Document Document Title
US07718166B2 Immunotherapy for prostate cancer using recombinant bacille Calmette-Guerin expressing prostate specific antigens
The present invention relates to the treatment of prostate cancer. Methods and compositions comprising recombinant BCG are provided for eliciting potent immune responses against prostate specific antigens that are effective for treatment of prostate cancer and metastatic disease.
US07718164B2 Optically colored body and optical structure
The present disclosure relates to an optically colored body comprising at least one micelle, wherein the micelle comprises a liquid medium and colloid microcrystals having aggregates of spherical nano-particles and a cosmetic composition comprising the optically colored body. The present disclosure also relates to an optical structure comprising at least one substrate, and at least one wall that covers the at least one substrate and has optical transparency, wherein the space between the at least one substrate and the at least one wall is filled with colloid microcrystals having arrays of spherical nano-particles. Further, the present disclosure relates to a cosmetic composition comprising at least one optically colored body and/or at least one optical structure and a method for producing the optical structure.
US07718155B2 Carbon nanostructures manufactured from catalytic templating nanoparticles
Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes.
US07718153B2 Catalytic process for control of NOx emissions using hydrogen
A selective catalytic reduction process with a palladium catalyst for reducing NOx in a gas, using hydrogen as a reducing agent. A zirconium sulfate (ZrO2)SO4 catalyst support material with about 0.01-2.0 wt. % Pd is applied to a catalytic bed positioned in a flow of exhaust gas at about 70-200° C. The support material may be (ZrO2—SiO2)SO4. H2O and hydrogen may be injected into the exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst to a concentration of about 15-23 vol. % H2O and a molar ratio for H2/NOx in the range of 10-100. A hydrogen-containing fuel may be synthesized in an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power plant for combustion in a gas turbine to produce the exhaust gas flow. A portion of the fuel may be diverted for the hydrogen injection.
US07718152B2 Process and system for destroying carbonaceous materials and composition and system thereof
A process for substantially removing carbonaceous material from a composition comprising providing the composition having carbonaceous material, reacting the carbonaceous material with a sulfur compound, and forming products having carbon and sulfur, and the resulting composition and system used therefore.
US07718149B2 Cupola flue gas treatment
An additive and method of use for treating flue gas of a coke-fired cupola following removal of the blast air during shutdown to adjust the charge and reduce acid buildup in the condensate and corrosion in downstream equipment by injecting into the flue gas a finely divided spray comprising an additive containing a volatile amine mixed with an antistatic agent that creates a positive static charge in the additive, and elevates the pH of the condensate by reducing the formation of sulfuric acid from entrained sulfur-containing compounds.
US07718147B2 Chemical beneficiation of raw material containing tantalum-niobium
The invention relates to a process for the chemical beneficiation of raw material containing tantalum-niobium such as wastes, scoria, concentrates and ores.
US07718144B2 Photolytic cell for providing physiological gas exchange
The present invention is directed to a photolytic cell, and to a photolytic artificial lung incorporating such a cell. The photolytic artificial lung converts water to oxygen for blood absorption, regulates pH, the removes carbon dioxide, and co-produces electrical power. The photolytic artificial lung includes a photolytic cell where all of the chemical reactions occur. Additionally, the present invention relates to photolytically sensitive materials for oxygen generation. These materials are useful for gas-free artificial lung fabrication. The photolytic cell disclosed herein can also be used to direct chemical reactions in organs other than the lung. It can also be used to maintain breathing air in confined systems.
US07718141B2 Automatic VOC concentration control apparatus and image forming apparatus having the same
An automatic VOC concentration control apparatus is capable of adjusting the concentration of VOC in a catalytic device under a predetermined value. The automatic VOC concentration control apparatus includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for introducing and discharging VOC vapor, respectively, one or more cooling tubes for cooling the VOC vapor introduced through the inlet port, and one or more porous members for holding droplets of VOC liquid thereon as the VOC vapor is condensed into liquid.
US07718134B2 Controlling gas in a well plate reactor
A well plate and its supporting devices provide capabilities found in larger fermenters, such as controlling the oxygen level, the pH level, and temperature of the contents of the well. The well plate includes a plurality of wells, each of which can be independently controlled. Apertures in the wells, for example, provide access for a gas supply and sensors within each well provide data relating to, e.g., oxygen and/or pH level in the well. A control system controls the gas supply for each well based on the information provided by the sensor within the well. Similarly, temperature control elements, such as a heater or cooler, is placed in thermal contact with the interior of the well, as is a temperature measurement element. A control system can independently control the temperature of the contents of the well based on information provided by the temperature measurement element for that well.
US07718127B2 Microfluidic chip
The invention relates to a microfluidic chip for biological, chemical and medical analysis. Cavities and channels, which connect these cavities to one another and which transport, based on the capillary effect, liquids required for carrying out analysis and synthesis, are arranged inside the microfluidic chip. At least one of the cavities is a reaction chamber. The microfluidic chip is characterized by having a layered construction made of light-curing hydrophilic plastic material based on a 3-D layer model and by having a covering layer made of a hydrophobic material. In the layered body made of hydrophilic material, channels that come from different cavities and do not intersect lead to the at least one reaction chamber.
US07718126B2 Fecal occult test packaging
A specimen testing device having a folding top having a top inside and a top outside; a back portion having a back inside and a back outside, the back portion in folding communication with the folding top; a front portion in folding communication with the back portion and the folding top covers at least a portion of the front portion when the front portion is in a folded closed position; a reagent test sheet in communication with at least a portion of the back portion; at least one enclosed bubble containing developer attached to at least one of the back portion and the front portion, wherein a fecal sample is placed on the reagent test sheet and the at least one enclosed bubble is pierced to release the developer to the fecal sample to indicate the presence of fecal occult blood.
US07718124B2 Counting, viability assessment, analysis and manipulation chamber
A transparent plastic slide has a recessed chamber which receives a transparent plastic cover. The cover has a fluid inlet opening which overlies a recessed center well in the slide. The well has a sloping ramp which extends to a viewing platform which has a surface which is closely spaced from the underside of the cover to define a constant thickness viewing cavity surrounding the well. An overflow channel surrounds the viewing platform. A vent hole extends through the cover above the overflow channel. The sample is introduced into the center well through the fluid inlet opening. The fluid flows into the viewing cavities by capillary action, and is free to overflow the viewing cavities and be received within the overflow channel, thus reducing boundary effects. An inlet port may be provided above the viewing platform to permit substances to be added to a sample while it is under observation.
US07718107B2 Mold for golf ball
A mold (1) includes an upper mold half (U) and a lower mold half (L). The mold (1) includes a gate (G), a pole vent pin (P), a support pin (S) and an intermediate vent pin (M). The support pin (S) has a latitude (θs) of 45 degrees to 85 degrees. Each of the upper mold half (U) and the lower mold half (L) has at least three support pins (S). The intermediate vent pin (M) has a latitude (θm) of 45 degrees to 85 degrees. Each of the upper mold half (U) and the lower mold half (L) has at least three intermediate vent pins (M). A difference between the latitude (θm) of the intermediate vent pin (M) and the latitude (θs) of the support pin (S) is equal to or smaller than 15 degrees. A clearance between the intermediate vent pin (M) and a pin hole (13) is 5 μm to 50 μm. By the mold (1), a cover having a thickness of 1.4 mm or less is formed.
US07718100B2 Dental device and method to manufacture the same
A dental device, in particular a dental implant, including an outer body made of ceramic or metal; and an inner body made of metal or ceramic, provided that when the outer body is made of metal the inner body is made of ceramic and when the outer body is made of ceramic the inner body is made of metal, wherein the metal body is produced by metal injection molding and the ceramic body is produced by ceramic injection molding as well as to a method for manufacturing the same.
US07718099B2 Fine channel device, fine particle producing method and solvent extraction method
A fine channel device capable of producing fine particles in an industrial scale, hardening the fine particles immediately after the production and recovering the fine particles from a medium without collapsing the shape of the produced fine particles, a fine particle producing method using the fine channel device and a solvent extraction method using the fine channel, are presented. The fine channel device comprises a fine channel provided with an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a dispersion phase, an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a continuous phase, and an outlet channel and an outlet port which discharge fine particles produced by the dispersion phase and the continuous phase, wherein the inlet channel for feeding the dispersion phase and the inlet channel for feeding the continuous phase are joined at an arbitrary angle, and the two inlet channels are connected to the outlet channel at the arbitrary angle.
US07718090B2 Conductive paste
The present invention provides an electroconductive paste that can contain a high proportion of an electroconductive powder, has excellent electroconductivity reliability and migration resistance, has a highly competitive price due to a reduced amount of silver plating, and is suitable for use in solder electrode formation, an electroconductive adhesive, etc. The electroconductive paste of the present invention comprises a binder and an electroconductive powder containing 80 to 97 wt % of a substantially spherical silver-coated copper powder in which the surface of a copper powder is coated with silver and the surface thereof is further coated with 0.02 to 0.5 wt % relative to the copper powder of a fatty acid, and 3 to 20 wt % of a flat-shaped silver-coated copper powder in which the surface of a copper powder is coated with silver and the surface thereof is further coated with 0.02 to 1.2 wt % relative to the copper powder of a fatty acid.
US07718087B2 Organic iridium compositions and their use in electronic devices
The present invention provides compositions comprising at least one novel polymeric organic iridium compound which comprises at least one cyclometallated ligand and at least one ketopyrrole ligand. The polymeric organic iridium compositions of the present invention are referred to as Type (2) organic iridium compositions and are constituted such that at least one ligand of the novel organic iridium compound has a number average molecular weight of 2,000 grams per mole or greater (as measured by gel permeation chromatography). Type (2) organic iridium compositions are referred to herein as comprising “polymeric organic iridium complexes”. The novel organic iridium compositions are useful in optoelectronic electronic devices such as OLED devices and photovoltaic devices. In one aspect, the invention provides novel organic iridium compositions useful in the preparation of OLED devices exhibiting enhanced color properties and light output efficiencies.
US07718085B1 High-solids lime slurry
Novel hydrated-lime slurry compositions are disclosed, which include a heat-stable polymeric dispersant. The polymeric dispersant is capable to withstand temperatures in excess of 212° F. experienced by the slurry as a result of the hydrolysis of quicklime to produce hydrated lime, and accordingly can be added to the slurry composition prior to the addition of quicklime. Methods for making such slurry compositions are also disclosed.
US07718062B2 Wastewater purification plant by means of plants
A waste water purification plant purifies water by means of plants and a waste water purification process. The waste water purification plant has at least one plant container, a feed unit, an evacuation unit and plants. Waste water to be purified can be supplied to the purification plant by the feed unit. Purified waste water can be discharged from the purification plant by the evacuation unit. The plants are arranged in the plant container without a substrate. A plant container preferably has at least two plant basins. At least one other container can be provided. At least part of the plant container is arranged on the roof of a building. Plants of at least two different plant species are provided in the plant container. Depending on the type of waste water for example industrial and/or sanitary waste water the waste water to be purified may be purified in a predeterminable sequence by the plants of the different plant species. This purification plant makes it possible to purify industrial and/or sanitary waste water, i.e. it is applicable to industries and/or private homes. In particular, the waste water purified by the purification plant should possess a high degree of purity, for example that of drinking water.
US07718061B2 Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover
Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.
US07718051B2 Conversion of crop seed oils to jet fuel and associated methods
Aspects of the invention include methods to produce jet fuel from biological oil sources. The method may be comprised of two steps: hydrocracking and reforming. The process may be self-sufficient in heat and hydrogen.
US07718047B2 Electrochemical high pressure pump
The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.
US07718044B2 Method for controlling shaft coating taper
A component of a disc drive has a coating of a predetermined length on its surface, the coating having at least two separate tapered regions applied in independent steps, the at least two separate tapered regions each having a length that is less than the predetermined length of the component surface. When the component is a shaft of a spindle motor, the ends of the shaft are masked before the tapered regions of coating are applied, and the thickness of the masks covering the shaft ends is varied to control a taper of tapered regions.
US07718042B2 Method for manufacturing sputter-coated substrates, magnetron source and sputtering chamber with such source
A magnetron source, a magnetron treatment chamber, and a method of manufacturing substrates with a vacuum plasma treated surface, generate and exploit on asymmetrically unbalanced long-range magnetron magnetic field pattern which is swept along the substrate surface for improving the ion density at a substrate surface being vacuum plasma treated. The long-range field reaches the substrate surface with a component of the magnetic field parallel to the substrate surface of at least 0.1, and preferably between 1 and 20, Gauss. The plasma treating can be sputter-coating, or etching, for example.
US07718041B2 Method for obtaining oligomers of polytetrahydofurane or tetrahydrofurane
A process for obtaining oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers from a methanolic crude product which contains polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymers and is obtained in the transesterification of the mono- and/or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymers with methanol, which includes a) removing the majority of the methanol from the crude product in a first distillation stage, b) separating the resulting bottom product by distillation into a top fraction containing the oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers, and polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymer, and c) condensing the oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers out of the top fraction from stage b).
US07718026B2 Retractable clip press
The specification discloses a cardboard and blister pack packaging and sealing machine that includes an upper and lower heater and die combination that can be compressed together over a package for sealing using heat activated adhesives. The machine may use at least one piston and rod device or pump to provide the necessary energy or pressure. The machine may include a moveable tray containing at least one aperture to hold an unsealed package wherein the unsealed package can be moved proximate to the upper and lower heaters and dies and the upper and lower heaters and dies can press together. In this way, both the top and bottom dies may be heated and the operator is not required to remove the sealed packaging from the hot die.
US07718019B2 Methods of and systems for preparing a heat resistant accelerant slurry and adding the accelerant slurry to a post-mixer aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum
Methods and systems are provided for preparing a heat resistance accelerator (HRA) slurry. Also provided are methods and systems for introducing a HRA slurry to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.
US07718018B2 Method of cooling steel plate
A method of cooling both surfaces of steel plate, which stably secures precision of cooling control from a start of cooling to an end so as to uniformly cool the top and bottom surfaces of the steel plate and thereby stably secures the steel plate quality and cools the steel plate down to a target temperature with a good precision. The method comprises dividing a steel plate cooling region into at least a spray impact part region and a spray non-impact part region, predicting a heat transfer coefficient for each divided region in advance, computing a predicted temperature history of the steel plate based on this predicted value, and setting and controlling amounts of sprayed coolant on the spray impact part regions by top and bottom surface nozzles.
US07718017B2 Method for the monobloc sizing for the tempering casings and device for implementing the method
A method of sizing a cylindrical part following shaping, by plastic deformation, of a metallic material that has maximum structural shrinkage at a maximum-shrinkage temperature between a first temperature and a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature, is disclosed. The method includes placing the part in a shaft furnace, heating the part to the first temperature, lowering and fitting into the part an internal-sizing tool with an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the part at maximum structural shrinkage, transporting the assembly formed by the part and the sizing tool to a tempering vessel, cooling the part to a temperature below said second temperature, and extracting the internal-sizing tool. The method applies to the manufacture of turbomachine casings.
US07718015B2 Method and apparatus for heat-treating an article and a fixture for use in the same
A substrate (33) is clamped into a fixture (32) and material is deposited thereon to form a complex article (40). The article (40) produced is packed, using ceramic inserts (42) and a coating (41). The packing (42) ensures that the article (40) maintains its true shape and allows for expansion during the subsequent heat treatment process. The packed article (40), mounted on the fixture (32), is then placed in a box (44), encased in a granular material (43) and heated. It is heated to a temperature sufficient to relieve stresses and is maintained at this temperature for a time period such that the stresses in the article (40) are relieved.
US07718011B2 Apparatus for cleaning and drying substrates
A method and apparatus for cleaning, rinsing and Marangoni drying substrates is provided. The invention includes spraying a line of fluid to a substrate, thereby creating an air/fluid interface line on the substrate; supplying a line of drying vapors to the air/fluid interface line, thereby creating a Marangoni drying effect along the air/fluid interface line; and moving the substrate relative to the air/fluid line. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07718009B2 Cleaning submicron structures on a semiconductor wafer surface
Cleaning solutions and cleaning methods targeted to particular substrates and structures in semiconductor fabrication are described. A method of cleaning fragile structures having a dimension less than 0.15 um with a cleaning solution formed of a solvent having a surface tension less than water while applying acoustic energy to the substrate on which the structures are formed is described. Also, a method of cleaning copper with several different cleaning solutions, and in particular an aqueous sulfuric acid and HF cleaning solution, is described. Also, methods of cleaning both sides of a substrate at the same time with different cleaning solutions applied to the top and the bottom are described.
US07718003B2 Method and apparatus for crystal growth
A method and apparatus for growing a crystalline or poly-crystalline body from a melt is described, wherein the melt is retained by capillary attachment to edge features of a mesa crucible. The boundary profile of the resulting melt surface results in an effect which induces a ribbon grown from the surface of the melt to grow as a flat body. Further, the size of the melt pool is substantially reduced by bringing these edges close to the ribbon, thereby reducing the materials cost and electric power cost associated with the process.
US07717998B2 Ultrafine particle grouting composition
To provide an ultrafine particle grouting composition which is excellent in dispersibility and dispersion retainability and can be easily injected into minute spaces between particles of grounds, rock cracks, and the like. An ultrafine particle grouting composition comprising ultrafine particle cement, wherein the ultrafine particle grouting composition is at least one selected from the group consisting of the following (i) and (ii): (i) the ultrafine particle grouting composition comprises ultrafine particle cement (A) and a polycarboxylic acid dispersant (C), and the ultrafine particle cement (A) comprises blast furnace slag and gypsum, andthe ultrafine particle cement (A) has 10% by volume or less of particles having a particle diameter of 16 μm or more in powder form of the cement; and (ii) the ultrafine particle grouting composition comprises ultrafine particle cement (B) and a polycarboxylic acid dispersant (D), and the ultrafine particle cement (B) comprises 2 to 25% by weight of cement clinker containing 5% by weight or less of 3CaO.Al2O3, 74 to 97% by weight of blast furnace slag, and 1 to 5% by weight of gypsum, and the ultrafine particle cement (B) has 60 to 80% by volume of particles having a particle diameter of 1 to 5 μm in powder form of the cement.
US07717993B2 Ink set, and recording method and recorded matter using the same
The present invention provides an ink set comprising at least two or more pigment inks different in color, wherein differences in average particle size between the inks different in color are 30 nm or less, the inks each have a sedimentation rate, as indicated by equation (I), of 15% or less, and differences in the sedimentation rate between the inks different in color are 4% or less: Sedimentation rate (%)=(S0−S1)/S0×100  (I) wherein S0 represents an “initial ink concentration”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of the ink; and S1 represents an “ink concentration after sedimentation”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of a supernatant obtained by centrifuging the ink at 16500 G at 1.60×107 g·sec.
US07717987B2 Coating material based on a copper-indium-gallium alloy, in particular for the production of sputter targets, tubular cathodes and the like
The copper-indium-gallium (CuInGa) alloy is in particular to be used for the production of sputter targets, tubular cathodes and similar coating material sources. It has a phase corresponding to a Cu5Zn8 prototype phase in which the lattice sites of the zinc atoms (Zn) are occupied by gallium atoms (gallium-substituted Cu5Zn8 phase) and in which indium is simultaneously introduced into the elementary cell or phase, making up a proportion of up to 26 wt %.
US07717982B2 Thin film in-line degasser
The present invention relates to a stackable packing element for use in degassing liquid ophthalmic lens monomer and a lens resulting therefrom. One or more stackable elements can be used to form a modular degasser and implement an in-line degassing process, employing same. The stackable packing element is comprised of a body module and a removable puck component.
US07717974B2 Air filter arrangement for an internal combustion engine
An air filter arrangement for an internal combustion engine, especially for a two-cycle engine in a manually guided implement such as a power saw, a cut-off machine, etc., and including an air filter element that delimits a first clean chamber. The air filter arrangement has an inlet opening for an air channel and an inlet opening for a mixture channel. A shield is provided for shielding the air filter element relative to the mixture channel. The inlet opening of the air channel and the inlet opening of the mixture channel are interconnected via the shield.
US07717955B2 Conformable prosthesis for implanting two-piece heart valves and methods for using them
A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis and a valve prosthesis. The annular prosthesis includes an annular ring for dilating tissue within a biological annulus and a conformable sewing cuff extending radially from the annular member. The valve prosthesis includes a frame and a valve component. The annular ring is introduced into the biological annulus to dilate tissue surrounding the biological annulus and the sewing cuff conforms to tissue above the biological annulus. Fasteners are directed through the sewing cuff to secure the annular prosthesis to the biological annulus. The annular prosthesis may include a baleen element for biasing fabric on the annular ring outwardly to enhance sealing against the biological annulus. A valve prosthesis is then advanced into the sinus cavity, and secured relative to the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may enhance a seal between the valve prosthesis and annular prosthesis.
US07717954B2 Device and method for treatment of mitral insufficiency
A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilatation comprises an elongate body having two states. In a first of these states the elongate body is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape adapting to the shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the elongate body is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.
US07717951B2 Delivery system that facilitates visual inspection of an intraluminal medical device
Delivery systems, methods of making delivery systems, and methods of treatment are provided. A delivery system according to the invention facilitates a visual inspection of an intraluminal medical device included in the delivery system.
US07717943B2 Capless multiaxial screw and spinal fixation assembly and method
A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.
US07717942B2 Bone screw and osteosynthesis device
In order, even in the case of bone screws with a particularly small head, to ensure a secure hold of the bone screw in a bone, a bone screw is proposed, having a screw body, which defines a longitudinal axis and is provided with a screw body external thread and has a proximal and a distal end, having a coupling element disposed on the proximal end for detachably connecting the screw body to a screw head designed substantially in the form of a U-shaped fork head with a coupling opening, wherein an edge of the coupling opening forms an axial stop for the coupling element for limiting a movement of the coupling element relative to the screw head in distal direction, wherein a maximum outside diameter of the screw body is larger than an inside diameter of the coupling opening, wherein the screw body comprises at least a first and a second screw body part. An osteosynthesis device having such a bone screw and a method of manufacturing such a bone screw are further proposed.
US07717935B2 Guidewire filter and methods of use
A filter system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The filter system includes a guidewire that is first positioned across a lesion within a vessel. The guidewire may include a distal stop. A slideable filter is then advanced along the guidewire using an advancing mechanism, typically an elongate member slideable over the guidewire and contacting the filter. A capture sheath may be disposed about the filter during advancement. Once the filter is positioned downstream of the lesion, the capture sheath is withdrawn, allowing the filter to expand. Further distal advancement of the filter is prohibited by the stop. After expansion of the filter, the capture sheath and the advancing mechanism are withdrawn from the region of interest, and removed from the patient's vessel. The filter may then be retrieved using a capture sheath or exchanged for a second filter after removing the first filter.
US07717933B2 Balloon catheters and methods for treating paranasal sinuses
A method of treating a patient's maxillary sinus having an obstructed or narrowed maxillary ostium. A balloon of a balloon catheter is inflated in the obstructed or narrowed maxillary ostium to enlarge the ostium. The ostium remains enlarged after the balloon catheter is removed.
US07717929B2 Technique for securing a suture
A device to seal an incision in a blood vessel includes an inner member and an outer member. A suture connects the inner member and the outer member. A first portion of the suture is embedded within a second portion of the suture such that as tension in the suture increases the first and second portions are held together. According to certain embodiments, the second portion is not part of a first suture portion, and both the first and second portions are used to retain the outer member in place. A method of making such a device is also described.
US07717922B2 Vacuum sealing device
A vacuum sealing devices (10) used for surgical procedures, particularly on the eye. The device (10) comprises a flexible sleeve (11) which terminates in a platter (11a) having a sealing suction ring (12, 112, 212). The suction ring (12, 112, 212) couples the sleeve (11) to the body and isolates the surgical site from surrounding tissue. The sleeve (11) may be provided with a opening (22, 113) which allows instrumentation access through and incision such as a corneal incision (13).
US07717919B2 Application of therapy aligned to an internal target path
An alignment jig that creates a plurality of parallelograms may be used to align an external alignment line with an internal target path. The internal target path is within the patient's body and may be defined by two guide pin tips. The alignment jig may be created so that it creates the external alignment line to be co-linear with the internal target path or the external alignment line may be parallel to the internal target path by offset a distance from being co-linear. The external alignment line may be used in the provision of therapy such as the delivery of a screw to a precise location in the provision of therapy to a portion of the spine.
US07717918B2 Bone treatment systems and methods
The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating osteoplasty procedures such as vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the geometry of bone cement introduced into the interior of a vertebra. An exemplary system utilizes Rf energy in combination a conductive bone cement for polymerizing the inflow plume to control the geometry of the fill material and the application of force caused by inflows of cement. In another embodiment, a method of treating bone includes utilizing a controller to control (i) bone cement inflow parameters and (ii) energy delivery parameters selectively modify the viscosity of a selected portion of bone cement as it is introduced. A system for treating bone includes an introducer for delivering bone and an energy source selectively coupleable to the bone cement to alter the viscosity of the fill material as it flows out of the introducer. One method includes pulsing the inflows of bone cement and further applying pulsed aspiration forces to the interior of the vertebra to relieve interior pressures to prevent emboli from migrating into the venous system.
US07717908B2 Method patterns for intrastromal refractive surgery
A method for performing intrastromal ophthalmic laser surgery requires Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) of stromal tissue without compromising Bowman's capsule (membrane). In detail, the method creates cuts in the stroma along planes radiating from the visual axis of the eye. Importantly, these cuts are all distanced from the visual axis. The actual location and number of cuts in the surgery will depend on the degree of visual aberration being corrected. Further, the method may include the additional step of creating cylindrical cuts in the stroma. The radial cuts and cylindrical cuts may be intersecting or non-intersecting depending on the visual aberration being treated.
US07717904B2 Manipulator
The manipulator has two-degree-of-freedom of rotation and gripping, and is capable of ensuring force feedback or force sensation with excellent operationability. A link mechanism 3 is provided between an operation part 1 and a working part 2. The link mechanism 3 has four driving rods 3a to 3d and first and second coupling members of the sane structure, 41, 42 provided at opposite ends of the driving rods. First and second working members 2a, 2b move correspondingly to the operation of first and second operating members 1a, 1b with the aid of the link mechanism 3. The first and second working member can open and close, change the yaw angles and the pitch angles in response to the same action of the first and second operating member through the link mechanism.
US07717901B2 Instrument for performing liposuction
An instrument for performing liposuction with a longitudinally extended rod-shaped part that, at its rear end, has a handle and a front end piece for partially introducing the rod-shaped part under the skin at a site to be treated. The rod-shaped part is, at least over a portion of its length, provided with a roughened surface. This enables the rod-shaped part to be partially introduced under the skin at the site that has already been treated with a suction instrument. At this location, the rod-shaped part can, with its roughened surface, simultaneously distribute the remaining fatty layer remnants or to remove these remnants from the remaining tissue by means of a to-and-fro movement in the longitudinal direction.
US07717890B2 Fluid and bioaerosol management vacuum connector and system
The present invention comprises a central vacuum producing system suitable for collecting both liquid and gaseous material, one or more end effectors for use at a site at which liquid and gaseous material are produced, and a coupling device or connector for operably coupling one or more end effectors to the central vacuum. In this embodiment, the connector may be made of various materials, and may include a suitable liquid monitor or counter such as a flow meter.
US07717887B2 Medical valve and method of use
A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.
US07717884B2 Medical valve and method of use
A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.
US07717883B2 Medical valve and method of use
A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.
US07717880B2 Device for inflating a balloon
The inflation device comprises a syringe whose piston presents a thread. It further comprises a retaining mechanism for retaining the piston and comprising two half-nuts movable between a position in which they are spaced apart from the thread and a position in which they engage the thread, together with control members mounted to tilt relative to the syringe body. For each half-nut, the retaining mechanism comprises two resilient tabs pressing against the corresponding half-nut and against the syringe body. In addition, each of the control members comprises a finger pressing against the corresponding half-nut and adapted, when the member tilts, to press against one of two bearing surfaces carried by the half-nut and offset relative to each other in a radial direction of the syringe body.
US07717879B2 Anesthetic syringe
An improved, very wieldy anesthetic syringe that allows for precise and repeated injection has a first hydraulic chamber behind a feed piston and a second hydraulic chamber behind the first hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic chambers being connected so as to allow for regulation of the flow resistance. A special receiver for cannulae that have been specifically developed for use with the proposed syringe is also provided.
US07717874B2 Needle-free injection system
A needle-free injection device in which a gas cartridge or other source of pressurized gas is used to advance a piston and forcibly expel injectable fluid out through an injection orifice. When a gas cartridge is used, the gas cartridge may be moveable from an initial position to an actuating position in which gas is released to drive the injection, and a recoil inhibiter may be employed to prevent the gas cartridge from moving back to the initial position. A gas cartridge seal may be disposed on the gas cartridge and moveable with the gas cartridge to seal the gas cartridge against an interior wall of a gas cartridge housing. The needle-free injection device may also be configured so that sealing is compromised upon full advancement of the piston, so as to de-pressurize the device after delivery of an injection.
US07717862B2 Sampling device and method for obtaining samples of internal body substances and method for producing a sampling device
A sampling device for obtaining samples of internal body substances in the digestive system is a swallowable capsule which allows a sample of the body substance to enter the capsule through an inlet which opens in the digestive tract following contact with the substance to be collected. The capsule inlet initially is sealed and, after the capsule has been swallowed, the inlet opens following contact with the body substance. An inner chamber preserves a vacuum or substantial under pressure when the inlet is sealed by a blocking member adjacent to the inlet. The blocking member is elastic and has a flow permitting configuration which admits the body substance into the inner chamber and a flow preventing configuration which blocks the inlet from the inside of the chamber when the pressure difference has been equalized.
US07717857B2 Diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infection in the lungs of patients
The present invention relates to methods for detecting P aeruginosa infection and bacterial burden in the lungs of patients who are at risk for P. aeruginosa infections, especially including patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The present method provides numerous tests (breath, blood, urine) which are readily administered to a patient that will sensitively and specifically detect the presence and extent of lung infection P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid), and allow monitoring of bacterial load as a parameter in monitoring treatment.
US07717852B2 Method and device for determining the motion vector tissues in a biological medium
The invention relates to a method of determining the motion vector of tissues in a biological medium. This method comprises the steps of: —acquiring a sequence of echographical images at a given repetition rate, —digitalising said echographical images and storing the so-digitalised images, —defining a digital pseudo echographical pulse, —effecting in a plurality of directions a convolution of said digital pseudo echographical pulse with said digitalised images and deducing therefrom at each point of said medium a plurality of pseudo echographical signals associated with said plurality of directions, —determining an estimate over said plurality of directions of the phase shift between two successive pseudo echographical signals and deducing therefrom the magnitude and the direction of said motion vector.
US07717849B2 Method and apparatus for controlling ultrasound system display
A method for operating a medical imaging system is provided. The method includes receiving an image data set of a region of interest in a first dimensional representation, reducing the dimensionality of the image data set to a second dimensional representation, selecting a feature of interest in the second dimensional representation, and generating an image of the selected feature in the first dimensional representation.
US07717847B2 Surgical hand access apparatus
A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough for passage of a surgeon's hand, a retractor base mounted to the access housing and having a flexible liner for positioning within the incision to engage tissue portions defining the incision, and a trocar adapter which is releasably mounted to the access housing. The trocar adapter includes a trocar sleeve positioned for reception within the longitudinal opening and a trocar valve adapted to receive a surgical instrument in fluid tight relation therewith. The access housing may include a seal adapted to form a seal about each of the surgeon's arm and the trocar sleeve. The seal is adapted to close in absence of the surgeon's arm or the trocar sleeve.
US07717845B2 Fluid reservoirs for penile implant devices and methods of manufacturing
A fluid reservoir for a penile implant device that includes a body portion having a sleeve from which a tube may extend. The body portion includes support structure positioned at an interior surface of the body portion near an orifice of the reservoir, which orifice leads to a fluid passage of the tube. The support structure may comprise a plurality of protrusions that are arranged around the orifice and that extend from a base portion of the body portion. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a fluid reservoir for a penile implant device, which includes positioning a tube in a mold and injection molding a reservoir body onto the tube. More particularly, the method may include providing a mold, positioning a tube in the mold, injecting material into the mold, curing the material, and opening the mold to remove the reservoir body and tube assembly.
US07717843B2 Restrictive and/or obstructive implant for inducing weight loss
Described herein is a system for inducing weight loss in a patient, which comprises an extragastric space occupier positionable in contact with an exterior surface of a stomach wall to form an inward protrusion of wall into the stomach, and a retention device positionable in contact with the wall to retain the inward protrusion and to thereby capture the extragastric space occupier within the protrusion.
US07717841B2 Motion-coupled visual environment for prevention or reduction of motion sickness and simulator/virtual environment sickness
A motion-coupled visual environment prevents, reduces and/or treats motion sickness by sensing inertial motion and providing a corresponding evocative image for a subject to view. Inertial sensors may include accelerometers, gyroscopes or a variety of other different sensor types. A cross-coupling algorithm may be used to cross couple different sensed inertial motions. A variety of mapping schemes may be used to map sensed inertial motion to corresponding motion within the evocative scene displayed on the display. Driver-centric, passenger-centric and simulation surround systems are possible. Applications include reducing motion sickness on passenger vehicles such as airplanes, trains and cars; on military vehicles such as ships, airplanes, helicopters and the like; and reducing “cybersickness” in the context of simulations on moving platforms.
US07717828B2 Exercise device with pivoting assembly
A non-impact exercise device comprising a framework, resistance assembly, and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly contains a pair of link arms pivotally coupled to a pair of foot support members. The link arms have handles for the user to grip and the foot support members have foot platforms for the user to stand upon. The foot platforms have a wheel attached to them and the wheel rests upon curved or arced ramps of the exercise device. The user exercises by putting force into the device through the handles and/or foot platforms. This causes the foot platforms to roll along the ramps while the user is standing upon the foot platforms. The user may readily vary the length and frequency of the reciprocating stride.
US07717821B2 Method for the operation of a drivetrain
A method for operation of a drivetrain including a drive motor and an automatic transmission having at least five shift elements, of which, at least three shift elements are engaged in each forward and reverse gear and the other shift elements are disengaged. Two successive shifts are accomplished by two overlapped single gear shifts such that a) during the first shift, a first shift element is engaged or disengaged while a second shift element is disengaged or engaged; b) during the first shift, second and third shift elements are prepared for either engagement or disengagement, and c) during the first and the second shifts at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
US07717820B2 Planet gear speed reducer
A planet gear speed reducer includes a casing having a receiving space defined therein for receiving an output shaft and an input shaft. The output shaft and the input shaft are longitudinally connected to each other. The output shaft includes a planet gear arm and a drive axle concentrically and longitudinally extending the planet gear arm. A third bearing is mounted in a bottom of the planet gear arm. The input shaft has a sun gear axle concentrically extends therefrom and engaged to the multiple planet gears on the planet gear arm. A fourth bearing is securely sleeved on a heel of the sun gear axle and an outer periphery of the fourth bearing is securely received within annular protrusion. A stub concentrically and longitudinally extends from a free end of the sun gear axle and securely received in the third bearing.
US07717815B2 Power-branched transmission having a plurality of transmission ration ranges with continuously variable transmission ratio
A power-branched transmission having a plurality of transmission ratio ranges and having a continuously variable transmission ratio. The transmission includes at least one drive shaft operatively connected to an engine with a rotationally fixed connection, a power divider, a variable speed drive, and an output shaft. The power divider is a planetary gear train and the drive shaft is directly coupled with the internal ring gear of the planetary gear train. Also disclosed is a shift system for such a transmission and a variable speed drive unit clutch arrangement.
US07717811B1 Adjustable golf tee with associated measuring device
The present invention is a golf tee and golf tee system, and method for its use, which system includes a golf tee adapted to allow a person to determine the desired position of a teed golf ball with respect to a desired striking position on the golf club face of a golf club striking the teed golf ball once the tee is placed, the golf tee comprising: (a) a cup portion; (b) a stake portion, the stake portion having at least one measurement scale and a guide scale, each scale having respective corresponding indicia, the measurement scale being arranged so as to allow the player to determine the desired striking position on the golf club face, and the guide scale having respective corresponding indicia so as to allow a person to determine the attachment position of a removable insertion restriction portion; and a plurality of receivers aligned along the stake portion and adapted to releasably attach the removable insertion restriction portion; and (c) a removable insertion restriction portion, adapted to be removable and to be placed on at least two positions along the length of the stake portion.
US07717804B2 Golf club head having movable weights
One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
US07717801B2 Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
US07717798B2 Child motion device
A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a support surface. The frame assembly includes at least one track configured to slidably receive a child seat assembly. The track can extend in any desired direction and include a geometric profile so that as the seat assembly travels along the track, a desired motion profile is imparted onto the seat assembly and to the child seated therein.
US07717795B2 Low vibration noise flexible shaft
A flexible shaft having ends of square cross-section for coupling a mating female driving member such as a square recess in a motor assembly, with a mating female driven member such as a square recess in a gearbox assembly, for positioning a seat in a motor vehicle. To decrease vibration and noise due to friction and relative movement between the shaft ends and the mating recesses, the sides of the shaft end portions are covered with a deformable polytetrafluoroethylene sheath applied by positioning a length of heat shrinkable tubing over each end portion and heating the tubing to shrink it onto the corresponding end portion so that it assumes the square cross-sectional shape of the end portion.
US07717787B2 Electronic amusement device and method for operating a game offering continuous reels
A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player.
US07717783B2 Computer-based, interactive, real-time card selection game
The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.
US07717769B2 Manufacture of lapping board
A method for manufacturing a lapping board having abrasive grains fixed on its surface, which is performed by the steps of: preparing a rotatable metal board having a surface of soft metal, an abrasive slurry-supplying tool arranged over the surface of the metal board, an abrasive-pressing tool which is placed on the metal board and has a hard surface, and a ultrasonic oscillation-generating tool attached to either or both of the abrasive-pressing tool and the metal board; rotating the metal board while supplying an abrasive slurry onto the surface of the metal board and while supplying electric power to the ultrasonic oscillation-generating tool to generate and apply ultrasonic oscillation to either or both of the abrasive-pressing tool and the metal board, whereby introducing the supplied abrasive slurry between the metal board and the abrasive-pressing tool and partly embedding some abrasive grains onto the metal board; and removing unfixed abrasive grains from the metal board.
US07717767B2 Modular toy vehicle accessory mounts
A toy vehicle design having two distinctly different methods to attach accessories. Accessories that attach to the front, sides, rear and bottom of the vehicle can connect to the chassis via a tab and slot system. Strategically positioned slots on the chassis undercarriage can accept tabs that extend from those accessories. The various accessories can be interchangeable and can be easily attached and removed without the need for tools. For front, side, rear and bottom fitting accessories, slots can be located along the outer perimeter of the vehicle chassis' undercarriage. The accept tabs can extend from the various accessories. Accessories that attach to the hood, roof and truck beds, magnets are built into the underside of the vehicle body with magnets of the opposite polarity attached to the inside of the accessories. For electronic accessories, the present invention can utilize female electrical connectors that can be located along the sides of the chassis undercarriage to accept male electrical connectors attached to accessories.
US07717766B2 Fluorescent lamp and method of manufacturing fluorescent lamp
A fluorescent lamp 1 is constructed in which more than two lead wires (5), (6), (11) and (12) are connected to respective electrodes (3) and (4) of both end portions of a glass tube (2), the glass tube (2) having a uniform diameter of less than 6.5 mm. Also, when the fluorescent lamp 1 is manufactured, an electrode assembly in which two glass beads are fixed to more than two lead wires extended from the electrodes, mercury amalgam being welded to the lead wires is used, the electrode assembly is temporarily fastened by welding the inside glass bead to the glass tube, mercury is evaporated by heating the mercury amalgam and the inside of the glass tube is sealed by welding the outside glass bead to the glass tube.
US07717750B1 Kit for converting N class bus plug to a J class bus plug
A kit for converting an N class bus plug to a J class bus plug in which the N class bus plug has three pairs of spaced apart fuse terminals. A Z-shaped conductive strip is associated with each fuse terminal and each conductive strip has a top and a bottom. A first fastener secures the bottom of the conductive strip to its associated fuse terminal. A J class fuse is then associated with each pair of fuse terminals. The J class fuse has a flat conductive electrical contact extending outwardly from each end which overlies the top of one of the conductive strips. A second fastener then connects the electrical contact with the top of its associated conductive strip.
US07717744B2 Shielded connector for reducing the deflection of the terminal
A shielded connector (1) comprises at least a metal housing (10) configured by first, second, third and fourth sidewalls (100, 101, 102, 103) defining a receiving space (104) therebetween, and first and second terminal insert securely attached to the first and third wall of the metal housing. Each terminal insert includes a plurality of terminals (30) molded with an insulating material, each terminal including at least a retaining section (300) which is covered by the insulating material, and defining a plane extending therethrough, and a contact section (304) with a base portion (308) extending from the retaining section, wherein the base portion is away from the plane defined by the retaining section. And each terminal further includes enlarged portion (306), which connected the retaining section and the contact section, and being out of the insulating material so as to effectively reduce the deflection during mating with an inserted element.
US07717740B2 Electrical connector including viewing window assembly and associated methods
An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways. The connector may further include an insulating cover on the body and defining a seal with the window assembly.
US07717739B2 Power adapter
In one embodiment, the present invention is a power adapter for coupling electrical power from a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) power coupling to one or more electronic devices. In one embodiment, the power adapter includes a plug connector adapted for receiving electrical power from the power coupling, a receptacle adapted for providing the electrical power to a slave cable (e.g., an inter-vehicular slave cable), and at least one terminal adapted for providing the electrical power to the electronic devices (e.g., a computer system). The power adapter is thus capable of maximizing the potential of the power coupling to provide electrical power for multiple simultaneous uses.
US07717736B2 Sheath for a flexible electrical contact
There is provided a sheath for a flexible electrical contact that is incorporated within a sound reproduction device. The sheath preferably includes at least one opening at each end of the sheath to enable the sheath to be worn over the electrical contact with each opening having a thickened periphery ring. The main body of the sheath may be either a cylindrical shape or a conical shape. It is advantageous that the sheath damps a resonance vibration of the flexible electrical contact during operation of the sound reproduction device when the sheath is worn over the flexible electrical contact. The flexible electrical contact may be incorporated within a battery compartment of the sound reproduction device. A corresponding method of using the sheath is also disclosed.
US07717725B2 Sealing assembly for a cable connecting assembly and method of joining cable connectors
A sealing assembly operatively attached to a coaxial cable connector that is attached to an RF port. The sealing assembly has a sealing subassembly, that is changeable between a pre-assembled state and a sealing state, and at least one actuator component. The sealing subassembly has a sealing portion. Advancement of the actuator component changes the sealing subassembly from the pre-assembled state into the sealing state and thereby causes the sealing portion to compress radially against the RF port.
US07717724B2 Connector card housing with a slider restraining protrusion
An electrical card connector (100) for insertion of an electrical card (200) includes an insulative housing (1) defining a receiving space (14) for insertion of the electrical card. The insulative housing includes a bottom wall (10) and a side wall (12) extending from a lateral side of the bottom wall. A number of terminals (3) are retained in the insulative housing and extend into the receiving space for electrical connection to the electrical card. An ejecting mechanism (4) includes a slider (41) movable along card-insertion or card-withdraw directions, a coil spring (42) for urging the slider, and a connecting rod (43) having an one-end bend portion retained in the insulative housing and an other-end bend potion movable in a heart-shaped cam groove (412) formed in the slider. The side wall of the insulative housing has a protrusion (125) extending from an upper side thereof to abut downwardly against the slider (41).
US07717722B2 Cable terminal and cable using the same
A cable terminal includes: a crimped portion crimped to a cable body; an extending piece provided integrally with the crimped portion to extend forward in an insertion direction; and a conductor conducting piece provided integrally with the crimped portion to face an end face of the cable body. An end of the extending piece abuts on an inner surface of a plug cap made of an elastic body to determine a position in terms of the insertion direction. The extending piece is provided with a springy press piece that projects to a plug terminal of an ignition plug inserted into the plug cap and contacts an end face of the plug terminal. The conductor contacting piece is sandwiched between a portion of an outer circumference of the plug terminal and a core exposed from the end face of the cable body. The plug terminal is disposed to be in tight contact with the inner surface of the plug cap.
US07717721B2 Card edge connector with improved spacer
A card edge connector for connecting a daughter board to a mother board, includes an insulative housing defining a front mating face, a top portion, a bottom portion opposite to the top portion, and a central slot recessed from the mating face between the top portion and the bottom portion to receive the daughter board, a plurality of terminals retained in the insulative housing, and a spacer disposed under the insulative housing. The spacer having a preselected height and a mounting surface toward the mother board. The spacer and the bottom portion of the insulative housing are assembled by snap-fastening.
US07717718B2 Electric component having microtips and ductile conducting bumps
A component and process for making an electrical connection between a first component comprising a set of first pads and a set of hard conducting tips on one face, and a second component comprising a set of second pads and a set of ductile conducting bumps on the other face, in which the two faces are made to face each other and they are brought towards each other such that the tips can penetrate into these bumps, in which the space between two tips is less than the width of a bump and less than the width of a first pad. The process is applicable to such a component on which the set of conducting tips are installed.
US07717715B2 System, method and apparatus using at least one flex circuit to connect a printed circuit board and a socket card assembly that are oriented at a right angle to one another
There is disclosed apparatus for routing signals between at least one PCB within a test head and a socket card assembly. In an embodiment, the apparatus may include at least one flexible circuit electrically connecting first and second sides of the PCB and the socket card assembly with one another, and the flexible circuit having a defined shape configured to interface with the socket card assembly and the PCB along substantially perpendicular planes. Methods of routing signals between at least one PCB within a test head and a socket card assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include electrically connecting first and second sides of the PCB and the socket card assembly with one another with at least one flexible circuit having a defined shape configured to interface with the socket card assembly and the PCB along substantially perpendicular planes. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07717708B2 Method and system for integrated orthodontic treatment planning using unified workstation
A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement. When the adjustments are complete, the user selects or identifies a finalized proposed treatment plan for treating the patient.
US07717706B2 Self-ligating bracket and use thereof in orthodontics
The self-ligating bracket with base; base support; occlusal and gingival wall with ligature wing from support; slot separating the walls, passage extending through support in gingival-to-occlusal direction; and resilient clip with mutually connected labial and lingual legs; lingual leg received and arranged for displacement in passage in gingival-to-occlusal direction, between closed and open position of clip; in closed position, labial leg extends into cutout in gingival or occlusal wall, with stop for labial leg; in open position, tip of labial leg positioned above the occlusal or gingival wall, labial leg of clip provided with wing extending in distal and/or medial direction; in closed position of clip, one wing is positioned above the slot, lingual extension of labial leg of clip is positioned in cutout, with extension narrower than width of labial leg; extension of labial leg of clip contacts the closed position, with the labial stop even when slot is empty.
US07717703B2 Combustion head for use with a flame spray apparatus
The present invention provides an improved combustion head and combustion chamber for use with known flame spray apparatus. The combustion head includes a body portion defining a combustion opening for receiving an outlet end of the combustion chamber and an interior chamber extending from the combustion opening into the body portion. The body portion also defines a material feed conduit extending through the body portion along a longitudinal axis thereof. The body portion being substantially hollow wherein the interior chamber extends from the combustion opening throughout substantially the entire body portion including adjacent the material feed conduit. The body portion defining coolant channels on an outer surface thereof of varying depth such that the wall thickness of the body portion at the coolant channels is substantially uniform. The combustion chamber having a flange formed on an outer surface thereof for limiting insertion of the combustion chamber into the combustion head.
US07717695B2 Film profile forming device
A film profile forming device includes a supporting table, a screw coupled to the supporting table in a perpendicular direction, a motor arranged on an end of the screw for rotating the screw, a guiding base having a screw hole engaged with the screw being driven by the screw for dispersing force and moving in the perpendicular direction, a lower base fixed under the supporting table, and a upper base glidingly arranged between the supporting table and the lower base. The upper base is brought by the guiding base and moves to and fro in the perpendicular direction to close or away from the lower base.
US07717682B2 Double diaphragm pump and related methods
A pump for transferring a process fluid has a first pump chamber and a second pump chamber. A motive fluid actuates the pump chambers and control flow valves. The direction of process fluid flow is controlled by varying the amounts of pressure or the use of a vacuum. The control flow valves utilize diaphragms for actuation.
US07717677B1 Multi-metering and diffusion transpiration cooled airfoil
A turbine airfoil, or a substrate exposed to a high temperature environment, having a plurality of individual cooling circuits in the airfoil wall, each individual cooling circuit having a first metering hole connecting the cooling circuit to a cooling air supply, a first diffusion cavity, a second metering hole, and a plurality of fine film cooling holes connected between the second diffusion cavity and the surface of a high temperature resistant coating. The coating is a refractory coating to provide higher heat resistance than a ceramic based thermal barrier coating. A process of forming the individual cooling circuits is also disclosed, where a ceramic core representing the above described cooling passages is secured in a “fish bowl” shaped cavity in the substrate wall, the refractory coating is applied to just under the core fingers, and the ceramic core is leached out to leave behind the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit thus formed includes a first metering hole, a first diffusion cavity, a second metering hole, a second diffusion cavity, and a plurality of micro film cooling holes to provide transpiration cooling to the coating surface.
US07717662B2 Utility truck combined with hoist, lift or crane elements
A utility truck is specially modified in order to accommodate a lift, hoist or crane unit. Portions of the utility truck elongated lateral tool boxes and compartments are cut out and shelving is provided to support the lower portions of the lift or crane. The design allows a load such as a large electrical or telephone box to be transported and unloaded by a single operator. The design enables protection from the harsher winter conditions of colder parts of the earth such as the north U.S. and Canada.
US07717661B1 Compact multiple diameters wafer handling system with on-chuck wafer calibration and integrated cassette-chuck transfer
A compact multiple diameter wafer testing device with a footprint of about 33 by 34 inches features on-chuck wafer calibration and integrated cassette-chuck transfer. It includes a five axes wafer handling system, a quick exchange chuck and a fixed through beam sensor fixed. Two of the five axes are provided by an X-Y stage, a third axis is provided by a rotary stage on top of the X-Y stage, a fourth axis belongs to a rotating effector and a fifth axis is provided by motion controlled pin lifters all combined with the X-Y stage. The quick exchange chuck may be easily changed for different wafer diameters and also calibrated by the through beam sensor. The through beam sensor provides on-chuck position calibration of the chucked wafers in conjunction with the X-Y stage and rotary stage. The compact wafer testing device handles wafers between six and twelve inches diameter.
US07717658B2 Bolt assembly
A bolt assembly has a bolt body which includes a threaded portion and a shank; a head; a ring; and a shear zone. The head is configured to transmit rotary motion to the threaded portion through the shank. The ring is disposed on the shank and has a ring thread and a tab configured to ensure continuity between the ring thread and the threaded portion. The shear zone joins the shank to the threaded portion and a complementary recess, disposed on the threaded portion, is engageable with the tab to ensure rotation locking of the ring in relation to the threaded portion.
US07717657B2 Method for tying packaged goods to a pallet
The method makes use of four top corner plates (3), four bottom corner plates (4) and five centre plates (5). Each plate (3, 4 and 5) has a number of holes (2) that accept and retain swivel connectors (1) and adjustable connector straps (8) that mechanically connect the corner plates (3) and (4) and centre plates (5) and in this manner allow for the even restraining of the goods (7) packed on the pallet (14).
US07717653B2 Processing tool
A case is mounted to the outer portion of the bottom portion of the shank through a bearing and an absorption rod is situated in an axial hole provided in the axial direction on the bottom of the shank such that it is slidable in the axial direction. An absorption spring for urging the absorption rod in the axial direction is installed between the absorption rod and the shank and a tiltable case is situated on the bottom within the case such that it is capable of tilting with respect to the axial line. A holder is situated rotatably through a bearing within the tiltable case. A slidable holder provided with a chuck portion for a tool at a leading end thereof is situated slidably in the axial direction and the bottom end portion of the absorption rod and the top end portion of the holder are connected to each other through a universal joint. A tilt supporting pin unit in which a plurality of tilt supporting pins are directed downward and projected by being urged by a spring is situated within a case located around the outer peripheral portion of the universal joint and the tips of the tilt supporting pins of the tilt supporting pin unit are brought into contact with a pressure receiving plate provided above the tiltable case.
US07717652B2 Tool with selectively-biased member having an adjustment feature
A tool has a slot provided between a pair of extremities at its distal end. The extremities have cutting blades mounted thereon. The slot is configured to receive a plate. The tool has a conduit running along its axis for communication of pressurized fluid to the slot and plate. The plate directs flow of the pressurized fluid outward toward the extremities. The resulting outward force causes the extremities to bend outward, thereby urging the cutting blades outward for cutting, reaming, or other working of the workpiece. The resilience of the tool causes the extremities to return back inward when the fluid pressure is reduced. A plate may be configured to receive a wafer for transferring force from the pressurized fluid to the extremities. Some embodiments of the plate have an adjustment feature that is operable to selectively adjust the flow rate or pressure of fluid directed toward the extremities.
US07717649B2 Suspending hydraulic pillar
A suspending hydraulic pillar includes an oil cylinder, a movable prop, a handle-valve body, a reset spring, a top cover, a bottom seat, a three-way valve, a position-limiting steel wire, and a guide ring. The handle-valve body is provided between a port of the oil cylinder port and the moveable prop. Position-limiting steel wire, a guiding ring, and an oil inlet is located on a lower part of the moveable prop. The three-way valve is provided in the handle-valve body. A dust-prevention ring and a sealing ring are provided between the handle-valve body, the movable prop, and the oil cylinder. The handle-valve body is fixed on the oil cylinder by means of a connecting steel wire. The handle-valve body does not move up and down as the movable prop telescopically extends or contracts. The suspending hydraulic has good stability, high strength and supporting force, good sealing, and high anti-erosive capability.
US07717648B2 Method for repairing drainage pipe
In a method for repairing a drainage pipe, a resin pipe can be placed in an existing drainage pipe connected between connection bodies such as manholes while being buried in the ground, without causing an elongation. The method involves supplying a corrugated resin pipe 5, which is made by forming, spirally or in a ring shape, ridge portions 5c of a hard resin on the outer wall of a soft resin pipe 5d, 5e in which a reinforcement material 5f that restricts an elongation in the pipe axis direction has been embedded, into the existing drainage pipe through the upper opening of either of the connection bodies; inserting the head of the corrugated resin pipe 5 thus supplied from a drainage pipe opening connected to either of the connection bodies; pulling the corrugated resin pipe 5 thus inserted into the drainage pipe from the other side of the connection body; and laying the corrugated resin pipe 5 over the entire length of the drainage pipe.
US07717640B2 Joint structure of pipe
A joint structure for directly joining a plurality of pipes is provided. A first pipe 10 has a joined end face 11 obtained by laser machining at a predetermined angle to an axis and a tenon 12 formed on a joined end face. A second pipe 20 has a joined end face 21 obtained by laser machining at a predetermined angle to an axis and a mortice 22. By fitting the tenon 12 of the first pipe 10 to the mortice 22 of the second pipe 20, a joint structure of the two pipes 10, 20 is formed. The joined end face 11 of the first pipe 10 and the joined end face 21 of the second pipe 20 are on surface contact over the entire thickness of the pipe.
US07717634B1 Trough support ribs
A trough support rib for improved edge-to-edge printing having a media feedpath extending in a first direction, a printhead reciprocally movable in a second direction, the second direction defining a print zone, an ink trough, at least one support rib beneath the print zone within the ink trough, the at least one support rib having an upper angled edge for engaging print media defined by two beveled surfaces, the rib further including a notch for removal of overspray ink to the ink trough.
US07717631B2 Coil bobbin, actuator, and blade drive device for camera
A coil bobbin includes: a body portion around which a coil is wound and having a cylindrical shape; a pair of flange portions formed at both ends of the body portion respectively; and terminal portions which are formed in the pair of flange portions, respectively, the terminal portions being around which respective ends of the coil are wound. The pair of flange portions have thicker portions and thinner portions, respectively, different from each other in thickness. The pair of flange portions is formed to gradually reduce a thickness from the thicker portions toward the thinner portions, respectively. The terminal portions are formed in the thicker portions, respectively.
US07717630B1 Lens cap with integral reference surface
A lens cap for a camera is disclosed, comprising: a reference surface, the reference surface having the capability of being used to calibrate an exposure setting or a white balance setting of a photographic subject; wherein the lens cap is placed in front of a lens of the camera in the lighting conditions of the photographic subject, the reference surface being directed towards the lens; and wherein an intensity of the visible light spectrum being reflected by the reference surface is detected.
US07717629B2 Coordinated camera pan tilt mechanism
In various embodiments, a camera may be controlled by one or more motors in a base of the camera. Cables and other components may be used to manipulate the camera lens through the side arms of the camera. Putting the motors in the base may reduce the size of the outer case of the camera and add stability. A pan motor may pan the camera while a tilt motor may move a tilt pulley relative to a lens portion of the camera (which may or may not tilt the camera depending on the panning motion of the camera). In some embodiments, images from the camera may be converted into a serialized stream and transported over a cable from the lens through a center shaft of the camera.
US07717624B2 Connectors for multi fiber optical probes
Connectors and linking components for a guidewire probe having multiple optical emitting fibers and methods of making connectors and linking components for guidewire probes having multiple optical emitting fibers are described herein.
US07717620B2 Flexible packaging structure with a built-in opening and reclose feature, and method for making same
A flexible packaging laminate is formed to have a built-in opening and reclose feature by forming the laminate as a two-part structure having an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation with an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting an opening portion (e.g., a flap or the like) of the two structures out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate.
US07717618B2 Apparatus and method for high resolution temperature measurement and for hyperthermia therapy
An apparatus and method for increasing the resolution of a linear array of fiber Bragg gratings by applying a plastic coating having a high CTE over the optical fiber. Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of each of a succession of points along a tissue portion during hyperthermia treatment includes an optical fiber with a succession of closely spaced fiber Bragg gratings. Each grating is responsive to a different wavelength and is sensitive to ambient temperature to change that wavelength as a function of temperature. A tunable laser operative continuously over a range of wavelengths including those to which the gratings respond is used to interrogate the gratings. Sensitivity-enhancing coatings are used on the fibers and the lasers are tuned over very short time cycles.
US07717617B2 Multiple band pass filtering for pyrometry in laser based annealing systems
A thermal processing system includes a source of laser radiation emitting at a laser wavelength, beam projection optics disposed between the reflective surface and a substrate support capable of holding a substrate to be processed, a pyrometer responsive to a pyrometer wavelength, and a wavelength responsive optical element having a first optical path for light in a first wavelength range including the laser wavelength, the first optical path being between the source of laser radiation and the beam projection optics, and a second optical path for light in a second wavelength range including the pyrometer wavelength, the second optical path being between the beam projection optics and the pyrometer. The system can further include a pyrometer wavelength blocking filter between the source of laser radiation and the wavelength responsive optical element.
US07717615B2 Process and apparatus for producing emulsion and microcapsules
In a process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner, a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by a shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.
US07717608B2 Sectional light-emitting-diode lamp
A sectional LED lamp includes a base portion, a lamp portion, and a connecting unit. The base portion includes a base body having an LED driving unit provided therein. The lamp portion includes a lamp body detachably connected at an end to the base body, a lampshade fitted around the lamp body, and at least one LED chip arranged in the lampshade and electrically connected to the lamp body. The connecting unit is located between two adjacent ends of the base body and the lamp body for electrically connecting the LED driving unit to the LED chip and detachably connecting the base portion to the lamp portion. A space is maintained between the base portion and the lampshade, allowing heat generated by the LED chip to quickly dissipate via the space into surround environment.
US07717602B2 External electrode fluorescent lamp, method of fabricating the same and liquid crystal display device having the same
An exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas, and a first external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the first external electrode having a line-like shape. Thus, the exemplary external electrode fluorescent lamp has a reduced non-fluorescent region and an enlarged fluorescent region.
US07717597B2 Semiconductor light engine using polymer light pipes and lighting systems constructed with the light engine
A light engine for use in systems such as automotive lighting systems employs two or more semiconductor light sources, such as LEDs. Light emitted from the light sources is captured by light pipes which are mounted such that the light capturing surface of the light pipes are properly positioned, with respect to the semiconductor light sources, substantially independent of changes in the dimensions of the light pipes which may result from thermal expansion or contraction of the light pipes. The light pipes transfer substantially all of the light captured from the semiconductor light sources to light emitting surfaces of the light pipes which can be appropriately located adjacent the output optics of the lighting system. The light engine can be easily assembled as the light pipes are retained in slots on a positioning member which is mounted at a known position with respect to the semiconductor light sources.
US07717595B2 Brake warning apparatus for bicycles
A brake warning apparatus for bicycles is provided, including a lighting device and a switch handle, to be installed on the handles of bicycles. The lighting device includes a light case, a lighting unit and a power unit. The light unit includes at least a switch. The switch handle is partially coupled to the inside of the light case and the rod of the switch handle extending outside the light case is located on the path of the movement of the handbrake of the bicycle when braking the bicycle. When the switch handle is pressed by the handbrake, the rod inside the light case will trigger the switch of the lighting unit so that the lighting device will display the pre-defined lighting condition to achieve the warning effect.
US07717576B2 Mirror mounting assembly
A mirror mounting assembly for mounting a mirror on a vehicle bulkhead. The assembly includes a mirror element and a main support arm having a first end and a second end. The mirror element is connected to the first end of the main support arm. The second end of the main support arm is mountable to the vehicle. A pair of brackets are configured to conform to an engine bay side wall of the vehicle. Each bracket has a center portion and two laterally extending flanges that extend at an angle from the center portion in opposite directions. One of the flanges of each bracket is connectable to the bulkhead of the vehicle in the engine bay. A first additional support arm has a first end connected to a first one of the brackets and a second end connected to the main support arm. A second additional support arm has a first end connected to the main support arm and a second end connectable to the vehicle. Finally, a third additional support arm has a first end connected to the main support arm and a second end connectable to the vehicle.
US07717575B2 Light-reflecting triple, reflector, as well as method for recognizing an object
The invention relates to a triple prism which reflects light, a reflector and to a method for recognizing an object. A reflective photoelectric barrier sends light to a reflector. The reflector does not answer with the form of the obtained light signal, but with a double signal which projects two light centers. The reflector can also be embodied such that it answers with a different geometric figure than the light projection. The reflector with a modified signal enables a sensor system to be produced and which can verify, by evaluating the light signal captured by the reflector, whether the captured signal of the reflector or another reflection.
US07717573B2 Projection display apparatus
A projection display apparatus has a light source, an image forming device for modulating light emitted from the light source with an image signal supplied thereto, and a reflective optical system for magnifying and projecting an image generated by the image forming device. The reflective optical system has a first reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from the image forming device and initially applied thereto, and a plurality of reflecting mirrors for successively reflecting the light reflected by the first reflecting mirror. The first reflecting mirror has a spherical reflecting surface, and a normal line passing through the crest of the spherical reflecting surface and a normal line passing through the image forming device extend nonparallel to each other.
US07717558B2 Pseudo-accommodative IOL having diffractive zones with varying areas
In one aspect of the invention, a multifocal ophthalmic lens includes an optic and a plurality of diffractive zones disposes about an optical axis of the optic. At least two of the diffractive zones have different areas so as to cause broadening of optical energy profiles at a near focus and a far focus of the diffractive zones for generating an intermediate focus. A fraction of incident optical energy directed to the intermediate focus is different from a fraction of incident optical energy directed to at least one of the near or far foci.
US07717557B2 Lens system and method with antireflective coating
An improved method is provided for applying an antireflective high contrast coating to a lens, as well as a lens system made with said method. By coating the lenses with a mixture of an oxide and fluoride, the transmission of undesirable visible light wavelengths is reduced, as is the reflection of undesirable light. This combination not only increases perceived sharpness and detail associated with viewing objects through the lenses, but also reduces undesirable reflected glare. Utilization of increased vacuum during the coating process reduces problems of humidity associated with plastic lenses. The combination of oxide and fluoride is controlled to reduce colored tint or hue in the resulting lenses. By imparting little to no color hue to the lenses, the lenses virtually eliminate any undesired color shift associated with prior art lenses.
US07717556B1 Visual enhancement lens and associated methods
A vision enhancement device is provided that is made of a lens material that has a first polarization orientation in a central portion and a second polarization orientation substantially normal to the first polarization in an annular portion surrounding the central portion. The central portion has a prescription for one of near vision and distance vision. The annular portion has a prescription for the other of near vision and distance vision.
US07717548B2 Ink container and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink cartridge is partitioned into a negative pressure generator chamber containing a negative pressure generator and a storage chamber containing an ink bag. The ink bag stores ink and supplies the ink to the negative pressure generator chamber through an ink port. The negative pressure generator absorbs and holds the ink by its capillary force, to keep pressure inside nozzles of a recording head negative to atmospheric pressure. Through a first air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the negative pressure generator chamber as the ink in the negative pressure generator chamber decreases. Through a second air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the storage chamber as the ink in the ink bag decreases. So variations in pressure inside the nozzles are suppressed, which makes ink discharge from the nozzles stable.
US07717532B2 Systems and methods that improve fluid color output by using clear or white fluid
An imaging system that forms an image on a receiving medium including a fluid ejector that ejects fluid onto the receiving medium and a controller that controls the fluid ejector to eject the fluid to include a non-white and non-clear fluid or one of at least white and clear W fluid on each pixel on the receiving medium. A substantially single layer of fluid is ejected onto the receiving medium. A method for forming an image on a receiving medium includes ejecting a fluid onto the receiving medium, and controlling the ejection of the fluid to include a non-white and non-clear fluid or one of at least white and clear fluid for each pixel on the receiving medium.
US07717530B2 Liquid jet apparatus and printing apparatus
A liquid jet apparatus of the invention includes a drive waveform generator that generates a drive waveform signal, a modulator that pulse-modulates the drive waveform signal so as to produce a modulated signal, a digital power amplification circuit that amplifies the power of the modulated signal so as to produce an amplified digital signal, and a low pass filter that smoothes the amplified digital signal so as to produce a drive signal. The digital power amplification circuit includes multiple stages of digital power amplifiers each including a pair of switching elements that are push-pull-connected. The amplified digital signal is a multi-value signal that reaches a larger number of steps of electric potentials than the number of digital power amplifiers.
US07717527B1 Alleviation of aircraft landing gear loading using a brake control scheme
An electric brake system for an aircraft employs a brake control process to alleviate high dynamic structural loading of the aircraft landing gear caused by braking maneuvers. The system obtains and processes real-time data—which may include the current aircraft speed, the current brake pedal deflection position, and the current brake pedal deflection rate—to determine how best to control the onset of the brakes. The braking control scheme delays the onset of the desired braking condition to reduce high dynamic loading and lurching of the aircraft.
US07717525B2 Spindle and hub assembly
A spindle and hub assembly for a vehicle wheel is constructed so that, in the event of a failure of the bearing arrangement rotatably supporting the hub on the spindle, separation of the hub from the spindle will not immediately occur but will be prevented for a period of time sufficient for the operator of the vehicle to safely continue to advance the vehicle to a location where corrective action may be taken. An annulus supported on the spindle is secured to the spindle by a nut separate from the annulus, and the annulus has an outside diameter large enough such that a shoulder located within the opening in the hub through which the spindle extends is capable of engaging the annulus in the absence of the bearing arrangement, thereby preventing the hub from separating from the spindle.
US07717523B2 Rotary cutting pick
A cutting pick comprises an elongate shank and a cutting tip mounted to one end of the shank. The cutting tip has a leading end, a trailing end and a mounting portion for mounting to the shank. The tip has a shape such that it diverges outwardly in a direction from the leading end to the trailing end to a portion of maximum diameter. An annular sleeve is attached about the shank adjacent to and in non-contacting relationship with the trailing end of the cutting tip. The maximum diameter of the cutting tip is of greater diameter than the diameter of the inner diameter of the annular sleeve so that the portion of maximum diameter overlies the sleeve radially.
US07717522B2 Conveyor segment, driving means and method for high wall mining
The invention relates to a conveyor segment for use in a train of conveyor segments for high wall mining, comprising: conveyor means for transporting mined material from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments (1), and a transmission for transmitting power from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments. The invention further relates to driving means (31). Moreover, the invention relates to an assembly of a conveyor segment and driving means, and to a train of conveyor segments. Further, the invention relates to a launching platform (30), and to a method for high wall mining.
US07717511B2 Structure of chair capable of being stacked vertically and horizontally
A chair assembly capable of being stacked vertically and horizontally includes a frame assembled with a turnable seat, a backrest, and armrests; wherein the frame is comprised of two frontal supports and two rear supports; an assembling shaft is horizontally disposed within the frame for holding and allowing the seat to be turned, a positioning rod disposed parallel to the assembling shaft for allowing the seat to be turned upward or downward and keeping the seat upturned or downturned. The assembly and combination of the frame, the backrest, the armrests, and the turnable seat causes that the resulted chair is stacked both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, the disposition of hooks and slots at both sides of the frame further allow the chairs to be aligned and connected together in an orderly manner.
US07717496B2 Structure of a vehicular body
A crash load absorption structure of a vehicular body having a side member at a bottom of the vehicular body extending in a forward-rearward direction and a pillar extending in an upward-downward direction. The structure of the vehicular body includes a side body bar located upward from the side member at a side portion of the vehicular body, the side body bar extending in the forward-rearward direction and being adapted to transfer a portion of the crash load to the pillar, and a connecting bar that connects the side member and the side body bar.
US07717479B2 Tightenable band clamp
A tightenable band clamp with a clamping band and a tightening head with two clamping jaws which are a certain circumferential distance apart and which can be moved toward each other by a tightening device. For this purpose, at least one clamping jaw, in the area of its radially inside surface, has at least one projection which extends in the circumferential direction toward the other clamping jaw and which projects into the gap.
US07717474B2 Pipe coupling adaptor
An adaptor for coupling pipes together that has a pair of spaced apart pipe members disposed parallel to each other, with each of pair of pipe members including an opening at a top and at a bottom for receiving an additional pipe, and a bridging member connecting the pair of pipe members and defining a passage between the pipe members. A kit including an adaptor and one or more additional pipe members also is provided.
US07717473B1 Dual walled transfer tube
A dual walled transfer tube connecting two sub-flow systems and conveying the system fluid from one subsystem to another when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the connecting ends of the subsystem. The dual walled transfer tube has a fitting at either end and a single ball joint proximate each fitting to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in radial position of the fittings. The dual walled transfer tube utilizes a main inner fluid passage and an outer secondary fluid passage, each fluid passage having a slip joint to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in axial length between the fittings.
US07717471B2 Hydraulic line attachment device and method
A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly. A method for using a hydraulic line attachment device is provided.
US07717467B2 Vehicle mud flap with sliding fender fold clamp
The drilling of new holes into a vehicle fender fold is avoided by providing a mud flap with a sliding clamping member. When an attachment bolt is slid in a slot formed in the polymeric mud flap body, the sliding clamping member slides with it from a disengaged position to a second position behind the fender fold. A wall integrally formed in the mud flap body prevents rotation of the clamping member as the attachment bolt is rotated, drawing the clamping member forwardly on the threads of the attachment bolt to clamp the fender fold between the sliding clamping member and a stationary clamping member insert-molded into the mud flap body.
US07717465B2 Vehicle having an engine support structure
A vehicle having an engine support structure. A cradle for supporting an engine is provided that has first and second apertures that are spaced apart from each other and receive a frame rail.
US07717464B2 Vehicle chassis assembly
A vehicle chassis assembly includes a frame assembly having a plurality of frame members connected together, a drivetrain, a suspension system, and an exhaust system. The connection of the frame members provides a low-profile configuration for reduced step height and a kick-up portion to allow ascent of steeper inclines. The frame further includes an exhaust pipe supported within a frame member and two castings bolted to removable wheel arches. The exhaust pipe has a circular cross-section that changes to a rectangular cross-section near the back of the chassis assembly.
US07717462B2 Tilt steering mechanism
The invention relates to a steering apparatus for a vehicle. It includes a housing with a steering shaft having a longitudinal axis. A first bearing is interposed between the shaft and the housing, permitting rotation of the steering shaft about the axis. There is also a first wedge-shaped member that has a thin end against the first bearing and a means for biasing the first wedge-shaped member against the first bearing to take up play between the shaft and first bearing, and play within the first bearing.
US07717457B2 Stroller with spring-assisted fold mechanism
A spring-assisted fold mechanism for a child's stroller is operable to collapse the stroller frame into a storage configuration upon actuation of a release mechanism controlling the stroller fold latch mechanism. The stroller includes a spring device interconnecting two of the pivotally connected frame components to urge the pivotal movement thereof into a collapsed, folded configuration. An anti-fold latch mechanism is associated with the stroller seat to move from an inoperative position into a locking position whenever a child is placed into the stroller seat to prevent the fold mechanism from collapsing the frame of the stroller until the child is removed from the seat. The spring device can be configured as a gas spring, a torsion spring, a compression spring or an elastomeric member that can be stretched to exert a biasing force on the stroller frame to urge movement into the collapsed position.
US07717453B2 Motorcycle trailer construction
A motorcycle trailer has a wheeled frame which may be hitched to and unhitched from a towing motorcycle. The frame has a towbar which is movable from a projected position in which it may be hitched to the motorcycle to a retracted position in which it underlies the frame. The frame or the towbar has a handle which may be grasped by a person to enable the frame and the container conjointly to be towed by a person in a manner similar to that of a wheeled suitcase. When unhitched from the motorcycle, the frame and container may be maintained in either an upright or horizontal position.
US07717452B2 Tractor trailer dolly jockey
Disclosed is a tool to help move and connect a tractor trailer dolly to the lead trailer in a safe, easy and efficient manner. The dolly jockey is a bar about three feet long with lips at the bottom to connect to the safety chain mounting ring on the rear of trailers. The bar has one or more hooks that connect to a chain with a hook at the end. The chain is connected between the dolly and the bar. The bar is used as a pry bar to pull the trailer towards the lead trailer. The bar can also be used to pry the front of the dolly from side to side in order to line it up with the lead trailer hitch.
US07717449B2 Floorboard mounted kickstand puck
A kickstand puck were it's thickness matches the gap between the frame and isolation pad of a motorcycle floorboard. The two end shapes are formed to match the inside form of the outboard side of a floorboard frame. A groove down the center of one side of the puck is at a width and depth to match the full form of the inboard side of a floorboard frame.
US07717440B1 Adaptable luggage cart for transporting items between remote locations
A manually operable luggage cart includes a central and unitary storage chamber with planar top and bottom surfaces. The assembly further includes a handle that is pivotal between rectilinear oblong displaced positions extending parallel and diagonal to a longitudinal length of the storage chamber, a plurality of casters rotatably connected to the storage chamber, and a mechanism for automatically biasing the casters between exposed and retracted positions from the bottom surface of the storage chamber when the handle is pivoted between the parallel and diagonal positions and about a curvilinear path defined adjacent to the proximal end of the storage chamber. The adaptable luggage cart further includes a plurality of straps.
US07717433B2 Dynamic seal assembly
A dynamic seal assembly for a rotating member comprising a first split housing carrying a first split seal, a second split housing carrying at least one second split seal, each split seal being resiliently closed so that sealing contact is maintained when the rotating member wobbles. The free ends of the second split seal overlap with one another in either a side-by-side relationship or an over-under relationship, or both.
US07717431B2 Table-top football kicking game
A table-top football kicking game includes a substantially planar and rectangular playing surface having at least two lines extending laterally, and at least one set of goal post uprights attached substantially perpendicular to and proximal ends of the rectangular playing surface. Also included are a toy oblong football of proportional length and a kicking device movably placed on the rectangular playing surface for propelling the toy oblong football off of said playing surface toward and preferably through the goal post uprights.
US07717428B2 Checkers for three players
A game board and rules that allow three players to play a game based on traditional checkers but requiring additional moves through a triangular central field of play. In one version, the central field is composed of three concentric equilateral triangles made up of discs. In another version there are two concentric equilateral triangles of discs arranged around a triangular central void. The rules of play differ between the two versions because of the difference in configuration of the game board.
US07717423B2 Duplex ADF mechanism
An duplex auto-document feed mechanism comprises an auto-document feedpath having a simplex feedpath portion and a duplexing feedpath portion in feeding communication with the simplex feedpath portion, the auto-document feedpath has a media input and a media output, an input roller for feeding media disposed at the media input and an exit nip positioned near the media output, a motor driving the input roller and the exit nip, a scanning station disposed along one of the duplex feedpath portion and the simplex feedpath portion, the exit nip having a first position wherein first and second rollers defining the exit nip are closed when receiving media during a simplex feeding procedure and open when a leading edge and trailing edge of media are passing through the exit nip simultaneously, wherein a change of motor direction one of opens the exit nip or closes the exit nip.
US07717415B2 Paper feeding device
A paper feeding device which includes a pickup roller assembly picking up a sheet of paper and transferring the paper, a stopper controlling the paper so that a front end of the paper is located on a lower portion of the pickup roller, a sensing unit sensing whether the paper is loaded or not on the paper feeding board, and a probe unit that is rotated with the stopper and turns on/off the sensor unit. Therefore, the probe unit for turning the sensor unit on/off is operated with the stopper to reduce the number of components, thus reducing the cost and stabling the quality of product.
US07717414B2 Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method
A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a sheet feeding tray capable of aligning and storing plural sheets, a discharging member that discharges a sheet at the top of a bundle of the sheets aligned from the sheet feeding tray, and a retracting member that moves the sheet at the top of the sheet bundle in a direction opposite to a direction of the discharge. When plural pieces of plural types of sheets are stored in the sheet feeding tray, the sheet processing apparatus controls the operations of the discharging member and the retracting member, discharges, for each of the types, a sheet located at the top of the sheet feeding tray and retracts the remaining sheets, performs alignment again at a point when the discharge and the retraction are finished for all the types, and repeats the operations to sequentially discharge the sheets of the respective types.
US07717410B2 Smooth non-linear springs, particularly smooth progressive rate steel springs, progressive rate vehicle suspensions and method
The invention solves the problem of designing and manufacturing springs made of elastic materials, particularly steel springs, with prescribed characteristic (dependence of flex on external load) given by a smooth (i.e. differentiable) non-linear function. The method according to the invention consists in forming an elastic body with suitably shaped regions of diversified stiffness and (possibly) diversified initial internal stresses (this suitable shape of the regions lies at the hart of the invention and is covered by separate patent claims).
US07717404B2 Humidifier
A humidifying apparatus comprising: a pleated functional element comprising a pleated structure and, secured to the pleated structure around a periphery thereof, a reinforcing frame, wherein the pleated structure is comprised of a humidifying membrane and, superimposed on at least one surface thereof, a gas-permeable reinforcing material layer, and a dry-side channel and a wet-side channel which are, respectively, provided on opposite sides of the pleated functional element, wherein each of the dry-side channel and the wet-side channel has at least one pair of a gas-intake and a gas-outlet, the humidifying apparatus having a first pressure-buffering means between the gas-intake and an outside conduit connected thereto and a second pressure-buffering means between the gas-outlet and an outside conduit connected thereto, wherein the humidifying membrane divides the internal space of the pleated functional element into spaces which form a part or whole of the dry-side channel and a part or whole of the wet-side channel, respectively.
US07717403B2 Accelerator device for a carburetor
According to one implementation, a carburetor includes an intake bore, a throttle valve, a main fuel nozzle, an accelerator device and a fuel passage. The throttle valve is movable between an idle and wide open positions and includes a shaft rotatably supported around an axial line extending across the intake bore. The accelerator device may be operable to increase an amount of fuel that flows through the main fuel nozzle when the throttle valve is moved toward its wide open position, and may include a fuel reservoir constructed and arranged to store fuel. The fuel passage communicates with the main fuel nozzle and the fuel reservoir is provided upstream of the main fuel nozzle such that fuel flows through the fuel reservoir before being delivered to the main fuel nozzle.
US07717397B2 Electrically isolated actuator output shaft
An actuator for use in a fuel system. The actuator has a first metallic section adapted to be coupled to a motor, a second metallic section adapted to be coupled to a valve, and a nonmetallic section coupled to the first and second metallic sections for transmitting torque from the first metallic section to the second metallic section.
US07717395B2 Adjustable support apparatus for machinery
An apparatus for supporting an axial load between first and second planes with an axial dimension therebetween includes first, second, and third members. The first member has a planar face on one end engaging the first plane and has a spherical face on the other end. The second member has a spiraling face on one end and has a spherical face on another end. The spherical face engaging the spherical face of the first member so that the first and second spherical faces maintain substantial contact for transferring the axial load between the first and second planes whether the planes are parallel or non-parallel. The third member has a spiraling face on one end and has a planar face on another end. The planar face engages the second plane. The spiraling face engages the spiraling face of the second member. The axial dimension of the second and third members can be adjusted when at least one is rotated.
US07717392B2 Slide rail unit
A simple, compact and easy-to-assemble slide rail unit is provided. The slide rail unit reliably restrains right and left rails from sliding even when the right and left rails are installed onto the vehicle floor at an inclination angle different from each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. The slide rail unit includes a slide rail member having an upper rail member and an upper rail member slidably engaged with each other and a lock lever rotatably pivoted to the upper rail member so as to engage with/disengage from an engagement portion formed on the lower rail member. The slide rail unit also includes an operation lever connected to the lock lever within the slide rail member. Between the lock lever and the operation lever, a leaf spring member is disposed for connecting the lock lever and the operation lever therebetween.
US07717380B2 Automatic height adjustment leg of laundry handling apparatus and laundry handling apparatus
An automatic height adjustment leg of a laundry handling apparatus according to the present invention comprises a cylinder mounted to a base of a laundry handling apparatus; a piston movably arranged inside the cylinder; a elastic member installed in the cylinder so as to elastically support the piston; and a leg penetrating the cylinder and fixed to the piston. There are provided advantages that the horizontality of the laundry handling apparatus may be automatically adjusted as the piston and leg move on and vibration may be absorbed and reduced by the elastic member.
US07717369B2 Power plant for a rotary wing aircraft
The present invention relates to a power plant (18) comprising at least one turboshaft engine (8) behind a gearbox (7) for driving a rotor (3) of a rotary wing aircraft (1), the air inlet body (20) of the engine (8) having a first end (21) opening out into the ambient atmosphere in front of the engine, and a second end (22) connected to the engine at the rearmost portion thereof.
US07717366B2 Controlled magnetic braking of fishing reel spool
An adjustable fishing reel spool brake, the reel having a body, comprising in combination, the spool having a metallic zone that rotates as the spool rotates, a magnetic flux provider carried on the reel body, the provider adjustably movable to vary magnetic flux establishment in the path of rotation of said zone and acting to resist and thereby brake reel rotation.
US07717363B2 Degradable polymers and methods of preparation thereof
The present invention provides polymers which substantially degrade in the presence of one or more triggers, preferably light energy or hydrogen peroxide, but does not substantially degrade in the absence of one or more triggers.
US07717362B2 Pull-down spray head with metal shell
An spray head includes a spray engine and a metal shell retained on the spray engine. The spray head is assembled by fitting the shell onto the spray engine and seating the shell against a cushioning ring. A retaining device is attached to the spray engine to secure the shell is position. A surface finish is applied to the outer surface of the shell to achieve a desired appearance.
US07717360B1 In ground sprinkler head encapsulated protection apparatus
An in-ground sprinkler serviceability apparatus that provides a debris free environment for ease of replacement of an in-ground sprinkler head. The sprinkler serviceability apparatus couples to the threads of a sprinkler pipe, expands to provide a sprinkler head receiving section, a seal against the underside of the sprinkler head, and a tapered upper surface. Any debris would be washed away from the sprinkler head serviceability apparatus tapered upper surface when the sprinklers are on, rain, etc. The seal would ensure against any debris falling into the sprinkler head receiving section. Weep holes can optionally be incorporated into the sides or base of the apparatus. The top can be a single section, fabricated in two sections, or be designed to receive a common clay sprinkler donut.
US07717355B2 Clog-proof nozzle for spray cans
A cap is provided for preventing clogging of a spray nozzle on a container. Structurally, the cap includes a hollow, truncated cone-shaped member with first and second ends. At its first end, the cap defines an orifice dimensioned to selectively receive the spray nozzle to create a fluid-tight seal with the container. At its second end, the cap defines a periphery. Further, the cap includes a panel that has a flat surface bounded by a perimeter that is interconnected to the periphery by an intermediate section. As a result, the cone-shaped member, intermediate section and panel form a fluid chamber. Fluid is positioned in the chamber for movement between a first location where the spray nozzle is submerged and a second location where the fluid is held at a distance from the spray nozzle for removal of the cap from the spray nozzle.
US07717350B2 Portable computing platform having multiple operating modes and heterogeneous processors
A portable computer system such as a laptop computer, for example, includes a first processor that may execute instructions corresponding to application software during a first mode of operation. The portable computer system also includes a second processor that may execute the instructions during a second mode of operation. The first processor and the second processor may be heterogeneous processors. Further, operation of the first processor and the second processor in the first mode and the second mode may be dependent upon which of a plurality of system preferences have been selected.
US07717348B2 Semiconductor memory card
A semiconductor memory card includes a direction obtainment unit which obtains a first access direction type in which the semiconductor memory card accesses the reader/writer; a condition management unit which previously hold and manages an access condition including two or more of second access direction types; a condition judgment unit which compares two or more of the first access direction types and two or more of the second access direction types, and judges whether or not they match each other; and an execution unit which executes a predetermined application program when it is judged that the first and second access direction types match each other.
US07717347B2 Financial transaction card with pop-up member
A financial transaction card including an account identifier, a cover, and a pop-up member. The account identifier links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The cover is configured to fold about a fold line between an open and a closed position. The pop-up member is coupled with the cover on both sides of the fold line and is configured to transition between a relatively flat position when the cover is in the closed position and an extended position when cover is in the open position. The pop-up member is stored between at least two portions of the cover when the cover is in the closed position. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07717345B2 Media processing device
A check processing device prevents or suppresses entry of ambient light to a transportation path rendered as a vertical slot between the base unit and opening and closing cover. The upstream-side transportation path part 6a of a check processing device 1 is a vertical channel defined by a base unit guide surface 21 and the cover-side guide surface 30 of an operable cover 3. The image scanning surfaces 51a and 52a of a front contact image sensor 51 and back contact image sensor 52 for imaging the front and back sides of a check 5 are exposed at the cover-side guide surface 30 and the base unit guide surface 21. A cover-side visor 62 and a base-side visor 61 are formed to the cover-side guide surface 30 and base unit guide surface 21 directly above the image scanning surfaces 51a and 52a. These visors 61 and 62 prevent or suppress ambient light from entering to the image scanning surfaces 51a and 52a even if the width of the upstream-side transportation path part 6a increases.
US07717341B2 Bar code scanner having an adaptive threshold using a first derivative amplitude
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanner system may scan a target based on a first derivative of a reflectance profile received from a scanned target. Positive and negative threshold values may comprise a static portion and a dynamic portion. The static portion may comprise a constant value, and the dynamic portion may be based at lest in part on a charge profile, or a discharge profile, of a capacitor. The threshold for generating the digital signal may be set lower when the amplitude of the first derivative is lower, and higher when the amplitude of the first derivative is higher.
US07717331B2 Cash dispensing automated banking machine diagnostic system and method
A automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data read from user cards to carry out financial transactions, and method of operating the machine is provided. The method includes causing with a terminal application, at least one transaction function device of the automated banking machine to operate through at least one communication with an XFS layer of the automated banking machine. The automated banking machine may include a cash dispenser and the transaction function may include dispensing cash.
US07717329B1 Check carrier
The check carrier consists of an envelope of translucent material that is dimensioned to closely conform to the dimensions of a standard check. The back of the check carrier includes an endorsement window through which a bank or other financial institution can apply its endorsement stamp directly to the check. The bottom of the check carrier may be provided with an area for receiving the MICR printing such that the MICR can be read directly off of the carrier. The MICR area can be removed. The open end of the check carrier can be sealed closed using a repositionable adhesive. The adhesive can also be used interior of the check carrier such that the adhesive contacts the check to fix the check within the carrier.
US07717328B1 Auto check reorder
The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for providing checks to an account owner by comparing a quantity of cleared checks to a quantity of issued checks. The novel method includes receiving a request to register for an automated check reorder service, determining a first quantity of issued checks, determining a second quantity of cleared checks, comparing the second quantity of cleared checks to the first quantity of issued checks, and sending a third quantity of new checks to the account owner. The novel method also may include receiving a request for material to be sent to the account owner, determining the account owner's last known address, notifying the account owner at the account owner's last known address, and sending the material to the account owner.
US07717318B2 Cooler carton
A cooler carton for items such as beverage containers is erected from a blank (11) having a unique configuration of panels (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 41, 47, 56, 66, 96, 99), tabs (28, 29, 31, 32), flaps (111), creases (18, 19, 21, 22, 33, 34, 36, 37, 42, 48, 57, 67, 77, 87), perforations (23, 26, 27), cut-creases (24, 97, 101), and gussets (46, 52, 81, 91). The erected carton has top panels (12, 17) forming a top with a central longitudinal perforation line (23, 26) and oblique cut-creases and perforation lines (24, 27) extending from the ends of the central perforation line (23, 26) to the corners of the top. Flaps (111) are formed at respective end portions of the top by folded tabs (28, 29, 31, 32). In use, the carton is erected and filled with articles to be contained. An end user may open the carton by pulling up and back on the flaps (111) at the end portions of the top, which severs the oblique cut-creases and perforation lines (23, 26), and severs the top along its central perforation line (23, 26). As a result, the top opens up and forms a containment skirt that extends above the level of beverage containers in the carton. Ice can then be added atop the containers to cool their contents and the ice is contained by the skirt. Gussets (46, 52, 81, 91) are formed at the lower corner portions of the carton, which, along with a moisture barrier, prevent accumulated water from melting ice from leaking from the bottom region of the carton.
US07717316B2 Method and device for applying a solder to a substrate
A method for applying a solder to a substrate by positioning solder in a solid state, melting it and then impacting it against a substrate by the action of compressed gas. The method utilizes a holder having a capillary bore whose diameter, at the substrate end, has a contraction whose diameter (D2) is smaller than the diameter (D3) of the solder globule, an energy source connected to the capillary, and a compressed gas source connected to the capillary.
US07717311B2 Method for dividing substrate and method for manufacturing substrate using such method
Vertical cracks Vm in the thickness direction of a mother glass substrate 10 are sequentially formed along lines to be scribed and broken, and thus main scribe lines MS are formed along the lines to be scribed and broken of the mother glass substrate 10. Then, subordinate scribe lines SS are formed along the main scribe lines MS which have been formed, at a predetermined distance from the main scribe lines MS. Thus, the mother glass substrate 10 is broken along the main scribe lines MS. In this manner, the substrate can be scribed and broken efficiently without requiring a complicated device or the like.
US07717308B2 Indicator and garment hanger
In one aspect of the present invention, a top sizer is provided for use in combination with a garment hanger having a body and a hook member. The top sizer has a hollow body having an open bottom, a pair of side walls and a convex top wall that extends between the side walls and closes off a top of the top sizer and at least one locking member formed along an inner surface of one side wall.
US07717307B2 Closure assembly having a spout with a memory band for spout directing
A closure assembly for a container, the container including a raised outlet defining a dispensing opening, includes a closure body having a nestable and extendable spout formed with a generally cylindrical section, a frustoconical section, and an invertible fold between these two sections so as to enable the closure body to be either nested or extended. The generally cylindrical section defines an outlet opening and a threaded closing cap is assembled to the generally cylindrical section for closing off the outlet opening. A retainer is used for connecting the closure body to the raised outlet wall and the frustoconical section includes a thicker wall portion, described as a memory band portion, for enabling the closure body to maintain a selected orientation upon deflection into the selected orientation in order to provide directional discharge of the container contents.
US07717306B2 Two-axis trigger actuator
The invention is a dual-axis force transmission mechanism that operates as an actuator for the valve of fluid dispensing devices. It comprises a rotating trigger member (101) that pivots as a force is applied by the operator. The transmission mechanism preferably includes a rack and pinion arrangement in which a pinion gear (108) located on the rotatable trigger member (101) intermeshes with a rack gear (107) located on the opposing force transmission frame. This mechanism inter-converts a force applied to the rotatable trigger (101) into a rectilinear force that is then transmitted to operate the fluid dispensing valve.
US07717304B2 Method and apparatus for dispensing for paste-like substances
The present invention discloses a container having a cavity for dispensing a paste and a cavity for another material. In one aspect, a first cavity for a comestible paste resides in an area between a hollow piston and a top section having a dispenser. The top section and piston have corresponding male and female threads in their respective cylindrical sections. The paste can be dispensed by slidably advancing the piston towards the dispenser. The threads can then be engaged to rotatably advance the piston towards the dispenser to dispense additional paste. A comestible seasoning or other material can be disposed in the hollow piston.
US07717302B2 Pump and a receptacle fitted therewith
The present invention provides a pump (1; 60; 90) for mounting on a receptacle (3), the pump including:an air intake passage formed between the pump body and the moving assembly and capable of communicating with the opening (18) of the pump body;a first lip (40) arranged, after the moving assembly has moved away from a rest position in the substance-dispensing direction, to press in leaktight manner against the pump body and prevent communication between the inside of the receptacle and the pump chamber (6) via the opening (18); anda second lip situated above the first lip when the pump is observed in the head-up position, said second lip being arranged to close the air intake passage when the moving assembly is in its rest position and to release said passage when the moving assembly (5) is displaced in the substance-dispensing direction.
US07717300B1 Aerosol spraying device
An aerosol spraying device for actuating an aerosol can to spray an insecticide from the aerosol in a desired location includes a pole including a first end engaging an aerosol can. A canister support is coupled to the pole adjacent the first end. The canister support extends under a portion of the aerosol can to support the aerosol can. An actuating assembly is coupled to the pole. The actuating assembly engages a nozzle of the aerosol can to actuate the nozzle and release contents of the aerosol can when the actuating assembly is actuated.
US07717299B2 Actuating device for a medium dispenser
An actuating device for a manually operable medium dispenser includes an energy store for storing an actuating energy necessary to actuate the medium dispenser and a control device for liberating the actuating energy. The control device is being configured for a liberation of the actuating energy when a minimum energy stored in the energy store is exceeded.
US07717295B2 Treatment solution supply apparatus
A treatment solution supply apparatus capable of reducing an initial overshooting amount and ensuring a stable dispense characteristic even when treating a large amount of substrates as recycling a developing solution for a large amount of substrates includes a flow meter having an integration function in the vicinity of a nozzle and carries out feedback to the pump revolution frequency control in response to a variation of the flow meter, so that a fixed amount of a solution may be regularly discharged irrespective of the clogging level of a filter. Also, a developing solution can be stably dispensed on a resist coated film within a solution applicable range from a minimum value (film thickness of 1 mm) to a maximum value (3 mm).
US07717293B2 Bag holder and dispenser
A bag dispenser is provided. The bag dispenser includes at least one outer wall, an inner chamber located within the at least one outer wall, at least one opening in the at least one outer wall and an adjustable divider located with the inner chamber.
US07717286B2 Crucible cover for aluminothermic reaction
A cover for closing a top opening of a thermite reaction chamber of a crucible is substantially continuous and is secured to an annular filter lining via a bottom peripheral edge for making contact on a top peripheral edge of the crucible. The filter lining is substantially continuous and is suitable for constituting a substantially continuous contact medium between the bottom edge and top edge. The cover is applicable, for example, to thermite welding, e.g., for use in tunnels or underground.
US07717283B2 Collapsible container
A collapsible container includes a plurality of walls collapsible onto the base. At least one wall has a support pivotably mounted below a lip formed on an upper edge of the wall. The support is pivotable between a support position where it is partially supported on an adjacent wall and a retracted position. A stop on the adjacent wall prevents the support from retracting when another container is stacked thereon.
US07717276B2 Stand for displaying articles, such as flat-packed articles
The invention relates to a display stand including a backrest which can slide along a rail by a manually-actuated tab so as to form an adjustable area for displaying articles. The invention is characterized in that the stand also includes an independent backstop device which operates by co-operation between at least one notched extension located at the sliding backrest and at least one complementary toothed counterpart positioned on the rail supporting the backrest.
US07717269B2 Snap lock separatory panel and retainer system
A snap lock separatory panel and retainer system includes either a screen wire panel with laterally spaced, longitudinally extending locking bars defining a locking profile, or a urethane panel with laterally spaced, longitudinally extending lips or flanges which also define a locking profile. A retainer system is provided for use in securing these panels. The retainer system utilized center retainers that are engagable with industry standard holes in screen stringer rails of a vibrating separating machine. Each center retainer is provided with an array of retainer pins which are spaced to interdigitate with either screen wire tie rod ends or with urethane panel wall recesses to support the screen panel locking bars or the urethane panel flanges adjacent the retainer pins. Locking strips are provided with undercurrent bores that terminate in undercut receptacles. These bores and receptacles are sized to receive center retainer pin shanks and heads. The locking strips and center retainers cooperate to positively secure the snap lock screen wire panels and/or urethane panels in place on a vibrating separatory machine.
US07717258B2 Container for storing and dispensing product
A disposable container for the storage and/or dispensing of products. The disposable container includes one or more sides that define an external surface and an internal surface. The container includes one or more apertures that extend from the internal surface to the external surface. A carrier material having a volatile material disposed on one side thereof is joined to at least one side of the container and is located adjacent at least one of the apertures. This configuration allows the volatile material, when violatilized, to pass through the aperture(s) to the external environment.
US07717247B2 Synchronization device for a change speed gear
A synchronization device is described for a change speed gear, comprising at least one cone clutch which comprises a double cone ring (10) which is freely rotatable relative to a hub (1) between an inner friction ring (8) and an outer synchronizing ring (9) which is axially displaceable relative to the friction ring (8) and which comprises a ring body (15) with a stop gearing (14) on the outer circumference and a friction surface (17) on the inner circumference as well as radially inwardly facing drivers (13) for the friction ring (8). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the drivers (13) are provided on a driver ring (16) made of at least one sheet-metal pre-cut part which is joined to the ring body (15) consisting of a sintered body.
US07717238B2 Elevator control system
An elevator control system includes an entrance person authentication section provided at a predetermined distance from an elevator hall for permitting a visitor to use an elevator and register a call of the elevator. A storage section stores a predetermined estimated move time value for the visitor to move from the entrance person authentication section to the hall. An arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A timer starts to count based on permission of the entrance person authentication section and sets an arrival time value when the arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A display notifies a passenger in a car or at the hall of a presence of the visitor. If the arrival time value is shorter than the estimated move time value, the display is activated.
US07717234B2 Lubricating device of internal combustion engine
A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine includes an oil tank chamber defined by being separated from a crank chamber by a partition wall that is formed between a crankcase and a crankcase cover of the internal combustion engine. Oil pumped by a scavenge pump is supplied to a tank supply port which is open at an upper portion of the oil tank chamber to the oil tank chamber. The oil stored in the oil tank chamber is sucked from a feed suction port which is open at a lower portion of the oil tank chamber to be supplied to respective regions for lubrication of the internal combustion engine by a feed pump. An oil passage penetrating inside the oil tank chamber is formed below the tank supply port at an upper portion of the oil tank chamber.
US07717229B2 Gas turbine exhaust sound suppressor and associated methods
The gas turbine exhaust sound suppressor, or exhaust silencer, and method are for a gas turbine and reduce low frequency exhaust flow noise while avoiding the creation of additional acoustical standing waves, e.g. from wake shedding at certain predictable frequencies. A plurality of elongated flow obstruction members, e.g. pipes or airfoils, extend within the exhaust passage to reduce acoustic waves within the exhaust flow, and at least some of the elongated flow obstruction members have different widths. Each of the elongated flow obstruction members is positioned at a respective angle within a predetermined angular range transverse to the flow direction, with the predetermined angular range being greater than or equal to 10 degrees from normal to the flow direction.
US07717224B2 Power steering device for four-wheel drive vehicle
The present invention offers a power steering device for a four-wheel drive, which includes: a first self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque generated in a current vehicle behavior as a first self-aligning torque; a second self-aligning torque estimation unit for estimating a self-aligning torque that is to influence a subsequent vehicle behavior as a second self-aligning torque; a self-aligning torque change amount calculation unit for calculating a difference of the second self-aligning torque from the first self-aligning torque as a self-aligning torque change amount; and an assisting force correction unit for determining and outputting a corrected value of an assisting force to be generated for a steering operation based on the self-aligning torque change amount. Therefore, even when the self-aligning torque changes as the distribution of the front and rear driving power is variably controlled, a corresponding assisting force is generated, maintaining a natural steering feeling without causing an unpleasant sensation to the driver.
US07717221B2 Throttle linkage for a model vehicle
A throttle linkage for a vehicle engine is provided comprising a vehicle engine and a throttle actuation arm secured for pivotal movement about an axis substantially fixed relative to the engine, the throttle actuation arm having an axis extending from the pivotal axis. A throttle control arm extending from the engine and capable of actuation to adjust engine power is also provided, the throttle arm having an axis extending from a point of connection to the throttle and substantially intersecting the throttle actuation arm axis, along with a coupling for engaging the throttle control arm and throttle actuation arm at approximately the point of intersection of their respective axes, the coupling allowing sliding of the arms along their respective axes, relative to each other.
US07717216B2 Automatic safety belt release
This patent discloses a system to release a seatbelt in a vehicle automatically. The system may include a seatbelt sensor, mishap sensors, a controller, and a guillotine unit. The controller may communicate signals with the seatbelt sensor and mishap sensors and the guillotine unit may receive signals from the controller. The guillotine unit may include a webbing guide, a gas chamber having a supply of pressurized gas, and a gas supply line connected between the webbing guide and the gas chamber. The webbing guide may include spring biased piston and a blade attached to the piston at a positioned above a seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt. On receiving a cut signal from the controller, pressurized gas from the gas chamber may be released to cause the piston to move the blade through the seatbelt webbing to slice through seatbelt webbing.
US07717215B2 Seat belt retractor
A seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor for rotating a spool of a seat belt retractor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a first tension on a seat belt before a vehicle collision and the motor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a second tension on the seat belt during the vehicle collision.
US07717212B2 Vehicle suspension systems for seperated acceleration responses
The invention relates to suspension systems comprising, in certain embodiments, a pivoting means concentric to a wheel rotation axis so that braking forces can be controlled by placement of an instant force center, and so that acceleration forces can be controlled by a swinging wheel link.
US07717197B2 Apparatus for keeping a down hole drilling tool vertically aligned
An apparatus (10) for keeping a down hole drilling tool vertically uses a pendulum (36). The pendulum (36) controls flow from outlets (34) of drilling fluid chambers (30), providing drilling fluid to centralizer (24) activating pistons (26) acting upon centralizer blades (24). When the outer housing (12) deviates from a vertical orientation, the pendulum (36) swings by force of gravity to assume an angularly offset pivotal position. This adjusts the hydraulic pressure in one or two of the outlets (34) for one or two of the drilling fluid chambers (30) resulting in a change in the hydraulic force acting upon one or two of the pistons (26) causing one of the centralizers (24) to change their position to urge the outer housing (12) back toward the vertical position until the pendulum (36) again assumes the concentric pivotal position and the balanced pressure equilibrium in the drilling fluid chambers (30) is restored.
US07717195B2 Auger stabilizer
An auger stabilizer includes a rigid elongated body having a first end and a second end. The length of the body is adjustable between a retracted transport position and an extended drilling position. A pair of spaced apart wheels are attached at the second end of the body. A split body with two halves connected by fasteners is used to pivotally attach the first end of the body to a handle of an auger. When the body is in the extended drilling position, the pair of spaced apart wheels roll along a ground surface away from the auger as the handle of the auger descends and the pair of spaced apart wheels act to stabilize the handle of the auger against reactive torque.
US07717190B2 Method for controlling percussion device, software production, and percussion device
A method and software product for controlling a percussion device belonging to a rock-drilling machine, and a percussion device. The impact frequency of the percussion device is set so that the percussion device forms a new compression stress wave to the tool always when reflected waves from the previous compression stress waves reach a first end of the tool. This requires that the impact frequency be set proportional to the propagation time of the stress wave, whereby the length of the used tool and the propagation velocity of the stress wave in the tool material are to be noted.
US07717189B2 Planter with remote hydraulic feed
An agricultural implement, such as a planter, having a telescoping tongue for placing the implement in either a transport or field use configuration, includes an hydraulic pump located on the planter frame, preferably toward the rear, for powering the planting functions. A mechanical drive line from the PTO of the tractor to the remote hydraulic pump is disengaged as the planter frame begins to move from the planting position. The drive line permits the tractor to make full 90° turns in the field.
US07717184B2 Safety interlock for control lines
A protection tool is provided to protect a control line in a safe area while one or more slips of a spider are being closed. In another embodiment, a safety interlock system is provided to prevent the closing of the slips before the control line is pulled away from the tubular string. In yet another embodiment, a safety interlock system includes a safety interlock trigger adapted to be actuated by a protection tool. The safety interlock trigger is adapted to detect the physical presence of the protection tool, and thereafter send a signal to the interlock system to enable an operator or a control mechanism to safely close the slips.
US07717182B2 Artificial lift with additional gas assist
Well pumping of fluids having low hydrostatic pressure is provided through a combination of jet pumping and gas assisted lifting. A jet pump is located in a borehole in a producing zone of a well, and a source of gas is introduced into the fluid returning from the production location. The gas may be injected into the fluid used to operate the jet pump, such that the gas remains compressed until exiting the jet pump, and then provides assistance in lifting the returning fluid.
US07717176B2 Permeable cements
A permeable cement composition including an aqueous slurry of a hydraulic cement which is based upon a water-immiscible dispersed fluid phase and a hollow particulate material. The hollow particulate material breaks down in the presence of the cement so as to leave voids which together with the dispersed phase create a permeable structure in the cement.
US07717158B2 Side window roll-up shade with cable drive
A side window roll-up shade which has a pull rod attached to a movable edge of a roll-up shade material. The pull rod is carried by two support rods which are guided so that they can move vertically within the door body. At the bottom end of each support rod, a cable is attached, which runs either to a spring motor or to a cable pulley.
US07717157B2 Sun shade apparatus
A sun shade apparatus of the present invention has a pair of cables provided so as to be movable in outer tubes. A curtain has its opposite ends connected to ends of each cable and is stretched with the movement of the cables. At least one of the outer tubes is divided into a first tube and a second tube between which a length adjusting mechanism is interposed. The length adjusting mechanism consists of a first connecting member having a female thread formed therein, and a second connecting member having a male thread formed on its outer surface and having a cylindrical portion which is screwed into the female thread of the first connecting member. A fastening nut member which abuts against an end surface of the first connecting member is provided on the cylindrical portion.
US07717149B2 Device for applying identification tags around a moving lineal object on a continuous flow basis
A continuous flow of a lineal object such as wire, banding or twine is tagged with the device of this invention with an adhesive-backed tag that is folded around the lineal object as it passes underneath and thru the device.
US07717145B2 Router support for a jig apparatus
A jig apparatus for aiding in the formation of a variety of mechanically interconnecting structures in workpieces. The jig apparatus may include a base and a template mounting system for adjustably positioning a template with respect to the base. A securing system for securing a workpiece in a desired position may be included. An adjustable workpiece mounting fence may also be included for varying the angular orientation of a workpiece to be shaped with respect to a template. Additionally, a collar guide system for a router for utilization with a template may be implemented with a hand held router being implemented for removing material from a workpiece. A router bit positioning system for aiding in establishing a pre-determined bit depth may be included.
US07717138B2 Composite hose with corrugated metal tube
A composite hose with a corrugated metal tube has a hose body having a corrugated metal tube and an outer layer. The corrugated metal tube includes a non-corrugated straight-walled portion on an end portion thereof, and a rigid insert pipe is inserted in the straight-walled portion. A socket fitting is fitted on the hose body by being swaged thereon radially inwardly, and an inner circumferential end portion of the collar portion and an outer circumferential surface of the insert pipe compress an extending portion of the straight-walled portion to fix the straight-walled portion onto the insert pipe and provide a seal between the outer circumferential surface of the insert pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the straight-walled portion. A fracture preventing mechanism is provided on a hose end portion for preventing fracture of the straight-walled portion.
US07717129B2 Automatic stop cock valve
A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.
US07717123B2 Biomechanically derived crutch
A crutch having a first side direction, a second side direction opposite the first side direction, a third side direction perpendicular to the first side direction and a fourth side direction opposite the third side direction, the crutch including an elongate leg having a top end, a top portion, a middle portion, a bottom portion, and a bottom end, wherein the elongate leg extends from a saddle to a foot and has a handle disposed on the middle portion, wherein the saddle extends in an elongate shape between the first side direction and the second side direction, wherein the handle extends in an elongate shape between the first side direction and the second side direction, wherein the elongate leg middle portion is to the third side direction of an axis extending between the leg and the foot, wherein the elongate leg middle portion is to the first side direction of an axis extending between the top end of the elongate leg and the bottom end of the elongate leg; and wherein the handle is cantilevered and has a fixed end and a free end.
US07717122B2 Lightweight single tube crutch
A height adjustable crutch includes a single tube member, a foot grip, an underarm support, and a handle. The single tube member has a central axis along which a main member, a telescoping top member, and a telescoping foot member are aligned. The top member is adjustable relative to a top end of the main member. The foot member is adjustable relative to bottom end of the main member. The foot grip is fixedly attached to the foot member, and the underarm support is fixedly attached to a top end of the top member. The underarm support is generally perpendicular to the central axis of the single tube member. The handle is fixedly attached to the main member and is offset from the central axis of the single tube such that a gap separates a central area of the handle and the main member.
US07717116B2 Apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient
An apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient is provided, including a breathing tube for insertion into a patient's trachea, an inflatable cuff positioned around the breathing tube, a connection tube connected to the cuff for providing inflating air flow thereto, a pressurized air reservoir, and a valve connected to the pressurized air reservoir and to the proximal end of the connection line. The valve includes an entry port associated with an entry differential force chamber, a first exit port associated with a first differential force chamber and coupled with the connection line, a second exit port associated with a second differential force chamber and coupled with the pressurized air reservoir, and a flexible membrane selectively sealingly separating the differential force chambers. The flexible membrane is configured to selectively connect the first and second differential force chambers to maintain a substantially constant air pressure in the cuff.
US07717109B2 Breathing systems with post-inspiratory valve fresh gas flow input, components for implementing same, and methods of use
A system for providing anesthesia or assisted ventilation that has a post-inspiratory valve fresh gas flow input is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a fresh gas flow diverter valve is provided to permit an operator to provide fresh gas flow proximally or distally of the inspiratory valve. Also disclosed is an adaptor and other breathing circuit components for forming a system of the present invention. A method of providing anesthesia or assisted ventilation using low flow fresh gas is disclosed.
US07717101B2 Centrifugal oil mist separation device integrated in an axial hollow shaft of an internal combustion engine
A centrifugal oil mist separator device integrated into an axially hollow camshaft of an internal combustion engine should permit a good separation effect.To this end, a device is provided whereby the camshaft (101) is provided on a first end with radial oil mist inlet openings (106) for oil mist to be introduced into the axially hollow space (102) in the camshaft (101) and on the second end, for discharge with a radial oil discharge channel (112) for oil separated as liquid phase on the one hand and with an axial gas discharge channel (113) on the other hand for oil mist stream remaining after the liquid component has been separated, a centrifugal oil mist pre-separator is provided upstream from the radial oil mist inlet openings (106) as a pre-separator (107) fixedly connected to the camshaft (101), and within the axially hollow space (102) in the camshaft (101) a spiral flow generating device (108) is provided as the final separator.
US07717097B2 Method for controlling the temperature of gases entering an engine of an automotive vehicle, heat exchanger and device for managing the temperature of these gases
According to the method, the gases are circulated in a liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) prior to their entering the internal combustion engine (58) and a high temperature liquid and/or a low temperature liquid is circulated in the liquid/gas heat exchanger (2, 12) in order to heat and/or cool the gases (84) as required. The liquid/gas heat exchanger may comprise a single stage or two stages, that is a high temperature stage and a low temperature stage. It can also be used to cool the recirculating exhaust gases prior to their entering the engine.
US07717095B2 Evaporative emissions purge control
A fuel vapor control module for a vehicle comprises a refill diagnostic module, a refill volume calculation module, a canister loading module, and a purge adjustment module. The refill diagnostic module diagnoses a refueling event when an engine is started. The refueling volume calculation module determines a refueling volume based on a difference between a first fuel volume measured before the refueling event and a second fuel volume measured after the refueling event. The canister loading module determines a canister loading value based on the refueling volume, wherein the canister loading value corresponds to a ratio of a volume of a vapor canister to a volume of fuel vapor within the vapor canister. The purge adjustment module adjusts a fuel purge rate from the vapor canister based on the canister loading value.
US07717088B2 Method of detecting and compensating for injector variability with a direct injection system
A method for controlling fuel injection of a direct injection fuel system, the fuel system having a fuel pump, the method comprising: variably operating the fuel pump to maintain a fuel pressure at a selected pressure, temporarily increasing pump operation to increase pressure sufficiently above said selected pressure and then reducing pump operation; during at least a fuel injection subsequent to the reduction in pump operation, correlating pressure decrease to injector operation, and adjusting fuel injection operation based on the correlation.
US07717081B2 Engine cylinder head structure
In a cylinder head structure of an engine, a structure of an oil passage is simplified to downside the engine and to provide proper flow of cooling water in the cylinder head. A partition wall is disposed in the cylinder head to separate an upward valve operating chamber from a downward water jacket. A boss section is formed at a position lower than the partition wall in an edge wall of the cylinder head, and has one end joined to a chain case and the other end protruding into the water jacket. A branch oil passage is formed in the boss section. The branch oil passage has a valve upstream-side passage section specified by a section toward the chain case with respect to a junction with a cylinder head-side oil passage. The linear communication passage section communicates between an end portion of the branch oil passage protruding into the water jacket and a camshaft cap coupling surface of a second camshaft bearing section.
US07717078B2 Intake manifold regulators for internal combustion engines
The present invention provides an internal combustion engine including an engine housing, a crankshaft rotatably supported in the engine housing, a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, a fuel system configured to provide fuel to the combustion chamber, an intake passageway configured to provide a fluid to the combustion chamber, and a first regulator at least partially positioned in the intake passageway. The first regulator is selectable from a plurality of regulators. The engine also includes a coupling device configured to maintain the first regulator in the intake passageway, and a slot in the interior wall of the intake passageway that receives an end of the first regulator. The first regulator is configured to be removed and replaced by a second regulator from the plurality of regulators without disassembly of the intake passageway.
US07717067B2 Pet grooming tool and method of manufacturing pet grooming tools
A pet grooming tool comprises a pet engageable portion formed of polymeric material and having a plurality of teeth. A method of forming a pet grooming tool comprises molding a pet engageable portion out of a first polymeric material and thereafter over-molding a handle portion to the pet engageable portion.
US07717063B2 Spreading device for feedstuff
A tank of the spreading device is rotated by a driving device. The tank contains a number of side boards, each of which is composed of a static plate and a door plate hinged to the static plate. The hinge joining the door and static plates has an elastic element preventing the door plate from being opened outward. When the tank is rotated at a high speed, a centrifugal force on the feedstuff inside the tank is strong enough to push the door plates open and the feedstuff is thereby automatically cast out. By varying the speed of the tank's rotation, the feedstuff could be cast for various distances, thereby achieving efficient and effective distribution of the feedstuff.
US07717048B2 Agricultural seeding system
A seeding machine having at least one tool bar, a plurality of row units and a processing circuit. Each of the plurality of row units are connected to the toolbar. Each of the row units have a seed metering device, a seed placement device and a seed sensor. The seed metering device includes a seed disk providing a metering action to a plurality of seeds. The seed placement device receives the seeds from the seed metering device. The seed sensor is positioned to detect the passage of seeds through either the metering device or the seed placement device. The seed sensor producing a signal indicative of the passage of the seeds. The processing circuit is receptive of the signal from each of the seed sensors of each of the plurality of row units. The processing circuit determines a seed placement parameter dependent upon the signal, the processing circuit alters the metering action of the seeds dependent on the seed placement parameter.
US07717047B2 Friction drive population control for a planter
A friction drive for an agricultural planter has a linear actuator, which may be hydraulically or pneumatically controlled, to selectively raise or lower a drive wheel into frictional engagement with a carrying wheel. A valve network is fluidly associated with the linear actuator and allows the operator or pilot to variably define the degree of frictional engagement. This allows the operator to vary the amount of frictional engagement of the drive wheel and the carrying wheel, the output of which is used by a material dispensing system to deposited planting material onto a planting surface.
US07717042B2 Wide area dispersal warhead
A wide area dispersal warhead including a housing defining a cavity, an explosive charge in the housing, and a large plurality of individual munitions in the cavity of the housing about the explosive charge. The explosive charge is configured to deploy the munitions upon detonation into a hemispherical dome shaped pattern.
US07717038B2 Magnetic plate for printing of optical effects
This invention discloses a magnet for use as a printing plate or printing head that is used for aligning flakes or particles in a paint or ink. A composite sheet or block of magnetizable material is selectively magnetized so that a magnet is formed within the sheet or block that has a shape of a predetermined image, logo, or indica. Dies are used to magnetize the magnetizable material and preferably the does contact the material to be magnetized. A pre-magnetized sheet such as a refrigerator magnet may be re-magnetized differently so that a magnetic image is encoded therein for use as a printing plate. Preferably the printing plate is flexible so that it can be formed to a curved surface of a cylinder or drum for printing. Conveniently these flexible magnets can be changed for other designs and placed on the same drum for use in printing.
US07717035B1 Embossing apparatus and method for mounting embossing plates
An apparatus for embossing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a die with a metal backing layer that carries a polymer layer. The polymer layer has a female pattern formed through laser engraving. The metal backing layer of the die is capable of being magnetically attached to a magnetic cylinder. A counter die is also included and has a metal backing layer that carries a polymer layer. The polymer layer has a male pattern formed thereon through laser engraving. The metal backing layer of the counter die is capable of being magnetically attached to a magnetic cylinder. An alternative apparatus is provided that includes a male and female starting member to aid in aligning the patterns. Another apparatus is included that has male and female register tracts for keeping the die and counter die in register with one another. An associated method is also provided.
US07717031B1 Multi-purpose cookware
A cooker having a base unit and a cover. The cover including a top and bottom ends. The bottom end having a circular edge extending straight and upwardly therefrom to form an annular wall. The annular wall further extending inwardly to form a top portion.
US07717030B2 Single mold form fryer with product centering elements
A mold form fryer utilizing a top conveyor that transports snack pieces through a constant velocity oil stream without the need for a bottom mating mold or conveyor. Herein, the form fryer is provided with a top conveyor disposed above a fryer oil pan positioned longitudinally through the fryer. Uncooked snack pieces are provided to the fryer oil pan by a bottom entrance conveyor. Snack pieces, once in oil within the fryer, meet with a top conveyor having convex molding surfaces with product-centering elements. At the exit portion of the fryer, a bottom exit conveyor receives the cooked snack pieces from the top conveyor. As no continuous bottom conveyor is utilized, the fryer oil pan may be provided with a reduced volume segment situated between the bottom entrance and exit conveyors.
US07717020B2 Bottle trimmer and method
A method of removing flash extending in a plane from a plastic bottle forming a portion of a plastic one-bottle or multi-bottle blow molded log includes continuously moving a log holder and a punch assembly along a path. The untrimmed log is placed on the log holder. The punch assembly carries a punch that moves in a direction perpendicular to the flash to impact and remove the flash.
US07717019B2 Lathe
The present invention provides a lathe which accumulates a reduced amount of chips on a slide member serving as a tool holder mounting base and which enables a reduction in the forward-backward dimension of the entire lathe. A lathe includes a spindle 2 that rotatably supports a workpiece and processing means 4 located in front of the spindle 2. The lathe moves one or both of the spindle 2 and the processing means 4 forward and backward to execute machining on the workpiece. The processing means 4 includes a tool 40, a tool holder 41 that supports the tool 40, and a slide member 42 which is slidable in a lateral direction and which supports the tool holder 41. The slide member 42 has an inclined surface 42c that is positioned lower as the inclined surface 42c approaches the spindle 2 and on which the tool holder 41 is mounted and supported.
US07717013B2 Rotating machine active balancer and method of dynamically balancing a rotating machine shaft with torsional vibrations
An active balancer for dynamically balancing a rotating machine is provided. The active balancer has a balancer body which rotates with the rotating machine and at least one controllable position counter weight having a real-time adjustable position relative to the balancer body and the rotating machine inorder to produce an actively adjustable controllable counter weight balance force for dynamically balancing the rotating machine. The active balancer includes a spring with the balancer body mounted to the rotating machine through the spring wherein the balancer body mass resonates on the spring with a torsional vibration canceling frequency which cancels a torsional vibration of the rotating machine.
US07717008B2 Transmission module
The invention relates to a transmission module, especially a transmission module in countershaft design, having at least one input and one output which are connected with each other by way of at least one speed-torque converter device, with a reverse gear which is arranged between a countershaft and the transmission output, with a hydrodynamic retarder. The hydrodynamic retarder having at least one rotor blade wheel and a stator. The rotor blade wheel is connected via a high gear with the transmission output. The high gear is a component of the reverse gear.
US07717000B2 Isokinetic sampling
A method of sampling a multi-phase fluid stream is provided which comprises the steps of: sampling, with a sampling probe, a portion of the fluid stream; measuring the flow rate of said sampled portion; and measuring, independently of the sampling step, the total flow rate of the fluid stream, wherein the flow rate of the sampled portion is controlled according to the ratio of the flow rate of the sampled portion to the flow rate of the fluid stream, in order to obtain substantially isokinetic sampling of the fluid stream. The method may provide isokinetic sampling to an accuracy of 5% or less and preferably only samples a small portion of the fluid stream. The method has particular application for high rate condensate gas wells. A corresponding sampling system is provided which has particular application in the sampling of streams from well-heads. A flow conditioner for use with sampling methods and systems is also provided, the flow conditioner being a pipe section including: a swirl inducing section; a flow straightener; and an orifice plate.
US07716996B2 Wheel, test stand and method for determining aerodynamic characteristics of a test vehicle
A wheel is provided for a test vehicle. The wheel has a rim and a hub, and whereby at least one force sensor is placed in the flux of force between the hub and the rim. A test stand is provided with the test vehicle that has multiple vehicle wheels and one or more of these vehicle wheels is embodied as a wheel with a force sensor placed between the hub and the rim. An appropriate procedure is provided for determining the aerodynamic characteristics of the test vehicle. Especially with a test stand equipped with a wide belt, the forces relevant to measurement of the drag coefficients can be reliably measured with the aid of the specific wheel with the force sensor. Use of overhead scales that have an undesired effect on the flow can be dispensed with.
US07716991B2 Apparatus for measuring pressure using acoustic impedance variation
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring pressure inside a predetermined vessel based on the principle that the transmitting efficiency of ultrasonic waves is changed by acoustic impedance variation according to an internal pressure. The apparatus includes an ultrasound exciting unit 20 disposed inside the vessel 10 and generating predetermined ultrasonic waves, an ultrasound receiving unit 30 disposed inside the vessel 10 and placed on the same axis line as that of the ultrasound exciting unit 20, a control unit 70 for controlling a frequency and a waveform of the excitation signal transmitted into the ultrasound exciting unit 20, and a pressure measuring unit 80 for measuring an internal pressure of the vessel 10 based on an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasound receiving unit 30 and the excitation signal transmitted into the ultrasound exciting unit 20.
US07716987B2 Non-contact thermo-elastic property measurement and imaging system for quantitative nondestructive evaluation of materials
A non-contact thermo-elastic property measurement and imaging system and method thereof are described. Acoustic energy is incident on a first surface of a specimen under test. The acoustic energy is converted partially into heat by the specimen, causing a slight increase in the temperature in a region of interaction. The temperature increase is imaged using a high sensitivity infrared camera. Presence of defects (surface and subsurface) in the material modifies the distribution of temperature. An image of temperature distribution can be used for nondestructive testing and evaluation of materials. The temperature change in the specimen caused by acoustic excitation is related to thermal and elastic properties of the material. A measurement of the change in the temperature as a function of the amplitude of incident excitation can be used for direct measurement of thermo-elastic property of the specimen.
US07716985B2 Piezoelectric quartz accelerometer
A piezoelectric quartz accelerometer includes a sensitive element, a signal processing circuit, a base, an outer case, and a socket, wherein the sensitive element includes two round piezoelectric quartz wafers, and a supporting frame, wherein the two round piezoelectric quartz wafers are symmetrically mounted on both sides of the center axial line of the supporting frame; the sensitive element further includes an axial shock buffer unit and a transverse retaining unit for protecting overload of the two round piezoelectric quartz wafers; the signal processing circuit includes an oscillation circuit for obtaining frequency signal, a frequency differential forming circuit for extracting signal, a phase lock and times frequency circuit for amplifying signal, compensating zero phase, compensating non-linearization and compensating temperature, and an output circuit.
US07716984B2 Acceleration sensor device having piezo-resistors measuring acceleration
An acceleration sensor device comprising: an acceleration sensor chip comprising a mass portion, a support frame and flexible arms having piezo-resistors on their top surfaces; and an upper regulation plate having an IC circuit, which is larger in area than the support frame, bonded to a top surface of the support frame; wherein the acceleration sensor chip and the upper regulation plate are placed in a protection case with a lid. The regulation plate protrudes from outside walls of the support frame to partition the space accommodating the chip in the protection case by the protrusion and to prevent air circulation above and below the regulation plate, so that a temperature rise due to the IC circuit among the piezo-resistors provided on the top surfaces of the flexible arms is kept uniform to reduce offset voltage.
US07716983B2 Capacitive acceleration sensor
The invention relates to measuring devices used in the measuring of acceleration and, more specifically, to capacitive acceleration sensors. The capacitive acceleration sensor according to the present invention contains a movable electrode (5) supported at an axis of rotation (7). The capacitance change in the pair of electrodes of the acceleration sensor, according to the present invention, is enhanced. The acceleration sensor structure, according to the present invention, enables improving the capacitance sensitivity of the pair of electrodes based on rotational motion and measuring acceleration with good performance in capacitive acceleration sensor designs.
US07716981B2 Capacitive rain sensor
A capacitive rain sensor for a motor vehicle is provided that includes a printed circuit board with sensor structures laminated thereon and with electronic components, wherein the sensor structures and the electronic components are arranged on different sides of the printed circuit board.
US07716980B1 Pitot probe with water blockage prevention
Pitot probes are described that are designed to prevent water blockage of the probe's air pressure orifice. The pitot probes are small, inexpensive, light weight and do not require power for heat generation. This makes the pitot probes particularly useful for use on UAV's and other small aircraft where size, cost, weight and power constraints are a major concern. The pitot probes utilize passive methods in the form of geometrical and material configurations to prevent blockage of the pitot probes by water droplets. The probes can also include water reservoirs that store collected water.
US07716977B2 Tire sensor system and method
A tire and sensor system and method includes a tire having an inflatable radially inward tire casing and a radially outward tire tread ring situated on the casing and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a first conductive medium affixed to a radially inward surface of the tread ring and a second conductive medium affixed to a radially outward surface of the casing. The second conductive medium operatively contacts the first conductive medium in a desired, relative orientation between the tire casing and the tread ring and operatively separates from the first conductive medium when tire casing and the tread ring depart from the desired orientation. A sensor is connected to the second conductive medium for operatively detecting separation of the second conductive medium from the first conductive medium.
US07716975B2 Force measuring device having a rigid stem
A force measuring device has a rigid stem joined to an essentially flat deformable membrane. The membrane includes detectors for detecting a deformation of the membrane. A portion of the stem comes in contact with an element capable of being subjected to the action of a force. The stem has slots forming anchoring means for interacting with the element. The force measuring device is for use, in particular, in improving the transmission of loads to the deformable membrane.
US07716973B1 Measurement of automobile exhaust flow
A method of overcoming the problems of measuring the exhaust flow during pulsating and reversing flow by placing a “box” in series within a few feet of the connecting pipe to serve as a filter. The box is constructed with soft expandable sides, so it can expand with the pressure pulsations and then contract, creating a very smooth flow that can be measured with a measuring device at the exit of the flow from the box.
US07716962B2 Method of calibrating a gas sensor
A method of calibrating a gas sensor that generates an output related to the concentration of a sensed gas, the method comprising: i) obtaining the value of said output or a related value at each of a set of known values of a first variable and at each of a set of known values of a second variable, one of the variables being gas concentration; ii) for each value of said second variable, determining a first best fit function relating said output or related value to the first variable, each best fit function utilizing at least one coefficient whose value is determined; iii) for the, or the corresponding, coefficient values from each of the first best fit functions, determining a second best fit function relating said coefficient to the second variable, and replacing the coefficient values in the first best fit functions by the second best fit function, and, iv) repeating step iii) for each further coefficient, if any, in the first best fit functions so as to generate a final function relating said output or related value and said first and second variables.
US07716959B2 Steering lock device
A steering lock device includes a supporting bracket which is attached to a steering lock body including a lock member restricting rotation of a steering shaft within a steering column and is fastened to the steering lock body to fix the steering lock body to the steering column. The supporting bracket includes a shaft supporting portion pivotally supported by a supporting shaft; a shaft support cancellation preventing portion preventing to cancel the pivotable support of the shaft supporting portion by the supporting shaft; and an engagement holding portion holding the shaft support cancellation preventing portion. The steering body is provided with bearing portions through which the supporting shaft is inserted.
US07716946B2 Accumulator with deflector
A deflector for an accumulator for an air conditioning system acts as a barrier to substantially prevent incoming liquid from entering a conduit which is primarily for gas. Fluid entering the accumulator comprises gas and liquid. The deflector also assists with the separation of gas from liquid, with reduced turbulence, to decrease the likelihood of liquid becoming re-entrained within the gas. An initial contact surface of the deflector receives the incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is substantially convex, so that liquid reflecting off the surface will be travel in a direction away (or different) from the flow of incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is also angled to direct liquid reflecting off it (or flowing down it) downward and outward.
US07716944B2 Indoor unit of air conditioner
An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor unit casing, a horizontal flap, and a front panel. The indoor unit casing includes an outlet through which air is blown into a room. The horizontal flap is disposed so as to freely open and close the outlet and guides the air blown out through the outlet. In a closed state, the front panel covers at least part of the indoor unit casing and at least one end of the horizontal flap closing the outlet.
US07716938B2 External control of a vehicle coolant pump with remote heating option
A system and method for operating a cooling fluid pump and cooling fluid heater in a vehicle when the vehicle is not being used so that the temperature of the cooling fluid does not drop to low in a cold environment. The system includes an AC connector for plugging the system into an AC power outlet. The system also includes AC/DC converter that converts the AC power to a DC signal suitable to operate the pump. The system also includes a temperature switch that closes if the ambient temperature falls below a predetermined temperature, which electrically connects the AC connector to the AC/DC converter. When the AC/DC converter is powered, a switch is closed to connect the pump to a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator to operate the pump. Further, when the temperature switch is closed, power is provided to the heater.
US07716935B2 Refrigerator for managing food by using RFID
Refrigerator for managing food by using RFID including a plurality of storage portions divided in the refrigerator for storing food, RFID devices each having storage information of each kind of food stored in the storage portions, and controller for reading the storage information and setting up the storage portion which maintains a storage condition suitable to the storage information read thus, thereby permitting easy storage of food in a storage portion having the storage condition by using the RFID device.
US07716932B2 Dilating fan duct nozzle
A turbofan engine includes an engine core and a ducted fan assembly, with the ducted fan assembly including an annular cowling and a dilating fan duct nozzle. The nozzle includes continuous nozzle sections with intermeshing tiles. The tiles include drive tiles that are pivotal between nominal and dilated positions and driven tiles that intermesh with the drive tiles and shift with the drive tiles between the positions. The intermeshing tiles cooperatively adjust an orifice size of the nozzle by shifting between the positions and thereby affect the thrust and noise developed by the ducted fan assembly.
US07716926B2 Control apparatus for engine-powered forklifts
Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for an engine-powered forklift. The control apparatus of the present invention includes a mode detecting means for detecting whether the forklift is in a traveling mode or a working mode, and a controller, which controls the engine of the forklift such that, when the forklift is in the traveling mode, the output of the engine is restricted from increasing to a preset output value or more, and, when the forklift is in the working mode, the output of the engine is allowed to increase to the preset output value or more.
US07716922B2 Diesel particulate filter (DPF) in-chassis cleaning method
A diesel particulate filter of a motor vehicle is cleaned of ash, typically using equipment already available in a service shop. The method of the invention cleans ash particles from the diesel particulate filter by generating a pressure wave and transmitting the pressure wave into a housing containing the diesel particulate filter. The pressure wave dislodges ash particulates from the filter, which can then be removed from the filter using an ash collecting apparatus, such as a shop vacuum. The method also uses an inflatable bladder in the filter apparatus to close access between the housing and the engine or outside environment.
US07716921B2 Exhaust particulate filter
A particulate filter for an exhaust system configured to receive an exhaust flow is disclosed. The filter includes a wall-flow filtration element having a first regeneration zone and a second regeneration zone, the first zone being downstream of the second zone, and a heat source disposed at the first regeneration zone. In response to demand for regeneration, the wall-filtration element regenerates according to a staged regeneration such that the first zone initiates regeneration ahead of the second zone, and each zone regenerates in the direction of the exhaust flow.
US07716919B2 Control device and control method for internal combustion engine
When starting an internal combustion engine from cold, after-burning of unburned HC in the exhaust gas within an exhaust passage is promoted by supplying secondary air into the exhaust passage upstream of a catalyst. At this time, the pressure within the exhaust passage is controlled by controlling the opening timing of an exhaust valve. Desirably, when the exhaust temperature has been elevated to a temperature at which it is possible to promote after-burning of the unburned HC in the exhaust gas within the exhaust passage, the opening timing of the exhaust valve is retarded.
US07716917B2 Apparatus and method for controlling air/fuel ratio of internal combustion engine
An apparatus for controlling air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine having: a three-way catalytic converter; an oxygen sensor, which is installed at the upstream side of said catalytic converter in respect to exhaust gas flow direction, for generating a switching signal showing rich/lean relative to a certain air-fuel ratio; and an air-fuel ratio sensor, which is installed at the downstream side of said catalytic converter, for generating a linear output signal corresponding to the air-fuel ratio, wherein the apparatus includes a deviation calculation unit for calculating deviation between air-fuel ratio measured by the air-fuel ratio sensor, and target air-fuel ratio; and a feedback control unit of the air-fuel ratio for carrying out feedback control of air-fuel ratio based on the deviation calculated by a deviation calculation unit, and the output signal of the oxygen sensor.
US07716914B2 Turbofan engine assembly and method of assembling same
A turbofan engine assembly includes a core gas turbine engine including a high-pressure compressor, a combustor disposed downstream from the high-pressure compressor, and a high-pressure turbine coupled to the high-pressure compressor using a shaft, counter-rotating booster compressor coupled to the core gas turbine engine, the counter-rotating booster compressor comprising a first rotor section configured to rotate in a first direction and a second rotor section configured to rotate in an opposite second direction, a single stage fan assembly coupled to the first rotor section, a drive shaft coupled between the low-pressure turbine and the fan assembly, and a gearbox coupled between the drive shaft and the second rotor section such that the low-pressure turbine drives the gearbox and such that the gearbox drives the second rotor section. A method of assembling the above turbofan engine assembly is also described herein.
US07716913B2 Engine
An engine (110, 210) for moving a conveyance (132) through a fluid includes first and second pressure creating means (13, 14) for pressurising an engine airflow, and intercooling means (116, 290, 292) for cooling the engine airflow between the first and second pressure creating means (13, 14). The intercooling means (116, 290, 292) includes a heat exchanger (116) which is arranged to be cooled by a flow of the fluid generated by the relative movement of the conveyance (132) through the fluid.
US07716903B2 Double roll feeder for round baler
A round bale wrapping mechanism that employs a second roll of wrapping material that is mounted adjacent an active roll. The second roll is powered by an electric clutch that allows a belt drive connected between the first roll and the second roll to rotate the second roll of wrapping material. The wrapping material on the second roll thus feeds onto the wrapping material being fed from the active roll and if fed through the wrapping mechanism onto the bale before the active roll is exhausted of wrapping material.
US07716900B2 Method for strapping a package with a strapping machine that includes a motor drive having a drive shaft that rotates 360° within a strapping cycle and controls work components including at least one clamping device for the strap to be strapped
A method for strapping a package with a strapping machine that includes a motor drive having a drive shaft that rotates 360° within a strapping cycle and controls work components including at least one clamping device for the strap to be strapped. The clamping of the leading strap end, fed in in a strap guide frame, for the strap to be strapped in the subsequent strapping cycle occurs in the current strapping cycle in the time between the beginning of the removal of the package already strapped in the current strapping cycle and the end of the addition of a new package to be strapped, whereupon the drive stops. After the conclusion of the tensioning process for the fed-in strap about the package, for performing the strapping process, the drive rotates continuously 360° without an intermediate stop in the new strapping cycle until the new leading strap end has been clamped.
US07716898B1 Protective rebar cover
A rebar safety protective cover for use on the projecting free end of concrete reinforcing bar to prevent impact injuries comprising: (a) a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and open at the other, (b) a flat overhanging impact head of substantial extent projecting laterally outwardly beyond said closed end of the body, said body and impact head being of a thickness and integrally formed of a plastic material to provide a protective cover which passes the Cal OSHA drop test when the rebar is positioned within said protective cover at an angle such that the free end of the rebar abuts the inside lateral extremity of said closed end.
US07716894B2 Starter block roofing product
The present invention generally encompasses a starter block for use in the starter course of a roofing project to facilitate the subsequent positioning of shingles upon a hip roof without causing said shingles to substantially bend. The starter block has a tapered thickness, that is, the height of the front surface is greater than the height of the back surface. In one embodiment, the height of the front surface is about twice the height of the back surface. Otherwise, the starter block is generally rectangular. In one embodiment, the starter block is formed from a composite material, such as a combination of at least a polymer component (e.g. polyethylene) and a filler component (e.g., glass, stone, limestone), and includes at least one nib extending from each of its side surfaces and at least one nailing zone on its top surface. A roofing system that incorporates a course of the starter blocks coupled to the eaves of the roof and at least one course of shingles positioned to lie flat on and at least partially overlap the course of starter blocks with the shingles extending back to the upper surface of the roof without substantially bending or flexing the shingles in the one course is also provided.
US07716882B2 Bearing brace apparatus
The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.
US07716875B2 Windows
A window includes at least one multiple pane unit (1, 2) mounted in an opening for sliding movement between an open position and a closed position. The multiple pane unit (1, 2) includes at least two panes (34, 38) in spaced disposition, and has a seal (30) disposed there between to form a sealed chamber between the two panes. At least one of the panes (38) extends beyond the seal (30). In an alternative aspect of the invention, there may be two such multiple pane units (1, 2) in a sliding or other type of window. In the closed positions of the window, portions of the seal (30) of the multiple pane units are aligned and one of the multiple pane units (1) has at least one of its panes (38) extending beyond the seal (30).
US07716873B2 Multilayer vegetation support system
A multilayer vegetation support system is provided, wherein the system includes a reservoir substrate and an overlying composite, wherein a growing medium and vegetation are disposed on an exposed surface of the composite. The reservoir substrate is a generally planar member having a plurality of recesses or dimples, and can include a plurality of drain apertures in land areas intermediate the dimples. The composite includes a water retention layer, a root barrier layer and a multitude of projecting loops, wherein a growing medium and vegetation overlie and intertwine with the projecting loops.
US07716871B1 Fishing lure
A fishing lure for spraying water droplets fore and aft of the fishing lure. The fishing lure has a monolithic fishing lure body extending along an axis from a head end to a tail end of the fishing lure body. A first substantially planar surface is formed at the head end of the fishing lure body such that the first substantially planar surface forms a first angle with respect to the axis. A second substantially planar surface is formed at the head end of the fishing lure body such that the second substantially planar surface forms a second angle with respect to the axis. A third angle is formed with respect to the first and second substantially planar surfaces such that the third angle is the sum of the first angle and the second angle. A crotch is defined by the intersection of the first substantially planar surface and the second substantially planar surface. The crotch extends through and substantially transverse to the axis, wherein the crotch and the axis cooperate to define a plane that defines the fishing lure body into an upper portion and a lower portion adjacent to the first substantially planar surface and the second substantially planar surface, respectively. A hook tie eyelet for pivotally attaching a fishing hook thereto is connected to a central portion of the lower portion of the fishing lure body, and a line tie eyelet is connected to the head end of the fishing lure body.
US07716869B2 Artificial bait
An artificial bait for fishing with a flexible appendage (28, 28′) which is made of soft plastic or other resilient material and it is either formed or interchangeably fitted on a radial bearing (27, 27′) rotatably mounted on a shaft (25, 25′, 25″, 23″).
US07716867B2 Ice fishing device
Disclosed is an ice fishing device which holds a fishing rod in a bent position until a fish strikes the line. A trigger releases the tip of the fishing rod, and the rod tip snaps up and sets the hook. A jigging assembly imparts an up and down movement to the line and the attached hook, to attract fish to the hook and bait.
US07716865B2 Systems and methods for providing a hand guard and accessory mounting device for a firearm
A system for providing a hand guard and accessory mounting device for a firearm can include at least one barrel nut, at least one bolt up plate, at least one hand guard, and at least one mounting device. The at least one barrel nut can be adapted to mount to a portion of a barrel associated with a firearm. The at least one bolt up plate can be adapted to mount between the at least one barrel nut and a portion of the firearm. The at least one hand guard can be adapted to mount to a portion of the bolt up plate, substantially concentric with a portion of the barrel. The at least one mounting device can be adapted to mount to the at least one hand guard, the mounting device being further adapted to receive at least one firearm accessory.
US07716846B2 Bearing alignment tool and method of use
A bearing alignment tool and method of use is provided for aligning inner and outer races of a roller bearing of the class wherein the inner and outer races of the roller bearing are axially displaceable with respect to each other in order to accommodate thermal growth of a rotating shaft. A bearing replacement procedure includes: (a) affixing the roller bearing to the shaft at its inner race; (b) disposing the shaft in a housing; (c) aligning the inner and outer races of the roller bearing with respect to each other and the housing in a predetermined spatial relationship by affixing an alignment tool to the housing, wherein the alignment tool has (i) an outer aligning surface which engages the outer race of the roller bearing; and (ii) an inner aligning surface which engages the inner race of the roller bearing; (d) removing the alignment tool from the housing; and (e) securing the housing to a fixed position on a support while maintaining the predetermined spatial relationship established in step (c). The method and alignment tool are particularly useful for quickly replacing bearings on an afterdryer of a papermachine where precision alignment and downtime are significant considerations.
US07716844B2 Measuring system for measuring the tooth geometry of a gear wheel
The invention relates to a measuring system for measuring the tooth dimensions of a gear wheel, particularly of a spur gear or bevel gear. According to the invention, at least one feeler is mounted on a pivotally or rotationally mounted supporting body and, during the measuring process rests, against the tooth flank to be measured.
US07716843B2 Integrated x-ray measurement tool for equine conformation
A flat transparent overlay for measurement of equine foot x-rays employs a flat lower edge for alignment with a ground surface and an anterior edge angled to approximate a hoof distal wall. A first sight ring positions the tool over a tip of an image of a third phalanx. Six interrelated scales are provided for measurement of the palmar cortex, distal sole thickness, break-over distance and coronet band to extensor process distance, and in conjunction with a second site ring, center of rotation and palmar sole thickness. A first protractor element is centered posterior on the first sight ring for measurement of the palmar angle. A dual scale extends from the angled anterior edge portion with a measurement line for measurement of the hoof-lamella zone. A second protractor element is posterior to and centered on the second sight ring for measurement of a pastern angle.
US07716835B2 Methods of manufacturing structural panels
Methods of manufacturing structural panels for use in manufacturing aircraft fuselages and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a structural panel configured in accordance with the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The first stiffener can have a first flange portion mated to the skin and a first raised portion projecting away from the skin. The second stiffener can have a second flange portion mated to the skin and a second raised portion projecting away from the skin. At least one of the first flange portion of the first stiffener and the second flange portion of the second stiffener can extend toward the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion to form an at least approximately continuous support surface to which a frame can be attached.
US07716814B2 Method of manufacturing magnetic head, and magnetic head substructure
Components of a plurality of magnetic heads are formed on a single substrate to fabricate a magnetic head substructure in which a plurality of pre-head portions are aligned in a plurality of rows. The substructure is cut to separate the plurality of pre-head portions from one another, and the plurality of magnetic heads are thereby fabricated. The surface formed by cutting the substructure is lapped to form a lapped surface. The lapped surface is lapped so as to reach a target position of a medium facing surface. The substructure incorporates first to fourth resistor elements each of which detects the position of the lapped surface. The third and fourth detection elements are located at positions shifted from the first and second resistor elements along the direction orthogonal to the medium facing surface.
US07716810B2 Method of manufacturing a commutator
A method of manufacturing a commutator main body which has a cylindrical insulating body, and a plurality of segments arranged in an outer circumference of the insulating body. A short-circuit member is arranged in an end in an axial direction of the insulating body. The short-circuit member has a plurality of first short-circuit pieces and a plurality of second short-circuit pieces. A tabular insulating portion covers first coupling portions of the first short-circuit pieces, and second coupling portions of the second short-circuit pieces. The insulating portion has a restriction recess, and the end in the axial direction has a restriction projection. The restriction projection is engaged with the restriction recess, whereby the movement of the short-circuit member in the circumferential direction with respect to the commutator main body is restricted. Accordingly, the assembly of the short-circuit member in the commutator main body is facilitated.
US07716801B2 Low-profile distal protection device
A distal protection device captures debris during vascular procedures. In order to reduce the profile of the device, the thickness of the distal protection element is reduced in one or both of the end regions, either by reducing the thickness of filaments which form the distal protection element, or by removing portions of those filaments altogether. Various methods of reducing the thickness of the end regions and different profiles that can be created by the reduction are disclosed.
US07716790B2 On-the-go adjustable extension pole providing hands-free tool connection and disconnection
A hands-free system for connecting and disconnecting a tool from an adjustable length extension pole. The system includes first and second slidably interconnected elongated members, a tool-holding assembly releasably coupled to the second elongated member, and a locking assembly disposed between the first and second elongated members. The relative sliding of the first and second elongated members can be selectively restrained by rotating the first and second elongated members relative to one another. The tool-holding assembly can be disconnected from the second elongated member by sliding the first and second elongated members together.
US07716784B2 Suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same
A suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner having the same is disclosed. The suction port assembly includes a casing comprising a suction port which draws in dust from a surface being cleaned; a drum brush which is disposed rotatably in the casing, on an external surface of which a plurality of bristles are arranged to shake off dust from the surface being cleaned; and a rib which is disposed at a position close to the drum brush, is mounted in the casing so that its one end is in contact with the bristles, and detaches the dust from the bristles when the drum brush rotates; and wherein the bristles are contacted on a slant relative to the rib to prevent the drum brush from rotating when the casing is pulled towards a user.
US07716780B2 Wiper device comprising a flat wiper blade and wiper arm
A wiper device for wiping a vehicle windscreen, including a drivable wiper arm and a flat wiper blade arranged on the wiper arm. The flat wiper blade includes a wiper blade rubber, a support for supporting the wiper blade rubber, and a connection for connecting a free end of the wiper arm. The support is in the form of band-like elongate spring blades. The connection includes a support element fixedly arranged on the support and a connecting element that partially pivots the support element. The connecting element is releasably connected to the free end of the wiper arm.
US07716776B2 Flat mop for use with wipers for controlled environments
A flat mop is used with a disposable wiper. The mop includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The base member has a projecting securing elements disposed on opposing sides of the upper surface. At least one resilient clip is associated with securing element. A pivot joint has a first receiving portion for mounting to the base member to define a first pivot axis. The pivot joint has a second receiving portion distinct from the first receiving portion and includes an engagement member received in the second receiving portion to defining a second pivot axis spaced from and perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The engagement member includes a coupling portion to mount to a handle. The pivot joint is mounted to the base member for pivoting the base member relative to the pivot joint about two axes. The associated wiper is secured to the base member, positioned on the lower surface of the base member, wrapped around the base member and over the securing elements. The clips are positioned over the associated wiper, on a respective one of the securing elements to secure the wiper to the base member.
US07716774B2 Apparatus for separating matter from an exposed surface
An apparatus for treating an exposed surface. The apparatus has an elongate support with a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region is engagable by a user to controllably reposition the elongate support and thereby situate the distal region at an exposed surface to be treated. At least one elongate element is provided at the distal region of the elongate support. The at least one elongate element is moveable at the distal region to repeatedly contact an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated to thereby separate matter from an exposed surface at which the elongate element is situated.
US07716771B2 Common toothbrush usable electronic toothbrush
A common toothbrush usable electronic toothbrush is provided. The common toothbrush usable electronic toothbrush includes: a toothbrush receiving part having a housing for receiving a toothbrush and a fixing member for fixing the toothbrush; and a driving part tightly attached to the toothbrush receiving part, for vibrating the whole toothbrush by transmitting a vibration generated from a driving of a motor to the toothbrush receiving part. Since the electronic toothbrush can receive common toothbrushes of various kinds instead of a dedicated electric toothbrush, it is possible to permanently use the electronic toothbrush by replacing common toothbrushes, thus increasing a user's satisfaction by allowing a usage of toothbrushes as the user wishes.
US07716763B2 Apparatus and method to position a patient for airway management and endotracheal intubation
An apparatus and method position a patient for rapid and effective endotracheal intubation. The apparatus includes a pillow, which has a plurality of independently inflatable and deflatable sections which may be grouped together to position a patient so that a pinna of an ear of the patient and a sternum of the patient are aligned in the same horizontal plane. The plurality of inflatable and deflatable sections include at least a back support section and a base support section, which, when grouped together, can lift an upper body of the patient in order to facilitate the positioning of the patient. When the plurality of sections are grouped for the aforementioned positioning of the patient, the base section is located beneath the back support section. The plurality of inflatable and deflatable sections may further include a head rest section and a head tilt adjustment section.
US07716762B2 Bed with sacral and trochanter pressure relieve functions
An adjustable bed comprises a patient support structure supporting a patient support surface that comprises separately adjustable torso and hip support structures. Lifting mechanisms are provided to elevate the torso and hip support structures to substantially reduce pressure on the sacral area of a patient resting on the patient support surface.
US07716758B2 Apparatus, bed and method for displacing a recumbent person to a sitting position
The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing a person from a lateral incumbent position to a sitting position and vice versa, comprising: engaging means for engaging on the person. The invention relates to a bed provided with such an apparatus. The invention further relates to a method for displacing a person from a lateral recumbent position to a sitting position using such an apparatus.
US07716751B2 Insulated and moisture resistant glove for holding beverage containers
An glove that has one or more pads that insulate and resist moisture for holding beverage containers. The pad or pads are positioned at the surface of the glove that contacts a beverage container when a wearer of the glove grasps the container. The pads provide an enhanced grip and comfort for the wearer's hand when holding a beverage container.
US07716750B2 Necktie
A necktie is preformed with a knot or knot like section which is adapted to be attached to the collar of a shirt by a fastening means that can be separated from the necktie body and can be attached to the shirt collar to cause the necktie to be suspended. Such an entirely new type of necktie can be used by one irrespective of age and sex.Use of the fastening means makes fitting easy and makes nil the sense of oppression around the neck area. Only a minor change made to an ordinary necktie allows this new necktie to be manufactured inexpensively and to be washed while retaining its shape. A necktie is thus provided that can be returned easily to the state of an ordinary necktie and that is not different in appearance from an ordinary necktie.
US07716749B2 Dining garment for a high chair
A dining garment for a child's high chair or toddler's table or other similar furniture article, comprises a tray cover, a bib extension of the tray cover extending over the tray, and a bolster disposed around and extending upward from the perimeter of the tray cover, the combination forming a basin. The bolster has sufficient rigidity to maintain the basin form and sufficient flexibility to facilitate installation, removal, and cleaning, without requiring inflation of the bolster and without requiring a separate supporting frame. The dining garment includes a trough between the tray cover and the bib extension for accumulating spilled food materials. A drain may be provided in the trough for draining the spilled material. The drain may include a cap, stopper, or plug.
US07721338B2 Defeat of the copy protection of optical discs
DVDs can be copy protected by incorporating regions which contain unreadable or subversive data within the data area (42). For example, such a region may be configured as a cell of a video object (VOB) (50) within a VOB file (51). Access to the region of subversive data is prevented during normal playback, for example, by ensuring that there are no pointers leading to the subversive region. To defeat such a copy protection method, the content on the copy protected optical disc is accessed by utilising the navigation provided for normal playback of the disc. Thus, the subversive regions are navigated around during copying of the disc. The accessed content is stored in a corresponding data area and, where subversive regions are identified, arbitrary data is incorporated within regions of the copy data area which correspond to regions of unreadable or subversive data in the original data area.
US07721336B1 Systems and methods for dynamic detection and prevention of electronic fraud
The present invention provides systems and methods for dynamic detection and prevention of electronic fraud and network intrusion using an integrated set of intelligent technologies. The intelligent technologies include neural networks, multi-agents, data mining, case-based reasoning, rule-based reasoning, fuzzy logic, constraint programming, and genetic algorithms. The systems and methods of the present invention involve a fraud detection and prevention model that successfully detects and prevents electronic fraud and network intrusion in real-time. The model is not sensitive to known or unknown different types of fraud or network intrusion attacks, and can be used to detect and prevent fraud and network intrusion across multiple networks and industries.
US07721335B2 Ambient calculus-based modal logics for mobile ambients
Ambient calculus-based modal logics for mobile ambients are disclosed. Formal analysis mechanisms or frameworks with which mobile ambients can be described, and within which policies such as security policies can be tested against those ambients, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method receives at least one container, where each container has at least one process. The method applies the containers, including their processes, against a predetermined modal logic. The modal logic is based on ambient calculus, and provides for spatial relationships among the processes of the containers. The containers and their processes are output, as applied against the logic.
US07721333B2 Method and system for detecting a keylogger on a computer
A method and system for detecting a keylogger on a computer is described. One illustrative embodiment creates, in a memory of the computer, a hidden window; generates a unique, unpredictable data pattern; inputs, to the hidden window, the unique, unpredictable data pattern in a manner that mimics keyboard input from a user; scans running processes in the memory other than a keylogger detection process for the unique, unpredictable data pattern; and performs a secondary scan of a suspect process, the suspect process having an associated buffer that contains the unique, unpredictable data pattern.
US07721332B2 Integrated software for managing add-ons
Retrieval software and add-on collection software are integrated to provide a computer user information on add-ons attempting to instantiate, or alternatively, install, on the user's computer system. The retrieval software, i.e., software for locating and retrieving information from networked information services, uses information from data the collection software, i.e., software capable of collecting information about add-ons that exist via the World Wide Web, can retrieve on an add-on to create a record of status information on the add-on. The retrieval software displays this record of status information to the computer user. The retrieval software can also use information collected on an add-on to generate a recommendation identification for the add-on. The recommendation identification is an indication of what the retrieval software suggests the computer user should do with the add-on, e.g., allow its instantiation or deny its instantiation, or, alternatively, allow or block its installation.
US07721325B2 Method and apparatus for managing communication security in wireless network
A method and apparatus for managing communication security in a wireless network are provided. The method includes receiving from a station that intends to associate in the wireless network including an access point, first key generation information provided by the access point and second key generation information provided by the station, providing third key generation information, generating a security key using the first key generation information, the second key generation information, the third key generation information, and an initial key, and sending the third key generation information and the security key to the station.
US07721316B2 TV and control method of the same
The present invention relates to a TV and a control method of the same which is capable of displaying function information or an error checkup menu etc. of a TV in accordance with a request of a user, in particular to a TV in accordance with the present invention comprises a service-related site server for providing function information and error item information of a product, a storing unit for storing proper information of the product and contact information of the service-related site, and a controlling unit for displaying the function information on a screen of the product by using the contact information and proper information and controlling in order to restore automatically an error occurred in the product, accordingly a user can be provided product information easily and an error occurred in a TV can be restored automatically.
US07721315B2 Method and system for on-demand delivery of personalized internet-based content to television viewers
A method of delivering personalized content to customers of a subscription television service for display on their televisions, the method comprising: (a) converting Internet-based content from an Internet based format to a format suitable for display on a customer's television through a customer's set top box, and (b) after the conversion, delivering the converted content to a set top box associated with that customer for display on that customer's television. With such a method, the customer's set top box need not be Internet-enabled. Preferably, the customer's subscription television service is a cable television service.
US07721314B2 Scheduled retrieval, storage and access of media data
A system and method automates a scheduled retrieval, storage, and access of media data. Media data is retrieved from an external source and downloaded to an end user media device storage for subsequent playback at the end user media device. Media data is accessible from the end user media device storage based upon criteria including a selection of the end user, rules regulating the media data, and whether a playback time of the media data is sufficient to retrieve additional media data. The system performs regularly scheduled dynamic controls to determine whether additional media data is required for continuous and uninterrupted access of the media data.
US07721311B2 Displaying EPG information on a digital television
Disclosed is a method for displaying a plurality of objects on a display (105). Each object has at least a first attribute and a second attribute. The method sets a range of first attributes to be displayed. A set of objects is then displayed having the same second attribute on a radial line of an ellipse based on a comparison between the range and the first attribute of the objects. Desirably the method is used for displaying information regarding a plurality of broadcast programs on the display, each broadcast program having attributes comprising at least time of transmission and channel of transmission. In that implementation a display period is set. The method then compares the time of broadcast transmission of one or more programs with the display period and then displays (eg. 600) information regarding a set of programs (602, 604, 606) having the same channel of transmission (eg. 12) on at least one radial line of an ellipse, based on the comparison. The described arrangements are particularly useful in displaying television electronic program guide (EPG) information.
US07721310B2 Method and apparatus for selective updating of a user profile
A television programming recommender is disclosed that selectively obtains feedback information from a user to update one or more profiles associated with the user. Previously obtained implicit and explicit preferences are utilized to selectively focus the collection of feedback information to further update and refine the implicit and explicit preferences. The present invention obtains feedback from a user in a manner that maximizes the value of the obtained information and improves the performance of the television programming recommender. The present invention automatically requests feedback from the user upon the occurrence of predefined criteria. The nature of the requested feedback, and the manner in which the obtained feedback is used to adjust a profile, can vary.
US07721308B2 Synchronization aspects of interactive multimedia presentation management
Playing an interactive multimedia presentation involves pre-rendering a media object at certain times based on a frame rate of the interactive content, a frame rate of the video content (which may include video, audio, data, or any combination thereof), and a play speed of the presentation. Certain actions taken include calculating a current elapsed play time representing an amount of the presentation's play duration that has passed. Based on the calculated time, a current interactive content presentation time is ascertained from an interactive content timeline. The interactive content timeline represents times at which the media object is presentable. A subsequent interactive content presentation time is selected from the interactive content timeline. The presentation state of the media object is predicted for the subsequent interactive content presentation time. The media object is pre-rendered within a time offset period before the subsequent interactive content presentation time occurs.
US07721305B2 Remote TV control system
A system and method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable broadcasting network is disclosed. The presence of a viewer in front of the television is sensed, presence information is then transmitted to a cable broadcasting service center via the cable broadcasting network, a control signal is sent to the television adapted to receive same, and regular cable programming is suspended. The present invention allows the cable broadcasting company to provided additional services to the cable subscriber to retain and attract additional customers. These additional services may be tailored to the specific needs of the cable subscriber, thus a higher quality cable service is provided.
US07721295B2 Execution multiplicity control system, and method and program for controlling the same
An execution multiplicity control system is provided which measures a load distribution over service objects for each case when one type of service requests are inputted into a distributed object system; calculates an effect index for when the execution multiplicity of each of the service objects is varied, based on the load distribution; measures, for each type of the service requests, the number of service requests actually inputted, to acquire a request distribution; calculates and stores a total effect index for when the execution multiplicity of each of the service objects is varied, based on the effect index and the request distribution; and controls the execution multiplicity of the service objects by applying a method of controlling the execution multiplicity of the service objects in descending order of the respective total effect indices calculated.
US07721292B2 System for adjusting resource allocation to a logical partition based on rate of page swaps and utilization by changing a boot configuration file
Program instructions, responsive to processor utilization being above a first predetermined upper threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file of the server to increase a number of real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server. Program instructions, responsive to the processor utilization being below a second predetermined lower threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file to decrease a number of the real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to the LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server. Program instructions, responsive to the processor utilization being below a second predetermined lower threshold, automatically change a boot configuration file to decrease a number of the real processors, physically resident within the server, allocated to the LPAR effective upon a next boot-up of the server.
US07721290B2 Job scheduling management method using system resources, and a system and recording medium for implementing the method
A job scheduling management method is provided for managing job schedules. The management method includes the steps of monitoring an operating state of each of a plurality of computers to which one or more jobs are allocated, determining if the operating state meets a predetermined condition, if the operating state meets the predetermined condition, detecting an uncompleted job at a time when the predetermined condition is met from the jobs allocated to the computer, extracting another computer among the computers that is available to execute the detected uncompleted job based on information about one or more resources required for executing the detected uncompleted job, and allocating the detected uncompleted job to the extracted other computer.
US07721287B2 Organizing transmission of repository data
A method of organizing a transmission of repository data includes receiving, in a computer system, a request to transmit data from a data repository to a data recipient, the data to be transmitted by executing batch jobs that each identify a data amount to be transmitted to the data recipient. Control parameters are individually assigned to each of the batch jobs. Upon detecting during transmission that a performance parameter of the computer system does not meet a predefined standard, the data amount identified by at least one of the batch jobs is automatically changed in accordance with the control parameter assigned to the at least one of the batch jobs. An optimizer may determine the control parameters by solving a constraint optimization problem. The optimizer may take into account system characteristics such as priorities, transmission constraints or the volume of the data to be transmitted.
US07721286B2 Preemptive multi-tasking with cooperative groups of tasks
An operating system combines preemptive scheduling with cooperative or non-preemptive scheduling. In particular, tasks are divided into groups of interdependent tasks. Interdependent tasks are tasks that utilize the same modules of code or resources Each group includes tasks that should not be run asynchronously relative to each other. The scheduler in the operating system provides each group with a time slot of processor time. The tasks within the group are cooperatively scheduled to exploit the time slot assigned to the group. Dependencies between modules and tasks are maintained to assure that no difficulties arise amongst preemptively scheduled groups.
US07721284B2 Deployment of multiple embedded operating system components
The deployment of multiple embedded operating system components provides a designer with flexibility when customizing an embedded operating system for a target computing device. The embedded operating system components provide extra features to expand the functionality of the target computing device. The ease with which the designer may select various embedded operating system components to deploy from an originating computing device to the target computing device simplifies the design process. Configuration data of a core embedded operating system and configuration data of the deployed embedded operating system components are merged and any conflicts between configuration data are automatically resolved without rebooting the target computing device.
US07721283B2 Deploying a variety of containers in a Java 2 enterprise edition-based architecture
A system and method are described for deploying non-J2EE containers on a J2EE server. In one embodiment, non-J2EE containers are created and deployed on the J2EE server in communication with J2EE containers already deployed on the J2EE server.
US07721281B1 Methods and apparatus for securing local application execution
A system detects an application attempting to invoke an administrative utility on a target application for installation of software. In response, the system identifies the administrative utility as an installer launcher. The system then detects the installer launcher invoking execution of the target application, and in response, identifies the target application as an installation application. The system allows classification of applications as installer launchers and installation applications and in response to detecting operation of such programs, enforces installation security profiles during their operations that apply varying levels of access to certain system resources that differ from a level of access normally applied during non-installation activities.
US07721279B1 Packaging information integration applications
An embodiment of the present invention discloses an enterprise application packaging method and archive file. Applications and support components are developed by a developer, which are then included in the archive file. A revision control file indicates which files correlate to a present revision of the application package. A naming convention is applied to the application and support component files to indicate versions which correspond to each other. The archive file contains the file corresponding to the present version, as well as previous versions, as well as previous version revision control files so that, in the event of a failure or other error, the executing machine may revert to a previous version.
US07721265B1 Source code debugging method and apparatus for use in script testing environment
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can be implemented to provide a debugger agent, either separate form or integrated into the script-based testing platform, to coordinate the selection, activation, and or/operation of debuggers suitable for a particular unit and program under test. Such a debugger agent can provide run time monitoring and debugging activities where previously not possible. The debugger agent is generally independent agent, in that it can work with a variety of types of test scripts, test script handlers, programming languages, and debuggers without customization. Moreover, implementation generally needs no code instrumentation.
US07721259B2 Configurable and customizable software application system and metadata
Systems and methods of generating and executing customized variants of a software application are provided. The customized variants include customization of user interfaces, data processing logic, and data models. Customization is accomplished by overlaying custom metadata on base metadata. The base metadata characterizes the software application and the custom metadata characterizes variants of the software application. The custom metadata and base metadata have an object-oriented relationship. Related variants are optionally applied as a set to assure compatibility between variants of the same software application.
US07721257B2 Method for effecting software maintenance in a software system landscape and computer system
A method for effecting software maintenance in a software system landscape comprising a central control system and a plurality of logical systems interconnected by logical transport paths, each system having associated therewith one of a plurality of system roles is described. The method comprises: providing system role types, each system role type comprising a group of system roles; providing an association of tasks to system role types; providing a transport track that defines a route for software services through a group of systems in a particular order and specifies one source system in which software services are permitted, adjacent interconnected systems, and at least one target system, each software service relating to at least one of the code and the data of at least one system in the landscape; and generating a maintenance instance from the system role types, the association and the transport tracks, the maintenance instance defining tasks for effecting a software service in a maintenance interval.
US07721243B2 Method and apparatus for routing
Some embodiments of the invention provide a router that can define a route that has different widths along different directions on the same layer. To facilitate the creation of such a route, some embodiments adaptively define the shape of interconnect-line ends (i.e., the shape of route-segment ends) on a particular layer based on the routing directions available on the particular layer. By so defining these shapes, these embodiments improve the alignment of route segments that have differing widths. In other words, dynamically defining the interconnect-line ends improves the shape of a route at bends along which the route transition from one width to another. Also, to facilitate the creation of a route with different widths and/or spacing in different directions on a particular layer, some embodiments define, for each available routing direction on the particular layer, an “unroutable” bloated region about a previously defined geometry (e.g., a previously defined obstacle, wire, or via pad) on the particular layer. An item's bloated region for a particular routing direction specifies the portion of the particular layer that is not available for route segments along the particular routing direction. As further described below, the item's bloated region for a particular direction is derived based on the minimum spacing required between the item and any route segment in the particular direction for the particular net.
US07721240B2 Systematic yield in semiconductor manufacture
Three-dimensional structures are provided which improve manufacturing yield for certain structures in semiconductor devices. The three-dimensional structures take into account the interaction between an upper layer and a lower layer where the lower layer has a tendency to form a non-planar surface due to its design. Accordingly, structures built on a layer above the lower layer are formed on a more planar surface and thus are more likely to function properly. The changes to improve manufacturing yield are made at the design stage rather than at the fabrication stage.
US07721234B2 Simulation method and simulation program
There is a need for keeping the amount of data to be saved and a simulation process time almost constant irrespectively of a hierarchical level of a hierarchical circuit to be simulated. This simulation method includes a first process and a second process. The first process saves result data obtained from simulating an interface node between higher-level and lower-level hierarchies in accordance with a result of simulation using hierarchical circuit data hierarchized for multiple hierarchies. The second process uses result data saved by the first process to reproduce internal node data not saved by the first process. Result data for the interface node between hierarchies indirectly determines a value for the internal node. Result data to be saved is data concerning the interface node between hierarchies. The amount of saved data and the time needed for the second process are independent of a hierarchical level or a higher-level or lower-level hierarchy.
US07721225B2 System and method for creating and presenting modal dialog boxes in server-side component web applications
A system and method for creating and presenting modal dialog boxes in web-based applications is presented herein. The invention includes client devices that initiate requests for webpages that include modal dialog boxes and a server that receives and processes the web page requests and includes modal dialog controls to generate HTML instructions to render and display the modal dialog boxes at the client devices. The modal dialog controls include a web rendering module to determine the existence of children controls within the modal dialog box and to generate display related information. The modal dialog controls also include an event handling module to intercept attempts to access elements of the web page while the modal dialog box has not been responded to.
US07721224B2 Electronic calendar with message receiver
It is difficult to effectively manage an electronic calendar that is shared by a group of people such as family members. This is achieved by enabling users to send messages to an electronic calendar apparatus. The messages are received and stored at the apparatus and may be viewed by a user such as a mother of a family. A graphical user interface at the calendar apparatus provides a calendar and a message receiver region. A user is able to edit the calendar using information from the messages and in some examples may move or copy message indicators into the calendar from the message receiver region. In some examples, the calendar may only be edited by user input received directly at the calendar apparatus rather than from a remote location. The calendar apparatus may be provided in a protective housing to enable the apparatus to be used in a domestic kitchen.
US07721223B2 Application sharing user interface improvements
An improved application sharing system and method are described wherein shared window data is treated according to different sets of rules depending upon the fraction of the shared window data that corresponds to the actual shared window. In this manner, occlusions of a shared window on a sharer display may be disguised or handled by a viewer display to minimize the impact of the occlusion on a viewing user, providing a more consistent and less confusing viewer experience.
US07721222B1 Dynamic language text generation system and method
A non-English text generation system and method is presented by which text can be generated in any language without a keyboard. Initially, only a few base characters or radicals of a language are displayed. A desired character or derivative symbol is reached by lookup through successive menus. When a desired character or symbol is reached, it can be displayed on a computer monitor using a computer mouse or a similar interactive device. This system and method can be applied to any non-English language such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, That, Lao, etc. The system and method has significant utility in internet searching, authentication, email, chat, wireless messaging, document preparation, online advertisement creation, form filling in e-commerce etc, in non-English languages.
US07721207B2 Camera based control
A communication device may include a lens and processing logic. The lens may receive a gesture made by a user of the mobile terminal and the processing logic may identify the gesture. The processing logic may also generate a command based on the identified gesture, where the command instructs the mobile terminal or an external device to perform a control action.
US07721206B2 Systems and methods for remotely viewing page layouts
A system and methods for remotely viewing a dynamically generated page layout is described. The page layout can represent a reader ordering of pages defined as part of a print production job. Alternatively, the page layout can represent an arrangement of pages based on information defined as part of a print production job.
US07721200B2 Automatic authoring and publishing system
The invention relates to a system and method for automatically producing documents that incorporate one or more data elements. A guided/structured software environment is provided that assists users in creating manuals by defining the appropriate content for each manual section, content rules and relationships, and tasks to be performed for each type of manual entry. Manual content is stored as structured data elements, rather than pages of sentences, to more efficiently generate, revise, and store the content of a manual. A storage database is provided for retrieving and storing predefined templates, documents and individual data elements to produce a final manual. Manuals are created by combining various data elements. An instant preview interface permits a user to quickly view what revisions will look like in a final document prior to actually publishing the manual. A published manual is compiled by assembling the stored data elements and into a document.
US07721198B2 Story tracking for fixed layout markup documents
Techniques relating to story tracking for fixed layout markup documents are described. In one instance, a process identifies stories contained in a fixed layout markup document. The process also determines which portions of the fixed layout markup document relate to an individual story.
US07721197B2 System and method of displaying content on small screen computing devices
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer-readable medium for viewing Web pages on small form factor computing devices. More specifically, the present invention layers Web browsing in a system where a Web page is first displayed in an overview mode at a predetermined magnification. From a Web page displayed in overview mode, the user may issue adaptive viewing commands that cause relevant content to be displayed using additional screen space.
US07721196B2 Arbitrary rendering of visual elements on a code editor
Visual elements can be arbitrarily rendered in a code editor. Visual elements can be rendered at any location on a display. Visual elements can include text, images, graphics, video, and/or multi-media. Rendering of visual elements will not obstruct a view of rendered text. Nor will rendering of the visual element obstruct a view of the visual element. Visual elements can be rendered between lines of text and/or in-line with text. If a selected location will obstruct a view or either rendered text or another visual element, the rendered text and/or the other visual element is reconfigured to allow space for rendering the visual element.
US07721186B2 Redundancy protection for data recorded across multiple layers of recording media
To improve reliability for multi-layer media, a data stream U is received for recording to a multi-layer rotating storage medium, the data stream U comprising a sequence of data bits. Each data bit U(J) is encoded into X representation bits. A first representation bit B(1,J) is recorded onto a first layer of the storage media, the second representation bit B(2,J) is recorded onto a second layer of the storage media, etc. When a request to read the recorded data U from the storage media is subsequently received, a plurality of the X representation bits are read back from the storage media and are decoded into the original data bit U(J). One embodiment employs a convolution encoding algorithm and PRML decoding algorithm. Another embodiment employs Reed Solomon encoding/decoding.
US07721182B2 Soft error protection in individual memory devices
Techniques are disclosed for minimizing the effects of soft errors associated with memory devices that are individually accessible. By way of example, a method of organizing a column in a memory array of a memory device protected by an error correction code comprises the step of maximizing a distance of the error correction code by maximizing a physical distance between memory bits associated with a memory line within the column protected by the error correction code. Other soft error protection techniques may include use of a feed forward error correction code or use of a memory operation (e.g., read or write operation) suppress and retry approach.
US07721181B2 Memory and 1-bit error checking method thereof
A memory 1-bit error checking method is provided. Firstly, at least one piece of data fragment whose side is 2n bits is received. Next, an error correction code, a parity code and a data code are generated and written in the memory. Then, the at least one piece of data fragment is read from the memory and used as at least one piece of read data fragment. Next, a new error correction code, a new parity code and a new data code are generated. Afterwards, a determination as to whether the at least one piece of read data fragment has a 1-bit error is made. After that, if the at least one piece of read data fragment does not have a 1-bit error, then the at least one piece of read data fragment is outputted.
US07721180B2 Information management system, information management apparatus and information management method
An information management system has an information management apparatus that receives a data stream with a general-purpose format, which is constituted of data and additional information, from a data-supplying system and separates the additional information from the data stream to hold and manage the data obtained by separating the additional information from the data stream. The information management system has a data storage device that stores the data obtained by separating the additional information from the data stream with the information management apparatus. The data is stored in the data storage device as it is with the data having the general-purpose format.
US07721178B2 Systems, methods, and computer program products for providing a two-bit symbol bus error correcting code
Systems, methods and computer program products for providing a nested two-bit symbol bus error correcting code. Methods include constructing a nested error correcting code (ECC) scheme. The method includes receiving a Hamming distance n code. A symbol correcting code H-matrix is created by iteratively adding rows of H-matrix bits on a symbol column basis such that the symbol correcting code H-matrix describes a symbol correcting code, and the Hamming distance n code is preserved as a subset of the symbol correcting code H-matrix.
US07721177B2 Device and method for determining a position of a bit error in a bit sequence
In a device for determining a position of a bit error in a bit sequence, a check matrix is used which has a predefined number of rows and a predefined number of columns. The check matrix includes a plurality of square submatrices having a submatrix row number and a submatrix column number corresponding to the predefined number of rows or the predefined number of columns of the check matrix. The device for determining then includes a unit for receiving a bit sequence and a unit for identifying a syndrome using the check matrix and the received bit sequence. Furthermore, the device includes a unit for establishing a position of a bit error in the received bit sequence, wherein the unit for establishing is adapted to identify a syndrome bit and a syndrome bit group in the syndrome, and wherein the unit for establishing is further adapted to determine the position of the bit error in the received bit sequence using information on a position of the syndrome bit or the syndrome bit group in the syndrome, information on a relationship between the syndrome bit and the syndrome bit group, and a submatrix row number or a submatrix column number of a submatrix.
US07721176B2 Method, system, and computer program product for integrated circuit recovery testing using simulation checkpoints
A method, system, and computer program product for integrated circuit recovery testing using simulation checkpoints is provided. The method includes executing an error injection test on an integrated circuit that includes a plurality of domains and latches. The error injection test includes injecting an error into one of the domains, clock stopping the domain with the error, performing fencing between the domain with the error and the other domains, and quiescing the other domains. A checkpoint is created of a state of the integrated circuit after the clock stopping, fencing and quiescing have been completed. A mainlines test of the integrated circuit is executed. The mainline test includes applying the checkpoint to the integrated circuit, and performing a recovery reset of the stopped domain. It is determined if the mainline test executed correctly and the results of the determining are output.
US07721172B2 Method and apparatus for broadcasting test patterns in a scan-based integrated circuit
A broadcaster, system, and method for reducing test data volume and test application time in an ATE (automatic test equipment) in a scan-based integrated circuit. The scan-based integrated circuit contains multiple scan chains, each scan chain comprising multiple scan cells coupled in series. The broadcaster is a combinational logic network coupled to an optional virtual scan controller and an optional scan connector. The virtual scan controller controls the operation of the broadcaster. The system transmits virtual scan patterns stored in the ATE and generates broadcast scan patterns through the broadcaster for testing manufacturing faults in the scan-based integrated circuit. The number of scan chains that can be supported by the ATE is significantly increased. Methods are further proposed to reorder scan cells in selected scan chains, to generate the broadcast scan patterns and virtual scan patterns, and to synthesize the broadcaster and a compactor in the scan-based integrated circuit.The scan architecture used can also be random access scan based, where the integrated circuit comprises an array of random access scan (RAS) cells that are randomly and uniquely addressable. In random access scan, test patterns can be applied by selectively updating RAS cells and test responses can be observed through a direct read-out process. Eliminating the shifting process inherent in serial scan, random access scan produces much lower test power dissipation than serial scan.
US07721171B2 Scheme to optimize scan chain ordering in designs
A method for optimizing a scan chain ordering in circuit designs in an electronic computer-aided design system is provided. The method comprising: creating a schematic representative of a circuit design having a first cell and a second cell, the first cell and the second cell each having latches therein; creating a scan input pin and a scan output pin for each of the latches in the first cell and the second cell on the schematic; generating a first label on the schematic to provide a first wiring arrangement for the latches in the circuit design, the first wiring arrangement identifies a first order to which the scan input of each of the latches is wired to the scan output of another one of the latches; creating a layout representative of the circuit design; generating a first scan chain having a first length on the layout based on the first wiring arrangement; creating a second scan chain from the first scan chain on the layout, the second scan chain having a second length less than the first length of the first scan chain; and generating a second label on the schematic based on the second scan chain, the second label provides a second wiring arrangement for the latches in the circuit design, the second wiring arrangement identifies a second order to which the scan input of each of the latches is wired to the scan output of another one of the latches.
US07721168B2 eFuse programming data alignment verification
An eFuse data alignment verification mechanism is provided. Alignment latches are provided in a series of latch units of a write scan chain and a logic unit is coupled to the alignment latches. A sequence of data that is scanned-into the series of latch units of the write scan chain preferably includes alignment data values. These alignment data values are placed in positions within the sequence of data that, if the sequence of data is properly scanned-into the series of latch units, cause the data values to be stored in the alignment latches. The logic unit receives data signals from the alignment latches and determines if the proper pattern of data values is stored in the alignment latches. If the proper pattern of data values is present in the alignment latches, then the data is aligned and a program enable signal is sent to the bank of eFuses.
US07721163B2 JTAG controlled self-repair after packaging
An integrated circuit containing memory includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) controlled self-repair system that permits permanent repair of the memory after the integrated circuit has been packaged. The JTAG controlled self-repair system allows a user to direct circuitry to blow fuses using an externally supplied voltage to electrically couple or isolate components to permanently repair a memory location with JTAG standard TMS and TCK signals. The system may optionally sequentially repair more than one memory location using a repair sequencer.
US07721159B2 Passing debug information
A data communications architecture employing serializers and deserializers that reduces data communications latency. In an illustrative implementation, the data communications architecture communicates data across communications links. The architecture maintains various mechanisms to promote data communications speed and to avoid communication link down time. These mechanisms perform the functions including but not limited to generating processing debug information, processing link identification information, injecting errors across communications links and performing error detection.
US07721153B2 System, method and program product for recovering from a failure
System, method and computer program product for recovering from a failure of a computing device. Start up of a first component of the device is monitored and a determination is made whether the first component has started successfully. If so, a second, higher level component of the device is started. Operational data received from the second component is monitored. If the operational data falls outside of an operational boundary, an action is performed on the second component to enable the second component to operate within a preferred operational boundary. If the first component does not start up successfully, a determination is made if start up of the first component is critical to operation of the second component. If so, a corrective action is performed relative to the first component and afterwards, an attempt is made to start up the second component.
US07721151B2 Selective error recovery of processing complex using privilege-level error discrimination
An apparatus has at least one processing unit to generate a request having a request privilege level. At least one resource exists in the apparatus to receive the request and determine if the request is allowable. The apparatus includes an error handler that determines the nature of an error and performs a reset based upon the privilege level of the request that cause the error.
US07721150B2 Failover and load balancing
Provided are techniques for failover when at least one of a first network adapter and a data path through the first network adapter fails, wherein the first network adapter is connected to a filter driver, and wherein the first network adapter is connected to a second network adapter. With the filter driver, a path fail notification is received that at least one of the first network adapter and the data path through the first network adapter has failed. With the filter driver, packets directed to the first network adapter are rerouted to the second network adapter.
US07721147B2 Method and apparatus for managing bad run-time block in MLC flash memory
A method and apparatus are provided for managing a bad run-time block in a multi-level cell flash memory. The apparatus includes a buffer-allotting module which allots a buffer in which data programmed in a least significant bit (LSB) of a cell is temporarily stored, a data-copying module which copies the data programmed in the LSB of the cell to the allotted buffer, and a bad-block-managing module which programs the copied data to a free block if a program error occurs in a page of the cell.
US07721146B2 Method and system for bad block management in RAID arrays
A system and method for managing bad blocks that utilizes a remapping pool formed across an array of disks to remap bad blocks formed on individual disks. When a bad block is discovered in a particular disk the bad block is then remapped within the remapping pool and is stored across multiple disks.
US07721142B2 Copying procedures including verification in data networks
The present invention provides a method and a system for backing up data (copying data) from a primary computer system onto a removable backup medium and/or a copy computer system combined with verifying the data copied onto the medium and/or computer, whereby a more fail-safe backup system is provided and a stand-in computer in case of primary computer failure is readily available. In particular the verification includes functional tests, wherein the functionality of files and databases on the copy computer system is tested. The method offers the user a possibility of assuring that a functional backup has been obtained and furthermore, in case of breakdown of the primary computer the copy computer may function as stand-in.
US07721140B2 Systems and methods for improving serviceability of a memory system
Systems and methods for improving serviceability of a memory system including a method for identifying a failing memory element in a memory system when two or more modules operate in unison in response to a read request. The method includes receiving syndrome bits and an address associated with an uncorrectable error (UE). In response to a previous correctable error (CE) having occurred, the location of the previous CE is retrieved. The location of the CE specifies a memory device position of the CE. A location of the UE is determined using the location of the previous CE and the syndrome bits of the UE as input. The location of the UE specified a memory device position. A failing memory element associated with the location of the UE is identified.
US07721134B2 Method for on-chip diagnostic testing and checking of receiver margins
A method and system for determining the eye pattern margin parameters of a receiver system during diagnostic testing is presented. The circuitry in the receiver's front end comprises a series of latches, XOR gates and OR gates which first provide the data samples and edge samples, i.e., data sampled at the rising or falling edge of an (edge) clock characterized by a phase delay relative to the data sampling clock. The receiver also comprises optimization circuitry for the ideal alignment of the edge clock (edges) with the data edges. The method further provides for a phase shifting of the edge clock to the left and right from the ideal/locked position to screen the data eye pattern in order to compute the Bit Error Rate (BER) value. The position of the edge clock relative to the data sampling clock determines the horizontal eye opening for the computed BER.
US07721126B2 Communication apparatus and method with physical address filter for power-saving control state
In a communication apparatus for wirelessly communicating directly with a communication apparatus that is participating in a network, a filter is set so as to receive only a signal from a communicating party before start of a power-saving control function at the time of standby, the set filter is removed after the power-saving control function for standby is terminated, and a logical address on the network is reset. As a result, when the power-saving control function is utilized, collision of physical addresses is prevented and it is possible to perform data communication without mismatch.
US07721125B2 System, method, and architecture for dynamic server power management and dynamic workload management for multi-server environment
Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environment is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment.
US07721124B2 System and method for signaling a first device from a second device
A signaling circuit may be implemented with a connection comprised of signal lines having predefined signals and/or functions. The predefined signals and/or functions may be defined by an individual entity or standards organization. The signaling circuit transmits information in addition to the predefined signals and/or functions. The information may be transmitted from a second device, such as a visual display screen, to a first device, such as a computing device, using at least one signal line in the connection. The information may include information about the state or status of the second device.
US07721123B2 Method and apparatus for managing the power consumption of a data processing system
A component of a microprocessor-based data processing system, which includes features for regulating power consumption in snoopable components and has gating off memory coherency properties, is determined to be in a relatively inactive state and is transitioned to a non-snoopable low power mode. Then, when a snoop request occurs, a retry protocol is sent in response to the snoop request. In conjunction with the retry protocol, a signal is sent to bring the component into snoopable mode. When the retry snoop is requested, the component is in full power mode and can properly respond to the snoop request. After the snoop request has been satisfied, the component again enters into a low power mode. Therefore, the component is able to enter into a low power mode in between snoops
US07721117B2 Stream control failover utilizing an attribute-dependent protection mechanism
A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients involves identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client and selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the clients in the event of a resource failure. In an example, the identified attribute is an indication of the popularity of the content element (e.g., as measured by the number of active streams), such that the protection mechanism is selected as a function of the popularity of the content element. In an embodiment, protection mechanisms that offer a higher level of protection are selected for the more popular content elements and protection mechanisms that offer a lower level of protection are selected for the less popular content elements.
US07721115B2 USB secure storage apparatus and method
A secure media device preferably includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage Class (MSC) interface and a USB Human Interface Device (HID) interface. A storage media area is also preferably provided. The storage media is preferably divided into a secure and nonsecure area by arranging the storage media into multiple Logical Units (LUNs). The nonsecure area is preferably accessed in a conventional manner using a host USB MSC driver through the USB MSC interface on the storage device. A password dialog application can be located in the nonsecure area of the storage device.
US07721111B2 Auto-negotiation of content output formats using a secure component model
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, secure content objects are transcoded from an input format to an output format based upon identified capabilities of a receiving device. In one embodiment, a plurality of trusted processing components are identified to collectively transcode the secure content object from the identified input format to the determined output format. In one embodiment, each of the trusted processing components are authenticated prior to operating on the secure content object.
US07721104B2 System, method and computer program product for downloading pushed content
A system is provided for downloading pushed content includes a terminal capable of receiving service loading content that identifies download content and has a digital signature. The terminal is capable of authenticating the service loading content based upon the digital signature, and if the service loading content is authenticated, pulling the download content to the terminal. In this regard, the terminal is capable of authenticating the service loading content, and pulling the download content, in response to receiving the service loading content and independent of interaction from a user of the terminal. The terminal can also be capable of determining if an interruption occurs in receiving the download content such that the terminal receives less than the entire download content. And if an interruption occurs, the terminal can be capable of recovering the download content such that the terminal receives the plurality of data packets.
US07721095B2 Apparatus, system, and method for authenticating personal identity, computer readable medium having personal identity authenticating program recorded thereon, method of registering personal identity authenticating information, method of verifying personal identity authenticating information, and recording medium having personal identity authenticating information recorded thereon
A personal identity authenticating system where the registrant/cardholder and the registrar are assigned specific identifiers and secret keys and public keys that are mapped to the identifiers at the authentication support station (ASS). Personal identity to which the registrar identifier is attached is encrypted wit the registrant/cardholder's secret key. Personal identity data is embedded as an encrypted watermark image data by means of the registrar's secret key. Both encrypted identity and watermarked image data are recorded on the IC card. When authentication is required, the identity data with the registrar identifier is decrypted with the cardholder's public key that is supplied by the ASS. The registrar's public key is obtained from the ASS by using the decrypted registrar identifier. The registrar's public key permits the personal identity to be retrieved from the watermarked image data. Internal authentication is executed by matching between personal identity strings and image data.
US07721089B2 Broadcast encryption using RSA
Methods, components and systems for implementing secure and efficient broadcast encryption schemes with configurable and practical tradeoffs among a pre-broadcast transmission bandwidth t, a key storage cost k, and a key derivation cost c, in which the schemes use subtree difference and key decomposition to generate secondary keys, use the secondary keys to encrypt the broadcast and generate ciphertexts, and use the RSA encryption scheme to implement derivability between the primary keys and the secondary keys. To decrypt the broadcast, a privileged user uses one of its primary keys to derive a secondary key, which is used to decrypt the broadcast. The product of key derivation costc and the key storage cost k is at most (2a−log a−2)loga n, when n is the number of users, 1≦b≦log n, a=2b, and revoked users r
US07721087B1 Cross UI platform alerting of security status
Mobile device user interface techniques are disclosed that can run across multiple platforms. These techniques allow for unobtrusive and intuitive communication with the user of the mobile device. For instance, one particular embodiment of the present invention allows a security product executing on a mobile device to use SMS-like messages to alert the user of the security status of the device, and more generally that security products (e.g., anti-virus, anti-spyware, email scanning, and/or intrusion detection) are actively protecting his/her device. A non-platform-user-interface dependent means of providing such alerts is also provided.
US07721083B2 CPU runaway determination circuit and CPU runaway determination method
A CPU reads a clear pattern held in a register in a watchdog timer when a system is booted up or reset, thereby determining whether or not the boot-up or the reset is a reset performed by the system or a reset due to runaway of a program to be executed and performing a process for booting up the system so as not to restart the task in which the runaway has occurred.
US07721082B2 Method for advertising using the BIOS of a peripheral card, a software program based on the said method, and a hardware peripheral card using the said method and program
A new method of advertising where the advertising information is presented visually (displayed) on the screen of the computer system, and/or in auditory way (as a sound) on the sound system of a computer system, a software program based on the said method, and a hardware peripheral card using the said method and program.The information is presented after powering on of the computer and before booting an operating system, or after rebooting the operating system and before the next boot. The computer system contains a motherboard, to which is attached a peripheral card, which includes a memory chip, which includes peripheral BIOS. The said peripheral BIOS includes advertising information and advertising related program. The peripheral BIOS program executes the advertising related program, which then presents the stored advertising information visually and/or in auditory way.
US07721081B2 Computer system and method for booting up the same
A computer system with a main memory is equipped with an HDD that has a disk and a driving motor driving the disk, a non-volatile storage unit provided in the HDD storing therein a booting program of an operating system, and a control unit reading out the booting program stored in the non-volatile storage unit and loading the booting program onto the main memory before the driving motor reaches a normal speed as power is supplied to the computer system. With this configuration, there is provided a computer system capable of reducing the booting time of the HDD.
US07721076B2 Tracking an oldest processor event using information stored in a register and queue entry
Method, apparatus and system embodiments provide a register to track the oldest exception event or sticky event in a processor. The processor may be an out-of-order processor. Dispatched instructions (or micro-ops) may be maintained in a queue, such as a reorder buffer (ROB), for in-order retirement. For at least one embodiment, event information is maintained only in the register and is not maintained in a ROB. For at least one other embodiment, event information is maintained in a ROB entry for some events and in the register for others. For such latter embodiment, a retire engine takes the contents of both the ROB entry and the register into account when determining whether to take an exception or otherwise initiate a handling sequence during in-order instruction retirement. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07721071B2 System and method for propagating operand availability prediction bits with instructions through a pipeline in an out-of-order processor
A processor core and a method for distributive scoreboard scheduling in an out-of-order processor pipeline are described herein. In an embodiment, control logic appends operand availability bits to each instruction. The appended operand availability bits form a distributive scoreboard for each instruction. The appended operand availability bits are propagated together with the instruction through multiple stages of the processor pipeline. An instruction dispatch buffer stores the instruction and the operand availability bits. A dispatch controller determines when an instruction is to be issued. The determination is based, at least in part, on the operand availability bits stored in the instruction dispatch buffer.
US07721070B2 High-performance, superscalar-based computer system with out-of-order instruction execution
A high-performance, superscalar-based computer system with out-of-order instruction execution for enhanced resource utilization and performance throughput. The computer system fetches a plurality of fixed length instructions with a specified, sequential program order (in-order). The computer system includes an instruction execution unit including a register file, a plurality of functional units, and an instruction control unit for examining the instructions and scheduling the instructions for out-of-order execution by the functional units. The register file includes a set of temporary data registers that are utilized by the instruction execution control unit to receive data results generated by the functional units. The data results of each executed instruction are stored in the temporary data registers until all prior instructions have been executed, thereby retiring the executed instruction in-order.
US07721067B2 Translation lookaside buffer manipulation
A processor having a multistage pipeline includes a TLB and a TLB controller. In response to a TLB miss signal, the TLB controller initiates a TLB reload, requesting address translation information from either a memory or a higher-level TLB, and placing that information into the TLB. The processor flushes the instruction having the missing virtual address, and refetches the instruction, resulting in re-insertion of the instruction at an initial stage of the pipeline above the TLB access point. The initiation of the TLB reload, and the flush/refetch of the instruction, are performed substantially in parallel, and without immediately stalling the pipeline. The refetched instruction is held at a point in the pipeline above the TLB access point until the TLB reload is complete, so that the refetched instruction generates a “hit” in the TLB upon its next access.
US07721042B2 Content-addressable memory that supports a priority ordering between banks of differing sizes
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that implements a content-addressable memory (CAM) which has multiple banks. During operation, the system receives a request to insert an item into the CAM, wherein the request includes a key which is used to index the item and a body containing data. Next, for each bank in the CAM, the system calculates a different hash function based on the key to produce an index and a tag. The system then uses the calculated index and the tag for each bank to lookup an entry in each bank. If the lookups do not generate a hit in any bank, the system stores an entry for the request into a highest priority bank which does not contain a valid entry in the location accessed by the lookup. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple banks in the CAM have varying sizes.
US07721035B2 Multiprocessor system, processor and interrupt control method
A first processor in a multiprocessor system for processing interrupts by a plurality of processors accepts an interrupt and executes first interrupt processing in accordance with the accepted interrupt. In the first interrupt processing, second interrupt processing corresponding to the accepted interrupt is assigned to a second processor.
US07721029B2 Data restoration in archivable mobile random access storage devices
Described are a method and apparatus for preserving data integrity which can be practiced in a data storage library that receives data from a host computer. The data storage library includes a docking station that stores data to and from an operatively linked mobile random access storage device. Once the data is stored on the mobile random access storage device, the elapsed time is accounted for. The mobile random access storage device is adapted to be unlinked from the docking station, such as for purposes of archiving the mobile random access storage device. A user can be notified when the elapsed time has reached a time limit. Upon indicating that the data on mobile random access storage device should be restored, the mobile random access storage device can be re-linked with the docking station for data restoration, thus, starting a new elapsed time.
US07721028B2 Keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch between plurality of internal USB hubs each associated with plurality of audio codecs connected to the downstream port of associated USB hub
An improved KVM switch is provided which enables computers to be connected to the KVM switch by reduced numbers of cables. It also supports transmission of digital audio signals between the computers and the KVM switch. A single USB port is provided to transmit keyboard, mouse, speaker and microphone signals between the KVM switch and each computer. The improved KVM switch is provided with one or more USB hubs to separate the keyboard/mouse signals and the digital audio signals, and one or more audio codecs to convert the audio signals from a digital form to an analog form and vice versa.
US07721024B2 System and method for exiting from an interrupt mode in a multiple processor system
A system and method for interrupt processing includes a technique for exiting from interrupt mode in multiple processor systems. Those processors that were in a suspended or halt state immediately before entering the interrupt mode are released immediately with reference to the resolution of the interrupt condition. Those processors not responsible for the processing tasks associated with resolving the interrupt condition serially exit from interrupt mode on a time-delayed basis following the resolution of the interrupt condition.
US07721019B2 Method and apparatus for partitioning industrial control data
An industrial controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The industrial controller is operable to communicate using an optimized connection packet including I/O data from a plurality of I/O modules arranged as an unstructured data block. The processing unit is operable to operate on the I/O data within the optimized connection packet to control a process. The memory is operable to store a plurality of cast tags. Each cast tag is associated with one of the I/O modules and provides a logical reference to a subset of the unformatted data block including at least a portion of the I/O data for the associated I/O module.
US07721015B2 Dynamic audio jack colors
For dynamically adjusting a color code corresponding to a task performed by an input/output (I/O) port, a retasking request for the I/O port is received. The retasking request may be generated in response to detecting a plugging in of a multimedia device into the I/O port. The retasking request includes switching the task from a first task to a second task. In response to the retasking request the task performed by the I/O port is automatically reconfigured from the first task to the second task. The color code is automatically changed from a first color code corresponding to the first task to a second color code corresponding to the second task in response to the reconfiguring, without user intervention.
US07721014B2 Network device having a flexible EEPROM for setting configuration settings
A method for flexibly configuring default values of a network device and a network device using such flexible configuration method is described. First, it is determined whether the default values are obtained through a microprocessor interface or a memory interface. When it is determined that the default values are obtained through the memory interface, a header is received from a memory through the memory interface it is determined from the header whether any default value of the network device should be updated. If the network device should be updated, then at least one configuration instruction is fetched from the memory and the at least one configuration instruction is interpreted. A register default value of the default values is changed, corresponding to the interpreted at least one configuration instruction. Alternatively, when it is determined that the default values are obtained through the microprocessor interface, the default values are changed according to data received through the microprocessor interface.
US07721011B1 Method and apparatus for reordering memory accesses to reduce power consumption in computer systems
A reordering command queue for reordering memory accesses in a computer system. The reordering command queue may reduce the power that is typically used up in computer systems when performing accesses to main memory by improving the scheduling of memory accesses with a pattern that is optimized for power and which has no (or negligible) impacting on performance. During a compare operation, the address corresponding to the command stored in each of one or more current storage locations of the reordering command queue may be compared to the address corresponding to the command stored in an adjacent storage location to determine whether the commands are in a desired order. In response to one or more of the commands not being in the desired order, a reordering operation may be performed, which may reorder each of the one or more commands from a current storage location to the adjacent storage location.
US07721006B2 Meta-message set with real-time and database aspects
A generic device controller unit system (10) includes a generic “true real time” peripheral device controller and a data and protocol communications interface that uses a common set of instructions from a meta-message set. The system (10) is generic, in that the system (10) is capable of connecting a processor (40) to any number of various peripheral devices (50), instead of being designed to interconnect a processor (40) only to a specific peripheral device (50). The system (10) interfaces between a standard non-true real time operating system and peripheral devices (50) in such a manner as to employ true real time peripheral device control using the meta-message set. The device controller of the system (10) allows a standard non-true real time operating system to send instructions from the meta-message set to implement true real time control of peripheral devices (50). The system (10) interfaces between a processor (40) and peripheral devices (50) such that the data and protocol communications interface of the system (10) allows the processor (40) to utilize a single protocol, associated data and set of instructions in order to communicate with peripheral devices (50) which are utilizing different protocols and associated data.
US07721004B2 Bridge for an industrial control system using data manipulation techniques
A inter-network interface device usable in a highly reliable industrial control system provides an interface between a producer module transmitting redundant messages in accordance with a communication protocol and a consumer module receiving the messages in accordance with a different communication protocol. The inter-network interface device includes a first network interface receiving two messages from the producer, a microprocessor capable of converting the messages from the producer communication protocol to consumer communication protocol, and a second network interface transmitting the messages to the consumer. One of the messages is reversible altered with respect to the other message. The altered message is uninverted in the consumer module, and compared to the other message to ensure that no transmission errors have occurred.
US07720998B2 System and method for promoting messages to a plurality of websites from a centralized authority in response to a disaster or emergency event
A system and method for broadcasting messages to selected websites in order to provide emergency information to the U.S. populace, or zone applicable populace, from a central authority. This is achieved by implementing a “partial deflection” of a website altering the applicable zone file on a DNS server having authority over a website. Depending up which authority makes a request for broadcasting an emergency message, an emergency website is created and a partial deflection of the original entity's page is deflected to a main frame accompanying a header frame displaying the emergency alert message the emergency alert webpage. The requesting authority retains control over the content of the emergency message and can trigger the implementation of the broadcast from a variety of signal interfaces.
US07720996B2 Internet protocol (IP) address proximity and application to peer provider location
Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment information is collected from Address Allocation Tables (AATs) of a plurality of IP address assigning registrars. The information is processed and stored into one or more data structures. The information is accessed to determine a proximity measure for any two given IP addresses. In one embodiment, the proximity determination includes the determination of superblock memberships of the IP addresses, comparison of the assigning registrars, as well as the location countries of the IP addresses. In one embodiment, the proximity detection is applied to locating IP addresses of peer providers of a resource. In one embodiment, Autonomous System (AS) numbers and IP addresses for a plurality of peer providers for a plurality of resources are also collected and organized into one or more data structures; this organized information of the peer providers is also used in locating the closest peer providers of a resource in terms of network topology.
US07720993B2 Information driven routing in ad hoc sensor networks
A sensor network routing is formulated as a joint optimization problem taking into account routing cost and information aggregation. Information gain is used explicitly to optimize the routing path. The optimization approach involves a shortest path algorithm in a modified network graph. A method is provided that routes queries from an arbitrary entry point to high activity network sensor regions using inputs from sensor nodes along the path to refine the message. The multiple step look-ahead approach provides deadlock avoidance and routing around sensor network holes. For point-to-point query routing, a method based on real-time A* (RTA*) search is provided to find a path which takes detours efficiently to maximize information aggregation. Future information expected to be gained along the path from an arbitrary node to an exit node may be estimated to allow the selection of a successor sensor node.
US07720991B1 Marked foreign data blocks
Systems, methods, and computer program products for embedding a foreign data block in a host data file. In general, in one aspect, the computer-implemented method includes receiving a host data file, the host data file having a host data file format, receiving a packet to be embedded into the host data file, the packet including a foreign data block and further including a header and a trailer that delimit the foreign data block, the header including an identifier designed to be distinguishable from all other data in the host data file, a byte pattern that indicates a presence of the header, and a character encoding format of the foreign data block, the byte pattern selected based on the character encoding format of the foreign data block, and embedding the packet in the host data file.
US07720989B2 Electronic device and base station for maintaining a network connection
An electronic device and wireless base station for maintaining a persistent connection is provided. In an embodiment, a system includes an electronic device that connects to a web-server via a physical link that is bandwidth-constrained. The physical link also includes a wireless base station and at least one network address translation (“NAT”) router that is configured to terminate idle connections between the client and the web-server. One of the electronic device and the wireless base station is configured to send keep-alive packets to the web-server in order to reduce the likelihood of the NAT router terminating the connection. The keep-alive packets are sent on a variable basis that is intended to reduce bandwidth consumption while ensuring that the NAT router does not deem the connection idle and terminate the connection.
US07720987B2 Mapping transport streams
In a digital network that includes a plurality of devices, which include multiple devices that transmit transport streams, a system and method are provided for discovering and mapping the transport streams and the plurality of devices included in the digital network. One such method sends a transport stream map request to a plurality of network devices. The network devices include a plurality of network transport stream sources and a plurality of network transport stream handlers. The method receives a plurality of replies to the transport stream map request. Each reply includes information associated with the respective network device. The method generates a transport stream map based on the received replies. The transport stream map represents a flow of transport streams among the plurality of network devices.
US07720977B1 Cookie invalidation or expiration by a switch
A switch may be used to force the expiration of a cookie on a user's system by inserting an expiration field into the cookie contained in a network response packet. Additionally, a mechanism is provided to delete or damage a cookie contained in a network request packet, so that server software is not disrupted by the receipt of a cookie. Deleting a cookie results in a cleaner request, but damaging a cookie may be more efficient in certain circumstances. By providing these features, an efficient cookie switching design is provided.
US07720973B2 Message-based scalable data transport protocol
The invention deploys a message-based data transport platform, in which a communication engine controls the delivery of server or other backup data or other large quantity data to a remote site based on message objects as fundamental units. Data sessions from one or more servers or other data sources may be buffered over established pipes for delivery to a remote data host which likewise contains messaging control. Relatively large message units may wait for communication over the channel in a queue, and be released when prior messaging is complete. Completion port or other polling or other mechanisms may indicate that connections have become open for use. In embodiments the message objects may be signed, or encrypted to safeguard against alteration or unauthorized viewing. The communication engine may rely upon TCP or other underlying transport mechanisms to effect lower level transmission.
US07720970B2 Method for processing received networking traffic while playing audio/video or other media
A method of providing media content (e.g., audio and/or video) and processing data received over a network. Received data may be processed at a reduced rate while at least one media application is running. Received packets may be processed in batches, and media data may be processed in between processing the batches. The method may provide for reducing or eliminating glitches in the media content caused by receiving data over a network while providing the media content.
US07720968B2 Method and system of configuring elements of a distributed computing system for optimized value
A method and system for configuring elements of a distributed computing system based on evaluations of their value add and cost impact. The system and method for configuring elements of a distributed computing system comprises the steps of: determining one or more system metrics that relate to hardware and/or software elements of a configured distributed system; determining a system value in response to one or more system metrics, the value determined according to one or more value criteria; and, re-configuring elements of the distributed computing environment according to said determined system value. The re-configuring step further comprises steps of determining one or more potential changes in the distributed computing environment based on the system value determined, and, determining an alternate system value based on at least one potential change determined, the alternate value reflecting an economic consequence including but not limited to: increased revenue, or decreased cost resulting from a potential change.
US07720965B2 Client health validation using historical data
Implementations of client health validation using historical data are described. In one implementation, historical data on a client, such as a laptop, attempting to access a network is scanned. The historical data can come in many forms, including cookies and application data caches saved on the client. The historical data can be used to assess a health of the client. For example, if historical data stored in an application data cache indicates interactions between the client and a website known to disseminate malicious agents, the client can be assessed to have unacceptable health. Alternately, if the historical data indicates that the client has not interacted with enough suspicious sources to constitute a danger to the network, the client can be assessed to have acceptable health. In such a case, the client can be allowed to access the network.
US07720963B2 Content display monitor
The invention can enable monitoring of the display of content by a computer system. Moreover, the invention can enable monitoring of the displayed content to produce monitoring information from which conclusions may be deduced regarding the observation of the displayed content by an observer. The invention can also enable monitoring of the display at a content display site of content that is provided by a content provider site over a network to the content display site. Additionally, the invention can enable the expeditious provision of updated and/or tailored content over a network from a content provider site to a content display site so that the content provider's current and appropriately tailored content is always displayed at the content display site. Aspects of the invention related to transfer of content over a network are generally applicable to any type of network. However, it is contemplated that the invention can be particularly useful with a computer network, including private computer networks (e.g., America Online™) and public computer networks (e.g., the Internet). In particular, the invention can be advantageously used with computer networks or portions of computer networks over which video and/or audio content are transferred from one network site to another network site for observation, such as the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.
US07720961B2 Managed affiliate system and method
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a managed affiliate system and method configured to provide authorized content for use and distribution. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a managed affiliate system that is configured to verify and monitor whether the content or property offered for use or sale by a participant is in compliance with any use restrictions.
US07720959B2 Method and apparatus for characterizing the quality of a network path
We describe multiple methods and apparatuses for characterizing the quality of a network path by means of metrics that at the same time are (1) additive and (2) characterize the performance of network applications.
US07720948B2 Method and system of generically specifying packet classification behavior
A method and system for controlling packet classification behavior of a plurality of heterogeneous network processors in a network is disclosed. The network also includes at least one host processor that utilizes at least one packet classification application. The method and system include providing a plurality of generic application program interfaces (APIs). The generic APIs communicate with the packet classification application(s) and the heterogeneous network processors. The generic APIs communicate with the packet classification application(s) in the host processor(s) in a network processor independent manner, but manage the packet classification behavior of the heterogeneous network processors in a network processor specific manner. Thus, the generic APIs allow the packet classification application(s) to be network processor independent and to manage the packet classification behavior of the heterogeneous network processors in the network processor specific manner.
US07720945B2 Method and system for automatic detection, inventory, and operating system deployment on network boot capable computers
A system for the automatic detection and inventory of a network boot capable computer and for the automatic deployment of an appropriate operating system to the network boot capable computer. First, an initial broadcast packet from the network boot capable computer is received. In response to receiving the initial broadcast packet, a discovery kernel is sent to the network boot capable computer. The discovery kernel generates a hardware details file. The hardware details file is received from the network boot capable computer and is analyzed. After the hardware details file is analyzed, an appropriate operating system is deployed to the network boot capable computer.
US07720940B1 Managing a network element using a template configuration
An element manager acquires information identifying a network element. Based on the acquired information, the element manager associates a template configuration with the network element. The template configuration includes configuration parameter values. Subsequent to the associating, the element manager provides configuration information describing a configuration of the network element without retrieving the configuration information from the network element. The configuration information is based on the template configuration. An element manager and programming first determine that a configuration of a network element should match a template configuration. The configuration includes configuration parameter values utilized by the network element. The element manager and programming acquire at least one of the configuration parameter values and determine that the at least one acquired configuration parameter value does not match a corresponding configuration parameter value of the template configuration. Based on this determination, the element manager and programming take an action.
US07720931B2 System and method of remotely managing and loading artifacts
A system and method of remotely loading artifacts is disclosed. The method involves storing and indexing a plurality of artifacts in a centralized location. A query is received from a client to locate an artifact, and the artifact is located within the central location. A reply is then returned to the client, wherein the reply includes a location of the artifact. In one embodiment, the method of remotely loading artifacts further involves the artifacts being previously extracted from an application during the installation of the application.
US07720928B2 Centralized fine-grained enhancements for distributed table driven I/O mapping
A virtual storage system comprises an agent to store a first table to map virtual storage segments to storage locations, and a controller to store a second table and to intermittently cause contents of the first table to be replaced by contents of the second table. During an I/O operation, one of the entries in the first table can be accessed by a host to determine one of the storage locations. Also, a method for performing an I/O operation on a virtual storage segment, defined by first table that maps a storage segment to a first storage location, comprises turning off I/O operations at the first storage location, identifying portions of the virtual storage segment to be effected during a write operation, storing a record of identified portions at a second table not the first table, and writing to portions of the second storage location associated with the identified portions.
US07720924B2 System providing methodology for the restoration of original media quality in messaging environments
A system providing methodology for the restoration of original media quality in messaging environments is described. In one embodiment, for example, deployed in a messaging system, a method of the present invention is described for restoring media items to original quality, the method comprises steps of: upon receipt of a message containing an original media item that is new, storing the original media item in a repository; generating an identifier for identifying the original media item stored in the repository; replacing the original media item in the message with a substitute copy that includes the identifier; and upon future encounter of a particular media item having the identifier, restoring the particular media item to original quality using the identifier.
US07720923B2 Method and system for notification of local action required to contents of electronic mail message
The present invention provides a method and system to alert the recipient of an electronic message of some action that is required from the recipient. The invention also provides a method to alert the sender of the electronic message of the completion of the action required in the original electronic mail message. In the method of the present invention, the originator or recipient of an electronic mail message can choose to designate the message as one that requires an action by the message recipient. The recipient will notice the ‘Action Required’ icon and will be alerted to the fact that an action is required with this message. At the completion of the action, the sender of the original message will receive a notification that the requested action has been taken by the recipient.
US07720917B2 Method and device for hiding messages
Based on user configuration, a main messaging user interface screen on a messaging device either presents a list of references to messages stored on the device based on a complete index of references to the stored messages or based on a filtered index of references to the stored messages. References to stored messages of a predetermined type are not maintained in the filtered index.
US07720906B2 Web service for remote application discovery
Systems and methods of a Web service for remote terminal service application discovery are described. In one aspect, a Web service in an Intranet is provided. The Web service is coupled to a public network. The Web service facilitates remote client computer discovery over the public network of information corresponding to application(s) deployed on the Intranet. The remote client computer is external to the Intranet. The application(s) are configured for terminal server based access for a user of the remote client computer.
US07720902B2 Methods and apparatus for providing a reduction array
Methods and apparatus provide for accumulating bit streams from four partial products and producing a carry-save output pair, including: producing the save, S, portion of the carry-save output pair, in accordance with the following Boolean expression: S=d3 XOR ((d0 XOR d1) XOR (d2 XOR Cin)), wherein d0, d1, d2, d3 are the bit streams from the four partial products, and Cin is a carry in bit stream receivable from an adjacent compression circuit of an overall partial product reduction array.
US07720897B2 Optimized discrete fourier transform method and apparatus using prime factor algorithm
An apparatus and method for DFT processing using prime factor algorithm (PFA) on a selected number P of midamble chip values received by a CDMA receiver, where P has a plurality M of relatively prime factors F, and the DFT process is divided into M successive F-point DFT processes. The P data values are retrieved from a single input port memory and selectively permuted by a controller into parallel caches to optimize factoring with associated twiddle factors stored in parallel registers. The permuted inputs are factored in two or more parallel PFA circuits that comprise adders and multipliers arranged to accommodate any size F-point DFT. The outputs of the PFA circuits are processed by consolidation circuitry in preparation for output permutation of the values which are sent to memory for subsequent DFT cycles.
US07720893B2 Methods and apparatus for providing map locations in user applications using URL strings
In one illustrative example, a method for use in mapping a location in a computer device includes the steps of receiving an electronic file or message which includes a hypertext link mapping indicator associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) string having a server address and latitude and longitude coordinates; receiving, through a user interface of the computer device, an end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator in the electronic file or message; and in response to the end user selection of the hypertext link mapping indicator: if a predetermined type of mapping application is provided in the computer device, invoking a mapping function of the mapping application to produce a map of a location corresponding to the latitude and longitude coordinates for visual display in a display of the computer device (e.g. based on received maplet data); and if the predetermined type of mapping application type is not provided in the computer device, requesting and receiving map data from a map coordinating server identified by the server address of the URL string to produce a map of the location for visual display in the display (e.g. based on a bitmap image). Advantageously, processing of the received hypertext link mapping indicator is handled differently depending on the type of device or whether a predetermined mapping application is installed in the device, so that optimal mapping functionality is provided for different device environments.
US07720887B2 Database navigation
Database interaction is facilitated by graphically presenting database objects in groups that are not necessarily dictated by object types of the database objects. In an example implementation, database navigation is facilitated by determining object dependency groups for a database in which each object dependency group corresponds to a database source object and includes at least those database objects that depend directly or indirectly from the corresponding database source object. When these data source object-based dependency groups are graphically displayed, selecting a database object thereof provides access thereto. In another example implementation, a user can designate an attribute associated with database objects by which the database objects are to be grouped. Thus, the database objects are grouped by various values that the user-designated associated attribute takes. These designated-attribute-based value-driven groups may also be graphically displayed to enable navigation of and access to the different database objects assigned to them.
US07720885B2 Generating a word-processing document from database content
Documents are automatically generated from data within a database. The look and feel of the document is defined externally from the data in the database such that a consistent look and feel is applied to the retrieved data. Templates are defined that specify the structure of the document including its look and feel for the documents created by using data from the database. When a document is requested to be generated for viewing and/or editing, the appropriate data from the database is retrieved and placed within the document according to the defined look and feel that is contained within the templates.
US07720882B2 Data file management and search method and system based on file attributes
A data file management and search method based on file attributes is disclosed. At least one data file, externally imported or generated by a user, is retrieved. Attributes of the data file are edited, a virtual catalog corresponding to the data file is generated, and a catalog tree is built according to the data file and the virtual catalog. The virtual catalog and the data file are displayed by a user interface. A search operation is performed based on a search command to locate at least one required virtual catalog or data file among multiple data files and virtual catalogs. A basic operation is implemented on the located virtual catalog or data file.
US07720879B2 Methods of using an integrated development environment to configure business applications
An interactive configuration environment consistent with the present invention integrates and displays a table-based business application using a single, interactive display. When business application structures are displayed using object-oriented code structures, the business meaning of the object-oriented code structures may also be displayed in the integrated environment. Users can write a new business rule using object-oriented code, and that code may be converted into logic entities to apply the new rule in the business application. When a user rolls a mouse over an item in the object-oriented code, documentation of the underlying business meaning may be displayed in a pop-up box.
US07720875B2 Information processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, data conversion method, and computer-readable medium storing data conversion program
An information processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a system acquisition data conversion unit that converts system acquisition data acquired as information for use by one or more applications installed in the information processing apparatus into universal data, and an application usable data conversion unit that converts the universal data into application usable data usable by the one or more applications. The universal data are independent of the data structure of the system acquisition data and the data structure of the application usable data.
US07720873B2 Dynamic data discovery of a source data schema and mapping to a target data schema
A computerized method, program product, and a service that discovers trace data inserted into a source database having an unknown schema. Once the trace data is found by a dynamic data discovery engine, the tables, the fields, and the attributes of the fields in the source schema in which the trace data were located can be evaluated to determine if the data in the fields are pertinent to a target database. If so, then the data in those fields can be mapped and transferred to a target database. The dynamic data discovery engine generates the commands in both the source and the target database command language to find all pertinent data, map and transfer the data from the source database to a target database. The dynamic data discovery engine generates commands to create the target database and/or fields within an existing target database for the mapped and transferred data.
US07720869B2 Hierarchical structured abstract file system
A method in a data processing system of searching a plurality of electronic files identified by filenames in a first hierarchical file structure that is on a recordable medium of the data processing system. A user-defined metalabel is assigned to each of the electronic files. The electronic files are organized as a function of the metalabels into a second hierarchical file structure existing simultaneously with the first hierarchical file structure on the recordable medium of the data processing system. A search query is received from a user and the metalabels of the second hierarchical file structure are searched as a function of the query. Each electronic file having a metalabel matching the query is returned to the user as a search result.
US07720865B2 Document management apparatus, document management method, and storage medium storing program
A document management apparatus for managing an object includes an input unit that inputs setting of an operation related to an object, an execution unit that executes a predetermined operation related to the object, based on the setting, a setting selection unit that selects setting of an operation related to a past-executed object, and an object selection unit that designates an object to which the setting selected by the setting selection unit is applied, wherein the setting of the operation related to the object is performed by utilizing the content of past setting of an operation related to another object of the same or a different type.
US07720861B1 Multimedia inspection database system (MIDaS) for dynamic run-time data evaluation
An object-oriented system provides a comprehensive and integrated tool to manage, operate, analyze and inspect structures by providing 3-D visualization of the structures, a database interface, connectivity with one or more databases, a data display and analysis capabilities. The structural model is stored as an object-oriented, serialized file as a series of objects, including primitives, coordinates, object names, group names and other object identifiers. The system integrates various types of data, including tabulated textual data, annotated engineering drawings, photographic records, graphical plots, audio and videotaped records, from different tables and databases. Data are displayed to the user based on queries that the user submits to the system, which queries are evaluated at run-time. As a result, the user achieves unparalleled flexibility in data analysis and evaluation.
US07720854B2 Techniques for accessing a table
Techniques are described herein that can be used to access entries in a packed table. An unpacked table includes empty and filled elements. Filled elements can be accumulated and included in a packed table. An element in the packed table can be accessed by considering the location the element would have been located in the unpacked table. The location can be used to determine the location of the element in the packed table.
US07720853B1 Flexible rule-based infrastructure for discussion board maintenance
Generally described, a method and system for providing a flexible rule-based infrastructure for a self-policing discussion board is provided. More specifically, a method and system is provided for processing reports for messages posted in a discussion board and determining whether each report is accurate based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria are defined by a set of report handling rules which evolve over time by learning from previously processed activity reports. The set of report handling rules also defines an appropriate action to take with regards to an accused message as response to the report when the predetermined criteria are satisfied.
US07720852B2 Information retrieval engine
A system, method, and computer program product retrieve information associated with the signals. The information retrieval can be performed on a signal by quantizing the signal, forming words, and indexing based on weights of the words. The words are formed by grouping letters together to form a number of words within predetermined threshold values. The weights of the words are determined using a binomial log likelihood ratio analysis. The present invention may be applied to identification of an unknown song.
US07720842B2 Value-chained queries in analytic applications
A method for facilitating the navigation of data generated using an analytic application. In particular, a method of creating and using a query chain to access data is described. The user designates some data field as being of particular interest. A list of further query chains for the user to choose from is shown. The user can select one of these query chains to further navigate the database, modify one of the query chains listed, or can create a new query chain by further navigating the database. The selections made by the user while further navigating the database are recorded and linked into a query chain, which can be stored for later use. Accordingly, user access to a field of particular interest is facilitated, and information of particular interest can be accessed in a timely manner.
US07720841B2 Model-based self-optimizing distributed information management
Disclosed are a method, information processing system, and computer readable medium for managing data collection in a distributed processing system. The method includes dynamically collecting at least one statistical query pattern associated with a selected group of information processing nodes. The statistical query pattern is dynamically collected from a plurality of information processing nodes in a distributed processing system. At least one operating attribute distribution associated with an operating attribute that has been queried for the selected group is dynamically monitored. The selected group is dynamically configured, based on the query pattern and the operating attribute distribution, to periodically push a set of attributes associated with the each information processing node in the selected group.
US07720833B1 Method and system for automatically updating search results on an online auction site
A method and system for updating searches on an online auction site are described. In one embodiment, a database of auction postings is automatically searched based upon at least one search criteria to produce at least one new search result. The at least one new search result is compared with at least one previous search result. In addition, an e-mail notification of the result of the comparison is sent to a user notifying a user of the comparison.
US07720826B2 Performing a query for a rule in a database
In a database whose entries contain values organized in categories, a first query is performed that includes input query values respectively associated with at least some of the categories and that seeks entries whose values match each input query value. Upon finding no entries, a category whose input query value to eliminate is identified. A second query is performed that includes the input query values except for the identified at least one category. The second query seeks any of the entries whose values match each of the input query values of the second query and that has no specified value for the identified at least one category. A data structure is configured to indicate an order that at least some of several categories will be eliminated when generating a new query after a previous query does not result in a match among entries of a database.
US07720825B2 System and method for enabling records management
A system, method, and computer program product for managing a retention period for electronic content data are disclosed. The method includes running a records manager system. The records manager system defines a retention period for a plurality of electronic content data. The records manager system instructs a digital rights manager system to protect each of the plurality of electronic content data. Each of the plurality of electronic content data are protected with at least one usage policy for at least one of the plurality of electronic content data related to the retention period as governed by the records manager system. The defined retention period is logged, for later auditing, for each of the plurality of the electronic content data.
US07720814B2 Repopulating a database with document content
Word processing documents that are created using content from a database are used to repopulate a database. The document includes content placeholders that link the content to locations within the database from which the content was retrieved. The appropriate content based on the changes made to the document is extracted from the document and is placed back within the database at the correct location. The database is repopulated such that the content within the database does not include all of the metadata required to produce the desired look and feel of a document that is generated using the content.
US07720810B2 Synchronization of application documentation across database instances
A method and system for synchronizing M application documentations across N database instances. N and M are each at least 2. A documentation synchronization agent is executed which updates N1 database instances with the M application documentations and does not update a remaining N-N1 database instances with the M application documentations if N1 is equal to N. N1 is at least 1. If N1 is less than N, then each of the remaining N-N1 database instances include a first and/or second characteristic. The first characteristic is that the remaining database instances include the M application documentations upon initiation of the executing. The second characteristic is that the agent is unable to access the remaining database instance during the executing.
US07720805B1 Sequential unload processing of IMS databases
A method and system for unloading an IMS database. Segments in the segment array are stored in an indexed order or are stored in a relative byte address (RBA) order. In both cases, either an image copy of an IMS database or an actual IMS database processed sequentially may be utilized. For indexed order storage, a lookup table may be created to include a key value and a segment array location. A segment array may be created to store both the root and child segments from the IMS database. For RBA ordered storage, a first segment array may be created to store the root segments from the IMS database in a sequential order. Additionally, a second segment array may be created to store the child segments from the IMS database in a relative byte address (RBA) order.
US07720803B2 Mapping of a transactional data model to a reporting data model
Systems and techniques for mapping of a transactional data model to a reporting data model are described. In one aspect, an article includes one or more machine-readable media storing instructions operable to cause one or more machines to perform operations. The operations include receiving a transactional data model and a view that includes a collection of view fields, each view field referencing an object in the transactional data model, mapping one or more of a plurality of view fields in the collection to one or more of a plurality of data warehouse objects, and grouping the mapped data warehouse objects into a reporting data model.
US07720801B2 System and method for supporting asynchronous data replication with very short update intervals
A system and method for improving the efficiency of the transmission of updated blocks generated by logging all the block allocations and deletes as well as CPs and PCPI creation and deletion in a persistent log. The log is scanned during each update cycle (in which changes are transmitted to a destination mirror) by the storage operating system, and only changed blocks that are referenced by the file system as it existed at the end of the update cycle or referenced by PCPIs that existed at the end of the update cycle are actually sent in the transmission. This reduces the number of changes being transmitted.
US07720800B2 Method and approach to hosting versioned web services
A method for hosting versioned web services includes steps of: receiving a request from a service requester, the request comprising version metadata; parsing the request; extracting the version metadata from the parsing step; and locating a target implementation version using the version metadata. If the target implementation version is located, the method proceeds by dynamically routing the versioned request to the target implementation version.
US07720797B2 Method and apparatus for electronic collection, translation, grouping, and delivery of wage assignment information
A system that electronically collects, translates, groups, and delivers wage assignment information from at least one initiator to at least one recipient via an accumulator is described. An initiator initially receives the wage assignment information. Then, an accumulator collects the wage assignment information from at least one initiator, such as a government agency. The accumulator then translates the wage assignment information into a format compatible with electronic data interchange (EDI), such as the ANSI X12 standard. The accumulator then groups the EDI wage assignment information into specific files, batching the files based upon one data field contained within the wage assignment information data set, such as a recipient. The accumulator then delivers a batched EDI wage assignment file to each respective recipient. Once the EDI wage assignment file is received by the recipient, the wage assignment may then be implemented.
US07720792B2 Automatic stop word identification and compensation
Disclosed are methods and computer program products for automatically identifying and compensating for stop words in a text processing system. This automatic stop word compensation allows such operations as performing queries on an abstract mathematical space built using all words from all texts, with the ability to compensate for the skew that the inclusion of the stop words may have introduced into the space. Documents are represented by document vectors in the abstract mathematical space. To compensate for stop words, a weight function is applied to a predetermined component of the document vectors associated with frequently occurring word(s) contained in the documents. The weight function may be applied dynamically during query processing. Alternatively, the weight function may be applied statically to all document vectors.
US07720791B2 Intelligent job matching system and method including preference ranking
A job searching and matching system and method is disclosed that gathers job seeker information in the form of job seeker parameters from one or more job seekers, gathers job information in the form of job parameters from prospective employers and/or recruiters, correlates the information with past job seeker behavior, parameters and behavior from other job seekers, and job parameters and, in response to a job seeker's query, provides matching job results based on common parameters between the job seeker and jobs along with suggested alternative jobs based on the co-relationships and based on ratings and preferences provided by the job seeker and provides negative filtration of undesirable jobs based on job seeker input and in response to queries from the system in order to efficiently and accurately accommodate job seeker perception. In addition, the system correlates employer/recruiter behavior information with past employer/recruiter behavior, parameters and information concerning other job seekers, which are candidates to the employer, and resume parameters, and, in response to a Employer's query, provides matching job seeker results based on common parameters between the job seeker resumes and jobs along with suggested alternative job seeker candidates based on the identified co-relationships and specifies job seekers to be eliminated from displayed results.
US07720784B1 Emotive intelligence applied in electronic devices and internet using emotion displacement quantification in pain and pleasure space
A system and method of obtaining and processing emotive intelligence in electronic applications and devices is disclosed. This includes capturing author feelings. Feelings are assigned a pain-pleasure attribute and performance of string operations on the feelings attached text in performance of a service couple author intended meaning, satisfaction or motivation to degree of pleasure or pain associated with string text or string operations. The capability to capture and process emotive content allows for locating goods or services on a network, where providers anticipate a transaction on customer needs emotionally based.Artificial emotive intelligence is applied in machine characters by endowing them with software entities of emotive states and associated intensities, and threshold values that trigger actions, with events triggering actions or behavior by threading through the character emotive makeup.
US07720783B2 Method and system for detecting undesired inferences from documents
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that detects inferences from documents. During operation, the system receives one or more documents and extracts a first set of knowledge relevant to the documents. The system further formulates one or more queries to one or more reference corpora based on the first set of knowledge. The system then extracts a second set of knowledge from results received in response to the queries. Additionally, the system produces a mapping relationship between at least one document and a piece of the second set of knowledge which is not within the first set of knowledge, the mapping relationship indicating an inference from the documents.
US07720782B2 Automated predictive modeling of business future events based on historical data
Predictive models are developed automatically for a plurality of modeling variables. The plurality of modeling variables is transformed, based on a transformation rule. A clustering of the transformed modeling variables is performed to create variable clusters. A set of variables is selected from the variable clusters based on a selection rule. A regression of the set of variables is performed to determine prediction variables. The prediction variables are utilized in developing a predictive model. The development of the predictive model may include modification of the predictive model, review of the plurality of transformations, and validation of the predictive model.
US07720781B2 Feature selection method and apparatus
A feature selection method for selecting a predetermined number of features, the method may comprise for each category, ranking features according to feature ranking for two-category problems; and while the predetermined number of features has not yet been selected: picking a category c; selecting a feature based on the ranking for category c; and adding the selecting feature to an output list if not already present in the output list and removing the selected feature from further consideration for the category c. An apparatus and computer program code are also provided.
US07720780B1 System and method for facilitating collaboration and related multiple user thinking and cooperation regarding an arbitrary problem
Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating multiple users or groups in thinking about and working collaboratively on an arbitrary problem, Embodiments of the system includes logic to facilitate multiple user or group specification of a problem specification, a conclusion specification, and a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the system further include logic to subdivide and link at least one of the problem specification, conclusion specification and knowledge specification, as for work by individuals or subteams. Some embodiments include automatic composition logic to combine at least one of the problem specification, knowledge specification and conclusion specification across multiple users or teams and other embodiments provide automatic suggestioning regarding the archetype group problem solving process.
US07720774B2 Learning method and apparatus utilizing genetic algorithms
A learning apparatus for building a network structure of a Bayesian network based on learning data. In the Bayesian network, a cause and effect relationship between plural nodes is represented by a directed graph. The learning apparatus includes a storage portion in which the learning data is stored and a learning portion for building the network structure based on the learning data. The learning portion prepares an initial population of individuals formed by individuals each having a genotype in which orders between the nodes and cause and effect relationship have been stipulated, repeatedly performs processing for crossovers and/or mutations on the initial population of individuals based on a genetic algorithm, calculates an evaluated value of each individual based on the learning data, searches for an optimum one of the individuals, and takes a phenotype of the optimum individual as the network structure.
US07720772B2 System and method for extracting entities of interest from text using n-gram models
A document (or multiple documents) is analyzed to identify entities of interest within that document. This is accomplished by constructing n-gram or bi-gram models that correspond to different kinds of text entities, such as chemistry-related words and generic English words. The models can be constructed from training text selected to reflect a particular kind of text entity. The document is tokenized, and the tokens are run against the models to determine, for each token, which kind of text entity is most likely to be associated with that token. The entities of interest in the document can then be annotated accordingly.
US07720766B2 Digital data selling and buying transaction system, auxiliary digital data selling and buying system, digital data selling and buying transaction method, auxiliary digital data selling and buying method, and digital data selling and buying transaction apparatus
Auxiliary digital data is sold and bought. A process for selling auxiliary digital data is performed with respect to a process for cancelling a limitation of use of the digital data. A process for buying the auxiliary digital data is performed. A process for receiving a selling request and a buying request is performed, and selling and buying transactions are concluded. The process of selling, the process of buying, and the process of selling and buying are each performed by transmitting and receiving data through a communication network.
US07720752B2 System and method for providing a custom hedged adjustable rate mortgage
Methods, media, and systems for providing a custom hedged adjustable rate mortgage are provided. These methods, media, and systems provide hedges and mortgages that may be used in conjunction with the retail mortgage sector. To facilitate these hedges and mortgages, computer systems are provided that allow a user to calculate fees, interest rates, and payments for these products based upon various factors selected by a user. The methods, media, and systems also provide a savings calculator that enables a user to determine what savings will be made be purchasing a hedge and/or mortgage under one or more scenarios.
US07720749B2 Purchase and selling of exchange-traded shares in an investment company that issues a class of conventional shares and a class of exchange-traded shares in the same fund
A computer-implemented method of purchasing or selling exchange-traded shares is performed by entering into a computer an order to purchase or sell exchange-traded shares on behalf of an investor on the secondary market through a broker, executing the order on the secondary market via one or computers, and updating account data of the investor in one or more account data computers to reflect the new number of exchange-traded shares held by the investor. The exchange-traded shares are exchange-traded shares that are associated with a single investment company that has issued one or more classes of shares that are bought from and redeemed with the single investment company at a net asset value, and one or more classes of shares that are listed for trading on a securities exchange and that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices. The shares that are bought and sold at negotiated market prices are the exchange-traded shares. The owner of any share of any share class has an undivided interest in the single investment company.
US07720746B2 Computer-based right distribution system with password protection
An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed.
US07720736B2 Method and system for insuring against investment loss
Participants purchase into a given system for a given period of time. Those with investment gains, by definition, are without loss and need no compensation from the system. Those with investment losses are reimbursed by the system according to previously agreed upon terms. Total loss of a given system's participants is calculated, with that figure compared to the previously agreed upon amount of funds available for loss compensation (total revenue generated by participant premiums minus previously agreed upon detracted percentage for firm or a sum set forward by the company that is independent of a given system's generated revenue).
US07720732B2 System and method for generating transaction based recommendations
A system for generating recommendation data includes an assessment unit and an evaluation unit. The assessment unit is configured to receive transaction data for a plurality of transactions and to assess each transaction and generate assessment data based thereon. The evaluation unit is coupled with the assessment unit and configured to receive an evaluation request including a proposed transaction, and generate recommendation data including a certainty indicator which indicates a level of certainty that the proposed transaction will be successful according to predetermined criteria.
US07720726B2 Automatic generation of RIB rules in computerized financial management system
Financial management applications may operate according to RIB rules in which expenditure budget limits are increased as an organization or department thereof realizes revenue. When such applications operate in conjunction with complicated data structures for revenues and budget, it can become burdensome to define a plurality of RIB rules individually. A configuration system includes a RIB strategy array containing a relatively small set of meta-rules for identifiers of various portions of a revenue data structure to which they apply. An automated configuration system surveys the revenue data structure, determines which value transforms and destination addresses of a budget database apply and generate a larger set of RIB rules that will govern in the financial management application during normal system operation.
US07720724B2 Inventory management method and program product
A management server for managing inventory of articles and a terminal device for inquiring the condition of inventory are provided. The management server is provided with an inventory database and a database control portion for controlling input and output of data to and from the inventory database. The inventory database stores, as management information, information identifying articles and salespersons responsible for the articles as well as, for articles specified to be included in open inventory, information indicating that persons other than the salespersons responsible for the articles are permitted to sell the particular article. Furthermore, the management server accepts access by particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in ordinary inventory and also accepts access by users other than the particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in open inventory.
US07720722B2 Sharing shopping information on a network-based social platform
A system that receives, at a network-based social platform, a request from a first user of the network-based social platform. The request is to add an item to a list associated with a second user of the network-based social platform. The list is for watching items offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. Next, the system determines whether the first user is authorized to add the item to the list associated with the second user based on relationship information that identifies a predetermined relationship between the first user and the second user on the network-based social platform. Finally, the system communicates the request to the network-based marketplace to add the item to the list associated with the second user.
US07720716B2 System and method for use by various departments to prepare a quotation
A quotation system and method are provided (see FIG. 1). A relational database (10) allows various departments (14, 16, 18, 20) to prepare a quotation. The relational database centralizes data to increase efficiency, and the data may be modified, as needed, for particular quotation solutions.
US07720712B1 Placing a purchase order using one of multiple procurement options
A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a user at a client system and received by a server system. The client system can display information identifying the item and, for each of multiple procurement options having information related to ordering the identified item, can display an indication of the procurement option such that selection of the displayed indication represents an ordering of the identified item using the information of the procurement option. In response to selection of a displayed indication, the client system can send to a server computer a request to order the identified item using the information of the procurement option for the selected indication.
US07720710B2 Self-service system and method including shared components
A self-service system and method which uses shared components. The self-service checkout system includes a checkout platform including a plurality of checkout stations arranged together and associated with a plurality of checkout lanes, and checkout components including unshared components at each of the checkout stations and shared components available for use by customers at any of the checkout stations, and a computer for receiving indications of starts of overlapping transactions at two or more of the plurality of checkout stations, for establishing transaction records for the transactions, for determining that one of the checkout components must be used at a point in one of the transactions, for interrupting the one transaction, for determining that the one checkout component is a shared component, for determining that the one checkout component is in use by another of the transactions, and for resuming the one transaction after the one checkout component is no longer being used by the other transaction.
US07720696B1 Computerized system for tracking health conditions of users
A computerized system of tracking health conditions of users associated with a client for diagnosing sleep apnea through forming an encrypted web based questionnaire. The user inputs information such as company personal information, individual personal information, health information, and personal health information. This information is then electronically compiled and a health screening service report is outputted such as witnessed sleep apnea, self admitted sleep apnea, body mass index of each user, and summary of results of a sleep test.
US07720691B2 System for communication of health care data
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system (10), a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system (10) has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from the first computer system (10). The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. The rules engine defines a plurality of health care data fields in the predefined format, as well as a plurality of relationships between fields of normalized data.
US07720690B2 Real-time customer service assistance using collected customer life cycle data
A computer-implemented method is performed during an online chat session between a customer service representative (CSR) of a merchant, and the merchant's customer. Conversational text of the session is analyzed to determine a mood of the customer. Previously collected information about the customer is accessed, from a database that stores information about customers of the merchant. A tip is determined and sent to be displayed to the CSR. The tip is determined based on the mood and the accessed previously collected information. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07720687B2 Virtual world property disposition after real-world occurrence
A method and system provides transactions and arrangements in virtual world environments. A user can participate in transactions to acquire virtual property and related virtual rights. In some implementations, real-world and virtual parties can be involved in possible transfers of various types of virtual property and virtual property rights.
US07720680B2 Interactive manual, system and method for vehicles and other complex equipment
A method and system of providing an interactive manual, including a speech engine to receive and process speech from a user, convert the speech into a word sequence, and identify meaning structures from the word sequence, a structured manual including information related to an operation of a device, a visual model to relate visual representation of the information, a dialog management arrangement to interpret the meaning structures in a context and to extract pertinent information and the visual representation from the structured manual and the visual model, and an output arrangement to output the information and visual representation.
US07720675B2 Method and system for determining text coherence
A method and system for determining text coherence in an essay is disclosed. A method of evaluating the coherence of an essay includes receiving an essay having one or more discourse elements and text segments. The one or more discourse elements are annotated either manually or automatically. A text segment vector is generated for each text segment in a discourse element using sparse random indexing vectors. The method or system then identifies one or more essay dimensions and measures the semantic similarity of each text segment based on the essay dimensions. Finally, a coherence level is assigned to the essay based on the measured semantic similarities.
US07720673B2 Method for dynamic context scope selection in hybrid N-GRAM+LSA language modeling
A method and system for dynamic language modeling of a document are described. In one embodiment, a number of local probabilities of a current document are computed and a vector representation of the current document in a latent semantic analysis (LSA) space is determined. In addition, a number of global probabilities based upon the vector representation of the current document in an LSA space is computed. Further, the local probabilities and the global probabilities are combined to produce the language modeling.
US07720671B2 Method and system for child-parent mechanism emulation via a general interface
A method for emulating a system call includes making the system call by a first process in a first operating system (OS) for interacting with a second process, wherein the first OS is emulated in a second OS, spawning an agent process, wherein the agent process is a child process of the first process, implementing a functionality of the system call using a general mechanism in the second OS between the agent process and the second process, passing a result associated with the system call from the second process to the agent process using the general mechanism, and relaying the result from the agent process to the first process using a system call in the second OS, wherein the result is stored by the first process.
US07720661B2 Low vibration rectification in a closed-loop, in-plane MEMS device
A method for a geometry of a lateral comb drive for an in-plane, electrostatic force feedback, closed-loop, micromachined accelerometer or closed-loop Coriolis rate gyroscope device, or closed-loop capacitive pressure or force measuring device. When vibration is applied to the device, the error in the time-average output, which is vibration rectification error, due to this input vibration is minimized or eliminated. The geometry resulting from practice of the present invention is space-efficient because drive force is maximized while vibration rectification is minimized or eliminated.
US07720659B2 Simulating fluid flow in reservoir with modified grid
A method, system and computer program product for simulating a fluid flow in a reservoir are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the current invention includes a method for simulating a fluid flow in a reservoir, the method comprising: providing an initial grid including multiple grid cells, each grid cell including a cell property; adjusting the initial grid to generated a modified grid in the case that a pressure equivalent radius under the initial grid is smaller than a well bore radius of the reservoir; and simulating the fluid flow in the reservoir based on the modified grid.
US07720652B2 Modeling location histories
A location history is a collection of locations over time for an object. By applying a recurring time period to a location history, it can be converted into a stochastic model of the location history. For example, a location history can be reorganized based on intervals that subside a recurring cycle. In a described implementation, training a location history model involves traversing each interval of multiple cycles of a target location history. After each object location at each interval is entered into a training matrix, the intervals can be normalized to determine relative probabilities per location for each interval of a designated cycle. The training and resulting location history model can be Markovian or non-Markovian. Applications include probabilistic location estimation, fusion of location estimates, location-history simulation, optimal scheduling, transition analysis, clique analysis, and so forth.
US07720648B2 Method and apparatus for adapting threshold values in electronic signal processing devices
A method for adapting threshold values in an electronic signal processing device, involving a plurality of different threshold values being calculated and being compared with processing variables calculated in the signal processing device, involves calculation of a common correction value which is valid for the various threshold values. The threshold values are then set on the basis of the common correction value.
US07720644B2 Method and apparatus of spectral estimation
A spectrum of a set of samples from a data stream of sampled data is estimated until a targeted signal to noise ratio is achieved.
US07720636B1 Performance monitors (PMs) for measuring performance in a system and providing a record of transactions performed
Performance monitors (PMs) are provided in a system to identify the execution time for data being transferred within the system and determine operation parameters of the system based on the rate data is transferred. The operation parameters are then used to configure hardware within the system. The PMs can provide a histogram of the transactions usable to evaluate system performance. The PMs can provide a time line diagram of the transactions to show the specific order the transactions occurred. The PMs can be provided in a multi-port memory controller (MPMC) to monitor the speed of read and write transactions from the MPMC ports, and used to configure logic within the MPMC to maximize the rate of data flow.
US07720630B1 Personalized transportation information system
A computer-implemented method of providing personalized weather and transportation information includes receiving operational parameters, a user profile, and weather data. Personalized weather and transportation information is derived based on the received weather, operational parameters, and the user profile. The personalized weather and transportation information is presented to a user.
US07720628B2 Digitally controlled sensor system
Systems and methods for digitally controlling sensors. In one embodiment, a digital controller for a capacitance diaphragm gauge is embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP). The controller receives digitized input from a sensor AFE via a variable gain module, a zero offset module and an analog-to-digital converter. The controller automatically calibrates the received input by adjusting the variable gain and zero offset modules. The controller also monitors and adjusts a heater assembly to maintain an appropriate temperature at the sensor. The controller utilizes a kernel module that allocates processing resources to the various tasks of a gauge controller module. The kernel module repetitively executes iterations of a loop, wherein in each iteration, all of a set of high priority tasks are performed and one of a set of lower priority tasks are performed. The controller module thereby provides sensor measurement output at precisely periodic intervals, while performing ancillary functions as well.
US07720626B2 Model-based dissimilarity indices for health monitoring systems
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying dissimilarity indices for a structure is presented. A first test signal is sent into a baseline model of the structure. An estimated response signal to the first test signal sent into the baseline model of the structure is received. A second test signal is sent into the structure. A second response single to the second test signal is received. A value is assigned to a model-based dissimilarity index using the first response compared to the second response.
US07720625B2 Method of testing the installation of a measuring device
The invention relates to a method for operating a measuring device, especially a flowmeter. The aim of the invention is to simplify inspection if the sensors have been correctly installed. For this purpose, the installation state is detected by the sensors themselves, i.e. by sensing a corresponding sensor value and comparing it with characteristic data. The result of comparison is electronically evaluated and automatically estimated whether the characteristic data obtained match the comparative data within at least a defined tolerance.
US07720620B2 System and method for determining harmonic contributions from non-linear loads without disconnecting any load
A system and method for determining non-linear load harmonics impact on the voltage distortion at the point of common coupling is disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising metering voltage on an electric power system; metering current on the electric power system; determining a predicted voltage based upon the metered current; comparing the predicted voltage with the metered voltage; and determining a harmonic voltage component using a plurality of weights determined when the predicted voltage converges with the metered voltage.
US07720618B2 Method for monitoring fluid levels in a tank
A method for monitoring fluid levels in a tank. A first step involves modelling the tank to identify fluid zones of fluids having differing densities, the heat retention characteristics of each the fluid zones and the relative relationships between each of the fluid zones. A second step involves obtaining a heat profile of the tank. A third step involves analyzing the heat profile based upon the modelling to generate relative fluid level data for the tank.
US07720612B2 Methods for resolving convoluted peaks in a chromatogram
The present invention relates to methods for resolving convoluted peaks in a chromatogram into one or more constituent peaks using peak resolution values. The peaks methods of the invention determine empirical peak resolution values of “well-defined” or “isolated” peaks in the data, then extrapolate these empirical resolution values to peaks in neighboring regions to predict the number of constituent peaks at a given peak position. Predicted peak resolution values are compared to observed peak resolution values of low-resolution or convoluted peaks to determine the number of constituent peaks in the convoluted peaks. These methods enable extension of the region of data that can used for identifying nucleotide sequences, and increase base-calling accuracy in the low-resolution region (end region) of data.
US07720610B2 Detection of psychological disorder activity patterns
A method for detecting a psychological disorder in a person comprises collecting movement and, optionally, other data from the person by a device borne by the person; storing the data in a memory in contact with the device during the collection of data; transferring the stored data to a computer; calculating at least one set of parameter data distinctive of the movement data; feeding the least one set of parameter data to an Artificial Neural Network trained to recognize in the data a feature specific for a psychological disorder or a group of such disorders. Also is disclosed an assembly for carrying out the method.
US07720608B2 Method and signal processing means for detecting and discriminating between structural configurations and geological gradients encountered by kinetic energy subterranean terra-dynamic crafts
The present invention is directed to signal processing means for detecting and discriminating between geological layers encountered by kinetic energy subterranean vehicles in flight (terra-craft), using a raw signal representing deceleration of the terra-craft. The signal processing means uses autocorrelation and filtering to amplify the rate of deceleration, allowing the same to be compared to extensive data compiled for the US government regarding rates of deceleration in known materials, using various craft geometry. In this way, the unknown material encountered by the terra-craft can be identified by comparing the deceleration of the craft through a layer of material to the known data for the craft geometry. The signal processing means may further include a plurality of circuits to detect and annunciate varying layers in a media, and to track in real time the location of the projectile.
US07720597B2 Vehicle tracker including input/output features and related methods
A vehicle control system includes a tracking unit and a function unit cooperating therewith. The tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a tracking controller cooperating with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device to send vehicle position information to a user. Further, the function unit may include at least one uniquely coded transmitter to be carried by a user, a receiver at the vehicle for receiving signals from the at least one uniquely coded transmitter, and a function controller at the vehicle and connected to the receiver for learning the at least one uniquely coded transmitter to permit control of a vehicle function by the user. The function controller may advantageously cooperate with the wireless communications device of the tracking unit for sending an alert indication of whether at least one new uniquely coded transmitter has been learned.
US07720594B2 Fuel injector control method
A fuel injector control method comprises determining a required separation time between a termination of an on signal associated with a first injection event and an initiation of an on signal associated with a second injection event. The method comprises calculating an overlap time between the separation time and the time to charge the piezoelectric stack to a first level; dividing the overlap time into first and second time periods as a function of the charge and discharge currents; applying the charge current to the piezoelectric stack for a charge time; and applying the discharge current to the piezoelectric stack for a discharge time so as to discharge the stack to a second level, wherein the discharge time is calculated on the basis of the second time period of the overlap time. Thus, first and second injection events are merged in a pulse mode of operation.
US07720581B2 Monitoring of vehicle conditions utilizing cellular broadcasts
This document describes, among other things, a systems and methods for monitoring vehicle conditions via cellular networks. In some embodiments, a system for monitoring vehicle conditions is provided that includes at least one network information repository server having at least one database containing information related to vehicle conditions. The at least one network information repository server is configured to receive updates from mobile stations that perform a comparison of vehicle conditions based on actual information sensed by the mobile stations as compared to expected vehicle conditions and that upon identifying an inconsistency send an update to the network information repository server. Moreover, the network information repository server is configured to transmit updated information to a cellular network for broadcasting or multicasting to mobile stations or to send information via a cellular interface or wirelessly to mobile stations.
US07720580B2 Object detection system for vehicle
An imaging system for a vehicle includes an imaging array sensor and a control. The image array sensor comprises a plurality of photo-sensing pixels and is positioned at the vehicle with a field of view exteriorly of the vehicle. The imaging array sensor is operable to capture an image of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The captured image comprises an image data set representative of the exterior scene. The control algorithmically processes the image data set to a reduced image data set of the image data set. The control processes the reduced image data set to extract information from the reduced image data set. The control selects the reduced image data set based on a steering angle of the vehicle.
US07720577B2 Methods and systems for data link front end filters for sporadic updates
Systems and methods having front end filters for data links for improved tracking of moving objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing at least one characteristic of a moveable object using a sensor of an acquisition system, and sensing at least one characteristic of the moveable object using an auxiliary sensor. A data link update is transmitted from the auxiliary sensor to the acquisition system, and the data link update is conditioned to provide composite likelihood. The conditioning includes differencing the data link update and at least one predicted characteristic of the moveable object to produce at least one residual (e.g. using a plurality of Kalman filters). A viewing direction of the sensor may be adjusted based at least in part on the composite likelihood. In another embodiment, residuals are projected along sensor line of sight to form a multi-modal non-Gaussian composite likelihood.
US07720573B2 Robot control apparatus
A robot control apparatus includes a control apparatus body fixedly installed and connected to a robot and a portable teaching pendant connected to the control apparatus body to operate the robot through the teaching pendant. The teaching pendant includes an imaging device connector for connecting an imaging device to the teaching pendant so as to enable the image picked up by the imaging device to be directly input to the teaching pendant through the imaging device connector.
US07720571B2 Process execution apparatus, process execution method and process execution program
A process execution apparatus and method is disclosed by which a process can be executed significantly simply and readily. The process execution apparatus includes a direction recognition section for recognizing a housing member shaking direction in which a housing member is shaken, and a process execution section for executing a process in response to the housing member shaking direction recognized by the direction recognition section. The direction recognition section recognizes the housing member shaking direction with respect to a direction of the gravity detected when the housing member is held by a person.
US07720567B2 Automated box opening apparatus
An apparatus includes a conveyor, a programmable motion device, and a controller. The conveyor preferably includes actuatable rollers, and the programmable motion device is preferably a robotic arm. The controller operates the conveyor, a stopping rail, and a positioning rail to move and position a box in a cutting position relative to the robotic arm. The controller determines three dimension of the box and translates a programmed cut pattern to those determined dimensions. Based on the determined dimensions, the controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cut pattern in the box with the cutting element. The cutting element preferably has square blade so that each of the four blades can be used to cut a side of the box without having to rotate the cutting element during operation.
US07720566B1 Control algorithm for vertical package conveyor
Three software programs are respectively run on the main processing constituent of a programmable logic controller (PLC), the network-controlling constituent of the PLC, and a human interface unit. Intelligent (e.g., switch, sensor, control, etc.) devices are distributed within a communications network associated with a vertical package conveyor (VPC). Signals are transmitted between/among the processing constituent, the controlling constituent, the interface and the devices. In an ongoing informational and regulative process, the devices provide input for the processing constituent, which in turn provides output to the devices. In furtherance of human safety, the processing constituent causes VPC operation to stop upon the occurrence of any of the following events: breached light curtain; open machinery access door; inoperable run stop button; inoperable emergency stop button; activated emergency stop button; misplaced package. The processing constituent also dictates the direction (up or down) and mode (constant or variable) of the VPC.
US07720559B1 Dynamic tool scheduling based upon defects
A method and an apparatus for routing a semiconductor wafer to at least one of a plurality of processing tools based upon tool performance. Data relating to a performance of a first processing tool and a performance of a second processing tool is acquired. A semiconductor wafer is routed to one of the first processing tool or the second processing tool based upon a comparison between the performance of the first processing tool and the performance of the second processing tool using a controller.
US07720558B2 Methods and apparatus for mapping carrier contents
In a first aspect, a first method of mapping contents of a substrate carrier is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) coupling a sensor to the substrate carrier or a loadport adapted to receive the substrate carrier; and (2) determining a presence or absence of a substrate in a slot of the substrate carrier using the sensor. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07720555B2 Heating device for a field device display
A heating device for a field-device display module includes a heating element. The heating element is adapted to the shape of the field-device display module and is equipped such that it converts an electrical current to thermal energy. The heating element can be coupled to the field-device display module such that by the heating element the field-device display module can be heated.
US07720554B2 Methods and apparatus for position estimation using reflected light sources
The invention is generally related to the estimation of position and orientation of an object with respect to a local or a global coordinate system using reflected light sources. A typical application of the method and apparatus includes estimation and tracking of the position of a mobile autonomous robot. Other applications include estimation and tracking of an object for position-aware, ubiquitous devices. Additional applications include tracking of the positions of people or pets in an indoor environment. The methods and apparatus comprise one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, signal processing circuitry, and signal processing methods to determine the position and orientation of at least one of the optical sensors based at least in part on the detection of the signal of one or more emitted light sources reflected from a surface.
US07720548B2 Impedance-based stimulation adjustment
Techniques for adjusting stimulation are disclosed. A medical device measures an impedance associated with one or more electrodes, e.g., the impedance presented to the medical device by a total electrical circuit that includes the one or more electrodes, the conductors associated with the electrodes, and tissue proximate to the electrodes. The medical device stores at least one patient-specific relationship between impedance and a stimulation parameter, and adjusts the value of the stimulation parameter based on the measured impedance according to the relationship. The medical device may store multiple relationships, and select one the relationships based on, for example, an activity level of the patient, posture of the patient, or a current stimulation program or electrode combination used to deliver stimulation. By adjusting a stimulation parameter, such as amplitude, according to such a relationship, the stimulation intensity as perceived by the patient may be kept substantially constant.
US07720544B2 Systems for enabling telemetry in an implantable medical device
A system for enabling telemetry in implantable medical devices is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an implantable medical device having radio-frequency telemetry capabilities. The device includes a housing and electronic circuitry contained within the housing. The device also includes an antenna connected to the electronic circuitry, the antenna having a helical portion and a whip portion, the whip portion separate from a feed conductor and adapted to enhance a radiation pattern of the antenna. According to various embodiments, the antenna and circuitry are adapted to facilitate transmission and reception of modulated radio-frequency energy at a specified carrier frequency. At least a portion of the antenna is embedded in a dielectric compartment, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US07720536B2 Power supply for an implantable subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillator
A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the power supply comprising a capacitor subsystem for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing electrical energy to the capacitor subsystem.
US07720532B2 Clean margin assessment tool
An integrated tool is provided, having a tissue-type sensor, for determining the tissue type at a near zone volume of a tissue surface, and a distance-measuring sensor, for determining the distance to an interface with another tissue type, for (i) confirming an existence of a clean margin of healthy tissue around a malignant tumor, which is being removed, and (ii) determining the depth of the clean margin. The integrated tool may further include a position tracking device and an incision instrument. The soft tissue may be held within a fixed frame, while the tumor is being removed. Additionally a method for malignant tumor removal is provided, comprising, fixing the soft tissue within a frame, performing imaging with the hand-held, integrated tool, from a plurality of locations and orientations around the soft tissue, reconstructing a three-dimensional image of the soft tissue and the tumor within, defining a desired clean margin on the reconstructed image, calculating a recommended incision path, displaying the recommended path on the reconstructed image, and cutting the tissue while determining its type, at the near zone volume of the incision surface. The method may further include continuously imaging with the cutting, continuously correcting the reconstructed image and the recommended incision path, and continuously determining the tissue type, at the near zone volume of the incision surface.
US07720531B2 Method and system for analyzing and presenting an electroencephalogram (EEG)
A system and method determines from EEG signals the lack of awareness and the depth of anesthesia of a patient to whom an anesthetic agent is being administered. In particular, a log-log representation of the EEG power spectrum is converted to two intersecting lines so that the intersection point and the relative slopes can be analyzed to determine a state of awareness of a patient. This system and method may also be used in an analysis of the brain function of a sleeping individual to distinguish between different levels of non-REM sleep, REM sleep, and awakeness.
US07720529B1 Implantable therapeutic device control system
A control system for an implantable cardiac therapy device, the device defining a plurality of sensing vectors including at least one impedance sensing vector and operating under a set of a plurality of variable operating parameters that define conditions for delivery of therapy and wherein the control system evaluates signal quality from the at least one impedance sensing vector and, if the quality is sufficient to discern valvular events, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to dynamically improve cardiac performance, including synchrony with valvular events, and if the quality is insufficient to discern valvular events, but sufficient to discern peaks, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to dynamically improve cardiac performance independent of valvular events, and if the quality is insufficient to discern peaks, the control system adjusts the set of operating parameters to induce cardiac performance towards a defined performance goal.
US07720527B2 Subcutaneous fat thickness measuring method, subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus, program and recording medium
A subcutaneous fat thickness measuring apparatus includes: a light source section that irradiates a surface of a living body with plural light rays having different central wavelengths; a light receiving section that receives the plural light rays of different wavelengths emerging from the surface of a living body and determining the quantities of the plural light rays received; and a calculator section that calculates the thickness of subcutaneous fat of the surface of a living body from the quantities of the plural light rays received measured by the light receiving section using a previously determined relationship among subcutaneous fat thicknesses, blood concentrations in subcutaneous fat and quantities of plural light rays having different central wavelengths.
US07720523B2 System and method for managing power deactivation within a medical imaging system
A medical imaging system includes a medical imaging device, a medical imaging control subsystem, and an activation unit. The medical imaging control subsystem includes a processing unit and a monitor. The processing unit is in communication with the medical imaging device and the monitor. The activation unit is operatively connected to the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem, wherein the activation unit is operable to deactivate the medical imaging device and the medical imaging control subsystem.
US07720508B2 Radio controller, server and mobile communication method
A radio controller includes: a schedule information receiver for receiving schedule information related to a schedule of data transmission; a selection execution determiner for determining, based on the schedule information, whether or not to select a cell used by a mobile station after the data reception; and a selection execution commander for commanding the mobile station to select the cell used after the data reception in accordance with a determination result by the selection execution determiner.
US07720503B2 Method and system for controlling power in a communication system
A method for controlling power in a communication system. In the power control method, a transmitter receives feedback information from receivers located in its own cell; determines data rates of the receivers according to the received feedback information, calculates a load of the cell by calculating an amount of data to be transmitted to the receivers; and calculates transmission power of the transmitter by comparing the load of the cell with a threshold.
US07720500B2 Transmit power control for mobile unit
In a wireless local area network which includes access point having variable transmitter power levels, transmitter power data is sent from the access points to the mobile units and used by the mobile units in order to provide a corresponding variation in the transmitter power of the mobile unit.
US07720499B2 Regulation of transmission power control in mitigate self interference by optimizing link transmission parameters in a wireless network
A method of optimizing link transmission parameters between access nodes within a mesh network is disclosed. The method includes each access node within the mesh transmitting packets at N different combinations of data rates and power levels. Each receiving node that receives the data packets at one or more of the N combinations, selects a most desirable one of the received combinations. The receiving nodes indicate to the transmitting nodes the selected most desired combination for transmitting to the receiving node.