having to reveal the true identity of patient. By creating one session pseudonym for each pair of providing server (12) holding relevant patient data and a requesting server (10) and by formatting an inbound session identifier related to the requesting server and an outbound session identifier related to the providing server for each session pseudonym the servers may communicate anonymous data with each other. The patient data is transferred from the at least one providing server to the requesting server and all session pseudonyms are replaced, in the requesting server, with the identifier of the requesting server for the patient (P).
US08788676B2

Methods of operating mobile or other electronic devices so as to achieve a transmission of data between those devices, and related systems and components, are described. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a first mobile device so as to achieve a transmission of data from the mobile device to an additional electronic device includes tracking a positional variation of an object situated proximate a display screen of the mobile device by determining locations of the object over time using a sensing assembly of the mobile device. The method further includes determining a point or region on the display screen based upon the tracked positional variation of the object, identifying an image portion corresponding to the point or region, where the data is associated with the image portion, and transmitting the data from the mobile device, whereby the data is capable of being received by the additional electronic device.
US08788671B2

A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing network storage provider and CDN service providers are provided. A content broker component obtains client computing device requests for content provided by a content provider. The content broker processes the client computing device requests and determines whether a subsequent request for the resource should be directed to a network storage provider or a CDN service provider as a function of the updated or processed by the content broker.
US08788661B2

A method performed by a network system, the method comprising: monitoring traffic over a wireless network between the network system and a device, the traffic being within a service plan associated with the device; obtaining a first accounting of usage of the wireless network associated with a first portion of the traffic, wherein a sponsor sponsors at least a portion of the usage of the wireless network associated with the first portion of the traffic; based on the monitored traffic, obtaining a second accounting of usage of the wireless network associated with a second portion of the traffic not including the first portion of the traffic, the subscriber associated with the wireless device being financially responsible for usage of the wireless network associated with the second portion of the traffic; and providing an accounting record to the sponsor based on the first accounting.
US08788660B2

A database query execution monitor determines if a network error or low performance condition exists and then where possible modifies the query. The query execution monitor then determines an alternate query execution plan to continue execution of the query. The query optimizer can re-optimize the query to use a different network or node. Thus, the query execution monitor allows autonomic error recovery for network failures using an alternate query execution. The alternate query execution could also be determined at the initial optimization time and then this alternate plan used to execute a query in the case of a particular network failure.
US08788655B2

A managed services platform and method of operation of same are described herein. The platform can include a device management service (DMS) server in which the DMS server can act as a gateway for communications with one or more computing devices, and the computing devices are associated with a first entity. The platform can also include an application service (AS) server in which the AS server is communicatively coupled with the DMS server. When a first computing device contacts the DMS server, the DMS server is operable to provide a bundle to the first computing device. As an example, the bundle contains content that at least includes one or more configuration messages and an application set that contains one or more predefined applications. The content of the bundle can be determined at least in part by the first entity.
US08788652B2

Combining lower layer network tests and upper layer network tests is disclosed. A method includes receiving a user selection to create an upper layer test and a lower layer test, receiving upper layer test information and lower layer test information, displaying a first timeline showing the activity of the upper layer test in a first pane and a second timeline showing the activity of the lower layer test in a second pane. Synchronization between the lower layer tests and upper layer tests may be defined. The method allows for observing and ascertaining the impact of the lower layer tests on the upper layer tests. The method may be implemented in software, stored on a storage medium and performed on a network testing system that includes one or more network cards and in one or more network testing systems.
US08788649B2

Constructing a logical regular topology from an irregular topology including, for each axial dimension and recursively, for each compute node in a subcommunicator until returning to a first node: adding to a logical line of the axial dimension a neighbor specified in a nearest neighbor list; calling the added compute node; determining, by the called node, whether any neighbor in the node's nearest neighbor list is available to add to the logical line; if a neighbor in the called compute node's nearest neighbor list is available to add to the logical line, adding, by the called compute node to the logical line, any neighbor in the called compute node's nearest neighbor list for the axial dimension not already added to the logical line; and, if no neighbor in the called compute node's nearest neighbor list is available to add to the logical line, returning to the calling compute node.
US08788647B1

Systems and methods can be operable to provide improved load balancing for network devices. In some implementations, such systems and methods can operate to create success list and/or fail list for use in optimizing improved load balancing for network devices. In other implementations, such systems and methods can also operate to manage and remove entries from success list and/or fail list. The success list and/or fail list can be used to optimize load balancing thereby reducing or preventing interruption in service to customers.
US08788646B2

An apparatus for implementing policy control for home gateway comprises a Co-located Policy Decision Function Entity (PD-FE) for receiving the QoS policy issued by the PD-FE at network side and sending the QoS policy to the home gateway or issuing the QoS policy configured thereon to the home gateway. A method for implementing the policy control for home gateway, the method comprises: the Co-located PD-FE receiving the QoS policy issued by the PD-FE at network side or being configured with the QoS policy; and the Co-located PD-FE issuing the QoS policy to home gateways. With the present invention, the Resource and Admission Control Function (RACF) avoids controlling the home gateway directly or sending the policy to the home gateways in the case that there are a lot of home gateways and all the home gateways are scattered at the edge of the network.
US08788640B1

A method, system, and apparatus for integrating a rate shaping class analysis with a load balancing decision across multiple network links to improve traffic management decisions. For each of the available multiple network links, a determination is made as to how much bandwidth is available to each class associated with that network link. When a request for a connection is received, the request's class is determined. A load balancing decision is based on the available bandwidths for the determined class for the request. The invention may also integrate other Quality of Service metrics into the load balancing decision, including link type, failure rates, or the like.
US08788639B2

A method for configuring network devices in a network includes creating a domain having a management device and a plurality of select network devices. A configuration command is issued from the management device to a central network device in the domain to configure at least one of the network devices in the domain identified by the management device. The central network device then issues a configuration command to each of the identified select network device.
US08788635B2

An electronic device may be reported as potentially compromised (e.g., by a user or by the electronic device itself). An instruction to initiate remediation of the electronic device may be queued. Upon reaching the end of the queue, the instruction is transmitted to the electronic device to initiate remediation of the electronic device. The instruction is received by the electronic device. The remediation policy is performed, which may include performing operations such as deleting an encryption key, deleting data, disabling a login capability, disabling a boot up functionality, disabling a function associated with the electronic device, transmitting data from the electronic device, transmitting a message from the electronic device, or generating information that indicates of a user of the electronic device.
US08788631B2

A system for extending an enterprise resource planning application is provided. The system employs “Add-ins” that each have a functional behavior that is independent of the client on which it executes and a user interface behavior that is dependent on the characteristics of the display, and other characteristics, of the client (i.e., a display target). When a user attempts to invoke an Add-in via the client runtime, the client runtime determines whether the Add-in is available at the user's computer. If not, the client runtime downloads the appropriate artifact for execution at the user's computer. In this environment, neither the client runtime nor the server-side business logic contains the logic used to implement a particular Add-in behavior on the supported display targets. Instead, this logic is contained within separate artifacts associated with a single Add-in having a particular behavior, each artifact implementing the behavior for a specific display target.
US08788617B2

Cookies may be stored in the cloud, such as on one or more servers. A request, from a client, for a webpage, may be received and it may be determined whether the request includes a browser cookie that represents a key value that references state information relating to web browsing by the client. When the request is determined to include the browser cookie that represents the key value, at least a portion of the state information may be obtained using the key value. The webpage corresponding to the request may be determined based on the obtained state information. The webpage may be transmitted to the client. The transmitted webpage may include a new key value when the request does not include a key value.
US08788616B2

Distinctions between resources explicitly selected by a user and resources indirectly selected may be enabled by identifying an explicitly selected web page or other resource as such in the request for the web page or other resource, which may allow the web page or resource to be differentiated from web pages or other resources that are requested as a consequence of their indirect selection. Moreover, a log of web pages or other resources explicitly selected by a user may be maintained at the client and later reference by a local processor or communicated to a host process seeking to differentiate directly and indirectly selected web pages or other resources. These techniques also may allow a proxy or other server to perform processing related to parentally controlled accounts or related to accurately tracking frequently requested resources such as web pages.
US08788612B1

A system, apparatus, and method for improving the user experience when accessing web pages containing embedded objects over a network. In one embodiment, information regarding the contents of a locally accessible cache is added to a request directed to a web server. The information is used to control certain aspects of a pre-fetch process that is designed to reduce network latency affects and improve network resource utilization, thereby improving a user's experience. The cache contents information may be provided to an intermediate server via a modification to an existing request-response protocol, with the information being encoded or compressed if desired to reduce data transport requirements. The information is used by the intermediate server to determine whether to request an embedded object referenced in the requested resource or web page, and to determine if a browser having access to the cache will request the object or access the object from the local cache.
US08788609B2

An automation device comprising a first functional unit, a second functional unit, a first network connection for connection to a first data network and a bus master unit for connecting a peripheral component. The first functional unit includes a first interface unit that is assigned a first network address, and the second functional unit includes a second interface unit that is assigned a second network address. A partitioning device can be used to logically partition an address space of the peripheral component, and a first address space can be directly assigned, as a partitioned part of the address space, to a superordinate computation unit that can be connected through the first network connection.
US08788604B2

Techniques for use in a wireless communication device for displaying a map are described. The device receives via a user interface a selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message. The object is associated with a URL string which includes a server address and location data corresponding to a location. When a mapping application is installed in the device, the device executes the mapping application for rendering a map of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object. When the mapping application is not installed in the device, the device executes a web browser of the device for receiving and displaying a map image of the location in response to receiving the selection of the object.
US08788598B2

A system for and method of providing remote access to an email platform. The system and method may include receiving, from a user system, authentication data that comprises an authentication code that is associated with a user of the user system via a network, receiving, from the user system, mail mimic message data that indicates at least one mail service operation to be performed by an email system, and outputting, to the email system, one or more command signals that initiate the performance of the mail service operation.
US08788596B1

The spam blocker monitors the SMTP/TCP/IP conversation between a sending message transfer agent MTA—0 and a receiving message transfer agent MTA—1; catches MTA—0's IP address IP—0, MTA—0's declared domain D—0, from-address A—0; and to-address A—1; and uses this source and content based information to test for unsolicited messages. It interrupts the conversation when MTA—0 sends a command_specifying the recipient (an “RCPT” command) and uses the various test results to decide if the message is suspected of being unsolicited. If the message is suspected of being unsolicited then it logs the rejected message, sends an error reply to MTA—0 which forces MTA—0 to terminate the connection with MTA—1 before the body of the message is transmitted; else it logs the allowed message, releases the intercepted RCPT command which allows the conversation between MTA—0 and MTA—1 to proceed.
US08788585B2

An interactive experience sharing and evaluation system is implemented through a website in one easy step. Users submit information in the form of journal entries about experiences they have had, which can include photos, videos, a rating, and comments with varying privacy levels. Other users can search through these journal entries according to their security access level and add their own information, rating, comments, etc. Users also can provide personal information and search through and connect with other users and communicate with one another regarding submitted experiences. Users construct a dream-list of desired future experiences and set up ongoing searches for new information submitted regarding the users' interests. Custom information is provided to users on the basis of the contents of their dream-lists, and include advertisements.
US08788582B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for a first party providing a comprehensive coordinated communication system by enabling initiation of a communication interaction between a first party and a second party, presenting a plurality of communication channels from which one of the parties can make a selection, displaying an interface for using the selected communication channel for a communication interaction between the two parties, and creating a record of the communication interaction, wherein either of the two parties can retrieve the record. The invention can be implemented via a stand-alone computing system or such a system interconnected with other platforms or data stores by a network, such as a corporate intranet, a local area network, or the internet.
US08788581B2

A method for maintaining a cache of dynamically generated objects. The method includes storing in the cache dynamically generated objects previously served from an originating server to a client. A communication between the client and server is intercepted by the cache. The cache parses the communication to identify an object determinant and to determine whether the object determinant indicates whether a change has occurred or will occur in an object at the originating server. The cache marks the object stored in the cache as invalid if the object determinant so indicates. If the object has been marked as invalid, the cache retrieves the object from the originating server.
US08788576B2

Systems and methods for transfer of data including establishing two separate connections, the two separate connections including a high speed connection and a high integrity connection. Blocks of data are exchanged over the high speed connection while the high integrity connection facilitates communication of descriptor data regarding data received over the high speed connection. As such, the data transfer speed of the high speed connection is utilized while communication via the high integrity connection allows for data reliability features not provided by the high speed connection. The systems and methods may include receiver side data handling such that data received chronologically out of order may be ordered at the receiver.
US08788575B2

A system, method, and computer program product for publishing transcoded media content in response to publishing service requests from end users. A user request for media content, is processed intelligently, either by directing the processing of the request to one of a set of transcoding servers so as to effectively balance the load among the servers, or by directing the processing of the request to an appropriate alternative means for satisfying the request. Transcoding tasks can be prioritized. Moreover, the current load on any particular transcoding server can be monitored in conjunction with determination of the load to be created by a transcoding task, in order to facilitate server selection. Transcoding can be performed on-demand or in a batch mode. Alternatively, a request can be satisfied by distributing media content that has already been transcoded and is resident in cache memory in anticipation of such requests.
US08788573B2

One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for efficiently expanding a P2P network includes receiving a search request message from a requesting node and sending a response message to the requesting node on behalf of a node that has the requested data, where the response message originates at an intermediate node. The intermediate node may respond on behalf of the “responding” node, for example, in cases where the responding node is too far away from the requesting node to receive the search request message.
US08788544B2

Methods and apparatuses for managing data. The method includes obtaining first data including a plurality of components, determining at least one component to be reproduced by an external device from among the plurality of components, based on metadata about the external device, and generating second data using the at least one component from the first data.
US08788539B2

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for storing node, pertaining to the field of the Internet communications. The method includes: receiving a write operation request and a node from a client; storing the node in a memory and setting the update time of the node as the time of receiving the node; and relocating one or more nodes from the memory to a file according to the update time of each of the nodes in the memory. The apparatus includes: a receiving module, a storage module, and a relocating module. The present invention can reduce the frequency of loading and relocating nodes to and from a memory, and improve performance of a server.
US08788536B1

Various methods and systems for automatically obtaining documents that are referenced by an electronic communication, such as an email or instant message, for archival are disclosed. One method involves searching at least a portion (e.g., the header and/or body) of an electronic communication for a reference to a document and, in response to detecting the reference, automatically obtaining an electronic copy of the document. The electronic copy of the document can then be archived.
US08788528B2

The present invention extends to methods, systems, computer program products, and data structures for filtering cached content based on embedded URLs. A computer system accesses a URL that corresponds to cached content. The computer system identifies an embedded URL included in the accessed URL. The embedded URL corresponds to a site that was accessed to retrieve the cached content. The computer system extracts the embedded URL from the accessed URL. The computer system determines whether or not access to the cached content is to be allowed based on the embedded URL.
US08788518B2

The present invention includes systems and methods for retrieving information via a flexible and consistent targeted search model that employs interactive multi-prefix, multi-tier and dynamic menu information retrieval techniques that provide context-specific functionality tailored to particular information channels, as well as to records within or across such channels, and other known state information. Users are presented with a consistent search interface among multiple tiers across and within a large domain of information sources, and need not learn different or special search syntax. A thin-client server-controlled architecture enables users of resource-constrained mobile communications devices to locate targeted information more quickly by entering fewer keystrokes and performing fewer query iterations and web page refreshes, which in turn reduces required network bandwidth.
US08788510B2

In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for runtime invocation of an appropriate version of program instructions in an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for providing such runtime invocation can enable embodiments to ensure that new versions of developed applications will operate in the same application environment of a previous version. The ability of embodiments to provide such runtime invocation may lead to an improved application migration development/runtime framework, etc.
US08788503B1

Systems, computer program products, and methods can identify a training set of content, and generate one or more clusters from the training set of content, where each of the one or more clusters represent similar features of the training set of content. The one or more clusters can be used to generate a classifier. New content is identified and the classifier is used to associate at least one label with the new content.
US08788500B2

Embodiments of the invention are related to a method and system for identifying linked electronic mails by receiving a query from a user, wherein the query comprises at least a segment of an electronic mail; and based on the segment received, rendering to the user at least one of related subsets or a related supersets of electronic mails related to the received segment, wherein the related subsets and related supersets are threads of the segment received and arranged in a hierarchical manner.
US08788496B2

In a method of organizing information, a plurality of diverse data items is accessed. The diverse data items are related to a physical location. The diverse data items that are accessed comprise at least a non-visual data item and a visual imagery data item, and include geospatial data associated with the individual accessed data items. The diverse data items are parsed by data type and stored in a data store such that the diverse data items are accessible by one or more of the geospatial data associated with the individual data items. Diverse data items related to the physical location are processed to produce an integrated image displayable via a web viewer. The processing occurs in response to receiving a request regarding the physical location. The integrated image comprises an integration of at least two of the stored diverse data items.
US08788494B2

A method for processing electronic document and its corresponding device, a method for browsing electronic document and its corresponding browser, as well as a method for searching electronic document and its corresponding searching system are disclosed in the present invention. The method comprises at least the following steps of: generating one or more query according to the content of said document when an author is composing the electronic document; and correspondingly storing information about said one or more query with said electronic document. Wherein the query comprises keywords, keyword string or questions, and the query has passed the verification in order to ensure its reliability.
US08788466B2

One aspect of the present invention includes enabling the efficient transfer of deduplicated data between storage pools in a storage management system without unnecessary reassembly and deduplication of data objects. In one embodiment, the storage management system tracks deduplication information for the data chunks of data objects within an index at the storage management system level, in addition to tracking storage information for each data object within another index at the storage management system level. The data chunk deduplication information is then accessible by any storage pool. Accordingly, transfers of the data objects and data chunks of the data object are easily facilitated, even between non-deduplicating and deduplicating storage pools.
US08788463B2

This disclosure describes techniques of managing electronic documents as electronic records that do not require moving the electronic documents to a different repository. As described herein, an electronic document is stored at a first repository prior to a time when the electronic document is declared to be an electronic record. An administrator is able to configure a document management system (DMS) to manage the electronic document as an electronic record after the electronic document is declared to be an electronic record. In addition, the administrator is able to configure the DMS to store a copy of the electronic document at a second repository after the electronic document is declared to be an electronic record and to manage the copy of the electronic document as an electronic record.
US08788458B2

Systems, methods, computer program product embodiments and combinations and sub-combinations thereof for data caching and cache synchronization are described herein. An embodiment includes comparing data in a cache with data stored at a data source and determining database operations needed to synchronize one or more partitions of the cache with the data source. Each cache partition is associated with mobile business object (MBO) metadata of a distinct mobile device and the determined database operations are executed to synchronize the partitions with the data source. By refreshing only those partitions which are pertinent to a given device, embodiments of the invention may increase parallelism by allowing multiple partitions to refresh concurrently. The embodiment further comprises reviewing a caching policy associated with the cache. The caching policy may be selected in a manner that reduces data traffic and redundant requests on the data source.
US08788456B2

According to one embodiment, a video server includes a plurality of processing modules and a maintenance/management module. The processing modules output an activity log file to the maintenance/management module. The maintenance/management module includes a storing medium and a maintenance/management controller. The controller determines whether the storing medium has a free region for recording the activity log file in the storing medium. The controller deletes an oldest activity log file recorded in the storing medium to form a free region if the storing medium has no free region. The controller writes the activity log file in the formed free region.
US08788451B2

Search systems and methods are disclosed. Content and data in support of search results are stored in a central repository. Moreover, the centrally stored content and data can be made available to one or more authorized devices. Searches can be conducted across a single device, or a community of devices. The community of devices over which a search is performed can include devices that are not publicly accessible, and that require the provision of authentication information. The community of devices over which a search is performed, and the set of authorized devices, can be determined based on various factors.
US08788444B2

The present invention relates to the analysis of data to identify relationships between the input data and one or more conditions. One method of analyzing such data is by the use of neural networks which are non-linear statistical data modelling tools, the structure of which may be changed based on information that is passed through the network during a training phase. A known problem that affects neural networks is the issue of overtraining which arises in overcomplex or overspecified systems when the capacity of the network significantly exceeds the needed parameters. The present invention provides a method of analyzing data using a neural network with a constrained architecture that mitigates the problems associated with the prior art.
US08788439B2

An instance weighted learning (IWL) machine learning model. In one example embodiment, a method of employing an IWL machine learning model to train a classifier may include determining a quality value that should be associated with each machine learning training instance in a temporal sequence of reinforcement learning machine learning training instances, associating the corresponding determined quality value with each of the machine learning training instances, and training a classifier using each of the machine learning training instances. Each of the machine learning training instances includes a state-action pair and is weighted during the training based on its associated quality value using a weighting factor that weights different quality values differently such that the classifier learns more from a machine learning training instance with a higher quality value than from a machine learning training instance with a lower quality value.
US08788429B2

Methods, systems, and devices for secure transaction management are provided. Embodiments include a method for providing secure transactions that include receiving an identifier of a financial account at a payment processor system. A token may be generated that is linked with the identifier of the financial account at the payment processor system. The identifier of the financial account and the token may be stored securely at the payment processor system. The token may be transmitted without the identifier of the financial account to at least a recipient system or a recipient device where the token replaces the identifier of the financial account.
US08788427B2

The limiting of data exposure in authenticated multi-system transactions is disclosed. A client system authenticates and requests secured data and unsecured data with an initial system. The initial system transmits to an external system a token request that corresponds to the request for the secured data. A token is generated and passed to the initial system, which relays the same to the client system. The client system uses the token to access the secured data on the external system, while also retrieving the unsecured data on the initial system. The initial system thus does not have access to the secured data, while the request therefor is known.
US08788417B2

Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.
US08788416B1

A method for transmitting information with a financial institution. The method includes receiving a request from the financial institution for the information associated with scheduled future payment related to an established destination account and including a capital amount scheduled to be transferred to the financial institution, where the established destination account is associated with credit extended by the financial institution, performing, using a central processing unit (CPU), a search for the information on an intermediary data repository not controlled by the financial institution and based on the request, obtaining a portion of the information from the intermediary data repository based on the search, extracting, using the CPU, the portion of the information from the intermediary data repository to obtain a result, and transmitting the result to the financial institution to notify the financial institution of the scheduled future payment to the financial institution to be credited to the established destination account.
US08788405B1

Techniques are disclosed for generating a collection of clusters of related data from a seed. Doing so may generally include retrieving a seed and adding the seed to a first cluster and include retrieving a cluster strategy referencing one or more data bindings. Each data binding specifies a search protocol for retrieving data. For each of the one or more data bindings, data parameters input to the search protocol are identified, the search protocol is performed using the identified data parameters, and data returned by the search protocol is evaluated for inclusion in the first cluster.
US08788404B1

A method and system for valuing structured-finance securities, such as, but not limited to, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).
US08788401B2

A method for automatically bidding on multiple on-line auction items up for bid where the number of items the bidder wishes to buy is less than the number of items up for bid is disclosed. A method of a seller or auction site giving a bidder the ability to add a listing to a set of listings that can be processed as above is also disclosed.
US08788400B2

According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. In a market for a particular type of instrument, electronic data including buy orders and sell orders are received from a plurality of traders. Each buy order has an associated bid price and each sell order has an associated offer price. A determination is made of whether the particular trading order is an outlying trading order by electronically determining whether the particular trading order differs from at least one comparison price by more than a threshold value. If it is determined that the particular trading is an outlying trading order, a restrictive action is taken regarding one or more trading orders. For example, if a trader subsequently submits another trading order that would trade with the outlying trading order, an electronic alert message may be sent to the trader and the subsequent trading order may be prevented from trading with the outlying trading order at least temporarily.
US08788399B2

Systems and methods are provided for maintaining neutrality while trading a list of securities using an algorithmic trading facility coupled with at least one destination. This destination includes at least one alternative trading system (ATS). This facility is coupled, via an electronic data network, to a plurality of trading clients, and configured to receive a trade request to trade a list of securities from a trading client. This request includes user defined trading constraints that are used to generate and transmit trade orders to at least one ATS. The orders are transmitted based on trading data related to the destinations, the trade list, and the trading constraints. The facility can identify each executed trade corresponding to the trade orders and calculate a trade imbalance. The facility can determine whether the trade imbalance exceeds the trading constraints, and reallocate one or more of said submitted orders based on this determination.
US08788394B1

An automated information and analysis system and methods, including methods to acquire information, which may include financial market data such as rates or prices, from one or more external sources, and to process, enhance, extend or otherwise develop that information to derive additional, different, modified or otherwise developed information which, separately or together with the original acquired information, provides to users additional, different or modified utility relative to the utility that the original acquired information provides alone.
US08788386B1

Various problems currently exist in the operation of using prediction markets for corporate forecasting. One of these problems we address is the problem related to the “consistency and consolidation of metrics”. We hierarchically structure and link sets of markets traded using an automated market maker and dynamically balance markets.
US08788383B2

A computer implemented data processing system and method processes data associated with a deferred variable annuity contract during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The data includes a payment base value, a contract value, a withdrawal percent and a formula for determining an available benefit payment amount without reduction of the payment base value. The formula includes as factors the payment base value, the withdrawal percent, and an adjustment factor dependent on a period of deferral from a time a benefit payment withdrawal was first available until a first benefit payment withdrawal request and a period of time since the first benefit payment withdrawal request.
US08788377B2

A method for a consumer or business to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer or business can subscribe to a check fraud protection program, for an additional fee. A consumer or business may purchase Check Fraud Protection for an additional fee independent of purchasing checks. The subscription will enable the consumer or business to obtain reimbursement from the service provider for the consumer's losses due to specified causes. The consumer or business reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer's or business's bank or financial institution to the service provider, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. Protection may be obtained for forged signatures, forged endorsements and altered check. A symbol to indicate such protection is also disclosed.
US08788375B2

A method for pre-populating an end of shift submission by an employee of a transportation company. The method comprises executing software encoded on a machine readable storage medium by a CPU at a client associated with the employee to implement a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to supply particulars relating to a work shift for a member of a crew during a particular transportation trip. The GUI including a plurality of information capture fields for displaying particulars of the shift. The method comprises identifying among a plurality of data records, a data record associated with the particular trip, receiving data elements at the client derived from the record associated with the particular trip and pre-populating the information display fields with the respective data elements. Allowing the employee to edit one or more of the pre-populated information display fields.
US08788374B2

A method for account parallel processing used by an account processing center to process a request for account operation is disclosed. The method comprises: (1) categorizing accounts as high parallel occurrence accounts and common accounts; (2) when receiving the request from the client for processing operation of an account, firstly determining whether the account is a high parallel occurrence account; and if the account is a high parallel occurrence account, continuing to a step (3), otherwise, conducting a step (4); (3) if the account is locked, queuing a current operation to wait until implementation of the current operation; and (4) further determining, by the account processing center, whether the account is locked and outputting an error message when the account is locked, otherwise implementing the current operation. Such method provides more high quality services to the high parallel occurrence accounts. As for the common accounts, when there is a high volume of parallel transactions on the common accounts, the volume of parallel processing can be effectively controlled by outputting an error message to prevent comment accounts from causing damage the system.
US08788370B2

Various techniques for providing product versioning as a Web Service are disclosed. One method involves receiving a Web Service signature requesting access to a product model. In response to receipt of that Web Service signature, a product model that includes several versions of a product is accessed, and the current version of the product is selected from the product model. The product model can include future versions of he product that are not yet effective; such versions will not be selected as the current model prior to becoming effective. Information representing the current version can then be returned to the request in a second Web Service signature. A single object broker can respond to Web Service signatures requesting access to the product model from various different sales channels.
US08788356B2

A system and method for effectively supporting software distribution in an electronic network includes a software server and a network of client devices. The software server stores software items received from a software provider. The software items include various types of trial software that is provided to device users for temporary evaluation and potential purchase. A recommendation engine of the software server creates recommendation lists to identify optimal candidates from among the stored software items for performing an automatic and transparent software download procedures. The recommendation engine creates the recommendation lists by analyzing selectable software-ranking criteria related to device users of the client devices. The software server then downloads the optimal candidates from the stored software items to respective target devices during the software download procedures.
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