US08845558B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a catheter having an ultrasound energy emitting region that is both rotatable about and slidable along the shaft of the catheter. One embodiment is directed to a catheter comprising an ultrasound transducer coupled to the shaft, and at least one actuator coupled to the handle and the ultrasound transducer that is adapted to move the ultrasound transducer both longitudinally along the shaft and circumferentially about the shaft. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a catheter comprising an ultrasound transducer coupled to the shaft, and at least one actuator that is adapted to move the sheath both longitudinally along the shaft and circumferentially about the shaft to orient a window of the sheath in a desired position.
US08845555B2
The present invention provides a sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for using the sensor system to evaluate a tissue by determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths. The method involves applying a set of forces of different magnitudes to one or more locations of tissue, detecting the corresponding displacements due to said applied forces, determining the forces acting on those locations of tissue which are a combination of forces from the applied voltages and the countering forces from tissue deformation, obtaining the elastic modulus and/or shear modulus for a plurality of locations, and determining abnormal growth invasiveness, malignancy or the presence of a tumor from said elastic and/or shear moduli.
US08845551B2
In a medical guide wire 1, a helical spring body 3 is made of austenitic stainless steel wire treated with a solid-solution procedure, and tightly drawn with a whole cross sectional reduction ratio as 90%-99.5%. A metallic wire element of the helical spring body 3 is heat treated at low temperature within a range in which a tensile rupture strength of the helical spring body 3 rapidly increases by partly or totally making use of a conductive heat generated when a core wire 2 and the helical spring body 3 are in part bonded by means of a welding member 4. This makes it possible to improve a mechanical strength property, especially a fatigue-resistant property against a repetitive bending action of the helical spring body 3.
US08845550B2
An agent injection device is provided that is capable of injecting an agent to a known predetermined tissue depth. An injection member has an elongate injection shaft with an outlet port configured to dispense an agent at a controllable time. A controllable driver is coupled to the elongate injection shaft and is configured to drive the injection member into target tissue. A velocity control system is in communication with the controllable driver and is configured to control the velocity of the elongate injection shaft.
US08845546B2
A tissue sample holder for a biopsy device comprises an outer cup, a collection tray, and a flow restriction device. The outer cup defines a hollow interior. The collection tray separates the hollow interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber while allowing fluid to pass between the two chambers through an opening in the collection tray. The flow restriction device selectively seals the opening thereby preventing fluid from passing from the lower chamber into the upper chamber. The flow restriction device may be operable to selectively seal the opening in response to a vacuum being induced within the upper chamber. The collection tray may have a shape (e.g., tapered, funnel-shaped, convex, etc.) selected to facilitate the flow of fluid toward the opening. The lower chamber may be coupled with an external fluid collection device. The lower chamber may define a larger volume than the upper chamber.
US08845545B2
A system and method is disclosed for measuring muscle reflexes (e.g., a bulbocavernosus reflex) as a tool for identifying/diagnosing dysfunctions (e.g., spinal cord abnormalities, bladder voiding dysfunction, and sexual organ dysfunction) non-invasively by using mechanical stimulation. The system and method includes a probe having a predetermined patient contacting portion, wherein when the contacting portion is moved into contact with a particular area of the patient (e.g., the patient's genitals), the contact induces a muscle reflex. The probe detects the pressure resulting from the contacting portion being abruptly and forcibly brought into contact with the particular area. Such detection is used to electronically initiate capture of electrical responses from a plurality of electrodes placed on the patient's skin in proximity to the particular area. Such electrical responses are processed to determine characteristics of the patient's reflexes of one or more muscles adjacent to the electrodes.
US08845540B2
A 2D array transducer (10) is separated into a plurality of sub-arrays. Four representative sub-arrays SA1 to SA4 are shown in an enlarged manner. In addition, the 2D array transducer (10) is segmented into a plurality of transducer regions. Four regions of (I)-(IV) segmented by dot-and-chain lines represent four transducer regions. A grouping process is executed for each sub-array to group the plurality of transducer elements belonging to the sub-array into a plurality of element groups. In this process, for each transducer region, a common grouping pattern is set for the plurality of sub-arrays belonging to the transducer region. For example, because sub-arrays SA1 and SA2 belong to the same transducer region (IV), a common grouping pattern is set for the sub-arrays SA1 and SA2.
US08845538B2
The invention was made to simplify the operation relating to the detection of an absolute pressure applied to a test body by an ultrasonic probe and thereby to enhance usability. The fact that an elastic coupler has been attached to the ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver surface and the fact that the elastic coupler is in an initial state with no pressure are detected (S2, S3), an initial thickness of the elastic coupler in the initial state is obtained (S6), the fact that the elastic coupler is in the pressurized state is detected based on the disappearance of a multiple echo which is included in an RF signal and caused due to the elastic coupler, the thickness of the elastic coupler in the pressurized state is obtained by detecting the boundary between the test body and the elastic coupler in the pressurized state, the thickness change is obtained based on the thickness in the pressurized state and the initial thickness (S7), and the absolute pressure applied to the test object is evaluated based on the thickness change and the pre-set elasticity property of the elastic coupler (S8).
US08845535B2
The invention relates to a capsule or chip or sensor comprising a marker/detector and signalling device/method associated with the development of a medical condition/disease and to its use. This In Situ Lab On a Chip Signalling device (ISLOGS device) is used for detecting a medical condition/disease in situ or in vivo (inside the body), for example by swallowing it for testing in the digestive tract or by putting it into the vagina, mouth or nose. All reactions takes place in the body and when the test result is positive the device will notify the subject by colorizing the tested body fluid or biomaterial (for example faeces, urine or saliva) or the device itself. The detection is made outside of the body when the biomaterial or ISLOCS device has left the body.
US08845533B2
A system permits diagnosis of a patient for a physiological abnormality while protecting their airway. An esophageal airway protection device comprises an elongate device body having a distal end for insertion into the stomach through the esophagus and a proximal end. The device includes a main lumen extending the length of the device and an inflatable esophageal cuff carried by the device body mid-esophagus. Emesis and/or reflux is blocked from passing out of the stomach past the esophageal cuff positioned mid-esophagus when it is inflated to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary cough event. At least one electromyogram (EMG) pad is configured to obtain an EMG from an involuntary cough activated paraspinal muscles. A processing device is configured to receive the EMG and process the EMG to determine a physiological abnormality.
US08845529B2
A surgical access assembly includes an access port, a seal anchor and a sealing adapter. The access port includes proximal and distal rings and a sleeve defining a passage therethrough. The sleeve extends between the proximal and distal rings. The seal anchor is adapted to be at least partially disposed in the access port. The sealing adapter includes proximal and distal end portions. The distal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage the seal anchor in a sealing relation therewith. The proximal end portion is configured and dimensioned to engage a least a portion of the distal ring of the access port in a sealing relation therewith, wherein the sealing adapter is transitionable between a first state in which the sealing adapter has a first diameter and a second state in which the sealing adapter has a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter.
US08845521B2
A bendable portion control device for an endoscope including a control portion and an insertion portion extending therefrom, the insertion portion having a bendable portion at a distal end thereof, the bendable portion control device includes a control wire fixed thereto and extending to the control portion through the insertion portion; a control knob disposed on the control portion; an operating force transmission mechanism having a pair of relatively rotatable members connected to the control knob and a proximal end of the control wire, respectively; and a torque limiting mechanism for allowing torque to be transmitted to the bendable portion via the control wire when the torque is equal to or less than a predetermined torque, and for preventing the torque from being transmitted to the bendable portion via the control wire by disengaging the relatively rotatable members from each other when exceeding the predetermined torque.
US08845509B2
A method and system are provided for percutaneously gaining access to oxygenated blood with one or more anastomosis devices and pumping such oxygenated blood directly to the aorta adjacent to the right atrium or left atrium via a VAD system. In one embodiment, a VAD system can be implanted with open surgery.
US08845508B2
Techniques for applying electromagnetic energy to deep, targeted areas without overwhelming other areas are provided. One or more coils are moved relative to a target area and magnetic fields are applied to the target from multiple coil locations. As a result, the aggregate electromagetic energy applied to the target over time is greater than surrounding areas. Additionally, a model for testing and treatment planning is provided.
US08845501B2
A roll (1) for supporting and conveying hot material, including a roll element that has a roll jacket (2) made of a basic material and a wear coat which is applied to the basic material by means of a surface welding process (4) using a welding additive which surrounds the surface of the roll jacket. In order to increase the service life of the wear coat, improve the resistance to wear, and reduce the cost for producing the welded-on surface. The basic material of the roll jacket (2) is steel and contains up to 0.45 percent of C. The welded-on surface (4) is designed as a single-layer weld, and the wear coat contains 12.5 to 14.0 percent of Cr at least in an external zone that surrounds the surface of the roll jacket. Also disclosed are a method for producing the roll (1), a method for repairing a used roll (1), a welding additive and a welding rod for producing the welded-on surface.
US08845499B1
Personal force resistance cable exercise device, force resistance assembly, and method of exercising
A personal force-resistance cable exercise device includes a force resistance assembly, elongated flexible cable, and a movable exercise implement. The force resistance assembly comprises a mounting frame, a rotatable assembly shaft carried by the mounting frame, a disk rotor fixedly attached to the assembly shaft, an adjustable friction controller adapted for frictionally engaging the disk rotor, and a one-way cable spool. The one-way cable spool is locked to the assembly shaft upon rotation of the cable spool in a working force-resistance direction, and is freely movable relative to the assembly shaft upon rotation of cable spool in an opposite cable-wind-up direction. The flexible cable is attached to the force resistance assembly, and adapted for winding on and unwinding from the cable spool. The exercise implement is attached to the flexible cable, and adapted for being employed by a user performing an exercise.
US08845492B2
A system comprising a controller configured to determine if a brake control of a vehicle is actuated; determine a delay time in response to a speed of the vehicle; determine if the delay time has passed from when the brake control was actuated; and if the delay time has passed, override an engine control of the vehicle.
US08845490B2
A method for delaying shift and throttle commands based on engine speed comprises establishing a predetermined threshold engine speed. Shift and throttle commands are calculated based on the position of a joystick which allows an operator to manually control shift and throttle functions. Execution of the shift and throttle commands is delayed if the engine speed is above the predetermined maximum threshold engine speed.
US08845484B2
Mutual interference between a hydraulic pressure of a first engagement device and a hydraulic pressure of a second engagement device is suppressed even in the case where operation of the first engagement device and operation of the second engagement device coincide with each other. A vehicle drive device includes a first engagement device that selectively couples a rotary electric machine to an internal combustion engine, and a fluid coupling. The first engagement device includes a first oil chamber that is formed to apply a back pressure to a first piston. The fluid coupling includes a second oil chamber configured to control an engagement state of a second engagement device. The vehicle drive device includes a first control valve that controls a first oil chamber hydraulic pressure, and a second control valve that controls a second oil chamber hydraulic pressure independently of the first oil chamber hydraulic pressure.
US08845483B2
A system includes a hybrid power train including an engine, a first electrical torque provider, and a second electrical torque provider. The system further includes a load mechanically coupled to the hybrid power train. The hybrid power train further includes a clutch coupled to the engine and the second electrical torque provider on a first side, and coupled to the first electrical torque provider and the load on a second side. The system further includes an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to the electrical torque providers. The system further includes a controller that performs operations to smooth torque commands for the engine and the second electrical torque provider in response to determining that a clutch engage-disengage event occurring or imminent.
US08845478B2
To disable engine braking so as to act at a given shift stage in a D range selected manually, and to enable engine braking so as to act at the given shift stage in an L range, an automatic transmission includes first and second meshing mechanisms. The transmission further includes a one-way clutch, a first linkage for meshing the first meshing mechanism in synchronism with N-to-D movement, and a second linkage for meshing the second meshing mechanism in synchronism with D-to-L movement. A rotating part permits a driving force to be transmitted from an input member via the one-way clutch with the first meshing mechanism meshed in the D range and permits a driving force to be transmitted from the input member, without transmitting via the one-way clutch, with the first and second meshing mechanisms each meshed in the L range.
US08845471B2
A wind turbine drivetrain is disclosed. The wind turbine drivetrain includes a planetary gearbox. The planetary gearbox includes a carrier rotatably driven at a first input rotational speed, and a planet gear rotatably mounted to the carrier. The planetary gearbox further includes a sun gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear, and a ring gear rotatably coupled to the planet gear. One of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear is selectively rotatably driven at a second input rotational speed. The wind turbine drivetrain further includes an output gear rotatably driven by the planetary gearbox at an output rotational speed, and a motor selectively operable to rotatably drive the one of the carrier, the sun gear, or the ring gear.
US08845467B2
A multiple sprocket assembly includes a number of sprockets attached to a hub of a bicycle frame, and a rear chain transfer device having a sliding member slidably attached to a guiding device, and a carrier attached to the sliding member and movable relative to the sprockets for engaging with a chain and for carrying and moving the chain onto the teeth of the sprockets, the rear chain transfer device includes a support attached to the bicycle frame, and the guiding device is secured to the support, the guiding device includes one or more tracks or channels for slidably engaging with and for guiding the sliding member to move relative to the guiding device.
US08845465B2
A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.
US08845457B2
Golf balls having a core comprising a polyalkenamer rubber composition are provided. The rubber composition may further include other rubbers such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel. In one version, a solid, single core having an outer surface and geometric center is provided, wherein the outer surface has a hardness greater than the hardness of the geometric center to define a positive hardness gradient of at least 10 Shore C. In a second version, a dual-core having an inner core and surrounding outer core layer is provided. The inner core has a positive hardness gradient, while the outer core has a zero; negative; or positive hardness gradient.
US08845455B2
This invention provides a golf club head including a plurality of scorelines formed in its face surface and extending in the toe-to-heel direction. This golf club head includes a recessed portion for the cutting start of each scoreline, which is formed at one end or each of both ends of the scoreline in the longitudinal direction at a depth equal to or larger than that of the scoreline.
US08845447B2
The golf putter attachment is an apparatus that is able to grasp golf balls from hard-to-reach places and is able to prop up the grip of a golf putter. The apparatus includes a grip insert, two separate bodies, a locking mechanism, a hinge, a thumbnail opener, a suction cup, and a ball marker. The grip insert attaches the apparatus to a golf putter. The suction cup is used to grasp a golf ball by using the full length of a golf putter. The locking mechanism allows the two bodies to attach and detach from each other, which allows the two bodies to reconfigure themselves and prop up the golf putter. The thumbnail opener can separate the two bodies, and the hinge keeps the two bodies adjoined while the two bodies are separated. The ball marker is detachable component used to mark the location of a golf ball during a game.
US08845446B2
A swing aid for controlling the movement of a sports stick during a swing is disclosed. The swing aid includes a trailing member, a leading member, and a joining member connecting the trailing member to the leading member. The leading member and the trailing member each have an axis that intersect one another at an axis intersection point located within the joining section, the axes thereby defining an obtuse angle.
US08845443B1
A golf course sand bunker comprising a soil layer, a base layer of playing sand covering at least 40% of the exposed area of the soil layer, a liquid-applied MDI urethane having a pre-cured viscosity within a selected range, a top layer of playing sand, and wherein the base layer of playing sand is adhered to the soil layer with the MDI urethane composition.
US08845438B2
A yoke is provided in which damage such as bending of a bolt for joining and fastening the base section of the yoke to the end section of a rotating shaft does not easily occur even when that bolt is excessively tightened. In the present invention, a force is applied to both a first flange section and a second flange section in a direction toward each other, and with the inner diameter of the base section elastically reduced, a through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed. After that, the force is released and the inner diameter of the base section expands by its own elastic force. Alternatively, with the inner diameter of the base section reduced, the through hole, screw hole and seating surface section are formed, after which the first flange section and second flange section are plastically deformed in the direction away from each other to expand the inner diameter of the base section.
US08845426B2
An example input processing system includes a controller device and an information processing device. The controller device transmits data representing an input position on a predetermined input surface and a detection result of an inertia sensor unit to the information processing device. The information processing device calculates an attitude of the controller device based on the detection result of the inertia sensor unit, and sets a predetermined surface in a virtual space so that an attitude of the predetermined surface changes in accordance with the attitude of the controller device. A first image representing an area in the virtual space including a position of the surface is displayed on a predetermined display device. The information processing device calculates, as a position in the virtual space, a position on the surface determined by the input position.
US08845419B2
Systems and methods for a providing a jackpot bonus in a gaming system A jackpot bonus element is generated in an entertainment game portion of a hybrid game and a gambling game in a gambling game portion of the hybrid game is triggered when a player initiates an encounter in the entertainment game with the bonus element. It is then determined if the player wins the gambling game triggered by the player's encounter with the bonus element in the entertainment game a payout is provided to the player when it is determined that the player has won the gambling game.
US08845411B2
A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine.
US08845410B2
A multi-station game machine, including at least two stations that are configured to accept player inputs, a wheel having a plurality of sections including symbols, the wheel being configured to rotate, the wheel being disposed so that a front surface of the wheel can be seen from at least two players, and a controller for controlling a first game performed by the wheel and a second game performed on the stations, wherein the wheel is configured to enable at least two players to simultaneously play the first game respectively using the stations, wherein the stations are configured such that the players bet a game value on the symbols via a bet area displayed on a display provided on each of the stations, and wherein the controller triggers the second game based on a win of the first game.
US08845408B2
Systems and methods for configuring a gaming system. In one such gaming system, a plurality of real world engine modules are provided for a hybrid game, each real world engine module having a gambling game that is triggered by an element of an entertainment game of the hybrid game. A selection is received, from a player of the hybrid game, of a selected real world engine module of the plurality of real world engine modules, and triggering is enabled of the selected real world engine module's gambling game by the element of the entertainment game of the hybrid game.
US08845401B2
The invention relates to a method for processing poultry or a part thereof in a processing line, including the step of detaching and/or collecting a cartilage of the poultry's keel bone, whereby during transport of the poultry's carcass in the processing line, a cut is made in the cartilage of the keel bone, which cut is made initially transverse to the transport direction of the poultry and towards the poultry's backbone, and which cut develops from said transverse direction to eventually a direction opposed to the transport direction.
US08845400B2
An inexpensive rotary grinding tool with reduced noise level of the grinding is provided. The rotary grinding tool comprises a metal disk having a grinding surface on at least a part of its surface and a holder for supporting the metal disk. The grinding surface has hard grains having a Mohs hardness in excess of 9 brazed thereon at a surface density of at least 20 grains/cm2. The holder has at its center a securing means for securing the holder on rotary shaft of a rotary drive unit. The holder and the metal disk are joined together to constitute the rotary grinding tool.
US08845388B1
A mass of memory foam or similar elastic material is sized and shaped to fit within a cleavage area to space breasts away from the cleavage area and lift the breasts somewhat. The spacer includes a front surface opposite a rear surface and with a base portion opposite a top portion. The base portion is larger than the top portion. Side portions extend from the base portion to the top portion on opposite sides of the spacer. These side portions act upon the breasts to lift and separate the breasts from each other. A band can optionally be provided girding the spacer. The band can be provided as camouflage or decorations can be placed on the band to decorate the spacer. The bands can be replaceable to switch between appearance options.
US08845384B2
An interactive intelligent play set, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes a principle toy, a plurality of action figures, and/or play accessories. An intelligent play set identifies and tracks action figures and/or play accessories used by a player during a play session, provides interactions based on the specific action figures, accessories, or combinations thereof, used by a player during game play, provides interactions based on the history of how a player has interacted with the set during previous play sessions, and/or enables a player to construct new interactions between the various play pieces of the play set, using basic interactions as building blocks.
US08845368B1
An electrical connector. The connector includes rails that attach to channels. The rails and the channels can be fully supported along their length to prevent damage. In addition, a nonconductive mass of the connector is positioned between the rails and the channels, preventing an accidental short.
US08845362B2
A connector includes a housing (10) made of synthetic resin and formed with a terminal accommodating chamber (11). A resiliently deformable locking lance (12) is cantilevered forward along an inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating chamber (11) and a locking projection (15) is formed on the locking lance (12). A terminal fitting (30) is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber (11) from behind and has a locking hole (33) configured to engage the locking projection (15) when the terminal fitting (30) is inserted in the terminal accommodating chamber (11). Reinforcing ribs (20) are formed integrally on the locking lance (12) and project in a direction opposite to the terminal accommodating chamber (11) in a resilient deforming direction of the locking lance (12).
US08845359B2
A patch cord including a connector attached to an end of an electrical cable. The connector includes a single-piece attachment member having a management section, a boot, and collar including a retention arrangement. Certain types of retention arrangements include one or more teeth that protrude inwardly from the collar to bite into at least an outer jacket of the electrical cable.
US08845356B2
A power adapter cord for providing electrical power to an electronic item of merchandise from an external source of electrical power includes a cable containing at least one conductor and having a connector at one end configured to lock into a corresponding connector of a power input port provided on the item of merchandise. The connector and the corresponding connector define a mechanical and electrical connection having a connector extraction force greater than the connector extraction force of a standard connector of the same type. Accordingly, the connector prevents accidental or malicious removal of the connector from the power input port and/or discourages theft of the item of merchandise because the connector cannot be forcibly removed without damaging the corresponding connector and thereby rendering the item of merchandise inoperable. In exemplary embodiments, the connector is a modified micro-USB plug.
US08845355B2
A blockout device for a USB port is disclosed. The USB port has an inner channel and metal clips positioned within the channel. The blockout device has a front that covers the inner channel of the USB port. The blockout device also includes a top, a bottom and sides extending from the front. The bottom extends parallel to the top with an open area therebetween. When the blockout device is installed in the USB port, the sides engage the metal clips positioned in the channel of the USB port to secure the blockout device to the USB port.
US08845349B2
A female contact 20 includes: a quadrangular tube 21; a curled portion 22 provided inside the quadrangular tube 21; and a curved portion 23, a projection 24 and a mounted portion 25 which are provided outside the quadrangular tube 21. The curved portion 23 is elastically displaced in a vertical direction. The quadrangular tube 21, the curved portion 23, and the mounted portion 25 are arranged so as to overlap one another when viewed from a direction orthogonal to a first wall 110 of the quadrangular tube 21. Further, the curved portion 23 and the mounted portion 25 are located within a width W of the first wall 110.
US08845342B2
The invention relates to a connection device for powering electrical equipment, said connection device comprising: a first electrical conductor (3) configured such that it is electrically connected to an electrical power source, and a second electrical conductor (5) connected mechanically and electrically to the electrical equipment to be powered. According to the invention, said connection device comprises an electrically insulating overmolding (7) held mechanically, covering the first (3) and second (5) electrical conductors at the connection thereof.
US08845341B2
Disclosed is an electrical connector assembly which comprises an insulative body, a PCB and a base. The insulative body comprises a plurality of first terminals, and the base comprises a plurality of second terminals. The first terminals and the second terminals are electrically connected through the PCB; wherein the base is disposed with a movable member. When the movable member is in an open status, an FFC is inserted into the base. When the movable member is in a close state, the movable member presses against a plurality of conductors of the FFC to establish an electrical connection with the second terminals.
US08845340B2
An electrical connection box is provided with a case which accommodates a circuit board on the interior thereof. The case has a connector provided with a synthetic resin section on which a terminal fitting connected to the circuit board is arranged. The synthetic resin section has a hood section with which a partner connector is engaged, a surrounding wall which is provided on the periphery of the hood section and forms a cavity between the surrounding wall and hood section, a locking section provided on the inner wall of the hood section, and a reinforcing rib which is provided on an area of the hood section corresponding to the locking section.
US08845334B1
An apparatus for teaching and practicing an ophthalmologic surgical technique of creating the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis comprises a housing with a first base end and a second suction cup end for holding a malleable body; a flexible film or cellophane-type membrane covers the operating area of the malleable body; this flexible film can be held into place on the first base end with a first cap with an aperture or opening; in between the first base end and the second suction cup end, there can be a flexible stock with a threaded connection. There can also be a second cap addition, which simulates a cornea and anterior chamber, which can be filled with viscoelastic material, which can increase the pressure in the eye and flattens the anterior capsule.
US08845333B2
Apparatus for training the art of forcible door entry for emergency personnel such as firefighters and, in particular, a reusable forcible entry door training apparatus that allows individuals to simulate forcible entry of outward opening metal doors mounted in metal frames.
US08845329B2
Dental retention systems which facilitate the adjustment or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy compression plates or elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Each of the plates has a length with one or more straightened portions and with at least one curved or arcuate portion. Energy may be applied to the elements such that the arcuate portion self-flattens to allow for the oral appliance to be placed thereupon while removal of the energy allows the elements to reconfigure into its curved configuration thereby locking the oral appliance to the abutment. Removal of the oral appliance may be effected by reapplication of energy to the elements.
US08845326B2
An gas burner assembly for a cooking appliance includes a main burner assembly, a simmer burner assembly positioned in a stacked relationship with and located below the main burner assembly, a venturi assembly for delivering a gas flow to the main burner assembly, a gas boost pump configured to control a pressurization of the gas flow, a gas valve assembly for controlling a rate of the gas flow, and an encoder coupled to the gas valve assembly, the encoder configured to track a position of the gas valve assembly and provide a signal to the gas boost pump for pressurization of the gas flow.
US08845318B2
An imprint apparatus for imprinting a mold pattern onto a substrate or a member on the substrate includes a light source for irradiating a surface of the mold disposed opposite to the substrate and a surface of the substrate with light; an optical system for guiding the light from the light source to the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate and guiding reflected lights from these surfaces to a spectroscope; a spectroscope for dispersing the reflected lights guided by the optical system into a spectrum; and an analyzer for analyzing a distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate. The analyzer calculates the distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate by measuring a distance between the surface of the mold and a surface formed at a position away from the surface of the mold.
US08845315B2
An exemplary injection molding apparatus includes a first mold defining a passage therein, a second mold engaging with the first mold, working fluid received in the passage of the first mold, and a thermal conductive member engaged in the first mold and thermally interconnecting the first mold and the working fluid. The first mold and the second mold cooperatively define a molding chamber therebetween adapted to receive injected molten material therein. The thermal conductive member transfers heat from the first and second molds to the working fluid when the first and second molds are hotter than the working fluid, and transfers heat from the working fluid to the first and second molds when the working fluid is hotter than the first and second molds.
US08845310B2
A scroll compressor including a casing, a scroll compression mechanism that compresses refrigerant, a driving motor that has a driving shaft, an insulator and a stator, and is connected to the scroll compression mechanism through the driving shaft to drive the scroll compression mechanism, a main frame that supports the scroll compression mechanism in the casing, a bearing plate that has a boss portion in which the driving shaft is inserted, and supports the driving shaft of the driving motor in the casing, and a cover that covers the surrounding of the driving shaft between the driving motor and the bearing plate and is formed of an insulating material and provided to the insulator of the driving motor.
US08845309B2
The present invention provides a vibration reducing device for pump cover body of water shut-off diaphragm pump comprising a hood cover mount and a pump cover body with a containing pit, which orderly accommodates a plastic elastic membrane disk, an obstructing baffle and a compressed spring therein. The plastic elastic membrane disk includes a downward central flow directing buffer, which can insert into a flow directing compartment in the containing pit when the hood cover mount docks with the pump cover body. The flow directing buffer can not only absorb the direct impacting momentum of pumped high pressurized water to the surrounding internal wall of the flow directing compartment but also redirect the random impacting direction of the high pressurized water. Thus, the vibration of the pump cover body with annoying noise created by the impacting momentum of the high pressurized water is deleted.
US08845299B1
System and methods are provided for reducing vibration in server or data storage units. An anti-vibration system according to the present invention includes one or more disk drives and one or more fans in a defined area, and a controller which is configured to control operation of each of the one or more fans. A nominal speed setting and a speed range are determined for the one or more fans, either commonly or independently with respect to each, and the fans are caused to be driven in accordance with the determined speed setting and speed range. As a result the occasions in which individual fan speeds are coincident with fixed frequency sensitivities for each disk drive are substantially minimized.
US08845298B2
Driving arrangement (11) for a pump, compressor or similar, adapted to provide alternating pressure in at least two chambers (27a, 27b, 27′, 27″), such as chambers of a pump or compressor, as result of a reciprocating movement of a bar element (23). The bar element is connected to two movable pressure chamber faces being pistons (21a, 21 b) or plungers having fluid connection to said chambers, which bar element (23) is reciprocally supported in a housing (19). The driving arrangement further comprises an electric motor (31) which is adapted to provide the reciprocating movement of the bar element (23). The bar element extends through the rotor (31b) of the electric motor (31). The electric motor is an electric rotary motor. The invention also relates to a pump assembly with a plurality of such driving arrangements.
US08845296B2
A turbine bucket is provided including a bucket airfoil having an airfoil shape, the bucket airfoil having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1 wherein the Z values are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z values by a height of the airfoil in inches and adding the radius of the airfoil base, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08845294B2
Spacers interposed between blades attached to the disk of a rotor having slots and bottoms of the slots are disclosed. Each spacer is made of an elastically deformable material and at least one longitudinal segment of the spacer presents a transverse profile of arcuate shape to define two lateral contact zones.
US08845291B2
An engine arrangement has a gear assembly that drives a first propeller assembly. The gear assembly is driven by a power drive shaft that joins to the gear assembly at a first side. The engine arrangement has a static conduit that extends along a longitudinal internal cavity of the power drive shaft. The conduit penetrates the gear assembly such that a portion of the conduit projects from an opposing second side of the gear assembly. The engine arrangement has one or more first fluid supply lines routed along the static conduit between a hydraulic pressure power source and the first hydraulic actuator. A first hydraulic rotating coupling is mounted to the projecting portion of the static conduit. The first fluid supply lines fluidly communicate with the first hydraulic actuator via the first rotating coupling.
US08845281B2
A centrifugal compressor comprises at least one stage suited to separate a liquid phase and a gas phase with the aid of at least one of a hydrophobic, super-hydrophobic, hydrophilic or super-hydrophilic surface layer, wherein the hydrophobic and/or super-hydrophobic surface layer is disposed on at least one of an inlet guide vane, impeller, return channel straight hub, or exiting hub bend; and the hydrophilic and/or super-hydrophilic surface is disposed on at least one of the impeller casing, diffuser casing, exiting casing bend, return channel straight hub, exiting hub bend, collection point, or drain.
US08845278B2
A radial turbine includes a radial turbine wheel provided with a main pathway in which blade height progressively increases while curving toward an axial direction from a radial direction. A sub-let is formed on a shroud side of the radial turbine wheel at a position separated from the main inlet in the radial direction and the axial direction. Also, a blade shape that forms the sub-inlet is such that, in a plane orthogonal to the axial line of the radial turbine wheel, a center line of the blade is inclined at a predetermined angle toward the rotation direction with respect to the radial direction.
US08845276B2
Fluid-powered devices are detailed. The devices may be utilized as motors or pumps, for example, and are capable to switching dynamically between these functions. They additionally may use surface-area, rather than solely pressure, differentials to produce rotary motion.
US08845268B2
A compressor typically for use in a turbocharger comprises a downstream radial compressor impeller wheel, an upstream axial compressor impeller wheel and an intermediate stator. The compressor housing has an inlet with inner and outer walls that define between them an MWE gas flow passage. An upstream opening defined by the flow passage provides communication between the passage and the intake and at least one first slot downstream of the upstream opening provides communication between the passage and the inner surface of the inner wall. The stator comprises a plurality of fixed vanes and is disposed in the inner wall of the inlet between the radial and axial impeller wheels. The position of the slot can be at one of several positions along the gas flow passage, in other embodiments there are second and third slots and the flow passage is divided into two parts. All the arrangements are designed to improve the compressor map width.
US08845266B1
Systems, equipment and processes involving one or more aspects such as extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and/or reducing the overall cost of goods movement are disclosed. In some implementations, storage areas may be accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads.
US08845263B2
A system for moving a shelving system includes a lifting system that is operable to engage a section of a shelving system with a lifting element and to move the section of the shelving system upwardly or downwardly relative to a ground surface. The system also employs a moving device that is positionable between the shelving-system section and the ground surface when the lifting device moves the shelving-system section upwardly. The moving device also receives the section of shelving system onto a receiving area when the lifting device lowers the shelving-system section. The at least one movement component allows the at least one moving element to move relative to the ground surface. A lifting system for lifting a shelving system may include a jack and a lifting bracket that couples operation of the jack to upward or downward movement of the shelving-system section.
US08845261B2
A system of single or multiple modules with self driving capabilities specifically for the movement of single or multiple shipping containers with a single operator on foot using a ‘wireless control unit’ to imitate commands to the individual modules, inter-connected to act in concert. As the units are configured from one (1) to forty-five (45) containers, the modules are connected utilizing the specialty pin assembly inherent to the invention.The invention has the capability to articulate in the vertical plane, allowing the complete modular unit to transverse inclines; declines and slight obstructions while in the normal operational environment. This accommodates ramps up or down onto the barges, or onto surfaces in the receiving ports.The ‘wireless control unit’ also allows the operator and the Command and Control operations to visualize the individual module while transversing all surfaces allowing for the visualization of the stack in a three dimensional display.
US08845250B1
A tie-down anchor for insertion into a stake opening in the sidewall of the bed of a pick-up truck. The tie-down anchor is constructed for releasable engagement with the sidewall, and arranged for receiving and releasably engaging at least one tie-down line. The tie-down anchor comprises a continuous, elongate flexible frame having first and second side members extending apart from a common transition point. The tie-down anchor is moveable from a first position, disengaged from a pick-up truck sidewall, to a second position, disposed through a stake opening, engaged with the pick-up truck sidewall.
US08845246B2
A machine tool comprising a machine frame having dimensionally rigid side walls, each including top-side horizontal guide rails. A compound slide is displaceable in or on the guide rails. On the front of the compound slide is a machining unit comprising a spindle head which is vertically displaceable. A workpiece mounting unit is disposed in the space between the side walls. The workpiece mounting unit may have a workpiece table or a workpiece chucking device. In order to form an enlarged access to the work area of the machine tool, one side wall is shorter at the front than the other side wall. Further, the linear guides or guide rails mounted to the side walls of the machine frame may be aligned at an acute angle α to the vertical center plane of the machine frame.
US08845244B2
A drill bit, hasa front side (5) and a circumferential surface (19) adjoining the front side (5).The front side (5) has a main cutting edge (7) including a transverse cutting edge (3) extending through a center axis (11) of the drill bit (1), and has two first and second main cutting-edge regions (13, 15) adjoining the transverse cutting edge (9) and extending radially toward the circumferential surface (19).The circumferential surface (19) comprises at least two chip flutes (21, 23), which between them delimit a first and a second web (25, 27), and three lands, of which a first land adjoins the end of the first main cutting-edge region (13) facing away from the transverse cutting edge (9), and serves as a free cutting-edge land (33), and additionally has a free cutting edge (39), a second land adjoins the end of the second main cutting-edge region (15) facing away from the transverse cutting edge (9), and serves as a guide land (35), and a third land serves as a support land (37).The drill bit is characterized in that the guide land (35) is disposed on the first web (25) and the support land (37) is disposed, together with the free cutting-edge land (33) having the free cutting edge (39), on the second web (27).
US08845241B2
A radius end mill including an end mill body which is rotated around an axis thereof; a chip discharge flute being provided at an outer periphery of a tip portion of the end mill body; a gash being provided at a tip portion of the chip discharge flute; a rake face being formed on a wall face facing an end-mill rotational direction in the chip discharge flute or the gash; a cutting edge being formed on the rake face; the cutting edge including an end cutting edge, an outer peripheral cutting edge, and a convex circular-arc-shaped corner cutting edge; the end cutting edge being formed at a side ridge portion on the tip portion of the rake face; the outer peripheral cutting edge being formed at a side ridge portion on the outer peripheral side of the rake face; the convex circular-arc-shaped corner cutting edge being formed at a corner side ridge portion formed by the end cutting edge and the outer peripheral cutting edge; wherein the corner cutting edge has a positive cutting edge inclination angle; and the portion of the rake face on the side of the side ridge portion along at least a portion of the corner cutting edge is inclined toward the rear side in the end-mill rotational direction as it approaches the outer peripheral cutting edge from the end cutting edge, and is formed in the shape of a twist face whose inclination toward the rear side in the end-mill rotational direction gradually becomes larger as it approaches the center of the convex circular arc formed by the corner cutting edge from the corner cutting edge.
US08845238B1
A panel assembly of a trench box has a frame, a receptacle affixed within the frame, a connector having one end portion received in the receptacle at an opposite end portion extending outwardly of the frame, and a pipe having one end affixed to the opposite end portion of the connector member and extending outwardly therefrom. The connector member has a flange extending radially outwardly therefrom. This flange bears directly or indirectly against either or both of the receptacle and the frame.
US08845235B2
A method of installing a structure on a bed of a sea, estuary or river from a floating installation vessel is described. In such a method a plurality of attachment piles and corresponding installation rigs are attached to the structure prior to deployment of the structure. In addition, respective umbilical control cables are connected to the installation rigs prior to deployment of the structure. The structure is deployed from a floating vessel to a bed of a sea, estuary or river, such that, when the structure is located on the bed, the umbilical control cables do not support the structure or installation rigs. A single installation operation for each attachment pile is performed, in which operation an installation rig is activated so as to install fully the corresponding attachment pile in the bed, without removal of the umbilical control cable or the installation rig therefrom.
US08845232B2
Exemplary products and methods are described for in situ treatment of soil that is or may become contaminated with energetic materials or their degradation products. Easily biodegradable organic material and humic material may be distributed on the soil surface in a manner such that portions thereof are carried below the soil surface by infiltrating water, where the easily biodegradable material may be degraded by microorganisms, generating an anaerobic environment suited to further biologic and abiotic reduction of the contaminants, and the humic material may be retained by the soil particles thereby reducing pollutant leaching.
US08845227B2
A fastening assembly having a tubular first coupling member; a second coupling member insertable coaxially inside the first coupling member in a first direction; and releasable fastening means for locking the first and second coupling member to each other in a predetermined axial lock position. The fastening means include: first and second engaging means formed on the first and second coupling member, connectable to each other to define a foolproof angular insertion/release position, and releasable by positioning the second coupling member in a predetermined axial position inside the first coupling member; and third and fourth engaging means formed on the first and second coupling member and connectable to each other in a further angular position of the second coupling member, different from the angular insertion/release position, by moving the second coupling member axially, from the predetermined axial position, in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US08845225B2
A fastening arrangement for a wall-supported and floor-supported element of an interior fitting on the side wall of a rail vehicle is provided. A C-section rail is arranged on the side wall for receiving sliding blocks to which the element is releasably screwed. The element is provided with a shaped part which at least partially encompasses the C-section rail and extends in the longitudinal direction of the C-section rail. The shaped part is supported on at least both of its ends on the outside of the C-section rail for absorbing vertical loads and moments, and, for absorbing the longitudinal and transverse forces acting on the shaped part, the shaped part is connected to at least one sliding block which is arranged between both ends of the shaped part in the C-section rail.
US08845217B2
A printing apparatus capable of maintaining print sheet conveying performance while keeping apparatus cost low and apparatus size small is provided. The printing apparatus includes a conveying mechanism and a print unit. The conveying mechanism includes a conveying roller which is a driving roller, a plurality of pinch rollers which are passive rollers disposed facing the conveying roller, and a plurality of pinch roller axles supporting the pinch rollers. The print unit prints onto a sheet conveyed by the conveying rollers and the plurality of pinch rollers. The conveying mechanism includes one or more first pinch roller sets including two pinch rollers and a first pinch roller axle supporting the two pinch rollers, and one or more second pinch roller sets including three pinch rollers and a second pinch roller axle supporting the three pinch rollers.
US08845213B2
In one embodiment, data is discerned, the data indicative of a first quantity of unused media contained within a roll. Prior to a plot being printed on the roll, a second quantity of unused media expected to be in the roll after the plot is printed is discerned using the data. Printing of a machine-readable marking on the roll, along with the plot, is caused, the marking being indicative of the second quantity.
US08845212B1
A tilt mechanism allows for nodal tilt of a camera or other payload to a high degree without obstructing any side of the camera. It uses two rotating plates that are linked together with linkage arms. The linkage arms transfer the rotational movement of the plates above the mechanism to a camera attachment plate. The rotating plate has a nodal point identical to the linkage plates, above the plate where the camera is positioned. There is no side support in this design to interfere with access to the camera on all sides.
US08845211B2
A movable mirror shock-absorbing mechanism of a camera includes a movable mirror which is rotatable between a viewfinder light-guiding position and a retracted position, a pressing portion which moves with the rotation of the movable mirror, a first shock-absorbing member which is pressed and moved by the pressing portion to absorb shock of the movable mirror when the movable mirror rotates from the retracted position to the viewfinder light-guiding position, and a second shock-absorbing member which is pressed and moved by the pressing portion to absorb shock of the movable mirror when the movable mirror rotates from the viewfinder light-guiding position to the retracted position. The first and second shock-absorbing members are mutually identical in specifications.
US08845202B2
A spring washer is disclosed for axially preloading anti-friction bearings. The spring washer can include an outer ring and an inner ring that is coaxially arranged with respect to the outer ring. An axis is defined by the two rings. Outer and inner rings are connected through several resilient connection rods. Resilient cantilevered rods can be provided which extend from one of the rings in between the connection rods and which have a free end at the opposite positioned ring. Thereby, the cantilevered rods can be axially bent up such that the free end has an axial offset.
US08845196B2
A first embodiment of a compliant bearing includes a main body and a bearing surface. The main body and the bearing surface may be engaged with one another via one or more bearing surface springs configured such that the bearing surface is compliant with respect to the main body. A second embodiment of a compliant bearing includes a main body and at least one bearing pad. The main body and the bearing pad may be engaged with one another via one or more pad radial and/or pad axial springs configured such that the bearing pad is compliant with respect to the main body. A sensor web may be integrated into the compliant bearing. In one embodiment the sensor web comprises at least one sensor configured as a strain gauge and affixed to a bearing surface spring.
US08845189B2
An integrated circuit includes a device identification circuit and a temperature sensor diode connected in parallel from a common node. The device identification circuit includes a resistor connected to a diode-connected transistor. The device identification circuit and the temperature sensor diode are adapted to not be simultaneously operating in an ON state. A first voltage is applied to the common node to place the device identification circuit in an ON state and place the temperature sensor diode in an OFF state to identify the integrated circuit. A second voltage is applied to the common node to place the device identification circuit in an OFF state and place the temperature sensor diode in an ON state to determine a temperature of the integrated circuit.
US08845187B2
The invention relates to a zero heat flux temperature sensing device (100) for sensing a core body temperature of an object (113). The zero heat flux temperature sensing device (100) comprises a layer (107), a first temperature gradient sensor (105), a first heat flux modulator (103) and a heat flux modulator controller (102). The layer (107) has an opposing first side (112) and second side (108). In use the first side (112) is nearest to the object (113). The layer (107) is for obtaining a first temperature difference over the layer (107) in response to a first heat flux in a first direction from the first side (112) to the second side (108). The first temperature gradient sensor (105) senses at the first side (112) of the layer (107) a second temperature difference in a second direction. The second direction extends from a first border of the first side (112) towards a second border of the first side (112). The first heat flux modulator (103) is arranged at the first side (112) of the layer (107) and is constructed to change a second heat flux in a second direction at the first side (112) of the layer (107) in order to influence the second temperature difference. The heat flux modulator controller (102) controls the first heat flux modulator (103) on basis of the sensed second temperature difference in order to decrease an absolute value of the second temperature difference. The effect of the measures according to the invention is that the zero heat flux temperature sensing device (100) senses the core body temperature of the object (113) more accurately.
US08845166B2
A washable, rechargeable electronic candle, with peripheral elements and a charging system. The electronic candle module is provided with a hermetically closed switch, hermetic charging pad elements and seal between a translucent flame cover. An electronic lighting source is visibly contained within the flame cover and is preferably comprised of multiple spaced apart light sources such as of LED lighting elements in a configuration to thereby create a three-dimensional flame appearance. The flame cover is sized to protect the light sources and to provide light diffusion of the lighting source in the configuration of an ovate candle flame. In addition, an opaque element is provided on the candle body, just below the level of the lighting source to provide an emulative effect of a darkened wick section of a candle. Included is a modular electronic candle emulation system with interchangeable candle modules, charger, shade, decorative bases, and fragrance holders.
US08845160B2
The invention relates to a lighting module (1) for an emergency service vehicle (24), comprising a profiled part (18), a first (3) and a second (5) lighting module, wherein the first lighting module (3) is arranged in a first accommodating area (2) of the profiled part (18) and illuminates a first spatial section (11). The second lighting module (5) is arranged in a second accommodating area (4) of the profiled part (18) and illuminates a second spatial section (12). The first lighting module (3) comprises a first lighting element (6) for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a transparent covering element (7), wherein furthermore the first lighting element (6) is formed by a semiconductor component and is arranged on a support structure (9). Furthermore, the second lighting module (5) comprises a second lighting element (8) made of a semiconductor component for emitting electromagnetic radiation.
US08845155B2
A trailer adapter to connect a master electrical system of a towing vehicle with a subservient electrical system of a towed vehicle having a light connectable thereto is disclosed. In particular, the trailer adapter may include a body having at least one electrical interface, where the at least one electrical interface is capable of electrically engaging the electrical system of the towing vehicle. The trailer adapter may also include a light source operatively coupled to the body, where the light source is selectively changeable between at least two operative modes capable of providing illumination.
US08845154B2
A motorcycle wherein an attachment angle of a tail light bulb is increased to reduce a distance between a seat and a tail light unit, to improve the flexibility of a short tail design around a tail light of a motorcycle. The motorcycle includes a rear cowl attached to a rear part of a vehicle body frame, a seat catch arranged on a rear end portion of the vehicle body frame and configured to lock and to unlock an openable/closable seat, a tail light unit arranged behind the seat catch and attached to the rear cowl, a tail light bulb attached to the tail light unit in a forward-tilted state, and a rear fender covering an upper part of a rear wheel WR. An opening that allows access to the tail light bulb is formed at a portion of the rear fender facing the tail light bulb.
US08845151B1
A basketball system having a basketball goal and a lighting system such that light is provided for the playing of basketball or other activities at night. The lighting system has a lighting apparatus and a pole with a vertical shaft and an arm. The lighting system is configured to couple to an existing basketball goal or be installed remote to the basketball goal. The lighting apparatus is configured to be lowered near to the ground by rotating the lighting system such that servicing may be done to the lighting apparatus without the use of a ladder.
US08845149B2
A plant illumination apparatus including a driving unit having a central axis, a first slide base, a second slide base, a light source, and a retractable arm having a retraction-control terminal and light-disposing terminal is provided. The first and second slide bases are disposed on the driving unit. The drive unit simultaneously drives the first and second slide bases to move along the central axis in opposite directions. The retraction-control terminal has a first end and a second end respectively connected to the first and second slide bases and moving therewith. When the first and second ends approach each other, the retractable arm extends so the light-disposing terminal moves away from the retraction-control terminal. When the first and second ends leave each other, the retractable arm retracts so the light-disposing terminal moves toward the retraction-control terminal. The light source is disposed on the light-disposing terminal to illuminate a plant.
US08845147B1
A directable clamping light stand able to be clamped to an extant object or surface, with an extant trouble lamp releasably clamped aloft a directable shaft, the directable shaft moveable between a plurality of positions, whereby the trouble lamp may be repositioned expediently, and securely supported in the plurality of positions, upon the directable shaft, as desired.
US08845142B2
An optical system for generating, from a light source and along an optical axis (X-X), a composite light beam comprising at least one central light beam and at least one peripheral light beam surrounding the central light beam. The system directs towards an optical diffuser for redistributing the composite light beam in a predetermined manner in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis (X-X). The optical system is configured for generating, in a second plane comprising the optical axis (X-X), the central light beam and/or the peripheral light beam in such a manner that light rays of the central light beam and/or of the peripheral light beam are respectively inclined, on either side of the optical axis (X-X), with respect to the optical axis (X-X).
US08845141B2
A reflector is rotatably coupled to a light emitting diode (LED) module assembly. The reflector includes multiple alignment features that correspond with multiple notches provided in a reflector attachment coupled to a LED light source. The reflector can be made of a non-conductive substrate material, such as glass, and can have a non-conductive, reflective coating deposited on the inner surface of the reflector to allow the reflector to be more closely positioned to the LED light source. Reflector attachments can help to maintain precise reflector position during coupling with the LED light source. Media holders can be removably coupled to the light emitting portion of the reflector and provide for the quick mounting and placement of one or more optical media in the light path output by the reflector.
US08845134B2
An LED cooling system includes: hermetically sealed space 5 containing air and housing light emitting device 10 including light emitting body 1, the hermetically sealed space 5 including heat dissipation member 14 and cover film 11 having a double-layered structure; cooling element 4 contacting heat dissipation member 14 in hermetically sealed space 5, the cooling element 4 having a heat absorbing surface 4a absorbing heat from light emitting device 10 and heat dissipating surface 4b contacting heat dissipation member 14 to dissipate the heat absorbed by heat absorbing surface 4a through heat dissipation member 14; and metal plate 3 between light emitting device 10 and cooling element 4. Cover film 11 includes transparent resin film 12 outside hermetically sealed space 5, and metal film 13 located inside hermetically sealed space 5 and including opening 13a for exposing the light exit surface of light emitting body 1 through resin film 12.
US08845126B1
According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a lamp assembly includes a lens with a top portion and a sleeve portion, the sleeve portion defining an interior volume, and the top portion including a seating flange; a housing disposed within the interior volume, the housing comprising a first chamber and a second chamber adjacent the first chamber; a photovoltaic array disposed within the first chamber; an electronic circuit disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the photovoltaic array; a light source disposed within the first chamber and electrically connected to the circuit; and a battery disposed within the second chamber and electrically connected to the circuit, wherein the interior volume and the second chamber are sealed from the environment, and wherein the sleeve portion of the lens extends below the seating flange, thereby enabling the seating flange to seat upon a mounting surface.
US08845121B2
A power supply unit including an accumulator, a back support body with means configured for holding the back support body on a user's head and connect to a lighting device, at least one first module provided with a USB connector, and means for removably securing the at least one first module to the back support body. The back support body also includes a hollow element for receiving the connector, such hollow element being mounted so as to pivot around a transverse axis of the back support body.
US08845117B2
A structure and method for three-dimensional lighting using light active technology. The structure has one or more non-rigid, flexible, foldable double-faced sheet of light active material formed of two opposedly facing sheets of light active material arranged back-to-back and configured to emit light from front and back sides of the at least one double-faced sheet of light active material. A collapsible three-dimensional lighting structure is formed of the double-faced sheet(s) of light active material and a folding element. A power supply element provides power to the circuitry and is coupled to the plurality of lighting elements of the two opposedly facing sheets of light active material. A fastening element coupled to the double-faced sheets of light active material at a fastening point removably retains the three-dimensional form.
US08845112B2
The present invention has: a first worm gear 29 that is rotatably borne on a gear case 11 and a bearing member 16, the first worm gear being coupled to an output shaft 24 of a motor 13; and a helical gear that is geared with the first worn gear 29. In the gear case 11 and the first worm gear 16, an engagement recessed portion 42 and an engagement protrusive portion 43 configured to engage with each other are provided. At the engagement protrusive portion 43 of the bearing member 16, a first press-in fixing protrusive portion 44 configured to be pressed-in and fixed to an engagement recessed portion 42 of the gear case 11 is provided. As a result, according to the present invention, a rotational center O1 of the first worm gear 29 is positioned at the normal rotational center.
US08845104B2
The invention relates to a solar tracker having oleo-hydraulic cylinders that increase the rigidity of the system by keeping the two chambers of each cylinder pressurized, even while on stand-by. This makes the system more accurate, avoiding undesirable cylinder movement caused by oil compression. The system includes a circuit having at least one cylinder assembly (8,9), an oleo-hydraulic plant and a control system (5), wherein the oleo-hydraulic plant supplies the oil to the cylinders controlling the speed of movement of these latter, and the control system (5) supervises and controls the correct operation of the entire system and protects said system against possible accidents.
US08845095B2
Described herein are devices, compositions, and methods for improving color discernment.
US08845089B2
A medium loading device includes: a support unit having a shaft member that is attached to each of both end sections of roll paper and a flange member; a loading portion in which the roll paper with the support units attached thereto is loaded; a temporary placement portion on which the roll paper with the support units attached thereto is placed temporarily before being loaded into the loading portion; and a transfer path for transferring the roll paper with the support units attached thereto from the temporary placement portion to the loading portion. The flange member has in a region facing the transfer path a flat surface that is in contact with the transfer path.
US08845088B2
A printer comprises a paper holding section, a printing and conveying section, a buffer section and a movable section. The paper holding section holds the paper rolled into a roll such that can draw out and convey the paper. The printing and conveying section, which is provided with a print head and a platen roller that are arranged opposite to each other, draws out and conveys the paper and then prints on the paper. The buffer section arranged at the downstream side of the paper conveying direction of the paper holding section and the upstream side of the paper conveying direction of the printing and conveying section to elastically press the paper surface of the paper.
US08845083B2
An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead having a first port and a second port; an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a first ink line interconnecting the first port with the outlet port; a second ink line interconnecting the second port with the return port; an air line connected to the first ink line, the air line having an inlet open to atmosphere; a reversible pump positioned between the second port and the return port for pumping ink in the second ink line; and a dual valve arrangement including: a first valve for selectively controlling ink flow through the first ink line, the first valve being positioned in the first ink line between the ink container and the air line; and a second valve for selectively controlling air flow through the air line.
US08845078B2
A liquid ejection head module is disclosed. The liquid ejection head module includes first and second head units disposed in a first direction. The first and second head units have first and second rows of liquid ejecting heads that have a plurality of nozzles disposed in the first direction. The first and second rows of liquid ejecting heads are disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first and second head each have a projecting portion. A connector is disposed on each of the first and second head units and each connector is disposed so that the connecting port is open at a side opposite from a liquid ejecting side.
US08845073B2
Inkjet printing methods are described that create a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier fluid reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.
US08845071B2
An inkjet printing apparatus is provided, which has a simple construction, and is yet capable of reducing ink consumption and cleaning inkjet heads promptly.The inkjet printing apparatus includes connector caps 51a-51l for connecting tubes communicating with suction caps, a cap support 54 supporting the connector caps 51a-51l, a switch element 60 for switching to a sucking state one of the connector caps 51a-51l to which the tubes are connected, and a stepping motor 57 for supporting and rotating the switch element 60.
US08845067B2
A system for testing one or more nozzles in a nozzle plate includes a fixture for holding the nozzle plate, a gas input device for jetting gas through the nozzle, and a first stationary schlieren optical system for producing a light-intensity representation of a gas stream jetted from the nozzle. An image capture device can capture one or more images of the light-intensity representation or the light-intensity representation can be projected onto a screen.
US08845065B2
An inkjet offset printer includes a heated drum assembly having a hollow drum with an internal surface defining an internal cavity and a heater and a cooler located in the internal cavity. The heater includes at least one ceramic heater element. The cooler includes a slot to direct an air stream that is normal to the internal surface of the drum that aids in quenching the heating element for faster control responses.
US08845058B2
A printing machine includes a substrate and at least one printhead with at least two material deposition channels which are movable with respect to the substrate, wherein the printhead is mounted on a stage which allows rotation of the printhead around an axis perpendicular to the substrate and translation in a direction perpendicular to the print direction, and wherein during each print swath, the rotation angle and translation values of the printhead are varied in order to change the pitch and the lateral position in the direction perpendicular to the print direction of material deposited from the different deposition channels; and an algorithm which computes the required rotation angles and translation values for a given pattern of substrate distortion.
US08845053B2
In-image preliminary ejection is performed by use of nozzles used to print an image out of the nozzles included in an overlapping link region, and between-image preliminary ejection is performed by use of nozzles which are not used to print the image. Thus, a reduction in image quality is inhibited, while the amount of print media used in the between-image preliminary ejection is reduced.
US08845051B2
A droplet ejecting apparatus includes a recording head including nozzles, liquid chambers communicating with the respective nozzles and storing ink, and actuators for applying pressure to the respective liquid chambers; and a print control unit configured to generate drive signals for driving the respective actuators to eject droplets from the nozzles. The drive signal includes a first contracting waveform component for ejecting a droplet and a second contracting waveform component for further contracting the liquid chamber after application of the first contracting waveform component but not ejecting a droplet. The second contracting waveform component is output at oscillation-damping timing at which a pressure wave generated by the first contracting waveform component is damped, in a condition where an environmental temperature is high, and is output at resonating timing at which resonance with the generated pressure wave occurs, in a condition where the environmental temperature is low.
US08845048B2
A power supply section includes a switching regulator. A plurality of linear regulators is provided for respective ones of a plurality of driving sections. The linear regulators step down a source voltage to respective driving voltages of the driving sections and supply the respective driving sections with the driving voltages. A head-temperature sensor measures temperature of a liquid ejecting head. A controller determines the source voltage and the driving voltages based on the temperature, and controls the power supply section, the linear regulators, and the driving sections to stop at least one of outputting of the source voltage by the power supply section, supplying of the driving voltages by the linear regulators, and driving of the driving sections, when a voltage difference is larger than or equal to an acceptable value. The voltage difference is a difference between the source voltage and a minimum voltage of the driving voltages.
US08845041B2
A washing machine having a coupling structure configured to economically and strongly couple component parts to each other, the washing machine including a frame forming an exterior, an upper cover coupled to an upper portion of the frame and provided with an opening unit to which a laundry is introduced, an electronic part accommodating plate coupled to an rear portion of the upper cover, and a connection unit provided at the electronic part accommodating plate and extended toward a lower direction from a lower portion of the electronic part accommodating plate.
US08845040B2
A housing for an electronic device includes a housing body, a bottom cover, and a locking member. The housing body includes an engaging slot and a through hole. The bottom cover includes an engaging hook for engaging the engaging slot. An inner surface of the housing body or the bottom cover is provided with a positioning element. The locking member extends through the through hole, and includes an engaging portion disposed on the inner surface of the housing body, and a control portion exposed from the through hole. The control portion is operable to move the engaging portion between a locking position where the engaging portion engages the positioning element and an unlocking position where the engaging portion is separated from the positioning element to thereby facilitate assembly and disassembly of the bottom cover to and from the housing body.
US08845037B2
A device with an electronic brake system (EBS) and a brake assembly is provided for protecting against unauthorized removal of a trailer where a control device can activate and deactivate a protection state of the electronic brake system. When the electronic brake system is activated, protection can be provided by the brake assembly, which can brake the trailer if unauthorized removal is attempted.
US08845030B2
An airplane passenger seat device includes a seat part, which has a seat surface, a seat direction and a main body, which abuts an aisle in a installed state in a means of transportation and which, in a usage position, laterally covers the seat surface in a region that is lateral to the seat surface with respect to the seat direction. It is proposed that the passenger seat device has a bearing unit for moveably mounting the main body, which is provided to move the main body from the usage position into a release position by way of a movement relative to the seat surface, which causes the region lateral to the seat surface to be released.
US08845027B2
A recliner apparatus for a vehicle seat has a pair of discontinuous recliner mechanisms attached to opposite sides of the seat for comfort adjustment in which the angle of the seat back is moved to a desired angular orientation. A master easy entry recliner mechanism is attached to an inner side of one of the side support members of the vehicle seat frame. A locking pawl is operatively connected to the side support member to selectively engage a stop in a locked position. The locking pawl is moved by a control cable between locked and unlocked positions. A slave easy entry connector is connected to the master easy entry recliner mechanism by a slave control cable. The slave easy entry connector releases one of the discontinuous recliner mechanisms when the master easy entry recliner is shifted to the easy entry position.
US08845024B2
An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit having a lumbar support pad wherein asymmetric support is provided to the left and right halves of the lumbar pad. As such, the asymmetric support loads are independently adjustable to more comfortably support a chair occupant. The chair back also includes a pelvic support pad which is disposed vertically adjacent to the lumbar support.
US08845017B1
A combination instrument stand and seat has a support structure having at least one leg, and a seat pivotally mounted on the support structure with a seat pivot element to pivot between a horizontal position and a tilted position. A latch mechanism is adapted for locking the seat in the horizontal position. An instrument support extends from the support structure and is shaped to cradle a bottom of the instrument.
US08845013B2
Provided is a roll blind apparatus using a roller bar, in which only one roll blind is applied to a rear seat so that in roll blind opening, a roll blind for a front seat can be opened, but the roll blind for the rear seat can maintain a closed state, and thus light introduced to the rear seat can be blocked, and by applying a roller function to an existing bar, the roll blind can be wound around the roller bar (mobile roller assembly), thereby solving the headroom shortage problem.
US08845005B2
A captive track motion system for a convertible roof which includes a first rear side rail pivotally connected to a main frame, and an intermediate side rail pivotally connected to the first rear side rail. The first rear side rail and the intermediate side rail are part of a movable frame assembly. A roller is connected to the intermediate side rail, and a track is connected to the main frame. The roller is disposed in the track, and the movement of the roller in the track defines the movement of the movable frame assembly as the movable frame assembly is changed between a stowed position and a deployed position.
US08844986B2
A vehicle bumper apparatus includes a bumper reinforcement member formed to have a hollow cross section and including a vehicle interior portion formed to have an open cross section including an opening, and a crush box supporting the bumper reinforcement member to mount the bumper reinforcement member to a side member of a vehicle body, the crush box including a connecting portion arranged at a vehicle exterior portion, the connecting portion closing the opening of the bumper reinforcement member to restrict the opening from being expanded, and a retaining portion protruding from the connecting portion toward an exterior side of a vehicle to retain the bumper reinforcement member.
US08844978B2
A medical-engineering coupling mechanism for connecting two medical instruments having a coupling plug and a coupling socket for inserting the coupling plug, so that the coupling socket and the coupling plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded notching connection. To produce a medical-engineering coupling mechanism that is easy to manipulate and ensures a secure notching connection of the components that are to be connected to one another, it is proposed with the invention that the notching connection consists of at least two notching hooks that are positioned on one of the components and are in active engagement with at least one spring element configured as a spring washer, and at least one notching recess positioned on the other component for insertion of the at least two notching hooks.
US08844977B2
A suction connection, including a first flange that includes a centrally located through hole and is arranged to be connected to an outlet of a suction pipe and a second flange that includes a centrally located through hole and that is arranged to be connected to an inlet of a dry installed centrifugal pump. The suction connection includes a first pipe socket, which is displacable in the axial direction between an operative position in which said first pipe socket disengageably connects the first flange and the second flange and thereby puts the through hole of the first flange in fluid communication with the through hole of the second flange, and a service position in which the first pipe socket is located at a distance from the second flange and thereby admit access to the through hole of the second flange.
US08844975B2
A hose intervention clamp is provided for clamping a hose/connection nipple assembly, wherein the hose/connection nipple assembly has a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot. The hose intervention clamp includes a locking ring, an upper clamp portion, and a lower clamp portion pivotally connected to the upper clamp portion. The upper and lower clamp portions are pivotally moveable relative to each other from a first at least partially open position to a second locking position, and in the second locking position the upper and lower clamp portions define a recess for receiving the hose/nipple assembly. The locking ring is configured to be received in the locking slot when the upper and lower clamp portions are in the second locking position. A hose intervention clamp system includes a hose/connection nipple assembly having a hose and a connection nipple having a locking slot, and the described clamp.
US08844972B2
A self laminating wristband separable from a multi-ply page form has a plurality of separated imaging areas, with one larger imaging area for receiving printed data corresponding to the wearer such as his name, i.d. number, etc., with one or more second imaging areas adapted to receive either printed information or markers which may be adhered thereto. The separated imaging areas are aligned along the length of the wristband so that the gap between them acts as a natural hinge point which allows the imaging areas to lie flatter against the wearer's wrist.
US08844971B2
An inner fender that faces a wheel arch of a bumper face includes an undercut portion formed on a side of an inner peripheral wall, the side of the inner peripheral wall being an outer side with respect to a vehicle width direction. The undercut portion includes a lower side wall that radially inwardly recedes from the inner peripheral wall and is superposed with a lower end of the wheel arch of the bumper face, an upper side wall that radially outwardly protrudes from the inner peripheral wall and is disposed above the lower side wall so as to be continuous with the lower side wall, and a flange that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the upper side wall and is secured to an inner portion of the bumper face.
US08844962B2
The hitch step assembly has a platform securable to a hitch bar and pivotable from a storage position to a stepping position with respect to the hitch bar. The platform is preferably substantially planar and parallel to the length of the hitch bar at the stepping position. The platform is pivotable to the storage position that exposes a ball mount assembly connected to the hitch bar. Walls extending downward from the platform to substantially enclose the ball mount assembly and prevent its exposure as a trip hazard during use of the hitch step. A locking pin is provided that maintains the platform at the storage position or the stepping position.
US08844961B2
The stand-up unit comprises a support a stand-up frame, which is articulated on the support and has a seat carrier carrying a seat, and a backrest carrier carrying a backrest. Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram is provided in order to maintain the backrest upright in any position. The backrest can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram by means of a rod, in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram controls the movement of the seat when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage. Spring joint elements support the standing up.
US08844956B2
A directional damper for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes damping means disposed at least between the vehicle and a suspension assembly of the vehicle. The damping means provides directional damping to the suspension assembly with respect to a selected datum, such as the beam or the main member of the vehicle.
US08844954B2
A steering system includes a wheel rotatable between on-center and off-center positions, and a shaft having teeth. The shaft defines a cavity and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the teeth. The system includes a nut having cogs defining grooves therebetween, wherein each tooth is matable with a groove. The system includes a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity, and a retainer contacting the adjuster and shaft, and configured for positioning the shaft along the axis as the wheel rotates. A center one of the gear teeth meshes with one of the grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness therebetween when the wheel is in the on-center position. An outer one of the gear teeth meshes with an outer groove to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness when the wheel is in the off-center position.
US08844952B2
A balance bike includes a frame, and front and rear wheel assemblies respectively pivotally mounted on two opposite ends of the frame. The rear wheel assembly is pivotable with respect to the frame to synchronously adjust a seat height defined as a vertical distance extending from a saddle of the frame to a horizontal plane and a wheelbase defined as a horizontal distance extending between centers of the two wheels respectively rotatably mounted in the front and rear wheel assemblies to be suitable for various size requirements.
US08844948B1
Described is a shopping cart crutch assembly that is formed to allow a user to attach the shopping cart assembly with a variety of shopping carts. In doing so, a shopping cart handle brace can be positioned over a shopping cart handle. Rising from the shopping cart handle is the extension member which is used to elevate the body support member. A user can then position his/her armpits over the body support member and receive ambulatory support while being able to push and utilize the shopping cart.
US08844946B2
A synchronized rotating wheel assembly for a recreational device having wheels is disclosed. The assembly includes a base plate having top and bottom surfaces, the top surface of the base plate adapted to be attached to a portion of the recreational device, a gear assembly joined with the bottom surface of the base plate, and first and second wheel assemblies respectively joined with the first and second interconnected gears. The gear assembly includes first and second interconnected gears, a mechanism for rotating the first and second gears in unison and in the same direction, and a bias spring mechanism for returning the first and second interconnected gears to a default position when the gear assembly is not under stress. The mechanism may include a third gear between the first and second interconnected gears or a belt having teeth that cooperate with both the first and second interconnected gears.
US08844934B2
A target for hanging on a frame has a hanging member having a first elongated arm, a second arm extending from the first arm and a third arm extending from the second arm. The first and third arms are parallel to each other and the second arm is perpendicular to said first and third arms. The third arm is shorter than the first arm. The hanging member has a thickness. A target disk has an elongated slot wherein the hanging member is inserted into the slot. The third arm extends through the slot and the second arm is received within the slot.
US08844933B2
A movable object for use in a system having means for determining whether the movable object passes a flat target plane of the system, the movable object having a plurality of sensor means, radio wave emitter means arranged in the movable object, and control means for controlling the operation of the radio wave emitter means, the control means being arranged to sample an electromagnetic field intensity measured by the sensor means and transmit data relating to the field intensity measured by the individual sensors by means of said radio wave emitter means, wherein the transmitted data allow for a unique identification of which of said plurality of sensor means measured the transmitted data.
US08844932B2
A form of play is disclosed that provides a house advantage in a blackjack side game.
US08844924B2
A sheet feeding device configured to feed sheets, the sheet feeding device including a tray configured to receive the sheets; a separation portion configured to separate the sheets one by one; a guide portion configured to guide feeding of the sheets while regulating a position of the sheets in a width direction that is orthogonal to a feed direction of the sheets, the guide portion comprising an upstream side end portion, in the feed direction of the sheets, which is disposed above the tray and a downstream side end portion, in the feed direction, which extends further to the downstream side, in the feed direction, than the separation portion.
US08844918B1
A micro adjustable stop is provided for use with wood working tools. The micro adjustable stop includes a base having a first adjustment rod, a support rod and a base plate, wherein the support rod and first adjustment rod coupled to a wood working tool on one end of the support rod and the first adjustment rod and the base plate coupled at an opposing end of the support rod and the first adjustment rod. The micro adjustable stop includes a second adjustment rod with a stop coupled at one end of the second adjustment rod. Additionally, the micro adjustable stop has an adjustment mechanism having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end comprising a micro adjustment device, wherein the first end of the adjustment mechanism is operatively coupled to the first adjustment rod and micro adjustment device is operatively coupled to the second adjustment rod.
US08844914B2
Disclosed is a variable differential mount apparatus using a Magnetorheological Elastomer (MRE). The apparatus includes a core, a coil, a plurality of MRE supports, and a magnetic path formation member. The core has a plurality of arms disposed thereon. The coil is wound on the plurality of arms, respectively. The plurality of MRE supports are disposed to face the plurality of arms, respectively. The magnetic path formation member is disposed outside the plurality of MRE supports. More specifically, a current is applied to coil to vary the degree of stiffness of the variable differential mount based on a particular driving condition to allow for increased handling and comfort.
US08844913B2
A piston rod (15) and a first piston (13) are arranged in the interior of an external cylinder (11) and internal cylinder (12); a second piston for absorbing the change of volume of operating fluid (24) is also arranged therein. Also, a first return spring (18) for returning the piston rod (15) to the interruption position is provided and a second return spring (20) for returning the operating fluid 24 into the high-pressure chamber (25) by pressurizing the second piston (14) is provided. In addition, the air in the interior of the buffering device (10) is withdrawn by a vacuum pump (38), and operating fluid (24) is thus introduced in a degassed condition.
US08844912B2
A shock absorber for a vehicle, having a bellows piston, bellows, and a fluid as the damping medium. The shock absorber has a first partition wall, which is situated on the bellows piston, and is implemented to separate a volume area of the bellows piston from a volume area of the bellows. The first partition wall has a first opening, which is implemented to limit a fluid flow between the volume area of the bellows piston and the volume area of the bellows. The shock absorber further has a sprung mass, which is situated inside the shock absorber to influence the fluid flow inside the shock absorber.
US08844911B2
The invention relates to an air spring having an air spring flexible member (1) whose wall (5) of elastomeric material has at least one reinforcement layer (19) and bead (3) with a reinforcement core. The reinforcement layer surrounds the reinforcement core in the form of a loop (20). The flexible member wall, which projects from the bead, does not lie flush on the piston but forms an arc projecting away from the piston when viewed in cross section. The core loop can thus terminate inside the piston diameter thereby improving the roll-off characteristics of the flexible member.
US08844903B2
In a valve seat made of an iron-based, composite sintered alloy having hard particles and a solid lubricant dispersed therein to have high wear resistance and good machinability, which is usable in high-power fuel direct injection engines with improved fuel efficiency and low emission, relatively coarse solid lubricant particles in such an amount as not to drastically reduce the strength of a sintered body are dispersed to provide self-lubrication, and as fine solid lubricant particles as not hindering the bonding of matrix particles are dispersed to improve machinability.
US08844902B2
The invention discloses a valve housing (1) having a main bore (6) and at least one connecting bore or secondary bore (12, 20, 22, 36), the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the main bore. The connecting or secondary bores end at a side wall limiting the main bore, wherein the side wall has different material thicknesses being distributed at the circumference thereof. According to the invention, to reduce material stresses the valve housing has tension reducing grooves (14, 26, 28, 34) in the ending regions, said grooves being integrally molded into the side wall of the main bore.
US08844897B2
Devices may be in contact with molten metals such as copper, for example. The devices may include, but are not limited to, a die used for producing articles made from the molten metal, a sensor for determining an amount of a dissolved gas in the molten metal, or an ultrasonic device for reducing gas content (e.g., hydrogen) in the molten metal. Niobium may be used as a protective barrier for the devices when they are exposed to the molten metals.
US08844891B2
A slide apparatus for a vehicle includes first and second rails and a rolling element circulation unit including first and second cases and a plurality of rolling elements accommodated within a receiving portion that includes first and second annular receiving portions accommodating the rolling elements annularly arranged in a rolling and circulating manner. The second case includes elongated bores connected to the first and second annular receiving portions in a state where the second case is mounted at the second rail. A portion of the rolling elements is exposed from the elongated bores while being inhibited from disengaging from the elongated bores. The rolling elements exposed from the elongated bores make contact with an operating surface of the first rail and inner surfaces of the first and second annular receiving portions, and roll and circulate in association with a relative movement between the first and second rails.
US08844886B2
A wallboard wall carries a picture or shelf hanger in a hole between front and back faces of the wall. The hanger includes: a one-piece member having (a) a shoulder having a bottom portion bearing against a bottom portion of the hole and extending horizontally through the hole, (b) an arm extending upwardly from the shoulder, (c) a leg (i) extending downwardly from the shoulder, and (ii) located outside the front face of the wall and (d) a load bearing surface for receiving the object. The arm has a sharp pointed end piercing the back face of the wall and extending into the wall via the back face of the wall.
US08844885B1
A suspension system for hanging fabric articles such as quilts or the like from a vertical surface such as a wall or partition. A C-shaped bar is passed through a sleeve of the fabric article which is conventionally provided for accommodating a hanger. A mounting bracket has a projecting tab which enters the opening of the bar and engages the sleeve. The article is pinned in place by its own weight in a manner which avoids making or needing holes in the sleeve, while concealing of the mounting apparatus. The mounting bracket engages the wall by adhesive or fasteners, or alternatively is suspended from a wall mounted rod from above. Optionally, an integral motion detector operates an alarm.
US08844882B2
A hanger configured to be mounted to a supporting surface includes a fastener receiving body configured to be positioned on the supporting surface. The hanger also includes a hook portion positioned adjacent to the fastener receiving body and configured to receive a retainable object therein. The hanger additionally includes a first datum surface associated with a first orientation direction of the fastener body. The hanger further includes a second datum surface associated with a second orientation direction of the fastener body. The relative positions of the first datum surface and the second datum surface are arranged such that when a fastener tool abuts the first datum surface and the second datum surface, a fastener applied by the fastener tool is positioned within a bounded area of the fastener receiving body.
US08844880B1
A heliplane operates with a fixed wing at high velocities, and particularly at high advance ratios, while using a rotary wing maintained in motion at all speeds. At high advance ratios, the rotor wing eventually may be rotated primarily to maintain its stability, rather than depending upon the majority of lift. Meanwhile, a collective pitch control is provided and located between pilot and copilot. A single control provides control of both collective pitch and throttle by both pilots. One pilot will have to operate the control with the left hand, while the other may use their right hand. Nevertheless, both throttles push away from the pilot, regardless of which one is in control of the aircraft, while a single collective lever is relied upon.
US08844873B2
In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus to provide a panel stiffening element. The apparatus has an outer braided thermoplastic tube and an inner braided thermoplastic tube disposed within the outer braided thermoplastic tube. The apparatus further has a separation ply layer co-consolidated between the outer braided thermoplastic tube and the inner braided thermoplastic tube. The separation ply layer provides reinforcement and impact damage resistance to the inner braided thermoplastic tube in order to avoid a loss in structural loading capability.
US08844867B2
A baggage compartment for an aircraft is provided. The compartment has a housing and a baggage holder swivel-mounted in the housing. The baggage holder is moveable from a closed position into an open position with a first swivel movement to open the baggage. The baggage holder is moveable from the open position into the closed position with a second swivel movement to close the baggage. The compartment also has a swiveling device for moving the baggage holder into the open or closed position by performing the first or second swivel movement.
US08844866B2
Sensor pod attachment assemblies are provided for attaching a sensor pod containing airborne sensor equipment to an aircraft fuselage. The sensor pod assemblies may include fore and aft pairs of attachment pylon assemblies each having a lower end attached to the aircraft fuselage and an upper end attached to the sensor pod. The fore pair of attachment pylon assemblies can include port and starboard pylon structures, and a cross-support base connected to upper ends of the port and starboard pylon structures. The aft pair of attachment pylon assemblies may include a lengthwise adjustable spar assembly.
US08844861B2
An aircraft propulsion system including a bypass turbojet engine surrounded by a nacelle together with a mechanism attaching the engine to a pylon of an aircraft. The nacelle includes an inner structure forming a body of revolution including a rigid framework formed by an upstream annular frame fastened to an intermediate casing of the engine, a downstream annular frame supporting the exhaust casing of the engine, and longitudinal arms connecting the frames together, the annular downstream frame being fastened to the pylon by a flexible or hinged suspension mechanism.
US08844860B2
A Foldable Rise and Stare Vehicle with a single engine assembly that contains a pair of inline counter-rotating propellers. Two inline counter-rotating engines are directly connected to the propellers. Gimbal mounting the engine assembly permits thrust to be directed forward to back and left to right to control the vehicle position in the horizontal plane, when hovering. Varying the relative engine speeds controls yaw. The Foldable Rise and Stare Vehicle is adaptable as an unmanned vehicle.The vehicle collapses into a flat assembly similar to a foldable beach chair, allowing for convenient transportation.
US08844855B2
A spool brake device for a dual-bearing reel according to a first aspect of the present invention is a device configured to electrically brake a spool rotatably mounted to a reel unit of the dual-bearing reel for allowing a fishing line to be wound thereabout. The spool brake device includes a spool brake unit including a magnet configured to rotate in conjunction with rotation of the spool, and a coil configured opposite to the magnet to generate electric current with rotation of the magnet, a tension detecting unit configured to detect and measure tension on the fishing line, and a spool control unit configured to control the spool brake unit by analog-controlling electric current flowing through the coil on the basis of how large the tension is.
US08844854B2
An electrically powered reel for fishing is presented, which enables the operator to perform a series of sounding operations smoothly and quickly and has superior graspability and holdability as well. The electrically powered reel for fishing includes: a spool which is provided between left and right side plates and of a main body of the reel, and around which a fishing line is wound; a drive motor which is provided in the main body of the reel and rotates and drives the spool; and an operation member which adjusts a power of the drive motor. In addition, when a space between an operation portion of the operation member and an operation portion of a clutch-OFF switching member is connected by a virtual shortest straight line, each component member of the reel is arranged so as to avoid the virtual straight line.
US08844848B2
A waste disposal apparatus, for disposing of waste materials using aerobic decomposition, includes a decomposition chamber having a waste inlet for receiving waste materials, and a closure member for closing the inlet and sealing the decomposition chamber. The apparatus includes a stirrer for stirring waste materials in the chamber, and a waste outlet for discharging waste materials from the chamber after aerobic decomposition thereof.
US08844841B2
A nozzle assembly for a liquid dispenser includes an outlet member that defines a liquid supply conduit and a nozzle that includes an exit orifice, wherein the nozzle is disposed over an end of the outlet member. A liquid compression path is defined by the nozzle and the outlet member, wherein the liquid compression path includes a liquid compression chamber that supplies liquid from the liquid supply conduit to the exit orifice. The nozzle is adjustable between a first spray position for projecting a liquid spray having a first average droplet size and a second spray position for projecting a liquid spray having a first average droplet size. In the first spray position the liquid compression chamber has a first volume and in the second spray position the liquid compression chamber has a second volume. Preferably, the liquid spray is formed without a swirl chamber.
US08844837B1
A fragrance vapor dispenser that includes synthetic wicks is disclosed. In an implementation, the fragrance vapor dispenser may comprise at least one synthetic wick. The synthetic wick may comprise an annular, longitudinal outer shell and an absorbent portion at least partially within the outer shell. The absorbent portion may also extend from a first longitudinal end to a second longitudinal end of the outer shell. The outer shell may also be more dense than the absorbent portion and sufficiently dense to vertically support the first longitudinal end above the second longitudinal end without additional support above the second longitudinal end. The synthetic wick may also comprise a color band that comprises a colorant absorbed through the outer shell and at least partially absorbed into the absorbent portion. In an implementation, the color band may comprise a width of at least ⅛ inch.
US08844836B2
The present invention relates to a rail clamp for attaching a rail S comprising a central portion 3, at least one torsional portion 9, 10 branching off laterally from the central portion 3, at least one transitional portion 7, 8 adjoining the torsional portion 9, 10 and at least one retaining arm 13, 14 which is connected to the transitional portion 7, 8 and on the free end of which an end portion 19, 20 is configured, by which the rail clamp is supported on the foot F of the rail S to be attached in each case during use, and relates to a system provided with a rail clamp of this type. The rail clamp and the system according to the invention are able, with a high endurance strength, to apply significant hold-down forces and at the same time to ensure that even during progressive wear of the rail attachment, adequately high hold-down forces continue to act on the rail. This is achieved according to the invention in that the retaining arm 13, 14 is continuously curved at least in a curve portion which extends up to the free end of its end portion 19, 20 such that, seen in a plan view of the rail clamp 1, the end portion 19, 20 is directed towards the central portion 3 and the longitudinal axis of the torsional portion 9, 10 associated with the respective retaining arm 13, 14.
US08844828B2
To be able to connect an RFID transponder chip module which has not only a transponder chip but also conductive, preferably metal or metallized connection feet, as easily as possible and particularly without the risk of soiling to the antenna wires of a tag strip, which are fitted in or on a textile material, the connection feet of the transponder chip module are designed with an activatable connecting for electrical and mechanical connection to the antenna wires. The connecting feet are in the form of strip-like extension elements on both sides of the RFID transponder chip, wherein the connection feet are respectively arranged at that end of the extension elements which is remote from the RFID transponder chip. The connection feet are formed with an activatable connecting for the purpose of electrical and mechanical connection to the electrical conductors.
US08844827B2
The invention relates to a chip card, particularly a smart card, having an operating system which is implemented on the chip card and which controls the functions of the chip card, and having a first operating system kernel level which represents the core of the operating system and in which the process and data organization of the operating system is established, for which a second, uniform operating system kernel level is provided in which those functions of the first operating system kernel level are defined that can be addressed from outside the operating system, and that an interface is provided for accessing the second, uniform operating system kernel level from outside the operating system. Further, the invention relates to a method for the software-based modification of a chip card of this type.
US08844818B2
A magnetic stripe reader including a magnetic reader head providing at least one data output, an F2F decoder receiving the at least one data output and providing a decoded data output, a microprocessor receiving and processing the decoded data output and power saving circuitry operative to control the operation of the F2F decoder and the microprocessor thereby to maintain the F2F decoder and the microprocessor in a power-saving sleep mode other than during magnetic stripe reading by the magnetic reader head and a selected time duration thereafter.
US08844817B2
A case for an electronic device is provided. The case can include a front shell attachable to a back shell, a flexible insert disposed between the front shell and the back shell and configured to at least partially surround an electronic device when installed in the case, a payment device reader attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, a product information input device attached to the case and configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device, and a battery configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device. The case can also include a rotatable mount that is removably attachable to an outer surface of the case and a hand strap attached to the rotatable mount.
US08844816B2
Described herein is a smart card having a first set of contact pads disposed on a first region of a first surface of the smart card and a second set of contact pads disposed on a second region of the first surface. The first and second set of contact pads are configured to simultaneously electrically engage a socket of a host device and exchange data with the host device. The smart card also includes control circuitry communicatively coupled to the first and second sets of contact pads and operable to control the exchange of data with the host device.
US08844809B2
A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a display (182), a check imaging device (186), and at least one processor (190). The machine is operative, responsive to receiving a check and certification data, to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check to the machine need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices of the machine in order to receive cash for the check. Furthermore, prior to accepting the check as a payment, the person can communicate with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208) to verify that the check is payable for the check amount.
US08844797B2
A container for dispensing beverages is provided. The container includes at least six side walls coupled together along a plurality of parallel fold lines. The at least six side walls include two end panels and at least two side panels, and the at least six side walls define a substantially cylindrical shape of the container. A bottom wall is coupled to at least one of the two end panels, wherein a shape of the bottom wall corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the at least six side walls. The container further includes a spout cutout removably defined in a first end panel of the two end panels proximate to a fold line connecting the first end panel to the bottom wall.
US08844789B2
A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.
US08844786B2
A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening at least two tie-plates to a cross-tie may include a cross-tie conveyor comprising a first end and a second end, with a cross-tie positioning mechanism positioned proximate the second end. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may include a stop member configured to prevent the movement of the cross-tie and a positioning rail positioned on a lateral side of the cross-tie conveyor. The cross-tie positioning mechanism may also include a positioning member configured to position the cross-tie against the positioning rail. The apparatus may also include at least two tie-plate positioning mechanisms, each configured to position at least one tie-plate on a cross-tie. The apparatus may also include a gauge positioned superior to the cross-tie positioning mechanism to hold the at least two tie-plates in position relative to one another as the at least two tie-plates are spiked.
US08844783B2
A vertical core slot dispenser supports a roll of film bags wound on a hollow central core. An adapter for a bin provides mounting for at least one of the dispensers. An optional bracket has fixtures to connect lower portions of the platforms to a mounting system. A core pin has first and second ends, fits slidably within the central core and has at least one notch that extends across one of the ends. First and second guide slots are sized, shaped and located to fit slidably about the first and second ends of the core pin. At least one guide rail is located between outer edges of the guide slots. The rail is sized and shaped to slidably engage and retain the at least one notch in the core pin. At least one bag stream guide, pair of side constraints and snagging hook are attached to the bag dispenser.
US08844782B2
A method of forming a scribe line in a strengthened glass substrate includes providing a strengthened glass substrate having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge and a second edge. The first and second surfaces have a strengthened surface layer under a compressive stress, and a central region under tensile stress. The method further includes applying a scoring blade to the first surface at an initiation location that is offset from the first edge by an initiation offset distance greater than a diameter of the scoring blade, and translating the scoring blade or the strengthened glass substrate such that the scoring blade scores the first surface. The translation is terminated such that the scoring blade stops at a termination location that is offset from the second edge of the strengthened glass substrate by a termination offset distance greater than the diameter of the scoring blade.
US08844772B2
Disclosed is a rotary agitation beverage dispenser in which an agitator impeller is mechanically rotated when a user operates a beverage discharge valve to agitate a beverage in a container, the dispenser being usable everywhere without requiring electricity. The dispenser includes a container in which a beverage is received, an agitator impeller mounted in the container and adapted to agitate the beverage by rotation thereof about a rotating shaft that is rotatably mounted on a surface of the container, a discharge valve mounted to one side of the container so as to communicate with the interior of the container and adapted to discharge the beverage out of the container when operated by a user, and an agitator drive unit connected to the discharge valve and the rotating shaft of the agitator impeller and adapted to rotate the agitator impeller in linkage with operation of the discharge valve.
US08844771B2
This specification describes technologies relating to a pump for dispensing precise quantities of fluids. In some implementations, a pump includes a rotatable portion including one or more recesses configured to receive one or more corresponding roller components; and a base portion including a fluid channel including an input aperture and an output aperture, the fluid channel being configured to receive the one or more roller components, and a flexible membrane that provides a seal between the roller components and the fluid channel, wherein, the rotatable portion is rotatably coupled to the base portion such that the fluid channel includes one or more portions sealed by the flexible membrane and one or more roller components and wherein rotation of the rotatable portion causes the one or more roller components to traverse the fluid channel pushing fluid trapped within the fluid channel and the membrane in the direction of rotation.
US08844757B2
Packages for housing consumable products and methods of using same are provided. Methods for teaching children to self-feed are also provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a package including a body defining side walls (34,36) a first end wall (40), an inclined second end wall (42) and an elongated interior compartment having a predetermined width for housing consumable products. In another embodiment, a package is provided that includes a body defining side walls, a bottom wall (38) a first end wall (40) oriented at 90° to the bottom wall, a second end wall (42) inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom wall (38), and an interior compartment for housing consumable products, the package being so constructed and arranged to stand substantially upright.
US08844752B2
A food plate comprising a first surface, a second surface, and an edge, wherein at least the first surface or each of the first surface and the second surface has a slope, which optionally comprises at least one depression at the bottom of the slope and adjacent to the edge, wherein (i) at least each portion of the edge that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope forms a rim or (ii) substantially all or all of the edge forms a rim and at least each portion of the rim that is adjacent to the bottom of the slope is pronounced or more pronounced than a portion of the rim that is not adjacent to the bottom of the slope; an adapter for a conventional food plate comprising a graduated, optionally flexible, rim, which, upon attachment to the food plate, causes the food-bearing side of the food plate to have a slope; a method of making a food plate; and a method of making an adapter for a conventional food plate.
US08844751B2
A waste container for disposing sanitary waste, such as soiled diapers, comprises a canister having a storage space, an opening at an upper end and a bottom at a lower end. A retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister and has an aperture for inserting a trash bag through the aperture and folding an upper edge of the trash bag over the retainer frame. A retainer is pivotally attached to the canister and has a rim that inserts into the aperture of the retainer frame to retain the trash bag. A lid having a hole which aligns with the aperture of the retainer frame is pivotally attached to the canister for allowing the lid to pivot between a closed position covering the opening and an open position. A sliding door is coupled to the lid and is slidable between a closed position and an open position.
US08844749B2
A fastening device for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure can include a bracket having a back side mechanically coupled to a bottom side at a first angle and to a top side at a second angle, where the top side includes an engagement portion, where the first angle is substantially parallel to an under side of the body flange, and where the second angle is substantially parallel to a top side of the cover flange. The fastening device can also include a cam fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the cover flange and hingedly coupled to the engagement portion. The fastening device can further include a lever fixedly coupled to the cam and having a closed position and an open position.
US08844748B2
Closure ring to retain a lid in contact with a metal drum in central C-section conforming to the contact area between a lid and the rim of a drum and further having a radially inwardly directed flange and a vertically downwardly directed flange attached to the opposite ends of the C-section. The additional flanges reinforce the top of the drum by reducing deformation when the drum is dropped and maintain the lid in contact with the drum. The invention is particularly valuable in transportation and storage of fissile material.
US08844741B2
A recycling/waste assembly comprises a plurality of base units, each comprising a base connection mechanism for connecting the base units to one another. The base units have a first wall connector for connecting each of the base units to at least one of a plurality of wall units. The assembly also comprises a plurality of top units, each comprising a top connection mechanism for connecting the top units to one another. The top units have a second wall connector for connecting the top units to the wall units. The top units comprise an opening and a lid for covering the opening. The wall units are engageable with the first wall connector and the second wall connector. The wall units also comprise wall connections for connecting the wall units to one another.
US08844738B2
The present invention is a self-locking folding crane apparatus that can be installed onto any pivot shaft and held in place by small positioning devices such as clamps, slip-rings, bolts, shaft collars, pins, and other mechanical means; a substantial base is not needed to support the hoist as long as the pivot shaft is able to do so. The resulting hoist can be recoverably installed and optionally left on a vehicle or cart while it is in either an operative or stowed state. Unlike all other portable cranes that were found in prior art either singly or in combination, the present invention requires no assembly or disassembly between uses.
US08844716B2
A cap assembly having a storage chamber for a secondary ingredient, which is adapted to a mouth of a container, comprising: a body having a mouth; a chamber part having a storage space for secondary ingredient in the body and a hole formed at the lower end thereof; said chamber part is sealed by a movable working member and is opened when the movable working member is removed from the hole upon removing the cap so that the secondary ingredient may be mixed with the first ingredient in the container, said the movable working member being adapted to maintain the opened hole, after moving to open the hole, thereby effectively mixing of the different ingredients.
US08844714B2
The present invention provides a chemical container or system for storing and dispensing chemicals, and in particular liquid chemicals such as fuels and the like. The chemical container has a first container portion for storing the chemical itself, and a second container portion with a vapor filter for receiving, containing, and filtering or adsorbing gases or vapors that are associated with the chemical and which may be vented from the first container portion. This dual-chamber system avoids buildup of excessive vapor pressures inside of the containers, but filters any vented gases so that noxious or undesirable vapors are not emitted into the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the second container portion covers only a portion of the first container portion, while in other embodiments, a second container completely surrounds a first container.
US08844703B2
A locking apparatus for a parking brake includes a parking lever, a parking lever spring applying a restoring force to the parking lever, a cylinder of which an oil hole is formed therein, a piston comprising a piston rod connected to the parking lever and a piston main body disposed within the cylinder, and the piston movable along length direction of the cylinder according to supplying or releasing of oil through the oil hole, a solenoid valve, a locking unit disposed within the cylinder for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is supplied electric power and for locking the piston when the solenoid valve is not supplied electric power and an emergency parking device which is connected to the locking unit and selectively forcibly moves the locking unit.
US08844694B2
A dry dual clutch transmission includes at least one hydraulic component and a pilot valve operably connected to the hydraulic component to actuate the hydraulic component. The pilot valve includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based pressure differential actuator valve. The hydraulic component may include but is not limited to a first clutch and a second clutch of the dry dual clutch transmission, an on/off solenoid, a line pressure control valve or a synchronizing shift fork.
US08844693B2
A coupling assembly having an overrun mode and a ratcheting reverse strut or radial ratchet for use in the assembly are provided. The size and shape of the strut or ratchet and corresponding notches (i.e. geometry) of a notch plate of the assembly are specifically configured so that the strut or ratchet “ratchets” during the overrun condition. The strut or ratchet will not engage the notch plate until relative notch plate speed drops below a predetermined speed.
US08844692B2
A fluid pressure control device controls input and output of a fluid pressure to and from a fluid chamber in a device that transfers power from a motor via working fluid in the chamber, the chamber being partitioned into engagement and disengagement oil chambers by a lock-up clutch. A signal pressure output valve performs pressure regulation to output a signal pressure. The control device includes a control valve connected to an output source flow passage leading to an output source of the fluid pressure, and a control unit controlling the signal pressure output valve so the control valve establishes a first state when the lock-up clutch is turned off, establishes a third state when the lock-up clutch is turned on, and establishes a second state so the working fluid can be confined in the disengagement oil chamber when the lock-up clutch is switched on.
US08844690B2
A torque converter, including: a piston plate for a lock-up clutch, the piston plate including a circumferential surface forming an opening axially aligned with an axis of rotation for the torque converter; a ring-shaped element fixedly secured to the piston plate; and a seal in compressive engagement with the circumferential surface, axially aligned with the ring-shaped element, and including a surface facing radially inward for forming a seal with an input shaft inserted into the torque converter.
US08844680B2
A lubrication system for a utility vehicle with a lubricating unit having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, and a distributor attached thereto to which supply lines to a plurality of lubrication points can be attached, and comprising a control module having at least two lubrication programs stored therein, wherein the pump initiates an ejection of grease in a cycle predetermined by the respective lubrication program. The object of the invention is to improve upon a lubrication system such that a change between lubrication programs and optionally the execution of an intermediate lubrication using an automatic lubrication system is possible during driving operations independent of the presence of a higher level on-board electronics system. The object is accomplished in that the lubricating unit is connected directly to an input and display device disposed in the vehicle or at other accessible places on the vehicle, the input and display device used to switch between lubrication programs and to initiate an intermediate lubrication.
US08844676B2
A ladder-like access device is suited for securing to a tire of a vehicle by way of a strap, rope, chain, cable or similar structure. The device may include extendable legs to adapt its length to a range of wheel and tire sizes. A variety of structures, materials and construction methods are described and claimed.
US08844668B2
A combined heat shield and wire-holding structure for a saddle-type vehicle, where the vehicle includes a pair of right and left frame sections extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a fuel tank disposed above the vehicle body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure comprises a heat shield, which is disposed below the fuel tank and which extends between the right and left body frame sections. The combined heat shield and wire-holding structure includes a wire-holding portion which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside of the vehicle body frame, and the wire-holding portion holds a wiring harness routed through an inside portion of the vehicle.
US08844661B2
A road vehicle having: a plurality of operating devices, and a frame comprising two door sills, which are oriented longitudinally, are arranged laterally on opposite sides of the frame, and have an internally hollow tubular shape, so that a seat is defined inside each door sill, in which at least one operating device is arranged inside at least one door sill in the corresponding seat.
US08844659B2
A motor vehicle comprising an electric motor, at least one battery, and an electronic regulation unit connected to a potentiometer of the accelerator to regulate the power supply of the electric motor. The stator of the electric motor is rotatably mounted on two fixed supports joined to the frame of the vehicle, an axle shaft of a wheel is connected to the stator and the axle shaft of the other wheel is connected to the rotor. The vehicle additionally comprises a rotation reversing device to reverse the rotation of one of the two axle shafts of the wheels with respect to the rotation of the rotor or stator, respectively, an endothermic motor, an electric generator connected to the battery and a three way clutch to couple the endothermic motor to the generator and/or stator of the electric motor.
US08844647B2
A representative power tool according to the invention performs a predetermined operation on a workpiece at least by axial linear movement of a tool bit 119 coupled to a front end region of a housing 103. The power tool includes driving mechanisms 113, 115 that are housed within the housing 103 and linearly drives the tool bit 119, and a dynamic vibration reducer 151 that has a weight 153 which is allowed to linearly move under a biasing force of an elastic element, and reduces vibration caused during operation, by movement of the weight 153 in the axial direction of the tool bit. A dynamic vibration reducer housing space 149 for housing the weight 153 and the elastic element of the dynamic vibration reducer 151 is integrally formed with the housing 103.
US08844645B2
An aerator hole spacing control with a hydrostatic traction drive including a pump and a plurality of wheel motors, a control arm mounted on a control shaft of the pump that controls the direction and the speed of the pump, and a cam follower on the control arm that contacts a cam surface having a minimum coring speed position, a maximum coring speed position, and a transport position. The cam surface may be linked to an operator speed control that moves the cam surface to determine where the cam follower contacts the cam surface to change the speed of the pump anywhere between the minimum coring speed position and the maximum coring speed position without stopping the pump.
US08844640B2
A ground supported and upwardly extensible firewall curtain, such as for use in containing fires. A plurality of ground anchored and elongated housing are arranged in end-to-end interconnected fashion, such as in an advance position of an approaching fire. Each housing assembly includes an interiorly stored and upwardly extended curtain constructed of a fire resistant material. The curtains are likewise interconnected in end-to-end and inter-structurally supported fashion and so that a continuous fire wall is created to prevent or retard the advance of the fire in a given direction, such as toward residential or other populated areas.
US08844638B2
A tool (10) for installing and removing a valve removal plug (60) from wellhead components, the tool comprising a curved pressure containing housing (11) having a first and a second end (12, 13), the housing having a bore (20) extending from the first end to the second end, a flexible drive member (21) within the bore and drive means (40, 41) connected to the drive member for causing rotational movement of the drive member within the pressure containing housing.
US08844634B2
A downhole circulation sub or valve includes a tubular housing with an outer port and a valve piston slidably disposed in the housing. A primary fluid flow path extends through an inner flow bore of the housing and valve piston. In a first position, the valve piston isolates the outer port to prevent fluid communication between the inner flow bore and a well bore annulus. In a second position, the valve piston is moved to obstruct the inner flow bore and expose the outer port to the inner flow bore and allow fluid communication between the inner flow bore and the well bore annulus. An indexing mechanism is coupled between the housing and the valve piston to guide the valve piston between the first and second positions. The indexing mechanism may include a rotatable component.
US08844631B2
A debris removal system includes a tubular. A closure mechanism arranged to at least partially close an interior of the tubular. An injector mechanism having an exit arranged downhole of the closure mechanism; wherein debris removing material ejected from the injector mechanism is directable towards the closure mechanism. Also included is a method of removing debris in a downhole tubular.
US08844629B2
Methods and compositions of fracturing formations are provided. The fracturing fluid includes an enzyme breaker that decreases the viscosity of the fracturing fluid over time. The enzyme breaker can be used in environments having a pH value ranging from about 7 to about 12.
US08844618B2
A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position.
US08844612B2
An apparatus is provided for controlling a temperature of a device by circulating fluid through a heat sink in thermal contact with the device. The apparatus includes a first fluid source (505) including a first fluid having a first temperature, a second fluid source (510) including a second fluid having a second temperature, and a thermal chuck (500) operably connected to the first fluid source and the second fluid source, wherein the thermal chuck is configured to receive the first fluid and the second fluid to be circulated through the heat sink (555). A method is also provided for controlling a temperature of a device in contact with a heat sink. The method includes determining a target temperature (S602), initiating a flow of a fluid from a fluid source (S604, S702), determining temperature data (S606, S704) of the device and the heat sink, and variably adjusting a flow rate (S710, S712) of the fluid to generally maintain the device at the target temperature.
US08844604B2
A guide assembly for a folding panel assembly or system, the guide assembly including a first body section for locating the assembly in a guide channel and a second body section for carrying a bolt that passes through a hinge for attachment to a folding panel, wherein the second body section is pivotally mounted to the first body section so as to adopt either a left or right handed orientation relative to the first body section.
US08844603B1
A window covering comprises slats suspended from a tilt cord such that the tilt cord may rotate the slats between an open position and a closed position. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position. A mechanism such as a spring or a magnet applies a closing force to the slats in the closed position separate from the tilt cord where the closing force moves the slats toward one another. An elastic seal is provided on the slats to contact adjacent slats when the slats are in the closed position.
US08844602B2
Provides a method and a terminus processing tool whereby terminus processing for the purpose of connection to another optical fiber may be carried out simply. The terminus processing method entails cutting an optical fiber 20 composed of a glass fiber 21 and a coating 24; and with the optical fiber 20 positioned relative to a terminus processing tool that is disposed contacting the coating at the end surface of the optical fiber 20 and that has a protruded-into space for accommodating inward protrusion of the glass fiber 21, and with the cut end surface of the glass fiber 21 facing the protruded-into space, pushing the optical fiber 20 to thereby strip the coating 24 from the glass fiber 21.
US08844600B2
A rotary lamination apparatus has a rotary lamination turntable rotational about a vertical axis. A plurality of workpieces are rotated and laminated on the turntable. The turntable includes a support member that is arranged on an upper surface of the turntable, a plurality of rolling bodies mounted on the upper surface of the turntable, and a plurality of urging members for urging the rolling bodies upward. The support member is formed of material having a high friction coefficient. The rolling bodies are selectively movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the upper position, at least a portion of each of the rolling bodies is located above the upper surface of the support member. In the lower position, each rolling body is located below the upper surface of the support member. In the upper position, the rolling bodies support the workpieces movably in a lateral direction.
US08844596B2
The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply, and to sensing devices that supply information regarding the operational conditions of the vehicle to the controller to assist in adjusting the inflation of the tires as necessary.
US08844581B2
The number of sub-parts of a closed structure part and the number of steps for manufacturing the closed structure part can be reduced and, therefore, the closed structure part can be efficiently manufactured. In a hemming press step, a punch is further lowered, and a pair of flange portions is inserted into a slit clearance. Hemming prongs are bent and each of the hemming prongs sandwiches the flange portion. The flange portion, which is one of the two flange portions, is joined to the other flange portion. At the same time, a pair of press forming surfaces of the punch presses a metal plate and performs press-forming on a pair of shoulder portions of a blank into a predetermined shape. The flange portion can be fixed to the other flange portion using the hemming prongs. The pair of shoulder portions of the blank can be press-formed into the predetermined shape.
US08844565B2
An anti-vibration system for a fluid reservoir. The system includes a baffle disposed within the fluid reservoir. The baffle includes a mounting mechanism and one or more apertures. The mounting mechanism is adapted to mount the baffle within the reservoir. In addition, and a reservoir cover, enclosing the fluid reservoir, includes receiving fixtures to receive the mounting mechanism.
US08844563B2
A check valve in which a stop pin assembly is situated so as to prevent the movement of a flapper beyond a predetermined position. In a preferred embodiment the check valve has two flappers with the stop pin assembly situated therebetween to prevent either one of them from pivoting beyond an essentially vertical position. The stop pin assembly is configured such that it can be inserted and locked in place when the check valve is inserted within a valve body that contains the check valve. The stop pin assembly can comprise three elements including a central portion and first and second end portions, although the stop pin assembly could instead comprise a single element. The stop pin assembly is inserted between two holders and in a preferred embodiment is rotatable to a locking position where it is affixed in place by fasteners.
US08844557B2
A space in a housing is defined into a lower space and an upper space by a partition wall, and an opening portion is provided in the partition wall. A vertically slidable float is housed in the lower space of the housing and on an upper portion of the float, a movable valve is mounted so as to be movable relatively to the float in a vertical direction and a lateral direction. A protruding portion is provided on the upper portion of the float, and a receiving portion on which the protruding portion abuts is provided on a lower surface of the movable valve. A center hole is provided in a center of the receiving portion. When the float comes up, a peripheral portion of a top portion of the protruding portion of the float is adapted to abut on an inner circumference periphery of the center hole.
US08844554B2
A valve mechanism which opens in response to a high temperature includes a stopper positionable at a closed position that blocks the flow of water in a cylindrical body attached to a water supply pipe. A stopper support permits the stopper to be movable from the closed position to an open position, wherein pressure of the water in the supply pipe tends to move the stopper from the closed position to the open position. A locking unit is positionable to lock the support in a position wherein the stopper blocks the channel, and has an inclined surface inclined obliquely to the water flow direction. A heat sensitive section blocks movement of the locking unit from the locking position and includes a heat sensitive portion responsive to the temperature of an environment of the valve mechanism.
US08844550B2
The quickly erectable dome shelter includes an extendible perimeter truss assembly with link members connected between adjacent legs, a central truss assembly of link members, and a roof framework, including pairs of curved upper and lower peak truss members, that is movable between a lowered, collapsed configuration and a raised, upwardly arching position. The shelter also includes telescoping peak pole members coupled to the central truss assembly of link members and the roof framework, and may also include telescoping peak truss brace members connected between a peak truss member and a link member of the perimeter assembly of link members.
US08844546B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and a method for cleaning a semiconductor substrate after a polishing process. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a substrate using pressurized fluid. One embodiment of the present invention comprises two rollers to support and rotate a substrate in a substantially vertical orientation, a pressure wheel to apply a force to engage the substrate with the two rollers, and a swinging nozzle configured to dispense a pressurized fluid towards the substrate.
US08844543B2
A dual-ended applicator is provided. The applicator includes a handle, a first roller having a broad concave surface at one end of the handle, and a second, ball-like roller having a convex surface, at the opposite end of the handle. The first roller, having a greater axial length and surface area than does the second roller is intended for applying a cosmetic to broader convex areas of the skin. The second roller, having a lesser axial dimension and surface area as compared with the first roller is intended for distributing a cosmetic to the narrower, concave areas of the skin. The first roller is mounted on the applicator so as to rotate about a fixed axis lateral to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, and will move in straight paths along the skin, in line with the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The second, ball-like roller is mounted on the applicator so as to travel along both straight and curved paths, automatically adjusting between positions as the applicator is moved along the skin surface.
US08844536B1
A locking apparatus for use with a head fixation device allows for a stabilizing fixture, such as a rocker arm having a pair of skull pins, to be selectively secured so that the stabilizing fixture can be adjustably rotated to a desired position. In some version the locking apparatus includes a connector that is retained within an opening in a portion of the head fixation device. The connector can translate within the opening and is restricted from rotation. The translating of the connector permits the connector to engage an arch member that retains the stabilizing fixture. The engagement of the connector and arch member is accomplished, in some versions, by way of matching axial oriented toothed portions or starburst features. In some versions the teeth on the starburst features include a chamfer surface.
US08844533B2
A mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein.
US08844531B2
A respiration appliance, system, and method for supporting the airway of a subject as the subject breathes. The flow of gas from the lungs of the subject during exhalation is leveraged to provide support to the airway. In particular, a body that encloses one or more external orifices of the subject provides a resistance differential between inhaled gas flows and exhaled gas flows that supports the subject's airway.
US08844523B2
A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (10) provided with a dispenser orifice (15), said device further comprising: an elongate flexible strip (20) supporting a plurality of reservoirs (21) each containing a dose of fluid; reservoir-opening means (80) for opening a respective reservoir on each actuation; first displacement means (30) for causing said flexible strip (20) to advance before and/or during and/or after each actuation, so as to bring a full reservoir into register with said reservoir-opening means; and second displacement means (50) for displacing a full reservoir (21) against said opening means (80) each time the device is actuated, said device including positioning means (300) that are adapted to position the full reservoir accurately relative to the reservoir-opening means (80) when it is displaced thereagainst, so as to guarantee that opening is predetermined and reproducible on each actuation.
US08844520B2
A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fluid channel air inlet and fluid channel air inlet valve responsive to either a manual force external of the nebulizer, or a patient's breathing, to begin the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid channel air inlet valve against a fluid channel air inlet so that a negative pressure may build up over the fluid in the fluid channel to draw fluid from the fluid reservoir and begin nebulization during inhalation.
US08844519B2
A system for transferring torque between modules in a concentrating solar collector array. A trough collector system includes at least two modules, each module including a reflector having a reflective surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation onto a linear tube, and a structural lattice attached to the reflector. The modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis. A torque transfer connection directly connects the three-dimensional structural lattices of the two modules at a location removed from the axis of rotation. Torque is thus transmitted between the modules by a force couple acting on the module. Also described are a method of transferring torque between adjacent trough collector modules, and a three-dimensional structural lattice configured for use in the system and method. Mechanisms for accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the array are described. A drive system is described that imparts torque to a module near an edge of the module.
US08844517B2
A solar hot water and recovery system includes a water loop, a refrigerant loop and a solar loop. Cross-heat exchange occurs in a first heat exchanger between the heat transfer mediums of the refrigerant loop and the solar loop to produce a super-heated fluid stream which is returned to the air conditioning or heat pump unit. Cross-heat exchange also takes place in a second heat exchanger between the now-lower temperature heat transfer medium of the solar loop and the water loop to produce a heated water stream. The main objective of the system is to superheat refrigerant and use all excess heat for heating the water. The heat exchangers are preferably housed in the same heat recovery unit and arranged so that the refrigerant heat exchange area is before the water heat exchange area, thereby maximizing solar potential.
US08844512B2
An oven appliance is provided with an apparatus that supplies combustion air (i.e. primary air) to gas burner(s) of the oven appliance. The apparatus includes an air channel that provides for a flow of fresh, combustion air from the exterior of the oven appliance to a gas burner and, more particularly, to the shutter of a gas burner. The air channel can also be provided with a flame arrestor.
US08844508B2
Compound bows and cross bows with flexible bow limbs and novel, limb-associated mechanisms for adjusting the poundage of the bow. Each flexible bow limb (or element of a split limb bow) is bent against a fulcrum located between the leading and trailing ends of the bow limb or limb element. A poundage adjuster at the same location as the fulcrum or at the leading edge of the limb or limb element is used to set the curvature in the limb (The poundage of the bow is directly related to the curvature of the limb or limb element). An independently acting poundage mechanism as just described is preferably provided for both limbs of a solid limb bow and for all four limbs of a split limb bow. Also disclosed are novel bottom (or power) cams which have reduced lean and wobble during the end part of bow draw, thereby reducing noise and vibration as an arrow is shot from the bow and contributing to the accuracy of the bows in which they are installed.
US08844502B2
An internal combustion engine direct injection fuel injector system includes a fuel rail which is welded to a fuel rail bracket. A fuel rail mounting sleeve has a flange and is bolted to the engine cylinder head. The bracket fits around the flange and is held in place by a steel washer and a pair of stepped isolator washers which are positioned in pockets formed on either side of the bracket. The isolator washers serve as springs which form a shock absorber between the bracket and cylinder head. Compression forces on the bracket and isolator washers are controlled by bolt tension.
US08844499B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an exhaust gas recirculation rate in an internal combustion engine, in which the exhaust gas recirculation rate indicates a proportion of exhaust gas in a gas quantity delivered to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, and combustion takes place in the cylinder of the engine cyclically during a combustion phase. The method includes the steps of ascertaining a combustion course statement over the course of combustion in the cylinder of the engine, and ascertaining an actual exhaust gas recirculation rate from the combustion course statement with the aid of a predetermined exhaust gas recirculation rate function. The invention further relates to a method and an apparatus for regulating an exhaust gas recirculation rate in an internal combustion engine, in which the exhaust gas recirculation rate indicates a proportion of exhaust gas in a gas quantity delivered to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, and combustion takes place in the cylinder of the engine cyclically during a combustion phase. The method includes the steps of ascertaining a combustion course statement over the course of combustion in the cylinder of the engine, furnishing a set-point statement as a function of an operating point of the engine, and performing a regulation to compensate for a deviation that results from the set-point statement and the combustion course statement.
US08844496B2
An internal combustion engine having two combustion chambers separated by separate valves from each piston cylinder and wherein each cylinder has a suction valve and an exhaust valve and each combustion chamber has at least one fuel nozzle for injecting fuel into the respective chambers by several discrete injections with short dwell times therebetween. During a combustion cycle air is introduced into the chambers from opening to closing of the valves during a 720° rotation of a crankshaft and then combusting air-fuel mixtures during a subsequent period between the closing to opening of the valves during at least a further 720° rotation of the crankshaft and while making partial and spaced injections of fuel into the chambers at predetermined angular displacements of the crankshaft.
US08844491B2
A laser spark plug, e.g., for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or a heavy-duty gas engine, has an antechamber for receiving an ignitable medium and a combustion chamber window which separates the antechamber from a part of the laser spark plug facing away from the combustion chamber. At least one flow-guiding element is provided in the antechamber and is situated in such a way that it deflects a fluid flow, which occurs in the antechamber and moves toward the combustion chamber window, into a radially inner direction.
US08844487B2
An exhaust valve control system of an engine includes a first bank including a plurality of cylinders and a second bank including a plurality of cylinder, in which the angle between the exhaust cam profiles of any two cylinders in the first bank is different by a predetermined angle or more from 180°, and the angle between the exhaust cam profiles of any two cylinders in the second bank is different by a predetermined angle or more from 180°.
US08844473B2
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber.
US08844472B2
A fire tube heater apparatus includes a shell, with a tube bundle received in the shell and a burner section communicated with the tube bundle. The tubes in the tube bundle have circular inlet and outlet end portions with a flattened, serpentine intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has a width greater than the inlet outside diameter and a tube thickness transverse to the width less than the inlet outside diameter.
US08844471B2
An apparatus for heating water having three vertically aligned water heating process sections. The upper section includes an annular water storage tank disposed around a combustion chamber having a downward firing burner. The intermediate section, disposed vertically below the upper section receives flue gas from the combustion chamber, which flue gas is cooled and dehumidified, producing a hot condensate which collects in a passive condensate flow control device disposed proximate the bottom of the intermediate section. The lower section, disposed vertically below the intermediate and separated therefrom by the passive condensate flow control device receives hot condensate from the flow control device, which is used to preheat and humidify air, such as room air, which is then recycled to the combustion process of the upper section for use as combustion air. This passive condensate flow control device uses gravity to inject condensate, thereby facilitating a system design that only requires a single condensate pump.
US08844459B2
Disclosed is a tug-barge offshore cargo transport device and method, comprised of two separate elements which are removably attached: a barge and a tug boat. The barge includes a bow shaped to cut through and deflect waves, a rectangular cargo deck protected by a bulwark, compartments below the cargo deck, means for maneuvering the barge, and means at the stern of the barge for removably attaching the barge to a tug boat. The tug boat includes means at the bow to removably attach to the barge, and means to control the means for maneuvering the barge from the tug boat.
US08844448B2
A device relates generally to a portable support plane, and more particularly to a neck harness sling that goes on a user's neck and suspends a rectangular reversible plane that provides a hands free, stable surface that supports portable electronic devices including but not limited to tablets and smartphones, or legal pads about a user's neck for convenient writing, typing or texting while walking, sitting, standing or reclining.
US08844446B2
A cable transportation system has rails and a draw cable, both extending along a transportation path, a drive member for driving the draw cable; at least one vehicle, which moves along the transportation path and has wheels which roll along the rails, and a coupling device for connecting the vehicle to the draw cable, at least one passenger station where the vehicle is stopped and an electric machine located on the vehicle and driven by the wheels to generate electric power.
US08844442B2
A method for printing which includes the steps of: printing a web of material so as to define a printed web; winding the printed web onto at least one roll; cutting the printed web so as to define at least one printed roll; transporting the at least one printed roll in rolled form to a folder separate from a printing press; and processing the at least one printed roll in the folder into a finished printed product.
US08844441B2
An adapter sleeve has an external layer for supporting a printing cylinder carrying data and/or images to be printed. The adapter sleeve has an internal layer defining a bore enabling the sleeve to be mounted onto a rotary mandrel of a printing machine. Each opposite extreme end of the adapter sleeve includes a rigid, load-bearing, radial spacer member disposed between the layers to provide rigidity and indeformability during the use of the sleeve with time. The inner surface of each of the extreme end radial spacer members is defined by rigid and non-deformable material of very low coefficients of dynamic and static friction.
US08844434B2
A machine for forming a two-stage wire tie around a pair of bars to bind the bars together. The machine comprises an arrangement for passing the wire in a loop around the bars and a twisting head for twisting the ends of the loop together. The twisting head comprises an arrangement for gripping the ends of the wire and a tie plate through which the ends of the wire pass, and the head is resiliently mounted relative to the bars so as to allow the tie plate to move through a predetermined amount of travel towards the bars, to thereby define the length of a first stage of the tie. The machine is adapted thereafter to release the ends of the wire and continue twisting these to form a second stage of the tie.
US08844427B2
The present invention concerns a brewing head (1) of a hot beverage dispenser operating on the basis of dimensionally stable beverage capsules, containing a base plate (2), a capsule receptacle (3), a lid (4) and at least one locking device for forming a watertight brewing chamber between the base plate (1) and lid (4), characterised in that the capsule receptacle (3) has at least one raised area (8) that can be brought into contact with one surface of a beverage capsule.
US08844426B2
The present invention relates to a system and process for a nutraceutical beverage mixing system. Provided is a customizable supplement beverage system and method for personalizing and operating the same to a particular user and optionally for operative tracking. Proposed additionally is an operative system for receiving and individually identifying a concentrate or supplement combinations, for mixing the same prior to a use, and for dispensing the same for use, and for tracking control factors relating to the same.
US08844425B2
A recoil mechanism for an auto-loading firearm, having a gas-operated action bar assembly. One or more compression springs are used, mounted on associated retaining rods contained in a stationary orientation on the firearm. The springs are linked to the firearm's gas system at one end, and bear against stops affixed to ends of the spring retaining rods. The entire mechanism is contained within a forward grip mounted on the firearm, the grip optionally being provided with mounting rails.
US08844424B2
An improved bolt and bolt carrier with integral gas key having an extension nozzle threadedly secured and pinned to the gas key for use with a direct gas operated firearm is provided. The extension nozzle is designed to receive a portion of the host firearms gas operating system. The firing pin retaining pin is oriented so as to expose its widest profile to the firing pins annular flange, increasing its service life. The bolt has a plurality of lugs extending from its forward end and an extractor recess. The extractor recess is constructed to accommodate an enlarged extractor claw while not undercutting the bolt lugs adjacent thereto. The extractor engages approximately 57% more of a seated ammunition cartridges rim as compared to some prior art AR15/M16 type extractors used with automatic firearms chambered in 6.8 SPC. The result is an improved bolt and bolt carrier which provides for increased operational reliability.
US08844422B1
Disclosed are several examples of apparatuses for suppressing the blast and flash produced as a projectile is expelled by gases from a firearm. In some examples, gases are diverted away from the central chamber to an expansion chamber by baffles. The gases are absorbed by the expansion chamber and desorbed slowly, thus decreasing pressure and increasing residence time of the gases. In other examples, the gases impinge against a plurality of rods before expanding through passages between the rods to decrease the pressure and increase the residence time of the gases.
US08844415B2
A power tool includes a table structure defining a blade slot, a frame supporting the table structure, a blade assembly mounted within the frame, and a dust cover assembly. The blade assembly includes a blade positioned within the blade slot, a motor assembly to rotate the blade, and a carriage assembly supporting the motor assembly and pivotably mounted to adjust the angular orientation of the blade relative to the table structure. The carriage assembly includes a cover arranged to define a gap between an upper edge of the cover and the underside of the table structure. The dust cover assembly is mounted between the carriage assembly and the table structure to substantially cover the gap at all angular orientations of the blade relative to the table structure. The dust cover assembly is mounted for relative movement relative to at least one of said carriage assembly and said table structure.
US08844413B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a form-cut object made of foam. The invention is based on the aim of refining a known method for producing a form-cut object made of foam in that it also allows the precise creation of complex shaped form cuts in the foam. This aim is achieved by the method according to the invention in that the first preliminary version of the object in the region of a first form or contour cut is provided with a (second) form cut, which is superimposed on the first form or contour cut and extends down to larger depths than the first cut. Preferred application areas of the claimed method and the resultant objects made of foam are pillows, for example.
US08844404B2
A pedal with a sensing device includes a spindle, a frame member, a receiving member and a sensing assembly, the frame member having a treading portion and a receiving channel, the receiving channel being adjacent to the treading portion and having an electricity supplier, the receiving member assembled to the frame member, the sensing assembly having a controlling unit electrically connected to the electricity supplier and a sensing unit electrically connected to the controlling unit. Under this arrangement, when the rider treads on the present invention, the pedal rotates relative to the spindle to generate a force and a rotation speed for the pedal; thereby, the force and the rotation speed of the present invention are detected by the sensing assembly.
US08844403B2
The invention relates to a shaft-hub connection, in particular of assembled camshafts (10) for combustion engines, at which at least two functional parts (14, 16, 18) are shrunk or pressed onto corresponding rotationally symmetric shaft sections (24, 26, 28) with the hub thereof, wherein in an assembly direction (30) of the functional parts (14, 16, 18), the first section (24) is designed with a larger exterior circumference than the second section (26). According to the invention, the exterior circumference of the first shaft section (24) has a configuration, which varies between two base circles (dImin) and (dIf), over which first shaft section (24) the second functional part (16) with a corresponding interior circumference can be slid, which varies between two base circles (DIIf) and (DIImax), wherein in the assembly state the smaller base circle (DIIf) and the larger base circle (DIImax) of the second functional part (16) have a larger dimension than the corresponding base circles (dIf) and (dImin) of the first shaft section (24).
US08844401B2
When the accelerator opening degree becomes equal to or smaller than an increase amount cancel threshold value (timing t2) while the depression force of an accelerator pedal 2 is increased than a base depression force by a predetermined increase amount of the depression force, the predetermined increase amount of the depression force is decreased at a predetermined rate, and moreover, when the accelerator opening degree becomes greater than a predetermined accelerator opening degree threshold value (timing t3) while the predetermined increase amount of the depression force is decreased, the depression force of the accelerator pedal 2 is increased with respect to the base depression force so that the increase amount of the depression force with respect to the base depression force becomes greater than the predetermined increase amount of the depression force.
US08844386B2
A method is provided for analyzing samples of metal melts, wherein a sample is taken from a metal melt using a sampler having a sample chamber and which is constructed as an immersion lance. The method includes transporting the sample from the sampler through a transport conduit to the sphere of action of an analytical device, and analyzing the sample there using the analytical device.
US08844385B2
The present invention relates to a device and method for separation of proteins and other biomolecules. A preferred use is for sample preparation of crude as well as pre-fractionated samples. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is a pipette tip having dual channels, one for inlet of sample and one for outlet. The outlet, but not the inlet, channel is provided with sample separation media for separation of a desired biomolecule from a sample. The flow through the sample separation media is unidirectional.
US08844376B2
A multi-degree of freedom transducer for converting manually applied forces and torques into electrical signals, and configured to be fixed to a base object. The transducer comprises a handle bar having two ends and a first longitudinal direction, and a supporting assembly suitable for fixing the two ends of the handle bar to the base object. The supporting assembly comprising a frame structure at each of the ends of the handle bar, wherein each of the frame structures comprises at least two measuring beams. At least one of the measuring beams includes a second longitudinal direction and at least one other of the measuring beams includes a third longitudinal direction. Each of the at least two measuring beams comprises two strain gauges configured to sense strain in the third longitudinal direction and arranged on two different, non-parallel side surfaces of each of the at least two measuring beams.
US08844366B2
A testing instrument for mechanical testing at nano or micron scale includes a transducer body, and a coupling shaft coupled with a probe tip. A transducer body houses a capacitor. The capacitor includes first and second counter electrodes and a center electrode assembly interposed therebetween. The center electrode assembly is movable with the coupling shaft relative to the first and second counter electrodes, for instance in one or more of dimensions including laterally and normally. The center electrode assembly includes a center plate coupled with the coupling shaft and one or more springs extending from the center plate. Upper and lower plates are coupled with the center plate and cover the center plate and the one or more springs. A shaft support assembly includes one or more support elements coupled along the coupling shaft. The shaft support assembly provides lateral support to the coupling shaft.
US08844361B2
An active ultrasonic room occupancy sensor with the output amplitude of the transmitter controlled by the amplitude of power applied to the transmitter to control the zone of coverage for a sensor. An adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage to the transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver. Alternatively, the power applied to the receiver may also be controlled by an adjustable voltage regulator under control of the microcontroller to improve receiver efficiency.
US08844358B2
The usefulness and sensitivity of a hearing-test method that can be performed over the Internet should be improved. To this end, it is proposed that meaningless syllables, so-called logatomes, are presented to a test person in fluctuating interference noise. Hence, the test can be offered internationally without change and there is no need to calibrate a computer used by the test person.
US08844356B2
An inertial force sensor includes a detecting device which detects an inertial force, the detecting device having a first orthogonal arm and a supporting portion, the first orthogonal arm having a first arm and a second arm fixed in a substantially orthogonal direction, and the supporting portion supporting the first arm. The second arm has a folding portion. In this configuration, there is provided a small inertial force sensor which realizes detection of a plurality of different inertial forces and detection of inertial forces of a plurality of detection axes.
US08844353B2
A water level sensor switch installed in a sidewall of a water tank for detecting its water level is disclosed to include a housing having two bearing portions clamped on two opposite sides of the sidewall of the water tank and a tightening up screw fastened to a vertical wall at a different plane relative to the bearing portions and stop against the sidewall of the water tank to affix the housing to the water tank, a micro switch mounted in the housing, and a float connected to a switching lever of the micro switch outside the housing for biasing the switching lever up and down subject to the level of water in the water tank.
US08844350B2
A sensor chip in a flow quantity measuring apparatus includes a first conductive line, through which a midpoint electric potential of a first series circuit of a bridge circuit is outputted, is branched from a first midpoint connection on a sensor chip. A second conductive line, through which a midpoint electric potential of a second series circuit of the bridge circuit is outputted, is branched from a second midpoint connection on the sensor chip. The output point of the midpoint electric potential of the first series circuit is provided at a midpoint between two temperature sensor resistors, and the first midpoint connection is provided on a center line of a heater resistor. The output point of the midpoint electric potential of the second series circuit is provided at a midpoint between two temperature sensor resistors, and the second midpoint connection is provided on the center line of the heater resistor.
US08844348B2
Provided is a highly accurate, highly reliable gas flow rate measurement device that provides an enlarged temperature range over which the resolution at a high temperature and at a low temperature can be increased to achieve high accuracy no matter whether the characteristics of a gas temperature detection element are nonlinear. The gas flow rate measurement device includes a plurality of resistors that are disposed in a gas flow path, a gas flow rate detection circuit that outputs a gas flow rate detection signal in accordance with the flow rate of a gas flowing in the gas flow path by detecting a current flowing in the resistors or by detecting a voltage generated in accordance with the current, and a gas temperature detection element 1 that detects the temperature of the gas in the gas flow path. The gas flow rate detection circuit includes signal conversion means for converting a signal output from the gas temperature detection element to a signal that has a predetermined maximum output and a predetermined minimum output and is linear within a predetermined temperature range.
US08844341B2
An internal engine component including a data collector assembly is provided. The data collector assembly includes a sensor for sensing a condition and for generating a signal corresponding to the condition and a digital to analog converter for converting the signal to a digital signal. The data collector assembly also includes a memory for storing data, a clock and a processor. A power source is electrically connected to the sensor, the analog to digital converter, the memory, the clock and the processor. During an engine test, the processor, sensor, digital to analog converter, clock and memory are substantially the only devices that draw electricity from the power source.
US08844339B2
The invention relates to a method for measuring the viscosity of a fluid, said method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a flow of said fluid in a laminar state inside a channel (14, 24) having a characteristic transverse dimension D, and in which an elongate member (12, 22) having a characteristic dimension d is placed substantially along the longitudinal direction of said channel and substantially at the center of the channel, and has a portion of the length l thereof submerged in said channel; (b) measuring the friction force (f) applied by said fluid on the walls of the elongate member; and (c) calculating the dynamic viscosity (η) of said fluid based on the equation (1) f=ληlU where U is the average flow rate and λ is a geometric factor.
US08844331B2
A system for electro-hydraulically forming a sheet metal part in an electro-hydraulic forming (EHF) machine. The part in a first shape is placed in the EHF machine between a one-sided forming die and a chamber that is filled with a liquid. An electrode is discharged in the chamber to form the part toward the forming die. The electrode is advanced within the chamber toward the part and a subsequent discharge is provided in the chamber to form the part. A gap discharge EHF machine and a wire discharge EHF machine may be used in the system.
US08844328B2
An improvement in the door of a household electrical appliance which comprises a bipartite rotary door containing an outer door (10), an intermediary door (20) disposed behind the outer door (10), and an inner rotary door (30). In the second embodiment, the improvement in the door of a household electrical appliance comprises a bipartite tilt door containing an outer door (10), an intermediary tilt door (60) disposed between the outer door (10) and am inner door (70).
US08844324B2
The inventive washing machine is capable of advantageously rinsing laundry with clean water by performing a rinsing operation while cleaning water being used for the rinsing operation in a rinsing step. The washing machine includes a water circulation passage (42, 43, 44, 45, 15, 55, 25, 57, 26, 58, 59) for circulating laundry water to a washing tub (3). Rinsing water retained in the washing tub (3) can be circulated through the water circulation passage. Ozone generated by an ozone generator (19) is mixed with the circulated water, whereby the rinsing water is cleaned. This water cleaning operation is performed only in the rinsing step. Where the ozone is supplied only in the rinsing step, the ozone is effective to decompose dirt and odorant of the laundry. Thus, the rinsing operation is advantageously performed.
US08844315B2
A cryogenic freezer includes a plurality of conveyor rail supports that rest upon side walls of a lower housing of the freezer. The conveyor rail supports include upper and lower bars that support upper and lower conveyor support rails extending perpendicular to the bars.
US08844311B2
A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
US08844308B2
A refrigeration system includes a first portion having a primary loop and a secondary loop operably coupled by a first chiller, The primary loop circulates a refrigerant through the first chiller to provide cooling to a coolant in the secondary loop. The secondary loop has a supply portion and a return portion, the supply portion circulates the coolant to one or more temperature-controlled storage devices operating at a first temperature. A second portion has a primary loop and at least one secondary loop operably coupled by the second chiller. The primary loop circulates a refrigerant through the second chiller to provide cooling to coolant in the secondary loop. The secondary loop has a supply portion and a return portion, the supply portion circulates the coolant to one or more temperature-controlled storage devices operating at a second temperature. The return portion of the secondary loop of the first portion and the return portion of the secondary loop of the second portion share a common return header.
US08844307B2
An appliance includes a main body, and a door movably attached to the main body. The door includes a front, a back, a side surface extending from the front to the back, and a recess formed on the side surface. The appliance further includes a water filtration system including a filter that is disposed in the recess.
US08844303B2
The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit having a mono- or multi-component refrigerant circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of flow, a condenser, a collecting container, a relief device connected upstream of an evaporator, an evaporator and a compressor unit with single-stage compression.According to the invention, there is an intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3).Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of operating a refrigeration device in which pressure relief of the refrigerant to an (intermediate) pressure of 5 to 40 bar is effected in the intermediate relief device (a) arranged between the condenser (1) and the collecting container (3).
US08844302B2
An air-conditioning apparatus has at least one intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant changing in two phases or a refrigerant in a supercritical state and a heat medium such as water and anti-freezing fluid different from the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat-source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and a refrigerant-side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat-medium circulation circuit in which a heat-medium side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the heat medium flows, in which in the heat-medium circulation circuit, a fourth temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat-medium flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger is provided, and leakage of the heat medium from the heat-medium circulation circuit is detected on the basis of a change amount of a detected temperature of the fourth temperature sensor.
US08844300B2
A method is disclosed that makes it possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant used and shorten the amount of time over which the new air conditioner must be run in a refrigerant pipe washing mode when an air conditioner that used a mineral-oil-based refrigerant oil is updated to or replaced with an air conditioner using an HFC refrigerant as the working refrigerant and the existing refrigerant piping is reused as is. Thus, the existing refrigerant piping of the air conditioner that used a mineral-oil-based refrigerant oil is reused in the air conditioner that uses an HFC refrigerant as the working refrigerant, the by washing the refrigerant piping using a cleaning agent comprising an HFC refrigerant containing at least 40 wt % of R32 to remove residual refrigerant oil in the refrigerant piping.
US08844281B2
A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes a first wire, a second wire, and a matrix joining the first wire and the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are in contact with the pulleys, but the matrix is not in contact with the pulleys. A timing cable is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.
US08844278B2
The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a control system for charging an electro-hydraulic charging system. The control system including at least one sensor operatively coupled to an engine for sensing at least one engine parameter indicative of an operating status of the engine and a controller adapted to charge the charging system when the operating status of the engine is determined to be stable.
US08844277B2
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US08844273B2
An exhaust gas purification device arranged in an exhaust system of an engine, and includes a renewing device for burning and removing a particulate matter within the exhaust gas purification device. The renewing device is operable in the case that a clogged state of the exhaust gas purification device is equal to or more than a prescribed level, wherein the exhaust gas purification system includes renewal admittance input means which allows an actuation of the renewing device, and rotating speed holding input means for holding a rotating speed of the engine to a predetermined rotating speed, and in the case that a turn-on operation of the rotating speed holding input means is carried out in a state in which an allowing operation of the renewal admittance input means is carried out, the rotating speed holding motion of the engine is executed in preference to an actuation of the renewing device.
US08844272B2
Various systems and method are described for controlling an engine having an exhaust system which includes a particulate filter. One example method comprises, after shutting down the engine and spinning down the engine to rest, operating a vacuum pump to draw fresh air through the exhaust system to an intake system, and regenerating at least a portion of the particulate filter during the engine rest.
US08844268B2
It is determined quickly whether there is a shortage in reducing agent supplied to an NOx selective reduction catalyst. After it is determined that a quantity of reducing agent equal to or larger than a predetermined quantity is absorbed in the NOx selective reduction catalyst on the assumption that there is no abnormality in reducing agent supply unit, the supply of a quantity of reducing agent needed to reduce a quantity of NOx flowing into the NOx selective reduction catalyst is started. A determination of an abnormality in the reducing agent supply unit is made based on the NOx removal rate after the lapse of a predetermined period of time since the start of the supply of reducing agent. The NOx removal rate becomes lower when there is an abnormality in the reducing agent supply unit.
US08844264B2
Disclosed is a boundary layer ejector fluidically connecting boundary layer bleed slots from an external surface of an aircraft to reduce aircraft/nacelle/pylon drag, reduce jet noise and decrease thrust specific fuel consumption. A boundary layer withdrawn through the boundary layer bleed slots is entrained with an exhaust flow of a gas turbine engine. In another embodiment a boundary layer withdrawn through the boundary layer bleed slots is entrained with a flow stream internal to the gas turbine engine, such as a fan stream of a turbofan. A moveable shroud can be used to open and close a passage of an ejector which can be used to assist in withdrawing a boundary layer or entrain an ambient air. A lobed mixer can be used in some embodiments to effect mixing between the boundary layer and a primary fluid of the ejector.
US08844261B2
A nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine includes nozzle doors coupled with a fan nacelle wherein the nozzle doors move in unison between a plurality of positions to influence a bypass airflow through a fan bypass passage. A linkage connects the nozzle doors and an actuator. A louver section coupled with the linkage moves in unison with the nozzle doors between a plurality of louver positions to direct a portion of the bypass airflow in a selected direction.
US08844260B2
A low calorific value fuel-fired can combustor for a gas turbine include a generally cylindrical housing, and a generally cylindrical liner disposed coaxially within the housing to define with the housing a radial outer flow passage for combustion air, the liner also defining inner combustion and a dilution zone, the dilution zone being axially distant a closed housing end relative to the combustion zone. A nozzle assembly disposed at the closed housing end includes an air blast nozzle and surrounding swirl vanes. An impingement cooling sleeve coaxially disposed in the combustion air passage between the housing and the liner impingement cools the portion of the liner defining the combustion zone. The combustion liner has an L/D ratio of in the range 1≦L/D≦4, and a ratio of the combustion zone volume (m3) to heat energy flow rate Q (MJ/sec) in the range 0.0026≦V/Q≦0.018.
US08844259B2
The present invention relates to a flashback protector (1) for limiting the propagation of a flame towards a fuel supply. The flashback protector comprises a downstream side (34) and an upstream side (32) defining a flow path between them. A magnetic-field generator (10, 20) is arranged to generate a magnetic field (40) across the flow path such that when a flashback occurs fluid flows in the flow path towards the fuel supply through the magnetic field (40). This causes a flow of current (50) to be induced in the fluid. This results in a force being generated on the fluid away from the fuel supply, preventing the flashback from reaching the fuel supply and causing an explosion.
US08844255B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, e.g., traditional Korean paper, and a composite yarn manufactured thereby, a method for manufacturing a fabric using the same and an automotive interior material manufactured thereby. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of traditional Korean paper by using a traditional Korean paper yarn and a synthetic yarn, in which the composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting, and a method for manufacturing a fabric as an automotive interior material using the same. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, comprising twisting a tape-type paper yarn, and covering the twisted paper yarn as a ground yarn at least two strands of synthetic yarn as an effect yarn to manufacture a composite yarn of paper of 160˜700 denier.
US08844251B2
A cotton accumulator system for a cotton harvester. The cotton accumulator system includes a cotton storage structure having an upper inlet and a lower outlet. A paddle shaft is coupleable to the cotton storage structure and configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of paddles is coupleable to the paddle shaft. The plurality of paddles is configured to rotate with the paddle shaft to disperse cotton substantially evenly in the cotton storage structure.
US08844250B2
A sealing device for producing sealed packages from a tube of packaging material fed along a path and filled with a pourable food product, comprising: a frame; a pair of jaws movable cyclically with respect to the frame and along part of the path to grip the tube; ultrasonic sealing means carried by a first jaw to seal the tube; and power means including a primary winding fixed to the frame and connectable to an electric energy source, and a secondary winding carried by the first jaw, supplying the sealing means, and receiving electric energy by electromagnetic induction from the primary winding as the first jaw travels past the primary winding; and the device having transformer means supplied by the electric energy source with a first voltage value, and supplying the primary winding with a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value.
US08844240B2
A method of effecting a stabilization and effecting a lifting of a portion of a footing of a building which includes the steps of effecting an introduction of water resistant plastics into soil and openings in the soil in the vicinity of the footing to seal these areas, then introducing a slow setting plastics catalysed monomer to beneath the footing at a very high pressure.
US08844239B2
An anchoring assembly for anchoring a liner of a cured lining material applied in liquid form to metal objects, comprising a fixing device welded or soldered to a metal object, the fixing device comprising a weld element and a fixing element provided with a through hole, and an anchoring element configured to be passed through the through hole of the fixing device, wherein the weld element comprises a weld or solder stud.
US08844237B2
A wind power plant tower segment is provided. The tower segment is designed as a jacket segment and comprises a reinforced concrete body, comprising two faces for attaching to faces of at least one further tower segment. In the region of each face, at least one connecting body is introduced in the reinforced concrete body and anchored therein for connecting to a connecting body of an adjoining tower segment. The connecting body comprises a fastening wall that is disposed substantially parallel to the respective face for absorbing a tensile load that is directed transversely to the face and transversely to the fastening wall. A wind power installation pylon having a plurality of such pylon segments, a wind power installation having a corresponding pylon, and a process for the production of a plurality of pylon segments is also provided.
US08844233B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side faces, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face. At least one of the faces includes a pre-installed adhesive for joining adjacent panels together.
US08844219B2
A window framing system has multiple pieces that are components of a primary frame. The pieces are pre-formed, and may be assembled so as to build the frame at a job site. The pieces include a sub-frame and a base. The sub-frame has a corner to receive a glazing unit. The base is to be assembled with the sub-frame so as to secure the glazing unit in the corner. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08844217B2
A fenestration assembly is described. The fenestration assembly includes: (1) a layer of film; (2) a frame having a first surface and a second surface, which is opposite to the first surface, the first surface substantially surrounding and having secured thereon the film and the frame having a thickness such that when the second side is fitted onto a window or a window frame, the thickness of the frame defines a space between the film and the window; and (3) wherein said film is a low-emittance film having an emissivity equal to or less than 0.35.
US08844213B2
The modular unit for generating solar power comprises a plurality of diamond-shaped cover plates (3.2, . . . , 3.3) for forming a surface trapping sunlight. The cover plates (3.2, 3.3) contain photovoltaic elements (106.1, 106.2, 106.3). The system further comprises a plurality of support rods (54) having a number of pre-manufactured fastening positions (55), said rods being arranged at a predetermined angle >0° to the horizontal and extending in the direction of a line of slope. Every fastening position is associated with a fastening device (50) which connects two corners of the overlapping cover plates (3.2, 3.3) to the support rod (54) in the fastening position. The cover plates (3.2, 3.3) are arranged diagonally and so as to overlap in a scale-type fashion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the support rod (54) in such a manner that the surface trapping the sunlight is at the same time rain water-repellent. The cover plates (3.2, 3.3) have a first cut-out section (15.3) in a first corner section and a second cut-out section (20.2) in a diagonally opposite second corner section, in which second cut-out section one of the fastening devices (50) engages. The fastening device (50) holds the first corner section of the first cover plate (3.3) in a first supported position at a first distance to the support rod (54) and the second corner section of the second cover plate (3.2) in a second supported position at a second distance to the support rod (54), the first corner section of the first cover plate (3.3) being interspaced from the second corner section of the second cover plate (3.2) by at least one cover plate thickness.
US08844197B2
A sliding door for a vehicle includes a guide rail, a sliding carriage and a guide pin (34). The sliding carriage is longitudinally displaceably journalled at the guide rail and is connected by a multijoint to the vehicle body. The guide pin (34) is guided in a guide track (41) provided at the sliding door. To improve such a sliding door, the guide track (41) includes a first guide track (42) and a second guide track (43) which is elastically biased (47) with respect to the first guide track (42) (FIG. 4).
US08844187B2
A weapon barrel of an automatic firearm contains a muzzle that is set into flexural oscillations by firing, with a damping device for damping the flexural oscillations by frictional processes between a radially projecting friction ring disposed on the muzzle and at least one friction element loaded by of a spring element. Wherein at least one friction element loaded by a separate spring element acts on both sides of the friction ring respectively and is supported so as to be axially movable relative to the muzzle.
US08844183B2
A box magazine for a firearm may have a housing with two substantially different widths. A wider region may accommodate four columns of cartridges and may have tapered surfaces at one end that lead into a narrower region which may accommodate an interlocked and staggered double column of cartridges. Cartridges in the wider region may be separated into two staggered double columns by a free standing dividing wall and may be advanced by inner and outer contoured followers that may be nested together to form a single follower assembly surrounding the freestanding wall and that may be driven by the outer follower's spring. An inner follower spring may remain nested within the outer follower such that the two followers coordinate the advance of the two separated double columns of cartridges toward tapered surfaces that merge the two double columns into two single columns proximate the top of the dividing wall.
US08844176B2
A conveying apparatus includes a first roller that is rotational to convey a nonwoven fabric and a second roller that is rotational to convey the nonwoven fabric and is located on the trailing side of the first roller with respect to the conveying direction of the nonwoven fabric. The conveying apparatus includes a noncontact sensor and a controller. The noncontact sensor detects the distance from the nonwoven fabric at a position between the first roller and the second roller. The controller uses the distance detected by the sensor to compute the slack amount of the nonwoven fabric and controls the rotation speed of the second roller, thereby reducing the difference between the computed slack amount and a predetermined target value.
US08844171B2
An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.
US08844162B2
A device for removing fluids from particulate materials, including a container having a circular process chamber with a cylindrical external contour, an input device for inputting the materials into the process chamber, a discharge device for discharging the particulate materials freed of the fluid from the process chamber, a feed device for feeding a fluidizing agent from below into the process chamber, and at least one conditioning device for conditioning the fluidization agent in the direction of flow prior to the feed device.
US08844152B2
A method a scale having an inductively scannable graduation, the scale including a sequence of graduation elements disposed in a measuring direction and a layer stack including a succession of metal layers. The succession of metal layers includes a ferromagnetic metal carrier layer and a graduation layer that forms the sequence of graduation elements. The carrier layer is disposed between the graduation layer and a metal substrate, and the metal substrate is dimensioned to definitively determine mechanical properties of the layer stack.
US08844145B2
A razor handle for a retractable shaving cartridge that includes an elongated body having a hollow housing provided with an opening at the front end of the body, and a shaving cartridge carrier movable between a shaving position and a non-shaving position. A release mechanism that includes an actuating member is provided to actuate the release mechanism so as to release a shaving cartridge. In addition, a control mechanism includes a control member for controlling the actuating member only when the shaving cartridge carrier is in the shaving position. The elongated body further includes a guide adapted for guiding the control member.
US08844143B2
Method for producing a rotor of a commutator motor, a commutator motor, and anti-lock braking device
The present invention relates to a method for producing a rotor of a commutator motor, particularly in a direct current design, comprising a stator having a plurality of stator poles, wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of armature teeth which are disposed on the circumference of the rotor having interposed rotor grooves, and a commutated, which has a plurality of disks and associated winding hooks, comprising the following steps: winding bridges of the commutated by connecting winding hooks of the disks of the commutated, winding windings of armature teeth, and connecting the respective winding ends to winding hooks of the disks of the commutator. The invention further relates to such a commutated motor, particularly in a direct current design, and to an anti-lock breaking device.
US08844142B2
An adjustable comb assembly, which is attachable to an electric hair cutting appliance of the type including opposing cutting blades defining a cutting edge margin for cutting hair, includes a plurality of teeth for regulating a haircut length resulting from the hair being cut by the cutting edge margin of the electric hair cutting appliance. The teeth are selectively movable relative to the cutting edge of the electric hair cutting appliance to any one of a substantially infinite number of different haircut length positions within a range from a maximum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a maximum haircut length, to a minimum haircut length position, in which the comb assembly facilitates cutting hair to a minimum haircut length.
US08844132B2
A method of flank and/or point milling an integrally bladed rotor is conducted with an automatic tool path generator which generates a new created tool path including smooth transitions merging between an actual finished surface and a nominal surface of the integrally bladed rotor. The actual finished surface is presented in a mathematical transformation matrix which may be obtained in a 3-D scanning process.
US08844127B2
An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.
US08844125B2
A method of making an electronic device includes forming a circuit layer on a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate and having at least one solder pad. The method also includes forming an LCP solder mask having at least one aperture therein alignable with the at least one solder pad. The method further includes aligning and laminating the LCP solder mask and the LCP substrate together, then positioning solder paste in the at least one aperture. At least one circuit component may then be attached to the at least one solder pad using the solder paste.
US08844124B2
An electronic component mounting system and method is disclosed that can provide accurate operation instruction to a machine operator. The electronic component mounting system comprises a plurality of machines interlinked in series. A main screen, making up an operation instruction screen, is displayed on a display panel belonging to an operation target machine to be operated by the machine operator while a first sub-screen and a second sub-screen of the operation instruction screen are respectively displayed on display panels belonging to two adjacent machines placed adjacently on both sides of the operation target machine among the plurality of machines. Thus, even when a unit device has a small width such that a size restriction is imposed a display panel, accurate operation instruction, with a sufficient amount of information, can be provided by displaying the operation instruction screen on multiple display panels.
US08844123B2
A method of manufacturing a hollow surface mount type electronic component has a preparing step, a gluing step and a cutting step. The preparing step includes preparing a baseboard, a clapboard and a cover board, mounting multiple circuit segments and conducting points on two opposite faces of the baseboard at intervals and boring multiple through holes on the clapboard corresponding to the circuit segments. The gluing step includes mounting multiple electronic elements on the baseboard to connected with the circuit segments, gelatinizing glue on the boards to mount the clapboard between the baseboard and the cover board and pressing the boards by a pressing machine. The cutting step includes cutting the boards by a cutting machine to produce multiple single SDM electronic components.
US08844120B1
A method for providing a magnetic transducer including an underlayer is provided. The method comprises providing a recessed region in the underlayer. The recessed region includes a front having an angle from horizontal. The angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees. The method further comprises providing an assist pole layer in the recessed region, providing a main pole layer, a portion of the main pole layer residing on the assist pole layer, and defining a main pole from the assist pole layer and the main pole layer.
US08844103B2
Methods for making feedthrough assemblies including a capacitive filter array are disclosed. Methods disclosed include attaching a perimeter wall of the capacitor filter array to an interior wall of a ferrule, depositing a thick film conductive paste within at least one passageway to form a conductive pathway, and heating the ferrule, capacitor filter array and the thick film conductive paste to convert the paste to a relatively solid material.
US08844098B2
An apparatus for gripping a handheld device is provided. The apparatus includes a base for affixing the apparatus to a first surface of the handheld device; at least one extension extending from the base at a first end of the extension; and a grip extending from the at least one extension at a second end of the extension, wherein the grip is oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the handheld device, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to receive a portion of at least one finger inserted between the grip and the handheld device.
US08844091B1
A squeegee and tray system is provided to clean up spills. The tray has a front edge, a ramp, and a trough for receiving and transporting a spill. The squeegee has a resilient edge to push a spill into the front edge of the tray. A bracket is provided to mount on a vertical surface that receives the tray. The tray has a slot for receiving the squeegee where the squeegee and tray are stored together when placed on the mounting bracket.
US08844090B2
A tool 54 for introducing a paste 74 into voids 44 in an article 12 includes at least one pad having a working surface shaped similarly to the shape of a target region on the article. In one specific embodiment, the tool 54 has first and second pads 56, 60, joined to each other by, for example, a hinge 66 . The pads and hinge are engageable with the article 12 so that each similarly shaped working surface 58, 62, 68 hugs a corresponding target region on the article to urge the paste into the voids. An associated method of concurrently filling voids in an article includes applying a filler material to the article in the vicinity of the voids and urging the filler material concurrently into the multiple voids.
US08844085B2
A lifting device is configured to support a bridge cap when lifting the cap onto columns under a bridge deck. The lifting device includes an upper bracket arm configured to extend over an upper surface of the deck, and a lower bracket arm configured to extend under a bottom surface of the deck, and to selectively engage the cap. A side bracket portion connects the lower and upper arms, and is configured to transmit a force associated with a weight of the cap to the upper arm. The upper and lower arms and the side bracket portion are configured to define an open space extending from free ends of the upper and lower arms to the side bracket portion. The space is configured to receive the deck when the lifting device is supporting the cap as the cap is being lifted onto the columns.
US08844080B2
A thumb-mountable protective utensil system and kit comprises a protective housing, a utensil mount and one or more utensil elements, each of which may be attachable to and detachable from the mount. The housing includes a cavity configured to generally conformingly receive a tip segment of a human thumb for snug securement of the housing thereto. The system is adapted to provide protection from cuts, and can accommodate a variety of thumb sizes by incorporating one or more shim elements which are capable of being attached to and removed from the housing. Examples of variations on the utensil element may include a spiked utensil, a grater utensil and a peeler utensil.
US08844075B2
A patient support apparatus is convertible between a bed position, having a generally horizontal sleeping surface upon which a person lies in a supine position, and a chair egress position, allowing a person to exit the support from a sitting position. The patient support comprises a deck, a foot panel coupled to the deck, and an inflatable bladder assembly coupled to the foot panel. The inflatable bladder assembly is coupled to the foot panel and both the foot panel and inflatable bladder assembly are removable from the deck.
US08844064B2
A protective sports glove including a hand-receiving portion adapted to receive and enclose a hand of a user, a cuff attached to the hand-receiving portion, and a segmented cuff roll disposed on the outside of the cuff. The cuff roll is divided into two segments connected to each other via an elastic band. The segmented cuff roll is further attached to the hand-receiving portion and the cuff via an elastic band.
US08850609B1
A processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory is configured to determine a risk of simultaneous theft of a primary device and at least one satellite device associated with the primary device, and to identify said at least one satellite device as an appropriate authentication factor for use in an authentication process involving the primary device, based at least in part on the determined risk. The identified satellite device may serve as an additional or alternative authentication factor relative to one or more other authentication factors. The processing device may comprise the primary device itself, or another separate device, such as an authentication server that also participates in the authentication process. Information associated with the identified satellite device is utilized in the authentication process to authenticate a user of the primary device.
US08850605B2
A method and system for capacity licensing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises receiving a capability request from a device, sending a capability response to the device, the capability response comprising a serving of license rights. A deduction record is stored, the deduction record deducting a license from a license pool. An information request is received from the device, and an information response is sent.
US08850595B2
Private anonymous electronic messaging between a message originator and a message recipient within an organization encourages open communication which can provide information to the organization that might otherwise be secreted from the organization, and can allow the message originator to obtain desired help (e.g., counseling). By profiling of the message originator based on current and previous electronic messaging within the system as well as external organizational information (e.g., behavioral or financial information), the system can assess concerns yet act as a gateway to protect the message originator's true identity through escalating levels of concern unless a genuine concern about the health, well-being, and/or safety of the message originator, others, or the organization is indicated, in which case the system can reveal the true identity of the message originator as appropriate.
US08850591B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and it includes identifying a root term and determining one or more other terms belonging to a group associated with the root term. The method also includes selecting one or more of the terms from the group and generating a concept based on the selected terms from the group, wherein the concept is applied to a rule that affects data management for one or more documents that satisfy the rule. In more specific embodiments, the root term is identified via a search or via an incident list. In other embodiments, a collection of meaningful terms is provided to assist in determining the other terms for the group, the collection of meaningful terms being generated based on the root term. The concept can be used to automatically mark one or more documents that relate to the concept.
US08850590B2
Apparatus and methods for indicating the identity of a device for receiving and retransmitting programming information. The device, which may be a set-top box or suitable communication network receiver, may be configured to receive a broadcast signal from an antenna, which may be a satellite, a cable, an electronic communication network or any other suitable source. The programming information may be any type of audio or video data, or any other suitable type of data. The broadcast signal may have multiple channels that include the programming information. Each of the channels may include a distinct watermark. The device may splice between the channels to generate a signature that the device may embed in an output data stream that may be used to display or perform the programming information.
US08850586B2
Circuits and methods are provided for detecting, identifying and/or removing undesired content. According to one embodiment, a content object is stored by a general purpose processor to a system memory. The memory has stored therein a page directory containing information for translating virtual addresses to physical addresses. Multiple most recently used entries of the page directory are cached, by a virus co-processor, within translation lookaside buffers (TLBs) implemented within an on-chip cache of the co-processor. Instructions are read by the co-processor, from a virus signature memory of the co-processor. The instructions contain op-codes of a first and second instruction type. Instructions of the first type are assigned to a first instruction pipe of the co-processor. An instruction assigned to the first instruction pipe is executed including accessing the content object by performing direct virtual memory addressing of the system memory and comparing the content object against a string.
US08850581B2
A region of HTML or PDF file bytecode run on a virtual machine is identified as possible malware, allowing a detection signature to be generated. A determination is made, based on code behavior, that malware may be present. Variables visible in this identification start state can be found by mapping the start state to scopes in an abstract syntax data structure. Searching previously executed states of the virtual machine for any assignment of a variable that belongs to the set of variables of interest provides a set of assignments of interest, even in obfuscated code. Nonterminated assignments of interest will lead in turn to other variables of interest and assignments of interest, until all assignments of interest are terminated. At that point, a region of code defined by the assignments of interest is identified as a malware detection signature generation candidate, and submitted to a human or automated analyst.
US08850580B2
A validating server receives from a client device a first request that does not include a cookie for a validating domain that resolves to the validating sever. The first request is received at the validating server as a result of a proxy server redirecting the client device to the validating domain upon a determination that a visitor belonging to the client device is a potential threat based on an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the client device used for a second request to perform an action on an identified resource hosted on an origin server for an origin domain. The validating server sets a cookie for the client device, determines a set of characteristics associated with the first client device, and transmits the cookie and a block page to the client device that has been customized based on the set of characteristics, the block page indicating that the second request has been blocked.
US08850577B2
A method and apparatus for preventing an IDT-based security sandbox from causing a kernel panic when using a call gate is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request from an application to create a secure sandbox, wherein epilog code is mapped into the application upon receiving the request; enabling a call gate, wherein the call gate defines a location of call gate target code for enabling the secure sandbox; executing the epilog code to facilitate an interrupt disable instruction; jumping through the call gate; and enabling the secure sandbox.
US08850575B1
An improved technique tracks errors in collecting geolocation data associated with a transaction. Along these lines, an adaptive authentication engine stores information indicative of a failure to collect geolocation data associated with the transaction. In particular, this information takes the form of a geolocation collection state; the adaptive authentication engine stores such a state in a field of a database that contains historical transaction information. If a service provider failed to collect geolocation information for a transaction, the adaptive authentication engine stores a “Fail” value in the geolocation collection state field of the database entry associated with the transaction. Adaptive authentication techniques may then correlate such “Fail” values with other field values such as time of submission and device type. The result of such a correlation is to build a risk model based on geolocation collection error which the risk engine may then use to compute risk score.
US08850569B1
A computing device capable of instant messaging (IM) contains IM anti-malware software for preventing the transmission of malware-created IMs and opening potentially harmful IMs that it receives. When transmitting an IM, the software checks to ensure that the message being sent was created by the user (a human being) and not by IM malware, such as an IM BOT. This is done by copying details of a message as it is being typed by a user into a database and searching for that data before an IM is transmitted from the device. The software also ensures that when it receives an IM from an outside source, that the message contains a special encrypted signal that was inserted into the message by the source when the source has determined that the message was created by a human being. If the special signal is not found, it is presumed that the message was created by malware and may be discarded. Ensuring that an IM message is created by a human being is by leveraging a feature in IM client software that provides the name of the person typing the message as the message is being created.
US08850563B2
User accounts, authentication information and user home directories are stored on an external storage media that can be transferred from one device to another. Measures are included for detecting tampering of stored information and for preventing possibly conflicting or damaging account and file information from entering a host device.
US08850560B2
This specification relates to a mobile terminal capable of executing a lock state of restricting a touch input and a control method thereof. The control method for the mobile terminal, which displays a lock screen in the lock state of restricting an input of a control command for an application, includes displaying an execution screen of an application on the lock screen, and controlling the lock screen based upon a touch input detected in the lock state.
US08850550B2
A security token service generates a security token for a user that is associated with a client and stores the full security token within a memory. The security token includes an identity claim that represents the identity of the generated security token. Instead of passing the entire security token back to the client, the identity claim is returned to the client. For each request the client makes to the service, the client passes the identity claim in the request instead of the full security token having all of the claims. The identity claim is much smaller then the full security token. When a computing device receives the identity claim within the request from the user, the identity claim is used to access the full security token that is stored in memory.
US08850541B2
A system and method is provided for visual authentication and authorization of a user for mobile touch devices, the system having: a login display on a mobile touch device displaying a visual pattern; a data collection engine whereby touch attributes are obtained from a plurality of user touch events to the mobile touch device with reference to the visual pattern, the touch attributes comprise measured touch attributes and derived touch attributes calculated from the measured touch attributes; an authentication engine whereby the touch attributes are compared to projected user touch attributes derived from user touch attribute values obtained during prior successful logins.
US08850538B1
A method, system, and apparatus for agile generation of one time passcodes (OTPs) in a security environment, the security environment having a token generator comprising a token generator algorithm and a validator, the method comprising generating a OTP at the token generator according to a variance technique; wherein the variance technique is selected from a set of variance techniques, receiving the OTP at a validator, determining, at the validator, the variance technique used by the token generator to generate the OTP, and determining whether to validate the OTP based on the OTP and variance technique.
US08850534B2
A method for enhancing the accuracy performance of authentication systems includes determining an authentication data requirement for a desired transaction and at least one new verification phrase. The method also includes capturing authentication data from a user with a communications device in accordance with the authentication data requirement, and capturing biometric data of the at least one new verification phrase from the user with the communications device. Moreover, the method includes adding the determined at least one new verification phrase to an enrollment phrase registry and storing the biometric data captured for the at least one new verification phrase in an enrollment data record of the user after successfully authenticating the user.
US08850530B2
A system and method for securing data in mobile devices (104) includes a computing mode (102) and a plurality of mobile devices (104). A node security program (202) executed in the computing node (102) interfaces with a device security program (204) executed at a mobile device (104). The computing node (102) is responsible for managing the security based on a node security profile (208) interpreted by a node security program (202) executed in the computing node (102). A device discovery method and arrangement (106) also detects and locates various information (120) about the mobile devices (104) based on a scan profile (206).
US08850521B2
In one embodiment, a first network device receives a priority message from a second network device, wherein the priority message conforms to a connection establishment protocol and indicates a priority associated with the second network device. The first network device obtains the priority from the priority message and stores the priority. The first network device allocates resources for at least one of control or data plane processing to the second network device in accordance with the priority.
US08850520B1
A first server associated with a first URL receives a request from a client, including a first object having a respective user identifier and validation value. The server evaluates the validation value of the received first object with respect to a first validation requirement. When the validation value of the first object fails the first validation requirement, the server sends a response to the client that causes the client to send a second request to a second URL that is distinct from the first URL. A second server associated with the second URL receives a request from the client that includes a second object, distinct from the first object. The second server evaluates the received second object with respect to a second validation requirement, and when the second object fails the second validation requirement, the second server invalidates the respective user identifier.
US08850502B2
A content reproduction device including: an obtaining unit configured to obtain the content including plural segments on a per segment basis from a server through a communication network, each of the segments being assigned with a priority; and a reproduction controlling unit configured to reproduce the content on the per segment basis by displaying the content on a display device on the per segment basis, in which the reproduction controlling unit is configured to control reproduction of a target segment based on an amount of delay and a priority of the target segment, the amount of delay being a difference between a distributable position indicating a position of a latest segment distributable by the server and a first reproduction position in the content that is currently reproduced.
US08850489B2
Media can be provided by requesting a data channel, wherein the request includes a bid for bandwidth. The bid can be indicative of a price that a user is willing to pay for the bandwidth. It can subsequently be determined, based on the price, to service the request for the data channel, establish the data channel, and charge an account an amount, based on the price.
US08850487B2
A display device and a method for providing content using the display device are disclosed. A controller receives a search term and searches for at least one content including a video frame associated with the received search term. A display displays a list of the searched content.
US08850479B2
There is provided a preview distribution technique capable of realizing a flexible preview distribution between a distribution side and a user side. According to the technique, preview meta data describing reference destination information to the preview-constituting data of a plurality of types constituting the content preview is transmitted to a reception terminal. The reception terminal acquires the preview-constituting data by using the reference destination information described in the preview meta data and generates/reproduces the preview. Thus, when modifying the preview, the reception terminal can reproduce the preview after the modification, by acquiring only the data constituting the preview of the modified part, thereby easily modifying the data constituting the preview. That is, it is possible to perform a flexible preview distribution.
US08850475B2
A method includes detecting, from an Enhanced Television (ETV) Integrated Signaling Stream (EISS), an indication that an ETV application is available to be downloaded; downloading, in response to the indication, the ETV application from a video stream identified by the indication, where the ETV application does not conform to an ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) standard; detecting, from the EISS, another indication that the ETV application is to be started; executing, in response to the other indication, the ETV application to generate an ETV page, where the ETV page includes information that is not permitted by the EBIF standard; and displaying the ETV page on a video display device to enables a user to interact with the ETV page.
US08850473B2
Assets of broadcast network content are targeted to network users of interest based on location information regarding user equipment devices. Asset providers can specify location targeting criteria via a graphical user interface displaying mapping information. This location targeting criteria can then be compared to location information regarding user equipment devices so that assets are delivered to appropriate devices. The comparison of the location targeting criteria to the device location information can be performed at the user equipment devices or at another location. In the latter case, the assets can be addressed to appropriate user equipment devices or appropriate user equipment devices can be directed to select the asset, which is broadcast via the network. In this manner, assets can be targeted to individual network users on a basis independent of network topology.
US08850469B1
Systems and methods for distributing, receiving, and playing a video in multiple rating formats are disclosed herein. A storage component stores video segments of a video, wherein different rating formats of at least one of the video segments are available for streaming to a streaming component. An identification component determines a desired rating format for the at least one of the video segments and a selection component selects and requests a subset of the video segments to be streamed based in part on the desired rating format. The streaming component then receives the subset of the video segments of the video.
US08850461B2
An optical disc drive comprises a flash memory, an optical pick-up head, a spindle motor and a control unit. The control unit generates a determination result according to whether the optical disc drive has a disc loaded therein, and stores the determination result into the flash memory when the optical disc drive receives a power. The control unit reads the determination result from the flash memory after receiving the power again, and determines whether to control the optical pick-up head and the spindle motor to execute the disc detection procedure according to the determination result. If the determination result is negative, whether the optical disc drive has a disc loaded therein is determined according to a rotation speed of the spindle motor. If the rotation speed is larger than a threshold value, the control unit determines that no disc is loaded in the optical disc drive.
US08850458B1
A system, method, and computer program are provided for combining results of event processing received from a plurality of servers. In use, an event is sent to a plurality of servers. Further, a result of processing of the event is received from each of the servers. In addition, the results received from the plurality of servers are combined.
US08850442B2
A method and system may receive a request to provision a virtual machine based on configuration information. Potential resources for hosting the virtual machine may be identified and scored. The scored potential resources may be ranked and an optimal resource for hosting the requested virtual machine may be selected based on the ranking. The requested virtual machine may be provisioned on the selected optimal resource.
US08850441B2
A computer implemented method executing a plurality of tasks, each task comprising threads and each task being assigned a priority from 1 to a whole number greater than 1, each thread of a task assigned the same priority as the task and each thread being executed by a processor. The method also provides locking and unlocking arranged to lock and unlock data stored by a storage device responsive to such a request from a thread. A method of operating the system comprises maintaining a queue of threads that require access to locked data, maintaining an array comprising, for each priority, duration and/or throughput information for threads of the priority, setting a wait flag for a priority in the array according to a predefined algorithm calculated from the duration and/or throughput information in the array.
US08850418B2
The invention may provide “undo” (e.g., rollback) features, along with data management simplification features, to an update package model of software suite development/evolution. New functions, which may have disruption effects for customers, may be installed into the core configuration data with inactive switches. Upon activation, a switch status may change, and a query filter may use the activated function (e.g., as associated with the switch ID). Original functions may be maintained, giving the user the ability to deactivate an activated function, and thereby reverting the system back to the prior configuration status.
US08850405B2
A method is disclosed that includes, using a static analysis, analyzing a software program to determine a number of paths from sources accepting information to sinks using that information or a modified version of that information and to determine multiple paths from the number of paths. The determined multiple paths have a same transition from an application portion of the software program to a library portion of the software program and require a same downgrading action to address a vulnerability associated with source-sink pairs in the multiple paths. The analyzing includes determining the multiple paths using a path-sensitive analysis. The method includes, for the determined multiple paths, grouping the determined multiple paths into a single representative indication of the determined multiple paths. The method includes outputting the single representative indication. Computer program products and apparatus are also disclosed.
US08850397B2
In a distributed system that includes a debug server and debug clients coupled for data communications through a network, collaborative software debugging includes presenting a client-specific GUI that includes a client-specific local variables pane; detecting user input including detecting, by at least one particular debug client, user input setting the client-specific local variables pane to display local variables of a stack frame associated with an active routine owned by the particular debug client; generating and sending to the debug server application-level messages; receiving client-specific debug results; and displaying the client-specific debug results, including: displaying, in the particular debug client's client-specific local variables pane, the local variables of the stack frame associated with the active routine owned by the particular debug client; and displaying, in another debug client's client-specific local variables pane, local variables of another stack frame.
US08850386B2
A method for estimating a resource consumption of storage space and/or of required runtime of a control device program code to be generated for a control program, whereby the functionality of the control program is given in an executable model. The model has a function with first functional magnitudes and first information associated with the first functional magnitudes and optimization parameters for optimizing a code generator. A program code representation is generated for part of the model comprising the function by the code generator taking into account first values of the optimization parameters. An estimation unit comprises a resource model with hardware parameters. An estimated value for the storage space requirement is determined for the control device program code and/or a runtime estimated value is determined for the control device program code by the estimation unit taking into account the hardware parameters and based on the program code representation.
US08850380B2
Systems and methods for selective voltage binning within a three-dimensional integrated chip stack. A method is provided that includes defining a correlation between at least two parameters. At least one parameter of the at least two parameters is from a first chip of a three-dimensional integrated chip stack and at least one parameter of the at least two parameters is from a second chip of the three-dimensional integrated chip stack. The method further includes generating a covariance matrix based on the at least two parameters. The method further includes calculating a new parameter or new parameter set using the covariance matrix. The method further includes performing statistical static timing analysis (SSTA) such that the new parameter or the new parameter set is propagated into the SSTA. The method further includes determining whether timing targets for the three-dimensional integrated chip stack are achieved.
US08850379B2
A method of generating an optimized layout of semiconductor components in conformance with a set of design rules includes generating, for a unit cell including one or more semiconductor components, a plurality of configurations each of which satisfies some, but not all, of the design rules. For each configuration, it is checked whether a layout, which is a repeating pattern of the unit cell, satisfies the remaining design rules. Among the configurations which satisfy all of the design rules, the configuration providing an optimal value of a property is selected for generating the optimized layout of the semiconductor components.
US08850375B2
An integrated circuit design method, system and simulator, wherein the integrated circuit design method includes: determining a region in which power supply noise shall be analyzed; determining current model parameters of the region; determining model parameters of a power supply network model; inputting into a simulator a net list; judging whether or not the region satisfies noise requirements of a chip power supply; and if the region satisfies noise requirements of the chip power supply, determining that the initial area is a minimum area that satisfies the noise requirements of the chip power supply in case the initial number of decoupling capacitors are used in the region.
US08850371B2
Embodiments of the invention may include receiving a design netlist representing a datapath operable to execute a function corresponding to an opcode combination. The datapath may include an input stage, a register stage, and an output stage and the register stage may include a plurality of registers. For a first function corresponding to a first opcode combination, a subset of unused registers in the plurality of registers may be automatically determined. Further, clock gating logic may be automatically inserted into the design netlist, wherein the clock gating logic is operable to dynamically clock gate the subset of unused registers contemporaneously when the datapath executes the first function corresponding to the first opcode combination.
US08850369B2
A method for optimizing masks used for forming conductive features and a method for creating the mask features on an IC device are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving a design database including a plurality of conductive features. First and second features suitable for joining are identified from the plurality of conductive features. A joined feature corresponding to the first and the second features is characterized. A cut shape configured to separate the first and second features from the joined feature is also characterized. The joined feature is categorized into a first conductive mask, the cut shape is categorized into a cut mask, and a third feature is categorized into a second conductive mask. The categorized shapes and features of the first conductive mask, the second conductive mask, and the cut mask are provided for manufacturing a mask set corresponding to the categorized shapes and features.
US08850368B2
One or more techniques or systems for determining double patterning technology (DPT) layout routing compliance are provided herein. For example, a layout routing component of a system is configured to assign a pin loop value to a pin loop. In some embodiments, the pin loop value is assigned based on a mask assignment of a pin of the pin loop. In some embodiments, the pin loop value is assigned based on a number of nodes associated with the pin loop. DPT compliance or a DPT violation is determined for the pin loop based on the pin loop value. In this manner, odd loop detection associated with DPT layout routing is provided because a DPT violation results in generation of an additional instance of a net, for example. Detecting an odd loop allows a design to be redesigned before fabrication, where the odd loop would present undesired issues.
US08850358B2
The present invention is directed towards systems, methods and computer program products for providing keyboard navigation between components within a content item. The method of the present invention comprises receiving the content item from a server and receiving a signal indicating keyboard utilization by the user to determine a specific key that the user presses. A determination is made as to whether the specific key is from a monitored set of keys and if the specific key is from a monitored set of keys, performing an action associated with the specific key.
US08850348B2
Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.
US08850341B2
A method for determining latitude and longitude coordinates for geographic addresses input into an address book on a mobile device is provided. For each geographic address received for storing in a contact record, latitude and longitude coordinates are automatically determined and associated with the geographic address in a database of contact records. In some embodiments, for each geographic address to be input, the method first searches existing contact records for the geographic address and if the latitude and longitude coordinates for the geographic address are in an existing contact record, the contact record for the contact is cross-referenced to the existing record for accessing the latitude and longitude coordinates.
US08850339B2
A method includes retrieving content information and associated user interface configuration information. The user interface configuration information relates to user interface elements (e.g., the “chrome” for a “skin”) of a presentation application to present the content information. The user interface configuration information is verifying using a security component of the presentation application. The content information is presented using the presentation application, and the interface elements (e.g., the “chrome”) for the presentation application is presented using the user interface information associated with the content information, during the presentation of the content information.
US08850337B2
There is provided an information processing device including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image of a real space captured with an imaging device, a user interface unit configured to display the input image on a screen of a display device and detect a designated position designated by a user on the screen, a computation unit configured to compute a three-dimensional position of a virtual object in an augmented reality space from the designated position detected by the user interface unit, and an authoring unit configured to associate the three-dimensional position of the virtual object computed by the computation unit with the virtual object to store the three-dimensional position in a storage medium.
US08850336B2
A method for producing a graphic user and/or display surface on a display for a man/machine interface of a motor vehicle is provided, whereby the user surface includes graphic elements that are arranged in a menu-type manner. A main group and at least one subgroup below the main group is produced and every graphic element is associated with the main group, for example the domain “com.bmw” or one of the subgroups, for example “com.bmw.entertainment”, “com.bmw.enterainment.cd” or “com.bmwentertainment.radio”, and the main group and the at least one subgroup indicate respective properties of the graphic elements associated therewith, for example their color. A graphic element of a subgroup has, in addition to the properties indicated in the subgroup, at least one for the most part also the properties indicated in the main group.
US08850335B2
Enhancements to a strategy object editor for creating and modifying control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete) is described. The improvements include: supporting a set of graphical depictions for individual control object (modified by an appearance object editor), drag and drop connections for declarations that connect control strategies to other control strategies, GUI-based designation of object execution order, automatically applied line styles based upon connection data type, and automatic modification of elements within an appearance object to accommodate a moved attribute.
US08850334B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling positioning for a child window, produced by a main window, on at least one monitor in a multimonitor computer system, where a first and a second positioning mechanism control the positioning of the child window on the monitors such that the child window is positioned at the topmost position and fully visibly on all monitors.
US08850321B2
Systems, methods, and machine readable and executable instructions are provided for cross-domain business service management. Cross-domain business service management can include receiving event indications from domains. The event indications can be standardized into standardized event indications independent of domain manager or domain-specific syntax. The standardized event indications can be aggregated into aggregated event indications. A number of domain-specific descriptive semantic attributes of the aggregated event indications can be runtime analyzed. The aggregated event indications can be mapped to respective health indicators based on the runtime analysis, where each of the respective health indicators represents a health aspect of one of the domains. The respective health indicators can be displayed on a user interface.
US08850319B2
A system and method of processing a video Instant Message (IM) is provided. The method may comprise receiving a captured video stream from an image capture device and selecting at least one video effect from a plurality of video effects. A modified video stream is then generated (e.g., using a digital filter) that includes the video effect and is then communicated to a viewing location as the video Instant Message. The IM application can be a legacy IM application and generate a graphic user interface via the IM application to allow a user to select the video effect. The captured video stream may be received from a web camera and the modified video stream may be communicated via the Internet to the viewing location. The method may be performed in a device driver that interfaces the image capture device to an Instant Messaging application associated with the device driver.
US08850318B2
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to display video content. A cursor associated with the relative position of the video content is provided. A new cursor position associated with a request for a new relative position of the video content is received. A thumbnail image of the video content corresponding to the new relative position is displayed. The thumbnail image is then transitioned to a full display image.
US08850317B2
One or more audio controls are presented in a browser application to allow a user to adjust one or more audio signals (e.g., mute, adjust volume) provided by one or more audio sources (e.g., websites). In some aspects, the browser application remembers the user's audio control settings for audio sources and automatically applies those settings to the audio controls when audio signals from the audio sources are detected.
US08850315B1
An electronic device with one or more processors and memory provides a user interface for presentation to a user including a plurality user interface objects corresponding to functions of an online application. The device determines whether to superimpose a portion of the informative materials on the user interface. In accordance with a determination that the portion of the informative materials is to be superimposed on the user interface, the device provides the portion of the informative materials for presentation to the user, including: media content overlaid on the user interface; and a focus indicator overlaid on the user interface that is configured to draw the respective user's attention to one or more user interface objects of the user interface in coordination with the media content. The device responds to user interaction with a user interface objects by performing a corresponding function of the online application.
US08850313B2
An object of this invention is to filter the results of a website search or a published list on a website, by applying mathematical or logical criteria selected by the user or program, to any of the informational details of an element in the search result or list. An object of this invention is to expand the set of details associated with each element of the search result or published list by gathering user specified information associated with each element from the same or different websites. An object of this invention is to allow the user to identify details of interest of an element in the search result or published list and to limit the presentation of the results to the details of interest. An object of this invention is to accomplish this functionality in a generic manner independent of a specific or set of websites.
US08850307B2
One embodiment comprises a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, encoded with processor readable instructions to perform a method of displaying content in a web page. One method optimizes the order of HTTP requests made during the downloading of a web page or web application comprising a plurality of objects, and receiving a first portion of the plurality of objects in a first order. Additionally, (i) a viewable section of the web page, (ii) centers of the viewable section of the web page and each of the plurality of objects, and (iii) a distance from the center of the viewable section of the web page to the center of each of the plurality of objects may be determined. Furthermore, the objects may then be prioritized based on their distance from the center of the viewable section. A request to receive at least one additional portion of the objects in a second order based on the prioritization of the objects may then be sent.
US08850306B2
Techniques to create structured documents and document templates using enhanced content controls are described. An apparatus may comprise an application to generate a document from a document template. The application may comprise a document template component operative to retrieve a document template comprising multiple document parts. The application may further comprise a content control component operative to manage a content control embedded in a document part of the document template. The content control may be associated with a data source arranged to store richly formatted content presented by the content control without necessarily requiring the data storage to be written in any particular way. The content control component may synchronize any changes to the formatted content between the content control and the data store. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08850305B1
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for the automatic determining of calls to action in a webpage are disclosed. These include, rendering a web page in a browser, capturing the rendered web page as an image, filtering the image using one or more image filters, and identifying the calls to action in the filtered image using at least one call to action selection criteria.
US08850301B1
Technologies are described for causing an eReader to automatically and dynamically parse a document rendered on the eReader and identify content of potential interest to a user, and, in response to identifying content of potential interest, receiving at a server, from the eReader, the identified content. The server performing heuristics on the identified content at the server in conjunction with searching a network communicatively coupled to the server to locate data contextually relevant to the identified content, and the server transmitting the contextually relevant data from the server to the eReader for presentation to a user through a user interface on the eReader. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08850293B2
A method for performing error correction during a transmission of physiological data includes two or more data packets that are sent from a first electronic computing device to a second electronic computing device. Each of the data packets includes physiological data. Each of the data packets has a first packet size. Each of the data packets includes error correction information. The error correction information for each of the two or more packets is distributed across the two or more data packets.
US08850289B2
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for priority based data processing with soft guaranteed global processing iterations.
US08850280B2
An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry and additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises at least one scan chain having a plurality of scan cells. The scan test circuitry further comprises scan enable timing control circuitry coupled between a scan enable input of the scan test circuitry and scan enable inputs of respective ones of the scan cells. The scan enable timing control circuitry is operative to control timing of a transition between a scan shift configuration of the scan cells and a functional data capture configuration of the scan cells so as to permit testing of the scan cells in the scan shift configuration.
US08850275B2
An encoding apparatus derives a bit order based on a puncturing table that specifies different puncturing patterns for different transmission rates. The encoding apparatus then generates an error correcting code from an input information bit string and rearranges the error correcting code in the derived bit order. The error correcting code is punctured by taking a number of consecutive bits from the rearranged error correcting code. The number of bits taken varies depending on the transmission rate. The punctured error correcting code is output to a decoding apparatus, which realigns the code bits according to the transmission rate and the puncturing table, then uses the realigned error correcting code to correct errors in erroneous data. Rearrangement of the error correcting code makes the puncturing process more efficient by avoiding the need to decide whether to take or discard each bit individually.
US08850271B2
An information processing apparatus includes: a first communication section which communicates with an external device having a diagnosis function of a network using a first communication method; a second communication section which communicates with the external device using a second communication method; a first transmission section which transmits a diagnosis request to the external device through the first communication section; and a second transmission section which transmits a diagnosis signal to the external device through the second communication section, after transmission of the diagnosis request.
US08850262B2
An approach to detecting processor failure in a multi-processor environment is disclosed. The approach may include having each CPU in the system responsible for monitoring another CPU in the system. A CPUn reads a timestampn+1 created by CPUn+1 which CPUn is monitoring from a shared memory location. The CPUn reads its own timestampn and compares the two timestamps to calculate a delta value. If the delta value is above a threshold, the CPUn determines that CPUn+1 has failed and initiates error handling for the CPUs in the system. One CPU may be designated a master CPU, and be responsible for beginning the error handling process. In such embodiments, the CPUn may initiate error handling by notifying the master CPU that CPUn+1 has failed. If CPUn+1 is the master CPU, the CPUn may take additional steps to initiate error handling, and may broadcast a non-critical interrupt to all CPUs, triggering error handling.
US08850259B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for precise generation of phase variation in digital signals. The disclosed signal generation embodiments generate a pattern of information bits that represents a digital signal with desired phase variations and transmit this digital pattern at high speed utilizing a serializer to generate a high speed bit stream. The high speed bit stream can be used to generate one or more digital signals, such as clock signals, having desired rates and desired phase variations. In certain embodiments, the desired phase variation can be introduced into the resulting digital signal by removing and/or inserting bits in a digital pattern thereby moving logic transitions (e.g., rising edge transitions, falling edge transitions) as desired within the resulting digital signal. In addition to clock signals, the resulting digital signals generated can be control signals, data signals and/or any other desired digital signal.
US08850250B2
Methods and apparatus for integration of a processor and an input/output hub are described. In one embodiment, a sideband signal may cause change in a power management state of a processor or an integrated I/O logic. A single integrated circuit die may include both the processor and the integrated I/O logic. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08850249B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving an information packet in a first port from an interconnect while an agent associated with the first port is in an idle low power state, transmitting a first signal from the first port along the interconnect to request re-transmission of the information packet, and sending a second signal from the first port to the agent to cause the agent to enter a fully active power state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08850248B2
A multi-core electronic system for accessing a data storage device includes a plurality of processors, a data transmission interface and a rate adjustment module. The processors respectively provide a bandwidth requirement, and communicate with the data storage device via the shared data transmission interface. The rate adjustment module receives the bandwidth requirements, and determines a transmission rate of the data transmission interface according to the bandwidth requirements.
US08850233B2
A multi-phase voltage regulator module system includes a VRM and a phase control circuit. The VRM is capable of outputting a load detecting voltage which is direct proportion to the load of the CPU. The phase control circuit outputs a first level phase switching signal to the VRM, and a core voltage outputted by the VRM to the CPU is changed from N phases to M phases when the load detecting voltage increases to a first voltage. The phase control circuit a second level phase switching signal to the VRM, and the core voltage outputted by the VRM to the CPU from M phases to N phases when the load detecting voltage decreases to a second voltage. The first voltage is higher than the second voltage. M is larger than N.
US08850224B2
Example articles of manufacture, methods, and systems facilitate having encryption policy follow an article of manufacture like a tape cartridge. One example article of manufacture includes a media portion (e.g., tape) and a non-media portion (e.g., housing). The media portion is configured to store machine readable information. The article of manufacture could be a tape, a disk, a memory, and other computer readable media. The article of manufacture also includes an encryption policy information indicator. The encryption policy information indicator can be configured to store information that controls an encryption policy associated with the article of manufacture. Therefore, encryption policy can, for example, follow a tape cartridge rather than be resident solely in a controlling application (e.g., tape library).
US08850221B2
The invention relates to a method for protecting a sensitive operation by checking the integrity of at least a subset of the data manipulated by the sensitive operation. Data to be checked are divided into blocks, an intermediate integrity check value being computed for each block, the intermediate integrity check values being computed in random order. The invention also relates to a cryptographic device wherein at least one sensitive operation of the cryptographic device is protected by a method according to the invention.
US08850207B2
A controller is provided with a controller key and a first controller identification information unique to the controller. The controller generates a controller unique key unique to a respective controller based on the controller key and the first controller identification information, and a second controller identification information based on the first controller identification information. A decryptor decrypts the encrypted medium device key using the controller unique key to obtain a medium device key. An authentication/key exchange process unit performs authentication/key exchange process with the host device through an interface unit using the medium device key, the medium device key certificate and the second controller identification information to establish a secure channel.
US08850204B2
A method is described for negotiating the use of multi-link ciphering and for the generation of unique keys for each of the links using a single 4-way handshake protocol exchange.
US08850203B2
Principles of the invention provide one or more secure key management protocols for use in communication environments such as a media plane of a multimedia communication system. For example, a method for performing an authenticated key agreement protocol, in accordance with a multimedia communication system, between a first party and a second party comprises, at the first party, the following steps. Note that encryption/decryption is performed in accordance with an identity based encryption operation. At least one private key for the first party is obtained from a key service. A first message comprising an encrypted first random key component is sent from the first party to the second party, the first random key component having been computed at the first party, and the first message having been encrypted using a public key of the second party. A second message comprising an encrypted random key component pair is received at the first party from the second party, the random key component pair having been formed from the first random key component and a second random key component computed at the second party, and the second message having been encrypted at the second party using a public key of the first party. The second message is decrypted by the first party using the private key obtained by the first party from the key service to obtain the second random key component. A third message comprising the second random key component is sent from the first party to the second party, the third message having been encrypted using the public key of the second party. The first party computes a secure key based on the second random key component, the secure key being used for conducting at least one call session with the second party via a media plane of the multimedia communication system.
US08850200B1
A method and apparatus for a trusted intermediary server to assist with the secure exchange of data across a communications network, and in particular a packet-based network, such as the public Internet or an intranet. Communications are routed between private ports of the clients through the trusted intermediary server, with the private key transfer supported by a second type of communication medium. Although the trusted intermediary server negotiates the connection and is involved in the process, the communicants can perform their own key agreement and authentication for protecting data routed through the system.
US08850183B1
The present invention provides an interconnect device that connects a source device to a destination device, and allows the source device's non-compliant rights management (RM) interface to deliver media content with little or no restriction to the destination device's compliant RM interface.
US08850178B2
A system and method is provided for establishing safe processor operating points. Some embodiments may include a tamper resistant storage element that stores information regarding one or more operating points of an adjustable processor operating parameter. Some embodiments may further include an element to determine what the current processor operating point is of the operating parameter, and an element to compare the current operating point of the operating parameter with the stored information.
US08850169B1
A system, apparatus and method for multithread handling on a multithread processing device are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a multithread processing device for multithread handling including a plurality of registers operatively coupled to an instruction dispatch block, including thread-control registers for selectively disabling threads. In various embodiments, the multithread processing device may include a thread-operation register for selectively providing a lock to a first thread to prevent a second thread from disabling the first thread while the first thread has the lock. In still further embodiments, the multithread processing device may be configured to atomically disable and release a lock held by a thread. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08850165B2
In a multi-threaded processor, thread priority variables are set up in memory. The actual assignment of thread priority is based on the expiration of a thread precedence counter. To further augment, the effectiveness of the thread precedence counters, starting counters are associated with each thread that serve as a multiplier for the value to be used in the thread precedence counter. The value in the starting counters are manipulated so as to prevent one thread from getting undue priority to the resources of the multi-threaded processor.
US08850155B2
A method is provided for performing memory operations in response to instructions to perform a double data rate (DDR) memory reference voltage training in the voltage domain by a processing device and determining a DDR memory reference voltage and a DDR memory delay time based upon the memory operation. Computer readable storage media are also provided. A circuit is provided that includes a communication interface portion coupled to a memory and to a processing device. The circuit also includes a circuit portion, coupled to the communication interface portion that has a hardware state machine or an algorithm. The state machine or algorithm provides instructions to the processing device to perform a double data rate (DDR) reference voltage training in the voltage domain.
US08850150B2
A computing device and method for managing security of a memory or storage device without the need for administer privileges. To access the secure memory, a host provides a data block containing a control command and authentication data to the memory device. The memory device includes a controller for controlling access to a secure memory in the memory device. The memory device identifies the control command in the data block, authenticates the control command bused on the authentication data, and executes the control command to allow the host device to access the secure memory.
US08850149B2
Information processing apparatus, control method of the information processing apparatus and program
An apparatus includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, a setting unit configured to set a level of data deletion used for executing a job, an identification unit configured to identify a storage unit to be used for the job, and a control unit configured to, if the set level is a predetermined level and the identified storage unit is the first storage unit, store data of the job into the first storage unit and overwrite the stored data when the job is executed, and configured to, if the set level is the predetermined level and the identified storage unit is the second storage unit, encrypt data of the job and store the encrypted data into the second storage unit when the job is executed.
US08850148B2
Multiple copy sets of data are maintained on one or more storage devices. Each copy set includes at least some of the same data units as other sets. Different sets optionally have data units stored in different orders on the storage device(s). A particular one of the sets of data is selected as the set to be accessed in response to detecting a particular scenario.
US08850124B1
Method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for implementing caching in a storage system
A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for performing read-ahead operations for sequential read operations. A method includes maintaining a bitmap including a plurality of bits, each bit corresponding to a sector of the disk cache and containing data indicating whether the corresponding sector is valid and can be used to satisfy read requests. The method includes receiving a request to read a sector of the disk cache, and in response, identifying a bit in the bitmap that corresponds to the requested sector. Further, the method includes determining whether the disk cache contains valid data for a sector previous to the requested sector by examining a bit in the bitmap previous to the bit that corresponds to the requested sector, and in response, reading sequentially into the disk cache sectors of the disk cache corresponding to bits in the bitmap following the bit corresponding to the requested sector.
US08850115B2
A memory package and methods for writing data to and reading data from the memory package are presented. The memory package includes a volatile memory and a high-density memory. Data is written to the memory package at a bandwidth and latency associated with the volatile memory. A directory map associates a volatile memory address with data in the high-density memory. A copy of the directory map is stored in the high-density memory. The methods allow writing to and reading from the memory package using a first memory read/write interface (e.g. DRAM interface, etc.), though data is stored in a device of a different memory type (e.g. FLASH, etc.).
US08850111B2
An information storage medium includes: a user data area for recording user data; a spare area including spare blocks each for replacing a defective block occurring in the user data area; and a defect management area in which information about the defective block occurring in the user data area is recorded, wherein the spare blocks of the spare area include usable spare blocks with replacement blocks existing in forward parts of the usable spare blocks in a usage order, and usable spare blocks without replacement blocks existing in forward parts of the usable spare blocks in the usage order, wherein a next available position pointer of the spare area is recorded in the defect management area, and the next available position pointer of the spare area indicates a first usable spare block from among the usable spare blocks without the replacement blocks existing in the forward parts of the usable spare blocks in the usage order.
US08850099B2
There are configured a first transmission path, along which data is transmitted/received between a controller and a first microcomputer through a first driver, and a second transmission path, along which data is transmitted/received between the controller and the first microcomputer through a second driver. The controller transmits an operation check signal to the first microcomputer through the first or second transmission path, and receives a response signal from the first microcomputer through the first or second transmission path.
US08850096B2
A method is provided for using a wireless data card individually to access a network, and a wireless access terminal is provided. The wireless access terminal includes a data line switching module and a power line switching module. The method includes, when the wireless access terminal detects that the wireless data card is connected with a terminal through a universal serial bus (USB) cable, the power line and the data line of the wireless data card are respectively switched to connect the data line and the power line of the external USB interface thereon. A user can still freely connect the 3G network at anytime and anywhere by connecting a common USB cable between the laptop and the wireless data card in the wireless access terminal in the case without the mains supply.
US08850085B2
A method for managing bandwidth of a bus connecting a peripheral device to a host system includes sending, over the bus, a first read request to the host system, incrementing a pending read counter by an amount corresponding to the requested data, receiving, in response to sending the first read request, at least a portion of the requested data from the host system, decrementing the pending read counter by an amount corresponding to the at least the portion of the requested data, and comparing the counter and a threshold to obtain a result. Based on the result, a scheme is selected for managing the bandwidth of the bus. The scheme specifies a ratio of read requests and write requests to be sent on the bus. The method further includes sending, based on the scheme, a second request that is a write request or a second read request.
US08850080B2
Disclosed is a method and apparatus system to identify mobile media magazine for use with a storage device. The system comprises a random access memory magazine capable of comprising a plurality of random access memory devices. The magazine further comprising a magazine identifier label disposed to be externally viewable. The magazine also comprises at least one storage element cooperating with the magazine adapted to store an electronic magazine identifier that represents the magazine identifier label in non-volatile memory. Each of the random access memory devices can further comprise an individual random access memory device label. The storage device can be adapted to identify the magazine by the magazine identifier label, the electronic magazine identifier or both.
US08850066B2
The present disclosure generally provides techniques for establishing a unique, ephemeral home address (hoa)/home agent address (ha′) address pair that may be limited to use in a session having a defined lifetime. Limiting the use of this dynamic address pair to a session lifetime and by preventing a mobile node from knowing the static address of a home agent may help protect the home agent from attacks.
US08850058B2
The invention provides an Ethernet-based data transmission method, which is applied to a control system with a plurality of nodes. The method comprises: a first node caches the data needed to be sent (S101); if the current communication macro-cycle comprises the time segment for the first node to send data, the first node sends the cached data in the time segment for the first node to send data within the current communication macro-cycle; if the current communication macro-cycle does not comprise the time segment for the first node to send data, the first node does not send the cached data in the current communication macro-cycle; wherein other nodes do not send data in the time segment for the first node to send data within the current communication macro-cycle, and the communication macro-cycles have same durations and each communication macro-cycle consists of a plurality of time segments with a fixed length (S102). The invention further provides Ethernet nodes and a control system.
US08850054B2
Illustrative embodiments disclose receiving a command to play a selected audio visual media on a client device. The client device determines portions of audio visual media from elected audio visual media and a sequence identifying each portion of the portions in a particular order for playing the portions. The portions and the sequence are determined according to a policy for playing each portion on the client device. The client device retrieves the portions to play in sequence and plays at least a partially retrieved first portion of the portions of the selected audio visual media on the client device. The first portion is identified based on the particular order in the sequence.
US08850053B2
A plurality of multimedia data streams that are being provided via an internet protocol (IP) network is received, wherein each multimedia data stream carries multimedia content. Real-time metadata relating to the plurality of multimedia data streams is generated based on the multimedia content. The metadata is provided in real-time in a metadata stream to a plurality of user devices, via the IP network. The plurality of multimedia data streams may be multicast within the IP network. The metadata may be multicast in real-time in a metadata stream to a plurality of user devices, via the IP network.
US08850052B2
Systems, methods, and devices for simplified resource-sharing with electronic devices are provided. For example, a method for using at least one resource of a variety of electronic devices from another electronic device may include receiving resource-sharing information associated with a resource-sharing electronic device via near field communication, determining a resource-sharing scheme for using the resources of the resource-sharing electronic device based on the resource-sharing information, and sharing at least one resource of the resource-sharing electronic device using the determined resource-sharing scheme. The resource-sharing information may be received from a near field communication interface of the resource-sharing electronic device or from a radio frequency identification tag associated with the resource-sharing electronic device.
US08850050B1
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing a managed browser are presented. In various embodiments, a computing device may load a managed browser. The managed browser may, for instance, be configured to provide a managed mode in which one or more policies are applied to the managed browser, and an unmanaged mode in which such policies might not be applied and/or in which the browser might not be managed by at least one device manager agent running on the computing device. Based on device state information and/or one or more policies, the managed browser may switch between the managed mode and the unmanaged mode, and the managed browser may provide various functionalities, which may include selectively providing access to enterprise resources, based on such state information and/or the one or more policies.
US08850049B1
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing mobile device management functionalities are presented. In various embodiments, a mobile device management agent may monitor state information associated with a mobile computing device. The monitored state information may be analyzed on the mobile computing device and/or by one or more policy management servers. In some instances, the one or more policy management servers may provide management information to the mobile computing device, and the management information may include one or more commands (which may, e.g., cause the mobile computing device to enforce one or more policies) and/or one or more policy updates. Subsequently, one or more policies may be enforced on the mobile computing device based on the monitored state information and/or based on the management information.
US08850046B2
To secure an access provider, communications to/from the access provider are monitored for a partially-completed connection transaction. Detected partially-completed connection transactions are terminated when they remain in existence for a period of time that exceeds a threshold period of time. The monitoring may include detecting partially-completed connection transactions initiated by an access requestor, measuring the period of time that a partially-completed connection transaction remains in existence, comparing the period of time with the threshold period of time, and resetting a communication port located on the access provider.
US08850033B2
When a request for participating in a session being performed by a plurality of participating terminals is received from a terminal that is not participated in the session, a system extracts identification information of one or more candidate terminals that are associated with the participating terminal for each one of the plurality of participating terminals, and determines whether identification information of the terminal that sends the request is included in the extracted candidate terminal identification information to generate a determination result. The determination result is used to determine whether to allow the terminal that sends the request to connect with the plurality of participating terminals to participate in the session.
US08850032B2
A method of resolving a domain name that includes a non-LDH character, involves a client computer receiving a domain name update notification for a first computer server that has a LDH domain name comprising at least one character but excluding non-LDH characters. In response, the client computer downloads a configuration payload from a registration server that maintains an association between the first computer server and a second computer server. The configuration payload links the first computer server to a non-LDH domain name associated with the second computer server and configures the client computer to determine an identification of the second computer server from the first LDH domain name. The non-LDH domain name has at least one non-LDH character. The client computer uses the identification of the second computer server to establish a communication session therewith while displaying the associated non-LDH domain name.
US08850026B2
Methods and apparatus to allocate resources associated with a distributive computing network are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving resource allocation information associated with a service that is to be hosted by a distributive computing network, determining a first configuration type and a second configuration type specified within the received resource allocation information, determining at least one configuration group associated with the first configuration type and at least one configuration group associated with the second configuration type, determining physical resources included within the distributive computing network to host the service, electronically allocating the physical resources for the at least one configuration group associated with the first configuration type, electronically allocating the physical resources for the at least one configuration group associated with the second configuration type, and hosting the service within the physical resources in accordance with the allocations.
US08850018B2
A method and system for increasing server cluster availability by requiring at a minimum only one node and a quorum replica set of replica members to form and operate a cluster. Replica members maintain cluster operational data. A cluster operates when one node possesses a majority of replica members, which ensures that any new or surviving cluster includes consistent cluster operational data via at least one replica member from the immediately prior cluster. Arbitration provides exclusive ownership by one node of the replica members, including at cluster formation, and when the owning node fails. Arbitration uses a fast mutual exclusion algorithm and a reservation mechanism to challenge for and defend the exclusive reservation of each member. A quorum replica set algorithm brings members online and offline with data consistency, including updating unreconciled replica members, and ensures consistent read and update operations.
US08850017B2
Methods, signals, devices, and systems are provided for using proxy servers to transparently forward messages between clients and origin servers if, and only if, doing so does not violate network policies. In some systems, a transparent proxy uses a combination of standard-format HTTP commands, embedding auxiliary information in URLs and other tools and techniques to redirect an initial client request to one or more policy modules, such as a login server or an identity broker or an access control server. The policy module authenticates the request, and uses HTTP redirection to have the client transmit authorization data to the proxy. The proxy extracts the authorization data, directs the client to use a corresponding cookie, and subsequently provides the implicitly requested proxy services to the client in response to the client's subsequently providing the authorization data in a cookie. This is accomplished without requiring installation of any invention-specific software or hardware on either the client or the origin server, and also works with proxy servers that are known to the client. Unless the client request violates network policy, a person using the client will generally perceive no reduction of services, and will instead benefit from the proxy's caching and/or other performance enhancements.
US08850015B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a first portal of a first node data for communication from a first network to a second network that belong to a particular one of a first set of service classes of the first network; determining at the first portal a particular one of a second set of service classes of the second network for the data; and directing the data from the first portal to a second portal of a second node residing at least in part in the second network.
US08850011B2
Provided is a single repository for capturing, connecting, sharing, and visualizing information based on a geographic location, for example. Provided is a schema, repository, index, and APIs for any information, place, entity, attribute, service or person that can be referenced geographically. A system to provide real time image data includes an input component that receives image data associated with a specific geographic area, a splitter component that splits the image data into at least two quadrants, and a storage component that stores at least a portion of the at least two quadrants. Also provides is on-line or real-time advertising based on a user's mapped location and/or a user preference.
US08850008B2
A system receives traffic information that identifies an application installed on a user device and resources being used to process traffic associated with the application; obtains, as a result of receiving the traffic information, a policy that identifies a particular amount of resources authorized for processing particular traffic associated with the application; determines that an amount of the resources being used to process the traffic exceeds the particular amount of resources authorized for processing the particular traffic; and transmits a notification to cause the traffic to be controlled by a base station to reduce the amount of the resources to a level less than the particular amount of resources.
US08850006B2
Reading data from an eBook is used to generate time-based information. Timing reports are received from a plurality of clients. The timing reports describe reading time intervals for reading portions of an eBook on the clients. Timing reports from different clients describe reading time intervals for different overlapping portions of the eBook. The overlapping portions are analyzed to generate timing information. The timing information describes reading speeds for granular portions of the book that are smaller than the portions described in the reading time intervals. The timing information is stored. Timing information is provided to a client enabling the client to provide advanced features. The features include estimating a user's current reading position and providing an estimate of the time required by the user to finished reading a portion of the eBook.
US08850005B2
According to some embodiments, a plurality of interconnected entities may be discovered in a network landscape. A subset of the entities may then be automatically consolidated into a business participant, the consolidating may performed in accordance with at least one rule based algorithm. A business process landscape, including the business participant, may then be generated and/or displayed to an operator.
US08850002B1
A stateless load balancer may route a request to a computing device without tracking state information of the communication connection that delivered the request. The stateless load balancer may receive a request that is initiated by a client device. The request may be transported to the stateless load balancer via a communication connection that includes a public destination internet protocol (IP) address. One of the routing devices in the stateless load balancer may obtain connection tuples of the communication connection that transported the request, in which the connection tuples include the public destination IP address. Once obtained, the routing device may generate a hash value from one or more connection tuples. Subsequently, the routing device may map the hash value to a target network address of a particular computing device in a cluster of multiple computing devices by accessing stored mapping data, and then route the request to the particular computing device for processing.
US08849997B2
An information management apparatus may include a first collection unit that collects a measurement value measured by a measurement device connected to the information management apparatus via a network, a second collection unit that collects status information indicating statuses of the measurement device and the network, and a correction unit that correcting quality information indicating validity of the measurement value, which has been collected by the first collection unit, by using the status information that has been collected by the second collection unit.
US08849995B1
Systems and methods are disclosed which facilitate the management of host computing devices through the utilization of a host computing device control component. The host computing device control component includes a state monitoring component that monitors operating states of the control component and a group of associated host computing devices. The state monitoring component includes a power supply separate from the control component power supply, a state processing component, a visual indicator interface, and a separate communication component to facilitate communication with other state monitoring components. Utilizing consensus type algorithms, the state monitoring components can decide information related to the set of host computing devices, such as a state monitoring component authoritative for the grouping of the host computing devices.
US08849994B2
Network monitoring method and apparatus determines the zero window event data transfer delay, reporting the amount of data transfer delay caused thereby. Non-data-transfer-delaying zero window events can be separated from those causing actual delay, allowing reporting of actual delay events separate from non-delay causing events.
US08849989B2
A method performed in a network element coupled between a subscriber end station and a multicast source for tracking a history of IGMP report messages. The network element receives and IGMP report message from the subscriber end station and determines a multicast group address and multicast source IP address corresponding to a multicast group to which the network element is a member. The network element builds an IGMP report history record indicating the subscriber end station's identity and comprises the multicast group address, the multicast source IP address, and a time stamp corresponding to the date and time at which the network element received the IGMP report message. This record is then stored in an IGMP report history database along with a plurality of other IGMP report history records so that the network element can maintain a history of IGMP report messages received from the subscriber end station.
US08849982B2
In an information retrieval system, a system and method for presentation of information and/or resources that are pertinent to an individual's interests or task. Guiding individuals to places of interest on a network where information is stored. Displaying or otherwise presenting useful information to the user.
US08849968B2
Described herein are one or more computer operating environments that include a standard set of web services via a communications network (e.g., the Internet) and a mechanism for extending the standard set of web services to execute one or more extended web services. Since these extended web services may be produced by an unconfirmed or untrusted source (e.g., a third-party software developer), the described computer operating environments isolate the extended web services from the standard set of web services and from the communication network. Furthermore, each extended web service is an isolated process (isoproc) with a limited ability to communicate with other services. In particular, each isoproc's ability to communicate is limited to only associated defined communication channels over which it has express permission to communicate.
US08849954B2
An apparatus and method of managing reproduction of multimedia contents. A multimedia reproduction method includes: receiving identification information on predetermined multimedia contents; receiving first reproduction information on the predetermined multimedia contents, from a multimedia reproduction management apparatus receiving the transmitted identification information; and if first identification information contained in the received first reproduction information corresponds with the transmitted identification information, reproducing the predetermined multimedia contents based on the first reproduction information. According to the apparatus and method, even when a DVD title being played back is replaced by another DVD title, or when the power of a DVD playback apparatus is suddenly interrupted, the reproduction position information is safely maintained.
US08849951B2
A system is configured to receive location information associated with a geographic location, determine a web address associated with the location information, and determine a custom address associated with the location information and the web address, where the custom address is descriptive of the location information and is different than the web address. The system is further configured to store information associating the web address, the custom address, and the location information, and send the custom address to a user device, where the user device is able to use the custom address to obtain or share at least a portion of the location information at the web address.
US08849942B1
An API for prefetching map data receives a prefetch request for an indicated geographic area from a software application. In response, the API retrieves map data corresponding to the indicated geographic area from a map data provider and stores the map data in a map data cache without causing a digital map based on the map data to be displayed on the display device. The map data cache is accessible to the software application only via the API. Subsequently to storing the map data in the map data cache, the API receives a request to render the digital map from the software application and, in response to the request to render the map image, renders the map image for display on a display device using the map data stored in the map data cache.
US08849938B2
A method for electing a master blade in a virtual application distribution chassis (VADC), includes: sending by each blade a VADC message to each of the other blades; determining by each blade that the VADC message was not received from the master blade within a predetermined period of time; in response, sending a master claim message including a blade priority by each blade to the other blades; determining by each blade whether any of the blade priorities obtained from the received master claim messages is higher than the blade priority of the receiving blade; in response to determining that none of the blade priorities obtained is higher, setting a status of a given receiving blade to a new master blade; and sending by the given receiving blade a second VADC message to the other blades indicating the status of the new master blade of the given receiving blade.
US08849933B2
A message delivery server system for delivery of electronic content to a receiving client, comprises: a data storage for storing electronic content, a connection unit for maintaining a connection with the receiving client, and a connection establishment unit for allowing a receiving client to establish a connection with the server. The connection establishment unit comprises a definition unit for placing one or more connection definitions relating to the connection in an entity that is independent of any actual connection socket used for the session. The definition unit can be use to establish additional sockets to maintain the session and the definitions within can be used to find the best way to download media to the receiving client.
US08849920B2
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for reducing the storage needed for broadcast-distributed data entities, such as electronic mail messages from a mailing list, are disclosed. Locally stored data entities that are determined to have corresponding copies elsewhere are replaced with identifying information to allow the corresponding copies to be retrieved. In a preferred embodiment, locally-stored electronic mail messages in an electronic mail server that are determined to come from archived mailing lists are replaced periodically with one or more URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) of archived copies of the message. When a request from a mail client to download the electronic mail message is received, the message is reconstructed from the archived copy and returned to the client, rather than being retrieved from local storage.
US08849917B2
The invention generally relates to virtual environments, and more particularly to systems and methods for communicating in virtual environments. A method of providing communication in a virtual universe (VU) includes instantiating and assigning an information channel to a first client of the VU, associating at least one additional client of the VU to the information channel, and conveying data placed on the information channel to the first client and the at least one additional client.
US08849911B2
User reports concerning inappropriate content are received by a social networking system and are put into a content report management process that routes the reports into other handling processes based upon the reporting user's identification of the report type. Reports concerning content that is related to the reporting user are routed into a social resolution process that resolves the complaint through self-help and social resolution. Other reports are handled by a content review process that resolves complaints through automated methods as well as manual review by human agents.
US08849906B2
Management of virtual machines within a private network may be provided from a server application, such as a web application, on a machine remote from a private network. The server application receives management commands and communications the management commands in a vendor independent format to a client application within the private network. The client application receives the management commands, instantiates the management commands into a vendor specific definition and redirects the management commands to the virtual machine host for appropriate execution.
US08849895B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for associating user selected content management directives with a user selected rating. Embodiments include presenting to a user a plurality of predefined content management directives; receiving from a user an identification of a particular content management directive; receiving from a user an identification of the rating to invoke the content management directive; and storing the identification of the content management directive in association with the rating to invoke the content management directives.
US08849890B2
A distribution apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a work required for a device based on information received from the device. A first distribution unit is configured to distribute image data for a display of information relating to the required work detected by the detection unit to the device. A determination unit is configured to determine whether the device has shifted its operation into a maintenance state, based on information received from the device to which the first distribution unit has distributed the image data. A second distribution unit is configured to distribute a subsequent part of the image data that follows a part having been displayed immediately before the device shifts its operation into the maintenance state, if the determination unit determines that the device has shifted its operation into the maintenance state, to a terminal apparatus of a worker who performs the work.
US08849889B1
A clustered computational system comprises a clustered computational engine, a program host, and a queue manager. The clustered computational engine comprises a plurality of clustered computers and is configured to perform computations. The program host stores a plurality of programs that define computations that can be performed by the clustered computational engine and a plurality of inputs to the programs. The queue manager is configured to determine when the program host has stored sufficient inputs to allow the clustered computational engine to perform a computation defined by the program and to schedule the performance of the computation by the clustered computational engine.
US08849883B2
An asynchronous sample rate converter prevents the folding back of a signal in the passband of an input sample rate into the passband of the output sample by adaptively controlling the decimation rate. The ASRC includes an adaptive decimation rate controller that selectably controls a decimation filter based on the ratio of the input sampling rate to the output sampling rate. By adaptively controlling the decimation rate in the ASRC, a significant amount of area and power is saved.
US08849875B2
At least one region of a heap that includes memory allocations is analyzed, using age and occupancy criteria, across a number of local garbage collection cycles using a processor executing a region-based garbage collector. Based upon the analyzed age and occupancy criteria of the at least one region, at least one stable region in age and occupancy is identified among the at least one region of the heap across the number of local garbage collection cycles. Maintenance of a remembered set (RS) of external references into the at least one stable region is temporarily stopped for each identified stable region during at least one additional local garbage collection cycle.
US08849868B2
A resource abstraction layer for use in a media processing environment includes a configuration file and a set of computer-executable instructions. Both network-based and locally-accessible resources are indirectly accessible via the resource abstraction layer. The configuration file has at least two data structures—a first data structure storing “virtual resource identifiers,” which reference particular resource usable in connection with rendering a particular media presentation, and a second data structure storing “virtual location identifiers,” which reference one or more locations at which particular resources are stored. The set of computer-executable instructions facilitates use of the configuration file, and seamless indirect access by the media processing environment to particular resources, regardless of where such resources are located. Temporary resources may be rendered while a particular resource is being accessed via the resource abstraction layer.
US08849861B2
An information management apparatus receives position data from each terminal device. The position data contains position measurement data showing its positions at multiple clock times and its user identification data. The apparatus creates action history for every user based on the position data, and abstracts the position data in the action history. The apparatus includes an abstracting section and a testing section. The abstracting section abstracts arbitrary position data in the action history of a certain user. The testing section extracts another action history of another user. The other action history includes position data of the other user which shows a position same as or included in a position of the abstracted position data of the certain user, but excludes position data of the other user which shows positions same as remaining position of the certain user. The testing section outputs the abstracted position data as anonymity data.
US08849859B2
A system providing three-dimensional visual navigation for a mobile unit includes a location calculation unit for calculating an instantaneous position of the mobile unit, a viewpoint control unit for determining a viewing frustum from the instantaneous position, a scenegraph manager in communication with at least one geo-database to obtain geographic object data associated with the viewing frustum and generating a scenegraph organizing the geographic object data, and a scenegraph renderer which graphically renders the scenegraph in real time. To enhance depiction, a method for blending images of different resolutions in the scenegraph reduces abrupt changes as the mobile unit moves relative to the depicted geographic objects. Data structures for storage and run-time access of information regarding the geographic object data permit on-demand loading of the data based on the viewing frustum and allow the navigational system to dynamically load, on-demand, only those objects that are visible to the user.
US08849854B2
A method and system for providing a SMS-based interactive information search and distribution system whereby a series of linked, refined, and evolving root topic and root topic related information searches are performed in association with a thread of SMS text messages and automated SMS text message responses including search parameters and highlighted keywords to provide the user with a fully interactive information search and distribution system using a SMS communication channel, and within the constraints of the SMS protocols.
US08849849B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for quickly providing Whois services to a new top level domain after it is provisioned in a registry. In one embodiment, domain data is received at a first system regarding a top level domain (TLD). The domain data is assigned an authoritative port of a Whois server and is provisioned in a registry database. In certain embodiments, the Whois server provides information relating to domain name registrations of the TLD in the database, according to the authoritative port. The Whois server determines that a Whois query is received at the authoritative port for the queried TLD and responds with the queried information. To the requester, the responses appear as if they are sent from a unique Whois server for each TLD, but the Whois server is actually shared among the TLDs.
US08849848B2
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for associating security trimmers with documents in an enterprise search system. According to one method, a search index is maintained that includes one or more document identifiers corresponding to documents stored at back-end computing systems. Each document identifier in the search index is associated with one or more security trimmer implementations. When a query request is received from a user, the search index is queried to identify documents referenced by the search index that match search terms provided with the query request. For each document that matches the search terms, the associated security trimmer implementations are identified and executed to retrieve the access rights to view the document for the current user from the back-end computing system where the document is stored.
US08849846B1
A method for searching using a touchscreen including: receiving, from a user, multiple search criteria; receiving, using the touchscreen, a gesture input from the user; selecting a search preference corresponding to the gesture input; obtaining multiple modified search criteria by modifying the plurality of search criteria based on the search preference; and generating multiple search results based on the multiple modified search criteria and a data repository.
US08849843B1
The association of semantic labels with content may be facilitated. In particular, the content in the sentences, labels, headers, text, and/or other context that surround a fact may provide information descriptive for a semantic label that has been applied to the sentence and/or fact. By analyzing some of these implicit semantic associations between semantic labels and facts (numeric or otherwise), suggestions for semantic labels may be made for previously labeled or unlabeled facts. The labels that are suggested may include suggestions for concepts, members, and other structured constructs.
US08849842B2
An apparatus for responding to a current user command associated with one of a plurality of task/domains. The apparatus comprises: a digital storage device that stores cumulative feedback data gathered from multiple users during previous operations of the apparatus and segregated in accordance with the plurality of task/domains; a first digital logic device that determines the current task/domain with which the current user command is associated; a second digital logic device that determines a current response to the current user command on the basis of that portion of the stored cumulative feedback data associated with the current task/domain; a first communication interface that communicates to the user the current response; and a second communication interface that receives from the user current feedback data regarding the current response. The current feedback data is added to the cumulative feedback data stored in the digital storage device and associated with the current task/domain.
US08849840B2
Methods, program products, and systems for automatically searching data in multiple data fields are described. A user can view data retrieved from a database and formatted based on a layout. While viewing the data, the user can perform a search using one or more search terms. A system can automatically examine the database and identify on which tables and on which data fields of the tables to perform the search. The system can identify searchable tables and data fields by analyzing the database schema as well as characteristics of the tables and data fields.
US08849835B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, are described for reconciling data. In one implementation, a method includes generating co-occurrence scores indicating whether data in entries in a first source of data co-occur within documents in a plurality of documents with data in entries in a second source of data. The co-occurrence scores for a given entry in the first source of data are used to identify a plurality of candidate matching entries in the second source of data for the given entry. Data in fields in the given entry are compared to that of one or more of the candidate matching entries to produce field similarity scores. The field similarity scores and the co-occurrence scores are used to determine a match for the given entry among the plurality of candidate matching entries.
US08849810B2
A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. Search queries entered by the user or search results received from search components may be automatically refined by the system.
US08849809B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for automatic identification of news events. One method includes obtaining scores for a plurality of time entries, each time entry corresponding to a time period during which one or more articles on a topic were published, where the time entries have an associated order with respect to a timeline. The method further comprises identifying candidate regions of time entries, where each candidate region includes one or more time entries that follow each other in the order, and selecting a desired number of regions from the candidate regions. The method further includes selecting an article for each selected region and presenting a summary of the topic. The summary references the selected articles.
US08849808B2
A computer implemented method of generating an ordered list of geographical locations having similarities in preselected categories relative to a first geographical location.
US08849803B2
Large amounts of data resulting from periodic sampling and capture of data corresponding to variable operational parameters of one or more systems, such as a plurality of vehicles, and stored in a large number of rows of data corresponding to the number of captured samples are summarized in an analytically meaningful way by simply counting the instances of particular values of the operational parameters of interest in the form of a histogram and stored as a single row of data. The reduction in number of rows of data allows acceleration of processing of later queries by a factor of one thousand (assuming an average trip length of ten minutes) or more.
US08849800B2
A system is described for collecting data records which have been correlated to subscriber, or end user, access network, core network, transport network, and application service information, referred to as end user correlated data records and utilizing those records in a wireless or wireline network to identify and address correctable conditions in a network, such as a wireless or wireline network. The system includes at least one probe in the network which is able to monitor network activity and provide detailed data records on that activity. These data records are sent to a mediation device that correlates those data records with subscriber and/or location data, to create the end user correlated data records. An intelligent application services device takes the end user correlated data records and examines the records to determine if there are any correctable conditions in the network or the end user devices.
US08849796B2
A method and apparatus for generating search results including searching by subdomain and providing sponsored results by subdomain is provided. A search system according to embodiments of the present invention analyzes search queries to determine if they are to be routed to subdomains and presents results include sponsored hits sponsored on a subdomain by subdomain basis.
US08849785B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for processing voice commands. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining an occurrence count for terms that occur in resources that a search engine has identified as being responsive to an original search query, identifying a term that occurs in the resources, based on the occurrence count, providing the term and a control for display on a client device, the control being associated with the term and with promotion or demotion criteria, receiving a signal indicating that the user has selected the control, and automatically reformulating the original search query based on the term and the promotion or demotion criteria.
US08849779B2
Embodiments are directed towards a system and method for a cloud-based front end that may abstract and enable access to the underlying cloud-hosted elements and objects that may be part of a multi-tenant application, such as a search application. Search objects may be employed to access indexed objects. An amount of indexed data accessible to a user may be based on an index storage limit selected by the user, such that data that exceeds the index storage limit may continue to be indexed. Also, one or more projects can be elastically scaled for a user to provide resources that may meet the specific needs of each project.
US08849776B2
Method, system, and programs for resolving data inconsistency in a distributed system having a plurality of replica instances. In response to a read request of at least one data element, a key-specific probability value for the at least one data element of the read request is retrieved. Based on the retrieved key-specific probability value and a system load of the distributed system, a self-healing probability of the at least one data element of the read request is computed. A self-healing transaction that includes the at least one data element of the read request is then generated based on the self-healing probability of the at least one data element. The generated self-healing transaction is further applied to at least some of the plurality of replica instances in the distributed system to resolve data inconsistency.
US08849773B2
Techniques and mechanisms are provided to support live file optimization. Active I/O access to an optimization target is monitored during optimization. Active files need not be taken offline or made unavailable to an application during optimization and retain the ability to support file operations such as read, write, unlink, and truncate while an optimization engine performs deduplication and/or compression on active file ranges.
US08849772B1
Data replication with delta compression is disclosed. A primary system and a replica system are determined to both have an identical first data segment that is similar to a second data segment. The second data segment is encoded, wherein the encoding refers to the first data segment.
US08849756B2
The disclosure is related to selecting data nodes in a distributed storage system. A server may be provided in a distributed storage system including a plurality of data nodes for providing a storage service. The server may include a receiver configured to receive a replication request and a control unit configured to select data nodes based on at least one of evaluation results and real-time service statuses of the plurality of data nodes. An evaluation result of each data node may be a sum of points of at least one evaluation item assigned to each data node from evaluation of each data node according to at least one evaluating item.
US08849753B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for automating asynchronous programming in single threaded systems. A wrapper is automatically generated around an original function. When metadata indicates the wrapper should be utilized for asynchronous data retrieval, the wrapper calls a data retrieving function asynchronously. Asynchronous retrieval of data is initiated from the data retrieving function using a direct callback. A specially marked exception is thrown to cause control to leave and get caught by a special exception in the wrapper. When the direct callback function is called because the data has been retrieved, the data is saved. The wrapper is called again in a synchronous fashion, which causes the wrapper, original function, and data retrieving function to be called again. When the data retrieving function is called again, data that was saved by the direct callback function is retrieved, and then returned to the calling function through the callback function.
US08849745B2
Improved decision support techniques are disclosed. For example, a technique for processing transactional data for use in accordance with a decision support operation comprises the following steps/operations. The transactional data is transformed into an interim form according to a relative importance of the transactional data to the decision support operation. The transformed data is incrementally analyzed, wherein the incremental analysis comprises applying a successive approximation to the data in the interim form, such that the decision support operation can be incrementally performed based on a transactional load. The technique may further comprise allocating one or more computing resources to incrementally perform the decision support operation.
US08849735B2
In Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning, rewards typically come seconds after reward-triggering actions, creating an explanatory conundrum known as the distal reward problem or the credit assignment problem. How does the brain know what firing patterns of what neurons are responsible for the reward if (1) the firing patterns are no longer there when the reward arrives and (2) most neurons and synapses are active during the waiting period to the reward? A model network and computer simulation of cortical spiking neurons with spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) modulated by dopamine (DA) is disclosed to answer this question. STDP is triggered by nearly-coincident firing patterns of a presynaptic neuron and a postsynaptic neuron on a millisecond time scale, with slow kinetics of subsequent synaptic plasticity being sensitive to changes in the extracellular dopamine DA concentration during the critical period of a few seconds after the nearly-coincident firing patterns.
US08849734B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for updating an algorithm. In use, feedback data associated with an identification of an object is received. Additionally, one or more algorithms are updated, based on the feedback data. Further, the updated algorithms are distributed.
US08849730B2
A system is provided for automatically predicting actions a user is likely to take in response to receiving data. The system may be configured to monitor and observe a user's interactions with incoming data and to identify patterns of actions the user may take in response to the incoming data. The system may enable a trainer component and a classifier component to determine the probability a user may take a particular action and to make predictions of likely user actions based on the observations of the user and the identified pattern of the user's actions. The system may also be configured to continuously observe the user's actions to fine-tune and adjust the identified patterns of user actions and to update the probabilities of likely user actions in order increase the accuracy of the predicted user action in response to incoming data.
US08849728B2
A system and method for visually displaying and analyzing criminal and/or public health and safety data for geospatial and/or time variations, including the collection of incident data coupled with geographic and time data, filtering the symptom data based upon a selected time period and geographic range, and creating a visual result based upon statistical modeling including power transform and/or data normalization. According to at least one embodiment, the system for visually displaying and analyzing includes selecting and performing at least one aberration detection method and displaying the result to a user via a visual analytics arrangement.
US08849723B2
A database sends identification and dispatch orders to a ship or rail transport that powers a shipping container during the ship or rail segment of the container's journey. The database also sends identification and dispatch orders to gensets that power shipping containers on a motor vehicle transport during a vehicular segment of the container's journey. The database associates the identification and dispatch orders along with the container as the container moves from connection with a genset on a vehicular transport to a ship or rail transport, and associates the identification and dispatch orders along with the container as the container moves to connection with a genset on a vehicular transport from a ship or rail transport.
US08849713B2
A transaction terminal system for a card-based purchase communicates with a host system to provide dynamic currency conversion. The transaction terminal system can select one of a number of different rate request messages according to various local factors in order to obtain a currency conversion rate for dynamic currency conversion.
US08849707B2
A system and architecture for enhancing search results generated by an Internet search engine, so that those search results include enhanced buyer-oriented information, is disclosed. According to one aspect, a list of search results generated by an Internet search engine comprises one or more search results that are associated with one or more URLs in a set of URLs. For each such URL, seller-specific information, which may be based on and/or comprise ratings that are associated with registered selling entities that are associated with that URL, is presented in association with that URL's corresponding search result in the list of search results. A user who submitted query terms, based upon which the list of search results was generated, can use the presented rating information to determine which of the search results to investigate further.
US08849706B2
A shopping system and method for assisting consumers with budgeting and taking advantage of time-sensitive pricing offers. The system comprises a handheld wireless device capable of capturing images of quick response (QR) codes and scanning linear image indicia; a remote pricing information provider; and a personal computer. Pricing information about specific products or a category of products is downloaded from a pricing information provider either directly to the wireless device or to a personal computer and then transferred to the wireless device. The consumer then scans a QR code associated with a time-sensitive offer to update the pricing information stored in the wireless device. When the consumer goes shopping, he scans the barcodes of products for purchase and the associated pricing information is accessed by the device to create a summed total of scanned products. Consumers can use the system to maintain their budget and take advantage of store discounts.
US08849697B2
Data is received from an activity tracking device. The received data indicates an amount of movement of the activity tracking device. The received data is associated with an account of a user of the activity tracking device. Feedback is generated for the user based on the amount of movement of the activity tracking device as indicated by the received data. The feedback is presented on a website with an indication of points accumulated by the user for the amount of movement of the activity tracking device over time.
US08849696B2
A platform service that is used by an application may be linked to an advertising service. A cost of using the platform service may be reduced based on the linking.
US08849689B1
An appointment tracking and dynamic modification system is provided that is associated with an appointment scheduling application. A registered attending client/customer is assigned an appointment with a service provider and appointment data associated with the assigned appointment, including data indicating the location of the appointment and the time of the appointment, is obtained. The physical location and/or status of the registered attending client/customer, and/or service provider, is then monitored to calculate an estimated arrival time, and/or availability, of the registered attending client/customer, and/or service provider, at the appointment time and location. If a determination is made that the registered attending client/customer, and/or service provider, is likely to be delayed, or unavailable, at the scheduled time of the appointment, one or more actions are automatically taken to notify the registered attending client/customer, and/or service provider, and/or to reschedule, or otherwise modify, the scheduled appointment in accordance with appointment modification rules.
US08849681B2
A remote medical assessment and therapy management apparatus comprising a center user interface, a center computer coupleable with the center user interface. The center computer displays information via the center user interface for use in developing a therapeutic prescription and receives therapeutic control inputs from a user. A remote device includes a medical diagnostic instrument for acquiring biophysical data from a patient, a medical therapeutic instrument that provides a therapy to the patient, and a remote computer that receives diagnostic signals from the diagnostic instrument and transmits therapeutic control signals to the therapeutic instrument. A network interface is connected between the first center computer and the remote computer and transmits diagnostic signals from the remote computer to the center computer and control signals from the center computer to the therapeutic instrument via the remote computer.
US08849678B2
A method, medium, and apparatus encoding and/or decoding a multichannel audio signal. The method includes detecting the type of spatial extension data included in an encoding result of an audio signal, if the spatial extension data is data indicating a core audio object type related to a technique of encoding core audio data, detecting the core audio object type; decoding core audio data by using a decoding technique according to the detected core audio object type, if the spatial extension data is residual coding data, decoding the residual coding data by using the decoding technique according to the core audio object type, and up-mixing the decoded core audio data by using the decoded residual coding data. According to the method, the core audio data and residual coding data may be decoded by using an identical decoding technique, thereby reducing complexity at the decoding end.
US08849673B2
A method for implementing at least one rule for an application is described. The method includes receiving an input rule. Based on the input rule, a program executable code is generated. The generated program executable code can then be associated with the application.
US08849672B2
A method including displaying content on a display of a device, receiving a speech input designating a segment of the content to be excerpted and transferring the excerpted content to a predetermined location for storage and retrieval.
US08849671B1
A third party verification system, method, and computer readable medium comprising a response unit in communication with at least a first party, said response unit configured to automatically elicit information in the form of a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) response from the at least first party providing evidence of consent granted by the at least first party to enter into at least one transaction with at least a second party, and a print server in communication with said response unit, said print server configured to receive and store said information to provide a record for third party verification that the at least first party consented to enter into the at least one transaction with the at least one second party.
US08849667B2
A computer-implemented method, apparatus and computer program product. The computer-implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: transforming a hidden Markov model to qubits; transforming data into groups of qubits, the data being determined upon the hidden Markov model and features extracted from an audio signal, the data representing a likelihood observation matrix representing likelihood of phoneme and state combinations in an audio signal; applying a quantum search algorithm for finding a maximal value of the qubits; and transforming the maximal value of the qubits into a number, the number representing an entry in a delta array used in speech recognition.
US08849663B2
A system and method may be provided to segment and/or classify an audio signal from transformed audio information. Transformed audio information representing a sound may be obtained. The transformed audio information may specify magnitude of a coefficient related to energy amplitude as a function of frequency for the audio signal and time. Features associated with the audio signal may be obtained from the transformed audio information. Individual ones of the features may be associated with a feature score relative to a predetermined speaker model. An aggregate score may be obtained based on the feature scores according to a weighting scheme. The weighting scheme may be associated with a noise and/or SNR estimation. The aggregate score may be used for segmentation to identify portions of the audio signal containing speech of one or more different speakers. For classification, the aggregate score may be used to determine a likely speaker model to identify a source of the sound in the audio signal.
US08849661B2
A method may include converting voice data into text data and tagging at least one portion of the text data with at least one tag, the at least one tag indicating that the at least one portion of the text data includes a particular type of data. The method may also include displaying the text data on a display such that the at least one portion of text data is displayed with at least one associated graphical element indicating that the at least one portion of text data is associated with the at least one tag. The at least one portion of text data may be a selectable item on the display allowing a user interfacing with the display to select the at least one portion of text data in order to apply the at least one portion of text data to an application.
US08849660B2
Systems and methods for training voice activation control of electronic equipment are disclosed. One example method includes receiving a selection corresponding to at least one command used to control the electronic equipment. The method further includes instructing a user to speak, and responsive to the instruction, receiving a digitized speech stream. The method further includes segmenting the speech stream into speech segments, storing at least one of the speech segments as an entry in a dictionary, and associating the dictionary entry with the selected command.
US08849656B2
A system enhances speech by detecting a speaker's utterance through a first microphone positioned a first distance from a source of interference. A second microphone may detect the speaker's utterance at a different position. A monitoring device may estimate the power level of a first microphone signal. A synthesizer may synthesize part of the first microphone signal by processing the second microphone signal. The synthesis may occur when power level is below a predetermined level.
US08849647B2
Disclosed is a host bus adapter (HBA) that to receives an input/output (I/O) command from an operating system I/O driver. Firmware stored on the host bus adapter includes primary firmware and secondary firmware to process the I/O command. The HBA is to respond to the I/O command under the control of one of the primary firmware or secondary firmware. The selected one of said primary firmware and secondary firmware may be used to certify a hardware driver for either the current generation (primary firmware) or a future generation (secondary firmware).
US08849639B2
An example system includes interconnected modeling modules that share knowledge to create a unified earth model dynamically representing a subsurface site. The system models and may simulate subsurface operations associated with, for example: hydrocarbon production and stimulation, natural gas storage, carbon capture and storage, aquifer maintenance, geothermal energy production, and in-situ leachable ore processing. The system integrates a reporting module, and also an economic module to evaluate cost versus benefit of each subsurface operation. A related example method for performing subsurface engineering includes generating a model of a subsurface site including a geological horizon, obtaining an offset relative to the geological horizon, and locating an operation based on the offset. When field data update the model in real time, positions of 3D objects and 3D surfaces are dynamically updated in the model, including the positions of the modeled operations.
US08849629B2
Embodiments are directed to an antenna builder and a method of building and maintaining an antenna design repository. A first embodiment consists of an antenna builder that enables the creation of an antenna representation that can subsequently be output into a plurality of formats to be used by other tools, such as electromagnetic simulation software. An alternative embodiment is directed to a method of building and maintaining a repository of antenna designs. The repository of antenna designs can be queried, enabling a plurality of users to search for specific antenna designs. Alternative embodiments can enable a user to search the repository antenna designs by visually browsing over the antenna designs in the repository. The repository of antenna designs is created by saving solutions generated by an optimizer during an optimization run to the repository. Solutions from the repository can also be used to seed and bootstrap other optimization runs.
US08849628B2
The software application is used to rank language translations and a method to implement those ranked language translations. The language translations are for textual or vocal phrases that a user wants to convert from its original language to a preferred language. The software application will refer to a variety of translation sources in order to create a set of applicable translations for a textual or vocal phrase. The software application will then rank each applicable translation with an accuracy score, which is weighed by three factors: the commonalities between the set of translation sources, a user input process, and a linguistic mapping process. Some methods to implement the ranked language translations include using accelerometer data from a electronic communication device to operate the software application, integrating a moderator into a conversation process, using subtitles in speech bubbles for a video chat, and using location data to communicate with different contacts.
US08849627B2
A method and system is provided for solving for electromagnetic fields by approximating an electromagnetic function as a sum of basis functions multiplied by coefficients to be determined. The set of equations used to determine the coefficients results from taking derivatives of the action integral with respect to the coefficients (and/or other parameters) and setting the derivative equal to zero, thereby extremizing the action integral.
US08849624B2
Simulation system for a control center of a complex system such as an aircraft (23) made up of one or more control panels (11) with a set of control devices (31, 33, 35, 37, 39) for components of said complex system, comprising a suitable computer system for the simulation of the operation of said control panels (11) by using virtual panels (11′) which include simulated control devices (31′, 33′, 35′, 37′, 39′), implemented in screens (10) which are connected to the components controlled by said control panels (11), or to a simulating device for said connections, so that the signals or variables corresponding to the controlled components are assigned to their corresponding simulated control devices (31′, 33′, 35′, 37′, 39′) in the virtual panels (11′). The invention also refers to a computer-implemented method for the generation of the graphic interface (21) said virtual panels (11′).
US08849621B2
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08849617B2
A system and method for geometric singularity is presented. In one aspect, the system and method are employed for detecting and quantifying envelope singularities of one or more solid shapes in relative movement. In an implementation, a solid shape having a motion is defined. A set of points in a space in which the motion of the solid shape occurs are sampled. For each point in the set of points, the following values are determined: an inverted motion of the motion; one or more inverted trajectories that correspond to points of the space associated with the inverted motion; one or more intersections between the inverted trajectories and a boundary defined by the motion of the solid shape; and one or more tangencies between the inverted trajectories and the boundary. Each point in the set of points is then classified as a function of values of the intersections and tangencies, each classification being one of a set of classifications including an interior fold point, a fold boundary point, a regular point, a sweep boundary point, or a point exterior to the set swept by the solid shape during the motion.
