US08889174B1
A coaxial implant has been developed using biodegradable polymeric materials. The coaxial implant has a core containing drug, surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane that controls the rate of release of material from the core. The core containing the drug and the polymer membrane(s) can be the same or different polymer. The core acts as a reservoir of drug, which partitions from the core polymer to form a saturated solution of drug at the polymer membrane.
US08889173B2
Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat pain and/or inflammation.
US08889172B1
The present invention provides an implantable device formed from an amorphous or semi-crystalline PEA polymer with a high Tg and methods of making and using the same.
US08889169B2
Irradiation of a surface of a material with a gas cluster ion beam modifies the wettability of the surface. The wettability may be increased or decreased dependent on the characteristics of the gas cluster ion beam. Improvements in wettability of a surface by the invention exceed those obtained by conventional plasma cleaning or etching. The improvements may be applied to surfaces of medical devices, such as vascular stents for example, and may be used to enable better wetting of medical device surfaces with liquid drugs in preparation for adhesion of the drug to the device surfaces. A mask may be used to limit processing to a portion of the surface. Medical devices formed by using the methods of the invention are disclosed.
US08889163B2
Facially amphiphilic polyphenylene and heteroarylene polymers and articles made therform having biocidal surfaces are disclosed. The polymers can inhibit the growth of microorganisms in contact with the surface or in areas adjacent to said biocidal surface. There is also disclosed a methods to attach facially amphiphilic polmers to a solid support. Utility as a contact disinfectant is disclosed.
US08889162B2
Disclosed are cosmetic compositions containing a polypropylsilsesquioxane, a volatile solvent, boron nitride, and silica. Also disclosed are methods for making the cosmetic compositions and applying them to keratinous tissue such as skin in order to enhance its appearance.
US08889154B2
A packaged composition of 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine dissolved in a fatty acid formulation and contained in a laminated packaging material having a contact layer that includes an acrylonitrile-methyl acrylate copolymer; an outer layer; and a moisture barrier layer disposed between the contact layer and outer layer.
US08889153B2
A compound comprising combination of an immunomodulator and to at least one anti-pathogenic agent for treating of facultative or strict infections caused by intracellular microorganisms, the components of the combination or association of substances of the invention, the immunomodulator (proteic aggregate of ammonium and magnesium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride) and at least one substance with antimicrobial properties can be administered either jointly, simultaneously, consecutively or sequentially, in an appropriate form, according to their chemical properties, and in a dose effective against microorganisms in human and animals.
US08889146B2
The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions that include at least two paramyxovirus F protein antigens selected from human metapnuemovirus (hMPV), paarainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The antigens of the disclosed compositions are recombinant F protein polypeptides, which have been modified to stabilize the trimeric prefusion conformation. Nucleic acids encoding the antigens, as well as methods for their production and use are also provided.
US08889137B2
The invention relates to an anti-HSV antibody as defined in the claims, a pharmaceutical composition comprising of an effective amount of the said antibody, an expression vector comprising of a nucleotide sequence which encodes the said antibody, a host cell comprising of the said nucleotide sequence, a hybridoma cell capable of producing the said antibody and the use of the said antibody as a drug, in particular to use for the manufacture of a drug for the prophylactical or therapeutical treatment of HSV-associated diseases in a subject; as defined in the claims.
US08889134B2
The invention relates to modulation of fungal morphology between yeast-to-hyphal growth transition by controlling muramyl-L-alanine concentration and uses thereof.
US08889128B2
The invention provides use of an EndoS polypeptide, or a polynucleotide encoding an EndoS polypeptide, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition mediated by IgG antibodies.
US08889127B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering lysosomal proteins. The compositions and methods described herein permit the targeted delivery of exogenous lysosomal proteins to cell surface proteins that allow their internalization via non-clathrin pathways. The present invention further relates to the use of the compositions and methods for enzyme replacement therapy of lysosomal storage diseases. Nucleic acids, recombinant cells and kits useful for making and using the compositions of the invention are also provided.
US08889126B2
Methods of treating or preventing axonal degradation in neuropathic diseases in mammals are disclosed. The methods can comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of an agent that acts by increasing sirtuin activity in diseased and/or injured neurons. The methods can also comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of an agent that acts by increasing NAD activity in diseased and/or injured neurons. Also disclosed are methods of screening agents for treating a neuropathies and recombinant vectors for treating or preventing neuropathies.
US08889122B2
The present invention provides a system for treating heart disease as a “bridge to recovery” using cellular cardiomyoplasty. The system is particularly useful in selecting and treating patients with damaged myocardium due coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and ischemia. Based on various clinical criteria, a patient is selected and optionally treated using cellular cardiomyoplasty to improve the patient's cardiac function. The cardiomyoplasty may be combined with other treatments such as medications or left ventricular assist devices. Preferably, the cellular cardiomyoplasty eliminates the need for invasive surgery such as by-pass grafting or cardiac transplantation. The invention also provides kits for use in selecting and treating patients using the inventive method.
US08889116B2
A dispenser for an animal attractant including: a housing, wherein the housing includes a chamber for containing a spool; a spool, wherein the spool is associated with the chamber of the housing, and wherein the spool is associated with a deer attractant; and wherein the deer attractant includes a substrate, wherein the substrate is associated with an agent wherein the agent includes a deer attractant.
US08889109B2
The present invention provides novel solid pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration, after being constituted in water. The solid dosage forms comprise a therapeutically effective amount of valganciclovir hydrochloride and a non-hygroscopic organic acid present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the valganciclovir hydrochloride in a predetermined amount of water. The present invention also provides novel liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration after constituting the solid pharmaceutical dosage form with water. A non-hygroscopic bulking agent may optionally be included in the above dosage form. These novel pharmaceutical dosage forms are useful in the treatment or control of viruses such as herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus. The present invention also provides a method for treating these diseases employing the solid and liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms and a method for preparing these pharmaceutical dosage forms.
US08889107B2
The present invention relates to a nail varnish including at least one effect pigment and at least one micronized wax, and to a process for producing it. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of at least one micronized wax in a nail varnish and to an article provided with the nail varnish. Moreover, the invention relates to a mixture of at least one pigment and at least one micronized wax.
US08889102B2
The present invention provides for methods and materials for diagnosing and treating neuromyelitis optica (NMO).
US08889094B2
The present disclosure relates to reacting tin metal with crude TiCl4 containing arsenic to produce pure TiCl4, SnCl4, and an arsenic solid co-product. In some embodiments, the contaminant vanadium is removed as well. In another embodiment, the vanadium is removed separately through a commercial process and the resulting arsenic containing commercial grade of purified TiCl4 is reacted with elemental tin, sulfur and ferric chloride to substantially reduce the arsenic. The reaction is preferably done in a continuous fashion in two stages for maximum through-put and utility at an elevated temperature. Distillation can be used to purify the TiCl4 produced and simultaneously yield a purified SnCl4 product. The synthesis of SnCl4 in this method utilizes waste chloride to save virgin chlorine which would otherwise be used.
US08889089B2
A process for a reduction in the amount of sulphur compounds, hydrogen cyanide, formic acid and formic acid derivatives in synthesis gas comprising these compounds, the process comprising contacting the synthesis gas with a sulphur absorbent comprising material and thereafter with a catalyst comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, copper, palladium, platinum and their mixtures and supported on a carrier comprising at least one of the oxides of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, zinc, chromium and molybdenum.
US08889085B2
A microfluidic channel for effectively removing a gas from a fluid, and microfluidic apparatus including the same are provided. The microfluidic channel includes a first channel having a uniform cross-sectional area, and a second channel connected to the first channel and having a gradually expanded cross-sectional area.
US08889068B2
The invention concerns a process for disinfection and/or conservation and/or reduction and/or control of microbial contamination of aqueous dispersions and/or aqueous suspensions of mineral matter, providing satisfactory stability in terms of Brookfield™ viscosity for the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions of mineral matter. It also concerns the said aqueous dispersions and/or suspensions thus obtained, together with their uses in the mineral, paper and paint industries. Finally it concerns the end products obtained.
US08889065B2
An improved sintered material and product. A nanometer size reinforcement powder is mixed with a micron size titanium or titanium alloy powder. After the reinforcement powder is generally uniformly dispersed, the powder mixture is compacted and sintered, causing the nano reinforcement to react with the titanium or titanium alloy, producing a composite material containing nano and micron size precipitates that are uniformly distributed throughout the material.
US08889048B2
The present invention relates to a method of making a solid cleaning composition. The method can include pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid of a self-solidifying cleaning composition. For a self-solidifying cleaning composition, pressing and/or vibrating a flowable solid determines the shape and density of the solid but is not required for forming a solid. The method can employ a concrete block machine for pressing and/or vibrating. The present invention also relates to a solid cleaning composition made by the method and to solid cleaning compositions including particles bound together by a binding agent.
US08889044B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing mesoporous silica particles including a silica-containing outer shell portion with a mesoporous structure. The method includes the steps of: (I) pressurizing a mixed solution containing a hydrophobic organic compound, a surfactant, and an aqueous solvent by a high-pressure emulsification method so as to form an emulsion that includes emulsion droplets containing the hydrophobic organic compound; (II) adding a silica source to the emulsion so as to form a silica-containing outer shell portion with a mesoporous structure on a surface of the emulsion droplets, and precipitating composite silica particles including the outer shell portion and the emulsion droplets on an inner side relative to the outer shell portion; and (III) removing the emulsion droplets from the composite silica particles.According to the production method of the present invention, it is possible to produce easily mesoporous silica particles that have a small average particle size and include fewer coarse particles. Thus, the mesoporous silica particles produced by this method are useful in fields that handle a paint composition for an antireflection film and a coating film.
US08889043B2
A method for casting a styrenic fluoropolymer film on a substrate includes preparing a polymer solution by dissolving the fluoropolymer in a solvent or solvent blend whose Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs. MPa1/2) satisfy the following relations: |SPb−SPp|<5, |SPb−SPs|<4, |SPb(H)−SPp(H)|<7, and 2<|SPb(H)−SPs(H)|<10 wherein SPb, SPp, SPs, are the total Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; SPb(H), SPp(H), and, SPs(H) are the hydrogen-bond Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a moiety of: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring.
US08889041B2
Formulations and methods of making solar cells are disclosed. In general, the invention presents a solar cell contact made from a mixture wherein the mixture comprises a solids portion and an organics portion, wherein the solids portion comprises from about 85 to about 99 wt % of silver, and from about 1 to about 15 wt % of a glass component wherein the glass component comprises from about 15 to about 75 mol % PbO, and from about 5 to about 50 mol % SiO2, and preferably with no B2O3.
US08889035B2
To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy and specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat; a liquid crystal composition having a suitable balance regarding at least two thereof; and an AM device having short response time, large voltage holding ratio and contrast ratio, long life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition has nematic phase, and contains as a first component a specific compound having large dielectric anisotropy and as a second component a specific compound having small viscosity, and may contain as a third component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or large dielectric anisotropy, and as a fourth component a specific compound having high maximum temperature or small viscosity, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.
US08889031B2
The present invention provides a working fluid composition for a refrigerator machine comprising a base oil comprising an ether-based compound, a carbodiimide compound, and an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant. The present invention also provides a refrigerating machine oil comprising a base oil containing an ether-based compound and a carbodiimide compound, the refrigerating machine oil being used together with an unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant.
US08889030B2
A ternary polycrystalline material based on lead hafnate (PbHfO3) and having improved dielectric, piezoelectric, and/or thermal stability properties. The Pb(Hf,Ti)O3 based material can exhibit enhanced electromechanical coupling factors when compared to PZT based ceramics and can be used as high performance actuators, piezoelectric sensors and/or ultrasonic transducers. The ternary polycrystalline material can have a perovskite crystal structure with an ABO3 formula and can be characterized by a substitution of heterovalent acceptor and donor ions at A or B (Zr/Hf) sites.
US08889029B2
A ferrite sintered body having an improved strength and a noise filter including the same are provided. A ferrite sintered body includes 1 mol % to 10 mol % Cu on CuO basis, a spinel-structured crystal containing Fe, Zn, Ni, Cu and O as a main phase, and Cu compound particles present at a grain boundary, having an average particle diameter of 0.5 μm to 10 μm. The ferrite sintered body includes the Cu compound particles present at a grain boundary. It is thereby possible to suppress the grain growth of the crystals serving as the main phase to attain a morphology formed of fine crystals, and also inhibit the propagation of destruction of the grain boundary, thus making it possible to achieve a ferrite sintered body with an improved strength.
US08889020B2
Methods for patterning integrated circuit (IC) device arrays employing an additional mask process for improving center-to-edge CD uniformity are disclosed. In one embodiment, a repeating pattern of features is formed in a masking layer over a first region of a substrate. Then, a blocking mask is applied over the features in the masking layer. The blocking mask is configured to differentiate array regions of the first region from peripheral regions of the first region. Subsequently, the pattern of features in the array regions is transferred into the substrate. In the embodiment, an etchant can be uniformly introduced to the masking layer because there is no distinction of center/edge in the masking layer. Thus, CD uniformity can be achieved in arrays which are later defined.
US08889019B1
The present invention generally relates to methods for forming a sensor structure utilizing a shallow and narrow hard mask stencil. In one embodiment, a sensor structure is formed by utilizing a four-layered hard mask stencil. The four-layered hard mask stencil includes a first mask layer, a second mask layer disposed over the first hard mask, a third mask layer disposed over the second mask layer, and a forth mask layer disposed over the third mask layer. In another embodiment, a sensor structure is formed by utilizing a three-layered hard mask stencil. The three-layered hard mask stencil includes a first mask layer, a second mask layer disposed over the first mask layer, and a third mask layer disposed over the second mask layer. The sensor structure is formed with a two-step chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process.
US08889014B2
An assembly with hydrocyclones comprising: multiple hydrocyclones having a inlet chamber with two side openings positioned on opposite sides of the inlet chamber and a overflow chamber having two side openings positioned on opposite sides of the overflow chamber. The hydrocyclones are arranged at a support structure, comprising a support bar for support of the hydrocyclones. The hydrocyclones being arranged side by side with their side openings adjacent each other thus forming an inlet pipe by means of the inlet chambers and an overflow pipe by means of the overflow chambers. The inlet chambers and the overflow chambers being adapted to be pressed against each other respectively. The hydrocyclones being arranged in pairs with one of the two hydrocyclones arranged on one side of the support bar and the other on the opposite sides thereof. A method assembling multiple hydrocyclones, wherein hydrocyclones are hung on a support bar at a base end or a head portion and are pressed together, is provided, and a support structure for an assembly of hydrocyclones, comprising a support bar, an end bar and one or two underflow pipes.
US08889010B2
A method for treating low barium frac water includes contacting a frac water stream with a radium selective complexing resin to produce a low radium stream, passing the low radium stream through a thermal brine concentrator to produce a concentrated brine; and passing the concentrated brine through a thermal crystallizer to yield road salt.
US08889007B2
The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.
US08889004B2
This disclosure generally relates to dialysis systems and related methods. In one aspect of the invention, a dialysis system includes a device configured so that a medical fluid can pass therethrough, and the device is adapted to remove one or more substances from the medical fluid as the medical fluid passes through the device. The dialysis system can also include a sodium control system adapted to alter a sodium concentration of the medical fluid.
US08889003B2
An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.
US08889001B2
A maple sap reverse osmosis system that comprises a feed pressure pump configured for receiving maple tree sap, a filter bank, at least one pressure pump operatively connected to the feed pressure pump through the filter bank, at least one recirculation pump operatively connected to the at least one pressure pump, each recirculation pump having an associated housing having an input positioned at a bottom portion of the housing, a permeate output and a concentrate output, the housing enclosing a membrane producing permeate and concentrate from the maple sap and an air inlet operatively connected to a housing in a exit position. The housings are serially connected from an entrance position housing to the exit position housing through associated inputs and concentrate outputs and wherein the housings can be completely drained of liquid through the input of the entrance position housing.
US08888995B2
High power RF energy supplied to a reaction chamber at a resonant frequency is used to break the covalent bonds of a hydrocarbon material without heat. An RF signal generator may be used to supply RF energy to a resonant ring through a four port coupler. The phase of the RF energy passing through the resonant ring may be adjusted to achieve an integral multiple of a resonant wavelength. Wavelength and intensity may be adjusted to sublimate or pyrolyze the hydrocarbon material to yield a useful gaseous product.
US08888985B2
According to one embodiment, a process for producing rare metals includes the steps of: recovering a first-residue solution through a primary target metal extracted by leaching a mineral resource; extracting a perrhenic acid ion contained in the first-residue solution with at least one of an anion exchange resin and a first-organic solvent; back extracting the perrhenic acid ion contained in the anion exchange resin or the first-organic solvent to a first-eluant; and electrolyzing the back extracted first-eluant to collect a rhenium at a cathode.
US08888977B2
A combination electrode for ion concentration measurement is provided including a glass electrode and a reference electrode whose internal electrode is made of silver-silver chloride, wherein a sealing means is provided configured to seal an upper surface of a reference electrode chamber formed in an outer tube which houses an internal electrode and an internal solution of the reference electrode, and around a glass support tube penetrating the outer tube along a substantially center axis thereof an annular silver member which the glass support tube penetrates along a center axis thereof, annular sealing elastic members for liquid-tightly sealing a space between the silver member and the glass support tube, and a space between the silver member and the outer tube, respectively, and the reference electrode internal electrode is connected to a terminal for a reference electrode through the silver member.
US08888969B2
Nanostructured microelectrodes and biosensing devices incorporating the same are disclosed herein.
US08888963B2
A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.
US08888952B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for wet treatment of a plate-like article, which includes: a spin chuck for holding and rotating the plate-like article including an element for holding the plate-like article at the plate-like article's edge and a gas supply element for directing gas towards the side of the plate-like article, which faces the spin chuck, wherein the gas supply element includes a gas nozzle rotating with the spin chuck, for providing a gas cushion between the plate-like article and the spin chuck; a fluid supply element for directing fluid onto the side of the plate-like article, which is facing the spin chuck, through a non-rotatable fluid nozzle.
US08888945B2
The use of a heat idler moveable along a path provides speed and flexibility in the heat labeling of containers.
US08888943B1
A method of transferring a plurality of metal foil labels from a metal foil strip onto a continuous film liner in spaced apart juxtapositions, the method comprising placing metal foil strips onto a continuous web to form an assembly of the strips and the web, feeding the foil strip assembly through a compression roller module, and then feeding the foil strip assembly to a rotary die cutting module to cut through said metal foil strip and portions of said web to form a plurality of metal foil labels.
US08888940B2
Electronic device frames may be formed from fiber composites. Carbon fiber material may be formed into frame members using pultrusion tools. Notches may be machined into the frame members. The machined frame members may be assembled to form a rectangular frame assembly using lap joints. Fiber tape may be wound around the periphery of the frame assembly. Following curing, additional parts such as a metal blank may be bonded to the frame assembly and machined.
US08888936B2
A powdery pyrotechnic mixture is proposed that comprises a binary or ternary inorganic oxidizing agent mixture composed of one or two metal oxides, a nitrate totaling 50.0% by weight to 85.0% by weight, an elementary inorganic fuel or a mixture of elementary inorganic fuels totaling 15.0% by weight to 40.0% by weight, a stabilized nitrocellulose or a nitrocellulose-based propellant powder from 0.0% by weight to 25.0% by weight, graphite from 0.0% by weight to 5.0% by weight as well as. Optionally. a further processing aid from 0.0% by weight to 5.0% by weight. The powdery pyrotechnic mixture excels in that it contains no chlorate-containing compound and/or perchlorate-containing compound as an oxidizing agent and no sulfur or a sulfur-containing compound as fuel. The proposed pyrotechnic mixture is used in pyrotechnic objects and ammunition for the production of a bang-effect and/or flash effect.
US08888933B2
This high-strength steel sheet includes: in terms of percent by mass, 0.03 to 0.10% of C; 0.01 to 1.5% of Si; 1.0 to 2.5% of Mn; 0.1% or less of P; 0.02% or less of S; 0.01 to 1.2% of Al; 0.06 to 0.15% of Ti; and 0.01% or less of N; and contains as the balance, iron and inevitable impurities, wherein a tensile strength is in a range of 590 MPa or more, and a ratio between the tensile strength and a yield strength is in a range of 0.80 or more, a microstructure includes bainite at an area ratio of 40% or more and the balance being either one or both of ferrite and martensite, a density of Ti(C,N) precipitates having sizes of 10 nm or smaller is in a range of 1010 precipitates/mm3 or more, and a ratio (Hvs/Hvc) of a hardness (Hvs) at a depth of 20 μm from a surface to a hardness (Hvc) at a center of a sheet thickness is in a range of 0.85 or more.
US08888929B2
A device to capture the relative position of a component (14) of which the position can change relative to a reference component (12) of a washing handling device (10), in particular a washing machine or drier, includes at least one light source (34, 38, 42), at least one light receiver (36, 40, 44), a light-reflecting surface (50, 52), which reflects light which the light source (34, 38, 42) emits to the light receiver (36, 40, 44). The device is designed to capture the present relative position of the changeable-position component (14) relative to the reference component (12), according to the reflected light which the light receiver (36, 40, 44) captures.
US08888919B2
A wafer carrier includes a body defining a central axis, a generally planar top surface perpendicular to the central axis, and pockets recessed below the top surface for receiving wafers. The body can include a lip projecting upwardly around the periphery of the top surface. The lip can define a lip surface sloping upwardly from the planar top surface in a radially outward direction away from the central axis. The body can be adapted for mounting on a spindle of a processing apparatus so that the central axis of the body is coaxial with the spindle. The lip can improve the pattern of gas flow over the top surface of the wafer carrier.
US08888916B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for improving gas distribution during thermal processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume, wherein the substrate support is configured to support and rotate the substrate, a gas inlet assembly coupled to an inlet of the chamber body and configured to provide a first gas flow to the processing volume, and an exhaust assembly coupled to an outlet of the chamber body, wherein the gas inlet assembly and the exhaust assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the chamber body, and the exhaust assembly defines an exhaust volume configured to extend the processing volume.
US08888914B2
The object is to provide a photoelectric surface member which allows higher quantum efficiency. In order to achieve this object, a photoelectric surface member 1a is a crystalline layer formed by a nitride type semiconductor material, and comprises a nitride semiconductor crystal layer 10 where the direction from the first surface 101 to the second surface 102 is the negative c polar direction of the crystal, an adhesive layer 12 formed along the first surface 101 of the nitride semiconductor crystal layer 10, and a glass substrate 14 which is adhesively fixed to the adhesive layer 12 such that the adhesive layer 12 is located between the glass substrate 14 and the nitride semiconductor crystal layer 10.
US08888910B2
Disclosed are encapsulated zinc compounds, together with methods for preparing and use the same. Also disclosed are methods for mixing the encapsulated zinc mixtures with a cement, and the resulting concrete compositions.
US08888909B2
A method of producing enhanced coal combustion ash for use in pozzolanic applications or cement manufacture, in which the enhanced combustion ash has lower mercury content. A slurry is formed of the combustion ash and water and is subjected to froth flotation to form a mercury-enriched ash slurry and a mercury-depleted ash slurry. The product mercury-depleted ash slurry is isolated and may optionally be dried. The combustion ash may be pulverized prior to being used to form the slurry, reducing its mean particle size. The mercury-depleted combustion ash product has reduced levels of mercury and ammonia, and reduced particle size.
US08888908B2
Disclosed are improved colorant compositions that are suitable for encapsulation in an impact-rupturable casing that is adapted for intact projectile motion and rupture upon contact with a target surface. In many embodiments, the colorant compositions comprise (a) a carrier comprising: (i) a metathesized unsaturated polyol ester; and (ii) a polyol ester; and (b) a colorant. The colorant compositions are useful in paint balls for use in conjunction with projectile devices, such as paint ball markers.
US08888899B2
Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. A gasifier can include a transfer line having a first leg and a second leg. A first end of the first leg can be adapted to be coupled to a cyclone and a second end of the first leg can be coupled to a first end of the second leg. The second end of the second leg can be adapted to be coupled to a standpipe. A centerline through the first leg can be oriented at an angle with a centerline through the second leg of from about 40° to about 140°.
US08888887B2
A controlled release fertilizer material comprising a particulate plant nutrient surrounded by a coating of a mixture including an isocyanate and a polyol, and further comprising a modified wax that may include a polyhydroxyl compound in which the wax and/or the polyhydroxyl compound are cross-linked with a sulfur or oxygen or a peroxide cross-linking moiety. In certain embodiments, the wax and polyhydroxyl compound are cross-linked at unsaturated sites in the wax or polyhydroxyl compound using heat, UV or ionizing radiation.
US08888884B2
A cartridge filter insert includes a body, an internal opening, and an exterior surface. The internal opening is configured to permit an airflow through the body. The exterior surface is configured to removably engage a surface of a cartridge filter having an outlet. The internal opening has an inside dimension smaller than an inside dimension of the outlet of the cartridge filter to effectively reduce the inside dimension of the outlet. An inlet filter house including the cartridge filter and the cartridge filter insert are also provided. Methods of filtering a fluid using the cartridge filter and the cartridge filter insert within the inlet filter house are also provided.
US08888876B2
The present invention relates to a system and process for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials. The invention includes partial combustion of dry solids and pyrolysis of carbonaceous material slurry in two separate reactor sections and produce mixture products comprising synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more catalytic or sorbent bed for removing tar from the synthesis gas. The inventive system and process allow a gasification to be carried out under higher slurry feeding rate and lower temperature with the provision to manage the tar being produced, therefore to increase the conversion efficiency of the overall gasification.
US08888866B2
Dyeing process using a natural dye on keratin fibers that have undergone permanent reshaping The present invention relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, in which: a) an aqueous alkaline composition comprising one or more alkaline agents in an amount such that the pH of the composition is greater than at least 10 is applied to the said fibers, or a reducing composition comprising one or more reducing agents and then an oxidizing composition are applied to the said fibers, b) the said fibers are optionally rinsed, c) optionally, the treatment is neutralized, and the fibers are washed with shampoo and rinsed, d) optionally, the fibers are dried or left to dry, e) a dye composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, one or more natural dyes is applied to the said fibers, f) optionally, the fibers are washed and rinsed, g) the fibers are dried or left to dry.
US08888865B2
This application relates to thiophene azo carboxylate dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such dyes that may serve as hueing agents, processes for making such dyes and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The aforementioned dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. Such dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. Such dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions.
US08888864B2
Compositions are provided for a prosthetic ankle comprising: a joint housing having a bottom surface, a clevis coupled to the joint housing such that the clevis can rotate about the joint housing, a prosthetic coupling structure that couples the clevis to an amputee, and an articulating joint contained in the joint housing. Additionally, a portion of the bottom surface of the joint housing can be curved allowing a substrate a preset amount of flexion when coupled thereto and flexed in a concave position.
US08888859B2
The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
US08888855B2
Disclosed herein are components of a reverse shoulder prosthesis. In an embodiment, a reverse shoulder prosthesis includes a humeral adapter tray configured to sit near a resected surface of a humerus, the humeral adapter tray comprising: a cavity; a central bore; and a distal face including a boss, the boss: (i) configured as an extension of the distal face, (ii) posteriorly offset from the central bore by at least 10 mm, and (iii) configured to engage a humeral stem; and a humeral liner comprising: a distal rim configured to sit within the cavity of the humeral adapter tray; and a concave articulating surface configured to mate with a convex articulating surface of a glenosphere. In an embodiment, the boss, in addition to being posteriorly offset, is superiorly offset from the central bore by at least 8 mm. In an embodiment, the reverse shoulder a humeral stem which engages the boss.
US08888853B2
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US08888851B2
An intervertebral disc prosthesis for the total replacement of an intervertebral disc within the lumbar and cervical spine is disclosed. The intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises articulating sliding partners, wherein the upper sliding partner is adapted for a firm assembly to an upper vertebral body and the lower sliding partner is adapted for a firm assembly to a lower vertebral body. The functional two part design provides a dorsoventral motion and in the transversal plane a rotational motion around a fictitious vertical axis as a result of a laterolaterally aimed, transversally arched, ventrally curved cylindrical convexity and corresponding concavity but prevents an inclination of the sliding partners in a lateral direction. According to the invention, the intervertebral disk prostheses are suited for implantation from lateral and ventrolateral, particularly in revision surgeries.
US08888850B2
A combination spacer insert and support for incorporating into a space defined between succeeding vertebrae. A first insert body is constructed of a composite material exhibiting at least one modulus of elasticity with a substantially cylindrical shape and is inserted within the space, such as established between a pair of previously non-consecutive vertebrae and corresponding to an absent vertebrae. An additional and exterior supported member engages locations associated with the (formerly) non-consecutive vertebrae and which, in combination with the insert body, provides a limited degree of mobility to the vertebrae.
US08888842B2
The invention relates to an implant consisting of a metallic magnesium alloy that can be resorbed by the body, said metallic material being a magnesium alloy consisting of at least 96% w/w of magnesium, at least 1% w/w of manganese and at least 0.5% w/w of at least one metal of the rare earth group.
US08888841B2
A bioabsorbable implant including an elongated metallic element including more than 50% a metal substantially free of rare earth metals, with the elongated metallic element defining at least a portion of the bioabsorbable implant.
US08888840B2
Disclosed are self-expanding medical implants for placement within a lumen of a patient. The implants comprise a woven or non-woven structure having a substantially tubular configuration, and are designed to be low-profile such that they are deliverable with a small diameter catheter. The implants have a high recoverability and desired mechanical properties.
US08888839B2
A stent assembly (10) is formed with a plurality of stent rings (12) which have sections (16, 18, 24) which are of a non-biodegradable material and struts and tie bars (20, 14) which are at least partially biodegradable. The stent ring (12) thus partially biodegrades in a patient over time. The structure is such that the apices (16, 18, 24) of the stent ring (12) are of a non-biodegradable material and thus able to behave as a conventional non-biodegradable stent, that is with the same flexibility and expansion force consistent with such stent rings. Parts (34, 44) of the stent ring (12) will degrade in time, thereby reducing the restoring force produced by the stent ring (12) and reducing the amount of foreign material retained within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the stent ring (12) will separate into individual components after a period.
US08888837B2
The invention relates to a stent graft comprising a stent (1) having a plurality of ring segments (3) disposed adjacent to one another and connected to one another and at least one membrane (2) having at least one marginal ring segment (4) having a meandering web configuration, wherein web loops (5) which point inwards or outwards are cut in such a way as to produce spring tabs (6) which are disposed so that they engage positively in the web loops (5) and are resiliently movable against the web configuration, wherein the membrane (2) is gripped between the spring tabs (6) and the web.
US08888835B2
A method of loading a medical device into a delivery system includes providing a two-stage shape memory alloy at a temperature at which at least a portion of the alloy includes austenite. A stress which is sufficient to form R-phase from at least a portion of the austenite is applied to the medical device at the temperature. A delivery configuration of the medical device is obtained, and the medical device is loaded into a restraining member. Preferably, the delivery configuration of the medical device includes stress-induced R-phase.
US08888821B2
A method for measuring a spinal implant comprises the steps of: providing a device including a gauge configured to measure an angle in a measuring plane and extending to an engagement surface; disposing the engagement surface with a first selected position of an implant or an anatomy, the first selected position being disposed at a first orientation; calibrating the gauge to a zero angle measurement at the first orientation; disposing the engagement surface with a second selected position of the implant or the anatomy, the second selected position being disposed at a second orientation; and measuring an angle of the second orientation relative to the first orientation such that the gauge determines the angle relative to the zero angle measurement. Various devices are disclosed.
US08888814B2
A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a body, a tool assembly and an articulation assembly is disclosed. The articulation mechanism includes a receptacle, and a main shaft. A lower clutch is fixedly positioned within the receptacle and has a serrated portion including a plurality of serrations. An upper clutch includes at least one projection positioned to engage the serrations of the lower clutch to releasably retain the main shaft at a rotatably fixed position. An angle between a first pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a first angle, an angle between a second pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a second angle, and an angle between a third pair of adjacent serrations is defined as a third angle. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are each different from one another.
US08888812B2
An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a plug including external threads, a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, and an annular collet slidably disposed within the lumen. The plug is carried on a distal end of a handle device that includes an inner member with a distal end that is slidable axially within the lumen of the body for moving the collet into a reduced cross-sectional region of the lumen, thereby compressing the collet to seal the lumen, and for deploying the plug from the handle device. During use, the plug is delivered into a passage through tissue over a guide wire. Once a desired location is reached, the plug is deployed from the handle device, thereby compressing the collet and sealing the lumen. The guide wire and handle device are removed, leaving the plug to seal the passage.
US08888800B2
The invention provides improved medical devices, therapeutic treatment systems, and treatment methods for treatment of the lung. A lung volume reduction system includes an implantable device having an elongate body that is sized and shaped for delivery via the airway system to a lung airway of a patient. The implant is inserted and positioned while the implant is in a delivery configuration, and is reconfigured to a deployed configuration so as to locally compress adjacent tissue of the lung, with portions of the elongate body generally moving laterally within the airway so as to laterally compress lung tissue. A plurality of such implants will often be used to treat a lung of a patient.
US08888796B2
A device for tensioning barbed sutures used for securing tissue or prosthetic devices includes a handle, and a shaft having a proximal end connected with the handle and a distal end remote therefrom. The distal end of the shaft includes a pressure applying surface for pressing against the tissue and the prosthetic devices. The tensioning device includes a pair of grooves extending through the shaft from the pressure applying surface at the distal end of the shaft toward the proximal end of the shaft. A barbed suture is tensioned by aligning a first section of the suture in the first groove and a second section of the suture in the second groove. After the first and second suture sections are aligned in the grooves, the proximal ends of the sections may be pulled for applying tension to the suture.
US08888794B2
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a guide catheter including a clip channel, at least one hook channel, and at least one sling channel defined therein; a clip applier movable within the clip channel, wherein the clip applier holds at least one clip; at least one hook movable within a corresponding hook channel; and at least one sling movable within a corresponding sling channel. An exemplary surgical method for treating a mitral valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and a clip held by the clip applier; introducing the distal end of the guide catheter into the left atrium; engaging the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve with the clip; closing the clip; and disengaging the clip applier from the clip, whereby the clip remains in the mitral valve. Another exemplary surgical method for treating a valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and at least one clip held by the clip applier; advancing the guide catheter into proximity to the valve; and applying at least one clip substantially in the middle of the valve to create two orifices, one on each side of the clip.
US08888790B2
A device for the removal of unwanted excess skin from an area of the human body to be treated in which a carrier encases a planing blade. The blade body is formed from a blank and co planer uniform opposed cutting edges protrude upwardly in a uniform transition beyond the plane of the blank in order to contact the skin to be removed while the device is moved to and fro across the area of the skin to be treated.
US08888789B2
A robotic surgical system is configured with rigid, curved cannulas that extend through the same opening into a patient's body. Surgical instruments with passively flexible shafts extend through the curved cannulas. The cannulas are oriented to direct the instruments towards a surgical site. A teleoperation control system that moves the curved cannulas and their associated instruments in a manner that allows a surgeon to experience intuitive control is disclosed. The flexible shaft instruments are controlled as if extending along a virtual straight line insertion and withdrawal axis. Various port features that support the curved cannulas within the single opening are disclosed. Cannula support fixtures that support the cannulas during insertion into the single opening and mounting to robotic manipulators are disclosed.
US08888781B2
A flip cutter and drill instrument and method of antegrade drilling and retrograde cutting using such an instrument. The flip cutter and drill instrument is provided with a drill which has a multi-blade configuration and which engages an inner tube or inner member of the instrument to articulate between at least a first “straight” position (for example, about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument) when the instrument is in the drilling mode, and at least a second “flip” position (for example, a non-parallel position relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument) when the instrument is in the cutting mode.
US08888777B2
An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable jaw pairs for the purposes of fixating the relative position of coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical housing. A passage is eccentrically arranged through the jaw elements to accept the pin or bar. The jaw elements have interposed between them a spring element that serves to bias the jaw elements in the closed position. Pins serve to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the closed position. Spring loaded buttons act to release the pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open accepting the pin or bar. The jaws are attached in a back to back fashion through the use of a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle pulling the jaws together when tightened.
US08888774B2
A device for treating a tissue region at or near a sphincter including a proximal support, a distal support and an expandable basket having a plurality of spines. The spines have a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion therebetween, wherein the spines are movable from a first non-expanded position to a second expanded position wherein in the expanded position the intermediate portion of the spines extends outwardly radially beyond the proximal and distal portions of the spines. A plurality of electrodes are carried by the spines and movable outwardly to an outward position to penetrate tissue for application of energy to the tissue region.
US08888769B2
The present invention includes a system for delivering energy to an airway wall of a lung comprising an energy delivering apparatus and a PID controller having one or more variable gain factors which are rest after energy deliver has begun. The energy delivering apparatus may include a flexible elongated member and a distal expandable basket having at least one electrode for transferring energy to the airway wall and at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature. The PID controller determines a new power set point base on an error between a preset temperature and the measured temperature. The algorithm can be Pi+1=Pi+G(αei+βei−1+γei−2) where α, β and γ are preset values and α is from 1 to 2; β is from −1 to −2; and γ is from −0.5 to 0.5. In another variation, the controller is configured to shut down if various measured parameters are exceeded such as, for example, energy, impedance, temperature, temperature differences, activation time and combinations thereof. Methods for treating a target medium using a PID algorithm are also provided.
US08888751B2
A syringe is disclosed. The syringe may include a syringe body, a first slot formed in the syringe body, a first sleeve covering the first slot, a thumb grip including a first slot guide disposed in the first slot, the thumb grip shaped to slide from a first position near the distal end of the syringe body toward a second position near the proximal end of the syringe body, and a plunger disposed in the fluid chamber of the syringe body. The plunger is configured to move towards the proximal end of the syringe body in response to pressure applied by a user to the thumb grip and includes a first plunger slot guide.
US08888741B2
A balloon catheter comprises an outer shaft having a distal end, an inner shaft situated therein to form an annular fluid line and projecting beyond the distal end of the outer shaft, and a balloon which is dilatable under the influence of a fluid introduced through the fluid line under pressure. At its proximal end the balloon is attached in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end region of the outer shaft at a first attachment zone, and at its distal end is attached in a fluid-tight manner to the distal end region of the inner shaft at a second attachment zone. Between the attachment zones, in the undilated state the balloon is placed in longitudinal folds along its length. The balloon, at least at its distal end, has an untapered design with a thin wall thickness (d) which is essentially unchanged over the length of the balloon, and the longitudinal folds extend into the attachment zone at that location.
US08888740B2
Methods are provided for partial aortic obstruction for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. Alternatively, the methods can be used to partially obstruct aortic blood flow to condition the spinal cord to secrete neuroprotective agents prior to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Partial obstruction of a vessel can be accomplished by a device comprising an elongate catheter and a distally mounted expandable member. The expandable member may comprise one or two balloons. Other medical devices, such as an angioplasty, stent, or atherectomy catheter, can be inserted distal the expandable member to provide therapeutic intervention.
US08888738B2
An infusion pump including a drive mechanism; an assembly operable with the drive mechanism, the assembly configured to deliver a flowable material to a patient; a mountable housing holding the drive mechanism and configured at its front side to receive the assembly and at its backside to mount in either a first orientation or a second orientation to an external support, wherein the housing supports the drive mechanism and the assembly in each of the orientations; a controller operably connected to the housing; and a display operably connected to the controller and supported by the front side of the housing, the display configured to be rotatably responsive so that information displayed by the display is oriented right-side-up regardless of whether the assembly is in the first orientation or the second orientation.
US08888732B2
An intraluminal sleeve system is provided, which generally includes an intraluminal sleeve capable of dispensing an active agent to a patient, for example, a metabolic agent or satiety inducing agent. The intraluminal sleeve may be structured to contain the active agent and permit controlled release of the active agent to the patient while the intraluminal sleeve is positioned within the patient's intestine. Methods for treating obesity are also provided which include positioning an intraluminal sleeve in a patient's intestine, the intraluminal sleeve being capable of dispensing an active agent to the patient. In one embodiment, the active agent may be contained in a reservoir and dispensed to a portion of the patient's body.
US08888729B2
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.
US08888725B2
A plunger adapter and a detachable compression pad for piston driven chest compression devices optimizes the application of chest compressions to a fixed location on a patient's chest. The detachable compression pad may be removably secured to the patient above the patient's sternum to ensure that the compression pressure from the piston through the piston adapter is applied to a fixed location on the patient's chest. As the plunger and plunger adapter retract from the chest, the compression pad remains fixed to the patient's chest, and as the plunger and plunger adapter extend from the chest compression unit for subsequent compression strokes, the distal end of the plunger adapter reengages the compression pad to apply compression to a fixed location on the patient's chest.
US08888723B2
A method for gait rehabilitation, comprising, identifying at least one deficient gait element; exercising said deficient gait element individually using a rehabilitation apparatus; and exercising said deficient gait element in concert with at least one other gait element using said rehabilitation apparatus.
US08888719B2
The present disclosure provides devices for decreasing the incidence of Cesarean childbirth by managing the labor process. In one aspect, a tactile feedback device is positioned adjacent the perianal tissues. A perianal support device includes a perianal support member having a pressure surface configured for engagement with tissue adjacent an anal orifice and a pressure detecting system associated with the perianal support member to detect pressure indicative of pressure on the perianal tissue of a patient.
US08888718B2
The stability of an animal joint, especially a knee, is assessed with an arrangement having track arranged about perpendicular to the axis of the distal portion; a cart slidably engaged to the track; a fork positioned on the cart; a support adapted to receive the distal linear portion, the support connected to the fork; a lever arm connected to the support, the lever arm positioned to rotate the support about the axis of the distal portion; and at least one instrumented handle, the instrumented handle detachably engages at least one of the cart and the lever arm. In some embodiments, the fork can rotate freely on the cart. Additionally, in various embodiments, the cart may be selectively locked at a position along the length of the track. In various embodiments, the arrangement further comprises: a bracket rigidly attached to the distal portion and positioned between the support and the joint; and the at least one instrumented handle detachably engages the bracket.
US08888715B2
Analysis system for determining an analyte in a body fluid is presented. The system comprises a reusable analysis instrument and a magazine having a plurality of integrated sample acquisition and analyzing elements. Each element comprises a puncturing element and an analyzing element. A coupling unit couples the integrated sample acquisition and analyzing element to a drive. The magazine comprises a housing having a plurality of elongate neighboring chambers separated by two side walls running in a longitudinal. The chambers contain the integrated sample acquisition and analyzing element. The chambers have an exit opening allowing for the at least partial exiting of the puncturing element. The chambers of the magazine are accessible to a coupling element that can be formfitting coupled to the coupling structure of the puncturing element, when the puncturing element is in the chamber of the magazine and the magazine is located in a holder.
US08888712B2
Objectively identifying an acoustic characteristic of tinnitus of a subject. The subject is exposed to a sound pattern having a background acoustic signal preceding an audible silence. The background acoustic signal has a selected acoustic characteristic. An electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the exposure to the sound pattern is measured. The measured electrical response has a first portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the background acoustic signal, and a second portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the audible silence in the sound pattern. The first portion of the measured electrical response is compared to the second portion of the measured electrical response and a determination is made as to whether the subject has tinnitus with an acoustic characteristic similar to the selected acoustic characteristic based on the comparison.
US08888709B2
Various techniques are described for replacement heart valve implantation. In one example, a system includes a specialized conduction system tissue activation potential sensing device, configured for delivery to an intracardiac region, a specialized conduction system tissue activation detector circuit, configured to detect, using the sensing device, a specialized conduction system tissue activation potential, and a processor circuit, configured to use information about the detected specialized conduction system tissue activation potential to generate a heart valve placement indication.
US08888708B2
A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined. The method and apparatus are particularly advantageous to blood oximetry and pulserate measurements.
US08888698B2
A system and method for determining a stressor-based reference baseline for use in heart failure assessment is presented. A patient is monitored during an observation time period while the patient performs prescribed physical stressors and by applying pacing stimulus stressors to a medical device. Physiological measures are stored from the observation period, including at least one of direct measures regularly recorded on a substantially continuous basis by the medical device and measures derived therefrom. The measures that originate from the observation time period as a reference baseline for the patient are identified. The reference baseline and those measures originating subsequent to the observation period are evaluated. The measures are analyzed to detect any trends, including one of a status quo and a change in cardiac performance of the patient. Each trend is compared to parameters corresponding to worsening heart failure indications to generate a notification of parameter violations.
US08888679B2
An apparatus including a flexible length of cord and three tissue connectors positioned at the opposite ends of the cord and at an intermediate position of the cord is designed to be laparoscopically inserted through the abdominal wall and into the abdominal cavity, and used to move a first internal organ to a position away from a second internal organ where the apparatus holds the first internal organ in the position without further manual input, thereby providing surgical access to the second internal organ.
US08888675B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for supporting ischemic tissue of the heart using scaffolds that may be placed within the heart percutaneously. A scaffold assembly may include a layer of biocompatible material detachably secured to a placement rod, such that the placement rod may be used to urge the layer of biocompatible material through a catheter to adjacent an area of ischemic tissue. Anchors may secure the layer of material to the myocardium. Multiple layers of biocompatible material may be placed in the ventricle separately to form the scaffold. In some embodiments, a scaffold is formed or reinforced by injecting a polymer, such as a visco-elastic foam, around an inflatable member inflated within a ventricle.
US08888670B2
A roller comprising a magnet is used to apply a force to a material between the magnet of the roller and a magnetically susceptible surface. A handle of the roller may be moved by a user to roll the roller over the material to apply the force along a length of the material.
US08888665B2
An exercise device is disclosed having a main body including a chamber formed therein and a pair of spaced apart outer hubs disposed thereon. The main body is configured to be grasped by a user. The exercise device may also include at least one containment article having a chamber formed therein and extending between the outer hubs. A displaceable component may be disposed in the chamber of at least one of the main body and the at least one containment article to provide a selected total weight to the exercise device.
US08888656B2
A shift mistake detection apparatus detects an operation value of an accelerator pedal in a vehicle and a shift range selected by a shift operation of a driver of the vehicle (e.g. reverse, drive, park). The apparatus detects a shift mistake operation when (i) the shift range selected by the shift operation is in a reverse range and the vehicle begins to travel in reverse according to an operation of the accelerator pedal, and (ii) a steep step operation and a steep return operation of the accelerator pedal is detected. The steep step and return operations of the accelerator pedal have an operation value that is greater than or equal to a normal operation value, where the normal operation value may be a value detected when a driver of a vehicle intentionally travels in reverse (i.e., there is no shift mistake).
US08888655B2
In a hand-held power tool having a gear transmission, which is drivable by a motor, for driving a drive shaft, the gear transmission being shiftable at least between a first gear and a second gear via a gear shifting device, the gear shifting device has a sensor system, which is connected to an electronic unit, for detecting a gear shifting procedure. The electronic unit is designed for the purpose of activating the motor using predefined motor parameters which are assigned to the detected gear shifting procedure, on the basis of a gear shifting signal which is generated by the sensor system when a gear shifting procedure is detected.
US08888654B2
In a vehicle including two paths as torque transmission paths from an engine to an output shaft of a transmission, each of the paths provided with a clutch and a transmission mechanism, a gear shift shock due to a torque generated at the moment when the paired gears of the next gear level are engaged is significantly reduced. In normal travel control, a control device sets a transmitted torque capacity of each of the clutches in the two paths at maximum. Also, in the normal travel control, the control device sets the paired gears of the transmission mechanism in a previous path that is one of the paths, in an engaged state, and sets the transmission mechanism in a next path that is the other path, in a neutral state. When a gear shift command is generated, the control device lowers the transmitted torque capacity of the clutch in the next path. After that, the control device engages the paired gears of the transmission mechanism in the next path with each other, before the transmitted torque capacity of the clutch in the next path reaches a minimum value.
US08888644B2
Planetary roller gear drive with a spindle nut (1) that is arranged on a threaded spindle (2) and with a plurality of planets (3) that are arranged distributed around the periphery and are in rolling engagement with the threaded spindle (2) and the spindle nut (1). The threaded spindle (2) has a plurality of helical windings wound around the spindle axis forming at least one thread groove (8), and a sensor element (15) is arranged so that it cannot move in the axial direction relative to the spindle nut (1) and detects an axial displacement of the threaded spindle (2) and the spindle nut (1) relative to each other. The spindle nut (1) is supported so that it can rotate about the spindle axis on a housing (12) with the sensor element (15).
US08888639B2
A powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first electric machine and an electro-mechanical transmission operative to transmit torque to a driveline. A method for controlling the powertrain system in the presence of a controlled neutral operation of the electro-mechanical transmission being selected includes monitoring vehicle speed, and only when the monitored vehicle speed is indicative of a low-speed zone restricting a transition from a current engine operating state.
US08888637B2
A vehicle drive system including a transmission is provided. The system includes a compound planetary gear set including first, second, third and fourth elements. The second element connects with an output shaft of the transmission. The system further includes a transmission housing. The system still further includes an electric motor which has an output shaft connecting with the first and fourth elements for driving the first and fourth elements in response to an electrical signal to obtain a desired transmission ratio. The system further includes a non-friction controllable clutch assembly which is non-hydraulically controlled to change between a coupling state for coupling the fourth element to the motor output shaft and an uncoupling state for uncoupling the fourth element from the motor output shaft.
US08888632B2
A silent chain using double-sided driving link plates having symmetrical upper and lower teeth has a problem that it is unable to assure a required risky sectional area of the plates because a width between upper and lower crotches is narrow. The invention provides a silent chain using double-sided driving link plates whose required risky sectional area is maintained by using link plate whose back side is undercut and whose upper and lower parts are unsymmetrical even though its front side has a shape of a normal link plate. A distance from a line connecting centers of pin holes to a bottom of an upper-side crotch is equal to or more than ½ of a diameter of the pin hole to assure the risky sectional area. Teeth of the back side are cut away to form a flat surface to assure a contact area with a shoe and others.
US08888630B2
When an engaging pawl 23b is fitted into a recessed portion 34b of a first sprocket 34, which is linked by a chain 33 to a second sprocket 32 that drives an oil pump 3 disposed at a radial detached from a torque converter 2, frictional resistance between a side face 34a of the first sprocket 34 and an end face 23c of the engaging pawl 23b is reduced by tapering the side face 34a of the first sprocket 34.
US08888621B2
The invention relates to a self-lubricating chain which includes a connecting pin which is used to connect inner and outer link portions. The connecting pin includes a lubricating hole and a hollow portion where a lubricating oil supply may be disposed and held in place by a lid member, which provides a press fit and tight seal so as to provide a reliable lubricating oil supply and a durable chain which has improved durability.
US08888620B2
A front derailleur unit basically includes a fixed member and a movable member. The fixed member is configured to be releasably attached to a plurality of different type mounting units. The different type mounting units is detachably attached to a bicycle frame. The movable member is movably supported to the fixed member to move with respect to the fixed member.
US08888617B2
With respect to a belt type continuously variable transmission in which a belt is wound around between a primary pulley and a secondary pulley, each of which includes a stationary sheave and a movable sheave, and a transmission is carried out by forwardly and backwardly moving the movable sheave with respect to the stationary sheave, a boss portion that protrudes in an axial direction is integrally formed with the stationary sheave of the secondary pulley, and a parking gear is provided on the outer circumferential side of the boss portion. Further, the configuration to hold the bearing is achieved using the inner circumferential portion of the boss portion integrally formed with the stationary sheave, that is, the inner circumferential portion of the parking gear so as to shorten the axial length of the secondary shaft, whereby achieving cost reduction.
US08888616B2
A variably compressible device placed on the peripheral portion of a racquet frame over or through which a loop of racquet string is placed compressing and holding the device against the outside surface of the racquet frame. The device and method provides for a controlled degree of compressibility permitting selected strings to undergo greater deflection through processes of device compression and intrinsic string elongation when striking the ball compared to the behavior of an equivalent string striking the ball without the device.
US08888611B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball which has an increased dry spin rate and wet spin rate on approach shots without sacrificing the processability into the cover. The present invention provides a golf ball cover material having shear loss moduli G1″ (Pa), G2″ (Pa), and G3″ (Pa) that satisfy following equations when measured using a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring apparatus at following conditions. log G1″≦7.09 (1) log G2″≧7.17 (2) log G3″≦7.14 (3) G1″ measuring conditions: shear mode, oscillation frequency: 10 Hz, temperature: 0° C., strain: 0.05%; G2″ measuring conditions: shear mode, oscillation frequency: 10 Hz, temperature: −30° C., strain: 0.05%; and G3″ measuring conditions: shear mode, oscillation frequency: 10 Hz, temperature: 0° C., strain: 5%.
US08888610B2
A golf ball 2 includes a core 4, a mid layer 6, and a cover 8. The core 4 includes a center 10 and an envelope layer 12. The ratio (Do/De) of an amount of compressive deformation Do of the center 10 to an amount of compressive deformation De of the core 4 is equal to or greater than 1.5 but equal to or less than 2.5. The ratio (Do/Dc) of the amount of compressive deformation Do of the center 10 to an amount of compressive deformation Dc of the golf ball 2 is equal to or greater than 1.8. The diameter of the center 10 is equal to or less than 20 mm. The difference (He−Ho) between a surface hardness He of the core 4 and a central hardness Ho of the center 10 is equal to or less than 40.
US08888609B2
A golf club head comprises a body and at least one self-extracting pressed weight assembly. The body comprises a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. The body defines an interior cavity. The weight assembly comprises at least three components and is configured for a press fit engagement with the golf club head. The assembly has a drive portion and a threaded portion.
US08888601B2
A gaming system identifies players in a game. A player interaction score may be computed for an identified player. One or more engagement actions may be generated based on the player interaction score. The gaming system may engage the identified player according to the one or more engagement actions. In some embodiments, the player interaction score may be used to categorize the identified player in a player segment, which in turn may be used as a basis for generating engagement actions.
US08888594B2
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a moving object within a virtual space on the basis of acceleration data and angular velocity data which are transmitted from a controller. For example, before the angular velocity data is above a predetermined magnitude, a position and an orientation of the moving object is controlled on the basis of the angular velocity data. When the angular velocity data is above the predetermined magnitude, an initial velocity of the moving object is decided on the basis of the acceleration data, and a moving direction (orientation) of the moving object is decided on the basis of the angular velocity data. Thereafter, the moving object moves within the virtual space according to a general physical behavior.
US08888593B2
A method for providing directional input to a video game is provided. The method initiates with capturing an image of a first object and a second object, the first object and the second object being defined at a fixed distance from each other. A three-dimensional location of the first object is determined based on analysis of the captured image, and a two-dimensional location of the second object is determined based on analysis of the captured image. An input direction for a video game is determined based on the three-dimensional location of the first object and the two-dimensional location of the second object.
US08888591B2
A gaming machine is configured for playing a wagering game and includes at least one non-rotating curved surface and a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes at least one rotatable element and is configured to project images of symbols onto the curved surface while the at least one rotatable element is rotated and then stopped such that the symbols appear to respectively move and then stop along the curved surface. The stopped symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.
US08888589B2
Methods and systems allowing video slot machine players to wager on symbols occurring on all sides of a reel, including the reel's front, back, top, bottom, and inside portions. Players may move reels in space to seek out winning paylines or win mystery bonuses on symbols combinations that occur on portions of the reel that may be initially hidden from their view. Features of embodiments of the present invention allow players to increase the number of paylines on which they can bet by a factor of four or more.
US08888579B2
A method for operating a gaming apparatus includes displaying a set of stopped reels in place of one or more spinning reels, each stopped reel having at least one symbol thereon and the total number of stopped reels being less than the total number of reels originally spinning. The method also includes determining an in-game outcome associated with a configuration of the symbols on the set of stopped reels, and providing an in-game stimulation selected from the group consisting of a 3-dimensional aural stimulation, a visual stimulation, a value stimulation and a physical stimulation according to the in-game outcome. The method further includes displaying stopped reels in place of all of the spinning reels, determining a game outcome associated with the configuration of the symbols on all of the stopped reels, and determining a value payout based on the game outcome. The apparatus is also included.
US08888577B2
Gaming system and method for providing optimal poker auto-hold functionality with progressive awards
The present disclosure relates to a gaming system and method providing a draw poker game with auto-hold functionality that takes multiple progressive awards into account and recommends the optimal cards to hold from an initial hand. The draw poker game includes different winning outcomes, different awards associated with the different winning outcomes, and includes a first progressive award associated with a first one of the outcomes and a second progressive award associated with a second one of the outcomes. For each play of the draw poker game, the gaming system displays a first auto-hold recommendation if the first progressive award is greater than the second progressive award, and the gaming system displays a second different auto-hold recommendation if the second progressive award is greater than the first progressive award.
US08888574B2
An exhaust apparatus provides a housing with at least one exhaust compartment disposed within the housing, and at least one draft damper repositionable to operate at orientations of about 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° with respect to a level plane of an exterior bottom surface of the housing.
US08888555B2
A method of manufacturing a breast cup of a brassiere may include the steps of providing a pad including a first edge portion and a second edge portion, providing a fabric cover including a third edge portion and a fourth edge portion, superimposing the first and third edge portions, connecting the superimposed first and third edge portions together, superimposing the second and fourth edge portions, connecting the superimposed second and fourth edge portions together, ultrasonically cutting and fusing the connected first and third edge portions to form a first line of fusion joining the pad and the fabric cover, ultrasonically cutting and fusing the connected second and fourth edge portions to form a second line of fusion joining the pad and the fabric cover, and turning the joined pad and fabric cover inside out along the first and second lines of fusion to form seamless edges.
US08888553B2
A doll head is disclosed having a magnetically adjustable facial contour, along with a method for assembling same. In one embodiment, the doll head includes a face mask support on which is mounted an elastically deformable face mask. Movable adjustment mechanisms and associated motors and power supplies for moving the adjustment mechanisms are disposed in the face mask support. Each adjustment mechanism generates an applied magnetic field. First magnets are affixed to an inner surface of the face mask, and second magnets in magnetic communication with the first magnets are slidably disposed on an exterior surface of the face mask support. The adjustment mechanisms selectively apply magnetic fields that slidably adjust position of the second magnets. As position of the second magnets slidably adjust, the first magnets move to a like extent. As the first magnets move, contour of the face mask adjusts to change expression of the doll head.
US08888548B2
There is disclosed a apparatus of dispensing crystal dispensing which dispenses liquid crystal on a substrate after atomizing liquid down to predetermined-sized particles. The apparatus of dispensing crystal dispensing using ultrasonic wave includes a syringe comprising a storage room to store liquid crystal therein, an atomizing/dispensing unit configured to dispense the liquid crystal supplied from the syringe after atomizing the liquid crystal, and a gas supply unit configured to apply a predetermined pressure to the liquid crystal to supply the liquid crystal stored in the storage room of the syringe to the atomizing/dispensing unit.
US08888545B2
A float attachment device for providing buoyancy to a waterproof camera or other object of interest includes a buoyant body, adapted to be fastened directly to a housing of the object of interest, and a lanyard adapted to be connected at a first end to the buoyant body and at a second end to a surfboard or other anchor body. An attachment layer, such as double-sided tape, can be used to fasten the buoyant body to the object of interest. The lanyard may include two separable but reconnectable tether line sections. The buoyant body can be made from closed cell flotation foam with a flexible vinyl coating.
US08888544B1
A watercraft docking mode throttle control system incorporating a joystick assembly within the control lever knob which is part of the control lever assembly that is gripped and held by the operator of the boat during use. The incorporation of such a joystick assembly allows the operator to make more controlled adjustment to the movement of the boat when the boat is in docking operational mode.
US08888542B2
Provided is an electric outboard motor that includes a drive motor, which is an AC motor, as a drive source. The electric outboard motor includes: an outboard motor main body that includes the drive motor and an inverter that converters a direct current to an alternating current to supply the alternating current to the drive motor; a control/power supply unit that is formed separately from the outboard motor main body and that can supply the direct current to the inverter; and a connection cable that electrically connects the outboard motor main body and the control/power supply unit. The inverter and the drive motor are stacked and arranged in an axial direction of a rotation output axis of the drive motor. Part of the inverter falls within an outline of the drive motor in a view in the axial direction of the rotation output axis of the drive motor.
US08888539B2
A connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure is advantageously configured to allow a sensor connector to straightforwardly and efficiently join with and detach from a patient cable connector. Further, embodiments of the connector assembly advantageously reduce un-shielded area in an electrical connection between a patient cable and a sensor connector. In addition, embodiments of the connector assembly advantageously increase the shielding of detector signals coming from the patient sensor to the monitor.
US08888534B2
A connecting component includes a housing, housing connection terminals secured to the housing, an abutment located beneath the housing connection terminals, a first guide portion located beneath the housing connection terminals for regulating a position of a bottom surface of the subsidiary board, second guide portions located in front of the first guide portion as seen in a subsidiary board insertion direction for regulating the top surface of the subsidiary board, and third guide portions located in front of the first guide portion as seen in the subsidiary board insertion direction on a straight line passing through the first guide portion and the second guide portions and disposed in a position away from the abutment by a distance longer than an overall length of the subsidiary board, the third guide portions regulating the position of the bottom surface of the subsidiary board.
US08888532B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic circuit apparatus in which mounting efficiency and connection stability of an electrolytic capacitor are compatible. An electronic circuit apparatus 5 of the present invention includes a board 60 with a circuit element 70 mounted thereto, a case 80 holding and surrounding the board 60, and a board mount connector (connector for mounting the electrolytic capacitor onto the board) 1 mounted onto the board 60 and holding the electrolytic capacitor 20. The board mount connector 1 includes a board connector 30 to be mounted onto the board and a holder 10 connected to the board connector 30 and holding the electrolytic capacitor 20 as an insulating holding body. The electrolytic capacitor 20 is mounted onto the board 60 via the board mount connector 1 by mounting the board connector 30 onto the board 60.
US08888531B2
Circuit board assembly including an electrical connector having a connector body having a mounting side and an array of signal contacts disposed along the mounting side. The array of signal contacts has gaps formed between adjacent signal contacts of the array. The circuit board assembly also includes a circuit board having an engagement side. The circuit board includes signal vias and ground vias that are exposed along the engagement side. The circuit board assembly also includes a grounding matrix that is positioned between the engagement side and the mounting side. The grounding matrix includes a plurality of ground contacts that are interconnected in a web-like manner to define a plurality of openings, wherein the signal contacts of the electrical connector extend through the openings to engage the signal vias. The ground contacts electrically couple the ground vias of the circuit board to a ground pathway through the electrical connector.
US08888525B2
A contact includes a base portion having an upper end and a lower end opposite to the upper end, a first spring arm extending obliquely and upwardly from the upper end of the base portion, and a second spring arm extending obliquely and upwardly from the lower end of the base portion and towards the first spring arm, wherein the second spring arm locates under the first spring arm, a supporting portion is defined on a distal end of the second spring arm and slides along the first spring arm to support the first spring arm when the first spring arm is pressed down by an electronic component.
US08888519B2
The electrical connector includes a first block, a second block, a first support bead, a second support bead, and a wire. The first block includes a first groove and a first rib. The first block is metallized so as to conduct electricity. The second block includes a second groove and a second rib. The second block is metallized so as to conduct electricity. The first support bead does not conduct electricity. The second support bead does not conduct electricity. The wire conducts electricity. The first and second support beads support the wire. When the first rib of the first block is inserted into the second groove of the second block, then the first support bead, the second support bead, and the wire are retained between the first block and the second block.
US08888517B2
A connector socket has two hooking parts each having at least one hook to fasten to a housing, at least one hooking part is mounted on the housing; the two hooking parts move apart from each other when at least the slidable hooking part slides from a retracted position towards a deployed position; at least one tongue that is connected to the slidable hooking part to cause the hooking part to slide from a deployed position to a retracted position when an operator presses against the tongue; and at least one spring distinct from the hooking parts, each spring having one end connected to the housing and its other end connected to a corresponding slidable hooking part and exerting a thrust force thereon transversely to the axis of the housing, at least when in a deployed position and in the absence of pressure being applied on the corresponding tongue.
US08888516B2
An electrical connector includes a base with a number of contacts, a cover pivotally mounted to the base, a pair of supporting components for mating with the cover, and a reinforce piece fixed to the cover. The reinforce piece is fixed to the cover and includes a pair of opposite engaging projections extending into the front opening The cover and the pair of supporting components are mateable with each other in condition that one of the cover and the pair of supporting components pivots clockwise while a remaining one of the cover and the pair of supporting components pivots anti-clockwise. The cover and the supporting components are pivotal between an opening location and a closed location for receiving a plug connector.
US08888506B2
A connector has a contact and a housing. The contact has a fixed portion, a contact portion, a spring portion and a held portion. The spring portion supports the contact portion. The held portion is located between the fixed portion and the spring portion. The housing has a sidewall portion and a bottom portion The sidewall portion is located outward of the spring portion in a predetermined direction and holds the held portion. The bottom portion is located under the spring portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The housing has a gap between a lower surface of the spring portion and the bottom portion. The bottom portion and the sidewall portion hide the contact except the fixed portion both when the connector is seen from below along the vertical direction and when the connector is seen from the outside along the predetermined direction.
US08888500B2
Connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat, or it may have other shapes. Another example may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. Another example may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact, where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact.
US08888498B2
A method for producing a multilayer tissue phantom involves successively forming at least two layers, each layer formed by depositing a viscous flowable material over a supporting element or over a previously formed layer of the phantom supported by the supporting element, selectively redistributing the material while material is solidifying to control a thickness distribution of the layer, and allowing the material to solidify sufficiently to apply a next layer. The supporting element supports the material in 2 or 3 directions and effectively molds a lumen of the tissue. The neighboring layers are of different composition and of chosen thickness to provide desired optical properties and mechanical properties of the phantom. The phantom may have selected attenuation and backscattering properties to mimic tissues for optical coherence tomography imaging.
US08888481B2
A machine for and method of manufacturing concrete U-wall construction blocks, each having a front wall portion and a pair of stem portions extending from said front wall portion. The method involves providing a system of molding jacket panels, including a core molding assembly having a pair of inside stem jacket panels that are adjustably supportable in a substantially parallel manner during a molding process, and arranged is such a manner that the front wall portion is molded in downwardly facing direction toward a horizontal support surface and completely enclosed in one or more molding jacket panels. Before block molding operations, the thickness of the front wall portion of the U-wall construction block is set by determining the thickness of a front wall surface liner and installing the front wall surface forming liner within the system of molding jacket panels. Also, thickness of the stem portions of the U-wall construction block is set by determining the proper distance between the pair of said inside stem jacket panels supported in a parallel manner during the block molding process. Thereafter, concrete is poured or injected through pour openings provided in the molding jacket apparatus to form the front wall portion and stem portions of the concrete U-wall block.
US08888479B2
A molding device includes a male die, a master die core, a male die core located between the male die and the master die core, and a cutting mechanism received in the male die core. The cutting mechanism includes a cutting seat and a cutter. The cutting seat defines a latch slot. The latch slot includes a narrow portion and a wide portion communicating with the narrow portion. The cutter includes a plate body received in the narrow portion and a latch shaft located on the plate body. The latch shaft is engaged in the wide portion. When a plastic product is formed and a sprue gate is around the mold cavity, the plate body is configured to cut the sprue gate, and the plate body is movable relative to the cutting seat around the latch shaft, to prevent the plate body from sticking.
US08888474B2
In an aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole. In one aspect the apparatus includes a rotor with lobes disposed in stator with lobes, wherein at least one of the contours of the rotor lobe and the contour of the stator lobe is asymmetric.
US08888473B2
A fluid transporting device includes an elastic tube, a tube frame that holds the elastic tube in an arc, a rotary push plate arranged in the arc for facilitating fluid flow inside the elastic tube, and a plurality of push pins disposed between the elastic tube and the center of the arc. Each push pin includes a semispherical end portion that contacts the rotary push plate, a pushing end portion that places a bias on the elastic tube, and adjacent end portions of at least two push pins close the elastic tube when the semispherical end portions are pushed by an outer circumference arc of the rotary push plate.
US08888468B2
A suspension spring mounting arrangement applied to a refrigeration compressor comprising a shell (1) and a block (3) forming, with the stator (4) of an electric motor, a stationary assembly (2) mounted inside the shell (1) by an assembly of helical springs (10), each spring presenting a lower end (11) and an upper end (12), each end (11, 12) being coupled, respectively, to an adjacent part of the shell (1) and the stationary assembly (2), through a support (MS). The support (MS) comprises a base plate (20) incorporating at least two retention tongues (21) obtained from a portion of the base plate (20) which is bent to project outwardly from the plane of the latter, so that the retention tongues (21) are tightly fitted in the interior of one of the ends (11, 12) of an adjacent helical spring (10).
US08888466B2
A compressor including a compression mechanism configured and positioned to receive vapor from an intake passage and provide compressed vapor to a discharge passage. An opening is positioned in the compression mechanism in fluid communication with the discharge passage. A valve has an aperture formed therein, the aperture configured and positioned in fluid communication with a passageway to provide a path for a pressurized vapor flow to a first chamber and a first piston without mixing with vapor in the discharge passage. A second chamber is in fluid communication with a second piston and the discharge passage, the first piston and the second piston of the valve configured to move together. First piston and second piston movement are controllable in response to predetermined conditions to maintain the magnitude of pressure of the compression mechanism immediately upstream of the opening at substantially the same pressure magnitude at the discharge passage.
US08888465B1
A basin for use in liquid handling, such as sewage handling. The basin is comprised of a bottom wall, a side wall, and an open top, and a hanging feature formed in the body of the basin. A basin assembly for liquid handling may include the basin, and a hanging member suspended from the hanging feature within the basin. One or more level switches may be attached to the hanging member. A sewage handling system may include the basin assembly, a top cover fastenable to the open top of the basin, and a pump disposed in the basin.
US08888460B2
A rotor section for a rotor of a gas turbine is provided. The rotor section includes a rotor disk with rotor blades inserted in retaining grooves thereupon, the rotor blades being secured against displacement along the retaining grooves by means of a sealing element which is arranged on the end face. In order to disclose a reliable construction which can be designed in a straightforward and simple manner for the circumferential fixing of the sealing element, each sealing element is secured by means of a blocking element in each case which in this case engages in a hole which is arranged in the rotor blade root on the end face.
US08888456B2
The invention relates to a rotor for a turbo machine, having rotating blades (12), which are joined to a basic rotor body (14), whereby a damping element (24) for damping blade vibrations is provided between blade platforms (10) of at least two adjacent rotating blades (12), damping element (24) being arched radially upward along its axial extent relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor. In addition, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing, repairing, and/or overhauling a rotor for a turbo machine, in which rotating blades (12) are joined to a basic rotor body (14), whereby a damping element (24) for damping blade vibrations is disposed between at least two adjacent rotating blades (12). In this case, damping element (24) is arched radially upward along its axial extent relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor.
US08888445B2
A turbomachine seal assembly includes a base member, a rocker arm pivotally mounted to the base member, and a seal element fixedly mounted to the rocker arm. The seal element is configured and disposed to selectively shift relative to the base member.
US08888443B2
A fan assembly includes a case, a bracket and a fan module. The cage includes a ventilation plate. An installation portion and a positioning post are located on the ventilation plate. The fan module is secured to the ventilation plate and includes a bracket and a fan secured to the bracket. The bracket includes a body, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls are located on opposite sides of the body. The first sidewall defines a first receiving slot and a first positioning hole. The second sidewall defines a second receiving slot and a second positioning hole. The first positioning hole is aligned with the second positioning hole. An area of the first receiving slot is larger than that of the second receiving slot. The positioning post is engaged in the positioning hole. The installation portion is received in the first receiving slot.
US08888442B2
A turbine vane ring has radially outer and inner annular shrouds defining therebetween an annular gaspath. Circumferentially spaced-apart airfoil vanes extend radially across the gaspath between the outer and the inner shrouds. The radially outer shroud has a circumferentially continuous cylindrical wall extending axially from a leading edge to a trailing edge. A set of circumferentially distributed stress relieving slots is defined in the leading edge of the cylindrical wall at locations adjacent to the leading edge of at least some of said airfoil vanes. The stress relieving slots extend radially through the cylindrical wall from the radially inner surface to the opposed radially outer surface thereof.
US08888434B2
The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods to store and transfer objects, and more particularly to workpiece stocker configurations such as stocker for semiconductor wafers, reticles or carrier boxes.
US08888431B2
An adjustable bonding washer for placement between two metal pieces to create an electrical bond between them. The bonding washer has two metallic parts constrained to slide relative to one another along an axis. Each part has oppositely directed teeth that are forcibly embedded into the metal pieces to make electrical contact with them when they are rigidly clamped together. Adjustability enables the bonding washer to be mated with metal pieces having a range of widths and profiles, such as the slotted rails used to support arrays of photovoltaic panels.
US08888429B2
A clinch nut for attachment to a plastically deformable metal substrate is provided. The clinch nut comprises a body portion with a central axis and a punch portion extending from the body portion and coaxial with the central axis. The body portion includes an annular-shaped surface encircling the central punch portion. The annular-shaped surface includes a plurality of spaced apart lugs encircling the central punch portion. The plurality of lugs each includes a contact surface with a recessed portion where the contact surface engages the metal substrate. A first portion of the contact surface is biased outwards from the central axis upon insertion in the metal substrate to form at least one lug flare during attachment of the nut to the metal substrate. A portion of the metal substrate is entrapped between the at least one lug flare and the body portion.
US08888412B2
A bottom-to-surface connection installation between a plurality of undersea pipes resting on the sea bottom and a floating support on the surface and anchored to the sea bottom, the floating support including a turret; and a plurality of flexible hoses extending from the turret to respective ones of a plurality of rigid pipes, the rigid pipes providing connections between the flexible hoses and respective ones of the plurality of undersea pipes resting on the sea bottom, wherein the installation includes a guide structure maintained in the subsurface between the turret and the top of the rigid pipes, the guide structure being suitable for guiding the flexible hoses, the guide structure having a plurality of first guide elements with respective ones of the plurality of flexible hoses passing therethrough in such a manner that the flexible hose has at least a bottom flexible hose portion in a dipping catenary configuration, and a second flexible hose portion extending entirely above the point of contact between the flexible hose and the first guide element, this portion occupying a curve of catenary shape between the guide element through which it passes and the turret to which its top end is connected.
US08888407B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for sealing a borehole from which oil discharges uncontrolled. Thereby, a hull is filled with cement and the cement mass is lowered around a cone-shaped pipe so that the cone-shaped pipe is simultaneously fixated and also sealed.
US08888401B2
A surface covering unit includes at least one face comprised of at least one primary rotational tessellation element. The rotational tessellation element includes at least two pairs of sides, and the sides in each pair of sides have the same length and are images of one another. The sides of a first pair of sides extend from a first vertex and are rotationally spaced from each other, and the sides of a second pair of sides extend from a second vertex and are rotationally spaced from each other. The sides of the first and second pairs of sides have two or more straight line segments or complex curves, and are not a single straight line or a single curve. One pair of sides has a length different from the other pair of sides. The surface covering has a natural appearance such that a repeating pattern is not readily apparent.
US08888400B2
A corrosion-resistant self-locking manhole cover includes a cover plate adapted to rest on a manhole cover support surface of a manhole frame so as to be substantially flush with a top portion of the frame and a surrounding surface. An anchor on the cover plate, which may comprise nonmetallic corrosion-resistant material, is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a first location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. A locking member on the cover plate, which may also comprise nonmetallic corrosion-resistant material, is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a second location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. In the unlocked position, the locking member is disengaged from the manhole frame.
US08888392B2
A wiper member used in a container for packaging and dispensing cosmetic or care products. The wiper member comprises a housing wherein said housing is having at least one sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall takes up a wiping configuration and a non-wiping configuration when a component is caused to travel through the housing. In the non-wiping configuration, a lower portion of the at least one sidewall is in an unfolded position and in the wiping configuration, the lower portion of the at least one sidewall folds inwardly upon itself into said housing.
US08888385B2
A device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis. The image receiving device includes a camera lens. Additionally, a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct a camera lens is disposed on the device and is configured to change a position to selectively obstruct or expose the camera lens. The position of the movable obstruction member is dependent upon a threat level received by the device.
US08888384B2
At least two single-mode optical fibers are fused together such that their cores are separated by only a few microns to serve as a capture element of an incoming beam of light in an optical terminal.
US08888377B2
In a bearing mounting arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle including a shaft having a drive part non-rotatably connected to the shaft and at least an outer bearing ring and an inner bearing ring which can be biased by means of a bracing device in axial direction of the shaft toward the outer bearing ring due to a relative rotation of the drive part with respect to the bearing ring with a bearing tensioning force which depends on a torque transmitted by the shaft so that the bearing tensioning force is relatively low during low-torque operation of the drive train.
US08888370B2
A slide bearing for internal combustion engines includes a metal layer having an inner peripheral surface extending along at least a part of a cylindrical shape and a resin coating layer formed on the inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface has annular or helical groove sections extending in a generally circumferential direction of a cylindrical shape such that the inner peripheral surface has protrusion sections, which are arranged adjacent to each other in an axial direction of the cylindrical shape and which extend in the generally circumferential direction. The resin coating layer matches the shapes of the groove sections and the protrusion sections. When t is average coating thickness of the resin coating layer at positions different from crests of the protrusion sections and Rpk is reduced peak height of the resin coating layer, t and Rpk satisfy the following relations: 1.0 μm≦t≦5.0 μm; and 0.06≦Rpk/t≦5.04.
US08888365B2
Multi-layer bags may be formed to include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, and a closed bottom edge. The first and second layers may be non-continuously laminated together to include bonded regions in which the layers are bonded and unbonded regions in which the layers are not bonded. Such a bag may be described as a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is non-continuously bonded to the outer bag. The inventors have surprisingly found that such configurations of non-continuous bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer films and bags.
US08888358B2
An oscillator spring material comprising a mixture of a host material with an additive in proportions which permit the thermal evolution of the material's elastic modulus to be tuned, e.g. to correct or compensate for other thermal changes in an oscillator system. The additive comprises a crystalline material having an abnormal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The host material has a normal thermal evolution of elastic modulus. The additive is mixed with the host material before the host material undergoes a phase transformation into its final form. The additive has a phase transformation temperature higher than the host material, so that additive remains in the same state while the host material phase transformation takes place.
US08888352B2
A backlight structure includes a light source module and a light guiding plate. The light source module includes a circuit board, a lighting unit arranged on the circuit board, and a hollow baffle plate surrounding the lighting unit. The circuit board defines a groove in a surface thereof, and a bottom end of the baffle plate is embedded in the groove. The lighting unit is located between the light guiding plate and the circuit board, and the light guiding plate is disposed on the baffle plate. A method for manufacturing the backlight structure is also provided.
US08888349B1
A replacement lamp for a cinema poster display case. Light from a linear array of white-light LEDs reflects off a concave reflector to an illumination plane at or near a front face of the display case. The concave reflector intersects with surface normals from the LED emission faces along an intersection line. The concave reflector has proximal and distal portion on opposite sides of the intersection line. The illumination plane is disposed on an opposite side of the LEDs from the intersection line. The illumination plane has a proximal portion near the LEDs and a distal portion away from the LEDs. Light reflected from the LEDs off the proximal portion of the concave reflector is directed to the distal portion of the illumination plane. Light reflected from the LEDs off the distal portion of the concave reflector is directed to the proximal portion of the illumination plane.
US08888344B2
A vehicle lamp unit comprising a cylindrical lens arranged on an optical axis extending in a front-back direction of the vehicle lamp unit, a semiconductor light-emitting element arranged on the optical axis behind a rear focal line of the cylindrical lens, and a reflector, which comprises a right concave curved surface located in a right side region of the reflector, and a left concave curved surface is located in a left side region of the reflector, wherein each of the right and left concave curved surfaces comprises an inner reflecting surface near the optical axis, wherein the light reflected by the inner reflecting surface of the right concave curved surface is directed to the left side region across the optical axis, and the light reflected by the inner reflecting surface of the left concave curved surface is directed to the right side region across the optical axis.
US08888336B2
A lighting module has an array of light-emitting elements that is electrically coupled to a heat sink and a housing having a heat exit. The array of light-emitting elements is positioned in the housing and the heat sink is positioned to dissipate heat generated within the housing so that the heat is expelled through the heat exit. A deflector is secured to the housing and is positioned to extend over some portion of the heat exit. The deflector guides heat away from the housing in a direction. In some configurations, the deflector guides heat away from the housing in a direction that is opposite the direction in which the array of light-emitting elements emit light. Also, some lighting modules have multiple heat exits and may have multiple deflectors extending over a portion of the respective heat exits.
US08888333B2
Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is in a range from about 4% to about 20% and an optical clarity that is in a range from about 20% to about 60%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.55.
US08888329B2
A light emitting diode module is produced using at least one LED and at least two selectable components that form a light mixing chamber. First and second selectable components have first and second types of wavelength converting materials with different wavelength converting characteristics. The first and second wavelength converting characteristics alter the spectral power distribution of the light produced by the LED to produce light with a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point. Moreover, a set of LED modules may be produced such that each LED module has the same color point within a predetermined tolerance. The LED module may be produced by pre-measuring the wavelength converting characteristics of the different components selecting components with wavelength converting characteristics that convert the spectral power distribution of the LED to a color point that is a predetermined tolerance from a predetermined color point.
US08888322B2
A reflector for light radiation sources, the reflector taking the form, for example, of a cup centered around a main axis with a bottom opening for a source of light radiation, the reflector including a cup-shaped base portion extending from the bottom opening to an outer rim, and an annular portion surrounding the outer rim. The annular portion may be telescopically coupled to the base portion and may be moveable with respect to the base portion along the main axis in order to vary the length over which the annular portion extends along the main axis with respect to the outer rim of the base portion.
US08888321B2
A light emitting module may include: a PCB board; a light emitting assembly mounted on the PCB board; a lens and an encapsulating housing, the encapsulating housing encapsulating therein the PCB board, the light emitting assembly and part of the lens, and an exit surface of the lens being exposed out of the encapsulating housing, wherein the encapsulating housing is formed therein with a first concave region surrounding the exit surface and reducing light blocking, and at least a second concave region into the first concave region, wherein the second concave region is designed in such a way that water in the first concave region is drained via the second concave region.
US08888308B2
It is an object of present invention to improve wiring workability in a lighting device and to prevent the entry of dust or the like into the device. A backlight unit according to the present technology includes a chassis having hole portions, LEDs housed in the chassis as light sources, relaying and connecting part electrically connected to the LEDs from outside the chassis through the hole portion and relaying electric power supply to the LEDs, and a covering member covering a clearance between the hole portions and the relaying and connecting parts inserted therethrough.
US08888302B2
A delineator includes a delineator body, a positioning member, and a reflective sheet. The delineator body and the positioning member include mounting features adapted to mate with each other at a plurality of positions corresponding to different positions of the positioning member on the delineator body. By selecting one of the different positions of the positioning member on the delineator body, the user can select a visibility configuration of the delineator. In some cases the reflective sheet may be bonded to the positioning member, so that the reflective sheet is positioned at a particular place on the delineator and visible to an observer when the positioning member is mounted in the selected position. In other cases the reflective sheet may be bonded to the delineator body, and the positioning member may cover one portion of the reflective sheet and leave another portion of the reflective sheet exposed to an observer.
US08888301B2
A foreign matter removal unit includes a rectangular optical member disposed on an optical path, in which is set an optically effective region through which a light flux passes, a piezoelectric device provided to a side of the optical member on the outer side of the optically effective region, and a vibration suppression member provided to a side of the optical member where the piezoelectric device is not provided. The vibration suppression member is provided to the optical member such that an edge face of the side of the optical member does not protrude out from an edge face of the vibration suppression member.
US08888298B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a projector. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a projector that enables a projector to operate even when the temperature of the ambient air exceeds a predetermined temperature, and prevents the operation of the projector from being forcibly terminated even when the inside of the projector overheats beyond a predetermined temperature.
US08888296B2
A projector is provided with: an input line memory which holds an input image signal corresponding to one line; an image processor which generates an intermediate image signal correction-processed according to distortion of a projection lens, using the input image signal transferred from the input line memory; an output line memory which holds the intermediate image signal corresponding to one line; and an LCOS which guides light radiated from a light source to the projection lens in accordance with the intermediate image signal. The image processor is provided with an input supplementation buffer which stores the input image signals of a plurality of lines, an input data buffer which stores input image signals required to generate the intermediate image signal corresponding to one line, and a number-of-supplementary-lines calculator which calculates the number of supplementary lines of the input image signals.
US08888292B2
A projection apparatus is disclosed. The projection apparatus includes a light source module, a first light splitting element, a first light valve unit, a first light modulator, a second light modulator and a light consolidating element. A light beam is provided by the light source module, and is split into a first and a second polarized light beam by the first light splitting element. In different time sequences, the first and the second polarized light beams are formed into a first, a second, a third and a fourth image light by the first light valve unit. Then, these image lights are transformed into viewing angle images by the first and the second light modulators. Then, via the light consolidating element, the first, the second, the third and the fourth view angle images are projected to a viewer and a stereoscopic image is formed.
US08888288B2
Novel vision monitoring, screening, and testing tools and help-seeking enablers that may be used individually as or in combination with other vision monitoring and screening testing systems that improves patients' ability to recognize the onset and progression of visual changes over time. Patients' ability to identify acute or chronic visual conditions on their own may drive earlier help-seeking behavior by the patient, enable earlier clinical diagnosis by an eye care specialist, and therefore resulting in earlier treatment and reduced likelihood of severe vision loss.
US08888280B2
A method and apparatus for creating a progressive spectacle lens design by transforming a starting design. The starting design is defined to include specifications for the course of a principal line and specification of at least one base target isoastigmatism line with a constant base target astigmatism, in which the base target isoastigmatism line passes through a first predetermined control point {right arrow over (r)}1=(u1,y1). The method and apparatus transform the starting design by shifting the first control point {right arrow over (r)}1=(u1,y1) along a predetermined or predeterminable curve, taking into account the design and/or the spectacle lens wearer-specific data; modifying the course of the base target isoastigmatism line such that it passes through the shifted first control point {right arrow over (r)}′1(u′1,y′1); and calculating a target astigmatism distribution A(u,y), which exhibits the modified base target isoastigmatism line. Furthermore, the method and apparatus are provided to create the spectacle lens on the basis of the progressive spectacle lens design.
US08888274B2
A paper conveyance apparatus includes: a drum that conveys a paper by winding the paper around an outer peripheral surface thereof and being rotated; a press roller that presses a surface of the paper at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the drum and brings a reverse surface of the paper into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum; and a back tension providing unit having an adsorption surface by which the surface or the reverse surface of the paper is absorbed, the back tension providing unit being configured so that provides the paper with a back tension by causing the adsorption surface to adsorb the surface or the reverse surface of the paper with an adsorption force which decreases from the center in a width direction of the paper toward both ends in the width direction of the paper.
US08888266B2
There is provided an ink for ink-jet recording including: water; a water-soluble organic solvent; a water-soluble N-hydroxy cyclic imide compound; a self-dispersible pigment; and a surfactant of sulfuric acid ester salt type.
US08888253B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an electromechanical transducer layer on a surface of a substrate, including discharging a solution including a source material to form the electromechanical transducer layer from a nozzle of a nozzle plate to coat the solution on the surface of the substrate while applying voltage between the nozzle plate and the substrate to charge the nozzle plate at a first polarity and the substrate at a second polarity opposite to the first polarity such that a split droplet split from a main droplet which is coated on the surface of the substrate becomes charged at the second polarity and is attracted and collected by the nozzle plate; and applying a heat treatment to the substrate on which the solution is coated to crystallize the solution to form the electromechanical transducer layer.
US08888242B2
Disclosed is a fluid ejection device for an inkjet printer that includes a substrate having at least one fluid flow channel configured within a bottom portion of the substrate. Each fluid flow channel of the at least one fluid flow channel is configured by etching the bottom portion. The substrate also includes a plurality of fluid flow vias configured within a top portion of the substrate. Each fluid flow via of the plurality of fluid flow vias is configured by etching the top portion. The each fluid flow via is further configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid flow channel through an isotropically etched cavity configured below the each fluid flow via and fluidically coupled to the corresponding fluid flow channel. The fluid ejection device also includes a flow feature layer and a nozzle plate. Further disclosed are methods for fabricating fluid ejection devices.
US08888241B2
A printing apparatus in which printing is performed using an ink jet method includes a first ink jet head that discharges ink droplets of ink of a first color which is a color of the same color type as an expression color that is set in advance, a second ink jet head that discharges ink droplets of ink of a second color which is a color of the same color type as the expression color and is different from the first color, and a control unit which makes the first and the second ink jet head perform printing with the expression color on a medium by setting a ratio of a discharge amount of ink of the first color by the first ink jet head to a discharge amount of ink of the second color by the second ink jet head to a discharge rate which is calculated in advance.
US08888236B2
An ink jet recording apparatus includes: a carriage which is movable in a forward direction from one end to the other end; a recording head provided in the carriage and having a plurality of nozzle groups from which the ink is discharged; an ink receiver provided at a side of the one end including a flushing position and configured to receive the ink discharged by a flushing operation; and a controller configured to control operations of the carriage and the recording head. In a case that the carriage is moved in the forward direction, the controller executes: an acceleration process for accelerating the carriage; a selecting process for selecting at least one nozzle group for which the flushing operation is performed; a flushing process for performing the flushing operation for the nozzle group selected in the selecting process during the acceleration process; and a recording process for recording the image.
US08888232B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure chamber that communicates with a nozzle which has an opening at a nozzle formation surface; a communication plate where a common liquid chamber which supplies a liquid to the pressure chamber is formed; a liquid ejecting head having a flexible film which seals the opening surface at the nozzle formation surface side of the common liquid chamber in the communication plate; and a sealing member which has a cavity-shaped sealing hollow section and can be sealed by the nozzle formation surface being confronted in the sealing hollow section. The sealing member is configured so as to be sealable by at least a portion of the flexible film being confronted in the sealing hollow section in a sealed state of the nozzle formation surface.
US08888223B2
An ink jet printing apparatus performs printing on a print medium, and includes a print head having a plurality of ejection openings, a head temperature acquisition unit that acquires a temperature of the print head, and a heating unit configured to heat the print head. In addition, a control unit is configured to control the heating unit so as to cause a temperature of the print head to be a target temperature, at start of a print scan by the print head, and a setting unit is configured to set the target temperature. If a completion temperature acquired by the acquisition unit at a time when a previous print scan is completed is lower than a threshold temperature, the setting unit sets a temperature higher than the completion temperature as the target temperature, and if the completion temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the setting unit sets a temperature lower than the completion temperature as the target temperature.
US08888218B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure generation unit that causes a liquid to be ejected from a nozzle opening that communicates with a flow channel and a liquid holding unit that supplies a liquid to the flow channel, and the pressure generation unit performs microvibration driving when the liquid holding unit is replaced.
US08888214B2
This invention enhances gloss uniformity of a formed image surface by selectively using colorless inks according to dot layouts of colored inks. A dot-layout unit sets colored dot layouts for respective colors of colored ink data. A colorless-dot-layout unit sets a colorless dot layout for one colorless ink with reference to a colorless dot layout table according to the colored ink data. An image is formed according to the colored and colorless dot layouts. In the colorless dot layout table, when a specular glossiness calculated according to the colored dot layouts is high, the colorless dot layout is set to superpose a colorless ink having a low refractive index on a colored ink having a high refractive index. Conversely, when the specular glossiness is low, the colorless dot layout is set to superpose a colorless ink having a high refractive index on a colored ink having a low refractive index.
US08888211B2
A printing device comprises a medium handling section to handle a print medium; an image section to form an image on the print medium while the medium is handled by the medium handling section; a variable stop to support the medium handling section or the image section when the printing device is in a first configuration, the variable stop having at least two states, each state defining a respective separation between the medium handling section and the image section when in the first configuration, a movement section to cause relative movement between the medium handling section and the image section, the relative movement moving the printing device between the first configuration and a second configuration, where neither the medium handling section nor the image section is supported by the variable stop in the second configuration; the variable stop to change state when the printing device is in the second configuration.
US08888209B2
A system for determining the autonomy in consumable fluids (ink and solvent) of a continuous inkjet printer, including a system for measuring the total volume of available ink, a system for determining the average ink consumption, the ink autonomy (AE) by division of the volume of ink with the average ink consumption.
US08888206B2
A printing apparatus includes a printing material container 100 including a storage device 203, a plurality of storage device terminals, a first and a second individual mounting detection terminal DT1, DT2, a first and a second cartridge out detection terminal CO1, CO2; an individual mounting detection portion 330; a cartridge out detection portion 340; a storage portion 310; and a controller 350. In an energy-saving mode, the controller 350 sets the individual mounting detection portion 330 to a disabled state and sets the cartridge out detection portion 340 to an enabled state, and if the cartridge out detection portion 340 detects a cartridge out state, writes that detection result to the storage portion.
US08888201B2
A positioning mechanism for a quick release device of a slide assembly includes an opening in the rail and a positioning member located corresponding to the opening. The rail has a first contact portion adjacent to the opening which has an open portion and a reception portion communicating with the open portion. The positioning member includes a base, a resilient arm, a restriction portion and a second contact portion. The base is fixed to the rail. The resilient arm is connected between the base and the restriction portion. The restriction portion has a first contact end located corresponding to the reception portion. The second contact portion is connected to the restriction portion. An enclosed area is defined between the first contact end and the reception portion. The second contact portion contacts the first contact portion of the rail such that the first contact end is secured.
US08888197B2
A brake system including: (a) a manual hydraulic pressure source; (b) a power hydraulic pressure source; (c) a high pressure generator for generating high pressure, by utilizing pressure of the power hydraulic pressure source; (d) a common passage to which first and second brake cylinders and the high pressure generator are connected; (e) a high-pressure-generator cut-off valve disposed between the common passage and the high pressure generator; (f) a first manual-pressure-source passage connecting a first individual passage and the manual hydraulic pressure source; (g) a first manual-pressure-source cut-off valve provided in the first manual-pressure-source passage; (h) a first valve provided between the second brake cylinder and a connected portion of the first individual passage which is connected to the first manual-pressure-source passage; and (i) a pressure-supply control device for controlling supply of pressure to the brake cylinders, by controlling the high-pressure-generator cut-off valve, first valve and first manual-pressure-source cut-off valve.
US08888196B2
Disclosed herein is a bicycle wheel repair kit for joining a first segment of a spoke to a second segment of the spoke, the first segment extending radially outward from a wheel hub to terminate in a first free end and the second segment extending radially inward from a wheel rim to terminate in a second free end. The kit may include a coupler including a first engagement member and a second engagement member. The first engagement member is configured to engage the first free end. The second engagement member is generally opposite the first engagement member and configured to engage the second free end. The coupler is configured such that a distance between the first engagement member and the second engagement member can be adjusted.
US08888194B2
A control module for a milling rotor of a machine is provided. The control module comprises a processor and a controller. The processor is configured to receive a first signal, indicative of a direction of motion of the machine, a second signal, indicative of a relative height of a pair of side plates with respect to the milling rotor, and a third signal, indicative of a relative height of a moldboard with respect to the milling rotor. The processor processes the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal to generate a control signal. The controller is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and selectively disengage the milling rotor of the machine based on the control signal.
US08888193B2
A vehicle seat includes a pump for operating a seat cushion adjuster or a seat massage system and a seat frame structure. The pump is coupled to an electrical supply line and a pressure line. The pump is designed without a soundproofing enclosure. At least one noise-reducing or vibration-damping coupling device is provided. The coupling device and pump being attached via a first section to the seat frame structure. The coupling device is attached directly to the pressure line of the pump or to the electrical supply line of the pump via a second section.
US08888192B2
A frame support structure of a vehicle seat includes a frame and a bracket supporting the frame on a vehicle floor. The frame extends toward a first side of a vehicle seat cushion in the seat width direction to extend the seat cushion to the direction of the first side. One end of the frame is connected to the first side of the vehicle seat cushion. The bracket includes a first support plate and a second support plate, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first support plate. An edge of the second support plate is fixed to that of the first support plate on a side opposite from the first side. A plate face of the first support plate is fixed to a front or a rear surface of the frame and the second support plate is fixed to a lower surface of the horizontal frame.
US08888191B2
Embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicle seat having a side frame, a bracket, and a reclining device. The side frame has a closed cross-sectional configuration. The bracket is formed from a plate-like member. The bracket has a side surface to be connected with the side frame. The reclining device is connected to the side surface of the bracket to which the side frame is connected, so that the reclining device is connected to the side frame via the bracket.
US08888188B2
A portable kneeling support pad used protect and reduce stress on the user's knees when kneeling or standing up from a kneeling position. The support pad includes a flat rectangular base with a chemical resistant, resilient top surface and a flat bottom surface. Attached near one end of the base is a perpendicularly aligned support pole with a handle attached to its distal end. The handle includes a horizontal gripping member that a user may grip when kneeling or standing to an upright position. The base includes a stub perpendicularly aligned with the top surface that selectively engages the lower end of the support pole. Disposed around the upper end of the stub is an adjustable clamp that enables the support pole to rotate 360 degrees around the stub and to move longitudinally relative to the stub to decrease or increase the height of the handle over the support pad.
US08888180B2
A disposable seat cover for a child safety seat includes an upper sheet, a lower sheet and upwardly curved pocket formed by the upper sheet for receiving a kidney shaped absorbent pad, the upper sheet having front flaps that are selectively overlapped and adhesively secured to form an upwardly disposed crotch portion juxtaposed to the pocket and the absorbent pad. The seat cover is adhesively or frictionally held to the child safety seat, side elements members and a fold construction provide universal conformance to the seat and for the occupant.
US08888169B2
A motor vehicle structure includes a metallic base body in the form of a three-dimensional metal sheet and a reinforcement element made of fiber composite having a matrix resin for coupling the reinforcement element with the base body in a coupling zone by a material joint. Arranged between the base body and the reinforcement element is a non-woven having voids through which the matrix resin is able to permeate.
US08888160B2
A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a single occupancy front seat configured for use by a driver of the vehicle. A single occupancy rear seat is configured for use by a passenger of the vehicle and arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to the front seat. A child seat is mounted asymmetrically on the rear seat such that the child seat is positioned further from the front seat than it would be if symmetrically mounted on the rear seat. Mountings secure the child seat on the rear seat and are positioned to mount the child seat asymmetrically on the rear seat.
US08888156B2
A handling device includes at least a guiding member having a notch associated with two side trunnions and designed to receive a trunnion, the handling device also including a gripping member the guiding member and the gripping member cooperating in such a manner that, when the gripping member is in an open position, each trunnion can be inserted into or extracted from the notch, and when the gripping member is in a closed position, each trunnion can only move a limited distance in the notch, between a “low” position and a “high” position, an actuating system associated with the gripping member, able to move it between the open and closed positions, and a locking system that is able to block said gripping member when a locked position, and able to move from the locked position to an unlocked position when the are in the high position.
US08888152B1
A hook assembly that assists a person in engaging the handle of a pull cord from a gasoline engine. The hook assembly engages the handle with a hooked plate. The hooked plate has a curved section that forms a catch trough that directly engages and holds the handle of the pull cord. A cord slot is disposed within the curved section of the hooked plate. The cord slot extends into the catch trough. This divides the hooked plate into two curved fingers on either side of the cord slot. A wrist band is wrapped around the wrist of a user. The hooked plate is joined to the wrist band with a pivoting connection. The pivoting connection enables the hooked plate to be selectively positioned between a deployed position and a stored configuration.
US08888150B2
A latch device for a vehicle includes: a latch configured to hold and engage with a striker; and a latchet configured to maintain an engagement condition between the striker and the latch by meshing with the latch. Between a meshing surface of the latch and a meshing surface of the latchet that mesh with each other, one meshing surface is formed narrower than the other meshing surface. A supporting member is arranged at a side of the latch or the latchet having the one meshing surface narrower than the other meshing surface with a gap provided between a side face of the latch or the latchet and the supporting member. A periphery of the supporting member including the end face is covered with a resin material and the gap is filled up with the resin material.
US08888147B2
A mounting of a container in a rail pair is provided, which is disposed in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and the rails of the rail pair have substantially horizontally extending guide grooves on the mutually facing sides and a projection is mounted in the container on its side facing the respective rail, and the respective guide groove has a cross section which expands from the groove base and the respective projection has a corresponding cross section which is expanded toward the container.
US08888133B2
A work vehicle has a ground-work unit that is mounted under a frame supported by front wheels and rear wheels and disposed forwardly of the front wheels. The work vehicle includes a steering wheel supported to a steering post and consisting of spokes and a ring. A man-machine interface face formed in the steering post downwardly of the steering wheel and around a rotational axis of the steering wheel includes a display face having a flat panel display and an operation face having an operation input device. The steering wheel is greater in size than the flat panel display as seen in the direction of rotational axis of the steering wheel, and the operation face is greater in length than the flat panel display in the direction of vehicle width.
US08888132B2
An apparatus includes a first panel having a first side and a second side and defining a first hole. The apparatus also includes a second panel having a third side and a fourth side and defining a second hole. A seal assembly extends from the first panel to the second panel and through the first and second holes. The seal assembly includes a first wall that defines a passageway from the first hole to the second hole, and a second wall that surrounds the first wall and cooperates with the first wall to define a chamber therebetween. The seal assembly forms a first seal around the first hole and a second seal around the second hole.
US08888131B2
A position lock for a steering column comprises a rake lock bracket, a tooth lock, a driver, and a spring. The rake lock bracket is fixed to the vehicle has a rake lock tooth wall that bounds a control slot and that defines a plurality of rake lock teeth. The tooth lock is coupled to the steering column for movement in a raking direction and supported for rotation about a tooth lock rotation axis. The driver, supported for translation with the tooth lock and for rotation about a driver rotation axis, is configured for contacting an actuation feature of the tooth lock so as to cause the tooth lock to rotate with the driver as the driver rotates within the active range of rotation of the driver. The spring is configured and arranged to apply a biasing moment to cause the tooth lock to rotate in a locking direction.
US08888124B2
Car seat carriers are disclosed. An example child car seat carrier includes a frame and a clamp to hold a child car seat to the frame. The clamp includes a ratcheting joint to prevent movement of the clamp toward a released position while enabling movement of the clamp toward a locked position. The example child car seat carrier further includes a manual actuator to selectively release the clamp to move toward the open position.
US08888122B2
A pivoting axle system for an aerial lift vehicle includes a plurality of axles pivotally secured to the vehicle chassis at respective pivot points between a stowed position and a working position. Each axle is coupleable with a wheel assembly at distal ends thereof. Actuators are connected between the chassis and each of the plurality of axles, respectively, where the actuators are connected to the chassis at positions spaced from the pivot points, respectively. Additionally, each of the plurality of axles is independently controllable.
US08888110B2
A pallet-dolly device convertible between a pallet and a dolly has a generally rectangular deck to which a set of dolly wheels are attached at a fixed height below the deck. A set of movable pallet skids are moved by a skid displacement mechanism between a skid lowered position in which a ground contacting surface of the skid is lowered below a contact plane of the wheels to provide a pallet state of the pallet-dolly device, and a skid raised position in which the skid ground contacting surface is raised above the wheel contact plane to provide a dolly state of the pallet-dolly device. At least two pedals, accessible from two adjacent sides of the deck, are deployed to be operated by a user to activate the skid displacement mechanism.
US08888106B2
In a vacuum gate valve, a seal member for sealing a gate opening part is bonded to an outer edge part of a planar seal plate that is disposed in such a manner that the planar seal plate is opposed to a valve seat surface of the gate opening part and comes into contact with the valve seat surface. The seal member includes a vacuum seal part that is located on a side farther from the gate opening part and maintains the sealability of the gate opening part when the gate opening part is closed, and also includes a radical seal part that is located on a side closer to the gate opening part and that prevents the seal member from being affected by a treatment gas in the gate opening part when the gate opening part is closed. The vacuum seal part is made of a rubber elastic body, and the radical seal part is configured by providing a radical resistant body that is provided with an excellent radical resistance on the rubber elastic body.
US08888097B2
This invention is directed toward a table game with, optionally, both an “air game” and a “ground game”. This invention relates to the general field of table games, and more specifically to a large table game, similar in size to a ping pong or pool table, playable by one or more people. The theory behind the invention is to combine an “air game” (such as ping pong) with a “ground game” (such as pool) and do so in a flexible format that allows a number of people to participate in the game. The game can be played in an active fashion, similar to Ping-Pong, or as more of a set-up and strategy game, as in pool. A unique paddle-shaped hitting device with a hockey-stick like projection on its bottom portion allows for a player to play both the air game and the ground game using the same hitting device.
US08888094B2
There is provided a conveying device including a controller that makes a conveying speed of a printing medium conveyed by a first conveyor unit be higher than a conveying speed of a printing medium conveyed by a second conveyor unit and makes the printing medium be conveyed while forming sagging on the printing medium between the first and second conveyor units. The controller makes a sheet sensor acquire the amount of light, which passes through the printing medium conveyed between a light emitting part and a light receiving part, as the amount of received light and determines whether or not the double-feed of the printing media has occurred only when this amount of received light is smaller than the double-feed criterion amount of received light at substantially the same conveying distance of the printing medium conveyed by the first conveyor unit.
US08888086B2
An apparatus is provided for protecting a surface of interest from particle contamination, and particularly, during transitioning of the surface between atmospheric pressure and vacuum. The apparatus includes a chamber configured to receive the surface, and a protector plate configured to reside within the chamber with the surface, and inhibit particle contamination of the surface. A support mechanism is also provided suspending the protector plate away from an inner surface of the chamber. The support mechanism holds the protector plate within the chamber in spaced, opposing relation to the surface to provide a gap between the protector plate and the surface which presents a diffusion barrier to particle migration into the gap and onto the surface, thereby inhibiting particle contamination of the surface.
US08888081B2
Disclosed is a strut mount wherein an inclination of an outer circumferential surface of an outer cylinder (2) with respect to the central axis of the outer cylinder (2) is greater than that of an inner circumferential surface of a tapered sidewall (12) of a vehicle body panel (10) which is shaped like an inverted dish. When the strut mount is positioned to be fitted to the vehicle body panel (10), the elastic member (4) is brought into contact with the inner surface of the vehicle body panel (10) only at a portion (4a) of the elastic member (4) that covers the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder (2).
US08888080B1
An animal carrier gate anti-rattle device comprises an elastic elongated member having a front surface and a back surface. The elastic elongated member comprises: a proximal section defining a hook that forms an opening facing the front surface; a distal section; and a first bent section between the proximal section and the distal section, where the first bent section has a bend angle of less than 120 degrees relative to the back surface.
US08888077B1
A liquid flow distributor for positioning above one or more packing sections in a packed exchange tower includes a plurality of troughs. At least one trough in the plurality of troughs has along a side thereto a deflecting member. The deflecting member is angulated to generally follow a shape of the at least one trough. A diffuser side of the deflecting member is positioned to deposit the liquid into a discharge region. A deflector side of the deflecting member is positioned for deflecting ascending vapor away from the discharge region.
US08888076B2
A separation column containing a feed distribution device and a feed distribution device for a separation column, such as a vacuum distillation column. The feed distribution device being capable of diffusing and directing a feed flow from a feed inlet so as to distribute the feed substantially evenly over the surface area of a separation plate in the column thereby increasing the columns efficiency. The separation column containing the feed distribution device being capable of shorter height, less costly design and lower operating cost than a separation column without the feed distribution device.
US08888071B2
The present invention comprises an improved cable puller assembly for use in the trenchless replacement of underground pipes including water, sewer and electrical conduits. The improved cable puller assembly utilizes a cylinder body comprising four double acting hydraulic cylinders set up in pairs of two, i.e. two forward cylinders and two aft cylinders. The cable pullers are configured to move inwardly and outwardly from the cylinder body and feature the ability to pull a cable through a pipe on both their inward and outward strokes.
US08888063B2
Novel stands for tablet computers and other electronic devices. A stand for a tablet may comprise a body having one or more attachment mechanisms at one location and a crossbar at a second location. The crossbar may comprise a portion of a first material disposed to magnetically interact with a portion of a second material that is provided by the tablet. The magnetic interaction may cause the crossbar to serve as one or more detents that movably affixes the stand in a desired position relative to the tablet.
US08888060B2
A connecting portion 21 (31) includes a hole portion 22 (33) and a shaft insertion portion 23 (34) that is cut in from an edge of an arm 2 (3) to the hole portion 22 (33) by a width smaller than a diameter of the hole portion 22 (33), and a post portion 42a (42b) includes a shaft 43a (43b) that is attachable to/detachable from the hole portion 22 (33) through the shaft insertion portion 23 (34) only from a predetermined direction when upper and lower arms 2 and 3 are projected to an extent not normally used, and a fixing portion 44a (44b) formed at both ends of the shaft 43a (43b) by a diameter larger than that of the hole portion 22 (33).
US08888059B2
A fastening device (6) for detachably fastening a first component (4) to a second component (5), especially to a motor vehicle. A bearing block (7), which has a stay bolt (13), is fastened to one component (5). The bearing block (7) has an anchor bracket (8), which is fastened to the other component (4) and which has an anchor hook (15) for hooking onto the stay bolt (13). A locking device (16) is provided which can be adjusted between a locking state, in which anchor hook (15) can be hooked into and detached from the stay bolt (13), and an unlocking state, in which stay bolt (13) is fixed to the anchor hook (15) hooked into same.
US08888033B2
A spring-driven reel adapted to have a line or cable wound onto the spool of the cable. As the line or cable is pulled from said spool, a helical spring is compressed. The helical spring causes the line or cable to be wound upon the spool if slack occurs in the line or cable.
US08888028B2
An apparatus including a gear assembly; a first blade section and a second blade section. The first blade section includes a first shaft. The first shaft is connected to gears of the gear assembly and extends from a first side of the gear assembly. The second blade section includes a second shaft and a cutting blade. The second shaft is connected to the gears of the gear assembly and extends from a second opposite side of the gear assembly. The gear assembly is configured to rotate the second shaft in an opposite direction of rotation relative to rotation of the first shaft.
US08888023B2
An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a nozzle and a turret for the distribution of irrigation water that includes a latching portion so that the nozzle may be detachably inserted into a nozzle socket of the turret. The nozzle may include radially flexible extensions with radial protrusions that interengage with corresponding lock seats of the nozzle socket to form a latching connection therewith. The latching connection restricts the nozzle from becoming unintentionally discharged from the nozzle socket. The nozzle may further be configured so that increased water pressure acting on the nozzle causes the radial protrusions to more tightly engage the nozzle socket to prevent unintentional discharge of the nozzle.
US08888022B2
There is provided a coupling process whereby two components can be coupled together at high positional precision regardless of precision of a single component. A softer component 17 of two components 15, 17 to be coupled together is subjected to shearing by a corner 15c of a harder component 15 while respective parts of the two components 15, 17, positioning of the respective parts being required, are kept as-positioned state with the use of a mandrel 31, and a side face of the corner 15c is fitted to a sheared surface 17c of the softer component 17 during shearing in progress, subsequently coupling the two components 15, 17 together at a fitting surface by plastic coupling, press-fitting, or welding.
US08888020B2
A multi-stage showerhead for preventing mixed flow and back pressure, in which a capacity space is set inside a housing, the capacity space is provided for placing an inner disk, an outer disk, a distribution base, an outlet base, a bottom base and a water-gas mixing seat, wherein at least a counter-stop pad is set inside the water-gas mixing seat for avoiding that water and gas fixed to produce back-pressure counter current, to thereby ensure the purpose of water-saving and not reducing the strength of water.
US08888018B2
A system for dispensing pulverulent coating material comprises a source of pulverulent coating material, a source of compressed gas, a device for movably supporting a nozzle, the nozzle coupled to the source of pulverulent material and providing an opening through which the pulverulent material is dispensed, a deflector supported by the device and spaced from the opening to aid in shaping a cloud of dispensed coating material, and a source of high-magnitude electrostatic potential coupled to impart electrostatic potential to the dispensed pulverulent material. The deflector includes at least one first passageway extending with a radial component of the deflector and communicating with the source of compressed gas to direct gas with a radial component into the cloud of dispensed coating material.
US08888015B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a spraying apparatus with an integrated filter, specifically to overcome the challenges of spraying asphalt sealant material. The present invention can be integrated within an asphalt sealant spray system and consists of a leak free large filter housing, multiple spray nozzles placed axially and pointing downwards towards the ground, a meshed filter that fits inside the filter housing, an actuator as means of on/off nozzle control, extension options for lengthening the spray pattern, a material inlet that will receive pressurized material from a pump the spray apparatus is integrated with, and housing end caps to provide easy access to the inside of the filter housing.
US08888010B2
A system for generating a security mark includes a data reception component that receives information. A security mark generation component in communication with the data reception component generates at least one security mark configuration based at least in part upon the received information. The at least one security mark configuration includes at least one simulation mark which resembles a natural feature. An application component applies one configuration of the at least one security mark configurations to a recipient. The applied security mark configuration obeys at least one rule whereby the security mark is distinguishable from the natural feature which it resembles by a system for detection of security marks.
US08888003B2
A method for decoding a two-dimensional optical code formed by a set number of codewords, wherein decoding the code based on a single acquired image has not been successful, includes analyzing an acquired image and at least one further acquired image and obtaining a respective set and further set of values of identified codewords. Each codeword can take on either an undefined value or vice versa a numeric value if the codeword is recognized. A combined set of codewords is created and each codeword of the combined set is assigned a value of a codeword of the set and/or of the further set and an algorithm for detecting and self-correction of errors is applied to the combined set to obtain confirmation of successful decoding of the two-dimensional code.
US08888002B2
A system and method for enabling users to run remote applications on access control readers located throughout office buildings. A system administrator creates different remote applications groups such as admin, engineer or cardholder and then assigns users to one of the remote application groups. Users are then able to run the remote applications assigned to their remote application group from any of the access control readers located throughout the office building.
US08887998B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for generating a gift code. The system receives an indication from a first user identifying a closed loop card, receives a confirmation of an amount of money in an account associated with the closed loop card, offers to purchase the closed loop card at an amount less than the amount of money in the account associated with the closed loop card, and upon acceptance of the offer, deactivates the closed loop card. The system then offers to sell the amount of money at a discount rate to a second user, receives acceptance of the offer to sell the amount of money at the discount rate, and associates a gift code with the amount of money for use by the second user. Gift codes can have no expiration date. A multi-process secure gateway can confirm the amount of money.
US08887992B2
When a customer places a special order that changes the content of a product or processing thereof, a receipt printing processing method and system generates special order (second) data and prints the same using a label (second) printer in connection with printing the sales receipt (printing first data on first paper) using a receipt (first) printer in communication with the label printer. A stored key code is used to indentify non-standard order (predetermined) information in the receipt printer before printing the receipt data, and such information is determined to be contained in the receipt data, if a text string matching the key code is found in the receipt data. In that case, the special order data is generated and printed.
US08887979B2
A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
US08887976B2
Backpacks and backpack systems which have at least a portion which is accessible from the front of a wearer. In one illustrative embodiment, a backpack system in accordance with the present invention includes a back portion with shoulder straps. A swing-around portion is formed as a storage compartment that is secured to the back portion in a carrying position. An articulated frame is secured to the back portion and the swing-around portion and allows a user wearing the backpack to pivot the swing around portion around the user's side and access the contents therein. A securing latch is used to secure the articulating frame to retain the swing-around portion in the carrying position. The entire storage compartment of the pack may be a swing-around portion, or the pack may include multiple storage compartments that are either fixed to the back portion or function as swing-around portions.
US08887973B2
A vehicle gun rack, comprising a set of support racks having posts that replace traditional head rests in a motor vehicle. Existing head rests are removed from two adjacent vehicle seats and replaced with the disclosed racks that are used to support a gun or rifle across the span of the two seats. The device comprises a seat-mountable rack with upstanding supports and a plurality of gun support hooks. The gun support hooks hold a rifle such that the rifle spans the space between the racks, while the racks occupy the head rest receiving post locations on the vehicle seats. The racks are therefore useful in the spaces wherein seat head rests are traditionally located within the interior of a vehicle, which is useful in vehicles where traditional rear window gun racks cannot be mounted because of the particular type of vehicle, including small vehicle or certain two-seater pick-up trucks.
US08887968B1
An apparatus for capping a jar includes a plastic flat plate having a top and a bottom and a depending skirt with internal threadings and a hole in the flat plate. A measured liquor pouring spout inserted through the hole in the plate has a channel for flow of liquid and a cap sized and shaped to cover a liquor bottle with a lower skirt that abuts the top of the flat plate. The spout has a lower stem with a first radial flange under the cap abutting the top of the flat plate and a second radial flange under the cap spaced below the first radial flange. A gasket on the lower stem below the flat plate closes portions of the hole that surround the lower stem and secures the stem in position by fitting between the second radial flange and the bottom of the flat plate.
US08887967B2
A trigger dispenser (1) for liquids comprises a suction valve (30) having a diaphragm (32) abutting against the bottom wall (106) of the pumping chamber (4). The suction valve (30) comprises a stem (40) extending along a suction valve axis (Y), which crosses the bottom wall (10b), snap-coupling with it.
US08887959B2
Systems for storing beverages are disclosed, which include a container for storing, transporting and dispensing a beverage, e.g. beer. In some implementations the container includes a pressure-tight lid closure system including wire bails.
US08887947B2
A closure (2) for a flexible container (2) comprises a valve (7, 8) which is switchable between a closed position and an open position, and a tube structure (9) arranged to be immersed in a liquid in the container (1). The valve comprises a first part (7) arranged to be inserted in an opening (10) of the container (1) and a second part (8) arranged within the first part (7), said first and second parts (7, 8) being rotatable in relation to each other for switching between the closed position and the open position of the valve. The closure (2) is made essentially of plastic material. A method of closing a flexible container (1) is also described.
US08887945B2
A foldable container module includes a body and a foldable container. The body has a sidewall and a room. The foldable container has a panel, multiple folding line sets formed on the panel, and a joint. The foldable container can be transformed by folding along the multiple folding line sets. The joint connects to the sidewall of the body. The foldable container module can be held in one hand by a user, and the other hand of the user can swing freely or take the solid food from the foldable container, such that the user can also suck the liquid from the body by the straw at the same time. Moreover, when the foldable container module is to be stored, the user can fold the foldable container along the multiple folding line sets to reduce a volume of the foldable container.
US08887944B2
Apparatus for use with substantially thermally sealed storage containers are described herein. These include an apparatus comprising a stored material module, a stabilizer unit, a stored material module cap and a central stabilizer unit. The apparatus also include a transportation stabilizer unit with dimensions corresponding to a substantially thermally sealed storage container with a flexible conduit.
US08887937B2
A two-part closure for use in conjunction with a liner. An upper part of the closure is substantially plate like and clips or snaps onto the lower part of the closure. The lower part of the closure includes recessed vents which allow air and/or moisture to escape from beneath the closure. The lowest part of the closure has sidewalls with interior threads or a snap-on rib, as desired. The upper portion of the lower part is open, with crossing ribs positioned a spaced distance above the sealing lip for the lower part.
US08887934B2
A side cover structure of an electric connecting box includes a connecting box main body, an upper cover, and a side cover covering a side opening at the connecting box main body. The side cover includes a vertical shaft through upper and lower supporters, and the connecting box main body includes a bearing. The shaft is engaged slidably and rotatably around the bearing. The bearing includes a stopper preventing the side cover from drawing out upwardly when the side cover in closed condition is moved upwardly, and a receiver supporting the side cover higher than that in closed condition when the side cover is moved upwardly and rotated toward a direction to open. The bearing includes curved upper and lower bearings, and the upper bearing has a top end portion, and a bottom end of the top end portion acts as the stopper to abut on the lower supporter.
US08887929B2
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a tool caddy is removably mountable to a fixed portion of an automobile lift. The tool caddy is generally rigid, having a conical section and a cantilevered section. A U-shaped mounting bracket is adapted to be placed atop and/or around any fixed rectangular/square section of the lift. The conical section is shaped to accommodate an impact gun or other similarly sized and/or shaped tool. The cantilevered section has several portals disposed in a surface thereof for holding smaller tools. The tool caddy will secure in place, when it is A) wedged at least partially through the triangular opening of a truss, B) rested atop a rectangular portion of a beam of a truss, or C) slid along a beam until the top plate of the mounting bracket is wedged into a portion of the truss where the triangular section meets the beam.
US08887921B2
A screen panel with wear protective apertures for mining and quarrying industries adapted to be mounted on a screen deck, including a screening surface made up of materials such as herein described formed on a reinforcing frame, said screening surface having suitably designed apertures of desired shape for allowing materials of desired size to pass through, said apertures having walls made of abrasion resistant material such as herein described said walls having plurality of slits(1) cut along the vertical as well as horizontal line in the top and bottom portion of the apertural walls, whereby utmost flexibility of the apertures is ensured simultaneously ensuring wear protection.
US08887919B2
The present invention is a protective cover for a nasal cannula. The device completely encloses the two prongs of the nasal cannula when properly installed. This protective cover will keep the nasal cannula from contacting potentially unclean surfaces when the nasal cannula is not in use.
US08887912B2
A multi-pack assembly for containing and dispensing one or more new pen needles, and receiving and containing used pen needles after use, is provided, wherein a plurality of both new and used pen needles can be contained in a series of storage vessels, each secured to an adjacent storage vessel thereby forming an easily managed multi-pack assembly shape, and providing caps for each individual pen needle storage vessel to provide a sterility barrier and which can be opened independently of one another, and which can be closed in the same manner after use to prevent unwanted interaction with the used pen needles contained therein.
US08887904B2
A container for storing and dispensing a substance including a deformable nipple having an open end, a feeding tip and a storage cavity; a lid adapted to releasably engage the open end of the nipple; and a (optionally) a tether having resilient properties, the tether connecting the nipple to the lid; wherein, in a storage position the substance, when placed within the storage cavity of the nipple, is contained; wherein in a mixing position, the substance is released from the storage cavity of the nipple; and wherein the container transitions from the storage position to the mixing position upon application of an external force to the nipple, causing the nipple to deform and the lid to disengage the open end of the nipple.
US08887902B1
A mobile device enclosure system is an apparatus system that protects a mobile device from the wear and tear associated with of daily usage without limiting the portability of the mobile device or the accessibility of said mobile device's hardware keys or charging ports. The apparatus system accomplishes this through the use of an inner case and an outer case. The inner case is enclosed within the outer case. The inner case partially surrounds the mobile device and functions as an attachment means for mounting to the outer case. The outer case houses both the inner case and the mobile device protecting them from accidental damage. The inner case is rotatably coupled to the outer case permitting the mobile device to be particularly oriented and positioned in order to enable facilitated viewing of the mobile device's display screen.
US08887883B2
For the coupling of two parallel contact wires of an elastic contact line system with a rigid contact line system, which has a power track (3) and a contact wire (4) affixed thereon, an elongated cantilever (5) is provided in a transition area, whose rigidity increases in the longitudinal direction from the elastic contact line system to the rigid contact line system. The two contact wires (1, 2) of the elastic contact line system are located along the cantilever parallel to the first contact wire (4), which is, in turn, clamped over the entire length of the cantilever. All three contact wires (1, 2, 4) are affixed on several multiple clamps (9) in the area of the cantilever (5), which clamps are located in a distributed manner along the cantilever. The multiple clamps (9) are located in recesses (12) of the cantilever.
US08887882B2
A vibration damper with integrated level control includes a cylinder in which a hollow piston rod with a piston outfitted with damping valves is guided so as to be axially movable. The piston divides the cylinder into a workspace on the piston rod side and a workspace remote of the piston rod. The workspace on the piston rod side is limited at the end by a piston rod guide, and the workspace remote of the piston rod is connected to a pump space by at least one connection opening in a separating wall. The separating wall supports a hollow rod on which the piston slides and controls the pump operation of the vibration damper. A compensation space receives the damping volume displaced by the piston rod due to a dynamic load, and the piston rod guide is guided in the cylinder so as to be movable axially, and the connection opening in the separating wall is outfitted with a valve that opens in the direction of the work space remote of the piston rod.
US08887881B2
A shock-absorbing device includes a first cylinder with a first room defined therein and a room is defined in an end of the first cylinder. A second cylinder extends into the first cylinder and has a first piston so as to define a third room and a third room. Hydraulic liquid is filled in the second and third rooms. A first tube and a second tube extending through the first tube are located in the first room. A first path and a second path communicate with the recess. The first and second tubes extend into the second cylinder and are connected to the first piston. When the first and second cylinders are relative moved, the hydraulic liquid is controlled to flow or not flow between the first and second paths so as to absorb different levels of shocks, and the speed that the shock-absorbing device returns can be adjusted.
US08887879B1
A brake activation system and method are described. In one example, a bottom surface is configured to engage a floor pan of a towed vehicle near a brake pedal. An actuation arm extends away from the bottom surface and is configured to connect to the brake pedal to actuate a brake of the towed vehicle through the brake pedal, the actuation arm extends in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface. An arm drive system applies pressure to the actuation arm to drive the brake pedal to actuate the brake, the arm drive system being connected to the bottom surface to drive the actuation arm against the bottom surface in a direction partially normal to the bottom surface.
US08887866B2
A fall prevention assembly to prevent injuries when a user climbing a pole and falls, is provided. The fall prevention assembly includes a pole strap, a first connector, a floating back plate, a second connector and a lanyard. The pole strap has a first end, a second end and a mid portion between the first end and the second end. The first connector has a first end that is slidably coupled proximate the first end of the pole strap. The floating back plate is engaged between a portion of the first connector and the pole strap and is configured and arranged to selectively bind the pole strap to the first connector. The second connector is coupled a select distance from the second end of the pole strap. The lanyard has a first end, a second end and mid portion between the first and second ends. A second end of the first connector is slidably coupled to the lanyard. A second end of the second connector is slidably coupled to the lanyard such that the mid-portion of the pole strap and the mid-portion of the lanyard can be positioned around a pole to be climbed.
US08887862B2
An acoustical phase plug for use in loudspeakers produces a planar rectangular wavefront, or a wavefront with a desired amount of curvature, from the output aperture of the phase plug device when presented with a planar circular wavefront at the input aperture. The phase plug utilizes a waveguide that equalizes the travel paths from the input aperture to the output aperture. The waveguide essentially eliminates surface discontinuities thereby resulting in the reduction of diffraction of the wavefront travelling through the phase plug device.
US08887860B2
A steering apparatus may include a motor; a motor shaft connected to the motor and adapted to deliver torque of the motor; a variable steering section connected to a steering column coupled to a steering handle and adapted to change angle and length of the steering column; and a connecting section adapted to receive from the motor shaft and deliver to the variable steering section the torque of the motor, wherein the variable steering section includes a tilting device adapted to change the angle of the steering column, a telescopic device adapted to change the length of the steering column, a variable steering clutch adapted to be coupled with one of the tilting device and the telescopic device selectively, and a delivery member coupled to the variable steering clutch and adapted to deliver the torque of the motor received from the connecting section to the variable steering clutch.
US08887854B2
A battery holder for containing a battery unit is provided above a driving motor body and below a main frame. The battery holder includes a holder body portion, a plate member which is detachable from the holder body portion at a lateral side of a vehicle and by which lateral movement of the battery unit is restrained, and a terminal part which is provided at a rear portion of the holder body portion and is used for connecting a power supply from the battery unit to the driving motor body. The battery unit and the terminal part are detachably connected to each other. A controller fixing part by which a controller for controlling the power supply between the battery unit and the driving motor body is fixed to the vehicle, is provided at a lower portion of the holder body portion.
US08887852B2
A foldable scooter has a first frame section hingedly connected to a second frame section and supported by front and rear wheels, and a locking organ for locking the foldable scooter in an unfolded state. Two longitudinally extending, spaced-apart shield elements extend upward from the second frame section. When folded, tops of the first and second frame sections face each other, with the at least one rear wheel between sides defined by the shield elements. The front wheel(s) is (are) steerable, but can be pivoted to a location at least partially between the sides defined by the shield elements.
US08887851B2
A saddle-ride vehicle for reducing air resistance flowing toward the rear of the vehicle. A saddle-ride type vehicle includes a front cowl in a vehicle front part and a rear cowl provided in a vehicle rear part. The rear cowl is provided with a bulging part protruding to the left and right in a vehicle widthwise direction. In addition, the bulging part protrudes outward of the rear edges of the front cowl in the vehicle widthwise direction. Further, side surfaces of the bulging part are each formed in a curved shape which bulges toward an outside of the vehicle in a plan view of the vehicle. Furthermore, a peak part which is located at an outermost edge of the side surface in the vehicle widthwise direction is located at a position closer to the front of the vehicle within a length of the bulging part in a vehicle front-rear direction.
US08887848B2
A forklift includes a wheel driving device that includes a traveling motor and drives a wheel; and a cargo handling device that includes a cargo handling motor and drives a cargo handling mechanism. The cargo handling motor includes a wind generating mechanism that generates wind by the rotation of a motor shaft of the cargo handling motor; and a discharge port that discharges the wind generated by this wind generating mechanism. The cargo handling motor is arranged in a vehicle body of the forklift so that wind discharged from the discharge port reaches the wheel driving device.
US08887841B2
A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, an engine, a steering assembly, a support platform and a front mount assembly. The frame may be attachable to a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel assembly of the riding lawn care vehicle. At least a portion of the engine may be mounted to the frame substantially between the front wheels. The steering assembly may include steering levers operably coupled to respective ones of the front wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via respective hydrostatic drive pumps driven by the engine. The steering assembly may enable steering of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the front wheels responsive to positioning of steering levers of the steering assembly.
US08887840B2
A lawnmower includes a chassis; a seat supported on the chassis for permitting an operator to sit or stand on the chassis; a pair of drive wheels for supporting the chassis above a ground surface; an engine and a pair of transmissions for driving the drive wheels; and a pair of manually-moveable handle assemblies for controlling the transmissions. Each handle assembly includes a substantially vertically-extending control handle, wherein the control handles are mounted outboard of opposite sides of the seat so as not to block the operator's ingress or egress from the seat.
US08887839B2
A drill bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising a drill bit body including a group of primary cutting elements comprising a first primary cutting element and a second primary cutting element radially spaced apart from each other along a first radial axis. The drill bit body further including a group of backup cutting elements comprising a first backup cutting element in a secondary cutting position relative to the first primary cutting element and a second backup cutting element in secondary cutting positions relative to the second primary cutting element, wherein the first and second backup cutting elements are radially spaced apart from each other along a second radial axis different than the first radial axis and comprise a difference in cutting characteristic relative to each other of one of a backrake angle and a siderake angle.
US08887836B2
Wellbore cleaning bits include a bit body, at least one cutting structure on the bit body, and a shank configured to attach the bit body to a drill string. Drilling systems for cleaning wellbores include a wellbore cleaning bit coupled to a drill string. The wellbore cleaning bit may include a casing bit body and a shank attached to the casing bit body and the drill string. A casing bit may be attached to a shank having a connection portion configured for attachment to a drill string to form wellbore cleaning bits for cleaning at least a section of a wellbore. Furthermore, a casing bit may be advanced into a wellbore using a drill string to clean a wellbore.
US08887830B2
A telescoping leader for a construction vehicle for accommodating a vibrator, pile driver, earth drilling gear mechanism, or the like, has an outer leader that is disposed so that it can be longitudinally displaced relative to an inner leader. The inner leader and outer leader have closed material cross-sections, and the outer leader surrounds the inner leader. At the end of the outer leader that can be displaced on the inner leader, and at the end of the inner leader that is guided in the outer leader, a guide is firmly disposed, on which the outer leader can be displaced.
US08887825B2
A ground shaping machine, particularly an agricultural machine, including a frame, at least one roller fitted with a flexible tire, a first bearing and a second bearing whereby the roller can rotate about a substantially horizontal axis in the working position, the first bearing and the second bearing being positioned one at each end of the roller. The frame has a first support and a second support, the first support at least being connected to the first bearing through a suspension device including a mechanism with an upper arm and a lower arm, both substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller, each of the upper and lower arms being connected by a joint to the first support, and to the first bearing, the mechanism forming a deformable quadrilateral, while the suspension device also have a substantially vertical resilient return member connected by a joint to the first support and to the first bearing.
US08887816B2
A downhole tool or a component thereof may comprise a plasticized polymer composition that comprises a polymer and a water-soluble plasticizer, wherein the plasticized polymer composition has a first deflection test value. The tool may be exposed to an aqueous-based medium where the water-soluble plasticizer may leach out of the tool such that the plasticized polymer composition has a second deflection test value after exposure to the aqueous-based medium that is less than about 10% of the first deflection test value.
US08887808B2
A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.
US08887807B2
An apparatus for installing cement plugs into a well, comprising a protective sleeve having one end adapted to be attached to the end of a drill pipe and arranged to carry a cementing plug around its outer surface such that a dart passing through the drill pipe can pass through the sleeve and engage only on formations on the plug to withdraw it from the end of the sleeve.
US08887793B2
A window screen assembly comprising a screen frame including a screen lineal and a lip portion, the screen lineal including an aperture and a screen channel, a screen member secured in the screen channel. The assembly also has a slide assembly comprising a shield attached to the screen lineal, mounted into the aperture, a top slide attached to the shield, movable relative to the screen frame from an engaged position to a disengaged position along a given linear axis. The slide comprises a cap, a post attached to the cap, a ramp attached to the post. The shield has at least one shield springs embedded in the shield. The window screen assembly is configured to be removably secured to an architectural member.
US08887789B2
A self-contained system for protecting building penetrations is disclosed. The system can include a housing containing a take-up roll and a screen made from a flexible, strong fabric-like material suitable for resisting high winds, driving rain, and wind-driven missiles. The system can further comprise a deflector or roller to maintain the angle of deployment of the screen. The system can further include a weight bar attached to the end of the screen to assist in deploying the screen. The system can further comprise a dual pulley system to assist in deploying the screen and to hold the screen in the deployed position. The system can include wipers to clean the screen as it is retracted into the enclosure. The system can further comprise an integrated or separate light control, or “black-out” screen. The system enclosures can comprise various hinged covers to facilitate service, repair, and storage.
US08887788B2
A window cover system includes an extendible window cover with a pair of lift cords. A lift cord pulley shaft is coupled to a pair of spaced apart lift cord pulleys. A spring drive unit has a beveled gear system with a first gear that is spring biased to resist rotation of first gear in one direction of rotation, and a second gear meshed with the first gear. The lift cord pulley shaft extends through the second gear and is configured to rotate therewith.
US08887780B2
A pneumatic vehicle tire, in particular for heavy commercial trucks, having a tread with a number of circumferential grooves which run in the circumferential direction and which separate profile positives, such as block rows or profile ribs, from one another. The circumferential grooves are each bounded by a groove base and two groove edges. In order to effectively prevent the occurrence of tears at the groove base of the circumferential grooves, in particular at the groove base of the circumferential grooves which extend on the shoulder side, the groove base extends, viewed in cross section and in the axial direction, at an angle of inclination of 3 degrees to 15 degrees with respect to an envelope which encompasses the outer faces of the profile positives.
US08887776B2
A pneumatic tire has a nonconductive tread rubber constructing an outer surface of a tread portion, a nonconductive side wall rubber constructing an outer surface of a side wall portion, and a rim strip rubber constructing an outer surface of a bead portion. The pneumatic tire has a conductive sheet formed by a conductive rubber. The conductive sheet reaches the rim strip rubber from the tread rubber while passing between a carcass and the side wall rubber, and terminates without being exposed to the outer surface of the bead portion. The rim strip rubber is partitioned into a nonconductive rubber portion and a conductive rubber portion, and the conductive rubber portion is connected to the conductive sheet and is exposed to a bead bottom surface.
US08887774B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to fuel tanks including features for capturing vapors displaced during a filling process. In an embodiment, the invention includes a fuel tank including a housing defining an interior volume; an inflow conduit providing fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the interior volume; a check-valve coupled to the inflow conduit, the check-valve configured to allow fuel to flow through the check-valve into the interior volume but prevent the flow of gases from the interior volume to the outside of the housing; an expansion member configured to reversibly change in volume; and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the expansion member and the interior volume of the housing. Other embodiments are also described herein.
US08887768B2
A sealing device is provided for use with a fitting. The fitting has circular port and a flow path with a longitudinal axis. A circular port encircles a portion of the flow path opposite the port with the sealing device inserted into the port. The sealing device has a circular top with two opposing surfaces depending therefrom but inclined so the surfaces are closer at the top. A continuous sidewall joins the periphery of the two surfaces. The opposing surfaces are inclined and spaced apart further at the top than at an end opposite the top. A cylindrical hole through the opposing surfaces encircles the flow path during use.
US08887766B2
The invention relates to a pressure relief valve (2) for a packaging container (1), comprising a base plate (3), which can be fastened on a wall of the packaging container and has a valve opening (9), also comprising a membrane (4), which is arranged on the base plate (3) over the valve opening (9), wherein the membrane (4) has an adhesive on one side, and further comprising an intermediate layer (6), which is adhesively bonded to the adhesive-containing side of the membrane such that the membrane (4) has two remaining, parallel adhesive-containing peripheral zones for fastening on the base plate (3), wherein the membrane (4) is arranged on the base plate by way of the intermediate layer (6) such that a channel zone (14) is formed on the base plate (3), this channel zone covering over the valve opening (9) and resting right up against the base plate in the closed position.
US08887759B1
A top for a table, desk, counter or the like includes a watertight tank with a clear top surface. A mirror or other surface having dimensions less than the outer dimensions of the tank is positioned in the tank below the top. The tank is filled with a liquid to a level below the mirror such that air remains in the space between the top surface and the surface to the mirror. A pump discharges the liquid through tubes positioned around the perimeter of the tank in the space between the top surface and the surface of the mirror, causing bubbles to form and circulate in the space.
US08887753B2
An in-line water trap located in the line of the flow of waste through a generally straight line or bend is provided for. Typically, the water trap comprises a fluid conduit having a first end, a second end and a passage between the first and second ends; and a vessel having a closed end, an open end and a skirt between the closed and open ends, the lobed vessel further having an inner surface defining an inner volume and an outer surface, the inner surface attachingly engaging an outer wall of the fluid conduit in so doing defining a flow path between the passage, the inner volume of the lobed vessel and the outer surface of the lobed vessel, in use, a fluid level inside the inner volume of the lobed vessel being substantially in communication with the second end of the fluid conduit to form a fluid seal.
US08887752B2
A fuel staging system comprises a splitter valve arranged to split an input fuel stream into a pilot fuel stream and a main fuel stream, the splitter valve comprising a spool slidable within a bore, the spool and bore together defining first and second control chambers, the fluid pressures in which determine the position occupied by the spool, the system further comprising a control line which, in use, controls fuel delivery through a plurality of main burners, the fluid pressure in the control line being a combination of the fluid pressures in the first and second control chambers.
US08887745B2
An apparatus generates and/or maintains fluid flow synthesizing and maintaining an artificial tornado. The apparatus includes a generally cylindrical frame having two chambers coupled with two channels each of one half the entire length of the frame, and having reversed angular coordinates. Each chamber operates to generate and/or maintain a vortex and each channel operates to induce and/or reinforce the vortex along the length of the frame.
US08887742B2
A drying apparatus that allows the wet washed dishes located in the washing container to be dried quickly from an economic and hygienic point of view is provided. The drying apparatus for drying washed dishes is disposed inside a dishwasher and circulates exclusively the air located in a washing container of the dishwasher. The drying apparatus is provided with a suction port for introducing the air from the washing container into the drying apparatus, a blow-out port for discharging the air from the drying apparatus into the washing container, a conveying section between the suction port and the blow-out port, and a fan for conveying the air from the suction port to the blow-out port via the conveying section with the conveying section having a condensing section with at least one wall operable as a condensing surface upon which the humidity contained in the air condenses.
US08887727B2
A ventilation mask for sealing on a face of a patient comprises a nasal passage opener configured for facilitating in opening the nasal passage of the patient. The nasal passage opener is disposed over a nasal valve of the patient when the ventilation mask is sealed on the face of the patient.
US08887722B2
Inhalers with an inhaler housing having a dose container disk having inner and outer perimeters mounted in the housing. The dose container disk has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart dose containers with dry powder therein. The inhalers also include a piercer carriage with a piercer mounted in the inhaler. The piercer carriage is in communication with a resilient member that radially biases the piercer carriage to radially travel to align the piercer with an underlying or overlying dose container.
US08887721B2
Compositions and methods for preventing or reducing vasoconstriction in a mammal following administration of an artificial oxygen carrier (e.g., a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier) are disclosed. The methods include administering to a mammal a composition containing an artificial oxygen carrier in combination with one or more of a nitric oxide-releasing compound, a therapeutic gas containing gaseous nitric oxide, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and/or a soluble guanylate cyclase sensitizer.
US08887719B2
A filtering device 10 that includes a housing 12 having a plurality of subsections 32, 34, and 36 where each subsection is adapted to receive a filter element 26, 28, and 30. An inlet 18 is disposed at a first location on the housing 12, and an upstream air distribution system is placed in fluid communication with the inlet 18 and with each of the subsections 32, 34, and 36. A downstream air distribution system is located in fluid communication with each subsection 32, 34, and 36, and an outlet 20 in fluid communication with the downstream air distribution system. The upstream and downstream air distribution systems are constructed to cause the same airflow velocity through each subsection. Using such a construction, overall product service life may be increased while minimizing pressure resistance of the total filter.
US08887702B2
The present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a self-cleaning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The engine can have an intake, a combustion chamber, and an exhaust with the EGR system accepting exhaust gas from the exhaust and supplying exhaust gas to the intake. The internal combustion engine also has a hydrogen source in fluid communication with a hot side of the EGR system, the hydrogen source affording hydrogen to flow into and through the EGR system and remove at least a portion of carbon-containing deposits therewithin.
US08887686B2
A method of installing a flexible computer control for an internal combustion engine with a plurality of hemispherical combustion chambers includes an engine control unit (ECU), a plurality of sensors, and related components. Main harness of the ECU, which is electrically pre-connected with the ECU, electrically connected with the plurality of sensors and the related components so that data can be retrieved and sent. The data sent by the ECU enables an individual to perform modification of the internal combustion engine with a plurality of hemispherical combustion chambers.
US08887682B2
A camshaft may include a shaft with journals that have outer surfaces with a common outer diameter for carrying cages and roller bearings, such as low-friction needle roller bearings, to provide a uniform rolling speed of the rolling members axially along the camshaft.
US08887673B2
In a water-cooled four-cycle engine, an engine core including a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a first crankcase half body is formed as a unitary part cast integrally; a water jacket including a cylinder jacket surrounding a cylinder bore and a head jacket surrounding a combustion chamber is formed in the engine core; and a timing-belt chamber being adjacent to the cylinder jacket is provided in a side portion of the engine core. A first opening portion for forming a first semi-peripheral portion of the cylinder jacket on a side opposite from the timing-belt chamber by casting out is provided in a side surface of the cylinder block. A second opening portion for forming a second semi-peripheral portion of the cylinder jacket and the head jacket by casting out is provided in an upper surface of the cylinder head.
US08887672B2
An appliance includes a water heater storage tank, a heating assembly configured to heat water within the water heater storage tank, and a heat exchange device disposed within the heat storage unit in a fixed relationship relative to a position of the heating assembly. The heat exchange device includes a hollow object and a phase change material within the hollow object.
US08887671B2
A water heating system, comprises a tank, a bracket, a heating element, and a controller. The bracket has a hole and a notch. The heating element is mounted on the tank, and the heating element passes through the hole. The controller is inserted into the notch. Further, the controller comprises a relay coupled to the heating element and logic configured to control a state of the relay. The logic resides in a portion of the controller that is inserted into the notch.
US08887669B2
A treatment device for an animal includes a treatment member (1), having a first end and a second end, a longitudinal rotary axis (X) extending through the treatment member and the first and second ends, a driving part connected to the treatment member brings about a rotational movement of the treatment member around the longitudinal rotary axis. A carrying member (2) carries the treatment member and the driving part. An anchorage member (4) anchors the carrying member to a stationary element. The carrying member includes a first pivotable connection (3), permitting the treatment member to swing about a first axis (Y), and a second pivotable connection (5), permitting the treatment member to swing about a second axis (Z). The second pivotable connection is provided laterally closer to the anchorage member than to the first pivotable connection.
US08887665B2
An apparatus for dispensing viscous animal food includes a container and a dispensing sheet. The container includes a cavity formed by a sidewall, a concave bottom, and an open top. The sheet includes a perforated transverse wall or web with a downwardly curving profile that conforms to the concave bottom and a flange extending downwardly from the perimeter of the web. Rails are disposed along the sidewall to, along with conforming recesses in the perimeter of the sheet, guide movement of the sheet in the cavity. The flange interacts with the sidewall to resist pivotal movement of the sheet. A channel is provided about the perimeter of the concave bottom to receive the flange and enable receipt of the web on the concave bottom. Food disposed on the concave bottom is extruded through the sheet by downward forces applied by an animal during eating.
US08887663B2
A system for use in fabrication of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) includes a wafer having a circuitry and a plurality of CNT seed sites. The system also includes a base assembly configured to support the wafer. The system further includes a first tube disposed over the wafer and configured to surround the CNTs that form on the seed sites. The circuitry in the wafer is configured to conduct at least one static charge. The wafer includes a top surface having a plurality of CNT seed sites, each seed site coupled to the circuitry and configured to receive one of the at least one static charge.
US08887661B2
A flow regulating member of a hot dip coating tank which can suppress stir-up of bottom dross, characterized by being provided with horizontal plates which are respectively arranged horizontally from below two side end parts of a sink roll, which is arranged inside of a coating tank in a rotatable manner, toward outside directions of the sink roll and louvers which are arranged above from the end parts of the respective horizontal plates at positions separated from the two ends of the sink roll and which have flow direction changing members which are slanted so that their heights become gradually higher toward the wall surface sides of the coating tank.
US08887653B2
An air direction device is submerged under a dry dock. The device imitates the orientation of the dry dock and is in communication with an air source, which pipes air under the device. The air travels to the most elevated portion of the device, which in turn directs the air into a depressed tank to correct dry dock imbalance.
US08887637B2
A color measurement on printed materials produced by a printing press is performed by at least a first color measuring device installed in the printing press and at least a second color measuring device. A signal is output by the first color measuring device in the printing press when the measured color values registered on the printing materials are located within a predefined tolerance limit for a predefined period and that, after the signal has been output, a color measurement on one of the printed materials thus produced is performed with the second color measuring device.
US08887626B2
A blower intensified gas flame kettle including a kettle disposed in an upper housing and a gas burner disposed in a lower housing and having gas burner jets at least partially inserted into the upper housing. Burning gases emanating from the gas burner jets are directed toward the kettle and contained by the upper housing. The temperature and velocity of the burning gases are enhanced by action of a blower which blows air which mixes with flammable gas in the gas burner prior to burning. Higher temperatures and improved, radiant, conductive and convection heating of the kettle are achieved. A mechanized stirrer enhances heating of contents of the kettle by stirring the contents of the kettle.
US08887618B2
Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.
US08887617B2
In a recoil-spring device (100) in a handgun equipped with a breech and a recoil spring (110) in the form of a spiral spring, whose rear end abuts a rear stop member (123) on a recoil spring rod (120) and whose front end is mounted for movement along the recoil-spring rod (120) with contraction of the recoil spring (110), support in an uncomplicated recoil-spring eyelet is achieved in that the front end of the recoil spring (110) abuts, at least indirectly, a rear contact surface (132) of a contact element (131) that is mounted for movement along said contact-spring rod (120), while the front contact surface (133) is in contact with an internal surface of the breech of the handgun.
US08887612B2
An improved charging handle for a firearm, specifically for automatic and semi-automatic rifles, where the charging handle is provided with operator engagement sides generally parallel to the long axis of the charging handle rod. In certain embodiments, the charging handle includes a latch mechanism comprising a non-pivoting pin for engagement with a detent on a firearm exterior surface and a biasing mechanism biasing the pin toward the elongate member, such that when the charging handle assembly is inserted fully into the firearm the pin engages the detent and is held in engagement by the biasing mechanism. In certain other embodiments the charging handle includes a latch mechanism that is rotationally secured to the handle portion and rotatable between a latched orientation and an unlatched orientation, and a biasing mechanism biasing the latch mechanism in the latched orientation and an interface member actuatable for moving the latch mechanism between the latched orientation and the unlatched orientation, wherein the interface member is at an angle to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the latched orientation, and the interface member is generally parallel to the elongate member when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched orientation.
US08887611B2
Disclosed is a system for detonating a buried explosive device by discharging an electric discharge with at least five joules of energy to detonate the buried explosive device.
US08887602B2
An apparatus for handling portions of products, in particular food products, includes a product conveyor which conveys the portions sequentially along a conveying direction and at least one sensor which serves to determine the weight of the conveyed portions. The apparatus includes an automatic weight compensation unit which is arranged in the vicinity of the product conveyor and which serves additionally to place at least one single product on a portion in dependence on the determined weight of the portion.
US08887597B2
A split grip control lever is suitable for operating heavy machinery and includes a fixed base portion that provides secure operator support during operation of the machine. A movable upper portion is pivotable relative to the fixed base portion by the user's thumb and index finger to control operation of machine components. The movable upper portion and the fixed base portion preferably define a substantially continuous profile. Additionally, a control device is placed inside the fixed base portion of the grip, allowing for a shorter control shaft that pivots at or near the center of the unit. This arrangement facilitates control of the equipment.
US08887595B2
An instrument wrist uses members having epicycloidal and hypocycloidal surfaces to bear loads and preserve a separation of reference points in the same manner as circles rolling on each other. The cycloidal surfaces can be uniform, stepped, or blended and can be arranged to ensure geared motion of members without addition of additional gearing structures. A hypocycloidal surface provides a concave contact that improves resistance to deformations under load. The wrist mechanism is tendon stayed, which keeps members in contact, and optionally gear structures can be integrated into the members to ensure geared motion and support roll toques.
US08887593B2
The present invention is to provide a device of a pair of claw-type rotors having same profiles, the device includes a defined rotor and a conjugate rotor intermeshing with and conjugating to each other. The defined rotor includes a first claw having a cross-section profile having an epicycloid, a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, and a fourth arc all connected together in sequence in a counterclockwise direction. The first, second, third, and fourth arcs are connected with slope continuity, whereby locations of centers, values of radiuses and arc angles of the second and third arcs are capable of being defined in accordance with the slope continuity and geometric relations between the first and fourth arcs. The conjugate rotor has a first claw having a cross-section profile generated by utilizing a conjugate curve corresponding to the first claw of the defined rotor.
US08887590B2
An automatic clearance compensation device for a support yoke of a rack-pinion type steering apparatus, includes: a hollow yoke cylinder integrally formed with a rack housing, wherein the yoke cylinder is positioned at the opposite side of a rack gear formed at a rack bar; a support yoke slidably inserted within the yoke cylinder and formed with a groove at its one side to be in contact with the outer surface of the rack bar; a spacer assembly installed within the yoke cylinder, contacting the other side of the support yoke. The device can automatically compensate for the clearance created due to the wear between the rack bar and the support yoke. Even when the external impacts are reversely transmitted, the device can remove the noise generated between the support yoke and the yoke plug.
US08887577B2
The tensometric transducer comprises a load element which is fixed to an object to be monitored, and a piezo-optical transducer which converts the magnitude of the stresses on a photoelastic element into an electrical signal, wherein the load element is in the form of a plate having a thinned portion at the fixing point for the photoelastic element, which is fixed in the plate in a preloaded state is such a way that the action of the initial load force is realized in two mutually perpendicular to directions, and a conical opening is formed in the center of the plate, the axis of the opening lying in a plane perpendicular to the load axis, wherein the photoelastic element is in the form of a truncated cone, wherein the angels of the taper of the opening and of the taper of the photoelastic element coincide with one another and are equal to a Morse taper.
US08887571B2
An exposed end of a micromechanical system having at least one beam-shaped element is connected to a further element of the micromechanical system at the other end thereof. To optimize the mechanical properties of the micromechanical system, recesses are provided in the beam-shaped element in such a way that the mass of the beam-shaped elements decreases toward the exposed end.
US08887561B2
The invention relates to a method for estimating the dynamic load borne by a tire of a vehicle running along over a given period, whereby the pressure is measured during the period, at each pressure measurement point, the pressure, known as the reference pressure, of the same tire subjected to a load that is constant and known per time interval is determined, and the variation in load is calculated from the difference between the measured pressure and the pressure, known as the reference pressure, and from a model of the tire devised beforehand and that relates a variation in load to a variation in pressure.The invention also proposes a method for estimating the load borne by a tire.
US08887552B2
A phantom used in quality assurance and performance tests and/or in pre-purchase testing of ultrasound scanners is provided. The phantom includes a container, a boundary formed within the container, and a curved scanning surface. The container includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a wall mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface to form the container. The boundary is configured to hold a tissue mimicking material. The curved scanning surface is formed in the top surface in a direction towards an interior of the container. The curved scanning surface is shaped to support translation perpendicular to an image plane of an application end of an ultrasound transducer along at least a portion of an axis extending between a first location on the curved scanning surface and a second location on the curved scanning surface.
US08887546B2
A method for analyzing moisture content in an analyzer. In one embodiment a sample is introduced into an analyzer and an initial weight is obtained. The sample is then fortified where it is allowed to pick-up moisture. The temperature of the analyzer is increased and an initial fortified point is obtained wherein the sample has returned to its initial weight. Thereafter the analyzer obtains the final moisture content of the sample at a test finish time. In one embodiment satellite analyzers are biased against a standard analyzer so that more uniform results are obtained.
US08887532B2
Refractory glass-forming tools, including glass-forming molds incorporating protective metal nitride surface coatings, with optional alumina barrier layers disposed between the mold bodies and coating for high-temperature nitride coating stability, offering particular advantages for the manufacture by direct molding of optically finished glass products such as information display cover glasses from refractory alkali aluminosilicate glasses at molding temperatures up to and above 800° C.
US08887520B2
A heat exchanger (1) is provided with two header pipes (2, 3) arranged parallel to each other with a spacing therebetween, flat tubes (4) arranged between the header pipes (2, 3) and having refrigerant paths (5) provided therein and connected to the insides of the header pipes (2, 3), and corrugated fins (6) arranged between the flat tubes (4). That end of each corrugated fin (6) which is on that surface of the heat exchanger (1) which is on the side on which condensed water collects is made to protrude from ends of the flat tubes (4), and linear water leading members (10) are inserted between gaps (G) between the protrusions. The water leading members (10) are inserted from ends of the corrugated fins (6) toward the flat tube side into a range in which surface tension can act.
US08887518B2
A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position.
US08887516B2
A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulate the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.
US08887515B2
A thermal management system includes a case; an insulation material provided within the case, the insulation material defining an interior volume of the insulation material; a liner arranged in the interior volume, the liner having an inner surface that extends toward a center of the case; an outer container of phase change material provided in the liner, the outer container comprising a plurality of outer panels containing a first phase change material, the plurality of outer panels comprising a bottom outer panel, a top outer panel, and side outer panels; and an inner container of phase change material provided in the outer container, the inner container comprising a plurality of inner panels containing a second phase change material; wherein an outer surface of each of the side outer panels is parallel with the inner surface of the liner.
US08887513B2
Systems and methods for heating a cryogenic fluid are provided. A cryogenic fluid can be heated to provide a partially cryogenic vaporized fluid having a first temperature. The partially vaporized cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a second partially vaporized fluid having a second temperature. At least a portion of the second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be used to heat the cryogenic fluid to the first temperature. The second, partially vaporized, cryogenic fluid can be partially vaporized to provide a substantially vaporized cryogenic fluid having a third temperature.
US08887508B2
An impingement sleeve and methods for designing and forming an impingement sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for designing an impingement sleeve is disclosed. The method includes determining a desired operational value for a transition piece, inputting a combustor characteristic into a processor, and utilizing the combustor characteristic in the processor to determine a cooling hole pattern for the impingement sleeve, the cooling hole pattern comprising a plurality of cooling holes, at least a portion of the plurality of cooling holes being generally longitudinally asymmetric, the cooling hole pattern providing the desired operational value.
US08887503B2
A power plant includes a closed loop, supercritical carbon dioxide system (CLS-CO2 system). The CLS-CO2 system includes a turbine-generator and a high temperature recuperator (HTR) that is arranged to receive expanded carbon dioxide from the turbine-generator. The HTR includes a plurality of heat exchangers that define respective heat exchange areas. At least two of the heat exchangers have different heat exchange areas.
US08887500B2
A hydraulic transaxle comprises a transaxle housing, an axle, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic circuit, and a pair of auxiliary pumps. The transaxle housing defines a fluid sump therein. The axle is supported by the transaxle housing. The hydraulic motor is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to drive the axle. The hydraulic pump is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic circuit is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to fluidly connect the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The pair of auxiliary pumps are disposed in the transaxle housing so as to supply fluid from the fluid sump to outside of the transaxle housing.
US08887489B2
According to the invention, the shape of each of said chevrons is defined: by two lateral sides (21, 22) having front ends (21A, 22A) that are connected to said nozzle (4, 10) and that, when moving away from the latter, converge towards each other without joining so that the rear ends (21R, 22R) of said lateral walls (21, 22) are spaced from each other; and by a curvilinear transverse line (23.1) connecting the rear ends (21R, 22R) of said lateral walls (21, 22) by forming two rounded side protrusions (24.1, 25.1) separated by an intermediate rounded recess (26.1).
US08887480B2
Walk power mower with height of cut adjustment system having spring arm with replaceable locking pin
A walk power mower has a mower deck that encloses a pair of rotary cutting blades with the grass clippings from the blades being discharged through a rearwardly extending grass discharge tunnel in a rear bagging mode of operation. The mower deck has ground engaging wheels that are vertically moved up or down to adjust the height of cut. The height of cut adjustment system comprises at least one spring arm having a locking pin or tab that cooperates with one of a plurality of notches, detents or openings on the mower deck to select a desired height of cut. A threaded fastener releasably attaches the locking pin or tab to the spring arm to be able to replace the locking pin or tab without replacing the entire spring arm.
US08887477B2
The invention provides a method for single-step terminal sterilization process for bio-active heparin coatings on materials and biomaterials containing heparin used in medical devices, such as catheters, tissue engineering scaffolds, or drug delivery carrier materials. This may include any medical device or implantable that could benefit from improved antithrombotic and biocompatible heparin surfaces. Other relevant device examples may include heparin or a heparin derivative coated stents to reduce clotting and restenosis, dental or ophthalmological implants. These materials may comprise additional polymeric compositions such as polyethyleneimine, dextran sulfate or their modified forms. These polymers together with heparin coatings may be applied to other substrate of medical devices such as metal, ceramics or biologically derived materials.
US08887470B2
A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors includes a plurality of chords. The frame includes a plurality of extruded profiles, including chords, chord sleeves, struts, strut end pieces and mirror support pieces, each chord sleeve having at least one chord sleeve fin, each chord sleeve positioned about one of the chords. The frame includes a plurality of struts, at least one of the struts having a strut end piece having at least one strut fin that connects with a chord sleeve fin to connect the plurality of chords. The frame includes a platform supported by the chords and struts on which the solar mirrors are disposed. A chord sleeve for connecting a chord of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a strut end piece extending from a strut of the solar frame. A strut end piece for connecting the strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord sleeve of the solar frame. A method for linking a strut of a solar frame which supports solar mirrors to a chord of the solar frame. A method for supporting solar mirrors.
US08887466B2
The invention relates to a system for constructing walls using blocks equipped with coupling means, comprising blocks having: ridges that fit into grooves, bases that fit into channels, cavities for the flow of adhesive, notches in which ducts for installations are located, perforations for reinforcing the wall with post-tensioned cable or rebar, provisions for building frames for doors or windows, and tunnels for housing piers, among other elements, which together allow a wall to be constructed without skilled labor, saving materials and reducing construction time.
US08887459B2
Provided are systems and components for modular wall assembly. The components include horizontal tracks, vertical studs, and floor tracks that have engagement means for assembling the components together into a frame structure. Horizontal tracks and floor tracks have portions for mourning a wall module such as a wall panel unit, bookshelf unit, or cabinet. The horizontal tracks, vertical studs, and floor studs may be CNC cut from a CAD file for precision alignment between interlocking components. The modular wall assembly systems provide for ease of construction and flexibility in designing the layout of an interior wall.
US08887457B1
A door frame reinforcement assembly for resisting an intrusive force applied to a building door has a pair of opposing elongated jamb members and elongated reinforcement members securable with a respective jamb member. Each of the jamb members has a pair of rabbet milled step-up cutouts. One of the cutouts receives a long screw threadably engaging the jamb member with the walls studs. The reinforcement members are secured within the second cutout. The reinforcement members are formed as metal tubes with an insert.
US08887452B2
An apparatus and method for decreasing rot and insect damage to in-ground wood increases the effective life of the wood. A waterproof collar has an upper margin that defines a seal against the wood and the collar surrounds the wood from a point above the ground level to a predetermined location below the ground level. The collar defines a barrier that prevents microbes and insects from gaining access to the wood over the most important portion of the wood in terms of structural integrity, the critical decay zone.
US08887444B2
The present invention is directed to a door panel preferably for a sliding door assembly. The door panel includes an inner frame and a sheet stock substantially covering the inner frame. The inner frame includes a geometry that cooperates with a geometry of a door accessory for operable connection of the door accessory directly to the inner frame.
US08887432B2
A handgun converter enclosing a handgun and allowing the user to operate the handgun with full and increased functionality and enhanced safety. The combined weapon endows the handgun with increased stability and accuracy due to additional supports, versatility by adding rails, and with an additional mechanical latch mechanism supporting safe use. The handgun converter is constructed to allow quick mounting and release of the handgun, to enhance weapon versatility.
US08887423B1
A portable traffic sign and safety stand suitable for use directing traffic under changing conditions. The traffic sign may be rotated in the safety stand to change traffic direction to drivers. The safety stand may include safety features such as lighted signs on the sides. In addition, the safety stand is of suitable height for use for stretching, and may have amenities such as cup holders, storage compartments, hand-held radio holders, and hand-held sign holders.
US08887414B2
A machine includes a base, a main housing that is freely rotatable and supported on the base. The main housing includes a generally horizontal surface. The machine also includes a drum mounted on said main housing, a boom extending from said main housing, a bucket operatively connected to and supported by the boom, a wire rope extending between the drum and the bucket for movement of the bucket, a fairlead disposed on the main housing along a path of the wire rope. The wire rope passes through the fairlead between the drum and the bucket. A dynamic dampening mechanism is disposed on the fairlead, the dynamic dampening mechanism including a dampening fluid having a variable viscosity in response to an electrical current applied thereto.
US08887408B2
An apparatus and its method of use with a conventional tape measure confirms right angles of the corners of a rectangular structure. The apparatus is a two-part tool including a tape measure tab part and a tape measure tape part. The tab part secures a tape measure tab at one corner of the rectangular structure as the tape measure tape is pulled from the tape measure housing diagonally across the structure. The tape part of the apparatus is secured to the diagonally opposite corner of the structure and is used to check the diagonal distance measurement of the tape across the structure. The process is then again performed between the other diagonally opposite corners of the structure to obtain a diagonal distance measurement across the other corners to determine if the two diagonal measurements match and confirm the right angles of the rectangular structure.
US08887401B2
A rotating blade assembly provides a multiplicity of rotating blades for shaving. The rotating blades engage a surface, and create a multiplier effect for an enhanced shave. Multiple rotating blades minimize contact between each blade and the skin to extend the life of the blades, and also funnel hair and shaving cream away from the surface. A pair of gear assemblies inside the blade housing rotatably engages to provide smooth rotation for the blades. Openings in the blade housing create a space for the blades to extend out of, an opening for water to pass through during cleaning and usage, and an opening for the hair and shaving cream to pass through. A shaft locks the gear assembly to prevent rotation for more precise shaving of side burns, mustaches, and goatees. A hollow handle with an opening at the end allows residue to pass through during cleaning and usage.
US08887396B2
A method for producing a roller used for manufacturing a retarder film is provided. The method includes providing the roller having a roller surface; providing an embossing tool having an embossing end and embossing the roller surface with the embossing tool. The embossing end has a plurality of first microgroove structures and second microgroove structures. The first and second micro-groove structures are both parallel structures. Each one of the first microgroove structures is symmetric to each one of the second microgroove structures with respect to a symmetry line. An included angle of the symmetry line between each first micro-groove structure and that between each second micro-groove structure are 45±8 degrees.
US08887395B2
A method for assembling or disassembling spokes of a tubeless wheel includes following steps: selecting a rim, assembling an adaptor onto an assembling tool, assembling the adaptor to the position hole, assembling a spoke, assembling the spoke to the adaptor and disassembling the assembling tool from the adaptor. Therefore, a user can assemble or disassemble the spokes easily and conveniently.
US08887383B2
An electrode structure 100 on which a solder bump is placed includes an electrode pattern 50 made of an electrode-constituting material selected from the group consisting of Cu, Al, Cr, and Ti, a Ni layer 52 formed on a part of the electrode pattern 50, a Pd layer 54 formed on at least a part of a region other than the part of the electrode pattern 50, and an Au layer 56 formed on the Ni layer 52 and the Pd layer 54.
US08887379B2
A coaxial connector for interconnection with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor by friction welding is provided with a monolithic connector body with a bore dimensioned for an interference fit with an outer diameter of the outer conductor. A friction groove may be formed around the leading end of the outer conductor by application of a friction weld support against the inner diameter and leading end of the outer conductor. The friction groove may include a material chamber formed between a radial friction protrusion of the bore and a bottom of the friction groove. The friction weld support may be provided with ceramic surfaces contacting the outer conductor, a stop shoulder dimensioned to abut a cable end of the bore and/or an elastic insert seated within an inner conductor bore.
US08887369B2
A personal-care appliance having a handle defining a cavity. A fluid connector is positioned within the cavity. A fluid reservoir is positioned within the cavity. The fluid reservoir has a frangible seal that is spaced apart from the fluid connector. A cover is mounted to the handle over the cavity.
US08887367B2
A cell for fabricating a part having reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix, includes a clean section for performing clean operations including laying up the reinforcing fibers on a mandrel tool. The clean section satisfies clean room requirements for processing uncured composite materials. The cell further includes an adjacent dirty section for performing dirty operations including machining the layup after curing; a common end effector positioning system movable between the clean and dirty sections; and means for preventing contaminants in the dirty section from entering the clean section.
US08887363B2
A universal tool mounting system for a machining center relates to CNC machine tools, comprising a main drum into which mounts a plurality of tool holder unit stations, these create a platform to attach, mount and interchange tool holder units on each station, where each tool holder unit is chosen from a designed selection which can turn, mill, bore, drill and rapidly machine components with multicut tools or alternately each performs a combination of these operations and each holds a plurality of tools. The main drum is indexed to position the tool holder unit station with the attached tool holder unit to the operative position, then the tool holder unit station is indexed to position a selected tool to the machining position. The tool holder unit stations also provide live tooling functions to any attached live tooling tool holder units. Tool holder unit stations can also be preindexed.
US08887354B1
A construction clip includes a pair of generally identical clip members. Each clip member has a base portion and two converging opposing flanges extending from the base portion. The clip members are hinged together at their respective base portions. The converging opposing flanges of each clip member include a generally flat base flange and an opposing clip flange. The base flange presents a generally flat inside surface suitable for contacting a generally flat, thin piece of model construction media. The base flange further includes an opening. The clip flange has a curved distal end that preferably extends to the opening defined in the base flange and a distal edge that curves away from the generally flat inside surface of the base flange. The clip flange has a return flange that originates at a location toward the distal end of the clip flange and extends toward the base portion.
US08887347B2
An extractor-type surface cleaning machine includes a base or foot having a suction nozzle and a handle that is pivotally coupled to the foot and moveable between upright and inclined positions. The recovery tank is removably securable to the foot and fluidly communicates with the suction nozzle and the accessory. The recovery tank defines a collection chamber and a passage having an inlet in communication with the suction nozzle and an outlet. A valve member is moveable between a closed position substantially covering the outlet and an open position. Movement of the handle to the upright position moves the valve member to the closed position to block the passage during cleaning with the accessory hose. Movement of the handle to the inclined position allows movement of the valve member to the open position so that suction from the collection chamber is communicated to the suction nozzle for floor cleaning.
US08887334B1
A securable pillow can include a pillow having a top surface, bottom surface, and a filler material encased therein, and one or more bi-stable spring fastening mechanisms. The bi-stable spring fastening mechanisms can be attached to the bottom surface of the pillow. Activation of the bi-stable spring fastening mechanisms can substantially couple the pillow to the appendage of a user.
US08887326B2
A patient transfer kit including an inflatable mattress, alternatively with a rigid top board with a patient restraint system on which a patient can be placed, when patient immobilization is required. A portable cart is included with a chamber for storage of a plurality of mattresses. The cart also has a gas/air blower and power supply system for powering the blower. The power system includes provision for drawing power from line AC/DC, and has a rechargeable battery and charger for maintaining the battery by connecting the supply to the line AC/DC. The mattress has a perforated bottom surface for exit of air to provide an air cushion, and is constructed with a white top surface and a dark bottom surface for optimum recognition of contamination, and identification of the bottom surface which must be placed downward. The cart is coated with an antimicrobial substance to minimize the risk of contaminants.
US08893310B2
A probe for scanned probe microscopy is provided. The probe includes a cantilever beam and a tip. The cantilever beam extends along a generally horizontal axis. The cantilever beam has a crystal facet surface that is oriented at a tilt angle with respect to the generally horizontal axis. The tip projects outwardly from the crystal facet surface.
US08893309B2
An embodiment of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) reactor includes a pressure vessel, an STM assembly, and three spring coupling objects. The pressure vessel includes a sealable port, an interior, and an exterior. An embodiment of an STM system includes a vacuum chamber, an STM reactor, and three springs. The three springs couple the STM reactor to the vacuum chamber and are operable to suspend the scanning tunneling microscope reactor within the interior of the vacuum chamber during operation of the STM reactor. An embodiment of an STM assembly includes a coarse displacement arrangement, a piezoelectric fine displacement scanning tube coupled to the coarse displacement arrangement, and a receiver. The piezoelectric fine displacement scanning tube is coupled to the coarse displacement arrangement. The receiver is coupled to the piezoelectric scanning tube and is operable to receive a tip holder, and the tip holder is operable to receive a tip.
US08893305B2
Disclosed are an access restricted file and an restricted file creating apparatus for creating the access restricted file concerned, which makes it possible for an information processing apparatus to request a management server to determine whether the access right is present or absent. The apparatus includes a creating section to create the access restricted file that includes data, an accessing operation for which is restricted, and confirming destination information that represents the management server that confirms a presence or absence of the access right in regard to the operation for accessing the data. On the other hand, the access restricted file includes a program, being executable by a CPU of the information processing apparatus provided with a communicating function, to cause the CPU to perform a processing for requesting the management server, represented by the confirming destination information, to confirm the presence or absence of the access right.
US08893300B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a security system for reducing data leaks by checking information flows between resources of a network. When an information flow is attempted between a sending resource, which can be anywhere in the network, and a receiving resource residing at a specific host within the network, a host labeler can determine whether information is allowed to flow from the sending resource to the receiving resource. The sending resource and the receiving resource can each have an applicable label, and each label can comprise zero, one, or more taints. For each taint having an active secrecy characteristic in a label of the sending resource, the host labeler can require that there be a matching taint with active secrecy characteristic in the receiving resource. If this condition is not met, the security system can block the information flow between the sending and receiving resources.
US08893297B2
A data vault system allows for centralized storage of personal data about a consumer associated with sharing permissions designating how that data may be shared and including an option to revoke permission of previously shared data. Data may be collected into cards describing a subset of globally stored data to be shared with individual vendors and providing separate sharing statuses for fine resolution control. Both intentionally entered personal data and data collected about the consumer may be protected in this data vault system.
US08893295B2
Systems and methods of restricting access to mobile platform location information may involve receiving, via a link, location information for a mobile platform at a processor of the mobile platform, and preventing unauthorized access to the location information by an operating system associated with the mobile platform.
US08893294B1
This document describes, among other things, a computer-implemented method that can include receiving, from a web server system, web page code to be provided over the internet to a computing device. The web page code can correspond to a particular web page served by the web server system. The method may include generating an intermediate representation of at least a portion of the web page code, and comparing the intermediate representation to a prior intermediate representation of the particular web page. Based on a result of the comparison, the method can include determining what portion of the web page code to analyze for re-coding of the web page code before serving the web page code to the computing device.
US08893289B1
Data privacy administration is described, including receiving, with a computer system, resource access records that correspond to accesses of user resources by an administrator of an application that stores the user resources; processing, with the computer system, the resource access records to generate structured audit records that correspond to the resource access records, the structured audit records includes a resource identifier that corresponds to the resource that was accessed and an accessed-by identifier that indicates an administrator that accessed the resource; and analyzing the structured audit records using a plurality of resource privacy modules that include resource privacy rules that define violation detection scores specifying likelihoods of whether one or more resource accesses are problematic accesses, wherein the resource privacy modules are provided from two or more different domains.
US08893284B2
A method and system for extending an authentication of a wireless device are disclosed. For example, the method includes authenticating access to the wireless device via a first authentication. The method detects a bonded authentication device as a second authentication. The method permits access to the wireless device when the bonded authentication device is detected.
US08893282B2
An improved method and apparatus for client-side application analysis is provided. Client-side application analysis involves determining and testing, using client-side application interfaces and the like, data input points and analyzing client requests and server responses. A security vulnerability analyzer can be employed to analyze content for client-side application files, such as Flash files and Java applets, extract addresses and data parameters embedded in the client-side application file, and modify the data parameters according to user-defined test criteria. The modified data parameters are transmitted as part of a request to a respective server used to service requests from the client-side application files. The security vulnerability analyzer analyzes the response from the server to ascertain if there are any security vulnerabilities associated with the interface between the client-side application file and the server.
US08893280B2
A system and method for tracking sensitive data uses dynamic taint analysis to track sensitive data as the data flows through a target application running on a computer system. In general, the system and method for tracking sensitive data marks data as tainted when the data input to the target application is indicated as sensitive. The system and method may then track the propagation of the tainted data as the data is read from and written to memory by the target application to detect if the tainted data is output from the application (e.g., leaked). Dynamic binary translation may be used to provide binary instrumentation of the target application for dynamic taint analysis to track propagation of the tainted data at the instruction level and/or the function level. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US08893279B1
Virtual machine images in a cloud computing environment may be certified using a validator machine image. The validator machine image is configured to boot a validator virtual machine, which boots a virtual machine off a virtual machine image from among virtual machine images available in the catalog of the cloud computing environment. The validator virtual machine may scan the virtual machine for malware, including computer viruses. A virtual machine image from among the virtual machine images may be packaged to include a certifier agent that verifies the virtual machine image upon execution. Reputation of virtual machine images may be stored in a virtual machine image reputation database and made available by way of a portal.
US08893274B2
A security virtual machine inspects all data traffic between other virtual machines on a virtualization platform in order to prevent an inter-VM attack. Data traffic between the machines is intercepted at the privileged domain and directed to the security virtual machine via a hook mechanism and a shared memory location. The traffic is read by the security machine and analyzed for malicious software. After analysis, the security machine sends back a verdict for each data packet to the privileged machine which then drops each data packet or passes each data packet on to its intended destination. The privileged domain keeps a copy of each packet or relies upon the security machine to send back each packet. The security machine also substitutes legitimate or warning data packets into a malicious data package instead of blocking data packets. The shared memory location is a circular buffer for greater performance. Traffic is intercepted on a single host computer or between host computers.
US08893272B2
A method for recombining runtime instruction comprising: an instruction running environment is buffered; the machine instruction segment to be scheduled is obtained; the second jump instruction which directs an entry address of an instruction recombining platform is inserted before the last instruction of the obtained machine instruction segment to generate the recombined instruction segment comprising the address A″; the value A of the address register of the buffered instruction running environment is modified to the address A″; the instruction running environment is recovered. A device for recombining the runtime instruction comprising: an instruction running environment buffering and recovering unit suitable for buffering and recovering the instruction running environment; an instruction obtaining unit suitable for obtaining the machine instruction segment to be scheduled; an instruction recombining unit suitable for generating the recombined instruction segment comprised the address A″; and an instruction replacing unit suitable for modifying the value of the address register of the buffered instruction running environment to the address of the recombined instruction segment. The monitoring and control of the runtime instruction of the computing device is completed.
US08893270B1
Methods and apparatus for detecting cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks include a CSRF detector that analyzes HTTP communications for information indicative of a CSRF attack. The CSRF detector may analyze HTTP responses from a website for CSRF code that automatically performs unauthorized access of an online account of a user of a user computer upon receipt and execution of the CSRF code in the user computer. The CSRF detector may also analyze HTTP requests from a web browser for information indicative of a CSRF attack.
US08893268B2
Methods and systems for preventing permission re-delegation among applications are disclosed herein. The method includes accepting a message requesting access to a user-controlled resource from a requester application at a deputy application and reducing a first permissions list of the deputy application to a second permissions list. The second permissions list includes an overlap of permissions between the deputy application and the requester application. Moreover, the method also includes sending the message from the deputy application to a computing system via an application programming interface (API), wherein the computing system is configured to reject the message if the second permissions list of the deputy application does not permit access to the user-controlled resource.
US08893267B1
In a system-on-chip (SoC), a method is provided for partitioning access to resources. A plurality of processors is provided, including a configuration master (CM) processor, a memory, a plurality of OSs, and accessible resources. The method creates a mapping table with a plurality of entries, each entry cross-referencing a range of destination addresses with a domain ID, where each domain ID is associated with a corresponding processor. Access requests to the resource are accepted from the plurality of processors. Each access request includes a domain ID and a destination address. A mapping table is consulted to determine the range of destination addresses associated with the access request domain IDs. The accesses are authorized in response to the access request destination addresses matching the range of destination addresses in the mapping table, and the authorized access requests are sent to the destination addresses of the requested resources.
US08893264B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for, among other things, secure passphrase handling for computing devices. In one respect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of passphrase elements from an input device. The method also includes performing a sequence of secure delay processing operations, each operation generating a delayed output value from an initial value. The passphrase is verified upon completion of the sequence of secure delay processing operations. Further, initial values of respective secure delay processing operations are based on respective passphrase elements and, for each secure delay processing operation after a first secure delay processing operation, a delayed output value from at least one other secure delay processing operations.
US08893260B2
A method and system provide a user device with secure access to an enterprise application in an enterprise network through VPN. The enterprise application is accessed from a user device such that it sends and receives data packets through the VPN client. For this, a request to send packets, originating from the user application, is intercepted by a VPN agent associated with the user application. In turn, the VPN agent associates an address of a loop-back interface with the user application. Thereafter, packets sent by the user application, are re-directed to the VPN client through the loop-back interface. Similarly, packets received by the VPN client from the enterprise network are routed through the loop-back interface to the user application.
US08893255B1
Methods and systems for providing device authentication using device-specific proxy addresses are described. One example method includes associating a particular proxy network address with a device; receiving, over a network, a request to access a network resource, the request being received at the particular proxy network address; authenticating the device based on the particular proxy network address; and after authenticating the device, authenticating a user of the device based on user-specific credentials associated with the user.
US08893248B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for media session policy compliance auditing and enforcement using a media relay and session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling are provided. One method includes at a SIP policy server, receiving SIP signaling from a user agent client to obtain a policy for media session and, in response, generating at least one media session correlation token. At least a portion of the SIP policy server is implemented in hardware. The media session correlation token and the media policy are communicated to the user agent client and to a media relay. Identification information for the media relay is also communicated to the user agent client. At least a portion of the media relay is implemented in hardware. At the media relay, the media session correlation token is received and used to correlate and store usage information for the media session and to monitor compliance with the media policy.
US08893247B1
Methods and systems involving the dynamic transmission of user information to trusted contacts are described herein. An example system may be configured to (a) receive, at a first computing device, a command to send message data to a second computing device, where the second computing device is associated with a contact; (b) determine that the contact associated with the second computing device is a trusted contact; (c) based on (i) receiving the command to send the message data and (ii) determining that the contact is a trusted contact, cause a multimedia-capture device to obtain multimedia data; and (d) transmit trusted-contact data to the second computing device associated with the trusted contact, where the trusted-contact data comprises (i) the message data, (ii) the multimedia data, and (iii) environmental data that corresponds to at least one environmental condition of the first computing device.
US08893244B2
A device receives a request to authenticate an end user of a user device to use an application, based on an application identifier and a user identifier included the request, and determines whether the application is authenticated based on the application identifier. The device also determines whether the user device is authenticated based on the user identifier and utilizing a generic bootstrapping architecture (GBA) authentication procedure, and determines whether the end user is authenticated based on a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the end user. The device further provides, to an application server device hosting the application, results of the authentications of the application, the user device, and the end user.
US08893241B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling access via a computer network to a subscriber server. A log-in server receives a query to connect through the computer network to the subscriber server, and the log-in server receives registrant identification data, A first session is established between the log-in server and the subscriber server to validate the registrant identification data, and to generate a session password. A second session is established between the log-in server and the subscriber server. The second session is configured to authorize, based in part on the registrant identification data, access to at least a portion of a website associated with the subscriber server.
US08893236B2
A computer program product having a computer readable medium tangibly recording computer program logic for use in a secure computer system with a first human user and a second human user being authorized users of the secure computer system, the computer program product including code to receive input from the first human user to select the second human user for authentication, code to electronically generate a secure code in response to the input from the first human user, code to display the secure code to the first human user, code to allow the second human user access to the secure computer system after the second human user has been verified by the secure computer system, and code to display the secure code to the second human user as the second human user accesses the secure computer system.
US08893232B2
A media monitoring system that allows a monitoring device to control the media content that can be downloaded by a monitored device. The monitoring device reviews requests for media content from the monitored device and makes a decision whether to allow the monitored device access to the media content. Authorization may occur interactively or automatically using media settings associated with the monitored device. The monitored device is prevented from accessing media content until the media content is authorized. The media monitoring system may operate in a wired and/or wireless network.
US08893231B2
A local attachment element in an access domain is configured to perform a fast authentication procedure without involving a centralized attachment element in a core network domain. Stated in other words, there is provided a regional authentication concept for any access in a multi-access environment.
US08893218B2
A method for associating service policies based on application of message content filters to messages sent by a consumer may include receiving a message in which the message relates to a service accessible via a network and access to the service is restricted by a policy enforcement runtime. The method may further include applying at least one message content filter to the message content received to extract information indicative of a message flow associated with a configured policy attachment and correlating the message flow to a selected policy regarding consumer access to the service. The method may further include enforcing the selected policy relative to access to the service by the consumer.
US08893217B2
A method and an apparatus for specifying a time-varying, intelligent service-oriented model are provided. A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions, includes defining information of a service which is to be provided to one or more users having access to a system storing the defined information. The method further includes defining policies associated with the defined information to allow and deny access to selected portions of the defined information, and exposing to a user of the one or more users the selected portions of the defined information based on the defined policies allowing access to the selected portions of the defined information.
US08893211B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08893182B2
An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.
US08893178B2
An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver.
US08893166B2
A method of surveying watching image content, and a broadcast receiving apparatus and server employing the same are provided. The method includes displaying image contents on a screen; capturing and storing signature images of the image contents; and in response to receipt of a query, comprising a target image of image contents to be surveyed, from an external server, determining whether one of the stored signature images is identical to the target image, and transmitting a result of the determining to the external server.
US08893145B2
A method efficiently dispatches completes a work element within a multi-node, data processing system that has a global command queue (GCQ) and at least one high latency node. The method comprises: at the high latency processor node, work scheduling logic establishing a local command/work queue (LCQ) in which multiple work items for execution by local processing units can be staged prior to execution; a first local processing unit retrieving via a work request a larger chunk size of work than can be completed in a normal work completion execution cycle by the local processing unit; storing the larger chunk size of work retrieved in a local command/work queue (LCQ); enabling the first local processing unit to locally schedule and complete portions of the work stored within the LCQ; and transmitting a next work request to the GCQ only when all the work within the LCQ has been dispatched by the local processing units.
US08893139B2
A method and system for achieving time-awareness in the highly available, fault-tolerant execution of components in a distributed computing system, without requiring the writer of these components to explicitly write code (such as entity beans or database transactions) to make component state persistent. It is achieved by converting the intrinsically non-deterministic behavior of the distributed system to a deterministic behavior, thus enabling state recovery to be achieved by advantageously efficient checkpoint-replay techniques. The system is deterministic by repeating the execution of the receiving component by processing the messages in the same order as their associated timestamps and time-aware by allowing adjustment of message execution based on time.
US08893120B2
Various systems, machine-readable media, and methods for controlled use of medical applications using virtualization are described herein. In various embodiments, a virtualized medical application container can be created, including creating an image of a clean version of an operating system, installing a medical application on the image, and initializing the medical application on the image. Various embodiments include receiving an indication of a request for metered use of the medical application; requesting permission for metered use of the medical application, wherein the metered use includes at least one of a single use, a defined number of uses, unlimited use, or timed use executing at least a portion of the medical application; and controlling usage of the medical application to comply with at least one of medical informatics standards and medical informatics regulations.
US08893118B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to application migration and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for application migration through migratable units. In one embodiment, an application migration method can include decomposing an application migration into a plurality of migratable units (MUs). The MUs can be prioritized for migration to a target platform. Thereafter, each of the MUs can be migrated in an order defined by the prioritization. Finally, a stateful wizard can be provided which can reduce the complexity of the migration by providing a dashboard to the migration process.
US08893115B2
In an apparatus having data installed therein, the apparatus includes a data storage part for storing a (n+1)th-order file obtained by bundling an nth-order file and (n+1)th data corresponding to an (n+1)th function level into one file, wherein n is an integer, an identifier storage part for storing an identifier indicating a function level of data to be installed in the apparatus, and a controller for detecting the function level based on the identifier stored in the identifier storage part, de-bundling the (n+1)th-order file stored in the data storage unit as many as times corresponding to the function level, and applying the de-bundled data to the apparatus.
US08893107B2
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit to store data set including version information; an acquiring unit to acquire update-use data set including version information; a providing unit to provide the version information read from the storage unit; a updating management unit to determine whether updating of the data set stored in the storage unit is required, when determined that updating is required based on the acquired version information and the provided version information, updating the data set stored in the storage unit using the update-use data set; and a updating completion determination unit to determine whether the updating of data set by the updating management unit is completed, when determined that the updating of the data set is not completed correctly, the providing unit provides specific version information indicating the updating is not completed correctly instead of the version information stored in the storage unit.
US08893106B2
A computer (“patch analysis computer”) retrieves from a website, metadata describing one or more patch files to be used to change software in one or more computers (“target computers”). Prior to installation of the patch files in a target computer, the patch analysis computer performs analysis on the patch files and on the target computer and on application of the patch files to the target computer. The analysis is based on the retrieved metadata and based on configuration data of the target computer. Subsequent to performing the analysis, the management computer displays a report resulting from the analysis including one or more operations to fix issues found during analysis, and receives input from a human on specific patch files and operations. In response to receipt of human input, the patch analysis computer performs operations approved by the human and applies the patch files to the target computer.
US08893105B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that activates an electronic device. The system includes an activation server that receives an activation request from the electronic device. Upon detecting, based on the activation request, that the electronic device requires a regulatory update, the activation server adds the regulatory update to an activation payload for the electronic device. Finally, the activation server transmits the activation payload to the electronic device.
US08893102B2
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for static analysis. The method includes: obtaining source code; constructing a control flow graph (CFG) corresponding to the source code, by identifying control structures within the source code, creating a set of graph nodes of the CFG, and creating a set of directed graph edges of the CFG connecting the set of graph nodes; assigning a first Boolean flow value to a selected node of the set of graph nodes; backward traversing the CFG from the selected node to a target node; computing, by a computer processor and while backward traversing the CFG, disjoint predicate expressions representing flow values at the set of directed graph edges; computing, based on the disjoint predicate expressions, a resulting disjoint predicate expression; and identifying, based on the resulting disjoint predicate expression, a potential program property in the source code.
US08893099B1
A system of one or more processors, method, and computer readable storage medium, by which a source program having at least one inner scope is processed by identifying variable names in the source program that are upward referencing and storing the upward referencing variable names with an identifier for the associated scope. A candidate shadow variable in a current scope of the source program is determined from variable names that are not among the identified upward referencing variable names. The determined candidate shadow variable is renamed to a variable name that is in an outer scope relative to the current scope. The source program is stored with the renamed variable. The stored source program can be compressed to a size smaller than the original source program in order to require less bandwidth during transmission over a network.
US08893098B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the development and execution of a software program. During runtime of the software program, the system delays type inference on a generic type parameter of an implementation of an overloaded function, wherein the generic type parameter is associated with a type interval containing an unbounded lower limit and one or more self-typed constraints. Upon detecting a type query for a dynamic type of the generic type parameter, the system compares a queried type from the type query with a set of inference choices for the generic type parameter. If the queried type matches an inference choice from the set of inference choices, the system uses the inference choice to perform type inference on the generic type parameter.
US08893089B2
Methods and apparatuses enable fast business process test case composition. Instead of the labor intensive and error-prone manual test case composition of previous systems, a group of one or more test agents enables creation of a business process test based on monitoring a business process application. The test agents monitor a backend interface of the business process application that interfaces the application with a backend enterprise system. The test agents generate business process test components and an ordering for the business process test components based on the monitoring. From the test components and the monitoring, the test agents create a business process test. The entire creation process can be performed with little to no user interaction.
US08893078B2
A streamlined, dynamic definition of a customized user interface that presents content from a variety of service providers or sources can be provided. A server can retrieve a list of underlying business object nodes required for presentation of an organization-specific user interface corresponding to an organization from which a call for an instance of the organization-specific user interface is received at the server. A portal business object that matches a structure of the organization-specific user interface can be created that includes one portal business object node corresponding to each user interface element of a structure of the organization-specific user interface. Access to the portal business object can be provided for a user interface model that creates the organization-specific user interface by calling the underlying business object nodes according to the portal business object. Related articles, systems, and the like are disclosed as well.
US08893077B1
A system and method provided as a Web service for on-demand generation of libraries, as well as working samples, for a specified API, target programming language and target platform. The system is accessed through an interface and includes a Web application, a data store, and a compile server. The Web application is configured to receive a request for code generation from the user interface, to retrieve a description of an API, determine if code artifacts have been previously generated for the API description, and generating a source library in a programming language and target platform of choice based on the API description. The data store stores generated code artifacts, and stores the generated source library for the API description. The compile server is configured to generate compiled libraries and documentation, and store compiled libraries and documentation in the data store.
US08893075B2
A graphical editor or the like, and methods thereof, may be provided that can represent actors associated with use cases via screens, screen flows. The actors, use cases and intermediary screens, screen flows may be all simultaneously and explicitly represented in a diagram referred to as a screen-use diagram.
US08893073B2
Methods and apparatuses are described for creating, editing, and viewing a floorplan of a circuit design. Specifically, some embodiments enable a user to perform a graphical operation at an inference point in a circuit design layout, wherein the location of the inference point is determined based on existing graphical objects in the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update a congestion indicator in a circuit design layout in response to modifying the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update pin locations of a block or partition in response to changing the size or shape of the block or partition. Some embodiments enable a user to view a circuit design layout based on the logical hierarchy, and also based on at least one additional attribute type such as voltage, power, or clock domain.
US08893072B2
An equivalent circuit includes: a first transistor having a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; a second transistor having a second gate electrode, a second drain electrode, and a second source electrode electrically connected to the first drain electrode; and a charging and discharging circuit which includes a first capacitor having a terminal electrically connected to the second gate electrode and another terminal electrically connected to the second source electrode, and charges and discharges the first capacitor with predetermined time constants.
US08893064B1
Disclosed are a system and a method for determining merged resistance values of same-type terminals of multiple electrically connected multi-terminal semiconductor devices (e.g., field effect transistors) in a complex semiconductor structure, wherein all first terminals are connected to a first node, all second terminals are connected to a second node, and all third terminals are connected to a third node. Modified resistor networks are generated from a full resistor network including, but not limited to, a first modified resistor network with shorted second terminals and a second node; a second modified resistor network with shorted first terminals and a first node; and a third modified resistor network with first terminals and first node shorted and with the second terminals and second node shorted. Simulations are performed using the modified resistor networks and, based on the results, merged resistance values for the first, second, and third terminals are determined.
US08893053B1
A method to help restrict operation of a mobile device in a situation where a user of the device may be distracted, such as when the user is driving a motor vehicle. The device presents the user with a test and reveals the solution to the test, and the user must then enter into the device the revealed solution within a predefined period of time. If the user enters the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is not distracted. On the other hand, if the user does not enter the revealed solution within the predefined period of time, then a fair assumption is that the user is distracted (e.g., is driving), in which case the device will responsively change an operational characteristic of the device so as to restrict the user's interaction with and operation of the device.
US08893050B2
A method in one embodiment includes determining which elements of a storage environment or system have been selected for addition to a group, each of the elements being associated with a tier; adding the selected elements to the group; determining whether a parent of each of the selected elements has also been selected, the parent of each of the selected elements being in a higher tier than the element; adding the parent to the group as an element if the parent of any of the selected elements has not been selected; associating the elements in the group into subgroups; generating a view of at least some of the elements in the group, the view representing the tier of the elements in the view, the elements being spatially organized by subgroup; and outputting the view. Additional systems, methods and computer program products are also disclosed.
US08893042B2
Various embodiments utilize certain events that occur within a Web browser to recognize an imminent intent, on the part of the user, to navigate to a website. Given such events, in combination with a user's past browsing patterns and history, an automated and personalized navigation solution can be provided to expedite navigation.
US08893035B2
A method, system and graphical user interface for configuring a simulator. A graphical user interface may be used to define a configurable device profile, where a large number of devices for simulation by a simulator may be created based upon the configurable device profile. Once created, the devices may be individually configured and/or configured in groups. Additionally, the configuration of the devices may determine how the simulator generates and/or outputs simulated device data for the devices. For example, an attribute may be associated with a device which defines a format of the simulated device data, a rate at which the simulated device data is output, a range of values for the simulated device data, or an operating parameter of the device. An attribute specifying the communicative coupling of the devices may also be defined. Further, the simulated device data may include a data value.
US08893032B2
A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user's input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter (either time or temperature). As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (i.e. adjusting time), or vertical (i.e. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted (1) on the thermostat itself; (2) by an automated learning algorithm; (3) by a user on a web client; or (4) by a user using a mobile client (such as a smart phone or tablet PC). Further, the name of the particular device is also displayed if known.
US08893030B1
A popular highlight may be presented to a user who wishes to make the popular highlight a personal user highlight. Upon activation of a control, a personal user highlight is generated from the popular highlight. The user may then manipulate the resulting personal user highlight as they would any other user highlight.
US08893029B2
In an example embodiment, a method for providing a portable and interactive storefront is provided. The method may comprise receiving information associated with a product to be placed in electronic commerce. Content is therefore generated based on the received information, in which the content may provide an interactive storefront. A link to the content is generated and then provided.
US08893025B2
A system, method and computer-readable medium are provided for the generation of group-based information processing service utilizes one or more group-based information templates and contact processing information to determine a set of available contacts and applications or other executable components for inclusion in group-based information. The determination of the contacts or applications or other executable components may be completed automatically without requiring user interaction. Alternatively, at least some portion of the process may require, or provide for, at least some user interaction for the selection or management of the contacts or applications or other executable components included in group-based information.
US08893017B2
In one example embodiment, a system and method is illustrated that includes receiving input to execute a function associated with a display element of a Graphical User Interface (GUI), the display element to display edit history data relating to a displayed portion of structured data. The system and method also includes retrieving the edit history data for the displayed portion of the structured data based upon the function, the edit history data reflecting changes made to the displayed portion of the structured data. The system and method also includes displaying the edit history data in the GUI as part of the display element.
US08893016B2
A graphics system and a multi-user computer system are disclosed. The graphics system comprises a graphics processing unit (GPU) for processing pixels. It further includes a multi-user manager for allocating pixel processing capability for each one of a plurality of users, wherein each user uses a display and an input device. Moreover, the graphics system has a plurality of user attributes for each user. The multi-user computer system comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a disk drive configured to support a plurality of users. Further, the multi-user computer system includes the graphics system.
US08893015B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, methods and apparatus are provided for flexible and user-friendly navigation of loaded media in a multi-media presentation, such that a user may be able to view and/or edit the presentation. In one embodiment, a method for navigating loaded media comprises loading a page of a collage document to a client device, the page having a plurality of layers with each layer being associated with a media object. The method further includes creating a list of layers of the loaded page, each layer indexed by at least a position in the collage document; navigating the collage document in at least one direction and at at least one speed based on user input; and filtering the list of layers based on at least the position in the collage document and a visual window of a user interface to display visible layers of the page within the visual window. A client device for navigating loaded media is also disclosed.
US08893014B1
A system and method for deferring the loading of user interface (UI) components of a web page. A processing module receives data describing user activities and generates user behavior data for a user in a social network. A component engine generates the data for loading different UI components of the web page. A user behavior module receives the user behavior data and determines an order in which each UI component of the web page is loaded. A loading engine transmits data to a user's browser for loading a static version of the web page and then loads the different UI components according to the order.
US08893007B2
Defining and applying policies to manage data traffic including data transmitted and/or received by each of a plurality of applications executing on a computing device. The data traffic is monitored per application and attributes are defined for the monitored data traffic to enable the user to evaluate the data traffic for each application. Usage patterns are determined based on the monitored data traffic and the attributes to create one or more policies. The policies are applied to prevent each application from exceeding a corresponding data usage limit defined by the policies.
US08893000B2
Awards of value are awarded to residents of a virtual universe for consenting to be teleported in response to invitations for teleportation. The consent can be made conditional upon any of a variety of circumstances which can be specified by a resident of the virtual universe for a corresponding avatar and which form rules for auto-teleportation. These conditions can be stored and searched and avatar and location status monitored and compared to the conditions to control issuance of invitations to increase the likelihood that an invitation will be automatically accepted. A delay before acceptance is also preferably provided to provide for graceful conclusion or termination of current avatar activity.
US08892993B2
A data processing application uses a translation file to render a visual surface based on underlying structured data. The data processing application provides mapping between nodes associated with the visual surface and nodes associated with the structured data. The mapping is generated in two phases. In a first phase, the data processing application adds mapping functions to the translation file. In the second phase, the data processing application renders the visual surface on the basis of a specific instance of the structured data, and, in the process, executes the mapping functions within the translation file to provide specific pointer information that is embedded amongst the nodes associated with the visual surface. The pointer information points back to specific locations in the structured data, thus providing mapping between the visual surface and the structured data. The structured data can be formed using Extensible Markup Language (XML). The visual surface can be formed using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The translation file can be formed using Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT).
US08892984B2
An encoder and decoder using LDPC-CC (Low Density Parity Check-Convolutional Codes) is disclosed. In the encoder (200), an encoding rate setting unit (250) sets an encoding rate (s−1)/s (s=z), and an information creating unit (210) sets information including from information Xs,i to information Xz−1,i to zero. A first information computing unit (220-1) receives information X1,i at time point i to compute the X1(D) term of formula (1). A second information computing unit (220-2) receives information X2,i at time point i to compute the X2(D) term of formula (1). A third information computing unit (220-3) receives information X3,i at time point i to compute the X3(D) term of formula (1). A parity computing unit (230) receives parity Pi−1 at time point i−1 to compute the P(D) of formula (1). The exclusive OR of the results of the computation is obtained as parity Pi at time i. Ax.
US08892982B2
A cache device is disposed on a connection path between a user computer executing a software application and a network. The application exchanges data with a further computer via the network. The cache device includes a cache memory and a processor. The cache device is configured to measure, by the processor, a first latency between the user computer and the further computer. The cache device is further configured to determine an acceptable latency range based on the latency and a requirement of the software application. The cache device is further configured to measure a second latency between the user computer and the further computer. The cache device is further configured to store, in the cache memory, a set of data transmitted from the user computer to the further computer, if the second latency is not within the acceptable latency range.
US08892970B2
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations.
US08892960B2
A method of determining a root cause of a performance problem is provided. The method comprises analyzing a plurality of performance indicators/metrics in a first time period and determining that at least one performance indicators/metric is exhibiting abnormal behavior. The method further comprises analyzing the plurality of performance indicators/metrics over a second time period, the second time period is longer than the first time period, and determining trend information for each performance indicators/metric over the second time period. The method further comprises correlating the trend information for each performance indicators/metric with performance problem information stored in a knowledge base, identifying a potential cause of the abnormal behavior based on the correlation, and alerting a user of the potential cause.
US08892952B2
A method for testing using a preserve status parameter in a computing system includes setting, by a calling process in the computing system, the preserve status parameter; issuing a call to a function under test by the calling process in the computing system; executing the function under test in the computing system, wherein data in a memory area accessed by the function under test during execution is preserved by the set preserve status parameter, such that the computing system does not reuse the memory area while the data in the memory area is being preserved; determining if an error occurred during execution of the function under test; in the event an error is determined to have occurred during execution of the function under test, making the data in the memory area available for inspection; and releasing the memory area for reuse by the computing system.
US08892951B2
Methods and arrangements for localizing faults in programs. A program is assimilated, the program comprising statements. Output behavior of the statements is modeled, and statement occurrences are annotated. Passing and failing spectra are differenced to yield a difference, and a fault is located via employing the difference.
US08892949B2
A mechanism is provided for effectively validating execution units within a processor. A branch test pattern is generated for execution by an execution unit that is under validation testing. An execution pattern is selected from a set of execution patterns thereby forming a selected execution pattern. The selected execution pattern is loaded into a condition register. The branch test pattern is executed by an execution unit based on the selected execution pattern in the condition register. Responsive to the branch test pattern ending, values output from the execution unit during execution of the branch test pattern are compared to a set of expected results. Responsive to a match of the comparison, the process is repeated for each execution pattern in the set of execution patterns. Responsive to a match of the comparison for the execution patterns in the set of execution patterns, the execution unit is validated.
US08892932B2
The present image forming apparatus includes a first control unit and a second control unit driven by built-in clock oscillators to realize the distributed control. The first control unit generates, using a first timer driven by the built-in clock oscillator of the first control unit, a pulse signal corresponding to a predetermined clock rate and outputs the pulse signal to the second control unit. The second control unit measures, using a second timer driven by the built-in clock oscillator of the second control unit, a pulse width of the pulse signal outputted from the first control unit, and calculates a correction coefficient using reference pulse width corresponding to the predetermined clock rate and the measured pulse width. The processing unit processes using the calculated correction coefficient.
US08892929B2
In one embodiment, a multi-core processor includes multiple cores and an uncore, where the uncore includes various logic units including a cache memory, a router, and a power control unit (PCU). The PCU can clock gate at least one of the logic units and the cache memory when the multi-core processor is in a low power state to thus reduce dynamic power consumption.
US08892919B2
A method and apparatus determines an activity history context for each of a plurality of virtual machines sharing use of a graphics processing core. Each activity history context provides information related to a power setting of at least one engine of the graphics processing core during at least one prior use of the graphics processing core by the corresponding virtual machine. The method and apparatus controls a power setting of the at least one engine of the graphics processing core based on the activity history context corresponding to an active virtual machine using the graphics processing core.
US08892918B2
A system for power management. The system includes a plurality of input/output pads and a plurality of input/output cells, where each input/output cell is coupled to one of the input/output pads. The system further includes a plurality of interrupt observe circuits, where each interrupt observe circuit is coupled to one of the input/output cells, and where the interrupt observe circuits are configured to generate an interrupt flag during a low power mode.
US08892907B2
Example embodiments provide various techniques for storing and recovering a cryptographic key identifier that may be used to recover encrypted data. The cryptographic key identifier may be stored with the encrypted data itself. In an example, the cryptographic key identifier may be stored in particular blocks on a logical disk that are specifically designated to store the cryptographic key identifier. To store the cryptographic key identifiers in the designated blocks, the data within the blocks is compressed to fit the cryptographic key identifiers within the blocks. This cryptographic key identifier can be recovered at a later time by locating the designated blocks and retrieving the cryptographic key identifier from the blocks.
US08892901B2
A mobile terminal is capable of performing message encryption. The mobile terminal includes a display unit that can display contents of a message and an input unit that can receive a selection input for a portion of the displayed content. A portion of the displayed content can be selected for encryption. The selected portion of the displayed content is encrypted. The mobile terminal can store the message containing the encrypted content and information regarding the password.
US08892899B1
The present invention is a system and method of enrolling potential system users for a biometric system for identity verification. Potential system user information is entered into the system, either by the user or a system operator, and is stored as a partially-enabled user record. The user of a partially-enabled user record fully enables the record by presenting information previously stored in the user record and presenting the remainder of user information necessary to complete record activation. Enrollment data is used to authenticate the system user's identity and authorize related transaction accesses in a biometric system for identity verification.
US08892881B2
The present invention is a secure access system whereby the key that facilitates entrance to electronic data is split into at least two segments. Electronic data may be accessed by the application of the key segments in combination. A server may be used to derive key segments by way of algorithms, in a manner that improves the bit security of the key. Bit strings generated by the present invention may be concatenated to form data blocks whereby plaintext may be encrypted or ciphertext decrypted. The concatenation of the unique bit string variables and the generation of bit strings of specific sizes, as may occur through padding of blocks, work to provide a secure means of encrypting a key. A different bit string may be generated for each encryption/decryption transmission which limits the opportunity for an adversary to decrypt the plaintext.
US08892879B2
A method, system and computer program product for securing and tracking restricted files stored in a data processing system is provided. The data processing system is connected to a server for sharing information. An entity requesting to access a restricted file is authenticated, based on certain policies defined by a system administrator. Further, the system maintains a log of operations executed on the restricted file, and sends a record of the log to the server.
US08892876B1
An ANDROID application package (APK) file for an application is repackaged into a secured APK file to protect a Dalvik executable (DEX) file of the application. The DEX file is encrypted to generate an encrypted DEX file that is included in the secured APK file along with a stub DEX file. The secured APK file is received in a mobile computing device where the stub DEX file is started to start a wrapper Activity. The wrapper Activity replaces an APK class loader of a mobile operating system of the mobile computing device with a decryptor class loader. The decryptor class loader decrypts the encrypted DEX file to recover the DEX file, and loads classes of the DEX file into a Dalvik virtual machine. The original Activity of the application is then started to provide the functionality of the application in the mobile computing device.
US08892864B2
A method for separating a dividable computer device into multiple sub-computers may include receiving, by the dividable computer device, a command to separate a sub-computer from the dividable computer device. The method may also include detecting by the dividable computer device separation of the sub-computer and reconfiguring the dividable computer device for operation without the separated sub-computer in response to each sub-computer being separated.
US08892860B2
Systems and methods of clearing system resources are disclosed. One example method includes the step of detecting a failure to clear a secure portion of a system resource in a device. The method also includes the step of powering off the system resource for a period of power-off time that is sufficient to clear data from the system resource, where the power off is responsive to the failure detection. The method also includes the step of unlocking the secure portion of the system resource, where the unlock is responsive to the period of power-off time having elapsed.
US08892859B1
A hardware based detection approach for detecting a CPU reset request and a CPU boot process that resets control parameters that control operation of the CPU are described. Described embodiments of the hardware based detection approach store a count of clock cycles that elapse while a CPU reset request switch is actuated. As part of the reset process, the CPU retrieves the stored clock cycle count and based on the value of the retrieved clock cycle count, i.e., based on the duration that the CPU reset switch was physically actuated, the CPU boot process resets one or more sets of CPU control parameters to original factory settings.
US08892856B2
A firmware flashing method for a computer system is disclosed. The firmware flashing method comprises establishing a list, wherein the list comprise a plurality of identities individually corresponding to a plurality of firmwares, checking a plurality devices of the computer system and obtaining corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system, determining whether the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, selecting corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system when the corresponding identities of the plurality of devices of the computer system exist in the list, and merging the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system and writing the corresponding firmwares of the plurality of devices of the computer system in a memory.
US08892841B2
In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to write ECC granular stores into the data cache, while non-ECC granular stores may be merged with cache data in a memory request buffer. In one embodiment, a processor may be configured to detect that a victim block writeback hits one or more stores in a memory request buffer (or vice versa) and may convert the victim block writeback to a fill. In one embodiment, a processor may speculatively issue stores that are subsequent to a load from a load/store queue, but prevent the update for the stores in response to a snoop hit on the load.
US08892839B2
Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for managing content storage and selection activities. The method includes aggregating content from content providers and presenting the content to a content device. The method also includes monitoring consumption of storage space with respect to storage capacity in the content device, relocating content contained in the storage space of the content device when a predetermined condition is met, and providing access to relocated content. The relocation is operable for freeing up the storage space of the content device.
US08892826B2
Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data.
US08892821B2
A data processing system includes a system memory, one or more processing cores, and a memory controller that controls access to a system memory. The memory controller includes a memory speculation mechanism that stores historical information regarding prior memory accesses. In response to a memory access request, the memory controller speculatively initiates access to the system memory based upon the historical information in the memory speculation mechanism in advance of receipt of a coherency message indicating that the memory access request is to be serviced by reference to the system memory.
US08892812B2
A data writing method for a flash memory. First, a plurality of blocks of a flash memory is classified into a plurality of block groups according to the erase counts of the blocks. A logical address range of a host is then divided into a plurality of logical address sections respectively corresponding to the block groups. Write data is then received from the host. A target logical address section to which the logical address of the write data belongs is then determined. A target block group corresponding to the target logical address section is then determined. A target block is then selected from the blocks of the target block group. The write data is then written to the target block.
US08892796B2
In a case where an application whose setting value is required to be operated cannot be suspended, a setting value operation service of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) stores requested operation content in a temporary region of a hard disk drive (HDD)/flash memory. The setting value operation service stores in the HDD/flash memory an execution instruction file for executing the requested operation at a restart of the MFP, and reserves the operation to be executed after a restart. When the MFP is restarted, an application management unit changes start-up order of programs according to the execution instruction file so that start-up of the setting value operation service is performed before start-up of the operation target application, and starts the programs according to the changed start-up order. Further, in start-up processing, the restarted setting value operation service operates the setting value of the operation target application according to the setting information.
US08892785B2
A programming device for a network of control nodes includes a recording module for determining the control nodes connected to the network and a system object module connected to the recording module. The system object module includes a system object model representing the control-node configuration of the network, the system object module being configured to define the communication relations between the determined control nodes on the basis of the system object model. The programming device further includes a configuration output module connected to the system object module for transmitting the communication relations between the control nodes in the network to the control nodes, the communication relations being determined by the system object module.
US08892772B1
In one embodiment, candidate routing backup paths are limited based on policy considerations. In one embodiment, a smaller plurality of next-hop candidates is established by policy filtering a plurality of next-hop candidates for backing up one or more routes over one or more links to a first packet switching device in a network, with the smaller plurality of next-hop candidates consisting of fewer next-hops than in the plurality of next-hop candidates. A shortest-path, loop free backup route is determined for each of the plurality of routes by considering each of the smaller plurality of next-hop candidates and not all of the plurality of next-hop candidates. This routing information corresponding to each of said determined shortest-path, loop free backup routes for use in backing up corresponding routes is installed in a routing data structure.
US08892755B2
A method and system for single-session sign-on management are provided. Multiple servers may be provided. The servers may have both log-in plug-in modules and session management plug-in modules. Providing the plug-ins on individual servers reduces network traffic generally required in order to grand a validate user credentials. Thus, a second server may validate a user credential created by a first server and may additionally create a user credential if it cannot validate the credential created by the first server.
US08892752B2
Disclosed herein is a method and system for utilizing a digital data capture device in conjunction with a Bluetooth (BT) enabled mobile device for publishing data and multimedia content on one or more websites automatically or with minimal user intervention. A client application is provided on the BT enabled mobile device. In the absence of inbuilt BT capability, a BT communication device is provided on the digital data capture device. The BT communication device is paired with the BT enabled mobile device to establish a connection. The client application detects capture of data and multimedia content on the digital data capture device and initiates transfer of the captured data, multimedia content, and associated files. The digital data capture device transfers the captured data, multimedia content, and the associated files to the client application. The client application automatically publishes the transferred data and multimedia content on one or more websites.
US08892749B2
A notification signal, intended to be received by a wireless communication device, is repetitively broadcast by a portable activity-monitoring device that generates user-activity data corresponding to activity of an individual bearing the portable activity-monitoring device. The notification signal conveys information that identifies the portable activity-monitoring device and indicates whether or not the portable activity-monitoring device seeks establishment of a wireless communication link to enable transmission of the user-activity data to the wireless communication device.
US08892742B2
The traditional file transferring between multiple computing devices in a computer network requires multiple login. In addition, traditional file transferring in a web based environment is lack of web multitasking support. Therefore, when transfer of a file with a larger size, the problem of lacking of web multitasking support will be escalated and become much more apparent and severe. For example to transfer a Giga-bytes sized file could cause a displaying of web based user interface to be blocked and hanged. Present invention has successfully solves both issues by introducing the central controlled distributed scalable virtual machine and a web multitasking mechanism.
US08892738B2
A technique for generating component usage statistics involves associating components with blocks of a stream-enabled application. When the streaming application is executed, block requests may be logged by Block ID in a log. The frequency of component use may be estimated by analyzing the block request log with the block associations.
US08892735B2
A system for conducting forensic investigations is provided which includes a target device, an examining device, and a server. The target device includes a phone home servlet which is configured to periodically transmit to the server a request for connection. The server grants the request for connection if there is an investigation request pending from the examining device for the requesting target device. If no such request is pending, the request is denied. The servlet is programmed with various phone home parameters for determining whether the target device should transmit the request for connection.
US08892730B2
A method for implementing performance management and a network management system are disclosed in the present invention. The method for implementing performance management includes the following steps of: a network management system obtaining a performance management information model which is used for describing related information of all performance data that need to be collected; the network management system instantiating the performance management information model according to a current telecommunication network in application to obtain a performance management information model instance; the network management system collecting the performance data according to the performance management information model instance. The present invention may be applied in performance management in various specialized telecommunications networks.
US08892723B2
A method and apparatus for enabling communication between iSCSI/SAS host devices and iSCSI/SAS target devices via an iSCSI/SAS router is disclosed. In one embodiment, an iSCSI/SAS router includes iSCSI interfaces, SAS interfaces, and a mapping and routing logic. The mapping and routing logic is coupled to the iSCSI interfaces and the SAS interfaces. The mapping and routing logic virtualizes one or more SAS host and target devices to communicate with discovered one or more iSCSI host and target devices. Further, the mapping and routing logic virtualizes the one or more iSCSI host and target devices to communicate with discovered one or more SAS host and target devices.
US08892721B2
An electrical power monitoring system includes a proxy server between (1) monitoring devices coupled to an electrical power distribution system for sensing and storing data representing operating characteristics of the power distribution system, and (2) at least one client device coupled to the monitoring devices for requesting data from the monitoring device and processing, storing and presenting data received from the monitoring devices. A communications network is coupled to the monitoring and client devices, and proxy server is coupled to the communications network for processing and transforming messages and context-specific caching. The proxy server receives messages from the client device as a virtual device, processes the messages, and alters the messages before communicating the messages to the monitoring devices to which the messages are directed, or defers communication of at least portions of the messages to the actual monitoring devices to which the requests are directed until a later time.
US08892716B2
In one embodiment, a latency value is determined for an input/output IO request in a host computer of a plurality of host computers based on an amount of time the IO request spent in the host computer's issue queue. The issue queue of the host computer is used to transmit IO requests to a storage system shared by the plurality of host computers. The method determines a host specific value assigned to the host computer based in proportion on a number of shares assigned to the host in a quality of service policy for IO requests. The size for the host computer's issue queue is determined based on the latency value and the host specific value to control a number of IO requests that are added to the host computer's issue queue where other hosts in the plurality of hosts independently determine respective sizes for respective issue queues.
US08892712B2
Techniques are described for upgrading systems that include a first set of agents for collecting target data from a plurality of targets and sending the target data to a first management server. In an embodiment, a second set of agents is pre-deployed. Each pre-deployed agent is configured to, upon activation, collect target data from a respective target of the plurality of targets and send the target data to a second management server. While the pre-deployed agent remains inactive, an agent from the first set of agents collects and sends the target data to the first management server. When a first batch of one or more pre-deployed agents is activated, each activated agent begins collecting target data and sending the target data to the second management server. For agents not in the first batch, the first set of agents continues to collect and send the target data.
US08892709B2
A method, data processing system, and computer program product for managing services. A computer identifies information in a number of discussions in a discussion forum. The computer determines that the information is associated with a service. The computer then generates a new request for the service in an absence of a current request for the service.
US08892705B2
An operation management system capable of simultaneously detecting and managing, in a computer distributed processing environment, employs physical location information about locations where computers are located and logical location information of software programs running on the computers. Physical location information of a network connection device, such as a network switch, is described in a master data library or the like in advance, and is created as configuration items and discovered by a software dependency discovery unit. Configuration items stored in a configuration management database are associated with the configuration items for the physical location information. Preferably, the physical location information is configured as structured data. This makes it possible to establish hierarchical associations between configuration items for the physical location information.
US08892702B2
An autonomic computing system and method determine that a desired end state cannot be reached, determine that an acceptable sub-state can be reached using at least one of priority ratings, conditional relationship specifications, and alternative relationship specifications, and place the computing system in an acceptable sub-state. The priority ratings can contain an attribute assigned to a policy definition that determines a sequence for applying the policy definition. The attribute can be “mandatory”, a numerical value, or “not required”. The conditional relationship specifications have policy definitions that are applied when the state of a specified resource meets a predetermined requirement. An alternative relationship specification has policy definitions and/or conditional relationship specifications that are applied when the state of a specified resource does not meet a predetermined requirement.
US08892700B2
A provisioning server can provide and interact with a firmware tool on target machines. The firmware tool can communicate with the firmware of the target machines and collect data representing the configuration of the firmware of the target machines, independent of the types of the target machines. To communicate independent of the type of target machine, the firmware tool can include a translation library. The translation library enables the firmware tool to receive common instructions for interacting with firmware and convert those common instructions into specific instructions that are compatible with different types of the target machines.
US08892697B2
A system and a digital token for user identity verification comprise a control device for communicating over a network. The control device executes program applications and displays outputs to a user. A server communicates over the network to the control device and to other devices. The server comprises a personal identity model, a personal identity engine and a personal identity controller. The personal identity model collects and stores user information comprising personal information, personality, and biometric information. The personal identity engine processes the stored user information to produce the digital token. The personal identity controller manages exchange of the digital token in a user identity verification process. A claim point exchanges the digital token with the server in the user identity verification process in which upon verification the user's identity, the claim point provides a service to the user.
US08892686B1
A method for generating and delivering highlight versions of content for special case delivery through a Content Delivery Network (CDN) may include storing and distributing content in response to user requests using a plurality of edge servers, the plurality of edge servers being organized into a plurality of geographically distributed Points of Presence (POPs) in the CDN comprising a first POP that stores first content. The method may also include receiving a request for the first content and directing the request for the first content to the first POP. The method may additionally include automatically determining that the request for the first content originated from a mobile device and in response, providing a limited portion of the first content to the mobile device, wherein the limited portion of the first content comprises less than the first content.
US08892677B1
In aspect an application may be configured to issue a request to store an object, with the request including an object reference. A delegate may be configured to receive the request to store the object, determine a hosted storage service, from among multiple hosted storage services, and a corresponding access protocol based on the object reference, and store the object in the hosted storage service using the corresponding protocol.
US08892671B2
A message processing method, terminal and system. The method includes: obtaining a user's historical message interaction information and first context data associated with the user's historical message interaction information, where the user's historical message interaction information includes historical message interaction content and historical message replying status; determining the user's message interaction preferences according to the user's historical message interaction information and the first context data, where the message interaction preferences include a message reply policy and/or a message writing style; receiving a current message sent to the user, and obtaining second context data associated with the current message; and replying to the current message according to the message interaction preferences, the current message, and the second context data. With the present invention, the user's message interaction preferences are determined, and the current message can be replied automatically, thereby enhancing user experience.
US08892665B1
Encrypted peer-to-peer detection is provided. In some embodiments, encrypted peer-to-peer detection includes monitoring network traffic from a first client to determine whether the first client is executing a peer-to-peer application; and generating network traffic that emulates peer-to-peer network traffic sent from the peer-to-peer application executing on the first client to a second client after detecting unknown network traffic sent from the first client to the second client. In some embodiments, encrypted peer-to-peer detection includes monitoring network traffic from a client to determine that the client is sending a request for information for a peer-to-peer application executing on the client; and generating a network traffic response to the client that emulates peer-to-peer network traffic.
US08892660B2
An email update system dynamically updates the content of an email when the originator of an email has sent the email, and the originator later determines that the email requires editing. The updating may take place transparent to the recipient and without the introduction of duplicative content into the recipient's email program. The email update system comprises a delta engine program and a delta temporary storage in a sender's computer, a queue manager program and an intermediate email queue in a server computer, and a recipient email retrieval program in a recipient's computer.
US08892658B2
A single device that receives communications intended for a user having multiple contact addresses associated with different user roles is provided. The single device can receive communications intended for multiple telephone numbers, email aliases, screen names, aliases, other means of contact, or combinations thereof. Since a user engaged in a particular role might not desire to be interrupted with communications intended for a different role, the communications for the other roles can be maintained until the user is actively engaged in the role for which the communication was intended. In situations where there is an important communication sent to a non-active role, selective convergence between roles is initiated and the important communication is presented to the user.
US08892654B1
In an online randomized gift exchange (or any online game involving a group of participants and a draw), a system that enables additions to or deletions from the participant group after names have initially been drawn, with minimal or no disruption to the group of gift exchange participants whose names have already been drawn, which allows the mix of gift exchange participants to be changed an infinite number of times after names have initially been drawn and matchings or pairings assigned, in a series of subsequent “mini re-draws” that can occur up until the actual gift exchange event date.
US08892649B2
A system and method of managing the profiles of users in a cloud based managed utility computing environment. New architectures and components are required for the delivery, management and control of a user's profile in a managed utility computing environment that works over the Internet (referred to in the title as the cloud). A user profile is built where the user can receive information of interest in a cloud-based managed utility computing environment. The profile stores the characteristics and interests of the users and this can be used to the benefit of the user and also the service provider. Applications and advertisements are provided to appropriate users.
US08892648B1
A media player user interface on behalf of a user associated with a user account is generated that has a social network module that includes media updates associated with other users to which the user is linked. Media player actions associated with the user occurring in the media player user interface are also captured, updates are generated and provided to social network modules in a media player user interface associated with other linked users.
US08892644B2
A method of enabling access to a data structure is provided. The method includes designating e-mail addresses of users with respective sections of the data structure. The method also includes enabling access to the respective sections to users corresponding to the designated e-mail addresses.
US08892643B2
Method and device for starting a multiple access to a multiple access online application such as an online game. The method enables a plurality of mobile terminal devices each being connected to a wireless communication network and each being related to a user, to participate multiple access online application. The devices in said wireless communication network are configured to perform transferring identification data and preference data related to each of said users, from at least one of said mobile terminals to a server. The method proceeds with, storing said identification data and said received preference data in a user database at a server, wherein said user database containing preference data of at least one other user. The method further compares said received preference data with preference data of said at least one other user for groups of matching preference data, and determining a plurality of users having matching preference data. The method further comprises sending a notification to each of said users with matching preference data.
US08892636B2
Disclosed herein is a transmission apparatus for distributing a content to a client, including a question generation section configured to generate question information representative of a question regarding liking of a user of the client, and a transmission section configured to transmit the question information and provider side answer information representative of an answer set by a provider which provides the content to the question regarding the liking of the user to the client.
US08892633B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a User Interface (UI) to a client in a communication system supporting a Remote User Interface (RUI), in which a representation level of a UI requested by the client is determined, whether the representation level is available in a service provided to the client is determined, and a UI having an available representation level is provided to the client, according to the determination results.
US08892630B1
Facilitating discussion group formation and interaction is described. In one example, a server sends an eBook to a client device. The server determines whether the eBook is associated with at least one book club in response to sending the eBook to the client device. The server sends book club identifiers to the client device when the eBook is associated with at least one book club. The book club identifiers specify one or more book clubs associated with the eBook.
US08892628B2
A shared resource computing (SRC) system that provides a mechanism for creating a shared session among individual sessions is described. In an ad hoc peer model, a session is created by individual users. One individual session assumes an administrative session role and invites other user sessions to join the shared session. Local environments from the individual sessions are published and the resources of the individual sessions form linked device groups that allow the resources to be aggregated for the shared session.
US08892624B2
A cooperative data stream processing system is provided that utilizes a plurality of independent, autonomous and possibly heterogeneous sites in a cooperative arrangement to process user-defined job requests over dynamic, continuous streams of data. A method is provided to organize the distributed sites into a plurality of virtual organizations that can be further combined and virtualized into virtualized virtual organizations. These virtualized virtual organizations can also include additional distributed sites and existing virtualized virtual organizations and all members of a given virtualized virtual organization can share data and processing resources in order to process jobs on either a task-based or goal-based allocation mechanism. The virtualized virtual organization is created dynamically using ad-hoc collaborations among the members and is arranged in either a federated or cooperative architecture. Collaborations between members is either tightly-coupled or loosely coupled. Flexible management of resources is provided with resources being provided under exclusive control or based on best-effort access.
US08892614B2
A dynamic computational environment may create, in response to user input, a plurality of mathematical expressions. In the dynamic computational environment, a change made to any one of the plurality of mathematical expressions will be propagated to all of the mathematical expressions, such that each of the plurality of mathematical expressions affected by the change is updated.
US08892610B1
A method to schedule garbage collection operations may be executed in a client/server system using multiple servers. The method includes comparing usage of memory in respective ones of the plurality of servers to one or more memory usage thresholds and dynamically identifying one or more servers in which to perform garbage collection of memory objects during a particular time period. By distributing the durations over which garbage collection is performed on respective servers, the client server system, among other things, reduces the pauses in servicing client requests.
US08892597B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for receiving a new query that is not in a query cache, the new query including one or more query terms; determining that the new query is a variant of a cached query in the query cache; in response to determining that the new query is a variant of the cached query, obtaining a first probability, the first probability indicating a likelihood that a collection of resources includes resources that satisfy the cached query; calculating a second probability, the second probability being a probability that the one or more query terms in the new query name an entity or are a phrase; calculating a third probability, the third probability being a probability that the cached query is a specific query; and determining, based on the first, second, and third probabilities, whether to search the collection of resources.
US08892595B2
The present invention includes a system and method for generating a discussion group based on different electronic images. A mixed media reality database receives MMR objects that correspond to source material and indexes the MMR objects. A content management engine generates a cluster that includes MMR objects based on a similarity of source material. An MMR engine receives an electronic image from a user device, performs a visual search and identifies an MMR object that is associated with the electronic image. A social network application identifies a discussion group associated with the cluster that includes the MMR object and provides the user device with access to the discussion group.
US08892592B2
Systems and methods are provided for improved web searching. In one implementation, suggested search queries are provided based on previous search queries and click data. A weighted bi-partite graph or index may be used to identify related search queries based on overlapping clicked URLs. According to a method, query-click log data of a search engine is processed to generate sets of suggested search queries, data corresponding to each suggested search query, and a set of clicked URLs related to each suggested search query. Additionally, or independently, methods may be provided for contextually correcting spelling errors within sets of suggested search queries using a contextual algorithm, and/or identifying and discarding sets of suggested search queries and URLs that lead to restricted material, such as restricted content and related URLs.
US08892586B2
An additional data structure can be initialized for a column of compressed data to include a prefix storing, for each block of values in the column, a total number of bits set in previous blocks in the bit vector. A block number can be determined for a target block of the plurality of blocks, for example by checking whether or not a specified row number is located in the prefix. If the specified row number is located in the prefix, the prefix value of the prefix is returned, the most frequently occurring value is returned if a corresponding bit in the bit vector in the specified row number is not located in the prefix, or a position of the specified row in an index vector for the column is returned.
US08892584B1
A computer-implemented method to identify new words from a meta tag is described. A Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML) page is analyzed to identify a meta tag associated with the HTML page. At least one separator included in content of the meta tag is identified. The content of the meta tag is divided using the identified separator. A portion of the divided content is compared to content stored in a database. Upon determining that the portion of the divided content does not exist in the database, the portion of the divided content is added to the database.
US08892583B2
A map data provides a road network, which is defined by multiple unit links and multiple link connection relationships. Each unit link represents a part of a road. The map data includes: an attribution data relating to each unit link, which defines a link connection relationship of a subject unit link at one end of the subject unit link. Each attribution data includes link connection information defining only one object unit link as a connection object of the subject unit link. The only one object unit link is selected from a group of one or more object unit links, which are coupled with the one end of the subject unit link.
US08892570B2
Techniques are provided for dynamic configuration of search parameters for multimedia fingerprint databases that use weak bits. A multimedia fingerprint database, which stores reference fingerprints and uses weak bits, is maintained. Maintaining the database includes dynamically configuring one or more of the following parameters: a fingerprint length of those portions of the reference fingerprints that are used to identify multimedia objects; an index length of the index used to index those portions of the reference fingerprints that are used to identify multimedia objects; a threshold that is used to determine whether multimedia objects are correctly identified; and a number of the weak bits in the reference fingerprints.
US08892566B2
An index is created for a database by selecting at least one column of a database table as a basis to create the index, generating at least one index of a tree structure according to the at least one column, where a pointer stored in a leaf node of the at least one index is null. In an example embodiment, a value to a pointer is stored in a leaf node according to an intermediate result in response to the intermediate result being generated, where the pointer stored in the leaf node points to a data page storing the intermediate result. The created index can be reused and the intermediate result can be effectively used, such that the efficiency of database operation is improved.
US08892557B2
Aspects of the invention provide for automatically selecting optimal fetch settings for business processes as a function of database query load and relational context by determining whether data loaded for data retrieval points is dependent upon a query result from another query process and automatically selecting an eager fetch setting if dependent upon a query result from another query process, or a lazy fetch setting if not. Usage of the data retrieval points is monitored with respect to defined units of work to define retrieval patterns and automatically update the fetch settings, including by revising selected eager fetch settings to lazy fetch settings if a data size of a defined retrieval pattern is larger than a permissible memory resource threshold.
