US08932840B2
A xylan-containing feed is contacted, in the first reactor essentially operated at plug flow, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from equal to or more than 140° C. to equal to or less than 210° C. to produce an intermediate product. Then, the intermediate product is contacted, in the second reactor which comprises a continuously stirred tank reactor, with an aqueous solution of an acid at a temperature in the range from more than 130° C. to equal to or less than 200° C. to produce a final product.
US08932833B2
An attachment unit for attachment of a reaction container including a channel filled with a reaction solution and a liquid having a specific gravity different from that of the reaction solution and being immiscible with the reaction solution, the reaction solution moving close to opposed inner walls, a first heating unit that heats a first region of the channel and a second heating unit that heats a second region of the channel when the reaction container is attached to the attachment unit, a drive mechanism that switches arrangement of the attachment unit, the first heating unit, and the second heating unit between a first arrangement and a second arrangement in which a lowermost position of the channel is located within a first region and a second region, respectively, and a control unit that controls the drive mechanism, the first heating unit, and the second heating unit are provided.
US08932826B2
The present invention relates to a chromogenic method for simultaneously determining the activity of multiple coagulation proteases or for simultaneously determining the inhibition of multiple coagulation proteases in a single test reaction. For this purpose, use is made of two chromogenic substrates which have different absorption maxima and whose color signals can be separated spectrally.
US08932821B2
The invention provides Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof, Sp35 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also provides compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Sp35 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, Sp35 polypeptides and fusion proteins thereof.
US08932820B2
Described herein are method(s), kit(s), reagent(s) and the like for determining von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity in a sample in the absence of ristocetin.
US08932817B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for making differentiable amplicon species at unequal ratios using a single amplification system in a single vessel. The number of differentiable amplicons and their ratios to one another are chosen to span the required linear dynamic range for the amplification reaction and to accommodate limitations of the measuring system used to determine the amount of amplicon generated. Unequal amounts of distinguishable amplicon species are generated by providing unequal amounts of one or more amplification reaction components (e.g., distinguishable amplification oligomers, natural and unnatural NTP in an NTP mix, or the like). The amount of target nucleic acid present in a test sample is determined using the linear detection range generated from detection of one or more amplicon species having an amount within the dynamic range of detection.
US08932811B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the sequence of a nucleic molecule. Herein a capture oligonucleotide probe is attached to an encoded microcarrier, wherein the code of said microcarrier identifies the sequence of said oligonucleotide probe. The capture oligonucleotide probe is hybridized with a sample comprising nucleic acids molecules, wherein said DNA fragment comprises a sequence which is complementary to the sequence of the capture oligonucleotide probe. The sequence of the DNA molecule is determined, wherein the capture oligonucleotide probe serves as a primer for a DNA polymerase, in the case of single molecule sequencing this is a sequencing primer. After the sequence determination, the nucleotide sequence of the capture oligonucleotide probe is identified by determining the code on the microcarrier, which corresponds with the capture oligonucleotide probe. This sequence information directly identifies the location of the sequenced DNA fragment on the genome, allowing direct comparison.
US08932806B1
The invention relates to a method for identifying T-cell stimulating protein fragments using the following steps: a) detecting the amino acid sequence of an antigen; b) subdividing the found amino acid sequence of the antigen into protein fragments; c) synthesizing at least one protein fragment; d) incubating a suspension containing t-cells with the protein fragments; e) identifying an induced T-cell cytokine or activation marker by flow-through cytometry, and; f) assigning the T-cells, with which T-cell cytokines and/or activation markers were identified, to the protein fragments which were incubated with the T-cells. The corresponding protein fragments/peptides are synthetically produced with the assistance of the detected positive sequence, and said corresponding protein fragments/peptides can be utilized to produce a medicament for immunostimulation.
US08932796B2
The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions.
US08932791B2
A liquid electrophotographic ink is disclosed herein. One example of the liquid electrophotographic ink includes a non-polar carrier liquid; pigmented toner particles; a charge director; and polymer resin encapsulated metal oxide nanoparticles. A method for making the liquid electrophotographic ink is also disclosed herein.
US08932790B2
The toner includes a pigment; and a block copolymer having a polyester block A including a residual group of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and a polyester block B including an anionic group. When cross-section of the block copolymer is observed by a tapping mode atomic force microscope to obtain a phase image of the cross-section, the polyester block B, which has relatively large phase delay, is dispersed as domains having an average size of from 20 nm to 100 nm in a domain of the polyester block A, which has relatively small phase delay. The block copolymer has a first glass transition temperature of from −20° C. to 20° C., and a second glass transition temperature of from 35° C. to 65° C. when the first and second glass transition temperatures are determined from a thermogram obtained by subjecting the block copolymer to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a temperature rising speed of 5° C./min.
US08932788B2
The present invention provides a toner containing at least a binder resin and a pigment, wherein the amount of the pigment in the toner is 3.0% by mass to 8.5% by mass, the volume average particle diameter of the toner is 2.0 μm to 6.0 μm, and a monochrome image, which has been fixed on a recording medium so that the amount of the toner adhered onto the recording medium is 0.25 mg/cm2, has a reflection density of 1.2 to 2.5.
US08932787B2
An electrophotographic photoconductor including: an electroconductive substrate; an intermediate layer; and a photoconductive layer, the intermediate layer and the photoconductive layer being on the electroconductive substrate, wherein the intermediate layer includes an inorganic pigment and a binder resin, wherein a volume ratio of the inorganic pigment in the intermediate layer is 30% by volume to 50% by volume, wherein the inorganic pigment comprises titanium oxide and a content of the titanium oxide in the inorganic pigment is 70% by mass to 90% by mass, wherein the inorganic pigment has a specific surface area of 70 m2/g to 140 m2/g, and wherein the intermediate layer has a volume resistivity at an electrical field intensity of 2.5×105 V/cm of 5×1011 Ω·cm to 1×1013 Ω·cm.
US08932784B2
A fuel cell includes a plate-like cell, a separator on one side of the plate-like cell, and a separator on the other side of the plate-like cell. The plate-like cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The anode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cathode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer contains a porous carbon material formed with micro pores, which functions as an electric double layer, and an ion-exchange resin. At least part of the porous carbon material supports a catalytic metal such as platinum. The porous carbon material to be used is preferably a carbide-derived carbon. The carbide-derived carbon preferably has micro pores of 1 nm or less.
US08932782B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of sol-gel modified alternative Nafion-Silica composite membrane useful for polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The said composite membrane is made by embedding silica particles in perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer by a process that circumvents the use of added acid while using acidic characteristics of Nafion and polymerization reaction through a sol-gel route. The composite membrane has high affinity for water with capability to exchange protons. The approach may be used to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures under near-zero humidity.
US08932773B2
A hydrogen generating apparatus for effectively generating hydrogen from ammonia and relates to the hydrogen generating apparatus for generating hydrogen from ammonia. The apparatus comprises an ammonia oxidation part having ammonia oxidation catalysts which oxidizes ammonia, and an ammonia decomposition part having an ammonia decomposition catalyst which decomposes ammonia to generate nitrogen and hydrogen. The decomposition part is located downstream of the oxidation part in a direction of feed gas flow. The oxidation catalyst contains both a noble metal catalyst and a base metal catalyst, and a loading concentration of the noble metal catalyst in an upstream portion of the oxidation part is higher than a loading concentration of the noble metal catalyst in a downstream portion of the oxidation part, and/or the decomposition catalyst contains both a noble metal catalyst and a base metal catalyst, and a loading concentration of the noble metal catalyst in a downstream portion of the decomposition part is higher than a loading concentration of the noble metal catalyst in an upstream portion of the decomposition part.
US08932769B2
Provided is a mounting structure of a fuel cell system capable of withstanding a collision from the side face of a fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell unit for housing a fuel cell, and a protective structure having a mounting surface for mounting the fuel cell unit. The protective structure includes sloping frames provided obliquely relative to the mounting surface at a position opposing at least one side face of the fuel cell unit. Since the protective structure has the sloping frames as the structural objects to be subjected to the impact of the collision from the side face, the protection of the entire height of the fuel cell unit is realized by the lightest structural objects.
US08932764B2
A battery electrode composition is provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise a sulfur-based core and a multi-functional shell. The sulfur-based core is provided to electrochemically react with metal ions during battery operation to store the metal ions in the form of a corresponding metal-sulfide during discharging or charging of the battery and to release the metal ions from the corresponding metal-sulfide during charging or discharging of the battery. The multi-functional shell at least partially encases the sulfur-based core and is formed from a material that is (i) substantially permeable to the metal ions of the corresponding metal-sulfide and (ii) substantially impermeable to electrolyte solvent molecules and metal polysulfides.
US08932760B2
An electrode active material, containing α-MnO2 which is stabilized with a stabilizing cation or molecule with a radius of from 1.35 to 1.55 Å, and wherein a molar ratio of the stabilizing ion or molecule to Mn is from 0.1 to 0.125, is provided. Also provided are a magnesium electrochemical cell having a cathode containing the stabilized α-MnO2 and a rechargeable magnesium battery having a cathode containing the stabilized α-MnO2.
US08932757B2
A lithium ion secondary battery having superior cycle characteristic is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. The anode has an anode active material layer including a plurality of anode active material fibers containing silicon as an element provided on an anode current collector.
US08932754B2
An electrode capable of preventing variations in electrical performance to stabilize performance and improve yields is provided. An electrode structure includes: an electrode including an current collector and an active material layer arranged on the current collector; and an electrode lead arranged on the active material layer, wherein a hole is arranged so as to penetrate the electrode and the electrode lead, and the electrode and the electrode lead are folded back around the hole in a direction away from the hole so that the electrode is placed inside, and the thickness of the active material layer in a region where the electrode lead is not arranged is uniform, and the thickness of the active material layer in a region where the electrode lead is arranged is nonuniform.
US08932739B2
A battery pack, or battery pack module, is provided that is configured to respond to a short circuit of moderate current in a manner that minimizes the risk of an initial thermal runaway event propagating throughout the battery pack/battery pack module. In general, the battery pack/battery module allows pre-selection of which cell of the cells comprising the battery pack/battery pack module will be the last cell to respond to the short circuit. As a result, a thermal isolation barrier may be used to separate the preselected cell from the other cells of the battery pack/battery pack module, thereby minimizing the risk of excessive heating and extensive collateral damage.
US08932727B2
Aqueous coating composition for optical brightening and shading of substrates comprising (a) at least one optical brightener of formula (I) in which the anionic charge on the brightener is balanced by a cationic charge composed of one or more identical or different cations selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, ammonium which is mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl radical, ammonium which is mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a C1-C4 linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical, ammonium which is, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a mixture of C1-C4 linear or branched alkylradical and linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical or mixtures of said compounds, R1 and R1′ may be the same or different, and each is hydrogen, C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, C2-C4 linear or branched hydroxyalkyl, CH2CO2−, CH2CH2CONH2 or CH2CH2CN, R2 and R2′ may be the same or different, and each is C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, C2-C4 linear or branched hydroxyalkyl, CH2CO2−, CH(CO2−)CH2CO2−, CH(CO2−)CH2CH2CO2−, CH2CH2SO3−, CH2CH2CO2−, CH2CH(CH3)CO2−, benzyl, or R1 and R2 and/or R1′ and R2′, together with the neighboring nitrogen atom signify a morpholine ring and p is 0, 1 or 2, (b) at least one shading dye of formula (II) in which R3 signifies H, methyl or ethyl, R4 signifies paramethoxyphenyl, methyl or ethyl, M signifies a cation selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, ammonium which is mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl radical, ammonium which is mono-, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a C1-C4 linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical, ammonium which is, di-, tri- or tetrasubstituted by a mixture of C1-C4 linear or branched alkylradical and linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical or mixtures of said compounds, (c) at least one white pigment, (d) at least one primary binder, (e) optionally one or more secondary binders and (f) water.
US08932718B2
A coating system, a method of coating a substrate, and a coated substrate (e.g., a coated cement fiberboard article) include one or more latex polymers, an aliphatic epoxy resin system, optionally a silicate additive, and optionally one or more olefinic compounds and an initiator. The coating system may be applied in one or more layers and may be applied to all the surfaces of the substrate (e.g., the front side, back side and edges of a board). The coated substrate may then be coated with other optional coatings, e.g., decorative or protective topcoats.
US08932716B2
To provide a conductive particle, containing: a core particle; and a conductive layer formed on a surface of the core particle, wherein the core particle is a nickel particle, and wherein the conductive layer is a nickel plating layer a surface of which has a phosphorous concentration of 10% by mass or lower, and the conductive layer has an average thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm.
US08932709B2
A ground cover for use as a containment barrier including a geomembrane sheet and a geotextile sheet bonded together by an adhesive layer positioned therebetween. The adhesive layer does not fully cure, remains tacky and has an adhesive strength sufficient to maintain a bond between the geomembrane sheet and the geotextile sheet under normal foot traffic and a release point allowing separation of the geomembrane sheet and the geotextile sheet under shear forces generated by heavier traffic.
US08932689B2
An artificial Christmas tree connection structure includes a branch connection base and branch shaft units, the branch connection base coupled at a tubular main trunk body, the branch shaft units being selectively adjusted the orientations thereof to hang at the branch connection base. The branch connection base, having a tubular configuration, has a plurality of first limitation indentions and a plurality of connection slots. The branch shaft unit has a metal shaft, wherein a connecting end portion of the shaft is bent to form a hook connector, wherein tree leaves are provided at the shaft. The hook connector passes through the first limitation indentions, the second limitation indentions, and the connection slots to hang the branch shaft unit at the branch connection base. The connection structure provides an ease of assembling, high production efficiency, low manufacturing cost, reliable connection, detaching prevention, and adjustment of the orientation of the branch.
US08932682B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a deposition device that can selectively form a thin film without using a shadow mask with respect to a substrate having a large size. In the deposition device, an evaporation source is provided with a cylinder cell, a heater for heating a lower part of the cylinder cell, and a heater for heating an upper part of the cylinder cell. A hot plate can control a temperature by a heater provided inside thereof. The hot plate heats an evaporation material supplied into the cylinder cell from a material supply portion that is connected to the cylinder cell, and vaporizes the evaporation material by evaporation or sublimation. A rotating mechanism for rotating the hot plate in the cylinder cell may be provided to achieve uniformity of a temperature. A heater for heating the material supply potion may be provided to raise a temperature of the evaporation material supplied into the cylinder cell. By such an evaporation source, deposition can be uniformly and continuously performed with respect to a substrate having a large size.
US08932678B2
Disclosed is a composition (e.g., a texture composition) comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and superabsorbent polymer that can absorb at least about 50 times its mass and having a particle size of about 250 microns or less, wherein the composition is substantially free of a setting-type cementitious material. In some embodiments, cellulosic thickener content is reduced or eliminated from the texture composition. Also disclosed is a method of finishing a substrate comprising applying to the surface a wet composition comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and superabsorbent polymer that can absorb at least about 50 times its mass and having a particle size of about 250 microns or less, wherein the composition is substantially free of a setting-type cementitious material, and drying the composition on the substrate.
US08932674B2
Disclosed are precursors that are adapted to deposit SiCOH films with dielectric constant and Young's Modulus suitable for future generation dielectric films.
US08932672B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, a cleaning/drying processing block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block in the substrate processing apparatus. The exposure device subjects a substrate to exposure processing by means of an immersion method. In the edge cleaning unit in the cleaning/drying processing block, a brush abuts against an end of the rotating substrate, so that the edge of the substrate before the exposure processing is cleaned. At this time, the position where the substrate is cleaned is corrected.
US08932671B2
Nano-composites include a graphite material such as nanotubes or graphene sheets and a partial or complete coating of a polymer including sufficient π-conjugated moieties to interact with surfaces of the graphite material. The polymers may also include electropolymerizable or oxidatively polymerizable moieties so the films may be crosslinked. The films may be used to form layers on substrates or patterned layers on substrates.
US08932661B2
It is possible to provide an excellent salty taste enhancer is provided that can compensate for insufficient salty taste when attempting to reduce salt content in a food. A salty taste enhancer consisting of a mixture of an enzymatic decomposition product of an animal protein and an enzymatic decomposition product of a plant protein. A salty taste enhancer in which the enzymatic decomposition products are treated with a protein-hydrolyzing enzyme and/or a nucleic acid-hydrolyzing enzyme. A salty taste enhancer in which the animal protein is a fish or shellfish extract and the plant protein is a soy bean protein. A salty taste enhancer in which a basic amino acid, and especially arginine, is further added to the salty taste enhancer. A salty taste enhancer to which potassium chloride is further added. A salty taste enhancer obtained by rendering the salty taste enhancer mildly acidic. A method for producing these salty taste enhancers, a method for enhancing a salty taste by using these salty taste enhancers, and a food or drink that contains these salty taste enhancers.
US08932655B2
An aqueous antiseptic composition for eliminating microorganisms that cause Bovine mastitis in dairy animals is disclosed. The composition comprises about 10 to 50% by volume of lemongrass oil and at least one solubilizing agent for solubilizing the lemongrass oil. The composition also comprises about 10 to 30% by volume of a carrier oil carrying the components of the composition and about 0.5 to 2% by volume of an electrolyte for providing conductivity for the composition. The composition further comprises an organic acid for adjusting the pH level of the composition and an antioxidant.
US08932645B2
The formulations of the present disclosure alter the perception of symptoms, especially as experienced by subjects reporting the characteristic features associated with the syndrome known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). The present disclosure encompasses formulations for the relief of symptoms associated with MCS, where the formulations comprise orthophosphoric acid, a vegetable oil comprising an esterified mono-unsaturated fatty acid, folic acid, and a molybdenum salt. The formulations can further comprise magnesium citrate, magnesium aspartate, malic acid, L-carnitine, alpha-ketoglutaric acid, co-enzyme Q10, glycerol, inositol, and choline bitartrate, optionally Q10, and riboflavin to provide a yellow color to the formulation. Another aspect of the disclosure are methods for alleviating MCS-related symptoms in subject human, comprising: providing to a subject an effective dose of a formulation comprising orthophosphoric acid, a mono-unsaturated fat, folic acid, molybdenum, and water.
US08932642B2
Methods are provided for isolating and using a whole-saliva leech extract. The methods can include feeding a phagostimulatory agent to a leech; inducing a regurgitation in the leech, the inducing including placing the leech in an environment having a temperature of less than about 0° C.; and, collecting an unrefined, whole saliva in the regurgitation of the cooled leech. The methods can include revitalizing the leech by warming it at a temperature ranging from about 5° C. to about 40° C. Stable, lyophilized, whole-saliva extracts of a leech are also provided, the extract having a stable activity when stored for use at a temperature below about −20° C., the extract maintaining at least 70% of the activity for at least 6 months. The extracts can be used to treat solid tumors, treat liquid tumors, treat diabetes, treat a viral disease, treat a parasitic disease, treat an antibacterial disease, or serve as an anti-oxidant.
US08932641B2
The present invention provides a dried amnion which is dried with maintaining tissues of a raw amnion and can be easily stored for a prolonged period of time. An amnion which is dried with maintaining cells and tissues of a raw amnion can be produced by repeating a pressure-reducing operation and a pressure-recovery operation several times, the pressure-reducing operation comprising continuously heating a raw amnion placed in a treatment vessel by a far-infrared heater provided in the treatment vessel and reducing the pressure of the inside of the treatment vessel, and the pressure-recovery operation comprising recovering the reduced pressure of the inside of the treatment vessel with heating the amnion by microwaves irradiated from a microwave heating apparatus provided outside of the treatment vessel, and the amnion is characterized by retaining basement membranes and connective tissues which are constituents of the raw amnion.
US08932638B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for systemic and local delivery of biologically active molecules.
US08932636B2
A method and composition for hyperthermally treating tumor cells in a patient under conditions that affect tumor stem cells and tumor cells. In one embodiment, the method is administered in combination with localized internal ionizing radiation therapy.
US08932634B2
This invention discloses carrier beads comprising a hydrocolloid polymer comprising at least one inert filler material, wherein the at least one filler material provides improved properties including increased mechanical strength and/or reduced porosity relative to a bead without said at least one filler. The beads are useful per se or for delivery of active agents. Methods for preparation of the beads and the uses thereof are described particularly for controlling the rate of release an active agent from said bead.
US08932629B2
A particulate co-processed composition comprising microcrystalline cellulose and at least one sugar alcohol is disclosed. A preferred sugar alcohol is mannitol. The composition has an improved compactability profile, lubricant sensitivity, and ejection profile compared to microcrystalline cellulose and the at least one sugar alcohol, either alone or in combination as a simple dry blend, in the preparation of solid dosage formulations, such as tablets. Tablets comprising the particulate co-processed composition, an active, and, optionally, one or more other excipients, and method for their preparation, are also disclosed.
US08932625B2
An adhesive patch comprising a substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive base, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive base comprises a rubbery polymer having double bonds in the main chain and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic and contains a UVA screening agent and/or UVB screening agent as a stabilizer for the rubbery polymer. The adhesive patch is excellent in the stability of the pressure-sensitive adhesive base and in drug infiltration into the skin.
US08932617B2
Described herein is the use of ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors in the prevention or treatment of restenosis and other vascular proliferative disorders.
US08932615B2
Implantable devices formed of or coated with a material that includes a polymer having a non-fouling acrylate or methacrylate polymer are provided. The implantable device can be used for treating or preventing a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, or combinations thereof.
US08932604B2
Recombinant multivalent non-pathogenic Marek's Disease virus constructs that encode and express both Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus and Newcastle Disease virus protein antigens, and methods of their use in poultry vaccines.
US08932591B2
A liquid aqueous pharmaceutical formulation is described which has a high protein concentration, a pH of between about 4 and about 8, and enhanced stability.
US08932588B2
The present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a subject wherein the cancer comprises mutated KRAS or BRAF genes. The method comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof wherein the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof competes with SC104 for binding to the human colon cancer cell line Colo205.
US08932578B2
The invention relates to immobilized or encapsulated enzyme and/or cells to lower bile acids and cholesterol. The invention also relates to methods of quantitatively measuring bile acids. The invention provides a composition for decreasing the amount of a target compound in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, comprising: a) a biologically active agent which decreases the amount of the target compound; b) a retainer for retaining the biologically active agent by contacting the agent to limit movement of the agent; and c) a carrier.
US08932563B2
Described herein are polymer matrix films, compositions comprising the polymer matrix films, and methods of preparing and using the same.
US08932561B2
The invention relates to a coated medical device for rapid delivery of a therapeutic agent to a tissue in seconds to minutes. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent, a contrast agent, and an additive.
US08932560B2
A hemostatic tissue sealant sponge and a spray for acute wounds are disclosed. The sponge comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. The seal is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood inside the boundaries of the sponge, yet weak enough to substantially prevent damage to newly formed tissue upon recovery and subsequent removal of the sponge. In examples, the polymers inherently prevent microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism. The spray comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that form solid gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting mechanism to prevent loss of blood. In an example, the spray further comprises at least one reagent that increases the mechanical integrity of the clot. In another example, the reagent prevents microbial infection of the wound.
US08932547B2
The invention relates to a so-called zero emission ‘AST-CNR/ITM system’ modular plant for removal of pollutants from flue gases produced by industrial processes. The plant comprises prefabricated modular elements with programmed and automatic operation, easy to mount and assemble on site without undergoing expensive plant stoppage. Each module or ‘reaction tower’ comprises a plurality of sections vertically arranged on top of one another, which carry out the following functions: Removal of particulate matter with treatment and removal of chemical pollutants, such as heavy metals, chlorides, fluorides Treatment and removal of SOx Treatment and removal of NOx Capture of CO2 Production of hydrogen Production of methanol. The various sections may be combined according to the requirements of the plant and of the flue gases to be treated.
US08932535B2
Methods and systems for surveying and sterilizing one or more areas or one or more portions of one or more areas are described.
US08932532B2
A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb unit having a plurality of through holes defined by partition walls along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit. The honeycomb unit is manufactured by molding raw material paste by extrusion molding and thereafter by firing the molded raw material paste. The raw material paste contains zeolite obtained by ion-exchange with iron ions and an inorganic binder. A specific surface area of the zeolite is more than or equal to approximately 500 m2/g and less than or equal to approximately 800 m2/g. An external surface area of the zeolite is more than or equal to approximately 40 m2/g and less than or equal to approximately 80 m2/g.
US08932526B2
Provided is an apparatus for generating perfume for vehicles, and more particularly, an apparatus for generating perfume for vehicles capable of simplifying a configuration and increasing sealing ability to stably control perfume, by easily controlling a flow of air passing through a first perfume generating part and a second perfume generating part using a single rotating shaft.
US08932523B2
Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.
US08932521B2
A microfibrillar high molecular weight chitosan-based textile can be used as a hemostat. The chitosan has been treated in a nitrogen field by applying energy to ionize nitrogen in and around the chitosan textile. A single or multiple such treatments may be employed. For example, the chitosan textile may be irradiated under nitrogen using γ-irradiation, treated under a nitrogen plasma, or both.
US08932519B2
A Sn—Ag—Cu based solder alloy capable of increasing the connection reliability of a solder joint when evaluated in a high temperature environment is provided. The alloy has an alloy composition consisting essentially of, in mass percent, Ag: 1.0-5.0%, Cu: 0.1-1.0%, Sb: 0.005-0.025%, Fe: 0.005-0.015%, and a remainder of Sn. The Fe content in mass percent is 0.006-0.014%. The Sb content in mass percent is 0.007-0.023%. Preferably Fe:Sb as a mass ratio is 20:80-60:40. The total content of Fe and Sb is preferably 0.012-0.032%.
US08932518B2
The disclosure relates generally to mold compositions and methods of molding and the articles so molded. More specifically, the disclosure relates to mold compositions, intrinsic facecoat compositions, and methods for casting titanium-containing articles, and the titanium-containing articles so molded.
US08932511B2
A method for the preparation of a composite material having a pre-designed structure and properties according to the intended use of said composite material is provided. The method includes generating data for dispensing two or more different interface materials having different properties into at least two different phases; selectively depositing said two or more different interface materials having different properties from two or more corresponding dispensers to form layers according to the data generated, each interface material being dispensed from a different dispenser to form at least two different phases of interface materials; and curing or solidifying the dispensed layers to obtain a composite material with pre-designed structure and properties.
US08932505B2
An inner die of a molding die includes a core shaft, split dies radially arranged along an outer peripheral surface of the core shaft around an axis of the core shaft, which serves as a center, and a cylindrical set ring arranged below the split dies, the core shaft being inserted through the set ring. An annular engaging surface, which is a tapered surface whose diameter is gradually reduced downward, is formed in an inner peripheral side of an upper end portion of the set ring, and lower end portions of the respective split dies are introduced into, and engaged with the engaging surface. The molding die includes a pressing portion that presses downward upper end portions of the respective split dies introduced into the set ring, so as to move the lower end portions of the respective split dies toward the axis along the engaging surface.
US08932504B2
A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography includes placing at least a portion of the absorbent structure between opposed mold surfaces. At least one of the mold surfaces has a three-dimensional topography. The three-dimensional topography of the mold surface is imparted onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface.
US08932503B2
A mold for forming a housing having a lance includes a first mold and a second mold. The lance has a first projection for engaging a terminal and a second projection provided at a position nearer with an end of the lance than the first projection. The first mold includes a first member having a third projection. The second mold includes a second member and a third member. The second member has a first concave portion into which the third projection is inserted. The third member is configured to be moved with respect to the second member. The second member defines, with the first member, a first space where the housing is adapted to be formed. The third member defines, with the first member, a second space where the first projection and the second projection are adapted to be formed.
US08932493B2
A conductive polymer, a conductive polymer composition, a conductive polymer organic film, and an organic photoelectric device including the same, the conductive polymer including repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, and repeating units represented by the following Chemical Formula 3:
US08932491B2
The present invention relates to a composition for an anti-corrosive coating agent and a manufacturing method for same. The present invention includes: a metal flake; a sol-gel resin; a polyurethane prepolymer having NCO % of 2.5-3.1 and average molecular weight of 70,000-100,000; and a solvent.
US08932486B2
Phosphorescent compositions including silicate of alkaline earth materials which are modified by at least one halide are provided. The phosphorescent compositions may include 3d ions. A variety of embodiments may be realized. The appearance of some embodiments may be glassy (i.e., vitreous).
US08932484B2
The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy, and contains a specific bicyclic compound having a large optical anisotropy and negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific tricyclic compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having a small viscosity as a third component, a specific compound having a large dielectric anisotropy and a small viscosity as a fourth component and a specific compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as a fifth component, and the liquid crystal display device includes the composition.
US08932482B2
A paste suitable for a negative plate of a lead-acid battery, the paste comprising lead oxide and carbon black, wherein the carbon black has the following properties: (a) a BET surface area between about 100 and about 2100 m2/g; and (b) an oil adsorption number (OAN) in the range of about 35 to about 360 cc/100 g, provided that the oil absorption number is less than the 0.14×the BET surface area+65.
US08932469B2
A dialysis machine includes a blood circuit, a dialysate circuit, and a dialyzer placed in communication with the blood circuit and the dialysate circuit. The dialysis machine includes a priming sequence in which dialysate is used to prime a first portion of the dialysate circuit and a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, is used to prime a second portion of the dialysate circuit, the dialyzer and the blood circuit.
US08932467B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material by thermal hydrolysis, in particular with a view to producing bioethenol, wherein the material is first admixed with water and is then passed to a reactor, in which the soaked material is subjected to a high temperature and a high pressure to such an extent that is it accessible for a subsequent treatment with enzymes, following which the treated material is separated into liquid part and a solid part, where the solid component is subsequently used for the production of bioethenol and enzymation and fermentation. Exclusively steam is used in the method and the corresponding system for heating, stirring and transport, as e.g. the transport through the various elements of the system is provided by a pressure difference between the compartments of the elements. The material (32) is discharged to an economizer (4), in which a separator (5) separates the material into a solid part and a liquid part. The solid part (29) is discharged for use in the further process. The method is performed as a two step proceed, as the material (32) from the first reactor (3) is injected into the economizer (4) and from there further on (26) to an additional reactor (8) for an additional treatment step. A high efficiency is achieved, as all pressures are established by direct steam addition, and heating surfaces and mechanical elements, such as pumps, stirrers, stuffing boxes, bearings, etc. are avoided. The use of economizers (4, 9) improves the consumption of energy relative to previously known processes.
US08932464B2
Static dissipaters for eliminating static electricity in fuel filter assemblies and fuel filter assemblies including static dissipaters are provided. The static dissipaters are in the form of a static dissipation sleeve that is disposed around the outside of a fuel pump within a fuel filter assembly. The static dissipation sleeve has one or more protrusion portions that protrude radially from the surface of the static dissipation sleeve and provide contacts for static dissipation of static electricity.
US08932457B2
A catalytic conversion process uses a catalytic cracking catalyst having a relatively homogeneous activity containing mainly large pore zeolites in a catalytic conversion reactor. The reaction temperature, residence time of oil vapors and weight ratio of the catalyst/feedstock oil are sufficient to obtain a reaction product containing from about 12 to about 60% by weight of a fluid catalytic cracking gas oil relative to the weight of the feed stock oil and containing a diesel. The reaction temperature ranges from about 420° C. to about 550° C. The residence time of oil vapors ranges from about 0.1 to about 5 seconds. The weight ratio of the catalytic cracking catalyst/feedstock is about 1-about 10.
US08932451B2
Methods are provided for processing crude oil feeds with reduced or minimized energy usage, reduced or minimized numbers of processing steps, improved allocation of hydrogen, and reduced or minimized formation of low value products. The methods reduce or minimize the use of vacuum distillation, and in many aspects reduce or minimize the use of both atmospheric and vacuum distillation. The methods also reduce or minimize the use of coking and fluid catalytic cracking processes.
US08932447B2
Devices and techniques are described that involve a combination of multidimensional electrokinetic, dielectrophoretic, electrophoretic and fluidic forces and effects for separating cells, nanovesicles, nanoparticulates and biomarkers (DNA, RNA, antibodies, proteins) in high conductance (ionic) strength biological samples and buffers. In disclosed embodiments, a combination of continuous and/or pulsed dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, continuous and/or pulsed field DC electrophoretic forces, microelectrophoresis and controlled fluidics are utilized with arrays of electrodes. In particular, the use of chambered DEP devices and of a properly scaled relatively larger electrode array devices that combines fluid, electrophoretic and DEP forces enables both larger and/or clinically relevant volumes of blood, serum, plasma or other samples to be more directly, rapidly and efficiently analyzed. The invention enables the creation of “seamless” sample-to-answer diagnostic systems and devices. The devices and techniques described can also carry out the assisted self-assembly of molecules, polymers, nanocomponents and mesoscale entities into three dimensional higher order structures.
US08932446B1
An apparatus for the real-time, in-situ monitoring of actinide-ion concentrations. A working electrolyte is positioned within the interior of a container. The working electrolyte is separated from a reference electrolyte by a separator. A working electrode is at least partially in contact with the working electrolyte. A reference electrode is at least partially in contact with the reference electrolyte. A voltmeter is electrically connected to the working electrode and the reference electrode. The working electrolyte comprises an actinide-ion of interest. The separator is ionically conductive to the actinide-ion of interest. The separator comprises an actinide, Zr, and Nb. Preferably, the actinide of the separator is Am or Np, more preferably Pu. In one embodiment, the actinide of the separator is the actinide of interest. In another embodiment, the separator further comprises P and O.
US08932445B2
Methods for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample, and the devices and systems used in conjunction with the same, are provided herein. In one exemplary embodiment of a method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample, a sample including an analyte is provided in a sample analyzing device having a working and a counter electrode. An electric potential is applied between the electrodes and a measurement of a parameter correlating to changes in a physical property of the sample analyzing device is calculated. A concentration of the analyte in view of the parameter correlating to a change in the physical property can then be determined Systems and devices that take advantage of the parameter correlating to changes in a physical property to make analyte concentration determinations are also provided.
US08932441B2
A system adapted to generate hydrogen and oxygen for use in hydrogen-based fuel cells is described. The system includes a power source, a first conducting element connected to a positive terminal of the power source, a second conducting element connect to a negative terminal of the power source, and a conducting medium adapted to electrically connect the first conducting element to the second conducting element.
US08932431B2
Disks stuck together in a stack are separated by placing the disks on a shaft of a vibratory apparatus and vibrating the shaft to vibrate the disks by contact of the disks with the vibrating shaft to separate them and also constrain the disks with the shaft as the disks are vibrated.
US08932428B2
The invention relates to an insulated container for hot drinks or the like comprising an inner cup having a generally frusto-conical cup body and a generally frusto-conical outer shell. The cup is seated within the shell so that a contact path is disposed near the upper edge of the shell, along which contact path the outer surface of the cup body and inner surface of the shell are in contact. At least one bonding spot and/or bonding area for bonding said shell to said cup body is locally formed within said contact path.
US08932424B2
Paint film composites comprise sheet metal, a color layer, and an optional transparent protective layer. Methods of making and using the paint film composites, and shaped articles made thereby, are also disclosed.
US08932422B2
Sandwich structure with a high load-bearing capacity, as well as methods for the manufacture thereof
A sandwich structure based on a composite panel made of a thermoplastic core layer connected to at least one fiber-reinforced thermoplastic layer, in particular in-situ manufactured sandwich panels, comprises a thermoplastic core, which is arranged between two cover layers, in which the core is reinforced with fiber-reinforced thermoplastic reinforcing ribs which extend between the cover layers. Preferred methods for the manufacture are also described.
US08932419B2
Disclosed is a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer which is obtained by reacting at least one polyoxyalkylene polyol (A), at least one monool (B1) soluble in the component (A) and/or at least one silane coupling agent (B2) reactive with an isocyanate group, at least one polyisocyanate (C) and at least one hydroxylated mono (meth)acrylate compound (D) at a ratio at which the equivalent weights of hydroxy groups, active hydrogen groups and isocyanate groups in the respective components satisfy the following formulae (1)-(3). The urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer does not substantially contain an unreacted isocyanate group. B(active hydrogen)+D(OH)=C(NCO)−A(OH) (1) 1.05≦C(NCO)/A(OH)≦2 (2) {C(NCO)−2A(OH)+2m}×0.35≦D(OH)≦{C(NCO)−2A(OH)+2m}×0.70 (3) In the formulae (1)-(3), A(OH) represents the total equivalent weight of hydroxy groups contained in the component (A); B(active hydrogen) represents the total equivalent weight of active hydrogen groups contained in the component (B1) and/or the component (B2); C(NCO) represents the total equivalent weight of isocyanate groups contained in the component (C); D(OH) represents the total equivalent weight of hydroxy groups contained in the component (D); and m represents the number of moles of the component (A). The oligomer is photo-curable and is used as an adhesive sheet in a method of affixing an optical member to a display panel.
US08932416B2
A high-strength die-quenched part 1 is formed by heating a high-strength steel sheet 11 up to an austenite region, hot stamping and cooling inside a mold, and its microstructure has the martensite wherein carbide particles 2 are finely dispersed over an entire region including prior-austenite grain boundaries. It is desirable that the prior-austenite grain size in the microstructure of the high-strength steel sheet, which is a base material, be 10 μm or smaller. The high-strength die-quenched part has high-strength and high-ductility thanks to its martensite.
US08932413B2
An apparatus for cleaning a tank that is to be installed below the fill line of a tank includes a housing sealably attached to a sidewall of a tank, and a tubing having a flexible output end positioned within the housing such that the output end of the tubing extends past the sidewall of the tank. A control linkage is slidably positioned within the housing. The control linkage is connected to the flexible output end of the tubing. The control linkage is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The orientation of the flexible output end of the tubing is changed as the control linkage is moved between positions, such that the direction of fluid flowing out of the flexible output end of the tubing is also changed. A seal is provided for sealing the tubing and the control linkage within the housing.
US08932409B2
A method and apparatus for cleaning a stack of secure instruments is disclosed. Each secure instrument includes a substrate, visual data and a security feature. The method and apparatus include exposing the stack to a supercritical fluid at a temperature and a pressure and for a duration sufficient to clean each secure instrument and not compromise each security feature and each visual data, and maintaining a securing mechanism on the stack during exposure of the stack to the supercritical fluid such that cleaning each secure instrument includes one or more substances from each secure instrument into the supercritical fluid.
US08932408B2
A method for cleaning a surface of a plate-like article includes the steps of: treating the surface with free flow cleaning, wherein liquid is dispensed through a dispense nozzle onto the surface in a continuous liquid flow, and treating the surface with spray cleaning, wherein liquid is directed through a spray nozzle towards the surface in form of droplets. The surface is treated with a spray cleaning step before the free flow cleaning step and a spray cleaning step after the free flow cleaning step.
US08932405B2
A reactor arrangement for layer deposition on a plurality of substrates (hereafter substrates) comprising a first reactor chamber for simultaneous cleaning the substrates, at least one second reactor chamber for depositing at least one layer on each of the substrates, a first heating device for setting the substrate temperature of the substrates in the first reactor chamber, a second heating device for setting the substrate temperature of the substrates in the second reactor chamber, a device for producing a gas atmosphere of predetermined composition and predetermined pressure, a transport device for transporting the substrates simultaneously from the first to the second reactor chamber, and a control device for controlling the heating devices and device for producing the gas atmosphere in such a way that the substrates are moved or stored in an interruption-free manner in a reducing gas atmosphere as long as the substrate temperature is above critical temperature Tc.
US08932404B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing semicrystalline polymer material, wherein the predominantly amorphous raw polymer material, in particular granules, to be treated is introduced into a crystallization reactor (1) and is partially crystallized there by being heated, but without melting, and subsequently the semicrystalline polymer material obtained in such a way is removed from the crystallization reactor (1) and at least part of said semicrystalline polymer material is diverted and mixed back into the crystallization reactor (1) in order to reduce the adhesive tendency of the polymer material. According to the invention, the diverted semicrystalline polymer material is combined and mixed with the raw polymer material before being mixed back into the crystallization reactor (1), and the mixture is then introduced into the crystallization reactor (1).
US08932391B2
A thermal ink jet ink composition includes one or more volatile organic solvents, one or more solvent dyes, and one or more humectants. The one or more volatile organic solvents are selected from C1-C4 alcohols, C4-C8 ethers, C3-C6 ketones, C3-C6 esters, and mixtures thereof. The one or more solvent dyes are soluble in the organic solvent or solvents with a solubility of at least 0.1% by weight. The thermal ink jet ink composition is free or substantially free of tetrahydrofuran, binder resin, and water.
US08932385B2
The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for inerting the surface of a metal charge in an induction furnace. The process generally involves use of a porous plug positioned near the surface of the metal charge. Argon (or other blanket gases) is flushed through the porous plug to back fill the volume of the induction furnace above the metal charge with an inert gas.
US08932383B2
A composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the at least one nutrient element possesses a relative energy-state value greater than the relative energy-state value of the at least one nutrient element in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the greater energy-state value, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition. Also a composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the composition possesses an energy spectrum more positive than the energy spectrum of the composition in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the more positive energy spectrum, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition. Methods of making and using the same for improving soil, plants, plant growth, seeds, and/or plant products, including quality of plant products, are also disclosed, as well as improved soil, seeds, including quality of seeds, plants, and/or plant products, including quality of plant product.
US08932377B2
A system for producing thermally stable cutting elements may include a heat source, a pressure vessel, at least one polycrystalline diamond body attached to a carbide substrate, and a leaching agent is disclosed, wherein the heat source includes a container comprising at least one receiving mechanism and at least one retention mechanism, and wherein the carbide substrate is disposed in the at least one receiving mechanism of the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent is disposed in the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent removes the catalyzing material from the interstitial spaces interposed between the diamond particles of the at least one polycrystalline diamond body, and wherein the at least one retention mechanism of the pressure vessel seals at least a portion of the carbide substrate into the at least one receiving mechanism and prevents the leaching agent from contacting at least a portion of the carbide substrate.
US08932376B2
Thermally stable diamond-bonded compacts include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix first phase of bonded together diamond crystals, and a second phase interposed within the matrix phase. At least some population of the second phase comprises a reaction product formed between an infiltrant material and the diamond crystals at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond bonded body further includes a polycrystalline diamond region that extends a depth from the thermally stable region and has a microstructure comprising a polycrystalline diamond matrix phase and a catalyst material disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The compact includes a substrate attached to the diamond-bonded body.
US08932375B2
With a method for supplying an entrained-flow gasification reactor with carbonaceous fuel for the production of a gas that contains CO and H2 and flue ash under pressure and at a temperature above the melting point of the ash, wherein the resulting gas is passed to further treatment stages, particularly at least one synthesis stage, the waste gas that is derived from the subsequent treatment stage and still contains hydrocarbons and/or hydrogen is used for pneumatic conveying of the fuel into the entrained-flow gasification reactor.
US08932374B2
A method and equipment for producing hydrogen from biomass includes the stages of drying of the biomass, gasification of the biomass, and water gas shift reaction. The method further includes: subjecting the outgoing gases (CO2, N2 and H2O) from the gasification stage to a first heat exchange, wherein the outgoing gases are cooled; evaporating water with heat from outgoing gases; subjecting the steam to heat exchange wherein the steam is heated; reducing the steam to synthesis gas, wherein the synthesis gas is cooled and the air supply to the gasification is heated; separating the synthesis gas into a hydrogen stream and a carbon monoxide stream; reacting the carbon monoxide with water steam to carbon monoxide and hydrogen; separating also these secondary streams into a hydrogen stream and a carbon monoxide stream; and bringing together the primary and secondary hydrogen stream into a product stream.
US08932365B2
An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component which exhibits enhanced articular features, minimizes removal of healthy bone stock from the distal femur, and minimizes the impact of the prosthesis on adjacent soft tissues of the knee.
US08932357B2
A method for fixation of an intervertebral implant includes the steps of: a) applying a spreading force to a first and second adjacent vertebral bodies; b) removing the intervertebral disc between the adjacent first and second vertebral bodies; c) inserting a shaft of the bone anchors into the vertebral bodies, and fixing a head of the bone anchors to an intervertebral implant.
US08932355B2
A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one fixation element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to engage a surface of an adjacent vertebral body and secure the implant between two vertebral bodies. Preferably, the implant is expandable and has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it must pass to be deployed within the intervertebral space. Once within the space between vertebral bodies, the implant can be expanded so as to engage the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures restored and maintained.
US08932351B2
An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) comprising an optic, and at least one haptic plate coupled to the optic by at least one connector, the connector being less rigid than the haptic plate, the at least one haptic plate surrounding the optic, and the optic and haptic plate having a combined surface area between 70 mm2 and 100 mm2. The at least one haptic plate may form a continuous 360-degree boundary around the optic. The at least one haptic plate has a width in a radial dimension of 1.0-3.5 mm across its entire angular extent.
US08932350B2
A prosthetic remodeling annuloplasty ring for use in tricuspid or mitral valve repairs to provide support after annuloplasty surgery. The annuloplasty ring includes a relatively rigid core extending around an axis that is discontinuous to define two free ends. A suture-permeable interface surrounding the core includes floppy regions adjacent both free ends of the core. Sutures are used to attach the annuloplasty ring to the annulus, including at least one suture through each of the floppy regions to secure the free ends of the ring and minimize the risk of ring dehiscence, or pull through of the sutures through the annulus tissue. The floppy regions may project from each free end into the gap toward each other, be radially enlarged such as paddle-like extensions, or may comprise outwardly lateral extensions at the free ends of the core.
US08932346B2
An expandable medical device having a particle layer disposed over a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent. The particle layer has a first porosity when the medical device is in the unexpanded configuration and a second porosity when the medical device is in the expanded configuration. The particle layer comprises a plurality of micron-sized or nano-sized particles. In certain embodiments, the particles are not connected to each other, and as such, the different porosities are provided by changes in the spacing between the particles as the medical device is expanded/unexpanded. Also disclosed are medical devices having a particle layer, wherein the particle layer comprises a plurality of encapsulated particles, and methods of coating medical devices with particles.
US08932342B2
A delivery device for deploying and resheathing an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device includes a fixed outer sheath and a pusher member that is configured for retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing the prosthesis. The device includes two plates engaging the pusher member, with a first plate configured engage the pusher member to prevent proximal movement and the other plate configured to engage the pusher member for distal movement.
US08932341B2
A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The shunt rivet may be formed to have a central section, a proximal clinch section, and a distal clinch section each having one or more clinch members. These one or more clinch members may be trained to be resiliently biased to bend radially outwardly from the central section.
US08932332B2
A spinal stabilization system includes an implant and instrumentation for stabilizing the spine. In one embodiment, the system includes a plate having a side rail and a channel extending adjacent the side rail. A pedicle screw assembly is positioned in the channel in releasable engagement with the side rail. The pedicle screw assembly includes a polyaxial screw seated in a lower housing having a lower locking flange. An upper housing having an upper locking flange secures the plate to the lower housing. The side rail of the plate is releasably engaged between the upper locking flange and the lower locking flange. The upper and lower housings include on-board locking mechanisms for fixing components in the screw assembly. The screw assembly and plate are inserted and oriented by remote manipulation. Minimally invasive techniques for inserting the implant are performed with the instrumentation, and cause minimal disturbance to surrounding tissue.
US08932325B2
Among other things, there are disclosed apparatuses and methods for medically sealing an opening in a vessel or wall. For example, in medical applications, a delivery tube is provided for insertion through a sheath into a vessel (e.g. a blood vessel). A dome-shaped seal fixed to a filament, an absorbent and/or compressible buffer, and a locking member are provided in the delivery tube. The delivery tube is configured so that it can be inserted into the vessel through a sheath. Tension is maintained on the filament to hold the seal against the tube or sheath. The sheath is pulled out, which pulls out the tube at the same time, leaving the seal over the opening in the vessel wall. The locking member compresses the buffer against the outside of the vessel and with the filament holds the seal in place against the inside of a vessel.
US08932323B2
An treatment tool for a endoscope comprises a treatment tool insertion portion to be inserted into a channel of the endoscope; an open/close member support portion formed in a distal end of the treatment tool insertion portion; an open/close member which is freely supported so as to be opened or closed and treats a target site; a liquid conduit which transports a liquid to a target site, liquid conduit being provided on an outside of the open/close member in a direction orthogonal to a lengthwise direction of the open/close member, and comprising at least one distal end aperture which opens toward the distal end direction of the open/close member support portion, the liquid conduit transports.
US08932317B2
An intracorporeal space filling device and a delivery system and method for using the device is disclosed. The space filling device is preferably configured for percutaneous delivery from a peripheral conduit of a patient. The space filling device has an elongated tubular or interconnected bead structure which may have a transmutable material disposed within it. The transmutable material can be altered from a non-rigid state to a rigid state by the application of various types of energy or by other suitable means. The space filling device can be positioned by a delivery system and detached from the delivery system after desired positioning is achieved.
US08932310B2
A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.
US08932289B2
Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input.
US08932286B2
The invention pertains to techniques or processes for managing surgical smoke. In one embodiment a suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site.
US08932283B2
Herein described is a novel cable assembly that is free from additional resistor, capacitor and inductor components and suitable for connecting a bipolar device to the monopolar active and return receptacles of a standard multipurpose electrosurgical generator. The cable assembly of the instant invention uses a conventional connector currently in use for either hand or foot control of electrosurgical pencils and a standard connector currently in use for dispersive electrodes; either single-foil (solid) or dual-foil (split) configuration connectors may be used. No resistors, capacitors, inductors transformers, or interface circuitry are incorporated in the cable or connectors distal to the electrosurgical generator.
US08932280B2
Systems, methods, and instruments associated with controlling the operating modes of an electrosurgical instrument using control signals delivered in a wireless manner from the electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical instrument transmits wireless control signals to the electrosurgical generator to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy. The control signals are delivered to the electrosurgical generator without the need for a conductive cord extending between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument. The energy is delivered to the electrosurgical instrument, in response to the wireless control signals, along a path through an electrode and the physician utilizing the electrosurgical instrument and/or a conductive path external to the physician. The electrode upon which the physician rests provides a path for the electrosurgical energy and optionally prevents burning of the physician during an electrosurgical procedure.
US08932270B2
A variable infusion length catheter includes a tube assembly having a plurality of coaxial tubes each with a plurality of side ports formed therein, and having among the tubes a plurality of different rotational configurations each defining a different pattern of fluid communication among the side ports and a corresponding different infusion length of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.
US08932266B2
An autoinjection device includes a main body 12 in the front end of which is slideably mounted a drawer or front body portion 14. The drawer can be opened to remove or insert a syringe. Closing the drawer while pressing a multifunction button 22 primes the drive mechanism 54, 58 by latching it against trigger latch 66. Pressing the button 22 again while urging the front end causes the drawer to release the trigger latch 66. After the injection the drawer shrouds the used needle and can be released only by pressing the button 22.
US08932265B2
A holder with a safety shield for a drug delivery device; the shield obstructing access to a needle of the drug delivery device following use thereof. The safety shield may be actively deployed, in which case the health care worker must perform an action beyond complete depression of the pusher into the body of the drug delivery device to deploy the shield. Alternatively, the safety shield may be deployed passively or automatically, in which case deployment of the shield occurs upon complete depression of the pusher into the body, with no additional action required of the health care worker. The safety shield is spring-loaded and released to its extended position by a mechanical coupling of a series of position members, including levers, formed on the holder and the drug delivery device.
US08932263B2
Some embodiments of a medical system include a subcutaneous anchor device that extends outwardly from side wall of an intravenous cannula so as to secure the intravenous cannula in a position relative to a skin penetration point.
US08932261B2
An adapter assembly including a manifold and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a seat and a valve body having a circular base and a wall. The wall extends from a trailing side of the base to form a dome-like shape terminating at an end at which a slit is formed, with the wall defining opposing sealing edges at the slit. The seat has an upper circumferential surface and a lower circumferential surface. The upper surface engages a leading side of the base, whereas the lower surface engages a trailing side. At least one of the upper and lower surfaces forms a segment of increased height. Upon final assembly, the valve body is disposed across a passageway of the manifold, with the slit providing a selectively openable path. A force imparted by the segment of increased height flexes the base and biases the sealing edges into engagement.
US08932258B2
An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.
US08932255B1
Various sealing structures are used in a front-loading injector, for preventing leakage of spilled fluid from an external surface of a syringe into the vicinity of the drive ram. For example, a sealing gasket may be incorporated into the front face of the injector housing, for mating to the rearward circular edge of the cylindrical body of a syringe. Alternatively, sealing and locking functions may be performed by a single structure on the rearward end of the syringe. Further, leakage may be prevented by including a non-planar sealing flange on the syringe, positioned on the syringe forward of the locking structure, or by a two-piece structure, including a syringe and a separate leakage stopping washer for surrounding the syringe to halt the flow of fluid along the exterior of the syringe. (As part of this aspect, or as an independent feature, the syringe may include an annularly discontinuous flange forward of the locking structure, for providing mechanical support for the syringe against the injector.) Alternatively, an iris-like structure may be incorporated into the front surface of the injector, for closing about the syringe upon insertion of the syringe into the injector.
US08932254B2
A disposable syringe assembly for use in an autoinjector device, or manually includes a syringe housing which receives the syringe barrel and which is restrained against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, a shield portion mounted for generally telescopic movement relative to the syringe housing between a retracted position and an extended position in which in use it shields the syringe needle, and a lock out arrangement activated as the shield moves towards its extended position to prevent retraction therefrom. When fitted in an autoinjector the autoinjector may include drive mechanism for moving the shield portion to its locked out extended position, whereby, on completion of an injection operation, the disposable syringe assembly may be removed from the autoinjector in a shielded condition for subsequent disposal.
US08932248B2
A gas conditioning trocar having a chamber for heating and hydrating an unconditioned insufflation gas prior to injecting a conditioned insufflation gas into a body cavity during a medical procedure and a port through which surgical instruments can pass into a body cavity without inhibiting the flow of insufflation gas during the medical procedure.
US08932247B2
An arterio-venous graft (16) is provided with a constriction device (20) near its arterial end. The constriction device (20) is used to reduce the flow through the AV graft under normal conditions and to relieve the constriction when high flow through the AV graft is required, such as for vascular access for hemodialysis.
US08932243B2
An adjustable cervical collar designed to accommodate a broad range of prospective wearers with unique physical attributes, and to restrict the movements of the wearer's cervical spine, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The cervical collar includes a front portion and back portion, which may be adjusted in relation to one other to vary the circumference of the cervical collar. The front portion includes upper and lower plastic portions which may be adjusted to vary the height of the cervical collar, and a front thoracic extender which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of flexion movement. The back portion includes occipital and back thoracic extenders which may be adjusted to achieve a desired restrictiveness of extension movement. The adjustable features may be operated independently of one another. The adjustable features include locking means to ensure that the cervical collar is securely applied to the wearer.
US08932236B1
In order to monitor an individual's posture, a cable is incorporated within a garment that is configured to be worn on an individual's upper body such that at least a portion of the cable spans an upper back region of the garment. A sensor is configured to monitor tension in the cable and to generate an alert when the tension in the cable exceeds a threshold level.
US08932211B2
Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.
US08932210B2
A retraction device comprises a base and at least one retracting blade. The base has at least one tab. The retracting blade has a slotted distal end for receiving the tab of the base.
US08932204B2
A pump adapted to be attached between a fluid reservoir and an inflatable penile cylinder of an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a pump bulb connected to a pump body. The pump body includes a deflate valve chamber communicating with an actuator chamber, a deflate cap attached to the deflate valve chamber, and the actuator chamber including a restriction ring. An inlet valve is disposed within the pump body between the pump bulb and the deflate valve chamber. An exhaust valve is disposed within the pump body between the pump bulb and the actuator chamber. A deflate valve is disposed within the pump body between the inlet valve and the exhaust valve. The restriction ring in the actuator chamber is sized to engage a ring engagement surface of the deflate valve to maintain the deflate valve in the deflate mode.
US08932196B2
A method, apparatus and a system for thermally-assisted pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for treatment of osteoarthritis are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a multi-coil applicator adapted for positioning near or around of the treated joint, a pulse generator functionally coupled to the applicator, a power supply, and a feedback loop for stabilizing the temperature of the joint. The feedback loop includes a heating element, a temperature sensor and an electronic controller for maintaining the temperature of the joint in the range of 38 to 42 degree C. At elevated temperatures the healing effect of PEMF stimulation on the cartilage is maximized and overall efficiency of the treatment is improved. To produce a high electric field, the coils of the applicator are made with a low number of turns, for example less than 5 turns, and are spatially arranged to cover the whole joint without “dead” zones.
US08932184B2
Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette or other container may contain a hydrogen storage or storing material. Information may be stored in the material and subsequently read or accessed. A probe may be used to interrogate the material. The hydrogen content or other characteristics of the material may be determined based on the interrogation. A hydrogen dispensing unit may contain a depleted cassette acceptor to accept depleted cassettes and a charged cassette dispenser to dispense charged cassettes. The dispensing unit may be implemented in a hydrogen retail store or as a standalone unit. The retail store or the unit may connect to a hydrogen network and implement various business methods, as disclosed herein.
US08932182B2
A coast stop vehicle, includes an engine, a transmission arranged between the engine and drive wheels and having a plurality of gear positions, a coast stop starting unit which automatically stops the engine when a coast stop start condition holds during travel, a coast stop releasing unit which automatically starts the engine when a coast stop release condition holds during a coast stop, and a downshifting unit which starts engagement of a frictional engagement element, which realizes a lower gear position than the one when the coast stop release condition holds, before complete explosion of the engine and causes a downshift of the transmission when the coast stop release condition holds.
US08932159B2
A non-lethal arrow is disclosed that includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. A nock is located on a first end of the shaft and a flight is positioned at approximately the first end of the shaft. A tip connector including a shaft connection end, wherein the shaft connection end is connected with the shaft. The shaft connection end defines a hollow interior portion sized a configured to receive an end of the shaft. A foam tip surrounds at least a portion of the tip connector. The foam tip is overmolded over the tip connector.
US08932156B2
A system and method for pitching balls, particularly footballs and other football-shaped balls. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to passes, punts, kick-offs and snaps. A cradle for use in the system and method holds the ball in any one of a number of positions such that when it is fed into the system, the ball is propelled to simulate a different type of pitch. The apparatus and system for pitching balls includes a support for a ball throwing head, two opposing variable speed motor powered wheels that can be tilted in relation to each other to control the spin and distance, a slide configured to present the ball on the cradle into the wheels at different angles to provide right or left handed spirals and end over end pitches, and adjustments for height and horizontal pivot. A removable throwing head allows balls to be pitched from different heights from ground level to an upright arm motion to simulate different types of pitches.
US08932155B2
A sports ball training assembly for repetitively practicing sporting techniques in a small area, such as, hitting a golf ball, kicking a soccer ball, or batting a baseball. A telescoping arm attaches to the ball, extending and retracting to create different positions to strike the ball. A spring attaches to the telescoping arm. The spring has sufficient elasticity to return the ball to equilibrium position after the ball is propelled forward. The elasticity of the spring and the elevation of the ball can be adjusted by enclosing various sections of the spring with a tube that slides along the longitudinal axis of the spring. As the rigid tube moves along the spring, the spring's characteristics change. A second spring portion enhances stability and control of the ball, and allows the ball to return to the user. A base and a base shaft provide structure to the assembly.
US08932154B2
A golf ball comprising (a) a core; (b) at least one mantle layer adjacent to the core; (c) an inner cover layer adjacent to the mantle layer; and (d) an outer cover layer adjacent to the inner cover layer, wherein the inner cover layer has a material Shore D hardness that is at least 3 less than the material Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer, and the inner cover layer has a thickness of less than 0.050 in.
US08932153B2
A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of highly neutralized polymer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The cover is a two layer cover, with a hard inner cover and a thermoplastic polyurethane outer cover. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as feel and sound.
US08932143B2
A control system for a child swing that comprises an amplitude control subsystem configured to use one or more electrical signals from a swing sensor to compare an actual amplitude of the child swing to a pre-set amplitude of the child swing to generate an adjustment signal representing a desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism. The child swing also comprises a phase control subsystem configured to use an electrical signal representative of a phase of the drive mechanism and the adjustment signal to generate a motor drive signal configured to cause the desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism.
US08932142B2
A damper device including an input element to which power from a motor is transmitted; a first elastic body to which power is transmitted from the input element; a first intermediate element to which power is transmitted from the first elastic body; a second elastic body to which power is transmitted from the first intermediate element; a second intermediate element to which power is transmitted from the second elastic body; a third elastic body to which power is transmitted from the second intermediate element; and an output element to which power is transmitted from the third elastic body. The first and second elastic bodies are coil springs, and the third elastic body is an arc spring that is arranged radially inward of the first and second elastic bodies.
US08932139B2
A method and system for electronic gaming device troubleshooting and logging includes detecting an error condition of an electronic gaming device, an electronic game device having a processor, memory and an interface; generating a reference link for a detected error condition; and conveying a reference link. A system includes an electronic gaming device having a processor, memory and an interface. An electronic gaming device may include a detector configured to detect an error condition of an electronic gaming device; a reference link generator configured to generate a reference link characterizing a detected error condition; and an interface configured to convey a reference link.
US08932138B2
A system, computer-readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method for placing players of a multiplayer game in a virtual world are described. Territory for a player of the multiplayer game is placed in the virtual world for the multiplayer game. Territory for at least one other player is placed adjacent to the territory of the player in the virtual world. The player is determined to have entered the territory for the at least one other player. At least one in-game task is assigned to the player based on an in-game state of the player and an in-game state of the at least one other player.
US08932133B2
A system for playing board games includes a game board and at least one pawn. The game board includes a display configured to display on a board surface a game board layout. The display is further configured to display a pawn input image on the board surface. The pawn includes a contact surface for supporting the pawn on the board surface, and an image input part cooperating with the board surface to receive the pawn input image. The pawn also includes an image surface to display a pawn output image, and a device for relaying the pawn input image from the image input part to the image surface.
US08932128B2
The gaming system disclosed herein changes the focal point of a display device at different points in time to assist the player in focusing on different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time. Specifically, the gaming system displays a plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games on a display device. In response to a designated event occurring in association with a specific one of the plurality of simultaneously or concurrently played games, the gaming system changes the focal point of the display device to draw the player's focus or attention to that specific one of the simultaneously or concurrently played games. Put differently, the gaming system dynamically allocates and/or indicates different portions of a display device to different simultaneously or concurrently played games at different points in time to account for different events occurring in such simultaneously or concurrently played games.
US08932122B2
Methods for customizing an educational experience of a gamer are provided. The method can include the generating of learning DNA which can include information relating to the gamer. The learning DNA can be generated by the aggregation of data received from the gamer, collected from other data sources, and generated based on the interaction of the user with an evaluation and rectification system. The method can further include selecting a mission for a user based on the learning DNA and/or information relating to the user.
US08932116B2
Methods for producing in-situ grooves in CMP pads are provided. In general, the methods for producing in-situ grooves comprise the steps of patterning a silicone lining, placing the silicone lining in, or on, a mold, adding CMP pad material to the silicone lining, and allowing the CMP pad to solidify. CMP pads comprising novel groove designs are also described. For example, described here are CMP pads comprising concentric circular grooves and axially curved grooves, reverse logarithmic grooves, overlapping circular grooves, lassajous groves, double spiral grooves, and multiply overlapping axially curved grooves. The CMP pads may be made from polyurethane, and the grooves produced therein may be made by a method from the group consisting of silicone lining, laser writing, water jet cutting, 3-D printing, thermoforming, vacuum forming, micro-contact printing, hot stamping, and mixtures thereof.
US08932110B2
A method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium substrate is capable of reducing the waviness of all wavelength components and a recording medium is capable of reducing contact with a magnetic head to improve the flying stability of the magnetic head. The method includes two polishing operations. The first operation includes polishing a substrate having a Ni—P-based alloy underlayer with a first porous material that includes 0.1 wt % to 25 wt % of alumina, titania, silica, and zirconia abrasive while supplying a first slurry liquid including an organic or inorganic acid and a first abrasive to the underlayer of the substrate. The second operation includes polishing a surface of the underlayer polished in the first polishing with a second porous material while supplying a second slurry liquid including an organic or inorganic acid and a second abrasive with a grain diameter smaller than that of the first abrasive.
US08932108B2
A method useful for polishing a large number of miniature components such as multi-layer electronic components, within a high speed barrel polishing device, is disclosed. In various embodiments of the present invention, a vertical planetary ball mill or other barrel polishing device is modified to rotate polishing containers having a modified interior cavity structure. This interior cavity provides a smooth, gradually curved interior sidewall that improves circulation within the container during high-speed vertical polishing rotation. The improved circulation results in polishing for a larger number of components placed within the container and in less time than existing polishing container structures. In further embodiments, the containers are rotated around a generally tilted axis positioned at an angle between entirely vertical and horizontal positions. Rotation about a tilted axis further reduces collisions and increases relative polishing movement within the container.
US08932106B2
A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a polishing surface, a substrate holding apparatus configured to hold the substrate and to press the substrate against the polishing surface, and a controller. The substrate holding apparatus includes an elastic membrane configured to form a substrate holding surface which is brought into contact with the substrate, a carrier provided above the elastic membrane, at least one pressure chamber formed between the elastic membrane and the carrier, and an infrared light detector configured to measure thermal energy from the elastic membrane. The controller calculates an estimate value of a temperature of the elastic membrane using a measured value of the infrared light detector.
US08932105B2
Method for the machining of gear teeth whose tooth flanks deviate from their specified geometry by a machining allowance, wherein the machining allowance is removed through an infeed of at least two infeed steps, each of which is followed by a machining pass with a profiling tool that rotates about a tool axis, wherein for this operation the profiling tool—after it has been set to a position relative to the gear wheel that depends on the angle at which the plane of rotation of the tool which is orthogonal to the tool axis is tilted against the axis of the gear wheel—is brought into engagement with the gear teeth, wherein after each infeed step the material within the resultant engagement area of the tool is removed, wherein after the last infeed step with a tilt angle setting of the profiling tool that is determined by the design angle of the latter, the area of tool engagement extends over the entire flank height, so that the next machining pass will remove the amount of material required to attain the specified geometry, wherein in at least one infeed step which precedes the last infeed step, the profiling tool is set to a tilt angle which deviates from the angle that the tool was designed for and which results in a tool engagement area which, in comparison to the setting at the designed angle, is enlarged in the direction of the flank height.
US08932102B2
A movable toy vehicle comprises a vehicle body, chassis, and power source with at least one battery. A magnetic coil activator and a magnet for wheel steering control affects steering. A circuit applies a current to the coil thereby to move the magnet. Movement of the magnet is transmitted to a steering shaft thereby permitting steering the vehicle. The magnet is a permanent magnet, and includes a mounting to pivot the permanent magnet in relation to a coil, and wherein the coil is powered by the battery. The toy car can be remote controlled.
US08932100B2
Animated toy figures including a torso having a neck and an interior body cavity, a head that is pivotally coupled to the neck, a vertically oriented lifting structure, where an upward movement of the lifting structure results in a backward pivoting of the head, first and second arm members disposed on opposing sides of the torso, a cross-connector rotatably disposed within the interior body cavity connected to and extending between the first and second arm members and configured to drive the lifting structure upward upon rotation of the cross-connector, and an activating member disposed on the torso that is operatively coupled to the cross-connector. Activation of the activating member rotates the cross-connector, thereby rotating the first and second arm members and vertically displacing the lifting structure, so that the upward movement of the arm members is coupled to a backward pivoting of the head.
US08932097B2
A simple formation method of an insulating pattern having an eaves portion using one light-exposure mask is provided. As the formation method of an insulating pattern having an eaves portion, first, a first photosensitive organic layer is formed over a substrate, and then a first region is exposed to light with the use of a light-exposure mask, so that a leg portion is formed. After that, a second photosensitive organic layer is formed, the light-exposure mask is moved in the direction parallel to the substrate, and then a second region partly overlapping with the first region is exposed to light plural times, so that a stage portion is formed. The insulating pattern formed by this method may be applied to the light-emitting device or the lighting device.
US08932093B2
In an outboard motor, a first damper member is disposed between a bracket and a casing such that the first damper member supports a weight of an outboard motor body. A second damper member is disposed between the bracket and the casing. The casing or the bracket includes a left first inclined surface and a right first inclined surface. The left first inclined surface and the right first inclined surface are inclined with respect to a front-back direction of the outboard motor body in a planar view of the outboard motor body. The second damper member includes a left second inclined surface and a right second inclined surface. The left second inclined surface is arranged to oppose the left first inclined surface. The right second inclined surface is arranged to oppose the right first inclined surface.
US08932092B1
The invention is directed to a waterjet propulsor. The propulsor includes a structure covering an impeller shaft. The implementation of the elongated structure results in reduced drag, increased thrust and increased craft speed. The elongated structure may be a sleeve that is mounted in a free-floating arrangement over the impeller shaft that self-aligns, the sleeve having an airfoil cross section for optimizing the flow of water over the shaft. The elongated structure may also be a fixed housing arrangement that includes an airfoil cross section for optimizing the flow of water over the shaft.
US08932089B2
A connecting arrangement is disclosed for an electrical switching device for attaching an electrical connection to the electrical switching device, including a terminal, a fixing screw and a terminal screw including an external thread. The terminal includes a connection opening for introducing the electrical connection, a fixing opening through which the fixing screw can be passed for the purpose of securing the terminal to an electrical contact of the electrical switching device, and a terminal bore having an internal thread through which the terminal screw can be screwed in for the purpose of retaining the electrical connection. The terminal screw includes a through-hole and, arranged concentrically with respect to the through-hole, a blind hole which is embodied for receiving a turning tool. The blind hole covers the through-hole and has a greater cross-sectional area than the through-hole. An electrical switching device including at least one such connecting arrangement is disclosed.
US08932087B2
A stirrup connector includes a cable connecting device, a clamp, and a control section. The cable connecting device is configured to secure a tap line to the stirrup connector. The clamp secures the stirrup connector to a stirrup. The clamp includes a set of jaws forming an opening that is smaller than a diameter of the stirrup and is configured to snap onto the stirrup when the set of jaws is forced against the stirrup at the opening. The control section is configured to be releasably engaged with a hot stick and to translate a connecting force from the hotstick to the clamp to secure the clamp to the stirrup. The stirrup connector provides an electrical connection between the stirrup and the tap line when the clamp is secured to the stirrup.
US08932083B2
An assembly comprises a plug device and a receptacle device which can be mated with each other. The plug device comprises an outer housing, a first circuit board, and a plug connector. The outer housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing having a penetrating window. The plug connector comprises an insulative body and a first terminal group. The receptacle device comprises a casing and a receptacle connector. The casing has an insertion groove communicated with an outside and is engaged with the plug device and a receiving groove located under the insertion groove and communicated with the insertion groove. The receptacle connector comprises an insulative base and a second terminal group. Electrical connections are established between the contact portions of the second terminals and contact portions of corresponding first terminals of the first terminal group when the plug device is positioned in the insertion groove.
US08932078B1
Apparatus, methods, and systems for coupling a cable to a printed circuit board are described herein. In some embodiments, a portion of a cable clamp is configured to be crimped about a cable having an inner conductor and an outer conductor, such as a coaxial cable. The cable clamp can have a projection configured to be inserted into an opening of a printed circuit board. The cable clamp can be configured to be fixedly coupled, for example, soldered, to the printed circuit board.
US08932077B2
A card edge connector assembly comprising a first card edge connector comprising a first insulative housing, a pair of first latching arms disposed on opposite ends of the first insulative housing and a plurality of first conductive terminals retained in the first insulative housing; a second card edge connector including a second insulative housing, a pair of second latching arms located on the opposite ends of the second insulative housing and a plurality of second conductive terminals retained in the second insulative housing. The first and second terminals define pin-shaped solder portions respectively, wherein the first and second insulative housings define protruding portions and recessed portions mutually engaged with each other when the first and second insulative housings are disposed in a head to head arrangement. It can shorten distance between the first and second card edge connectors, which is conducive to miniaturization of connector assembly.
US08932066B2
A connector is provided for joining two electrical harnesses. Each harness is formed from a flexible printed circuit board which provides a plurality of conductive tracks, and each harness has a substantially planar terminating region at which the conductive tracks of the harness fan out. One or more receiving holes are formed in each terminating region to extend to respective conductive tracks. Each receiving hole extends in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the respective terminating region. When in use, the connector includes a connection formation between respective terminating regions of the two electrical harnesses. The connector further includes a housing configured to hold the respective terminating regions of the two electrical harnesses in face-to-face relationship with the connection formation. The housing has one or more apertures through which the harnesses can exit the housing as they extend away from their terminating regions.
US08932059B2
A self-tapping dental implant has a unitary body with an open end and a bottom tip end. The implant is tapered downward from the open top to the tip end and has an internal cavity extending for substantially the length of the implant. Smooth inner sidewalls are located at the upper end of the cavity and internal threads extend from the sidewalls down into the cavity. The dental implant method utilizes the unique dental implant, along with a flexible sleeve, a solid abatement member, and dental attachment screw, to place the implant with minimal patient trauma, while simulating the micro-movement of a natural tooth.
US08932054B1
A dental occlusion correcting system (DOCS) that is designed to simplify and expedite the correction of Class II dental malocclusions. The DOCS (10) includes a set of upper and lower molar attachment structures (13,14), attached respectively to a person's upper molar and lower molar, a set of upper and lower loosely attached linkages (11,12), and a force module (70). Each of the loosely attached linkages (11,12) includes a link pivitor (50) and a link base (30) which are rotatably connected together through a system of gears and stops and rotational sections (43,44,58,59). The upper and lower loosely attached linkages are connected together, on the same side of a patient's dentition, by a force module. The force module produces upward-backward and downward-forward compression force, commensurate with the force required by a specific dental patient.
US08932052B2
Delivery systems suitable for dispensing orthodontic chains. Such a delivery system includes a housing assembly adapted to enclose an orthodontic chain within an interior cavity of the delivery system defined by and between individual components of the housing assembly. The delivery system further includes an advancement mechanism adapted to engage the orthodontic chain within the interior cavity and dispense the orthodontic chain from the delivery system, a cutting mechanism adapted to cut the orthodontic chain while disposed within the interior cavity, and an exit through which the orthodontic chain exits the interior cavity.
US08932051B1
A dental prosthesis for cattle, and method for mounting it, that includes mounting fastening members in the animals incisor, away from the central nerve and towards in the inner side of the incisor. Tying the incisors individually with surgical wire and to a support plate with through holes to immobilize the relative movement of the incisor with respect to each other. A malleable metallic overdenture is then mounted over the teeth and metallic infrastructure conforming to the incisors to define a conforming overdenture. An adhesive bonding agent is used to mount the overdenture to the incisors and the anchorage structure with retention fastening members that transversally pass through the overdenture and between the incisors to further secure the overdenture to the cured boding agent.
US08932047B2
A propellant flow actuated piezoelectric igniter device using one or more hammer balls retained by one or more magnets, or other retaining method, until sufficient fluid pressure is achieved to release and accelerate the hammer ball, such that it impacts a piezoelectric crystal to produce an ignition spark. Certain preferred embodiments provide a means for repetitively capturing and releasing the hammer ball after it impacts one or more piezoelectric crystals, thereby oscillating and producing multiple, repetitive ignition sparks. Furthermore, an embodiment is presented for which oscillation of the hammer ball and repetitive impact to the piezoelectric crystal is maintained without the need for a magnet or other retaining mechanism to achieve this oscillating impact process.
US08932036B2
A compressor may include a shell, first and second scroll members, and a seal assembly. The shell defines a first and second pressure regions. The first scroll member may include a first end plate defining a chamber. The seal assembly may surround the discharge passage and fluidly separate the first and second pressure regions from each other. The seal assembly may include first and second sealing members. The first sealing member may prevent communication between the chamber and the second pressure region when a first fluid pressure within the second pressure region is higher than a second fluid pressure within the chamber. The first sealing member may define a leakage path when the first fluid pressure is lower than the second fluid pressure. The second sealing member may fluidly separate the chamber and the second pressure region when the first fluid pressure is lower than the second fluid pressure.
US08932031B2
A pump system includes: a first coupler that receives a common input feed and provides two input feeds of fluid being drawn into the pump system, a second coupler that receives two output feeds and provides a common output feed of the pumped fluid, and a third coupler that receives a common gas feed providing two gas feeds to drive the pump system; two pumps, each having an inlet to receive a respective input feed, an outlet to provide a respective output feed of the pumped fluid, and a gas inlet to receive a respective gas feed so as to cause pumping action to drive the pump; and a base for holding the couplers with straps for attaching the two pump. The common gas feed causes pumping action in the two pumps and provides a constant almost pulsation free flow.
US08932024B2
An object is to provide a wind turbine blade having a serrated plate that can be formed irrespective of the overall structure of the blade, that is attached in the optimum shape, and that can effectively suppress noise occurring at a trailing edge thereof, and also to provide a wind power generator using such a wind turbine blade. Provided is a wind turbine blade (9) formed by bonding a back skin (19) and a front skin (21) and having a serrated plate (35) attached to a trailing edge (33) thereof, and the serrated plate (35) is formed so as to be attached by bonding the back skin (19) and the front skin (21).
US08932004B2
An embodiment of the present invention takes the form of an IBH system that has two conduits, which are positioned close to a downstream end of a silencer section. This arrangement may reduce the overall pressure drop associated with the inlet system. This arrangement may also promote a substantially uniform mixing between the cooler ambient air and the warmer heated air.
US08931998B2
A barrier recovery device for receiving an elongate array of coils which includes a boom and a catch which is reciprocally movable along the boom to draw successive portions of the coils, in an axially compressed stated, onto the boom. The device can be mounted to a barrier recovery vehicle.
US08931994B2
The present invention is a lift accessory for aerial lifts and related machines. The lift accessory includes sets of retractable supports for materials around the perimeter of an aerial lift platform. In a preferred embodiment, two accessories would be installed on opposite ends of the lift platform. Typically, the accessory is based upon a section of steel tubing. The inside end may be pivotally attached via a bolt or other appropriate attachment means to a railing on a work platform of the lift.
US08931992B2
Cylinder rings having single-start nut and bolt threads matched to one another and axial stop surfaces, running perpendicularly to the cylinder axis, between the cylinder rings are distinguished by the fact that the stop surfaces (11, 12) assigned to the nut thread (3) and the bolt thread (4) extend in an axially rising manner over at most one thread turn and each have at the end a step surface (13, 14) between the axially offset stop planes of the stop surfaces (13, 14).
US08931989B2
A self-sealing attachment assembly, includes a base portion defining a receptacle having an opening at one end and a surface with a through-hole at an opposite end, a sealant material in the receptacle, and a cover secured to the base portion and enclosing the opening, wherein the cover is configured to receive a driving force from a fastener and dispenses the sealant material via the through-hole by displacement through the receptacle when actuated by the driving force. A method is disclosed for installing a building material to a framing that includes mounting a self-sealing attachment assembly onto a fastening member and driving the fastening member through the sealing assembly and the building material toward the framing to dispense a sealant material to seal the penetration hole formed by the fastening member in the building material to form a watertight seal.
US08931978B2
A cutting/mixing tool for thin diaphragm walls is mounted at the end of at least one drilling rod (47) moved by a slidable assembly (42, 62) along a tower (41), carried by an operating drilling machine (40). The tool (45) has a body (10), which bears in its central part two digging/mixing wheels (20a, 20b) provided on the periphery with cutters (82) and set alongside one another at a minimum distance (d) and coaxial about an axis (x) substantially perpendicular to the direction of digging (z). The wheels (20a, 20b) project from slits (81) of the body (10), which contains at least partially means (1-4, 50-52) for transmission of motion to the wheels, the devices being positioned externally with respect to the wheels.
US08931977B2
A pipe support has an outer tubular support wall, an inner tubular support wall, spaced inwardly from the outer tubular support wall, and a connecting portion for maintaining the outer tubular support wall and the inner tubular support wall in a fixed, spaced apart relationship. The pipe support is intended for use in-trench and out-of-trench for supporting a pipeline during assembly, installation, testing and operation.
US08931970B1
A ticket printer includes a housing having a frame and a front panel concurrently formed as a single unit. A printer unit is positioned in the housing and includes a print body and swing assembly having a print roller head. The swing assembly can be selectively rotated away from the print body for maintenance and cleaning. A paper guide, located at an outlet side of the printer unit, is positioned within the housing. Paper is routed between the print roller head and the print body of the printer unit. The paper guide directs the paper along a paper pathway and out of a ticket outlet in the front panel. The paper guide may be transparent to visualize jammed paper in the paper pathway. Paper directing ramps formed in the swing assembly and the paper guide direct the paper into the paper pathway and downwardly to the ticket outlet.
US08931968B2
A portable device has a display, a display processor displays a magnification image on a screen of the display, and an input device. The portable device further has a display-area shift processor that shifts the magnification-image-display area in accordance to an input operation administered to the input device, and a position sensor that detects an angle of inclination of the body. Then, The display processor changes the magnification-image-display area to an image area that is inclined by an angle corresponding to the angle of inclination, and the display-area shift processor changes shift directions of the magnification-image-display area from vertical and lateral directions of the original image to directions that are perpendicular to each other and correspond to inclined vertical and lateral directions rotated by the angle of inclination.
US08931964B2
A fiber optic connector assembly comprises a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub. The ferrule has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the ferrule is mounted to the hub. The ferrule defines a fiber passage that extends through the ferrule from the proximal end to the distal end. The fiber optic assembly further comprises an optical fiber having an end portion potted within the fiber passage of the ferrule. A loose tube receives the optical fiber. The loose tube has a distal end positioned inside the hub and defines a venting opening that starts at the distal end of the loose tube and extends proximally along a length of the loose tube.
US08931959B2
The roller bearing comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements which are arranged between the rings in order to form an axial thrust which can transmit axial forces, and a row of rolling elements arranged between the rings in order to form a radial thrust which can transmit radial forces. The inner ring comprises an annular groove which extends towards the interior from an outer surface of the ring, and forms a raceway for the rolling elements of the radial thrust.
US08931951B2
A time-temperature indication device includes a first reservoir having a fluid disposed therein, and a capillary tube. The capillary tube is disposed proximate to the first reservoir to receive fluid from the first reservoir responsive to changes in viscosity of the fluid based on changes in temperature. The capillary tube restricts flow of the fluid out of the first reservoir into the capillary tube to enable fluid flow only in a single direction.
US08931950B2
In one aspect, provided herein is a single crystal silicon microcalorimeter, for example useful for high temperature operation and long-term stability of calorimetric measurements. Microcalorimeters described herein include microcalorimeter embodiments having a suspended structure and comprising single crystal silicon. Also provided herein are methods for making calorimetric measurements, for example, on small quantities of materials or for determining the energy content of combustible material having an unknown composition.
US08931949B2
A middle part of a timepiece case includes an exterior element secured to the middle part on a securing area by an elastic securing structure. The middle part includes an aperture opening onto the securing area at the securing structure allowing a user to act on and deform the securing structure and to separate the exterior element from the middle part. The securing structure includes a male part including two hooks, one of which is flexible, arranged on one of faces of the exterior element and a female part arranged on the middle part including a groove. The male part cooperates elastically with the female part so that the two hooks are inserted into the groove to secure the exterior element to the middle part. The aperture opens into the female part, allowing the user to act on the flexible hook to separate the exterior element from the middle part.
US08931948B2
This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for mixing a fluid or a liquid within a vessel or a tank. The invention includes an apparatus with an inlet device and a mixer. The invention mixes crude oils and/or other hydrocarbon materials to a homogenous state with surprising and unexpected high efficiency. The invention includes methods of using the apparatus to mix the contents of the vessel and/or two stratified materials. The invention includes the ability to mix materials having disparities in density and/or viscosity.
US08931945B2
A lighting apparatus is held by a chassis and includes a plurality of LED modules emitting light toward an outer edge portion of the chassis and a light guiding plate for controlling the direction of light emission from the plurality of LED modules to perform illumination. The LED module is not arranged at the outer edge portion of the chassis so that moment acting on the chassis as the apparatus main body holding the LED module can be reduced as compared with the case where the LED module is arranged at the outer edge portion of the chassis. Therefore, the deformation such as bending of the chassis can be prevented.
US08931942B2
Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
US08931939B2
LED luminaire, particularly LED headlight, comprising an active light source (2) composed of a plurality of LEDs (21-26) that have the same color or different colors and are arranged on a flat or curved surface (20, 200) or circuit board and an optical system comprising a collimation optics unit (3), the individual lenses of which are arranged in a small distance above the emission surfaces of the LEDs (21-26) and which collects and focuses the light (L1-L4) emitted by the LEDs and directed onto a surface, a mixing optical unit (4), which receives the light (K1, K2, E) that has been directed onto a surface and focussed and mixes it in terms of the color and/or brightness, and a field optics unit (5) which receives the light (M1, M2 or N1, N2) emitted by the mixing optics unit (4) and emits it with pre-determined light distribution (F1-F4) to the far field.
US08931927B2
A folded circularly symmetric illumination optic comprising a first light transfer mode having a first central refractive surface and a second central refractive surface, wherein one of the first and second central refractive surfaces has at least one peened feature; a second light transfer mode having a first refractive surface, a first TIR surface, a second TIR surface and a second refractive surface; a third light transfer mode having a first refractive surface, a first TIR surface and a second refractive surface, wherein the first TIR surface has at least one peening feature, and wherein the second refractive surface is conical; wherein the first TIR surface and second refractive surface of the second light transfer mode is coincident at least one point, wherein the second refractive surface of the third light transfer mode is coincident with the first TIR surface and second refractive surface of the second light transfer mode.
US08931923B2
A light emitting diode (LED) down lamp with a replaceable color temperature filter uses a plurality of blue LEDs as a light source and includes a color temperature filter and a fixing ring. The color temperature filter is installed across the top of the down lamp to apart cover the LEDs with a distance, and then fixed by the fixing ring. Therefore, the color temperature filter can be replaced flexibly with other one in different color temperature one by removing or assembling the fixing ring to change the light projected from the LEDs into different color tone for fitting studio, stage or indoor space applications. Such lamp achieves the effects of enhancing the illumination function of a single down lamp, reducing the inventory cost and improving the practicality.
US08931918B2
An improved lamp tube connector structure for light emitting diode (LED) lamp tube, in which the LED lamp tube comprises a lampshade, two lamp tube connectors installed on the left and right ends of the lampshade, at least an LED lamp strap installed inside the lampshade, and at least a drive circuit board installed inside the lamp tube connector and electrically connected to either side of the LED lamp strap. Herein the lamp tube connector is an end cap, with two electrode terminals extending outward from the end cap. Also, at least two connection lines extend from the drive circuit board, and the drive circuit board is inserted to the interior of the electrode terminal so as to form an electrically conductive contact with the electrode terminal for transferring electric power.
US08931915B1
The present invention provides an anti-opening structure of a lighting device. A recess area preset at a lower portion under an external thread section formed at a lighting source main body is disposed with a restraining member. A hole preset at a lower end of an internal thread section, formed inside of a cap, combines with a nut to allow a screw to be screwed out through the nut outwards the cap. The screw is formed with a projecting circular portion. The cap screwing into the end of the lighting device main body is configured with the anti-opening structure. The screw is screwed into the restraining member by inserting an end of a tool into the screw protruding out of an outside of the cap. The screw is unable to screw in when the projecting circular portion abuts against the restraining member to provide the cap with the anti-opening structure.
US08931914B2
A flexible solar light includes a lamp portion, a main body portion, and a goose neck portion. The goose neck portion connects the lamp portion and the main body portion, which is flexible and configured to be bent in a shape and maintains the bent shape. The lamp portion and the main body portion are configured to form a portable flashlight, a light stand, a wall lamp, or a ceiling lamp by engaging or separating each other.
US08931908B2
An air purge apparatus and method is presented to protect an imaging system from contamination by particulate matter and other substances in the ambient environment. The apparatus is adapted to be placed adjacent to a viewing window, lens or optics of an imaging system and to provide a protective flow of air. The apparatus includes a curved surface to direct air from a first plenum toward an imaging path in front of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes one or more openings nearer the lens to direct air from a second plenum into the imaging path. The air from the first plenum entrains air from the second plenum and ambient air to create a fluid stream away from the viewing window, lens, or optics and may form a fluid barrier to reduce contamination of a volume of air in the imaging path of the imaging sensor.
US08931904B2
A control method of a fundus examination apparatus configured to examine a fundus of an examinee's eye, includes: processing an examination data obtained by one of fundus examination apparatuses, which are a perimeter configured to measure a visual field and an optical coherence tomography device configured to obtain a tomographic image of the fundus, to thereby obtain positional information relating to an abnormal site of the fundus; setting an examination position on the fundus in the other fundus examination apparatus which is the perimeter or the optical coherence tomography device based on the positional information; and examining the abnormal site of the fundus by controlling the other fundus examination apparatus based on the set examination position.
US08931894B1
A nose pad assembly includes a top rod having a recessed section in an inner side thereof. A chamber is defined in a bottom wall of the recessed section. A rib and a fixing groove are provided on a bottom face of the chamber. A nose pad includes a connection rod received in the chamber and having a guiding hole and a ridge. A closure plate is mounted in the recessed section and includes a block extended through the guiding hole and engaged in the fixing groove. The ridge is forcibly passable through the rib and movable between an upper position at an upper side of the rib and a lower position at a lower side of the rib. The nose pad assembly can be assembled with a lens unit to form glasses, with the lens unit held by the nose pad and the top rod.
US08931885B1
A composition is made from ingredients comprising a fluorinated polyurethane and a copolymer of (i) a fluoroalkylene monomer unit and (ii) a dioxole monomer unit substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a fluorine atom and a fluoroalkyl. The fluorinated polyurethane is a product of an isocyanate and a hydroxyl functionalized fluorinated polyether. The composition can be employed for making anti-wetting coatings used, for example, in printhead devices.
US08931881B1
A inkjet printer treatment agent liquid application apparatus includes a supplying pan storing treatment agent liquid; a squeeze roller, partially immersed in the liquid stored in the supplying pan, drawing and transferring the liquid; an application roller applying the liquid transferred by the squeeze roller onto a recording medium surface; a press roller sandwiching and conveying the recording medium between the press roller and the application roller, pressing the recording medium against the application roller, transferring the liquid on the application roller onto the recording medium; a cartridge containing the liquid, to be exchangeably installed in a cartridge installation unit, and having an IC chip; a reader/writer reading/writing information from/to the IC chip; a liquid supply route connecting the installed cartridge and the supplying pan; a supplying pump placed on the liquid supply route; and a drive time measurement unit measuring a drive time of the supplying pump.
US08931873B2
Provided is a printing method for multi-pass printing with column thinning in which the multi-pass number is not restricted to being a multiple of the column thinning number. A mask pattern of a size corresponding to the number of printing elements in use is prepared, and divided into blocks 1 to P. Taking R(x) to be the mask pattern for the region corresponding to block x (where x=1 to P), these P block mask patterns satisfy the following condition. Namely, for all integers s obtainable between the values from 1 to M, the arrangements of printing pixels exist in a complementary relationship with each other in the combination of mask patterns R(s), R(s+M), R(s+2M), and so on to R(s+N×M). However, for all s, N is taken to be the largest integer satisfying s+N×M≦P.
US08931872B2
A printing apparatus, which performs the printing using a polish and a colorant includes a reduction region setting portion that sets a reduction region, which is a region where an amount of the polish is reduced, at a dark portion side of a color gamut of the printing apparatus in a device-independent color space; and a color conversion portion which converts color of an image to be input to the printing apparatus into a print color to be expressed by the polish and the colorant, wherein, among pixels constituting the image, in a pixel included in the reduction region, the color conversion portion reduces the amount of the polish compared to a pixel not included in the reduction region, and converts color of the image to the print color.
US08931871B2
Disclosed is a driving device of a liquid-jet head having a piezoelectric device arranged for each of nozzles and having mutually facing electrodes. The driving device includes switching devices connected in parallel to each other, one of the electrodes being connected to first ends of the switching devices for selectively ON/OFF controlling the switching devices while the other electrode is connected to a reference potential, a driving signal source to generate a driving signal connected to second ends of the switching devices, and a control unit to switch the driving signal to ON or OFF control the switching devices. At least one of the switching devices has electrically conducting properties for not ejecting a liquid drop from the nozzle with a driving signal being applied to the switching device in an ON-controlled status, and the switching devices are all ON-controlled for causing the nozzles to eject liquid drops.
US08931858B2
An electronic device includes a box and a separating plate. The box includes a bottom plate and a first side plate. The bottom plate defines a clip slot, and the first side plate defines a clasping hole. The separating plate includes a main body, a clipping portion, and a hook. The clipping portion is deformable and engaged in the clasping hole for preventing the separating plate from moving in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the first side plate. The hook is slidably received in the clip slot for preventing the separating plate from moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08931853B1
Apparatus for cutting concrete curbs or other fixed structures includes an articulated saw support operable to move a saw to position the saw blade in horizontal or vertical planes or canted relative to one or both of the horizontal and vertical planes.
US08931852B2
A method of mineral fuel beneficiation with subsequent delivery to the consumer by pipeline transportation relates fuel and energy complex and can find application in coal and slate energetics. Invention main objective is security of solid fuel delivery from mine (or an open cut coal mine) in already enriched form, with its subsequent through delivery to the consumer by pipeline on any distances in stream mode, without any intermediate transshipment operations. For this purpose use liquid with set complex physical, sanitary-and-hygienic and ecological properties, simultaneously, in 4 qualities: As environment for grinding material that needed further reduction of size; As separation environment for the subsequent, after reduction of size, deep underground gravitational enrichment of combustible mineral, As motionless filler of the vertical pipeline, for buoyancy in it ready product from mine on terrestrial surface: As carrying medium for final drift of end-product to the consumer by main pipeline. Depending on consumer type of solid fuel, a time of year, and weather conditions in which such, non-polluting, mining-energetic complex functions, there are used various technological approaches as to the general principles of construction of such, non-polluting, beneficiating transport technological process as well as within the limits of separate links of such technological chain, various methods of the regeneration, used many functional liquids which are in the closed contour of circulation between producer of solid fuel and its consumer.
US08931845B2
A vehicle seat including: a base member; a rotary member which is connected to the base member by a pin and is configured to be rotatable with respect to the base member; and a spring attached between the base member and the rotary member and urging the rotary member with respect to the base member in a rotating direction, wherein the spring abuts an outer circumference of the pin, and wherein the pin is integrally coupled to the rotary member.
US08931832B2
A swivel stool includes a foldable leg arrangement having a plurality of leg frames pivotally connected to each other to form a receiving cavity defined within the leg frames, a seat unit including a seat frame and a back frame pivotally connected to the seat frame. The swivel stool is arranged to operate between a folded position and an unfolded position, wherein in the folded position, the back frame is overlappedly folded toward the seat frame, while the seat unit is pivotally and downwardly folded with respect to the leg frames to receive into the receiving cavity of the foldable leg arrangement, wherein in the unfolded position, the seat unit is pivotally and upwardly unfolded with respect to the leg frames while the back frame is pivotally unfolded with respect to the seat frame for allowing a user to sit on the seat unit.
US08931823B2
A tarp deploying apparatus includes radial arm with a proximal arm and a distal arm. A flexible inelastic limit element is provided between the proximal and distal arms to prevent them from crossing over center to an angle that would cause the apparatus to bind.
US08931810B2
The disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a cartridge nut concept for conduit fittings. The cartridge nut concept may include the feature of loosely retaining one or more conduit gripping devices with a fitting component such as a male or female threaded nut. The cartridge nut concept may be realized using one or more geometry or shape features or characteristics of one or more conduit gripping devices. Still further, the cartridge nut concept may be realized in combination with a ferrule cartridge concept.
US08931802B2
In at least one implementation, a variable volume airbag includes an inflatable cushion and a tether coupled to the cushion. The inflatable cushion defines an inner volume in which a gas is received to inflate the cushion longitudinally and laterally within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, and has laterally opposed side surfaces defining part of the inner volume of the cushion. The tether is coupled to each of the side surfaces of the cushion and has a first state wherein the tether limits lateral separation of the side surfaces and a second state wherein increased separation of the side surfaces is permitted as compared to the first state.
US08931800B2
An airbag device for a front passenger's seat includes an airbag module and an instrument panel. The airbag module is provided in front of a front passenger's seat of a vehicle, and inflates and expands an airbag with gas jetted out by an inflator. The instrument panel includes an upper wall portion that covers the airbag module from the upper side. An aperture is formed in the upper wall portion by opening of an airbag door by inflation pressure of the airbag, and the airbag inflates toward an upward side and a vehicle rearward side from the aperture. A forward support surface is provided at the upper wall portion. The forward support surface supports the airbag inflating from the aperture from the vehicle forward side thereof, and is inclined such that a normal line of the forward support surface turns to the downward side further toward the vehicle rearward side.
US08931796B2
A propulsion system for a manually-operated mobility device includes a hand rim configured to receive a propulsion force from a user of the manually-operated mobility device, a wheel hub fixedly attached to a wheel for the manually-operated mobility device, and a planetary gear system including a sun gear, a ring gear, and one or more planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The one or more planetary gears are supported by a planet carrier. One of the sun gear and the ring gear is fixedly coupled to the hand rim and the other of the sun gear and the ring gear is fixedly coupled to the wheel hub.
US08931795B1
A quick release attachment for a bicycle includes an attachment device, a bracket and a quick release assembly. The attachment device has a main connecting body. The main connecting body has a retaining groove. The bracket has a sub connecting body. The bracket has a connecting portion defined at one lateral side thereof. The connecting portion has an opening defined therethrough. The quick release assembly has a quick release member and an abutting block. The quick release member is assembled with the connecting portion and defines a tightening position and a releasing position. The abutting block is received in the opening of the bracket. When the pivot portion is on the tightening position, the abutting block is engaged with the retaining groove of the main connecting body so that the attachment device is secured to the bracket.
US08931793B2
The invention relates to the guiding of lines, or cables, on a two-wheeled vehicle frame. The guiding is carried out with a guide device on a frame element on which an additional frame element is movably supported in such a way that the line essentially intersects the rotational axis of the bearing.
US08931778B2
Dice rings are designed in a way that one or multiple outer thinner ring(s) spin in a grooved inner ring that slips onto a finger. The outer smaller ring may have numbers, characters, symbols or words distributed around the ring such that when spun, a random result is produced, designated by an indicator marking on the sides of the grooved inner ring.
US08931777B2
A multi-feed detection apparatus may include an ultrasonic transmission unit, arranged on one side of a conveyance path configured to convey a sheet-like member, for transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the conveyance path, an ultrasonic reception unit, arranged on the other side of the conveyance path, for receiving the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic transmission unit, and a multi-feed determination unit for determining, based on the reception result of the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic reception unit, whether multi-feed of sheet-like members has occurred. The ultrasonic transmission surface of the ultrasonic transmission unit is inclined with respect to the conveyance path, and the ultrasonic reception surface of the ultrasonic reception unit is arranged to be almost parallel to the conveyance path.
US08931768B2
A mount assembly for a suspension damper is provided which includes a piston rod extending about an axis and a mount housing. A jounce bumper is axially positioned about the piston rod and has an end surface and a radially outer surface. The jounce bumper is formed of a first deformable material selectable for absorbing energy from an axial force applicable through the piston rod. A jounce bumper cup formed of a second deformable material selectable for absorbing additional energy fits onto the end surface of the jounce bumper. The jounce bumper cup has a wall portion extending sufficiently around the radially outer surface of the jounce bumper to retain it in position and a load mount portion extending to the mount housing and being configured to absorb the additional energy.
US08931757B2
An electric actuator has a motor, an electricity storing body, a switch, a setting unit, a resetting unit and a setting-off unit. The switch is provided in a supply path for electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor. The switch opens and closes the supply path. The setting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from the electricity storing body in response to an instruction from an operator. The setting unit opens the switch. The resetting unit is operated through r a supply of electric power from the external power supply when the external power supply has been restored from being cut off. The resetting unit closes the switch that is provided in the supply path. The setting-off unit sets off the supply of electric power from the external power supply to the resetting unit after a specific delay time has elapsed.
US08931756B2
An electric actuator has a switch, a setting unit and a resetting unit. The switch is provided in a supply path of electric power from an electricity storing body to a motor. The switch opens and closes the supply path. The setting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from the electricity storing body in response to an instruction from an operator. The setting unit opens the switch provided in the supply path for electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor. The resetting unit is operated through receiving a supply of electric power from an external power supply when the external power supply has been restored from being cut off. The resetting unit closes the switching unit provided in the supply path of electric power from the electricity storing body to the motor.
US08931749B2
A portable base is provided for supporting an upstanding mast and particularly a davit with a jib where the jib includes a load connecting point arranged such that on application of a load beyond a predetermined limit the spacing of the load connecting point from the mast is reduced to reduce a side load on the base. The base includes bottom and side panels connected edge to edge to form a container with a hollow interior filled by concrete where at least one side by side panels forming a top wall has a sleeve extends from the panel at least partly through the hollow interior to the base. The sleeve which is welded to reinforcing bars passing through the material receives and supports the mast and is held in place by forces contributed both by the set filling material and the panels.
US08931745B2
An apparatus for securing and supporting a mobile electronic device, comprising a protective shell for mounting the mobile electronic device, the protective shell comprising a female connector, wherein the female connector having a first magnet; and a support for fixing to a supporting surface, the support comprising a male connector, wherein the male connector having a second magnet; wherein the protective shell and the support constitute a detachable connecting structure; and wherein exposed ends of the first magnet and the second magnet having opposite magnetic poles. When joining the protective shell and the support, the male and female connectors need only be placed in approximate of each other for the connectors to be drawn towards each other and guided into proper alignment by magnetic force exerted by the two magnets. This way, the user's sight on the joining process is not necessary.
US08931734B2
A ram air turbine assembly is provided including a release cable coupled at a first end to a turbine release pin and coupled at a second end to a release lever. Aluminum tubing surrounds a portion of the release cable. An upper cable bracket supports the aluminum tubing adjacent the first end of the release cable. A lower cable bracket supports the aluminum tubing adjacent the second end of the release cable. The lower cable bracket includes a threaded bushing having an axial bore for receiving the release cable. The threaded bushing is in direct contact with an end fitting coupled to the aluminum tubing.
US08931733B2
An aerodynamic body that can be adjusted relative to a main wing of an aircraft by an adjusting device is provided. A gap between the aerodynamic body and another aerodynamic body or a component of the fuselage or the main wing is formed on one lateral end and said and the gap is variable due to the adjustability of the aerodynamic body. The body features a gap bridge-over device with a shell part that extends along the gap and overlaps the outer shell of the aerodynamic body in the wingspread direction on the front side thereof so that the shell part can be telescopically moved relative to this aerodynamic body in the wingspread direction. An airfoil for an aircraft with a main wing and a plurality of aerodynamic bodies that are arranged adjacent to one another transverse to the chord direction is also provided.
US08931732B2
A rotary-wing aircraft with an electric motor mounted along an axis of rotation to drive a rotor system about the axis of rotation.
US08931730B2
Systems, devices, and methods for a transformable aerial vehicle are provided. In one aspect, a transformable aerial vehicle includes: a central body and at least two transformable frames assemblies respectively disposed on the central body, each of the at least two transformable frame assemblies having a proximal portion pivotally coupled to the central body and a distal portion; an actuation assembly mounted on the central body and configured to pivot the at least two frame assemblies to a plurality of different vertical angles relative to the central body; and a plurality of propulsion units mounted on the at least two transformable frame assemblies and operable to move the transformable aerial vehicle.
US08931729B2
A system for increasing the thrust and power capabilities of a side-by-side vertical takeoff and landing vehicle to optimize the coaxial rotor performance. The system includes a first coaxial rotor spaced from an aircraft body and a second coaxial rotor spaced from the aircraft body and opposite the first coaxial rotor. The first coaxial rotor has a first top propeller aligned with a first bottom propeller along a first rotational axis. The second coaxial rotor having a second top propeller aligned with a second bottom propeller along a second rotational axis. A gyroscopic moment to maintain pitch stability is controlled by modulating the first and second top propellers, which have a different angular speed or different torque from the first and second bottom propellers, and tilting the first and second coaxial rotors towards the central axis with a common tilt angle and a common tilt rate.
US08931720B2
A method of sorting material that comprises determining whether a volume of material to be mined or a volume of stockpiled material is upgradable to produce a supply of material of greater economic value. If the determination is positive, the material is dry sorted to increase the grade or economic value. The determination is done by taking a plurality of samples from the initial volume of material and analyzing the material to determine if the material is able to be upgraded. The determination can be by X-Ray analysis. The upgrading can involve a size reduction step.
US08931713B2
Apparatus for dispensing fragrance from a refill component that is installed and removed along a vertical axis through an opening at the bottom of the housing of the apparatus includes securing structure for releasably securing the refill component to the housing when the refill component is in the housing interior in operative position.
US08931709B2
A rail or grooved rail having upper and lower parts made of different materials, the upper part having a head and being made of a water-resistant material, and the lower part being made of structural steel, and wherein the lower part of the rail is a profile element having a web or a flat element forming a web.
US08931707B2
An appliance comprises a burner and a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the burner in order to create a low-pressure area for siphoning fuel to the burner. A flame sensor senses for the presence or absence of a flame in the burner and a temperature sensor senses an actual temperature of the appliance. There is a controller in communication with the temperature sensor. The controller shuts off the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is present when the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is greater than a maximum threshold temperature. The controller starts up the compressor overriding the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is absent when the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of appliance is less than a minimum threshold temperature.
US08931703B1
A payment card is provided with a display. A barcode may be selectively displayed on the display. A display may be an electrochromic display in order to increase the readability of a displayed barcode with respect to computer vision equipment. A barcode may be selected by a user from a set of barcodes. Each barcode in a set of barcodes may correspond to a different loyalty account for a different merchant. Accordingly, a user can carry a single card—but may be able to communicate multiple loyalty account barcodes to computer vision equipment across multiple merchants.
US08931693B1
Extracting card data comprises receiving, by one or more computing devices, a digital image of a card; perform an image recognition process on the digital representation of the card; identifying an image in the digital representation of the card; comparing the identified image to an image database comprising a plurality of images and determining that the identified image matches a stored image in the image database; determining a card type associated with the stored image and associating the card type with the card based on the determination that the identified image matches the stored image; and performing a particular optical character recognition algorithm on the digital representation of the card, the particular optical character recognition algorithm being based on the determined card type. Another example uses an issuer identification number to improve data extraction. Another example compares extracted data with user data to improve accuracy.
US08931686B2
A blank of sheet material for forming a polygonal container is provided. The blank includes two end panels, two side panels, and four corner panels connected in series along a plurality of fold lines. The blank further includes a plurality of bottom panels each extending from one panel of the end panels and the side panels. The plurality of bottom panels is configured to define a locking slot and a locking tab that is insertable into the locking slot to form a bottom wall of the container.
US08931680B2
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a safety mechanism, an elongated body portion and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle, an approximation mechanism, and a firing trigger. A lever of the safety mechanism is movable between a first position where the firing trigger is prevented from being actuated, and a second position where the firing trigger is able to be actuated. A first jaw member of the head portion is movable in relation to a second jaw member of the head portion between spaced and approximated positions. Movement of the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member from the approximated position towards the spaced position causes the lever of the safety mechanism to move from its second position to its first position.
US08931672B1
A carrying bag for facilitating a person carrying a pair of skates or other items. The carrying bag may also be used as a cushion when empty of the skates or other items. The carrying bag may also be used to insulate items within the bag against cold environments, such as skating rinks.Two skate compartments each include two flexible webs fixed together at portions of the peripheral edges thereof to form an internal pocket. Each web is selectively fixed together at other portions of the peripheral edges at a mechanical fastener, such as a zipper. Each flexible web substantially and mutually overlaps to form generally a skate-shaped profile that includes at least a narrow top portion and a front toe-edge portion. Preferably the selectively openable other portions of the peripheral edges are at a rear side of the bag. The narrow top portion of each compartment is mutually and opposingly fixed together at a seam area. The front toe-edge portion of each compartment terminates at a rigid preferably metallic ring, each of which may be mutually and selectively connectable with a mechanical clap, or the like.A draw string is slidably captured by each narrow top portion of each compartment. The draw string forms a loop on the rear side of the bag, while two free ends of the drawstring terminate at a front side of the bag.In use, with each skate placed into the pocket of one of the compartments through the open mechanical fastener, the fastener may be closed to capture the skate within the pocket of the compartment. The bag may then be carried over the person's shoulder with the two rings mutually fixed around the person's waist with the mechanical claps, or suspended from an object, such as a door knob, with the loop synched threrearound to secure the bag to the object.In one embodiment, each flexible web includes an outer layer and an inner layer. In such an embodiment, the outer layer may be a resilient cushioning layer, and the inner layer may be made from an insulating layer of material. As such, items contained within the pocket are at least partially insulated from cold environments such as skating rinks.In such an embodiment, a second, hidden pocket may be included between the outer layer and the inner layer, opening through the inner layer. Similarly, a third pocket may be included between the outer layer and the inner layer, opening through the outer layer.
US08931670B2
A tray for mounting between walls in which the bottom and sidewalls of the tray body are formed as an integral piece using a pultrusion process. Electrical conductors may be embedded into the tray body to permit attachment and electrical coupling of lights and other electrical apparatus thereto. Slots formed in ridges which are intergrally formed on the bottom of the tray are aligned with slots formed in ribs formed integrally along an inner surface of the tray sidewalls. A tray divider is selectively securable in aligned slots in the ridges and ribs and held in place with a clip.
US08931669B2
A belt clip for supporting a paint container from a user's waist belt while allowing the painter spill free freedom of movement and secure means for stowing a paint brush. The belt clip has an integral body configured to have an elongated back, a neck extending outward from the proximal end of the back, a head, and a magnet embedded in the head. The belt clip is configured to have a recessed channel for receiving the bail of the paint can and a separate integral hook part for supporting a paint container having a peripheral lip. The back is configured to allow the belt clip to pivot slightly side to side about the wearer thereby accommodating a limited range wearer movement. The magnet allows a user to secure a paint brush to belt clip so that the bush is oriented directly over the open paint can, thereby reducing inadvertent painting errors and messes.
US08931664B2
A single use dispenser package is configured and sized for storing and dispensing a single serving of a liquid or viscous product. An elongated stem on one end of the dispenser package is provided, having an aperture adaptable for dispensing a variety of products, ranging from liquid to considerably viscous products. To prevent inadvertent emission of the product, and in order to keep the opening of the dispenser package closed and sanitary prior to use, a portion of the relevant end of the dispenser package is folded over on itself and sealed with a food grade adhesive. The food grade adhesive seal may be easily broken by the user for dispensing the liquid or viscous product. The single use dispenser packages are tube-shaped to allow for easy squeezing and emission of the product out of the aperture.
US08931660B2
A drawn aluminum can shell has a peripheral crown which is double-seamed with an end portion of an aluminum can body to provide a can end having a generally flat center panel connected by an inclined curved or straight panel wall to an inclined inner wall of an annular U-shaped countersink. The countersink has an outer wall which connects with an inclined lower wall portion of a chuck wall at a junction below the center panel, and the chuck wall has a curved or inclined upper wall portion which connects with an inner wall of the crown. The chuck wall also has an intermediate wall portion forming a break, and the inner bottom width of the countersink is less than the radial width of the panel wall. The inclined upper wall portion of the chuck wall extends at an angle greater than the angle of the inclined lower wall portion of the chuck wall.
US08931651B2
The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container (2) and preform (1) for making it. The bag-in-container (2) has an inner layer (21) forming the bag and an outer layer (22) forming the container, and a mouth (5) fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further has at least one interface vent (3) fluidly connecting the interface (14) between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one vent (3) runs parallel to the interface between inner and outer layers (21) (22) and opens to the atmosphere at a location (4) adjacent to, and oriented coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth (5). Processes for manufacturing a preform and a bag-in-container as defined above are defined too.
US08931646B2
The present invention discloses a blends of an aromatic polyimide polymer and a polymer containing aromatic sulfonic acid groups that can be converted into polybenzoxazole (PBO) membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. The PBO membranes that were prepared by thermal treating aromatic polyimide membranes containing between 0.05 and 20 wt-% of a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer. These polymers showed up to 95% improvement in selectivity for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations compared to PBO membranes prepared from corresponding aromatic polyimide membranes without a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer.
US08931639B2
Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By containing a relatively wide glued area by gluing two relatively tin side panels together, the resulting package is highly resistant to being slit open on an edge without the effort to open the package being highly evident. A foldover magnetic stripe panel provides additional thickness to a portion of the package typically read by a magnetic strip reader while allowing very thin side panels.
US08931622B2
Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.
US08931621B2
A container handling machine includes transport stars and a container transfer station between adjacent stars. The container transfer station has a drive element arranged between two adjacent stars for moving them relative to each other in a way that results in centers of the adjacent stars being moved relative to each other according to an ascertainable and operationally-induced deviation during operation of the container handling machine.
US08931609B2
The present invention provides a roller type one-way clutch comprising an outer race in which pockets provided at their inner surfaces with cam surfaces are formed, an inner race spaced apart from the outer race in a radial inner diameter side and disposed coaxially with the outer race for a relative rotational movement and having an annular outer peripheral track surface, a roller disposed within the pocket to be engaged with the cam surfaces and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, and an accordion spring disposed within the pocket and adapted to bias the rollers to be engaged with the cam surfaces, and wherein one end of each accordion spring is secured to an axial end face of the outer race.
US08931608B2
A friction assembly for a torque converter, including: a side plate for a damper in the torque converter; a plate; an output hub for connection to an input shaft for a transmission; and a diaphragm spring. The side plate and the plate are fixedly connected to a turbine shell for the torque converter. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the output hub so that the diaphragm spring rotates with the output hub and is axially displaceable with respect to the output hub. The diaphragm spring is directly engaged with the side plate and the plate so that the diaphragm spring is axially restrained by the side plate. The plate and is rotatable with respect to the side plate and the plate.
US08931607B2
A centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber (CPVA) for absorbing torsional vibration created by operation of an engine includes a plurality of pendulums moveable with respect to a rotatable shaft. The pendulums are connected to the rotatable shaft by a plurality of pins that extend through apertures in the pendulum. The pendulums each move along a path defined by various drive line or powertrain parameters and characteristics. The path is implemented by contouring an active section of the apertures that engage the pins.
US08931603B2
A damper for damping a movement along a middle-longitudinal-axis, in particular for damping a seat in a vehicle, includes an outer housing extending along the middle-longitudinal-axis, a guiding and sealing unit closing a first housing end, a piston rod sealed by the guiding and sealing unit guided, an inner housing, which surrounds a working chamber, a damping fluid, a second housing end opposite the first housing end and a piston guided in the inner housing along the middle-longitudinal-axis and secured to the piston rod. The piston divides the working chamber into a first part-working chamber and a second part-working chamber. The piston includes at least one throughflow channel for connecting the chambers, an equalizing chamber arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and a throttling channel integrated into the guiding and sealing unit. The throttling channel has a cross-sectional area comprising a length and an internal width.
US08931595B2
A grease packing jig includes: a support table on which a bearing is placed; a disc-shaped inner lid placed on an inner ring of the bearing; an upper lid, and pressers arranged to engage with an upper surface of the upper lid. The upper lid is disc-shaped, has a larger diameter than the inner lid, has a grease pumping port and has a lower surface formed with an inner lid housing recess so as to leave a grease pumping space between the lower surface and an upper surface of the inner lid as well as between the lower surface and an outer circumferential surface of the inner lid. Grease can be packed into a gap space in the bearing from a grease packing port provided between an inner circumferential surface of the inner lid housing recess and the outer circumferential surface of the inner lid.
US08931589B2
A damper arrangement (10) has a first Helmholtz damper (11) connected in series to a second Helmholtz damper (12). The resonance frequency of the first Helmholtz damper (11) and the resonance frequency of the second Helmholtz damper (12) are shifted from one another in an amount producing a synergic damping effect.
US08931587B2
An impulse sound source for geophysical studies of the earth for oil, gas and other natural resource exploration and more specifically a streamlined design of a hydraulically controlled sound source that may be inserted into oil wells and bore holes for analysis of geological formations deep beneath the earth's surface.
US08931579B2
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to couple a stator to a borehole, and to move a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool.
US08931577B2
A valve comprises a housing including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a neutral chamber. In addition, the valve comprises a stem disposed within the housing. Further, the valve comprises a first valve member at least partially disposed in the first chamber and connected to the stem and a second valve member at least partially disposed in the second chamber and connected to the stem. The first valve member has a closed position seated in a first annular valve seat and an open position spaced apart from the first valve seat. The second valve member has a closed position seated in a second annular valve seat and an open position spaced apart from the second valve seat. Moreover, the valve comprises a biasing member configured to bias the second valve member to the closed position and the first valve member to the open position.
US08931575B2
A fixed operating knob is rotatably arranged on a chain saw body. The fixed operating knob comprises a knob body, a tab, a torsion spring, and a lock member. The knob body is rotatably attached to the chain saw body. The tab is attached to the knob body. The tab is attached so as to be capable of swinging between an operating position projecting from the knob body and a storing position stored in the knob body. The torsion spring biases the tab toward the operating position. When the tab moves to the storing position, the lock member retains the tab at the storing position against a biasing force of the torsion spring.
US08931573B1
A toolbar implement connects to a tractor and a plurality of row units are connected to the toolbar implement. The toolbar implement contains: (a) a main longitudinal frame; (b) a transverse left wing toolbar hingedly connected to the frame; (c) a transverse center bar connected to the frame; (d) a transverse right wing toolbar hingedly connected to the frame; (e) a plurality of lift arms connected to the center bar; (f) an axle connected to the distal ends of the lift arms; (g) a plurality of track assemblies mounted on the axle; (h) a left longitudinal frame member connected to the center bar and extending rearwardly; (i) a right longitudinal frame member connected to the center bar and extending rearwardly; and (j) a transverse center toolbar connected to the main frame, the left longitudinal frame member, and the right longitudinal frame member.
US08931571B2
The present invention is embodied in a sprinkler head adaptor assembly including a sprinkler head adaptor having a generally cylindrical shape and a female threaded interior wall in a central aperture for receiving a male threaded sprinkler head. The sprinkler head adaptor includes an exterior surface that includes an exposed portion. The assembly includes a pipe extension formed from an injection moldable material with a length suitable for spanning a distance from a pipe system to sprinkler location that is formed integrally with the sprinkler head adaptor, wherein the exposed portion of sprinkler head adaptor is sized and shaped for engagement with a wrench. A metal ring maybe formed in the central aperture.
US08931570B2
An apparatus for controlling fluid in-flow into a wellbore tubular includes a translating flow control element having one or more fluid conveying conduits; and a reactive element that actuates the flow control element. The reactive element may be responsive to a change in composition of the in-flowing fluid. The reactive element may change volume or shape when exposed to or not exposed to a selected fluid. The selected fluid may be oil, water, or some other fluid (e.g., liquid, gas, mixture, etc.). The reactive element may slide the flow control element such that a conduit formed on the flow control element changes length, which then changes a pressure differential across the flow control element.
US08931567B2
A control mechanism for use with a safety valve adapted to seal a wellbore is described. The control mechanism comprises at least one valve actuator for engaging with the safety valve, the at least one actuator being moveable, in use, between a valve open position in which the safety valve is open and a valve closed position, in which the safety valve is closed. The control mechanism further comprises biasing apparatus adapted to bias the at least one valve actuator to the valve closed position, wherein, in use, the at least one valve actuator extends from the safety valve up to a wellbore wellhead. In one described embodiment, the safety valve is moved between the open and closed positions by movement of the at least one valve actuator with respect to the wellbore.
US08931562B2
A collector for capturing flow discharged from a subsea blowout includes a tubular housing having a containment chamber; a seal connected to the housing; a tubular chimney connected to the housing, having a portion of a subsea connector, and having a diameter less than a diameter of the containment chamber; and a head connected to the housing and the chimney.
US08931558B1
A flow line cleanout device for a coiled tubing head of a coiled tubing string is comprised of a hydraulic vane motor assembly having a rotor configured for attachment to and rotation of a work tool such as a fluid ejecting nozzle to be inserted into a flow line. Seals around the device seal the flow line so that fluid pressure behind the coiled tubing head force fluid through the hydraulic vane motor assembly to rotate the rotor and the attached nozzle in response to pressure changes created by check valves. Jets of fluid from the rotating nozzle serve to wash and remove blockages in the flow line and facilitate the insertion and advancement of the coiled tubing string.
US08931555B2
There is described a device for machining apparatus arranged for machining of a portion of a casing positioned in a wellbore, wherein a return fluid conduit extends from the machining apparatus in a direction toward a deposit area arranged in the wellbore. Also described is a method for machining of a portion of a casing positioned in a wellbore, wherein the method comprises the steps of: arranging a return fluid conduit between a machining apparatus and a deposit area or an area connected to the deposit area, providing a particle carrying liquid flow (M) in a direction from the machining apparatus and toward the deposit area, during the machining of the casing leading metal shavings into the liquid flow (M), and directing the liquid flow (M) into the return fluid conduit, as the metal shavings are held back and deposited in the wellbore.
US08931554B2
Methods for enhancing fracture conductivity involving providing a fracturing fluid and a flowable propping composition having a hardenable external phase and an internal phase where the internal phase is immiscible with the external phase; introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation; introducing the flowable propping composition into a fracture in the subterranean formation; allowing the hardenable external phase to form a hardened external phase in the fracture in the subterranean formation; and allowing the presence of the internal phase to be reduced from the hardened external phase thereby leaving a void volume in the hardened external phase.
US08931549B2
The present invention is directed towards methods of oil and gas well logging, monitoring, and the field of electrically powering submersible devices like electrical motors in oil and gas wells.
US08931543B2
The invention relates to a die casting piston (20) and a respective support (2). The piston has a wall (21) in which channels for a coolant flow are obtained: this improves the thermal exchange between the piston and the coolant, leading to greater cooling efficiency.
US08931533B2
An object of the invention is to provide a tire and a method of producing the tire, in which tire breakage of a groove fence in vulcanization molding and generation of cracks at a groove bottom can be suppressed, noise is relatively low and uneven wear is less likely to occur. At least one of a groove wall 71 surface of the circumferential groove 222 and a side wall 43 surface of a stepped land portion 41 is provided with a groove fence 51 which are formed in the extending direction of the circumferential groove at a predetermined intervals therebetween such that the groove fence protrudes in the groove widthwise direction of the circumferential groove. The groove fence 51 is characterized in that: it has a thin wall portion 53 having a shape in which a portion 61 thereof on the side of the groove bottom of the circumferential groove has been notched in a section orthogonal to the circumferential groove 22; and an angle formed by a notched face 53a of the thin wall portion 53 with respect to the at least one of the wall surfaces 71 provided with the groove fence 51 is set at 70° or smaller.
US08931521B2
A method for producing a bent pipe from thermoplastic material with end cross-sections, central points of which have in relation to one another a positional tolerance on the basis of LN xy/JAR xy/FAR xy in relation to one another. A straight pipe element is introduced into a tool and a portion of the straight pipe element is heated that is located in the bending region to a temperature which lies above a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material by a first temperature value. The straight pipe element is bent about the heated bending region of the tool by a freely selectable bending angle, which has a spatial alignment in an XYZ system of coordinates that is fixed with respect to the pipe. The pipe is then cooled below the glass transition temperature by a second temperature value.
US08931518B2
Apparatus and methods provide for a flow control actuator having a fluid cavity that is shaped to create periodic waveforms within the resulting resonant actuating flow with predetermined characteristics for actuating a high-speed fluid flow. According to various embodiments, a flow control actuator includes a power source for exciting the actuator fluid at a resonant frequency and a cavity shaped according to resonant macrosonic synthesis principles to maximize the exit velocity of the actuating flow at an orifice of the actuator.
US08931511B2
A valve device is provided with a contraction-type high polymer gel actuator which laminates slab-like negative plates and mesh-like positive plates alternately and interleaves high polymer gel between each negative plate and each positive plate, and with a first and a second valve mechanisms driven by the gel actuator. The direction of deformation of expansion and contraction of the high polymer gel actuator is the same as the driving direction of the first valve mechanism and perpendicular to the driving direction of the second valve mechanism. The valve device is composed in such a way as to switch opening and closing of a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage simultaneously by means of deformation of expansion and contraction by controlling voltage applied to the high polymer gel actuator. This allows to compose a valve device that can open and close plural oil passages at an identical timing.
US08931508B2
A vapor isolation valve includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second chamber disposed with respect to the first chamber. A diaphragm is disposed between the first and second chambers, has an orifice allowing fluid communication therebetween, and is moveable between a diaphragm open position and a diaphragm closed position. A third chamber is disposed adjacent the first chamber, relative to the diaphragm, and is in fluid communication with an exit passage. The diaphragm open position allows fluid communication between the first and third chambers, and the diaphragm closed position substantially restricts fluid communication therebetween. A pilot valve is disposed between the second and third chambers and is selectively moveable between a pilot open position configured to allow fluid communication between the second and third chambers and a pilot closed position configured to block fluid communication therebetween.
US08931496B2
A system is provided for protective elements that include, but is not limited to, an umbrella having a complete double canopy with pleats, a medially expanding frame, and a moisture mitigation vessel. The frame's linkage system and expanding double canopy enable their combined covering structure to take a downwardly concave form when fully deployed. Rounded outer frame edges provide enhanced safety. When retracted around the umbrella's stick, frame and canopy assume the form of a three dimensional envelope tapered up and down from its mid-section, thereby concentrated at top and bottom by the stick. This configuration provides canopy and frame with improved ability to move in and out of the invention's stick mounted moisture mitigation vessel. With an internal liner of wicking material and multiple surface apertures, the vessel encourages controlled release of evaporated moisture from the enclosed canopy.
US08931491B2
The invention relates to a method for extracting agents from a tobacco material, wherein the tobacco material is conveyed through a housing to which an extraction agent (14, 24) is fed and from which the extraction agent is again discharged, wherein the extraction occurs in an extruder (10, 20) under increased extrusion pressure by way of contacting the tobacco material with the extraction agent during a tobacco material extrusion process. The invention further relates to an extraction device for tobacco material, having a housing (13, 23) and a conveyor unit (5) in the housing, and having an extraction agent inlet (3) and an extract outlet (7), wherein the housing is associated with a screw extruder (10, 20), wherein the extract is separated from the extruder (10, 20) to the outside environment by means of the pressure generated therein across the drop of pressure.
US08931489B2
Hearing protection devices and kits may include an earplug body and an adjustable sound attenuation assembly composed of an attenuator case and an attenuator insert that is removably insertable into the attenuator case. The attenuator case has a hollow barrel portion that accommodates the attenuator insert and a hollow extension portion connected to the hollow barrel portion. The hollow extension portion includes a soundpath channel therethrough defining a soundpath axis. The attenuator insert is rotatable within the hollow barrel portion of the attenuator case about a rotation axis that is noncollinear with the soundpath axis. The attenuator insert has a thickness along the soundpath axis that varies with respect to a rotation angle of the attenuator insert within the attenuator case. Thereby, sound waves that enter the soundpath channel through the distal opening are attenuated proportionally to the thickness of the attenuator insert along the soundpath axis.
US08931480B2
An inhaler comprising a housing to receive a strip having a plurality of blisters is disclosed. Each blister has a puncturable lid and contains a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user. A mouthpiece is pivotally mounted to the housing through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user. The inhaler also has an actuating mechanism including a lever operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member depending from the mouthpiece. The actuating lever is also operable to cause the mouthpiece to pivot so that the blister piercing member punctures the lid of an aligned blister so that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it, via the mouthpiece, into the user's airway.
US08931475B2
Systems and methods for directly monitoring energy flux of a solar receiver in a solar energy-based power generation system include measuring infrared radiation emanating from the solar receiver. Such measurement can be achieved using one or more infrared thermography detectors, such as an IR camera. Resulting thermal data obtained by the imaging can be used to determine energy flux distribution on the receiver. A user or a system controller can use the determined flux distribution to adjust heliostat aiming to achieve a desired operation condition. For example, heliostats can be adjusted to achieve a uniform energy flux distribution across the external surface of the receiver and/or to maximize heat transfer to a fluid flowing through the receiver within system operating limits.
US08931466B2
An apparatus for one-handed operation of archery equipment may facilitate drawing and firing of an arrow from a bow. The apparatus may comprise a release aid having jaws for selective engagement and disengagement of a bowstring and a trigger mechanism operable to open and close the jaws. Head gear may be configured for attachment to the head of an archer and may be coupled to the release aid with a connection mechanism such that the archer may resist a tension in the bowstring with the headgear. An alternative apparatus comprises an automatic drawbar and engagement head such that an archer may manipulate drawbar controls to draw and release an arrow from a bow.
US08931457B2
A multiplexing drive circuit for an AC ignition system having a common leg that includes two switches coupled in series, and one or more dedicated legs, wherein each leg includes two switches coupled in series. The multiplexing drive circuit also includes a transformer for each of the one or more dedicated legs, each transformer having a primary winding coupled between one of the one or more dedicated legs and the common leg, and wherein each transformer has a secondary winding coupled in parallel to a spark plug, and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) switch controller configured to operate the common leg and dedicated leg switches to control characteristics of the spark discharge for the spark plug. Wherein the switch controller is capable of real time diagnostic checks by monitoring the time at which a spark discharge event takes place.
US08931455B2
The present invention relates to an improved rotary engine having one positive motion stroke, the rotary engine comprising at least one of a piston having at least one piston vane. At least one of a unidirectional bearing is operationally coupled to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to allow the piston vane to rotate and the unidirectional bearing prevents the piston vane from rotating during a combustive force or a thrust force injection. A peddle block is positioned in the pathway of the piston vane, wherein as the piston vane approaches the peddle block a secondary exhaust pressure increases against the piston vane surface, the secondary exhaust pressure, in part, causes the piston vane to rotate and self-align for a subsequent cycle. Other exemplary embodiments allow for a secondary exhaust pressure to rotate a piston vane causing the piston vane to self-aligning for the next cycle.
US08931453B1
A top deck area of a crankcase is provided. The top deck area includes an exhaust elbow extending from a side surface towards a top surface of the top deck area. The top deck area also includes a plate. The plate is configured to define a first chamber and a second chamber within the top deck area. The first chamber is configured to at least partially enclose the exhaust elbow. The second chamber is configured to provide a passage for a fluid flow such that the plate is disposed to isolate the second chamber from the exhaust elbow.
US08931443B2
Methods are provided for improved control of valve activation/deactivation mechanisms. One example method comprises, adjusting an electromechanical actuator to actuate cylinder valve deactivation/activation mechanisms. The actuator is operated at multiple levels based on engine operating conditions.
US08931442B2
A V-type block of a crank circular slider mechanism, comprising a piston with a circular slider receiving hole and a circular slider received in the receiving hole, the block having a main journal hole and comprising a group of adjacent cylinders arranged in a V form intersecting in the position of the main journal hole, each of the cylinders in the group penetrating the main journal hole, wherein said cylinders each penetrate the main journal hole with an axial length beyond the main journal hole, which the length is long enough for providing a reciprocating range required for the reciprocating motion of the part of the piston located beneath the receiving hole of the circular slider.
US08931429B2
This disclosure relates to a thermal spray coating system including a table that is configured to support a component. A spray torch is configured to direct a thermal spray at a component surface. A cooling device is arranged adjacent to spray torch and configured to be in close proximity to the component surface. The cooling device includes a manifold that is connected to an air supply. The manifold has a face with multiple impingement holes less than one-eighth inch (3.1 mm) in diameter that are configured to direct cooling air on the component surface. In one example, the diameter of the impingement holes is approximately 0.059 inch (1.5 mm) and provide cooling air at a velocity of at least 400 ft per second (122 meters per second). The face is arranged within one inch (25 mm) of the component surface, in one example. Accordingly, the above cooling device uses less air and yields more consistent results in thermal coating of the component.
US08931427B2
The invention comprises a tender pick up (1) having the appropriately formed retainer (4) hinged on a chock (2). The retainer (4) is manually or by means of cylinder (5) and spring (6) preloaded and slip-free, and clamps a tender (22) with docking mean (29). If necessary, the use of sensors (30) register the exact position, before the appropriate functions are activated by the controller (19). Is a drop down stair (8) or a platform (80) or a deck (51) fixed onto the transom (20) of the watercraft, then by using the swiveling arms (7) the tender (22) is tilted out when lowering or extended by a sledge (81). The weight of the platform (80) or stair (8) and the tender pick up (1) can be compensated by means of the static lifting force of the lifting body (14). To bring up the platform (80) or stair (8) safely, a gas spring (37) can be used as a supportive measure.
US08931421B2
A foldable table includes a first tabletop panel, a second tabletop panel, and a reinforcing frame which includes first through fourth reinforcing members mounted along longitudinal sides of the first and second tabletop panels respectively, a first transverse member transversely extended between outer end portions of the first and second reinforcing members at the first tabletop panel, and a second transverse member transversely extended between outer end portions of the third and fourth reinforcing members at the second tabletop panel. Two ends of the first transverse member are affixed to the first and second reinforcing members in a non-rotatably movable manner. Two ends of the second transverse member are affixed to the third and fourth reinforcing members in a non-rotatably movable manner. Therefore, the first and second transverse members enhance the rigidity of the reinforcement frame to support two transverse sides of the first and second tabletop panels respectively.
US08931418B2
A bodyshell of a railcar includes side outside plates, end bodyshells, and guiding plates. The side outside plate are located at both end portions of a carbody in a vehicle width direction. The end bodyshell includes an end outside plate and a corner post. The end outside plates are located at both end portions of the carbody in the longitudinal direction. The corner posts are located at four corners of the carbody. The corner post is joined to the adjacent end outside plate and the adjacent side outside plate. The guiding plate is provided at the side outside plate so as to cover the corner post from a vehicle exterior. The guiding plate includes an inclined portion and a joining portion. The inclined portion is provided in front of the corner post and inclined to the rear side toward the side outside plate.
US08931415B2
Initiator systems for warheads include a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of an explosive material contained in an explosive device and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least a portion of an explosive material of a warhead. Scalable output explosive devices include an explosive material at least partially disposed within a housing and an initiator system including a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of the explosive material and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least another portion of the explosive material. Methods of igniting warheads include deflagrating a portion of an explosive material disposed within the warhead and detonating at least another portion of the explosive material disposed within the warhead.
US08931408B2
A sock identification kit includes a housing configured to secure a plurality of ink stamps, a stamp holding device, at least one ink well, and a cleaning member. The stamp holding device includes a handle, actuation assembly, and a pair of clamping members that may be selectively actuated to move the clamping members between open and closed configurations. Accordingly, a selected stamp may be securely removed from the housing, used to imprint ink upon a fabric, and then replaced without ever touching a potentially ink stained stamp with one's hand.
US08931386B2
The miter saw includes a base and a turntable. The turntable is rotatable in relation to the base. The turntable has a work piece support surface. The miter saw further includes a clamp structure secured in fixed relation to the turntable. The miter saw further includes a bevel arm pivotably connected to the turntable and a cutting arm pivotably connected to the bevel arm. The miter saw also includes a cutting assembly supported by the cutting arm. Further still the miter saw includes a clamp member movable in relation to the bevel arm between a first clamp member position and a second clamp member position. The clamp member includes a follower surface and a brake surface. The miter saw also includes an actuator including a cam surface. The actuator is (i) supported by the bevel arm, and (ii) movable in relation to the bevel arm in a linear path of movement between a first actuator position and a second actuator position.
US08931372B2
A coaxial double drive assembly configured for actuating shielding elements of a secondary skin facade of a building is disclosed. The assembly includes an outer drive output and an inner drive output, which are arranged substantially coaxially with each other to an axis of rotation. The assembly also includes a driving arrangement, which is adapted to accept one or more transmission gear assemblies, which connect the outer and inner drive output to one or more rotating motor drives, which axes of rotation are substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the outer and inner drive outputs. The outer drive output and the inner drive output extend at the same side of the coaxial double drive assembly and are adapted to accept a two-part pivot assembly, which when pivoted by the outer drive output and the inner drive output, is adapted for actuating the shielding elements of the secondary skin facade coupled thereto.
US08931371B2
A hybrid power driving system includes an engine including a crankshaft; and a dual clutch transmission system coupled to the crankshaft. The dual clutch transmission system includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a transmission. Both the first and second clutches are connected with the crankshaft. The transmission includes a first input shaft connected with the first clutch, a second input shaft connected with the second clutch, shifting gear sets, where each shifting gear set includes at least a stationary gear and a free gear; and an output shaft having one end coupled with a differential. The other end of the output shaft is connected with a driving electric motor. The driving electric motor drives the output shaft directly.
US08931369B2
A cover for an aperture in a vehicle wall for a handbrake lever includes various elements. For example, the cover might include an opening region with an opening through which the force-transmitting means can pass and a support region for supporting the cover on the wall. In addition, the opening region might slidably attach to the handbrake lever, such that the opening region slides when the handbrake lever is adjusted. A flexible wall element at least partially attaches over the opening region and the support region, and spring devices are attached to the opening region and the support region to provide tension to the flexible wall element.
US08931366B2
A lockable braking device comprises a controlling set having a cover fixed to a frame, a braking grip pivoted to the cover and partially protruded out of the cover, a connecting member pivoted to the cover and one end thereof being propelled by the braking grip, and a crank pivoted to the cover and being motivated by the braking grip. Whereby, the braking grip adjustably controls a braking state of a braking unit to attain a common stopping performance and a constant stopping effect. Accordingly, the structure of the braking device is simplified and the operation thereof is more easy and handy.
US08931365B2
A bicycle control device that includes a bracket configured to be mounted to a handlebar, a first lever pivotally mounted to the bracket and defining a first pivot axis, a second lever that includes a first user contact part pivotally mounted to the first lever that pivots about a second axis, and a first electrical switch mounted to one of the first lever and the second lever. The first electrical switch is operated in response to pivotal movement of the second lever about the second axis. The first pivot axis is positioned between the second pivot axis and the first user contact part.
US08931355B2
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a torque sensing gear structure of an electronic bike, which uses a torque sensing unit mounted on the driving shaft of the bike to detect the torque generated by the user's feet when he/she is riding the bike so as to calculate the resistance generated by the user and to drive the electronic driving device to support the user for riding the bike. By this way, the loading of riding the bike could be reduced instantly.
US08931344B2
Methods and apparatus for inspecting a flaws in tubular disclosed herein include but are not limited to inspection stations comprising one or more chutes adapted to receive a tubular, an inspection assembly adapted to ultrasonically inspect a tubular in the one or more chutes, and one or more rotators for apply directional forces on the tubular to advance and rotate the tubular in the one or more chutes. The inspection assembly is adapted to ultrasonically inspect tubulars while the tubulars are under a rotational force in the chute. The inspection assembly may be further adapted to identify the end of a tubular in a first chute and index the position of the inspection assembly over a second chute to inspect a tubular loaded in the second chute.
US08931341B2
A test mass used for light beam interferometric gravity characteristic measurement has a center of mass located equidistant and colinear with optical center points of two oppositely reflecting retroreflectors. Rotation of the test mass about its center of mass during freefall changes the path length of the oppositely reflected light beams by equal amounts, thereby achieving common mode cancellation of the effects of test mass rotation when the two reflected light beams are interferometrically combined.
US08931337B2
A fluid meter includes a totaliser having an electronic card that communicates with a remote meter reading system. The electronic card may be contained in a metal housing covered in a leakproof manner by an upper transparent panel. The totaliser may be covered by a cover which retains the upper transparent panel in a leakproof manner. The cover may be covered by a cap made from plastic material. The upper transparent panel may be made from glass and the upper transparent panel and the cover may each include an orifice to allow communication between the electronic card and antenna disposed between the cover and the cap.
US08931336B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of measuring and inspecting a workpiece belonging to a gear pair, wherein the method is carried out on a gear cutting machine producing the workpiece, wherein a mating test piece mounted at the working head, in particular at the cutting head, is moved in the direction of the workpiece clamped in the workpiece mount of the machine table until the gear pair is in engagement and the corresponding working axial spacing is reached, the workpiece is driven via the drive movement of the mating test piece of the gear pair, the rotational position of the workpiece to be measured is recorded and the detected actual position is compared with a reference position and at least one value characterizing the rolling gear deviation of the workpiece is calculated while taking account of the comparison made.
US08931335B2
Measurements made by a multi-component induction logging tool may be corrected for tool eccentricity or the presence of a fracture in the earth formation. The corrected measurements may then be used in conjunction with a multi-array measurement to determine horizontal and vertical formation resistivity.
US08931323B2
Multi-layered pipes, machines for forming multi-layered pipes, and methods of forming multi-layered pipes, such as for use in the hydrocarbon industry as may form high-pressure pipelines including forming an inner metal tube from a first metal stock, and while forming the inner metal tube, forming at least a second metal tube around the inner tube from at least a second metal stock. In some methods, sheet metal is bent to form tubes having seams, which are welded while the tubes are being formed. Some methods are performed proximate to an installation site for the multi-layered pipe, such as a hydrocarbon extraction or transportation site. Some methods are performed on a vehicle and proximate to an installation site.
US08931320B2
A dimple-forming burnishing tool allowing easy adjustment of a dimple shape is provided. The dimple-forming burnishing tool has a mandrel attached on a rear-end side thereof to a processing machine for rotation, and a cylindrical frame rotatably externally fitted on a tip side of the mandrel and holding a rolling element and a pressing element that are driven by rotation of the mandrel, for forming dimples in an inner surface of a workpiece by rotating the mandrel with the frame disposed inside the inner surface of the workpiece. In the dimple-forming burnishing tool, the mandrel includes a dimple adjusting mechanism. The dimple adjusting mechanism includes: a rolling element rotating portion causing the rolling element to rotate without moving in and out radially of the frame; and a pressing element in-and-out rotating portion causing the pressing element to rotate while moving in and out radially of the frame.
US08931316B2
A method for profiling the broad sides of a flat key, a key blank being clamped in a clamping device so that the broad side of the key blank is exposed. Guide grooves and variation grooves which are complementary to the longitudinal sectional profile of the cutter teeth are milled into the broad side by advance in the longitudinal direction of the key, in one work operation, using a milling cutter that has cutter teeth on its peripheral surface and rotates about a cutter shaft. To produce undercut grooves, the axis of the cutter shaft is inclined at an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal center plane of the key, ribs of the cutter teeth producing an undercut guide wall using at least one rib.
US08931314B2
A padlock can be unlocked by an owner dialing an unlocking number or security personnel using a general key. The padlock includes a housing, a block, a shackle, a general locking device and a private locking device. The housing includes a first channel and a second channel therein. The block is inserted in the second channel. The block includes a receptacle therein. The shackle includes a long arm movably disposed in the first channel and a short arm for engagement with the receptacle of the block. The general locking device is disposed in the housing for locking and unlocking the long arm of the shackle. The private locking mechanism is disposed in the housing for controlling the block so that the block can be engaged with and disengaged from the short arm of the shackle.
US08931313B2
The present invention is directed to a padlock that includes a body and a shackle that has a toe portion and a heel portion. The shackle can be released from the body from a locked mode to a lock opened mode by upward movement of the shackle away from the body. The padlock also includes a combination locking mechanism configured to control the heel portion of the shackle when a correct combination is arranged on the combination locking mechanism. The combination locking mechanism may be reconfigured so that a new combination is entered for the combination locking mechanism. The padlock also includes a key locking mechanism that includes a cylinder operatively connected to a cam for controlling movement of the cam. The padlock may be placed in the lock opened mode by either the combination locking mechanism or the key locking mechanism.
US08931307B2
On the basis of a known method for producing a blank of titanium-doped glass with a high silica content (glass) for a mirror substrate for use in EUV lithography which has a surface region that has an outer contour, is intended to be provided with a reflective coating and is specified as a highly loaded zone when the mirror substrate is used as intended, in order to provide a blank which can be produced at low cost and nevertheless meets high requirements with respect to homogeneity and freedom from blisters and striae, a procedure which comprises the following method steps is proposed: (a) producing a front body of titanium-doped high-quality glass with dimensions more than large enough to enclose the outer contour, (b) producing a cylindrical supporting body from titanium-doped glass, (c) bonding the front body and the supporting body to form a composite body, and (d) working the composite body to form the mirror substrate blank, wherein the step of producing the front body comprises a homogenizing process involving twisting a starting body obtained in the form of a strand by flame hydrolysis of a silicon-containing compound to form a front body blank, and the supporting body is formed as a monolithic glass block with less homogeneity than the front body.
US08931303B2
A refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus, at least provided with no possibility that a foreign material returns to a compressor from an accumulator at a time of the pipeline-cleaning operation firstly, and provided with a possibility to perform a collecting operation for the foreign material in a short time secondary, is provided.The heat-source side unit includes an accumulator provided with a function to separate and collect the foreign material in an existing pipeline, a collecting container for collecting the foreign material separated by the accumulator, and an oil return pipeline for returning refrigerating machine oil to the compressor via a flow amount adjusting device, installed at a lower portion of the accumulator, and at a time of ordinary cooling or heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is caused to flow into the oil return pipeline, and at a time of pipeline cleaning and foreign material-collecting operations, the flow amount adjusting device is fully closed.
US08931300B2
A storage cabinet (16) is provided for an ultra-low temperature freezer (10). The cabinet (16) includes a base platform (62a), a plurality of side structural insulated panels (45, 50, 55) each defining a side wall of the storage cabinet (16), and a plurality of generally vertically oriented posts (40) extending from the base platform (62a). Each of the plurality of vertically oriented posts (40) has a slot (40a) for receiving an edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55) therealong. The slot (40a) may have a generally U-shaped profile that surrounds the edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55). At least one of the generally vertically oriented posts (40) has a channel (40c) that extends along a longitudinal dimension thereof, the channel (40c) being configured to receive one of insulation, tubing, or wiring of the freezer therethrough.
US08931296B2
A novel fins-on-tubes type evaporator/heat exchanger system that is optimized for energy-saving inductive heating thereof by configuring it to increasing its resistance to a value at which the system's reactance at its working frequency is comparable to its electrical resistance. The system includes a set of tubes configured for flow of cooling material therethrough, and also includes a set of fins positioned and disposed perpendicular to, and along, the tubes, in such a way that at least a portion of the fins comprises longitudinal excisions therein.
US08931289B2
Systems and methods are described with respect to refrigerant recovery techniques. In one example, a system for recovering a refrigerant from an appliance includes a valve module, a separator, a degasser, and a system controller. The valve modules include a valve and a valve controller configured to control the valve and transmit data. The separator separates the refrigerant from an oil and is in fluid communication with the valve. The degasser further separates the refrigerant from the oil and is in fluid communication with the separator. The system controller is configured to receive data from the valve controller.
US08931288B2
In various implementations, air conditioners may include a high pressure portion and a low pressure portion. A bypass line may divert a portion of the refrigerant from the high pressure portion to the low pressure portion to reduce the pressure of at least a part of the high pressure portion. The bypass line may be opened automatically.
US08931284B2
A flow discharge device, such as a compressor bleed outlet discharging into a bypass duct of a gas turbine engine, comprises an outlet panel 46 which is perforated by openings 48, 50 disposed in an array which tapers in the downstream direction with respect to the flow B in the bypass duct. The configuration of the array of openings 48, 50 creates a plume 60 of tapering form, which enables the bypass flow B to come together downstream of the plume 60 with minimal wake generation, to provide a shield of cooler air so as to avoid contact between the hot gas plume 60 and a wall of 27 of the bypass duct 22. The resulting aerofoil-shaped cross section of the plume 60 also reduces any blocking effect in the bypass duct 22, with consequent performance benefits for the engine fan.
US08931282B2
An internal combustion engine in which the power output is controlled by modulating at least one of the compression ratio, expansion ratio, ratio of expansion rate to compression rate, air to fuel ratio, and steam to air ratio. Continuous isobaric catalytic combustion followed by isothermal expansion and the use of separate compressor and expander devices are used. Control dynamically maximizes fuel efficiency for the given power demand conditions. Power output is controlled by modulating flame temperature and/or pressure instead of by throttling. Lean combustion, high compression ratio, exhaust heat recuperation, and high power density and fuel economy are provided. External cooling is minimized or eliminated. Insulation of the engine effectively reduces energy losses to friction. Interchangeable use of gasoline, hydrogen and ammonia at high fuel efficiency is made possible for transitional periods of fuel availabilities. An injector suitable for isothermal expansion is provided.
US08931280B2
A venturi assembly for a turbine combustor includes a first outer annular wall and a second intermediate annular wall radially spaced from each other in substantially concentric relationship. The first outer annular wall and said second intermediate annular wall shaped to define a forward, substantially V-shaped throat region, and an aft, axially extending portion. A third radially innermost annular wall is connected to the second intermediate annular wall at an aft end of said throat region. A first plurality of apertures is provided in the first outer annular wall in the substantially V-shaped throat region, and a second plurality of apertures is provided in the aft, axially extending portion of said second intermediate annular wall so that cooling air flows through the first and second pluralities of apertures to impingement cool the third radially innermost annular wall.
US08931279B2
A switchable solar heating device for a gas turbine with a compressor, having a valve for electively bypassing a solar heater arranged between a compressor stage and a turbine stage of the gas turbine. The valve is constructed as a 4-way valve with a compressor port that can be connected to the compressor stage, a turbine port that can be connected to the turbine stage, a solar input port that can be connected to an input of the solar heater, and a solar output port that can be connected to an output of the solar heater.
US08931272B2
A method for operating a turbocharged engine is disclosed. In one example, during a first condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to a turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a first limit and during a second condition an engine operation is adjusted in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio exceeding a second limit that differs from the first limit. Degradation of the engine may be reduced under some engine operating conditions by adjusting engine operation in response to the turbocharger expansion ratio.
US08931269B2
An actuator is provided having a temperature activatable actuating member comprising an inductively couplable material. The actuator has an electrical heating element for electrically heating the actuating member. The heating element is configured to inductively couple with said material when an AC current is passed through the heating element such that an opposing electromotive force is induced in the heating element. A detector is provided for detecting activation of the actuating member by sensing a change in the AC impedance of the heating element.
US08931265B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system for a diesel engine includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device and a diesel oxidation catalyst upstream of the SCR device. A method for warming-up the SCR device includes monitoring a plurality of combustion input parameters during an SCR warm-up strategy, monitoring a first temperature and a second temperature within the aftertreatment system, providing a feedback adjustment term as a function of a deviation in the first temperature from a desired temperature only when the monitored first and second temperatures are within a predetermined adjustment range, and initiating an adjusted SCR warm-up strategy based on the feedback adjustment term to converge the first temperature toward the desired temperature.
US08931257B2
A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders and an aftertreatment system having a selective catalytic reduction device utilizing ammonia as a reductant. An ammonia generation cycle includes operating some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing molecular hydrogen and some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing NOx. An ammonia generation catalyst is utilized between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia.
US08931254B2
An exhaust pipe injection control device to optimally control a degree of exhaust gas recirculation (“EGR”) opening during diesel particulate filter (“DPF”) regeneration. The device includes a regeneration-time opening control unit which controls a degree of EGR opening of an EGR device during DPF regeneration, and a regeneration-time opening map in which an optimal degree of EGR opening of the EGR device during DPF regeneration is set in advance according to an engine rotation speed and a fuel injection amount of an engine. The regeneration-time opening control unit performs exhaust gas recirculation by referring to the regeneration-time opening map based on the engine rotation speed and the fuel injection amount of the engine and controlling the degree of EGR opening of the EGR device.
US08931252B2
A gas turbine engine having a rotational axis, an intake and a compressed gas source; the intake includes a lining having a facing which defines an inlet surface and an array of holes; the array of holes includes at least a first set of holes and a second set of holes, the holes of the first set of holes are angled a relative to a radial line and the holes of the second set of holes are angled β relative to the radial line; the angles α and β are different. An active flow control arrangement including a compressed gas supply pipe, a valve arrangement, a controller, a compressed gas distribution pipe may be provided. Compressed gas may be provided to prevent the formation of separation of a main gas flow through the intake and prevent or remove ice accretion.
US08931245B2
An electric motor-driven rotary disc cutter module for use in a cutterbar in an agricultural harvester. In one embodiment, each rotary disc module includes an electric motor driver for the rotary cutterhead. Individual cutterhead modules are staggered fore and aft along the cutterbar to provide continuous cutting across the lateral width of the cutterbar without requiring synchronized rotation of the cutterheads to prevent contact of the knives. This configuration allows for individual speed and/or rotational direction adjustment for each cutterhead to optimize crop cutting performance and/or crop movement within the header. A control system may be included to monitor performance and manage individual operation of the cutterhead modules.
US08931241B2
A system and method for assembling a multiple prescription package having a plurality of different medications is described. The system comprises a pharmacy management system, a selected dosing interval, a filling system, a first automated inspection, a second automated inspection, a container, and a label. The pharmacy management system includes a graphical user interface that receives a prescription order that is associated with a particular patient. The prescription order includes medications in which a first medication that is different from a second medication. The selected dosing interval is selected from the dosing interval group that includes a morning interval, a noon interval, an afternoon interval, and a bedtime interval. The container receives the sealed preliminary packages for the selected dosing interval. The label is affixed to the container so that the label indicates the selected dosing interval.
US08931240B2
A shuttle system including a main conveyor for transporting food products in a longitudinal direction, a supply of open top containers displaced along a longitudinal direction and movable in the longitudinal direction into a filling station. The shuttle system includes a shuttle robot for moving food products from the main conveyor to an open top container in the filling station. A sensor for receiving food product position data and a controller receiving data from the sensor and for instructing operation of the robot.
US08931239B2
On a transport or conveyor section for conveying caps or similar closures (2) for bottles or similar containers, and for treating the closures with a treatment medium, for example with at least one sterilization medium, the at least one treatment medium is used at the same time for conveying the closures along the conveyor or transport section (1, 1a).
US08931237B2
An abutment device, in particular for laying floor elements, is proposed, comprising a first abutment element with a first abutment face and a second abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and a second abutment element with a third abutment face, which is oriented transversely to the first abutment face, and which second abutment element is slidingly displaceably guided in a fixable manner on the first abutment element, a spacing between the first abutment face and the third abutment face being fixably adjustable, the first abutment element, on a side opposite to the first abutment face, having a recess, which is limited by an edge and in which the second abutment element is arranged.
US08931224B2
Lath assembly for a sidewall finishing of a floor or ceiling comprising a pair of a first and second lath. The lath assembly further comprises a connector for connecting the first ends of the pair of laths to each other. The connector comprises two key members which are arranged to be inserted into respective keyways of the laths to be connected. By inserting the key members into the keyways, the laths are brought into an assembled condition. Each keyway of the combination of laths comprises an integrally formed lath stopper and each key member comprises an integrally formed key stopper. The key stopper is in an assembled condition in form closure with the lath stopper to lock the connector in the longitudinal direction to the lath. Advantageously, the engagement of the key stopper with the lath stopper provides a secure lockage of the connector to the lath in length direction.
US08931221B2
A multi-floor data center, comprising in one implementation, a plurality of floors; a first set of server racks disposed about a first vertical center axis on each floor, the first set of server racks formed in a substantially closed shape, with a substantially vertical open center comprising a first airflow plenum at least for air flow; a first opening in each of the floors, with the first opening aligned with the substantially vertical first airflow plenum on it respective floor, wherein the substantially vertical first airflow plenums on the floors are aligned for communication through the first openings in the floors; outer wall; a roof with a roof opening therein.
US08931218B2
A modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment, if necessary. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or other suitable transport device, if necessary. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used.
US08931217B2
The various processes of a plant are segmented into separate process blocks that are connected to one another using fluid conduits or electrical connections. Each process block is specialized to perform specific tasks in an assembly line manner to achieve an overall goal. For example, multiple distillation process blocks could be daisy-chained to create fuel from crude oil. Each process block is generally small enough to be mounted on a truck or a flatbed for easy transport, allowing for an assembly line of process blocks to be transported anywhere in the world with ease.
US08931214B2
A responsive structural element including an elongate member having a first end and second end and defining a cross-section is provided. The structural element further includes a sensor, secured to the elongate member, for detecting at least one pre-selected indicator. Advantageously, the elongate member is responsive to the pre-selected indicator.
US08931209B2
A material for assisting in at least one of germination, protection, hydration, and thriving of seeds and the plants originating therefrom treats a seed with a tackifier or binder, such as corn syrup or the like, which secures a layer of hydrating polymer particles thereto. Nutrients, protectants, and the like may be absorbed in the polymer before or after coating of a seed thereby. Weighting materials, extenders, flowing agents, and the like may assist in the functioning or handling of the coated seeds.
US08931189B2
Apparatus and method for material distribution, including a drawbar to which is fixedly connected a bucket body. Wheels are attached to the drawbar on opposite sides of the bucket body between an open side and a gate thereof. A lower edge of the open side of the bucket body, which can receive material, is in the form of a cutting blade or teeth. The gate, which is disposed opposite from the open side, can be opened and closed. At least part of a top side of the bucket body forms a platform for an operator. At least one engine is provided and is drivingly connected to the wheels. A handlebar is connected to the bucket body, forward of the platform, for pivoting the bucket body about the wheels so that the cutting blade or teeth can be brought into or out of contact with a surface.
US08931188B2
A snowshoe has an improved spring-loaded suspension system that reduces or eliminates snow flip as the user lifts the boot and advances it forward. In a principal embodiment the footbed and front claw of the binding are positioned on a spring-suspended frame in such a way that the footbed/claw can freely rotate relative to the snowshoe deck beyond a certain degree of pitch angle.
US08931183B2
A method of operating coordinate positioning apparatus having a measurement probe includes taking a first part in a series of parts, at least a first reference geometrical property associated with one or more features of the first part being known and using the coordinate positioning apparatus to measure the one or more features of the first part and determining a first measured geometrical property corresponding to the first reference geometrical property. A first property correction value is then determined describing a difference between the first reference and the first measured geometrical properties. The coordinate positioning apparatus is then used to measure the one or more features of one or more further parts in the series of parts and, for each further part, a further measured geometrical property is determined corresponding to the first reference geometrical property. The first property correction value is then applied to each further measured geometrical property.
US08931177B2
A hair removal device having a handle with a first interior wall and a second opposing interior wall that has a tapered surface. A cover is mounted to the handle. A dispensing unit having a first and second position is within the handle. The dispensing unit has a reservoir containing a liquid, a pump in liquid communication with the reservoir in the second position, and first and second connectors that are spaced apart. The mounting of the cover to the handle urges at least one of the connectors to slide along the tapered surface forcing the first and second connectors toward each other.
US08931167B2
An electrical connector adapted to receive a mating plug utilizes low-profile jack terminal contacts that can flex in their PCB-anchored base portions, which are substantially parallel to the PCB. Any bend in the distal connecting portion or in the intermediate transition portion of each terminal contact is gradual and forms an obtuse angle, thus minimizing stress concentrations. The contacts preferably are arranged in two oppositely facing and interdigitating rows of four contacts each. In one embodiment, the terminal contacts are anchored to the PCB by a contact cradle that constrains the base portion of each terminal contact at two spaced anchoring locations, allowing the base portion to flex therebetween. In another embodiment, the base portions of the terminal contacts are embedded in at least one elastomeric member, which is fitted to the PCB.
US08931158B2
A liner and method of application for use on a metal surface to protect metal structures such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and other liquid containing vessels such as tanks from corrosion, leaks, and wear. The liner is an inexpensive apparatus and process comprising a coated metal having a second sealing and bonding layer and a third protective sealing layer. The liner method comprises applying an organic bonding layer onto the galvanized substrate, and applying an elastomeric barrier coating to the bonding layer. The barrier coating material is applied to preseal the seams between adjoining panels assembled to form the basin. The barrier coating is applied to the entire inside of the basin to form a homogenous barrier coating extending out of the basin. The liner edge is isolated from the basin by extending the liner to a point between the basin and an upper section. The liner comprises galvanizing layer, a bonding layer on the galvanized metal, and an elastomeric third layer on the bonding layer. The liner further comprises preseals at the seams, corner molds and link holes in the substrate to attach and protect the liners integrity.
US08931154B2
The conveyor fastening tool is used for fastening first and second conveyor loop fasteners to each other and comprises first and second channels extending through a main body through which the first and second conveyor loop fasteners will pass. First and second lateral openings in the first and second channels allow the conveyor belt extremity sections to extend therethrough, outwardly of the first and second channels. First and second loop retaining members peripherally spaced about the first and second channels limit movement of the first and second conveyor loop fasteners orthogonally away from the first and second channels including preventing movement of the first and second conveyor loop fasteners out through the first and second lateral openings. A third channel formed downstream of the first and second channels, where the first and second channels merge, has opposed spaced-apart fastener closing members mounted to the main body for urging the first and second loop fasteners into interlocking engagement.
US08931150B2
A tool for attaching and disengaging a return spring in a truck brake assembly comprises a handle, a shaft, and an arm with a hook and a smaller reverse hook. The hook provides leverage around the spring retainer and the reverse hook engages the spring end to move it into place.
US08931148B2
A method of making a three-dimensional fiber preform for fabricating an annular part out of carbon-carbon composite material, the method including stacking layers of a fiber sheet made up of carbon yarns or tows, needling the layers one by one as they are superposed so as to bond them together, and locally modifying the electromagnetic properties of the fiber preform by increasing the fiber density of the layers of the fiber sheet that are situated at half-thickness of the fiber preform.
US08931146B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a tying lace constructed of an outer braided cover having a first thread type and a second thread type. The second thread type is formed from a different material and/or has a different cross-sectional area than the first thread type. In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional area is at least twice that of the first thread type. Additionally, the second thread type may be of a material having higher elastic properties and/or a greater coefficient of friction than the first thread type. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the tying lace is constructed with an elastic core extending the length of the tying lace.
US08931145B1
A sliding controller for a zipper has a slider, a close-ended connecting rack, a U-shaped connecting sheet, an elastic plastic tab and at least three embedded through-holes. The zipper's sliding controller features lower manufacturing cost, resistance to rust, stronger robustness and longer service life.
US08931144B2
A tethering system for a remote-controlled device includes a tether line having a first end adapted to be connected to a ground support and a second end adapted to be connected to the remote-controlled device. The system further includes an anchor-point disposed between the first and second ends of the tether line, the anchor point having an eyelet for securing the tether line and allowing the tether line to slide through the eyelet during use. The anchor-point and eyelet enable the tether line to flex or bend and the remote-controlled device to maneuver one or more of over or around the target area without interfering with any nearby obstructions.
US08931128B2
A mattress for use in institutions, such as correctional facilities, detention centers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and the like, includes a core formed of a transparent or translucent padding material and a transparent or translucent covering surrounding the core.
US08931126B1
An electric bed with a sliding block linkage has a head board, an inner frame, an outer frame, and a head supporting part. Two ends of the head supporting part are in rotatable connection with the head board and the outer frame. The inner frame is in sliding connection with the outer frame. The head board is in rotatable connection with the inner frame. A sliding block linkage has a driving device used for driving the inner frame to move relative to the outer frame. Relative sliding in a horizontal direction controls a horizontal movement distance of the head board. Optionally, the inner frame is positioned on the outer frame and movably connected with it by a sliding chute. The inner frame is driven by a motor to horizontally move relative to the outer frame.
US08931122B1
The grey water toilet uses only grey water generated from an adjacent sink in order to operate said toilet in an effort to lessen fresh water usage. The toilet includes a toilet tank that includes a baffle separating said toilet tank into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is in direct fluid communication with the drain line of an adjacent sink, and which is responsible for flushing the toilet upon use of either a flush handle or pop-rod located on the adjacent sink. The faucet of the adjacent sink is supplied water from two sources, a hot water line and a cold water line that are both located under said sink, and a toilet water line that extends from the fill valve inside of the toilet.
US08931121B2
A hydrotherapy tub including a water and air piping system which is easily cleanable in a thorough manner. A manifold is mounted on the outer surface of each side wall of the tub with each manifold having a water conduit and an air conduit which are fluidly connected to sources of pressurized water and air respectively. The water conduit and air conduit in each manifold is fluidly connected to horizontally spaced-apart discharge ports formed in the associate side wall of the tub.
US08931115B1
Microfiber cloth is attached to articles of regularly worn clothing, including shirt tails, neckties, scarves, sweaters, pants or other clothing article, making the microfiber cloth more accessible and ready to use for cleaning surfaces of personal devices.
US08935806B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating management of data in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method for facilitating management of data in an on-demand services environment is provided. The method of embodiment includes detecting an attempt by a user to manipulate data via a collaboration application at a computing system, wherein the attempt includes attempted deletion of the data posted for viewing using the collaboration application. The method may further include determining whether the user is authorized to manipulate the data, and blocking the attempt if the user is not authorized to manipulate the data.
US08935803B2
A system and apparatus for transferring data between communication elements is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to receive data from a web server to update one or more entries of an identity module coupled to the controller element. The data can be retrieved by the web server from a second communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08935799B1
A report generation system is provided. The system comprises at least one data generator that generates data, a data store that comprises the data, a computer system, and a reporting engine. The reporting engine receives a request to generate a report from a client device, applies a first pre-established filter to the data based on credentials associated with a user of the client device to isolate a subset of the data, and applies a second pre-established filter to the subset of the data based on the credentials associated with the user of the client device to isolate a report generation set of data. The reporting engine further generates the report using the report generation set of data from the data store based on user-defined criteria and pre-established default criteria and outputs the report to the client device.
US08935795B2
A method, computer program product, and system for transforming unit tests is described. A unit test associated with one or more software units is identified. A graphical representation of a portion of a computer program is built, wherein the graphical representation includes a control flow edge. A potentially vulnerable data flow associated with the control flow edge is identified. A control flow weight is assigned to the control flow edge, based upon, at least in part, identifying the potentially vulnerable data flow. A security analysis is applied to the portion of the computer program based upon, at least in part, the control flow weight.
US08935794B2
Verifying application security vulnerabilities includes receiving a source code to analyze, performing a static analysis using the received source code and generating a vulnerability call trace for the received source code. Responsive to a determination that all static analysis results are not validated, mock objects are generated using the vulnerability call trace and a unit test is created using the generated mock objects. The unit test is executed using the generated mock objects and responsive to a determination that an identified vulnerability was validated; a next static analysis result is selected. Responsive to a determination that all static analysis results are validated, results and computed unit tests are reported.
US08935793B2
A mobile device charging station configured to analyze, measure and respond to/correct the state of a mobile device. The charging station can employ an embedded cryptographic subsystem that can make use of anti-tamper/tamper evident techniques to protect stored firmware images/cryptographic material.
US08935785B2
A method and system to mitigate an attack over the Internet includes collecting information related to a plurality of client IP addresses from a plurality of sources and analyzing the collected information to determine confidence scores for the plurality of client IP addresses. The method and system also include receiving network traffic from the Internet and limiting network traffic from a first subset of the plurality of client IP addresses characterized by a confidence score less than a first threshold. The method, and system further include determining a level of the network traffic and limiting network traffic from a second subset of the plurality of client IP addresses characterized by a confidence score less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold.
US08935782B2
Access is obtained to a plurality of information flow theories for a plurality of malicious programs. The information flow theories include differences in information flows between the malicious programs, executing in a controlled environment, and information flows of known benign programs. Execution of a suspicious program is monitored by comparing runtime behavior of the suspicious program to the plurality of information flow theories. An alarm is output if the runtime behavior of the suspicious program matches at least one of the plurality of information flow theories.
US08935779B2
A system and method are disclosed for network-based file analysis for malware detection. Network content is received from a network tap. A binary packet is identified in the network content. A binary file, including the binary packet, is extracted from the network content. It is determined whether the extracted binary file is detected to be malware.
US08935774B2
Accessory device authentication techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, connection of an accessory device to a host computing device is detected. Responsive to the detection, an authentication sequence may occur to verify an identity and/or capabilities of the accessory device. Upon successful authentication of the accessory device, the host device may authorize the accessory device for power exchange interactions with the host device. The host device may then draw supplemental power from a power source associated with the authorized accessory device, such as a battery or power adapter. The host device may also enable the accessory device to obtain and use power supplied by the host device in some scenarios. Power exchange between a host device and an authorized accessory may be managed in accordance with capabilities of the accessory device that are identified during authentication.
US08935771B2
A computer security system may include a removable security device adapted to connect to the input/output port of a computer. The security device may include: a random access memory (RAM) cell; and a processor. The security system may further include: at least one encrypted update packet stored remotely from the security device and adapted to modify the contents of the RAM cell; and a private key located on the security device and adapted to decrypt the update packet; and at least one of a device driver, a software application, and/or a library stored remotely from, and in communication with, the security device and adapted to cause the contents of the at least one cell to be switched out of the cell, stored remotely from the cell, and loaded back into the cell.
US08935757B2
A framework, which conforms to the OAuth standard, involves a generic OAuth authorization server that can be used by multiple resource servers in order to ensure that access to resources stored on those resource servers is limited to access to which the resource owner consents. Each resource server registers, with the OAuth authorization server, metadata for that resource server, indicating scopes that are recognized by the resource server. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when requesting consent from a resource owner on behalf of a client application, so that the consent will be of an appropriate scope. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when constructing an access token to provide to the client application for use in accessing the resources on the resource server. The OAuth authorization server uses this metadata to map issued access tokens to the scopes to which those access tokens grant access.
US08935754B2
Example methods and apparatus to discover authentication information in a wireless networking environment are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves transmitting, during network discovery, a Generic Advertisement Services (GAS) request to a network access point, the GAS request requesting authentication information, the authentication information being indicative of a credential required from a wireless terminal. In addition, a response to the GAS request is received from the network access point. The response includes the authentication information.
US08935752B1
A method and apparatus for identity consolidation for a plurality of electronic identities is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving user identification data extracted from an electronic communication, the user identification data corresponding to an unknown identity of a sender of the electronic communication. The method further includes determining a known identity for the sender using the user identification data extracted from the electronic communication and associating the known identity with the unknown identity of the sender of the electronic communication. In one embodiment, an association between the known identity and the unknown identity is maintained to determine whether parties of subsequent information transfers are authorized to participate in the information transfers.
US08935750B2
System and methods for restricting accessibility to harmful content on a computer network. Network pathways are explored to study a plurality of investigated hosts from a plurality of diverse entry points into the computer network. The investigated hosts are checked whether they are malicious hosts believed to contain harmful content. For any of the investigated hosts that are malicious hosts, intermediary hosts having connectors to those malicious hosts are identified based on the exploring of the network pathways. An access restriction is associated with each of the intermediary hosts, which can be used to block or otherwise restrict access to the intermediary hosts, which may or may not themselves contain malicious content.
US08935743B2
A first configuration object identifies attributes of a configuration of a first web service. Security setting data is identified defining a security setting rules for the computing system. The failure of the first attribute to satisfy at least one security setting rule is determined. A second configuration object is identified that identifies attributes of a configuration of a second web service. The failure of the second attribute to satisfy at least one security setting rule is determined. A service security cockpit is presented identifying that configurations of at least the first and second web services are unsecure, based at least in part on the determination that the first and second attributes fail to satisfy security setting rules. User input is received, through the cockpit, identifying a resolution action directed to resolve the first attribute failing to satisfy at least one security setting rule. The identified resolution action is then initiated.
US08935742B2
Secure content management is enabled as a cloud-based service through which security protection and policy enforcement may be implemented for both on-premise network users and roaming users. The global SCM service integrates the security functionalities—such as anti-virus, spyware, and phishing protection, firewall, intrusion detection, centralized management, and the like—that are typically provided by enterprise network SCM appliance hardware or servers into a cloud-based service that users reach via Internet-based points-of-presence (“POPs”). The POPs are configured with forward proxy servers, and in some implementations, caching and network acceleration components, and coupled to hubs which provide configuration management and identity management services such as active directory services.
US08935738B2
A method of providing interactive video content is presented that includes receiving video content from a video content source. An initial interactive content indicator is encoded within a closed-captioning portion of the video content at the video content source. The method also includes selecting a substitute uniform resource locator (URL) associated with interactive content related to the video content. Further, the method includes replacing the initial interactive content indicator with the substitute URL within the closed-captioning portion of the video content.
US08935733B2
A method for presenting data through a wireless home entertainment hub in a home entertainment system includes obtaining a registration for one or more source devices and for one or more sink devices. An indication is received at the wireless home entertainment hub that one of the source devices has become active. Data is received from the active source device. One or more sink devices are selected to receive the data from the active source device, and the data is transmitted to one or more of the sink devices.
US08935729B2
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.
US08935726B2
Example embodiments relate to generation of dynamic content interfaces based on device capabilities and user entitlements. Multiple devices associated with a user account may each request a content interface. Generation of the content interfaces may be based on capability information of the devices and a tier entitlement associated with the user account. A service included in both the content interfaces may be assigned a same virtual channel in each of the content interfaces.
US08935725B1
A method for enabling visual browsing of a plurality videos includes identifying a low frame rate version for each video from a plurality of videos using one or more computers, wherein the low frame rate version of each video from the plurality of videos is at a frame rate that provides a visually perceptible pause between successive visually distinct frames; and outputting information that defines a visual display, wherein the visual display presents a plurality of graphical representations each corresponding to a respective video from the plurality of videos, wherein each graphical representation from the plurality of graphical representations includes the low frame rate version of the respective video from the plurality of videos.
US08935717B2
A program blocking application that blocks programming for one or more possible users, based on various criteria associated with the program. A program word muting application that selectively mutes context specific words as a function of program specific criteria.
US08935715B2
An improved method of and system for participating in SMS-TV contests enables a user to utilize one or more applications to perform desired operations such as using the user interface to efficiently make selections to respond to a question in a contest, downloading SMS short codes, promoting contests within the application, storing a history of SMS-TV programs, enabling an alternate phone number to be submitted, utilizing user identification tags, disconnecting the application to receive an incoming call, verification, contacting a server to send an SMS message on the device's behalf and other operations. Some of the aforementioned operations are performed by the user specifically while others are automatically performed by a server to provide the user with the best service possible.
US08935714B2
A method including providing at least one of a television service or an Internet access service to a customer; generating predictive options pertaining to content delivered to the customer, wherein the predictive options correspond to possible future events that could occur with respect to the content; receiving a customer selection of one of the predictive options; determining whether the customer-selected predictive option matches an outcome with respect to the content; and assigning a score to the customer based on whether the selected predictive option successfully or unsuccessfully predicted the outcome.
US08935712B2
A broadcast receiver including a storage unit for storing viewing history data of a user; a display unit for displaying broadcasting program recommendation information including at least one piece of broadcasting program path information; and a processor for collecting the viewing history data by using received Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data, storing the viewing history data in the storage unit, generating the at least one piece of broadcasting program path information based on the viewing history data, displaying the at least one piece of broadcasting program path information on the display unit, and selecting a broadcasting program based on the at least one piece of broadcasting program path information.
US08935707B2
A system and method for providing a message bus component or version thereof (referred to herein as an implementation), and a messaging application program interface, for use in an enterprise data center, middleware machine system, or similar environment that includes a plurality of processor nodes together with a high-performance communication fabric (or communication mechanism) such as InfiniBand. In accordance with an embodiment, the messaging application program interface enables features such as asynchronous messaging, low latency, and high data throughput, and supports the use of in-memory data grid, application server, and other middleware components.
US08935698B2
Threads of a computing environment are managed to improve system performance. Threads are migrated between processors to take advantage of single thread processing mode, when possible. As an example, inactive threads are migrated from one or more processors, potentially freeing-up one or more processors to execute an active thread. Active threads are migrated from one processor to another to transform multiple threading mode processors to single thread mode processors.
US08935697B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assigning power management classifications to a process, transitioning a computing environment into a connected standby state based upon power management classifications assigned to processes, and transitioning the computing environment from the connected standby state to an execution state. That is, power management classifications, such as exempt, throttle, and/or suspend, may be assigned to processes based upon various factors, such as whether a process provides desired functionality and/or whether the process provides functionality relied upon for basic operation of the computing environment. In this way, the computing environment may be transitioned into a low power connected standby state that may continue executing desired functionality, while reducing power consumption by suspending and/or throttling other functionality. Because some functionality may still execute, the computing environment may transition into the execution state in a responsive manner to quickly provide a user with up-to-date information.
US08935694B2
A hypervisor and one or more programs, e.g., guest operating systems and/or user processes or applications hosted by the hypervisor to configured to selectively save and restore the state of branch prediction logic through separate hypervisor-mode and guest-mode and/or user-mode instructions. By doing so, different branch prediction strategies may be employed for different operating systems and user applications hosted thereby to provide finer grained optimization of the branch prediction logic.
US08935690B2
A method for installing an application according to an exemplary embodiment downloads an application purchased by a client and installs the application in a terminal in an asynchronous manner. The method includes transmitting a request to download at least one application to the server, downloading an application from the server in response to the request to download at least one application and storing the downloaded application, and installing the stored application in the terminal in an order of completion of downloading of the application.
US08935683B2
In general, techniques are described for performing a form of inline dead code elimination. An apparatus comprising a storage unit and a processor may implement these techniques. The storage unit stores two source files and a destination file. The processor copies a first one of the source files to the destination file. This first source file includes a reference to a portion of a second one of the source files. The processor then evaluates the destination file to determine whether the portion of the second source file referenced in the first source file is used by the destination file. Based on the determination that the portion of the second source file referenced in the first source file is used by the destination file, the processor selectively copies the portion of the second source file to the destination file to generate an updated destination file.
US08935682B2
A device initiates a technical computing environment (TCE), and receives, via the TCE, a program command that permits the TCE to access a graphical processing unit that is remote to the device, where the program command permits the TCE to seamlessly transfer data to the remote GPU. The device transforms, via the TCE, the program command into a program command that is executable by the remote GPU, and provides the transformed program command to the remote GPU for execution. The device also receives, from the remote GPU, one or more results associated with execution of the transformed program command by the remote GPU, and utilizes the one or more results via the TCE.
US08935681B2
A method comprising encrypting an original plain text file and making it available to a user as a protected file, and issuing to said user a user program and a user license to enable said user to decrypt the protected file and view an image of the original file while preventing the image of the original file from being copied to any file, other than as a further protected file. The image is preferably stored in a memory not backed up to the computer swap file. Preferably, the user program comprises an editor program and the user saves editorial changes to the original image in an encrypted difference file, separate from the original file. Both files are then used to re-create the edited image using the editor program and user license. The user program may comprise any computer tool including compilers. Alternatively, the user program comprises a special editor program incorporating an obfuscator which generates obfuscated code from the image generated by the editor program, so that this is only intelligible to a compiler or similar tool capable of converting the obfuscated code to an object file.
US08935680B2
Systems for program analysis include a high-level scanning tool configured to perform a high-level analysis on a program using a processor to generate one or more high-level findings; one or more low-level scanning tools, each configured to perform a low-level analysis on the program using a processor to generate a low-level finding; and a mapping module configured to map the one or more low-level findings to the high-level findings to generate a concise combination report that categorizes each finding according to the highest-level analysis that produces the finding.
US08935678B2
Methods and an apparatus to form a resilient objective instruction construct are provided. An example method obtains a source instruction construct and forms a resilient objective instruction construct by compiling one or more resilient transactions.
US08935670B2
Embodiments of the present invention may provide “undo” (e.g., rollback) features, along with data management simplification features, to an update package model of software suite development/evolution. New functions, which may have disruption effects for customers, may be installed into the core configuration data with inactive switches. Upon activation, a switch status may change, and a query filter may use the activated function (e.g., as associated with the switch ID). Original functions may be maintained, giving the user the ability to deactivate an activated function, and thereby reverting the system back to the prior configuration status.
US08935660B2
An expression editor system allows a user to build an expression specifying an action that may occur during execution of a target application. The expression editor system includes an expression editor tool used to create, manage, and store action point definitions that include an action point identifier that specifies an action point located in target application program code. The expression editor system determines from the action point definition a dataset that is in-context at the action point in the application program code, obtains data field selections from the dataset that is in-context at the action point in the application program code, graphically builds an expression, and an outcome that executes depending the expression, links the outcome and the expression to form an action point rule for the action point, and saves the action point rule in the database for execution when the application program code reaches the action point.
US08935654B2
A requirements testing system facilitates the review and analysis of requirement statements for software applications. The requirements testing system generates test artifacts from the requirement statements. The test artifacts characterize the requirements statements to provide valuable analysis information that aids understanding whether the requirement statements are testable, what the intentions of the requirement statements are, and other useful analysis information. Because the system generates the analysis information from the requirement statements, the system provides benefits in terms of early feedback along the software application development timeline.
US08935650B2
A method for designing a system to be implemented on a target device includes generating bounding boxes on the target device for nets in the system where a bounding box identifies routing resources available for routing its corresponding net. The nets in the system are assigned to a plurality of threads to be routed. The threads are executed so that a plurality of the nets are routed in parallel within their corresponding bounding box.
US08935642B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a method includes partitioning an integrated circuit design into a hierarchy of a top level and a plurality of partitions, wherein the top level includes a top level netlist and each partition includes a partition netlist; receiving data path timing budgets and clock path timing budgets for each of the plurality of partitions of the integrated circuit design; and generating a timing budget model of each partition in response to the respective data path timing budgets and clock path timing budgets, wherein each timing budget model includes an intra-partition clock timing constraint for each respective partition for independent implementation of the top level.
US08935633B2
A meeting controller provides controlled access to the use of an electronic device by sending a meeting request to at least one invitee, wherein the meeting request specifies access rights to use only at least one particular feature of multiple features of an electronic device accessible to the invitee during a scheduled time for the meeting. In response to the invitee accepting the meeting request, the electronic device is automatically configured to only provide access to the at least one particular feature allowed in the access rights specified in the accepted meeting request and during the scheduled time for the meeting, the invitee is only allowed use of the particular feature of the electronic device.
US08935632B2
A method and an apparatus for operating a user interface, and a recording medium using the same are provided. First, a plurality of user interfaces is provided and one of them is displayed on a touch screen of a portable electronic device. Then, the touch screen is used for detecting a touch signal. When the touch signal is moved toward a first direction, the currently displayed user interface is switched to another one. When the touch signal is moved toward a second direction, an item of the currently displayed user interface is switched to another item. Accordingly, a more intuitive and convenient manner for operating the user interface is provided for the user.
US08935629B2
Systems and methods for enabling users to rapidly flip through displayed pages of content in an intuitive manner are provided. Graphical animations for transitioning from one page to another can be executed so that portions of three or more pages can be simultaneously viewed. This enables a user to make snap judgments as to whether she wishes to explore any one of those pages in more detail as she rapidly flips through the pages.
US08935626B2
A handheld electronic device and a method for switching a user interface thereof are provided. The present method is suitable for a handheld electronic device having a first part and a second part. The first part comprises a screen, and the second part is slidingly disposed below the first part along a specific path. A part type of the second part is detected when the second part is slid out along the specific path relative to the first part. Then, the user interface is switched and displayed on the screen according to the part type, wherein the displayed user interface is corresponding to application programs relative to the part type. As a result, convenience of executing application programs on the handheld electronic device can be improved.
US08935624B2
An apparatus for copying image data between computer applications running under at least one operating system, the apparatus comprising: a selector, operable by a user, for selecting an object from a computer application, and an image data importer, associated with the selector, and configured to automatically import image data of the selected object into a predetermined target computer application, upon the selecting.
US08935622B2
An approach is provided in which a user selection is received with the selection being a number data elements with each of the selected data elements being displayed in a Web browser software application. A first set of functions that apply to the selected data elements is identified and the identified first set of functions is applied to the selected data elements. The result is a set of resulting values which are displayed a window that appears on the display screen. If the user has selected numeric data then numeric functions are applied to the data, however if the user has selected date-type data then date functions are applied to the data.
US08935619B2
A context sensitive slider content area provides a slide out mechanism that is automatically actuated when additional information is needed during a chat session between an agent and a visitor, e.g. where a pre-chat and/or exit form is to be completed. The context sensitive slide out content area also provides problem resolution information to the visitor to help in solving problems, e.g. the top five problems; and also provides a self-service step-by-step wizard. A history section is provided with which the visitor can track back all previous steps carried out within the smart client. A history bar provides an iconic representation of all previous activities. A technique is also disclosed for executing various actions, such as form filling or requests for additional services, in a chat session.
US08935611B2
Systems and methods for applying visual effects to video in a client/server or cloud-based system are described. Using a web browser, for example, users can apply and control both simple and sophisticated effects with dynamic real-time previews without downloading client-side software. Rendering and previewing of the effects is done on the server and rendered images can be sent in rapid succession to the client, allowing simple, real-time feedback and control. Other aspects of the technology are also described.
US08935604B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for incorporating user generated content into a web page are disclosed. In particular, embodiments of such systems and methods may incorporate user generated content into a web page such that the user generated content can be consumed by indexers associated with search engines in association with that web page. Additionally, embodiments may also provide a mechanism by which user generated content may be received and included in a web page when that web page is rendered. Using embodiments as disclosed herein user generated content may be exposed to a search engine indexer in a web page while still providing a mechanism for incorporating the freshest user generated content in such a web page. Embodiments may also improve the ability of search engines or search engine indexers to determine the site of origin for such user content.
US08935571B2
Described herein are systems and methods related to a plug-in for a visual tool as a real-time knowledge transfer agent between network outages. One embodiment relates to a method comprises retrieving current outage data related to a current operation of a network, retrieving historical outage data related to a prior operation of the network, correlating the current outage data with the historical outage data, and constructing a resolution process plan for repairing a current outage based on correlations between the current outage data and the historical outage data.
US08935566B2
A plug-in card storage device includes a plug-in card including a memory to store received input data and an error correction circuit to be equipped electrically connectable to the memory and to correct an error in the input data outputted from the memory; a device main body to have the plug-in card implemented therein; and a processor to determine whether or not to activate the error correction circuit, by calculating a reliability index value of the plug-in card based on an error rate of the memory provided in the plug-in card implemented in the device main body, so as to approximate the reliability index value to a reference value.
US08935554B2
An opening/closing detection unit detects a transition of an electronic device from an open state to a closed state or from the closed state to the open state. An electrical-power control unit sets an operation mode of an application processing unit that executes an application. When a transition from the open state to the closed state is detected while a hold switch is in an OFF state, the electrical-power control unit switches an operation mode of an application processing unit from a normal mode to a sleep mode. On the other hand, when a transition from the open state to the closed state is detected while the hold switch is in an ON state, the electrical-power control unit does not switch the operation mode of the application processing unit from the normal mode to the sleep mode.
US08935553B2
A semiconductor device 1 includes a clock generation circuit 15 that changes a frequency of an output clock signal according to a control signal div, an arithmetic circuit (e.g., CPU0) that operates according to the clock signal, a storage circuit (e.g., IC0) that is activated according to access from the arithmetic circuit CPU0, a memory access detection unit 12 that detects a number of accesses from the arithmetic circuit CPU0 to the storage circuit IC0, and when the number of accesses increases, outputs a request signal (e.g., psreq1), and a clock control circuit 14 that generates the control signal div for lowering the frequency of the clock signal according to the request signal psreq1.
US08935547B2
A method and apparatus for user activity-based dynamic power management and policy creation for mobile platforms are described. In one embodiment, the method includes the monitoring of one or more sensor values of a mobile platform device to gather sensor activity data. Once the sensor activity data is gathered, the user state may be predicted according to the gathered user activity and an updated user state model. In one embodiment, the user state model is updated according to the sensor activity data. In one embodiment, a switch occurs from the present power management policy to a new power management policy if the new user state differs from a present user state by a predetermined amount. In one embodiment, at least one time-out parameter of a selected power management policy may be adjusted to comply with a predicted user state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08935542B2
Aspects of a method and system for a connector with integrated power over Ethernet functionality are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits and/or processors that reside within and/or on a connector may be operable to manage a supply power that is delivered over a cable based on characteristics of the connector and/or characteristics of the cable. The cable may carry the supply power while concurrently carrying data communications. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to source and sink the supply power. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to control which one or more conductors of the cable are utilized for conveying the supply power.
US08935539B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, computer readable media and special purpose processors for obfuscating code. The method includes extracting an operation within program code, selecting a formula to perform the equivalent computation as the extracted operation, and replacing the extracted operation with the selected formula. The formula can be selected randomly or deterministically. The extracted operation can be an arithmetic operation or a Boolean operation.
US08935537B2
A storage device partitions data from a host into multiple partitioned data and distributes, encrypts and stores them together with a parity in multiple memory mediums. This storage device executes processing of restoring the partitioned data or the parity stored in a memory medium subjectable to encryption re-key based on decrypted data of the partitioned data or the parity stored in each memory medium other than the memory medium subjectable to encryption re-key among the multiple memory mediums, storing the restored partitioned data or the parity in a backup memory medium while encrypting the restored partitioned data or the parity with a new encryption key, and thereafter interchanging the backup memory medium and the memory medium subjectable to encryption re-key so that the backup memory medium will be a memory medium configuring the parity group and the memory medium subjectable to encryption re-key will be the backup memory medium.
US08935533B2
A new approach for a transport protocol for sensor data collection, such as a smart grid is described. In one embodiment of the invention, each server avoids keeping security and communication state per client through the notion of a secure “state-token”. The state token is issued with each server message and is subsequently attached to corresponding client messages delivered to the server. An implementation is provided in which the server encrypts and authenticates the associated session state, and then gives the resulting encryption for the client to temporarily store and return to the server with a next message. In this way, a server does not keep session state after sending the encryption back to a client and can quickly restore session state when the next message from the client arrives.
US08935528B2
Techniques are described for ensuring data integrity and authentication of received messages. One technique includes sending a request from a first module to a second module in which the request includes a first portion that is a shared secret encrypted with a public key, obtaining by the second module a private key from a secure and trusted information store, such as a license information store, including license information or other application specific information for the first module, using the private key to decrypt the first portion and obtain the shared secret, sending a response from the second module to the first module in which the response includes authentication data and at least one data item used with the shared secret to determine the authentication data, and performing by the first module verification processing to verify the authentication data included in the response.
US08935526B2
Systems, methods, and software for providing digital security to a child message transmitted from a mobile device to a messaging server, where the mobile device typically does not transmit the parent message with the child message to the messaging server. Whether to apply digital security, such as encryption or a digital signature, or both, is determined, and if the mobile device does not include a complete copy of a parent message for insertion into the child message, the mobile device selectively downloads the parent message from the messaging server prior to the computation of a digital signature or prior to encryption. The systems and methods may also provide a check of the child message size, when the child message includes inserted parent content, to ensure that the child message does not exceed any prescribed limits on message size.
US08935519B2
An apparatus and method control booting in a mobile device with a built-in communication module to prevent a service user from using the mobile device for other purposes and to prevent the service user from subscribing to another service provider. A method includes determining, during a booting operation, whether the communication module is mounted with a USIM. A forced booting termination message is displayed if the communication module is not mounted with the USIM. And power supply is interrupted after a predetermined time from displaying the forced booting termination message.
US08935515B2
A processor that can execute instructions in either scalar mode or vector mode. In scalar mode, instructions are executed once per fetch. In vector mode, instructions are executed multiple times per fetch. In vector mode, the processor recognizes scalar variables and vector variables. Scalar variables may be assigned a fixed memory location. Vector variables use different physical locations at different iterations of the same instruction. The processor includes circuitry to automatically index addresses of vector variables for each iteration of the same instruction. This circuitry partitions a register into a vector region and a scalar region. Accesses to the vector region are automatically indexed based on the number of iterations of the instruction that have been performed.
US08935512B2
It is possible to increase the processor instruction set design job efficiency and reduce workload on designers in investigation of an instruction set. An instruction operation code generation system includes an operation code bit width decision means, an instruction sorting means, and an operation code value decision means. The operation code bit width decision means decides a bit width that can be assigned for an operation code of each instruction according to specification data associated with a processor instruction set. The instruction sorting means sorts the instructions according to the operation code bit width. The operation code value decision means decides the value of the operation code of each instruction.
US08935510B2
For flexibly setting up an execution environment according to contents of processing to be executed while taking stability or a security level into consideration, the multiple processor system includes the execution environment main control unit 10 which determines CPU assignment at the time of deciding CPU assignment, the execution environment sub control unit 20 which controls starting, stopping and switching of an execution environment according to an instruction from the execution environment main control unit 10 to synchronize with the execution environment main control unit 10, and the execution environment management unit 30 which receives input of management information or reference refusal information of shared resources for each CPU 4 or each execution environment 100 to separate the execution environment main control unit 10 from the execution environment sub control units 20a through 20n, or the execution environment sub control units 20a through 20n from each other.
US08935499B2
A computational device receives a request to copy a source logical block of a thin provisioned source logical unit to a target logical block of a thin provisioned target logical unit, wherein in thin provisioned logical units physical storage space is allocated in response to a write operation being performed but not during creation of the thin provisioned logical units. The computational device generates metadata that stores a correspondence between the source logical block and the target logical block, while avoiding allocating any physical storage space for the target logical block in the thin provisioned target logical unit.
US08935490B1
Providing quality of service levels to a plurality of sources that perform access requests to a disk resource includes providing a disk resource queue containing access requests for the disk resource, providing a source queue for each of the sources containing access requests generated by a corresponding one of the sources, determining if a new access request from a particular source is urgent according to a specified number of I/O operations per second for the particular source and a time since a previous access request from the particular source, adding the new access request to the disk resource queue if the new access request is urgent, and adding the new access request the source queue of the particular source if the new access request is not urgent and the length of the disk resource queue is greater than a predetermined queue depth value.
US08935488B2
A storage system is provided with storage devices that are basis of a pool and a primary volume and a controller that is coupled to the plurality of storage devices and a host computer and that is provided with a cache region. In a case that a write request specifies a secondary volume storing a snapshot of a primary volume the write data is stored in a first cache sub region of the cache region and a response to the write request is transmitted to the host computer. In the case in which a page in the pool is unallocated to a virtual region of a write destination of the write data, a page is allocated to the virtual region, and write data is stored in the first cache sub region into the allocated page.
US08935486B2
Memory access in a digital signal processing system is described. In one example, the digital signal processing system comprises a multi-port memory that is constructed from a memory interface connected to a number of single-port memory devices. The memory interface provides access ports that processors can use to access data stored on the single-port memory devices using a single address space. A processor can be connected to several access ports, and use these to request access to data at several different memory addresses at the same time. The digital signal processing system is configured such that the total number of single-port memory devices connected to the memory interface is a prime number greater than or equal to three. Because a prime number of memory devices are used, the likelihood of the data for the different memory addresses being on the same single-port memory device is minimised, increasing memory access speed.
US08935477B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for managing caching of extents of tracks in a first cache, second cache and storage device. A determination is made of an eligible track in a first cache eligible for demotion to a second cache, wherein the tracks are stored in extents configured in a storage device, wherein each extent is comprised of a plurality of tracks. A determination is made of an extent including the eligible track and whether second cache caching for the determined extent is enabled or disabled. The eligible track is demoted from the first cache to the second cache in response to determining that the second cache caching for the determined extent is enabled. Selection is made not to demote the eligible track in response to determining that the second cache caching for the determined extent is disabled.
US08935470B1
A method of an aspect includes determining to prune a filemark cache. The filemark cache has entries that each store filemark metadata for a different corresponding filemark of a plurality of open virtual tape files. The method also includes pruning the filemark cache by removing a portion of the entries of the filemark cache. Other methods, apparatus, and articles are also disclosed.
US08935469B2
Various embodiments for autonomic reclamation processing for tapes are provided. Instructions are received to perform reclamation processing on the formatted tape. Formatted tape is loaded into a tape drive for buffering active data during reclamation processing and consolidating all of the active data in capacity optimized manner on the same formatted tape. The formatted tape comprises metadata denoting active and inactive data blocks for files. The meta data of the formatted tape is read into a reclamation memory. The table is sorted and a starting block address is sorted. All active files ordered in the table starting at the starting block address are read into the reclamation memory. The files are written from the reclamation memory to the formatted tape from the starting block address and updating the table with new block addresses of the files. The meta data is updated with the updated table.
US08935463B1
An embodiment of the invention includes a storage subsystem having a storage central processing unit (SCPU) operable to receive and send a command to a host, the command requiring data computation, a compute engine coupled to the SCPU, and a bank of memory devices coupled to the SCPU and the compute engine and configured to store data required by the commands, wherein the SCPU or the compute engine are operable to perform computation of the data.
US08935459B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for heuristics associated with programming data in a non-volatile memory (“NVM”). One or more applications can generate information that notifies a system of the amounts of recoverable and unrecoverable new data that will be programmed to an NVM. Based on this information, the system can calculate the amount of new data that needs to be placed in a bulk mode instead of a SLC mode. By utilizing multi-modal modes of an NVM effectively, the system can improve overall performance and reduce the probability of unnecessary garbage collection.
US08935456B2
Memory of a database management system (DBMS) that is running in a virtual machine is managed using techniques that integrate DBMS memory management with virtual machine memory management. Because of the integration, the effectiveness of DBMS memory management is preserved even though the physical memory allocated to the virtual machine may change during runtime as a result of varying memory demands of other applications, e.g., instances of other virtual machines, running on the same host computer as the virtual machine.
US08935451B2
A detecting circuit includes a network interface, a switch, a baseboard management controller (BMC) having first and second signal pins, and a detecting unit. The first and second signal pins receive low level signals when the network line is disconnected from the network interface. The first signal pin receives a high level signal and the second signal pin receives a low level signal when the network line is connected to the network interface but the network card is malfunctioning. The first and second signal pins receive high level signals when the network line is connected to the network interface and the network card works normally.
US08935444B2
A method of controlling a plurality of external devices is performed on a computer which is set up with a plurality of remote control processes corresponding to the plurality of the external devices, and a management process for managing the remote control processes while communicating with the remote control processes. The management process is called to display icons corresponding to the remote control processes in a display field provided by the management process. Further, the management process acts when a specified operation is applied to one of the icons on the display field for sending a screen open instruction to one of the remote control processes corresponding to the icon to which the specified operation is applied. The remote control process which receives the screen open instruction is activated to display a control screen for use in remotely controlling the corresponding external device.
US08935421B2
A method, computer program product, and system for de-centralized stream processing is provided. The method may include providing a plurality of processing nodes each of said processing nodes configured to transmit and receive a stream of data. The method may further include adding one or more new processing nodes to the computing system. The method may also include determining a source node based upon, at least in part, an activation level being above or below a particular threshold. The method may additionally include, for each of the one or more added processing nodes, automatically determining an appropriate role, based upon, at least in part, a neighboring processing node.
US08935420B2
Various embodiments provide for the splitting of a notification message to a user, where the notification message enables at least one of interactivity and delivery of information associated with a media broadcast service. A first component of the notification message carries media content and is transmitted utilizing a file delivery protocol, such as FLUTE, HTTP, and OMA-PUSH. A second component of the notification message carries any synchronization information associated with the interactivity and the delivery of the information associated with the media broadcast service. The second component of the notification message can be transported in an RTP payload via RTP to allow for accurate synchronization of the notification message with a media stream of the media broadcast service containing the media content.
US08935418B2
An access system provides identity management and/or access management services for a network. An application program interface for the access system enables an application without a web agent front end to read and use contents of an existing encrypted cookie to bypass authentication and proceed to authorization. A web agent is a component (usually software, but can be hardware or a combination of hardware and software) that plugs into (or otherwise integrates with) a web server (or equivalent) in order to participate in providing access services.
US08935413B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a delivery status of a text message in a SIP response. In one embodiment, a text message system receives a SIP request from an entity in a packet-switched network, where the SIP request encapsulates a text message. The text message system determines a status for delivering the text message to a recipient, and generates a SIP response that includes a delivery status parameter for text messages. The text message system inserts the determined delivery status for the text message in the delivery status parameter of the SIP response, and transmits the SIP response to the entity over the packet-switched network.
US08935411B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for reducing the time required for connection setup including, but not limited to, the time required for connection setup for devices discovered utilizing a low energy technology. In the context of a method performed by a slave device to be discovered, an advertisement may be generated including an indication of a capability to perform a predefined type of connection setup for initiating wireless communications. The method also causes the advertisement to be transmitted and receives a response to the advertisement from another device including one or more parameters relating to the predefined type of connection setup. The method also supports the connection setup with the another device in accordance with the one or more parameters. Corresponding apparatus and computer program products as employed by both master and slave devices are also provided.
US08935410B2
Methods and systems of conducting co-browsing sessions may involve joining a co-browsing session with another peer device, receiving a plurality of web requests in a particular sequence from a macro, and transmitting the plurality of web requests in the particular sequence to a server associated with the co-browsing session. In one example, the particular sequence defines a navigation path to a requested resource.
US08935407B2
IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing supplemental content to a user of a communication device during registration. When a communication device attempts to register with an IMS network, the IMS network receives a register request message from the communication device, and processes the register request message to register the communication device. The IMS network also identifies supplemental content to provide to the communication device, such as account information, weather content, news, location information, advertisements, etc. The IMS network generates a register response message, and embeds or otherwise includes the supplemental content in the register response message. The IMS network then transmits the register response message to the communication device. Responsive to receiving the register response message, the communication device identifies the supplemental content in the register response message, and provides the supplemental content to the user.
US08935391B2
A method includes receiving a trigger event at a customer premise equipment management system from a service provider system. The trigger event includes a request for retrieval of customer premise equipment data from at least one customer premise equipment device. The method includes issuing, from the customer premise equipment management system, a customer premise equipment data request to the at least one customer premise equipment device in response to receiving the trigger event. Each customer premise equipment data request includes a customer premise equipment access certificate to gain access to particular customer premise equipment data. The method also includes receiving, at the customer premise equipment management system, the requested customer premise equipment data.
US08935382B2
A flexible logging system is described herein that operates with a web server to provide activity logging in a way that is customizable to include a variety of data fields, can capture both client and server log information to a single location, and can provide data to an analysis engine directly to provide near real-time reporting. The system captures events within the web server as they occur and can provide reporting before the final response occurs. During request processing in the web server, server extension modules raise log events whenever an event occurs. The system matches the received data to a log definition and writes the data to any log that matches. Thus, the flexible logging system provides a rich, flexible, and fast platform for content providers and administrators to get a real-time view of the state of requests to their web servers.
US08935372B2
A highly convenient data processing technique is provided.A mediation server includes: a project information acquiring unit which acquires information on a project from a project server and stores the acquired information in a project database, the project server managing the project in which a computational processing is divided into a plurality of tasks so as to have the plurality of tasks processed by a plurality of terminals; a project information transmitter which presents the information on the project to a terminal and which transmits, to the terminal, information necessary for the terminal to access a project server of a project that the terminal desires to participate in; and an execution status management unit which receives a notification indicating that the terminal having accessed the project server using the information has executed a task assigned from the project server and which stores an execution status in a terminal database.
US08935370B2
System and method for managing a plurality of web services. The system may include a registry with a description for at least one of the plurality of web services, wherein the description of the at least one web service may comprise a first endpoint for a first runtime condition and a second endpoint for a second runtime condition.
US08935366B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates integration of a distributed backup environment and a online backup environment. A super peer device can be designated from a set of peer devices. The super peer can distribute backup data amongst the set of peer devices based upon availability and storage capacity of the peer devices. In addition, the super peer can transfer portions of backup data from the set of peers to an online backup service.
US08935365B1
In an embodiment, a method includes configuring policy settings, storing the configured policy settings in a common document format and consuming the common document format to implement the configured policy settings. Policy settings are stored in a settings document having a common document format that defines how to implement policy operations on the policy settings, the policy operations including configuration, application, analysis, reporting and auditing. The settings document is processed to implement any of the policy operations.
US08935360B2
Techniques for metadata-driven dynamic content serving. Metadata content is stored as a source instance, the metadata content is to be utilized to provide dynamically-constructed pages of content. The metadata content is published to one or more runtime pods communicatively coupled to receive the metadata content. A request for content is received with a selected one of the one or more runtime pods. Content is provided in response to the request as a response with the selected runtime pod utilizing the metadata content published from the source instance.
US08935359B2
The insertion of content into media streams is provided. A media stream is monitored by a media server computer, the monitored media stream having at least one marker designating an associated insertion position within the media stream. A marker is selected to insert personalized social-awareness based content into the media stream. Social awareness information associated with a target of the monitored media stream is identified. The social awareness information is utilized to select personalized social-awareness based content. The personalized social-awareness based content is inserted into the monitored media stream at the corresponding insertion position associated with the selected marker to transform the media stream.
US08935345B2
The server 11 includes a recommendation email generation unit 72 that generates a recommendation email for recommending a recommended object to a plurality of second users based on recommendation information indicating that a first user recommends a specified recommended object to the plurality of second users, a recommendation email sending unit 73 that sends the recommendation email to the plurality of second users, a purchase email generation unit 74 that, when one of the plurality of second users applies for the recommended object indicated in the recommendation email and becomes an applicant for the recommended object, generates an application email containing application information indicating an application for the recommended object, and a purchase email sending unit 75 that sends the application email to the second users other than the applicant.
US08935340B2
An interactive system and method for controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions involving a plurality of users including controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, wherein said request includes data identifying the group of users, responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session, and transmitting messages to at least some members of the group. Each message has a message body including data providing access to the selected communications session and a destination address determined from data indicative of a given member of the group.
US08935329B2
Various systems, processes, and products may be used to manage the transmission and reception of messages. In particular implementations, a system, process, and product for managing message transmission and reception may include the ability to receive a plurality of messages to be transmitted over a communication network, wherein some of the messages have a higher priority and some of the messages have a lower priority, and enqueue descriptors for the messages in a direct memory access queue. The system, process, and product may also include the ability to determine whether an overrun of the queue has occurred, analyze the queue if an overrun has occurred to determine if lower priority messages are associated with any of the descriptors in the queue, and replace, if descriptors for lower priority messages are in the queue, the descriptors for the lower priority messages with descriptors for higher priority messages.
US08935327B1
System, method, and computer program for interfacing assets of an entity with a social media service
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for interfacing assets of an entity with a social media service. In use, an entity containing one or more assets is identified. Additionally, a social media service is identified. Further, the one or more assets of the entity are interfaced with the social media service, such that actions performed with respect to the one or more assets of the entity are associated with the social media service, and actions performed with respect to the social media service are associated with the one or more assets of the entity.
US08935324B2
An apparatus and a method for automatically accessing a relevant group when determining that message inform information is transmitted from the relevant group in order to determine that the message is generated from the relevant group without accessing the relevant group are provided. The apparatus includes a group service server and a mobile terminal. The group service server generates message inform information informing of presence of a message which a user, registered in a relevant group, desires to transfer to all users registered in the relevant group when transmitting a group message. When determining reception of the message inform information informing of presence of a message which the user registered in the relevant group desires to transfer to all of the users registered in the relevant group, the mobile terminal accesses the group which has transmitted the message, receives, and stores the relevant group message.
US08935323B2
A method, system and apparatus for an integrated blog in a collaborative environment. In this regard, the collaborative environment can include a named collaborative space and one or more collaborative components disposed in the named collaborative space. For instance, the collaborative components can include a discussion forum, a persistent chat, a shared calendar and a shared document library, to name a few. Importantly, a blogging application can be disposed in the named collaborative space as one of the collaborative components. To that end, the blogging application can be coupled to a collaborative blog internal to the collaborative environment.
US08935322B1
Methods and systems for background uploading of media files are presented that greatly improve efficiency and user-experience in creating media-based projects. In one embodiment, a user selects original media files at a user-device for an upload. The user-device first resizes the original files to resized files and uploads them to a server, and second the original files start uploading in a background computer process. The server then allows the user to create, edit, manipulate, and even finish building the project without having to wait for the original files to upload completely, during which time the user-device gives the user an illusionary impression of a completed upload, even while the original files are still uploading. Finally, the user-device completes the upload of the original files to the server, either while the user is editing the project, or after the user has completed editing the project using an upload widget.
US08935312B2
A method is disclosed that enables the monitoring of a diverse set of both real-time and non-real-time communication streams, as well as the aggregation of information related to those streams into a collective dialog. A server of the illustrative embodiment continually performs an aggregation of events that are related to media streams, applications, and presenter and participant actions, into a particular scope of communication. Index entries, which are indicia to events, are created by things that presenters and participants are doing already, such as posting a meeting agenda inviting participants, posting a presentation or document, transitioning from one slide or page to another, participants speaking alternately during a meeting or presentation, and so forth. The server uses the indicia to then perform processing across information flows associated with the communication streams.
US08935305B2
Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.
US08935304B2
A map corresponding to data blocks with overwritten compressed journal entries is configured. Weighted conditions for each of the overwritten compressed journal entries are calculated. The weighted conditions are arranged in the map from lowest to highest. One of the weighted conditions includes a biasing variable towards selecting data blocks having free space at an end of at least one associated record.
US08935302B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for data block usage information synchronization for a non-volatile storage volume. The method includes referencing first data block usage information for data blocks of a non-volatile storage volume managed by a storage manager. The first data block usage information is maintained by the storage manager. The method also includes synchronizing second data block usage information managed by a storage controller with the first data block usage information maintained by the storage manager. The storage manager maintains the first data block usage information separate from second data block usage information managed by the storage controller.
US08935299B2
Embodiments of the invention improve the ability of a social networking system to determine which types of data—hereinafter referred to as “fields”—are relevant to which types of user pages. Specifically, a social networking system assigns page types to different user pages, and likewise stores information on different types of fields. By analyzing the relationships of different pages and fields, the social networking system determines which types of fields are particularly well-suited for inclusion on different types of pages. Using the learned information about page types and field types, the social networking system can better aid page administrators in specifying data to add to their pages. For example, the social networking system can recommend to administrators the addition of certain types of fields or automatically add the fields. Further, the social networking system can specialize a search for social networking system data to field types.
US08935287B2
Extensive databases of well-annotated reports are important knowledge sources in medical workflows, such as in radiology. These are typically accessed by the healthcare professional looking for reports similar to a current case being evaluated. However, filling and maintaining such databases requires considerable effort. A system is provided for storing a candidate report, comprising a searcher configured to retrieve one or more queries from a query database; to retrieve the candidate report from a user input; to execute the one or more queries on the candidate report to determine the relevance of the candidate report, and to store the candidate report in the report database if the relevance exceeds a predetermined value. This provides a check, prior to storing, to evaluate whether a candidate report would actually be a worthwhile addition to the database. If not, it is by default not added.
US08935271B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a search query requesting first search results of a first object type. The search query includes an inner query requesting second search results of a second object type. The method includes accessing an inverted index of a data store corresponding to the second object type; retrieving the second search results requested by the inner query using the inverted index of the data store corresponding to the second object type; accessing a forward index of the data store corresponding to the second object type; retrieving the first search results requested by the search query using the second search results and the forward index of the data store corresponding to the second object type.
US08935267B2
A method of operating a tree structured database includes receiving a document, forming a top-down tree characterizing the document, generating pre-computed indices characterizing the document, combining subsets of the pre-computed indices to dynamically create a table of information characterizing the document, and resolving a structured query language query against the table to form collected data.
US08935265B2
A method, device and system for acquiring information related to annotations and the content of a document. Annotations are isolated from document content and are associated with portions of the content of the document. Annotations and content are used as a basis for a semantic search of a corpus of other documents. From the corpus, related information is extracted and presented or made available along side of or with the original content and annotations of the document. Each version of a document is stored and made accessible. Any of the versions of a document, with or without a current set of annotations, may be distributed to others for further review and annotation. Annotations are protected and associated with a level of privilege or rights. Annotations are trackable over time and location and are associated with a particular annotator.
US08935263B1
The disclosed embodiments provide a reputation system. The reputation system includes a scoring apparatus that provides a matrix of reputation scores for a set of items and a set of dimensions of the items in the reputation system, wherein the matrix comprises unknown values for a subset of the reputation scores. The reputation system also includes an inference apparatus that calculates a factorization of the matrix and uses the factorization to update the matrix with a set of inferred values for the set of reputation scores. Finally, the reputation system includes a ranking apparatus that uses the updated matrix to obtain a ranking of the items by one or more of the dimensions.
US08935262B2
A content and data analysis method for evaluating and improving a website, by accessing the website to be analyzed, analyzing the content and data associated with the website, scoring the website based on a multitude of criteria, and generating suggestions for improving the website.
US08935261B2
In one embodiment, a social-networking system accesses a social graph with a plurality of user nodes and a plurality of location nodes, receives a search query with location parameters, identifies a set of location nodes based on the search query, and determines a value for each location nodes in the set based on the edges connected to the location nodes in the social graph.
US08935241B2
A database has a plurality of elements, where each element is associated with a location and at least one set of different attribute values, wherein each set includes a timestamp when the attribute values in the set were determined. A determination is made of a reference geographical location, an element having a geographical location within a geographical region including the referenced geographical location, a most recent set of the attribute values for the element having a most recent timestamp, a previous set of attribute values for the determined element comprising the set of attribute values having a previous timestamp prior to the most recent timestamp, and whether a condition with respect to at least one of the most recent set of attribute values and the previous set of attribute values of the determined element is satisfied.
US08935233B2
A database table is provided. The database table includes several column tuples. A column is selected in the database table. The column tuples of the selected column are partitioned into several bins. Each bin includes a range of tuples and associated metadata. The associated metadata includes at least one of: a minimum tuple value for the tuples in the bin, a maximum tuple value for the tuples in the bin, a minimum tuple identifier for the bin and a maximum tuple identifier for the bin. The bins are sorted based on the tuple values to provide an approximate index for the database.
US08935225B2
A database is maintained that stores data persistently. Tasks are accepted from task sources. At least some of the tasks have competing requirements for use of regions of the database. Each of the regions includes data that is all either locked or not locked for writing at a given time. Each of the regions is associated with an available processor. For each of the tasks, jobs are defined each of which requires write access to regions that are to be accessed by no more than one of the processors. Jobs are distributed for concurrent execution by the associated processors.
US08935224B2
The present invention proposes a system for resending a process to a backup server farm from a client without waiting for the failure-detection, if no reply is received for a certain time. The transaction processing mechanism of the present invention has a transaction start processing mechanism in which an exclusive control using a valid processing authority token and data consistency are combined, and a commit processing mechanism in which determination on whether a commit is available or not based on a distributed agreement and replication of updated data. With the mechanisms, a system for shortening a service halt time when a failure occurs to a time as such it appears to a client that the service does not stop is provided.
US08935222B2
For optimizing a partition of a data block into matching and non-matching segments in data deduplication using a processor device in a computing environment, an optimal calculation operation is applied in polynomial time to the matching segments for selecting a globally optimal subset of a set of matching segments according to overhead considerations for minimizing an overall size of a deduplicated file by determining a trade off between a time complexity and a space complexity.
US08935217B2
A system and method for submission of digital assets to a digital asset submission system are disclosed. The digital asset submission system can manage submissions of digital assets to a network-based distribution system. Submission of digital assets to the digital asset submission system can be performed over a network in a controlled manner such that the digital assets can be validated prior to transmission of the digital assets to the digital asset submission system. Advantageously, digital assets to be submitted for distribution can be substantially validated before the digital assets are transmitted to the digital asset submission system.
US08935213B2
A method, a computer program product and a system are provided for archiving emails, where the email system includes at least one user mailbox configured to receive and store emails within the user mailbox and send emails from the user mailbox. User-specific metadata corresponding with emails received and sent by each user mailbox is collected. The collected user-specific metadata is analyzed to provide a predictive indication when and which emails will be archived for each user mailbox, and emails are archived for user mailboxes based upon the predictive indication for each user mailbox.
US08935197B2
Systems and methods (e.g., utilities) for use in providing automated, lightweight collection of online, open source data which may be content-based to reduce website source bias. In one aspect, a utility is disclosed for use in extracting content of interest from at least one website or other online data source (e.g., where the extracted content can be used in a subsequent search query). In other aspects, utilities are disclosed that are operable to perform various types of analyzes on such extracted content and present graphical representations of such analyzes on a display of a client device.
US08935192B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs, for a social search engine. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an answer to a question from an answerer; identifying an entity in the answer, in which the entity refers to a product, a service, a company, or a merchant; obtaining permission from the answerer to provide an interactive link for the entity in the answer to a resource from which the entity can be obtained; receiving a user submitted query and determining that the query is related to the entity; and responsive to determining, providing the answer, including the link to the resource, as part of search results that are responsive to the query.
US08935188B2
In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method and apparatus for classifying applications using the collective properties of network traffic. In one embodiment, a method for classifying traffic in a communication network includes receiving a traffic activity graph, the traffic activity graph comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of edges, where each of the nodes represents an endpoint associated with the communication network and each of the edges represents traffic between a corresponding pair of the nodes, generating an initial set of inferences as to an application class associated with each of the edges, based on at least one measured statistic related to at least one traffic flow in the communication network, and refining the initial set of inferences based on a spatial distribution of the traffic flows, to produce a final traffic activity graph.
US08935166B2
Some embodiments disclosed herein store a target application and a dictation application. The target application may be configured to receive input from a user. The dictation application interface may include a full overlay mode option, where in response to selection of the full overlay mode option, the dictation application interface is automatically sized and positioned over the target application interface to fully cover a text area of the target application interface to appear as if the dictation application interface is part of the target application interface. The dictation application may be further configured to receive an audio dictation from the user, convert the audio dictation into text, provide the text in the dictation application interface and in response to receiving a first user command to complete the dictation, automatically copy the text from the dictation application interface and inserting the text into the target application interface.
US08935158B2
Disclosed is a frame comparison apparatus and method for comparing frames included in an audio signal by using spectrum information. The frame comparison apparatus includes a spectrum information estimation apparatus for receiving an audio signal and estimating and outputting spectrum information for the respective frames included in the audio signal, an estimation operation option determiner for determining an estimation order of the spectrum information estimated from the spectrum information estimation apparatus, a frame comparison option determiner for determining a comparison order for the frames output from the spectrum information estimation apparatus, and a frame comparator for determining a comparison target frame which is a comparison target for a current frame included in the audio signal, comparing the spectrum information for the current frame with the spectrum information for the comparison target frame, and outputting a comparison result value.
US08935146B2
A simulation instructing unit instructs a simulation unit, which generates signal characteristics, to generate the signal characteristics. A characteristic value extracting unit extracts, from the signal characteristics, characteristic values for distinguishing between a signal characteristic generated by setting a first simulation parameter and a signal characteristic generated by a second simulation parameter. A simulation parameter determining unit determines a first mapping relationship from the characteristic values to the simulation parameters with the characteristic values obtained by setting a plurality of set values in the simulation parameters and with the set values.
US08935140B2
Fluid-flow simulation over a computer-generated surface is generated using inviscid and viscous simulations. A fluid-flow mesh of fluid cells is obtained. At least one inviscid fluid property for the fluid cells is determined using an inviscid fluid simulation that does not simulate fluid viscous effects. A set of intersecting fluid cells that intersects the surface are identified. A surface mesh polygon of the surface mesh is identified for each intersecting fluid cell. At least one boundary-layer fluid property for each identified surface mesh polygon is determined using the at least one inviscid fluid property of the corresponding intersecting fluid cell and a boundary-layer simulation that simulates fluid viscous effects.
US08935138B2
A method simulates a machining of a workpiece by a tool. The method populates a swept volume representing a motion of the tool in relation to the workpiece with a set of rays, and determines a volume removed from the workpiece by the swept volume based on intersections of at least some rays with the workpiece. A model of the workpiece is modified based on the removed volume.
US08935133B1
A computing device may be used to create a model that includes a block. The block may represent a function corresponding to a simulation. Measurement points may be inserted into the model. The model may be used to create a simulation, and the measurement points may be used to measure operational characteristics corresponding to the block.
US08935130B2
Methods for computer-aided design and visualization and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a BRep model and recognizing a plurality of notch or cliff blends in the BRep model. The method includes defining a chain of at least two of the plurality of notch blends. The method includes labeling the notch blends in the chain. The method includes storing the BRep model, including one or more of the recognized notch blends, the chain, and the labels of the notch blends.
US08935124B2
An electronic timing system is provided for timing of athletic events including a radio-frequency identification antenna, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag. The portable timing controller includes one or more radio-frequency identification readers, and a touch-panel computer electrically coupled to the one or more readers to manage data coming into the one or more readers. The controller further includes a first input/output device for exchanging data with the radio-frequency identification antenna, and a second input/output device for exchanging data with a remote server. The controller also may be powered by portable, user replaceable lithium-ion batteries. The radio-frequency identification timing tag is configured for attachment to an athlete. The timing tag and antenna are adapted for wirelessly communicating data between one another.
US08935109B2
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for preventing and detecting fuel theft from a fuel tank, the system comprising: a perforated casing (18), to be installed into the fuel inlet (28) of the fuel tank, the casing adapted to prevent a pipe from passing therethrough into the tank; a door (14), disposed at the opening (30) of the perforated casing, for blocking in the closed state thereof the inlet (30) to the fuel tank; a safety-catch mechanism, for retaining the door closed when the tank comprises more than a predefined quantity of fuel or to allow opening of the door just when the net is uplifted to the height of the top of the tank.
US08935104B2
Techniques are described for inspecting a web and controlling subsequent conversion of the web into one or more products. A system, for example, comprises an imaging device, an analysis computer and a conversion control system. The imaging device images the web to provide digital information. The analysis computer processes the digital information to identify regions on the web containing anomalies. The conversion control system subsequently analyzes the digital information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects for a plurality of different products. The web inspection system may preferentially apply different application-specific defect detection recipes depending on whether a given anomaly is a repeating or random anomaly.
US08935093B2
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for improving satellite navigation by assessing the dynamic state of a platform for a satellite navigation receiver and using this data to improve navigation models and satellite tracking algorithms. The dynamic state of the receiver platform may be assessed using only accelerometer data, and does not require inertial navigation system integration. The accelerometers may not need to be very accurate and may not need to be aligned and/or accurately calibrated.
US08935084B2
The present invention discloses a vehicle emission monitoring device and a method thereof. The method of the present invention comprises steps: obtaining an OBS instantaneous fuel consumption and a carbon dioxide emission from an on-board emission measurement system (OBS); working out an OBS fuel consumption-carbon dioxide emission relationship with a statistical method or a regression method; obtaining an OBD instantaneous fuel consumption from an on-board diagnostic (OBD) system; establishing an OBS-OBD fuel consumption relationship; and converting the OBD instantaneous fuel consumption into an carbon dioxide emission according to the OBS-OBD fuel consumption relationship and the OBS fuel consumption-carbon dioxide emission relationship.
US08935082B2
A system and method which detects and uses a point of contact between a vehicle's tire and the pavement as a reference point to improve the accuracy of vehicle speed detection in a motorized vehicle speed detection system. In one embodiment, a plurality of infrared images of a moving vehicle are received. Each of the images is separated in time by known intervals. The images are captured using an infrared camera which can be a single-band or multi-band camera which operates in an infrared wavelength band selected to enhance a contrast between the vehicle's tires and the road surface. For each image, a point of contact is determined where a same tire contacts the road surface. These points and the time interval separations are used to calculate the vehicle's speed. An alert signal is initiated to a traffic enforcement authority if the speed exceeds the road's speed limit.
US08935081B2
A system for a vehicle includes a first pressure module and a blockage indication module. The first pressure module receives a signal from a pressure sensor that measures pressure within a fuel vapor purge system. The first pressure module generates a first pressure based on the signal at a first time and generates a second pressure based on the signal at a second time. The second time is after the first time. The blockage indication module indicates whether a blockage is present in the fuel vapor purge system between the pressure sensor and a fuel tank based on a difference between the first and second pressures.
US08935073B2
A turbofan engine control system and method includes a core nacelle housing (12), a compressor and a turbine. A turbofan is arranged upstream from the core nacelle and is surrounded by a fan nacelle (34). A bypass flow path (39) is arranged downstream from the turbofan between the core and fan nacelles. The bypass flow path includes a nozzle exit area (40). A controller (50) detects at least one of a take-off condition and a landing condition. The controller changes effectively the nozzle exit area to achieve a thrust vector in response to the take-off and landing conditions.
US08935071B2
A method, for controlling direction of a vehicle as desired in connection with operation of an autonomous driving maneuver using selectively, independently and/or in combination, multiple electrical park brakes (EPBs) and multiple hydraulic brakes (HBs). The method includes determining a total brake force needed for redirecting the vehicle in a pre-determined manner, and determining whether an applicable EPB can provide the total brake force needed. The method further includes providing, if it is determined that the applicable EPB can provide the total brake force needed, a brake command instructing the applicable EPB to apply the total brake force. The method also includes determining, if it is determined that the EPB is alone insufficient, an optimal fusion of the EPBs and the HBs, including two front and two rear HBs, two rear EPBs, and in some embodiments, also two front EPBs.
US08935063B2
A dynamic threshold value when an engine, an automatic transmission and the like are in a transition state is calculated in accordance with a static threshold value determined based on a state where the engine, the automatic transmission and the like are stabilized. The engine and the automatic transmission are controlled in accordance with a result of comparison between target drive force or target engine torque and the dynamic threshold value.
US08935059B2
A system and a method for controlling a work machine. A plurality of sensor arrangements provide a respective output value. A data transmission network connects the sensor arrangements to a processor unit. The processor unit is operated to convert output values from the sensor arrangement into a standard data format on the basis of formatting data associated with the sensor arrangements and to amalgamate them to form a combined measured value. It is proposed that the processor unit be able to operate to obtain the formatting data via the transmission network.
US08935056B2
A windshield wiper device comprises a controller, a drive unit and a gear that transmits the movement of the drive unit to a wiper shaft. The controller comprises a comparison unit for determining whether the torque output by the drive unit exceeds the predetermined torque, wherein the predetermined torque depends on the position of the wiper shaft. The wind shield wiper device further comprises a reversing unit for reversing the direction of rotation of the drive unit depending on the result of the comparison unit.
US08935054B2
A monitoring system to control lift axles on a vehicle having a means for sensing vehicle speed and direction, a means for measuring the weight on the lift axles and fixed axles on the vehicle, and a control module for controlling one or more lift axles on the vehicle is provided. The control module comprises a receiver for receiving information from the sensing means and the measuring means, a processor, and output means for causing the lift axles to be lifted when the vehicle is moving in reverse. The processor causes or permits the lift axle to 1) lower when the vehicle moves forward for a programmable distance, 2) assume or maintain a lifted position when the vehicle is below a predetermined weight, 3) assume or maintain a lowered position when the vehicle carries over a predetermined weight, and 4) equalize weight between the lift axles and the fixed axles.
US08935043B2
A vehicle is provided with a vehicle system having an electric machine and a battery. The electric machine is configured to provide drive torque and the battery supplies power to the electric machine. The vehicle also includes a controller that is configured to generate output indicative of at least one of a battery power capability and a battery state of charge using a filter having a variable EKF gain factor based on battery temperature.
US08935041B2
A diagnostic method for a torsional vibration damper in a drive train of a vehicle may include the steps of providing a drive train having a drive unit (e.g., an internal combustion engine) for generating a driving torque, a drive shaft (e.g., a crankshaft) coupled to the drive unit for transmitting the driving torque to an output shaft, and a torsional vibration damper connected to the drive shaft for damping torsional vibrations of the drive shaft, capturing a reference vibration signal of the drive shaft in a reference state, capturing an operating vibration signal of the drive shaft in an operating state deviating from the reference state, and comparing the reference vibration signal to the operating vibration signal.
US08935038B2
A vibration analyzer with an integrated sensor and method are provided to sense a vibration in a component of a vehicle. The vibration analyzer includes a three-axis accelerometer, a controller, a connector, a wireless interface and a battery. The vibration analyzer receives vibration data and vehicle data and packages them together and transmits the packaged data to a remove device such as a scan tool. The vibration analyzer can be networked with the remote device or with another vibration analyzer.
US08935026B2
A vehicle control apparatus includes an electric motor, a source power supply circuit, an electric motor controller, a brake device, a brake controller, a stall determination device, a temperature detector, and a backward-rolling detector. The backward-rolling detector is configured to detect whether a vehicle is rolling backward. If rolling backward of the vehicle is detected by the backward-rolling detector while a brake torque instruction value is being generated, the brake torque instruction value is corrected so that the vehicle stops rolling backward.
US08935025B2
A method of providing an electrical charge to a vehicle traction battery using a power inverter module includes sensing a temperature of the power inverter module and sensing a temperature of the traction battery. From the sensed temperatures, an engine control unit may determine an expected voltage oscillation amplitude of the electrical charge. This amplitude may be used to calculate a maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge by subtracting the expected voltage oscillation amplitude from a maximum allowable voltage of the traction battery. The maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge may then be used to limit the available power provided to the traction battery by the power inverter module.
US08935024B2
According to one implementation of an engine system, a power device is selectively actuated to provide energy to a storage device. Energy from the storage device is selectively provided to a boost assist device to supplement the normal energy supply to a boost device and enable an increased power output of the engine in at least certain engine or vehicle operating conditions. In one form, the power device may be a source of electrical energy and the storage device is capable of storing an electrical charge. In another form, the power device is a fluid pump and the storage device is capable of storing pressurized fluid. Various methods may be employed to control operation of the power device and energy storage in the storage device.
US08935012B2
A collision determination apparatus to be mounted in a vehicle includes a wiring substrate, a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, and a central processing unit. The wiring substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite from each other. The first acceleration sensor is mounted on one of the first surface and the second surface. The second acceleration sensor is mounted on the other one of the first surface and the second surface in a state where the second acceleration sensor is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the first acceleration sensor. The analog-to-digital converter converts an analog signal from the first acceleration sensor or the second acceleration sensor to a digital signal. The central processing unit determines a collision by an arithmetic processing of the digital signal.
US08935010B1
This disclosure describes techniques for managing a power supply for hot-swappable components of a high-power networking device. According to these techniques, a high-power networking device includes a power distribution module (PDM). The PDM is receive a high-voltage, high-power supply input, generate supply plurality of high-power, reduced voltage supplies, and distribute the plurality of high-power reduced voltage supplies to a plurality of hot-swappable components of the high-power networking system via an intermediate distribution plane.
US08935007B2
An analyte testing device is provided for use with a mobile processing device having a camera with a lens, a processor for processing an image captured by the lens. The analyte testing device comprises a casing and a test strip positioner. The test strip positioner positions an analyte containing test strip adjacent to the camera lens to permit the camera to capture an image of the analyte containing test strip. A light source is disposed within the casing. The light source is positioned within the casing to illuminate the analyte containing test strip to facilitate the capture of the image of the test strip. Software is contained within the mobile processing device for performing a quantitative analysis of at least one analyte from the captured image, and providing an output of the results of the quantitative analysis.
US08934993B2
A life management circuit for managing usage rates of a plurality of electronic components includes a storage unit for storing usage information corresponding to each electronic component, a receiving unit, a determining unit and a control unit. Upon receipt of an activation command passed on thereto via the receiving unit, the control unit selects for activation, with reference to the usage information of the electronic components stored in the storage unit, at least one electronic component, the usage information corresponding to which reveals a usage rate that is comparatively lower among the electronic components, controls the determining unit to keep track of the duration of time that the selected at least one electronic component remains activated in response to the activation command, and updates the usage information corresponding to each of the selected at least one electronic component with reference to the duration of time tracked therefor.
US08934992B2
An electrode cuff includes a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion. The first elongate portion is configured to removably contact a length of a nerve while the second elongate portion extends outwardly at an angle relative to a first side edge of the first elongate portion to at least partially wrap about the nerve. The electrode cuff includes a first series of electrodes that is spaced apart longitudinally along the first elongate portion. A width of the second elongate portion is sized to fit between adjacent branches extending from a nerve.
US08934987B2
Devices, systems and methods for delivering and positioning an implantable medical device and for evaluating an acoustic communication link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a catheter adapted to contain an implantable device with a biosensor and an acoustic transducer configured to transmit an acoustic signal, and an implant assist device in acoustic communication with the implantable device via an acoustic communication link. The implant assist device includes an acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the implantable medical device, and control/processing circuitry configured to evaluate a performance of the acoustic link.
US08934983B2
The present invention is a system for mapping a high resolution image to a lower resolution electrode array and, by applying varying stimulus to neighboring electrodes, creating a perceived image greater in resolution than the electrode array. The invention is applicable to a wide range of neural stimulation devices including artificial vision and artificial hearing. By applying a sub-threshold stimulus to two neighboring electrodes where the sum of the stimuli is above the threshold of perception, a perception is created in neural tissue between the two electrodes. By adjusting the stimulus on neighboring electrodes, the location of stimulation can be altered. Further, noise can be applied to the stimulating electrode or its neighboring electrodes to reduce the threshold of stimulation.
US08934977B2
Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.
US08934976B2
Feedback systems and methods enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments by presenting feedback regarding patients' actual eating. An ingestion restricting implant body can be deployed along the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, ingestion alters the implant body, which, in turn, generates signals. The generated signals can be used to inhibit unhealthy ingestion by the patient. In other embodiments, the implant body can be altered by signals so as to selectable change the restriction imposed on the gastrointestinal tract, optionally in response to ingestion events, an eating schedule, or the like. The implant body may comprise a gastric band. Sensor signals may be processed to identify ingestion and/or characterize ingestion material, and the results may be displayed on a screen for a patient or coach to view.
US08934975B2
Apparatus (18) for treating a human patient, which includes one or more electrode contact surfaces (100), which are configured to be applied to a fundus (22) of the patient. A control unit (90) is configured to drive the one or more electrode contact surfaces (100) to apply an electrical signal to the fundus (22) that chronically improves a blood glucose level of the patient, in order to treat the patient, without calculating an impedance of tissue of the fundus (22) based on a sensed parameter that varies in response to the electrical signal, for detecting eating by the patient or a characteristic of food eaten by the patient. Other embodiments are also described.
US08934963B1
Method and apparatus for monitoring arrythmogenic effects of medications using an implantable device
An implantable device and method for monitoring changes in the risk of arrhythmia induced by medications. The implantable device monitors risk of arrhythmia by analyzing an aspect of T-wave morphology to generate a metric of transmural dispersion of repolarization (“TDR”) as a proxy for the risk of arrhythmia. The implantable device generates an index of change in the risk of arrhythmia by comparing values of the metric of TDR obtained for different time periods. The implantable device generates a warning if the change in risk of arrhythmia is outside acceptable limits. The implantable device can also communicate with other devices to correlate changes in risk of arrhythmia with medications taken by the patient.
