| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07727208B2 |
Ergonomic tampon applicator
The present invention is directed to an ergonomically improved tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel. The barrel has four distinct sections, namely a finger grip section, a reverse taper section, a main body section, and an insertion tip section. The reverse taper section is tapered towards the fingergrip section and the main body section is tapered in an opposite direction towards the insertion tip section. A maximum diameter is formed where the reverse taper section and main body section meet on the barrel. The maximum diameter provides a sensory means to the user to alert the user when the applicator has been inserted at the proper depth in the vagina. |
| US07727207B2 |
Disposable article with centrally located zones of elasticity
The present invention provides an absorbent garment subassembly for attaching to an absorbent garment, the absorbent garment having a front portion, a back portion and two side portions. The subassembly has a first carrier layer and an elastic member operatively associated with the first carrier layer. The elastic member has a center portion and two end portions. The center portion has a greater area than either of the end portions. |
| US07727206B2 |
Device for monitoring a patient for a urinary tract infection
The invention provides for a urinary monitoring device to monitor for the presence or absence of markers indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The invention also provides for methods of using such a device. |
| US07727205B2 |
Ostomy device including a collecting bag and a base plate, and an ostomy collecting bag
An ostomy device including a collecting bag and a base plate with an adhesive plate for being fastened on the user, the base plate having a stomal opening and a first flange for repeated and removable adhesive connection to a coupling element on the collecting bag which has a second flange. The adhesive connection is provided by at least one layer of an adhesive. Furthermore, the device includes a further flexible layer placed between the adhesive layer and the one of the first and second flanges having the lower tensile strength, the flexible layer having a yield strength exceeding the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer. |
| US07727196B2 |
Powerhead of a power injection system
A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols. |
| US07727193B2 |
Method of controlling a surgical system based on a rate of change of an operating parameter
A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as when an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system of the present invention predicts the temperature of the eye using irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system of the present invention monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip. |
| US07727191B2 |
Compliant balloon catheter
A catheter includes a first expandable membrane having a first pressurization limit and a second expandable membrane, having a second pressurization limit, wherein the second pressurization limit is greater than the first pressurization limit, the first expandable membrane defines a cooling chamber, the second expandable membrane being disposed around the first expandable membrane to define an junction therebetween. The catheter includes a coolant injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet port and the cooling chamber, and a primary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling chamber. The coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary coolant return lumen define a first fluid pathway. The catheter further includes a secondary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the junction. The junction and the secondary coolant return lumen define a second fluid pathway. The catheter provides a fail-safe feature by selecting the appropriate first and second pressurization limits for the first and second expandable membranes. |
| US07727188B2 |
Balloon catheter with positioning pocket
The invention relates to a balloon catheter in which the balloon is mounted on the end of the catheter in a manner that creates a recess or pocket between the catheter wall and balloon wall. The recess or pocket opens toward the proximal end of the catheter. The rigid end of an introducer element or finger is received in the recess to attach it to the catheter. The distal end of the catheter, with the end of the introducer element in the recess, is inserted and positioned within the bowel by manipulating the introducer element or finger. After the catheter is properly positioned in the bowel, the introducer element or finger is withdrawn, detaching it from the catheter as the end of the introducer element slides out of the recess and then out of the bowel. The balloon is inflated prior to or after the withdrawal of the introducer element to anchor the end of the catheter in position within the bowel. Since the distal end of the catheter is made entirely of soft, compliant material, no soft tissue damage can occur from use of the device, even when the catheter remains in place within the body over an extended time period. |
| US07727186B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitis and other disorders of the ears, nose and/or throat
Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc. |
| US07727181B2 |
Fluid delivery device with autocalibration
A micro fluid delivery device is particularly useful in medical applications. The device may be worn or carried by the user and may deliver drugs or other medicaments to the user or patient. The device has a control system that accepts input from the user and controls all aspects of operation of the device. The control system measures the output of the pump and adjusts the output of the pump to achieve the desired dosage rate and size. This eliminates differences from pump to pump that result from inevitable variations in the manufacturing of such small scale affordable devices. |
| US07727176B2 |
Machine for extracorporeal blood treatment coupled to a support element
The invention relates to support element (4) comprising a main body (6) having a front wall (25) and a peripheral wall (32) projecting away from the front wall. The front wall and the peripheral wall define a housing compartment (33) designed to receive a fluid distribution circuitry cooperating with a treatment unit for defining an integrated blood treatment module. |
| US07727175B2 |
Disk bandage dispenser
A surgical device for applying a bandage onto tissue is disclosed. The surgical device has an actuator and contains one or more releasable bandages and an adhesive. Actuation of the actuator releases the adhesive, saturates the bandage with the adhesive, and releases the bandage onto tissue. The actuator can be squeezed, moved linearly, or rotated to dispense the adhesive onto the bandage and release the saturated bandage. The adhesive can be stored in an ampoule, or a sealed chamber. Actuation of the surgical device breaks the ampoule and/or seal and releases the adhesive for use. In addition to the adhesive, additional fluids or additives can be mixed with the adhesive or stored in separate chambers of the ampoule or surgical device. These additives can include drugs, image enhancing agents, necrosing agents, sclerosing agents, and the like. |
| US07727171B2 |
Vehicle seats with plurality of pneumatic massaging elements
A vehicle seat may include a seat back that has a back frame, a cushion pad attached to the back frame, and a massaging unit having a plurality of massaging elements. The cushion pad has a plurality of through bores that pass therethrough in the direction of thickness thereof. The massaging elements are constructed so as to be elastically deformed or compressed along moving axes and to be pneumatically expanded and contracted along the moving axes. The massaging elements are disposed in the through bores in a manner that the moving axes of the massaging elements extend along longitudinal axes of the through bores. The massaging elements have deformability or compressibility identical with or greater than the deformability or compressibility of the cushion pad when the massaging elements are not operated. |
| US07727170B2 |
Elastic hysteretic palpatory training apparatus and method of use thereof
An apparatus for elastic hysteretic palpatory training includes a wire or a computer controlled actuator having a plunger that at least partially elastically resists the application of a palpatory force. In use of the apparatus, an increasing palpatory force is applied to an end of the wire transverse to its axis or an end of the plunger of the actuator in a first direction. In response to the applied palpatory force, the wire or the plunger elastically resist displacement from a first position to a second position. The palpatory force is then withdrawn whereupon the elasticity of wire or the elasticity emulated by the plunger causes it to return toward the first position. The applied palpatory force versus displacement is detected in response to applying and withdrawing the palpatory force to the wire or the plunger. |
| US07727166B2 |
Lancet, lancet assembly and lancet-sensor combination
A lancet assembly has a lancet body with a needle end, a sinuous portion end, and a slot, a lancet tip connected to the needle end, a sinuous portion connected to the sinuous portion end, an anchor structure connected to the sinuous portion. The lancet assembly may also include a lancet enclosure having an elongated chamber with a needle end, an anchor end in communication with the elongated chamber opposite the needle end, and a lancet enclosure slot in communication with the elongated chamber and spaced from the needle end. The anchor end is configured to receive and hold the anchor structure in a substantially static position. The elongated chamber is sized to receive in sliding engagement the lancet tip, the lancet body where the lancet body slot is in communication with the lancet enclosure slot and the sinuous portion and to permit slidable movement of the lancet tip through the open end between a retracted position and an extended position. |
| US07727164B2 |
Method for operating a biopsy device
A biopsy device is provided. The biopsy device can include a cutter which is advanced through a first portion of its stroke by a differential fluid pressure acting on a piston. A mechanical drive can be used to translate and rotate the cutter during tissue severing. |
| US07727163B2 |
Methods and apparatus for hollow body structure resection
A body structure is manipulated by first introducing a bulking material, such as a length of material, into an interior of the body structure in either open or laparoscopic surgical procedures. After the bulking material is introduced, an exterior region of the body structure may be manipulated while the material remains within the interior of the body structure. Typically, manipulation comprises resection of the body structure from surrounding tissue. The resected body structure may then be removed. |
| US07727141B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safe remotely adjustable artifical sphincter
An implantable artificial sphincter system provides long-term adjustment via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), minimizing invasive adjustment through adding or removing fluid via a syringe. An infuser device provides bi-directional fluid transfer via a flexible conduit to a sphincter band, such as a gastric band. Materials are nonferrous and nonmagnetic so as to be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safe, being substantially immune to strong magnetic fields and not introducing an electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMIC) hazard. |
| US07727128B2 |
Leg press machine
A leg press exercise machine that provides translational and rotational motion of the user support structure by translating the user support structure along two intersecting non-orthogonal linear paths. A front portion of the user support structure travels along an inclining linear path and a rear portion of the user support structure travels along a declining linear path. The translation of the user support structure along the inclining and declining linear paths results in the user support structure exhibiting a rational motion, defining an arcuate path. |
| US07727126B1 |
Recreational rope turning device and associated method
An automated jump rope exercising device includes a frame, a power operated primary drive pulley system, and a plurality of auxiliary driven pulley systems that may be operably coupled to the primary drive pulley system. Each of the auxiliary driven pulley systems may be simultaneously rotated in a first synchronous path during operating conditions based upon input from the primary drive pulley. The device may further include a plurality of arms that may be conjoined to the auxiliary driven pulley systems respectively. A plurality of ropes may be detachably anchored to the arms, and each of the ropes may be simultaneously rotated during operating conditions. A user interface may be coupled to the primary drive pulley system thereby permitting the user to selectively adjust a tension level and rotational speed of the ropes during operating conditions. |
| US07727124B1 |
Foldable and camming pivot mount for a resistance unit in a bicycle trainer
A bicycle trainer includes a frame and a resistance unit movably interconnected with the frame by an adjustment arrangement for movement through a range of operative positions and to an inoperative position. The adjustment arrangement includes an adjustment member that is selectively engaged with, and disengaged from, an engagement member. When disengaged, the adjustment member slides relative to the engagement member. The sliding movement of the adjustment member provides a first mode of operation to move the resistance unit to an initial engagement position adjacent the wheel, and the adjustment arrangement can be operated in a second mode of operation, such as by cam-type movement, to advance the resistance unit from the initial engagement position toward and against the wheel. |
| US07727122B2 |
Foldable treadmill
A foldable treadmill includes a base frame, a front frame pivotally mounted on the base frame, a rear frame pivotally mounted on the front frame, a movable frame pivotally mounted on the front frame and slidably mounted on the base frame, a driver mounted on the front frame and provided with a retractable inner tube, and a connecting bracket secured on the movable frame and pivotally mounted on the inner tube of the driver. Thus, the rear frame is folded when not in use to reduce the whole volume of the treadmill efficiently. In addition, the front end of the rear frame is lifted to change the inclined angle of the rear frame, so that the user can practice running or walking on a slope. |
| US07727120B2 |
Elliptical exerciser
A mechanism for an elliptical exerciser comprises a crank rotatably connected to a frame so as to have a free end rotatable in a circular path. A restriction member is rotatably connected to the frame. A transmission member is connected to the restriction member, and a central portion thereof is rotatably connected to the crank, whereby the central portion of the transmission member moves along said circular path while the first end of the transmission member is constrained by the restriction member to move along a reciprocating arcuate path, such that a free end of the transmission member moves along an elliptical path. A reciprocating member has a first end rotatably connected to the transmission member, with a second end of the reciprocating member being operatively mounted to the frame, such that a reciprocating movement of the second end of the reciprocating member along the frame causes the first end of the reciprocating member to move along said elliptical path by the combined constraints of the crank, the restriction member and the transmission member. A foot pedal is connected to the reciprocating member, whereby the foot pedal moves along another elliptical path. |
| US07727117B2 |
Method and apparatus for operatively controlling a virtual reality scenario with a physically demanding interface
A safe, physically demanding interface device for children or other users to play video games according to the present invention includes a base and a joystick or control rod. The base supports a significant portion or the entirety of the child weight (e.g., supports a child in a seated or standing position), while the joystick is manipulable by the child to play the games. The device is configured to force the child to utilize many of the large muscle groups to interact with the game. Since the child weight is supported by the base, the interface device is stable (e.g., unlikely to tip or move) and, therefore, provides for safe, compelling video game play for users either alone or with other users. |
| US07727116B2 |
Apparatus and method for the treatment of computer vision syndrome
Apparatus and method for the treatment of computer vision syndrome using a computer including a screen, a processor, memory and an I/O device. A set of instructions for the computer that includes programs for conducting hand-eye exercises in preselected sequences are loaded into the computer and run. Alternately, a pair of hand wands having a handle at one end and an LED light positioned on the other end are held by a user in front of the computer and a plurality of slap switches having means for detachably attaching the slap switches to a surface are positioned relative to the user and the computer. The user through the use of the slap switches and the hand wands carry out sequences of exercises that will rehabilitate the user regarding computer vision syndrome. The results of the exercises are communicated wirelessly from the hand wands and the slap switches to the computer. |
| US07727108B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges. |
| US07727104B2 |
Power train of automatic transmission
A power train of an automatic transmission with eight forward speeds and two reverse speeds includes: a speed reduction unit including a first variable input member connected to an input shaft via a first clutch, first and second variably stopped members connected to a transmission case, and a reduced speed output member; an output unit including a reduced speed input member connected to the reduced speed output member, second and third variable input members connected to the input shaft via second and third clutches, respectively, a third variably stopped member connected to the transmission case, and a shifted speed output member connected to an output gear. A first brake variably stops the third variable stopped member; a second brake variably stops the first variable stopped member; and a third brake variably stops the second variable stopped member. |
| US07727102B2 |
8-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, two fixed interconnections and two grounded members. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07727096B2 |
Composite hockey stick system
A handle end is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object. The stick includes a shaft coupling the handle end and the striking end. The shaft is fabricated of a relatively rigid material with limited flexibility. The shaft has a hole extending there through with a cylindrical wall defining the hole for varying the playing characteristics of the system. |
| US07727093B2 |
Lacrosse head having a ball stop portion with lowered bottom surface
A lacrosse stick including a lacrosse head attached to a handle, wherein the lacrosse head has a taller, or thicker, ball stop, wherein a portion of the ball stop portion is lowered with respect to the immediately adjacent portions of the sidewall portions relative to a centerline of the handle. The net securing structures in the ball stop are preferably located in the lowered portion and therein provides increased ball retention characteristics. The lower portion of the ball stop portion includes a concave inner surface that is preferably flared, or sloped, slightly outwardly along its interior surface from its front side to its back side. The openings for attaching the netting in the ball stop are preferably slightly recessed with respect to the upper surface. |
| US07727091B2 |
Table tennis game apparatus and method of play thereof
A novel and versatile table tennis game and method of play thereof is disclosed. The table tennis table game is played on a playing surface in the shape of a hexagon having three pairs of equal length opposing edges. A net is placed in the center of the table to divide the playing surface into two or three separate playing areas. Two playing areas accommodates a maximum of three individuals on both sides of the net. Three playing areas accommodates either three individuals playing against each other or three teams of two individuals playing against each other. A folding support mechanism provides both support and storage for either a 2-piece or a 6-piece table top. |
| US07727083B2 |
Golf club shaft
A golf club shaft having at least six full-length layers composed of prepregs. The full-length layers are divided into an inner-layer part including a half of the full-length layers and an outer-layer part including a remaining half of the full-length layers. At least one pair of the full-length layers is formed as a bias set layer in each of the inner-layer part and the outer-layer part by layering two bias layers with each other, with reinforcing fibers of the bias layers intersecting with each other at an orientation angle of ±θ° which fall in a range from ±25° to ±65° with respect to an axis of the golf club shaft. A straight layer is formed as an outermost full-length layer of the outer-layer part with reinforcing fiber thereof orienting at the range from 0° to ±10° with respect to the axis of the shaft. |
| US07727079B1 |
Laser golf alignment device and method
A portable, expandable laser golf training device that can be placed on the ground to provide alignment. The present invention can supply a plurality of light beams produced by lasers or other light sources, switchable on and off, that can be projected along the ground both in the direction of play and perpendicular to it. In a folded configuration, the device can project in four directions creating a pair of axis lines running at right angles to each other. In an expanded configuration, one of the major axis lines can be separated into two parallel lines for putting alignment by sliding the halves of the device apart. The device can be used by placing it on the ground in front of the golfer (between the golfer's feet and the ball. Two lines project outward perpendicular to the direction of play, and two or four lines project into and away from the direction of play. These lines provide alignment for the golfer. Various combinations of beams on or off can be selected by a selector switch under control of the user. The device can contain a rechargeable battery. |
| US07727077B2 |
Water amusement park water channel flow system
A water amusement ride system is disclosed. The system may include a device or apparatus, including a water bypass channel in fluid communication with a channel of water. The water bypass channel may include a water entrance, a water exit, and an adjustable valve. The water entrance is in fluid communication with water upstream of the apparatus. The water exit is in fluid communication with water downstream of the apparatus. The adjustable valve may be located between the water entrance and the water exit. The adjustable valve may be adjusted to control an amount of water exiting the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may increase the flow rate of water between the water entrance and the water exit of the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may assist in controlling a water effect. |
| US07727072B2 |
Shared secondary game station and system
A gaming system having a plurality of primary game devices sharing a secondary bonus station is disclosed. The secondary game station comprises a secondary game which is configured to provide play pursuant to a triggering event originating from any one of the primary game devices in the gaming environment. The secondary game station is equipped with controls suitable for playing the secondary game. During play of the secondary game station, the triggering primary game device may also be “locked” so that the player may resume playing the primary game subsequent to playing the secondary game. |
| US07727057B2 |
Device and process for heating an aircraft cabin
The invention relates to a device (10) for heating an aircraft cabin and comprises a first hot air supply line (12) that leads to an air conditioning unit (14), a flow control valve (16) that is disposed in the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the air conditioning unit (14), and a second hot air supply line (18) that branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) between the flow control valve (16) and the air conditioning unit (14) and bypasses the air conditioning unit (14). In order to assure air conditioning of the aircraft cabin in the event of a failure of the air conditioning unit (14) a third hot air supply line (20) branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the flow control valve (16), which third hot air supply line (20) connects the first hot air supply line (12) to the second hot air supply line (18). Further a first close off mechanism is disposed in the second hot air supply line (18) upstream from the junction with the third hot air supply line (20), which first close off mechanism in its closed position prevents a flow from the second hot air supply line (18) back into the first hot air supply line (12). Finally a second close off mechanism is disposed in the third hot air supply line (20) upstream from the junction with the second hot air supply line (18). |
| US07727049B2 |
Friction sensor for polishing system
A system. method and apparatus to monitor a frictional coefficient of a substrate undergoing polishing is described. A polishing pad assembly includes a polishing layer including a polishing surface, and a substrate contacting member flexibly coupled to the polishing layer having a top surface to contact an exposed surface of a substrate. At least a portion of the top surface is substantially coplanar with the polishing surface. A sensor is provided to measure a lateral displacement of the substrate contacting member. Some embodiments may provide accurate endpoint detection during chemical mechanical polishing to indicate the exposure of an underlying layer. |
| US07727048B2 |
Modesty foam pad and brassiere made
A pad for a brassiere having a foam layer; a liner layer and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer is provided. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere. A brassiere having a pair of breast-receiving cups is provided. Each of the pair of breast-receiving cups has a pad having a foam layer, a liner layer, and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the said liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere. |
| US07727044B1 |
Animal call with improved air channel
An animal call includes a mouthpiece, a barrel, and a reed. The mouthpiece defines an air channel therein and has a reed bed proximate the air channel. The barrel is coupled to the mouthpiece and has an internal chamber that is fluidically coupled to the air channel of the mouthpiece. A surface comprising the air channel varies in order to maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional area magnitude along a length of the channel. The reed is disposed adjacent the air channel and proximate the reed bed. |
| US07727042B2 |
Fluorescent lamp and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a fluorescent lamp is provided. One of a dispersed metal oxide precursor sol prepared by a sol-gel reaction and a fluorescent substance slurry is coated on a glass tube having at least one open side and then the other of the fluorescent substance slurry and the dispersed metal oxide precursor sol is coated on the glass tube. Next, passivation and fluorescent layers are simultaneously formed by baking the coated layers. Then, air is exhausted out of the glass tube and a discharge gas is injected into the glass tube. Finally, the glass tube is sealed. |
| US07727039B2 |
Method of aging field emission devices
A method of aging a field emission device including a cathode and an anode arranged parallel to each other, an emitter arranged on the cathode to emit electrons to the anode, and a gate electrode arranged on the cathode adjacent to the emitter, the method including: supplying a voltage to the cathode; supplying a voltage to the gate; and then supplying a sufficiently low voltage to the anode so as to prevent a short-circuited portion between the cathode and the gate electrode from being permanently damaged due to an overcurrent. |
| US07727017B2 |
Short length compliant pin, particularly suitable with backplane connectors
An electrical connector having a plurality of connector units each having a pair of columns of edge coupled differential signal pairs separated by a ground shield terminal. The ground shield terminals each face a different signal pair of terminals in an adjacent column. Notwithstanding the different size and configurations of the ground and signal terminals, the terminals have mounting tail portions that are disposed in a uniform array different from the arrangement of the body portions of the terminals of the connector unit. The mounting tail portions are of a reduced length which benefit the electrical performance of the connector where it meets its supporting circuit board. |
| US07727016B2 |
Plug having a matting seal
In a plug for an electrical plug connection, having a contact carrier joined together of an upper part and a lower part, the upper part and the lower part having plug chambers that are aligned with one another, and the plug chambers of the lower part having electrical contacts for contacting by electrical contacts of a mating connector that reach through the plug chambers of the upper part, having a matting seal for sealing the plug chambers and having a pressure plate pressing on the matting seal, it is provided that the matting seal is situated between the upper and lower parts of the contact carrier, and the pressure plate is integrated into the upper part. |
| US07727013B1 |
Low PIM rotatable connector
A coupling arrangement between a coaxial connector body and an outer conductor of a coaxial cable that includes an annular contact groove provided in a bore of the connector body. The contact groove has a groove bottom, a connector end sidewall and a cable end sidewall. The connector end sidewall is angled to transition between a groove bottom width that is less than a groove top width. A spring contact has a non-deformed state width seated within the contact groove. The non-deformed state width is greater than the groove bottom width and less than the groove top width. In a non-deformed state the spring contact contacts the connector end sidewall, without contacting the groove bottom. |
| US07727011B2 |
Coax connector having clutching mechanism
The invention is directed to a clutching mechanism for a coax connector. The device comprises an extended nut having a standard connector contained within. The extended nut comprises internal threads and a first clutch face and the internal standard connector comprises a connector body having a second clutch face. In operation, the first clutch face and the second clutch face are engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. The device further comprises a compression sleeve between the nut and the connector body, serving to secure the cable to the connector. |
| US07727007B2 |
Mounting apparatus for battery
A mounting apparatus for mounting a battery includes a base and a bracket. The bracket is configured for receiving the battery. The bracket is rotatably mounted to the base. |
| US07727004B2 |
Testing a high speed serial bus within a printed circuit board
An apparatus and associated method for analyzing a communications link between two components on a common PCB. The communications link has a pair of through-board conductors connected by a first conductive etching on one side of the PCB. The communications link further has second etchings on an opposite side of the PCB respectively connecting each of the through-board conductors to one of the components. The first conductive etching can operably be open-circuited and connectors of an analyzer can be fitted to the through-board conductors to test the communications link between the components. |
| US07727001B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
A receptacle for an electrical connector assembly is provided and includes a housing having a contact retention portion for holding an electrical contact. The contact retention portion includes a connector face for engaging a plug assembly and a side proximate to the connector face. The receptacle also includes a guide post that is located adjacent to the side and extends along the side toward the connector face. The guide post includes a base and a tip. The guide post also has a curved contour and a planar side that extend from the base to the tip. |
| US07726997B2 |
Electrical connector and socket assemblies
An electrical connector assembly for a cable having a plurality of insulated conductors comprises a body having a respective recess for receiving a terminating pin each of the conductors. A respective spigot sealingly engages within each of the recesses and has a passage for receiving an associated one of the terminating pins. Furthermore a seal is associated with each of the spigots for sealing the spigot relative to the associated terminating pin. The provision of a separate spigot for each of the conductors and for sealing engagement within a respective recess in the body enables the spigots to be sealingly fitted to the conductors prior to each spigot being introduced into its recess and sealingly engaged therein. This provides improved insulation of the conductor and increased creepage distance between the mating electrical parts and the outer surface of the housing of the assembly. It also provides the additional advantage that the seal on the conductor tends to be smaller than in prior arrangements so that there is less thermal expansion of the seal when the parts get hot in a downhole environment. |
| US07726988B2 |
Electrical connector having disconnection assist
An electrical connector assembly includes a plug assembly for mating with a header. The plug assembly includes a plug housing and a lever, where the lever includes gear teeth which cooperate with a tooth on the header in a rack and pinion fashion. The lever is locked to the plug housing when the lever is poised for the plug housing to be inserted into the header. A release member on the header releases the lever from the locked position allowing the lever to be rotated to the position where the lever gear teeth mesh with the header tooth, to draw the plug assembly into the header. A cam on the lever also contacts a contact surface in the header, which pre-lifts the plug assembly during disconnection. |
| US07726987B2 |
Card fixer
A card fixer is suitable to assist a card to be fixed in a slot of an electronic device. The card fixer includes a body and a clipping structure, wherein the body has a first side and a second side parallel to the first side. A hook is disposed on the first side of the body. The clipping structure extends out of the second side of the body for clipping the card thereon. When the clipping structure of the card fixer clips the card and the assembly of the card fixer with the card is inserted into the slot, the hook is locked on an inside wall of the slot. |
| US07726975B2 |
Lithium reservoir system and method for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell. |
| US07726970B2 |
Composite temporary and long-term provisional crowns and bridges
A temporary or long-term provisional crown includes a shell having a top wall defining an occlusal surface, a buccal sidewall, a lingual sidewall, and opposite mesio-distal sidewalls, connected to the top wall and buccal and lingual sidewalls and spaced apart to define a central cavity to fit over a prepared tooth. A quantity of resin is disposed in the central cavity of the shell and is preferably shaped to conform to a prepared tooth. A partial opening is preferably arranged in one or more of the mesio-distal sidewalls to permit resin to protrude mesio-distally from the cavity to contact an adjacent tooth. |
| US07726966B2 |
Mold unit with first and second modules
An exemplary mold unit includes a first mold module and a second mold module adjacent to the first mold module. Each of the first mold module and the second mold module includes a fixed mold and a movable mold capable of moving toward and away from the fixed mold. The fixed and movable molds are configured to form a plurality of shaping chambers therebetween when the fixed and movable molds are in a closed position. The fixed mold defines a main runner having an inner end capable of communicating with the shaping chambers for supplying molten material into the shaping chambers. |
| US07726963B2 |
Soap-molding die
Disclosed is a soap making split mold composed of a set of splits 1A and 1B adapted to be assembled together to form a molding cavity 1C. The split 1A has a larger surface area in its recess 11A defining part of the cavity 1C than the other split 1B does in its recess 11B defining the other part of the cavity 1C. The ratio of the surface area of the recess 11A of the split 1A to that of the recess 11B of the split 1B ranges from 52:48 to 66:34. Otherwise, the split 1A has a larger surface roughness Ra in its recess 11A defining part of the cavity than the other split 1B does in its recess 11B defining the other part of the cavity. The difference of the surface roughness Ra between the recess 11A and that of the recess 11B is 0.1 to 30 μm. |
| US07726962B2 |
Mold and method for working with composite material
An apparatus and method for molding composite material with a selectable uniform predetermined temperature during most of the curing time. The mold apparatus has two cooperating and complementing mold bed assemblies hingedly mounted to each other and movable between two extreme positions, open and closed. A composite inner skin and outer skins sandwich a spacer in between. The spacer member includes interconnecting passages throughout. An outer perforated composite skin member covers the spacer member. A source for pressurized gas is applied to the mold assemblies when in the closed position. A predetermined cooperative temperature is selectably used to uniformly control the curing characteristics of the first and second skin members as the pressurized hot gas or air forced to pass through the outer skin and the spacer member adjacent to the inner skin thereby exposing the form being molded to a uniform temperature gradient. A mechanism for moving the upper mold bed assembly is provided with skates to permit its stress free movement in response to temperature expansion and contraction forces. |
| US07726949B2 |
Variable displacement compressor
A variable displacement compressor capable of controlling a piston stroke by openably controlling a displacement control valve to regulate a pressure in a crank chamber, comprising the displacement control valve disposed in a passageway from a discharge chamber to the crank chamber, and a fixed orifice provided in a passageway from the crank chamber to a suction chamber, the displacement control valve further comprising a pressure sensing member for the pressure in the suction chamber or the crank chamber, a valve element having a valve part opened and closed in response to the operation of the pressure sensing member, a valve chamber for disposing the valve part therein and allowing the pressure in the crank chamber to act therein, a partition wall disposed around the valve element, a pressure chamber partitioned from the valve chamber by the partition wall and allowing the pressure in the suction chamber to act therein, and a solenoid provided to the other end of the valve element, wherein a flow passage of non-contact structure is formed in the partition wall, and the number of sliding parts is reduced to lower a sliding resistance. |
| US07726944B2 |
Turbine blade with improved durability tip cap
A gas turbine engine has a turbine blade having a tip cap to close off internal cooling passages. The tip cap is formed with a plurality of purge holes, with there being at least two rows of purge holes. The increased number of purge holes spreads the cooling air outwardly across more of the surface area of the tip cap, and provides the tip cap with a better ability to withstand the extreme temperatures it faces in use. |
| US07726940B2 |
Seal arrangement and a method of seal assembly
Assembly of segmented seals can be problematic in areas of limited space for an introductory tapered mandrel and where there are the problems with damage to the seal surfaces 23, 24. By the present method and arrangement, a seal formed from segments 22 is expanded to an expanded state and then retained at that state by the use of a sacrificial material 26 in the gaps 25 between the segments 22 opened by expansion. The sacrificial material 26 is typically a low melting temperature wax and so is removed when the seal arrangement reaches its operating temperature. |
| US07726934B2 |
Vertical axis wind turbine
A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of blades spaced from a rotatable around a rotor shaft vertical to the ground. The plurality of blades are arranged in a helical pattern about the rotor shaft. Each blade is flexible to move in response to wind and has a top, bottom, leading edge, and trailing edge wherein the leading edge is in the shape of an airfoil. A hub having a plurality of blade attachment rods radially extending from the rotor wherein in one blade is secured to one of the attachment arms. The hub has a plurality of attachment rods radially extending from the rotor wherein one blade is secured to one of the attachment rods near the center and wherein the top of each blade is closer to the rotor than the bottom of each blade. |
| US07726928B2 |
Binding processing apparatus
A binding processing apparatus 1 is provided with a punch mechanism 2 and a binding processing mechanism 3 for executing a binding processing by a binder. When a sheet P is fed from a printing apparatus 50 of a copier or the like, the sheet is butted to a stopper plate 9 of the punch mechanism, sheet aligning sliders 10 push both left and right sides thereof to position and punch holes are formed by a punch block 7 and a die 8. Thereafter, the sheet is fed to a sheet tray 15 of the binding processing mechanism, one set of the sheets are aligned and a ring shape binder is pinched by a pusher 17 to fit the ring shape binder to the punch holes of the sheets, and a brochure subjected to a binding processing is discharged to a stack tray 4. A binder cartridge 16 can contain a number of the binders and the binding processing can be executed continuously. |
| US07726920B2 |
Modular adjustable load stabilizer method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for stabilizing cargo within a transport container. First and second tubular elements are provided having generally cylindrical bodies and bearing members are mounted at a terminal end which can react against opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize cargo within the container. An extension mechanism allows for the extension and selective translation between the first and second tubular members allowing the apparatus to extend and fill the space between opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize the cargo. At least one of the tubular members is composed with two elongate halves. A method for stabilizing cargo within a transport container includes providing an extensible load stabilizer having first and second tubular elements, each having a bearing member. Forming at least one of the tubular members by mating together two tubular halves. The method further includes positioning the load stabilizer between opposing surfaces within the transport container and extending the tubular members with respect to each other, and stabilizing a surface of cargo against an opposing surface. |
| US07726917B2 |
Power drill
A drill chuck has a chuck body having a forwardly open large-diameter threaded bore centered on an axis and a rearwardly open bore also centered on the axis and of small diameter. A power-unit spindle end is threaded into the small-diameter bore and projects axially forward into the large-diameter bore. A sleeve assembly axially fixed but rotatable on the chuck body is formed centered on the axis with a plurality of axially extending, angularly spaced, and forwardly open angled guides slidably receiving jaws. A coupling body has a large-diameter rear end threaded into the forwardly open large-diameter bore of the chuck body and a front end fitted to and angularly coupled to the jaws so that rotation of the sleeve assembly, jaws, and coupling body relative to the chuck body axially shifts the jaws. |
| US07726899B2 |
Coupling device for the driving of a printing device cylinder
A coupling device for driving an engraved cylinder of a printing device. The coupling device comprises a single part of chromium, nickel and molybdenum alloyed steel having undergone core hardening. The coupling device includes a central cylindrical portions, first and second flanges at the respective first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, each flange having a side portion operable to distort under stress and act as a membrane. The ratio of the difference between the diameter and the flange and the diameter of the central portion divided by the average thickness of the side portion of the flange is between 7 and 15. |
| US07726895B2 |
Pen retention apparatus
A pen retention device for releasably securing a pen to a tether is disclosed. The device includes the pen having an end and an annular interior surface defining a bore, a cap comprising an expandable retention interface disposed within the bore proximate the end, and an anvil securedly attached to the tether. The expandable retention interface includes a radially outwardly directed surface in contact with the annular interior surface. The expanding retention interface further includes a radially inwardly directed surface in operable communication with the anvil. The expanding retention interface is responsive to an application of force less than a release force by the tether via the anvil to expand and secure cap to the pen, and is responsive to an application of force greater than the release force to release the cap from the pen. |
| US07726893B2 |
Tape printing device and tape cassette
When a label tape 36 after the printing on a label 39 has been fed to a tape cutting position, heating elements R1-Rn of a thermal head 9 is situated to face a position slightly on the upstream side of a label front end position (at the downstream end in the feeding direction) of the next label 39 which will be printed on next and to face a position on the downstream side of a print start position of the next label 39 (a |
| US07726889B2 |
Optical device and method for removing foreign substances from the optical device
Foreign substances adhered to a focal plane shutter are shaken off by vibrationally driving the shutter a plurality of times in succession while the focal plane shutter, which controls the incidence of light on a photoelectric transducer converting an optical image of a photographic object into an electrical signal, shields the photoelectric transducer from light incident thereon. In other words, implementing vibrational removal of adhered foreign substances by means of overloading the focal plane shutter. |
| US07726885B2 |
Optical connector having a fitting protrusion or fitting recess used for positioning
An optical connector of a fitting pin positioning type includes multiple optical fiber insertion holes arranged in one row and fitting holes or fitting pins. The fitting holes or the fitting pins for positioning are respectively disposed on mutually opposite sides of a straight line connecting centers of the optical fiber insertion holes and are located point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the row of the entire optical fiber insertion holes arranged on the straight line. |
| US07726863B2 |
Medical handle device and illumination apparatus
A medical handle device having an illumination apparatus with at least one optical semiconductor component and a method for manufacturing such a hand-held device are displayed. It is proposed that in order to adapt the hand-held device to the specific requirements of a medical application such as uniformly high light emission, high mechanical resistance, sterilizability and electric safety, the illumination apparatus is provided with a base body, at least one blind hole arranged in the base body, a light-emitting window which is formed by the part of the base body extending from the bottom of the blind hole to the first end of the base body and is connected to a cover device which is connected to the base body and with which the blind hole forms a hermetically sealed interior, whereby the at least one optical semiconductor component is arranged in the hermetically sealed interior and the base body and the cover device are made of an electrically non-conducting material that can withstand sterilization. In some embodiments, at least one optical semiconductor component is encased in a transparent thermoplastic material. |
| US07726862B2 |
Indicator light using light guiding unit
An annular light guiding unit for portable electronic device comprises a first surface, a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and a wall connecting the first surface and the second surface together. The wall is defined a plurality of first wedged walls therein. |
| US07726857B2 |
Lamp unit for vehicle headlamp
A lamp unit for a headlamp of a vehicle includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the projection lens, a reflector, and a mirror member having an upwardly reflecting surface. The reflector forwardly reflects light from the light emitting device toward an optical axis, and the upwardly reflecting surface upwardly reflects part of the light reflected by the reflector. The upwardly reflecting surface includes a first horizontal surface disposed on a self-lane side of the optical axis, a second horizontal surface disposed on an opposing-lane side of the optical axis, and an intermediate slope surface connecting the first and second horizontal surfaces. The intermediate slope surface includes a front slope surface and a rear slope surface on the rear side of the front slope surface, and the rear slope surface is curved. |
| US07726852B2 |
Canopy light
A canopy lighting device comprising a body having a light source and a base that magnetically couples to the body. The body and the base can be located on opposite sides of a fabric sheet to magnetically clamp the lighting device to the fabric sheet. The base may have an energy source, first electrical connection features coupled electrically to the energy source, and first magnetic connection features. The body may have a light source, second magnetic connection features for cooperating with the first magnetic connection features to clamp the body to the bases and second electrical connection features. The second electrical connection features cooperate with the first electrical connection features of the base when the body and the base are clamped together. |
| US07726849B2 |
Traditional style post-top luminaire with relamping module and method
A luminaire adapted to being mounted at the top of a post having a design reducing maintenance costs. The luminaire has a capital with a globe mounted thereon forming an optical chamber, the capital has a front access area with a front access door hingedly attached thereto and optionally has a tool-less latch capable of holding the front access door over the front access area. The capital has an opening in a top portion thereof into the optical chamber, optionally, a relamping module extends from the inside of the capital, through the opening and up into a central portion of the optical chamber and has a lamp socket thereon. The relamping module may be removed without manipulation of the globe or globe roof. The luminaire may also have electrical gear within the capital attached to a tray wherein the tray is removably attached to an internal portion of the capital. The globe and globe roof may remain stationary during typical maintenance processes such as relamping or maintenance of electrical gear. |
| US07726843B2 |
Multiple focus point light
A lamp unit with a relay lens that allows two different focus points. Two different optical altering elements are hence simultaneously in focus. The elements can be taken in and out of focus to allow different effects. |
| US07726842B2 |
Optimum structure for single-sides PCB with SMD LEDs for the express card
The present invention discloses a structure of a single-sided PCB within an ExpressCard with SMD LEDs arrangement formed thereon. The SMD LEDs are act as status indicators for the electronic devices with small, thin and compact size. The structure is expected to form SMD LED illuminating light to the top surface of the PCB with SMD LEDs connecting to the bonding pads on the bottom surface of the PCB. The method comprises forming through-holes on the PCB, placing SMD LEDs over the through-holes with their illuminating heads facing toward the top surface of the PCB, soldering the SMD LEDs with the bonding pads on the bottom surface of the PCB. |
| US07726841B2 |
LED light device with changeable geometric system
An LED light device with a changeable geometric system has locks by which at least one LED or LED-unit installed within a housing-unit or joint-may be connected to deliver electric signals from a power source to desired LEDs. The LED light device's geometry will be changed when any variation is made to the positions of the original housing-units or joints. |
| US07726836B2 |
Light bulb with light emitting elements for use in conventional incandescent light bulb sockets
A light bulb apparatus mounted within existing incandescent bulb sockets is comprised of a plurality of interconnecting printed circuit boards (PCBs). An outline shape of any individual PCB is defined in essentially two dimensions a shape or a size of which may vary from one PCB to another. A first portion of this apparatus is equivalent to light bulb cap and is shaped and sized to be fitted into a conventional incandescent bulb socket. At this portion, at least three PCB side edges are lined up against with an inner side wall of a bulb socket. At least one PCB has a tip edge. A second portion of this apparatus is equivalent to a conventional bulb's glass bulb, and a plurality of light emitting devices are mounted on surfaces of the said PCBs and are connected to the circuit laid on boards. |
| US07726832B2 |
Showerhead with turbine driven light source
A showerhead and fluid-driven lighting system is described herein. The showerhead has a hollow body configured to receive incoming fluid and a fluid distribution element configured to release outgoing fluid from the hollow body. The fluid driven turbine unit is configured to receive incoming fluid and release outgoing fluid to the showerhead, and one or more lights are electrically connected to the fluid driven power supply. The illumination of the water droplets and/or the translucent showerhead body by the lights creates a pleasant showering experience for the user. |
| US07726831B2 |
Showcase
There is disclosed a showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In a showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities in the display chamber 11 while cooling the commodities, the showcase includes LED lights 40 which illuminate the inside of the display chamber 11, and a light transmitting shade 46 which covers the LED lights 40, and the shade 46 has a structure to diffuse light from the LED lights 40. |
| US07726830B2 |
Structure of fiber optics decoration
A fiber optics decoration includes a base that includes a light source and an element that induces an electrical resistive effect to generate heat upon being energized, a decoration body, and optic fibers. The decoration body forms at least one bore extending therethrough for receiving and retaining the optic fibers therein. A container is formed around the bore and receives therein a low boiling point liquid. The container has a bottom positioned against the element that generates heat. As such, when the bottom of the decoration body is subjected to heat generated by the element arranged in the base, a liquid flow of the low boiling point liquid is caused. At the same time, the light source of the base emits light that is transmitted through the optic fibers to realize lighting decorative effect of the fiber optics decoration. |
| US07726829B2 |
Lighted background for fish tanks and the like
A lighted background for mounting on a wall of an aquarium fish tank or the like includes a front panel having an image formed thereon. Light apertures are formed through the front panel and lighting is provided behind the panel to direct light through the apertures. Translucent material covering the apertures and reflective material behind the lights enhances the lighting effect. |
| US07726828B2 |
Planar illumination light source device and planar illumination light device using the planar illumination light source device
The present invention provides a planar illumination light source device by which uniform illumination light can be obtained over a wide area without increasing the thickness of LEDs in the radiation direction even when a highly directional light source such as LEDs is used, and a planar illumination device using this. The present invention includes a highly directional light source, a light guiding body having a radiation plane in a radiation direction of the light source, a casing that encloses the light source and seals planes other than the radiation plane of the light guiding body, inside reflection means provided in the entirety of the area between the casing and the light guiding body, and radiation side reflection means provided on the radiation plane and reflecting light from the light source at a prescribed ratio. A light emitting diode group consisting of one or a plurality of light emitting diodes is used as the highly directional light source. |
| US07726815B2 |
Focusing and astigmatism compensation device for a fundus camera
The invention relates to a device for observing the ocular fundus, in particular to a fundus camera. Said device comprises a light source (1b) for the provision of illumination radiation, an illumination optical path for directing the illumination radiation onto the ocular fundus and observation optics for reproducing the illuminated ocular fundus, the observation optics comprising a module (16b), whose refractive power can be electrically adjusted. |
| US07726809B2 |
Contact lens, method for producing same, and pack for storage and maintenance of a contact lens
A contact lens (4) comprises a solid component capable of imparting shape and structure to said lens, and a liquid component, at least partially contained in the solid component, capable of favoring the compatibility between said lens and the eye of a user of said lens, wherein the liquid component comprises a solution capable of being used as a lachrymal substitute. |
| US07726807B2 |
Sports glasses with lens adapter for semi-rimless construction
A sports glasses construction includes an eyeglass frame for semi-rimless lenses having a pair of channels for receiving a first pair of selectively removable lenses or lens adapter frames, and a pair of lens adapter frames having respective upper connection members sized and shaped to fit into the respective pair of channels in the eyeglass frame. The pair of lens adapters each has a lower portion sized and shaped to couple to a second respective pair of lenses leaving the lower edges of the lenses exposed to provide a semi-rimless construction. |
| US07726805B2 |
Printing unit incorporating a replaceable media supply cartridge located between a connector and a print head assembly
A printing unit includes a support structure. The support structure includes a body portion with a tray positioned at one end of the body portion and a connector positioned at an opposing end of the body portion. A media supply cartridge is mounted on the body portion and is suitable for storing a stack of print media. A feed arrangement is mounted on the body portion and is configured to feed print media from the stack for printing. A print head assembly is mounted on the tray and is configured to print upon the fed print media. |
| US07726796B2 |
Magnetic wire application apparatus, method thereof and printed material including magnetic wire
A magnetic wire application apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a drum using a solid ink; a magnetic wire application unit that applies a magnetic wire on the image formed on the drum by the image forming unit using the solid ink; and an image transfer unit that transfers the image, which is formed by the image forming unit on the drum by the solid ink and applied with the magnetic wire by the magnetic wire application unit, to a printing paper. |
| US07726786B2 |
Vent chamber
A device is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the device includes a fluid ejection mechanism, a reservoir, and a pump configured to pump fluid between the fluid ejection mechanism and the reservoir. A vent chamber is fluidly coupled to the reservoir. |
| US07726784B2 |
Liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head according to one aspect of the invention comprises: a channel unit that comprises: a plurality of individual liquid channels each including a pressure chamber; and a first surface having a plurality of openings corresponding to a plurality of the pressure chambers; and a piezoelectric actuator unit having a second surface that is bonded to the first surface of the channel unit via an adhesive to cover the plurality of pressure chambers. One or more grooves are formed in the first surface of the channel unit to surround the plurality of pressure chambers. An outer edge portion of the second surface the piezoelectric actuator unit faces the groove. A supporting portion that faces the outer edge portion of the second surface of the piezoelectric actuator unit to support the piezoelectric actuator unit is provided in the groove. |
| US07726776B2 |
Inkjet printer cartridge with a multi-functional rotor element
An inkjet printer cartridge has a printhead integrated circuit with a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements. A rotor element is rotatable, in use, between a blot position where the element blots the printhead integrated circuit, a seal position where the element seals the nozzle arrangements, and a platen position where the element supports and positions a printing medium proximate the printhead integrated circuit. An air distribution channel is configured to deliver air evenly along a length of the printhead and is communicable with a pressurized air supply. A plurality of reservoirs discretely store printing fluids for supply to the printhead integrated circuit. A refill port is arranged in fluid communication with printing fluid conduits each leading to a respective reservoir. The port facilitates refilling of the reservoirs from a refill cartridge. A power and data interface interfaces the cartridge with a controller board to control operation of the printhead integrated circuit and the rotor element. |
| US07726773B2 |
Waste liquid recovery apparatus, relay and liquid jetting apparatus
A waste liquid tank is arranged outside a printer. A connection port arranged at an upstream end of a duct extending from the waste liquid tank is connected to a transfer device. The transfer device is connected to a discharge side of a suction pump for drawing in ink from a nozzle of a recording head of the printer through a duct. |
| US07726770B2 |
Inkjet printer
An inkjet printer includes: a print head; a maintaining unit; a timing unit; a notifying unit; a maintenance command determining unit; and a maintenance operation executing unit. The print head is formed with one or more ink ejection opening for printing a printing medium by ejecting ink through the ink ejection opening. The maintaining unit restores the ink ejection state of the print head by flowing ink through the ink ejection opening. The timing unit keeps track of an elapsed time after the maintaining unit has executed a maintenance operation. The notifying unit notifies a user when it is time to execute a maintenance operation if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit exceeds a prescribed time. The maintenance command determining unit determines whether or not the user has issued a command to execute a maintenance operation with the maintaining unit after the notifying unit has issued a notification. The maintenance operation executing unit executes a maintenance operation with the maintaining unit when the maintenance command determining unit determines that the user has issued a command to execute the maintenance operation. |
| US07726764B2 |
Method of using a mobile device to determine a position of a print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device
A method of using a mobile device to determine a position of a print medium, the print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a first sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data indicative of at least one location, the method comprising the steps of: (a) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least some of the coded data when the print medium is at a position within a media feed path within the mobile device; (b) using the processing means to decode at least some of the sensed coded data, thereby to determine at least one location; and (c) determining the position of the print medium based on the at least one location determined in step (b). |
| US07726760B2 |
Printing apparatus, method of inspecting nozzles for abnormalities, and program
A printing apparatus records a predetermined test pattern on printing paper, and reads the test pattern by means of a scanner. The scanner reads the test pattern at a resolution lower than the resolution of a recording head. This allows the automatic and fast reading of the test pattern. Additionally, the printing apparatus performs an interpolation process on read data, and judges whether there is an abnormality in nozzles or not, based on the read data subjected to the interpolation process. This reproduces the positions of and spacing between lines recorded on the printing paper with high accuracy to achieve the exact judgment as to whether there is an abnormality in the nozzles or not. Therefore, an inspection with a high degree of reliability is accomplished. |
| US07726758B2 |
Composite printhead fire signals
A method and device for providing a plurality of fire pulses in an ink jet printer, which includes a production of a plurality of fire signals. Each fire signal of the plurality of fire signals are asserted at a different timing than the other of the plurality of fire signals. The plurality of fire signals are combined to form a composite fire signal that maintains the different timing. |
| US07726754B2 |
Refrigerating device with door opening aid
The invention relates to a refrigerator having two movably connected housing parts that delimit a heat-insulated interior and a seal member that is fastened to a first of the housing parts and contacts the other of the housing parts in an airtight manner in the closed disposition of both housing parts. A lifting element lifts the seal member from a contact surface on the second housing part to permit pressure compensation between the inner chamber and the surroundings of the refrigerator. The lifting element is at least in part formed by a thermally deformable material and, in a first shape thereof, it establishes a sealed contact between the seal member and the contact surface, and in a second state resulting from the effect of heat or cold, it lifts the seal member from the contact surface in order to ensure pressure compensation. |
| US07726752B2 |
Computer enclosure
An exemplary computer enclosure includes a chassis, a pair of fixing members, a plurality of slats, and an actuating member. The chassis includes a pair of first parallel panels, and a second panel perpendicular to the first panels. The first panels and second panel cooperatively define an opening therebetween. The fixing members are attached to the first panels. The slats are pivotably attached to the first panels to adjustably shield the opening. Each of the slats includes a gear shaft fixed to an end thereof. The actuating member includes a rack bar slidably attached to one of the first panels to mesh with the gears shafts. The slats are rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise. Thus, the opening may be adjustably exposed to control an amount of air entering the chassis for dissipation of heat. |
| US07726750B2 |
Latch for enclosure
An enclosure includes a back enclosure unit, a front enclosure unit hinged to the back enclosure unit, a rod coupled to the front enclosure unit, and a spring latch coupled to the back enclosure unit, wherein the rod engages the spring latch when the front enclosure unit is closed upon the back enclosure unit. |
| US07726745B2 |
Adjustable armrest mechanism for a materials handling vehicle
An adjustable armrest mechanism is provided, which is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame. The armrest mechanism comprises a base fixed to the vehicle frame, armrest apparatus movably coupled to the base such that the armrest apparatus pivots about a virtual pivot point located in front of the armrest apparatus and the base, and a locking device for releasably locking the armrest apparatus to the base in one of at least two positions. |
| US07726742B2 |
Vehicle seat having a recliner mechanism
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is pivotally connected to a seat bottom, a lock mechanism that is configured to inhibit the seat back from pivoting when locked and to permit the seat back to pivot when unlocked, and a release and drive mechanism. The release and drive mechanism includes a mounting member, a drive gear that is rotatable with respect to the mounting member and that is connected to the lock mechanism, and a motor that is connected to the drive gear. The drive gear is rotationally limited to a defined angular range. The motor rotates the drive gear through the defined angular range which moves the lock mechanism to an unlocked state and thereafter causes the seat back to pivot. |
| US07726724B2 |
Aerodynamic device and method of use
An aerodynamic device is disclosed for limiting aerodynamic drag on the rear surface of various types of trucks with trailers. The aerodynamic device includes a plurality of rigid members and a flexible sheet designed to create a pyramid-shaped projection pointing away from the rear surface of the trailer. The device members can be quickly disassembled and the flexible sheet collapses so that the aerodynamic device lies flat against the rear surface of the trailer. The aerodynamic device can be attached directly to doors on the rear surface of a trailer or to a mounting frame that may rotate around to the side of the trailer where a roll-up style door is present. |
| US07726710B2 |
Cover and method of use
Embodiments described herein provide a cover, and a method for using the cover with a surface. One embodiment of the cover comprises a flexible, substantially planar member. A plurality of reinforcing members is attached to the flexible, substantially planar member. The plurality of reinforcing members is arranged on the flexible, substantially planar member so that the flexible, substantially planar member can reliably support a load. A plurality of manipulation members is operatively associated with the plurality of reinforcing members. The plurality of manipulation members is accessible to a lifter so that the lifter can apply force to the plurality of reinforcing members and can move the load reliably supported by the flexible, substantially planar member. In a method of using a cover with a surface, a cover having a flexible, substantially planar member, a plurality of reinforcing members attached to the flexible, substantially planar member, the plurality of reinforcing members being arranged on the flexible, substantially planar member so that the flexible, substantially planar member can reliably support a load, and a plurality of manipulation members operatively associated with the plurality of reinforcing members is provided. The cover is placed on the surface. The load is allowed to accumulate on the cover. The plurality of manipulation members is accessed with a lifter. A force is applied to the plurality of reinforcing members with the lifter. The load reliably supported by the flexible, substantially planar member is moved with the lifter. |
| US07726703B2 |
Deformable pipe coupling having multiple radii of curvature
A pipe coupling for joining pipe elements end-to-end is disclosed. The pipe coupling is formed of segments attached to one another circumferentially straddling the pipe elements. The segments are formed from sub-sections connected to one another end-to-end. Each sub-section has a surface region disposed to engage the outer surfaces of the pipe elements. Each surface region has a different radius of curvature from a surface region on a neighboring sub-section. The radii are selected so that when the coupling segments are deformed around the pipe elements, portions of surface regions of selected sub-sections contact the pipe elements, while portions of surface regions of those sub-sections between the selected portions remain in spaced relation away from the pipe elements. A constant and minimal torque is required to bolt the segments together as a result. |
| US07726702B2 |
Flange connection for pipe
Assembly for connecting a pipe having a flanged end in fluid communication with an opposing part. The assembly includes an insert received coaxially within the pipe end and having a forward end face extending axially beyond the pipe end, a clamp ring received coaxially over the pipe end, and a flange piece which is fastenable to the opposing as received coaxially over the clamp ring. As the flange piece is fastened to the opposing part, the forward end face of the insert is urged into a sealable engagement against a confronting surface of the opposing part. |
| US07726696B2 |
Label assembly for applying a label to an object
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure aligned with the label shape. The registration structure is raised or raisable above the back sheet to allow an object for labeling to be positioned against the registration structure for proper alignment with the label. |
| US07726694B2 |
Personal sail assembly and method for use in conjunction with a mobile device
A user supported portable sail assembly and method uses the force of the wind to help propel a user on a mobile device such as skis, snowboards, skateboards, in-line or ice skates, for example, in a controlled and safe manner. A sail is attached to the ends of a pair of parallel, flexible poles which the user holds onto, usually one pole in each hand. The user orients the sail to optimize direction and speed. As the sail catches wind currents, the poles flex and form an optimal airfoil. Should the user wish to stop using the sail assembly, the user simply brings the poles together and brakes or glides to a gentle stop. The poles may be constructed of multiple interlocking segments for easy and quick disassembly and compact stowing. |
| US07726693B2 |
Motor retractor and drive control thereof
When the worn state of the webbing is lifted, current of a current value I0 corresponding to the appropriate storing speed of the webbing is supplied to the motor, whereby a take-up shaft rotates and the webbing is taken up. At a point in time when the webbing has been taken up to the extent that the webbing does not hinder the exiting of a vehicle by a passenger, the size of the supply current to the motor is reduced from the initial current value I1 to a current value I1. A reference current value IL of a stall current for determining whether to stop the motor when a foreign object or the like has become entangled between the webbing and an in-vehicle part can also be set to be small in correspondence to the reduced current value I1. |
| US07726691B2 |
Steering column device
A structure of the steering column device for clamping the outer column to the inner column is simple and its manufacturing cost is reduced. The outer column 1 and the bushing are stopped against rotation to the clamp members and at the same time when the outer column is adjusted in its telescopic position in respect to the inner column, the outer column, clamp members and bushing can be integrally and axially slid. Since the bushing having a low frictional coefficient is present between the inner circumference of the outer column and the outer circumference of the inner column, the outer column can be moved with a light force in respect to the inner column. |
| US07726679B2 |
Trailer alignment apparatus
An apparatus and method for maneuvering a trailer having jockey wheel assembly comprising a ground engaging wheel (33) rotatably mounted on an axle (34). The apparatus comprising a link member (20) which is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the jockey wheel assembly adjacent the axle (34) and a lever assembly (10) removably securable to said link (20) and adapted to engage a peripheral surface (39) of said wheel (33), whereby movement of said lever (10) rotates said wheel (33). |
| US07726668B2 |
Mechanic's creeper
A creeper is disclosed for protecting a user in a supine position when manoeuvring under a raised object. The creeper comprises a user support surface and a safety structure. The safety structure comprises at least one upwardly projecting rigid element defining a protective space above at least a portion of the support surface. A foldable creeper which folds into a work bench and comprises a similar safety structure is also disclosed. |
| US07726657B2 |
Target stand system
A target stand system having at least two stand assemblies is provided. Each stand assembly comprises a post member configured at one end for insertion into a support surface and a support member connected to the post member by an attachment portion such that a gap is formed between the post member and the support member. The gap has a width sufficient to support a target. The stand assemblies are spaced apart a distance to support a target. |
| US07726652B2 |
Lottery game played on a geometric figure using indicia with variable point values
A system, method and lottery ticket that implement a lottery game that uses a geometric figure having a plurality of selection spaces from which a player selects at least one selection space. The selection spaces are then populated with one or more game indicia, with each game indicia having a point value, and prizes are awarded based upon the total number of points associated with the game indicia populated into the player-selected selection spaces. Other lottery games can also be played simultaneously therewith on the same ticket or round of play. |
| US07726650B2 |
Automatic document feeder having mechanism for releasing paper jam
The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder having a mechanism for releasing paper jam by disconnecting the transmission device. The automatic document feeder includes a driving motor, a transmission device, a plurality of paper transfer rollers, a swing arm and a releasing arm. The driving motor is used for providing driving power. The transmission device and is coupled to the driving motor for transmitting the driving power. The swing arm is coupled to some of the transmission elements and operated in either a connection state or a disconnection state. The releasing arm is selectively contacted with the swing arm to have the swing arm enter the disconnection state or separated from the swing arm to have the swing arm enter the connection state. The paper jam is released when the swing arm is operated in the disconnection state. |
| US07726647B2 |
Sheet feed mechanism
A sheet feed mechanism includes a chassis for supporting a stack of sheets; a top sheet engaging member for engaging a top most sheet of the stack; a stack engaging structure for engaging the stack and biasing the top most sheet against the top sheet engaging member, the stack engaging structure hingedly connected to the chassis at a hinge axis; a friction surface extending from the stack engaging structure, the friction surface extending in a curvature parallel to a locus of the stack engaging structure about the hinge axis; a lock mechanism having a lock arm hingedly connected to the chassis at the hinge axis, the lock mechanism further having a biased contact foot for engaging the friction surface to retard a movement of the stack engaging structure about the hinge axis; and an actuator for engaging and disengaging the contact foot from the friction surface. The friction surface is arranged to extend beneath the biased contact foot, and the actuator is adapted to pivotally actuate the biased contact foot upwards and downwards to respectively disengage and engage the biased contact foot with the friction surface. |
| US07726646B2 |
Sheet package with recloseable flap
A sheet in accordance with the present invention includes sheets as print mediums for a printer and a package member surrounding the sheets which have been stacked up. The sheet package is configured so that the sheets can be set in the printer together with the package member exposing part of the sheets. The package member is integrally provided with a flap part which can expose part of the sheets by being opened when the sheet package is set in the printer and cover the exposed part of the sheets by being closed when the sheet package is not used. |
| US07726639B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet bundle alignment method
When a new paper sheet is supplied onto a compiling tray, a sub-paddle holds down paper sheets having already been stacked on the compiling tray until a leading edge of the new paper sheet S touches the stacked paper sheets. Thereafter, the sub-paddle gets apart from the sheets stacked on the compiling tray with timing, with which the rear edge of the new paper sheet falls on the compiling tray. |
| US07726636B2 |
Spring for items of furniture
A quiet, non-binding collapsible spring mechanism for resiliently supporting a mattress includes a system of collapsible, sinuous springs, each having hooked ends for silencing the mechanism during use or collapse, as well as central offset portions for enabling the sinuous springs to compress to a greater extent than heretofore. Both rigid and yieldable support structures connect the spring mechanism to an item of furniture. |
| US07726630B2 |
Solenoid valve
A valve flow-directing vessel (42) comprising a sleeve (44) having a threaded installation portion (84) for connection to a receiving member, a plunger (46) movable within the sleeve (44) between a closed position and an opened position, and an orifice insert (48/50) fixedly attached to the sleeve (44). The orifice insert (48/50) defines an orifice (132) that is sealed when the plunger (46) is in the closed position and unsealed when the plunger (46) is in the opened position. The orifice (132) is the entrance to a passageway (130) having an exit (134) communicating with a delivery passage of the receiving member, and this exit (134) is positioned beyond the threaded installation portion (84) of the sleeve (44). |
| US07726627B2 |
Damper device
A damper device may include a frame, a baffle turnably supported on the frame for opening and closing a passage through which fluid is passed, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle. The drive unit may include an output member whose tip end side structures a slide mechanism together with the baffle, and a driving part which causes the output member to linearly advance and retreat to and from the baffle. The slide mechanism includes a groove formed in one of a tip end side of the output member and the baffle so that the groove is extended to move the baffle, and a slider part provided in the other so that the slider part is fitted into the groove, and the groove is formed in which at least one of both end portions of the groove is formed in an open end. |
| US07726622B2 |
Floral easel
The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel. |
| US07726601B2 |
Device and method for affecting local climatic parameters
A system for affecting a local parameter, the system comprising a sunlight radiation reflecting surface, and a propulsion mechanism, the propulsion mechanism being adapted to move the reflecting surface to a predetermined position being chosen based on the effect of the system on said local parameter at the position. |
| US07726600B2 |
Stretch film dispenser
The present invention provides a stretch film dispenser, which includes a base, a reel device, and a brake device. The reel device has a reel and a connecting member pivotally connected to the base, and the brake device is connected to the base and is fitted to the connecting member of the reel device. The base and the brake device form a holding member of the stretch film dispenser to be grasped by an operator. The present invention further provides a second reel to be fitted to the reel of the reel dispenser to dispense the stretch film rolls with different core diameter. |
| US07726598B2 |
Unwiding device for reels of web material and relative method
The unwinding device comprises: a rotating element (3) with supports (13, 15) for at least two reels (B1; B2; B3); a splicing member (31, 33, 35) to join a first web material (N1) coming from an expiring reel (B1) to the initial free end (T) of a second web material (N2) wound on a new reel (B2). At least one mechanical member (21) is associated with each support (13; 15), to retain the initial free end (T) of the reel disposed on the support, to hold the initial free end until splicing of the two web materials. |
| US07726596B2 |
Refiner with spiral inlet and dual tangential discharge outlet
A fibrous slurry refiner includes a casing, a rotor secured to a rotor shaft, and first and second pluralities of grinding surfaces. The rotor is disposed within the casing and is rotatable via the rotor shaft. The first plurality of grinding surfaces is secured to the rotor, and the second plurality of grinding surfaces is disposed facing the first plurality of grinding surfaces and fixed in the casing. An inlet plate for each of the plurality of grinding surfaces directs the fibrous slurry toward a set of facing first and second grinding surfaces and imparts a rotary flow to the fibrous slurry. |
| US07726593B2 |
Device for the in-situ disposal of sanitary waste, in particular of incontinence articles and method for this
The device for the disposal of sanitary waste consists of a fixed drum-type container (20) with a horizontal central axis (MA) and with inlet pipes for dosed wash liquid (WF), for sanitary liquid (HF) and for dosed chemicals (CH), whereby a discharge duct (65) for the carrying-off of the comminuted sanitary waste interspersed with wash liquid from the bottom area of the container (20) is provided in the bottom area of the container (20), in the inner space (27) of which a knife disk (30) which can be rotatably driven is placed in the area of one of its both vertical front walls (21; 22) with shearing knives (31) turned to the inner space (27) of the container (20), whereby an ascendingly guided compressor screw (60) follows the conveyor screw (65), compressor screw which forms with a shear sieve sheet (70) a functional unit for separating the comminuted sanitary waste containing solid components from the wash liquid (WF) with the constituents of the sanitary waste which are dissolved therein and the wash liquid is supplied to a drain (85) over a discharge duct (80), whereby the rest of the comminuted sanitary waste freed from the liquid and containing solid constituents is fed in the upper area (61b) of the housing (61) to a collecting container (95). |
| US07726581B2 |
HVAC controller
An HVAC controller may include an upper housing having a front and a back, the back including a center. A lens dial including an engagement portion may be rotatably secured relative to the upper housing. A set point operator may include a first portion that is disposed about the upper housing center as well as a second portion that is adapted to interact with the lens dial engagement portion. A mechanical movement to electrical signal converter such as a potentiometer may be disposed within the HVAC controller such that the first portion of the set point operator communicates with the potentiometer. |
| US07726577B2 |
Contactless card
The present invention aims at providing a contactless card that enables a reader/writer to identify which card such reader/writer is communicating with in a set of card identification processes and that improves the possibility of protecting the cardholder's privacy. Contactless card (200) includes: power detection unit (203); random number ID generation unit (210) that determines an identifier that identifies card (200), every time power detection unit (203) detects that electric power has been supplied; ID storage unit (2081) that holds the determined identifier; sending/receiving circuit (204) that receives a command requesting that the identifier that identifies card (200) should be sent to reader/writer (100), and sending/receiving circuit (204) sends, to reader/writer (100), the determined identifier in the case where the received command is a first-received command, and the held identifier in the case where the received command is a second- or later-received command. |
| US07726574B2 |
Method, device and system for scanning optical codes
Apparatuses, methods and systems used to reduce the time needed to process images of a bar code or optical code captured by a image bar code scanner. Image bar code scanners read bar codes or optical codes by capturing digital images of the codes using an image capture device and then processing the captured images to decode the optical code or bar code. The processing time is reduced by rotating the images to align the axis of the codes contained in the captured images with the rows of photo detectors in the image capture device. |
| US07726571B2 |
System and method for bar code decoding
Described is a system and method for bar code decoding. The system comprises first and second digitizers and a processor. The first digitizer outputs a first digitized representation of a bar code. The second digitizer outputs a second digitized representation of the bar code. The processor compares the first and second digitized representations to yield a set of parameters. The processor selects one of the first and second digitized representations to be decoded as a function of the set of parameters. |
| US07726568B2 |
Smart card session optimization
A method is provided for facilitating communications between a computer device and a smart card reader having an associated smart card. The computer device includes a smart card resource manager and a smart card reader service, the smart card reader service acting as a relay for commands between the smart card resource manager and the smart card reader. The reader sends multiple commands based on the state of the smart card prior to receiving the commands. |
| US07726567B2 |
Method and system for generating an electronic product identification report in an embedded device
An embedded device includes a web interface configured to receive a request for an electronic product information (EPID) report, and send the request to a request handling service. The embedded device further includes the request handling service, configured to deploy one or more event handling components based on the request. The embedded device further includes the one or more event handling components configured to generate an EPID event cycle based on an EPID read cycle, according to an event cycle boundary condition, generate the EPID report based on the EPID event cycle, and transmit the EPID report to a client. The embedded device further includes a reader adapter configured to obtain the EPID read cycle, and transmit the EPID read cycle to the one or more event handling components. |
| US07726566B2 |
Controlling connectivity of a wireless smart card reader
A system includes a wireless-enabled smart card reader able to be connected concurrently to at least two devices and a mobile device able to be connected wirelessly to the smart card reader and to control connections of the smart card reader. |
| US07726562B2 |
System for vending physical and information items
A vending machine handles a purchase transaction by receiving a payment, receiving a product selection from the customer, and dispensing the product indicated by the product selection. As part of the same transaction, the vending machine offers an information item such as an audio recording or a video recording. The vending machine also receives from the customer a destination address, which may be an e-mail address. The vending machine or a system of which it is part transmits the information item to the received destination address. |
| US07726556B2 |
Method for reconciliation of metered machine bills
A system for reconciling a bill for the usage of a metered device includes an image capture device for generating an electronic image of a machine readable code associated with a hardcopy bill for the use of a metered device, a decoder for decoding at least one reconciliation instruction from the electronic image and a reconciliation controller for executing the at least one reconciliation instruction to enable a reconciliation of the hardcopy bill for the use of the metered device with stored metered device usage data. |
| US07726554B2 |
Multiple punch and die assembly providing hand disassembly, punch length adjustment and replacement
A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector which is a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece. |
| US07726552B2 |
System for secure collection and disposal of large volumes of documents
The invention disclosed herein provides an apparatus and method for securely collecting, storing, and disposing of documents by attaching a reusable, secure, lockable closure to a cardboard receptacle box. The lockable closure has a slot in the top to allow documents to be deposited in the box. Two opposing side surfaces of the lockable closure have an interior lip that engages the box flap in such a way as to prevent the unwanted removal of the closure. The closure can be secured to the box with a locking seal such as a cable tie through locking holes located on the top surface and two opposing sides of the lockable closure as well as the box flaps and box sides. A hole allows removal of the lockable closure by exerting pressure on the flap. The disclosed method provides the steps of providing a single lockable closure, a plurality of receptacle boxes, and a number of locking seals capable of fitting through the holes. The single, reusable, locking closure is placed on a receptacle box, which is sealed, documents are placed into the box through the slot. When the box is full, the locking seals are removed and the box is closed secured with its internal flaps and shipped for destruction or recycling. The same lockable closure is then placed on a different box bottom to repeat the process. |
| US07726547B2 |
Photoprint storage bag
The present invention provides a multifunction and low-cost photoprint storage bag. When paper is die-cut along a pattern to produce development sheets, folds are created simultaneously, thereby achieving simple manufacturing. A multifunction photoprint storage bag can be realized by folding along folds on the die-cut development sheet, which is used as a photoprint storage bag and a photo stand, and further as a sealed letter by folding back in the opposite direction. |
| US07726533B2 |
Pusher bearing and pusher block for magazine
A magazine for a fastening tool drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece. The magazine generally includes an outer case and an inner rail movable relative to the outer case. The inner rail is extendable from the outer case to permit adding the one or more fasteners to the magazine. A bar extends between a front end and a rear end of the inner rail. A pusher bearing slidably receives the bar. A spring biases the pusher bearing toward the front end. A pusher block is coupled to the pusher bearing and disposed over the bar. The pusher block is operable to rock about the pusher bearing as the pusher block is sliding through the inner rail to urge the one or more fasteners toward the front end. |
| US07726519B2 |
Fluid dispenser device
A fluid dispenser device, comprising: a dispenser orifice (5); a reservoir (10) containing at least one dose of fluid; at least one piston (15) axially slidable in said reservoir (10) so as to dispense said fluid; a dispenser member (20) co-operating with said piston (15); and an actuator element (30) co-operating with said dispenser member (20); said device being characterized in that said dispenser member (20) is displaceable between a blocking position, preventing said actuator element (30) from being actuated, and a release position in which the actuation of said actuator element (30) displaces said dispenser member (20) so as to dispense a dose of fluid, said dispenser member (20) being displaced manually from its blocking position to its release position before said device is actuated. |
| US07726518B2 |
Dispenser for concentrated injection
A dispenser, particularly suitable for a liquid container, comprising a liquid pump provided with an inlet having an inlet valve and an outlet having an outlet valve, an air pump provided with an inlet having an inlet valve and an outlet having an outlet valve, a mixing chamber which is in communication with the outlet of each pump, and a dispensing part provided with an outflow channel with an outflow opening, wherein the outflow channel is in communication with the mixing chamber, and wherein the outlet valve of the air pump is arranged adjacent to the outlet of the liquid pump. |
| US07726514B2 |
Automated article dispensation mechanism
Disclosed is a system for collecting, sorting, counting and consolidating an unorganized pool of solid or semi-solid articles such as pills for dispensation. Specifically, the articles are extracted from inside a bin using attraction points on a transport substrate and sorted into containers in finite quantities. The system consists of several components, preferably including a torque source, a counter and a vacuum source, which are uniquely integrated onto a single end-effector to reduce cost and redundancy by servicing several bins. Further, the system presents a method of attracting and carrying pills using negative vacuum pressure, gravity and centrifugal force. This centrifugal force holds articles to the local attraction points and is provided by the spinning of the transport substrate. Pills are collected from the bin or plenum at the local attraction points, counted, cleaved from the local attraction points and guided to a container or vial. |
| US07726513B2 |
Optional hanging dispenser
A product for hanging from a paper roll holder having at least one arm including a sheet-material dispenser and at least one hanging member for attaching the sheet-material dispenser to the at least one arm. In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the hanging member that is removably attachable to the arm of the paper roll holder included an elastomeric strap for wrapping about both arms of a toilet paper holder. Since the sheet-material dispenser is attached to the arms of the paper roll holder, it is not necessary to remove the sheet-material dispenser when removing the spindle of the paper roll holder to change the paper roll. |
| US07726512B2 |
Universal food-holding receptacle for use with beverage containers of diverse shapes and sizes
An aid for dining in stand-up and similar situations where a person may simultaneously support a plate and a beverage container by a single hand. The invention comprises a universal food holding receptacle that is stably mountable on upright beverage containers of widely diverse shapes and sizes. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand for other activities such as taking food items from the food holding receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so that the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner while dining. The same food holding receptacle may also be used, after turning upside-down, to stably support beverage containers of diverse shapes and sizes. |
| US07726511B2 |
Reverse osmosis filtration system storage tanks
A reverse osmosis product water storage tank having first and second molded shells coupled together to form an enclosure, a bladder within the enclosure and coupled to separate product water from squeeze water within the enclosure, a first port through a wall of the enclosure to provide water access to the product water side of the bladder, a second port through a wall of the enclosure to provide squeeze water access to the squeeze water side of the bladder and wherein the inner surfaces of the enclosure having a topography configured to define a plurality of channels between the inner surfaces of the enclosure and the bladder when the bladder is full of product water for accommodating squeeze water flow into the enclosure between the enclosure and the bladder when the bladder is full of product water. |
| US07726504B2 |
Fire-protective packaging system and method
A packaging system or method for protecting combustible material in a sprinkler-provided environment has an outer layer with a combustible surface covering a fire-retardant protection layer. Combustion of the surface of the outer layer promotes effective sprinkler operation, while combustible material is protected by the fire-retardant protection layer. |
| US07726503B2 |
Ergonomic plastic container and package system
A packing that includes a bottle and/or a bottle and box combination wherein the container may have a first handle portion, a second handle portion, and a bottom grip portion. The first handle portion can extend in a front to back direction and the second handle portion can extend in a transverse direction to the first handle portion. The bottom grip may include a protrusion and recess on the bottom of the container. The box can be configured to have openings to provide access to the first and second handle portions such that the container need not be removed from the box to utilize the contents contained therein. The box may also include a bottom opening and a push-up portion to provide access to the bottom grip portion. |
| US07726499B2 |
Bottle holder
A bottle holder with an indented base, which has a body sized and shaped to receive a bottle. At least a portion of the body is radially expandable. A grip is attached to the exterior of the body and a securing base is located within the interior of the body. The securing base is sized and shaped to receive the indented base of a bottle and, when in use, to prevent radial movement of the bottle. When a bottle is inserted into the body, it is received by the indented base and is securely held in the bottle holder by the grip. |
| US07726497B1 |
Removable externally mounted slewing crane for shipping containers
A slewing crane is assembled and installed at the end of a shipping and stowage container having block-shaped corner fittings. Left and right rotatable mounts engage top corner fittings on the container, and a cross piece section engages the rotatable mounts. A boom section has upper and lower hinges rotatably mounting it on the cross piece section via the hinges' axially aligned pins to extend outwardly from the cross piece section. A hoist on the boom section lifts and moves loads, and first and second displacement mechanisms connected to the boom section linearly displace the hoist and angularly displace the hoist and boom section in a slewing motion around the axis of the axially aligned pins. An element connected between the cross piece section and a corner fitting is tensioned by a turnbuckle to securely engage both rotatable mounts and hold the slewing crane on the container. |
| US07726481B2 |
Display chamber packaging container and method for making
A packaging container having a first housing member that includes walls that fit within an area defined by the walls of a second housing member, and a chamber cover that includes an area for housing or displaying goods. In one embodiment, the chamber cover is substantially surrounded by the opening of the first member of the housing, and includes a flange that abuts against the bottom of the first member of the housing to secure the chamber cover with respect to the housing, wherein the cover includes an area for housing or displaying goods. The chamber may also be integrally formed with the first housing member. The housing members may be made from a paper material that can include a substantially tear-resistant material. |
| US07726479B2 |
Tool cases with easy removal of stored items
A tool case has a lid and a base, and a panel arranged therebetween. Various structures are used to trap or otherwise retain tools, tool items or other stored items, such that they cannot accidentally fall out of their “home” positions, but such that they are readily removable by the user when desired. Such structures include, for example, retractable stops, depressions beneath stored items, weight-biased pivoting of holders, spring biasing of holders, trapping of items by the lid or by other item holders within the case, and various clip arrangements. Preferably the lid is transparent, and the tools or other items are arranged by height in step-wise fashion, the panel being stepped accordingly, to maximize visibility. |
| US07726477B1 |
Media disc package with magnifier attachment
The media disc package is a container for holding a media disc, a media disc with fine prints on top, and a magnifier formed of a transparent plastic material with a bar shape, a length of at least 4 inches, and a width of at least ½ inch. |
| US07726476B2 |
Optical media storage package
A media disc storage package includes: a folder including at least first and second spaced-apart panels defining a space for enclosing a media disc; and a substantially rigid insert disposed between the panels. The insert spans the distance between the panels to provide structural support to the folder, and includes an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels. |
| US07726467B1 |
Conveyor coupler system
A conveyor coupler system for efficiently increasing the longevity and productivity of the conveyor. The conveyor coupler system generally includes a coupler including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from the second portion. The first portion includes a first connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion extends within the first portion and includes at least one slot. The second portion includes a second connecting portion extending within the second portion and including a plurality of ridge members. The first connecting portion connects to a first planetary gear structure of a conveyor unit and the second connecting portion connects to a second planetary gear structure of the conveyor unit. |
| US07726465B2 |
Method and apparatus for open pit bench mining
A bench mining system and mining method, particularly useful for open pit bench mining, employs a combination of bulldozers and transversely movable apron feeders to provide the primary mechanism for removal of overburden. The apron feeders are preferably equipped with a self-cleaning arrangement to facilitate continuous operation without undue stoppages. |
| US07726461B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for controlling the spacing of and ejecting conveyed objects
In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor and for selectively ejecting objects from the object conveyor include flights that extend transversely across the object conveyor to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, and ejectors associated with the flights that can be selectively actuated to eject the objects whose travel has been limited by the associated flights. |
| US07726458B2 |
Structure for maintaining gap of paper money discriminating apparatus
A structure maintains a gap in a paper money discriminating apparatus that may be provided in an automatic teller machine. The structure may include a paper money discriminating sensor that is provided in an upper body to discriminate whether a paper money to be conveyed along a conveyance path is counterfeit money, a lower body that is provided so as to face the paper money discriminating sensor with a predetermined gap therebetween, and spacing protrusions that protrude upward from an upper surface of the lower body and come in contact with both end portions of the paper money discriminating sensor so as to maintain a constant gap between a lower surface of the paper money discriminating sensor and the upper surface of the lower body. |
| US07726456B2 |
Linear clutch system for vehicle and method for controlling the same
A linear electromotive actuator mounted on an input shaft of a manual transmission clutch system and a clutch operation is controlled by a current signal applied in response to an operating stroke of a clutch pedal. In addition, according to the clutch system and a method for controlling the same, a vehicle weight is reduced and a clutch vibration or an impact can be reduced. |
| US07726454B2 |
Free coaster bicycle hub
A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus is provided with a clutch that employs radially acting, rather than axially acting components. An annular drive sleeve projecting inwardly from a drive sprocket is disposed within multiple transmission power transmission sleeves, which are disposed within a cylindrical wheel hub shell. The drive sleeve defines multiple cam lobes and the power transmission sleeves define multiple cam lobes and multiple pockets. When the drive sleeve cam lobes are disposed in the power transmission sleeve pockets, the driving apparatus is disengaged and allowed to free coast. Upon forward rotation of the driving apparatus, the drive sleeve cam lobes rotate toward and engage the power transmission sleeve cam lobes, thereby forcing the power transmission sleeve radially outward towards the wheel hub shell, thereby allowing the sprocket to engage the wheel hub. |
| US07726451B2 |
Vibration damper with amplitude-selective damping force
A vibration damper with amplitude-selective damping force includes a piston rod carrying a piston arrangement axially movably arranged in a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into two working spaces. A flow connection is present between the working spaces and controlled by an axially movable switching ring which cooperates with a working surface which faces the ring to define a pilot opening cross section. A bypass channel with at least two connecting openings to the flow connection is provided hydraulically in parallel to the flow connection. At least one connecting opening upstream of each of two stop surface of the switching ring. A check valve arrangement separates the bypass channel and the flow connection from each other in the different flow directions as a function of the movements of the piston rod, the check valve arrangement having two check valves which close in opposite directions. |
| US07726447B2 |
Inspection scaffold of large component for boiler and building method thereof
A scaffold assembling of a large component for a boiler requiring inspection is not performed by a high-place work but assembled safely and in a short time. The scaffold is assembled to the large component for the boiler supported by a component supporting beam at the ground side before it is attached to a steel frame main-beam 16. Scaffold lifting/supporting beams interposing coil spaces of a superheater 14 are suspended on wires 36 lifted down from spaces of a ceiling tube wall 34 being a horizontal member of the superheater 14. The scaffold lifting/supporting beams 32 are lifted to raise little by lithe within the superheater, and scaffold components are assembled sequentially toward downward. After a required number of steps of scaffolds are assembled, the scaffold lifting/supporting beams 32 are coupled to the ceiling tube wall 34 to be supported. Finally, the superheater 14 is raised by a lifting means to install to the main-beam. |
| US07726442B2 |
Baffle equipped with flap assembly
The present invention relates to an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, comprising a piece of sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but being smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity. The acoustic baffle device of the invention is characterized in having a flap assembly having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or a similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected preferably to the lower end of the lower neck through means that permit the reversible opening of the above-defined passage. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flap assembly useful for such an acoustic baffle device, and to a process for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity. |
| US07726432B2 |
Seat assembly with ignition switch and switch actuator
A seat includes a seat frame and a resilient web supported by the seat frame. The web is adapted for movement between an at rest condition in which no operator is seated on the seat, and a deflected condition in which the web is deflected with respect to the frame in response to an operator seated on the seat. A switch actuator is mounted to the web and is movable between a non-actuating position when the web is in the at rest condition and an actuating position when the web is in the deflected condition. A switch is mounted to the frame, the switch includes first and second parts movable with respect to each other to open and close an electrical circuit in response to the switch actuator moving between the non-actuating and actuating positions. |
| US07726428B2 |
A/C condenser damage protection device
A device protects at least a portion of an A/C condenser of an automotive vehicle against damage from stones and other road debris. The device includes a guard having a plurality of spaced apart louvers for intercepting and deflecting the stones and other road debris but permitting air to pass through the guard between the louvers. |
| US07726426B2 |
Hub drive and method of using same
A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission. |
| US07726414B2 |
Hollow piston hammer device with air equilibration and idle openings
An air spring hammer device that includes a drive piston, moving axially back and forth, with a front face of hollow embodiment and a hammer piston moving in said hollow. A ventilation slot is embodied in a guide wall of the drive piston. The drive piston may be guided in a guide tube. The guide tube comprises several idle openings. A moving control element is arranged on the exterior of the guide tube, in which control openings, corresponding to the idle openings, are provided. In an idle operating mode, the control element is in an open position, via which the ventilation slot, the idle openings and the control openings can be brought into connection with the environment. |
| US07726408B2 |
Fire suppression system using high velocity low pressure emitters
A fire suppression system is disclosed. The system includes a source of pressurized gas and a source of pressurized liquid. At least one emitter is in fluid communication with the liquid and gas sources. The emitter is used to establish a gas stream, atomize and entrain the liquid into the gas stream and discharge the resulting liquid-gas stream onto the fire. A method of operating the system is also disclosed. The method includes establishing a gas stream having first and second shock fronts using the emitter, atomizing and entraining the liquid with the gas at one of the two shock fronts to form a liquid-gas stream, and discharging the stream onto the fire. The method also includes creating a plurality of shock diamonds in the liquid-gas stream discharged from the emitter. |
| US07726406B2 |
Dissolvable downhole trigger device
A trigger device for setting a downhole tool is disclosed. The trigger device includes a retaining member that prevents the downhole tool from setting until it is properly positioned within the well. Regardless of the type of downhole tool or the type of trigger device, the retaining member includes a dissolvable material that dissolves when contacted by a solvent. The dissolvable material is preferably one that dissolves at a known rate so that the amount of time necessary for the downhole tool to set is pre-determined. Preferably, the solvent is a water-based or hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid or mud. |
| US07726405B2 |
High pressure large bore utility line connector assembly
A utility line connector assembly having a male stab having a central bore with a port that communicates with a second bore in a receptacle where the stab is fixedly inserted into a receiving female opening in the receptacle, the receptacle has an L shaped opening with a protruding partial spherical pocket, a ring groove for sealing said stab to a riser package, and where the stab and receptacle are placed between a lower marine riser and the blow out preventer in fluid communication therebetween. The stab and receptacle may be sealed with ring seals and the assembly may be used in riser auxiliary line connections, sub sea production tree connections, drape hose connections and surface bop auxiliary line connections. |
| US07726404B2 |
Use of carbon-dioxide-based fracturing fluids
A method of treating a shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is accomplished by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid having a viscosity of less than about 10 mPa-s at a shear rate of about 100 s−1. The carbon dioxide treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. In certain embodiments, the treatment fluid may be comprised of from about 90% to 100% by weight carbon dioxide and may contain a proppant. A method of treating hydrocarbon-bearing, shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may also be carried out by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid and introducing the carbon dioxide treatment fluid into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. The formation being treated may have a permeability of less than 1 mD. |
| US07726400B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating lost circulation
A cement system for use in treating lost circulation includes a slurry of cement, water and a super-absorbent polymer which absorbs free water in the slurry to form a gel—ore preferably a solid-like structure—when placed in the well, and which releases the absorbed water to the cement hydration reaction as the cement sets. The absorption of water causes the slurry to develop a solid-like structure. In one embodiment, the superabsorbent is polyacrylamide or modified crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate. Also presented is a method of treating lost circulation by pumping the above-mentioned cement system. |
| US07726399B2 |
Method of enhancing hydraulic fracturing using ultra lightweight proppants
A subterranean formation having natural fractures, which is to be subjected to hydraulic fracturing, is first pre-treated with an ultra lightweight (ULW) proppant having an average particle size between from about 12/20 to about 40/70. The small ULW proppant flows into the natural fractures and packs the fractures. The formation is then subjected to hydraulic fracturing. The pre-treatment serves to enhance the effective propped fracture length of the formation during the hydraulic fracturing by reducing the loss of fluid from the subsequently pumped fracturing fluid. The method is applicable to hydrocarbon bearing formations as well as non-hydrocarbon bearing formations and has particular applicability to coal beds. |
| US07726398B2 |
Water flooding method
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a porous subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by: (a) reducing the salinity of a saline source water by reverse osmosis using a membrane having a first surface and a second surface by (i) feeding the saline source water to the first surface of the membrane, and (ii) removing treated water of reduced salinity from the second surface of the membrane; and (b) injecting the treated water into the formation; wherein the membrane is selectively permeable to water over dissolved solids such that when (i) the saline source water has a total dissolved solids content of at least 17,500 ppm, and (ii) the applied pressure across the membrane is greater than the osmotic pressure across the membrane and lies within the range 45 to 90 bar (4.5 to 9.0 M Pa), the total dissolved solids content of the treated water is in the range 500 to 5000 ppm. |
| US07726396B2 |
Field joint for a downhole tool
A field joint used to connect downhole tool modules. The field joint includes a bulkhead, a connector block, and various electrical connections. The bulkhead couples to a first tool module and has a first connection face, which partially defines an exterior of the first tool module and has a first conduit aperture that receives an electrical connector assembly. An electrical connector assembly received in the first conduit aperture is releasably coupled to the exterior of the first tool module, and includes a first connector. The connector block is coupled to a second tool module and has a second connection face defining a second conduit aperture positioned to face the first conduit aperture when the tool modules are joined. A second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture establishes electrical contact with the first connector when the first and second tool modules are joined. |
| US07726395B2 |
Expanding multiple tubular portions
Apparatus for expanding first and second portions of a downhole tubular in a single trip comprises a support and first and second expansion devices. The first expansion device is mounted on the support and is operable to expand a first portion of tubular. The second expansion device is mounted to a second portion of tubular and is adapted to be engaged by the support following the expansion of the first portion of tubular, and is then used to expand the second portion of tubular. |
| US07726390B2 |
Hollow chamber profile made of metal, especially for heat exchangers
The invention relates to a hollow chamber profile made of metal, especially for heat exchangers. Said profile is made of an extruded base profile (10) having two broad parallel sides and two narrow sides or is made of a base profile which is a circular tube type or coaxial tube type. At least one channel (11) extends inside said base profile in the longitudinal direction thereof. The hollow profile has improved heat transfer properties on the sides and webs (13) which are deformed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US07726386B2 |
Burner port shield
A shield for placement around burner ports in a hot air furnace for reducing turbulence in the flow of secondary combustion air entering a heat exchanger. The shield also provides for intercepting moisture that condenses along the walls of the vertically oriented heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a furnace. The drip shield includes a plate having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of through-openings placed in the plate along and/or parallel to its longitudinal axis. The through-openings are spaced apart so as to be positioned between and aligned with burner ports and respective heat exchanger tube inlets of the heat exchanger. The plate is preferably profiled to have a peak to encourage condensate run-off with the plurality of through-openings being placed along or generally parallel to the peak of the plate. |
| US07726380B2 |
Method for manufacturing sand mold
A method of producing a sand mold, comprising: after defining a mold space at least by a pattern plate, a flask, and a squeeze means, and after blow-charging molding sand held in a sand blowing device located above the mold space into the mold space by ejecting a first compressed air near sand ejecting ports of the sand blowing device thereby fluidizing the molding sand near the sand ejecting ports, while supplying a second compressed air to a surface of the molding sand held in the sand blowing device, moving the squeeze means toward the pattern plate, where in the pressure of the first compressed air and the period of time for supplying the first compressed air are adjusted to produce a good sand mold. To determine the period of time for ejecting the first compressed air, the distance of the movement of the squeeze feet toward the pattern plate is measured when the squeeze of the molding sand in the mold space is completed, and the difference between the measured distance and a target distance is calculated. The period is adjusted to be a shorter or lengthened one based on the result of the calculation. |
| US07726376B2 |
Locking device for a tire mounted on a wheel rim to optimize dynamic balancing of a tired wheel
The present invention relates to a locking device design to act between a tire and its respective wheel rim for dynamically balancing a tired wheel. The locking device is arranged to be installed on a tired-wheel maintenance machine having a support frame and a rotatable support for a wheel rim of a deflated tired wheel and locking-unlocking means for locking-unlocking the wheel rim to and from the rotatable support. The locking device comprises holding belt anchorable to the support frame and an engaging group designed removably to engage the tire of the deflated tired wheel, while its respective wheel rim is controllably angularly shifted. |
| US07726375B2 |
Laminator
A laminator 100 in which the diaphragm can be mounted simply and easily without the use of a mounting frame. The laminator 100 includes an upper chamber 110, on the bottom surface of which is mounted the diaphragm 140, and a lower chamber 120 on which the upper chamber 110 is stacked and in which is disposed a support base 130 on which a workpiece A that is to be laminated is set. The diaphragm 140 is larger than the upper chamber 110, and an excess portion of the diaphragm that protrudes outside the upper chamber when the diaphragm is mounted on the upper chamber is folded upward and clamped against the sides of the upper chamber by multiple clamps to fix the diaphragm in place on the upper chamber. |
| US07726374B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining labels
An apparatus for obtaining “shrink sleeve” labels, comprises a carousel that is provided peripherally with a plurality of spindles configured for being wound from portions of plastic film, a sealing device cooperating with said spindles means for sealing opposite edges of said portions for obtaining said “shrink sleeve” labels, said sealing device comprising a laser device; a method for labelling containers, comprises in sequence: advancing a plastic film in an advancing direction; cutting said plastic film transversely to said advancing direction to obtain a portion of plastic film; winding said portion in such a way as to make opposite edges of said portion overlap one another; joining together said edges to obtain a “shrink sleeve” label, said joining comprising sealing by means of a laser beam. |
| US07726373B2 |
Cord and pellet manufacturing apparatus
The invention provides a manufacturing apparatus of a pellet which has not quality deterioration and a great apparent specific gravity. The apparatus is provided with (a) bunching portions (16) bunching band-like long continuous material(s) (R) and/or a plurality of filamentous long continuous materials (R) to a narrow width so as to form a cord-shaped bunched material (R′), (b) compressing portions (22) having compressing rollers (50a, 50b) with an uneven outer surface and form a cord (S) by point compressing a twisted cord material (R″), (c) rotation portions (14) twisting the cord-shaped bunched material (R′) by relatively rotating the bunching portions (16) or the compressing portions (22) so as to form the twisted cord material (R″), and (d) a cutting portion (102) provided in an outlet side of the compressing portion (22) and cutting the cord (S) formed by the point compressing to a pellet shape. |
| US07726371B2 |
High-efficiency wheel product
The invention is a high-efficiency wheel product for use with various ground vehicles. The product is designed to provide rolling support to the vehicle and to accommodate various surface conditions, for example, smooth pavement, rough pavement, potholes, dirt roads, and other conditions. The wheel product includes a multi-chambered pneumatic tire designed to minimize energy loss between the tire and a rolling surface by substantially reducing tire flex, a main source of energy loss in ground vehicles. Additionally, the product can reduce the need for conventional drive train elements such as shock absorbers. |
| US07726369B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread having lateral grooves provided with tie bars
A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with at least two circumferential grooves and lateral grooves extending from the circumferential grooves so as to form blocks which are circumferentially divided by the lateral grooves and arranged in at least three circumferential rows axially divided by said at least two circumferential grooves. Each of the lateral grooves is provided with a tie-bar rising from the groove bottom to a certain height as to connect the opposite groove walls with each other. The tie-bars in the lateral grooves extend towards the adjacent circumferential grooves but terminate before the circumferential grooves so as to provide certain distances therebetween, and the distances are gradually decreased from the axially outside to the axially inside of the tread portion. The inclination angles of the lateral grooves are gradually decreased from the axially outside to the axially inside of the tread portion. |
| US07726367B2 |
Method of processing wooden piece
A method of processing a wooden piece into a predetermined shape by compressing the wooden piece, includes bending a raw-material piece which is a wooden piece to be processed and is placed in a humid condition of high temperature, cutting out a blank-material piece from the raw-material piece bent in the bending so that the blank-material piece includes at least a part of a bent portion of the raw-material piece, and compressing the blank-material piece cut out in the cutting out in a water vapor atmosphere of a temperature and a pressure higher than those of an atmospheric air. |
| US07726361B2 |
By-pass line connector for compounding system
A bypass for a tube set for directing the flow of a fluid component includes an inlet passage for fluid connection with a source of said fluid component, an outlet passage for fluid connection with a first bag compartment, and a bypass passage for fluid connection with a second bag compartment. A flow control device in the bypass passage is operable in a first position in which the flow control device seals the bypass passage, and a second position in which the flow control device unseals the bypass passage to receive a tubing line connected with said second bag compartment. |
| US07726357B2 |
Resealable containers and assemblies for filling and resealing same
Disclosed is a uniquely configured medicament vial assembly which includes a storage vial, a stopper member and a securing ring. The vial assembly is configured to improve healthcare worker safety by providing a shielded gripping location to aid in the reduction of accidental needle sticks. The storage vial has a body portion which defines an interior chamber for storing a predetermined medicament and a neck portion through which medicament is received into and withdrawn from the interior chamber. The stopper member is inserted into the mouth of the vial and establishes a first seal. The securing ring is engaged with the mouth of the vial and adapted and configured for retaining the stopper member within the vial mouth and effectuating a second seal. The securing ring is formed from a thermoplastic and/or elastic material. Preferably, the securing ring is formed by molding the thermoplastic and/or elastic material over a portion of the storage vial and stopper member when engaged within the vial mouth. |
| US07726350B2 |
Energy absorbing webbings
A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart. |
| US07726347B2 |
Dividable two-part heald shaft
The heald shaft (1) for weaving machines is divided into a machine-resident frame part (14) and a removable frame part (15). While the removable frame part (15) supports a heald mounting rail (30) that must be released from said frame part for a heald change, said removable frame part is associated with an additional heald mounting rail (33) that is releasably held on the lower shaft rod (16). The upper shaft rod (25), together with the two heald mounting rails (30, 33), forms a removable frame part (15). The lower shaft rod (16), together with the lateral supports (19, 20), forms a machine-resident frame part. Preferably, the lateral supports (19, 20) and the lower shaft rod (16) are rigidly connected to each other. |
| US07726340B2 |
Flexible, hermetic pivot seal for torque motor
A torque motor (10) includes a support (20), a jet tube passage (42) in the support having a first end opening (43) and a second end opening (45), a jet tube (30) extending into the jet tube passage (42) through the first end opening (43) for directing a flow of fluid into a chamber (40) in fluid communication with the jet tube passage second end opening (45), and a flexible, convoluted, seal (46) hermetically connected to the jet tube passage (42) and the jet tube (30) for sealing the jet tube passage first end (43) while permitting at least a portion of the jet tube (30) to move relative to the jet tube passage (42). |
| US07726336B2 |
Siphon system for a submersible turbine pump that pumps fuel from an underground storage tank
A submersible turbine pump (STP) is provided. The STP includes a manifold having an integral siphon connection coupled to a fuel flow path in the STP and a siphon cartridge removably inserted into the manifold via the siphon connection. In general, the siphon cartridge includes a nozzle that directs fuel from the fuel flow path through a venturi when the STP is energized, thereby creating a vacuum in a chamber within the siphon cartridge. A connection point of the siphon cartridge is fluidly coupled to the chamber such that a fluid connection is provided from the exterior of the siphon cartridge to the vacuum. |
| US07726332B2 |
Durable water heating system providing rapid hot water delivery
A durable water heating system providing rapid hot water delivery includes a water heating unit connected to a water source. A hot water line connects the water heating unit to at least one water delivery fixture. A return line of substantially the first cross-section connects to the hot water line adjacent the water delivery fixture located at a greatest distance from the water heating unit. A flow velocity reduction device has a first end, a second end, a first cross-section, an aperture and that extends from the first end to the second end. The aperture and has a second cross-section smaller than the first cross-section. Attachment fittings are provided adjacent the first and second ends. When the device is installed in the return line, velocity of water circulating through the system will be substantially reduced, thereby reducing wear on the system while providing rapid hot water delivery at the fixture. |
| US07726328B2 |
Medical valve and method to monitor intra-abdominal pressure
An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve is adapted for remote actuation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder. A pressure transducer desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure. To facilitate the infusion process, an automatic flow control device may be included in a fluid supply path and arranged to permit repetitive operation of a syringe to inject a bolus of fluid into the patient's bladder. Subsequent to a period of time in which to make a pressure measurement, preferred embodiments of the urine valve automatically return to a bladder draining position. |
| US07726316B1 |
Contraceptive sheath with integrated bead construction
A female condom and an improved method for manufacturing a female condom is disclosed. The invention provides a device that is effective in both acting as a contraceptive and inhibiting the transmission of disease during coitus. The invention employs synthetic latex in an efficient and cost effect manufacturing method that results in an improved product. |
| US07726314B1 |
Nebulizer, filter or inhalant mask encouraging use thereof
The present invention is a generally conical nebulizer, aerosol, filter or inhalant face mask for sealing against the atmosphere a wearer's mouth and nose, the improvement comprising a representation of a face on the outside surface with an exhaust valve located where the mouth would be located. The exhaust valve is adapted to visibly lift outward and up from the outside mask surface to imitate a flapping tongue. |
| US07726311B2 |
Method and apparatus for conducting total liquid ventilation with control of residual volume and ventilation cycle profile
A method of applying total liquid ventilation to a patient according to a ventilation cycle including inspiration and expiration profiles, comprises supplying oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs, withdrawing liquid from the patient's lungs, and controlling independently supply of oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs and withdrawal of liquid from the patient's lungs. This supply and withdrawal independent control comprises producing a ventilation cycle having independently controlled inspiration and expiration profiles. To carry out the method, a total liquid ventilator system comprises an inspiration pump for supplying oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs, and an expiration pump for withdrawing liquid from the patient's lungs. A ventilation cycle control comprises first and second pump controllers connected to the inspiration and expiration pumps, respectively, to produce a ventilation cycle having independently controlled inspiration and expiration profiles. |
| US07726310B2 |
Medical aerosol non-diluting holding chamber
A flexible bag aerosol holding chamber is sealed around the outlet passage of the actuator for a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. An elastic-loaded mouthpiece is sealed around the inlet passage of the actuator so that the user may intermittently break the seal around the inlet passage by withdrawing the mouthpiece, thus allowing inhalation of a portion of the aerosol contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol contains a compound which has traditionally been smoked such as nicotine or a cannabinoid. The user may draw upon the chamber's contents a number of times at a frequency analogous to smoking until the chamber is fully collapsed. One inhaler actuation, and one filled chamber, are comparable to one cigarette. The collapsible bag chamber allows for economy of inhaler actuations relative to user inhalations, without the aerosol being diluted by ambient air. |
| US07726306B2 |
Intra-oral nebulizer with rainfall chamber
An improved nebulizer places a venturi in a rainfall chamber and in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. The rainfall chamber contains a sump communicating with the venturi for collecting medication not delivered to the patient and for recycling that medication for delivery to the patient. A medicine receiver may be pre-filled with a standard unit dose of medication. |
| US07726304B2 |
Dispensing apparatus
Dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having a first part (2) and a second part (3) together defining an interior of the housing for receiving a dispensing container, the first and second part being movable from an open position to permit insertion of said dispensing container into the interior of the housing to a closed position in which removal of said dispensing container from the interior of the housing is prevented, the dispensing apparatus further comprising a mouthpiece (4) which is removably connectable to the housing, wherein when connected to the housing the mouthpiece defines an outlet for a product dispensed, in use, from said dispensing container, and wherein when the mouthpiece is disconnected from the housing the first and second parts substantially enclose the interior to prevent access to and removal of said dispensing container received in the interior. |
| US07726295B2 |
Oven with oven door having an air deflection assembly
An oven door has an outer door panel, an inner door panel, and a viewing panel being disposed intermediate the outer and inner door panels. The oven door is provided with an air deflection assembly disposed intermediate the outer door panel and the viewing panel. The air deflection assembly deflects a first portion of an entry air stream of air from outside the oven into a first branch path extending vertically along a left hand side and deflects a second portion of the entry air stream into a second branch path extending vertically along a right hand side. |
| US07726289B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for internal combustion engine
In at least a first cycle at startup, an opening timing of an exhaust valve is controlled to 45 degrees before-bottom-dead-center of an exhaust stroke, or to a retard side of the normal closing timing that is set after warm-up is complete. Also, the closing timing of the exhaust valve is preferably controlled to an advance side of top-dead-center in a second cycle at startup and thereafter at the latest. Accordingly, the amount of unburned HC discharged during a cold start of an internal combustion engine is reduced. |
| US07726286B2 |
Housing for a supercharger assembly
A housing for a supercharger assembly is provided having an inner wall at least partially defining a rotor cavity. A layer is formed from a sacrificial polymeric material and is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall. The layer is operable to provide approximately zero running clearance and improve scuff resistance between the first and second rotors and the inner wall. The sacrificial polymeric material is applied to the inner wall by insert molding to form the layer. A method of forming the housing is also provided. |
| US07726284B2 |
Fuel supply system of internal combustion engine
The fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for transferring the engine from a state in which a high-pressure fuel pump does not deliver any pressurized fuel to a state in which the high-pressure fuel pump begins to deliver the pressurized fuel by gradually varying an output period of a drive signal for controlling opening/closing behavior of a solenoid valve while monitoring changes in fuel pressure detected by a pressure sensor, and for estimating a mounting error between angular mounting positions of the high-pressure fuel pump and a pump actuating cam with reference to a rotation signal from a state of the solenoid valve drive signal when a change in the fuel pressure has been detected. The solenoid valve drive signal is corrected based on the value of the mounting error estimated by the ECU. |
| US07726283B2 |
Pressure booster arrangement
The invention relates to a pressure booster arrangement for high-pressure injection systems or high-pressure injection system parts of internal combustion engines. A differential piston which operates with a large cross section in a medium-pressure reservoir and with partial cross sections is operative in terms of positive displacement in associated control and work pressure chambers that are separate from the medium-pressure reservoir and that are disposed in a guide body. The guide body guides the differential piston in its strokes and in turn axially adjoins a valve body. The valve body receives control and check valves for controlling communicating lines of the guide body and of the valve body for controllably connecting the control and work chambers to the medium-pressure reservoir or to a relatively pressureless fluid reservoir. It is essential to the invention that the valve body and the guide body separate from it, which at least on its end remote from the valve body is acted upon by the pressure in the medium-pressure reservoir, adjoin one another axially with end faces facing toward one another. Between these end faces, a spacer chamber or hollow chamber communicating with the relatively pressureless reservoir is embodied. |
| US07726273B2 |
High strength steel cylinder liner for diesel engine
A diesel engine is fitted with a thin-walled wet liner fabricated of steel. The liner has a hardness that is within 10-20 Rc of the hardness of the piston rings carried on a piston within the liner. The inner surface of the liner is manufactured with a TRD=5Rvk (100−Mr2) of between 30 and 400 μm, and a compound liner thickness to bore diameter in the range of 1.5 to 4 percent. |
| US07726270B2 |
Engine start control apparatus and engine start control method
When cranking is started, a control unit of an ECU determines an advance amount by which an intake valve closing timing is advanced from a fully retarded position toward a bottom dead center, and transmits the determined advance amount to a variable valve timing mechanism. After cranking is started, the control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism, when the advance amount is larger than 0, and when an actual intake valve closing timing, determined using an intake cam angle from a cam angle sensor and a crank angle from a crank angle sensor, is not advanced from the fully retarded position. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism, the control unit outputs a control signal to an inverter to increase an output torque of a motor, which is a driving source for cranking. |
| US07726268B2 |
Six stroke internal combustion engine and method of operation
An internal combustion engine includes an arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston operatively linked to a crankshaft. The cycle for each cylinder includes an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a power stroke, an exhaust stroke, and two free strokes during which the exhaust valve or a separate clean air valve is left open. The power stroke of each cylinder fires simultaneously with the free stroke of another cylinder. The engine and method of operation provides a six stroke cycle for each power stroke to yield three revolutions of the crankshaft per cycle, thereby increasing fuel efficiency. |
| US07726258B2 |
Cattle management method and system
A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system also calculates from individual animal data and other data (g) each animal's pro rata share of total feed intake for the animal's feed group. The computer system (h) stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used by management to (i) select animals for shipment from the feedlot for slaughter at the optimum time. Following an animal's shipment to a slaughter facility, its identification in the computer system is used to (j) correlate the live animal physical characteristics and performance data to the measured and evaluated carcass characteristics data obtained during the slaughter process and (k) build a data base to more accurately identify and measure value-based characteristics in subsequent animals produced and fed for more effective value-based selection and management of those animals. |
| US07726242B2 |
Initiator assembly
A bore seal includes a polymeric interface portion adapted for coupling so an initiator activation signal transmission medium, and an initiator-receiving portion adapted for receiving an initiator therein. The bore seal generally houses a pyrotechnic initiator or igniter therein, for incorporation into a gas generating system or other system having a pyrotechnically actuatable element. |
| US07726239B2 |
Controlled deposition of printing material
Controlled depositing of a printing material on a substrate is provided. A stencil is disposed adjacent to the substrate. The stencil includes a number of apertures to allow printing material to pass therethrough. Printing material is deposited onto and spread across the stencil with a squeegee blade. To increase the volume of printing material over a set of selected apertures, the squeegee blade includes a printing edge having a profile feature. |
| US07726237B2 |
Printing apparatus for making colored contact lenses
A printing station for producing a layer of coloring for a contact lens, comprising a transport system to carry and transport a molding tool which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold, a pad unit comprising at least one pad, and a blade unit suitable to carry and ink a cliché with an ink. When in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold. The printing station further at least partially cures the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold and cleans the pad. |
| US07726236B2 |
Sandwich maker
A sandwich maker includes a base and a perforating member. The base includes a base cavity into which a portion of a sheet of dough can be positioned, the base cavity including a plurality of slots positioned in a spaced fashion therein and extending through the base cavity. The perforating member is separably coupled to the base external to the base cavity and moveable between a normally retracted position and an extended position, wherein the perforating member includes a plurality of teeth spaced along the perforating member such that each tooth of the plurality of teeth aligns with a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots, and wherein each tooth is configured to extend into the base cavity via the corresponding slot when the perforating member is in the extended position so as to cut slits in the portion of the sheet of dough positioned within the base cavity. |
| US07726227B2 |
Base for a paper punch and method of forming same
A method of forming a base (118) for a paper punch (154) is disclosed as including the steps of (a) providing a cast iron core (102) with a wall (104) and a plate (106) with a hole (108); (b) providing two generally U-shaped cast iron plates (110); (c) positioning the plates (110) spaced apart from and on opposite sides of the core (102); and (d) insert-molding the core (102) and plates (106) with a plastics material, e.g. ABS. |
| US07726225B2 |
Miter saw having holder fixing mechanism
A miter saw includes a base section on which a workpiece is mounted, a saw blade section supporting a circular saw blade having a rotation axis extending in a lateral direction, a holder shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, a holder tiltable about the holder shaft, two parallel guide bars disposed slidable with respect to the holder and extending toward the rotation axis, a support segment fixed to the guide bars and supporting the saw blade section, a pivot shaft disposed between the saw blade section and the support segment and extending in parallel with the rotation axis so that the saw blade section is pivotable about the pivot shaft, and a holder fixing mechanism that fixes a tilting posture of the holder and includes an operation member supported to the holder and having a rotatable shaft passing through a space between the two guide bars. |
| US07726223B2 |
Apparatus and methods for accessing packaged medicaments
Apparatus and methods of accessing a packaged medicament include placing a blister-type package containing the medicament onto a receiving area of a holder with a blister portion of the package extending into an opening in the holder. The blister-type package is held in place while a severing device is moved relative to the opening to separate at least a part of the blister portion from the blister-type package in order to access the medicament. |
| US07726222B2 |
Rolled media cutting device
A cutting device comprises a support to hold a roll of rolled media, a surface upon which the media is unrolled, and first and second cutting guides, each oriented substantially perpendicular to the media's unrolling path and supporting first and second cutters. The first cutter is movably supported by the first cutting guide and is capable of cutting the rolled media substantially parallel to the unrolling path. The second cutter is movably supported by the second cutting guide and is capable of cutting the rolled media substantially perpendicular to the unrolling path. The cutting device further includes a computing system to calculate the amount of rolled media to be dispensed and how best to cut the rolled media. |
| US07726221B2 |
Food dicer
A dicing tool having: a foodstuff holder for holding a block of foodstuff and a cutting base; the cutting base having: a rectangular framework for sliding the foodstuff holder therealong; a first part having an triangular shaped front edge, equally spaced triangular cutting blades being arranged in a triangular arrangement that follows the profile of the triangularly shaped front edge; a handle; a second part having a second upper surface and a right front edge and a left front edge arranged in a deep V shape, with continuous blades attached to the right and left front edges; wherein the second upper surface is always parallel to the first surface and can be slidingly reciprocated between an upper position and a lower position where the horizontal blade is substantially on a level with the first surface and the base of the triangular cutting blades. |
| US07726218B2 |
Clamp mechanism of throwaway tip
The present invention relates to a clamp mechanism which prevents a tip body from being greatly cut out by a fitting hole to secure strength of a tip without complicating the shape of a head portion of a clamp member or a fitting hole of a tip body. There is provided a clamp mechanism of a tip for pressing the tip, in which a fitting hole is formed through a tip body, by the use of a clamp member having a shaft portion inserted into the fitting hole and a head portion with an outer diameter equal to or larger than that of the shaft portion and thus clamping the tip to a tip fitting seat. In the clamp member, a section, which is perpendicular to the central axis line, of the back surface of the head portion has a circle shape centered at the central axis line. In the tip body of the tip, the head portion of the clamp member can pass through the fitting hole, and a contact portion with which a part of the back surface of the head portion comes in contact at the time of advancing the clamp member is formed in an opening of the fitting hole. |
| US07726207B2 |
Pressure sensing mat
A generally flexible pressure sensing mat for a vehicle seat includes a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer. The mat includes a plurality of cells, each cell being defined by a respective opening of the spacer. In each cell, at least two electrodes are arranged between the first and second carrier foils and, in response to pressure acting on the pressure sensing mat at a cell, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the carrier foils thereby causing variation of an electrical resistance between the at least two electrodes of the cell. The pressure sensing mat includes at least one rigidifying element, the least one rigidifying element being associated to an individual cell for locally reducing flexibility of the pressure sensing mat at the individual cell. |
| US07726206B2 |
Foot pressure alert and sensing system
This invention relates to a system that continuously monitors pressure and force on the foot, analyzes and visualizes the pressure and force exerted on said foot in real-time. The invention measures pressure and force applied to a plurality of sensors placed in various points of an orthotic, shoe, shoe lining, insert, sock or sock type device. If the sensors detect pressure or force, the sensors send a signal to a microcomputer processor located in the shoe that subsequently analyzes and sends the data wireless to either a handheld electronic device, a personal computer, an electronic data capture system or a software program. The handheld electronic device or the personal computer then displays the data to an operator of the device or computer instantaneously; while the data capture system or program forwards the information to a handheld device and/or personal computer. |
| US07726203B2 |
Multiphase Coriolis flowmeter
A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine a first flow rate of a first phase within a two-phase flow through the flowtube and determine a second flow rate of a second phase within the two-phase flow. |
| US07726202B2 |
Tertiary mode vibration type coriolis flowmeter
A tertiary mode vibration type Coriolis flowmeter includes a flow tube, a drive device driving the flow tube, and a pair of vibration detecting sensors detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Colioris force acting on the flow tube. The drive device drives the flow tube by bending vibration in a tertiary mode. The flow tube further comprises an approximately loop-shaped body part. A pair of parallel leg parts deflected in a direction approximately orthogonal to the vibrating direction of both end parts of the body part, namely, to the outside of the both end parts are formed continuously with the both end parts of the body part. Fixed end parts supporting the flow tube are formed at the leg parts. |
| US07726199B2 |
Dielectrostrictive sensor for measuring deformation
An apparatus and method directed to a solid-state capacitance sensor for measuring a strain force on a dielectric including at least one pair of electrostriction sensors each sensor having at least two electrodes and each having a central axis. The central axes are disposed in a common plane and are oriented substantially mutually perpendicularly to one another. Preferably, at least two pairs of sensors, forming a rosette, are provided to facilitate multi-component analysis of a sample having dielectric properties under stress/strain. |
| US07726198B2 |
Strain sensor
A strain sensor comprises a capacitor formed on a substrate, the capacitor having a layered structure in which a lower electrode, a metal oxide film of perovskite structure and an upper electrode are laminated consecutively on the substrate, the capacitor being adapted to be mounted upon a specimen, and a measuring circuit that measures a leakage current flowing through the capacitor between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. |
| US07726193B2 |
Electromagnetic acoustic transducer with cross-talk elimination
The electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) transducer disclosed herein is useful for the non-destructive analysis of objects. The transducer comprises a core having a winding and a coil disposed between the core and the object to be analyzed. One transducer can be used as a transmitter and another transducer as a receiver. Then selectively switching static magnetic field in either transmitter or receiver and processing data with and without static magnetic field allows for eliminating artifacts due to parasitic coupling between the transmitter/receiver pair. The switching of the static magnetic field can be implemented either by using electromagnet or a pair of permanent magnets where magnetization of one permanent magnet is reversed to provide cancellation of the static magnetic field. |
| US07726184B2 |
Surface acoustic wave sensor and package
The SAW sensor in a stainless steel button package having a diaphragm and mounted on a threaded port. Package can hermetically seal a sensor and RFID-antenna assemblies from media. Sensor diaphragm is exposable to media. Sensor and RFID antennas communicate electrically with SAW sensor and RFID device, respectively, for sensor measurements and identification. Antennas receive RF interrogation signal from a nearby interrogator/transceiver and send reflected RF signals back to the interrogator unit containing sensor measurement and sensor ID. TRF signal excites a SAW resonator inside the sensor and causes the SAW to resonate wherein resonant frequency changes with pressure and temperature applied to the sensor. Antennas could be printed circuit board antennas, helical antennas, loop antennas, any other commercially available off-the-shelf antennas or a combination of these. |
| US07726168B2 |
Adjusting cylinders in rolling stands, including vertical edging stands
An adjusting cylinder for long, rapid lifting movements in rolling stands, includes vertical edging stands, wherein each cylinder has at least one piston, which acts through the bearing chocks of at least one work roll or of an interposed roll to adjust a work roll on both sides, wherein each adjusting cylinder has a piston that is equipped with two oppositely directed piston rods, and each piston is inserted in a recess in the cylinder base or cylinder cover, such that the base and cover have coaxially arranged bores through which the piston rods pass. The surface formed by one piston and the piston rod is smaller than the surface formed by another piston and the piston rod. |
| US07726154B2 |
Method for producing single microlenses or an array of microlenses
Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface. |
| US07726149B2 |
Refrigerator
The present invention discloses a refrigerator which can perform direct cooling of circulating cool air by natural convection in a freezing chamber (F) and a refrigerating chamber (R), and which can selectively perform indirect cooling of circulating cool air by forcible convection in the refrigerating chamber. It is like that, frost or condensed water formed in the refrigerating chamber (R) of the direct cooling type refrigerator does not Influence the inside of the refrigerating chamber. In addition, the refrigerator efficiently performs a defrosting operation of the refrigerating chamber (R), sanitarily performs a cooling operation, and maintains uniform cooling performance. |
| US07726147B2 |
Refrigerator capable of promoting photosynthesis of vegetables and control method therefor
A refrigerator includes a storing unit for storing vegetables; a light emitting unit for irradiating light onto the vegetables stored in the storing unit to promote photosynthesis of the vegetables; an input unit for receiving an operation instruction on whether the light emitting unit is to be turned on or off; a timer for detecting a current time to output current time information; and a control unit for controlling the light emitting unit in response to the operation instruction. If the operation instruction requests that the light emitting unit be off, the control unit controls the light emitting unit to be off; and if otherwise, the control unit controls the light emitting unit to be on or off depending on the current time information. |
| US07726143B2 |
Vehicle cooled instrument panel compartment
A glove box assembly for a vehicle is provided and includes a storage bin, a dedicated climate controlled bin, and an air flow manifold. The air flow manifold is arranged to receive cooled air from a vehicle heating ventilation and air conditioning unit and direct the flow of cooled air into the climate controlled bin for cooling the climate controlled bin independent of the storage bin. The air flow manifold is further arranged to draw cooled air from the heating ventilation and air conditioning unit upstream of a blend door when air conditioning is operating so as to provide cooled air to the climate controlled bin independent of a vehicle cabin temperature setting. |
| US07726126B1 |
Dual pump apparatus with power take off
A drive apparatus includes a pair of axial piston pump assemblies in an inline relationship, each pump assembly having an end cap mounted to a pump housing to form a sump. The pump assemblies are mounted to a gearbox at one end thereof, and an input shaft extends into both pump housings and the gearbox to drive the axial piston pumps and one of the gears. A power take off mechanism is also engaged to the gearbox at another end thereof and includes a drive shaft at least partially disposed in the gearbox and driven by one of the transmission gears, and an output shaft extending in the opposite direction from the drive shaft. |
| US07726124B2 |
Blast simulator with high velocity actuator
A high velocity actuator, which may be used as a blast simulator, is provided with an actuator cylinder tube having an opening at first and second cylinder ends, and an actuator piston rod slidably mounted within the actuator cylinder tube and extending through the opening in the first cylinder end. A control valve concentric to the actuator cylinder tube is configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized fluid and controls admittance of the fluid under pressure to the actuator cylinder at the second cylinder end to act on the actuator piston rod to extend the actuator piston rod towards the first cylinder end. |
| US07726119B2 |
Exhaust system of multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
A plurality of upstream main exhaust passages extend from cylinders of an engine. A downstream main exhaust passage is connected to the upstream main exhaust passages. A main catalytic converter is mounted in the downstream main exhaust passage. A plurality of upstream bypass exhaust passages extend from the upstream main exhaust passages. Each upstream bypass exhaust passage has a sectional area smaller than that of the corresponding upstream main exhaust passage. A downstream bypass exhaust passage is connected to the upstream bypass exhaust passages and has a downstream end connected to the downstream main exhaust passage at a position upstream of the main catalytic converter. An auxiliary catalytic converter is mounted in the downstream bypass exhaust passage. A gas flow switching device is provided which is capable of forcing the exhaust gas from the cylinders of the engine to flow toward the upstream bypass exhaust passages when assuming a given operation position. |
| US07726112B2 |
Fuel system of gas turbine engines
A method for purging fuel from a fuel system of a gas turbine engine on shutdown of the engine comprises, in one aspect, terminating a fuel supply to the fuel system and using the residual compressed air to create a reversed pressure differential in the fuel system relative to a forward pressure differential of the fuel system used to maintain fuel supply for engine operation, and under the reversed pressure differential substantially purging the fuel remaining in the system therefrom to a fuel source. |
| US07726109B2 |
Four-bar linkage for suspending a header for an agricultural implement
A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings. |
| US07726107B2 |
Hydraulic system for a self-propelled harvesting machine
A hydraulic system for an agricultural working machine composed of a carrier vehicle and at least one adapting device has one or more hydraulically driven consumer included in each of the carrier vehicle and the at least one adapting device, and a common hydraulic pressure line, wherein the consumers are connected to the common hydraulic pressure line, and a constant hydraulic pressure is applied to the common hydraulic pressure line. |
| US07726102B2 |
Method and machine for filling capsules or similar with at least one product, in particular a pharmaceutical product in granules
A method and machine for filling capsules with at least one product, whereby the bottom shell of each capsule is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device having a metering chamber for transferring a given quantity of product from a tank into the bottom shell; the metering chamber having a weighing device for weighing the product contained in the metering chamber. |
| US07726101B2 |
Method and machine for filling capsules or similar with at least one product, in particular a pharmaceutical product in microtablets
A method and machine for filling capsules with at least one pharmaceutical product, whereby the bottom shell of each capsule is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering chamber for transferring a given quantity of product from a container into the bottom shell; a control device weighing the product in the metering chamber to cut off supply of the product into the metering chamber, when the weight of the product substantially equals a given reference value. |
| US07726076B2 |
Gutter cover with a clip and method of installing the same
A gutter cover with clip is provided that operates with a variety of gutter styles to capture roof runoff while preventing debris from entering the gutter. The gutter cover is an elongated panel of sufficient width to bridge a roof to the far side of the gutter. A radiused edge is provided to direct roof runoff into the gutter. The clip includes a mounting tab and an upward rising arm. A tooth on the arm positively engages an aperture in the radiused edge to facilitate extremely accurate, fast, and resilient installation of a gutter cover system. |
| US07726074B2 |
Window-winding arrangement
The present invention relates to a window-winding arrangement (1) as well as a motor vehicle door containing this window-winding arrangement. The window-winding arrangement contains a drive means (5) as well as a guide means for the drive and for guiding a pane (2) belonging to the window-winding arrangement. The drive means and guide means is designed in a manner such that the drive force for movement is applied onto the pane such that this (4.1; 4.2) independently of its movement direction is always pressed against a certain guide edge (6c) of the guide means. With this it is rendered possible on manufacture of the window-winding arrangement to envisage greater tolerances as well as to do away with the costintensive installation of additional guide rails in the door inner space. Furthermore one achieves a reduction in friction as well as a reduction in weight. |
| US07726071B2 |
Vegetation roofing system
A vegetation roofing tray comprising an interconnecting lip is provided. The interconnecting lip on the sidewall of a tray engages with a sidewall of an adjacent tray, securely interconnecting the adjacent trays side-by-side together. A securing device penetrating the sidewalls of adjacent trays may also be used to secure the adjacent trays together. A vegetation roofing system is also provided. The system includes two or more trays and an irrigation hose disposed across the trays. |
| US07726069B1 |
Horticulture growing media
A horticulture growing medium mixture or so-called “potting soil” provides a generally soil-less medium that does not rely on the use of peat moss, soil or compost. A unique combination of anaerobically digested solids, perlite, vermiculite, and various additives and amendments provides a growing medium with a surprisingly high acid-buffering coefficient. Although the growing medium is particularly suited for orchids, the medium can be tailor-mixed for various other plants as well. |
| US07726067B2 |
Hydromulch root ball
A hydromulch root ball includes a root system and hydraulically compactable mulch interspersed into the root system. The hydraulically compactable mulch is interspersed into the root system by soaking the root system in an aqueous mixture of water and mulch, then draining the water away from the root system to hydraulically compact the mulch into and around the root system. |
| US07726055B2 |
Electronic button tag for tagging and identifying cattle
The invention relates to an electronic button tag for tagging and identifying cattle and other animals, of the type which is intended to be placed on one of the ears of the animal. The inventive button tag includes a transponder which is enclosed in a shell. The shell is made from two half-shells, namely a lower half-shell and an upper half-shell, which are assembled together at a median plane. The transponder is fixed in place, without compression. between the two half-shells using a glue; and the two half-shells are assembled by a laser weld. |
| US07726041B2 |
Ventilation sole for shoes
A ventilation sole for shoes is disclosed. The ventilation sole of the present invention has a vent hole (110), which is formed in a sidewall of the sole, an air supply hole, which is formed in the upper surface of the sole (100), and an air passage, which communicates the air supply hole with the vent hole, such that outside air is supplied into the shoe. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that a vent hole control device (200), which is opened or closed by a knocking operation, is installed in the vent hole (110) such that part thereof protrudes outside the sole (100), thus making it possible for a user to selectively open or close the vent hole (110), as necessary. |
| US07726037B1 |
Fence post centering assembly and method
A fence post centering assembly and method includes an elongated member that has a first end and a second end. A first head member and second head member are provided. Each of the first and second ends is removably engaged with one of the first and second head members. Each of the first and second head members includes a receiving slot. A first post is positionable in the receiving slot of the first head member and a second post is positioned in the receiving slot of the second head member to ensure a proper positioned between the first and second posts. |
| US07726023B2 |
Method of making metal components
In order to create titanium components with a titanium composite insert, a method is provided whereby an initial pre form 1 has a groove 2 formed in it. An encapsulating member 4 is then provided about the groove 2 in order to create a cavity 5 which is filled with titanium alloy powder 6. This titanium alloy powder 6 is densified and then accurately machined in order to create a groove insert form 7 which can accommodate a titanium composite material pre form insert 8 and further titanium alloy powder 9 such that through a high temperature isostatic pressing (HIP) process, the insert 8 is embedded. The original component form 1 can then be machined in order to create the final component elements such as aerofoils 13. |
| US07726017B2 |
Method of fabricating an electrical feedthru
A method and apparatus for electrically interfacing between two or more distinct environments. The method and apparatus are directed to an electrical feedthru with exterior traces traversing a core. The electrical feedthru may be very small, facilitating its use in MEMS devices. The electrical feedthru may also include an over-mold shaped to create a mechanical seal between the two or more distinct environments without the use of an O-ring. The electrical feedthru is not limited to any particular geometry, it may be adapted to fit between any two environments, and thus the traces are not necessarily parallel to a central axis of the core. |
| US07726013B2 |
Method of manufacturing circuit board including transfer chip having a plurality of first pad electrodes connected to wiring
A circuit board manufacturing method, including forming a transfer chip, the forming of the transfer chip including, forming a wiring above a first substrate, forming a plurality of first pad electrodes so as to be connected to the wiring and so as to be included in the transfer chip, and joining the transfer chip with a member such that the plurality of first pad electrodes contact the member. |
| US07726012B2 |
Component-mounting apparatus and component-positioning unit having roller member with sloped positioning surface
A component-mounting apparatus and a component-positioning unit for positioning a component, having a simple structure with reduced manufacturing cost and a significantly higher component-mounting speed. The component-mounting apparatus includes a holding device that holds a component and moves horizontally and a positioning device having a sloped portion for positioning the component held by the holding device when the component comes into contact with the sloped portion. The positioning device comprises a first rotatable roller member having a sloped side surface with which the component comes into contact; and the horizontal movement speed of the holding device substantially agrees with the horizontal component of the peripheral velocity of the first roller member, with which the component comes into contact. |
| US07726007B2 |
Method of manufacturing stator winding of rotary electric machine
A method of manufacturing a winding includes steps of twisting U-shaped conductor segments, inserting straight portions of the twisted conductor segments in slots of a stator core, bending ends of the straight portions in a circumferential direction of the stator core and joining the ends. The method further includes a step of pressing turn portions of the U-shaped conductor segments by a turn portion twisting apparatus such that widths of the turn portions reduce in radial directions. The pressing step is performed simultaneously with the twisting step. Alternatively, the pressing step is performed after the twisting step. |
| US07725994B2 |
Buckle, injection molding die and injection molding method
A plug (20) has a guide bar (24) to be inserter in a socket (30). The guide bar (24) has a to-be-held section (241) at a tip end thereof, a dent (244) at a middle portion thereof, and a sub to-be-held section (242) at a base end thereof. When making an engagement, the plug (20) is slanted relative to the socket (30), so that the guide bar (24) contacts contact points (P1), P2). When the plug has been inserted into a depth end of the socket, the to-be-held section (241) and the sub to-be-held section (242) are held by a holding section (342) and a sub holding section (343) of the socket (30), thereby stabilizing engagement posture. |
| US07725989B2 |
Dual-axis hinge mechanism
An exemplary dual-axis hinge mechanism includes a base seat, a first rotatable assembly and a second rotatable assembly. The first rotatable assembly includes a rotary member rotatably assembled in the base seat, a steady member and an elastic member non-rotatably received in the base seat, and a fastening member. The rotary member includes a rotational shaft configured for extending through the steady member, the elastic member, the base seat, and then engages with the fastening member. Each of the rotary member and the steady member defines an engaging surface. The engaging surfaces movably engage with each other. The fastening member is rotatable along the rotational shaft for adjusting an external force for rotating the rotary member. The second rotatable assembly includes a pivotal shaft fixed to the rotary member, and a bracket pivotally assembled on the pivotal shaft. |
| US07725971B2 |
Liquid container cleaner
A cleaning device for cleaning sidewalls of a liquid container. The cleaning device includes a cover that can be removably disposed over a flotation device. The cover has a lower cleaning portion that cleans the sidewalls of the container upon contact with the sidewalls. The cover also has an upper noncleaning portion. |
| US07725968B2 |
Ambulance cot with retractable head section and control system therefor
An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot having a base frame configured for support on a surface, a litter frame configured for supporting thereon a patient and an elevating mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the litter frame and configured to interconnect the litter frame and the base frame in order to facilitate movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward and away from each other. A control mechanism is provided on the cot which is configured to facilitate the movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward each other and at differing speeds predicated on at least one of whether the base frame is supported on the surface and the litter frame is supported by an external support separate from the elevating mechanism. |
| US07725966B2 |
Temperature controlled stroller blanket
A temperature controlled stroller blanket for controlling the ambient temperature around a child in a stroller is disclosed. The blanket is configured to be placed beneath the child within the stroller compartment. The blanket is constructed with a plurality of sealable pockets. The pockets are sized to receive and hold temperature packs for producing heat or extracting heat (cooling). The blanket also preferably includes a plurality of slits configured to permit passage of the straps of the stroller harness system to secure the child in the stroller. The temperature packs act to warm or cool the ambient air around the child, creating a comfortable environment within the stroller compartment. Once the packs expire, they may be removed and recharged or replaced. |
| US07725962B1 |
Massaging sink neck rest
A massaging sink pillow structure disclosed herein designed to be placed over the edge of a standard sink used by a barber or beautician for shampooing or rinsing hair. The sink pillow is a waterproof, saddle-shaped structure with a front section designed to be placed against the front outside surface of the sink and a rear section designed to be placed against the front, inside surface of the sink. The sink pillow includes an upper, U-shaped indented section designed to fit into the U-shaped opening on the sink. Mounted inside the sink pillow is a plurality of page motors aligned in rows that are selectively activated to massage the user's neck in one direction or in alternative directions from front-to-back and back-to-front directions when the user's neck is placed over the U-shaped indented section. |
| US07725954B2 |
Pacifier retaining device
An apparatus for retaining a pacifier within reach of a mouth of a child is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cord connected at both ends to a garment, wherein a first end of the cord is detachably coupled to the garment so as to allow the insertion of the cord into a pacifier ring when the first end of the cord is detached from the garment. The cord may be positioned horizontally across a chest area of the child's garment, such that a midpoint of the cord is located substantially on a midpoint of the garment. Further, the cord may be an elastic cord covered in an inelastic fabric. Also, the first end of the cord may be a piece of hook and loop fabric for coupling with a hook and loop fabric on the garment. |
| US07730541B2 |
Data processing apparatus including data erasure in response to power loss and data erasing method therefor
A data processing apparatus secures data from third parties in event of power loss by utilizing a backup power supply to provide power while data is erased from memory. The data is stored in a nonvolatile memory. A first voltage supply unit supplies voltage to the memory, and a second voltage unit supplies voltage to the memory when the first voltage supply unit is incapable of supplying voltage to the memory. When the first voltage supply unit becomes incapable of supplying voltage to the memory, the memory is controlled to erase the data stored therein using a selected one of a plurality of erasing processes depending on the status of processing of the data. |
| US07730539B2 |
Authenticating third party products via a secure extensibility model
Secure extensibility access to application program interfaces (APIs) is described. Techniques are described in which trust indicia are used determine relative trustworthiness of an extensibility module attempting to access of APIs of an application module. Access to APIs of the application module is managed based upon trustworthiness of the extensibility module. |
| US07730537B2 |
Method of operating an intrusion detection system
A method of operating an intrusion detection system. The system determines occurrence of a signature event indicative of a denial of service intrusion on a protected device. A value of a signature event counter is increased. The value of the signature event counter is adjusted to not include a count of signature events past a sliding window. The value of the signature event counter is determined to exceed a signature threshold quantity, followed by generation of an alert at a time subsequently recorded in a log. The log is cleared of entries past a permissible age. A present alert generation rate is determined as a ratio of the total number of timestamps in the log to the permissible age. The present alert generation rate is ascertained to exceed an alert generation rate threshold. A selected element of the signature set is altered to decrease the alert generation rate. |
| US07730536B2 |
Security perimeters
A security system that is associated with a customer network includes first, second, and third security perimeters. The first security perimeter includes a set of content delivery network (CDN) devices configured to provide first protection against a network attack associated with the customer network. The second security perimeter includes a set of mitigation devices configured to provide second protection in terms of mitigation services as a result of a network attack associated with the customer network. The third security perimeter includes a set of hierarchy devices configured to provide third protection against a network attack associated with the customer network. |
| US07730534B2 |
Enterprise video intelligence and analytics management system and method
A wireless surveillance system and methods of operating same including a server software application that enables automated and centralized video analytics data storage and reporting capabilities as well as digital video management and/or recording device (DVM) and camera management capabilities for multiple DVMs and digital input capture devices (ICDs) such as cameras. The system includes at least one server computer operable via user interface selections that activate corresponding functions associated with the software application and the camera(s) and DVM(s) connected and operable within the system via wireless communication with each other and the server through a network and authorized access thereto. In a method for using the system, a user adds DVMs to the system by selecting a subset or the complete group of cameras related to each DVM to be added to the server application. Then, the user selects at least one of the cameras to be managed and displayed, the selection being made by the user in the user interface. |
| US07730524B2 |
Dynamic collation of domain for user authentication on existing devices
Improved network authentication process (NAP) allows omission of difficult-to-remember credentials, such as domain names/contexts, when users log on to a device via a local user interface (UI). Embodiments receive some authentication credentials, such as username and password, and obtain and parse reply data containing additional authentication credentials, such as domain name or context associated with the user, from a network directory server. The process sends now-complete authentication credentials to the authentication server, and authentication results are returned to the authentication service, which trickles the information to the local UI used to enter credentials. |
| US07730522B2 |
Self-registering objects for an IPC mechanism
In response to receiving a communication from a first process directed to a second process, a trusted entity determines if an object reference in the communication refers to an object owned by a first process which is being exported to a second process or if the communication refers to an object not owned by the first process which is being passed to the second process. The trusted entity generates a second object reference for use by the second process. Use of a naming convention identifies the reference as a reference to an object which is foreign to or owned by the processes. |
| US07730514B1 |
Method and system for providing a home cable network
A system for converting digital signals in a cable network is provided. A cable head end provides a plurality of digital signals. The plurality of digital signals are grouped into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being in a first frequency band and the second portion being in a second frequency band. The system includes a digital channel remapping module configured to select one or more digital signals from the first portion and remap the selected one or more digital signals into a first plurality of analog signals and a digital-to-analog translator configured to convert the digital signals in the second portion to a second plurality of analog signals. The first and second plurality of analog signals are combined and delivered to at least one analog device. Some or all of the second plurality of analog signals are within the first frequency band. |
| US07730511B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for the same
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus includes: a display control section which controls to generate a table with days of the week allocated in one of first and second directions and time zones of a day in the other direction and displays the table on a specified display device for showing setting status of recording reservation on a specified tuner; an acquiring section which acquires first information, second information, and third information, respectively indicating a specified broadcast station, a specified day of the week, a specified time zone of a day, inputted by a user; and an setting section which makes reservation for recording the contents that the broadcasted contents specified with the first to third information acquired by the acquiring section are received by the specified tuner and the received contents are recorded as data in a specified recording medium. When the recording reservation is set by the setting section, of all areas constituting the table displayed on the display device, the display control section controls to display the area identified with the contents, reserved to be recorded, by the setting section on the display device with a display format different from that of other areas. |
| US07730503B2 |
Dividing device in disc accommodation section in disc changer
A dividing device in a disc accommodation section of a disc changer decreases the stroke of dividing the disc accommodation section, thereby making the disc changer small. The dividing device is configured by having three levers fitted to a rotation axis. A first lever can rotate by 45 degrees and 90 degrees only by a rotation mechanism. The first lever capable of holding a movable rack is fitted to this rotation axis. A second lever and a third lever are fitted to the rotation axis adjacently to the first lever, and slidably on the rotation axis. The second lever holds a movable rack that accommodates a disc of which content is to be reproduced. The third lever holds other movable racks. Based on this mechanism, the disc accommodation section is divided into three parts at the time of reproducing the content of a disc. |
| US07730502B2 |
Disc changer having disc discharge mechanism
There is provided a disc changer for a disc drive unit, including: a disc accommodation section capable of accommodating plural discs: a disc pushing mechanism that pushes a disc from a specific rack of the disc accommodation section to a disc discharge position within the disc drive unit; and a disc discharge mechanism that securely sends the disc at the disc discharge position, to a disc insertion/discharge opening of the disc drive unit. The disc exchanger further includes a disc guiding device that has: an upper and a lower guiding members, which are provided in an area within the disc drive unit adjacent to the disc insertion/discharge opening, and guide the disc pushed by the pushing mechanism, to the disc insertion/discharge opening; and a drive mechanism of the guiding members, that opens the lower guiding member from the upper guiding member, when the pushing mechanism pushes the disc. |
| US07730489B1 |
Horizontally scalable and reliable distributed transaction management in a clustered application server environment
Various embodiments of a cluster of application servers in a networked computer system in which each application server includes a separate transaction manager instance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a separate transaction manager instance may be used to coordinate transactions initiated by an application component executing in process with the application server for a node of a cluster. If each transaction manager instance manages only transactions initiated within its own application server, then the loss of a single transaction manager instance may have no detrimental effect on transactions initiated in other nodes of the cluster. Further, if each transaction manager instance maintains its transaction logs in highly available memory accessible to all nodes of the cluster, in flight transactions of a failed node may be recovered by an instance in a different node. |
| US07730488B2 |
Computer resource management method in distributed processing system
The hardware information showing a type of hardware constituting the computer resource and the software information showing a type of software mounted in the computer resource are stored in the entry corresponding to each computer resource in the computer configuration table managed by a management computer. Further, when a computer resource allocated to a certain job is determined, a computer resource which may be used for the job in the aftertime is selected with reference to the hardware information and the software information, and the job name is registered as a tentatively booked job name in the entry corresponding to the selected computer resource in the computer configuration table. When additionally allocating the computer resource, the computer resource which is tentatively booked is selected with priority, and the computer resource tentatively booked to another job is excluded from the additional allocation. |
| US07730483B2 |
Storage of project-planning data in an automation system
The invention relates to a system and also method for storage of project-planning data in an automation system containing automation devices. To simplify changes within the automation system the project-planning data is stored in a generic, expandable data storage format, with parts of the project-planning data being assigned runtime data in each case, with the runtime data being assigned at least one automation device in each case, with the runtime data being executable parts of programs on the automation devices assigned to it and with the parts of the project-planning data being stored distributed in parallel to the runtime data assigned to it in each case in the automation devices assigned to the runtime data in each case. |
| US07730482B2 |
Method and system for customized programmatic dynamic creation of interoperability content
System, device, method, and computer program and computer program products for providing communicating between devices having similar or dissimilar characteristics and facilitating seamless interoperability between them. Computer program software and methods of and systems and devices for sharing of content, applications, resources and control across similar and dissimilar permanently or intermittently connected electronic devices. Devices, systems, appliances, and the like communicating and/or interoperating within the framework provided. Creationism provides a method used by applications or Darts to dynamically generate applications or Darts highly customized for a particular target device and/or communications session and/or purpose. Instructions in the instruction set exist for programmatic generation of Darts from parts of the running Dart itself and any information that can be collected or computed by the running Dart. |
| US07730480B2 |
System and method for creating a pattern installation by cloning software installed another computer
A customized installation is created by allowing a user to select a pattern of software. Then software that is installed on another user's computer is identified. If the identified software belongs to the selected pattern, then an installation of the software is obtained from a database and built into a custom built installation. The identification of the software and selection of a corresponding installation includes identification of a version of the software. A requested pattern can describe the category of use of the software, or the pattern can describe a usage history. After building the customized installation, the customized installation can be installed on a new machine. |
| US07730475B2 |
Dynamic metabase store
Methods, systems, and computer program products for editing configuration data such that alterations in one representation of the configuration data are reflected in one or more other representations of the configuration data. The altered configuration data may take effect without having to restart a corresponding program module. Multiple alterations to the configuration data may be consolidated. A differencing operation may be used to identify an altered portion of the configuration data. For one or more altered portions, an “updategram” may be generated and used to update a multiple program modules at various interconnected computer systems. A history of alterations to configuration data also may be maintained, making it possible to revert to an earlier version of the configuration data. Erroneous data may be ignored. Access to updated representations of the configuration data may be provided at a configuration management interface. |
| US07730473B2 |
Relieving data marshalling overhead
Data may be marshalled from a managed runtime environment to an unmanaged environment by using a compiler to calculate argument offsets and generate marshalling language code. |
| US07730466B2 |
System and method for manipulating source code in a text editor
The present invention is a method for manipulating source code in a text editor, which includes receiving an input, the input designating an identifier. The method further includes associating a plurality of source code fragments with the identifier. Additionally, the method includes adding comment characters to each source code fragment of the plurality of source code fragments associated with the identifier. |
| US07730464B2 |
Code compilation management service
The contents of a cache of specialized code interpreted into an intermediate language may be recompiled for execution in a managed execution environment in accordance with an automated process in such a manner to minimize any impact on machine resources. |
| US07730462B2 |
Generalized comprehension in imperative languages
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to enable programming of generalized comprehensions in an imperative language environment. In one aspect, a system is provided to facilitate employment of user-definable and generalized comprehensions in accordance with imperative languages. The system includes a language component to enable programming of comprehension notations in an imperative language and an interface component to describe a meaning of the comprehension notations. A translation component facilitates execution of the comprehension notations in accordance with the imperative language. |
| US07730454B1 |
Lotus notes to clearquest bridge
A computer implemented method migrates test management data between a Lotus Notes® test management application and a tracking application. A user interface of the Lotus Notes® test management application receives a user action. The user action is an action to be taken on a document of the tracking application. The user action is a view of the document, a modification of the document, or a creation of the document. The document is a test document or a problem document. A bridge application is then triggered to communicate the user action from the Lotus Notes® test management application to the tracking application. The bridge application retrieves mapping information for the document. The bridge application then utilizes the mapping information to perform the user action on the document of the tracking application. The bridge agent then receives the document of the tracking application. The bridge agent maps the document of the tracking application to the user interface of the Lotus Notes® test management application using the mapping information. The user interface of the Lotus Notes® test management application then presents the document of the tracking application to the user. |
| US07730453B2 |
Runtime detection for invalid use of zero-length memory allocations
Methods for handling zero-length allocations are disclosed. An example of such a method may include returning a self-describing/diagnosing dynamic address that has all the properties required for a secure implementation. Another example may include returning a series of different addresses (instead of a single address per process) to improve supportability. Yet another example may include maintaining diagnostic information about the original allocation for ease of problem resolution. |
| US07730450B2 |
Automatic versioning and data mutation of user-defined data types
System and method for automatic versioning and data mutation for user-defined data types. A program development environment may be operable to: create a first version of a data type definition in response to user input; instantiate and store an object of the first version of the data type, optionally including a version identifier indicating the version of the object; modify the first version of the data type definition in response to user input, thereby creating a second version of the data type definition; load the object from storage; and automatically (without user intervention) modify the object to conform to the second version of the data type definition. Successive modifications of the data type definition may generate successive versions of the data type. Objects instantiated and stored according to a previous version of the data type may be loaded from storage and automatically modified to conform to a specified subsequent version. |
| US07730447B2 |
System and methods for providing a declarative syntax for specifying SOAP-based web services
A system and methods are provided that make compile-time declarative modeling available for SOAP-based data transmission(s). The declarative modeling minimizes the amount of coding required of a developer. The underlying details regarding the SOAP protocol, dispatching to the appropriate object and function, marshaling and un-marshaling of XML and generating the SOAP response are hidden from the developer when implementing SOAP-based Web services. The task of creating a SOAP-based web service is thus greatly simplified by reducing the number and complexity of considerations required of the developer when generating SOAP-based Web services. In one embodiment, attributes for Visual C++ are utilized as a framework for a declarative syntax for SOAP-based Web services, which Visual C++ attributes have access to type and marshaling information. |
| US07730440B2 |
Clock signal distribution system and method
A diagonal offset clock signal distribution system and method are presented that facilitate maximized placement of a diagonal offset clock signal distribution tree. |
| US07730434B2 |
Contactless technique for evaluating a fabrication of a wafer
The fabrication of the wafer may be analyzed starting from when the wafer is in a partially fabricated state. The value of a specified performance parameter may be determined at a plurality of locations on an active area of a die of the wafer. The specified performance parameter is known to be indicative of a particular fabrication process in the fabrication. Evaluation information may then be obtained based on a variance of the value of the performance parameter at the plurality of locations. This may be done without affecting a usability of a chip that is created from the die. The evaluation information may be used to evaluate how one or more processes that include the particular fabrication process that was indicated by the performance parameter value was performed. |
| US07730432B1 |
Method and system for reshaping a transistor gate in an integrated circuit to achieve a target objective
The present invention provides a method and system for designing an integrated circuit (IC). The IC comprises a plurality of cells, and each of the cells comprises a plurality of transistors. The method achieves a target objective of a transistor, of a cell, or of part of or the entire IC. The method of designing the IC includes reshaping a basic shape of the transistor. The method includes determining a reshaping bias solution of the transistor. The method further includes modifying the basic shape of the transistor channel, based on the reshaping bias solution, and preparing a reshaped layout design. |
| US07730430B2 |
High density cursor system and method
A method for enhancing a mouse cursor is presented. During the mouse cursor update display cycle, a test on the current mouse speed is made. If the mouse cursor's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated and displayed on the computer screen. According to one embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by increasing the size of a standard mouse cursor in proportion to the speed of the mouse cursor. According to an alternative embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by interpolating the mouse cursor's path and adding a motion-blur effect along the interpolated path. According to yet another embodiment, an enhanced mouse cursor is generated by interpolating the mouse cursor's path and a plurality of mouse cursor images are displayed along the interpolated path. |
| US07730429B2 |
Graphical workspace for idea management
This document discusses, among other things, a computer software program that implements a graphical workspace for idea management. This includes a graphical user interface (GUI) with an idea map window and a word processor document window. The idea map represents ideas as a hierarchical network of nodes and links. An interface automatically updates the word processor document using sequencing information from the hierarchical network. A routine automatically arranges nodes in the 2D representation. Another routine automatically generates virtual 3D representations of the idea map. |
| US07730428B1 |
Methods and apparatus for displaying storage resources
A resource manager receives selection of a particular icon from an expandable tree of icons displayed in a first region of a display screen. The selected particular icon represents a corresponding group of resources associated with a storage area network. In response to receiving the selection, the resource manager displays a set of selectable view mode icons in a second region of the display screen. The set of selectable view mode icons enable a user to select different subsets of resources from the corresponding group of resources in the first region for viewing in a table. The table is also displayed in the second region of the display screen. After initially populating the table, the resource manager provides the selectable view mode icons in the second region of the display screen along with the table to enable further selection of different subsets of resources for viewing in the table. |
| US07730426B2 |
Visual thesaurus as applied to media clip searching
A Visual Thesaurus program is provided that allows a user to find media clips through successive queries by example. Clips similar to the example clip may be retrieved based on artistic style, color and shape, or keywords. Clips retrieved based on keywords may be found based on a single keyword, multiple keywords, or all keywords associated with the example clip. The keyword may be the clip format (e.g., “mpeg” or “gif”). |
| US07730423B2 |
Method and system for organizing document information
A graphical user interface that presents document organization in terms of objects readily familiar to the user is provided by the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing documents in a computer system includes a step of producing a representation of a document that indicates to the user the contents of the document. A step of associating the representation with the document in the memory of the computer is also part of the method. The method includes a step of displaying a document closet image on the display. The document closet image can include a plurality of document images. A step of selecting a document image from the document closet in response to an input from the user is also part of the method. The method can also include turning the document image selected for display to the user so that the user can readily view the representation of the document's contents. |
| US07730420B1 |
Systems and methods for creating a playlist
Systems and methods for creating one or more playlists of a predefined length. The invention allows dynamic creation of different playlists for differing times, locations, and other circumstances and also provides for the dynamic selection of products for inclusion in a playlist based on the content of one or more of the individual products. Creation of a playlist may be based on a priority scheme with priority values indicating the relative importance of the products. Creation may also involve determining or adjusting the lengths of one or more products selected for the playlist so that the total length of the playlist will equal a set, predetermined, or otherwise predefined playlist length. Methods and systems according to the present invention provide flexible, efficient, and manageable techniques for creating different playlists of similar product types for both varying circumstances (e.g., time, location, etc.) and varying products of those product types (e.g., clear radar versus radar showing movement of a complex storm system). The invention gives an administrator the ability to simply and easily manage the broadcasting of different playlists for different conditions. |
| US07730417B2 |
Terminal apparatus, network system, window display method, and computer program
Upon reception of data updating information from a server apparatus (14) in a situation in which a presentation window is “closed” or “minimized” on a display unit (24) of each of terminal apparatuses (11-13), that presentation window is displayed on the display unit (24). The user who uses each of the terminal apparatuses (11-13) can always recognize a change in situation of the presentation system. |
| US07730409B2 |
Method and system for visualizing weblog social network communities
A system for providing a visual representation of electronic, on-line journals, such as those generally referred to as “Weblogs” or “Blogs”, that uses a treemap display object in a graphical user interface to represent social networking characteristics discovered in, and aggregated from a set of on-line journals. The generated display object includes on-line journal representations shown within the social network communities to which they belong. This visual organization is provided through a treemap representation, in which an enclosing region for a set of journals is broken up into sub-regions corresponding to social network communities. Representations of individual on-line journals are provided as inner regions within the sub-regions for the communities. The enclosing region, sub-regions and inner regions may be rectangular, or any other specific geometric shape as appropriate for a given application. The relative size of an inner region representing a specific journal may be determined based on how strongly related that journal is to the other members of the community, or on how active that journal is in terms of reads or writes, or based on some other criteria. |
| US07730408B2 |
User interface to display and manage an entity and associated resources
A user interface to display and manage a plurality of entities as if a single entity is provided. The user interface includes a representation of the collection of entities as a whole, and a representation of members associated with the entity. If an action is performed on the representation of the entities as a whole, then the action is propagated to the collection of entities, if the action is performed on the representation of the member associated with the entity, then the action is directed to the member. |
| US07730407B2 |
Systems and methods for bookmarking live and recorded multimedia documents
Systems and methods for bookmarking multimedia documents include displaying multiple multimedia streams, creating bookmarks comprising time signatures and snapshots of each multimedia stream based upon single action cues from a user, associating snapshots with portions of multimedia streams, displaying bookmarks and displaying portions of a multimedia stream associated with selected snapshots. |
| US07730402B2 |
Input method, system and device
A method and system are provided for entering input into a computing system. The method involves detecting one or multiple input movements using a sensing panel associated with the computing system and classifying each detected input movement as being of a particular type. Each detected input movement is translated to an instruction signal by consulting a knowledge database. The instruction signals are transmitted to the computing system for execution. Translation of a detected input movement to an instruction signal involves a main process and one or more sub-processes, wherein each sub process is invoked by the main process in response to a particular type of detected input movement. |
| US07730400B2 |
Display unit with touch panel, method of controlling the same, and computer products
A display unit includes a touch point locus detector that detects a locus of a touch point on the touch panel, and a suspended touch detector that detects that the touch is suspended when the touch point remains at rest at one spot for at least a predetermined time period while the locus is detected. The display unit also includes a graphics identifying section that identifies a graphics indicated by the locus when the suspended touch is detected, and a graphics display section that displays the locus on a display screen, erases the displayed locus after the graphics identification is finished, and displays a graphics obtained through the identification on the display screen. |
| US07730394B2 |
Data binding in a word-processing application
A word processor application is provided for creating word processor documents wherein the data and presentation can be separated. Data can be stored in a separate location from the presentation surface of the word processor document. Users of the word processor application can establish links (or bindings) between the contents of the data and the presentation surface. A user can modify contents of a word processor document by directly changing the linked data without having to deal with the complexity of the presentation format, which can be constantly changing. A user can modify content of a word processor document, by editing a data store without any knowledge of the current layout of the presentation surface. A user can modify complex backing data through simple document edits, without exposure to the complexities of the data structure. |
| US07730393B2 |
System and method for providing fee-based data services to mobile users
The present invention is directed to a system and method to allow users to access and use data services, and then charge for such services using a point of sale system. Information about various services capable of being performed by a multifunction peripheral device is provided to the user, as well as the available payment options. The user selects the services to be performed and then selects the appropriate payment option. The user then provides selected information about the service the user wants to be performed. The user is then presented with the total cost of the service. Upon the user accepting the charges, the service is performed. The details of the transaction are archived and the user is billed for the service. The multifunctional peripheral device submits an authorization request to the point of sale server. The point of sale server authorizes or rejects the transaction request. If the transaction is authorized, the transaction details are transmitted to the point of sale server. The transaction request is then closed and a confirmation is transmitted to the multifunctional peripheral device. |
| US07730392B2 |
Electronic web sticky
A method to provide an electronic web sticky may include placing a web sticky icon proximate to a selected feature on a web page to which the web sticky may be associated. The method may also include providing a plurality of options for selecting a web sticky type. |
| US07730385B2 |
Method for decoding a received control channel message with a priori information
A wireless communication device employs a method for receiving a message stream on a control channel. According to one embodiment, the wireless communication device receives a message on the control channel. The wireless communication devices attempts to decode the message and, if the message is successfully decoded, adds bits of the successfully decoded message to a message attributes list. Some time thereafter, the wireless communication device attempts to decode a subsequent message received on the control channel and, if an error is detected during decoding of the subsequent message, replaces bits in the subsequent message with bits from the message attributes list to produce a modified message. The wireless device then attempts to decode the modified message. |
| US07730384B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating performance of a read channel
Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring the performance of a read channel. A number of detection techniques, such as SOVA and maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) detectors, produce a bit decision and a corresponding reliability value associated with the bit decision. The reliability value associated with the bit decision may be expressed, for example, in the form of log likelihood ratios (LLRs). The reliability value can be monitored and used as a performance measure. The present invention provides a channel performance measure that generally correlates directly to the BER but can be collected in less time. |
| US07730382B2 |
Method and system for managing memory in a communication system using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)
A method and system for managing memory using Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request in a communication system is provided. The method includes storing a retransmitted burst in a memory. The retransmitted burst includes plurality of bits. One or more of memory address of the retransmitted burst and the information corresponding to the retransmitted burst is recorded in a location table. The location table records memory addresses and the information corresponding to a plurality of bursts stored in the memory. The method further includes determining one or more preceding bursts corresponding to the retransmitted burst stored in the memory using location table. Thereafter, a combined burst is generated using the retransmitted burst and one or more preceding burst, if one or more preceding bursts corresponding to the retransmitted burst are stored in the memory. The combined burst includes the plurality of bits. |
| US07730379B2 |
Method and apparatus for error code correction
Methods and apparatuses for ECC (error code correction) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method for ECC can include receiving a data stream, decoding the data stream according to a first directional ECC scheme, and decoding the data stream according to a second directional ECC scheme. The method also includes outputting an indication of ECC failure if an error count of the first directional ECC scheme or the second directional ECC scheme is below a first threshold value. The method further includes outputting an indication of ECC failure if an unmodified count of the first directional ECC scheme or the second directional ECC scheme is below a second threshold value. |
| US07730366B2 |
Phase error determination method and digital phase-locked loop system
In a digital PLL system, instead of measuring a binarized playback RF signal with a high frequency clock, pulse-length data is generated by using N phase clocks (for example, 16 phase clocks). The pulse-length data is then counted with a virtual channel clock so as to extract run-length data. In this digital PLL system, the number of changing points of an asynchronous signal during an interval between adjacent clocks of the N phase clocks is detected so as to determine phase errors from the detected number of changing points. Phase errors are also determined from the timing relationship between changing points of a signal synchronized with the N phase clocks and each clock of the N phase clocks. |
| US07730356B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing mathematical algorithms
A method and apparatus for testing mathematical programs where code coverage is exceedingly difficult to hit with random data test vectors (probability <2−64) is provided. To enable testing of the mathematical program, instructions in the mathematical program are trapped. Errors are injected through the use of any status/control flag where an error can be created and be rectified later by a reversible operation so that the result of the mathematical operation is not modified by the injected error. |
| US07730354B2 |
Control microcomputer verification device and vehicle-mounted control device
The present invention offers an advanced control software verification technology, particularly, an assertion-based verification technology, by providing a control microcomputer verification device and vehicle-mounted control device that exhibit improved verification efficiency. Assertion-based verification is performed with a verification device that has a hardware configuration in which the verification device is independent of a CPU core of a microcomputer but operates in parallel with the CPU core of the microcomputer, which sequentially executes control software. The hardware to be employed to achieve the above purpose is a finite state machine based on microprogrammed control. An interrupt factor is branched immediately before an interrupt controller for the microcomputer and used as a transition input. When an abnormal transition is detected, a warning is output to the microcomputer as an interrupt or output to the outside in the form of a signal. |
| US07730350B2 |
Method and system of determining the execution point of programs executed in lock step
A method and system of determining the execution point of programs executed in lock step. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are computer systems comprising a first processor that executes a program, and a second processor that executes a duplicate copy of the program in lock step with the first processor. After receipt of a duplicate copy of an interrupt request by each processor, the first processor determines the execution point in its program relative to the execution point of the duplicate copy of the program executed by the second processor. |
| US07730347B1 |
Data recovery system and method including a disk array architecture that provides recovery of data to any point of time
A storage architecture is disclosed for maintaining data in the event of data storage failure. The storage architecture includes a plurality of disks in a redundant disk array, a time-recovery disk, and an encoder system. Each of the plurality of disks in the redundant disk array includes a parity output bit that provides an indication of the parity of the data in each respective disk. The time-recovery disk is in communication with at least one of the redundant disk arrays. The encoder system is coupled to the parity output bit of the at least one of the disks and is coupled to the time-recovery disk for providing encoding data regarding whether a block of data in the at least one disk has been changed. |
| US07730337B2 |
Method and apparatus for asserting a hardware pin to disable a data bus connecting a processor and a chipset during power saving state
A power saving method is disclosed. A halt instruction is issued to enable transition from an operational state to a power saving state. The processor broadcasts a message to a chipset. The chipset receives the sleep message and enters a power saving state, and asserts a hardware pin to disable a data bus connecting the processor and the chipset. It is determined whether a request for data transaction required during the power saving process is issued to the chipset. If the request is issued to the chipset, the chipset deasserts the hardware pin to enable the data bus, transmits the request to the processor; and, when data transaction is complete, asserts the hardware pin by the chipset to disable the data bus. |
| US07730336B2 |
Device having multiple graphics subsystems and reduced power consumption mode, software and methods
Many computing device may now include two or more graphics subsystems. The multiple graphics subsystems may have different abilities, and may, for example, consume differing amount of electrical power, with one subsystem consuming more average power than the others. The higher power consuming graphics subsystem may be coupled to the device and used instead of, or in addition to, the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, resulting in higher performance or additional capabilities, but increased overall power consumption. By transitioning from the use of the higher power consuming graphics subsystem to the lower power consuming graphics subsystem, while placing the higher power consuming graphics subsystem in a lower power consumption mode, overall power consumption is reduced. |
| US07730334B2 |
Method and apparatus for on-demand power management
A method for on-demand power management monitors a processing demand in a processing system operating at a first set of voltages and frequencies and generates a second set of voltages and frequencies in response to the processing demand. The method switches from the first set of voltages and frequencies to the second set of voltages and frequencies without halting the processing system. |
| US07730329B2 |
Digital rights management (DRM) encryption and data-protection for content on device without interactive authentication
To render content on a medium, a device obtains a table from the medium, obtains a private key of the device (PR-PD), indexes into an entry of the table based thereon, obtains (PU-PD(RND)) from the indexed-into entry of the table, and applies (PR-PD) to (PU-PD(RND)) to expose a random key (RND). Then, the device obtains (RND(PR-PM)) from the table, applies (RND) to (RND(PR-PM)) to expose a private key of the medium (PR-PM), obtains (PU-PM(KD)) from the license, applies (PR-PM) to (PU-PM(KD)) to expose a content key (KD), obtains (KD(content)) from the storage medium, applies (KD) to (KD(content)) to expose the content. |
| US07730326B2 |
Method and system for updating firmware stored in non-volatile memory
Improved approaches to update computer program code residing within a computing device are disclosed. By maintaining a former version of the computer program code, the computing device remains operable even if the update to the computer program code fails. Hence, the invention permits reliable updates to computer program code, which is particularly useful for firmware (e.g., boot-up code) of computing devices. For control and security, each version of computer program code can include authentication information. Before the computer program code is used, the computer program code can be required to be authenticated using the authentication information. |
| US07730320B2 |
Method for generating data for detection of tampering, and method and apparatus for detection of tampering
In a target apparatus which stores at least one piece of domain key information in a first area and a plurality of pieces of content key information each associated with any one of the domain key information in a second area, a method for generating data for detecting tampering of the content key information. The method comprises the steps of encrypting the content key information associated with one of the domain key information using a chain encryption technique, extracting data at predetermined positions in the encrypted content key information, concatenating the pieces of data extracted at the predetermined positions in the encrypted content key information to obtain concatenated data, performing a hash calculation with respect to the concatenated data to obtain a hash value, storing check values corresponding to the data at the predetermined positions in plain text, in the target apparatus, and storing the hash value in the target apparatus. |
| US07730318B2 |
Integration of high-assurance features into an application through application factoring
Application factoring or partitioning is used to integrate secure features into a conventional application. An application's functionality is partitioned into two sets according to whether a given action does, or does not, involve the handling of sensitive data. Separate software objects (processors) are created to perform these two sets of actions. A trusted processor handles secure data and runs in a high-assurance environment. When another processor encounters secure data, that data is sent to the trusted processor. The data is wrapped in such a way that allows it to be routed to the trusted processor, and prevents the data from being deciphered by any entity other than the trusted processor. An infrastructure is provided that wraps objects, routes them to the correct processor, and allows their integrity to be attested through a chain of trust leading back to base component that is known to be trustworthy. |
| US07730313B2 |
Tracing content usage
Disclosed is a system configured to process content to enable tracing of at least one of a multitude of subsequent uses of content by at least one user. The system provides for: making markable content from content, iteratively marking the markable content with information such as use information; and later extracting at least one of the iteratively applied marks. |
| US07730310B2 |
Key transformation unit for a tamper resistant module
Methods, apparati, and computer-readable media for securely transporting a software application onto a tamper resistant module (TRM) (103) by using an individualized TRM key set. A method embodiment of the present invention comprises: storing a key pair unique to the TRM (103) in a memory located on the TRM (103), where the key pair comprises a TRM public key (150) and a TRM private key (190); retrieving the TRM public key from the TRM; encrypting a portion of the software application using the TRM public key (150); transmitting the encrypted software application to the TRM (103); and recovering and decrypting the encrypted software application using the TRM private key (190). |
| US07730309B2 |
Method and system for key management in voice over internet protocol
A method and system for a secure telephone protocol are disclosed, which can be implemented using current Voice over IP (VoIP) protocols, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP, as specified in the Request for Comment (RFC) 3261 from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)), Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP, as specified in RFC 3550), and Secure RTP (SRTP, as specified in RFC 3711). The secure telephone protocol can include a shared secret value that is cached and then re-used later to authenticate a long series of session keys to be used for numerous separate secure phone calls over a long period of time, thereby providing cryptographic key continuity without the need for voice authentication. In an embodiment, the secure telephone protocol can utilize the Diffie-Hellman key exchange during call setup, and AES for encrypting the voice stream. |
| US07730308B2 |
System and method for providing an user's security when setting-up a connection over insecure networks
A method for setting up a secure communication line between a user and a service provider using non-secure communication channels within an insecure network, comprising the steps of transmitting an identity token from a user station to a service provider station both coupled to the insecure network; upon reception of the identity token, triggering the creation of a secret URL by the service provider station; transmitting the secret URL within a secure side channel to the user station; obtaining, within the user station, the secret URL, and setting-up a new communication path in the insecure network linking the user and the service provider station based on said secret URL. Beside discarding a man-in-the-middle by denying him access to the data flow it is also possible to stop him through denying him access to the content of the data flow. Such access can be denied through use of a one-time codebook with semantics only known to the User and the authentication service provider. |
| US07730298B2 |
Method and apparatus for translating information between computers having different security management
A system and method for communicating information between multiple locations. A computer receives, via a network, information signed and/or encrypted at a first location in accordance with a first signing and encryption methodology. The information is decrypted and the signatures of the information are validated using the first signing and/or encrypting methodology. The information is re-signing and/or re-encrypting with a second signing and encryption methodology such that the information can be decrypted and/or its signatures validated at a second location. The information is then transmitted to the second location via a network. |
| US07730294B2 |
System for geographically distributed virtual routing
A system for managing a distributed MetaHop that is administered, managed, and monitored as a single entity. If a new gateway is added to a MetaHop, the gateway can be provisioned with membership credentials by an administrator who indicates relatively basic information for the new gateway to join the MetaHop. Once provisioned with relatively basic information, the new gateway can be shipped to a relatively remote site where it automatically seeks out an entry point to the MetaHop. After connecting to an entry point (or entry points), the new gateway is automatically provisioned with any other information used to join the MetaHop. In one embodiment, the joined gateway is automatically enabled to forward traffic. In another embodiment, a new gateway is disabled for traffic forwarding until the administrator enables it for such forwarding on the MetaHop. |
| US07730289B2 |
Method for preloading data in a CPU pipeline
A method for preloading data in a CPU pipeline is provided, which includes the following steps. When a hint instruction is executed, allocate and initiate an entry in a preload table. When a load instruction is fetched, load a piece of data from a memory into the entry according to the entry. When a use instruction which uses the data loaded by the load instruction is executed, forward the data for the use instruction from the entry instead of from the memory. When the load instruction is executed, update the entry according to the load instruction. |
| US07730282B2 |
Method and apparatus for avoiding data dependency hazards in a microprocessor pipeline architecture using a multi-bit age vector
A method and system for avoiding various hazards for instructions which are propagating through a microprocessor pipeline. When a plurality of instructions exist within the pipeline which read and write the same value, a vector is established to distinguish the older from the newer instructions. Further, before instructions are dispatched for execution, pointers are generated which identify the particular instruction which had the operand or parameter value needed. Accordingly, by monitoring both the recent vector and pointers, dated dependency hazards can be avoided. |
| US07730277B1 |
System and method for using pvbn placeholders in a flexible volume of a storage system
A multi-stage technique invalidates and replaces loadable physical volume block numbers (pvbns) stored in indirect blocks of a dual vbn (“flexible”) virtual volume (vvol) of a storage system to enable efficient image transfers and/or fragmentation handling of the flexible vvol. Each loadable pvbn of a pvbn/virtual vbn (vvbn) block pointer pair is converted into a special block pointer having a predefined reserved value that provides a temporary “pvbn_unknown” placeholder until replaced by a real (actual) pvbn. The technique further allows the storage system to serve data from the flexible vvol using the placeholders while the actual pvbns are computed, thereby eliminating latencies associated with completion of actual pvbn replacement for the pvbn_unknown placeholders. |
| US07730274B1 |
Preventing undesired trespass in storage arrays
Procedures and systems for avoiding undesired trespass may be deployed in host processors that use storage arrays with automated fail-back and fail-over functions. In one embodiment, a method may synchronize path records in a storage array with path records in a host processor. The method may detect a failure of a first data path through a first controller on the storage array to a logical unit (LUN) on the storage array. In response to the failure, the host processor may initiate a failover on the storage array of the LUN, so that the LUN is accessed through a backup controller on the storage array. The host processor may also issue commands to pin the failed-over LUN to the backup controller. For example, the host processor may issue commands to set the default owner of the LUN to be the backup controller. |
| US07730271B2 |
Data security in an automated data storage library
An automated data storage library accesses data stored on storage media contained in cartridges in response to commands from an external host. The cartridges include cartridge memory and a component in the library includes a cartridge memory interface for reading data from and/or writing data to the cartridge memory. When a cartridge is to be stored in the library, the library modifies the contents of the cartridge memory such that the data stored on the cartridge becomes inaccessible, thereby preventing access to the data outside of the library. To perform an authorized access, the library restores the contents of the cartridge memory or provides a correction or correction algorithm to allow access to the data without removing the access protection of the storage media. The cartridge memory may also or alternatively include an identifier which permits access to the data only by the identified physical and/or logical library(s). |
| US07730267B2 |
Selecting storage clusters to use to access storage
Provided are a method, system and program for selecting storage clusters to use to access storage. Input/Output (I/O) requests are transferred to a first storage cluster over a network to access storage. The storage may be additionally accessed via a second storage cluster over the network and both the first and second storage clusters are capable of accessing the storage. An unavailability of a first storage cluster is detected when the second storage cluster is available. A request is transmitted to hosts over the network to use the second storage cluster to access the storage. Hosts receiving the transmitted request send I/O requests to the storage via the second storage cluster if the second storage cluster is available. |
| US07730260B2 |
Delete recycling of holographic data storage
Data hologram recycling systems, methods and computer program products are configured to arrange data for storage in the intermediate data storage as data segments which are replicas of holographic storage segments for destaging to the holographic data storage, and to determine retrieval for recycling of the destaged holographic storage segments to which aggregated requests for deletion are directed. The retrieval determination may be based on a plurality of policies. |
| US07730259B2 |
Method, computer and system for managing a storage subsystem configuration
Provided is a storage subsystem configuration management method for use in a computer system, comprising: obtaining storage configuration information and hardware resource use information; determining, based on the obtained hardware resource use information, a configuration of a storage subsystem so that a load is not concentrated on a specific hardware resource; transmitting a configuration change instruction to make a change to the determined configuration to the storage subsystem; and making a configuration change based on the configuration change instruction received from the management computer through the first interface. |
| US07730237B1 |
Flow control mechanism
Transferring data elements from a source to a destination includes providing a transmission queue at the source, where data elements in the transmission queue are transferred from the source to the destination, determining an optimal length for the transmission queue, where the optimal queue length is inversely proportional data latency time at the destination, and, if the optimal length is greater than an instantaneous length of the transmission queue, adding data elements to the transmission queue. Adding data elements may include adding a number of elements corresponding to a difference between the optimal length and the instantaneous length of the transmission queue. Determining optimal length may include dividing a constant by the data latency time at the destination. Transferring data elements may also include providing a network between the source and the destination. |
| US07730234B2 |
Command decoding system and method of decoding a command including a device controller configured to sequentially fetch the micro-commands in an instruction block
A command decoding system includes a main processor, an instruction memory, a memory controller, and a device controller. The main processor provides a command, and the instruction memory stores an instruction block corresponding to the command. The instruction block includes micro-commands for executing the command. The memory controller controls an access to the instruction memory, and the device controller receives the command, and sequentially fetches the micro-commands included in the instruction block corresponding to the command through the memory controller to execute the fetched micro-commands. |
| US07730233B2 |
Data transfer control device and electronic instrument
A data transfer control device includes an ATA device-side I/F which transfers data between the data transfer control device and an ATA host through a bus ATABUS1, an ATA host-side I/F which transfers data between the data transfer control device and an ATA device through a bus ATABUS2, a first interface which transfers data through a first bus, and a transfer controller which controls data transfer among the device-side I/F, the host-side I/F, and the first interface. |
| US07730232B2 |
Data transfer method and system
A data transfer method and system are provided that prevent the length of a time required for writing to a flash memory from appearing on the surface as a system operation when the flash memory is used in place of an SRAM. The method of transferring data includes the steps of writing data from a controller to a volatile memory, placing the volatile memory in a transfer state, transferring the data from the volatile memory in the transfer state to a nonvolatile memory, and releasing the volatile memory from the transfer state in response to confirming completion of the transfer of the data. |
| US07730226B2 |
Multiple protocol address register method, multiple protocol address register system, multiple protocol address register server, and multiple protocol address communication terminal
A multiple protocol address register method between a communication terminal and the register server includes transmitting a first register request for requesting to register a first protocol address from the communication terminal to the register server; storing the first protocol address and the identification to the register server; transmitting a response to the first register request from the register server to the communication terminal together with a first communication rule; transmitting the second register request from the communication terminal to the register server on the basis of the first communication rule; storing, when the second register request is created based on the first communication rule, the second protocol address in the register server; and transmitting a response to the second register request from the register server to the communication terminal. |
| US07730223B1 |
Wireless home and office appliance management and integration
The present invention provides systems and methods for managing and controlling networked devices. A system comprises a host application executing on, for example, a personal computer, and one or more networked devices executing a client application. A networked device includes a consumer appliance equipped with network capability, a digital device such as MP3 players and DVRs, an electronically-controlled device such as a light circuit or other type of circuit, and the like. The host application automatically establishes communication with the networked device. The networked device configures a user interface for user control of the networked device. The host application provides a graphical layout of the networked device. |
| US07730219B2 |
System and method for detecting free and open wireless networks
A system, method, and program product is provided that passively detects the existence of wireless networks in proximity to a wireless signal detector. A determination is made as to whether the detected wireless networks are encrypted or unencrypted. For those wireless networks that are unencrypted, a restriction level that applies to the unencrypted network is identified. The user is then notified when an unencrypted and unrestricted wireless network is detected. |
| US07730198B2 |
UDP broadcast for user interface in a download and configuration gaming method
A modified form of the UDP multicast protocol is disclosed to implement a one-way notification method between a server and one or more clients. The UDP multicast notification method enables UDP messages to be sent only to registered clients, not broadcasted to all clients. This architecture minimizes network traffic and enhances system security, since only registered clients receive the UDP message. The configuration of the UDP multicast notification method does not require the configuration of network devices in order to support a UDP multicast. Furthermore, any number of the clients may be on a different network domain than the DCM engine. |
| US07730194B2 |
Enabling access to an application through a network portal
Systems and techniques to enable access of an application through a network portal to integrate that network application into the portal services provided to a user. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes using a template to identify a correspondence between a first parameter associated with a portal and a second parameter associated with a network resource and to generate a network address for the network resource, where the network address includes a value for the first parameter. |
| US07730184B2 |
Digital rights management based on device proximity
The present invention discloses a digital rights management (DRM) system and method based on device proximity for controlling what devices can utilize DRM protected content. DRM data and DRM protected content are copied from a first device to a second device such that the DRM protected content on the first device becomes locked out and the copied DRM protected content is not locked out on the second device. The first device periodically performs a proximity check between the first and second devices such that if the first and second devices are determined to be within a short range of one another the DRM lockout of the first device is disabled. |
| US07730183B2 |
System and method for generating virtual networks
A system and method for generating and/or managing virtual network(s) is provided. The system provides an interface for end-user(s) to create a virtual network (e.g., on-demand). The virtual network comprises a plurality of servers that allow the user to, for example, develop and/or test software, migrate applications, apply tasks and/or troubleshoot scenarios in a simulated, distributed environment.A user can communicate with the system via an interface (e.g., web-based) to create and/or manage the virtual network. Additionally, the system can employ a common infrastructure to facilitate creation and/or management of a variety of virtual deployment configurations. The common infrastructure can be designed, for example, by administrator(s) having knowledge of hardware and/or software available for employment within the virtual network.The system can further provide a load-balancing mechanism to determine and/or distribute workload to computer(s) with available resource(s). Additionally, the system can expire virtual session(s) that are no longer in use thereby releasing resources for other user(s) and/or session(s). |
| US07730176B1 |
Identification and tracking of digital content distributors on wide area networks
A system and method for tracking and identifying digital content distributors using file sharing networks. The system monitors distribution networks, logs pertinent network and distributor information, generates network statistics, gathers evidence of content distribution, and notifies interested parties of the availability of content on file sharing networks. |
| US07730175B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying the services of a network
A packet transmitted on a network is read and decoded. A network device and its operating system are identified by analyzing the decoded packet. If more than one operating system is identified from the decoded packet, the operating system is selecting by comparing confidence values assigned to the operating systems identified. A service running on the network device is identified from the decoded packet or subsequent packets that are read, decoded and analyzed. The network topology of a network is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. A flow between two network devices is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. Vulnerabilities are assigned to operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets. Network configuration policy is enforced on operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets. |
| US07730174B2 |
System and method for agent-based monitoring of network devices
A method and system for monitoring network devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for agent-based monitoring of network devices includes selecting a network device from an enterprise network. An agent template is selected based on the selected network device. An agent object is instantiated based on the agent template. The agent object is operable to monitor hardware characteristics of the network device. |
| US07730171B2 |
Decoupled logical and physical data storage within a database management system
The subject matter herein relates to database management systems and, more particularly, to decoupled logical and physical data storage within a database management system. Various embodiments provide systems, methods, and software that separate physical storage from logical storage of data. These embodiments include a mapping of logical storage to physical storage to allow data to be moved within the physical storage to increase database responsiveness. |
| US07730170B2 |
Method and system for identifying network connected devices such as personal computers
A method for identifying a device such as a computer in a network includes providing a storage containing a plurality of entries, each entry corresponding to a device connected to the network and comprising a plurality of stored attributes for the device, receiving from the device a set of current attributes associated to the device, for each among a plurality of entries in the storage, generating a similarity metric between current attributes of the received set and respective stored attributes comprised in the entry, the similarity metric taking into account both matches between respective attributes and mismatches between respective attributes. A candidate entry is determined for which the higher similarity metric is obtained. If the similarity metric is higher than a given recognition threshold, identifying the device as the one to which the candidate entry corresponds. |
| US07730168B2 |
Method and apparatus for assigning packet addresses to a plurality of devices
Means for preventing a split brain scenario during high availability requests by providing a communication link between a switching control device operating on the application level and the module operating on the protocol level are provided. Quitting of the correct physical address is shifted to the application level via the communication link. |
| US07730152B2 |
Wireless input control of multiple computing devices
A method for input control of multiple computing devices from a single set of input devices begins by providing, by a master input device of the single set of input devices, a connection request to the multiple computing devices via a wireless channel, wherein the connection request identifies one of the multiple computing devices. The method continues by interpreting, by each of other ones of the multiple computing devices, the connection request to determine that the connection request is not addressing the each of the other ones of the multiple computing devices. In response to the connection request, the method continues by providing, by the one of the multiple computing devices, a connection response to the master input device via the wireless channel. The method continues by providing, by the one of the multiple computing devices, a slave connection request to at least one slave input device of the single set of input devices via the wireless channel. The method continues by, in response to the slave connection request, providing, by the at least one slave input device, a second connection response to the one of the multiple computing devices via the wireless channel such that the master input device and the at least one slave input device provide input to the one of the multiple computing devices via the wireless channel. |
| US07730151B1 |
Methods and apparatus for maintaining online preferences
At a service provider, a system receives recipient information containing preferences to be used in an online transaction. The recipient information is received from a client. At the service provider, the system associates the recipient information with the client from which the recipient information was received, and stores the recipient information at the client. The recipient information contains preferences to be used in the online transaction. |
| US07730147B1 |
Prioritizing archived email requests
An email archive system and associated techniques are described. Archived emails may be stored locally on a user's client computer in a local archive store. The email archive system and associated techniques may interact with an email message system and an email client application. |
| US07730146B1 |
Local email archive store size management
An email archive system and associated techniques are described. Archived emails may be stored locally on a user's client computer in a local archive store. The email archive system and associated techniques may interact with an email message system and an email client application. |
| US07730143B1 |
Prohibiting mobile forwarding
An incoming message and an indication of a sender-specified destination for the incoming message are received. In addition, a determination is made as to whether a mobile telephone number is known by the sender to be associated with the sender-specified destination. If a mobile telephone number is known by the sender to be associated with the sender-specified destination, a first message that is based on the incoming message is sent to the mobile telephone number. Furthermore, a second message is sent to the mobile telephone number that indicates that the first message was sent to the mobile telephone number based on a determination that the mobile telephone number is known by the sender to be associated with the sender-specified destination. |
| US07730142B2 |
Electronic mail system with functionality to include both private and public messages in a communication
An e-mail system is disclosed that overcomes many deficiencies of, but is backward compatible with, existing e-mail systems. Embodiments of the system may include various features, including but not limited to: (1) secure transfer of e-mail messages, without the need for users to replace existing e-mail clients or to change e-mail addresses; (2) tracking of all actions performed in connection with an e-mail transmission; (3) the ability for a recipient to view information about an e-mail message, optionally including information about how other addressees have responded to it, before deciding whether to retrieve the e-mail message; (4) the aggregation of entire e-mail conversations into a single threaded view; (5) the ability to include both private and public messages in a single e-mail communication; (6) sender control over downstream actions performed in connection with an e-mail message; (7) flexible control over cryptographic methods used to encrypt emails messages for storage. |
| US07730133B2 |
Systems, methods, and products for conducting conferences
Methods, systems, and products are discussed for conducting a conference. The conference is established amongst a host communications device, an intermediate host communications device, and a participant communications device. A command is communicated from the host communications device to the intermediate host communications device that instructs the intermediate host communications device to retrieve an object from memory during the conference. The object is communicated from the intermediate host communications device to the participant communications device. |
| US07730129B2 |
Collaborative communication platforms
A collaborative communication system is disclosed. The collaborative communication system integrates a number of electronic communication tools to meet the collaborative communication needs for an enterprise, family members or friends. All communications are within the system. According to one aspect of the collaborative communication system, registered users in the system are provided public, group and private arenas or domains. Depending on the privacy, communications with others may be conducted in any one of these domains. According to another aspect of the collaborative communication system, communications with others can be conducted through electronic internal mail (herein “i-mail”), instant messaging and file sharing. In particular, the i-mail operates on identifiers pertaining to registered users, thus eliminating the possibility of the registered users receiving unwanted email from other users outside the system. |
| US07730115B2 |
System, microcontroller and methods thereof
A microcontroller for securing data. The microcontroller may be included within a system. The microcontroller reads first and second data from first and second storages, respectively. The microcontroller compares the read first and second data. The microcontroller permits execution of a command based on a result of the comparison. |
| US07730113B1 |
Network-based system and method for accessing and processing emails and other electronic legal documents that may include duplicate information
A network-based system and method processes and analyzes email messages that have been communicated by parties involved in a legal proceeding. The email messages (or other electronic files) of the parties are delivered to a plurality of server units: metadata of the email messages (such as conversational thread information, directory path information, and other properties information) are directed a first server unit, contents of the email messages are directed to a second server unit, and read-only copies of the email messages are provided in a third server unit. If the email messages (or other electronic files) contain duplicate information, the duplicative email message is linked to an email message that has already been delivered to the server units. Once in the server units, users (such as legal professionals) at terminals on a network communicatively coupled to the server units can formulate and direct queries to the server unit(s) to review copies of the email messages (or other electronic files) that are responsive to the queries. |
| US07730112B2 |
Scoped applications
Scoped applications are configured as self-contained units that do not require external configuration of messaging or database access settings. The applications can be deployed to multiple and disparate environments and utilized without the need for additional server configuration by an administrator. The applications include metadata indicating information specific to a particular server that can be provided at deployment. |
| US07730110B2 |
Mobile wireless device for use in a system for development, management and operation of distributed clients and servers
A lightweight application server for use on portable or embedded devices includes an application manager and services containers. Each of these is managed by an admin server allowing for remote and rapid deployment and maintenance of applications, objects and features associated with the server-enabled portable or embedded devices. This permits portable devices like PDAs to provide server functionality to each other, in a fully portable network if desired. A system including such server-enabled portable or embedded devices may include, among other things, a decision flow server for facilitating distributed decision flow processing. |
| US07730100B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium
An information processing apparatus for searching for a desired content from a storage unit storing a plurality of contents to which a plurality of attributes is set classifies stored contents by each of the attributes. The information processing apparatus then counts the number of registered contents classified by each of the attributes and determines an attribute as a criterion for classifying contents. |
| US07730097B2 |
Smart database
A solution is provided wherein only primary keys are used as meta-data to construct many-to-many relationships between table, resulting in amore robust, efficient database structure. Once tables of user-specific data are bound to the database as meta-data using their primary keys, the system may automatically ensure the handling of the records as related units. This eliminates the traditional heavy-weight dependence on foreign key relationships. |
| US07730091B2 |
Systems, methods and computer products for database cluster modeling
Generating in a computer system and deploying a data model of a plurality of database cluster configuration availability solutions over a computer network by creating a database cluster configuration modeling specification including objects contained in a unified model language diagram providing a definition of a database cluster configuration data model. Creating the database cluster configuration data model using the database cluster configuration modeling specification and upon receiving signals from a graphical user interface or from XML batch data files or from application programming interfaces, indicating the definition of the cluster configuration model. After creating the graphical database cluster configuration data model, constraints that specify a valid logical configuration are validated and the solution is transformed into data understandable by database cluster manager software applications and then transmitted over a network to multiple cluster manager targets to be incorporated as database cluster configuration availability solutions. |
| US07730088B2 |
Queriable hierarchical text data
There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program product for generating a queriable text. User role map information is applied to the source hierarchical text. The role mapped text is separated into a structure component and a content component. The content component is compressed. A method for processing intermediate and original form query also is disclosed. |
| US07730087B2 |
Apparatus and method for matching a query to partitioned document path segments
A method of answering a query includes deconstructing documents into path segments. Identical path segments from different documents are arranged contiguously to form a set of partitions, where each partition has identical path segments. The structure of a query is then analyzed to find a match with a document. Based upon the analysis, a sub-set of partitions is selected for searching. Content from the query is compared to content within the sub-set of partitions to identify matched content. The matched content has associated structural attributes. The matched content structural attributes are compared to the structure of the query to identify an answer to the query. |
| US07730083B2 |
Method of using a code to track user access to content
A method for tracking user internet surfing involving a first step of providing a computer hosting contents from content hosts. The computer is configured with the required software and hardware to control all interfacing with the user; and, to request and receive data from the content hosts. Additional steps include storing on the computer storage medium an identification of the user to enable the user to log in to the computer; enabling a logged-in user to access the computer through the requesting client to view a content in the plurality of contents; maintaining a user list comprising the surf-code reference of the content viewed by the logged-in user; enabling the logged-in user to access the user list to identify the content viewed by the logged-in user; and, presenting the content viewed by the logged-in user to the requesting client based on the user list. |
| US07730080B2 |
Techniques of rewriting descendant and wildcard XPath using one or more of SQL OR, UNION ALL, and XMLConcat() construct
A method for processing queries is provided. A first representation of a query is generated, where the query includes a certain operator that is to be performed based on an XPath expression that is expandable into multiple location paths. The first representation of the query is rewritten into a second representation that corresponds to an equivalent query, where rewriting the first representation includes expanding the XPath expression into the plurality of location paths and, based on the certain operator, including a plurality of operators in the second representation, where the plurality of operators include: a first set of operators that is to be performed based on each of the plurality of location paths, and a second set of operators that is to be performed based on data returned from at least one operator included in the first set of operators. The query may thereafter be executed based on the second representation. The second representation may be further rewritten to third representation depending on the physical storage of XML. |
| US07730077B2 |
Intelligent storage device controller
A programmable streaming data processor that can be programmed to recognize record and field structures of data received from a streaming data source such as a mass storage device. Being programmed with, for example, field information, the unit can locate record and field boundaries and employ logical arithmetic methods to compare fields with one another or with values otherwise supplied by general purpose processors to precisely determine which records are worth transferring to memory of the more general purpose distributed processors. The remaining records arrive and are discarded by the streaming data processor or are tagged with status bits to indicate to the more general purpose processor that they are to be ignored. In a preferred embodiment, the streaming data processor may analyze and discard records for several reasons. The first reason may be an analysis of contents of the field. Other reasons for record blocking may have to do with tagging records that are to be visible to particular users depending upon a series of concurrent transactions. |
| US07730073B2 |
System and a method for presenting related items to a user
A system and method for presenting related items to a user. A universal data store is provided which contains a plurality of items. A portion of the items contain relational information that allows relationships between two or more of the plurality of items to be determined. A shell presents a selected item to a user and is configured to utilize the relational information to present one or more items in the data store which are related to the selected item. |
| US07730068B2 |
Extensible data collectors
Automated sampling and aggregation of performance or other dynamically varying data facilitates user productivity by making data available for a wide range of uses. An automated sampling and aggregration system includes one or more types of data collectors, including a dedicated data collector per machine, multiple data collectors per machine, or an instance-less data collector. |
| US07730055B2 |
Efficient hash based full-outer join
In a database system, a full outer join is computed using a hash-based join. |
| US07730050B2 |
Information retrieval apparatus
An information retrieval apparatus includes a display which displays document information, an input unit which adds additional information to the document information displayed the display, a first storage which stores mark symbol information specifying a particular symbol used for marking, a detector which detects an input from the input unit and decides whether or not the input additional information is identical to or similar to the mark symbol information stored in the first storage, a second storage which stores the mark symbol information and the additional information which is decided that it is similar to the mark symbol information by the detector, associating with the mark symbol information, and a retrieval unit which retrieves the mark symbol information and the additional information associated with the mark symbol information from the second storage, and a retrieval result by the retrieval unit is displayed on the display. |
| US07730033B2 |
Mechanism for exposing shadow copies in a networked environment
Described is a mechanism for exposing a volume shadow copy of a shared volume over a network to a remote client. A shared volume is accessed at a client computing system having a root. A volume shadow copy (or “snapshot”) of the volume is identified as a child resource of the shared volume. The child resource representing the snapshot may be hidden from ordinary view by default. To access the snapshot, a user may access the child resource as if it were an ordinary file or directory on the shared volume. Advantageously, the user need not mount a new volume representing the snapshot volume, but rather the user may directly access the snapshot. |
| US07730026B2 |
Method and system using reusable state information for synchronization and maintenance of data
A system for synchronization whereby metadata repository maintains information regarding the history and status of data items in a data repository. Data items are associated with states and such states changes (e.g. increment) in response to changes to the data items. History statements associated with the same states describe the changes in a generic enough fashion that multiple data items may be associated with a single state (e.g. if multiple data items share a common history such as that they were all edited by a user on the same device). The history repository is synchronized with other history repositories so as to reflect the states of data items on multiple devices. The synchronized history stores are used during synchronization to identify and resolve data conflicts through ancestry of data item history. |
| US07730019B1 |
System and method for data collection, management, and analysis
A system, method and computer readable medium that performs data analyses, such as economic forecasting, in accordance with the configured needs of one or more users. The system may maintain local information on which its various analyses are based, and may supplement or replace this local information with information retrieved from a remote data sources containing a desired type of data, such as time series data. Preferably, the system includes the ability to search for databases within an associated information network, such as the Internet. The system records information in an index about each database it finds, including whether the database contains data of a desired type. The particular type of data sought by the system depends upon configurable settings and relates to the type of analyses for which it has been configured. Thereafter, the system may use the index to retrieve data from many different databases when performing an analysis, relieving it from the need to store such data locally. The system may use the indexed information to check remote databases for changes or updates. The system can update any affected analyses, or alert users whose analyses are affected by such changes. A variety of mathematical models may be included in the system, and it can select the best model or models for a given user problem. |
| US07730018B2 |
System and method for processing event predicates
Described is a method comprising initializing a first set of bits corresponding to a first plurality of predicate indices to a first value, and initializing a second set of bits corresponding to a second plurality of predicate indices to a second value. A subscription is processed. The subscription includes a plurality of subscription predicates, each of the subscription predicates associated with corresponding predicate indices in one of the first and second pluralities. An event is processed. The event includes an event predicate. When the event predicate matches a first predicate index in the first plurality, a first bit associated with the first predicate index is toggled to the second value. When the event predicate matches a second predicate index in the second plurality, a second bit associated with the second predicate index is toggled to the first value. When each bit associated with the corresponding predicate indices is the second value, the event is outputted to a source of the subscription. |
| US07730002B2 |
Method for iterative design of products
The invention involves generating and presenting, typically electronically, a number of design alternatives to persons who are participating in the design, selection, or market research exercise. The participants (referred to as “selectors”) transmit data indicative of their preferences among or between the presented design alternatives, and that data is used to derive a new generation of design alternatives or proposals. The new designs are generated through the use of a computer program exploiting a genetic or evolutionary computational technique. The process is repeated, typically for many iterations or cycles. |
| US07729998B2 |
Method for shippers to manage fuel costs
A computer-implemented method for managing fuel costs, along with a corresponding apparatus, and a corresponding medium are described. The method includes receiving transaction information at a Network Administrator, the transaction information being associated with: (a) a shipper who has arranged for a shipment of goods from an origin to a destination; and (b) a corresponding carrier that has agreed to transport the shipment using a pre-determined maximum number of eligible units of fuel, where the fuel is purchased by the carrier at a pre-set base price per eligible unit, and where the fuel is purchased from pre-selected fueling locations. The maximum number of eligible units of fuel and the base price per eligible unit for the shipment are established between the shipper and the carrier, while the fueling locations are established by the Network Administrator. The actual price paid for the fuel is set by the market. Carrier fuel purchase information associated with fuel purchases made by the carrier at the pre-selected fueling locations is then transmitted to the Network Administrator. |
| US07729997B2 |
Determination of an entity's assets associated with an event
Methods and systems expeditiously identify a company's or other entity's assets that are in some proximity of an incident or event, such as an emergency or other crisis situation. Buildings can be identified within a stated distance and direction from the location of an event. Additionally, an estimated number of employees and contract resources can be determined. A stand-alone computing device can be used to derive the information if AC power or network activity is lost. The stand-alone computing device provides a self-contained platform for determining assets of an entity. |
| US07729989B1 |
Method and apparatus for message correction in a transaction authorization service
A transaction processing and authorization service. A transaction initiation message received from a source entity by the service may include one or more errors. The service may, in response to receiving an incorrect transaction initiation message, contact the source entity via a second communications channel and allow the source entity to correct the faulty transaction initiation message during the communication session. The service may allow the source entity to correct only incorrect or missing portions of the transaction initiation message, and thus the source entity may not be required to re-enter the entire message. Correction of the transaction initiation message may be performed as part of an authorization contact from the service to the source entity on a communications channel, and thus the correction may not require any extra communications attempts or sessions between the service and the source entity. |
| US07729986B1 |
Smart card transactions using wireless telecommunications network
A smart card transaction allows a consumer to load value onto a smart card and to make purchases using a smart card with a mobile telephone handset over the telecommunications network. For loading, the system includes: a mobile telephone handset including a card reader; a gateway computer; a funds issuer computer; and an authentication computer. The mobile telephone handset receives a request from a user to load a value onto the smart card. The handset generates a funds request message which includes the value and sends the funds request message to a funds issuer computer. The funds issuer computer debits an account associated with the user. Next, the handset generates a load request message with a cryptographic signature and sends the load request message to an authentication computer which authenticates the smart card. The handset receives a response message which includes a cryptographic signature and an approval to load. Finally, the handset validates the second cryptographic signature and loads the value onto the smart card. For payment, the system includes a merchant server and a payment server. First, the handset sends an order request message to the merchant server computer, and in return receives a purchase instruction message. The handset processes the purchase instruction message locally, and then sends a draw request message to a payment server computer. The payment server computer sends a debit message which includes a cryptographic signature and an approval to debit the smart card. Finally, the handset validates the cryptographic signature and debits the smart card. |
| US07729985B1 |
Method for enabling an online social community account for banking services
A system and method for depositing salary payments directly into an account that is associated with at least one of a communications service and an Internet feature, such as auction, search, communication, hosting, social community, content aggregation, media downloading or streaming, whereafter the deposited money is available to be used in electronic commerce or to be otherwise withdrawn. The account may be maintained either by a communication service provider associated with the account or by a financial service provider (e.g., a bank) in partnership with a provider of communications and/or Internet services or with the ability to support such communications/Internet offerings. |
| US07729982B2 |
On-line higher education financing system
A method of providing a user with education financing information, includes the acts of: maintaining an electronic site on a computer network to which the user may connect; sending data to the user over the network for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains financial award information concerning a potential student of an educational institution, the financial award information including a monetary award which may be used for the student to attend the educational institution; and sending data to the user over the network when requested for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains cost projection information, the cost projection information being a function of the award and including an amount of money required for the student to attend the educational institution. |
| US07729981B2 |
On-line higher education financing system
A method of providing a user with education financing information, includes the acts of: maintaining an electronic site on a computer network to which the user may connect; sending data to the user over the network for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains financial award information concerning a potential student of an educational institution, the financial award information including a monetary award which may be used for the student to attend the educational institution; and sending data to the user over the network when requested for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains cost projection information, the cost projection information being a function of the award and including an amount of money required for the student to attend the educational institution. |
| US07729973B2 |
System and method for providing a trust associated with long positions in index futures
A system comprises a memory operable to store market data. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to buy a plurality of index futures. The plurality of index futures are held as long positions in a trust, and a particular index future is publicly traded on a commodity exchange. The processor is further operable to issue a plurality of trust receipts associated with the trust, wherein the plurality of trust receipts are publicly traded on at least one security exchange. The processor is further operable to post a margin with a futures commission merchant (FCM), wherein the margin is based at least in part on the plurality of index futures and the FCM makes at least one interest payment associated with the plurality of index futures. |
| US07729964B2 |
Methods and systems for anomaly detection in small datasets
A technique for detecting anomalous values in a small set of financial metrics makes use of context data that is determined based upon the characteristics of the target company being evaluated. Context data is selected to represent the historical values of the financial metric for the target company or the simultaneous performance of peer companies. Using the context data, an anomaly score for the financial metric is calculated representing the degree to which the value of the financial metric is an outlier among the context data. This can be done using an exceptional statistical technique. The anomaly score can be used to evaluate the risks associated with business transactions related to the target company. |
| US07729959B1 |
Web-based entry of financial transaction information and subsequent download of such information
The systems, methods and related software products which enable users to temporarily store and subsequently retrieve information are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of input devices, client computers (each having a user-specific personal finance application) and a web-site server with a database. The input devices, client computers and server are communicatively linked via a communication network so that a plurality of users can temporarily store and/or manipulate financial transaction information on the server from any of the input devices. Each user can also transmit financial profile information to the server. This information enables the server to replicate the unique profile characteristics for each of the finance applications. This, in turn, simplifies remote entry of information, subsequent download of that information and integration of such information into each user's personal finance application. |
| US07729958B2 |
Method and system for determining absorption costs for transfers between a plurality of cost groups
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for determining absorption costs for transfers between a plurality of cost groups. In one embodiment, a transferable item is identified. A plurality of cost group sets among which the transferable item is transferred is then defined. Then, a processing sequence of the plurality of cost group sets is determined. An iterative process for determining the cost of transfers between the plurality of cost groups is performed based upon the processing sequence. |
| US07729950B2 |
Method and system for auctioning assets and valuing same
A method and system for conducting, managing and executing over a communication network, an auction of claims or assets to buyers having expressed interest in purchasing claims or assets is presented. The method includes placing an indication of the availability of at least one of said assets at a remote site, wherein said indication is accessible by each of said buyers over said network, notifying at least one buyer predeterminedly expressing interest in items contained within said claims or assets of the availability of said at least one claim or asset, determining a market value of said at least one claim or asset based on historical data of same or similar claims or assets, dynamically adjusting the market value, conducting an interactive bidding process, notifying one of the bidding buyers of acceptance of a corresponding bid when said bid satisfies predetermined criteria, and recording the accepted bid. |
| US07729946B2 |
Online game advertising system
In one embodiment an online game advertising system provides an architecture for enabling the definition, sales, distribution, and management of interactive advertisements, sponsorships, and placements that appear within an online video game as part of the game experience or during idle load, wait, and pause screens. For example, in a race car game, when a driver pulls in for a pit stop, the engine oil brand that the game player may choose may be defined as locations for advertisements or product placements for real life engine oils and game publishers and advertisers may manage what specific advertisements to place in these locations. |
| US07729942B2 |
Consumer targeting methods, systems, and computer program products using multifactorial marketing models
Methods, systems and computer program products target specific consumers for a marketing campaign of goods and/or services by: (a) defining a multi-factorial mathematical model of defined parameters; (b) calculating a numerical value using the multi-factorial mathematical model for respective consumers; then (c) ranking the consumers based on the calculated value associated with the model. |
| US07729940B2 |
Analyzing return on investment of advertising campaigns by matching multiple data sources
In various embodiments, strategies, tools and techniques are provided for processing and analyzing data in an advertising measurement system accessible through a software-as-a-service model or a client-downloaded computer program. The system may be configured to receive and process household media exposure data, product purchase data, advertising data, program data, and demographic data, wherein the data may be obtained from various sources, including from a program delivery source (e.g., a television set-top box) located in a household of a consumer. The data may be matched and cross-correlated for calculating return on advertising investment measurements and other metrics. The data may be used to optimize media placement generally or to address advertising content to specific households. Methods for storing data in the advertising measurement system by distributing the data across multiple shards are also provided. In addition, methods for protecting privacy of communicated data are disclosed. |
| US07729925B2 |
System and method for facilitating real time transactions between a user and multiple entities
A system and method for facilitating real time transactions between a user and multiple entities are described. In the system, an exchange of information related to a transaction involving a user and multiple entities is facilitated. |
| US07729918B2 |
Trainable sentence planning system
The invention relates to a system that interacts with a user in an automated dialog system (100). The system may include a communicative goal generator (210) that generates communicative goals based on a first communication received from the user. The generated communicative goals (210) may be related to information needed to be obtained from the user. The system may further include a sentence planning unit (220) that automatically plans one or more sentences based on the communicative goals generated by the communicative goal generator (210). At least one of the planned sentences may be then output to the user (230). |
| US07729910B2 |
Zero-search, zero-memory vector quantization
The invention comprises a method for lossy data compression, akin to vector quantization, in which there is no explicit codebook and no search, i.e. the codebook memory and associated search computation are eliminated. Some memory and computation are still required, but these are dramatically reduced, compared to systems that do not exploit this method. For this reason, both the memory and computation requirements of the method are exponentially smaller than comparable methods that do not exploit the invention. Because there is no explicit codebook to be stored or searched, no such codebook need be generated either. This makes the method well suited to adaptive coding schemes, where the compression system adapts to the statistics of the data presented for processing: both the complexity of the algorithm executed for adaptation, and the amount of data transmitted to synchronize the sender and receiver, are exponentially smaller than comparable existing methods. |
| US07729902B1 |
Method of generation a labeling guide for spoken dialog services
A method is disclosed for designing a labeling guide for use by a labeler in labeling data used for training a spoken language understanding (SLU) module for an application. The method comprises a labeling guide designer selecting domain-independent actions applicable to an application, selecting domain-dependent objects according to characteristics of the application, and generating a labeling guide using the selected domain-independent actions and selected domain-dependent objects. An advantage of the labeling guide generated in this manner is that the labeling guide designer can easily port the labeling guide to a new application by selecting a set of domain-independent action and then selecting the domain-dependent objects related to the new application. |
| US07729901B2 |
System for classifying words
A system is disclosed for determining probable meanings of a word. A prior probability is established of the probable meanings of the word. A context frequency probability is established of the probable meanings of the word. The probability that each meaning is a correct meaning may be provided in accordance with both the prior probability and the context frequency probability. |
| US07729898B1 |
Methods and apparatus for implementing logic functions on a heterogeneous programmable device
A heterogeneous device including multiple types of resources is provided to implement multiple logic functions. Logic functions are provided with multiple configuration options. In one example, an optimal set of configuration options along with a target device are selected using cost and resource availability information associated with multiple heterogeneous programmable chips and the configuration options provided with the logic blocks. |
| US07729897B2 |
Time multiplexed interface for emulator system
An apparatus, circuit arrangement and method for emulating a hardware design by time division multiplexing data communicated between an emulator and a runtime assist unit (RTAU), such as a behavior card. Data from the emulator may be received directly at the general purpose registers of the RTAU. A programmable delay may be used in conjunction with a step generator to initiate concurrent cycle processes. Code executed by the RTAU may be coded in assembly, and external interrupts that might otherwise affect the determined processing time of the RTAU task are disabled. The time multiplexing reduces card port, cabling and processing cycle requirements. |
| US07729891B2 |
Probabilistic regression suites for functional verification
Methods, apparatus and systems are provided that enable the generation of random regression suites for verification of a hardware or software design to be formulated as optimization problems. Solution of the optimization problems using probabilistic methods provides information on which set of test specifications should be used, and how many tests should be generated from each specification. In one mode of operation regression suites are constructed that use the minimal number of tests required to achieve a specific coverage goal. In another mode of operation regression suites are constructed so as to maximize task coverage when a fixed number of tests are run or within a fixed cost. |
| US07729876B2 |
Diagnostic device for use in process control system
The diagnostic device that detects a failure of a sensor. The sensor includes memory for repeatedly recording pairs of two absolute pressure values, the absolute pressure values being related to absolute pressures in the first and the second impulse lines, respectively. A processor repeatedly computes, from a prescribable number of pairs of the two absolute pressure values, a correlation value representative of the correlation between the two absolute pressure values. The processor can also compare correlation values to at least one correlation threshold value, and generate a diagnostic output depending on the result of the comparison. It is possible to derive the absolute pressure values from one differential pressure measurement and one absolute pressure measurement. |
| US07729866B2 |
Method of determining level of specified component in blood sample and apparatus for level determination
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the concentration of a particular component in a blood sample containing blood cells based on a variable correlated with the concentration of the particular component. In the present invention, a concentration (S) in blood plasma obtained by removing blood cell components from the blood sample, a concentration (DI) in the blood sample computed by a differential method and a concentration (EP) in the blood sample computed by an equilibrium point method are expressed by a relational expression which is unrelated to the proportion of the blood cell components in the blood sample, and the concentration of the particular component is computed by using the relational expression. |
| US07729857B2 |
System for and method of detecting a collision and predicting a vehicle path
A collision detection and path prediction system (10) adapted for use with a traveling host vehicle (12) having an operator, includes a locator device (20) configured to determine the current position coordinates, and pluralities of trail and immediate dynamic path coordinates of the vehicle (12) and a communicatively coupled traveling remote vehicle (16). The system further includes a preferred controller (36) configured to predict a collision between the two vehicles (12,16) from the coordinates, and determine a plurality of projected path coordinates for the host vehicle (12) relative to the remote vehicle (16) trail coordinates. |
| US07729848B2 |
Device for charging and discharging at least one piezoactuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine
A device for controlling at least one piezoactuator for an injection valve of an internal combustion engine, including a microcontroller that controls an output stage which generates the load current for charging and discharging the piezoactuator. The microcontroller controls the output stage through an integrated circuit. A discharge circuit interacts with the integrated circuit to reliably discharge the piezoactuator in case of a failure of the output stage and/or of a safety path of the microcontroller. The load current during the discharge is controlled by a control circuit having a controller which is part of the integrated circuit. The discharge circuit has emergency discharge elements that are activated in case of a failure of the controller or of the integrated circuit. |
| US07729843B2 |
Engine control method and engine control system
An engine control method and an engine control system that can inhibit the emission of NOx and reduce noise are provided. An engine control method in which an engine 2 is caused to perform diffusion combustion at normal times and switched from diffusion combustion to premixed combustion when an engine load is low, wherein when the engine 2 is switched from the diffusion combustion to the premixed combustion, an oxygen concentration in an intake air of the engine 2 is found and when the found oxygen concentration exceeds a threshold of NOx generation oxygen concentration that has been set in advance, switching from the diffusion combustion to a fuel injection mode of the premixed combustion is stopped, and when the found oxygen concentration then becomes equal to or less than the threshold of NOx generation oxygen concentration, switching is performed to the premixed combustion. |
| US07729835B2 |
Method of controlling a working machine
A method is described of operating a working machine which includes a body, a ground engaging structure, and a working arm carrying a working implement, and an operator control for operating hydraulic actuators for effecting operating functions of the machine, the operator control mounting an additional control which is controllable to operate at least one selected actuator for effecting a selected operating function, the additional control providing inputs to a control device which responds proportionally to operate the selected actuator, the method including controlling the additional control to operate the selected actuator, and with the additional control being controlled to provide an input to the control device to achieve a desired operation of the actuator, activating a memory mode whereby the control device memorises the input and continues to operate the selected actuator in accordance with the memorised input. |
| US07729831B2 |
Concrete placement vehicle control system and method
A concrete placement vehicle. The concrete placement vehicle includes a concrete mixing and placement system, at least one vehicle sensor configured to monitor a characteristic of the concrete placement vehicle and at least one concrete system sensor configured to monitor a characteristic of the system for mixing and placing concrete. The vehicle further includes a control system configured to control the operation of the concrete placement vehicle and the concrete mixing and placement system based on inputs received from the at least one vehicle sensor and the at least one concrete system sensor. |
| US07729827B2 |
Vehicle control system
In a vehicle control system in which a large number of ECUs operate in coordination via a network, each node has an intra-network node status determination section, other node's status decision transmitting/other nodes' status decision receiving section, and failed-node identification section. The nodes exchange decisions made by the intra-network node status evaluation section with other nodes and thereby identify failed node. |
| US07729813B2 |
Feature enabler unit
An enabling unit for activating a feature in an electronic control unit on a vehicle includes a port for communicating with an electronic control unit included on the vehicle. A processor, which communicates with the port, includes a message for enabling a dormant feature included on the electronic control unit. |
| US07729798B2 |
Substrate processing system, and method of control therefor, control program, and storage medium
A transfer schedule SA and a transfer schedule SB for an A lot and a B lot different from each other are generated on a transfer control table, the succeeding transfer schedule SB is moved ahead in the direction of a time axis within a range over which it does not interfere with the transfer schedule SA for the preceding A lot to make the start timing for the succeeding transfer schedule SB become earlier than the end timing for the transfer schedule for the preceding A lot, so that the transfer schedule SA and the transfer schedule SB are executed in parallel, thereby improving the throughput a wafer transfer process. |
| US07729794B2 |
Method for designing a connector
A method for designing a connector between a first and a second element of a dental restoration, such as a connector between coping and coping, or coping and pontic, or pontic and pontic of a bridge, which is characterized by the steps of computing a (first) model of the first element and a (second) model of the second element, defining a connecting straight line between the first model and the second model, computing edge curves (γ0, γ4) on the first model and the second model, whereby the edge curves are defined by origins of surface normal vectors of the models, which satisfy boundary conditions relative to the connecting line, computing offset curves (γ1, γ3) on the first model and the second model from the first edge curves, and connecting the first edge curves and the offset curves of the first model and of the second model and computing the connector on the basis of the course of the connection between the curves. |
| US07729790B1 |
Phase alignment of audio output data in a multi-channel configuration
Systems and methods for ensuring proper phase alignment of audio signals which are processed by separate hardware channels in an audio amplification system. In one embodiment, the phase alignment is controlled by determining the number of audio data samples which are stored in the input buffers of multiple audio amplification units and controlling reads from the input buffers to minimize the difference between an actual read-write pointer differential and a target differential. In a master unit, the target differential is a predetermined target value corresponding to a desired delay in the buffer. The actual pointer differential of the master unit is passed to one or more slave units. The actual pointer differential of the master unit is used as the target differential of the slave units. The pointer differentials of the slave units are thereby driven to track the pointer differential of the master unit, keeping the units synchronized. |
| US07729783B2 |
Apparatus and methods for vacuum- and mechanically-assisted fixation of medical electrical leads
A method and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of pericardial tissue via both vacuum- and/or mechanically-assisted means. A source of vacuum couples via a lumen to a recessed portion of a body structure deployed into the pericardial space. The recessed portion is adapted to form a seal around its periphery with adjacent pericardial tissue so that when the recessed portion is evacuated, the tissue is drawn into the recessed portion. Then, a sharpened instrument, such as a stylet, is deployed through the lumen and pierces the tissue, thus anchoring the body structure. A source of fluid may also be included for delivery to the pericardial space (e.g., contrast media; saline solution; biological, genetic and pharmaceutical substances and the like). |
| US07729779B2 |
Electrodes for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
A transcutaneous electric nerve stimulator (TENS) electrode that comprises a conductive layer containing both an inner perimeter(s) and an outer perimeter(s) is disclosed. When used with TENS treatment protocols and devices or other treatment/therapy methods, the electrode can induce a higher rate of A fiber firing by creating baffling to balance the electrical current flowing through the electrodes and induces superior analgesia. |
| US07729778B2 |
System, method and apparatus for evaluating tissue temperature
Method, system and apparatus for monitoring target tissue temperatures wherein temperature sensors are configured as passive resonant circuits each with a unique resonating signature at monitoring temperatures extending below a select temperature setpoint. The resonant circuits are configured with an inductor component formed of windings about a ferrite core having a Curie temperature characteristic corresponding with a desired temperature setpoint. By selecting inductor winding turns and capacitance values, unique resonant center frequencies are detectable. Temperature monitoring can be carried out with implants at lower threshold and upper limit temperature responses. Additionally, the lower threshold sensors may be combined with auto-regulated heater implants having Curie transitions at upper temperature limits. |
| US07729771B2 |
Nerve stimulation and blocking for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders
At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site. |
| US07729770B2 |
Isolation circuitry and method for gradient field safety in an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device is provided for isolating an elongated medical lead from internal device circuitry in the presence of a gradient magnetic or electrical field. The device includes an isolation circuit adapted to operatively connect an internal circuit to the medical lead in a first operative state and to electrically isolate the medical lead from the internal circuit in a second operative state. |
| US07729769B1 |
Implantable medical device with improved back-fill member and methods of manufacture thereof
An implantable medical device and methods of manufacture are provided for implantation in a body. The device includes a device housing having an interior cavity and electronic circuitry located in the interior cavity of the device housing. The electronic circuitry detects a physiologic condition of the body and delivers a therapy to the body. The device further includes a feed-through assembly having a feed-through housing that is joined to the device housing. The feed-through assembly includes conductors held in the feed-through housing and electronically connected to the electronic circuitry. A back-fill member is joined to the feed-through housing. The back-fill member has an opening there through communicating with the interior cavity of the device housing. A sealing element is hermetically secured in the opening through the back-fill member. The sealing element and back-fill member are formed of different first and second materials, respectively. The second material is generally harder than the first material. For example, the sealing element may constitute a titanium ball configured to be deformed when pressed into the opening in the back-fill member, where the first and second materials constitute titanium and a titanium alloy, respectively. The back-fill member is dimensioned relative to a support tool to permit the back-fill member to self-align during an initial sealing operation by shifting and/or tilting relative to a support tool. |
| US07729766B2 |
Circuit board construction for handheld programmer
In general, the disclosure is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. The patient programmer includes an internal antenna mounted on a first circuit board and a display mounted on a second circuit board. The first circuit board includes a substantially contiguous around plane layer that is interrupted by two or more gaps. The patient programmer may also include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. |
| US07729762B2 |
Adaptive anti-tachycardia therapy apparatus and method
A method and apparatus for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing in an adaptive manner is disclosed. A cardiac rhythm management device, such as an implantable pacemaker, having anti-tachycardia pacing capability delivers anti-tachycardia pacing therapy in accordance with a selected pacing protocol upon detection of a terminable arrhythmia. The protocol is selected from a library of available protocols. A record of the successes and failures of each available protocol in converting tachyarrhythmias is maintained in a result table for use in selecting the protocol. |
| US07729758B2 |
Magnetically coupled microstimulators
Disclosed are implantable electronic devices and systems including a pair of microstimulators. The microstimulators include coils that are energized to generate magnetic fields aligned along a common axis. |
| US07729755B2 |
Questions and control paradigms for detecting deception by measuring brain activity
Methods for determining whether the brain activity of a human subject in response to a stimulus of interest or question of interest is characteristic of a state of interest, such as a deceptive state or a truthful state, are disclosed. Some methods include the use of control questions, including truthful control questions and deceptive control questions, to provide bases for comparison for responses to stimuli of interest or questions of interest. Some methods include the use of differences between two states, such as a deceptive state and a truthful state. In some methods, brain maps are generated and compared. Also disclosed are systems for detecting deception by measuring brain activity. |
| US07729746B2 |
Three-dimensional co-registration between intravascular and angiographic data
A method and appertaining system permit a co-registration between points in a three-dimensional model of a vessel and vascular images obtained by an imaging catheter within the vessel at the respective points. The three-dimensional model is created by utilizing information from at least two external two-dimensional images produced by, e.g., one or more x-ray devices. The three-dimensional model is displayed on an analysis workstation, and a user may view the vascular images at particular points by selecting the appertaining points on the three-dimensional model. |
| US07729735B1 |
System and method for venous oximetry using a catheter
This invention provides a system and method for confirming the proper placement of a penetrating catheter into a vascular compartment without undesirable arterial cannulation using principles of oximetry in which blood from the penetrated region is subjected to light of a plurality of wavelengths and detected for absorption levels. The result is analyzed by a processor and the level of oxygen saturation of the blood is indicated. The characteristic level of saturation informs the practitioner whether oxygenated arterial blood is present due to an inadvertent puncture. The catheter is introduced using an introduction needle. Thereafter the needle is removed to allow blood to communicate with sensing elements that consist of a light-emitting LED array and opposed photodetector. Light in the infrared and visible red wavelengths can be provided by separate LED units. Aspiration of blood through the catheter by an attached syringe allows the processor to compute the level of oxygen saturation, based upon detected light absorption of passing blood, using the Beer-Lambert law. The sensing elements can be miniaturized so as to be located in the distal tip of the catheter, and can be operatively connected to an external connector via embedded leads that connects a base unit with the processor and a display of saturation level. The catheter allows subsequent insertion of a guidewire and, after catheter removal a CVC. |
| US07729730B2 |
Slide mechanism for a slide-type portable terminal device
A slide mechanism includes a rack gear (10), a bracket (20), a cam assembly (30), and an elastic member (10). The cam assembly is rotatably mounted on the bracket. The cam assembly includes a pinion gear (322). The pinion gear engages with the rack gear. The elastic member is secured on the bracket for providing an elastic force to the pinion gear. |
| US07729729B2 |
Method for displaying information in a mobile communication terminal
Disclosed is a method for displaying various information on a display section of a mobile communication terminal to efficiently utilize a screen in a standby state of the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal alternately displays basic information and user information set by the user on a display section through dividing display time thereof. Thus, the user repeatedly views basic information, which is basically displayed on the display section, and special information to be remembered or memorized. The display section is used for language study and schedule display. The method allows the mobile communication terminal to match with various demands of the users, so that efficiency of the mobile communication terminal is improved. |
| US07729728B2 |
Forced beam switching in wireless communication systems having smart antennas
Methods and apparatuses are proved which allow a wireless communication system using a smart antenna(s) to selectively cause a receiving device to switch its operative association from one transmitted beam to another available transmitted beam. |
| US07729726B2 |
Feeder cable reduction
The present invention allows transmission of multiple signals between masthead electronics and base housing electronics in a base station environment. At least some of the received signals from the multiple antennas are translated to being centered about different center frequencies, such that the translated signals may be combined into a composite signal including each of the received signals. The composite signal is then sent over a single feeder cable to base housing electronics, wherein the received signals are separated and processed by transceiver circuitry. Prior to being provided to the transceiver circuitry, those signals that were translated from being centered about one frequency to another may be retranslated to being centered about the original center frequency. |
| US07729725B2 |
Methods, electronic devices and computer program products for transferring data stored in an electronic device when a subscriber identity module is absent therefrom
The invention can allow data to be transferred from/to an electronic device when a removable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card that stores information used to register the electronic device with a communications network is absent from the electronic device. A subscriber may, therefore, upgrade from an existing radiotelephone to a new radiotelephone without the need for two SIM cards so that both radiotelephones operate to transfer the data. For example, according to embodiments of the invention, a subscriber can transfer data from the existing radiotelephone to the new radiotelephone even though one of the radiotelephones does not have a SIM card. |
| US07729715B2 |
Method and apparatus for power reduction for E-TFC selection
A method for data rate selection of a data transmission on a wide band code division multiple access (WCDMA) radio frequency (RF) channel in a portable communication device (100) is provided. The portable communication device (100) has transmitter circuitry (108) which includes a power amplifier (250). The method includes the steps of determining a power backoff requirement for the power amplifier (250) for a data transmission on a WCDMA channel (320) and selecting a transport format combination (TFC) for the data transmission in response to the power backoff requirement (324). |
| US07729705B2 |
Method of providing location service over IMS network
A method of providing Location Services (LCS) over an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network in a wireless communication system is provided. An LCS client transmits a service connection request message including a message requesting the location information of a User Equipment (UE). The UE transmits the location information to the LCS client. |
| US07729703B2 |
Apparatus and method for reporting a channel quality indication to non-serving cells
A method in a wireless communication device and an apparatus, such as a wireless communication device, for reporting a channel quality indication to non-serving cells. The device can operate on a shared channel on a serving cell. The device can send a channel quality indicator message on a medium access control layer to multiple candidate cells in an active set of cells. The device can then switch from the serving cell to a new serving cell from the multiple candidate cells based on information in the channel quality indicator message. |
| US07729700B2 |
Vertical network handovers
Establishing and controlling communication to and from a mobile terminal with multiple network interfaces that can be reached with one phone number via multiple networks. The mobile terminal simultaneously communicates with a central server over a cellular network and a WLAN to dynamically coordinate a preferred routing of a communication session with a partner node. The communication session is routed over whichever network is optimal at any given time, depending on a current location of the mobile device, current performance of each network, and other criteria. A new communication session is established through the central server to enable one number access to and from the mobile terminal. An ongoing communication session is continuously monitored to determine whether and when to perform a network handover. The mobile terminal obtains performance data regarding each network and arranges a network handover with the central server. |
| US07729697B2 |
Private base station with exclusivity
A private base station (PBS) configured to connect to the Internet and establish a small area of wireless coverage includes an exclusivity database allowing registered mobile phones to use services within the cell and not allowing use of the services by unregistered mobile phones. |
| US07729694B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating communication between transceivers using different protocols
Systems and methods are provided for communicating data content using different protocols. The systems and methods may include intercepting a transmission from a first transceiver containing a first data content, using a first protocol. The first protocol may be identified and an assessment made whether the first protocol is compatible with a second transceiver. Based on the assessment that the first protocol is not compatible with the second transceiver, data content may be converted to a second protocol. The data content may be transmitted to the second transceiver using the second protocol. The systems and methods may automatically convert the data content to the second protocol based on information associated with the first or second transceivers. |
| US07729693B2 |
Method of controlling and analyzing communications in a telephone network
The invention relates to a method and system for controlling and analyzing cellular radio communications exchanged between mobile terminals and base stations BTS. The invention is characterized in that a dummy mobile terminals and base stations BTS. The invention is comprising a dummy mobile telephone network RRTM_F comprising a dummy base station BTS_F and a dummy mobile terminal MS_F are inserted into the real network RRTM_R, said dummy network being responsible for the decoding and transparent synchronous relaying of messages exchanged between the real network and the real mobile as well as real mobile access control from the real network or the dummy network. |
| US07729691B2 |
Information portal
A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal. |
| US07729683B2 |
Method and system for power amplifier (PA) with on-package matching transformer
Aspects of a system for a power amplifier with an on-package matching transformer may include a DC/DC converter that enables generation of a bias voltage level within an IC die based on an amplitude of an input signal to a PA circuit within the IC die. The bias voltage level may be applied to a transformer, which is external to the IC die but internal to an IC package containing the IC die and/or a circuit board containing the IC package. One or more amplifier bias voltage levels, derived from the bias voltage level applied to the transformer, may be applied to the PA circuit. |
| US07729649B2 |
Methods and devices for reducing wear on a print cartridge
A system and method reduces wear on an image-forming device. The image-forming device includes one or more toner cartridges, each having an associated PC drum and transport member to transport toner images or media. Each of the PC drums maintain contact with a surface of the transport member regardless of whether they are being used to form a toner image. A controller controls the rotation of the PC drums to rotate or not rotate while in contact with the surface of the transport member. |
| US07729643B2 |
Developer supplying cartridge, developer receiving cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developer supply cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes: a developer accommodator accommodating a developer; a discharging opening discharging the developer accommodated in the accommodator to a developer receiving opening of a developer receiving cartridge developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with the developer, and being detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus; a shutter movable between an opening position opening the discharging opening and a closing position closing the discharging opening; an engager engaging the developer receiving cartridge to receive, from the developer receiving cartridge, a force for moving the shutter from the closing to the opening position, in interrelation with a relative movement between the developer supply cartridge and the developer receiving cartridge toward each other in a mounting-and-demounting direction of the developer supply cartridge relative to the image forming apparatus. |
| US07729642B2 |
Stress-reduceable transport unit and image forming apparatus using the same
An agent transport unit for transporting an agent from a first container to a second container includes a transport route and a pump. The transport route connects the first container and second container, and includes at least one of a first route, a second route, and a third route. The first route extends in a substantially horizontal direction, the second route extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the third route extends in a substantially inclined direction with a repose angle equal to or less than that of the agent. The pump supplies a gas flow into the transport route to transport the agent in the transport route. |
| US07729640B2 |
Carriage for image scanning unit including radiation plate for conducting heat
A carriage for an image scanning unit which scans an image on an object is provided with a light source, a reflecting member placed to face the light source and configured to reflect a light emitted from the light source toward the object to illuminate the image, a housing that contains the light source and the reflecting member, the housing having an opening which allows the light reflected by the reflecting member to pass through and proceed toward the object, and a radiation plate connected to the reflecting member so that heat is conducted from the reflecting member to the radiation plate, at least part of the radiation plate being exposed to outside the housing. |
| US07729636B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming device
A plurality of process cartridges are installed and removed in a lateral direction of an image forming device main body. A conveying belt unit in the device main body includes a conveying belt that upwardly conveys a sheet on which an image is to be formed and a frame that supports an entraining roller at which the conveying belt is entrained. The image forming device includes a guide that guides the plurality of process cartridges to their installed positions in the device main body. The plurality of process cartridges correspond to respective toners of a plurality of colors. Each of the process cartridges includes a housing that supports a photosensitive drum which rotates in a predetermined direction. Each of the process cartridges also includes a handle having the same color as that of the frame of the conveying belt unit and which is formed integrally with the housing. |
| US07729631B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of preventing waste of developer
A mode setting portion sets a mode to either one of a normal mode in which a developer amount set value T is set to a base developer amount Tbase and a developer-saving mode in which the value T is set to a value smaller than the base developer amount Tbase based on a saving coefficient S. A parameter obtaining portion obtains both a cumulative number of printed sheets Pttl and a developer remaining amount Rt. A determining portion determines in the developer-saving mode whether a first inequality Rt≦Tbase×Sdef×(Pmax−Pttl) is satisfied. A saving-coefficient setting portion sets the saving coefficient S to a default saving coefficient Sdef if the determining portion determines that the first inequality is satisfied, and sets the saving coefficient S to a value satisfying a second inequality Sdef |
| US07729630B2 |
System and method for generating a user customizable default user interface for a document processing device
The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating a user customizable default user interface for a document processing device. First, screen data representing each of a plurality of different user interfaces is stored. Each user interface includes visual representations of a unique subset of controls associated with operation of the associated document processing device. Identification data is then acquired from an associated user. A display is generated representing each of the different user interfaces. Selection data representing a selected user interface as a default user interface is then received. Data associating the default user interface with the identification data is stored. Thereafter, a display is generated of the default user interface upon login of the associated user on the document processing device. |
| US07729624B2 |
Method and device for transporting toner material, preferably in an electrophotographic printer or copier
In a method and system for determination of a fill state of a transport reservoir for toner material, toner material is transported from a transport reservoir into a developer station with aid of a toner transport system of a printer or copier. At least a toner material quantity supplied to the developer station is detected. The detected toner material quantity is associated with the transport reservoir from which the toner material is extracted. |
| US07729618B2 |
Optical networks for consumer electronics
Digital optical networks for communication between digital consumer electronic devices are disclosed. A digital optical network can include an input interface configured to electrically couple to a DVI or HDMI receptacle of a source device. The input interface includes an optical transmitter for converting a TMDS signal into an optical signal. An input optical fiber optically coupled to the optical transmitter receives the optical signal. A coupler is coupled to the input optical fiber and couples the optical signal with at least one of multiple output optical fibers coupled to the coupler. Output interfaces each include an optical transmitter for converting the optical signal back into the electrical TMDS signal. The output interfaces are configured to electrically couple the TMDS signals with respective DVI or HDMI receptacles of DVI or HDMI sink devices. |
| US07729616B2 |
Phase chip frequency-bins optical code division multiple access
Apparatus and system for transmitting and receiving optical code division multiple access data over an optical network. The apparatus comprises a spectral phase decoder for decoding the encoded optical signal to produce a decoded signal, a time gate for temporally extracting a user signal from the decoded signal, and a demodulator that is operable to extract user data from the user signal. The system preferably comprises a source for generating a sequence of optical pulses, each optical pulse comprising a plurality of spectral lines uniformly spaced in frequency so as to define a frequency bin, a data modulator associated with a subscriber and operable to modulate the sequence of pulses using subscriber data to produce a modulated data signals and a Hadamard encoder associated with the data modulator and operable to spectrally encode the modulated data signal to produce an encoded data signal. |
| US07729610B2 |
Imaging apparatus and light shielding member
There is provided an imaging apparatus having (a) an eyepiece type viewfinder formed on a predetermined plane of the imaging apparatus; (b) an operation member for diopter adjustment of said viewfinder; and (c) a light shielding member for suppressing entrance of external light into said viewfinder, the light shielding member protruding from the predetermined plane around the viewfinder by a constant height. In the apparatus, the operation member is disposed not to protrude from an outer border of the predetermined plane, and a recess is formed in the light shielding member above the operation member so that the operation member is substantially accommodated in the recess inner than an opening edge of the recess. |
| US07729608B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method comprising a first step of displaying a moving image being captured on a display and a second step of displaying a still image captured in response to a still image capture instruction on the display simultaneously with the moving image being captured when receiving the still image capture instruction during display of the moving image on the display in the first step and an image processing apparatus using the same. |
| US07729598B2 |
Recording medium, reproduction apparatus, recording method, program, and reproduction method
On a BD-ROM, there is recorded is a digital stream into which video and audio streams are multiplexed. The video stream is composed of a plurality of pictures that together represent video. The graphics stream includes a PES packet storing state control information (ICS) and PES packets containing graphics data (ODSs). The graphics data constructs an interactive display. The state control information defines the control so as to change the states of buttons presented on the interactive display according to the reproduction proceeding and user operations.The ICS is attached with a PTS showing the display timing of a picture to be synchronized with the interactive display. The ODS is attached with a PTS showing the timing for decoding the graphics data. The timing shown in the ODS is prior to the display timing. |
| US07729597B2 |
System and method for producing medical image data onto portable digital recording media
This application discloses a system for recording medical image data for production on a portable digital recording medium such as CDs and DVDs. This system includes a receiving module, a processing module and an output module, with viewing program for viewing medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It also discloses a method of storing medical image data on a portable digital recording medium, including the steps of receiving the medical image data, processing the data and storing the data on the portable digital recording medium, with a viewing program for viewing medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It further discloses a method of selecting medical image data for recording on a portable digital recording medium, including the steps of connecting a browsing terminal to a computer database that stores the medical image data, selecting a first set of the medical image data from the computer database, and recording the selected first set of medical image data on the portable digital medium, with a viewing program for viewing the medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It also discloses the method and system of retrieving medical image data that are related to the received/selected original medical image data, and recording the original and related medical image data on a portable digital recording medium. |
| US07729593B2 |
Image and sound output system, image and sound data output device, and recording medium
An image and sound output system includes an image and sound data output device, and an image display device that is connected to the image and sound data output device through a transmission path. Further, the image and sound data output device includes an image and sound data separating unit, an image data transmitting unit that transmits the separated image data to the image display device, a sound data output unit that outputs the separated sound data, an image data analyzing unit that analyzes image data transmitted to the image display device by the image data transmitting unit, a sound output adjusting time creating unit, and a sound output synchronization adjusting unit. Furthermore, the image display device includes an image data receiving unit that receives image data transmitted by the image and sound data output device, an image processing unit. |
| US07729584B2 |
Method of providing mid-span access to an optical fiber ribbon cable and the optical fiber ribbon cable
A method of facilitating mid-span access of an optical fiber ribbon cable, and the resulting cable, that provides for redeveloping and/or modifying excess ribbon length with the accessed cable structure. The method includes the use of a form placed within the cable structure that controls the excess ribbon length. The method may further include the reconstitution of severed strength members. |
| US07729583B2 |
Flexible optical closure and other flexible optical assemblies
Flexible closures and other flexible optical assemblies that are installed within a factory, or in the field, and then deployed using cable installation methods, wherein the flexible closures and assemblies have the ability to bend and twist without incurring physical damage to their structure, optical fibers and splices disposed within, and without significant attenuation in the optical fibers when exposed to conventional installation stresses. Flexible closures that replace conventional substantially rigid closures in order to facilitate pre-engineered and assembled distribution cable installation within an optical network, and the physical, bending and material properties of such closures, and methods of manufacturing and installing the same. |
| US07729581B2 |
Optically-enabled integrated circuit package
An optically-enabled integrated circuit (IC) package for connecting an electrical circuit board to an optical fiber is presented. The IC package comprises an OSA having a laser which is pre-aligned with the optical fiber. The OSA further comprises a standard electrical interface for the connection to the microchip and a standard optical interface for the connection to the optical fiber. A set of mechanical concepts for connecting optical connectors and cables to integrated circuit packages is also presented and can be applied for any type of optical connector such as single optical fiber ferrules, MT-RJ type optical ferrules and 2-D MT-type optical ferrules. |
| US07729572B1 |
Optical tapped time delay modules and arrays
An optical time delay module has a plurality of time delay elements connected in a series and a plurality an optical output couplers wherein each of said optical output couplers is operationally connected between one or more time delay elements in said series, the optical output couplers providing a plurality of optical outputs from said module with different optical delays controlled by an analog voltage. |
| US07729541B2 |
Comparative and analytic apparatus method for converting two-dimensional bit map data into three-dimensional data
A method is provided for converting a two-dimensional image or bitmap of a handwritten manuscript into three-dimensional data The three-dimensional data can be used to automatically recognize features of the manuscript, such as characters or words. The method includes the steps of: converting the two-dimensional image into three-dimensional volumetric data; filtering the three-dimensional volumetric data; and processing the filtered three-dimensional volumetric data to resolve features of the two-dimensional image. The method can be used, for example, to differentiate between ascenders, descenders, loops, curls, and endpoints that define the overall letter forms in handwritten text, manuscripts or signatures. |
| US07729538B2 |
Spatial recognition and grouping of text and graphics
The present invention leverages spatial relationships to provide a systematic means to recognize text and/or graphics. This allows augmentation of a sketched shape with its symbolic meaning, enabling numerous features including smart editing, beautification, and interactive simulation of visual languages. The spatial recognition method obtains a search-based optimization over a large space of possible groupings from simultaneously grouped and recognized sketched shapes. The optimization utilizes a classifier that assigns a class label to a collection of strokes. The overall grouping optimization assumes the properties of the classifier so that if the classifier is scale and rotation invariant the optimization will be as well. Instances of the present invention employ a variant of AdaBoost to facilitate in recognizing/classifying symbols. Instances of the present invention employ dynamic programming and/or A-star search to perform optimization. The present invention applies to both hand-sketched shapes and printed handwritten text, and even heterogeneous mixtures of the two. |
| US07729526B2 |
Fast hierarchical tomography methods and apparatus
Pixel images f are created from projections (q1 . . . qp) by backprojecting (100) selected projections to produce intermediate images (I1, m), and performing digital image coordinate transformations (102) and/or resampling (FIG. 31, 186, 192, 196) on selected intermediate images. The digital image coordinate transformations (102) are chosen to account for view angles of the constituent projections of the intermediate images and for their Fourier characteristics, so that the intermediate images may be accurately represented by sparse samples. The resulting intermediate images are aggregated into subsets (104), and this process is repeated in a recursive manner until sufficient projections and intermediate images have been processed and aggregated to form the pixel image f. Digital image coordinate transformation can include rotation (FIG. 18, 102), shearing (FIG. 10B, 120, 122), stretching, contractions (109), etc. Resampling can include up-sampling (101, 106), down-sampling (109), and the like. Projections (FIG. 32, pθ1 . . . pθ18) can be created from a pixel image (f), by performing digital image coordinate transformation (202) and/or resampling (204) and/or decimation (FIG. 32, 204; FIG. 33, 212) re-projecting the final intermediate image (208). |
| US07729525B2 |
Image evaluation method for two-dimensional projection images and items corresponding thereto
2-D projection images show the temporal course of the distribution of a contrast medium in an examination object containing a vascular system and the surroundings thereof. Each projection image has pixels with pixel values defined by the same areas of the examination object. A computer determines a 2-D evaluation image having pixels corresponding to those of the projection images and assigns each pixel in a sub-area to one of three types, vessel, perfused part of the surroundings or non-perfused part of the surroundings. The computer assigns an extent of a perfusion in the pixels of the evaluation image assigned the type of perfused part of the surroundings to the respective pixel. The type and extend are determined from the temporal course of the pixel values of the pixels of the projection image which is in a two-dimensional evaluation core defined by a respective pixel of the evaluation image. |
| US07729524B2 |
Assessment of radiographic systems and operators using task-based phantom
A method for image quality assessment of a digital radiography system extracts and isolates one or more individual targets from a phantom image, then obtains operator responses by displaying each isolated individual target and recording a corresponding operator response related to image appearance for each isolated individual target. The accumulated operator responses are stored to obtain the image quality assessment. |
| US07729523B2 |
Method and system for viewing image data
A technique is provided for viewing image data via a user interface. The technique includes displaying two or more selectable tabs and displaying a corresponding analysis for a selected tab. Each tab corresponds to an analysis of a set of radiological images and the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features. The technique also includes displaying a corresponding image for a selected feature such that the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image. |
| US07729517B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing fibres
According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for estimating the fiber fineness of a known mass of fibers, the apparatus including: an image capturing device for capturing either i) all of the fibers selected for testing or ii) a fraction thereof, in one or more images; a computer capable of automatically determining the total length of fiber or fibers in the or each image; and a means for estimating the fiber fineness of the fibers using the total fiber length in the image(s). |
| US07729509B2 |
Illuminated lens device for use in object authentication
An illuminated lens device for use in viewing authentication images is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a housing interior. The housing has a proximal end with a proximal aperture and an opposing distal end with a distal aperture. The lens device further includes a lens disposed at least partially within the housing interior. The lens is configured and positioned so that at least a portion of an authentication image is viewable through the proximal aperture when the housing is placed with the distal aperture aligned with and adjacent the at least a portion of the authentication image. The lens device also includes at least one light source disposed within the housing interior. The at least one light source is configured to illuminate the authentication image with light in a predetermined frequency range when the housing is placed with the distal aperture adjacent the authentication image. |
| US07729504B2 |
Ferrofluid centered voice coil speaker
An audio speaker has a driver unit having a support frame with a central portion forming a magnetic structure defining an annular gap around a central magnetic post, a vibration system having a diaphragm and a voice coil, the voice coil is attached to one side of the diaphragm where the vibration system is fixed to the support frame and where the voice coil is movably mounted in the annular gap, and a magnetic fluid disposed in the annular gap only in a space between one side of the voice coil and a surface of the annular gap having a higher magnetic flux density. |
| US07729502B2 |
Hearing aid tube molding heater
An improved device for heating hearing aid microtubes is presented, the invention comprised of inexpensive electrical parts and a simple plastic base. The device possesses a heater flue that is shaped to concentrate the heat from the heating element along a short length of the hearing aid audio tube to be formed as well as a metal reflector to increase the efficiency of the heater element. The device has nonskid feet and air holes to improve the cooling of the device. |
| US07729495B2 |
System and method for detecting unauthorized copying of encrypted data
A system and method is provided for detecting unauthorized actions with respect to encrypted data on a media disk, the media disk including a first portion for prerecorded content and a second portion for written content. The method includes reading an identifier on the media disk, wherein the identifier includes one or more sections located in one of the first portion for pre-recorded content, the second portion for written content, and both the first portion for pre-recorded content and the second portion for written content, determining whether the identifier includes a section located in the second portion written content, comparing the identifier with one or more predetermined types of identifiers for which a section is located in the second portion for written content, and if the identifier is of a type that is one of the one or more predetermined types of identifiers, detecting an unauthorized action. |
| US07729494B2 |
Squared Weil and Tate pairing techniques for use with elliptic curves
Methods and apparati are provided for use in determining “Squared Weil pairings” and/or “Squared Tate Pairing” based on an elliptic curve, for example, and which are then used to support cryptographic processing of selected information. Significant improvements are provided in computing efficiency over the conventional implementation of the Weil and Tate pairings. The resulting Squared Weil and/or Tate pairings can be substituted for conventional Weil or Tate pairings in a variety of applications. |
| US07729470B2 |
Medical device with radiation-heated subject-contacting component
A medical device has a compression plate for compression of a subject and/or a subject table for placement of a subject, and at least one radiation source that emits electromagnetic radiation. The compression plate and/or the subject table can be heated by the electromagnetic radiation radiated by the at least one radiation source. |
| US07729457B2 |
Method of weak signal acquisition and associated apparatus
A GPS receiver architecture is disclosed having digital correlation processing in faster than real-time, which is achieved by storing signal samples into a memory in real-time at a first rate and reading packs of stored samples at a second higher rate. For mitigating cross-correlation interference from the strong signal to reception of weak ones, a group of compensator blocks is introduced. A method of interference waveform reproducing is disclosed that compensates influence of stronger signal over long coherent accumulation intervals, not complicating processing of the strong signal over shorter coherent accumulation intervals. Search bins corrupted by under-compensated interference are pre-calculated and discarded. |
| US07729452B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for high-speed transmission on fiber optic channel
Multi-carrier modulation fiber optic systems constructed using a series of electrical carriers, modulating the data on the electrical carriers and combining the carriers to form a wideband signal. The wideband signal can then be intensity modulated on a laser and coupled to a fiber optic channel. A receiver may then receive the laser signal from the fiber optic channel and convert it into an electrical signal. Multi-carrier modulation may be applied to existing fiber channels, which may be of lower quality. Existing fiber channels may have characteristics which prevent or restrict the transmission of data using intensity modulation at certain frequencies. An adaptive multi-carrier modulation transmitter may characterize an existing fiber optic channel and ascertain the overall characteristics of the channel. The transmitter and receiver can then be configured to use various bandwidths and various modulations in order to match the transfer characteristic of the fiber channel. |
| US07729448B2 |
Frontend module having two inputs for the reception of transmitted signals
A frontend module includes a first and a second input for transmitted signals, an amplifier, a bypass line for bypassing the amplifier, an output and a switching unit. The switching unit either forms a signal path between the first input and the output, in which the amplifier or the bypass line is coupled, or forms a signal path between the second input and the output, in which the amplifier or the bypass line is coupled. |
| US07729446B2 |
System and method for digitally correcting a non-linear element using a multiply partitioned architecture for predistortion
Digital predistortion system, methods and circuitry for linearizing a non-linear element using a multiply partitioned architecture that first addresses long or “memory” effects, and separately addresses shorter duration effects. These blocks or circuits are operated with the non-linear element to provide a highly linear system. A first or long predistortion block receives a baseband signal input and includes a plurality of parallel memory blocks each including a programmable linearity, a digital filter, summers, multipliers and multiplexers with control signals for configuring the blocks to form filters of different types. A second or short predistortion block is coupled to the long predistortion block and comprises a generalized Nth order polynomial filter coupled to a programmable linear equalizer. The first predistorter block compensates for effects of a longer duration, and the second predistorter block compensates for effects of a shorter duration. Methods for initializing, parameterizing and adapting the system are disclosed. |
| US07729443B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication method of repetition system and the like for ensuring that when the same data symbols are combined, a diversity gain is achieved. In a step (ST 420), a data symbol placing part (105) decides destination places of respective replicated data symbols (S1-S4) such that the same data symbols are not placed at destination place numbers (7,8) of data symbols that exhibit poor channel estimation precisions. In a step (ST 430), the data symbol placing part (105) places, in accordance with the decision in the foregoing step (ST 420), the four data symbols (S1-S4), which are received from a repetition part (102), in one frame received from a channel estimation error predicting part (104). |
| US07729442B2 |
Method and system for transmitting data in a communication system
A method and system are provided for transmitting data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system. A receiver sets the number of sub-streams of each column of a preceding matrix with respect to all precoding matrices of channels formed between the receiver and a transmitter and measures channel states with respect to sub-stream combinations whose number is equivalent to the number of set sub-streams. The receiver transmits data according to channel states to the transmitter after measuring the channel states with respect to the sub-stream combinations and antenna combinations representing sub-streams used upon data transmission of all the precoding matrices. |
| US07729440B2 |
Frequency modulator for digital transmissions
The invention relates to a method of transmitting digital data exhibiting a rate T by means of a frequency modulator able to modulate as a function of the data, a central carrier frequency f0 at a first frequency value f0+¼T and/or a second frequency value f0−¼T. It comprises the step consisting in modulating the carrier frequency from one of the frequency values to the other during a time interval T, via successive frequency stages. |
| US07729431B2 |
Method and system for antenna interference cancellation
A wireless communication system can comprise two or more antennas that interfere with one another via free space coupling, surface wave crosstalk, dielectric leakage, or other interference effect. The interference effect can produce an interference signal on one of the antennas. A cancellation device can suppress antenna interference by generating an estimate of the interference signal and subtracting the estimate from the interference signal. The cancellation device can generate the estimate based on sampling signals on an antenna that generates the interference or on an antenna that receives the interference. The cancellation device can comprise a model of the crosstalk effect. Transmitting test signals on the communication system can define or refine the model. |
| US07729430B2 |
Autodetect feature for a spacewire application
An autodetect circuit for a router system includes an interface to two bidirectional serial links, an input multiplexer circuit coupled to one side of the link interface for receiving input data signals and clock signals, a receiver coupled to the input multiplexer circuit and to a receive FIFO, a state machine coupled to the receiver, a transmitter coupled to the state machine, a transmit FIFO, and to the other side of the link interface for transmitting output data, and a counter coupled to the state machine for controlling the input multiplexer circuit. The autodetect circuit determines which of the two links “A” or “B” is active and available for transmission. The counter is incremented whenever a link reset occurs. When the count reaches a predetermined maximum count value, a port enable signal is toggled from the default “A” link to the “B” link. When one port is enabled, any activity on the other port is ignored. |
| US07729429B1 |
Active replica transformer hybrid
A communication circuit comprises a near end transmitter, and adjustable near end replication transmitter and a near end receiver. The near end transmitter is configured to generate a transmission signal and comprises a first plurality of current sources. Outputs of the first plurality of current sources are summed to generate the transmission signal. The adjustable near end replication transmitter comprises a second plurality of current sources. Outputs of the second plurality of current sources are summed to generate a replication signal in accordance with the transmission signal. The replication signal from the adjustable near end replication transmitter is subtracted from the transmission signal from the near end transmitter and a received signal from a communication channel to generate a subtraction signal. The near end receiver is configured to receive the subtraction signal. |
| US07729419B1 |
Reconditioning equalizer filter using convolution
A technique for a reconditioning equalizer filter using convolution is described. The input to a transmitter chain is modified by a reconditioning equalizer filter using convolution prior to being applied to the transmitter. The reconditioning equalizer filter modifies and smoothen the amplitude of the main baseband signal. The modified and smoothen main baseband signal has its peaks reduced which results to lower Crest Factor. The input to the reconditioning equalizer filter using convolution could be a baseband, an intermediate frequency (IF) or radio frequency (RF) signal. When the signal is an IF or RF signal it needs to be down converted to baseband before applied to reconditioning equalizer filter using convolution. |
| US07729418B2 |
Testing circuit for measuring a frequency of signal output from clock generator
A testing circuit measures a center frequency of a clock signal outputted by a clock generator. The clock generator has a frequency modulator capable of (1) performing a frequency sampling accurately for the duration of modulation frequency and reducing the duration for frequency measurements, and (2) implementing proper testing of the down-spread controlling feature as one of the SSCG modulation functions by accurately determining the center frequency of the clock signal. The testing circuit measures a center frequency of a clock signal outputted by a clock generator by converting an analog modulation signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal, counting the period of the clock signal to obtain a count according to the digital signal outputted by the clock generator, and comparing the count with the predetermined specification values related to the center frequency of the clock signal to obtain and output a comparison result. |
| US07729412B2 |
Parameter estimator with dynamically variable integration time
A parameter estimator for estimating one or more parameter(s) from a correlation function derived from a signal using a dynamically variable integration time is described. The parameter estimator may be employed in a subscriber station to estimate the time of arrival of one or more base station or sector pilot signals in a wireless communication system. This information may be utilized in an overall advanced forward link trilateration (AFLT) process for estimating the location of the subscriber station. |
| US07729407B2 |
Single-pulse and multi-pulse transmitted reference impulse radio systems with energy detecting receivers
A transmitted reference ultra-wide band communication signal embodied in an electromagnetic wave and configured to communicate a data value includes a first frame having a first reference pulse and a first data pulse. The first reference pulse has a reference polarity and the first data pulse has a data polarity. The first reference pulse is separated from the first reference pulse by a delay time. The reference polarity is set based on a predetermined reference value and a first pseudo-random polarity code sequence, and the data polarity is set based on the data value and a second pseudo-random polarity code sequence. A receiver configured to receive the signal, a transmitter configured to transmit the signal, and a system of transmitters and receivers are also provided. |
| US07729400B2 |
External cavity type semiconductor laser
An external cavity type semiconductor laser that has a larger output and a more excellent single mode characteristic than a conventional external cavity type semiconductor laser is provided. The external cavity type semiconductor laser has a laser diode 11, a window glass 16, a grating, and a lens. The external cavity type semiconductor laser has several modifications over the conventional one. A first modification is that the window glass 16 is inclined to a beam emission surface 19 of a laser diode 11 for a predetermined angle. A second modification is that arrangements of the laser diode 11 and so forth are adjusted so that a S wave reaches the grating. A third modification is that when an output power of the laser diode 11 is 45 mW or less, a kink is suppressed. The other modifications are that a reflectance of a beam emission surface of the laser diode 11, a numerical aperture of the lens, an external cavity length, and a reflectance of a first order beam of the grating are optimized to their proper values. |
| US07729392B2 |
Monoblock laser with reflective substrate
In an internal OPO, a substrate comprising a thin film lies along an axis and a first mirror reflects first wavelength light. A gain medium lases and polarizes light entering therein and a Q-switch attenuates and transmits first wavelength light. An HR/HT mirror passes first wavelength light and reflects a second wavelength light, and an OPO rod converts a portion of the first wavelength light into second wavelength light. An output coupler (OC) reflects first wavelength light and passes a portion of second wavelength light, the first wavelength reflecting between the first mirror, the OC and through the gain medium and the Q-switch. The second wavelength light reflects between the HR/HT mirror and OC and through the OPO rod. The invention applies to external OPO as well.The thin film reflects the light towards the gain medium, permitting a lower power lightsource and increasing the efficiency of the gain medium. |
| US07729391B2 |
Transmitting device with discard control of specific media data
A transmitting device includes a first buffer for temporarily storing audio data, a second buffer for temporarily storing video data, a multiplexing unit for outputting audio data coming from the first buffer and video data coming from the second buffer onto a single signal channel, and a transmission buffer monitoring unit for monitoring the amount of first buffered data stored in the first buffer and, if the amount of the first buffered data exceeds a first threshold, instructing the second buffer to discard video data. |
| US07729382B2 |
Wireless computer system with queue and scheduler
A wireless computer system (30) is formed to have a host section (31) and a wireless hardware section (40). A first portion of a transmission frame is formed in system memory (36) of a host section (31) and a second portion of the transmission frame is formed in the wireless hardware section (40). The wireless hardware section (40) begins transmitting the first transmission frame portion while downloading the second transmission frame portion from the system memory (36) into the wireless hardware section (40). |
| US07729377B2 |
Method for scheduling distributed virtual resource blocks
A method for efficiently scheduling virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks is disclosed. In a wireless mobile communication system that supports a resource block group (RBG) allocation scheme, for distributed mapping of consecutively allocated virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks, there is proposed a mapping method capable of increasing the number of distributed virtual resource blocks to a maximum while satisfying gap limitations, when the length of the physical resource blocks is different from the length of the distributed virtual resource blocks. Also, the number of distributed virtual resource blocks and the structure of an interleaver are limited for efficient scheduling. |
| US07729375B2 |
Power line communication apparatus and data relay method
The PLC 20 adaptor corresponding to a power line communication apparatus has four PLC bridges 30A to 30D, each of which is correspondingly connected to Ethernet communication connectors 26A to 26D, operation mode setting switches 27A to 27D, display units 28A to 28D. Each PLC bridge 30A to 30D includes a PLC modem unit 301, a bridge unit 302, an Ethernet IF unit 303, and a communication control unit 304. The communication control unit 304 obtains data type information on the basis of setting conditions of switches 27A to 27D corresponding to each communication port. Since the time slot required for the communication link corresponding to the communication port of the PLC network can be obtained on the basis of the data type information, the reservation request can be transmitted to the control terminal. |
| US07729372B2 |
Communicating in a network that includes a medium having varying transmission characteristics
A method and corresponding system for operating in a network in which stations communicate over a shared medium are presented. The shared medium has at least one varying channel characteristic that varies approximately periodically. The method includes providing repeated beacon transmissions from a coordinator station for coordinating transmissions among a plurality of the stations, wherein at least some beacon transmissions are synchronized to the varying channel characteristic; and transmitting from a first station to at least one receiving station during a time slot determined based on at least one of the beacon transmissions received by the first station from the coordinator station. |
| US07729366B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for network mobility of a mobile communication device
A method, device and system for allowing a mobile communication device, such as a DLNA/UPnP device, to continue to communicate with its local network, even when the mobile device leaves or loses contact with the local network. The method includes providing information to a remote access server to create a virtual mobile device in a local network. The virtual device communicates with other devices within the local network as if it is the actual mobile device. The remote access server is configured to route data packets between the virtual device and the mobile device via a second network that does not rely on the mobile nodes connection to the local network. A public IP address of the remote access server provided to the mobile device before the device leaves the local network is used to communicate with the virtual device via an IP-based public network coupled to the local network. |
| US07729360B2 |
Switching network
A switching network forms part of a digital cross-connect for connecting data frames between requested inputs and outputs, and includes an input stage, an intermediate stage, and an output stage, each of which consists of a plurality of switching matrices. Each input stage switching matrix has a link to each intermediate stage switching matrix, and each intermediate stage switching matrix has a link to each output stage switching matrix. Individual time-slots of incoming data frames are independently routed through the switching matrices, reducing the possibility of blocking taking place. |
| US07729359B1 |
Methods and systems for providing address transparency
Improved methods and systems are provided to facilitate delivery services between a sending party and a receiving party while permitting a physical location of the receiving party to remain transparent to the sending party. For example, a system as disclosed herein can permit the receiving party to take delivery of mail, packages, or other articles through the use of a virtual address defined by the receiving party without requiring the receiving party to disclose its physical address to the sending party. In another example, articles may be routed to a temporary physical address of the receiving party through the use of a temporary forwarding path also defined by the receiving party. |
| US07729356B2 |
System and method for transmitting a multimedia message
This invention relates to a telecommunications system for transmitting multimedia messages from a first telecommunications terminal to a second telecommunications terminal via a telecommunications network. The inventive system comprises a message server provided for receiving the messages from the first terminal and for transmitting them to the second telecommunications terminal. The message server comprises means for developing a message broadcasting program to be downloaded by the second terminal for broadcasting the messages according to the characteristics of said second terminal. |
| US07729353B1 |
System, method and computer program product for discovering network connectivity among network devices based on topological information
A network device discovery system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, topological information associated with a plurality of network devices is identified. Further, network connectivity among the plurality of network devices is discovered based on the topological information. |
| US07729352B1 |
System and method for handling flows in a network
A flow in a network is identified and handled by using a virtual host address. A packet is received at a switch with a first virtual host address as its destination address. If the packet is the first packet of a flow received by the switch, then a second virtual host address is determined by the switch. The first virtual host address is stored in a packet forwarding table correlated with the second virtual host address. A subsequently received packet of the same flow has the same first virtual host address as its destination address, and is forwarded to the second virtual host address in accordance with the packet forwarding table. |
| US07729351B2 |
Pipelined packet switching and queuing architecture
An architecture for a line card in a network routing device is provided. The line card architecture provides a bi-directional interface between the routing device and a network, both receiving packets from the network and transmitting the packets to the network through one or more connecting ports. In both the receive and transmit path, packets processing and routing in a multi-stage, parallel pipeline that can operate on several packets at the same time to determine each packet's routing destination is provided. The transmit path of the line card architecture further incorporates additional features for treatment and replication of multicast packets. These features can include a recycle path coupling a gather stage circuit and a fetch stage circuit and can include sequence number logic configured to associate sequence numbers with multicast packet headers. |
| US07729330B2 |
Scheduler and method of scheduling data for communication between a node station and plurality of radio terminals
A method is provided for scheduling downlink and uplink data bursts in a frame for communication between a node station and a plurality of access terminals including half-duplex terminals, comprising the steps of allocating, in a current frame having a downlink and an uplink portion, a Tx burst in the uplink portion of the frame for each access terminal, the Tx burst of each access terminal starting at a time in the uplink portion which is greater than or equal to the start time in the downlink portion of corresponding Rx data incremented by the duration of said Rx data. |
| US07729329B2 |
System, apparatus, method, and computer program for radio communication using a preamble part of a packet to determine a communication channel
A radio communication system includes a plurality of radio communication stations. Each radio communication station performs a random-access operation in a communication environment having a plurality of available communication channels, and assigns a communication channel on a per packet basis to transmit a packet. |