Document	Document Title
US07669815B2	Dual release locking system for a sign supporting stand A dual release locking system for locking and unlocking the foldable leg members of a sign supporting stand. For deployment, a locking pin can be retracted by the stepping action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand. Consequently, this same pin can be retracted for retrieval by a kicking action of a worker's foot or pulled by hand.
US07669812B2	Stand for display device A stand for a display device that adjusts the height and tilt of the display device in a variety of ways to increase user convenience is provided. The stand includes a sliding portion, a supporting portion, and a base. The sliding portion extends toward a rear surface of the display device. The supporting portion slidably supports the sliding portion. The base extends the supporting portion upward. The sliding portion and the supporting portion are formed to extend in mutually different directions.
US07669802B2	Space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system A space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system and method of using same is provided. The space based orbital kinetic energy weapon system includes a satellite having a control system configured to maintain an orbit in outer space around the earth and to deorbit the satellite on a desired trajectory corresponding to an earth based target upon a command, and a projectile object operably connected to the satellite. The projectile object includes a dense mass and a heat shield operably surrounding the mass such that at least a portion of the mass survives reentry into the earth's atmosphere and strikes the earth based target delivering its kinetic energy.
US07669798B2	Airplane protected against projections of tire debris The tires that equip airplane wheels have elastomer treads from which a piece may detach and damage a zone of the airplane. Shredding means, situated between wheel and another part of the airplane, shred the piece of tread, which detaches from the tire and is projected onto the other part of the airplane, into several small pieces. These shredding means, such as a grid with blades that can cut the tread material, are arranged so as to disperse the pieces. A process reinforces the tolerance of an airplane to impacts of a detached piece of the tread, by shredding the piece into several small pieces between the instant when the piece is detached and the instant when the piece would have struck airplane.
US07669797B2	Boarding ramp device for aircraft A foldable boarding ramp is operatively connected to a door opening provided in a body and is selectively extendable to the ground. The foldable boarding ramp is stored in a folded state inside a fairing covering a connecting portion between the body and a main wing. Thus, a reduction in the space of a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment due to the storage of the folded boarding ramp is prevented. In addition, an increase in air resistance can be suppressed without providing a dedicated fairing for covering the boarding ramp. Further, an interlocking member connects together a door for opening and closing the door opening and the boarding ramp when the door is opened. The boarding ramp may be automatically deployed to improve convenience.
US07669793B2	Food cutting device A food cutting device has a bowl, two cutting blades supported in the bowl for rotation relative to each other, and a drive mechanism supported by the bowl for rotating the cutting blades to cut food in the bowl. The cutting blades are rotatable in opposite directions relative to each other to perform a scissors-like cutting action.
US07669787B2	Wash wand combination for dispensing fluid and air The present invention teaches a car wash wand having a fan mounted thereon which allows the wash wand user to blow the vehicle dry using the same lightweight hand carried device used to wash the car. The fan may be powered by the pressurized water flowing through the wash wand, which may be diverted to a turbine chamber to power the turbine, which in turn provides mechanical power to turn the fan. The wash wand may also have selection devices allowing at least two modes of operation: water coming out versus air coming out, and optionally a third mode of operation in which nothing comes out.
US07669784B2	Agricultural sprayer implement An agricultural sprayer implement which includes a wheeled main body and a cantilevered boom. The cantilevered boom has a plurality of sections which fold with respect to one another and place significant torsional stress on one or more of the boom sections. The interior boom sections have a cylindrical tube as a lower member and preferably a square tube as an upper member with a plurality of braces extending between them. The cylindrical tube resists the torsional stress which is maximized during folding of the boom. The square tube resists particularly an upward/downward bending moment.
US07669783B2	Metering valve with a hydraulic transmission element The invention relates to an injection valve which has a piezo actuator that is functionally connected to a nozzle needle by a hydraulic transmission device. The hydraulic transmission device is connected to a pressure reservoir by a sealing gap so that the pressure differences between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic chamber of the hydraulic transmission device are compensated in the long term.
US07669781B2	Drinking straw comprising a reinforced section A drinking straw with a wall having a first and a second end, wherein the drinking straw comprises a reinforced section at its first and/or second end. A method for producing a drinking straw is also provided.
US07669778B2	Auto creeper tread An auto creeper tread has the following features: three or four rows of circular holes disposed in an orderly manner on a skid-proof pad, wherein, the edge of each of the circular holes protrudes outwards; two rows of rectangular holes disposed on two sides of the skid-proof pad; two protruding reinforcing grooves disposed in the middle of the skid-proof pad; a row of small circular holes disposed on each of the two ends of the skid-proof pad; a track connected to the skid-proof pad by rivets; and a tire lock connected to one end of the track with a clamping plate. The auto creeper tread is designed to provide anti-sink and anti-skid solutions for automobiles.
US07669774B2	Method for producing indicators and processing apparatus and system utilizing the indicators The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.
US07669773B2	IC card module To realize compatibility with an SIM card and adaptation to a high-speed memory access in an IC card module having a microcomputer and a memory card controller. An IC card module includes a plurality of first external connecting terminals and a plurality of second external connecting terminals both exposed to one surface of a card substrate, a microcomputer connected to the first external connecting terminals, a memory controller connected to the second external connecting terminals, and a volatile memory connected to the memory controller. The shape of the card substrate and the layout of the first external connecting terminals are based on a standard of plug-in UICC of ETSI TS 102 221 V4.4.0 (2001-10) or have compatibility. The second external connecting terminals are disposed outside the minimum range of the terminal layout based on the standard for the first external connecting terminals. The first and second external connecting terminals respectively include signal terminals electrically separated from one another.
US07669772B2	Method and system using a bitmap for passing contactless payment card transaction variables in standardized data formats An electronic payment system is configured to process both proximity payment card type and magnetic stripe card type transactions. The magnetic stripe card transaction data is communicated between cards, readers, and transactions authorizing or approving parties in common industry ISO 7811 standard data structures or tracks. The proximity payment card transaction data such a dynamic authentication codes are placed in unused space in the same standard formatted data structures. The availability of unused space varies with card issuer or vendor. An issuer-specific bitmap provides an index to the available space in discretionary data fields in magnetic stripe tracks. The bitmap also is stored in the card's discretionary data field.
US07669765B2	RFID switching Various method and apparatus embodiments involving RFID switching are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes receiving an excitation signal at a switch associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a disabling material, and changing a state of the RFID tag with the switch based on proximity of the disabling material to the RFID tag.
US07669764B2	Systems and methods for automated reconciliation of mail entry operations Systems and methods are provided for reconciling data associated with delivery items, such as mail. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method reconciles data associated with a delivery item shipment. The method includes the steps of receiving a first set of data associated with the shipment, and electronically receiving a second set of data associated with the shipment. The method further includes the steps of scanning the shipment during processing for scanned data associated with the shipment and determining if the first set of data matches the second set of data. If the first or second set of data matches the second set of data, the method determines if the second set of data matches the scanned data. If the first or second set of data matches the scanned data, the method indicates both the first set of data and the second set of data as valid.
US07669759B1	GPS validation for transactions A location verification provision is implemented to determine the location of a device associated with a user at the time of an attempted transaction. The attempted transaction includes receiving user identification and/or payment information, which is associated with the device in an entry stored in a database. Location information of the device, as well as a time at each location, may also be stored in the database. To verify that the device is located at the location of the transaction, a comparison operation may be performed. If the device is located where the transaction is being processed, the transaction may be completed. Predetermined criteria may be defined to account for possible inaccuracies in location and time calculations.
US07669756B2	Method for surveying fishery sources and device for effecting such method Survey of fishery resources is automatically effected by providing an identification element (i.e. IC tag) to each fishing gear, locating a plurality of such fishing gears under the sea to catch fishery resources, thereafter, using a reading device (e.g. tag reader) to read all the identification elements to obtain an identification data for each of the fishing gears, while obtaining an operating position in this survey by GPS device, and then counting number of fish catches for each of the fishing gears. All the data thus obtained are processed by a computer, so that a data of fishery resources distribution under the sea can be obtained automatically, without requiring much labor and expenses in conducting the survey. A device for effecting such method is also provided.
US07669754B2	Self-mounting and collapsible tray, and procedure for the obtaining thereof The self-mounting and collapsible tray has a base (1), two side walls (2) and two end walls (3), as well as, in correspondence with each corner, a corner pillar which comprises at least four segments (41-44) separated by fold lines (4a-4c).The last segment (44) is affixed to the end wall so that at least one part of the last segment extends from one of the intermediate segments (43) and toward the center of the end wall, distancing itself from the corresponding corner of the tray. In addition, the tray comprises, in correspondence with each end wall (3), a transversal flap (5) constituted by at least one part of a prolongation of the end of the end wall which corresponds to the upper part of the end wall of the tray in the erect position, said transversal flap (5) having two ends (51), each folded over and affixed to an outside face of the corresponding side wall (2).
US07669752B2	Flux for soldering and circuit board A flux contains resin having film forming ability, activator, solvent and at least one complex selected from silver complex and copper complex. The flux is used when soldering is performed onto a circuit having electroless nickel plating or further having gold plating on the electroless nickel plating. Allowing a barrier layer of silver or copper to deposit on the surfaces of lands suppresses the diffusion of nickel into the melted solder alloy during soldering, and also prevents phosphorous concentration. This improves the bonding strength of soldering and suppresses the reduction deposition of silver and/or copper to portions other than circuit patterns.
US07669750B2	Method for forming a preform for a structural assembly A preform and method for forming a structural assembly are provided. The preform can be formed by friction welding structural members to a base member and subsequently providing a connection material to join the structural members. The resulting preform can be formed with dimensions and a configuration that approximate the dimensions and configuration of the structural assembly. Thus, the structural assembly can be formed by joining multiple members that are generally smaller than the finished assembly.
US07669743B2	Adjustable infant carrier An apparatus for carrying an infant upon the hip of an individual is disclosed. The apparatus includes a harness for supporting the infant. The apparatus also includes a far shoulder strap supported by one shoulder of the individual. The far shoulder strap has a front section resting on the chest region of the individual and a back section resting on a back region of the individual. The apparatus also includes a second near shoulder strap supported by the other shoulder of the individual. Each shoulder strap may include a pad for placement upon the shoulder to provide comfort while supporting the weight of the infant. The infant rests upon the hip of the individual. Both shoulders and one hip of the individual support the weight of the infant.
US07669736B2	Resealable packets of liquid Disclosed is a pocketable container in the form of a resealable polymeric packet designed to hold and disperse multiple doses of a useful fluid. Resealing is achieved by means of a simple yet reliable fold closure technique making possible a cost effective tool for carrying about small quantities of useful liquids, specifically hand sanitizing fluids for control of sickness and infectious disease in a human population.
US07669733B2	Cassette device for automatic medicine packaging apparatus A cassette device for an automatic medicine packaging apparatus includes a cassette main body that contains medicine, a dispensing block that aligns medicine for dispensing according to a prescription and a partitioning member that blocks medicine from discharging from the cassette main body and allows medicine to be discharged only when the partitioning member is controlled to discharge medicine according to the prescription. The partitioning member includes a non-deforming portion and a deforming portion that is connected to the non-deforming portion. The non-deforming portion contacts medicine aligned in the dispensing block. The deforming portion deforms when as external force is applied whereby the non-deforming portion can be displaced.
US07669727B2	Bag support system The present invention provides a support system (6) for biobags (2) or disposable manufacturing components that uses one or more channels (20) filled with one or more types and/or sizes of media (13). The media (13) is fluid at atmospheric pressure but becomes rigid when under less than atmospheric conditions. The channels (20) conform to one or more edges and/or surfaces of the support and preferably one or more transverse ribs (26) connect them together. A vacuum is applied to the media (13) in the channels removing the air, compacting the media together and rendering the media in the channel(s) rigid and self-supporting. Supports can be designed as part of the disposable biobag (2) or as a separate item which surrounds at least a portion of the biobag.
US07669720B2	Functional polyarylethers Membranes comprising functional polyarylether having structural units of formula I are useful for hemodialysis and hemofiltration: wherein X is selected from Br, NR4R5, OOCR6, OR7, NR4CONR5R6, NR4COOR5R6 and combinations thereof; R1, R2 and R3 are independently at each occurrence CH2X, H, halo, cyano, nitro, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R4 and R5 are independently H, a C1-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; R6 is H, a C2-10 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R7 is OCH2CH2(OCH2CH2)nOH or OOCCH2(OCH2CH2)nCH3; Z is a direct bond, O, S, SO, SO2, CO, phenylphospinyl oxide, alkenyl, alkynyl, a C1-C12aliphatic radical, a C3-C12cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; a, b, and c are independently 1 or 2; and m, n and p are independently 0 or 1.
US07669714B1	Packaging and dispensing system for sandwich food products A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments.
US07669710B2	Baggage handling system A baggage handling system includes a first conveyor section having a first conveying surface, a second conveyor section having a second conveying surface with the first conveying surface angled with respect to the second conveying surface, and a conveyor belt extending between the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section. The belt is driven in a conveying direction and includes an upper section defining the first and second conveying surfaces and a lower section extending below the first and second conveying surfaces. In addition, the conveyor belt is configured to extend the first conveying surface over the second conveying surface such that there is no gap between the first and second conveying surfaces in the conveying direction wherein items conveyed on the first conveying surface are deposited onto the second conveying surface.
US07669708B2	Bulk material handling system and control A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
US07669703B2	Process and device for the reduction of clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train Process for reducing clutch-grabbing oscillations in a motor vehicle drive train having a drive motor, clutch and another drive train, in which process the moment transmitted by the clutch for the control of an actuator that operates an operating member of the clutch when oscillations occur is changed such that oscillations are diminished, where an electric voltage driving the actuator is modulated according to the formula: UM=UMStw+UMR(1−w), whereby, w is a weighting factor which assumes a value between 0 and 1, UMst is a modulation voltage controlled in a defined manner by an actuator model and a required travel modulation and, UMR is a modulation voltage regulated by a control device, which voltage is a magnitude that characterizes an operating state of the clutch on the basis of deviation between a required value and the actual value.
US07669702B2	Transmission box for a wheeled machine particularly of the walking type A transmission box (3) for a wheeled machine includes a motor input shaft (4) driving a drive wheel (8) to actuate at least one drive shaft (9A, 9B) of at least one wheel (2A, 2B) of the machine (1). A clutch mechanism (13) is disposed between the drive wheel (8) and a drive shaft (9A, 9B) and is actuated by driving in rotation the drive wheel (8) and deactuated by driving in rotation the drive shaft (9A, 9B) when the motor input shaft (4) is stopped or when the speed of rotation of the drive shaft (9A, 9B) is greater than the speed of rotation of the drive wheel (8). The box (3) contains two clutch mechanisms (13), each coacting with one drive shaft (9A, 9B) to permit the free wheeling of one and/or the other of a pair of wheels (2A, 2B).
US07669701B2	Hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting device A first orifice is provided in a first fluid passage upstream of a cooler, and a second orifice is provided in a second fluid passage. The flowrates of hydraulic fluid flowing through the first and second fluid passages are regulated by the first and second orifices, respectively, and are thus suppressed from becoming excessive. Also, the downstream side of the second fluid passage is connected to the first fluid passage between the first orifice and the cooler, and a lubrication passage is connected to the first fluid passage downstream of the cooler. Accordingly, the lubrication passage is a single passage and the cooler and the lubrication passage are arranged in series so the cooler flowrate and the lubrication flowrate are the same. As a result, the flowrate of hydraulic fluid that flows out from a secondary regulator valve to the upstream side of an oil pump can be increased.
US07669695B2	Fire evacuation operation system for group controlled elevators A fire evacuation operation system for group-controlled elevators that enables a large number of people to evacuate a building in a short time is provided. Safe elevators are provided for evacuation of the building according to the position of the floor on which the fire breaks out. The fire evacuation operation system includes an evacuation operation propriety judging unit that judges whether an evacuation operation is improper or possible, a rescue floor setting unit that sets a rescue floor, and an evacuation operation instruction unit that assists people who are present in the building to evacuate.
US07669691B2	Steering device for vehicle A steering device for a vehicle includes a planet gear mechanism which can vary transmission ratio, and a lock mechanism for fixing the transmission ratio. The planet gear mechanism includes a first sun gear connected to a steering member, a second sun gear connected to turning wheels, a planet gear which is meshed with both the first and second sun gears and a carrier in an annular shape which supports the planet gear. The lock mechanism includes a restraining member which is engageable with the carrier thereby to restrain rotation of the carrier.
US07669687B2	Muffler mounting structure A vehicular muffler mounting structure in which a muffler is supported inside wheels by a body frame is provided. The muffler is connected to the body frame through a fastener that is screwed substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of a body.
US07669676B2	Hybrid propulsion system and method for its operation A hybrid motor vehicle is operated in a front-loaded electrical power mode. The motor vehicle includes a first, electrical based, propulsion system which is powered by electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery, and a second, fuel-based propulsion system, which is powered by oxidation of a fuel. According to the method, the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery is measured, and a percentage of that measured level is selected. A distance D which the first propulsion system, operating singly, and using that stored energy, can propel the vehicle is determined. A hybrid cruising range, which is greater than the distance D is selected, and a controller controls the operation of the first and second propulsion systems, in accord with a profile, so as to power the vehicle such that when the vehicle has traveled through the hybrid cruising range, the selected percentage of electrical energy is depleted, and when the vehicle has traveled through the first 50% of the hybrid cruising range, over 50% of the selected percentage of electrical energy stored in the battery is depleted. Also disclosed is a controller for implementing the method.
US07669672B2	Apparatus, system and method for installing boreholes from a main wellbore The present application is directed an apparatus for installing boreholes in the formation surrounding a main wellbore, the apparatus comprising an indexing tool comprising an indexing deflector and a deflector shoe; the deflector shoe comprising an opening therethrough configured to receive a borehole forming member; wherein the indexing deflector is configured to direct the deflector shoe from a first setting to at least a second setting for the installation of boreholes at each setting through said opening; to methods employing the apparatus, and methods for using the indexing tool to locate and access boreholes.
US07669671B2	Segmented sleeve on a downhole tool string component In one aspect of the invention a downhole tool string component has a segmented sleeve slideably attached over the exterior of a mandrel which is adapted for connection to an adjacent tool string component. An end of the sleeve is abutted against a shoulder element of the mandrel and an opposite end of the sleeve is axially loaded by a threaded element attached to the mandrel. The sleeve comprises at least one sleeve segment with an engagement end comprising at least one axial anti-rotation assembly adapted to transfer torque to an adjacent sleeve segment, the shoulder element, or the threaded element.
US07669665B2	Mandrel for introduction into a fluid circulation duct, and related production well The mandrel comprises a body having a longitudinal axis together with a radially-expandable annular assembly. The annular assembly presents a peripheral surface for pressing against a borehole and a peripheral surface for pressing against the body. Around the longitudinal axis, the annular assembly comprises a plurality of radial-expansion blocks. Each block has a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface, and two side surfaces disposed respectively facing a side surface of at least one adjacent block. The block are displaceable relative to one another between a radially-contracted configuration, and a radially-expanded, engagement configuration in which each side surface of a block is in contact with the side surface of the adjacent block.
US07669645B2	Heat exchanger This invention is structured by:forming a core body by turning-up a strip-shaped metal plate in fanfold manner to create a large number of flat flow passages; blocking the individual flow passages at both ends thereof using the respective comb teeth of a pair of comb-state members; and fitting the casing to the core body, while providing inlet/outlet port of the fluid at a side face of the casing. The object of the invention is to establish uniform communication of the fluid in individual flat flow passages. As a means for achieving the object, a pair of header portions are provided at both end portions of the cylindrical casing, the inlet/outlet ports are provided at both edge portions of one side of the casing via a pair of small tank portions, the small tank portion at inlet side of the first fluid has a buffer plate arranged at a position closer to the outlet side of the first fluid between the core body and the inlet/outlet port, thereby allowing the first fluid to bypass the buffer plate in the small tank portion and to enter an end portion of the first flow passage from an edge opposite to the outlet.
US07669642B1	Thermal module A thermal module includes at least one heat dissipating element, at least one cooling chip, and a heat radiating unit. The cooling chip has a cold end in contact with one side of the heat dissipating element and a hot end in contact with the heat radiating unit. With the cooling chip in direct contact with the heat radiating unit and the heat dissipating element, the heat dissipating element can be directly cooled by the cooling chip, and the thermal module can have a simplified structure to occupy a reduced room while providing enhanced heat dissipating efficiency and accordingly upgraded heat-dissipating effect.
US07669623B2	Elastic wheel and method of manufacturing the same An elastic wheel comprises a rim for mounting a tire, a disk to be fixed to an axle, and a connecting apparatus for connecting elastically between the rim and disk, the apparatus comprising a pair of axially spaced internal flanges each provided on an inner circumference side of the rim and extending circumferentially, an external flange provided on a radially outer portion of the disk, the external flange disposed in a space between the internal flanges with an axial gap on its both sides and extending circumferentially, a pair of rubber dampers each disposed in the axial gap and connecting between the internal and external flanges, wherein each internal flange is provided on its axially inner side with a first groove, the external flange is provided on its both sides with a second groove so as to face each first groove, axial ends of each damper are inserted into the first and second grooves, and a radial gap is provided between the external flange and the inner circumference side of the rim in the space.
US07669618B1	Wood processor attachment for skid steer loader A wood processor attachment for skid steer loader for efficiently cutting and splitting logs. The wood processor attachment for skid steer loader generally includes a pivotally mounted support structure including a receiving end, a working end opposite the receiving end and a loading apparatus. A conveying member, a cutting unit, a ram and a wedge are attached to the support structure. The loading apparatus extends from the receiving end, wherein the loading apparatus transfers a log to the conveying member. The conveying member travels between the receiving end and the working end, wherein the cutting unit, the ram and the wedge are adjacent the working end to selectively cut and split the log. The support structure may be pivotally mounted upon various objects, such as but not limited to a skid steer loader or a tractor.
US07669607B2	Interdental space cleaner An interdental cleaning device that is easy to handle, especially for kids and handicapped people, including a frame supporting four zones for removing food and plaque between the teeth. Each zone having a particular thickness combined with cleaning substance and cleaning surface for a thorough teeth cleaning.
US07669604B2	Filtered cigarette incorporating an adsorbent material A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.
US07669600B2	Endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus A cleaning apparatus including an elongate tubular member utilized by extending into an endotracheal tube. A cleaning assembly provided at a distal end of the elongate tubular member radially expands to engage the interior wall of the endotracheal tube, for cleaning thereof by an irregular configuration on an exterior surface, achieving an effective cleaning engagement. A fluid impervious bladder portion provides an effective seal preventing fluid seepage during cleaning withdrawal. Further, a ventilator coupling connects to the endotracheal tube, a first inlet port couples to a ventilator assembly to supply air to a patient, and a second inlet port receives the elongate tubular member there through into the endotracheal tube. Also, a bypass coupling assembly connects between the channel of the elongate tubular member and the ventilator assembly directing air into the channel of the elongate tubular member and out the distal end upon occlusion of airflow.
US07669594B2	Volume flow controller A volume flow controller (1) for controlling the flow of a gas mixture of variable proportions through a conduit (3) has a valve means (5) for regulating the flow of gas through the conduit, a drive means (9) for driving the valve means, a volumetric flow meter (7), such as a Pelton wheel, for measuring the flow of gas through the conduit, which provides a feedback signal (29) for comparison with a setpoint signal (17) in an amplifier (15) which generates an adjustment signal (11) which is fed to the drive means. The setpoint signal is generated by a setpoint signal generating means (19), which comprises a potentiometer (21) for inputting a value corresponding to a desired flow rate and a slowdown circuit (23) consisting of a resistor (25) and a capacitor (27) for delaying the change in the setpoint from the previous setpoint to the desired setpoint for a period of time sufficient to compensate for the delay in response inherent in the volumetric flow meter, thus providing smooth and stable control of the gas flow. Preferably, the potentiometer is a digital potentiometer (403), which voltage is variable by independent manipulation of rotary encoders (417).
US07669592B2	Solar power plant A collector for solar energy is disclosed having a closed hollow partially spherical container with a window for permitting solar energy to enter the container. The container has a reflective inner surface for retaining the energy. The collecting lens focuses the solar energy. Central tubing is provided and a pump circulates fluid through the tubing to a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the fluid in the tubing to a utilization device.
US07669591B2	Steam generator for cooking apparatus According to the invention, a steam generator is provided with a housing for forming a steam generating chamber, the housing having a steam outlet port. A heater plate is supported by the housing within the steam generating chamber. A water inlet valve is fluidly connected to the housing for selectively supplying water into the steam generating chamber whereby water is directed to the heater plate for conversion to steam. The heater plate forms a bottom wall of the steam generating chamber and is arranged to have a high point. The water inlet valve is opened and closed in accord with a duty cycle which alternates between two phases: a fill phase duty cycle and a steady state duty cycle.
US07669589B2	Track drive adjustment for a concrete saw A self propelled concrete saw compensates for blade cutting resistance, for example by adjusting a movable drive assembly. An actuator may be used to move the drive assembly, for example through the operation of a control switch by an operator.
US07669587B2	Method of operating an engine with a pressure-wave supercharger In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine.
US07669582B2	Knocking state determination device An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a correlation coefficient K based on the result of comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored previously; calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from the magnitude V detected based on a signal transmitted from a knock sensor; creating frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) by using magnitude values LOG(V) in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K larger than a threshold K(1) is calculated; and counting knock proportion KC by using the created frequency distribution. If the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of noise components, the correlation coefficient K is calculated to be smaller comparing with a case of not including it.
US07669581B2	Throttle control apparatus and method for throttle control A throttle control apparatus includes a valve. A motor is provided for generating driving force to rotate the valve. Gears transmit the driving force to the valve. A biasing unit generates biasing force to bias the valve in a close rotative direction. A control unit is provided for supplying electricity to the motor to generate the driving force. When the control unit terminates electricity supply to the motor, the valve is biased to a full close position by the biasing force. When the control unit performs a full close control to manipulate the valve toward the full close position, the control unit continues electricity supply to the motor to stop the valve at a full close control point, which is set in advance of the full close position.
US07669578B2	Method of operating an internal combustion engine A method of operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston and a spark plug, comprising during a first mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions and producing auto-ignition in said combustion chamber without requiring spark from said spark plug; and during a second mode, bringing the temperature of the combustion chamber close to auto-ignition temperature by adjusting engine operating conditions, forming a small cloud of stratified air-fuel mixture near said spark plug, igniting said fuel cloud by a spark form said spark plug, and then causing cylinder pressure to rise, thereby producing auto-ignition at other sites in said combustion chamber wherein said first mode is implemented in a first operating range and said second mode is implemented only in a second operating range where engine speed and load are lower than said first operating range.
US07669575B2	Counterbalancing shaft accommodating structure A counterbalancing shaft accommodating structure includes: a pair of counterbalancing shafts, provided in an oil pan attached to a lower end portion of an engine; and a housing, adapted to accommodate the counterbalancing shafts in the oil pan. An upper end portion of the housing is provided further upwards than the lower end portion of the engine. An opening is formed continuously to expand over both rotational axes of the pair of counterbalancing shafts in an upper surface of the housing.
US07669574B2	Accessories arrangement structure of internal combustion engine for motorcycle An accessories arrangement structure for an internal combustion engine for securing a banking angle, increasing a degree of the freedom of the layout, concentrating heavy accessories and an overhanging part of the internal combustion engine, enhancing the maneuverability of the vehicle and reducing the size of the engine. An accessories arrangement structure of an internal combustion engine for a motorcycle includes an oil cooler and an oil filter that are attached together with a balancer in a lower part wherein the front of a crankcase that journals a crankshaft directed in a vehicular width direction, in which the oil cooler and the oil filter are attached to the front in a vehicular traveling direction of the crankcase project with a balancer, the oil cooler and the oil filter being adjacent in a front view of the vehicle and arranged abreast in parallel with a crankshaft.
US07669564B2	Variable valve lift internal combustion engine Provided is a variable valve lift internal combustion engine including a control shaft pivotally supported by a cylinder head via a pivot arm pivotally supported by the cylinder head so as to able to move angularly around a rotational center line extending in parallel with an axial line of the control shaft, a power transmitting member supported by the control shaft, an actuator for causing an angular movement of the control shaft around the rotational center line via the power transmitting member and a control arm having a base end pivotally supported by the control shaft and a free end interposed between a cam lobe of an engine camshaft and a part of a rocker arm. The lift of the engine valve can be varied by angularly moving the control shaft around the rotational center line and moving the base end of the control arm.
US07669554B2	Dog drinking device A dog drinking device has a trapezoidal water container with a top cover. A rotatable round drum made of plastic or stainless steel is rotatably mounted in the water container. A plurality of transverse grooves formed on the round surface of the drum. A top portion the round surface of the drum is exposed through a rectangular access opening of the cover. A long ear dog may drink the water by standing at the narrower front end of the device with its ears falling on the outside of two forward converging sides of the trapezoidal shape water container and licking the water carried to the exposed round surface of the drum by the transverse grooves without water splashing on its face and floor area around the device or to its ears to cause potential ear infection.
US07669548B2	Method and apparatus for coating of substrates The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.
US07669543B2	Display device for a motor vehicle A display device for a motor vehicle, e.g., an instrument cluster, includes at least one first display device emitting image-forming light, and at least one illuminated and/or self-luminous electromechanical second display device. The first display device is arranged in a visual field of an observer. The second electromechanical display device is arranged at an angle to the first display device, and a combination element is provided between the first display device and the electromechanical display device, the combination device being transparent to the image-forming light in the first display device and reflective to the image-forming light of the electromechanical second display device.
US07669540B2	Soft goods slitter and feed system for quilting An apparatus is provided for feeding and slitting mattress covers, quilts and other soft goods supported on a table. The apparatus has a first slitting wheel rotatable by a motor. A second slitting wheel is rotatable by the motor and contacts the first slitting wheel to provide a cutting action. The apparatus further includes a conveyor operable by the motor for conveying the soft goods past the slitting wheels, and a compression assembly having an actuator, a gear housing, and powered wheels for compressing the soft goods and holding the soft goods against the conveyor to preventing slippage or twisting.
US07669534B2	Hybrid energy off highway vehicle propulsion circuit A system and method for retrofitting a propulsion circuit of an existing Off Highway Vehicle to enable the propulsion circuit to operate as a hybrid energy Off Highway Vehicle propulsion circuit. The hybrid propulsion circuit includes a primary power source, and a traction motor for propelling an Off Highway Vehicle in response to the primary electric power. The traction motor has a motoring mode of operation and a power dissipation mode of operation. The traction motor generates dynamic braking electrical power in the power dissipation mode of operation. An electrical energy storage system includes a chopper circuit coupled to an energy storage device. The storage device is responsive to the chopper circuit to selectively store electrical energy generated in the power dissipation mode. The storage system selectively provides secondary electric power from the storage device to traction motor to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle during the motoring mode.
US07669532B2	Methods and apparatuses for projectile fuze setback generator power source and projectiles including same Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight.
US07669528B2	Silkscreen printer machine and apparatus A silkscreen printer machine (8) includes: a support structure (48); and at least one printing station (54) secured to the structure (48) and including at least one screen support (68) presenting a reception area adapted to receive a screen texture (70) having a pattern for printing placed thereon. The screen support (68) is carried by at least three support elements (78) secured to the structure (48), the support elements (78) not being in alignment and being positioned on either side of the reception area (69). The invention also provides associated printer apparatus.
US07669527B2	Moving belt dough press with heated platen A moving belt conveyor dough press is provided with a pair of vertically opposing platens, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. A continuous belt is arranged to pass between the pair of platens, and to carry on an upper surface thereof, a supply of dough masses to be pressed by the platens. At least one of the platens is formed of a cast metal material, and an electrical resistance heating element is cast in place within the at least one platen.
US07669520B2	Fryer The fryer (1) comprising a rotatable cooking basket (4) and an oil container (3) has air heating means (19) and forced circulation means (13) of the heated air through the basket for at least partially cooking the food product contained in the basket.
US07669519B2	Spray head A spray head for use with or in combination with a beverage making apparatus. The spray head receives liquid from a liquid dispensing path of the beverage making apparatus and distributes liquid over a beverage making substance retained in close proximity to the spray head. The spray head includes a body portion (14) having a lip (15) extending generally from a periphery of the body portion. A plurality of holes (20) are formed extending through at least the lip portion. A connector (49) is provided for removably attaching the spray head to the beverage making apparatus. The spray head is removable from the beverage making apparatus for facilitating direct contact cleaning of the surfaces of at least the body of the spray head to remove particles and mineral deposits therefrom.
US07669511B2	Shaving product A razor head has blade members with straight front cuffing edges which are mutually parallel and lie in a cutting plane. Imaginary median surfaces of the blade members are continuously curved from the cutting plane, from the cutting edges toward the rear edges. The razor has a handle with a pair of fork arms, the distal ends of which are connected to the head at positions adjacent the respective ends of the head. Each fork arm has a groove allowing pivoting of the distal end about a pivot axis parallel to the head axis but which does not pass through the razor head. Each groove is filled with a resiliently deformable material which is deformed when a pivoting force is applied to the razor head during shaving and which restores the razor head to a normal position when the force is removed.
US07669508B2	Cutting tool using one or more machined tool tips with diffractive features A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and a shank on the tool post holding at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The tool tip has diffractive features in contact with the work piece in order to machine macro-scale features having nano-scale features. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.
US07669507B2	Tightening tool It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately providing not only for normal rotation but for reverse rotation in a tightening tool having a clutch.Representative tightening tool according to the invention comprises a body, a driving motor housed in the body, a driving-side clutch element, an auxiliary clutch element, a driven-side clutch element, a driven shaft and a tool bit. During normal rotation of the driving motor, the driven-side clutch element is caused to move in the axial direction by application of a pressing force of the user to the body to engage with the driving-side clutch element. During reverse rotation of the driving motor, the driving-side clutch element and the auxiliary clutch element are caused to move relatively with respect to each other in the axial direction by rotating torque of the driving-side clutch element and the driving-side clutch element or the auxiliary clutch element engages with the driven-side clutch element.
US07669506B2	Shingle removal tool A shingle removing tool includes, among other possible things, a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a base connected to the shaft. A length of the shaft is adjustable. The base includes a blade portion that is configured to separate one or more shingles from a support structure to which the shingles are affixed.
US07669503B2	Grip for parking brake operating lever A grip for a parking-brake operating lever includes a tubular-shaped grip main body which is press-fitted on a lever main body of the operating lever so as to be mounted on an outer circumferential periphery of the lever main body, a grip cover which is mounted on a part of a circumferential periphery of the grip main body, an engaging tab which projects from an inner surface of the grip cover and which is inserted through an insertion hole provided in the grip main body and is held in engagement with an engaging portion provided in the lever main body, such that the engaging tab is movable relative to the engaging portion in a longitudinal direction of the lever main body, and a fitting protrusion and recess which are respectively provided in the inner surface of the grip cover and the outer circumferential surface of the grip main body, and which are held in fitting engagement with each other for positioning the grip cover in a predetermined relative to the grip main body.
US07669502B2	Shift control device for a bicycle transmission A shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a mounting member adapted to mount the shift control device to a bicycle; a first lever operatively coupled to the mounting member such that the first lever stops at a plurality of positions corresponding to gear positions of the bicycle transmission, wherein the first lever moves in a first plane; and a second lever operatively coupled to the mounting member for movement in a second plane between a rest position and an operating position such that the second lever returns to the rest position after moving to the operating position. In this embodiment, the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane.
US07669495B2	Transmission for vehicles A transmission for vehicles is provided with a plurality of drive gears, an input shaft connected to the drive shaft of an engine, an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft, a driven gear which meshes with each drive gear and is rotatably disposed on the output shaft, a synchromesh mechanism which has a sleeve movable in the axial direction of the output shaft, is engageable with a side portion of the driven gear, and couples the driven gear to the output shaft, and a parking gear formed integrally with the sleeve of the synchromesh mechanism. The parking gear and the bearing on the shaft end radially overlap each other. With this structure, the transmission is composed with a small number of components and has a reduced width.
US07669493B2	Spindle drive and a patient positioning system A spindle drive and patient positioning system is provided. The spindle drive includes a drive that is operative to drive a spindle nut. An axially transportable spindle is circled by the spindle nut. A catch nut that is not in mutual engagement with the spindle has a predefined distance to the drive. When the spindle nut fails, the spindle is operative to move the catch nut into mutual engagement with the spindle. A switching element is fixed to the catch nut and includes an emergency off switch, which is activated by a switching sensor.
US07669476B2	Sensing a paper roll ultrasonically A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold.
US07669472B2	Liquid level detector and liquid processing system provided with the same A liquid level detector 10 includes a liquid guiding pipe 14 that guides a liquid in a tank to an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank, and a branching liquid guiding pipe 15 for detecting a liquid level, which branches off from the liquid guiding pipe to guide the liquid into an inside thereof in such a manner that a liquid level of the guided liquid conforms to a liquid level of the liquid in the tank. The branching liquid guiding pipe 15 is provided with position sensors 16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) for detecting the liquid level of the liquid in the branching liquid guiding pipe 15. On a part where the liquid guiding pipe 14 and the branching liquid guiding pipe 15 are connected to each other, there is disposed a bubble passage prevention member 17 of a porous plate shape, which prevents bubble generated in the liquid from entering the branching liquid guiding pipe 15.
US07669465B2	Systems and methods for maintaining air pressure in tires A system for air injection into tires, comprising a rotary air chamber secured to a hub cap wherein the rotary air chamber is configured to inject air into at least one tire when tire pressure drops below a first adjustable preset value and to release air from the at least one tire when tire pressure rises above a second adjustable preset value, an air shaft extending through the hub cap and into the rotary air chamber, an air line attached to the air shaft, and ball bearings affixed between the air shaft and the hub cap. A bracket can be fastened to the hub cap such that the rotary air chamber is fastened to the bracket. The hub cap and air shaft are fastened to the axle such that an air line extends from inside the axle through the air shaft to the rotary air chamber.
US07669460B1	Small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test An apparatus for conducting a small-scale shock reactivity and internal blast test (SSBT), and a related test method that simulates a large scale test of explosive materials while employing small quantities of materials for the characterization. The apparatus includes a small scale shock reactivity test (SSRT) device, and an internal blast test device including a pressure chamber with an accessible interior, a pressure transducer, a multipurpose port provides an electrical connection to the shock reactivity test device, and a small gas port. The SSRT device is housed within the pressure chamber, and gases and materials produced during a small scale shock reactivity test are quasi-statically retained by the pressure chamber. The pressure transducer is in communication with an instrument that can display the pressure detected in the pressure chamber for analysis.
US07669456B2	Method and device for determining the rest time and/or for drift compensation in a combustion chamber pressure sensor In a method for determining the reset time in a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and emits a corresponding pressure signal, with the pressure curve in the combustion chamber having at least one high-pressure region the reset time is determined as a function of at least one pressure value detected in the high-pressure phase, so that it is possible, within the sensor, to determine a favorable time at which to reset the drift, based on the pressure range. In the method, information about the auxiliary rotation speed is determined based on the pressure curve of the compression phase and is then used to generate the reset time, the method entails only slight circuitry-related expense and can therefore be implemented even in an ASIC without complex signal processing, and the method functions in almost all known engine operating states.
US07669454B2	Press brake tool holder incorporating tool-seating mechanism Press brake tool holders suitable for holding press brake tools for punching and/or otherwise deforming workpieces, such as sheet metal. Provided in some embodiments is a press brake tool holder. Some embodiments provide the tool holder in combination with a press brake tool. Methods of using press brake tool holders are also provided. In certain embodiments, the tool holder has a tool-seating mechanism adapted for moving a tool parallel to a pressing axis of the tool holder.
US07669450B2	Pressure controlled superplastic forming The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a sheet of ductile material by superplastic forming. The gas pressure is varied to control the material flow during the forming process. Accordingly, the gas pressure can be increased or decreased to control the rate of deformation of the workpiece. Accordingly, the method and apparatus contemplates the use of predetermined pressure profiles to reduce the overall forming time.
US07669448B1	Lockseaming process and apparatus for same An apparatus for forming a thin wall sheet with first and second edge portions into a shell with a predetermined body configuration and a lockseam in which the edge portions are folded over each other. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a means for at least partially wrapping the sheet around the mandrel into the predetermined body configuration, and a number of gathering bars for engaging the sheet to configure the first and second edge portions according to a predetermined design. The apparatus also includes a number of forming bars for forming the first and second edge portions into respective preselected shapes extending above the top side of the mandrel, and a number of lockseaming rollers for folding the first and second edge portions over each other to form the lockseam.
US07669447B2	Combined use of oil and emulsion for the cold-rolling of strips The invention relates to a method for cold-rolling strips consisting of, inter alia, special steels and/or nonferrous metals, in a multi-stand tandem rolling mill. The first stand(s) carry out comparatively high reductions and the last stand(s) determine the surface quality of the strip, with a relatively low reduction. The aim of the invention is to improve the capacity of the tandem rolling mill in terms of thickness reduction and in terms of the surface quality of the rolled strips. To this end, an emulsion is used as a coolant and lubricant for the first passages of the strip through the tandem rolling mill with relatively high reduction. The adhesive coolant and lubricant film is then squeezed off the strip following removal from the roll gap of the last emulsion-operated stand. Rolling oil is used as a lubricant for especially the last passage(s) through the tandem rolling mill with relatively low reduction. The invention also relates to an installation for carrying out the inventive method.
US07669430B2	Heat pump apparatus The present invention realizes a reliable heat pump apparatus and heat pump apparatus having high recovering efficiency. The heat pump apparatus includes an expander 711 for expanding working fluid, a permanent magnet type synchronization power generator 710 which is disposed for recovering power by the expander 711 and which generates three phase AC power, and a first converter 708 which converts the AC power to DC power, and which rotates the power generator 710 at a predetermined target number of revolutions by switching of a switching element group 709. The generated electricity is consumed by connection of an AC power supply 701 to a DC power line which is rectified and smoothened by a rectifier circuit 702 and a smoothing capacitor 703, and by driving of an electric motor 706 which rotates a compressor 707 through a motor drive apparatus 704, and the power is efficiently recovered.
US07669425B2	Closed loop turbine cooling fluid reuse system for a turbine engine A cooling fluid reuse system for a turbine engine for capturing spent cooling fluids from row one turbine vanes and directing those fluids into a mixing chamber to be mixed with liner cooling fluids and used in a combustor. The cooling fluid reuse system may be formed from a fluid channel extending from the a cooling fluid collection channel in the first row of turbine vanes, through a rotor cooling fluid collection chamber in the rotor assembly, through a cooling fluid manifold, and into the at least one mixing chamber.
US07669420B2	Fuel injector having an annular prefilmer A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine has a swirl slot that supplies fuel to a prefilmer. The swirl slot has an upstream lip and a downstream lip that are arranged eccentrically. The slot is thus provided with an area of high static pressure and an area of low static pressure caused by the flowing over the eccentrically arranged lips.
US07669419B2	Electrical power supply system A system for generating back-up electrical power. The system includes a vessel adapted to contain a volume of compressed gas and a valve to release gas from the vessel at a predetermined pressure. A scroll expander is adapted to receive and pass the released gas. A rotary member is rotated by the flow of the released gas passed by the expander. An electrical generator is drivingly connected to the rotatable member of the expander to generate a supply of electrical power. A power conditioning unit has at least one capacitor to store electrical energy to provide a back-up electrical supply for a brief period until the scroll expander and generator can produce the required supply of electrical power.
US07669407B2	Catalytic cleaning of blowby gases An assembly for cleaning blowby gases has an electric heater and a downstream catalyst positioned in series relationship in a blowby conduit leading from an engine's crankcase to the atmosphere. The heater is controlled by a controller to maintain a selected temperature at the inlet to the catalyst as determined by a temperature sensor. The heating of the blowby gases increases the blowby gas temperature to a level where the catalyst is active to oxidize the constituents of the blowby gas stream.
US07669398B1	Harvesting machine A machine is provided for harvesting produce such as fruit from a pair of adjacent, generally parallel rows of trees. The machine includes a land vehicle for being driven between the adjacent rows of trees. The land vehicle includes a chassis that supports a fruit collection receptacle. There are at least one pair of selectively extendible and retractable lift arms pivotably mounted to the chassis. Each arm in each pair supports proximate a distal end thereof a carrier for holding a person. Each arm is adjustable to position the carrier such that a person in the carrier is able to manually collect fruit form a respective one of the rows of trees. There are plurality conduits, each of which is attached proximate an upper end thereof to a respective one of the carriers such that an entrance of the conduit is accessible to a person in a respective carrier. Each conduit is attached proximate a lower end thereof to the receptacle such that fruit deposited into the entrance of the conduit by the person in the carrier is transmitted through the conduit and discharged into the receptacle.
US07669396B2	Timing crank and cylindrical conveyor for an agricultural harvester A timing crank for a cylindrical conveyor of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a unitary body in the form of an elongate member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a first aperture having a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second end defines a second aperture having a second longitudinal axis, wherein each of the apertures are joined by a longitudinal slot extending between and being in communication with the first and second apertures.
US07669373B2	Building means Building means, having a main plate 1, a lower ledge 2 extending outwards of a first face of the plate, a first bolt portion 4 extending outwards of the first face of the plate and a second bolt portion 5 extending outwards of a second face of the plate opposite the first face; the building means being formed such that when it is in use a structural member can be fastened to the first bolt portion 4 while the plate 2 is arranged at least partially behind exterior cladding 8 of a building so that the ledge 2 extends to beyond the cladding 8, and wherein rainwater contacting the first face of the plate can run down the first face and be guided by the ledge 2 to a drain away position in front of the cladding.
US07669371B2	Modular underfloor distribution system An underfloor distribution system, includes a first module having a main body; an end closure and a cover. The end closure and the cover are removably mounted to the main body, and the first module is adapted to be removably mounted to a second module.
US07669369B2	Door threshold water return systems A door threshold water return system, comprising: a lower sill; an upper sill; a rear wall; and a front wall forming a chamber, wherein at least one baffle is provided projecting into the chamber from the rear wall, a first gap is provided in proximity to the rear wall and between the upper sill and the rear wall, and a second gap is provided in proximity to the lower sill and between the lower sill and the front wall, whereby water introduced into the system through the first gap exits the system through the second gap.
US07669367B2	Support structure for vehicular slide door A horizontal wall is formed with a notch groove. The notch groove is formed by cutting a tip end of the horizontal wall on the side of the vehicle body substantially along an approaching/separating direction between a vehicle body and a slide door. A connecting unit which turnably connects a plate and a roller holder of a connection assembly to each other is movably inserted into the notch groove. The plate and the horizontal wall of the bracket are fastened to each other in a state where they are superposed on each other.
US07669366B2	Plant retainer for retaining a plant for growth from the side or bottom of a planter A planter for growing a transplantable plant includes a container having a sidewall and a bottom and further includes a retainer member for retaining a plant which has been transplanted within the container through the sidewall or bottom thereof. The retainer member defines an expandable opening which is movable between expanded and normally-collapsed conditions so that by urging a plant root system end-first against the retainer member, the expandable opening is moved to an expanded condition to permit the root system to pass through the expandable opening into the container interior. Upon passage of the root system through the expandable opening, the expandable opening is permitted to return toward its normally-collapsed condition about the stem of the plant to thereby prevent the withdrawal of the root system of the plant from the container interior through the plant retainer.
US07669363B2	Rodent bait station A bait station is formed of a single unitary member which is folded to bring a first portion into contact with a second portion. An intermediate portion connects the first and second portions. The bait station includes a pair of passageways which lead from opposite edges of the bait station to a central recess portion. A block of rodenticide material is located in the recess portion and the passageways are angled to prevent access to the rodenticide material by children.
US07669358B1	Dynamic process for enhancing the wear resistance of ferrous articles A dynamic process for increasing the wear life of ferrous articles subjected to a high-temperature environment created by combustion of a propellant or fuel comprises selecting the propellant or fuel so that its combustion products include relatively large amounts of nitrogen, which nitrogen forms a protective nitride layer on the surface of the ferrous article. Disclosed is a specific embodiment of the invention for prolonging the wear life of gun barrels.
US07669354B2	Method and apparatus for determining the loading of a bucket For determining the load of an excavator bucket, or optionally of another holding region, a measurement step and an evaluation step are carried out. In the measurement step, the position of a load surface is determined by a noncontact distance-measuring device and, in the evaluation step, a load volume is determined from the position of the load surface and the position and shape of the excavator bucket or of the holding region. For determining the position of the load surface, at least one two-dimensional matrix with distance values is created by means of a distance-measuring camera. For determining the position of the excavator bucket, the distances to at least three points of the excavator bucket, in particular to points on the upper bucket edge, optionally to marked points are determined using the distance-measuring apparatus for determining the surface.
US07669353B2	Snow plow having hitch tongue connecting member A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a transition apparatus having a hitch tongue constructed and arranged to be securable to the vehicle; the transition apparatus having a subframe including a plate having apertures; wherein the apertures in the plate can facilitate placement of the subframe at various heights with respect to the mounting apparatus.
US07669352B2	Interchangeable component shoe system A shoe system is provided that comprises a removable upper unit and a sole unit that can be interconnected utilizing respective upper and lower connecting means. The sole unit can include a support panel that can extend substantially continuously about a periphery of the sole unit. A lower portion of the support panel can be connected to an interior area of the sole unit and an upper portion can extend generally upwardly from the lower portion and be disposed circumferentially within the interior of a lower connecting means along the sole periphery. The support panel can be so configured so as to provide structural strength to the shoe system when worn to resist transverse force and reduce tactile friction of the user's foot against the upper and lower connecting means.
US07669348B2	Apparatus, method and system for treating sewage sludge An apparatus, method and system is provided for treating sewage sludge by heating the same in a container to drive off pathogens and/or pasteurize the sewage sludge while the material is tumbled in the container and with moisture gases being evaporated therefrom and drawn off from the container. After treatment the treated sludge is discharged from the container. There is provided at least one weight-responsive member on which the container is mounted, and a control is provided connected to the one or more weight-responsive member whereby the solids content of the treated material can be determined by measuring the difference in weight of material in the container, before and after moisture is drawn off from the material and prior to its discharge from the drum. The control is preferably effected by means of a computer.
US07669347B1	Structure of a measuring tape device An improvement on the structure of a measuring tape device is that a magnetic mechanism is secured at the distal end of a measuring tape. The magnetic mechanism is not placed onto the leg piece of the hook member and thus is not formed as part of the body of the hook member of the measuring tape. The front end of the magnetic mechanism is placed in alignment with the “0” cm mark on the measuring tape. During measuring process of an object of measurement and a designated point, the magnetic mechanism allows the measuring tape to be magnetically attached to the surface of the object and anchored at the exact starting point of measurement, and therefore, the measuring precision will not be skewed because of thickness of the hook member or because of the gap caused by the movable mechanics of the hook member.
US07669343B2	Adjustable gable end line puller An improved adjustable gable end line puller is disclosed. A method for using the improved adjustable gable end line puller is also disclosed.
US07669326B2	Workpiece with a recess which is closed from the exterior by means of a solder film and method for closing a recess by means of a solder film It is known from the prior art that holes in a workpiece are filled completely with a solder powder, which leads especially in the case of large holes to the formation of cracks within the solder due to the large volume filled in once the solder cools off after soldering. The invention provides a method for closing a recess of a workpiece, which allows closing an opening of a recess without the risk of crack formation, by using only a solder film for closing the recess. The solder film has a content of non-melting material and therefore is substantially less prone to form cracks.
US07669320B2	Coreless cavity substrates for chip packaging and their fabrication A method for fabricating an IC support for supporting a first IC die connected in series with a second IC die; the IC support comprising a stack of alternating layers of copper features and vias in insulating surround, the first IC die being bondable onto the IC support, and the second IC die being bondable within a cavity inside the IC support, wherein the cavity is formed by etching away a copper base and selectively etching away built up copper.
US07669303B2	Complex comprising a drylaid veil of glass fibres, and a nonwoven fabric of organic fibres The invention concerns a process for preparing a complex sheet comprising a layer of drylaid glass fibers and a layer of organic fibers, comprising: mechanical needling or fluid entanglement, e.g. hydroentanglement, of a nonwoven fabric of continuous organic fibers and of a veil of non-preconsolidated continuous glass fibers, the said nonwoven fabric of organic fibers and the said veil of glass fibers being juxtaposed and the said needles respectively the fluid, water jets being sent from the same side as the nonwoven fabric of organic fibers, in order to make a sheet; and then application of a binder to the bilayer. The so obtained complex fibrous structure shows a low tendency to delaminate and can be impregnated with asphalt or bitumen, and used in the field of roofing, sealing covering or membranes.
US07669298B2	Buckle assembly A buckle assembly for connecting safety belts according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The buckle assembly includes a buckle body including two side openings; a release button disposed in the buckle body including an engaging portion; two shoulder-strap buckles each having an opening to allow the waist-strap buckles passing through; and two waist-strap buckles each having a prong portion; wherein each of the shoulder-strap buckles is respectively positioned between each of the waist-strap buckles and the buckle body and incapable of departing from the buckle body freely when the prong portion of the waist-strap buckle is received in each of the side openings of the buckle body and engaged with the engaging portion of the release button; and the shoulder-strap buckles are departed from the buckle body together with the waist-strap buckles when the release button is actuated.
US07669297B2	Composite webs and closure systems Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.
US07669296B2	Slide fastener The invention provides a slide fastener with a top end stop, wherein a linear fastener element row is sewed on the fastener tape, the top end stop is formed by burying linear fastener elements facing a space portion with synthetic resin, a projecting portion 11 to be in contact with a slider is formed on a side surface of the top end stop for preventing the slider from slipping out, a protrusion protruded upward along the sewing thread is formed on a front surface of the top end stop, a groove is carved in a center longitudinal direction of the protrusion, and the sewing thread is prevented from being deflected and exposed on the front surface of the top end stop by being pressed by a projecting ridge provided in a molding die for forming the groove toward the linear fastener elements.
US07669291B1	Magnetic holder The invention is a pot holder that will insulate the hand from heat, have adequate friction for holding, and be readily available and usable with one hand. The holder or handgrip of the invention comprises an elastomer sheet such as silicone rubber with a small permanent magnet affixed adjacent one edge. The magnet has sufficient attractive force to support the holder in place against a ferromagnetic surface such as the vertical side of a refrigerator or microwave oven, for example. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a small piece of ferromagnetic material may be affixed to an opposite edge of the sheet to removably attach to the magnet on the opposite edge to thereby form the sheet into a tube that may be used to removably attach to a handle. The sheet may have one or both broad surfaces provided with a texture to enhance friction to provide a non-slip surface. The sheet has sufficient insulating properties to protect a hand from a hot handle. It has sufficient surface friction properties to provide a good grip on a pot or jar.
US07669289B2	Dual-axis hinge A dual-axis hinge includes at least a connecting section, an upper hinge and a lower hinge. The connecting section has two sides orthogonally connected to the upper and lower hinges respectively. The connecting section has a circuit cavity that communicates with circuit outlets of the upper and lower hinges to form a passage for accommodating a transmission circuit. The upper hinge is connected to a first sleeve for joining the top cover of a folding electronic product, and the lower hinge is connected to a second sleeve for joining the body of the folding electronic product. These connections enable the top cover to rotate in at least two different directions.
US07669287B2	Hinge structure that allows adjustment of inclined angle of the load supported thereon A hinge structure is disclosed to include a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure respectively mounted on the base member and cover of a lifter cover type mobile electronic product, two master connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure for allowing the cover to be opened from the base member, and two auxiliary connecting members coupled between the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure in such a manner that the auxiliary connecting members lock the cover to the second hinge structure and the cover is closed on the base member, and unlock the cover from the second hinge structure for adjustment of the inclined angle of the cover when the cover is opened from base member.
US07669285B2	Damping device for furniture hinges Damping device (30) for hinges (10) for the pivotable articulation of door leaves (12) or door flaps on the carcass of pieces of furniture, in which the hinge has respectively a supporting wall mounting part (18) which can be fixed on the supporting wall (14) and a door leaf mounting part (24) which is pivotably coupled via a linkage mechanism (20; 22) to the supporting wall mounting part and can be fixed on the inner face of the door leaf or flap, and which is preferably constructed as a cup part which is countersunk and engages in a recess in the door leaf or flap and has a laterally projecting fixing flange which bears on the inner face of the door leaf.The damping device (30) has a damper housing which is provided on the door leaf mounting part (24) and which is provided in the cavity thereof with a fluid or gaseous damping medium and a resistance element which is movable relative to the damping medium and is coupled to an actuating element (39) which extends out of the housing. At least during part of the pivoting movement of the mounting parts (18, 24) relative to one another the actuating element is in engaged connection directly or indirectly with the supporting wall mounting part (18) and transmits to the resistance element the relative movement of the mounting parts as they pivot.The damper housing (32) is a separate component which is provided with laterally projecting fixing flanges (38, 46) which can be fixed on the fixing flanges of the door leaf mounting part (24).
US07669277B2	Connector for securing wiper blade to wiper arm and wiper blade assembly A connector (20) for securing a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes a base member (21) including a forward upper portion (32) and a rearward upper portion (33); a locking member (22) for holding either a U-hook portion (12) or a side pin (11) mounted to the base member (21); and a flexible connecting member (23) connecting the locking member (22) to the base member (21). To attach the connector (20) to the side pin (11), the connector is rotated toward the side pin (11) from the opposite side of the side pin (11) so that the side pin (11) fits into a recess (33A) of the rearward upper portion (33). The side pin (11) also fits into the recesses (47 and 48) of the locking member (22) so that the side pin (11) is held between the base member (21) and the locking member (22). The connector enables the firm securing of the wiper blade to the wiper arm so as to restrict vibrations between the wiper blade and the wiper arm.
US07669275B2	Clutch device and motor apparatus having the same In a clutch device, an output shaft supports an input disk rotatably about an axis thereof, and a clutch disk non-rotatably about the axis and movably in an axial direction of the output shaft. An elastic member exerts resistive force on the input disk or the clutch disk when the clutch disk is about to come out of an engagement with the input disk. One of the input disk and the clutch disk has a trailing surface inclined by a predetermined angle from the axis, and the other has a curved control surface to come in a line contact with the trailing surface in a circumferential direction of the output shaft. The trailing surface and the curved control surface generate a component force of a driving force in the axial direction. The other having the curved control surface is higher in hardness than the one having the trailing surface.
US07669274B2	Device for restoring light permeability of motor vehicle headlight lenses A device for restoring a light permeability of headlight lenses of motor vehicles has a holder, a working layer attached to the holder and adapted to clean and polish a surface of a headlight lense when the device is moved relative to the latter, and a sponge-like element located between the holder and the working layer and formed so that it applies an elastic biasing action to the working layer to provide a cleaning and polishing action by the working layer and at the same time to absorb a liquid required for the cleaning and polishing action.
US07669273B2	Corner painting roller system A system for applying liquid coating such as paint to a surface including a spindle-shaped roller cover having painting fabric permanently attached to the roller cover body and that can match the nap of the paint fabric used in a conventional roller used to paint flat surfaces; and a paint pan adapter which enables the user to use the corner-painting roller cover in a conventional paint pan as a reservoir for holding the coating material. The adapter is provided with a V-shaped grille which has a plurality of holes. The grille is elongated like a trough. Part of the length of the grille is submerged in the coating material and part is not. The trough along which the roller cover roles makes it possible for the roller cover to pick up paint from the reservoir of the paint pan and to remove excess coating material from the roller cover and return it top the reservoir.
US07669270B2	System and method for wireless communication between an aircraft and a passenger boarding bridge A method of aligning one end of a passenger boarding bridge with a doorway of an aircraft includes a step of parking the aircraft within a parking space that is defined adjacent to the passenger boarding bridge. An imager disposed aboard the aircraft is used for scanning a target that is located proximate the parking space, the target including machine-readable information that is uniquely associated with the passenger boarding bridge. Data relating to the machine-readable information of the target is extracted from image data and used for encoding a signal for transmission to a controller of the passenger boarding bridge. The controller determines the presence of the extracted data and compares the data to a unique bridge identifier code for that passenger boarding bridge. When a match is determined, then communication with an aircraft within or proximate a parking space adjacent to that passenger boarding bridge is confirmed.
US07669267B2	Ball balancer control method of washing machine Disclosed is a method of controlling a ball balancer of a washing machine. The method includes variously setting sensing time corresponding to a plurality of water temperature ranges to detect an unbalanced mass, detecting imbalance of laundry and a laundry volume based on a water temperature, which is measured in real time, and the preset sensing time when an optional dehydration mode starts and performing a dehydration process.
US07669262B2	Accessory frame for spinal surgery An accessory has a substantially radiolucent frame, a floor-supported base, and a support structure extending between the base and one end of the frame. A second end of the frame is coupleable to a surgical table in a manner that permits the frame to articulate relative to the surgical table. The support structure is extendable and retractable to change the height at which the first end of the frame is supported above the base. The support structures is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the base and the frame is able to tilt front to rear and side to side relative to the support structure. The frame is movable to a compact storage position having the second end of the frame supported on the base. A set of wheels are provided on the base to permit the accessory to be wheeled from one location to another.
US07669257B2	Bedding assembly A bedding assembly includes a fitted sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the fitted sheet opposing side panels. The bedding assembly also includes a top sheet forming opposing side panels when engaging a mattress and including at least one complimentary fastener positioned longitudinally along at least one of the top sheet opposing side panels, the at least one complementary fastener of the top sheet substantially aligning with the at least one fastener of the fitted sheet.
US07669254B2	Convertible furniture The convertible furniture includes an elongate central bench section. A subframe is provided having an elongate planar member with load-bearing upright support members supporting arm rests or back rests extending upward at opposite ends of the elongate planar member. The central bench section is disposed atop the upright support members. Two lateral extension sections are pivotally attached to opposite edges of the bench section so that the lateral extension sections independently swing out from the central bench section to define a bed frame. Each of the lateral extension sections includes extendable support legs, which provide stability to the respective lateral extension section when extended to the bed frame configuration. Removable mattresses are provided for each section of the furniture. The mattresses are stored on the subframe and hidden from view when the extension sections are retracted. Placing a mattress on the bench section converts the bench to a chaise.
US07669249B2	Concealable/deployable reflective band for garments A band that extends around a garment appendage, such as a sleeve or trouser leg. The band has a concealed position that hides a reflective tape and a deployed position where the reflective tape is visible. The band includes a strip that encircles and is attached to the garment appendage at a distance from the free end of the garment appendage. The reflective tape is bonded to the underside of the strip or to the garment appendage.
US07673345B2	Providing extended memory protection In one embodiment, the present invention provides for extended memory protection for memory of a system. The embodiment includes a method for associating a protection indicator of a protection record maintained outside of an application's data space with a memory location, and preventing access to the memory location based on the status of the protection indicator. In such manner, more secure operation is provided, as malicious code or other malware is prevented from accessing protected memory locations. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07673332B2	Method and system for access authentication A method and a system for access authentication. A shared services resource includes a second factor authentication module. At least one network resource each include a first factor authentication module. A trusted computing base communicates with the shared services and the at least one network resource through a pipe. An assertion may be obtained on a trusted computing base for accessing at least one network resource. At least one of the at least one network resource may be accessed with the trusted computing base when the assertion has been obtained by the trusted computing base and is valid.
US07673327B1	Aggregation system Machine, method for use and method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, as well as data structures, computer-readable media tangibly embodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessary intermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to digital aspects of a computerized aggregation system. The system can include a user computer system interposed between a segment of a network allowing communication between the user computer system and at least one server system, and other segments allowing communication between the user computer system and a plurality of third party server systems. The one server system enables the user computer system to access the plurality of other servers. The access permits forming an aggregation of information obtained from the third party server systems.
US07673324B2	Method and system for tracking an operating performed on an information asset with metadata associated therewith A system and method are provided for tracking an operation performed on an information asset. The information asset has metadata associated therewith. In use, the metadata is preserved during the at least one operation.
US07673321B2	Audio and video transmission and receiving system A system of distributing video and/or audio information employs digital signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression. The compressed and encoded audio and/or video information is sent over standard telephone, cable or satellite broadcast channels to a receiver specified by a subscriber of the service, preferably in less than real time, for later playback and optional recording on standard audio and/or video tape.
US07673317B1	Method and apparatus for generating an interactive radio program A method and system for the creation of interactive radio programming. A moderator of an interactive radio program uses a moderator client to digitize and transmit a radio program with enhanced content to a moderator server through a wide area network. The moderator server uses the digitized radio program and the enhanced content to generate an interactive radio program for transmission to participants in the interactive radio program. The complete interactive radio program is transmitted to participant clients over the wide area network. An audio portion of the interactive radio program may be transmitted over a conventional radio network as well.
US07673316B2	System and method for enhancing broadcast programs with information on the world wide web The present invention is directed to a system and method for viewer real-time access complementary information related to a broadcast program including selecting a plurality of topics drawing his or her attention and for accessing additional information related to these topics from the WWW. The system is based on a synchronization of the local times of receivers and transmitters according to a same universal-time. The synchronization uses a universal time such as the Global Positioning System Time, the Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System time or others GPS or GLONASS receivers may be integrated or connected to devices independent or separate from the radio or television receivers. The system includes associated with the transmitted information and can be retrieved, selected and activated during the time intervals for which they have been defined.
US07673312B2	Cartridge for a photosensitive recording medium A light shield plate 12 having outer openings 14 and 15 is fixed to the outside of a cartridge body 11 in which inner openings 18 and 19 for exposing a photosensitive recording medium 4 to the outside are formed. A shutter 13 for opening and closing the inner openings 18 and 19 is incorporated movably between the cartridge body 11 and the light shield plate 12. Closing-side ends 55e and 55f of the shutter 13 and shutter-closing-side edges 18a and 19a of the inner openings 18 and 19 and/or shutter-closing-side edges 14a and 15a of the outer openings 14 and 15 are inclined from each other.
US07673310B2	Optical disc having a reduced planar thickness In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an optical disc having a reduced planar thickness is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and one or more stacker elements coupled to, or integral with, the central clamping area, the stacker elements configured to increase the thickness of the central clamping area above the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area. In particular embodiments, the optical disc may further include a magnetic stripe disposed upon one surface of the optical disc.
US07673307B2	Managing transactions in a messaging system A messaging system and method are provided to enable transactional work, done as a result of a recipient processing an asynchronous message, to be involved in the transaction under which message was sent. Involvement may be directly in the senders transaction or indirectly through a separate transaction which can be a subordinate to, a child of, or merged with the transaction under which message was sent. The message is delivered by calling an operation, a definition of which has been registered for the queue. If the message is added to a queue for subsequent delivery to a recipient, details of the transaction under which message was sent are added to the message. As a result the recipient can take appropriate action to ensure that any transactional work, it causes to happen, will be done directly or indirectly under the scope of the transactions under which message was sent.
US07673306B2	Extensible kernel-mode audio processing architecture An extensible kernel-mode audio (e.g., MIDI) processing architecture is implemented using multiple modules that together comprise a module graph. The module graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. In one embodiment, the audio processing architecture is readily extensible. A graph builder can readily change the module graph, adding new modules, removing modules, or altering connections as necessary, all while the graph is running.
US07673302B1	System and method for managing messages in a queuing system A system for processing multiple potentially related requests is provided. The system includes a pending request queue, a related request queue, an in-process queue, and an adapter. The pending request queue receives requests from at least one application. The in-process queue receives a first request from the pending request queue when no other requests are present in the in-process queue related to the first request. The related request queue receives the first request from the pending request queue when other requests are present in the in-process queue related to the first request. The adapter monitors the pending request queue, related request queue, and in-process queue. The adapter also communicates information related to the requests from the pending request queue to the related request and in-process queues as appropriate. The adapter also communicates information related to the requests from the in-process queue to a processor for processing the requests.
US07673300B2	Segmented linker using spatial locality of reference for over-the-air software updates A segmented linker for generating from an original binary file an upgraded binary file suitable for replacing a copy of the original binary file installed in a target device. The segmented linker receives as inputs a plurality of objects, the original binary file, and a memory map input file associated with a target device. The segmented linker preserves in the upgraded binary file at least some of the spatial locality of reference of code in the original binary file. The segmented linker further receives as an input a linker guideline file that defines the layout of objects having spatial locality of reference in the original binary file. The segmented linker uses the linker guideline file to limit the propagation of cascading address references in the upgraded binary file.
US07673290B1	Computer implemented configuration of a management module A system and computer-implemented method for configuring a baseboard management controller (BMC) for use in monitoring operation of various computer system components is disclosed. The BMC is communicatively connected to a plurality of components by way of a plurality of slave addresses. Each of the plurality of components sense information related to operating and performance-related parameters associated with various operating conditions inherent in the operation of the computer system. The components provide this sensed information to the BMC, which analyzes the information to determine whether any events are occurring in the computer system. Such an event would be the temperature within the computer system chassis being too hot. Those components communicatively connected to the management module are detected and then identified. Based on these identifications, a configuration file is created and incorporated into the BMC firmware to effectuate the aforementioned configuration process.
US07673281B2	Pattern evaluation method and evaluation apparatus and pattern evaluation program A pattern evaluation method for evaluating a mask pattern includes generating desired wafer pattern data corresponding to the evaluation position of a mask pattern, generating mask pattern contour data based on an image of the mask pattern, and performing a lithography/simulation process based on the mask pattern contour data and generating predicted wafer pattern data when the mask pattern is transferred to a wafer. Further, it includes deriving positional offset between the mask pattern contour data and mask pattern data, correcting a positional error between the desired wafer pattern data and the predicted wafer pattern data based on the positional offset, and comparing the desired wafer pattern data with the predicted wafer pattern data with the positional error corrected.
US07673273B2	MPGA products based on a prototype FPGA A smaller mask programmable gate array (MPGA) device derived from a larger field programmable gate array (FPGA), comprising: a layout of transistors and a plurality of interconnect layers substantially identical to a smaller region of the FPGA; and input/output pads matching a subset of the input/output pads of the FPGA; wherein, a design that is mapped to said smaller region of the FPGA device using said subset of input/output pads by a user programmable means can be identically mapped to the MPGA by a hard-wire circuit. Such a gate array further comprises a mask programmable metal-circuit in lieu of a user programmable configuration circuit of the FPGA; and a logic block to input/output pad connection in lieu of a logic block to a register at the boundary of said smaller region to an input/output pad connection of the FPGA.
US07673268B2	Method and system for incorporating via redundancy in timing analysis A method of conducting timing analysis on an integrated circuit design includes performing a first routing operation on the design to generate a first routed design that includes redundant vias, and storing the first routed design in a first design database, and performing a second routing operation on the synthesized design to generate a second routed design that does not include redundant vias, and storing the second routed design in a second design database. Then, extractions are performed on the first and second designs and delay calculations are performing on the first and second extractions files. The first and second delay calculations are compared to determine a delay difference between the first and second designs and timing analysis is performed using the delay difference.
US07673258B2	Design data creating method, design data creating program product, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a design data creating method of creating design data of a semiconductor device including extracting an AND region of an upper layer wiring pattern and a lower layer wiring pattern that sandwich a contact hole layer pattern included in a pattern layer, extracting the contact hole layer pattern included in the AND region, and moving the contact hole layer pattern in such a manner that the center of the AND region coincides with the center of the contact hole layer pattern.
US07673257B1	System, method and computer program product for word-level operator-to-cell mapping A mapping system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, at least one arithmetic operator is received. Further, the at least one arithmetic operator is mapped to at least one cell, at a word-level.
US07673249B2	User customization of character sets of menu items Mechanisms are disclosed that enable a user to customize selection elements of a GUI. For example, menu entries in a GUI can be customized so that the user can specify the font, the language, character sets, color, and other attributes of the text of one menu item (or less than all menu items); to have the ability to selectively activate multimedia options associated with selected menu items (e.g., to play a sound whenever the cursor/pointer passes over a particular menu item); and/or to assign an animation sequence that is unique to selected menu items. The menu item properties are defined by the user, using, for example, a dialog box that allows specification of the attributes. When the application is installed, a default set of menu item properties is defined by the software manufacturer, which can be further customized by the user.
US07673242B1	Sliding window packet management systems Included in the invention are systems and methods of full time recording network traffic to a hierarchical data storage. Also included in the invention are systems and methods of retrieval of recorded network traffic from a hierarchically organized network data repository. Additionally included in the invention are systems and methods of efficiently filtering data in a hierarchically organized network data repository. Systems and methods of displaying recorded network data utilizing the retrieval systems are also included in the invention. Further included in the invention are systems and methods of providing sliding time window selection user interfaces. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US07673241B2	User interface for multi-media communication for the visually disabled A method, user interface module, computer program product, computer system and system that enable a graphical user interface to be used by persons with visual disabilities. The graphical user interface includes a toolbar, which provides features that enable a visually disabled user to navigate and activate the functions provided by buttons or other controls on the communication toolbar. As a user navigates around the user interface, auditory messages are read describing functionality of different features of the graphical user interface. The text can be audibly read by, for example, a screen reader module. By using a hotkey or menu navigation, a user can issue commands that would normally be issued by clicking on the toolbar. Furthermore, the user can type text into text input boxes, select items from combo boxes, enable broadcast messages to be read, and choose to listen to status messages.
US07673240B2	Ubiquitous navbar user interface across multiple heterogeneous digital media devices A method of providing a ubiquitous navigation and program guide user interface that is common across a heterogeneous multitude of digital media devices. A navbar user interface persistently displays across a topmost portion of a display for each of the heterogeneous multitude of digital media devices when the digital media device is operating in a mode other than a full screen display of digital media content. The navbar user interface presents a limited set of icons associated with a navigation and media guide user interface for different kinds of digital media content and device operations that are common across the heterogeneous multitude of digital media devices. The navbar user interface is operated in a scrolling manner to display and select a navigation and media guide interface for a desired one of the different kinds of digital media content and device operations by selecting an associated one of the limited set of icons. Upon selection of the desired kind of digital media content, the navigation and media guide interface for the desired one of the different kinds of digital media content is displayed in a grid format that is consistent across the heterogeneous multitude of digital media devices.
US07673224B2	Low power viterbi decoder using a novel register-exchange architecture An apparatus and method of reducing power dissipation in a register exchange implementation of a Viterbi decoder used in a digital receiver or mass-storage system without degrading the bit error rate of the decoder, by selectively inhibiting data samples in the Viterbi decoder's register memory from being shifted if the data samples have converged to a single value. FIFO memories keep track of what data samples have converged, the order of the samples, and the converged data value, thereby keeping the decoded data in the FIFO synchronized with data continuing to be shifted through the register memory.
US07673222B2	Error-correcting apparatus including multiple error-correcting modules functioning in parallel and related method An apparatus for error-correcting an input signal to generate an output signal. The apparatus includes an unreliable-location determining module for determining unreliable-locations of the input signal and generating an indication signal accordingly, a first error-correcting module for error-correcting the input signal to generate a first candidate signal, a second error-correcting module coupled to the unreliable-location determining module for error-correcting the input signal with reference to the indication signal to generate a second candidate signal, and a selecting module coupled to the first and second error-correcting modules for selecting one of the first and second candidate signals to be the output signal.
US07673221B2	Optimal bit allocation system for Reed-Solomon coded data Apparatus and method for generating parameters used in coding data in a data transmission system. The method determines a number of possible coding parameters to satisfy a target coding gain and selects the best set of parameters that balance the code word length and the error rate. In this manner, a minimum coding gain may be used, which minimizes cross-talk on a transmission link.
US07673217B2	Method of detecting data transmission errors in a CAN controller, and a CAN controller for carrying out the method A method of detecting data transmission errors in a CAN controller includes generating at least one check bit that is verifiable for ensuring the consistency of the transmitted data. A CAN controller that ensures continuous error monitoring during data transmission includes an interface unit for exchanging data with a CAN bus, a memory unit for storing received data and data to be transmitted, and an electronic unit for controlling data transmission between the memory unit and the interface unit. The interface unit of the CAN controller has an arrangement for generating check bits for received data and for verifying check bits for data to be transmitted.
US07673215B2	Apparatus and method for using an error correcting code to achieve data compression in a data communication network An apparatus and method for using an error correcting code to achieve data compression in a data communication network is disclosed. Data compression is achieved by performing an error correction encoding operation on input data. Data compression is further achieved by providing, for transmission across a communication channel, compressed data that is representative of the input data. The compressed data preferably includes error correction information produced by the error correction encoding operation. The compressed data requires less transmission channel capacity than does the input data.
US07673201B1	Recovering a prior state of a circuit design within a programmable integrated circuit A method of restoring a selected operational state of a circuit design implemented within a programmable integrated circuit (IC) can include pipelining a clock gating signal that selectively pauses a clock of the circuit design, and storing configuration data specifying an operational state of the circuit design at a first simulation clock cycle in non-configuration memory. At a second simulation clock cycle, the clock of the circuit design can be gated. The stored configuration data can be loaded into configuration memory of the programmable IC, wherein loading the configuration data reconfigures the circuit design and restores the operational state of the circuit design in existence at the first simulation clock cycle. The clock of the circuit design can be advanced a number of clock cycles corresponding to a difference between the second simulation clock cycle and the first simulation clock cycle.
US07673198B1	Testing system and related testing method for an analog design under test A testing system includes an integrated circuit having an analog design under test and a processor; an digital-to-analog converter (DAC), coupled to the analog design under test and the processor, for converting a digital testing sequence output of the processor into an analog testing sequence fed into the analog design under test; a analog-to-digital converter (ADC), coupled to the analog design under test and the processor, for converting an analog testing response of the analog design under test into a digital testing response fed into the processor; and an external tester, coupled to the processor of the integrated circuit, for sequentially outputting a program sequence to the processor; wherein the processor executes the program sequence without un-predictable conditional jump to get a testing result of the testing system and then outputs the testing result to the external tester.
US07673197B2	Polymorphic automatic test systems and methods An Analog/mixed signal automatic test system includes a software architecture that creates a virtual composite instruments through novel software dynamic allocation of low level resources. These virtual composite instruments provide backwards and forwards compatibility to a variety of automatic test equipment, known or available on the market. The virtual composite instruments are free from the normal constraints imposed by hardware implementations. Creation of the virtual composite instruments allows a single piece of automatic test equipment system to emulate many implementations of automatic test equipment, providing higher utilization, and therefore a lower cost test solution for device manufacturers. The test instruments are preferably object controls and are preferably instantiated and controlled by the test system server. This allows multiple users to control the tester simultaneously across, for example, the Internet.
US07673187B2	Data processing apparatus and method for reducing trace bandwidth A data processing apparatus and method are provided for reducing trace bandwidth. The data processing apparatus comprises logic for producing data elements, and trace logic for producing a stream of trace elements representative of at least some of the data elements. The trace logic has trace generation logic for generating trace elements for inclusion in the stream, the trace generation logic including compression logic for performing a compression process on at least some trace elements prior to inclusion in the stream. A storage is also provided in association with the trace logic for providing control information which is dependent on an operating environment of the logic producing the data elements. The trace generation logic is arranged to reference that control information in order to adapt the compression process performed by the compression logic having regard to the operating environment. By such an approach, the efficiency of the compression process can be maintained irrespective of the operating environment of the logic producing the data elements.
US07673186B2	Apparatus and method for cold sparing in multi-board computer systems Power supply voltage of a PCI or a similar communication bus interface is separated from one or more other power supply voltages on a backplane, on boards insertable into the backplane, and on the bus interface components of the boards. The power supply of the bus interface (VIO) is provided to cold spare boards inserted into the backplane, while the other voltages are not provided to the cold spare boards. Availability of the VIO on the cold spare boards prevents the VIO clamping diodes on the PCI I/O lines from grounding the PCI bus. Cold spare capability is thus provided to systems with PCI and similar communication buses.
US07673180B1	Method and apparatus for dispatching a remote debugging agent in a distributed computing environment A method for dispatching a remote debugging agent (RDA), involving embedding the RDA in a target program to obtain a remotely debuggable target program, submitting the remotely debuggable target program to a distributed computing environment, wherein the distributed computing environment includes a plurality of nodes, executing the remotely debuggable target program on at least one of the plurality of nodes, establishing a connection between the RDA and a central debugging tool, and debugging the remotely debuggable target program using the central debugging tool.
US07673179B2	Online testing unification system with remote test automation technology The present invention is directed to an online product validation solution integrating an online testing module configured to assist a user to create test cases and a remote test automation module configured to execute the created test cases on remote test systems. When a user creates a test plan, complete test coverage for the test plan may be ensured and cross-checked with product specifications stored in the knowledge database. Moreover, seamless integration of the online testing module and the remote test automation module may provide a uniform interface for generating both manual and automated test cases. Test case status is reported within the test plan in synchronicity with test case execution.
US07673176B2	Apparatus and method to locate a failed device in a data storage system A computing device comprising a plurality of devices and a plurality of visual indicators is disclosed. Each of the plurality of visual indicators is interconnected with a power source and is associated with a different one of the plurality of devices. None of the plurality of visual indicators comprises a capacitor.
US07673170B2	Personal computer bus protocol with error correction mode An integrated circuit device has a function block to perform a core function, a bus controller through which the function block is to communicate with another device over an attachment bus, and an error correction module (ECM). The ECM adapts a bus protocol to a failure in the bus, so that the bus protocol remains functional for the function block to communicate with the other IC device via the bus controller, despite the failure. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07673164B1	Managing power in a parallel processing environment An integrated circuit includes a plurality of tiles. Each tile includes a processor; a switch including switching circuitry to forward data over data paths from other tiles to the processor and to switches of other tiles; and a timer. At least some tiles include a low power mode of operation in which either the processor or the switch is able to be powered down, and the tile is able to leave the low power mode based at least in part on a value of the timer.
US07673152B2	Microprocessor with program and data protection function under multi-task environment In a microprocessor, a program key for decrypting a program and a data key for encrypting/decrypting data processed by the program are handled as cryptographically inseparable pair inside the microprocessor, so that it becomes possible for the microprocessor to protect processes that actually execute the program, without an intervention of the operating system, and it becomes possible to conceal secret information of the program not only from the other user program but also from the operating system.
US07673151B2	Processor for encrypting and/or decrypting data and method of encrypting and/or decrypting data using such a processor A control device is connected to at least one encryption/decryption device via at least one communication device. The control device is connected to a round key generator via at least one further communication device. The control device has at least one external key input, the at least one encryption/decryption device has at least one external data input and at least one external data output, and the at least one encryption/decryption device and the round key generator are decoupled from one another.
US07673146B2	Methods and systems of remote authentication for computer networks As part of a network node authentication process, a MAC address or other globally unique identifier of an access point through which the network node will access a computer network is transmitted in an EAP or other authentication message to an authentication server to uniquely identify the access point to the authentication server.
US07673141B2	Client authentication using a challenge provider A system for providing secured access to an application service includes a challenge provider that uses a first cryptographic technique to provide a challenge to a client seeking access to an application service. The client uses a second cryptographic technique to generate a response, and provides the response to an authentication service. The authentication service grants the client access to the application service only if the challenge and response are authenticated using a first authentication technique complementary to the first cryptographic technique and a second authentication technique complementary to the second cryptographic technique, respectively.
US07673134B2	Backup restore in a corporate infrastructure A method and system for remotely storing a user's admin key to gain access to an intranet is presented. The user's admin key and intranet user identification (ID) are encrypted using an enterprise's public key, and together they are concatenated into a single backup admin file, which is stored in the user's client computer. If the user needs his admin file and is unable to access it in a backup client computer, he sends the encrypted backup admin file to a backup server and his unencrypted intranet user ID to an intranet authentication server. The backup server decrypts the user's single backup admin file to obtain the user's admin key and intranet user ID. If the unencrypted intranet user ID in the authentication server matches the decrypted intranet user ID in the backup server, then the backup server sends the backup client computer the decrypted admin key.
US07673122B1	Software hint to specify the preferred branch prediction to use for a branch instruction Software hints embedded in branch instructions direct selection of one of a plurality of branch predictors to use when processing the branch instructions, leading to improved branch prediction (i.e. fewer mis-predictions) over conventional schemes. A software agent assembles branch instructions having associated respective branch predictor control fields compatible with a branch predictor selector and a plurality of branch predictors. Each branch predictor control field is used to perform branch predictor selection, branch predictor control, or both. Branch predictor selection enables selective branch prediction according to an appropriate one of the branch predictors as determined by the software agent by examining context surrounding the branch instruction. Branch predictor control enables control of operation of one or more of the branch predictors. For example, a history-based branch predictor may be instructed to provide branch prediction according to a history-depth specified by the branch predictor control.
US07673119B2	VLIW optional fetch packet header extends instruction set space This invention is useful in a very long instruction word data processor that fetches a predetermined plural number of instructions each operation cycle. A predetermined one of these instructions is used as a special header. This special header has a unique encoding different from any normal instruction. When decoded this special header instructs decode hardware to decode this fetch packet in a special way. In one embodiment a bit field in the header signals the decode hardware whether to decode each instruction word normally or in an alternative way. The header may include extension opcode bits corresponding to each of the other instruction slots. In another embodiment another bit field signals whether to decode an instruction field as one normal length instruction or as two half-length instructions.
US07673116B2	Input/output memory management unit that implements memory attributes based on translation data In one embodiment, an input/output (I/O) memory management unit (IOMMU) comprises at least one memory and control logic coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store translation data corresponding to one or more I/O translation tables stored in a memory system of a computer system that includes the IOMMU. The control logic is configured to translate an I/O device-generated memory request using the translation data. The translation data includes a type field indicating one or more attributes of the translation, and the control logic is configured to control the translation responsive to the type field.
US07673111B2	Memory system with both single and consolidated commands In some embodiments, a chip includes a request queue to include write requests, and scheduling circuitry to schedule commands including commands in response to the write requests. The chip also includes mode selection circuitry to monitor the request queue and in response thereto to select a first or a second mode for the scheduling circuitry, wherein in the first mode the scheduling circuitry schedules certain commands as separate single commands and in the second mode the scheduling circuitry schedules consolidated commands to represent more than one separate single command. Other embodiments are described.
US07673100B1	Methods and systems for distributed cache tag management Methods and systems are disclosed that relate to locating cached data corresponding to data in persistent memory within a data storage facility. An exemplary method includes receiving a request for data in persistent memory, applying a function to a persistent memory address of the requested data to determine an address of one of a plurality of cache tag controllers, each of which controls nonduplicative cache tags, and looking up, at the addressed cache tag controller, a cache memory address for data corresponding to the requested data.
US07673097B2	Recording medium with overlapping segment information thereon and apparatus and methods for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or optical recording medium including segment information recorded thereon, and apparatus and methods for recording to and reproducing from the recording medium, in order to improve data protection, data management and/or reproduction compatibility. The recording medium may contain at least one segment area which is an area on the disc controlled by a plurality of valid PACs and if the designated segment areas overlap with one another, control information of the respective PACs which control the overlapped area may be applied to control the overlapped area.
US07673094B2	Memory devices with buffered command address bus Circuits and methods are provided that alleviate overloading of the command address bus and limit decreases in command address bus bandwidth to allow increased numbers of memory modules to be included in a computer system. A plurality of switches is coupled between the command address bus (which is coupled to the memory controller) and a respective plurality of memory modules. Each switch provides command address bus data only to its respective memory module. Preferably, only one switch does so at a time, limiting the loading seen by the memory controller.
US07673089B2	Flash drive memory apparatus and method A memory apparatus includes a non-volatile computer memory, a USB mass storage controller connected to the non-volatile computer memory, the USB mass storage controller including a daisy chain component, a male USB interface connected to the USB mass storage controller, and at least one other interface for a memory device, other than a USB interface, the at least one other interface being connected to the USB mass storage controller.
US07673085B2	Multi-channel communication circuit A multi-channel communication circuit includes a master device, a plurality of slave devices, and a multiplexer (MUX). A transmitting pin and a receiving pin of a serial interface of the master device are respectively connected to a first data input pin and a first data output pin of the MUX. Two control pins of the serial interface of the master device are connected to two selecting pins of the MUX. Four pins of the serial interface of the master device are connected to a power pin of the MUX. Transmitting pins of a serial interface of each slave device are respectively connected to a plurality of second data input pins of the MUX and receiving pins of a serial interface of each slave device are respectively connected to a plurality of second data output pins of the MUX, the master device communicates with one slave device via transmitting a corresponding selecting signal to the two selecting pins of the MUX to select one slave device.
US07673084B2	Bus system and methods of operation using a combined data and synchronization line to communicate between bus master and slaves A bus system and methods for initialization and communication in a bus system are presented.
US07673080B1	Differential data transfer for flash memory card A flash memory card includes a differential datapath that enables communications between the flash memory card and a host device to be performed using differential signals. The differential datapath can translate between the differential signals and card-specific signals that control read/write operations to the memory array of the flash memory card. The card-specific signals can be standard MultiMediaCard, Secure-Digital card, Memory Stick, or CompactFlash card signals, among others. A host device that provides differential data transfer capability can include a similar differential datapath. By using differential data transfer rather than conventional clocked data transfer, overall data bandwidth between a flash memory card and a host device can be significantly increased, while simultaneously decreasing power consumption and pin requirements.
US07673070B1	Method of sharing telecommunications node equipment facilities The present invention generally relates to providing a plurality of logical nodes in a telecommunications node. A plurality of control processors are configured to manage data routing paths for the logical nodes. Each logical node can be associated with a different entity.
US07673068B2	Method and system for implementing a high availability VLAN A network node is described herein which ensures that whenever an ingress station (e.g., PC) communicates a special MAC DA packet then that packet's copies are forwarded (via a high availability VLAN) to its port(s) that are associated with remote network node(s) and/or egress server(s) (e.g., firewall(s)) and not forwarded to its port(s) that are associated with data storage server(s) or ingress station(s) (e.g., PCs). The network node also ensures that whenever an ingress station (e.g., PC) communicates a normal MAC DA packet then that packet's copies are forwarded to all of its port(s) that are associated with ingress station(s), remote network node(s), egress server(s) and/or data storage server(s) so that these stations/servers can maintain their connectivity via a default VLAN.
US07673064B2	Methods, apparatus, and program products for presenting commentary audio with recorded content Apparatus, methods, and program products that present commentary audio in conjunction with an experiential data stream by detecting proximity of a playback position to an audio trigger position associated with a commentary audio clip and presenting the commentary audio clip accordingly.
US07673061B2	Method and apparatus for neighborhood discovery across disparate point-to-point networks A method or apparatus in an exemplary embodiment supports first and second layer network nodes that may be configured to communicate with each other via a communications path. In embodiments a first network node communicates via a second network node across a layer 2 network to send data. The first network node is typically on a different link layer protocol than the second network node receiving the data. Thus, the first and second layer network nodes, having different link layer protocols, may communicate with each other. Accordingly, through use of embodiments of this invention, Neighbor Discovery (ND) is possible in a network, such as an IPv6 network, that has protocols incompatible with each other.
US07673060B2	Systems and methods for providing reliable multicast messaging in a multi-node graphics system Embodiments of the present invention are broadly directed to novel systems and methods for providing reliable multicast of data in a multi-node graphics system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a multi-node computer graphics system is provided comprising a master node capable of executing a graphics application and a plurality of render nodes configured to collectively render a graphic image, in response to graphics data communicated from the master node. The embodiment further comprises logic associated with the master node for communicating graphics data to the plurality of render nodes in a multicast packet. Additional logic, associated with the master node, is provided for determining whether a predetermined number of render nodes have acknowledged receipt of the multicast packet. The embodiment further comprises logic associated with the master node for re-transmitting the multicast packet to the plurality of render nodes, if the predetermined number of render nodes have not acknowledged receipt of the multicast packet within a given time.
US07673059B2	Tracking electronic content A method of tracking electronic content includes producing a file of electronic content and executable instructions that collect notification information and attempt to transmit the notification information to an address when triggered by an event. The executable instructions deny access to the electronic content until the notification information is transmitted successfully.
US07673058B1	Unsolicited message intercepting communications processor The spam blocker monitors the SMTP/TCP/IP conversation between a sending message transfer agent MTA—0 and a receiving message transfer agent MTA—1; catches MTA—0's IP address IP—0, MTA—0's declared domain D—0, from-address A—0; to-address A—1, and the body of the message; and uses this source and content information to test for unsolicited messages. It interrupts the conversation when MTA—0 sends a .\r\n end-of-message indicator and uses the various test results to decide if the message is suspected of being unsolicited. If the message is suspected of being unsolicited then it logs the rejected message and sends an error reply to MTA—0 which forces MTA—0 to send a QUIT command before the body of the message is transmitted; else it logs the allowed message and releases the intercepted RCPT command which allows the conversation between MTA—0 and MTA—1 to proceed.
US07673052B2	Policy algorithm for selection of compatible systems for virtual server mobility A method and system for selecting compatible systems for virtual server mobility. Responsive to determining a current location of a workload partition instance running on a managed server, mandatory compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy associated with the workload partition instance are executed to compare properties of the managed server with properties of potential target systems. A list of potential target systems is generated that have passed the mandatory compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy. Optional compatibility tests specified in a compatibility policy associated with the workload partition instance are executed. The potential target systems that have failed any of the optional compatibility tests are removed from the list to form a filtered list, wherein the filtered list comprises a list of potential target systems compatible to support relocation of process collections within the workload partition instance.
US07673030B2	Internet control system communication protocol, method and computer program A control system, method and computer program are provided for communicating control information in a control system. The control system includes a master controller and a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices have a number of channels. Each channel has an identifying number and a plurality of channel states. The method includes at least initially directing one or more messages sent to and from each device to the master controller, sending a first type of control message from the master controller to respective devices, and sending a second type of control message and a third type of control message from the master controller to respective devices. A control message of the first type directs the respective device to place one of its channels in a specified channel state. A control message of the second type directs the respective device to set the level of a specified parameter to a certain value, and a control message of the third type comprises a character string of variable length.
US07673015B2	Information-processing apparatus, information-processing methods, recording mediums, and programs An information-processing apparatus operated by a user to carry out communications through a network transmits user-disclosure information to an other information-processing apparatus. The user-disclosure information includes a number of other users utilizing the information-processing apparatus. The apparatus also receives user-disclosure information for the other apparatus and controls a process to display the other user-disclosure information. The apparatus produces a determination result indicating that a requested connection to the other information-processing apparatus is authorized or not authorized by the other information-processing apparatus based on a response received from the other information-processing apparatus. The response is based on the transmitted user-disclosure information. The apparatus is also configured to transmit image and voice data to the other information-processing apparatus and receive image and voice data from the other information-processing apparatus in case the determination result indicates that a connection with the other information-processing apparatus is authorized by the other information-processing apparatus.
US07673000B2	Email service An email having a header and a message is processed by an email service to store the header in a plurality of attached storage devices that are each in communication with one of a respective plurality of header host computing devices. The email service stores the message in a separate file in a plurality of attached storage devices that are each in communication with one of a respective plurality of message host computing devices.
US07672995B2	System and method for publishing collaboration items to a web site A computer-implemented process takes content created collaboratively from a workgroup environment and converts it into a scheduled web page that is publishable on the Internet. The computer-implemented process loosely relates the generated collaboration content and the published web page such that each may be independently modified and have independent life cycles, but still reflect changes to the collaboration content on the published web page.
US07672987B2	System and method for integration of medical information A computer system for integrating medical information using the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) as a taxonomy of medical terms includes a learner module for learning from training data concept classifiers for a source ontology and a target ontology, a mapper module for generating associations between source and target ontology classifiers using the UMLS, an annotator module for extracting knowledge from test data using source and target ontology classifiers and UMLS, and a feedback module for ranking associations according to a level or certainty, and presenting those associations that fall below a predefined level of certainty to a user for correction.
US07672986B2	Managing graphic databases A public graphic library coupled to a WAN offers access to a database of graphics, while another graphic library inside the firewall of an enterprise network provides graphics to users in an enterprise. Transferring graphics from the public graphic library to the enterprise graphic library enables enterprise users to access content residing on the public graphic library while the enterprise network is disconnected or otherwise isolated from the WAN. A remote library director in a drawing software program directs communication between a user computer and either the public graphic library or the enterprise graphic library. The configuration of this director specifies the library from which a user accesses graphics.
US07672971B2	Modular architecture for entity normalization A system and method identifying duplicate objects from a plurality of objects. The system and method groups similar objects into buckets based on a selected grouper, matches objects within the same bucket based on a selected matcher, and identifies the matching objects as duplicate objects.
US07672966B2	Adding extrinsic data columns to an existing database schema using a temporary column pool A facility for storing extrinsic data is described. The facility receives data associated with a distinguished extrinsic data item of a specified type. The facility determines whether a flexible column directory table contains an entry mapping the distinguished extrinsic data item to a flexible column pool column. If the flexible column directory table does not contain an entry mapping the distinguished extrinsic data item to a flexible column pool column, the facility creates an entry in the flexible column directory table that maps the distinguished extrinsic data item to an available flexible column pool column of the specified type. The facility then copies the received data to the flexible column pool column mapped from the distinguished extrinsic data item.
US07672951B1	Guided navigation system A navigation system is used in combination with a data retrieval system to more effectively locate the correct answers or information in search content. The navigation system provides taxonomies that identify different information categories and sub-categories (facets). Classifiers automatically classify the search content by identifying the content corresponding with associated facets. The facets, in conjunction with the associated classifiers, provide robust classification and correlation between both structured and unstructured content. Rules can be used in conjunction with the facets and classifiers to automatically control different navigation operations. The navigation system can also leverage ontologies to dynamically create taxonomies and provides unique facet expansion and intra-document classification operations.
US07672950B2	Method and apparatus for selecting, analyzing, and visualizing related database records as a network A method and apparatus for selecting and converting database records or sets of related documents into network data and presenting that data in a network visualization system that enables users to select among, and move between various network displays by selecting one or more attributes of the data to be represented as the nodes and links of the network.
US07672948B2	Centralized data transformation A method of facilitating transformation of survey data from being in at least one foreign format used by a survey-tool to being in a desired format may include: receiving instances of foreign data from survey-tools, the foreign data being in foreign format used by the survey-tools, respectively; and appending, to the instances of foreign data, service-keys to identify the service tools which gathered the foreign data, respectively, to produce a data block that includes key-and-foreign-data pairs. Another such method may include: receiving such a data block; culling from the block key-and-foreign-data pairs; and operating upon the pairs to transform respective chunks of foreign data from being in respective foreign formats into being in corresponding desired formats according to corresponding service-keys, respectively.
US07672942B2	Method and apparatus for matching non-normalized data values Enables locating and merging potential data record matches. Enables locating duplicates through the definition of matching strategies. Each strategy may include transformations, matching rules and scoring thresholds to implement fuzzy matches that match closely related data records that are not exact matches. Performing a search allows for narrowing down the records to a desired set on which to apply a given matching strategy. Merging is performed on the potential duplicates thus located to consolidate data and remove duplicates. By narrowing down the records to a closely related set via a search, merging is simplified to work on a small number of closely related records, thus simplifying the process. The total matching score obtained via execution of match strategies may be utilized to determine which potential record(s) to merge for example. May utilize past user input to provide intelligent inputs for rules, tokens, weights, fields, parameters or any other past user input.
US07672939B2	System and method providing automated margin tree analysis and processing of sampled data The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate database processing in accordance with a plurality of various applications. In one aspect, a large database of objects is processed, wherein the objects can be represented as points in a vector space, and two or more objects are deemed ‘close’ if a Euclidean distance between the points is small. This can apply for substantially any type of object, provided a suitable distance measure can be defined. In another aspect, a ‘test’ object having a vector x, is processed to determine if there exists an object y in the database such that the distance between x and y falls below a threshold t. If several objects in the database satisfy this criteria, a list of objects can be returned, together with their corresponding distances. If no objects were to satisfy the criterion, an indication of this condition can also be provided, but in addition, the condition or information relating to the condition can be provided.
US07672936B2	Security model using security domains in a security model applied to abstract database The present invention generally is directed to a method, system and article of manufacture for controlling the access to data granted to a requesting entity based upon data accessed by the entity in the past. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention allow for access control independent from the particular manner in which the data is physically represented. Generally, abstraction layers are provided to represent various data sources available for use by an application and to compose queries used by the application to access and/or update information contained in these data sources. A runtime component is responsible for resolving an abstract query into concrete data access requests to one or more data repositories using information contained in a data repository abstraction component (one of the abstraction layers). Typically, data is organized into a series of domains. Within each domain, data is associated with an account. User activity is monitored, and when data associated with one account is accessed, a user may subsequently be prohibited from accessing data from a related account within the same domain.
US07672934B1	Method for restoring documents from a database file Various embodiments of a method and system for accessing an instance of a database file previously created by a secured RDBMS are disclosed. The secured RDBMS is not used to reconstruct tables and records from an unmounted backed up copy of a database file. During backup, a schema file including table and index information is stored along with the database file. During a subsequent restore operation, the schema file may be read for efficiently reconstructing objects from the database file, without having to reload or reinstall the secured RDBMS. For restoring or comparing objects from the backed up database file, a stored procedure in the secured RDBMS may be called.
US07672927B1	Suggesting an alternative to the spelling of a search query A method and apparatus for generating a list of candidate alternative spellings is provided. Among a plurality of files, a first file, which contains a link that indicates a user-entered spelling, is found. The link links to a second file. A second spelling, which is spelled similarly to, but not exactly the same as, the first spelling, is located within the second file. The second spelling is added to a list of candidate alternative spellings of the first spelling. The second spelling does not need to be contained in any result field (e.g., title, abstract, or URL) that is associated with the second file.
US07672925B2	Accelerating queries using temporary enumeration representation A system, method, and computer program product for processing a database query are presented. Steps for identifying a value expression comprising information needed in order to resolve a query, associating enumerated values with the set of distinct values for the value expression, evaluating the query utilizing the enumerated values, and deleting the association are disclosed.
US07672922B2	Pointer-oriented object acquisition method for abstract treatment of information of AI of AI of a cyborg or an android based on a natural language The pointer-oriented object acquisition method for abstract treatment of information of the computer system of AI of a cyborg or an android based on a natural language.The pointer-oriented object acquisition method for abstract treatment of information of the computer system of AI of a cyborg or an android based on a natural language, in which three pointers are created in the computer main memory (in RAM) of the computer system of AI of a cyborg or an android in the natural language, in which the computer system is working at this timeframe, at runtime. In this way, the subjective object, the associative object and the abstract object of the computer system of AI of a cyborg or an android are instantiated and are initialized. With these objects, which are implemented in a natural language, one can access to, i.e. manipulate with the element variables, i.e. with the data elements, of a class of the classification tree of the computer system of AI of the cyborg or the android.
US07672919B2	Determination of graph connectivity metrics using bit-vectors Determination of a connectivity-metrics for graphs representative of networks of interest. A graph that represents a network of interest is accessed. The graph includes nodes representing points in the network of interest, and edges corresponding to the nodes. Bit-vectors are generated corresponding to the nodes and/or edges, wherein individual bits in the bit-vectors respectively provide a logical indication of connectedness. The connectivity-metric is then determined by applying a logical bit operation to the plurality of bit-vectors. Examples of connectivity metrics include a connected components, shortest paths, betweenness, clustering, and tree-based determinations.
US07672906B2	Randomly generated color grid used to ensure multi-factor authentication A method and system for ensuring the secure authentication of transactions over a communication network using a validation code 40, wherein the user submits information over a communication terminal and submitting validation code 40 for authentication allows the transaction to be completed, the system comprised of: a substantially transparent alphanumeric cipher card 10 associated with the user information, wherein cipher card 10 contains rows and columns of random alphanumeric characters; and an authentication module for providing validation code 40 to the user whereby a color grid 20 is generated to be displayed on a user terminal, wherein the cells of color grid 20 are randomly filled with one of a plurality of colors and the design of color grid 20 is adapted to cipher card 10 such that upon positioning alphanumeric cipher card 10 over color grid 20, the user can deduce a validation code 40.
US07672905B2	Apparatus and method for rendering digital content An apparatus for rendering a digital content having license information defining specifics of permission of a rendering operation includes a license processor that acquires, from the license information of the digital content, a constraint defining conditions for rendering between the digital content and other digital content; an operation execution command generator that generates an operation execution command for rendering the digital content according to the constraint acquired by the license processor; and a content renderer that renders the digital content based on the operation execution command generated by the operation execution command generator.
US07672900B2	Write input transaction apparatus and method A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system.
US07672898B1	Regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment to maintain an actual cost for a trading strategy A system and method for regulating order entry based on an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy are described. According to one example embodiment, a trader may define an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy as a percentage. The trader may also define a variable to associate with the trading strategy. Using a spread trading algorithm, a spread price axis is generated and the trader may place an order for the trading strategy at a desired price, comprising placing an order in one leg market dependent on the market conditions of another leg market. Using the acceptable slop range, the system keep the net cost to the trader within the acceptable slop range, by regulating orders in the leg markets. Defining an acceptable slop range as a percentage allows the trader to monitor and regulate their profits and loss, regardless of the type of spread trading algorithm used or the placement of an order o the spread price axis.
US07672895B2	System and method for simulating an electronic trading environment Market data is recorded from a real live exchange. The recording data can be played back in real time or delayed, in any manner, to simulate the recorded market. Moreover, one or more users can participate in the simulated market just as if they were participating in a real-live market. The system provides a realistic trading environment without the associated risks of trading in a live-market such as losing money and the cost of making trades. The system may be used for training purposes and for purposes of testing and analyzing various trading strategies. Software developers and testers may also utilize the realistic environment to develop trading products or applications. Additionally, the system provides a means for demonstrating trading application products.
US07672887B2	System and method for managing healthcare costs Disclosed is a system and method for creating a financial index related to healthcare costs. A financial derivative instrument can be created from the index. Using the financial derivative instrument, an entity can hedge against unexpected fluctuations of healthcare costs.
US07672882B2	Apparatus, methods and computer programs for metering and accounting for services accessed over a network Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period.
US07672871B2	Self-checkout system with anti-theft deactivation device A self-checkout system for processing an article with an security tag attached thereto includes a self-checkout station, a product code input device, a deactivation device and a prompting system to provide instructions to a user. The system can automatically prompt a user to pass an article within a deactivation region generated by the deactivation device to deactivate an anti-theft tag.
US07672867B2	Optimized deployment of parts in a distribution network A method for deploying parts is disclosed. Locations that include supply locations and demand locations are defined. A supply location supplies parts to a demand location. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A stock level is computed for each part at each location. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function for the parts at the locations is generated from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand.
US07672865B2	Method and apparatus for retail data mining using pair-wise co-occurrence consistency The invention, referred to herein as PeaCoCk, uses a unique blend of technologies from statistics, information theory, and graph theory to quantify and discover patterns in relationships between entities, such as products and customers, as evidenced by purchase behavior. In contrast to traditional purchase-frequency based market basket analysis techniques, such as association rules which mostly generate obvious and spurious associations, PeaCoCk employs information-theoretic notions of consistency and similarity, which allows robust statistical analysis of the true, statistically significant, and logical associations between products. Therefore, PeaCoCk lends itself to reliable, robust predictive analytics based on purchase-behavior.
US07672863B2	System and method for load balancing based on service level objectives and information on the contents of start and finish processes of business services A load balancing method comprises the steps of: registering a business configuration definition of each business service including a schedule of the business service with a business configuration management repository; storing at least a service level objective of each business service; storing information on performance of each information processing module; acquiring the registered schedule and the stored service level objective of the designated business service; partitioning the schedule of the designated business service into a plurality of partial schedules according to the acquired service level objective; selecting one or more information processing modules whose performance information stored in the performance management table satisfies the service level objective in each partial schedule; and reserving the information processing modules selected for the partial schedules as information processing modules for executing the designated business service in the schedule. A partition fulfilling agreements on service quality can be constructed dynamically.
US07672860B2	Computerized method and system for determining the contribution of defenses to premises liability for an accident A computer-implemented method and system for estimating a contribution of a defense to premises liability is provided. In one embodiment, a set of characteristics of an accident may be provided to a computer system. A contribution of the defense may be determined from at least one of the characteristics of the accident. In one embodiment, a characteristic may include a location of the accident. The defense may selected from a group of one or more defenses.
US07672850B2	Method for arranging voice feedback to a digital wireless terminal device and corresponding terminal device, server and software to implement the method In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for arranging voice feedback to a digital wireless terminal device, which includes a voice-assisted user interface (Voice UI), wherein the terminal device gives a voice feedback corresponding to its state. The terminal device includes memory devices (PPM) for storing the voice feedbacks. In the method, the following stages take place to arrange the voice feedback in connection with the terminal device: one or more voice feedbacks are generated, the generated voice feedbacks are converted into a digital form, the digitalized voice feedbacks are edited with chosen algorithms (ACELP) in order to reduce their file size, and the edited voice feedbacks are stored in a memory (PPM) arranged in connection with the terminal device.
US07672847B2	Discriminative training of hidden Markov models for continuous speech recognition Methods are given for improving discriminative training of hidden Markov models for continuous speech recognition. For a mixture component of a hidden Markov model state, a gradient adjustment is calculated of the standard deviation of the mixture component. If the calculated gradient adjustment is greater than a first threshold amount, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the first threshold. If the calculated gradient adjustment is less than a second threshold amount, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the second threshold. Otherwise, an adjustment is performed of the standard deviation of the mixture component using the calculated gradient adjustment.
US07672844B2	Voice processing apparatus A voice processing apparatus for performing voiceprint recognition processing with high accuracy even in the case where a plurality of conference participants speak at a time in a conference; wherein a bi-directional telephonic communication portion receives as an input respective voice signals from a plurality of microphones, selects one microphone based on the input voice signals, and outputs a voice signal from the microphone; a voiceprint recognition portion 322 performs voiceprint recognition based on the input voice signal in voiceprint recognizable period, and stores voiceprint data successively in a buffer; and a CPU takes out voiceprint data successively from the buffer, checking against voiceprint data stored in a voiceprint register, specifies a speaker, and processes the voice signal output from the bi-directional telephonic communication portion by associating the same with the speaker.
US07672843B2	Audio signature extraction and correlation A signature is extracted from the audio of a program received by a tunable receiver such that the signature characterizes the program. In order to extract the signature, blocks of the audio are converted to corresponding spectral moments. At least one of the spectral moments is then converted to the signature. Also, a test audio signal from a receiver is correlated to a reference audio signal by converting the test audio signal and the reference audio signal to corresponding test and reference spectra, determining test slopes corresponding to coefficients of the test spectrum and reference slopes corresponding to coefficients of the reference spectrum, and comparing the test slopes to the reference slopes in order to determine a match between the test audio signal and the reference audio signal.
US07672840B2	Voice speed control apparatus A voice speed control apparatus comprising: an utterance/non-utterance judging unit judging whether a processing target segment in inputted a voice signal is an utterance segment or a non-utterance segment; a non-utterance continuation length acquiring unit acquiring a non-utterance continuation length representing a length of the voice signal judged continuously to be the non-utterance; a determining unit determining a reproducing speed of the processing target segment in the voice signal in accordance with the non-utterance continuation length so that the reproducing speed gets higher as the non-utterance continuation length gets larger and so that an increase in reproducing speed is restrained to a greater degree as the non-utterance continuation length becomes smaller; and a changing unit changing the reproducing speed of the voice signal, corresponding to the reproducing speed.
US07672833B2	Method and apparatus for automatic entity disambiguation Entity disambiguation resolves which names, words, or phrases in text correspond to distinct persons, organizations, locations, or other entities in the context of an entire corpus. The invention is based largely on language-independent algorithms. Thus, it is applicable not only to unstructured text from arbitrary human languages, but also to semi-structured data, such as citation databases and the disambiguation of named entities mentioned in wire transfer transaction records for the purpose of detecting money-laundering activity. The system uses multiple types of context as evidence for determining whether two mentions correspond to the same entity and it automatically learns the weight of evidence of each context item via corpus statistics. The invention uses multiple search keys to efficiently find pairs of mentions that correspond to the same entity, while skipping billions of unnecessary comparisons, yielding a system with very high throughput that can be applied to truly massive data.
US07672830B2	Apparatus and methods for aligning words in bilingual sentences Methods are disclosed for performing proper word alignment that satisfy constraints of coverage and transitive closure. Initially, a translation matrix which defines word association measures between source and target words of a corpus of bilingual translations of source and target sentences is computed. Subsequently, in a first method, the association measures in the translation matrix are factorized and orthogonalized to produce cepts for the source and target words, which resulting matrix factors may then be, optionally, multiplied to produce an alignment matrix. In a second method, the association measures in the translation matrix are thresholded, and then closed by transitivity, to produce an alignment matrix, which may then be, optionally, factorized to produce cepts. The resulting cepts or alignment matrices may then be used by any number of natural language applications for identifying words that are properly aligned.
US07672829B2	Pivot translation method and system A method and system for translating text from a source language into a target language is described. A source word table and a source structure analysis table corresponding to the source language can be generated based on the text to be translated. A target word table and a target structure analysis table corresponding to the target language can be generated based on the source word table and the source structure analysis table. A translation of the text from the source language into the target language is then generated using the target word table and the target structure analysis table.
US07672828B2	Memory access to virtual target device A software development technique is provided using target system virtualization software simulating behaviour of a target system. A target device driver running on a host system issues memory access commands to the target system virtualization software rather than to a memory interface unit of the host system. The memory interface unit may be an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) interface. The target system may be an EGPRS (Enhanced General Packet Radio Service) modem.
US07672827B1	Method and system for simulation of analog/digital interfaces with analog tri-state ioputs A system and method for simulating the electrical operation of a mixed analog/digital system includes the capability for analog circuit block inputs to respond to the condition in which digital gate outputs connected to the analog circuit block input are presented in high-impedance or floating signal states, thereby providing for simulation of a wide variety of mixed analog/digital designs in which this condition occurs. In a simulated design, an analog input of one or more analog circuit blocks is transformed into an analog tri-statable input-output referred to as an ioput. The ioput is capable of driving an analog signal when the digital gate outputs connected to the analog block input are presented in a high-impedance Z state; otherwise, the ioput acts as an analog input to the analog circuit block.
US07672825B2	Closed loop control system for controlling production of hydrocarbon fluid from an underground formation A method is disclosed for controlling production of oil and/or gas from an underground reservoir by means of a closed loop production control system, in which: an assembly of monitoring sensors (4) monitor the physical properties of hydrocarbon and other fluids within the reservoir; a plurality of high order and/or low order mathematical reservoir models (5,7) calculate each an estimate of the physical properties of hydrocarbon and other fluids in the hydrocarbon containing formation and in the wells; the mathematical reservoir models (5,7) are iteratively updated in response to data provided by the assembly of sensors such that any difference between the properties monitored by the assembly of sensors and those calculated by each of the reservoir models is minimized; an optimal mathematical reservoir model (5,7) or an optimal combination thereof is selected during at least one updating step for which an averaged difference between the calculated properties and the properties monitored by the assembly of sensors (4) is minimal; and an optimization algorithm (8) controls, on the basis of data provided by the selected optimal mathematical reservoir model or optimal combination thereof, production control assemblies of a plurality of wells which traverse the formation.
US07672819B2	Spot weld fracture analysis method, program therefor, and analysis apparatus thereof A spot weld fracture analysis method for a spot weld portion of three or more mutually superimposed plates that are spot-welded at a common welding point comprises an analysis step of executing an analysis by using a finite element model in which each plate is modeled by shell elements, and the shell elements corresponding to a spot weld point position of each plate are individually interconnected via beam elements, and a prediction step of finding an element force of a beam element that acts on a shell element relevant to a middle plate from a difference between the element forces of two beam elements connected to the shell element on a basis of the analysis result, and predicting a possibility of fracture of a spot weld between the middle plate and an adjacent plate by using the difference element force found from the difference.
US07672817B2	Flight in factory The invention relates to methods of measuring an aircraft under simulated flight-loads while the aircraft is not in-flight. While the aircraft is under the simulated flight-loads, positions of one or more portions of the aircraft may be measured in order to determine how the aircraft is performing under such loads. The aircraft may be readjusted and/or redesigned based on the measurements in order to reduce drag on the aircraft.
US07672815B2	Method and apparatus for evaluating a proposed solution to a constraint problem A method of evaluating constraint functions, the evaluation being based at least in part on a control blade movement criteria.
US07672814B1	System and method for baseline threshold monitoring The present invention provides a system for identifying exceptional behavior of a hardware or software component. According to one embodiment, the system comprises an operational metric calculator that is operative to sample a first behavior of an operational metric and a second behavior of the operational metric. The operational metric may be any metric that quantifies the operation of a hardware or software component, as well as combinations thereof. A baseline threshold calculator is operative to calculate a baseline threshold on the basis of the first sampled behavior of the operational metric. The baseline threshold is applied by a baseline threshold analyzer to the second operational metric to generate an alarm when the second sampled behavior of the operational metric deviates from the baseline threshold.
US07672813B2	Mixed statistical and numerical model for sensor array detection and classification A method and system for detecting and classifying biosensor and chemical sensor data includes processing data fetched from an array of sensors. A statistical analysis of the processed data is performed, to obtain statistically analyzed sensor data. A determination is made, based on the statistically analyzed sensor data, whether or not there a response signal has been generated from the array of sensors. If a response signal is determined to have been generated, a numerical pattern recognition is performed on the data collected from the array of sensors, in order to categorize the data.
US07672802B2	Apparatus and method for calibrating earphones for audiometric testing A system and method for performing audiometric testing utilizes an independently normalized audiometer and independently calibrated earphones.
US07672799B2	Defect inspection apparatus and defect inspection method A defect inspection apparatus includes: stages each mounting an inspecting object on which a circuit pattern having a group of parallel lines is formed, and each running perpendicular or parallel to the group of lines; an illumination optical system which illuminating a surface of the inspecting object with a slit beam being slit light so that a longitudinal direction of the slit beam is substantially perpendicular to the running directions of the stages, and which has a first inclined angle formed by the direction of the group of lines and a projection line, of an optical axis of the slit beam, to the inspecting object; a spatial filter that shields or transmits reflected and scattered light of the inspecting object according to a difference in distribution of orientation; and a detection optical system that detects the reflected and scattered light transmitted through the spatial filter by image sensors. Moreover, the illumination optical system illuminates the inspecting object with another slit beam from a direction opposite to an incident direction of the slit beam on a plane.
US07672795B1	Method for sampling seepage A method includes the steps of providing a tidal seepage meter having a power supply, a controller capable of controlling the power supply according to a sampling schedule, a motor capable of receiving power from the power supply according to the sampling schedule, a selector valve having an input port and at least two outlet ports and capable of selecting an output valve according to the sampling schedule, a seepage chamber capable of receiving seepage and inputting seepage to the selector valve via the input port, and a first sample container and a second sample container capable of receiving seepage from the selector valve via the output valve, transferring the sampling schedule to the tidal seepage meter, positioning the tidal seepage meter in sediment; and sampling seepage according to the sampling schedule. The sampled seepage water may then be analyzed and the results may be displayed to a user.
US07672791B2	Method of performing three-dimensional molecular superposition and similarity searches in databases of flexible molecules The virtual screening of a database of molecules is based on explicit three-dimensional molecular superpositions. The torsional flexibility of the database molecules is taken fully into account, and an arbitrary number of conformation-dependent molecular features may be considered. A fragmentation-reassembly approach is utilized, which allows for an efficient sampling of the conformational space. A fast clique-based pattern-matching algorithm generates alignments of pairs of adjacent molecular fragments on the (rigid) query molecule that are subsequently reassembled to complete database molecules. Using conventional molecular features (hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, charges, and hydrophobic groups), it is possible to rapidly produce accurate alignments of medium-sized drug-like molecules. Examples with a test database containing a diverse set of 1780 drug-like molecules (including all conformers) show that average query processing times of the order of 0.1 seconds per molecule can be achieved on a PC, depending on the size of the query molecule.
US07672790B2	System and method for stochastic DT-MRI connectivity mapping on the GPU A graphics processing unit implemented method for fiber tract mapping from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging data includes providing a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance brain image volume, initializing a set of fiber positions in a 3D set of points, fiber displacements, and a posterior distribution for an updated fiber displacement in terms of the initial displacements and diffusion tensors, randomly sampling a set of updated fiber displacements from said posterior distribution, computing a new set of fiber positions from said initial fiber positions and said updated fiber displacements, wherein a fiber path comprises a set of fiber points connected by successive fiber displacements, accumulating connectivity values in each point of said 3D set of points by additive alpha-blending a scaled value if a fiber path has passed through a point and adding zero if not, and rendering said connectivity values.
US07672787B2	Electronic hybridization assay and sequence analysis An electronic hybridization assay implements a hybridization reaction, or a sequence analysis, on sequences representative of the sequences of the molecules under examination to provide an output representative of a chemical hybridization reaction. An electronic hybridization machine implements a correlation algorithm where the correlation output provides information regarding the relationship between the molecules under examination. In one aspect, the degree of similarity between the molecules is indicated by the correlation output value. In another aspect, a locus of similarity between the molecules is indicated by a maximum value in the correlation output sequence. In a particular aspect, the sequences are encoded in an optimized format to optimize the operation of the operation of the electronic hybridization machine.
US07672784B2	Using statistics of a fitting function for data-driven dispersion slowness processing Dispersive array acoustic data are acquired. A histogram is determined from the semblance-frequency coherence of the data. The low frequency limit of the data is estimated by matching the statistics of the histogram to the statistics of a modeling function.
US07672777B2	Moving history conversion apparatus and moving history conversion method Moving history conversion apparatus making moving history accumulated in an apparatus available in other different-type apparatuses. The moving history conversion apparatus includes: a first map information accumulation unit which accumulates first map information representing a map using a series of first-type IDs for identifying geographical positions; a first moving history accumulation unit accumulating moving history represented as the series of first-type IDs accumulated in the first map information accumulation unit; the first moving history conversion unit converting, into latitude and longitude information, the series of IDs included in the moving history accumulated in the first moving history accumulation unit; a second map information accumulation unit accumulating the second map information which represents a map using a second-type IDs for identifying geographical positions; a second moving history conversion unit converting latitude and longitude information into the series of IDs included in the second map information accumulated in the second map information accumulation unit.
US07672772B2	Apparatus and method for evaluating a degree of a safety in traveling of a vehicle The apparatus acquires acceleration data in time series at a fixed position of a tire while a vehicle having the tire is traveling on a road surface, obtains a spectrum of the acceleration by subjecting the acquired time series acceleration data to frequency analysis, and detects a peak value of the spectrum of the acceleration in a frequency range of 500 Hz-1500 Hz. The apparatus evaluates a degree of a safety in traveling of the vehicle according to the detected peak value. The acceleration data is acquired by an acceleration sensor mounted on the fixed position of the tire.
US07672771B2	Retarder controlling device and method There is provided a retarder control device which is simple in constitution and can reliably apply braking. An engine rotational speed detector detects an engine rotational speed, gear step detection means detects a gear step of a transmission, an accelerator operation detector detects the operated state of an accelerator, and a retarder controller previously stores automatic braking amount determination data representing the relation between the engine rotational speed and the automatic braking amount of a retarder corresponding to each gear step of the transmission and controls the retarder according to the automatic braking amount of the retarder calculated from the automatic braking amount determination data based on the detected engine rotational speed and gear step of the transmission when the accelerator is judged to be off from the detected operated state of the accelerator.
US07672770B2	Deceleration control apparatus for a vehicle A deceleration control apparatus to achieve the intended level of deceleration performance regardless of whether braking performance is changed by towing an object such as a trailer, and to reduce the possibility that a driver feels uncomfortable due to a change in the level of deceleration performance while the vehicle is running. Vehicle weight is calculated based on the actual running state of a vehicle, and it is determined whether the vehicle is towing an object based on the vehicle weight. When the vehicle is stationary, a deceleration pattern (the rate of change in a target deceleration) is changed based on whether the vehicle is towing an object. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the intended level of deceleration performance that matches the level of driver's request for deceleration, regardless of whether the vehicle weight is changed by towing an object.
US07672765B2	Enhanced roll stability indicator for vehicle rollover control A system and method for providing a vehicle roll stability indicator that dynamically estimates the probability for vehicle rollover. The system determines vehicle kinematics from various vehicle sensors. From these kinematic values, the system estimates a roll angle of the vehicle and a bank angle of the vehicle. The estimated bank angle is used to correct the roll angle. The system determines a roll energy of the vehicle and a roll energy rate of the vehicle from the corrected roll angle. The system also calculates a tire lateral load transfer of the relative forces on the vehicle tires, and the duration that any of the tires have been off of the ground. From the roll energy, the roll energy rate, the tire lateral load transfer and the wheel airborne duration, the system calculates the roll stability indicator.
US07672759B1	Communication with a steering wheel switch A method and system for indicating a status of a load of a sub-system in a marine vehicle where the load is controlled by a switch provided on a steering wheel of the marine vehicle. The method comprises: providing a switch controller in the steering wheel for controlling communications between the steering wheel and the marine vehicle; providing a switch for the load on the steering wheel; providing a status indicator for the load on the steering wheel; detecting an activation of the switch by the switch controller; the switch controller transmitting a command to the load in the marine vehicle in response to the activation; providing a load controller in the marine vehicle, the load controller controlling a power input to the switch controller, the load controller receiving the command and activating the load in response to the command; detecting a status of the load; interrupting a power input to the switch controller for a predetermined interruption duration corresponding to the detected status; the switch controller activating the status indicator to indicate the detected status of the load.
US07672758B2	Method and a device for assisting the piloting of a rotary wing aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point The invention relates to a method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point, by: determining the locus of entry and/or exit points for a given approach and/or departure altitude that are not safe for reaching the landing and/or takeoff point; and presenting a diagram including said locus on a display device.
US07672750B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring a microstructure etching process An etching monitoring apparatus and related method for use in the manufacture of microstructures (and in particular MEMS) located within an etching chamber is described. The apparatus and related method operates by setting the temperature of the chamber within which the microstructure is located at a starting temperature, and maintaining the partial pressure of an etching gas within the chamber at a constant value. As a result the surface temperature of the micro structure within the chamber is primarily determined by the etch rate. Therefore, by employing a thermometer to monitor the change in etching surface temperature, a direct diagnostic for monitoring the etching process is provided.
US07672748B2	Automated manufacturing systems and methods An efficient manufacturing automation system and method is described. The system and method include bays, with each bay having a group of tools. Temporary storage locations are provided. A transport system facilitates movement of materials from the tools. The system and method enable direct transfer of materials from a first tool to a second tool or transfer of materials from a first tool to a temporary storage location when a second tool is unavailable.
US07672747B2	Recipe-and-component control module and methods thereof A recipe-and component control module (RACCM) is provided. The RACCM is a server for performing data management in a plasma processing system with a plurality of components. The RACCM includes a plurality of intelligent agents. Each intelligent agent of the intelligent agents is configured to interact with each component of the plurality of components. The RACCM also includes a coordinating agent, which is configured to receive processed data from the plurality of intelligent agents.
US07672743B2	Digital audio processing A compressed digital audio signal is transmitted from an audio source along a connection wire to an audio receiver. The digital audio signal can encode digital audio data having different sampling frequencies, frames sizes, and other information. The audio receiver that receives the digital audio signal can decode and convert the compressed digital audio signal into multiple synchronized analog signals, which are used to drive multiple speakers. The audio receiver may also synchronize the audio data with associated video data so that the audio playback and video playback are “in sync”, despite delay introduced by the audio signal decoding at the audio receiver.
US07672739B2	System for multiresolution analysis assisted reinforcement learning approach to run-by-run control A new multiresolution analysis (wavelet) assisted reinforcement learning (RL) based control strategy that can effectively deal with both multiscale disturbances in processes and the lack of process models. The application of wavelet aided RL based controller represents a paradigm shift in the control of large scale stochastic dynamic systems of which the control problem is a subset. The control strategy is termed a WRL-RbR controller. The WRL-RbR controller is tested on a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process of wafer fabrication for which process model is available. Results show that the RL controller outperforms EWMA based controllers for low autocorrelation. The new controller also performs quite well for strongly autocorrelated processes for which the EWMA controllers are known to fail. Convergence analysis of the new breed of WRL-RbR controller is presented. Further enhancement of the controller to deal with model free processes and for inputs coming from spatially distributed environments are also addressed.
US07672717B1	Method and system for the denoising of large-amplitude artifacts in electrograms using time-frequency transforms The present invention relates to a method of signal processing of electrograms for use in medical devices, preferably by time-frequency transforms. The present invention additionally relates to a system for receiving and analyzing such signals. The present invention preferably is a method utilizing the time-frequency transforms, such as wavelet transforms, for the purpose of artifact removal from EGs. These transforms decompose a signal in both time and frequency domains, and therefore, are well suited for non-stationary signal analysis. As a result, dissimilar signal features are well localized both in time and frequency, which potentially provides a good separation between the signal of interest and artifacts. This particularly applies to large-amplitude artifacts corrupting EGs.
US07672714B2	Miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals A miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals comprises an electrode pair, an amplifier module, a microcontroller, a wireless module, and a battery. The electrode pair collects a pair of physiological signals of a person under test. The amplifier module amplifies the pair of physiological signals. The microcontroller performs an analog-to-digital conversion and a data compression for an amplified physiological signal generated by the amplifier module. The wireless module modulates a digital physiological signal generated by the microcontroller and transmitting the modulated digital physiological signal to a receiver at the far end. The apparatus can be implemented by a structure of multilayered circuit boards. With the progress of semiconductor technology, all the components of the miniature wireless apparatus can be further integrated to one circuit board, or even one chip.
US07672709B2	Determination of the position of a radiographic or radioscopic unit The invention relates to a method for the determination of the position of a radiographic or radioscopic unit (16) with relation to a reference point (Rref) on producing a radiographic image of an object (10). The position of the unit (16) with relation to a reference point (Rref) is determined from the determination of the position of a test pattern (25), with relation to the unit (16), which is mechanically fixed to the object, by using the image of the test pattern with relation to the reference point (Rref). The invention further relates to a determining device for carrying out said method.
US07672707B2	Sensor for magnetoencephalography meter and supermultichannel magnetoencephalography meter system using the same This invention relates to a super-multichannel MEG system comprising sensors produced by printing sensor coils on thin films in positions shifted from each other and by laminating multiple thin-film sensor coils together. Intended for use in a multichannel MEG system comprising a dewar, the sensors are arrayed in the dewar to detect biomagnetism and the Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) to detect signals coming from the sensors. These sensors are characterized by the sensor coils being printed on thin films in positions shifted from each other laterally and longitudinally and by their being laminated in the required number.
US07672701B2	Telephone hands-free system for a mobile telephone A telephone hands-free system for a mobile telephone, having a holder (1) which has electronics, for holding a mobile telephone which is designed for wire-free communication, and having a control arrangement for controlling at least one hands-free function for the mobile telephone can be designed with a universal holder (1) for different mobile telephones in that the control arrangement is accommodated in the holder, in that the holder is designed for wire-free communication with the mobile telephone, and in that the holder can be adjusted for mechanically holding mobile telephones of different size.
US07672696B2	Periodic ranging in a wireless access system for mobile station in sleep mode A method of performing a ranging process between a base station and a mobile station in sleep mode in a wireless access system, wherein the base station provides the mobile station with an initial notification of a periodic ranging time that occurs during a sleep time interval and during which the mobile station is to perform the ranging process, the initial notification included in a first message, the first message indicating whether the mobile station should terminate sleep mode to receive downlink data, and wherein the base station provides the mobile station with subsequent notifications of periodic ranging times that occur during the sleep time interval, the subsequent notifications indicated in a second message, the second message transmitted to the mobile station as part of the ranging process such that the mobile station performs a plurality of ranging processes within the sleep time interval.
US07672693B2	Controlling method, secondary unit and radio terminal equipment Radio terminal equipment of a communication system, the communication system comprising one or more secondary units coupled to the radio terminal equipment, the radio terminal equipment comprising: means for receiving information on audio characteristics optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit, means for converting the audio characteristics information into a form of an audio control algorithm used in the radio terminal equipment for performing a secondary unit audio control algorithm, means for optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit by using the secondary unit audio control algorithm.
US07672691B2	SIM/UIM card arrangement in portable wireless terminal There is provided a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)/UIM (User Identity Module) card arrangement in a slide type portable wireless terminal having a main body and a slide body sliding by a predetermined length in a lengthwise direction of the terminal to slide up and down on the main body. In the arrangement, when the slide body is fully slid up, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)/UIM (User Identity Module) card is installed on a rear surface, which is open to the view, of the slide body.
US07672688B2	Radio communication equipment and method used in said equipment The present invention relates to a radio communication equipment comprising a first antenna 1, a first RF unit 2 for wireless communication, the first RF unit 2 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a first frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for reception of a signal via said first antenna 1 and a second frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for transmission of a signal via said first antenna 1, said first and second frequency bands being used alternatively by said first RF unit 2 and a second RF unit 3 for wireless communication, the second RF unit 3 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a third frequency band is used by said second RF unit 3 for reception of a signal and a fourth frequency band 3T is used by said second RF unit 3 for transmission of a signal, said third and fourth frequency bands being used simultaneously by said second RF unit 3. According to the present invention the radio communication equipment 0 further comprises a second antenna 4, wherein said second RF unit 3 is simultaneously connectable to both the first antenna 1 and the second antenna 4 and reception of a signal is performed by said second RF unit 3 via either the first or second antenna 1, 4 and transmission of a signal is performed by said second RF unit via the other antenna 1, 4.
US07672678B2	Location-based communication system A communication system for limiting communication between communication terminals based, at least in part, upon a separation between communication terminals is disclosed. A first communication channel is coupled with a first communication terminal, where the first communication terminal includes a transmitter. A second communication channel coupled with a second communication terminal, where the second communication terminal includes a receiver. A separation determining function finds a distance between the first and second communication terminals. A distance squelch analyzes the distance to prevent use of a message by the receiver.
US07672670B2	Method and system for providing status information for Broadcast/Multicast Service in a mobile communication system In response to a BCMCS service request from a mobile station, a base station separately informs the mobile station whether the requested BCMCS service is available. Thus, the base station can include only broadcast channel information necessary for actual broadcast in a broadcasting overhead message, and if the BCMCS service is stopped or unavailable, the base station can order the mobile station to interrupt the BCMCS service, thereby reducing the load on system resources.
US07672669B2	Method and apparatus for controllable simulation of mobility Systems and methods enabling the efficient and repeatable simulation of mobility, during performance measurements of wireless data communications equipment are described. These are particularly useful for testing the impact on performance of spatial separation between Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) devices, clients, relative to their counterparts, access points. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the controlled emulation of spatial distance effects by injecting impairments into the transmitted and received wireless data packet streams are disclosed to simulate the impact of distance on properties of signal level, signal to noise ratio, and frame error ratio. Injection of impairments may be accomplished by varying the transmit power, artificially inducing errors into transmitted frames, and withholding acknowledgements for otherwise valid received frames, at levels consonant with the amount of distance to be emulated. This enables various mobility performance measurements to be made on WLAN devices without actually requiring that they be physically separated.
US07672666B2	Method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile communication device A method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile device are provided. More particularly, a technique is implemented for initiating selected vehicle functions through a remote mobile device such as a mobile phone, rather that through a key fob. The system includes network functionality contained within the primary switching element of the network, e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC), to receive an access code (such as *89) from a user. The switching element subsequently transmits command signal(s) via a base station to a vehicle to perform vehicle functions such as locking, unlocking and starting.
US07672651B2	Tuner circuit A high frequency signal selected via a pre-filter is inputted to first and second frequency conversion circuits together with a local oscillation signal. The first and second frequency conversion circuits each output a difference frequency component between both input signals. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an intermediate frequency filter while an output of the intermediate frequency filter is inputted to an amplifier. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an amplifier. The amplifier selects and amplifies any one of an intermediate frequency signal outputted from the intermediate frequency signal and an output signal of the second frequency conversion circuit, and thereafter, output it.
US07672646B2	Base station and mobile communication system utilizing the same A hardware is used to perform an SSDT processing, thereby avoiding performance degradation than otherwise would occur due to load increase caused by a software processing, and thereby realizing a base station that can instantaneously perform a transmission control and provide a high speed site selection. In order to perform a site selection diversity power control (SSDT) for the purpose of reducing the amount of interference that would be caused by transmitting the same data to a plurality of cells or antennas during soft-handover, an encode processing part (1) is used to add a transmission control bit to the transmitted data. In response to this transmission control bit, a transmission control signal selecting circuit (206) selects a transmission control signal of destination. An output control circuit (207) receives, as its inputs, a transmission spread signal and the transmission control signal to perform an output control and instantaneously perform a transmission control, thereby realizing a high-speed site selection.
US07672638B1	Geosynchronous satellite constellation A satellite communications system is described for increasing capacity through spectrum reuse by multiple satellites. The system includes a constellation of satellites traveling in a geosynchronous orbit, where the geosynchronous orbit defines a ground track. The satellites operate in a first mode when traveling in a first latitudinal direction on the satellite track and in a second mode when traveling in a second latitudinal direction on the satellite track. By using different operation modes, satellites traveling in opposite latitudinal directions do not interfere with each other. Each of the satellites maintains a minimum spacing apart from other satellites moving in the same latitudinal direction to prevent interference from satellites using the same operation mode.
US07672635B2	Method and apparatus for image forming and effectively applying lubricant to an image bearing member A lubricant supplying device including a molded lubricant having a Martens hardness of about 40 N/mm2 to about 70 N/mm2 measured with a test force of 50 mN and a load-applying period of 30 seconds, a rotative member including a fibrous brush of a thickness of about 5 deniers to about 15 deniers in a circumference of a rotative supporting axis of the rotative member with a density of about 20,000 fibers to about 100,000 fibers per square inch, and configured to apply lubricant shavings of the molded lubricant to an image bearing member held in contact with a cleaning member and to remove the lubricant shavings remaining on the surface of the image bearing member, and a pressing member configured to press the molded lubricant against the rotative member at a pressure force ranging from about 2 N/m to about 12 N/m.
US07672616B2	Toner usage control between differing image regions A control part provides a first region in which an image is formed on an image carrier using only a dark-color toner. The control part provides a second region, which is adjacent to the first region, in which an image is formed using a dark-color toner and a light-color toner. The control part provides a third region in which an image is formed using only a light-color toner at the boundary of the first and second regions. The control part controls a latent-image forming unit, a light-color developing unit and a dark-color developing unit so as to form an image in which these regions are provided. The control part may provide a third region in which neither a light-color toner nor a dark-color toner is used at the boundary of the first and second regions.
US07672612B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member, and image forming apparatus using same The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a substantially cylindrical body rotated by rotation power transmitted via an first end portion from in an image forming apparatus and a photosensitive layer including a latent image forming area formed on an outer circumference of the body. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the photosensitive layer, when the body is charged with a constant charging ability in the axial direction, dark electric potential at the latent image forming area gradually becomes larger as proceeding in the axial direction of the body, from the first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion.
US07672610B2	Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. An exemplary method of modifying a toner hopper assembly for use in a toner cartridge consists of providing the toner hopper assembly having a generally cylindrical shape and an at least partially non-functioning electronic chip with electrical contacts disposed in an endplate section of the generally cylindrical shape. The method further modifies the toner hopper assembly by affixing a replacement chip to the toner hopper assembly to form a modified toner hopper assembly. The replacement chip includes replacement electrical contacts which allow the replacement chip to communicate with a printer when the modified toner cartridge is installed in the printer.
US07672602B2	Developing unit and image forming apparatus which forces consumption of toner A developing unit supplies toner from a developing roller to an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, and creates a visual image. A forced consumption unit causes, when a proportion of number of pixels used for forming the electrostatic latent image for a maximum image effective-width is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a forced consumption of toner by an amount corresponding to a difference between a toner amount corresponding to the number of pixels and a predetermined toner consumption amount. The forced consumption unit adds toner of an amount used in the forced consumption to an amount of toner to be supplied in a next imaging process.
US07672598B1	Carrier signal suppression and extraction system A carrier signal extraction system for suppressing and extracting a carrier signal component and transmitting a double sideband component includes a polarized light source for transmitting a polarized light signal output; a polarization modulator with a first input coupled to the polarized light signal output and a second input for adding a modulation signal to the polarized light signal, thereby generating a polarization modulated light output; and a polarizing element having an input coupled to the polarization modulated light output for suppressing and extracting the carrier signal component and preferentially transmitting a double sideband component of the polarization modulated light output.
US07672597B2	Optical transmitter with external modulator, optical transceiver including optical transmitter with external modulator, and methods of driving the same An optical transmitter with an external modulator includes a light-emitting unit emitting a continuous wave light, a modulation unit modulating the continuous wave light in accordance with an electric signal, a first terminal applying a first positive voltage to a cathode of the light-emitting unit and a cathode of the modulation unit, a second terminal applying a second positive voltage of a constant value to an anode of the light-emitting unit, and a third terminal applying a third positive voltage with the electric signal to an anode of the modulation unit. The second positive voltage is set to a value higher than the first positive voltage, and the third positive voltage is set to a value lower than the first positive voltage.
US07672596B2	Optical receiver circuit applicable to multiple transmission rates An optical receiver circuit is provided which is able to receive optical signals having a variable transmission rate, without loss of data. The optical receiver circuit according to the present invention has a light-receiving section for converting an optical signal with a variable transmission rate into an electric signal. A recovery section recovers a plurality of different clock signals and data corresponding to possible transmission rates. These data are stored into a plurality of memories and at the same time a decision section decides the transmission rate. A switch section reads data from one of the memories selected according to the result of the decision.
US07672595B1	Optical transmission system architecture supporting migration to electronic compensation of link impairments An optical communications system for conveying traffic through an optical link between transmitting and receiving nodes. The system comprises, for each node, respective legacy and bypass paths coupled in parallel between the optical link and the node. The legacy path of each node includes an optical dispersion compensation block for compensating a respective portion of dispersion of the link. Thus the present invention provides a system architecture by which an optical communications system can be constructed using conventional modulation and optical dispersion compensation technologies. Once installed, system growth can be accommodated using next generation transmitters (with electronic compensation) without stranding the legacy equipment. Legacy channels can also be upgraded to electronic compensation, as desired.
US07672580B2	Imaging apparatus and method for controlling display device An imaging apparatus automatically detects an object and displays information on a display device based on a comparison between detected data and memorized (stored) data. The imaging apparatus includes a detecting circuit and a memorizing circuit. The detecting circuit detects the object based on the image data produced from an output of an imaging element and calculates a feature value representing a feature of the detected object. The memorizing circuit memorizes the feature value calculated by the detecting circuit. A feature value calculated by the detecting circuit based on the image data displayed on the display device is compared with the feature value memorized in the memorizing circuit. The display device displays information relating to the comparison result.
US07672569B2	Moving picture recording and sending device having zoom processing capability To mix video signals of plural channels in time division and record these video signals onto a recording medium, as well as to select and transmit the video signal of a specific channel to a terminal device at a remote location, there is a video signal switching unit for mixing the video signals of the plural channels in time division; a first video signal compressing unit for compressing the mixed video signals from the video signal switching unit; a unit for recording the video signal compressed by the first video signal compressing unit into the recording medium; second video signal compressing units for selecting a channel from the mixed video signals and compressing the video signals with a compressibility higher than that of the first video signal compressing unit; and a unit for transmitting the video signal compressed by the second video signal compressing unit to a remote location.
US07672568B2	Outputting apparatus, outputting method, recording apparatus, recording method, reproduction apparatus, reproduction method and recording medium Recording control with additional information superposed on data and recording control in response to a type of a recording medium on which data are recorded are disclosed. A recording apparatus for recording data onto a recording medium includes an identification data detection section for detecting identification data for identification of data from the data, a copying count data detection section for detecting copying count data for limiting the number of times of copying the data from the data, and a recording control section for controlling recording of the data onto the recording medium based on the identification data detected by the identification data detection section and the copying count data detected by the copying count data detection section. Another recording apparatus for recording data onto a recording medium includes a discrimination section for discriminating a type of the recording medium, and a control section for selecting a recording control method for recording the data onto the recording medium in response to the discrimination section and controlling recording of the data onto the recording medium in accordance with the selected recording control method.
US07672560B2	Coupling device for use in optical waveguides An optical coupling device for coupling light with an optical waveguide comprises a mirror formed within an optical waveguide. The mirror comprises a first material, a first reflective end, and a second reflective end. The first material is light conducting and has a first refractive index. The first and second reflective ends reflect and transmit light. The mirror has an axis line. The optical coupling device is useful for extracting light from a waveguide and providing a backlight for a liquid crystal display.
US07672554B1	Space expanders in optical devices New designs of optical devices, particularly for multiplexing or demultiplexing as well as adding or dropping are disclosed. According to one aspect of the designs, one or more beam redirecting parts (e.g., prisms or mirrors) are used in an optical device to redirect a beam for at least two purposes: to increase a distance between two optical parts that are not positioned along an optical path, by using one or two of such beam redirecting parts, and to minimize an angle of incidence (AOI) to an optical filter or to adjust the AOI to an optimum value. As a result, devices employing the techniques provide small AOL and flexibility in adjustment and are amenable to small footprint, broad operating wavelength range, enhanced impact performance, lower cost, and easier manufacturing process.
US07672553B2	High speed semiconductor optical modulator The present invention provides an optical waveguide modulator. In one embodiment, the optical waveguide modulator includes a semiconductor planar optical waveguide core and doped semiconductor connecting paths located adjacent opposite sides of the core and capable of applying a voltage across the core. The optical waveguide core and connecting paths form a structure having back-to-back PN semiconductor junctions. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide modulator includes a semiconductor optical waveguide core including a ridge portion wherein the ridge portion has at least one PN semiconductor junction located therein. The optical waveguide modulator also includes one or more doped semiconductor connecting paths located laterally adjacent the ridge portion and capable of applying a voltage to the ridge portion.
US07672549B2	Solar energy concentrator A solar concentrator having a concentrator element for collecting input light, a reflective component with a plurality of incremental steps for receiving the light and also for redirecting the light, and a waveguide including a plurality of incremental portions enabling collection and concentration of the light.
US07672546B2	Optical transport network having a plurality of monolithic photonic integrated circuit semiconductor chips A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.
US07672536B2	Signal processing device, signal processing method, program, and recording medium A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a motion vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.
US07672528B2	Method of processing an image to form an image pyramid A method of processing an image to form an image pyramid having multiple image levels includes receiving a base level image comprising pixel values at pixel locations arranged in rows and columns; determining sample locations for a next level image in the pyramid such that the sample locations are arranged in a regular pattern and the sample locations exceed the range of the pixel locations of the base level image; determining the pixel values of the next level image by interpolating the pixel values of the base level image using an interpolation filter at the sample locations; and treating the next level image as the base level image and repeating steps of determining sample locations and pixel values until a predetermined number of pyramid image levels are generated, or until a predetermined condition is met.
US07672521B2	System and method for improved page composition A system and method for page composition in a processor-controlled printing system. Formatted image data is first received to a processor, the data representing image elements to be merged into a new document. At least one compressed cell describing each of the page elements is generated based on the formatted image data. A compressed cell contains pixilated image data of a predetermined pixel size. An element table including at least one cell pointer for each page element is generated. Each cell pointer includes a memory location and a cell type for each compressed cell that is pointed to by the generated element table. A merged page is composed based on the cell type entries of the element tables. A page composition system and a computer readable media having computer instructions for implementing the method of page composition are also provided.
US07672508B2	Image classification based on a mixture of elliptical color models A method of classifying images based on elliptical color models is utilized in a number of applications. One or more color models are generated from a set of images with a region of interest. Then, sets of images are utilized for training. One set of images has regions of interest, and the other set of images is without regions of interest. By utilizing the two sets of images, a maximum difference between the sets is achieved, so that a color model is most representative of the object desired. Then using the optimal color model, a collection of images are able to be searched, and images are retrieved based on the probability that the images contain the desired object.
US07672503B2	Direction-recognizing apparatus, direction-recognizing method, direction-recognizing system, and robot apparatus A direction-recognizing apparatus has a photographing unit, an image database, an image-recognizing unit, and a direction-recognizing unit. The database stores registered images and direction-data items associated with the registered images. The image-recognizing unit receives an input image and compares the input image with the registered images stored in the database. The image-recognizing unit selects one registered image that is identical or similar to the input image. The direction-recognizing unit recognizes a direction from the direction data associated with the registered image selected by the image-recognizing unit. The database may store N direction-data items associated with N surface segments SN of the circumferential surface of a pole. If so, the images registered in the database represent direction-recognition regions ASN that are larger than the N surface segments SN.
US07672500B2	System and method for monitoring and visualizing the output of a production process A system for monitoring and visualizing the output of a production process, whose output materials or items are inspected by one or more inspection units, may include a communication module to receive data from the one or more inspection units. The received data may be associated with a measured or extrapolated value of at least one parameter of the inspected materials or items. A comparator module may compare at least one of the measured or extrapolated values against a corresponding stored value to determine a difference value, and a visualization module may generate an image representing the inspected items or materials. An area or section of the image corresponding to an area or section of the item or material associated with the at least one of the measured or extrapolated values which was compared to the stored value may be visually coded to indicate a corresponding difference value.
US07672498B2	Method for correcting inhomogeneities in an image, and an imaging apparatus therefor A method is for correcting inhomogeneities in an image that is recorded from an examination object. The method includes recording an image to be corrected, calculating a correction image from the image to be corrected and correcting the recorded image with the aid of the correction image in order to produce a normalized image by multiplying the correction image by the image to be corrected. When calculating the correction images, the pixels in the vicinity of the imaged examination object are identified with the aid of a signal intensity that is lower than a limiting value. Further, these pixels are allocated signal intensities that in each case are a function of the signal intensity of the pixels in the respective neighborhood.
US07672492B2	Method of incorporating prior knowledge in level set segmentation of 3D complex structures A process includes: generation of knowledge of the anatomical object to be separated from neighboring objects and identification of high level features (e.g., prior knowledge that includes: a mean shape template of the vertebra; and, high level features, e.g., readily identifiable boundary regions between the vertebrae neighboring objects, such as neighboring vertebra and rib structures); and the subsequent use of this prior knowledge to level set.
US07672482B2	Shape detection using coherent appearance modeling A method of finding an object in an image that consists of describing an object shape by one or more sets of feature points (220); estimating positions of the feature points (310); finding new locations for each feature point based on an appearance model of an aggregate appearance of the object in local neighborhoods of all features points (320); and constraining the positions of the feature points based on a shape model (330).
US07672480B2	Method for photographing on board of a flying rotating body and system for carrying out said method The invention relates to a method for photographing on board of a flying rotating body and system for carrying out said method. According to said invention, pictures (V0, V90, V180, V270) are taken at predetermined angular positions of said flying body by a device which is rigidly fixed to the front thereof and are exposed to an image geometrical transformation required for the display thereof.
US07672478B2	Spray data acquisition system A spray data acquisition system includes a spray pump actuator that is capable of providing a pumping force to a pumping device to generate an aerosol spray plume along a spray axis. The system also includes an illumination device that illuminates the aerosol spray plume along at least one first geometric plane that intersects the aerosol spray plume. The system further includes an imaging device that acquires data representative of an interaction between the illumination and the aerosol spray plume along at least one geometric plane.
US07672469B2	In-ear monitors with removable cables An audio monitor system that includes a pair of in-ear monitors, each of which includes a connector and a corresponding detachable cable, is provided. Each connector may include a two pin jack assembly and each detachable cable may include a corresponding two pin plug assembly. Preferably, each plug assembly of each detachable cable includes a hooded member. More preferably, a portion of the hooded member covers a portion of the corresponding connector, thus effectively sealing the plug/connector assembly from contamination. Even more preferably, interlocking members are included on each hooded member and each corresponding connector, the interlocking members preventing accidental decoupling of the cable from the connector. The plug and connector assemblies may include means for insuring that a desired pin polarity is maintained during cable coupling.
US07672464B2	Locating and correcting undesirable effects in signals that represent time-based media The invention describes a graphical method for detecting and adjusting audio overload conditions. The graphical user interface provides a user complete playback control of several audio tracks, detection of overload conditions such as audio clipping, and graphical methods to correct the overload conditions. The graphical interface provides drag handles which the user can use to adjust the various characteristics of an audio file. The characteristics, such as amplitude and tempo, may be adjusted as a function of time.
US07672458B2	Method and system for key insertion for stored encrypted content An encrypted content transport stream is received by a viewer's device and recorded for subsequent playback. During recording, keys in headers of packets of the stream are stripped and placed in sequence in a table. Also, the table indicates changes in key indicating bits. When it is desired to play the content, start-of-frame indicator bits such as PUSI and/or RAI bits are used to access the table of keys to retrieve the keys necessary to decrypt the transport stream packets sought to be played.
US07672457B2	Computer-readable recording medium recording a wireless communication authentication program A wireless communication authentication program whereby a slave station in a small-scale wireless LAN system can be authenticated by a simple procedure. A wireless communication authentication device periodically increments a first system timer value (Step S1) for which an optional numerical value is set beforehand. A wireless communication device sets therein a second system timer value (Step S2) so as to coincide with the first system timer value and periodically increments the second system timer value (Step S3). The wireless communication device transmits an authentication request command including a third system timer value (Step S4), and the wireless communication authentication device compares the third system timer value included in the authentication request command with the first system timer value thereof assumed at the time of reception of the command (Step S6). In accordance with the comparison result, the wireless communication authentication device determines whether to authenticate the wireless communication device.
US07672452B2	Secure scan According to the invention, a circuit that is capable of automated scan testing is disclosed. Included in the circuit are a cryptographic engine, a digital circuit, an input pin, and an output pin. The cryptographic engine capable of performing at least one of encryption and decryption of one or more digital signals. The digital circuit includes combinatorial logic and a number of memory cells. The memory cells have scan inputs connected serially in a scan chain. The input pin and output pin are coupled to the scan chain. At least one of the input pin and the output pin carries at least some cipher text data of the scan chain.
US07672445B1	Method and system for nonlinear echo suppression Techniques for suppressing large echo due to nonlinearity, instable adaptive filter, and so on. An echo cancellation system includes an echo canceller unit, a nonlinear echo detection unit, and a nonlinear echo suppression unit. The echo canceller unit (e.g., an adaptive filter) receives a reference signal and a near-end signal, derives an echo estimate signal based on the reference and near-end signals, cancels a portion of echo in the near-end signal based on the echo estimate signal, and provides an intermediate signal having residual echo. The nonlinear echo detection unit detects for large nonlinear echo in the echo estimate signal. The nonlinear echo suppression unit suppresses large nonlinear echo in the first intermediate signal based on a variable gain, which may be adjusted lower if large nonlinear echo is detected and higher otherwise.
US07672444B2	Client survey systems and methods using caller identification information A system and method is provided that includes an automatic call distribution system adapted to communicate over a network and includes a first software control module and a caller identification information device. The automatic call distribution system is configured to capture the caller identification information associated with an incoming call placed by a client and to route the incoming call and the caller identification information received from the network to a call agent station. The system also provides an interactive voice response system in communication with the automatic call distribution system for administering a survey to a client in communication with the call agent station. The survey is then associated with the client's caller identification information and identification information of the call agent.
US07672439B2	Concatenated audio messages Audibly identifying an event includes enabling selection of a first sound based upon an identifier. The identifier enables identification of an entity related to the event. A notification of an occurrence of the event is received. The notification includes the identifier. An intended recipient is alerted of the event by playing, in response to the notification, at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of a second sound that is related to the event.
US07672434B2	X-ray tube An X-ray tube equipped with a rotating anode cartridge comprising a reinforced sealing system. This sealing system is achieved in three complementary manners. Firstly, when the anode rotates, in order to confine the liquid alloy within the cartridge, the invention provides to equip the two surfaces of a leak-tight joint with grooves thereby obtaining a double sided joint with an improved efficiency. Secondly, the double sided joint makes it possible to obtain, for the vacuum tightness, when the anode shaft is not rotating, two spaces limited by the surface tension of the alloy of liquid metal. The more symmetrical these two spaces, the more the sealing is reinforced. Thirdly, the invention provides to separate the ring from the axis of rotation. This enables a joint centering the two spaces in an automatic and natural manner to be obtained.
US07672427B2	Imaging system It is disclosed an imaging system comprising: radiation generating means including at least one radiation source for generating radiations; data acquiring means including an detector matrix faced the radiation source for obtaining projection data by receiving radiations penetrated through an object to be inspected; transporting means for making the object to be inspected between the radiation source and the detector matrix linearly moving relative to the radiation source and the detector matrix; and controlling and image processing means for controlling the radiation generating means, the data acquiring means and the transporting means, and for reconstructing an image of the object to be inspected from the projection data. The imaging system according to the present invention achieves a real stereoscopic radiography by using straight-line trajectory scan and reconstructing a tomographic or stereoscopic image through a straight-line filtered back-projection algorithm. The present imaging system has advantages of fast examination speed, no rotation, and out of large cone-angle problem in a circular-orbit cone-beam CT.
US07672418B2	Control rod guide tube and method for providing coolant to a nuclear reactor fuel assembly Control rod guide tubes for a nuclear reactor having a body with an axial length that defines a lower end portion and an upper end portion and a cavity within a substantial length of the body. Orifices are included at the upper and lower end portions of the body. A control rod chamber is located within the cavity and is configured for receiving a control rod. A plurality of ports is coupled to the cavity and is positioned at a substantial length from the upper end portion of the body. Also included are at least two flow channels within the cavity that extend a substantial portion of the axial length of the body. Each flow channel is fluidly coupled to one or more of the ports for receiving fluid flow from outside the body and an outlet proximate to the upper end portion of the body for providing the received fluid flow.
US07672412B2	Method and receiver for estimating the channel impulse response using a constant modulus interference removal iteration A receiver and associated method estimates a channel impulse response of the communications signal. A communications signal is received as a burst of transmitted symbols, including a known training sequence. The joint estimation of timing offset and initial channel impulse response is determined based on the cross-correlations of the known transmitted symbols and received communications signal. A constant modulus interference removal iteration is applied to improve the initial channel impulse estimation.
US07672408B2	Signal separation device and signal separation method A signal separation device is disclosed that is able to reduce a number of calculations required when separating a received signal transmitted from transmission devices into the individual transmission signal. The signal separation device includes a signal point derivation unit that multiplies the received signal with respective elements of a unitary matrix, and derives at least one received-signal signal point on a signal constellation diagram; a definition unit that defines plural sections on the signal constellation diagram, each of the sections including a predetermined number of signal points; a detection unit that detects a received-signal section from the sections, the received-signal section including the received-signal signal point; a selection unit that selects signal points in the received-signal section as candidates of the received-signal signal point; and a determination unit that determines the transmission signals based on the selected signal points.
US07672404B2	Method and apparatus for reducing the time required to acquire a GPS signal A method of correlating a digital communications signal is described. In an example, a window is defined equal to a portion of an epoch of the digital communication signal. The digital communication signal is then correlated across the window. A determination is made as to whether a correlation peak results from the correlating. Timing parameters are then established for receiving additional digital communication signals in response to presence of the correlation peak.
US07672402B2	Data processing apparatus and method and encoding device A data processing apparatus able to start decoding at a timing earlier than the conventional timing and able to reduce the storage capacity required for a storing means for storing the encoded data until a decoding side decodes the input encoded data in comparison with the conventional storage capacity, which apparatus selects frame data from frame data f(5) having the last decoding order to frame data f(0) having the first decoding order for processing for calculating a delay time min_delay and calculates the delay time min_delay. It calculates the delay time min_delay indicating the delay time from when the decoding side starts to receive input of the frame data to when the data is decoded based on the specified size and the bit rate of the input of the frame data to the decoding side for each of the frame data for processing.
US07672398B2	Method and system for adjusting the amplitude and phase characteristics of real and imaginary signal components of complex signals processed by an analog radio transmitter A method and system for determining amplitude and phase compensation values used to adjust the amplitude and phase characteristics of real and imaginary signal components of complex signals processed by an analog radio transmitter. The compensation values may be determined in response to detecting a significant temperature change in the transmitter. Corresponding amplitude and phase adjustment signals having levels that correspond to the compensation values are provided to respective amplitude and phase imbalance compensation modules to adjust the amplitude and phase characteristics of at least one of the real and imaginary signal components.
US07672389B2	Method for transmitting symbols through at least a communication channel The present invention concerns a method for transmitting symbols through at least a channel in a telecommunication system including at least one transmitter (10) provided with at least two transmitting antennas (Antt 1, Antt 2) and at least one receiver provided with at least one receiving antenna (Antr 1), the method includes an encoding step wherein a vector comprising symbols is multiplied by a coding matrix for producing coded symbols to be transmitted over the at least one communication channel established between the transmitter (10) and the receiver (20), wherein the coding matrix is calculated from an eigenvalue decomposition of a matrix obtained by calculating at least the Kronecker product of the identity matrix of size N, N being the time and/or the frequency dimension of the code and a matrix obtained from an estimated correlation matrix of the response of the channel. The invention concerns also the associated device and a method and device for decoding symbols.
US07672388B2	Method of providing signal diversity in an OFDM system A method and apparatus is provided for transceiving an information signal in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication system that uses a plurality of radio frequency subcarriers modulated with the information signal and transceives the modulated plurality of radio frequency subcarriers through first and second antennas at a transmitter and first and second antennas at a receiver. The method includes the steps of providing first and second copies of the modulated plurality of radio frequency subcarriers that are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, phase rotating the first copy of the modulated plurality of radio frequency carriers with a subcarrier dependent phase rotation and summing the first rotated copy of the plurality of radio frequency subcarriers with the second copy of the modulated plurality of radio frequency carriers.
US07672387B2	Multiple input, multiple output wireless communication system, associated methods and data structures Embodiments of multiple input multiple output wireless communication systems, associated methods and data structures are generally described herein.
US07672386B2	Beam forming apparatus applied in multiple input multiple output system and related method A beam-forming apparatus applied in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system and a related method where the MIMO system transmits signals through a plurality of channels. The method includes generating a plurality of channel estimations corresponding to the channels; determining a plurality of first candidate transmitting vectors; selecting a first transmitting vector from the first candidate transmitting vectors according to the channel estimations; determining a plurality of second candidate transmitting vectors orthogonal to the first transmitting vector; selecting a second transmitting vector from the second candidate transmitting vectors according to the channel estimations; generating a plurality of transmitted signals by combining a first data stream and a second data stream according to the first and second transmitting vectors; and respectively transmitting the transmitted signals through a plurality of antennas. The apparatus ensures that power of a data stream is distributed equally for each antenna.
US07672378B2	Spatio-temporal graph-segmentation encoding for multiple video streams A multiple video stream capture and encoding apparatus produces compressed data that represents multiple video streams capturing a common scene. Images from multiple video streams are analyzed to identify image color segments that are encoded into a composite graph data structure. Corresponding image segments across the multiple video streams are also identified and represented by one node in the composite graph data structure. The composite graph data structure also includes links between pairs of nodes that describe the relationship between the image segments associated with those nodes. The composite graph data structure is updated to represent changes to the image segments in the multiple video streams over time. The composite graph data structure is used to create compressed encoded data for storage and/or transmission.
US07672375B2	Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.
US07672371B2	Bit rate allocation in joint bit rate transcoding The present invention relates to a multiplexing system comprising a set of transcoders (TC[1] to TC[n]), a controller (CONT) and a multiplexer (MUX). The set of transcoders comprises n transcoders, each transcoder (TC[i]) allowing an input compressed data signal (ICS[i]) encoded at an input bit rate (Rin[i]) to be converted into an output compressed data signal (OCS[i]) encoded at an output bit rate (Rout[i]). The controller (CONT) receives from each transcoder parametric information on the regulation process and the video coding complexity and subsequently computes the bit rate allocated (Rout[i]) to each transcoder (TC[i]) according to a total bit rate capacity available at the output of the multiplexer. The controller receives also parametric information derived from the input compressed data signal (ICS[i]), this information being used to improve the bit rate allocation strategy. Finally, the multiplexer (MUX) provides a multiplexed data signal (MS) by multiplexing of the output compressed data signals (OCS[1] to OCS[n]).
US07672358B2	Method and apparatus for performing signal correlation at multiple resolutions to mitigate multipath interference A method and apparatus for selecting a signal processing resolution. A received signal is processed using a first resolution. When a multipath condition is detected, the signal is processed using a second resolution.
US07672357B2	Base station apparatus of mobile communication system A base station including a transmitting and receiving amplifier for amplifying CDMA signals exchanged with a mobile station; a radio stage connected to the transmitting and receiving amplifier for carrying out D/A conversion of a transmitted signal that undergoes baseband spreading, followed by quadrature modulation, and for carrying out quasi-coherent detection of a received signal, followed by A/D conversion; a baseband signal processor connected with the radio stage for carrying out baseband signal processing of the transmitted signal and the received signal; a transmission interface connected with the baseband signal processor for implementing interface with external channels; and a base station controller for carrying out control such as management of radio channels and establishment and release of the radio channels. The base station communicates with the external channels by mapping logical channels into physical channels. The CDMA signals are spread using a short code and a long code.
US07672356B2	Method and apparatus for detection of a frequency coded sequence in the presence of sinusoidal interference A communication device according to the present invention detects a frequency-hopped signal in an environment including sinusoidal interference. The frequency-hopped signal includes a frequency shift keying (FSK) sequence, where the sequence alternates between frequencies shifted from the carrier signal or hop frequency by positive and negative frequency offsets. The communication device of the present invention uses independent detection paths for each of the shifted frequencies. In the detection path for the upper frequency (e.g., positive frequency shift), a series of filters suppresses signals in the lower frequency band (e.g., negative frequency shift), while the detection path for the lower frequency employs a separate series of filters to suppress signals in the upper frequency band. The filter outputs from each detection path are separately examined to detect the presence of an expected signal.
US07672354B2	Electrically excited gas discharge laser for generating high-repetition frequency light pulses and method for the production thereof A transversally electrically excited gas discharge laser for generating light pulses with a high pulse repetition rate. The gas discharge laser has components include a gas-tight discharge tube with opposed wall passages and front ends. The discharge tube includes ceramic material with laser gas sealed therein. The components also include partial metal layers disposed on the discharge tube. Decoupling and holding elements including support trays are disposed in the wall passages, with the support trays being adhered with solder to the discharge tube via the partial metal layers. The components also include a pair of electrodes extending axially and disposed in the decoupling and holding elements so as to form a gas discharge path. The components also include a pair of rod-shaped electrodes disposed in the discharge tube that are substantially parallel to the main electrodes and operable to control the starting conditions of gas discharge. The electrical excitation circuit includes a switch to generate a high-current discharge from an energy storage device. Support rings are joined to the front ends of the discharge tube and a pair of optical resonator mirrors are welded into the support rings. At least some of the components are usable with an ultrahigh vacuum and heatable to above a second water boundary. The support trays and the support rings are deformable so as to enable fine adjustment of the main electrodes and of the resonator mirrors.
US07672352B2	Surface-emitting semiconductor array device, module, light source device, data processing apparatus, light transmitting device, light spatial transmitting apparatus, and light spatial transmitting system A surface-emitting semiconductor array device includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting portions, an electrode pad portion formed on the substrate and disposed through the plurality of light-emitting portions and a dividing groove, and having a plurality of electrode pads formed on an insulating film, and a plurality of metal wirings for connecting each of the plurality of light-emitting portions to a corresponding electrode pad through the dividing groove, the dividing groove has a wave-shaped side wall formed on the substrate.
US07672345B2	Semiconductor laser drive control apparatus A drive signal for driving a semiconductor laser is generated on the basis of an image signal inputted in synchronism with a pixel clock. A bias signal to the semiconductor laser is generated at a timing earlier than the drive signal by a predetermined time. The bias signal is disabled in synchronism with the leading edge of the drive signal.
US07672341B2	Transmission apparatus and reception interface apparatus An ADM apparatus includes a first synchronism section for detecting synchronism when a reception frame received from a reception port is a first frame, a fault information detection section for detecting whether or not fault information is set in a first predetermined region of an overhead of the first frame and outputting a signal representative of whether or not the fault information is set, a second synchronism section for detecting synchronism when the reception frame is a second frame, a third synchronism section for detecting synchronism when the reception frame is a third frame accommodated in the second frame, and an inhibit section for invalidating the output signal of the fault information detection section if, when the synchronism is detected by the first and second synchronism sections, synchronism is detected with regard to the preceding frame by the second synchronism section.
US07672339B2	Method of resolving overlaps in data transmission and user equipment therefor A method of adjusting transmission timing, a method of continuously transmitting packets, and a mobile station are provided. The method of adjusting the transmission timing includes adjusting the transmission timing according to a transmission timing adjustment command when the transmission timing adjustment command is received from a receiving side; and creating a cyclic prefix (CP) in consideration of a part of a CP of a next symbol which overlaps with a previous symbol on a time axis on the basis of the adjusted transmission timing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent deterioration in reception performance and minimize reception complexity even when packet transmission timing is adjusted at a transmitting side using an OFDMA or analogous radio access scheme.
US07672328B2	WLAN transmit scheduler comprising an accelerated back-off function This invention can generally be described as an overall transmit (TX) scheduler state-machine that is broken down into two different state-machines: One first TX-scheduler state-machine (FTSM), executed in software, and one second TX-scheduler state-machine (STSM) executed in hardware, which is operating in four different basic states. The functional partitioning between the two state-machines is such that the most constrained real-time requirements are allocated to the STSM, while all complex decisions and non time-critical controls are allocated to the FTSM. The invention also relates to a terminal comprising the invented transmit scheduler.
US07672324B2	Packet forwarding apparatus with QoS control A technique capable of controlling packets to be output to a plurality of ports is provided. Disclosure is made of a packet forwarding apparatus for distributing packets received from a physical port to be transmitted over a plurality of physical ports, which includes a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting/receiving packets via a physical port, a port group decision unit for deciding a port group corresponding to a plurality of physical ports, and a port group control unit for controlling flow of packets for each port group decided by the port group decision unit.
US07672296B2	Real-time communications system of high communications quality and media terminal apparatus A VoIP system has plural CPE units connected to an IP network as parties to be connected with each other. Each CPE unit is composed of a VoIP-IF circuit and an audio codec circuit. The VoIP-IF circuit executes at least one of the coding process to the first audio frequency signal and the restoration process to the media information to transmit the media information generated by the process to the party connected and restore the first audio frequency signal from the media information supplied from the party connected to output it. The audio codec circuit performs at least one of the sending of the received music data to the party and the conversion of the music data supplied from the party into the second audio frequency signal.
US07672280B2	Broadcast/multicast service method based on user location information In a broadcast/multicast service based on user location information, when a terminal sets contents desired to be received in a specific area, a broadcast/multicast server checks current location information of the terminal transmitted from a location server or from the corresponding terminal, selects contents provided in the corresponding area, and transmits it to the terminal. Thus, a waste of a communication channel can be prevented, and since a user can selectively receive contents or information according to his/her location, user's satisfaction and convenience can be enhanced.
US07672274B2	Mobility support via routing A communication system is described. In one embodiment, the communication system comprises a mobile station having a transmitter to transmit packets wirelessly according to a protocol and multiple repeaters communicably coupled with the mobile station. Each of the plurality of repeaters receives one or more packets of the wirelessly transmitted packets from the mobile station. Each of the repeaters receives an indication of which of the wirelessly transmitted packets were received without errors by other repeaters and a received signal strength for those packets. The communication system also includes a switch coupled to the repeaters. Each of the repeaters forwards to the switch each packet of the wirelessly transmitted packets that each repeater had received without errors at a received signal strength higher than any other repeater.
US07672272B2	Frame size adaptation in real-time transport protocol A system and method in an unlicensed-radio access network for transporting a circuit-switched payload between an access network controller and a mobile station utilizing a packet-based transmission protocol. The controller sends to the mobile station, a channel activation message that includes a minimum acceptable sample size of the circuit-switched payload to be included in each packet. The mobile station determines whether it can support communications utilizing the minimum acceptable sample size, and if not, selects a larger sample size. The mobile station may send an acknowledgment message that indicates the sample size to be utilized. Alternatively, the mobile station begins transmitting packets, and the controller analyzes received packets to determine the sample size the mobile station is using. The controller then encodes transmissions to the mobile station utilizing the determined sample size.
US07672265B2	Method for physical layer automatic repeat request for a base station A physical automatic repeat request method implemented by a base station having a transmitter and a receiver. A physical layer, at the transmitter receives data and formats the received data into packets having a particular encoding/data modulation. The physical layer transmit the packets and retransmits packets upon failure to receive a corresponding acknowledgment for a given packet. An adaptive modulation and coding controller in the transmitter collects retransmission statistics and adjusts the particular encoding/data modulations using the collected statistics.
US07672262B2	System, method, and apparatus for command and control of remote instrumentation A remote instrument control and reporting system utilizes a host communication gateway based on hardware and software that interfaces with a field device, remote terminal unit, or control system that operates across multiple communications infrastructures to a common back end data delivery system. This design allows Modbus hosts or similar SCADA polled technologies, such as a field bus that utilizes various industrial protocols to control instruments at and acquire instrumentation data from physically isolated installations. In particular, this design is well suited for applications such as oil well electrical submersible pumps. The data is communicated through, for example, a low Earth orbit satellite into a host communications gateway that simulates within a host computer environment the same polling registers that the data was collected from in the remote locations.
US07672259B2	Wireless communication system for allocating transmission period A system is provided for efficiently allocating a transmission period in a wireless network system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP frame indicating a downlink period provided to each station (STA) and a minimum amount of an uplink period allocated to each STA, and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating an uplink period additionally provided for an STA that transmitted a resource request message for remaining queued data in the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame. If the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame is insufficient to transmit the queued data, the STA transmits a data unit including a part of the queued data and a resource request message for the remaining queued data in the uplink period. After transmitting the resource request message, the STA receives the sub PSMP frame after the full period indicated by the sub PSMP frame, and transmits the remaining queued data to the AP in the uplink period indicted by the sub PSMP frame.
US07672255B2	Mobile instant messaging conferencing method and system A server-based architecture for instant messaging conferencing is presented. Session-based instant messaging conferencing is established by transmitting necessary server network address information through page-mode based messaging services to establish connections among the various mobile devices with the server.
US07672253B2	Border router with selective filtering of link state advertisements An example embodiment of the present invention provides a process relating to the selective filtering of an LSA at a not-so-stubby-sub-area (NSSSA) border router. In one embodiment, the border router receives an LSA from another router inside the NSSSA, which might be in the access layer of the hierarchical network design model and which might use OSPF as its IGP. If the LSA is Type 1 and includes a subnet route or forwarder address, the border router floods it to its neighboring routers, regardless of whether they are inside the NSSSA. If the LSA is Type 7 and includes a host address, the border router floods it to a neighboring router if the neighboring router is inside the NSSSA, but filters the LSA if the neighboring router is outside the NSSSA, for example, in an OSPF area in the distribution layer of the hierarchical network design model.
US07672248B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically changing network communication configuration information when a communication session is terminated A network host device is enabled to initiate providing of network communication configuration information for a network to at least one network-enabled device for establishing a communication session via the network. It is determined when a last communication session is terminated of a last one of the at least one network-enable device. In response to determining when the last communication session is terminated, the network host device is disabled from providing the network communication configuration information. In response to determining when the last communication session is terminated, the network communication configuration information for the network is automatically changed.
US07672246B2	System and method for using per-packet receive signal strength indication and transmit power levels to compute path loss for a link for use in layer II routing in a wireless communication network A system and method for evaluating at least one communication link between a transmitting node and a receiving node in a communications network. The system and method perform the operation of assigning respective link quality values to the respective communication links based on a transmit power level (TPL) value at which the respective data packets were transmitted by the transmitting node over the respective links, a received sensitivity (RS) value of the receiving node receiving the data packets, and a receive signal strength indication (RSSI) value provided by the network for each respective link. Based on the link quality values, the system and method can determine whether additional data packets are to be sent by the transmitting node to the receiving node via the communication link. Specifically, the link having the highest link quality value is selected.
US07672242B2	Traffic management device and method thereof A traffic management device and the method thereof are disclosed. The traffic management device includes a control logic unit, a first counting unit, and a second counting unit. The traffic management method follows the dual leaky bucket mechanism. A first count value and a second count value are generated by the first counting unit and the second counting unit, respectively, such that the control logic unit controls the average rate by checking whether the first count value falls within the range of a first threshold and controls the peak rate by checking whether the second count value falls within the range of a second threshold. When both the conditions are satisfied, packets in the queue are transmitted. Thus, the network flow is controlled effectively.
US07672241B2	Link-aware transmission control protocol In a TCP/IP network, congestion control techniques such as slow start and congestion avoidance are employed. Such networks include wired and wireless links. However, normal operation of the wireless links exhibit different latencies than those exhibited over the wired link. The protocols employed in the wired network do not lend themselves well to efficient communication over wireless connections, and can cause slow start to be triggered. Determining when a sender will timeout due to non-receipt of an ACK, and intervening with a suppression message having an advertised window of zero to pause the user, are employed to prevent congestion control mechanisms such as slow start and congestion avoidance from activation.
US07672240B2	Method and system for using Bayesian network inference for selection of transport protocol algorithm A method for optimizing a network stack includes inputting network information into a transport protocol algorithm selector, inputting a first transport protocol algorithm into the transport protocol algorithm selector, analyzing a result of the transport protocol algorithm selector, selecting the first transport protocol algorithm based on the result, receiving a first packet in the network stack, and processing the first packet using the first transport protocol algorithm.
US07672237B2	Node capable of saving a third-layer operation In a node having first, second, and third layers, a packet (or a cell) is mapped in the first layer. The first layer judges whether the packet (or the cell) is to be dropped at the node or to be hopped to a next node. The first layer transmits the packet to the third layer through the second layer when the first layer judges that the packet is to be dropped at the node. The first layer transmits, when the first layer judges that the packet is to be hopped to the next node, the packet to the next node by making the packet cut through the first layer.
US07672236B1	Method and architecture for a scalable application and security switch using multi-level load balancing A switch architecture and method provides scaling through multi-level load balancing of flows across data and application processing planes. An input/output module receives a communication session flow (forward) from a client device and selects one of a plurality of data processors to process the flow. The selected data processor determines the level of processing needed for the forward flow and selects an application processor from a plurality of such application processors. The application processor generates a session structure identifying actions to be performed on the forward flow and transfers the session structure to the selected data processor to perform the actions on the forward flow. The application processor also predictively generates and offloads a session structure for the associated reverse flow. If the reverse session structure is offloaded to a different data processor, either the forward or reverse flow redirects packets, or is redirected, to the data processor hosting the other flow. Typically, the redirection is accomplished by offloading a redirection structure as the offloaded session structure.
US07672235B1	System and method for buffering real-time streaming content in a peer-to-peer overlay network One embodiment provides a system and method for synchronously buffering real-time streaming content in a peer-to-peer overlay network to improve inter-peer-node synchronization. A requesting peer node identifies a partner peer node that transiently stages content segments. The requesting peer node determines the status of its local buffer and sends a request that indicates such status to a partner peer node. After receiving the most recent segment not present in the buffer from the partner peer node, the requesting peer node transiently stages the received segments in the buffer.
US07672224B2	System and method for data multiplexing To reduce the load on a host for controlling a data doubling. Between a host and two disk subsystems, there is connected a data doubling device. This data doubling device behaves as if it were a unit disk subsystem for the host. The data doubling device doubles a data I/O instruction from the host and issues the doubled data I/O instruction to two disk subsystems. In case either of the disk subsystems becomes faulty, the data doubling device sends the data I/O instruction from the host only to the normal disk subsystem. After the fault recovery, the data doubling device performs a data copy between the disk subsystems.
US07672219B2	Multipoint-to-point communication using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing A bidirectional communication system is provided. The system includes a first remote unit for communicating with a host unit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. The host unit is communicatively coupled to a plurality of remote units in a multipoint-to-point configuration. The first remote unit is configured to transmit up to a plurality of tones and the first remote unit includes a modulator for modulating the plurality of tones with upstream information using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing such that when any tones are transmitted from the first remote unit and at least one other remote unit of the plurality of remote units, the tones are substantially orthogonal when received at the host unit.
US07672215B2	Optical recording medium and recording/reading method therefor In a single-sided incident type optical recording medium having a plurality of dye containing recording layers, sufficient reflectance and excellent recording characteristics necessary to record or read information in or from a dye containing recording layer positioning farther from a side from which a light beam comes in can be obtained. The optical recording medium has a first substrate (21) having a guide groove, a first dye containing recording layer (22), a semitransparent reflective layer (23), an intermediate layer (24), a second dye containing recording layer (25), a reflective layer (26) and a second substrate (27) having a guide groove. Information is recorded or read in or from the first dye containing recording layer (22) and the second dye containing recording layer (25) by irradiating the light beam from the first substrate's side. The depth of the guide groove on the second substrate is within a range from 1/100 ×λ to 1/6 ×λ where λ represents the recording/reading wavelength.
US07672214B2	Probe, recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, and recording/reproducing apparatus A probe (100) is provided with: a substrate (110) having a surface facing a medium (20); and a point electrode (120), formed in the substrate, for performing at least one of detection operation of a state of a domain of the medium and change operation of the state of the domain of the medium, a tip portion, which is an edge portion on a side facing the medium, out of the point electrode being disposed in one point in a plane which is formed in a vicinity of an area portion in which the point electrode is formed by the surface.
US07672204B2	Optical disc, method and apparatus for managing a defective area on an optical disc A method and apparatus for managing a defective area on a optical recording medium, e.g., of writable once type, permits more efficient writing and management of defect list information or temporary defect list information for managing the defective area in a minimum recording size. The method includes writing data in a defective area existing on a high density optical disc, e.g., such as a BD-WO, in a spare area in place of the defective area, producing defect list information for access to the data replacement written in the spare area and writing in a particular area for defect management. The defect entries actually corresponding to the replacement written data, and writing location information of the next available spare area are written and managed as defect list information for management, or the writing location information of a location where replacement writing is possible is written and managed as defect definition structure information.
US07672200B2	Method of inter-layer search in a disk drive A method of inter-layer search of a multi-layer disk, the method including determining whether a search is required of a layer other than a currently accessed layer; searching the currently accessed layer for a position corresponding to a target address on the layer not currently accessed; and moving access to the layer not currently accessed according to the position corresponding to the target address.
US07672195B2	Diagonal gather trace interpolation Diagonal gather trace interpolation systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining seismic traces from a marine seismic survey performed using typically two seismic sources fired in a flip-flop pattern. The seismic traces are processed in common field file trace groups from each cable by performing trace interpolation in opposing diagonal directions. Among other things, diagonal trace interpolation may improve azimuthal regularization. In any event, the disclosed interpolation methods maintain spatial bandwidth increased spatial resolution with increased inline and crossline sampling components. Diagonal gather trace interpolation exploits reduced input trace separation to provide improved stability and detection of a greater range of formation dip angles. After interpolation and regularization, the seismic traces may be imaged and interpreted for improved seismic exploration and monitoring.
US07672194B2	Method of seismic surveying The present invention provides a seismic surveying method in which vibrators in a first vibrator group are actuated at time T0 and vibrators in a second vibrator group are actuated at time T1, where T0
US07672178B2	Dynamic adaptive read return of DRAM data An integrated circuit communicates with memory devices. Data from the memory devices arrives at the integrated circuit with varying propagation delays. The integrated circuit detects the arrival of data from the memory devices, and stores the data in FIFOs. A FIFO drain signal is generated responsive to the detection of the data arrival.
US07672169B2	Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and driving method thereof A nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to an aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of serially connected memory cells arranged on a P-well area within a semiconductor substrate, select gate transistors connected to one end and the other of the serially connected memory cells, a P-well control circuit which controls the P-well area, a plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, a row control circuit which controls the plurality of word lines, and an operation control circuit which controls the P-well control circuit and the row control circuit, wherein, when writing to a selected one of the plurality of memory cells, the operation control circuit controls the P-well control circuit to apply a precharge potential to the P-well area and thus precharge channel areas of the plurality of memory cells.
US07672168B2	Non-volatile semiconductor memory device adapted to store a multi-valued data in a single memory cell A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
US07672157B2	Gated diode nonvolatile memory cell array A memory integrated circuit has memory arrays that are vertically layered. These memory arrays include word lines and bit lines. Intersections between the word lines and the bit lines include a diode and a memory state storage element. The diode and the memory storage element are connected in between a word line and a bit line. The diode at the intersections includes a first diode node and a second diode node. Various aspects of the memory integrated circuit are electrically interconnected in various ways, such as corresponding word lines, corresponding first diode nodes, or corresponding second diode nodes of different memory arrays being electrically interconnected. Various aspects of the memory integrated circuit are isolated in various ways, such as word lines, first diode nodes, or second diode nodes of different memory arrays being isolated.
US07672156B2	Phase change random access memory device In a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) device, a write operation is performed by applying a set pulse to failed PRAM cells. The set pulse comprises a plurality of stages sequentially decreasing from a first current magnitude to a second current magnitude. The first current magnitude or the second current magnitude varies from one write loop to another.
US07672154B2	Semiconductor memory device and method of programming the same Provided are a semiconductor memory device and a method of programming the same. The semiconductor memory device includes a mode input value generating unit and a logic operating unit. The mode input value generating unit changes a connection state between input values of a current driving circuit so as to correspond to each of at least two operating modes, and defines a logic function of a magnetic memory cell connected to the current driving circuit in response to each operating mode. The logic operating unit performs a logic operation on the logic functions of at least two magnetic memory cells defined according to each of the operating modes and generates a result of logic operation.
US07672152B1	Memory cell with built-in process variation tolerance A Schmitt Trigger (ST) based, fully differential, 10-transistor (10T) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) bitcell suitable for sub-threshold operation. The Schmitt trigger based bitcell achieves 1.56× higher read static noise margin (SNM) (VDD=400 mV) compared to a conventional 6T cell. The robust Schmitt trigger based memory cell exhibits built-in process variation tolerance that gives tight SNM distribution across the process corners. It utilizes fully differential operation and hence does not require any architectural changes from the present 6T architecture. The 10T bitcell has two cross-coupled Schmitt trigger inverters which each consist of four transistors, including a PMOS transistor and two NMOS transistors in series, and an NMOS feedback transistor which is connected between the inverter output and the junction between the series-connected NMOS transistors. Each inverter has one associated NMOS access transistor.
US07672151B1	Method for reading non-volatile ferroelectric capacitor memory cell A non-volatile memory cell and related system utilize ferroelectric capacitors as data storage elements. Circuitry is provided for writing to a single ferroelectric capacitor storage element, as well as to dual storage elements operating inversely. The storage elements are read by use of a sense amplifier in a configuration which automatically restores the original data states, thereby eliminating the need for a subsequent restore operation. Memory systems are described which include circuitry for driving bit lines, word lines and drive lines to accomplish both the write and read operations.
US07672141B2	Alignment and support apparatus for component and card coupling A component and card coupling alignment and support apparatus includes a card. A primary component connector is mounted to the card. A primary component including a connection edge engages the primary component connector. A secondary component extends from the primary component. An alignment and support member is included on the secondary component, whereby the card engages the alignment and support member on the secondary component. The engagement of the alignment and support member with the card aligns the primary component with the primary component connector during their coupling and supports the primary component in the primary component connector after their coupling. The card may then be coupled to an information handling system connector in an information handling system.
US07672134B2	Apparatus for directing heat to a heat spreader An apparatus for dissipating heat from a device is provided. The apparatus includes a heat sink having an elongated shape and defining a groove. A heat spreader composed of a non-isotropic thermal conductor is positioned at least partially within the groove of the heat sink and thermally coupled to the heat sink. The heat spreader is oriented such that the thermal conductor propagates heat along a length of the heat sink. A heat channel composed of a non-isotropic thermal conductor is positioned at least partially within the groove of the heat sink and thermally coupled to the heat spreader. The heat channel is oriented to propagate heat towards the heat spreader.
US07672131B2	Heat sink assembly and method manufacturing the same A heat sink assembly includes a base plate, a fin group and a heat pipe thermally connecting the base plate with the fin group. The fin group includes a plurality of fins. The heat pipe includes a straight evaporating section contacting with the base plate, a first condensing section extending upwardly from an end of the evaporating section and through the fins, a second condensing section bent downwardly from a free end of the first condensing section and through the fins, and a third condensing section extending upwardly from an opposite end of the evaporating section and through the fins. Periphery walls of at least two of the first, second and third condensing sections substantially totally contact with the fins to increase a contact area between the heat pipe and the fins.
US07672128B2	Cold row encapsulation for server farm cooling system Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks.
US07672121B2	Flat panel display with detachable base An exemplary flat panel display (200) includes a display module (22), a supporting member (25) for supporting the display module, and a base (27) detachably attaching to the supporting member. The supporting member includes a first hook (254) and a positioning groove (258). The base includes an elastic member (273) and a first through slot (274). When the first hook is latched in the first through slot and part of the elastic member is received in the positioning groove, the supporting member is detachably attached to the base.
US07672114B1	Carbon nanoarchitectures with ultrathin, conformal polymer coatings for electrochemical capacitors A composite having an electroactive polymer coating on a porous carbon structure is disclosed. The composite may be used in capacitor electrodes. The composite may be made by self-limiting electropolymerization of a monomer on the carbon structure.
US07672104B2	Current protection apparatus and method A current protection apparatus (200) and current protection method (1000) that may include programmable current protection characteristics has been disclosed. A current protection apparatus (200) may include a power distribution unit (230) with power distribution outlets (PDO-1 to PDO-8), each having a corresponding circuit breaker unit (CB1 to CB8). Each circuit breaker unit (CB1 to CB8) may operate in response to a processing unit (236) that can sample current values flowing between a respective power distribution outlet (PDO-1 to PDO-8) and a load device (LD1 to LD8). Processing unit 236 may operate under control of software stored on a memory (238) to control a switching circuit (320). Current protection characteristics for each circuit breaker unit may be independently programmed and/or altered by a user, for example by way of a computer (250). In this way, each power distribution outlet (PDO-1 to PDO-8) may have current rating characteristics independently provided for a particular load device (LD1 to LD8).
US07672081B2	Perpendicular magnetic recording head A perpendicular magnetic recording head which moves in a track direction of a recording layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium to write information on the recording layer or read information from the recording layer. The perpendicular magnetic recording head includes: the perpendicular magnetic recording medium including a soft magnetic underlayer and the recording layer; a write head including a main pole that applies a magnetic field to, and writes information to, the recording layer and a return pole having a first end which is connected to the main pole and having a second end which is spaced apart from the main pole over an air bearing surface (ABS) of the perpendicular magnetic recording head which is adjacent to the recording layer; and a permanent magnet formed on at least one side of the write head.
US07672078B2	Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus It is an object of the invention to provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in which a special motor for driving the head cleaning mechanism is eliminated, and space can be saved with low cost. An end of a tape accommodated in a tape cassette 2 has a coupling element 8, the coupling element 8 is pulled out by a tape-pulling-out element 40 and taken up around a drive reel 20, the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a head cleaning mechanism 90 for cleaning a magnetic head 7, the head cleaning mechanism 90 includes a head brush portion for holding a brush portion, and a cam mechanism for changing a position of the head brush portion, the cam mechanism is operated by a tape-pulling-out element moving member 50 and a loading lever 30.
US07672074B2	Thermally assisted magnetic recording method A thermally assisted magnetic recording method includes the following steps. The recording layer of a magnetic recording medium is irradiated with a laser beam to produce a locally heated region. This heated region is moved by causing the recording layer and the laser beam to move relative to each other. To record desired information, a recording magnetic field is applied to the heated region of the recording layer. The laser beam has a cross section elongated in the direction in which the heated region is moved.
US07672073B2	Iterative repeatable run-out nulling for magnetic head tester A method for operating a head testing apparatus or, more generally, a host hard disk drive using a mounted hard disk that has had its servo track information pre-written in an external servo-writing apparatus rather than in the head testing or host apparatus itself. The method eliminates repeatable errors and repeatable runout by effectively replacing the pre-written servo tracks, which are eccentric, with new track profiles that are tracked like circular tracks. The problem of repeatable errors is caused by repeatable runout superimposed upon written-in position errors when a disk written in one machine is transferred to another. This problem is eliminated by forming IRON (Iterative Repeatable Runout Nulling) profile tracks from the initially pre-written servo tracks, where the IRON profile tracks are effectively tracked as concentric circular tracks and generate no PES. The IRON profile is formed by an iterative method that starts with the measurement of the PES of one of the pre-written tracks and iteratively forms a new track profile that is effectively circular.
US07672070B2	Methods and apparatus providing improved visual capabilities of optical instruments An apparatus for forming an image has one or more lenses in an optical path, at least one angular-sensitive light transmission filter in the optical path, in which transmission varies with change in angular orientation of the filter with reference to the direction of light in the optical path, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the light transmission filter.
US07672069B2	Linear motor and camera module having the same A linear motor and a camera module having the linear motor are provided. The linear motor includes: a piezoelectric substrate generating a vibration mode in a longitudinal direction on the basis of an applied voltage; first and second shafts coupled to both sides of the piezoelectric substrate with the piezoelectric substrate interposed therebetween; and a moving member coupled to at least one of the first and second shafts to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the first and second shafts and connected to a camera lens on one side. Accordingly, it is possible to remove a dead zone with a simple structure, to prevent an unnecessary increase in thickness, not to cause a stoppage at the time of moving a camera lens, to cause a small amount of tilt to enable a linear control, and to contribute to a decrease in thickness and a compactness of a mobile terminal.
US07672047B2	Catadioptric projection objective A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane;wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image;pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; andall concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface. The system has potential for very high numerical apertures at moderate lens material mass consumption.
US07672042B2	Fast dynamic gain control in an optical fiber amplifier The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of an optical fiber amplifier. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump. The dynamic gain control technique is applicable to an Erbium-doped fiber/waveguide amplifier. Also, a dynamic gain control technique controls a backward-pumped Raman amplifier, in which the power variation is determined at one geographical location and the optical pumps are controlled at another geographical location.
US07672038B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing electrophoretic displays A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a flexible plate on the substrate; forming an electrophoretic layer on the flexible plate; forming a transparent protection layer on the electrophoretic layer; forming an edge protection member between the flexible plate and the transparent protection member, the edge protection member surrounding the electrophoretic layer; and providing a laser beam to irradiate the flexible plate from a side of the substrate facing away from flexible plate, so as to release the substrate from the flexible plate.
US07672037B2	Electrophoretic display device and manufacturing method thereof Provided are an electrophoretic display device and a manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically, electrophoretic e-paper to which a high-k dielectric material is applied in order to improve a reaction rate. The electrophoretic display device of the present invention comprises a plurality of capsules comprising a dielectric fluid and at least one type of particles individually operating in response to an applied electric field and suspended in the dielectric fluid; first and second substrates respectively formed on and below the capsules and having electrodes formed thereon; and a dielectric layer formed on at least one of the first and second substrates to be in contact with the capsules.
US07672036B2	Non-linear optical bodies and devices The need to have a large single crystal of photorefractive material for devices such as optical limiters, optical memory, and beam couplers, is avoided by providing a photorefractive body (42) comprising small photorefractive particles (44) coupled by a couplant (43), for example glass, which is refractive index-matched to the particles. Such a body may comprise a fiber (42), or a bulk body (80). For many uses it will be necessary to align the photorefractive particles in the body and this can be achieved using fluid flows or electrostatically. Methods of making the particles, and of making photorefractive bodies are disclosed. Devices incorporating particle-couplant matrix bodies are disclosed.
US07672030B2	Holographic fine-line pattern The present invention relates to a three-dimensional security feature using a hologram which can not be counterfeited with color copying machines or diffraction grating image forming devices. The three-dimensional security feature comprises a hologram which is recorded in such a manner that it can be reconstructed to comprise at least two three-dimensional linear patterns when locally viewed, at least one of these two three-dimensional linear patterns having at least one portion which crosses the other linear pattern at the inner side and at least one portion which crosses the other linear pattern at the outer side.
US07672024B2	Contact image sensor module A contact image sensor module for scanning a document includes a light source, a photosensing array and a lens assembly. The light source emits a light beam to the document, thereby generating an optical signal. The photosensing array is used for converting the optical signal into an electronic signal. The lens assembly is used for focusing the optical signal reflected from the document and imaging the optical signal onto the photosensing array. The photosensing array includes a first photosensing element with a first width and a second photosensing element with a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.
US07672022B1	Methods and apparatus for analyzing an image A method analyzes an image to be scanned and analyzes at least part of the image pixel-by-pixel. Elements in the image are characterized according to a perceived characteristic and each image element having a given characteristic that is adjacent a similar or identical image element is identified. In one form, there are preferably at least three different characteristics, such as black, background and edge, by which the image elements can be characterized. In another form, image elements that are close enough to each other in physical location and close enough to each other in image characteristic are grouped together or included in a blob. Sub-blobs can be found to be part of a more predominant blob. In a further form, image elements are identified that represent an edge in the image, along with identifying those edge elements that are adjacent at least one other edge element.
US07672014B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method and printer driver An image processing apparatus includes: a color conversion LUT selecting section selecting a fundamental color conversion LUT from among a set of fundamental color conversion LUTs, preliminarily prepared in compliance with different combinations of fundamental ink colors, based on information of ink colors to be used in multicolor-printing and information of fundamental ink colors defining each fundamental color conversion LUT; a color converting section converting pixel values, associated with a multicolor original image, from a display color space of the selected fundamental color conversion LUT to an ink color space of the selected fundamental color conversion LUT; and a correction processing section correcting pixel values stored in the selected fundamental color conversion LUT, in the ink color space, based on feature points information of the ink colors to be used in the multicolor-printing and feature points information of fundamental ink colors defining the selected fundamental color conversion LUT.
US07672003B2	Network scanner for global document creation, transmission and management A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions.
US07671999B2	Device for measuring parts by triangulation sensors and an evaluation unit for determining A device for measuring components by a laser triangulation measuring device includes at least two triangulation sensors for determining the height profiles of components. The component is arranged on a movable support plane in a horizontal moving direction relative to the laser triangulation measuring device, whereby at least two triangulation sensors are arranged in a mutual measuring plane forming a positional offset, for determining the height profile and a cross-sectional profile of the component in the measuring plane.
US07671997B2	High power broadband superluminescent diode A superluminescent diode according the present invention employs a uniform AlGaInAs quantum well on an InP substrate, emitting in a range of 1100 to 1800 nm. The favorable conduction band: valence band offset ratio of this material system enables superluminescent diodes which simultaneously provide high power and large optical bandwidth. A recent reduction to practice of the present invention simultaneously demonstrates output power exceeding 100 mW and bandwidth exceeding 100 nm. A preferred embodiment of this invention uses multiple uniform AlGaInAs quantum wells with two confined quantum states and energetic separation in a range of 100-130 nm. An alternate preferred embodiment uses non-uniform wells, with each well having two confined quantum states. The present invention is particularly useful in time domain and spectral domain optical coherence tomography systems, providing increased resolution and tissue penetration for in-vivo imaging.
US07671988B2	Detection of particles A device (10) is provided for measuring at least one characteristic (12) related to presence of particles. The device (10) includes a light source unit (16) for emitting light into a region (18) containing particles (20), with the light source being configured to emit light from a plurality of locations in a manner so that the emitted light follows a desired intensity distribution (22), the desired intensity distribution (22) being desired for the measurement of the at least one characteristic (12). In preferred embodiments the intensity distribution is Lambertian.
US07671984B2	Spectrometric measuring probe and method for recalibrating the same An arrangement for measuring the diffuse reflection of samples and a method for internal recalibration of the measuring head. The spectrometric measuring head with a device for recalibration comprises a housing which is provided with a window and which contains an illumination source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration. The two standards can be swiveled into the beam path of the measuring head selectively so that the measurement light emitted by the illumination source can be used in its entirety for recalibration. A processor for acquiring and processing measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing. Accordingly, relatively time-consuming calibration of the measuring head at the place of use is required only before putting into operation or at longer time intervals. By the internal recalibrations, it is possible to prevent changes in the measured values in long-term operation.
US07671981B1	System for spectroscopic carpet identification A tunable laser spectroscopic carpet identification system comprises a tunable laser spectroscopy system for generating a tunable signal that is transmitted to a carpet sample. The system detects the tunable signal after interaction with the carpet sample so that an analyzer is able to relate a spectral response of the carpet sample to a chemical composition of the carpet sample. In one example, the spectroscopy system comprises a laser cavity in which the tunable signal is generated, a semiconductor gain medium in the laser cavity, and a tunable element for controlling a wavelength of tunable signal generated in the laser cavity. To deal with variations in water content, the analyzer estimates a water content of the carpet sample using the spectral response of the carpet sample and then determines the chemical composition of the carpet sample in part based on the estimate of the water content.
US07671977B2	Personal identification system A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification.
US07671976B2	Systems and methods of using a flexible imaging surface to capture a rolled fingerprint Fingers and palms can be optically scanned to produce optical finger or optical palm prints by using one or more flexible imaging members in contact therewith. The palm or finger being scanned is positioned on one side of the flexible imaging member and in contact therewith. One or more optical scanners is positioned on the other side of the imaging member. The sensor(s) then sense incident radiant energy or light indicative of friction ridge patterns and minutiae on the respective finger and/or palm. Alternately, RF or electro-static sensing could be used.
US07671967B2	Exposure apparatus and exposure method An exposure method includes the steps of (a) calculating a pupil transmittance distribution in a projection optical system based on a first effective light source distribution of the projection optical system acquired by a measuring apparatus of an exposure apparatus, and a second effective light source distribution derived from a pupil plane light intensity distribution measured on a plate plane using light that has passed the projection optical system without a reticle, (b) calculating an imaging performance by using a result of the pupil transmittance distribution calculating step and the first or second effective light source distributions, (c) adjusting at least one of the effective light source distribution or the projection optical system by using the imaging performance, and (d) exposing the plate based on at least one of the effective light source distribution and the projection optical system that have been adjusted.
US07671966B2	Computer architecture for and method of high-resolution imaging using a low-resolution image transducer Parallel data bus architecture, lithography system and method for substrate patterning with a high-resolution image by data generation transferring, display or printing high edge placement accuracy images from multiple exposures of plurality of predefined patterns with lower edge placement accuracy. Data bus architecture includes n predetermined patterns in n memory arrays each storing a low resolution pattern to be formed onto microelement array with a data bus connecting memory arrays to an image transducer memory array. Data bus includes switches allowing data transfer from any one memory array to the image transducer array with a memory control unit connected to memory arrays and one or more data bus switches so 2m−1 columns of pattern data stored in the mth memory array are sequentially transferred to 2m−1 memory cell columns of the image transducer memory array, m an integer begging at 1 incremented by 1 to n.
US07671962B2	Spacer forming method and spacer forming apparatus Providing a spacer forming method by which spacers can be securely formed in a predetermined region on a substrate. Ink containing granular spacers is jetted onto a crossing portion of a black matrix 5 in the shape of a lattice. Red pixel R, green pixel G and blue pixel B are formed in the openings of the lattice. The spacer containing ink is jetted onto the spacer forming positions from the nozzle by the ink jetting method. Plural drops of ink 7 are jetted onto each of the spacer forming positions on one of the opposite substrates E. The gap between the opposite substrates E can be securely maintained at a constant for filling with liquid crystal.
US07671960B2	Method for producing a device defining a volume for retaining a fluid or a sensitive material A method of manufacturing at least one device defining a volume for retaining fluid or sensitive material capable of changing physical properties, particularly optical properties, via application of voltage, or electrical properties via stress or radiation, the device including a first front substrate and a second back substrate maintained at a constant distance from each other, and joined by a sealing joint which defines the volume, wherein the method includes the steps of: structuring at least one wall, which defines, via its inner lateral face, the volume for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, on one of the substrates; joining the second substrate to the first substrate; introducing a sealing material into a gap defined by the outer lateral face of the wall and the two superposed substrates until at least part of the gap is occupied by sealing material, and solidifying the sealing material to form the sealing frame.
US07671941B2	Liquid crystal display and electronic device The invention provides a liquid crystal display capable of obtaining light and high-contrast display having a wide viewing angle in a transflective liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display of the present invention employs a vertical alignment mode using a liquid crystal layer that is vertically aligned in the initial alignment state. A transparent display area is disposed to surround the periphery of a reflective display area in one dot, and an insulating film is provided in the area that corresponds to the reflective display area in the center of the dot. The insulating film makes the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display area to be smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transparent display area.
US07671939B2	Liquid crystal display element A liquid crystal display element includes: a first substrate having a first surface and including a pixel electrode; a second substrate having a second surface opposing to the first surface, and including a light-shielding film, a thickness adjusting film and a counter electrode arranged in sequence in a direction to the second surface; a sealing material having a frame-shape to bond the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided in a region surrounded by the sealing material and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the thickness adjusting film is provided to cover the light-shielding film to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, and has a contact hole, wherein the counter electrode is provided to oppose to the pixel electrode, and electrically connected to the light shielding film via the contact hole.
US07671928B2	Display apparatus including self-luminescent device and non-self-luminescent device A display apparatus with a self-luminescent device and a non-self-luminescent device has a first substrate, a second substrate, and a pixel matrix with a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a first switching device, a non-self-luminescent device controlled by the first switching device, a second switching device, and a self-luminescent device controlled by the second switching device. The first switching device and the second switching device are active devices, wherein the first switching device is disposed on the first substrate, and the second switching device is disposed on the second substrate. Alternatively, one of the first switching device and the second switching device is a passive device. Also, the first switching device is on the first substrate, and the second switching device is on the second substrate. An apparatus for controlling the disclosed display apparatus is also disclosed.
US07671920B2	Camera body of a video system with a handgrip and video system A camera body of a video system has a housing which is comprised of cover elements. Two of the cover elements which, in an area of the handgrip, are fitted together and which shape a part of the housing, also shape the handgrip of the housing.
US07671918B2	Camera with autofocus function A camera includes a first transfer unit which transfers, in a first transfer time, pixel data of a first pixel range of a plurality of pixel data, a second transfer unit which transfers, in a second transfer time that is shorter than the first transfer time, pixel data of a second pixel range of the plurality of pixel data, a number of pixels of the second pixel range being less than a number of pixels of the first pixel range, a first control unit which causes the first transfer unit to transfer the pixel data, updates a display screen on the basis of the pixel data, and controls the autofocus adjustment, and a second control unit which causes the second transfer unit to transfer the pixel data, interrupts the updating of the display screen while the pixel data is being transferred, and controls the autofocus adjustment.
US07671914B2	Increasing readout speed in CMOS APS sensors through block readout A method and associated architecture for dividing column readout circuitry in an active pixel sensor in a manner which reduces the parasitic capacitance on the readout line. In a preferred implementation, column readout circuits are grouped in blocks and provided with block signaling. Accordingly, only column output circuits in a selected block significantly impart a parasitic capacitance effect on shared column readout lines. Block signaling allows increasing pixel readout rate while maintaining a constant frame rate for utility in large format high-speed imaging applications.
US07671902B2	Image capture and distribution system and method Images captured at a venue and relating to one or more patrons of the venue are incorporated into one or more products in accordance with image selections and/or product selections made by the patron(s). The images may be captured at venues with a variety of image capture devices such as pre-mounted cameras, cell phones, cameras brought by patrons to the venue, or cameras provided to patrons by the venue or another entity. The patrons may obtain products such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, prints, slideshows, or other products incorporating one or more selected images. Patrons may also view the images on portable electronic devices.
US07671900B2	Imaging apparatus and its control method displaying an electronic viewfinder screen and a frame within the screen including color information In an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit, an image processor, and a recording unit, an electronic viewfinder screen is displayed with an image capture frame on the basis of image data captured by the imaging unit and output from the image processor. A conversion source color is determined on the basis of color information included in the frame of an image displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen in response to a first operation input. A conversion destination color is determined on the basis of color information included in the frame of an image displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen in response to a second operation input. Color conversion parameters of the image processor are set to convert a color within a predetermined range including the conversion source color into a color within a predetermined range including the conversion destination color on a color space.
US07671897B2	Image output and input systems An image output/input system includes a phase comparator, an image synchronous signal generator, a sensor timing generator, a sensor, an image/color processing unit, and a video encoder. The phase comparator receives a digital signal and a vertical synchronous signal and compares their period and phase to generate a clock correction signal. The image synchronous signal generator receives the clock correction signal and adjusts a subsequent period of the vertical synchronous signal according to the clock correction signal. The sensor timing generator receives the vertical synchronous signal and generates the sensor control timing, and the sensor receives the sensor control timing and generates raw image data. The image/color processing unit receives the raw image data and deals with the image and color process of the raw image data to generate target image data. The video encoder receives the vertical synchronous signal and the target image data and encodes them to generate analog encoded image data.
US07671893B2	System and method for interactive multi-view video Interactive multi-view video presents a new type of video capture system. Many video cameras are allocated to capture an event from various related locations and directions. The captured videos are compressed in control PCs and are sent to a server in real-time. The compressed video can also be transcoded through an off-line compression approach to further reduce the data amount. Users can subscribe to a new type of service that allows users to connect to the servers and receive multi-view videos interactively.
US07671892B2	Image sensing apparatus, and control method, program, and storage medium of image sensing apparatus An image sensing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image sensing unit configured to sense an object image and output image signals; a shift amount detecting unit configured to detect a shift amount between two image signals, from the image signals that are sequentially output by the image sensing unit; an image signal synthesizing unit configured to sequentially synthesize the image signals based on detection results of the shift amount detecting unit, and generate a synthesized image signal that has been corrected by the shift amount; and a memory unit configured to accumulate the synthesized image signal, wherein the image signal synthesizing unit performs level adjustment of a signal level, the level adjustment varying for each area of the two image signals that are to be synthesized, and generates the synthesized image signal.
US07671890B2	Roving camera security system A covert all-weather roving camera security system includes a monorail track, at least one self-propelled trolley able to move itself back and forth continuously along the monorail track, and a plurality of surveillance cameras attached to the trolley. A housing completely encloses the monorail track and the trolley and has a sunshield on its top to protect the cameras from overheating and a filtered window on its sides and bottom to prevent human eyes from seeing in the housing while permitting the cameras to see out.
US07671888B2	Stereoscopic-endoscope display control apparatus and stereoscopic endoscope system The present invention provides a system including a stereoscopic endoscope having left and right image pickup units for picking up parallactic images of an object through objective lenses laterally arranged at a distance from each other and CCDs laterally arranged at a distance from each other. In the stereoscopic endoscope, the focal distance is variable by moving focusing lenses. A display control unit is constructed so as to mask image pickup areas in left and right images display in left and right display elements on the basis of information regarding the distance to an object, the image pickup areas being picked up-only by one of the left and right image pickup units. Thus, images corresponding to an area that is picked up in common by both the left and right image pickup units are displayed.
US07671885B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus having curl restraining mechanism An ink-jet recording apparatus is provided which can perform image recording on a recording medium being conveyed while restraining a curl at the front end of the recording medium. The ink-jet recording apparatus has an upstream curve forming portion that curves a recording medium being conveyed into a nearly U-shape when viewed in a cross selection orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording medium, and an upstream conveying direction change portion that shifts the conveying direction of the recording medium being conveyed from the feed tray to between a platen and a recording head such that the recording medium is curved to form a nearly U-shape when viewed in a cross section along the conveying direction.
US07671882B2	Semiconductor laser modulation driving apparatus and image forming apparatus A semiconductor laser modulation signal is generated for modulating a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser is driven based on the semiconductor laser modulation signal. An output impedance of a semiconductor laser modulation signal generating unit and an input impedance of a semiconductor laser driving unit are corrected. The semiconductor laser modulation signal is transmitted as a low amplitude differential signal, from the semiconductor laser modulation signal generating unit to the semiconductor laser driving unit.
US07671880B2	Optical disk labeling system and method In one embodiment, a disk labeling system is configured to use calibration indicia to produce calibration data. A disk is then marked using a laser in a first position. The laser is then deflected from the first position into a second position, by applying an input according to the calibration data. The disk is then marked using the laser in the second position.
US07671879B2	Information recording apparatus An information recording apparatus enables information to be recorded in a thermosensitive recording medium accurately while preventing the development of skew. When a rewritable medium is conveyed to a recording unit, the rotation of the rewritable medium and its position with reference to an axis are adjusted. Specifically, the rewritable medium is held between guide pins to such an extent as not to warp the rewritable medium while the medium is sandwiched between a clamper and a conveyance tray, until the rewritable medium reaches the recording unit. Thus, the rewritable medium is delivered to the recording unit with an adjusted posture, allowing the recording unit to record information in the rewritable medium without the development of skew in the rewritable medium.
US07671875B2	Information processing method and apparatus In a case where a position and/or orientation of a shooting viewpoint is calculated by using information about image coordinates of markers placed in a scene, the present invention enables a user to easily determine positions of the markers so that the position and orientation can be calculated more accurately. Information about markers placed in a physical space is obtained and area information about mixing accuracy between a physical space image and a virtual space image is obtained based on the information about the markers, so that a virtual space image is generated in accordance with the obtained area information.
US07671873B1	Systems for and methods of processing signals in a graphics format According to one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for converting data encoded in a graphics signal to at least one output signal. The apparatus includes an input, a plurality of outputs, signal processing circuitry and a controller. The input is adapted to receive the graphics signal where the graphics signal includes a plurality of frames generated at least in part from original data. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to locate, in the graphics signal, data corresponding to the original data, convert the data corresponding to the original data to output data and communicate the output data to the plurality of outputs. The controller is adapted to monitor a capacity of the signal processing circuitry and generate a signal that results in at least one disposable frame being added to the plurality of frames. The signal processing circuitry is adapted to discard the at least one disposable frame.
US07671871B2	Graphical user interface for color correction using curves To make an intuitive interface for curves for color correction, a particular color is selected, such as gray, and the effect of each curve on pixels of that color may be displayed as a background image for the curve. A background image also may indicate a color to which tones corresponding to a selected and manipulated point of a curve will be modified or corrected. An image representing a gradient from the color component, through gray, to a complement of the color component may be displayed in association with the displayed function curve to suggest a result of color correction to be applied to the input image by manipulation of the function curve. A background image may suggest to the user what will happen if a point on the curve is moved. For example, if a user takes a point on the green curve that is in the center of the display and moves it to the lower right, the resulting image will have a magenta tint. The background image for the curve for the green channel shows more magenta in the lower right. A user can determine from an image to be corrected and the background image of the curves both which curve to use and approximately which direction to manipulate the curve.
US07671870B2	Tiling data sets for computer graphics Data tiles can be combined to form attribute data sets for use in generating computer graphics images. Tiles may be arranged in a regular grid pattern or in arbitrary, irregular positions. Tiles can be overlapped slightly and blended to hide tile boundaries. The value of the combined data set in an overlap region may be a weighted sum of values from the tiles. To compensate for reduced variance and contrast caused by blending, the values in overlap regions can be scaled by a variance correction factor. The variance correction factor is the inverse of the reduction in variance from the source tiles. Tile values can be scaled by their weights and variance correction values at the time they are combined or in advance, if the pattern of tile overlaps are consistent. Data tiles can be comprised of bandlimited noise data or other data types.
US07671869B2	Adaptive content delivery A method and apparatus that provides adaptation in the content delivered to a palmtop computer. Connections between a palmtop computer and the Internet can vary from low speed dial-up to very high speed. Also, a palmtop computer's display, memory and processing power can vary considerably. Communication with the Internet is generally through a proxy server that can deduce these considerations from the palmtop computer's serial number and/or other information specified by user. The proxy server can then adapt the content based upon these considerations (e.g. only send two bit gray scale images to non-color palmtop computer, only send first frame of animated gif to low processing power palmtop computer, etc.).
US07671852B2	Display device, display method, and computer product A display device includes a display unit, a state detecting unit, and a setting unit. The display unit includes a display screen on which an image is displayed. The state detecting unit detects a light emission state of a pixel of the display screen. The setting unit sets the pixel to any one of a display mode and a charge mode based on a result of detection by the state detecting unit.
US07671846B1	Computer system having a pressure-sensitive controller, setup method for a pressure-sensitive controller and recording medium that records this method In order to minimize differences in a pushing speed of a user pushing control elements of a controller in, for example, an entertaining system, arising from differences in the body weights of users, the gives instructions to a computer running software depending on the pushing pressure of the user on the control element connected to a pressure-sensitive device of the controller. The controller is set up to instruct the user to push the control element with at least a maximum strength. The value obtained when the control element is pushed, is stored as the maximum value. Based on the maximum value and a pressure-sensing value table defined in software or various pressure-sensing values, a new pressure-sensing value table or various new pressure-sensing values are generated.
US07671829B2	Driving method and driving circuit for color liquid crystal display A driving method for a color liquid crystal display which drives the color liquid crystal display based on a video red signal, a video green signal and a video blue signal by independently applying a gamma compensation to a clamped video red signal, a clamped video green signal and a clamped video blue signal in gamma compensating circuits in order to make suitable to a red transmittance characteristic, a green transmittance characteristic and a blue transmittance characteristic. With this operation, it is possible to carry out an optimal gamma compensation suitable to a characteristic of the color liquid crystal display and to remove a gradation batter occurring in a specific color.
US07671828B2	Color filter substrate, liquid crystal unit, and electronic device A color filter substrate includes a substrate and color layers of different colors which are disposed on the substrate. The color layers are provided in unit pixels. The unit pixels each include subpixels. The subpixels each include a reflection region where light entering the pixels is reflected and a transmission region where light entering the pixels is transmitted. The reflection and transmission regions include a different combination of two color layers selected from the color layers for each of the subpixels. The two color layers are adjacent to each other in a plane in the reflection region and are stacked on top of each other in the transmission region. The transmission region of at least one of the subpixels has an unstacked area where one of the two color layers is formed.
US07671825B2	Method of driving organic EL device and display device According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently perform the discharging of charge without lowering the light emitting efficiency of an organic EL device and hence, the device can exhibit the light emitting efficiency higher than a conventional organic EL device and, at the same time, can prevent the degradation of the device. As an organic EL device to which the present invention is applied, on a glass transparent substrate, a transparent electrode, a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer which function as a hole transport function layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport function layer, and a metal electrode are formed sequentially, and a drive power sources are connected to the transparent electrode and the metal electrode. Further, from the drive power source, as an applying voltage, a voltage which is obtained by overlapping any one of a sine wave, a pulse wave, a triangle wave and a sawtooth wave having two cycles or more to a drive signal or a voltage which is obtained by overlapping a sine wave having two cycles or more to the drive signal is supplied.
US07671811B2	Antenna device with ground plane coupled to conductive portion of an electronic device Disclosed is an antenna device arranged inside a display module of an electronic device with a conductive portion. The antenna device includes an antenna element with a ground plane and a signal feeding end for transceiving a wireless signal, an antenna signal feeding line coupled to the signal feeding end of the antenna element for feeding the wireless signal transceived by the antenna element. At least one mounting element for fixing the antenna element onto the casing and forcing the ground plane of the antenna electrically contacting with the conductive portion of the casing, so that the conductive porting serves as an extended ground for the ground plane of the antenna element.
US07671806B2	Antenna system for a radar transceiver In an antenna system for a radar transceiver, in particular for measuring distance and/or velocity in the surroundings of motor vehicles, having at least one antenna, which includes at least one first part situated on a chip and a second part situated at a distance from the first part and beam-coupled to the first part, the second part of the antenna is situated on an antenna substrate or another chip, which is attached over the first part by flip chip bonds.
US07671804B2	Tunable antennas for handheld devices A compact tunable antenna for a handheld electronic device and methods for calibrating and using compact tunable antennas are provided. The antenna can have multiple ports. Each port can have an associated feed and ground. The antenna design can be implemented with a small footprint while covering a large bandwidth. The antenna can have a radiating element formed from a conductive structure such as a patch or helix. The antenna can be shaped to accommodate buttons and other components in the handheld device. The antenna may be connected to a printed circuit board in the handheld device using springs, pogo pins, and other suitable connecting structures. Radio-frequency switches and passive components such as duplexers and diplexers may be used to couple radio-frequency transceiver circuitry to the different feeds of the antenna. Antenna efficiency can be enhanced by avoiding the use of capacitive loading for antenna tuning.
US07671801B2	Armor for an electronically scanned array According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronically scanned array includes a plurality of armor segments interspersed between a plurality of transmit/receive integrated microwave modules (TRIMMs), and a clamping element compressing the armor segments.
US07671793B2	Positioning system, terminal apparatus, method of controlling terminal apparatus, program for controlling terminal apparatus and computer-readable storing medium for storing program for controlling terminal apparatus A communication base station has: a communication signal sending device for sending a communication signal including base station position information indicating a position of the communication base station and sending direction information indicating a sending direction from the communication base station, and the terminal apparatus has: a communication signal receiving device; a base station pseudo range information generating device; a satellite orbital position information generating device; a satellite pseudo range information generating device; a candidate position information generating device; and a positioning location information generating device for designating one position out of positions on the circumference indicated in the candidate position information on the basis of the sending direction information to generate positioning location information, and so on.
US07671783B2	Radar reflector A submarine warfare radar training system 10 includes an underwater vehicle 15 towing a float device 40 and a radar reflective target 45. The radar reflective target 45 is configured as a hollow tube-shaped element 50 having circular open leading and trailing open circular end to allow water to flow through the target as it is towed. The target 45 includes a positive buoyancy material layer 60 and is horizontally oriented during towing. The float device 40 is configured to support the radar reflective target 45 open leading end above the water surface 30 as the float device 40 and radar reflective target 45 are towed along the water surface to deliver air into the hollow cross-section. The radar reflective target 45 has an adjustable RCS which can be increased or decreased by lengthening or shortening the radar reflective target.
US07671781B2	System and method for producing character on interactive equipment A system and method for producing a character are provided. A remote control device having a plurality of numeral keys and capable of inputting a plurality of values is used to issue a command representing one of the plurality of values and composed of a combination of the plurality of numeral keys to an interactive equipment. In the interactive equipment, a reference table is provided to provide a relationship between the plurality of values and a plurality of characters each corresponding to one thereof. By referring to the reference table, the value corresponding to the command can be converted to a corresponding character among the plurality of characters. Finally, the character can be displayed and thus produced on the interactive equipment.
US07671777B2	AD converter An AD converter includes an analog data storing unit, a first DA converter for converting an input digital data into a first analog reference voltage which varies within a first voltage range in a range of every possible signal voltage of the input analog data, a second DA converter for converting the input digital data into a second analog reference voltage which varies within a second voltage range in the range of every possible signal voltage of the input analog data, a first comparator for comparing the input analog data with the first reference voltage, a second comparator for comparing the input analog data with the second reference voltage and a digital data storing unit for storing a digital data corresponding to a point of time when a change of state occurs in the comparison results of each of the first and second comparators.
US07671773B2	Jitter insensitive single bit digital to analog converter Systems and methods for a jitter insensitive 1-bit digital to analog converter (DAC) are described. The jitter insensitive 1-bit DAC employed in the feedback loop of a delta sigma analog to digital converter (ADC) converts a 1-bit digital data into the corresponding analog output.
US07671772B2	Method and apparatus for producing a linearized amplified continuous wave (CW) signal In one embodiment, at least one parameter set for at least one harmonic of a continuous wave (CW) signal is digitally generated in response to a parameter set for the CW signal. In response to the parameter set for the CW signal, the CW signal is synthesized; and in response to the at least one parameter set for the at least one harmonic of the CW signal, at least one nulling tone is synthesized. The CW signal and the at least one nulling tone are amplified; and the amplified CW signal and the at least one amplified nulling tone are summed to produce a linearized amplified CW signal. Other embodiments are also described.
US07671760B2	Traffic signal system A traffic signal system for utilizing an efficient and simplistic structure to regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The traffic signal system includes a support member including at least one receiver member and at least one light module including a plug member extending outwardly from the light module, wherein the plug member is positionable within a cavity of the receiver member.
US07671757B2	Method and apparatus for detecting misalignment of train inspection systems A method and system to detect misalignment of sensors used in train inspection systems are provided. The method includes receiving inputs from a train inspection sensor that is coupled to a railroad track, determining a position of the train inspection sensor using a motion detector, and identifying the inputs received from the train inspection sensor as at least one of acceptable or not acceptable based on the determined position of the train inspection sensor.
US07671755B2	Battery current sensor for a motor vehicle A battery current sensing device for the battery of a vehicle includes a current sensor, a substrate having a measuring circuit, and a connecting element having first and second ends. The current sensor is connected to the battery to receive current flow of the battery. One end of the connecting element is electrically and mechanically connected to the substrate and the other end of the connecting element is electrically and mechanically connected to the current sensor such that the connecting element electrically and mechanically connects the substrate in a fixed position to the current sensor with the measuring circuit being electrically connected to the current sensor. The first end of the connecting element includes a press-fit contact for establishing the connection to one of the current sensor and the substrate.
US07671754B2	Sensor for detecting leakage of a liquid A sensor for detecting the presence of a liquid. The sensor includes a housing having a concave upper surface, a concave lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, the wall extending above the upper surface and below the lower surface. A plurality of apertures are formed in the wall. A plurality of electrically conductive members extend above the upper surface and below the lower surface and are separated from one another by a gap in which a liquid can accumulate. The electrically conductive members are configured to generate an output signal when a conductive liquid comes into contact with the electrically conductive members and bridges the gap. An output connector is coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive members and is configured to carry the output signal.
US07671749B2	System and method for startling animals A device is disclosed which is configured to startle certain pests which may cause a variety of problems in certain areas of a home or workplace. By limiting the action of the pests, or removing the pests from the area, the invention may prevent the destruction of property, minimize animal droppings, and minimize the spread of disease. The invention includes an external shell in the shape of any desired animal, wherein the external shell also covers internal mechanical, electronic and electrical components. The components are configured to move parts of the animal shell and move other items attached to the shell. The movement may be a result of a motion detector detecting an undesirable pest, programmable timer, a remote control device operated within the safety of a home or by other sensors.
US07671742B2	Integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and point of sale (POS) system and method A system and method for integrating point of sale (POS) data with electronic article surveillance (EAS) data, comprising a general-purpose computer for receiving and processing POS and EAS data is disclosed. The system and method preferable comprise reporting analyzed and collated data to a user.
US07671733B2	Method and system for medical alarm monitoring, reporting and normalization A system for monitoring and reporting medical alarms includes an alarm messenger for receiving an alarm signal from monitored equipment. The alarm signal includes information to enable determination of the location of the monitored equipment. The alarm messenger outputs an alarm messenger signal including the information. A database includes a master association table stored in the database. A central server receives the alarm signal, utilizes the information from the alarm signal to access the master association table to determine alarm information and, in response to the alarm information, notifies the appropriate staff of an alarm condition.
US07671723B2	Device for activating an actuator system for protecting a pedestrian A device for activating an actuator system for protecting a pedestrian is provided, the device being connected to an environment sensor system and a contact sensor system. The device compares a first signal from the contact sensor system to a threshold. The threshold or the first signal is changed as a function of a second signal of the environment sensor system and the actuator system is activated as a function of the comparison.
US07671722B1	Pill storage system A pill storage system includes a housing that with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into an interior of the housing. A cover is removably positioned over the opening and closes the housing. At least one loop is attached to an outer surface of the bottom wall. A bracelet for being worn by a user of the housing extends through the at least one loop. The bracelet removably secures the housing to the user.
US07671721B2	Remote sensor, device and method for activating selected remote sensor components This publication discloses a remote identifier, a reader, and a method for activating a desired remote identifier. The remote identifier (2) includes a microcircuit (7), in which there is a memory and means for processing a radio-frequency signal, an antenna (6) connected to the microcircuit (7), by means of which both the signal and also electric power for the operating voltage of the microcircuit (7) can be received. According to the invention, a component (3), the electrical properties of which change due to the effect of infrared, or visible light, is electrically connected to the microcircuit (7) of the remote identifier and in the microcircuit (7) there are means, by which the combined effect of a change in the radio-frequency signal and the electrical component (3) can be expressed by a correlation method for the signals, in order to activate the remote identifier (2) for two-way data transmission.
US07671720B1	Method and appratus for removing distortion in radio frequency signals According to several embodiments of the invention, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator utilizing a circuit to remove unwanted distortion from a received signal is described. The interrogator transmits a transmitted signal continuously, while receiving a received signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The circuit samples the transmitted signal, and removes the unwanted distortion created by the transmitted signal from the received signal.
US07671718B2	Method and apparatus for detection and tracking of objects within a defined area A method and apparatus for detecting and tracking an object with a defined area, and determining its position, status movement and identity therein, includes interrogating the defined area to communicate with an information device on object and transmit received to a master controller unit, which determines the object's presence, position, movement and identity with the defined area.
US07671717B2	Unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector having short-circuit fault alarm function The present invention relates to an unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector having short-circuit fault alarm function, comprises a detecting cable comprising at least two detecting conductors disposed in parallel and a fusible insulation layer, a resistor, and a resistance signal measuring device, wherein the detecting cable further comprises a semiconductor layer, and wherein the semiconductor layer and the fusible insulation layer are disposed between the detecting conductors so as to space the detecting conductors apart. The detector of the present invention may distinguish short-circuit fault from short circuit caused by fire, and thus overcome the disadvantage of not distinguishing short-circuit fault from short-circuit due to fire in the conventional detector. Therefore, the problem of lack of short-circuit fault alarm function in the prior art is resolved. Accordingly, the present invention improves the reliability of unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector.
US07671713B2	Integrated structure of passive elements in LLC resonance converter realized by flexible circuit boards An integrated structure of passive elements in an LLC resonance converter realized by flexible circuit boards includes a closed magnetic circuit formed by first and second magnetic cores, a tubular, double-sided, flexible circuit board, tubular magnetic-material layer and tubular, single-sided, flexible circuit board. The single-sided circuit board is coaxially sleeved in turn from inside outwards on a magnetic core column of the closed magnetic circuit. The tubular, double-sided, circuit board is a laminated plate material formed in turn of a first insulating layer, first copper foil, insulating medium layer, second copper foil and second insulating layer. The tubular, single-sided, circuit board is a laminated plate material formed in turn of a third insulating layer, third copper foil and fourth insulating layer. The integration of a resonance capacitor, resonance inductor, shunt inductor and transformer in a LLC resonance converter is realized by using these flexible circuit boards.
US07671707B2	Bandstop filter having a main line and ¼ wavelength resonators in proximity thereto A bandstop filter where variation in characteristics is suppressed to minimum and which realizes an increased production yield. The physical length of a line joint portion between a main line and an oscillator can be enlarged by providing an impedance non-continuous structure portion in a strip conductor of the oscillator. In comparison to the case where the impedance non-continuous structure portion is not provided, the width of a joint slit required to obtain an equal joint amount can be enlarged. When the joint slit width is enlarged, variation in filter characteristics caused by pattern accuracy can be reduced because of the enlarged joint slip width, thus improving a filter yield. This means that pattern accuracy requirement for production is loosened. Freedom in selecting a dielectric substrate is increased, which also provides an advantage that a filter can be produced using a less expensive dielectric substrate with not very high pattern accuracy.
US07671703B1	Coaxial orthomode transducer A coaxial orthomode transducer with improved port to port isolation, low higher order mode (“HOM”) coupling, and low transverse electromagnetic mode (“TEM”) coupling is disclosed.
US07671694B2	Programmable passive equalizer Embodiments of a programmable passive equalizer are described herein.
US07671693B2	System and method for a tunable impedance matching network The present disclosure relates generally to tunable impedance matching networks and methods for the use of such networks. In one example, a method includes identifying state information about a mobile device, accessing a memory to identify a configuration of an impedance matching network based on the state information, and applying the values from the configuration to the impedance matching network.
US07671691B2	Quadrature modulator with phase controller apparatus and error detector A quadrature modulator divides a first signal input as a local signal into an I channel signal and a Q channel signal orthogonal to each other and outputs a second signal having a desired phase delay corresponding to direct current voltages as for the first signal by giving the direct current voltages Vi and Vq to the I channel signal and the Q channel signal, respectively. A phase comparison unit detects a phase difference θ between the first signal and the second signal. A setting unit sets the desired phase delay. A controller section controls the direct current voltages supplied to the I channel signal and the Q channel signal respectively in the quadrature modulator so that an output value corresponding to the phase difference θ detected by the phase comparison unit is equal to a value corresponding to the desired phase delay set by the setting unit, and controls the direct current voltages to be the direct current voltages Vi and Vq satisfying the relation of Vi=cos θ and Vq=sin θ.
US07671685B2	Method and system for a low power fully differential noise cancelling low noise amplifier Aspects of a method and system for a low power fully differential noise canceling low noise amplifier (NC LNA) are provided. The NC LNA may receive signals via a single ended input and may generate an amplified symmetric differential output from the received signals. The NC LNA may utilize capacitor dividers, such as a capacitor bank, in the single ended input in order to provide impedance transformation that enables low power operation and matching to an input port. The NC LNA may generate one portion of the amplified symmetric differential output via a voltage divider, which may comprise a plurality of capacitors, such as a capacitor bank. The NC LNA may be implemented utilizing one or more circuits.
US07671677B2	Current sense amplifier with extended common mode voltage range A circuit includes an input stage configured to receive and amplify an input signal to produce an amplified signal, where the input signal is referenced to a higher voltage and is associated with a common mode voltage. The circuit also includes level shifter resistors configured to level shift the amplified signal to produce a shifted signal. The level shifter resistors are configured to provide a voltage drop so that the shifted signal is referenced to a lower voltage. The input stage may include multiple transistors floating in one or more isolated portions of a substrate, where the transistors perform amplification in the input stage. The circuit may also include circuitry configured to control current through the level shifter resistors so that the voltage drop depends on the common mode voltage of the input signal. In addition, the lower voltage may be between supply rails of the circuit.
US07671673B2	Class-D amplifier A PWM modulator adds first and second input signals to each other, and performs PWM modulation processing for outputting a PWM-modulated pulse whose pulse width is modulated according to a result of addition. A shift register delays a bit stream acquired from a ΔΣ modulator, thereby generating two bit streams having a time difference which is one-half a period of PWM modulation processing, and the bit streams are supplied at first and second input signals to the PWM modulator.
US07671671B2	Device and method for the demodulation of modulated electric signals A demodulation device (1) in semiconductor technology is disclosed. The device (1) is capable of demodulating an injected modulated current. The device (1) comprises an input node (IN1), a sampling stage (DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) and at least two output nodes (D1, D2). The sampling stage DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) comprises transfer means (GL, GM, GR) for transferring a modulated charge-current signal from the input node (IN1) to one of the output nodes (D1, D2) allocated to the respective time interval within the modulation period. The small size and the ability to reproduce the device (1) in standard semiconductor technologies make possible a cost-efficient integration of the device (1).
US07671670B2	Device for demodulating a signal containing information being conveyed by phase shift keying The invention relates to a device for demodulating an input signal containing information being conveyed by phase modulation of a carrier wave. A transmitter generates a signal controlling a phase variation in the carrier wave, for each symbol having N cycles, N being an integer strictly greater than 1. The phase variation stretches on the receiver side over n cycles, n being an integer greater than 1 and less than N. The device generates a single pulse for each symbol received suited to generate the leading edge of the pulse corresponding to the symbol considered after a constant duration from the moment the symbol considered starts; and generates the trailing edge of the pulse considered at a moment the phase shift corresponding to the symbol considered has to be measured. Conversion means generate an output signal with a voltage varying as a function of the duration of the pulse produced.
US07671662B2	Thermally stable semiconductor power device A semiconductor power device includes a circuit to provide a gate signal wherein the gate signal has a negative temperature coefficient of gate driving voltage for decreasing a gate driving voltage with an increase temperature whereby the semiconductor power device has a net Ids temperature coefficient that is less than or equal to zero. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate voltage driver includes a diode that has a negative forward voltage temperature coefficient connected between a gate and a source of the semiconductor power device. In another embodiment, the gate voltage is integrated with the semiconductor power device manufactured as part of an integrated circuit with the semiconductor power device.
US07671653B2	Dual edge triggered flip flops An implicitly pulsed dual edge triggered pulsed latch. The implicitly pulsed latch includes an overlapping clock generator and a transparency circuit designed to cause a transparent latch circuit to become transparent on each edge of a clock signal. A logic value on the input node of the latch is transferred to the output node of the latch in response to each clock edge transition. An explicitly pulsed dual edge triggered pulsed latch including a pulse generator and a transparent latch circuit. The explicitly pulsed latch includes a symmetrical pulse generator designed to cause the latch circuit to pass a logic value from the input node of the latch to the output node of the latch in response to a pulse on the clock node.
US07671650B2	Timing vernier using a delay locked loop A method for synchronizing a plurality of programmable timing verniers with a reference pulse signal, each of the verniers being programmable to one of a plurality of timing steps within a delay range determined by a control signal applied to a bias input. A first and second control vernier is selected from the plurality of verniers, the first control vernier is programmed to a first delay, and the second control vernier is programmed to a second delay. The first and second control verniers are triggered together to generate respective first and second delay signals. A difference pulse signal is generated with a duty cycle corresponding to a difference between the generated first delay signal and second delay signal. The duty cycle of the pulse signal is compared to a duty cycle of the reference pulse signal to generate a difference signal pulse. The difference signal pulse is coupled to the bias input of the verniers to adjust the delay range, such that the duty cycle of the difference signal approaches the duty cycle of the reference pulse signal. In one embodiment there is provided a circuit for implementing the method.
US07671645B2	Chipsets and clock generation methods thereof Chipsets capable of preventing malfunction caused by feedback clock distortion are provided, in which a phase frequency detector generates a control voltage according to a first reference clock and a first feedback clock, a voltage-controlled oscillator generates an output clock according to the control voltage, a frequency divider performs a frequency-division on a second feedback clock to obtain the first feedback clock, and a frequency filter estimates swings and frequency of a third feedback clock from an external unit and selectively outputs one of the third feedback clock or the output clock to serve as the second clock.
US07671639B2	Electronic circuit In the case of an electronic circuit, comprising a drive unit, which generates at least one drive signal, two or more power semiconductor switches each having a first and a second main terminal, which power semiconductor switches can be switched synchronously by the drive signal, the first and the second main terminals of the power semiconductor switches in each case being electrically connected in parallel among one another, for each of the power semiconductor switches a first and a second electrically conductive connection for connection to the drive unit, a uniform dynamic current division between the power semiconductor switches is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that a first inductance is provided in each of the first electrically conductive connections, and a second inductance is provided in each of the second electrically conductive connections, the first inductance being coupled to the second inductance for each of the power semiconductor switches.
US07671634B2	Redundant clock switch circuit A redundant clock switch circuit that includes two delay circuits and control logic is presented. The first delay circuit is configured to delay a first clock signal to produce a first delayed clock signal, while the second delay circuit is configured to delay a second clock signal to produce a second delayed clock signal. The control logic is configured to control the delay circuits to maintain phase alignment between the first and second delayed clock signals. The control logic is also configured to select one of the first and second delayed clock signals as an output clock signal.
US07671632B2	Transmission system and method A transmission system and method may be provided. The transmission system may transmit 2-bit data for each transmission line set and each transmission line set may include first, second and/or third transmission lines arranged in order. The first, second and/or third transmission lines may respectively transmit first, second and/or third signals each having one of first, second and/or third values such that a combination of a first electric field between the first and second transmission lines and a second electric field between the second and third transmission lines may be made depending on a logic state of the 2-bit data. The transmission system may transmit differential signals using a smaller number of transmission lines and the transmission system may transmit a larger number of signals in the same circuit area.
US07671625B1	Omnibus logic element Disclosed is an LE that can provide a number of advantageous features. For example, the LE can provide efficient and flexible use of LUTs and input sharing. The LE may also provide for flexible use of one or more dedicated adders and include register functionality.
US07671624B1	Method to reduce configuration solution using masked-ROM A packaged PLD solution includes a first die having a masked-Read Only Memory (ROM) that is programmed during its fabrication to store configuration data, and includes a second die having a PLD including a number of configurable resources collectively configured to implement a circuit design embodied by the configuration data. The first die is electrically connected to the second die, and both the first die and second die are stacked and encapsulated together to form the packaged PLD solution. The configuration data is programmed into the masked-ROM by a manufacturer of both the masked-ROM and the PLD.
US07671615B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of electronic components In a method and an apparatus for measuring temperature-controlled electronic components in a test station, a component to be measured is held and positioned using a chuck, has a temperature-controlled and directed fluid flow applied to it and is electrically contact-connected using probes and is measured. The setting of the temperature of the component to the temperature at which the measurement is intended to be carried out is effected solely using a directed fluid flow at a defined temperature.
US07671613B1	Probing blade conductive connector for use with an electrical test probe A conductive connector includes a flexible-deflectable extension having a probing end and a head connection end. A conductive transmission path extends between the probing end and the head connection end. A pogo-rotational-action pin is electrically connected to the transmission path at the head connection end of the flexible-deflectable extension.
US07671612B2	Integrated compound nano probe card and method of making same An integrated compound nano probe card is disclosed to include a substrate layer having a front side and a back side, and compound probe pins arranged in the substrate layer. Each compound probe pin has a bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and a bonding material bonded to the bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and filled in gaps in the nanotubes/nanorods. Each compound probe pin has a base end exposed on the back side of the substrate layer and a distal end spaced above the front side of the substrate layer.
US07671611B2	Apparatus, system and method for testing electronic elements An electronic element testing apparatus for use with a number of probes. Each probe has a lower pole and an upper pole. The apparatus includes: a first plate having a first side and a second side, the first side having an array of lower pole regions disposed thereabout, each lower pole region configured to receive a lower pole of a probe; and a plurality of signal conductor regions disposed proximate the array of lower pole regions, each signal conductor region arranged to provide a non-cable electrical path between a lower pole region and a switching circuit. The switching circuits are operable to sequentially connect each electronic element to a testing circuit via the upper and lower poles.
US07671609B2	Sheet-like probe, method of producing the probe, and application of the probe A sheet-like probe has a porous film. In the sheet-like probe, a contact film is penetratingly supported at each position of through-holes formed in the porous film, and a peripheral edge of the contact film and the porous film are integrated such that a flexible resin insulation layer is included in a fine hole of the porous film. Electrode structure bodies are supported in a penetrating manner in the insulation layer. Each electrode structure body includes a surface electrode section exposed to the front surface of the insulation layer and projecting from the front surface of the insulation layer, a back surface electrode section exposed to the back surface of the insulation layer, a short-circuit section continuously extending from the base end of the front surface electrode section, penetrating the insulation layer in its thickness direction, and connected to the back surface electrode section, a holding section extending outward, along the front surface of the insulation layer, from the base end section of the front surface electrode section, and a supporting body supporting the insulation layer.
US07671604B2	Nanoscale fault isolation and measurement system Disclosed is a fault isolation and measurement system that provides multiple near-field scanning isolation techniques on a common platform. The system incorporates the use of a specialized holder to supply electrical bias to internal circuit structures located within an area of a device or material. The system further uses a multi-probe assembly. Each probe is mounted to a support structure around a common reference point and is a component of a different measurement or fault isolation tool. The assembly moves such that each probe can obtain measurements from the same fixed location on the device or material. The relative positioning of the support structure and/or the holder can be changed in order to obtain measurements from multiple same fixed locations within the area. Additionally, the system uses a processor for providing layered images associated with each signal and for precisely aligning those images with design data in order to characterize, or isolate fault locations within the device or material.
US07671601B2	Abnormal condition detecting system for engine In an abnormal condition detecting system, an electronic control unit determines that a condition for carrying out a process for detecting an abnormal condition of an electric motor and/or electric supply lines for the motor is satisfied, when a position of a control valve is at its initial closed position. Then, the electronic control unit stops supply of the electrical power to the electric motor, to start a detection of the abnormal condition (electrical disconnection) in the motor and/or the electric supply lines.
US07671585B2	Rotation angle detecting device with a selecting means for selecting a pair of output signals of the magneto-sensing elements A rotation angle detecting device includes a magnetic field forming member, magneto-sensing IC circuit including first and second sensing sections in a magnetic field to have a first preset angle between them, and a selecting circuit. One of the first and second sensing section includes plural magneto-sensing elements whose sensing surfaces face in directions different from one another by a second preset angle. When the magnetic field forming member rotates relative to the magneto-sensing means, the magneto-sensing elements respectively provide the output signals. The selecting circuit selects a pair of the output signals of the magneto-sensing elements that is closest to a preset phase difference angle.
US07671574B1	Ground voltage drop reduction circuit for a buck DC-DC converter A buck DC to DC converter is arranged to more accurately regulate an output voltage by substantially eliminating a ground voltage error caused at least in part by parasitic resistance during low side conversion/regulation. During high side conduction of the high side switch, the converter employs the output voltage for error correction. And during low side conduction of the low side switch, the converter employs a sampled and held version of the output voltage for error correction which enables the converter to eliminate the ground voltage error caused by parasitic resistance.
US07671570B2	Systems and methods involving operating variable speed generators A method for operating an asynchronous generator comprising receiving an indication that a power grid frequency is reduced. Responsive to the receiving the indication, reducing a speed of the asynchronous generator from a first speed to a second speed for a first time period, wherein the reduction of the speed of the asynchronous generator results in a momentary increase in a total power output of the asynchronous generator. Increasing the speed of the asynchronous generator from the second speed to a third speed responsive to the end of the first time period.
US07671561B2	Host machines for battery charging system Various embodiments of the present invention are directed at a method and system for recharging batteries for wireless electronic devices. According to one embodiment, a host machine for recharging rechargeable batteries for wireless devices is disclosed. The host machine includes a plurality of wireless devices coupled to and powered by a first plurality of rechargeable batteries and a plurality of charging slots configured to couple with a second plurality of rechargeable batteries. The host machine is adapted to provide power to charge the second plurality of rechargeable batteries and to hold in standby a third plurality of rechargeable batteries comprising the second plurality of rechargeable batteries that have been fully charged. According to an embodiment, the host machine is further adapted to join a network of host machines and to share the batteries in standby with each other.
US07671556B2	Image sensing apparatus An image sensing apparatus, which has a constant-voltage driven stepping motor, comprises a PWM waveform generation part that generates pulse signals to be applied to switching devices; and a PWM waveform determination section that determines a PWM waveform to be generated by the PWM waveform generation section. The PWM waveform determination section determines, in accordance with the determined rotation speed value and output torque value of the stepping motor, a duty ratio range that is a range extending from the minimum to the maximum of the duty ratio of the pulse signals. It is designed that the higher the rotational speed value is, the wider the duty ratio width is.
US07671555B2	Motor, a method of operating a motor, and a system including a motor An air movement system including a blower and an external controller operable to receive signals from a sensing device and generate a command based on the received signals. The command includes an address. The system also includes a communication channel coupled to the external controller and configured to communicate the command, and a motor assembly operable to drive the blower. The motor assembly includes a stator and rotor assembly coupled to the blower, and a drive circuit coupled to the stator and rotor assembly. The motor assembly includes a second controller and a memory. The memory includes a set of data having a plurality of addresses and an instruction associated with each address, respectively.
US07671546B2	Voltage division resistor for acceleration tubes, acceleration tube, and accelerator To provide a voltage division resistor for acceleration tube, an acceleration tube, and an accelerator capable of reducing the cost of the acceleration tube and enhancing the operation efficiency. An acceleration tube (1) for accelerating ions (charged particles) I by applying an acceleration voltage V comprises a tubular acceleration tube body (2) made of synthetic resin, a plurality of ring-like acceleration electrodes (3) arranged in a row on the inner circumferential surface (2a) of the acceleration tube body (2) at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the acceleration tube body (2), a plurality of voltage division resistors (voltage division resistors for the acceleration tube) (5) wound spirally on the outer circumferential surface (2b) of the acceleration tube body (2), and a plurality of terminal bolts (terminal member) (4) provided in close contact with the acceleration tube body (2) while penetrating the acceleration tube body (2) radially and having a forward end (front end) (4a) connected electrically with the acceleration electrodes (3) and a head (rear end) (4b) connected electrically with each connector (connection point) (16) of the voltage division resistor (5).
US07671540B2	Current balancing module For having magnitudes of all currents for supplying for all passive elements in a same product be equal, a current balancing module, which has balancing transformers as more as approximately half an amount of all the passive elements, is provided for meeting such requirements. The provided current balancing module is for solving defects caused by complicated designs and increased volumes caused by an increased number of balancing transformers. Each current path in the current balancing module flows through two mutual-corresponding passive elements and at least one balancing transformer. All the current paths have a same magnitude in current with the aid of a pair of sinusoidal waves having same magnitudes and opposite poles, and the aid of all the balancing transformers having a same number of turns.
US07671537B2	Metal halide lamp A metal halide lamp includes a discharge vessel surrounded by an outer envelope with clearance and has a ceramic wall which encloses a discharge space filled with a filling comprising an inert gas, such as xenon (Xe), and an ionizable salt. In the discharge space, two electrodes are arranged whose tips have a mutual interspacing so as to define a discharge path between them. The ionizable salt comprises NaI, TlI, CaI2 and X-iodide wherein X is selected from the group comprising rare earth metals.
US07671536B2	Arc tube for discharge lamp device A mercury-free arc tube for a discharge-lamp device having a sealed glass chamber with at least metallic halide for main light emission and rare gas. Both end openings of a glass tube are pinch-sealed and electrode bars are provided so as to oppose to each other. Each electrode bar has such a concentric stepped shape that a tip side region is thicker than a base side region, the volume V of an electrode embedded region is from 0.25 to 0.42 mm3 and the total volume of the electrode bar is from 0.4 to 0.6 mm3.
US07671529B2	Phosphor converted light emitting device A semiconductor light emitting device is combined with a wavelength converting material. The semiconductor light emitting device is configured to emit first light of a first peak wavelength. The wavelength converting material is configured to absorb at least a portion of the first light and emit second light of a second peak wavelength. In some embodiments, the first wavelength converting material is (Ba1-xSrx)2-y-0.5zSi5N8-zOz:Euy2+ where 0.2
US07671523B2	Material for electrodes of low temperature plasma generators Material for electrodes of low temperature plasma generators. The material contains a porous metal matrix impregnated with a material emitting electrons. The material uses a mixture of copper and iron powders as a porous metal matrix and a Group IIIB metal component such as Y2O3 is used as a material emitting electrons at, for example, the proportion of the components, mass %: iron:3-30; Y2O3:0.05-1; copper: the remainder. Copper provides a high level of heat conduction and electric conductance, iron decreases intensity of copper evaporation in the process of plasma creation providing increased strength and lifetime, Y2O3 provides decreasing of electronic work function and stability of arc burning. The material can be used for producing the electrodes of low temperature AC plasma generators used for destruction of liquid organic wastes, medical wastes, municipal wastes as well as for decontamination of low level radioactive waste, the destruction of chemical weapons, warfare toxic agents, etc.
US07671518B2	Piezoelectric vibrator, method for adjusting piezoelectric vibrator, piezoelectric actuator, timepiece, and electronic device Piezoelectric vibrators provided with an electrode that includes a drive electrode and adjustment electrodes formed in advance on part of the electrode; the drive electrode and adjustment electrodes that are initially electrically connected to each other are electrically cutoff and insulated from each other by cutting conductive parts between the drive electrode and adjustment electrodes, or the mutually insulated drive electrode and adjustment electrodes are electrically connected using solder, a wire, or another electrically conductive member, whereby the characteristic frequencies are adjusted.
US07671507B2	Brush bag for a dynamo-electric machine A brush bag, a brush and a current transfer unit for a dynamo-electric machine comprising a commutator, in particular for an electromotor. The current transfer unit comprises at least the brush, which is embodied, in particular, as a multi-layer carbon brush, and a brush bag. The brush bag is configured in such a manner that the distance between the brush and the brush bag in a front guiding area is smaller than the distance in a rear guiding area. Beating of the brush on the brush bag is visibly reduced due to the configuration thereof and noise caused by the beat is avoided.
US07671503B2	Rotating electric machine and electrically driven vehicle A rotating electric machine whose output characteristics can be easily and freely adjusted and varied even in operation. The rotating electric machine is received in a housing of an electrically driven two-wheeled vehicle. A rotating shaft is connected to a rotor so as to form an axle. A stator is positioned opposite a rotor. A movable member is connected to a rotating member rotated about the rotating shaft by a regulating motor. The movable member is moved in the axial direction of the rotating shaft by the rotation of the rotating member. This movement causes the rotor to be rotatingly moved in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, changing relative position of the rotor and the stator.
US07671501B2	Electrical machine with torque limitation An electrical machine with torque limitation which is only slightly larger structurally than an identical machine without torque limitation and is thus as compact as possible has a stator with windings and a rotor supported movably relative to the stator, recesses distributed over the circumference and extending axially are present on the rotor surface, and a driver, located coaxially relative to the rotor and extending axially, is located in the air gap between the rotor and the stator, and exciter magnets on the upper driver face toward the stator and driver magnets on the inner driver face toward the rotor are located in such a way that upon rotation of the driver, the rotor is likewise capable of being set into rotation as a result of the rotary field generated by the windings and by the driver magnets.
US07671495B2	Armature and motor In an armature of a motor, each of windings is wound around at least two of a plurality of tooth portions of a core to form at least two wound parts of the winding. A crossover of each winding, which connects between corresponding two of the at least two wound parts, is placed on one axial side of a ring portion of the core. A crossover relief space is axially recessed in an end surface of the ring portion on the one axial side. At least a portion of each crossover is received in the crossover relief space. Guides project on the other axial side of the core and guide winding terminal portions of the windings.
US07671494B2	Motor/generator A motor/generator includes a rotor member, a shorting member and a stator. The rotor member has a plurality of permanent magnets. The shorting member is configured and arranged to selectively establish a short-circuit in magnetic flux of the permanent magnets to switch between a normal state in which the magnetic flux is not shorted and a shorted state in which the magnetic flux is shorted. The stator has a plurality of coils configured and arranged to be energized with a composite electrical current including first and second current components. The stator is further configured and arranged to form a first magnetic circuit between the coils and the permanent magnets with the first current component to drive the rotor member and to form a second magnetic circuit between the coils and the shorting member with the second current component to selectively switch between the normal state and the shorted state.
US07671490B2	System for high reliability power distribution within an electronics equipment cabinet The power conversion system allows for multiple segregated and ground independent power sources to provide redundant power to modules within an electronics equipment cabinet with increased reliability and reduced sensitivity to common fault propagation. The power conversion system provides power conditioning modules having independent supply rails that supply power to each module within an electronics equipment cabinet. FET and diode solid-state control and driver logic enable each individual supply rail. Efficient power distribution is facilitated by primary and hot-backup operation of one or more power conditioning modules. Power conversion is facilitated by one or more input supply power feeds and one or more converter stages.
US07671489B1	Method and apparatus for selectively maintaining circuit power when higher voltages are present A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a specified voltage source and automatically switching off a second voltage source regardless of voltage source potential of the two voltage sources are disclosed. The present invention uses pinch-off of a JFET, controlled by an inverter, to control a backup power supply based on the availability of the main supply.
US07671486B2	Switching controller having synchronous input for the synchronization of power converters A switching control circuit having a synchronous input for the synchronization of power converters is provided. It includes a synchronous input circuit for receiving a synchronous input signal. An oscillation circuit is connected to the synchronous input circuit for generating an oscillation signal in response to the synchronous input signal. A signal converter is coupled to receive a feedback signal of the power converter for modulating the oscillation signal in response to the feedback signal for achieving power savings. The oscillation signal is connected for enabling the switching signal of the power converter. The switching signal can be synchronized with the synchronous input signal immediately after the synchronous input signal is inputted. Otherwise, the switching signal will be running free.
US07671485B2	Storage system In a RAID system, the power supplied to hard disks (HDDs) can be increased, and a plurality of types of HDDs can be installed. A plurality of HDD packs 33 are supplied with a single high voltage from a motherboard 28. The HDD packs 33 each accommodate, in a canister, an HDD 107, 181, 185 or 187 with different power supply specifications or communication interface specifications, as well as a DC/DC converter 109 to convert the power supply. Part of the HDD packs 33 have a data transfer interface conversion circuit 195 as well.
US07671484B2	Device for controlling power transfer between two cores of a direct current network A device for controlling power transfer between two cores of a direct current network, in which the cores, which are source-charge interconnection nodes, include protective and contact members, placed in different areas of a power distribution system in which the direct current network is installed. The device includes an electronic power converter including two switching cells mutually interconnected by an inductance, wherein each switching cell includes two switches, and a module for controlling the converter, which ensures both a controllable direct current power transfer and stabilization of the direct current voltage.
US07671480B2	Systems and methods for remote utility metering and meter monitoring A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.
US07671477B2	Technique for moderating stresses cause by a difference in thermal expansion coeffiecients between a substrate and an electronic component A device comprises a plurality of first electrodes which are arranged on a surface of a substrate at predetermined space, a component which has an elasticity and a longitudinal axis, a plurality of conductors which are applied to a surface of said component at predetermined space, and each of which are connected to a corresponding one of said first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes which are arranged on a surface of a electronic component at predetermined space, and each of which are connected to a corresponding one of said conductors.
US07671469B2	SiGe device with SiGe-embedded dummy pattern for alleviating micro-loading effect A semiconductor device with dummy patterns for alleviating micro-loading effect includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a middle annular region between an inner region and an outer region; a SiGe device on the semiconductor substrate within the inner region; and a plurality of dummy patterns provided on the semiconductor substrate within the middle annular region. At least one of the dummy patterns contains SiGe.
US07671465B2	Power semiconductor module A power semiconductor module having an increased reliability against thermal fatigue includes a power semiconductor element, a lower-side electrode connected to the lower side of the element, a first insulating substrate connected to the upper side of the lower-side electrode and having metallic foils bonded on both surfaces thereof, an upper-side electrode connected to the upper side of the power semiconductor element, a second insulating substrate connected to the upper side of the upper-side electrode and having metallic foils bonded on both surfaces thereof, a first heat spreader connected to the lower side of the first insulating substrate, and a second heat spreader connected to the upper side of the second insulating substrate. The power semiconductor element and the first and second insulating substrates are sealed with a resin.

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