Document Document Title
US07726607B2 Flight passenger seat with an integrated spring element
A flight passenger seat for an airplane. The flight passenger seat may comprise a back element, a seat element and an arm rest. The seat element, back element, and arm rest may be pivotable. Reset elements for an automatic pivoting may be integrated into the back element and the seat element in such a way that they occupy as little traffic area space as possible. In an advantageous manner, this allows for an enlargement of a traffic area in an airplane and thereby may effectuate a reduction of a “turn around” time of an airplane.
US07726599B2 Apparatus and method for dispensing sheet material
A sheet material dispenser includes a controller for automatically controlling the lengths of sheet materials dispensed from a continuous roll by identifying the type of sheet materials on the roll and dispensing suitable lengths of the identified sheet material. The dispenser desirably has a support for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material carrying identification relating to the type of sheet material on the roll, and an identifier positioned in or adjacent the dispenser for identifying the type of sheet material on the roll. A processor receives data from the identifier, processes the data and generates an output command, and a controller controls the lengths of sheet material dispensed from the roll in response to the output command. In this way, more absorbent products may be dispensed in shorter lengths and less absorbent products may be dispensed in longer lengths.
US07726595B2 Pepper mill
A pepper mill includes a receiving unit defining a receiving space, a grinding unit disposed at one end of the receiving space, and a stop unit dividing the receiving space into first and second space portions that are respectively distal from and proximate to the grinding unit. The stop unit is formed with a passage to permit peppercorns in the first space portion to fall into the grinding unit so as to be ground thereby through the second space portion when the pepper mill is disposed at a dispensing position, and is configured to stop a portion of residual ground pepper in the second space portion from reaching the first space portion via the passage when the pepper mill is disposed at a non-dispensing position.
US07726592B2 Process for increasing the refiner production rate and/or decreasing the specific energy of pulping wood
The present invention relates to processes for enhancing a refiner's production rate and/or reducing the specific energy consumption for a freeness target through the use of lubricant(s) or carrier(s)/frictionizer(s), respectively.
US07726589B2 Hand held dual nozzle spray gun and system
A spray gun for applying an electroless plating solution includes a handle, a trigger connected to the handle, a nozzle assembly connected to the handle, a first fluid passage, a second fluid passage, a switch, and a valve assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a first fluid path having a first outlet and a second fluid path having a second outlet. The first fluid passage is in communication with the first outlet of the nozzle. The second fluid passage is in communication with the second outlet of the nozzle. The switch is selectively activated by the trigger upon movement of the trigger. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage. The valve assembly includes a valve and a solenoid. The valve is operable between an open position and a closed position. The solenoid is in electrical communication with the switch and an associated power source. The switch controls the delivery of power to the solenoid and the solenoid operates the valve. A system for applying an electroless plating solution is also disclosed.
US07726588B2 Locking-tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressuriser
A locking tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressure generator is disclosed, which mechanism will allow delivery of a set volume of a liquid, and the volume to be delivered by a high pressure generator can be altered subsequently by adjusting one of the stops of the spring component, which locking tensioning mechanism may be used in a high pressure generator for producing an inhalable aerosol or in a needleless injector for injecting a volume of a liquid into animal or plant tissue.
US07726585B2 External chemical distribution system and method
A chemical distribution system affixes flexible tubing (50) along exterior surfaces (52) of a dwelling (12) and along structures (16) external to the dwelling. The tubing is attached to the exterior surfaces with clamps (54) and exposed for maintenance. The clamps are form-fitted to the tubing. Spray nozzles (58) are inserted into the openings in the tubing for dispensing a chemical solution. The openings can be pre-formed or cut into solid tubing at during installation. A connector (42) has one end coupled to a hose for receiving the chemical solution and another end coupled to the tubing. The fixed distribution system provides for precise and even application of the chemical solution with minimal operator intervention.
US07726579B2 In-chassis TV chip with dynamic purse
An IC with a purse is permanently mounted on the main motherboard of a TV and communicates with the main CPU. The purse chip holds electronic funds, and the user can, by means of OSDs, purchase content and services using the funds. The user can replenish the purse from time to time. The purse chip does not contain personal identifying information, so it facilitates transfer of ownership when a TV is sold and anonymous transactions.
US07726578B2 Progressive unplugging multi-cards body
A card body comprises a first card body (ID-1 card 1), a second card body (plug-in card 2) and a third card body (mini card 3). The first card body has a first shape (ID-1 shape). The second card body comprises a second shape (plug-in shape). The first card body encompasses the second card body. The third card body comprises a third shape (mini shape). The second card body encompasses the third card body. The third card body has a cavity for receiving an electronic module. A first boundary separates the first shape (ID-1 shape) from the second shape (plug-in shape), and comprises a first number of apertures (5, 6, 7, 17, 18) and a first number of notches (19 and 20) defining a first mechanical inter-card body coupling strength (link between ID-1 card 1 and plug-in card 2). A second boundary separates the second shape (plug-in shape) from the third shape (mini shape), and comprises a second number of apertures (21) and a second number of notches (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) defining a second mechanical inter-card body coupling strength (link between plug-in to card 2 and mini card 3). A cumulated length of the first number of apertures (5, 6, 7, 17, 18) is greater than a cumulated length of the second number of apertures (21) and a cumulated length of the first number of notches (19 and 20) is lesser than a cumulated length of the second number of notches (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) so that the second mechanical coupling strength is greater than the first mechanical coupling strength.
US07726576B2 Rotatable/removable keyboard
A system that facilitates desirable orientation of a display on a machine data reader comprises a keypad that is moveable with respect to a body of the machine data reader, the keypad utilized to relay information to the machine data reader. The system further comprises a component that senses a position of the keypad, and a component that orients the display based at least in part upon the sensed position of the keypad.
US07726565B1 Insertable and removable magnetic stripe reader head protection device
An insertable and removable reader head protection device for a magnetic stripe reader is provided including a thin, non-ferromagnetic insertable panel that is disposed between the reader head and the magnetic stripe card, as the magnetic stripe card is inserted and swiped. The insertable and removable panel is adapted to protect the reader head from dirt, oil, and the like when inserted in the magnetic stripe reader and is adapted to be manually removable from this dirt-shielding position for manual cleaning. The reader head protection device provided includes embodiments both for use as an add-on accessory with existing types of magnetic stripe readers and for use during the initial manufacture of new magnetic stripe readers. When using the magnetic stripe reader head protection device the magnetic stripe reader owner will reduce downtime due to non-operational readers and reduce the cost of cleaning cards and service costs.
US07726555B2 Slave wheel counter mechanism useable with an inhaler
A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.
US07726550B2 Insert with a return mailer
A mailer is disclosed for distributing advertisements and invoices. The mailer provides an envelope for returning the invoices and a buck slip for displaying advertisements and incentives. The return mailer is attached to the mailer and removed from the mailer simultaneously upon the opening of the mailer.
US07726548B2 Reusable envelope structures and methods
The present invention provides reusable envelope structures, kits for forming reusable envelope structures, and methods of using envelopes formed from such structures and kits. Reusable envelope structures can be formed and kits can be formed for converting existing envelopes to reusable envelopes in accordance with the present invention. As such, envelopes may advantageously be provided that can be reused one or more times.
US07726544B2 Method of packaging flip chip and method of forming pre-solders on substrate thereof
A method of forming pre-solders on a substrate is provided. Firstly, a substrate is provided. The substrate includes an upper surface and a lower surface. There are several metal circuits and a solder mask both on the upper and the lower surfaces. Each solder mask covers parts of the corresponding metal circuits and parts of the corresponding surface for exposing parts of several pads of the corresponding metal circuits. Then, a patterned photo-resist film is formed on the upper surface. The patterned photo-resist film has several openings for exposing the upper-surface pads. Afterwards, several metal materials are formed in the opening by printing. Thereon, the metal materials are reflown to form several pre-solders on the upper-surface pads. Finally, the patterned photo-resist film is removed.
US07726543B2 Method for the production of a soldered joint
A method for the production of a soldered joint between at least two contact partners (22, 23) of a bonding arrangement (21), with a formed piece of solder material (27) being arranged at a distance to the bonding arrangement. The formed piece of solder material is at least partially melted off. The at least partially melted off formed piece of solder material being thrust against a bonding arrangement in such a way that both bonding partners are wetted in a bonding area to establish an electrically conductive bonding.
US07726542B2 Friction-welded assembly with interlocking feature and method for forming the assembly
A welded assembly includes a weld joint formed via a spin-welding process. A disc receives a cylinder prior to spin-welding, with the disc having a circumferential groove undercutting or defining an annular shelf. An interlocking feature retaining the cylinder and disc is formed between a flow pattern of the cylinder and the annular shelf upon cooling of molten flash in the groove underneath the annular shelf. Teeth can be formed integrally with the disc to provide a torsional interlocking feature between the disc and cylinder. A method for forming a weld joint between a plastic cylinder and disc includes providing the disc with a circumferential groove forming an annular shelf, and rotating the cylinder with respect to the disc under an axial force to thereby form an outflow of molten flash. The flash forms an interlocking feature when cooled after flowing into the groove underneath the shelf.
US07726538B2 Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
US07726532B2 Method and apparatus for forming cracks
A method for forming a crack which can precisely form a crack in a desired direction in substrates made of brittle materials even if the substrate of a large size is placed apart from a correct reference position on the scribe table.According to this method, a crack formation presumed line M is formed following the position separated from a beam travel line L, which is the track of the movement of the center of the beam spot B, by an offset amount O by moving a beam spot B relatively to a substrate G so that the beam travel line L can be in an oblique direction to a reference axis direction X set so as to be coincident with the substantial major axis direction of the beam spot B, and further a cooling spot C is relatively moved following the crack formation presumed line M, and thereby a vertical crack is formed following the crack formation presumed line M.
US07726530B1 Ergonomic backpack
An ergonomic backpack that comprises a main compartment, an elongated longitudinal curved-shaped back support, padding, and a strap assembly. The main compartment defines a substantially hollow first cavity. The elongated longitudinal curved-shaped back support has curvature areas. One curvature area complements and supports a thoracic vertebrae of a human vertebral column, and the other curvature area complements and supports a lumbar vertebrae. The padding comprises dorsal padding and lumbar padding. The dorsal padding and the lumbar padding are of a sufficient predetermined thickness to dispense pressure upon the human vertebral column. The pressure results from a force established by a weight of matter housed within the first cavity, or otherwise secured upon the main compartment. The strap assembly is fixedly secured to the main compartment and comprises shoulder straps, chest straps, and waist straps. The strap assembly also dispenses the pressure resulting from the force described above.
US07726526B2 Latex glove removal and disposal device
A latex glove removal and disposal device including a container having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. A cover member is dimensioned for positioning over the open upper end of the container. The cover member has a closed upper end, an open lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. The front wall of the cover member has an opening therethrough. A glove removal apparatus is secured to the container and is positionable between a person's wrist and an opening of a latex glove to facilitate removal of the latex glove from the person's hand.
US07726525B2 Tap for dispensing liquids from vessels
A tap (1) is disclosed for dispensing liquids from a vessel, composed of: a body (3) made in a single piece comprising: a supporting member (5) from which a liquid dispensing mouth (7) and air entering mouths (9) project; a resilient thrusting member (11) that allows/prevents the dispensing of liquids; and winged abutting means (12); and a valve member (14) contained inside the body (3) and adapted to engage at one end the outlet mouth of the vessel in order to open/close it, and adapted to further engage the resilient member (11) to open and close the liquid dispensing opening.
US07726516B2 Pump
A minute quantity viscous material dispenser employing a pressurized material source and a reciprocating piston is driven by a variable drive which is controlled in response to a signal reflective of piston position and wherein the drive can be controlled for direction, stroke distance, speed, acceleration, and force and wherein the drive is coupled to the piston through a quick disconnect.
US07726510B2 Brush wiping device and method of use
A brush wiping device and a method of using the brush wiping device is disclosed. The brush wiping device can be attached to an upper surface of a container which is capable of housing a fluid, for example, paint. The brush wiping device includes a first surface, a second surface and a thickness therebetween. The brush wiping device also includes an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The inner perimeter extends completely through the thickness of the brush wiping device and is configured to include a brush dipping aperture, a brush wiping aperture and a brush transfer aperture. The brush transfer aperture communicates with both the brush dipping aperture and the brush wiping aperture. The brush wiping device further includes an attachment member used to removably secure the brush wiping device to the upper surface of the container.
US07726507B2 Storage container
A container for hazardous wastes, such as, plutonium wastes, includes a can and a lid wherein the lid is locked to and sealed with respect to the can by radially projected locking bolts. In order to lock the lid to the can the bolts are cammed radially by rotating a U-shaped handle to place the locking bolts behind a locking rim at the mouth of the can. The bolts are then pivoted to apply an axial force to the locking rim to urge the lid against a gasket to seal the lid by turning a threaded axial force element to pivot the locking bolts on the fulcrums.
US07726496B2 Shipping and storage system
Shipping and storage systems convertible between containers and racks are provided. Collapsible shipping and storage systems are provided, which include pallets with novel locking mechanisms. An embodiment includes a first pallet having an interface fitting and a locking component, a second pallet having a second interface fitting and a second locking component, and structural support members positionable between the pallets for supporting one of the pallets in spaced relation over the other pallet. The structural support members may include frame members and walls interchangeable with one another. The frame members may be combined with the pallets to establish a rack system having an open storage area. The walls also may be combined with the pallets to establish a storage container having a compartment.
US07726491B2 Bituminous froth hydrocarbon cyclone
An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet.
US07726487B2 Complementary personal lubricant compositions
This invention relates to novel compositions and methods of use by which the compositions of this invention are applied topically to one or more body parts of at least two individuals who bring said body parts into contact with the other individual and, when said body parts come into contact with each other, permit the formulations to interact and thereby achieve an unexpected sensation to each individual.
US07726483B2 Stacked containers
The container can be locked into a stack of containers. A container cover locks onto the top of a container base to define a sealed area for storage. Additionally, the bottom of a second container base can be locked onto the top of the cover of a first container. In this fashion, when closed containers are stacked, they form a locked stack that is more structurally rigid and therefore less precarious than a traditional, non-locked container stack. When not in use, the bases can be formed into a nested stack, and their covers can be locked together to form a locked cover stack. The locked cover stack can be locked to either the top or bottom of the nested base stack to form a rigid stack. In some embodiments, a cover can be turned upside down and its bottom face locked onto the bottom face of a base.
US07726482B2 Display packaging for reconfigurable product
The present invention is directed generally to container for reconfigurable products and, in particular, to a display package operable to display a product in multiple configurations. The display package may include product housing portions adapted to slide from a first, adjacent position, where one product portion is positioned adjacent to another product portion, to a second, separated position, where one product portion is spaced from the other product portion. The display package may include a plurality of product housings adapted to rotate with respect to each other along a common axis such that product portions within the product housings may be selectively aligned to form desired configurations of a completed, displayed product. The display package may include a stationary housing section and a movable housing section adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary housing section such that the product portions within the movable housing section may be selectively aligned with the product portions of the stationary housing section.
US07726480B2 Display pack and packaging method and apparatus
A display pack for a consumer product is made of two sheets of corrugated cardboard and a clear plastic container with a flat insertion portion sandwiched between the cardboard sheets. The two cardboard sheets are adhered together in a peripheral area of the package by a heat-sensitive adhesive, and the corrugations of the cardboard sheets are crushed and flattened in the peripheral area. To seal the package, the peripheral area of the two cardboard sheets is subject to sufficient pressure to crush the corrugations inside the cardboard sheets and flatten them in that area. Heat is applied to the outer side of the cardboard sheets in the peripheral area and conducted to the adhesive material between the two sheets to activate the adhesive material. A sealer machine with a heated sealing press or parallel sets of heated rollers may be used to carry out the sealing process.
US07726475B2 Multiple disc storage container
A disc storage container for holding multiple discs comprising, a front container cover, a back container cover, and a spine, and attachment means on the spine, the front container cover and back container cover being moveable between a container open position enabling access to the contents of the container and a container closed position for storage purposes. A multi-tray assembly for retaining a plurality of discs within the container, the multi-tray assembly comprising two connectors and two trays for retaining and holding discs, each connector comprising a container-engaging member for engaging to the attachment means on the spine of the container and two holding means for rotatably holding a respective tray, so that each tray can be rotated about the holding means of the connectors to allow access to the discs retained by the trays when the container is in a container open position.
US07726474B2 Side-opening hinge-lid container with audible indication of closure and/or opening
A side-opening hinge-lid container for elongate smoking articles may include a body portion and a lid portion, with the lid portion connected to the body portion along a hinge line for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position, in which at least a portion of the interior of the body portion is accessible. A body portion liner may be provided, and being mounted in the body portion while projecting sideways therefrom into a space covered by the lid portion in the closed position. An outwardly extending ear mounted on the body portion liner. An inwardly extending flap hingedly mounted in the lid portion for pivotal movement relative thereto. During pivotal movement of the lid portion between the open and closed positions, the flap engages the ear to produce a sound.
US07726469B2 Conveyor chain
A section of chain for conveying product along a material handling system includes a pin connecting a center link between two side links. The pin may be dialable or selectably positioned at the side links to control and adjust the wear surface of the pin relative to the chain links. The pin may have a rotationally non-symmetrical shaft portion to provide different wear surfaces that engage a center link of the section of chain. The different wear surfaces may be sized and shaped to accommodate wear at the wear surface of the center link. The shaft portion may include a rotationally non-symmetrical ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. The pin may be dialed to the next position or wear surface in response to an output of a wear measurement device or system.
US07726468B2 Conveyor belt and conveyor comprising said belt
A floating conveyor belt (20) for a belt conveyor forms a loop and includes a surface (32) for receiving transportable products arranged on one face thereof and a surface (30) supported by a support structure and arranged on the other surface thereof. The belt (20) is embodied in the form of an unflattened tube over the main part thereof and contains the product receiving surface (32) arranged thereinside, thereby delimiting a closed tubular space for confining transported products.
US07726460B2 Tray transfer system
The present invention relates to a tray transfer system (TTS). This system is designed to automatically transfer trays of mail between dollies and conveyor belts. The TTS is an efficient method for shipping, moving, storing, loading, and unloading mail trays. It allows mail-processing centers to physically and temporally separate the process of sorting mail and the process of moving mail into automation compatible trays (ACT).
US07726444B1 Exhaust system baffle apparatus
An exhaust system baffle is provided comprising a tube and a plurality of radially extending flanges mounted in surrounding relation about the tube. Each flange includes a centrally positioned aperture and a slit that extends through the flange from the aperture to an outer edge of the flange. The tube extends through the apertures of the flanges. Each flange includes a first edge portion that bounds a first side of the slit. Each flange includes a second edge portion that bounds a second side of the slit opposite the first side of the slit. The opposed first and second edge portions of each flange are bent such that the opposed first and second edge portions are orientated to extend outwardly from the tube at angles that are each acute in opposed directions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the tube.
US07726439B2 Apparatus for steering a vehicle
An apparatus for steering a vehicle includes a hand steering device, a road wheel steering device, a steering motor and a connection device. The hand steering device is a device which a driver of the vehicle manipulates for steering road wheels. The road wheel steering device actuates the road wheels. The steering motor, which is attached to the road wheel steering device, produces an assist force for the road wheels. The connection device selectively connects and disconnects the hand steering device and the road wheel steering device. In the apparatus, a ratio of a displacement made by the hand steering device to a displacement generated by the road wheel steering device increases as a speed of the vehicle becomes greater while the vehicle is traveling in a predetermined range of speed, and a gradient of the ratio is adapted to be greater when the speed is lower.
US07726433B2 Airbag device for vehicle
In a plan view seen from above a vehicle, a cover (20), which closes an airbag deployment opening (14) formed in a hood outer panel (12), is elongate, and has an arc shape. The center portion of the cover (20) in a vehicle-width direction protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. Hinge portions (20E) of the cover (20) are formed in the vehicle rear-side edge of the cover (20) at positions near both end portions in the vehicle-width direction. Each clip (28), which fixes the cover (20), is disposed in a vehicle front-side edge (20J) at a position offset outward from a center portion (20K) in the vehicle-width direction. Thus, the clips (28) are prevented from interfering with an airbag that has passed through the airbag deployment opening (14) and has been deployed.
US07726431B2 Steering drive for a wheel of a ground conveyor with an apparatus for recording the actual angle of the steered wheel
Steering drive for a wheel of a ground conveyor with an apparatus for recording the actual angle of the steered wheel, with a steering motor, a steering controller or regulator driven by a steering angle transmitter, the input signal of which is given to the steering motor, a steering drive coupled with the shaft of the steering motor, the output side of which is connected with a steering plate, which mounts the steered wheel, and a rotation angle sensor, which records the rotation angle of the steering plate, wherein the shaft of the steering motor is designed as a hollow shaft, through which a sensor drive shaft is inserted and which is connected on the drive side with the output side of the steering drive and works together with the angle sensor on the side of the steering motor facing away from the steering drive.
US07726422B2 Spherical walking robot
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a spherical walking robot, the spherical walking robot comprises a spherical coronal; a spherical housing which has a surface groove; a walking and transmission mechanism in the spherical housing; a lift and transmission mechanism; mechanical arms located in the surface groove, and the mechanical arm comprises a little arm and an upper arm connected the little arm by an elbow joint motor. The embodiments of the present invention also disclose a spherical walking robot, the spherical walking robot does not comprise the lift and transmission mechanism, but a fastness mechanism and a rotating mechanism rotatably connected with the fastness mechanism.
US07726419B2 Drill bit, system, and method for drilling a borehole in an earth formation
A drill bit for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. The drill bit has a central longitudinal axis and may be operated by applying at least a rotary motion about the central longitudinal axis and optionally applying longitudinal reciprocal movement to the drill bit so as to exert a percussive force on the borehole bottom. The drill bit has a surface provided with a plurality of shear cutters having a rake surface arranged to induce a scraping movement along the borehole bottom upon application of the rotary motion. The rake surface, during operation, faces the direction of rotation at a back-rake angle of less than 90°, wherein the backrake angle is defined as the angle included between the projection of a line perpendicular to the rake surface on a plane defined by the central longitudinal axis and the direction of the tangential velocity component of the shear cutter and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. One or more of the shear cutters is provided with a pre-cut flat impact surface essentially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
US07726416B2 Bearing assembly retaining apparatus and well drilling equipment comprising same
A well drilling head housing comprises a sidewall structure, a ram and selective displacement means. The sidewall structure defines a central bore configured for having a bearing assembly removably seated therein. The ram is slideably mounted on the side wall structure and is disposed within a passage extending through the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means is coupled between the ram and the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means is configured for moving the ram to an engaged position in which the ram is engaged with the bearing assembly for securing the bearing assembly in a seated position within the central bore and a disengaged position in which the ram is disengaged from the bearing assembly thereby allowing the bearing assembly to be removed from within the central bore.
US07726415B1 Fixed cutter drill bit
The fixed cutter drill bit disclosed utilizes a unique piloting section and reaming section carefully designed to impart several specific operational advantages. In the piloting section, cutting structures have been arranged so as to create offsetting cutting forces that result in a net zero imbalance during operation. Furthermore, the piloting section utilizes carefully placed shock studs which aid in protecting the primary cutting structure. In addition, the location of the fluid supply nozzles on the body of the reamer section serves to indicate the occurrence of a catastrophic cutting structure failure below the pilot gage.
US07726412B2 Tightening tool and tightening tool management system
A tightening tool for tightening a fastener is disclosed which comprises a motor and a main shaft that engages with the fastener. A clutch is disposed between the motor and the main shaft so that the clutch rotates the main shaft by transmitting torque from the motor to the main shaft when a load acting on the main shaft is less than a predetermined value. The clutch shuts off torque transmission from the motor to the main shaft when the load acting on the main shaft reaches or exceeds the predetermined value. When in use, the current flowing to the motor and rotation angle of the main shaft of the motor are detected. The detected current and rotation angle are used to determine whether the tightening torque of the fastener is normal.
US07726397B2 Methods and compositions for determination of fracture geometry in subterranean formations
Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
US07726392B1 Removal of downhole drill collar from well bore
A drill string in a borehole can be cut at the drill collars. A torch is lowered into the drill string and positioned at a joint of the drill collar string. The joint has a pin component and a box component. The torch has one or more openings in the pattern of a vertical slot. The torch is ignited and the pin component is cut in a direction along the length of the drill string. The joint uncoupled, even though the box component need not be cut. The uncoupling of the joint effectively cuts the drill string at the joint.
US07726387B2 Heat exchangers
An evaporator 1 comprises a heat exchange core 4 having heat exchange tubes 12 in groups 13, a refrigerant inlet header 5 and a refrigerant outlet header 6 which are arranged toward one end of each of the heat exchange tubes 12, and a refrigerant inflow header 9 and a refrigerant outflow header 11 which are arranged toward the other end of each heat exchange tube 12. The outflow header 11 has its interior divided by a flow dividing control wall 52 into two spaces 11a, 11b arranged one above the other. The inflow header 9 and the lower space 11b of the outflow header 11 are held in communication each at one end thereof. The control wall 52 has a plurality of refrigerant passing holes 53 arranged at a spacing longitudinally thereof.
US07726383B2 Method for producing a magnesium hot strip
The invention relates to a method for producing a magnesium hot strip, in which a melt from a magnesium alloy is continuously cast to form a roughed strip with a thickness of maximum 50 mm, and in which the cast roughed strip is hot-rolled directly from the cast heat at a hot-rolling initial temperature of at least 250° C. and maximum 500° C. to form a hot strip with a final thickness of maximum 4 mm, whereby in the first hot-rolling pass a reduction in the thickness of at least 15% is achieved. With the method according to the invention, magnesium sheets with improved deformability can be produced with reduced manufacturing effort and expenditure.
US07726372B2 Printer with binding press
A printer includes a driving station configured to drive print media between a pair of pinch rollers. A printing station is configured to print upon the driven print media. An adhesive application station is configured to apply an adhesive to the print media. A collection station is configured to collect a stack of printed print media bearing adhesive. The collection station includes a binding press configured to bind the stack together.
US07726368B2 Pneumatic tire with tread having shallow groove extending between zigzag sipes
A pneumatic tire includes a shallow groove provided between zigzag sipes adjacent in the circumferential direction of the tire, which can reduce production cost of the mold, facilitate trimming operation and decrease waste from trimming while reduction of driving stability during turning on a wet road surface and occurrence of curing trouble are suppressed. The pneumatic tire has a tread surface where land portions are defined by grooves. The land portions have tread surface sections, in which a plurality of sipes extending in a zigzag manner in the widthwise direction of the tire are arranged at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire. A shallow groove extends between adjacent sipes. The shallow groove is placed such that parts of land portions sectioned on the opposite sides of the shallow groove are not separated, but partially communicate with each other.
US07726364B2 Anti-smoking device
A device for delivering a distributed zone of fluid for forming a wet impact barrier in a filter of a smoking product includes a container for holding the fluid, and a delivery mechanism for delivering the fluid from the container to the filter. The delivery mechanism can be a tube or needle of significantly lesser diameter than the diameter of the smoking product for placing a defined quantity of the fluid at a predetermined location within the smoking product, such as by injection through a side wall of the filter in the vicinity of the filter/tobacco boundary.
US07726362B2 System, device, and method for mixing a substance with a liquid
A system, device, and method for mixing a substance with a liquid pumps the liquid into a container of the substance to produce a solution. The container may be part of a container assembly including a port assembly for coupling with the container to produce an inlet and/or and outlet port for the container. The container assembly may be received within a receiving chamber for causing the coupling. The solution may be permitted to flow out of the outlet port when the solution rises within the container to a level of the outlet port so that the substance is partially diluted before flowing out of the outlet port.
US07726359B2 Method for transferring a cryogenic fluid
A method for transferring a cryogenic fluid from a floating vessel. The cryogenic fluids to be transferred can include liquefied hydrocarbon gases such as LNG. The method includes the steps of pumping a reduced flow of a cryogenic fluid into a first end and/or a second end of a conduit to begin pre-cooling the conduit. Pre-cooling also includes pumping a reduced flow of the cryogenic fluid into the conduit at a point intermediate the first end and the second end so that different sections of the conduit are cooled simultaneously. When the conduit has cooled to a temperature suitable for transferring the cryogenic fluid, an increased flow of the cryogenic fluid is pumped into the first end of the conduit to transfer the cryogenic fluid from the floating vessel. The cryogenic fluid can then be directed from the second end of the conduit to a storage tank on shore or onboard a second floating vessel.
US07726352B2 Sealed containers and methods of making and filling 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.
US07726343B2 Fluid handling apparatus, manifold therefor and method of making same
A multi-block manifold facilitates assembly of the manifold in a fluid handling apparatus during manufacture and disassembly and removal of a secondary manifold block of the manifold during service without disconnecting external tubes and flow control devices from the manifold. The external tubes are isolated and integral to a primary manifold block of the manifold which is permanently mounted in the apparatus and the flow control devices are integral to the secondary manifold block which is quickly, releasably secured to the primary manifold block in the apparatus.
US07726339B2 Seal cartridge control valve
A flexible seal ring includes a first sealing face and a rear face is disposed opposite the front sealing face, the rear face is axially offset relative to the front sealing face. An upper face disposed between the front face and the rear face, the upper face extending from the rear face towards the front face such that an interior angle between the upper face and the rear face is greater than 110 degrees. Another flexible seal ring includes a first front sealing face, a rear face, at least one downwardly disposed upper face disposed between the front face and the rear face, at least one downwardly disposed lower face, and a second front sealing face disposed between the downwardly disposed lower face and the first front sealing face. A cartridge seal includes a flexible seal ring and an upper retaining ring.
US07726335B2 Check valve apparatus for fuel delivery systems
A check valve for a combustion engine fuel system includes a polymeric poppet valve including a valve stem and a valve head that terminates the valve stem. A valve seat is adapted for cooperation with the valve head of the poppet valve, and includes a valve seat body and an elastomeric valve seat seal supported by the valve seat body and adapted for sealing against the valve head of the poppet valve. The check valve is particularly adapted for use with a fuel pump within a fuel system.
US07726333B2 Fluid controller
Each of lines A, B is provided on each of opposite sides thereof with a tape heater 11, and a space for positioning a tape heater holding clip 13 therein is provided in each of locations between adjacent fluid control devices. The tape heaters 11 are held from opposite sides thereof to the line by the clip 13. The lines A, B provided with the heaters are each mounted on a line support member 10 removably attached to a base member 1. The line support member 10 has a heater insertion bore 14 formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof. A sheath heater 12 is inserted into the bore 14.
US07726329B2 Discharge rate and pressure control solenoid valve
The inventive discharge rate and pressure control solenoid valve (1) is used for a circuit consisting of a low pressure part and a high-pressure part and controls the discharge rate of a low-pressure fluid with the aid of a sliding spool (18) in a liner (22) provided with at least one fluid feeding orifice (20) and one fluid exhausting orifice (21) respectively. Said spool (18) is electrically actuated by means of an electromagnet acting in an opposite direction to recoil means (26) for closing the passage between the feeding (20) and exhausting (21) orifices when a control current for the electromagnet is equal to zero and for gradually opening said passage according to a threshold value of the flow, the pressure control being applicable to a high-pressure fluid. The recoil means (26) are inserted between the spool (18) and a flap device which closes an inlet orifice in the liner (22) of a high pressure fluid and is connected to the low-pressure fluid feeding orifice at least at a slide position corresponding to the control current when it is less than said threshold value. The recoil means (26) are positioned and dimensioned in such a way that the flap is openable when the current is equal to or near zero in order to drop the pressure in the high pressure circuit.
US07726321B2 Methods and devices for applying hair extensions
A system for applying hair extensions to natural hair growing on the scalp of an individual comprises cylindrical tubes, a threading tool and a crimping tool. The cylindrical tube has a second end opening larger than a first end opening. The threading tool is used to feed scalp hair through the cylindrical tube. The hair extension is then inserted into the second end of the tube and the tube is crushed flat trapping the threaded scalp hair and hair extension within the crushed structure.
US07726313B2 Breathing mask with individual adaptation to the shape of the face
A sealing frame for a breathing mask is provided that can be adapted to the contours of the face of a mask user in a simple manner. The sealing frame (1), includes a soft plastic material (5) with embedded metal strips (6).
US07726308B1 Apparatus and method for respiratory drug delivery
Apparatus and method for respiratory drug delivery using cartridge containing drug and propellant. User inserts cartridge into body of apparatus and activates a mechanism for opening drug compartment and propellant compartment, resulting in mixing and de-agglomeration of drug for respiratory delivery.
US07726307B2 Anesthesia system with a anesthetic evaporator
An anesthesia system with an anesthetic evaporator can be operated even in case of a defect, particularly in case of a power outage. The anesthetic evaporator (10) and a valve arranged upstream of the anesthetic evaporator (10) are provided, whereby the gas flow through the valve (8) is conveyed completely or partially through the anesthetic evaporator (10) or a bypass line (9) past the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of operation in accordance with the regulations, while the gas flow takes place only through the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of a defect.
US07726305B2 Variable resistance pulmonary ventilation bypass valve
A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating one aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve, an air carrying conduit and a retention device for securing system elements in position. The system also includes a flow restriction device for controlling the flow of air through the air carrying conduit.
US07726303B2 Controlled medicament ejection
Controlled ejection of a fluid-based solute medicament includes determining an indication of a characteristic of the medicament in at least one ejection chamber, and ejecting the medicament from the at least one ejection chamber based on the determined indication.
US07726302B1 Inhalator for treatment of bronchial disorder in horses
A device for the treatment of bronchial disorders in horses by inhalation therapy comprising an inhalation spacer (1) with a first (5) and a second (10) opening, an activatable drug atomizer (7) which can be connected with the first opening (5) of the inhalation spacer, and connecting means (11, 14) comprising a hopper-shaped part (13) which at the hopper opening has such size as to be able to cover one of the horse's nostrils, and a valve arrangement comprising two one-way valves (16, 18), one of which (16) allows influx of inhalation air from the inhalation spacer into the hopper-shaped part (14) of the connecting means (11, 14), and the other allows outflux of exhalation air from the hopper-shaped part (14) to the surroundings, and where the inhalation spacer (1) has at least one additional opening (8) with an appertaining one-way valve (9) which allows influx of air from the surroundings into the interior (4) of the inhalation spacer (1).
US07726301B2 Solar energy base-body structure
A base body comprises two frames to put lens and solar cells. The working process is simple and the weight and the cost of the base body is reduced.
US07726297B2 Electromechanical momentary-contact switch having timed supplementary functions
In order to simplify and reduce the production costs of a push-button switch, especially a push switch or a rocker switch, the switch has a time function, which is manually operated and can be reset by an electric pulse. The electromechanical rocker or push-button switch can be combined to form a device block switch with other rocker or push-button switches as usually used in exhauster hoods. As a result, time-controlled intensive and follow-up steps can be carried out.
US07726292B1 Handheld balloon launching apparatus
A handheld balloon launcher includes a housing with an axially offset chamber formed therein. A vertically registered intake port defines a linear passageway in which filled water balloons are stacked. A launching plate is selectively adaptable along a longitudinal length of the chamber. A trigger mechanism activates the launching plate between a compressed and an extended position. A mechanism returns the launching plate to the compressed position while simultaneously depositing one of the water balloons in front of the launching plate. The returning mechanism includes a spring member with a diameter equal to a diameter of the chamber and anchored to a proximal end thereof, and extendable along the longitudinal length of the chamber. The launching plate maintains a static relationship with the returning mechanism, and the returning mechanism is independently operable from the triggering mechanism.
US07726288B2 Intake regulating system of engine
An intake regulating system of an engine equips with an intake regulating-device connected with a breather hose for drawing the oil vapor and the leaked gases from the crankcase of the engine, thereby to mix with outside air to feed into the engine for re-combustion. The intake regulating-device comprises a housing and a pressure-sensing valve. The housing has an air inlet hole, an air outlet hole, and a slender hole. The air outlet hole and the slender hole both are in communication with the air inlet of engine via an intake manifold for generating a pressure difference thereby to drive the pressure-sensing valve. Preferably, the intake regulating-device provides a pair of regulating knobs for adapting the pressure-sensing valve with various intake volumes of an engine.
US07726285B1 Diesel engine and supercharger
A four stroke diesel engine combined with a supercharger is operable to supply varying amounts of air to the engine responsive to the load on the engine. The supercharger has a pair of rotors driven by the engine operable to move air to the engine. Gates associated with the rotors control the amount of air and pressure of the air moved by the rotors to the diesel engine.
US07726280B2 Intake charge-regulating apparatus for an internal combustion engine, and engine incorporating same
An intake charge regulating apparatus for an engine includes a throttle body having a throttle bore formed therein for communicating with an intake port, and a throttle valve for controlling flow through the throttle bore. A throttle-driving mechanism includes an electric motor and a transmission mechanism for decelerating a driving force of the electric motor and for transmitting the driving force to the throttle valve. A camshaft sprocket is fixed to an end portion of a camshaft, which is included in a valve train for driving intake and exhaust valves in a cylinder head to open and close. The throttle-driving mechanism is arranged opposite a side where the camshaft sprocket is located in an axis direction of the crankshaft. The electric motor is disposed between the throttle body and the cylinder head in top plan view.
US07726274B2 Internal combustion engine cylinder head
An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a block, and a cylinder head having at least one gas exchange channel for conducting gases to and from the cylinder is disclosed. A tube passes through the cylinder head and into a gas exchange channel, which tube is sealed in a gastight manner. In one embodiment, the tube is configured in one piece with the gas exchange channels; the cylinder head is a cast part. With such a tube through the gas exchange channel, the engine can be compactly configured.
US07726272B2 Variable intake device
A variable intake device includes an intake pipe through which air flows towards a combustion chamber of an engine, defining a first streamline at an intermediate portion of the pipe, a short-circuit pipe connected at the intermediate portion, defining a second streamline crossing the first streamline at the connected other end, and a valve arranged at the short-circuit pipe adjacent to the intermediate portion. The valve includes a valve body regulating air flow. When the valve allows air flow merging into the intake pipe from the short-circuit pipe, the valve body is positioned to extend in a direction between the extending direction of the first streamline indicated by arrow and the extending direction of the second streamline indicated by arrow. By such a configuration, a variable intake device having pressure loss at the intake path sufficiently reduced can be provided.
US07726271B2 Engine with decompression device
To suppress the overall length of a camshaft including the length of a decompression device provided in an engine and also to suppress an increase in number of parts of the decompression device, an engine includes a decompression device having a decompression weight pivotably supported through a pivot shaft to a camshaft and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined angle by a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the camshaft. A weight accommodating portion for pivotably accommodating the decompression weight is formed between the opposite end portions of the camshaft. The outer diameter of the decompression device mounted to the camshaft is smaller than that of a ball bearing. The decompression weight is directly engaged with one end of a decompression camshaft to thereby rotate the decompression camshaft.
US07726264B2 Method of installing furnace walls of a boiler
New and useful method of installing furnace walls for a boiler that does not require dedicated temporary lifting mechanism and reduces the installation work period significantly is disclosed. The method of installing furnace walls for a boiler configured with an upper portion of boiler proper 30 and a lower portion of boiler proper 40, temporally suspending two left and right face furnace water wall panels 48 among four furnace water wall panels, the upper portion of boiler proper is assembled while it is hanged from a top girder module 28 positioned on the top portion of a center portion in a boiler frame, a furnace rear wall 44 and a furnace front wall 42 among the furnace water wall panels are hanged sequentially, the temporally suspended two left and right face furnace water wall panels 48 are moved to designated positions, and the upper ends of the furnace water wall panels 48, 44 and 42 are connected with the lower end of the upper portion of boiler proper 30.
US07726261B2 Animal harness
A harness apparatus that facilitates proximity control over two or more animals by the animal handler via a single leash. The single leash couples to the harness via a first swiveling connection. Two or more animals may then be attached to the harness via two or more swiveling connections. The swiveling action of each swiveling connection virtually eliminates the possibility of animal entanglement within the harness by allowing the harness to swivel in a direction that tracks the movement of the harnessed animals. The rigidity of a cross member of the harness maintains a minimum separation distance between each animal that is attached to the harness.
US07726260B1 Absorbent pad for entrapping small and coarse particles, retaining liquids and eliminating odors
A layered pad comprising a bottom impervious layer, a top layer of a fibrous high loft non woven capable of entrapping fine or coarse particles and preventing their scatter, optionally combined with a middle layer of fibers and super absorbent agent, wherein liquids pass through the top layer, become absorbed by the middle layer, and evaporate. As particles from an animal litter box or cage, shoes, metal cutting, wood shavings, and copy machines are generated, they immediately encounter the high loft non-woven top layer, which immediately immobilizes and then entraps them, preventing them from scattering. The filament count of the non-woven can be varied to design the pads to be more effective in trapping smaller or larger particles. In addition, a film of oily substance can be applied to the fibers to make them more sensitive to absorbing and entrapping extremely small particles. If absorbency is required under the high loft fibrous non-woven, a layer of absorbent material is added between the two layers. The layered pad is optionally treated with super absorbent polymer, deodorants, antibacterial agents, anti-fungal agents, and other substances depending on the use of pad.
US07726259B2 Animal feeder, method of operating a feeder, and method of assembling the same
An animal feeder including a housing for containing feed and defining a plurality of openings for providing access to the feed, the plurality of openings being substantially equally spaced between an upper end of the housing and a lower end of the housing. The feeder also includes a frame having an opening and being supported on the housing for movement relative to the housing between an opened position and a closed position. The feeder further includes a hanger for supporting the animal feeder, the hanger including an elongated member extending outwardly from the frame and being connectable to the exterior support, and a sleeve extending across at least a portion of the elongated member, the sleeve being connected to the frame and being operable to move the frame relative to the housing between the opened position and the closed position.
US07726254B2 Window regulator of awning for cruiser
In an awning for a cruiser, the awning including a roof frame longitudinally curved and arranged to be inclined down ahead above an open cabin; a roof cover provided to be put on the roof frame; a transparent window panel that is provided to be inclined to be continuous to the inclination of the roof frame and moves in a space between a front end of the roof frame and a front portion of the open cabin present in front of the roof frame so as to be able to slidably open and close the space; a slide rail arranged below a side frame arranged on each of left and right edges of the roof frame, a distance between the slide rail and the side frame being always constant; and a slider fixed to each of left and right sides of the window panel and slidably attached onto the slide rail, a transfer reciprocating between the front end of the roof frame and a rear portion of the roof frame along a curved shape of the roof frame is provided on the roof frame, and the window panel is connected to the transfer.
US07726252B2 Systems and methods for edge measurement
A method for straightening the edges of a work piece. The method includes the steps of determining the average edge position of each edge of the work piece, calculating an average edge line for each edge of the work piece, determining an actual corner point for each corner of the work piece, calculating a determined edge line through each of the actual corner points of the work piece, determining a number of actual edge points, determining if actual edge points are within the determined edge lines, and adjusting the determined edge lines inward until the actual edge points are within the determined edge lines.
US07726238B2 Silk screen sample press with quartz flash cure unit
One embodiment of this invention discloses a silk screening device which includes an integrated quartz flash unit. The invention improves upon prior art systems and relates to a system whereby both a silk screen squeegee unit and a quartz flash unit are slidably mounted on a common set of rails, in order to allow each to be easily placed and removed from the silk screening platform.
US07726234B2 Cooking apparatus
A cooking apparatus comprises a trough, a well, and a pot. The trough is configured to hold a first cooking medium. The trough has insulated floors, insulated walls, and a steam pipe as a heating element to directly heat the first cooking medium. The well is joined to a cover plate. The cover plate is configured to fit over the trough with a seal, such that at least a portion of the well extends into the trough for submersion into the first cooking medium. The pot is inserted in the well. A second cooking medium may be introduced in the well adjacent to the pot. A food product such as goetta may be introduced to the pot for cooking. Heat may be transferred from the heating element, to the first cooking medium, to the well, to the second cooking medium, to the pot, and then to the goetta.
US07726232B2 Diaphragm pump liner for critical process applications
One embodiment of the invention relates to a liner for a first pump housing in a fluid pump assembly. The fluid pump assembly includes a first pump housing, a second pump housing and a flexible diaphragm disposed between the first and second pump housings. The first pump housing includes a fluid access port for providing fluid communication between an inside housing chamber of the first pump housing and an outside of the first pump housing. The second pump housing is securely mated to the first pump housing. The second pump housing includes a biasing mechanism for selectively displacing a portion of the diaphragm toward the first pump housing. The liner of the invention includes a flexible member removeably secured inside the first pump housing. The liner also includes a first portion of the member being shaped to substantially conform to the interior dimensions of the inside housing chamber and a second portion of the member shaped to substantially conform to the fluid access port. The member forms an inner liner chamber inside the inside housing chamber. The member also includes a mating portion for securing the member to the diaphragm to form a seal there between. The inner liner chamber being in fluid communication with the displaceable portion of the diaphragm. Whereby the displacement of the portion of the diaphragm expels fluid from the inner liner chamber through the fluid access port.
US07726219B2 Machine tool
The invention is a CNC machine tool, namely a CNC lathe, that includes a horizontal main spindle. The unfinished parts to be machined are supplied to the machine tool horizontally to the working compartment by a handling device integrated into the CNC control, and are then supplied via the handling device to a chuck that is to the horizontal main spindle. The machine tool according to the invention is particularly well-suited for small machining runs.
US07726214B2 Method and device for the contactless detection of flat objects
A method and device for the contactless detection of flat objects, particularly in sheet form, such as paper, films, foils, plates, labels, splices, break points, tear-off threads and similar flat materials or packs. A sensor device, such as a receiver-following evaluating device, is supplied with at least one correction characteristic, by means of which a measuring signal input voltage characteristic in the receiver is simulated as a function of the gram weight or weight per unit area of the flat objects as a target characteristic in such a way that there is obtained a linear or almost linear dependence or a characteristic approximated to the ideal single sheet detection characteristic in the form of a target characteristic.
US07726212B2 Hybrid manual-electronic pipette
A hybrid manual-electronic pipette combines a manually driven piston with real-time electronic measurement of liquid volume and piston displacement while compensating for both pipette-specific and pipette model-specific variations. The hybrid nature of the pipette facilitates increased accuracy and improved ease of use, and enables additional functionalities not practicable with traditional manual pipettes.
US07726211B2 Scent evidence collecting and transfer device
An improved scent transfer device for collecting evidence at a crime scene. The device comprises a gas cartridge coupled to an air valve. A holder having a sterile pad positioned therein is secured to one end of a housing containing said air valve by locking protrusions. When gas from the cartridge is expelled into the air valve, a vacuum is created at the end of where the pad holder is attached when a switch is pressed, enabling a user to collect the scent on the pad. The pad can then be removed and stored in an evidence bag. An extension member which locks into the holder can be utilized to extend the capabilities of the device.
US07726210B2 Sample movement control unit, sample movement parameters acquisition method, and sample movement control method
There is provided a device and a method capable of simply manipulating a sample, without the need for an expensive device.A device of the present invention comprises a pipette 4, and vibration section 5, a control section 7 and a storage section 8. At least part of the pipette 4 will be disposed within a liquid 2. The control section 5 causes the pipette 4 to vibrate. The control section 7 supplies vibration signals to the vibration section 5. The storage section 8 stores parameters for generating vibration signals. These parameters include information for generating a first vibrating wave causing a wave motion for drawing a particular sample 3 being within a specified distance from a tip of the pipette 4 to occur within a liquid 2, and information for generating a second vibrating wave causing a wave motion for rotating the drawn in sample 3 to occur. The information for generating the first standing wave and the information for generating the second standing wave are, for example, amplitude and frequency of vibration.
US07726209B2 Force or pressure sensor and method for applying the same
The invention relates to a force or pressure sensor and a method for applying the same. The pressure sensor comprises a substantially rigid, mechanical-load resistant frame (1), a flexible diaphragm (2) secured over its peripheral rim to the frame (1), and a piezoelectric sensor diaphragm (3) applied to the surface of the flexible diaphragm (2). The sensor diaphragm (3) loading element comprises a substantially rigid, mechanical-load resistant cover (4), having its protrusion or shoulder (4a) bearing against a middle section of the flexible diaphragm (2) and thereby prestressing the flexible diaphragm (2) and the piezoelectric sensor diaphragm (3) attached thereto. The frame (1) and the cover (4) define therebetween a closed, hermetically sealed housing chamber, the flexible diaphragm (2) and the piezoelectric sensor diaphragm (3) being located thereinside. The placement of one or more responsive, yet load-resistant sensors in contact with a bed enables measuring a sleeping or lying person for his or her heart rate and respiratory amplitude, as well as frequency.
US07726196B2 Piezoelectric pressure sensor containing pre-stressed measuring elements
The invention relates to a piezoelectric pressure sensor comprising piezoelectric measuring elements located in a housing, which are pre-stressed between the housing base and a membrane provided at the pressured side of the housing. According to the invention the piezoelectric measuring elements are placed on the outside of a pre-stressing element, which is located essentially along the longitudinal axis of the sensor.
US07726165B2 Manufacturing process to produce a necked container
The present invention provides a necking system including a plurality of necking dies each necking dies having an at least partially non-polished necking surface and a non-polished relief following the necking surface. The present invention further provides a method of necking an metal container including providing an metal blank; shaping the blank into a bottle stock; and necking the metal bottle stock, wherein necking includes at least one necking die having an at least partially non-polished necking surface.
US07726157B2 Clothing managing apparatus
A clothing managing apparatus is provided. In the clothing managing apparatus, a panel coupling protrusion (130) has a plurality of sub protrusions (131, 132) for supporting a control panel (150) in different directions, and protrusions coupling hole portion (160) receives the panel coupling protrusion (130). A holder (120) can be provided to support the control panel (150) and a top cover (100). The holder (12) includes one portion (123) coupled to the control panel (150) and the other portion (122) coupling to the top cover (100).
US07726155B2 Cooling apparatus for fiberizing bushings
This invention involves apparatus and methods for making fibers by passing a molten material like glass, polymer, etc. through orifices or tips in a fiberizing bushing and then cooling the molten material coming from the tips and newly formed fibers using cooling tubes. The cooling tubes are made from precious metals and various alloys comprising precious metals, nickel and one or more of titanium, chromium, molybdenum, etc. The one or more fins attached to the top surface of a hollow tube to make the cooling tubes contain spaced apart gaps, notches and/or slots extending from the top edge of the fin to prevent warping of the fins and to make the cooling tube more bendable, adjustable during the operation of making fibers from molten material.
US07726146B2 Bar with multiple integral beverage thermal plates
A refreshment bar includes one embodiment of a cooling or heating apparatus for food and/or beverage containers. The apparatus maintains a food or beverage container placed on one of the plates at a desired cold or hot temperature relative to the bar surface temperature and ambient temperature. The apparatus includes thermally conductive plates, for example stainless steel disks, positioned in recesses such that the upper surfaces of the plates are coplanar with the top surface of the bar, thereby providing a level surface. A thermal exchanger system is used to cool or heat the plates. The system includes a reservoir containing a thermal element and a thermal transfer fluid. The reservoir is located adjacent the lower surface of the bar top. The plates are thermally coupled to the thermal transfer fluid and thermal element, thereby cooling or heating the plates.
US07726141B2 Refrigerator, and method for controlling operation of the same
A refrigerator is provided which can individually cool a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber by dividing a heat exchange region of an evaporator into a freezing chamber side region and a refrigerating chamber side region, forming individual circulation passages for supplying cool air from each region to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and forming a freezing chamber fan and a refrigerating chamber fan on each circulation passage. Further, a method for controlling operation of the same is provided which can efficiently perform a cooling operation and reduce power consumption by effectively controlling the operations of each component.
US07726139B2 Cooling sorption element with gas-impermeable sheeting
A cooling element with a sorbent material (4) which in vacuo can sorb a vaporous working medium that evaporates from a fluid working medium in an evaporator (29) and with a shut-off means which, up to the moment at which the cooling process is initiated, prevents the working medium vapor from flowing into the sorbent material (4), with the sorbent material (4) being sealed into a sorbent-containing pouch (22) which comprises a multilayer sheeting material which in turn comprises at least one metallic layer or one metallized layer.
US07726136B2 Systems and methods for dispensing product
The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended products, such as food products.
US07726131B2 Floatwall dilution hole cooling
A combustor for a gas turbine engine is provided, the combustor having an outer shell with an outer surface exposed to cooling air and an inner surface, and at least one floatwall panel attached to the inner surface of the outer shell and having a trailing edge. At least one dilution hole is in the floatwall panel near the trailing edge and in communication with the outer surface of the outer shell, and at least one local air impingement hole is in the outer shell downstream of each at least one dilution hole, that directs the cooling air towards the trailing edge of the floatwall panel.
US07726130B2 Stirling-electric hybrid automobile
The Stirling-Electric Hybrid automobile herein disclosed utilizes an electric drive motor which is powered by electric storage device. The electric storage device is kept at suitable charge by electric generator mechanically driven by external combustion of Stirling engine type, by thermoelectric generator thermally coupled to the exhaust of the Stirling engine and to kinetic energy recovery system which during deceleration of the automobile utilizes the electric drive motor as a generator and recovering the electrical energy generated by deceleration to the electric storage device. Almost any clean combusting liquid or gaseous fuel may be utilized by the Stirling engine with greater fuel economy and less atmospheric pollution than internal combustion engines presently used. The utilization of thermoelectric generator to recover heat from exhaust of the Stirling engine and utilization of kinetic energy recovery system provides even better fuel efficiency and reduced pollution.
US07726127B2 Solar power for thermochemical production of hydrogen
A solar-powered hydrogen production system includes a thermochemical system and solar heating system. The thermochemical system produces hydrogen. The solar heating system has a molten salt heat transfer medium for providing thermal energy to the thermochemical system.
US07726125B2 Hydraulic circuit for rapid bucket shake out
A hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit may have a variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump may have a fluidic displacement control configured to vary a flow of pressurized fluid based on a fluid signal and an electronic displacement control configured to vary the flow of pressurized fluid based on an electronic signal. The flow of pressurized fluid may be controlled by the one of the fluidic and electronic displacement controls that requests the smallest flow of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic circuit may also have a control valve connected between the pump and the fluidic displacement control, and the control valve may be configured to transmit the fluid signal to the fluidic displacement control. The hydraulic circuit may further have a controller configured to transmit a fluid signal to cause the fluidic control to request a maximum flow of pressurized fluid, and transmit an electronic signal requesting a flow smaller than the maximum flow, which causes the electronic displacement control to vary the flow of pressurized fluid.
US07726123B2 Wave energy device
A wave energy device in the form of a self buoyant heave-resistant vessel (10) comprising two or more discrete flow paths into which water can be urged by wave action and a bi-directional energy extractor in fluid communication with said path(s) and atmosphere, arranged to extract energy from air movements in said path(s) caused by said wave action.
US07726120B2 Controlling exhaust temperatures
An exhaust manifold cooling jacket has internal passages for the circulation of liquid coolant and encloses an exhaust manifold such that a gap is created between the exhaust manifold and cooling jacket. Flowing coolant through the jacket regulates outer jacket temperature while enabling high intra-manifold exhaust gas temperatures for thorough intra-manifold combustion and improved emissions. A liquid-cooled exhaust system includes a turbocharger disposed between manifold and elbow, with liquid coolant flowing from manifold to elbow through the turbocharger. Another liquid-coolant exhaust manifold contains an internal exhaust combustion catalyst wrapped in an insulating blanket. In some marine applications, seawater or fresh water coolant is discharged into the exhaust gas stream at an attached exhaust elbow.
US07726118B2 Engine-off ammonia vapor management system and method
A method of managing vapors generated from an ammonia-containing reductant delivery system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of during at least a portion of engine-off conditions, storing ammonia containing vapors generated in the reductant delivery system, and after said storing and during at least a portion of engine operation, purging said stored ammonia into an exhaust of the engine to react in a catalyst in the exhaust flow.
US07726116B2 Turbofan engine nozzle assembly and method of operating same
A nozzle assembly for a gas turbine aircraft engine is provided. The nozzle assembly includes a nacelle and a core cowl positioned at least partially within the nacelle such that the core cowl and the nacelle are aligned substantially concentrically to each other defining an annular fan bypass duct. A first member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a first flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the first member. An opposing second member couples the nacelle to the core cowl and includes a second flap hingedly coupled to each sidewall of the second member. The first flaps and the second flaps are selectively positionable between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary a throat area of said fan bypass duct. A turbofan engine assembly and a method for operating the same are also provided.
US07726115B2 Axial flow positive displacement worm compressor
An axial flow positive displacement compressor has an inlet axially spaced apart and upstream from an outlet. Inner and outer bodies have offset inner and outer axes extend from the inlet to the outlet through first and second sections of a compressor assembly in serial downstream flow relationship. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes respectively. The inner and outer helical blades extend radially outwardly and inwardly respectively. The helical blades have first and second twist slopes in the first and second sections respectively. The first twist slopes are less than the second twist slopes. An engine including the compressor has in downstream serial flow relationship from the compressor a combustor and a high pressure turbine drivingly connected to the compressor by a high pressure shaft.
US07726108B1 Wide cut rotary harvester having cut crop feeder mechanism
A wide-cut harvester having a rotary cutter bed that takes a wider cut than the opening to the conditioner rolls of the machine employs a pair of stub augers at opposite corners of the opening to assist in directing cut crop material into the opening for treatment by the conditioner rolls.
US07726106B2 Container handling system
A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
US07726103B2 Resilient backing member for the use with an impulse heating element
A resilient backing member for use in cooperation with an impulse heating element comprises a resilient body having a longitudinal shoulder surface and a longitudinal intermittent raised edge protruding from the shoulder surface. The resilient backing member is for use in cooperation with an impulse heating element for sealing layers of thermoplastic film together and for either forming a sealed portion on the film, a rupturable portion on the film or severing the film. Accordingly, the resilient backing member can be used on a pouch filling machine to produce a string of sealed pouches connected by a rupturable portion or a sealed portion, and filled with flowable material without the use of a separate cutting blade.
US07726094B2 Supporting structure and its structural members
A wooden beam for a supporting framework has at least two supporting members at least partially made of wood and defining together a continuous hollow cavity, and at least one shear connector located in the hollow cavity and characterized by a plurality of connection options, with the shear connector having its outside end set back with respect to an adjacent and face of the beam by a length corresponding to a forward wood length defined by a load applied to the beam.
US07726089B2 Floor panels with edge connectors
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07726082B2 Anchor wedge configuration for tendon anchors
A wedge for a tendon retaining anchor includes at least two circumferential wedge segments adapted to be placed on an exterior of a tendon. The wedge segments have an exterior surface adapted to cooperate with a receiving bore of a load transfer device and an interior surface having gripping elements thereon. A circumferential dimension of the wedge segments is selected so that a total uncompressed gap between circumferential ends of the wedge segments when the segments are applied to an exterior surface of the tendon is at most about 2.4 times a height of the gripping elements. In another aspect, a tendon retaining system includes an anchor having a wedge receiving bore and wedge segments adapted to cooperate with the wedge receiving bore. The wedge segments include gripping elements on an interior surface thereof. The system includes a device adapted to limit lateral compression of the wedge segments.
US07726081B1 Hurricane net wind abatement system
A modular wind abatement system comprises a plurality of net components, net-to-net connection hardware, net-to-ground anchors and net-to-building anchors. Flexible net-like sheet components are configured and joined into a suitably sized and shaped web fitted in covering relation with a structure, such as a home, building, billboard, motor home, boat, or any other outdoor thing to be protected. Net component sections are joined together to form suitably sized and shaped web using clamp devices. Once formed the web is secured to the ground in at least partial covering relation with the protected structure by suitable ground anchors such that wind forces are transferred to ground anchors. The present invention thus provides a wind abatement device suitable for protecting a wide variety of structures and property from damage resulting from hurricane force winds and windborne debris.
US07726075B2 Dual-shot injection molded weatherseal
A molded weather seal includes groups of fingers extending inwardly from walls that receive an associated vehicle flange therebetween. Fingers and walls are preferably formed of a first shot of molded material that is generally rigid, while a seal lip and/or other selected portions may be formed from a second, more flexible material.
US07726073B2 Sliding shoe for a window frame
A sliding shoe for a sliding/pivoting window having a shoe body which is of two piece construction. A cam trapped between the two portions of the shoe has a cam-shaped body, which rotates in complementary cam-shaped openings through the shoe portions to expand the shoe laterally, and a chamfered cam-shaped annulus which rotates in a complementary bevelled seat in the shoe body to expand the shoe in a direction perpendicular to the lateral expansion. The shoe is thus locked in position in the frame channel very early in the rotational cycle of the cam, and provide secure locking engagement against the sides, top and bottom of the channel when the sash is pivoted only slightly out of the plane of the frame.
US07726068B2 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.
US07726059B2 Lockable safety for firearm
A firearm including a safety that moves between a safe position that does not permit firing of the firearm and a fire position that permits firing of the firearm, and a lock that locks the safety in the closed position wherein the lock includes an ambidextrous locking mechanism actuable from both sides of the firearm.
US07726058B2 Muzzleloader firearm with quick-release breech plug
A muzzleloader firearm has a barrel with at least one lug retaining structure that includes an internal annular groove and an internal annular shoulder that is both adjacent the annular groove and positioned between the annular groove and the breech end of the barrel. Each annular shoulder is provided with lug entry cutouts, which are radially spaced about the shoulder. The firearm also has a breech plug that is provided with multiple lugs forming at least one discontinuous external shoulder. The lugs are spaced and sized so that they align with the lug entry cutouts. Preferably, the number of external shoulders on the breech plug match the number of internal annular grooves in the barrel. The breech plug is installed in the barrel by aligning the lugs with the lug entry cutouts, and then rotating the plug so that the lugs are no longer aligned with the lug entry cutouts.
US07726056B2 Knock down signpost
There is provided a knock down signpost comprising a post member (6) and a lower body member (10) held together by a spring (3) having a preload when the post is vertical, acting two flat surfaces (8) creating an initial resistance to motion off the horizontal. Two steel cables (114) transmit the force of the spring and are spaced apart which allows the cables to act as a non rotation mechanism. Two round protrusions (16) in the post member (6) locate into two matching clearance holes (14) in the lower body for post alignment. A shock tube (4) is fitted over the cable and internal to the spring to prevent over compression and provides a mechanical stop. As the top assembly is rotated chamfered edges (15) of the post member (6) engage and interlock into an annular groove (13) to act as a pseudo-hinge.
US07726049B2 Squeegee blade
A squeegee blade includes a mounting plate with a surface. A relatively rigid support member is attached to the surface of the mounting plate and a relatively flexible blade is attached to the surface of the mounting plate adjacent to the support member so that the blade is supported by the support member against compression toward the mounting plate.
US07726044B2 Cushioning foot insert
A foot insert is provided that is capable of providing protective cushioning to an area at the front of a wearer's foot including an area extending from the front tips of the toes to the metatarsal region of the ball portion of the foot. The foot insert includes a half-sock formed from a stretchable fabric material and is capable of extending over a toe portion up to about a mid-point of a length of a wearer's foot. A cushioning pad is attached to a lower sole portion of the half-sock and is formed from a shape-memory material that is capable of substantially permanently molding into a shape of a bottom portion and toes of the wearer's foot upon use.
US07726036B2 Contour measuring probe
An exemplary contour measuring probe includes a guide (12), a movable rack, a counter-balancing mechanism, a linear measuring scale (24), and a displacement sensor (26). The movable rack comprises a tip extension (20) for touching a surface of an object. The tip extension (20) is pushed to move towards the object under a gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The counter-balancing mechanism is configured to partially counter balance the gravitational force acting on the movable rack. The linear measuring scale (24) displays values of displacements of the tip extension (20). The displacement sensor (26) detects and reads the displacement values displayed by the linear measuring scale (24).
US07726035B2 Measuring device
A measuring device, includes a guiding rail, a sliding unit levitatedly slidably engaged with the guiding rail, and a measuring unit fixed to the sliding unit and comprising at least one dial gauge mounted thereto.
US07726027B2 Method of manufacturing hollow structural elements
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow, elongated structural element, where a first and a second blank (1, 14) are led through an oven (2) for heating to working temperature and are led through rollers (3, 4) with profiled surfaces for pre-forming in one or more steps. The blanks are each led through a forging press with a number of cooperating dies, the blank being worked in a number of steps (5, 8, 11) into halves of an essentially finished product, having a cross-section substantially in the shape of a U-profile with a predetermined varying height, width and thickness of material along its length. The second blank (14) is essentially a copy of the first blank (1). In a final step (15) the blanks are joined together into a composite hollow structural element (18). The invention also relates to a structural element manufactured according to the method.
US07726025B2 Structure for preventing refrigerant from leaking in heat exchanger and method for forming the same
A refrigerant leak-preventive structure in a heat exchanger is described. The refrigerant leak-preventive structure includes a tube group having refrigerant leak-preventive grooves recessed at ends of the fin-tubes group, and headers having refrigerant leak-preventive projections formed by double injection molding solution introduced into and cooled in the refrigerant leak-preventive grooves when being coupled with the both ends of the tube group by a double injection molding.
US07726019B2 Method for reducing emissions from a combustor
A modification method for reducing emissions from an annular shaped combustor of a gas turbine plant, having uniformly spaced circumferentially mounted premix burners (20), includes the steps of: removing at least one burner (20), thereby disrupting the spatial uniformity of the remaining the burners (20); and modifying the combustor air distribution system so as to compensate for the increased burner pressure drop of the remaining burners, thus enabling the modified combustor to operate at a load equivalent to the unmodified combustor. Emission reduction is enabled by the increase in the gas velocity of the burner for a given load further enabled by the flame stabilizing effect of disrupting the spatial uniformity.
US07726015B2 Method of making electrically conductive patterns on a substrate
The invention concerns a method which consists in coating uniformly the non-developable surface (6) with an electrically conductive material (9), which is in turn coated, by spraying, with a pattern (10) of polymerizable protective material, said pattern being polymerized as it is being formed, and then selectively eliminating, through the openings (10.8) of said pattern (10), the portions of said electrically conductive material (9) which do not over said electrically conductive patterns.
US07726014B2 Manufacturing unit of position controller
First, a position control mechanism having a fixed part and a movable part, and a driver that changes position of the movable part relative to the fixed part is prepared. Next, a manufacturing unit having first and second holders and a coupler that couples the first and second holders is prepared. A conductive actuator is held in tension between the first and second holders. Further, the first holder is attached to the movable part and the second holder is attached to the fixed part. After that, the coupler is cut from the manufacturing unit, the first and second holders are separated from each other.
US07726010B2 Method of forming a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) switch
A method of fabricating a MEMS switch having a free moving inductive element within in micro-cavity guided by at least one inductive coil. The switch consists of an upper inductive coil at one end of a micro-cavity; optionally, a lower inductive coil; and a free-moving inductive element preferably made of magnetic material. The coils are provided with an inner permalloy core. Switching is achieved by passing a current through the upper coil, inducing a magnetic field unto the inductive element. The magnetic field attracts the free-moving inductive element upwards, shorting two open conductive wires, closing the switch. When the current flow stops or is reversed, the free-moving magnetic element drops back by gravity to the bottom of the micro-cavity and the conductive wires open. When the chip is not mounted with the correct orientation, the lower coil pulls the free-moving inductive element back at its original position.
US07726009B1 Method of fabricating a perpendicular recording write head having a gap with two portions
A method of fabricating a write head for perpendicular recording includes forming a pole layer on an undercoat layer, forming a mask over at least a portion of the pole layer, and forming the pole by removing material from the pole layer. The method further includes forming a first gap portion of a gap along a first side and a second side of the pole, forming a protective layer over at least a portion of the first gap portion, removing the mask, and removing the protective layer. The method further includes forming a second gap portion of the gap over at least a top surface of the pole and forming a shield over at least the second gap portion.
US07726002B2 Processes for making spinal intervertebral implant, interconnections for such implant
A cortical bone implant is formed of two or more planks of bone which are connected with one or more offset pins. The pins may be right circular cylinders inserted into a corresponding offset bore which offset bends the inserted pin. The bending creates compression and tensile loads in the pin which loads creates friction compression forces on the planks connecting them to the pins by friction. The pins may have different shapes to form offset configurations in place of the offset bores for friction attachment to the planks. The implants may be formed of flat or L-shaped planks or bones formed into other shapes including interlocking arrangements. Processes and fixtures are disclosed for forming the pins, planks and implants. Various embodiments of the pins, planks, implants and processes are disclosed.
US07725995B2 Manufacturing method of piezoelectric vibrator unit, manufacturing method of liquid jet head, piezoelectric vibrator unit, and liquid jet head
Common internal electrodes 27 and segment internal electrodes 28 are laminated alternately with a piezoelectric material 29 between and a common external electrode 30 and a segment external electrode 31 are provided on the surface, forming a drive vibrator 24. A free end part 24a of the drive vibrator 24 is formed with an active region L and can be expanded and contracted in the length direction of the vibrator. A piezoelectric material 29 of the outermost layer in the free end part 24a can be operated based on the potential difference between the external and internal electrodes and a portion of the active region L in the external electrode is used as a trimming portion with an effective length x varied by trimming.
US07725991B2 Low insertion effort fastener with offset for wing
A resilient clip for engaging a structure and having a body portion with a pair of top flanges and a pair of abutting coupling flanges. Each of the abutting flanges has an engagement surface and an engagement member, which engages the mounting structure. The elastic abutting flanges also have a base portion and a transition portion. A ramped surface of the engagement feature extends above the base portion. A substantially flat peripheral surface of the engagement feature in the transition portion is adapted to engage the panel to provide resistance to removal of the fastener from the mounting aperture. To manufacture a clip, a punch is used to apply a force to displace material of the elastic abutting flange portion into a die cavity to form the engagement. The elastic abutting flange portion is bent at a location passing through the engagement feature.
US07725983B2 Recovery tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A cost effective, easy to operate, and convenient mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the recovery tank to the handle.
US07725979B1 Baby-wipe mitt
A baby-wipe mitt comprising an outer absorbent layer, with an added inner highly absorbent layer, both premoistened with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents, the inner lining an impermeable plastic lining extending beyond the outer layer, covering at least part of a user's wrist for further protection is disclosed. The mitt has an elastic band that encircles the wrist of a user. The mitt features opposed digit surrounds to allow easy cleaning of crevices. The mitt features a special non-abrasive pad on digit surround.
US07725976B1 Apparatus and method for the automated cleaning of articles
An apparatus, formulation and method for cleaning soils, such as paint drips or splashes, from the outside surface of filled aerosol paint cans and other articles is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of reservoirs containing liquids for cleaning and rinsing articles. Articles to be cleaned travel on a conveyor system comprised of one or more mechanical conveyors. During the cleaning operation, one or more brushes apply cleaning solution to the articles, an air knife blows excess cleaning solution and/or solid soils off of the articles, and a jet spray rinses the articles. Another air knife may be used to dry the cleaned articles. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recirculation devices for removing solids from the cleaning and rinsing liquids so that these liquids may be reused in the cleaning operations. A cleaning formulation comprised of a glycol ether and hydrocarbon solvent is also provided.
US07725965B2 Portable structure having collapsible frame
A collapsible frame is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The frame includes a first side support assembly and a second side support assembly. Each side support assembly includes a collapsible first support member including a first platform and a collapsible second support member coupled to the first support member at a plurality of pivot points. The second support member includes a support joint movable with respect to the first platform for facilitating moving the collapsible frame between the closed configuration and the open configuration.
US07725963B2 Material mover having a fluid film reservoir
A material mover includes substantially rectangular top and bottom sheets connected to perimeter sidewalls defining at least one chamber. The bottom sheet is perforated with orifices at least in a central portion and has a greater width than that of the top sheet at least in middle and lower regions of the top and bottom sheets. A plurality of partition members connect at least portions of the top and bottom sheets to one another within the chamber, extend parallel to lateral edges of the top and bottom sheets, and are spaced from the perimeter sidewalls. A fluid weir is defined along an outer periphery of the bottom sheet to provide a fluid film reservoir at least under the central portion of the bottom sheet including the orifices. Fluid in the fluid reservoir is substantially contained by the fluid weir.
US07725961B2 Portable toilet
A portable toilet is provided comprising a bowl provided with an outlet and at least one spout. A flush tank is adapted to store a fluid, wherein the flush tank is adapted to be pressurized. A manually-actuated pump is in sealed communication with the flush tank, wherein the pump is adapted to cause the flush tank to become pressurized. A pressure relief valve adapted to release pressure from the flush tank. A manually-actuated flush valve is in sealed communication with the flush tank and is normally biased to a closed position. The flush valve includes a fluid outlet connected to the at least one spout and a fluid inlet. A flush valve actuator is disposed outside of the flush tank and is adapted to actuate the flush valve, wherein actuation of the flush valve actuator causes the flush valve to open to permit pressurized fluid contained within the flush tank to be delivered through the at least one spout.
US07725950B2 Device for the hand and forearm of the user
In one embodiment, a device for the hand and forearm of a user may include a glove portion and a sleeve. The sleeve is integrally attached to the glove portion and includes an elastic portion and a flexible support portion. The elastic portion is configured to contact a substantial portion of a forearm of a user and the flexible support portion is configured to minimize impact to the forearm. In another embodiment, a device for the forearm of a user may include a sleeve. The sleeve includes an elastic portion and a flexible support portion. The elastic portion is configured to contact a substantial portion of a forearm of a user and the flexible support portion is configured to minimize impact to the forearm and enhance catching of a ball. The elastic portion being configured to interact with a glove of the user.
US07725949B2 Ventilated face shield assembly with glare shield
A ventilated face shield assembly with a glare shield which protects the face of the wearer from debris and/or hazardous materials, such as biological materials, and is particularly well suited for medical and dental applications. A ventilated headband is used as a spacer and to support the face shield assembly on the face of the wearer. The glare shield and face shield are made of sheet material and are configured for flat storage. In one embodiment, the glare shield and face shield are coupled with a hinge and a flexible cord retains the glare shield and face shield in an arcuate configuration. In another embodiment, a protective breathing mask is attached to the face shield assembly and supports the glare shield and face shield. In a further embodiment, the glare shield is used as the spacer for the face shield.
US07730546B2 Method and apparatus for authenticating usage of an application
A method and apparatus for determining a current user by receiving an application-level usage indicator; determining a user identifier by consulting a pre-established set of one or more user profiles according to the application-level usage indicator; and executing the application when the determined user identifier is associated with a user that is entitled to use the application.
US07730544B2 Privileged execution context restricting use of hardware resources by other execution contexts
A processor architecture provides for at least two simultaneous execution contexts, hardware resources having at least one execution unit, an instruction scheduler, an interrupt controller, and memory management means, and a given privileged context from among the simultaneous execution contexts that, in a privileged mode of an operating system, commands the other processor contexts by reading from and writing to registers of other contexts.
US07730531B2 System and method for detection of artificially generated system load
A system and method are provided for detecting artificially generated load on a search system. The system may include a load monitoring component for monitoring a current load for comparison with an expected load. The system may additionally include an abnormality detection component for detecting an abnormality when the monitored load exceeds an expected amount by a predetermined threshold. The system may further include an analysis component for determining if the monitored load is an artificial load.
US07730529B2 Method of operating a computer system and computer system
A method of operating a computer system comprises the following steps:installing an executable main module of a program on the computer system, storing module data for the main module and/or for an additional module (A, B, C, D) of the program in the computer system, said stored module data comprising a license part required to determine the presence of the use authorization of the main module and/or of the additional module, and preferably also comprising an information part,evaluating the stored module data for acquisition of a further use authorization for the additional module (A-D) or for a further additional module (A-D), andproviding information for the acquisition of a use authorization as a function of the result of evaluation.
US07730523B1 Role-based access using combinatorial inheritance and randomized conjugates in an internet hosted environment
A method for remote services authentication in an internet hosted environment includes a high level process and functionality for a secure, practical and logically optimized inter-network authentication mechanism by employees, partners and customers of an enterprise into the hosted Internet site. The lightweight authentication and authorization mechanism can be most effectively implemented in Java as part of the application or web server servlet. The method for remote services authentication includes initial secure password establishment, subsequent authentication and authorization, as well as authentication and authorization upon resuming previously run sessions with the hosted server using Internet cookies.
US07730520B2 Automated adaptive method for identity verification with performance guarantees
This invention provides an automated adaptive method for identity verification of claimants that attempt to get access into a resource by responding to a sequence of identifiers. The sequence has a specified maximal length and the identifiers are partitioned into multiple groups where identifiers in the same group are correlated and identifiers in different groups are not correlated. The method guarantees that an impostor will be accepted with a probability that does not exceed a specified parameter and that a legitimate claimant will be rejected with a probability that does not exceed a different specified parameter. The method also computes the probabilities that a legitimate claimant, or an impostor, will terminate an interrogation session with an inconclusive result, which would necessitate further manual interrogation. The method is adaptive as the conditional probabilities of an impostor's responses change throughout a session of interrogation.
US07730516B2 TV-centric system
A method for abstracting a TV hardware component to a service class to facilitate providing services through a TV.
US07730509B2 Asset delivery reporting in a broadcast network
A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.
US07730499B2 Protocol agnostic request response pattern
A system and method for facilitating communications over a protocol is provided. The system includes a class factory that holds identifiers associated with determining which, if any, registered protocol object creator should be employed to create a protocol object. The protocol object implements an abstract network protocol base class. The protocol object is employed to abstract details of communicating over a protocol and to provide a byte stream interface to communications occurring over the protocol, while removing protocol specific code from an application program. The method includes creating an instance of a protocol object from a source of registered protocol handlers based on a request to communicate over a protocol and using a base class API to communicate over the protocol through the protocol object.
US07730498B2 Internationalization of objects executable in a supervisory process control and manufacturing information system
An application object for a supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices and having a layered architecture, the application object comprising a set of text entries listed in a first language, a dictionary within each object drafted to enable the set of text entries to be translated into a plurality of multiple languages, and a set of one or more translation fields for storing text in each of the plurality of languages corresponding to the set of text entries listed in the first language.
US07730487B2 Synchronizing transaction ambient state among multiple transaction managers
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing ambient state among multiple transaction managers. A coordinating transaction manager establishes transaction ambient state for an application initiated transaction. The coordinating transaction manager sends and a subordinate transaction manager receives a pointer to an ambient state delegate. The subordinate transaction manager sends a request to invoke the ambient state delegate to the coordinating transaction manager in response to receiving an operation. The coordinating transaction manager invokes the ambient state delegate to format the transaction ambient state for the subordinate transaction manager. The coordinating transaction manager sends and the subordinate transaction manager receives the formatted transaction ambient state such that the subordinate transaction manager can appropriately process the operation within the scope of the transaction. The subordinate transaction manager utilizes the formatted transaction ambient state to appropriately process the operation within the scope of the transaction.
US07730484B2 Method and device for providing interfaces that are tailored to specific devices
A generic interface device may operate as an interface with different types of electronic data devices that perform data operations. The interface device may establish communications with one of these data devices, and identify the particular type of data device based on data received from the data device. Using the identified type of data device, the interface device downloads a suitable computer program from a server. By executing the downloaded program, the interface device is able to obtain, understand and output specialized data produced by the data device.
US07730470B2 Binary code instrumentation to reduce effective memory latency
A system for binary code instrumentation to reduce effective memory latency comprises a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprises program instructions executable by the processor to implement a code analyzer configured to analyze an instruction stream of compiled code executable at an execution engine to identify, for a given memory reference instruction in the stream that references data at a memory address calculated during an execution of the instruction stream, an earliest point in time during the execution at which sufficient data is available at the execution engine to calculate the memory address. The code analyzer generates an indication of whether the given memory reference instruction is suitable for a prefetch operation based on a difference in time between the earliest point in time and a time at which the given memory reference instruction is executed during the execution.
US07730468B1 System and method providing on-demand generation of specialized executables
A system and method is provided for generating and executing specialized code executables. The system includes a virtual subsystem that processes a generic code image and logs information relating to an operating environment of the virtual subsystem. The logged information is employed as feedback to generate a specialized native executable, wherein the specialized native executable is utilized to provide improved performance of the virtual subsystem. The specialized native executable is selected for execution by the virtual subsystem by matching a current operating environment setting with the logged information.
US07730455B2 Method and apparatus for enforcing safety properties of computer programs by generating and solving constraints
A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for generating and solving constraints. In one embodiment, the method comprises modifying program code by inserting one or more dynamic annotations having unsolved variables, generating one or more constraints based on the one or more dynamic annotations using a verifier, solving the one or more generated constraints; and modifying the program code by inserting a dynamic annotation in place of an annotation containing an unsolved variable.
US07730452B1 Testing a component of a distributed system
In a method for testing a component of a distributed system, a first invocation request is sent to the component, where the first invocation request includes an identifier. A second invocation request is sent to a second component, where the second invocation request carries the identifier from the first invocation request. In addition, the second component switches behavior based upon the identifier, where the switching of behavior of the second component is employed to test the component.
US07730446B2 Software business process model
A business software framework includes an application framework that has a process model. The process model provides desired services to the business components. The process model arranges operations into activities. The process model can also use an agent/service arrangement.
US07730443B2 System and method for checking a length of a wire path between a capacitor and a via of a PCB design
A method for checking a length of a wire path between a capacitor and a via of the PCB design obtains length criteria and information on capacitors from a database, selects one or more capacitors and pins of the selected capacitors from the obtained information on capacitors and selects one of the length criteria, and obtains positions of selected capacitors and positions of vias corresponding to the positions of selected capacitors from the database. The method further calculates each length of a wire path between a selected capacitor and a corresponding via according to the position of the capacitor and the position of the via, determines whether each calculated length of a wire path between a selected capacitor and a corresponding via is acceptable according to a comparison with the selected length criterion, and outputs check results of the determining step.
US07730441B2 Method and system for distributing clock signals on non manhattan semiconductor integrated circuit using parameterized rotation
The present invention introduces methods, systems, and architectures for routing clock signals in an integrated circuit layout. The introduced clock signal clock signal structures are rendered with non Manhattan routing. In a first embodiment, the traditional recursive H clock signal structure is rendered after transforming the coordinates system such that a rotated recursive H clock signal structure is rendered. In another embodiment, a recursive Y structure is used to create a clock signal structure. The recursive Y structure may also be implemented in a rotated alignment. For clock signal redundancy, non Manhattan wiring may be used to create a clock signal mesh network.
US07730435B2 Automatic test component generation and inclusion into simulation testbench
Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently generating test components for testing and evaluating a design under test. As a design is being configured, generated test components are made available. In one example, test components are automatically generated and included in a simulation testbench based on selected components in the design. Generally, the test components complement the selected components in the design. Moreover, the test components can be automatically seeded with initial contents.
US07730431B2 Design method, design apparatus, and computer program for semiconductor integrated circuit
The relative placement orders of cells with respect to circuit diagram information received are automatically determined, and the cells are automatically placed in relative positional relationships according to the placement orders given to the circuit diagram information.
US07730427B2 Desktop management scheme
The present invention introduces a “contextual icon” to an icon-driven interface in which a single icon represents a shortcut to a suite of computer applications. The icon is associated with a single main application that may be invoked if an operator double-clicks on it or enters some other predetermined quick launch command. The desktop icon also may be associated with a context menu that reveals ancillary applications or tools that are related to the suite and typically are used less frequently than the main menu. The context menu may be opened with an ancillary interaction command (example: right clicking on the icon) and, thereafter, an operator may browse through and select an application from the context menu that may be desired. In this way, the contextual icon management scheme reduces desktop clutter while maintaining a highly intuitive navigation scheme among related applications.
US07730419B2 Communication between browser windows
A system for communication between browser windows includes a first web page configured to enable a first browser window into which the first web page is loaded to write a first message into a cookie; a second web page configured to enable a second browser window into which the second web page is loaded to retrieve the first message from the cookie; wherein the second web page is configured to enable the second browser window into which the second web page is loaded to write a second message into a the cookie; and wherein the first web page is configured to enable the first browser window into which the first web page is loaded to retrieve the second message from the cookie.
US07730416B2 Communication apparatus and display method
A communication apparatus and display method are capable of displaying one frame of a plurality of frames, and displaying automatically an appropriate frame for a user in the case that there are changes in display contents. A display part displays screen data while enlarging a frame which is specified by the user and is included in Web data including a plurality of frames received by a data communicating part. While the screen data of the frame specified by the user is displayed, a frame configuration management part judges that changes took place in display contents of other frames that are not displayed. A data processing part performs data processing so as to cause all frames included in the received Web data to be displayed on the display part when it is judged that the changes took place in the display contents.
US07730415B2 State machine function block with a user modifiable state transition configuration database
A control system, a safety system, etc., within a process plant may each use one or more state machine function blocks that can be easily integrated into a function block diagram programming environment. Such a state machine function block may include one or more inputs, which may cause a state machine implemented by the state machine function block to change states. The state machine function block may determine a next state to which it is to transition based, at least in part, on data indicative of the next state to which to transition, if any. The configuration data may be retrieved from a database based on the current state of the state machine and at least one of the inputs. The state machine function block may also include one or more outputs that are generated based on the state of the state machine.
US07730414B2 Graphical display
A device may include logic configured to store a number of media files. The media files may include audio files, video files, image files or multimedia files. The device may also include a display configured to display a graphical representation illustrating information associated with the media files.
US07730411B2 Re-creating meeting context
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) connecting to a conference server via a network; (ii) viewing a list of available past meetings and associated forms of access; (iii) selecting a meeting and form of access from the list; and (iv) re-creating the meeting in a context using the form of access. Example forms of access can include a dialing of all meeting participants, re-creating a previous meeting context, summarizing a meeting, displaying action items, and replaying or viewing a portion of a meeting.
US07730410B2 System and method for customizing form elements in a form building application
A method and system for customizing form elements in a form building application. According to one embodiment, a form builder receives an identification of a user of the form building application, the form building application providing a graphical user interface for the manipulation of a set of form elements, and enables access to a subset of the form elements according to authorization rules, and an access manager determines the authorization rules associated with the user.
US07730404B2 Electronic device and method of messaging meeting invitees
A method of composing an email message at an electronic device and an electronic device operable to carry out the method are provided. The method includes receiving an email command from a user input of the electronic device through a calendar user interface, the email command relating to at least one of a plurality of intended attendees of a calendared meeting, and providing an email composition interface in response to receiving the email command. The email composition interface includes a user-editable portion of an address field. The user-editable portion of the address field is automatically populated with email address information for the at least one of the plurality of intended attendees.
US07730401B2 Touch screen with user interface enhancement
The present invention is a graphical user interface in a computing device having a processor running an operating system and a display. The graphical user interface comprises a touch screen and a driver coupling the touch screen to the operating system. The driver can display a plurality of icons on the touch screen, or a plurality of screen images having at least one icon, with each of the icons associated with operations on the display and/or the touch screen. Other embodiments include the touch screen having unactivated and activated states, as well as the presence of an application programming interface that enables an application to display at least one image on the touch screen.
US07730397B2 System and method for rapid presentation of structured digital content items
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for presenting structured digital content items. A file is read that defines a hierarchical structure. A display region is divided into regions and each region is mapped to a category within the hierarchical structure. An x-coordinate and a y-coordinate, corresponding to a location on the display, are received. The category that maps to the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate is displayed.
US07730391B2 Ink thickness rendering for electronic annotations
A system and method for rendering ink annotations for a displayed image is disclosed. The invention adjusts the thickness of rendered lines for ink annotations when rendered. Ink annotations are created by capturing and connecting a set of data points input by a user. The invention outlines various pixels and weights saturation of anti-aliasing pixels to improve a user's viewing experience.
US07730389B2 System for automatically integrating a digital map system
A method and system for integrating a digital map system with a source document is disclosed including detecting a location description in the source document, and replacing the detected location description with a hyperlink linking to a depiction of the location description. Another embodiment may include a method and system for integrating a digital map system with a source document including detecting a location description in a source document, verifying that the location description describes an actual location, and integrating a hyperlink linking a depiction of the location description into the source document.
US07730386B2 Digital television transmitter/receiver and method of processing data in digital television transmitter/receiver
The present invention relates to a digital television (DTV) transmitter/receiver. In the DTV transmitter, enhanced data is pre-processed by coding the enhanced data for forward error correction (FEC) and expanding the FEC-coded enhanced data. Enhanced data packets are generated including the pre-processed enhanced data and known data is inserted to at least one of the enhanced data packets. The enhanced data packets are multiplexed main data packets including main data. An RS encoder RS-codes the multiplexed main and enhanced data packets, the RS encoder adding systematic parity data to each main data packet and adding RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet. The RS encoder may also insert non-systematic RS parity data or null data into the RS parity place holders included in each enhanced data packet.
US07730378B2 Low-complexity high-performance low-rate communications codes
An encoder includes an outer repetition encoder, an interleaver for permuting encoding from said outer repetition encoder; and an inner encoder for encoding information from the interleaver to provide a repeat zigzag-Hadamard code. In an exemplary embodiment, a common bit of a zigzag-Hadamard segment of encoding from said inner encoder is a repetition of a last parity bit of a previous zigzag-Hadamard segment of encoding from said inner encoder and said common bit is punctured.
US07730377B2 Layered decoding of low density parity check (LDPC) codes
A system for decoding in layers data received from a communication channel, comprising a first adder module adapted to determine an extrinsic estimate using a probability value estimate and a check node value estimate, the probability value estimate and the check node value estimate associated with a parity check matrix. The system also comprises a plurality of parity check update modules (PCUMs) in parallel with each other, coupled to the first adder module and adapted to update the check node value estimate, and a second adder module coupled to the plurality of PCUMs and adapted to update the probability value estimate using the extrinsic estimate and the updated check node value estimate. The PCUMs process at least some columns of at least some rows of the parity check matrix in a serial fashion.
US07730376B2 Providing high availability in a PCI-Express™ link in the presence of lane faults
A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises discovering a failure on a PCI Express interconnect, determining whether a failure override bit has been set to override the standard PCI Express Polling. Compliance state for the failure on the PCI Express interconnect, and if the failure override bit has been set, entering PCI Express Polling. Configuration state if any one lane of the interconnect successfully completes the transmitting and receiving training sequence requirements in PCI Express Polling.Active state.
US07730374B2 Self test circuit for a semiconductor intergrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit that self-tests the skew margin of the clock and data signals in an LVDS. A clock signal CKB1 is held in flip-flop circuit 105 synchronously with checking clock signal A1. Checking pattern signal PAT_A is held in flip-flop circuit 104 synchronously with checking clock signal A2. When the skew margin of clock signal CKA_IN and data signal DA_IN are checked, the checking signal TCKA of flip-flop circuit 105 is input instead of clock signal CKA_IN, and the checking signal TDA of flip-flop circuit 104 is input instead of clock signal DA_IN. The timing relationship between clock signal CKB7 and checking timing signal A1 and the timing relationship between clock signal CKB7 and checking timing signal A2 are controlled independently by timing control circuit 109.
US07730373B2 Test data compression method for system-on-chip using linear-feedback shift register reseeding
A method includes obtaining an equivalent core of multiple cores in a System-on-Chip circuit, and applying linear-feedback shift register LFSR reseeding for compressing test data of the equivalent core.
US07730370B2 Apparatus and method for disk read checking
An apparatus and method for controlling a disk drive is provided. A disk lubricant sweep component for periodically initiates a disk lubricant spreading action. A disk data read check component checks data at one or more LBAs during the disk lubricant sweep. The apparatus may cache data from LBAs that have been checked by the disk data read check component and found correct and record LBAs that have been found correct, so that they can be omitted from subsequent operation of the read check component. The apparatus may further comprise an error checking and correcting component for checking and correcting data found incorrect by reason of a soft error, and an error reporting component for reporting on one or more LBAs that have been checked and found incorrect by reason of a hard error.
US07730369B2 Method for performing memory diagnostics using a programmable diagnostic memory module
A method for performing memory diagnostics using a programmable diagnostic memory module provides enhanced testability of memory controller and memory subsystem design. The programmable diagnostic memory module includes an interface for communicating with an external diagnostic system, and the interface is used to transfer commands to the memory module to alter various behaviors of the memory module. The altered behaviors may be changing data streams that are written to the memory module to simulate errors, altering the timing and/or loading of the memory module signals, downloading programs for execution by a processor core within the memory module, changing driver strengths of output signals of the memory module, and manipulating in an analog domain, signals at terminals of the memory module such as injecting noise on power supply connections to the memory module. The memory module may emulate multiple selectable memory module types, and may include a complete storage array to provide standard memory module operation.
US07730361B2 Aggregation of error messaging in multifunction PCI express devices
A method of aggregating events in a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) multifunction device minimizes reported error messages, where several functions share a common PCIe interface logic. A predetermined number of function entities with logical gates, connected in daisy chain configuration, process incoming information, and a decision is made whether each function entity will generate a blocking control or a pass-through control. The error messages are aggregated across the function entities in a single clock cycle with the help of an error controller. The functions can be from IEEE 1394 interface, graphics display controller, sound card, PCIe switch, or PCIe to PCI bridge connection. Each function preferably has a different configuration and security level setting for error reporting and messaging. There may be a plurality of parallel daisy chains, and the PCIe device may include three layers namely, a physical layer, data link layer and transaction protocol layer (for error logging, reporting).
US07730340B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic voltage and frequency scaling
A machine learning technique is used to improve dynamic prediction of processor utilization for multi-threaded user-level applications in a dynamic run-time environment based on processor utilization history. Processor supply voltage and processor clock frequency may be dynamically scaled based on the predicted processor utilization in order to reduce processor power consumption.
US07730314B2 Method and apparatus for electronic commerce using digital ticket to provide anonymity
A method and apparatus for electronic commerce using a digital ticket are provided. The method for electronic commerce using a digital ticket includes hiding a message comprising a random number and transmitting the hidden message to a ticket issuer, receiving the hidden message signed with a digital signature by the ticket issuer, verifying the digital signature on the message, and transmitting the message with the verified digital signature to the ticket issuer to consume a digital ticket.
US07730303B2 Enhanced content resolution method
A method of providing automatically verifiable trust in a content resolution process in which a PDR resolves a content reference identifier (CRID) identifying a content item using a resolution authority record (RAR) to obtain a locator identifying a location where the PDR can obtain the content item. Preferably, the measure comprises computing a digital signature over at least part of the contents of the CRID, the locator and/or the RAR. The method may also comprise encrypting at least a data portion of the CRID, RAR or locator. Digital rights needed to access the content item can be provided with the CRID, RAR or locator.
US07730296B2 Method and system for providing synchronous running encoding and encryption
Aspects of the invention provide a method and system for coding information in a communication channel. More particularly, aspects of the invention provide an method and system for synchronous running encryption and/or encoding and corresponding decryption and decoding in a communication channel or link. Aspects of the method may include encoding and/or encrypting a first data using a first or second encoding table and/or a first or second encryption table. The method may indicate which one of the first or second encoding tables or which one of the first or second encryption tables were utilized for encoding and/or encrypting the said first data. The encoded and/or encrypted first data may subsequently be transferred downstream and decoded by synchronous decoder/decryptor using a corresponding decoding and/or decryption table. The corresponding decoding and/or decryption table may be determined based on the indicated first and/or second encoding and/or encrypting tables.
US07730295B1 Updating firmware of a peripheral device
An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of updating firmware of a peripheral device coupled to a computer system. A first boot operation is executed for loading an operating system into the computer system, and an update routine is installed for loading updated firmware into the peripheral device. The operating system is modified so that the update routine is executed early during a second boot operation for loading the operating system into the computer system. The second boot operation is executed, during which the update routine is executed to load the updated firmware into the peripheral device. In one embodiment, the update routine comprises an update driver having a DriverEntry code segment for loading the updated firmware into the peripheral device.
US07730293B2 Hard disk drive self-test system and method
A hard disk drive (HDD) self-test system comprises a basic input/output system (BIOS) configured to automatically invoke a self-test of an HDD based on a predetermined schedule.
US07730284B2 Pipelined instruction processor with data bypassing and disabling circuit
An instruction processing device has a of pipe-line stage with a functional unit for executing a command from an instruction. A first register unit is coupled to the functional unit for storing a result of execution of the command when the command has reached a first one of the pipeline stages, and for supplying bypass operand data to the functional unit. A register file is coupled to the functional unit for storing the result when the command has reached a second one of the pipeline stages, downstream from the first one of the pipeline stages, and for supplying operand data to the functional unit. A disable circuit is coupled to selectively disable storing of the results in the register file under control of the instructions.
US07730283B2 Simple load and store disambiguation and scheduling at predecode
Embodiments of the invention provide a processor for executing instructions. In one embodiment, the processor includes circuitry to receive a load instruction and a store instruction to be executed in the processor and detect a conflict between the load instruction and the store instruction. Detecting the conflict includes determining if load-store conflict information indicates that the load instruction previously conflicted with the store instruction. The load-store conflict information is stored for both the load instruction and the store instruction. The processor further includes circuitry to schedule execution of the load instruction and the store instruction so that execution of the load instruction and the store instruction do not result in a conflict.
US07730281B2 System and method for storing immediate data
An article comprising an instruction stored on a storage medium. The instruction includes opcode field storing an opcode signal and an operand field storing an operand signal. The operand is compressed prior to being stored in the operand field.
US07730278B2 Chunk-specific executable code for chunked java object heaps
A mechanism is disclosed for storing one or more chunk-specific sets of executable instructions at one or more predetermined offsets within chunks of a chunked heap. The mechanism provides for storing a chunk-specific set of executable instructions within a portion of a chunk, where the set of executable instructions begins at a predetermined offset within the range of virtual memory addresses allocated to the chunk. The set of executable instructions, when executed, is operable to perform one or more operations that are specific to the chunk.
US07730262B2 Method and system for dynamic distributed data caching
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The method includes providing a cache community comprising at least one peer. Each peer has an associated first content portion indicating content to be cached by the respective peer. A client may be allowed to join the cache community. A peer list associated with the cache community is updated to include the client. The peer list indicates the peers in the cache community. A respective second content portion is associated with each peer based on the addition of the client.
US07730256B2 Dual work queue disk drive controller
Herein described is at least a method and system for improving the performance of a disk drive. A cache work queue and a disk work queue operate together as a dual work queue to facilitate efficient processing of one or more read/write operations performed by the disk drive. In a representative embodiment, the disk drive controller comprises a host interface, a cache buffer, and a disk drive media interface. The disk drive controller comprises the necessary circuitry to execute one or more host commands provided by a host computer. Further, the disk drive controller may facilitate the generation of the cache work queue and the disk work queue. The disk drive controller executes one or more host commands that are received through the host interface such that the cache work queue and disk work queue are employed when a read or write operation is performed.
US07730255B2 Apparatus, method, and program for recording
A recording apparatus for recording data in individual blocks each made of plural given regions on an optical disc is disclosed. The recording apparatus may have (i) a detection portion which detects a finally recorded region on the disc by detecting for each of the given regions as to whether or not data is recorded and (ii) a recording control portion which records dummy data from a region next to the finally recorded region detected by the detection portion to the final region of a block located behind the finally recorded region by at least one region and then starting to record data from the head region of the subsequent block.
US07730252B2 Method, apparatus and system for serial attached SCSI (SAS) zoning management of a domain using connector grouping
Embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus and system for managing SAS zoning, using connector grouping. A connector grouping management application is configured to allow connectors on the edge of the ZPSDS to be grouped into defined zones. The defined zones are used to create a minimal number of zone groups and to configure the respective permissions of the zone groups. The connector grouping application then compares all existing zone groups for phys common to more than one zone group. The connector grouping application removes all phys common to more than one zone group from the respective zone groups and moves the common phys to a new zone group. The zone groups are processed in this manner until no zone groups have common phys. Once all zone groups have been processed accordingly, information associated with the resulting zone groups and their respective permissions are transferred to the zone manager.
US07730251B2 Support identification device
A support identification device comprising a support (BPA), e.g. a rack or backplane of a telecommunication system, and an identity receiver (PCB), e.g. a printed circuit board or card, coupled to an identity transmitter or connector of the support. The identity transmitter has several read pins (id1-id4=R1-R4) each at a logical level (0, 1) to indicate (identify) the type of support. The card (PCB) further has write terminals (W1, W2) coupled to dynamic terminals (D1, D2) of the support (BPA). These dynamic terminals are coupled to one or more of the read pins (id1-id4). The card is also provided with a program that sets the write terminals at a first logical level, reads a first logical level at each read pin (R1-R4), then sets the write terminals at a second logical level, reads a second logical level at each read pin, and determines from the difference between the first and the second read logical levels to which write terminal each read terminal is coupled, or not. This allows to obtain (2+w)n identifications with n read pins and w write pins, instead of 2n+w identifications with the same total number n+w of read or basic pins.
US07730249B2 Device control apparatus that calls an operating system to control a device
In a device control apparatus, a processor that operates according to software, an OS storage unit stores Operating Systems that operate on the processor, and a storage unit stores privileged software which operates on the processor. The privileged software calls one of the Operating Systems when the processor receives an interrupt from a device, and the Operating System controls the device. Furthermore, a detecting unit detects an interrupt to the processor, a judging unit judges whether the Operating System has called the privileged software from the storage unit in a first predetermined time from detection of the interrupt, and a resetting unit resets the processor when the judging unit judges that the Operating Systcm 9em has not called the privileged software from the storage unit.
US07730248B2 Interrupt morphing and configuration, circuits, systems and processes
An electronic configuration circuit includes a processing circuit (2610) operable for executing instructions and responsive to interrupt requests and operable in a plurality of execution environments (EE) selectively wherein a said execution environment (EE) is activated or suspended, a first configuration register (SCR) coupled to the processing circuit (2610) for identifying the interrupt request as an ordinary interrupt request IRQ when the execution environment (EE) is activated (EE_Active); and a second configuration register (SSM_FIQ_EE_y) for associating an identification of that execution environment (EE) with the same interrupt request, the processing circuit (2610) coupled (5910) to the second configuration register (SSM_FIQ_EE_y) to respond to the same interrupt request as a more urgent type of interrupt request when that execution environment (EE) is suspended (5920).
US07730246B2 Opportunistic transmission of software state information within a link based computing system
A method is described that involves determining that software state information of program code is to be made visible to a monitoring system. The method also involves initiating the writing of the software state information into a register. The method also involves waiting for the software state information to be placed onto a link within a link based computing system.
US07730241B2 Device and configuration method
A process for configuring a computing device to operate with a peripheral device having a configuration control and that is coupled to the computing device via a network, including: detecting activation of the configuration control at the peripheral device; receiving information associated with a user of the computing device at the peripheral device; outputting information from the peripheral device dependent on the received information; and configuring the computing device to operate with the peripheral device using the outputted information.
US07730240B2 Method for controlling the access times to a system bus and communication module
A method for defining a cycle time for a transmission cycle on a system bus of a monitoring and/or control system having at least one communication module and at least one input/output module, which is connected to the communication module via the system bus for transmitting measurement and/or control signals and is intended to input and/or output measurement and/or control signals to field applications, the at least one communication module having a time control unit for controlling a transmission cycle which is constantly repeatedly carried out and has defined communication times for the communication and input/output modules which are connected to the system bus, comprises measuring the signal propagation times on the system bus and defining the cycle time for a transmission cycle on the system bus on the basis of the longest signal propagation time measured.
US07730231B2 Data transfer interface for a direct transfer of data from a first device to a second device
A data transfer interface system is provided that directly transfers data from one data storage drive to another data storage drive under the control of a host. The host and data storage drives are jointly connected to one another with data lines and control lines. Each data storage drive is connected separately to the host with a read/write command line. The host initializes the data storage drives providing initialization data to the drives where the data may include position information and commend information. After initialization, the host concurrently instructs one data storage drive to read the data from the drive while the other data storage drive writes the data to memory.
US07730224B2 Program and method for managing device driver and information processing apparatus
According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus which has a recognition function for recognizing connected peripheral devices and can make the connected peripheral devices available, comprises a holding unit adapted to hold the upper limit of device drivers to be installed, and an install controlling unit adapted to install device drivers by the upper limit held by the holding unit when device drivers corresponding to peripheral devices recognized by the recognition function are installed.
US07730217B2 High-speed data transfer in a networked server environment via laser communication
A system and method are provided for accelerating data transfer between networked databases. First provided are a plurality of databases coupled by a network. At least one laser unit is coupled to each database. In operation, such laser units are capable of communicating data between the databases via free space by way of a laser beam. This allows data communication at a rate faster than that which the network is capable.
US07730215B1 Detecting entry-portal-only network connections
A network connection manager detects entry-portal-only network connections. The network connection manager requests content from at least one remote location through a network connection. The network connection manager examines the received content, and determines whether the network connection is an entry-portal-only network connection. In response to detecting an entry-portal-only condition, the network connection manager prompts the user to logon through the entry portal and establish a general purpose network connection.
US07730212B2 Message transformation selection tool
A message transformation selection tool and method for use in a distributed message processing system running applications on subsystems using incompatible message formats, selects the most appropriate output message format for a given input message format. Firstly, the tool determines compatibility of each field of the input message format with fields of all possible output message formats. Next, it statistically analyses the values of message fields in messages stored in message logs for each of the subsystems. On the basis of this analysis, the tool selects the best fit output message into which to transform a given input message.
US07730199B2 Method and system of processing a data stream
Methods and systems of processing a data stream are disclosed. A developer may develop a service only by programming a Service Unit (SU) including a service logic (SL) and including a Service Unit Description Language (SUDL) file, so that the developer may not need to program complicated stream processing code, such as stream source connection code, network input/output (I/O) code, and buffering code. In addition, the stream source connected dynamically to the service and a service execution mode (such as push and pull modes) may be converted by simply changing setting files based on the service model. The system includes modules for managing and processing the stream in reality, such as stream source connection modules, network I/O processing modules, and stream buffering modules, the modules operating the developed program through the service model.
US07730196B2 Efficient transfer of messages using reliable messaging protocols for web services
The present invention provides for flow and congestion control mechanisms in accordance with a Reliable Message protocol for Web Services (RM-WS). For flow control, one endpoint informs another endpoint of its available buffer size by including buffer size information in response messages. The response messages, typically RM-WS infrastructure messages, are then used to determine an upper limit on the number of messages that can be sent to the acceptor in order to prevent resending messages due to buffer overrun. In the case of congestion control, embodiments provide for increasing the number of in-flight messages until a failure point is found. The last successful rate below the failure point is the closest known point to the optimum point. Example embodiments then reset and try again raising the rate back to the last known good point and fine tuning from there using an algorithm that asymptotes the optimum rate.
US07730193B2 Automated time zone based grouping
Time zone data is obtained from clients, such as web browsers, which interact with a server, and used to classify metrics of the clients such as response times. This classification technique does not require that a mapping of IP addresses to geographic location is available. Metrics from the clients are communicated from the server to a manager, which aggregates the metrics for each time zone. The manager can automatically associate geographic descriptors, such as names of cities, with the metrics in a report such as in a user interface display. If a partial mapping of IP address to location is available, the report can aggregate metrics which are grouped by IP address separately from metrics which are not grouped by IP address. The user interface display can be automatically populated with selectable nodes which allow a user to selectively view the metrics.
US07730192B2 Managing parallel requests in a communications environment supporting serial and parallel request handlers
A facility is described for managing parallel requests in a communications environment having devices or applications (“request handlers”) that support serial and parallel message processing. In various embodiments, the facility receives messages directed to a recipient from an application and sends a first message to the recipient without sending subsequently received messages to the recipient. Upon receiving a response from the recipient to the first message, the facility determines whether the recipient supports parallel or serial message processing. When the recipient supports parallel message processing, the facility sends the subsequently received messages to the recipient without awaiting a response to a message before sending another message. When the recipient supports serial message processing, the facility sends a subsequent message after receiving a response to a previously sent message.
US07730189B2 Network-initiated session recovery
Techniques for network-initiated session recovery are described. A relationship is maintained between two identifiers both associated with a session between a first device and an access terminal in a wireless network. The first identifier is associated with the first device, and the second identifier is associated with a second device in communication with the first device. After a breach of the session, communications associated with the session are preserved based on the relationship between the first and second identifiers.
US07730187B2 Remote domain name service
Method and systems to resolve IP addresses in response to domain name resolution requests on a packet-switched network. A request to resolve the domain name is received at a CDN in a second location. The domain name is associated with a content object and is relayed with a terminal device, which receives Internet access from an access network. The access network comprises a first DNS system that functions in an authoritative DNS mode. The content object is realized in a first location of the terminal device, different from the second location. An IP address for the domain name is returned from the second DNS system, wherein the second DNS system alternatively operates in both the authoritative and a recursing DNS mode. The content object is delivered from the second location with the CDN toward the terminal device.
US07730163B2 Multimedia message service apparatus
A system that services international multimedia message calls includes an MMSC that determines from the destination MSISDN of the header of a multimedia message that the call is an international transmission and, at the same time, determines whether or not the forwarding destination supports number portability, by referencing the MSISDN routing table. If number portability is supported, it acquires the IMSI corresponding to the destination MSISDN by inquiring the HLR. Next, the MMSC acquires the domain name of the MMSE of the forwarding destination by referencing the IMSI routing table from the IMSI that has thus been acquired and forwards the multimedia message to this MMSE. If number portability is not supported, it forwards the multimedia message to the MMSE of the domain name acquired by referencing the MSISDN routing table.
US07730160B2 Accessing deep web information associated with hospitality services using a search engine
Methods, apparatuses, and articles for receiving a search request associated with a hospitality service from a client device, the search request including a plurality of search criteria, are described herein. Additionally, the methods, apparatuses, and articles further return to the client device an answer page having a plurality of answers potentially associated with the hospitality service, the plurality of answers identifying a plurality of information locations having information potentially associated with at least a one of the plurality of search criteria, where at least one of the answers includes at least one input field of a query answer page for entry of at least one feature of the hospitality service, the query answer page to be dynamically generated by one of the information locations in response to a query.
US07730158B2 Information processing apparatus, in-vehicle apparatus, information system, and information processing apparatus control program
In an information system including an information processing apparatus and an in-vehicle apparatus, a synchronization process is performed in a highly efficient manner, which allows an improvement in usability in playing back playable data on the in-vehicle apparatus. The information processing apparatus acquires a list of playable data already existing in the in-vehicle apparatus and produces synchronization data by extracting, as the synchronization data, playable data from the playable data existing in the information processing apparatus in accordance with the acquired list such that the extracted playable data does not include any part of the playable data already existing in the in-vehicle apparatus.
US07730156B1 Method and system for reporting changes in PIM data
A method and system for reporting changes in personal information management (PIM) data. A user operating a client station subscribes to a presence server to be notified when a change in another user's PIM data occurs. The presence server responsively subscribes to a PIM host. When the designated change occurs, the PIM host notifies the presence server. The presence server then correlates the notification with the user's subscription and responsively notifies the user of the change.
US07730154B2 Method and system for fragment linking and fragment caching
A method, a system, an apparatus, and a computer program product are presented for fragment caching. After a message is received at a computing device that contains a cache management unit, a fragment in the message body of the message is cached. Subsequent requests for the fragment at the cache management unit result in a cache hit. The cache management unit operates equivalently in support of fragment caching operations without regard to whether the computing device acts as a client, a server, or a hub located throughout the network; in other words, the fragment caching technique is uniform throughout a network. Cache ID rules accompany a fragment from an origin server; the cache ID rules describe a method for forming a unique cache ID for the fragment such that dynamic content can be cached away from an origin server.
US07730144B2 High level network layer system and method
A technique for providing high level network layer functionality to an IM environment involves providing a high level platform through which IM clients can connect to IM networks. A platform according to the technique may include a low level network connect engine, an aggregated low level information database, and/or a high level function engine. A method according to the technique may include facilitating a high level login; checking user configurations; accomplishing one or more IM network logins in accordance with the user configurations; and providing high level services in association with at least one of the IM networks. Another method according to the technique may include logging into a high level platform; logging into a first IM network; logging into a second IM network; and accessing at the high level platform aggregated low level information associated with the first IM network and the second IM network.
US07730135B2 Method and apparatus for intelligent routing of instant messaging presence protocol (IMPP) events among a group of customer service representatives
A routing system is provided for intelligent routing of instant messages between clients connected to a data network and customer service representatives connected to the network. The system comprises at least one instant message server and at least one intermediate server connected to and addressable on the network, the intermediate server capable of routing and accessible to the instant message server. Clients connecting to the instant message server through instant message software assert a connection link advertised by the instant message server to establish bi-directional communication between the client machine and the intermediate server. In preferred application, the intermediate server interacts with the client for identification of client and client software. The client request is then routed to an appropriate customer service representative running compatible software according to enterprise rules establishing an active instant message connection between the client and the selected customer service representative.
US07730134B2 Contact sidebar tile
Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.
US07730131B2 Controlling publication of presence information
A user interface is configured to identify and display each of the one or more service providers servicing the user's computing system. The interface also identifies the presence information that is being supplied to the service providers by the user's computing system for publication. The presence information that is provided to the service providers can include, but is not limited to, the name, alias, location, and network status of the user. A user can make global or discrete customized changes to the presence information that is provided to each of the service providers through the user interface. Modifications made to the presence information can also be made automatically to reflect a new condition or status in the user's presence on a network that is provided by a service provider.
US07730127B2 Method, system and apparatus for video sharing
A method for video sharing, which realizes video sharing between an originating UE and a terminating UE when the terminating UE is not IMS core network registered. The method includes the following steps: an originating UE sends a video sharing request containing a URI of callee to an application server; the application server determines that the terminating UE of the callee is not IMS core network registered and notifies the terminating UE to register; the terminating UE activates a GPRS connection and registers with the IMS core network; the originating UE and the registered terminating UE set up a sharing session via the application server; the originating UE and the terminating UE share video information. A system and apparatus for practicing this method is also disclosed.
US07730125B2 Method of facilitating access to IP-based emergency services
A method for reporting a user's emergency condition by sending an emergency help request message in a TCP/IP format to an emergency service center (ESC). The help request message may be sent over the Internet to advantageously harness the data transmission resources provided by the Internet. A support service provider may commercially provide such an emergency reporting service to a group of subscribers. The service provider may receive emergency requests from the subscribers and may send those requests over the Internet to the emergency service center. The service provider may also convert any non-TCP/IP message received from the subscriber into a TCP/IP message prior to sending the message to the ESC. A per-usage fee or a flat subscription fee may be charged by the service provider to allow users to report emergency conditions over the Internet. The support service provider thus coordinates the emergency help on behalf of the user. Internet-based emergency message delivery may be useful in many situations, for example, when the person in need of help is mute, disabled or in a situation that prevents the person from orally requesting emergency help from the ESC.
US07730124B2 System, method, and computer program product for online and offline interactive applications on mobile devices
A system, method and computer program product for exchanging data between a client and information sources via a server. The invention operates by obtaining data objects from a plurality of sources, wherein the data objects have native data formats specific to the sources. The data objects are converted to a common data format, and are then transmitted to the client. At the client, the data objects are modified. The modified data objects are compliant with the common data format. The modified data objects are transmitted to the server, where they are converted to the native data formats specific to the sources associated therewith. Then, the converted modified data objects are transmitted to the associated sources.
US07730122B2 Authenticating a node requesting another node to perform work on behalf of yet another node
Provided are a method, system, and program for authenticating a node requesting another node to perform work on behalf of yet another node. A plurality of agent nodes in the network are associated with a multi-node, wherein the agent nodes are associated with machines in the network capable of performing operations on behalf of the multi-node. A target node receives a request from a calling node for the target node to perform operations on behalf of the multi-node, wherein the target node is one of the agent nodes associated with the multi-node. The target node determines whether the calling node is one of the agent nodes associated with the multi-node and determines whether the calling node is capable of authenticating with a server. The target node performs the operations requested by the calling node in response to determining that the calling node is associated with the multi-node and is capable of authenticating with the server.
US07730121B2 Parallel processing systems and method
Methods and systems for parallel computation of an algorithm using a plurality of nodes configured as a Howard Cascade. A home node of a Howard Cascade receives a request from a host system to compute an algorithm identified in the request. The request is distributed to processing nodes of the Howard Cascade in a time sequence order in a manner to minimize the time to so expand the Howard Cascade. The participating nodes then perform the designated portion of the algorithm in parallel. Partial results from each node are agglomerated upstream to higher nodes of the structure and then returned to the host system. The nodes each include a library of stored algorithms accompanied by data template information defining partitioning of the data used in the algorithm among the number of participating nodes.
US07730120B2 Systems and methods for clickstream analysis to modify an off-line business process involvng cross promotion
Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of clickstream data of online users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the creation of new offline business methods based on online consumer behavior.
US07730118B2 Multiply-accumulate unit and method of operation
An arithmetic unit for selectively implementing one of a multiply and multiply-accumulate instruction, including a multiplier, addition circuitry, a result register, and accumulator circuitry. The multiplier arranged to receive first and second operands and operable to generate multiplication terms. The addition circuitry for receiving multiplication terms from the multiplier and operable to combine them to generate a multiplication result. The result register for receiving the multiplication result from the adder. The accumulator circuitry connected to receive a value stored in the result register and an accumulate control signal which determines whether the arithmetic unit implements a multiply or a multiply-accumulate instruction.
US07730109B2 Message catalogs for remote modules
A system and method for incorporating message catalogs in remote modules. The system and method comprise a container server that identifies one or more modules for use with a container document, receives a module specification from a remote server, and serves the container document with module data based on the module specification, wherein the module data comprises a message reference that identifies a message catalog.
US07730107B1 System and method for updating and sharing private library profile data to facilitate delivery of electronic content to libraries
A service registry that supports updating and sharing of profile data with partners. The registry allows organizations such as libraries and consortia to manage and share data that define their organizations (e.g., institution type, location, main and branch institutions, URLs for electronic services, circulation statistics, and population served). Organizations share a RSS-enabled obfuscated link with their partners that enables the partners to access a page with the latest institutional profile, and to be notified when it is updated. The obfuscation of the RSS feed provides a notification while keeping the data private. Every time a user creates an institutional profile, an equivalent RSS-enabled page is generated that can be reached through a RSS feed that has an obfuscated link name. The user shares this link with the institution's partners and others that have a need to know the information and to access details about the institution and its services.
US07730104B2 Extraction of information from structured documents
A method of extracting information from a structured document includes the steps of assigning a partial tree identifier inclusive of a tag identifier to a selected partial tree wherein the tag identifier includes a name of a tag corresponding to a root of the selected partial tree, a name of at least one format attribute of the tag, and a value of the at least one format attribute, arranging names of format attributes in a predetermined order in the tag identifier if the at least one format attribute of the tag includes two or more format attributes, and identifying a partial tree having a partial tree identifier identical to the partial tree identifier of the selected partial tree from a list of partial tree identifiers of partial trees that exist in the structured document after updating thereof.
US07730103B2 Apparatus and method for efficient encoding of application definition using contiguous arrays
A system and method for the simplification of data structures, particularly those used for wireless communications, encodes data structures for efficient storage and access. Wireless devices are provisioned with user applications for accessing remote services, such as World Wide Web services. The user applications comprise a plurality of component definitions which typically describe complex data structures for execution by a runtime environment. The runtime environment is conditioned to use a manner to encode such data structures in flat arrays of primitive types.
US07730098B2 Method for supporting ontology-related semantic queries in DBMSs with XML support
A method for supporting semantic matching queries in a database management system (DBMS) by extracting and storing the transitive/subsumption relationships from a given ontology data in a DBMS with native XML support. These transitive relationships are transformed into a set of XML documents that are natural mappings of the hierarchical structure of the transitive relationships. A table function construct expresses semantic matching queries in a declarative manner. The semantic matching queried are automatically rewritten or translated into standard SQL/XML search operators such as XQuery, XPath and XMLExists, and executed by the SQL/XML DBMS on the given instance data and the extracted transitive relationships data.
US07730094B2 Scoped access control metadata element
Methods, systems, and data structures for communicating object metadata are provided. A generic metadata container is presented that allows object metadata to be described in an extensible manner using protocol-neutral and platform-independent methodologies. A metadata scope refers to a dynamic universe of targets to which the included metadata statements correspond. Metadata properties provide a mechanism to describe the metadata itself, and metadata security can be used to ensure authentic metadata is sent and received. Mechanisms are also provided to allow refinement and replacement of metadata statements. The generic metadata container can be adapted to dynamically define access control rights to a range of objects by a range of users, including granted and denied access rights.
US07730082B2 Remote module incorporation into a container document
A system and method for serving content in a container document. The system comprises a container server that identifies one or more modules for use with a container document, receives a module specification from a remote server, and serves the container document including module data based on the module specification. The module specification comprises a content element and one or more optional preference elements that enable the container server to provide preferences to the module.
US07730072B2 Automated adaptive classification system for knowledge networks
A method and apparatus for use in an information retrieval system is provided, which derives related informational items that have a usage based relationship strength, and which results in an efficient and more accurate dynamic relationship association between informational items. This system comprises the steps for detecting a selection of at least a first informational item and a second informational item in an information retrieval session. A relationship type is assigned based on characteristic similarities between the first informational item and the second informational item. Additionally, a relationship strength is assigned based on historical frequency of the consecutive selection of the first and second informational items and providing an access to the second informational item upon detection of the first being accessed by a user of the information retrieval system. Also, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the extraction of textual database fields; the application of multiple text classification algorithms; the merging of the algorithm results; the encoding of the merged results as a Bayesian-type link; the use of feedback methods to weight, prune and age the relationship link serves to automate and enhance the process of classification in an information retrieval system.
US07730070B2 Index aging and merging
Systems and methods for processing an index are described. An index may be merged with another index of comparable age and size into a single index. Since older indexes are less likely to need updating, they are “set aside” to age based on certain adaptive criteria such as the age and size of the index, percentage of deletions, and how long it takes to update the index. An index that has been set aside may be compacted into a format that is optimized for fast searching.
US07730064B2 System and method for managing models and model dependencies within a computerized simulation environment
A system and method for viewing models and model variables within a sophisticated modeling environment is disclosed. The system provides varying levels of insight into a modeling infrastructure to help the user understand model and model variable dependencies, usage, distribution, and/or the like. The method includes storing model and model variable data within a relational database system, receiving a request from a user interfacing with the system via a web interface, extracting search criteria and presentation preferences from the request, formulating and executing one or more queries on the database to retrieve the required data, formatting the data in accordance with the request, and retuning the data to the requesting user in the form of a web page.
US07730060B2 Efficient evaluation of object finder queries
The subject disclosure pertains to a class of object finder queries that return the best target objects that match a set of given keywords. Mechanisms are provided that facilitate identification of target objects related to search objects that match a set of query keywords. Scoring mechanisms/functions are also disclosed that compute relevance scores of target objects. Further, efficient early termination techniques are provided to compute the top K target objects based on a scoring function.
US07730059B2 Cube faceted data analysis
Methods, systems, and computer readable medium for displaying results of a search query. In one implementation, the method includes receiving a query, obtaining documents that satisfy the query, constructing a facet hierarchy based on documents that satisfy the query, creating a cube structure based on the facet hierarchy, and displaying a multi-dimensional search interface based on the cube structure.
US07730052B2 System and method for providing a virtual item context
A virtual item set representing a subset of items stored within an original data structure. The system includes a virtual item set processor configured to generate a plurality of virtual items that are a subset of items in the original data structure, and a virtual item set including the plurality of virtual items. Each virtual item includes a data field containing a data item from the original data structure and a metadata field, the meta field data including position information representing the position of the data field within an original data structure.
US07730049B2 Method for representing the vertical component of road geometry and computing grade or slope
A geographic database represents roads including an altitudinal component of the geometry of the roads. The altitudinal component of the geometry of roads is represented using data that indicate straight line segments and vertical curves, in particular parabolic vertical curves. The straight lines and vertical curves are determined by providing data, indicating the altitude at a plurality of locations along portions of roads, as an input to a Hough transform to determine the straight line segments and vertical curves that coincide with the portions of the roads vertically. Then, data that define the straight line segments and vertical curves are stored to represent the altitudinal component of the geometry of the portions of the roads in the geographic database. The altitudinal variation of roads is thus expressed in closed form. From this closed form representation, the slope or grade at any point along the road can be easily computed.
US07730044B2 Log data store and assembler for large objects in database system
A mechanism works in conjunction with a DB2® Log and an analysis tool, such as BMC's Log Master™, to handle logged data for Large Objects (LOBs) stored in tables of a DB2 database system. A plurality of controls track data logged for the LOBs. The mechanism reads log records from a DB2 Log and uses the controls to determine which of the tracked LOBs is associated with the log records and obtains data from those associated log records. The mechanism builds keys to index the data and stores the keys and the data in a Virtual Storage Access Method store having Key Sequenced Data Sets maintained separate from the log record store for the DB2 Log. When requested by the analysis tool, the data in the store can be reassembled using the keys and map records in the first store that map the logged data for the tracked LOBs.
US07730037B2 Fragile watermarks
Disclosed is a fragile watermarking scheme for detecting and localizing malicious alterations made to a database relation with categorical attributes without introducing distortions to cover data. A watermark for a tuple group may be inserted by selectively switching the position of tuples in tuple pairs using a tuple hash associated with each tuple in the tuple pair; and a corresponding bit in a watermark derived from the tuple group using a embedding key, a primary key and hash functions.
US07730030B1 Resource based virtual communities
This invention disclosed a system and method for resource based virtual communities. Any resources that can be shared or used by multiple people, including Internet resources, software or other resources can be the basis for the community, whose members are users of the resource. Web resources include web sites, web pages, news groups or discussion forums. Other types of resources include software products, bulletin boards, games or other products. The community composes of the current resource users such as web page readers, bulletin board posters, game players, software users. Whenever a person accesses or uses the resource, the user is automatically joined as part of the community. At the same time they are using the resource, they can access all services provide by the community, such as talking with other members, collaborating with others, publishing comments, or even adding new community services.
US07730024B2 Distributed data mining using analysis services servers
An Analysis Services server component that facilitates data mining using Analysis Services in a distributed environment is provided. The Analysis Services server component can be a component of a distributed Analysis Services system for distributed data mining. The distributed Analysis Services system can provide support for collaboration between multiple Analysis Services server components having similar models that can be shared for collaborative work.Data can be distributed to a plurality of Analysis Services server components so that multiple data mining models can be built on the server components based on certain parameters (e.g., number of servers to use, accuracy details etc. as algorithmic parameters). Based on that when a model is being processed, data can be shipped across multiple Analysis Services server components and multiple models can be built. During prediction these analysis services server components can collaborate between them to give the prediction results by different mechanisms.
US07730011B1 Attributes of captured objects in a capture system
Regular expressions used for searching for patterns in captured objects can be grouped into attributes. Such attributes can be associated with captured objects using tags stored in a database. In one embodiment, the present invention includes capturing an object being transmitted over a network, and determining that a regular expression appears in the object, the regular expression belonging to a group of one or more regular expressions associated with an attribute. If a regular expression associated with the attribute is found in the object, then an attribute field of a tag containing metadata related to the captured object is set to indicate the presence of the attribute in the captured object. The presence of the attribute in the captured object can now be determined from the tag, which can be stored in a database.
US07729996B2 Reuse of an EBP account through alternate authentication
A technique for accessing an electronic commerce service is provided in which information associated with a subscriber's account with an electronic commerce service is stored along with first subscriber credentials for that subscriber to access the services. An account is created during enrollment. The enrollment is associated with a first electronic commerce participant, i.e., a biller or a payee. A request for the subscriber to access an electronic commerce service in association with a second electronic commerce participant is received. Without the subscriber, or any other entity providing the credentials, the subscriber is granted access to the requested service utilizing the account established in association with the first participant. This access is granted based upon the subscriber providing information other than credentials, the provided information being information stored by the service provider in association with the enrollment.
US07729991B2 Method and system for electronic voter registration and electronic voting over a network
A method and system are described for completing and submitting an electronic voter registration form and an electronic ballot over a network. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a blank registration form is transmitted, upon request at a first computer, via a transaction mediator, to the first computer. Registration information is transmitted from the first computer, via a transaction mediator, to a computer database that resides on a transaction repository server, all of which are networked together, to establish a registered voter. Upon request by a registered voter at a second computer, a blank electronic ballot is transmitted from the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server, via a transaction mediator, to the second computer. A voted electronic ballot is transmitted from the second computer, via the transaction mediator, to the computer database that resides on the transaction repository server.
US07729990B2 Check image access system
Systems and methods of processing financial transaction information are provided. In one embodiment, a financial institution runs an index generating software program to generate a downloadable index of images of cleared checks. The account customer uses complementary software to remotely download, search, and display the index of cleared check images, together with the images themselves. In another embodiment, the financial institution periodically runs a software program to generate digital archives of the cleared check images for the account customer. The account customer is provided with secure online access to the digital archives. The account customer may use standard financial bookkeeping software to download and display the cleared check images and associate the cleared check images with transactions in the associated account registers.
US07729984B1 Effecting financial transactions
A financial account that represents value is maintained on behalf of an account holder. The financial account has a plurality of account identifiers that enable a party that presents a debit account identifier to effect a debit transaction in the account, or a party that presents a general account identifier to effect both debit and credit transactions in the account. A third party is permitted to effect a credit transaction in the account by presenting a credit identifier, which is an identifier different from the debit or general account identifiers. The credit identifier is insufficient to enable a third party to effect a debit transaction in the account.
US07729983B1 Credit risk managing loan pools
A system providing a comprehensive tool useful in credit risk managing a set of loans. The system includes a method for obtaining an estimated financial outcome, i.e., a gain or a loss, for a particular loan, and applying the estimated loss for to the set. The system also includes a method for obtaining a probability of a loss for a particular loan, and applying the probability of loss to the set. The system further includes the generation of a list of loans from the set of loans with a heightened risk of loss.
US07729980B2 Systems and associated methods for providing projected incentive based loans
An incentive based loan method and related system provides a loan to a purchaser in association with the purchase of goods or services. An amount of purchases to be made by a purchaser, such as a small business, is projected over a period of time. The purchases can be goods or services, such as package shipping services. Based on the amount of the projected purchases, an incentive rate is agreed upon by the seller of the goods or services and the purchaser. In lieu of receiving the discounted rate on the goods or services during the period of time, the present value of the total incentives to be earned over the projection period is loaned to the purchaser. The purchaser thereafter pays list price for the goods or services, and the incentives earned are applied to the required loan payment.
US07729978B2 System and method for dynamically changing an electronic trade order quantity
A system and methods for dynamically changing a trade order quantity in an electronic trading environment are described herein. According to one example embodiment, an automated trading tool determines if a leaned on quantity of a trading strategy has increased or decreased and if so, dynamically changing a desired order quantity to reflect the change in the leaned on quantity. Dynamically changing an order quantity may be more profitable for a trader as order queue position may be maintained and portion of the desired order quantity may get filled; rather than a trader losing their order queue position and/or taking a chance of not getting any of their order quantity filled.
US07729971B2 Computer-aided financial security analysis system and method
A computer-aided financial analysis system and method provides research analytical capabilities for modeling financial security holdings that include the capability to conduct multi-dimensional dynamic searches across fundamental research, technical research, market data and exposure to exogenous economic and market factors. The capability to isolate securities most susceptible to market movements and overlay available research analyses on top of this view and to view exposure to directional change in any exogenous economic and market factor on an individual security or portfolio of securities in a real-time, intuitive manner via charts, tables and/or heat maps is also provided.
US07729967B2 Systems and methods for providing an only at best order type in an electronic trading system
Systems and methods of trading items on an electronic trading system according to the invention are provided. The embodiments of the invention are based at least in part on a new order type. The new order type is an only at best order type, whereby trades are preferably only executed at the best price the item is being bought or sold.
US07729961B1 Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for analyzing HMDA data
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are described for normalizing HMDA data. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method of normalizing HMDA data comprises receiving HMDA data including at least one of HMDA data reports and loan-level public HMDA data, the HMDA data having information that varies as a function of time; correcting errors in the HMDA data; normalizing the HMDA data across any variation in the information; summarizing the normalized HMDA data; and outputting the summarized and normalized HMDA data to an application for analysis.
US07729956B2 Methods and system for determining the user's interests
The present invention provides systems and methods to allow those offering products and services, for example, via web pages, to collect accurate preferences and requirements with a minimum of effort required from a potential customer. Product information containing priority indicators is presented to a user while the user is viewing product information. By selecting a priority indicator, he user may indicate that he is interested in specific product features associated with each priority indicator. This information may then be used to construct detailed product information, quotations, demonstrations, or other material. Thus, accurate, valuable, and useful customer data may be collected without imposing on potential customers to invest a great deal of effort.
US07729951B2 Method, system, and computer program product for a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history
The present invention is directed to a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history. A method for providing a dynamic virtual shopping area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing user preferences; and dynamically customizing a virtual shopping area for an avatar based on the user preferences, such that the avatar is presented with items the avatar is more likely to purchase upon entering the virtual shopping area.
US07729947B1 Computer implemented methods and system for providing a plurality of options with respect to a stopping point
A route may be created and provided to a client. A stopping point along the route is received, and a search is performed for at least one point of interest according to the stopping point. Further, a route is created and provided to a client, and at least one stopping point associated with the route is identified based on at least one of a distance along the route, an indication of a place on a map, a category search, and a key word search.
US07729943B1 Remotely managing and controlling a consumer appliance
A processor-based system utilized by a consumer may be controlled and managed by a service provider for the benefit of a retail vendor. The service provider may control the content that is displayed on the client system. For example, the service provider may control the initial sets of graphical user interfaces that are provided to enable the consumer to make service selections. In addition, the consumer may be asked for information that enables the system to customize subsequent information provided to the consumer. As a result, the consumer's processor-based system may be remotely managed and controlled to facilitate communications between a particular retail vendor and a consumer.
US07729928B2 Multiple resource planning system
A system for managing remote doctor medical request workflow may include a workflow module that optimizes assignments of medical requests to remote doctors based on parameterized doctor and scheduling information and may further include a forecasting module that predicts the hospital credentials, state licenses or doctors needed to fulfill a projected volume of future medical requests. In one embodiment, radiologists are parameterized and then matched with requests for radiological readings based on information extracted from DICOM image headers and merged with associated information contained in a medical work order. In this embodiment, the radiologists are parameterized based on their locations, schedules, hospital credentials, state licensing, compensation metrics, and performance metrics and incoming requests for review of CT scans and the like are filtered based on the parameterized radiologist information to identify one or more radiologists who are to fulfill the medical request.
US07729927B2 Method and system for dispensing, tracking and managing pharmaceutical products
A new and improved method of dispensing, tracking and managing pharmaceutical product samples by communicatively linking prescribers and pharmacies to a central computing station. The present invention entails utilizing product trial media that is exchanged for actual pharmaceutical product. The media is encoded with information that identifies a particular pharmaceutical trial product, such as by magnetic encoding similar to that used with credit cards. The media is distributed to participating medical doctors or prescribers who then activate the media via the central computing station. The prescriber then transfers the activated media to patients who then present the media to participating pharmacies. Before filling the pharmaceutical trial product identified by the media, the pharmacy validates the media via a link with the central computing station. Then, the pharmacy dispenses the prescribed pharmaceutical trial product. The central computing station also includes a database that records data related to the use of the media so that all pharmaceutical trial products can be accounted for.
US07729921B2 Apparatus, method, and program for supporting speech interface design
For design of a speech interface accepting speech control options, speech samples are stored on a computer-readable medium. A similarity calculating unit calculates a certain indication of similarity of first and second sets of ones of the speech samples, the first set of speech samples being associated with a first speech control option and the second set of speech samples being associated with a second speech control option. A display unit displays the similarity indication.In another aspect, word vectors are generated for the respective speech sample sets, indicating frequencies of occurrence of respective words in the respective speech sample sets. The similarity calculating unit calculates the similarity indication responsive to the word vectors of the respective speech sample sets.In another aspect, a perplexity indication is calculated for respective speech sample sets responsive to language models for the respective speech sample sets.
US07729919B2 Combining use of a stepwise markup language and an object oriented development tool
The present invention provides a system and method for combining VoiceXML with an speech application development tool such as SALT. In one aspect of the present invention, a VoiceXML module includes VoiceXML executable instructions. A SALT module includes speech application language tags to execute instructions associated with the VoiceXML module.
US07729917B2 Correction of a caption produced by speech recognition
A device of the present invention obtains a character string of a speech recognition result and a confidence factor thereof. A time monitor monitors time and determines whether or not processing is delayed by checking the confidence factor and time status. When the processing is not delayed, a checker is asked to perform manual judgment. In this event, speech is processed and the manual judgment of the speech recognition result is performed on the basis of the processed speech. When the processing is delayed, automatic judgment is performed by use of the confidence factor. When the character string is judged to be correct as a result of the manual judgment or the automatic judgment, the character string is displayed as a confirmed character string. When the character string is judged to be incorrect, automatic correction is performed by matching on the basis of a next candidate obtained by the speech recognition, texts and attributes of the presentation, a script text, and the like. Character string after the automatic correction is displayed as an unconfirmed character string.
US07729911B2 Speech recognition method and system
A speech recognition method comprising the steps of: storing multiple recognition models for a vocabulary set, each model distinguished from the other models in response to a Lombard characteristic, detecting at least one speaker utterance in a motor vehicle, selecting one of the multiple recognition models in response to a Lombard characteristic of the at least one speaker utterance, utilizing the selected recognition model to recognize the at least one speaker utterance; and providing a signal in response to the recognition.
US07729908B2 Joint signal and model based noise matching noise robustness method for automatic speech recognition
A noise robustness method operates jointly in a signal domain and a model domain. For example, energy is added in the signal domain for frequency bands where an actual noise level of an incoming signal is lower than a noise level used to train models, thus obtaining a compensated signal. Also, energy is added in the model domain for frequency bands where noise level of the incoming signal or the compensated signal is higher than the noise level used to train the models. Moreover, energy is never removed, thereby avoiding problems of higher sensitivity of energy removal to estimation errors.
US07729904B2 Partial speech processing device and method for use in distributed systems
A client device incorporates partial speech recognition for recognizing a spoken query by a user. The full recognition process is distributed over a client/server architecture, so that the amount of partial recognition signal processing tasks can be allocated on a dynamic basis based on processing resources, channel conditions, etc. Partially processed speech data from the client device can be streamed to a server for a real-time response. Additional natural language processing operations can also be performed to implement sentence recognition functionality.
US07729903B2 Audio coding
The central idea of the present invention is that the prior procedure, namely interpolation relative to the filter coefficients and the amplification value, for obtaining interpolated values for the intermediate audio values starting from the nodes has to be dismissed. Coding containing less audible artifacts can be obtained by not interpolating the amplification value, but rather taking the power limit derived from the masking threshold, for each node, i.e. for each parameterization to be transferred, and then performing the interpolation between these power limits of neighboring nodes, such as, for example, a linear interpolation. On both the coder and the decoder side, an amplification value can then be calculated from the intermediate power limit determined such that the quantizing noise caused by quantization, which has a constant frequency before post-filtering on the decoder side, is below the power limit or corresponds thereto after post-filtering.
US07729895B2 Methods and systems for designing and/or selecting drilling equipment with desired drill bit steerability
Methods and systems may be provided for simulating forming a wide variety of directional wellbores including wellbores with variable tilt rates and/or relatively constant tilt rates. The methods and systems may also be used to simulate forming a wellbore in subterranean formations having a combination of soft, medium and hard formation materials, multiple layers of formation materials and relatively hard stringers disposed throughout one or more layers of formation material. Values of bit steerability and controllability calculated from such simulations may be used to design and/or select drilling equipment for use in forming a directional wellbore.
US07729889B2 Random sample timing method and system using same
A method of random sampling a signal includes determining a bounded sample timing interval, and acquiring a sample of the signal at random sample times within the bounded sample timing interval. Sample acquisition is repeated until the signal to noise ratio of an estimated spectrum of the signal, produced from the acquired samples, achieves a target signal to noise ratio.
US07729870B2 Methods for detecting oil deterioration and oil level
Methods for detecting oil conditions including a top level of an oil in an oil system which is reduced to a top level of a predetermined threshold amount of the oil, a normal oil deterioration which occurs in the absence of water having a confirmed actual remaining usage of the oil, and an abnormal oil deterioration which occurs in the presence of water. The methods include a first preferred embodiment which applies reference and sensing capacitors to obtain a measured temperature compensated electrical property of the oil. From which a quantitatively measured remaining usage is obtained so as to a predicted one for the oil. Therefore, the respective top oil level, or the normal or the abnormal oil deterioration can be concluded according to the measured remaining usage which is respectively larger than, or similar to, or less than the predicted one for the oil. A second preferred embodiment only includes the sensing capacitor for obtaining the measured temperature compensated electrical property of the oil. Variations to the embodiments lead to application of at least two sensing capacitors to monitor an uneven distribution of the oil deterioration or a full range of the level of the oil in the entire oil system.
US07729867B2 Method for introducing conjugated caps onto molecular fragments and systems and methods for using the same to determine inter-molecular interaction energies
A method of introducing conjugated caps onto molecular fragments is described. A first molecule may be decomposed or cut into molecular fragments. Molecular caps may then be introduced in the form of conjugated caps onto the molecular fragments at the decomposition points to form molecular portions. The interaction energy between the molecular portion and a second molecule can then be calculated. This scheme, termed molecular fractionation with conjugated caps, makes it possible and practical to carry out full quantum mechanical (ab initio) calculation of intermolecular interaction energies involving molecules, such as proteins or other biological molecules.
US07729861B2 Method and apparatus for formation testing
A method for conducting a formation test includes providing a volume change model for a tool component, and providing a control program that uses the volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component during a downhole operation. An apparatus for conducting a formation test includes a carrier, a formation test tool, a measurement device that estimates a change in a tool component during operation, and a processor that uses a volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation.
US07729853B2 Integrated guidance system
An integrated guidance system is disclosed. The integrated guidance system includes a position determination system adapted for determining a current position. Additionally, the integrated guidance system further includes a lightbar device adapted for providing a visual representation of the deviation of the current position from a desired path to guide movement along the desired path. Furthermore, the integrated guidance system has a data input device, and a display device for displaying text and graphics. Moreover, the integrated guidance system includes a user interface system adapted for facilitating user interaction by integrating operation of the position determination system, the lightbar device, the data input device, and the display device. In an embodiment, the user interface system comprises a processor and processor-executable instructions for implementing a user interface.
US07729849B2 Method for detecting the angular position of a knob for the gas of a motorcycle
A method for detecting the angular position of a gas knob of a motorcycle; the method presents the steps of: detecting simultaneously four mutually redundant measurements of the angular position of the gas knob by means of two mutually independent angular-position sensors forming part of an acquisition system; making a cross comparison two by two between the four measurements for diagnosing any possible malfunctioning of the angular-position sensors; and determining the angular position of the gas knob, using at least one measurement supplied by an angular-position sensor operating properly.
US07729847B2 Air-fuel ratio control device of internal combustion engine
The combustion air-fuel ratio is made leaner than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio at the time of engine startup and the combustion air-fuel ratio is made richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and the exhaust downstream part of the three-way catalyst apparatus is raised in temperature when it is judged that just the exhaust upstream part of the three-way catalyst apparatus arranged in the engine exhaust system has been raised to the catalyst activation temperature.
US07729846B2 Control device for engine
A control device for an engine includes an air-fuel ratio detector detecting an air-fuel ratio of an exhaust gas of the engine. A feedback controller performs a feedback control of an amount of a fuel injection of mixed fuel including alcohol so that the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio detector is come close to a target air-fuel ratio, the mixed fuel supplied from a fuel feeder. A concentration estimator estimates a concentration of the alcohol in the mixed fuel based on the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas and a correction amount for the amount of the fuel injection controlled by the feedback control. A malfunction determiner determines that the fuel feeder has a malfunction when the correction amount is greater than or equal to a value for a period which is longer than a first period in a second period. The second period is from a first time point when the feedback controller starts to perform the feedback control.
US07729844B2 HCCI combustion moding state control for fuel economy and seamless transitions
A method and system for controlling an engine includes a spark ignition (SI) control module operating the engine in a spark ignition mode in a high lift valve state and a pre-HCCI control module entering a matching state when homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode conditions are met. When a matching condition is met, the pre-HCCI control module enters a pre-homogeneous charge compression ignition mode and performs spark retardation, stratified operation or lean operation and commands a low lift valve state. The system also includes an HCCI control module entering an HCCI mode and when in the low lift valve state.
US07729842B2 Electronic four-wheel drive control
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that drives a first set of wheels, a generator, wherein the generator is powered by the internal combustion engine, a inverter connected to an output of the generator, an AC motor connected to an output of the inverter, and a controller, wherein the controller controls the generator, the inverter and the AC motor. The AC motor drives a second set of wheels. Power output by the generator is controlled according to a desired torque output for the second set of wheels. The controller calculates a potential power based upon the current status of the generator and controls the AC motor by the inverter based on the smaller of the desired torque and the potential power output of the generator.
US07729838B2 Vehicle and control method of the same
A vehicle having a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear of a planetary gear mechanism respectively connected to a first motor, an engine, and a drive shaft and second motor. When the combination of measured accelerator opening and measured vehicle speed is in an ordinary acceleration area, the vehicle sets a torque demand to decrease with an increase in measured vehicle speed at a specific reduction rate that ensures substantially constant output power to the drive shaft corresponding to the accelerator opening. When the combination of the measured accelerator opening and the measured vehicle speed is in an acceleration feel improvement area, on the other hand, the vehicle sets the torque demand to an extent of or below a maximum allowable value of the torque demand to decrease with an increase in measured vehicle speed at a lower reduction rate than the specific reduction rate.
US07729837B2 Control apparatus and method for continuously variable transmission
When the vehicle is traveling on an uphill road (step 100: YES), the ECU executes a program in which, if the speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than Vblt (step 102: NO) and a speed ratio γ(1) required to secure a sufficient climbing capacity of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a speed ratio γ(2) required to secure a sufficient returnability of the belt of the continuously variable transmission (step 106: NO), a belt returnability securing control is executed (step 110), and otherwise (step 102: YES or step 106: YES), a climbing control is executed (step 104 or step 108).
US07729829B2 Suspension irregularity detecting system
A vehicle suspension system (19) includes a suspension (47). A lateral acceleration sensor (32) generates a lateral acceleration signal. A roll rate sensor (34) generates a roll rate signal. A controller (26) detects an irregularity in the suspension in response to the lateral acceleration signal and the roll rate signal. A method of detecting suspension irregularities in a vehicle (10) includes the generating of a lateral acceleration signal and a roll rate signal. Roll angle is determined in response to the lateral acceleration signal and roll rate signal. A roll gradient, a roll acceleration coefficient, and a roll damping parameter are determined in response to at least the roll angle. The roll gradient, the roll acceleration coefficient, and the roll damping parameter are compared to associated nominal values. A suspension irregularity is indicated in response to the comparison.
US07729817B2 Emergency flight plan
An emergency flight plan useable for an aircraft provided with a navigation system wherein the flight plan includes a pointer matrix including a number of cells. Each cell of the matrix has a unique identification and each cell corresponds to a geographical area, and wherein each cell of the matrix includes an identification of a cell corresponding to a next waypoint in an emergency route.
US07729816B1 System and method for correcting attitude estimation
A system includes an angular rate sensor disposed in a vehicle for providing angular rates of the vehicle, and an instrument disposed in the vehicle for providing line-of-sight control with respect to a line-of-sight reference. The instrument includes an integrator which is configured to integrate the angular rates of the vehicle to form non-compensated attitudes. Also included is a compensator coupled across the integrator, in a feed-forward loop, for receiving the angular rates of the vehicle and outputting compensated angular rates of the vehicle. A summer combines the non-compensated attitudes and the compensated angular rates of the to vehicle to form estimated vehicle attitudes for controlling the instrument with respect to the line-of-sight reference. The compensator is configured to provide error compensation to the instrument free-of any feedback loop that uses an error signal. The compensator may include a transfer function providing a fixed gain to the received angular rates of the vehicle. The compensator may, alternatively, include a is transfer function providing a variable gain as a function of frequency to operate on the received angular rates of the vehicle.
US07729815B2 Vehicle remote control apparatus and method
A vehicle remote control apparatus (100) for causing a vehicle (101) to perform a requested operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user includes a location identifying unit (204) configured to identify a latest vehicle location where the vehicle is parked, and a decision unit configured to decide whether it is acceptable to cause the vehicle to perform an operation requested from the vehicle user at the latest vehicle location identified by the location identifying unit.
US07729814B2 Vehicle control system and associated method for counteracting rogue command
A vehicle control system is for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device connected to the data communications bus. The vehicle control system includes a a true controller at the vehicle for controlling the vehicle device via a true command on the data communications bus. The true controller also controls the vehicle device via a respective counteracting command on the data communications bus based upon detecting a rogue controller attempt to control the at least one vehicle device via a rogue command on the data communications bus. The true controller may thus counteract a rogue controller attempt to start the engine, unlock vehicle doors, roll down windows, and/or disarm the vehicle security system, for example.
US07729800B2 Distributed architecture for food and beverage dispensers
A method and apparatus wherein traditional design methodologies directed toward obtaining minimized component costs are largely set aside in favor of mass customization, reduced design and ownership costs, and shorter design cycles. The distributed architecture contemplates widespread distribution of monitoring and control functions for most device-specific hardware under the direction of a CPU module. In implementation of the distributed architecture, various component modules are placed in communication with the CPU module through at least one and preferably multiple communication busses.
US07729797B2 Article transport apparatus for an article storage system, and a method of operating the apparatus
An article transport apparatus comprises: an article transporting mobile body movable along a predetermined path extending along a storage rack having a plurality of article storage units; a loading unit disposed on the predetermined path for supporting an article to be stored; an article transfer device disposed on the mobile body for transferring the article; operation control device for controlling traveling operation of the mobile body and transfer operation of the article transfer device; and article position detection device for detecting a position, in a first direction along a traveling direction of the mobile body, of the article transferred from the loading unit to the mobile body; wherein the operation control device obtains a misalignment amount with respect to a predetermined proper position, in the first direction, of the article transferred from the loading unit to the mobile body, based on detected information from the article position detection device, and corrects a horizontal component of an article transfer position for an article storage unit to which the article is to be transferred, based on the misalignment amount.
US07729791B2 Portable media playback device including user interface event passthrough to non-media-playback processing
A method of operating a portable electronics device can include integrated operation of media playback processing and non-media-playback processing (such as, for example, a game). The method can include receiving an event corresponding to operation of a user interface item by a user of the portable electronics device. The received event can be provided to the non-media-playback processing. The non-media-playback processing can determine whether to cause an action corresponding to the provided received event with respect to the non-media-playback processing. For an event determined by the non-media-playback processing to not cause an action corresponding to the provided received event with respect to the non-media-playback processing, the provided received event can be provided to the media playback processing. Typically, the operating performed by the media playback processing based on the event can be the processing that would otherwise be performed by the media playback processing if the non-media-playback processing was not even occurring.
US07729785B2 Method and controller for program control of a computer program having multitasking capability
A method and a controller are provided for controlling the execution of a computer program having multitasking capability on a computing element of a controller for controlling and/or regulating a system. The system may take up various possible system states. At the beginning of the execution of a function, the following steps may be executed: subdividing the computer program into a plurality of functionally linked functionalities; defining possible operating states for the functionalities; defining the possible system states of the system, in that specifiable operating states are allocated to the functionalities for each system state; ascertaining the dependencies of the functionalities upon one another, a first functionality dependent upon a second functionality if at least one input variable of the first functionality is ascertained in the second functionality; and centrally specifying the operating states required for a certain system state, taking into consideration the ascertained dependencies among the functionalities and further boundary conditions.
US07729784B2 Contact electrode
An electrode generally comprises a body, which makes up the electrode and which is formed as a thin flexible polymeric substance such as urethane foam. The electrode body includes a central inner conductive area, which is associated with a first electrode connector. Around the inner conductive area is a non-conductive area formed as a ring around the inner conductive area and there is also an outer conductive area provided as a ring, concentrically arranged around the non-conductive area. Electrode connector (6B) is connected to the outer conductive ring. The electrode body, which has a release tag and is supported on a backing sheet and body can be peeled off the backing sheet using the release tag. The condition of the electrode can be evaluated using a test device, which can for example measure electrical impedance across the electrode via electrodes (6A) and (6B).
US07729760B2 Patient management system for providing parameter data for an implantable medical device
A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function providing parameter data for delivering a therapeutic signal. A first electrical signal comprising a first therapy parameter is applied to a portion of a patient's body for providing a therapy. At least one patient parameter relating to an effect of applying the first electrical signal is acquired. A second therapy parameter for defining a second electrical signal to provide a therapy is determined in response to the patient parameter. The second therapy parameter is displayed on an external device. An input signal for defining the second electrical signal is received. The input signal includes a signal indicative of the whether the second therapy parameter was accepted or not.
US07729756B2 Measurement system for examining a section of tissue on a patient and the use of a measurement system of this type
A measurement system for examining a section of tissue on a patient in which electric current and/or voltages are applied to a patient in at least one location and are measured on the section of tissue to be examined by at least one electrode of a contact surface of the measurement system. As a result, conclusions can be drawn about the interior of the section of tissue to be examined. The electrode is at least partially surrounded by a conductor element for contacting with a potential which deviates from that of the conductor element.
US07729752B2 Non-contact cardiac mapping, including resolution map
A non-contact cardiac mapping method is disclosed that includes: (i) inserting a catheter into a heart cavity having an endocardium surface, the catheter including multiple, spatially distributed electrodes; (ii) measuring signals at the catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in the heart cavity with the catheter spaced from the endocardium surface; and (iii) determining physiological information at multiple locations of the endocardium surface based on the measured signals and positions of the electrodes with respect to the endocardium surface. Related systems and computer programs are also disclosed.
US07729751B2 Electronic endoscopic apparatus
A spectral image obtainment unit obtains spectral image data by receiving reflection light in different wavelength bands, into which light reflected by a living body mucous membrane has been separated, at a light receiving unit by causing a ratio of a light receiving level in a short wavelength band with respect to a light receiving level in a long wavelength band to be greater than a ratio of spectral reflectance in the short wavelength band at the living body mucous membrane with respect to spectral reflectance in the long wavelength band thereat. A spectral image data operation unit performs a spectral image estimation operation by correcting the value of the spectral image data to that of spectral image data obtained by receiving light without causing the ratio to increase. Accordingly, a diagnostic spectral image of the living body mucous membrane is obtained in an electronic endoscopic apparatus.
US07729749B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating connective tissue conditions
Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient (e.g., a disease, a risk of developing a disease, a risk of developing a fracture, etc.). For example, an indicator associated with the connective tissue condition may be generated. First, tissue at a first location of the body of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the irradiated tissue is determined. The spectral content information may be used, at least in part, to generate an indicator associated with a condition of connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location. The indicator may, for example, assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the connective tissue condition.
US07729743B2 Method and arrangement for tracking a medical instrument
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the intravascular or intracardial navigation of a catheter (5). Using an X-ray fluoroscopy device (1), firstly an image database of 2D images is generated, where at the same time as each 2D image (I) is taken the associated heartbeat phase is recorded using an ECG (8). During the catheter intervention, the position of the catheter (5) is measured by means of a position measurement unit (6), and at the same time the ECG and preferably also a signal that is dependent on the breathing movement are recorded. The current spatial position of the catheter (5) that is measured is then assigned the 2D image of the image database which corresponds in terms of the heartbeat phase and also possibly in terms of the breathing phase, on which image the position of the catheter can be represented.
US07729740B2 Noise cancellation in magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography with isolated reference sensors
An apparatus measures electromagnetic signals from a weak signal source. A plurality of primary sensors is placed in functional proximity to the weak signal source with an electromagnetic field isolation surface arranged adjacent the primary sensors and between the weak signal source and sources of ambient noise. A plurality of reference sensors is placed adjacent the electromagnetic field isolation surface and arranged between the electromagnetic isolation surface and sources of ambient noise.
US07729737B2 Method and apparatus for background current arrangements for a biosensor
Embodiments of the present invention provide for raising a background current setting for a biosensor above the actual (measured) background current present (i.e., overestimating the background current), particularly in the hypoglycemic range, to improve sensor accuracy and decrease the chance of glucose value overestimation by the sensor.
US07729736B2 Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
US07729734B2 Non-invasive biothermophotonic sensor for blood glucose monitoring
There is provided a glucose monitoring method and apparatus based on the principle of Wavelength-Modulated Differential Laser Photothermal Radiometry (WM-DPTR). Two intensity modulated laser beams operating in tandem at specific mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths and current-modulated synchronously by two electrical waveforms 180 degrees out-of-phase, are used to interrogate the tissue surface. The laser wavelengths are selected to absorb in the mid infrared range (8.5-10.5 μm) where the glucose spectrum exhibits a discrete absorption band. The differential thermal-wave signal generated by the tissue sample through modulated absorption between two specific wavelengths within the band (for example, the peak at 9.6 and the nearest baseline at 10.5 μm) lead to minute changes in sample temperature and to non-equilibrium blackbody radiation emission. This modulated emission is measured with a broadband infrared detector. The detector is coupled to a lock-in amplifier for signal demodulation. Any glucose concentration increases will be registered as differential photothermal signals above the fully suppressed signal baseline due to increased absorption at the probed peak or near-peak of the band at 9.6 μm at the selected wavelength modulation frequency. The emphasis is on the ability to monitor blood glucose levels in diabetic patients in a non-invasive, non-contacting manner with differential signal generation methods for real-time baseline corrections, a crucial feature toward precise and universal calibration (independent of person-to-person contact, skin, temperature or IR-emission variations) in order to offer accurate absolute glucose concentration readings.
US07729732B2 Biological information measuring apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus
A biological information measuring apparatus includes a plurality of light emission sections, a plurality of light detection sections, and a control section. Each light emission section injects, into a living organism, a spectrum-modulated light beam having a specific wavelength. The control section acquires a spread code sequence employed by each of the light emission sections for spread spectrum modulation, and supplies the spread code sequence to the light detection sections. By use of the spread code sequence, each light detection section selectively receives a specific reflected light beam having the spread code sequence, which is selected from among the light beams which have been emitted from the light emission sections and reflected in the living organism. Subsequently, each light detection section despreads an electrical signal corresponding to the thus-received reflected light beam, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light beam.
US07729724B2 RF front-end and applications thereof
An RF front-end includes a receiver frequency band filter module, a low noise amplifier, a first power amplifier module, a second power amplifier module, and a transmit frequency band filter module. The receiver frequency band filter module filters a received RF signal and the low noise amplifier amplifies the signal in accordance with the first or the second RF front-end configuration signal. The first power amplifier module is enabled in accordance with the first RF front-end configuration signal to amplify the first outbound RF signal and the second power amplifier module is enabled in accordance with the second RF front-end configuration signal to amplify the second outbound RF signal. The transmitter frequency band filter module is enabled in accordance with the second RF front-end configuration signal to filter the second transmit RF signal.
US07729721B2 Antenna integrated speaker assembly, manufacturing method thereof, and wireless communication device having the same
An antenna integrated speaker assembly, a manufacturing method thereof, and a wireless communication device having the same. The antenna integrated speaker assembly comprises a speaker unit for outputting sound corresponding to an electric signal of a controller; and an antenna unit formed at the speaker unit, for transceiving an electric signal by an interwork with the controller. Accordingly, an installation space for an antenna and a speaker is minimized.
US07729720B2 Embedded camera apparatus and mobile phone including the same
A mobile phone including an embedded camera apparatus having a camera module that is projectable from a main body of the mobile phone and a flexible circuit board that provides a stable electrical connection between the camera module and a main board when the camera module is projected from or inserted in the main body of mobile phone.
US07729716B2 Reducing power consumption in mobile terminals by changing modulation schemes
A mobile terminal reduces power consumption when operating at a high transmit power by altering a modulation scheme used for transmitting signals over an uplink to a base station. The mobile terminal receives uplink load indications from the base station and determines it current transmit power level. Based on this information, the mobile terminal selects an appropriate modulation scheme.
US07729713B1 Methods for providing mobile PTT communications without requiring PTT servers
A push-to-talk communications device (PCD) provides improved push-to-talk (PTT) communications. The PCD may include a PTT activator and a PTT module having a buffer and communications logic for providing full duplex PTT communications. In a Point-to-Point PTT mode of operation, PTT communications are performed between two PCDs with the PCDs exercising floor control. After the establishment of communications between the PCDs, the PCDs may enter a PTT talk mode wherein messages are transmitted between the PCDs in real time when a PTT activator is engaged. A PCD may also enter a group PTT mode wherein a PTT server exercises floor control between an initiating PCD and multiple target PCDs.
US07729708B2 Method and system for interactive mapping to provide goal-oriented instructions
Provided is a computer system and methods for directing mobile peer devices. A method includes receiving an itinerary identifying one or more goals for the peer devices; receiving a priority associated with the itinerary, the priority identifying at least one goal of the one or more goals, the priority listing the at least one goal in order of importance; determining a routing in accordance with the itinerary and the priority; and broadcasting the routing. A computer system includes a routing module coupled to a memory configurable to determine a routing based on priorities and itinerary goals; a receiver coupled to a processor configurable to receive the priorities and the itinerary goals from at least two peer devices over a wireless connection; and a transmitter coupled to the processor configurable to broadcast the routing to the peer devices, the routing configurable to direct the peer devices.
US07729695B2 Method and apparatus for handling roaming lists in a wireless communication system
Method and apparatus for updating roaming lists. An error handling message is provided when the roaming list protocols within the elements of a system are not compatible. A roaming list format identifier is provided to the remote user identifying the protocol version supported by the network. The roaming list format identifier acts to either request an old version of the protocol or request the current stored format at the remote user. In one embodiment, the old version is the Preferred Roaming List, and the new version is the Extended Preferred Roaming List.
US07729692B2 Inspection apparatus, analysis display apparatus, inspection system and inspection method
There is provided an inspection system capable of easily performing inspection of a radio section under an actual environment and enabling a user to easily identify a trouble. In this system, an analysis/display device (400) analyzes the data outputted from an inspection device (200, 300) and extracts a radio parameter. By using the radio parameter extracted from the data obtained by inspection of a cabled section, an inspection device (100) inspects the state of radio communication between a communication terminal device (50) and abase station device (150). The analysis/display device (400) aligns the cabled message and the radio message obtained by analyzing the data outputted from the inspection devices (100, 200, 300) in time series or in sequence of calls and displays them.
US07729690B1 Backup and restore of user data for mobile telephone
A mobile telephone includes an application processor, internal memory, an external memory card, a backup software module and a restore software module. User data is stored in the internal memory. The backup software module detects changes in the user data, resulting in modified user data. The modified user data is stored onto the external memory card. When the user data is erased from the internal drive or the wireless device needs to be reset the restore software module reads the modified user data from the external memory card and writes the modified user data back onto the internal memory. In this fashion, any modified user data is not lost when the wireless device is reset.
US07729687B2 Audio delivery of callerid information to a wireless communications device
Systems and methods for announcing audio calling identification information associated with an incoming communications signal from a calling party to a wireless communications device are disclosed. The invention makes use of a translatable telephone number associated with a wireless communications device of a subscribing customer. The translatable telephone number includes a wireless telephone number of a wireless communications device and also includes an access telephone number that is associated with an access address serviced by a communications network. The wireless communications device is typically serviced by a separate wireless communications network that connects with the communications network over a communications link. The calling party dials the access telephone number and the incoming communications signal is detected, decoded, and processed to generate an audio communication by the communications network. The communications network also maps the access address with the wireless telephone number and presents the audio calling identification information to the wireless communications network.
US07729686B2 Security methods for use in a wireless communications system
Signal, e.g., message, security techniques are described for wireless systems. A first signal is received by an access node via a wireless link. The signal includes a first authenticator that was generated by the transmitting device, e.g., wireless terminal. The access node determines from an attribute of the signal at least some information known to both the access node and transmitting device but which was not transmitted as part of the message content. The determined information was used by the wireless terminal in generating the first authenticator. The access node sends at least a portion of the first signal including the first authenticator and the determined information to another entity. The entity compares the first authenticator to a second authenticator it generates from the determined information and a secure key which it shares with the transmitting device to determine if the first and second authenticators match.
US07729685B1 Push-to-talk wireless communication for prepaid mobile subscribers
Prepaid PTT service calls through a switched mobile communication network may originate at off-net roaming locations. A flag is set in a mobile telephone station indicating that the mobile station is that of a prepaid subscriber, to set a PTT client program to its “prepaid mode.” When the prepaid mobile station initiates a PTT call while roaming off-net, the call is directed to a prepaid server, and the PTT client program assists the subscriber to re-enter the called number when the prepaid server prompts the subscriber to do so. The call can then be extended from the prepaid server platform to a PTT switch for establishing communication with one or more selected contacts in a contact list, based on translation of the contact number to one or more destination telephone numbers for the called contact(s).
US07729684B1 Combined global positioning system receiver and radio
A portable GPS/radio unit (10) communicates over a wireless radio network (12) with at least one other such unit. The unit (10) may transmit radio signals over the network (12) indicative of the unit's location. The unit (10) includes a single, push-to-talk button (38) that may be pressed to both transmit a voice communication and to initiate transmission of location data. The unit (10) also includes a “polling” function that requests location data from other units, an auxiliary coding system that codes or encrypts all transmitted data, and an emergency message feature that facilities the transmission and receipt of emergency messages.
US07729681B2 Radio wave receiving apparatus, radio wave receiving circuit and radio wave timepiece
In the radio-wave receiving apparatus according to the invention, a signal received by a receiving antenna is amplified and the amplified received signal is input into a multi-stage frequency conversion circuit including a plurality of basic circuits connected in series. The multi-stage frequency conversion circuit converts the frequency of the received signal from the antenna into frequencies based on signals input from the frequency divider circuit sequentially, thereby to output a signal “a” which is obtained by conversions into gradually lower frequencies. Detection is performed by a detection circuit on the basis of the signal. Thereby, a radio-wave receiving apparatus which requires no local oscillating circuit nor a PLL circuit and is also stable in operation and high in accuracy is realized.
US07729678B2 Controllable power operational transconductance amplifier
Controllable operational transconductance power amplifier (controllable power OTA) including an input stage receiving a differential input signal (Ovin) and deriving therefrom first (i1) and second (i2) low power current signals being coupled to first (ccs1) and second (ccs2) current controlled output current sources being arranged in class B push pull configuration. To obtain an effective gain control while securing power efficiency and linearity, the overall gain of the power OTA is controlled by varying the gain or transconductance of the input stage (c15) and by the use of means for bi-directionally rectifying said first (i1) and second (io) low power current signals and providing in mutual alternation power amplification of said first (i1) and second (i2) low power current signals into first (I01) and second (Io2) mutually exclusive high power current output signals, which are supplied through a current summer to a current output (I0) of said linear power amplifier.
US07729676B2 Integrated switchless programmable attenuator and low noise amplifier
An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range. A differential crystal oscillator is advantageously used as a frequency reference. Differential signal transmission is advantageously used throughout the receiver.
US07729674B2 Multiband or multimode receiver with shared bias circuit
A multi-band communication device with a front end antenna switch module and shared bias circuit is disclosed. Control inputs determine signal routing and amplifier biasing in response to the communication device's mode or band of operation. A received signal is routed to an active path, which corresponds to the band of the received signal. A received signal is selectively switched to one or more switch outputs, which connect to one or more filters matched to the band of the received signal. After filtering, the signal is directly provided to an active amplifier. An amplifier is activated by a bias signal received from a shared bias circuit. The shared bias circuit generates a bias signal which is selectively switched to an amplifier associated with an active path.
US07729672B2 Dynamic bias control in power amplifier
An RF output power amplifier (PA) of a cellular telephone includes first and second Class AB amplifier circuits. If the cellular telephone is to operate in a high power operating mode, then the first amplifier drives the PA output terminal. The power transistor(s) in the first amplifier is/are biased at a first DC current and a first DC voltage so as to optimize efficiency and linearity at high output powers. If the cellular telephone is to operate in a low power operating mode, then the second amplifier drives the output terminal. The power transistor(s) in the second amplifier is/are biased at a second DC current and a second DC voltage so as to optimize efficiency and linearity at low output powers. By sizing the power transistors in the amplifiers appropriately, emitter current densities are maintained substantially equal so that PA power gain is the same in the two operating modes.
US07729669B2 Processor controlled variable gain cellular network amplifier
A system and method for amplifying cellular signals and reducing interference introduced into a cellular network by the network amplifiers. The network amplifier includes an antenna configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station and a variable gain module for amplifying an uplink signal received from a handset. The variable gain module applies an amplification factor to the uplink signal to generate an adjusted uplink signal to be transmitted to the base station via the antenna. A processor is used for determining a value of the amplification factor, where the value of the amplification factor is a function of a level of the downlink signal. The amplification factor may be selected so that interference introduced into a cellular network by the transmission of the adjusted uplink signal is substantially eliminated.
US07729666B2 Communication system and method of dynamic space-frequency-division multiple-access for uplink from terminals to base-station
Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method of dynamic space-frequency-division multiple-access for the uplink from terminals to a base-station. The system includes a base-station and multiple terminals. According to different spatial mapping modes, the base-station performs an optimization computation using an optimization function in order to obtain control information for controlling terminals; after receiving the control information, the user terminal controls the transmitting mode using this control information. The method includes the following operations: at the base-station, performing an optimization computation using an optimization function according to different spatial mapping modes respectively, in order to obtain control information for controlling terminals; at the user terminal, controlling a transmitting mode using the control information after receiving the above control information. An embodiment of the present invention can achieve a higher system capacity by balancing resource allocation among different users in a domain of transmission power, bandwidth and spatial channels.
US07729663B2 Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) determination in the frequency domain
A technique for modifying communication operational parameters using fast, low complexity, accurately calculated SNR values. Techniques may improve upon prior art by calculating SNR values in a more color noise insensitive manner in the frequency domain. An agent may be implemented to calculate SNR values and either store or use the SNR values to modify operational parameters in communicative system.
US07729656B2 Cellular network low noise amplifiers for use with multiple frequencies
An amplification circuit that enables a network amplifier to amplify multiple mobile telephone signals transmitted at different frequencies. The amplification circuit includes a first diplexer which receives a first signal having a first frequency band and a second signal having a second frequency band. The first diplexer generates a combined signal containing both the first and the second signals. The combined signal is amplified by a single low noise amplifier to generate an amplified combined signal. A second diplexer receives the amplified combined signal and separates the amplified combined signal into a first amplified signal having the first frequency band and a second amplified signal having the second frequency band. The resultant signals can then be transmitted by the network amplifier to a target destination, such as a handset or base station.
US07729655B2 Methods for automated essay analysis
An essay is analyzed automatically by accepting the essay and determining whether each of a predetermined set of features is present or absent in each sentence of the essay. For each sentence in the essay a probability that the sentence is a member of a certain discourse element category is calculated. The probability is based on the determinations of whether each feature in the set of features is present or absent. Furthermore, based on the calculated probabilities, a sentence is chosen as the choice for the discourse element category.
US07729647B2 Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming system
An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member for transporting developer to an opposing position opposing an image bearing member. Regularly-disposed concave sections are formed on a surface of the developer bearing member. An alternating voltage that includes a first voltage for moving developer from the developer bearing member toward the image bearing member and a second voltage for moving developer from the image bearing member toward the developer bearing member is applied to the developer bearing member. A cycle period of the alternating voltage is smaller than or equal to a minimum width of the concave section in a circumferential direction of the developer bearing member divided by a moving velocity of a surface of the rotating developer bearing member.
US07729639B2 Charging apparatus and image forming apparatus
There is provided a charging apparatus which has high durability and suffers from no rust etc. and of which controllability of charged potential of a photoreceptor is hardly impaired even with a some amount of contaminants such as a toner so that control of charged potential of a photoreceptor can be stably carried out to fall in an appropriate range over a long period of time, and moreover which is inexpensive. A charging apparatus includes a needle electrode, a holding member, two cleaner members, a support member, a moving member, a shield case, and a grid electrode. A length in minor axis of a secondary aggregate of polytetrafluoroethylene contained in a polytetrafluoroethylene-containing nickel layer formed on a surface of the needle electrode is twice or less than a layer thickness of the nickel layer.
US07729633B2 Printer dynamically monitoring printer environment contamination
An printer, such as a state of the art a high performance, electro-photographic printer. The printer includes at least one smart material sensor enclosed in the printer enclosure that monitors for the presence of a contaminant (e.g., toner or developer) above a selected threshold. Each smart material sensor is coupled to a control unit by a sensor driver coupling. When a smart material sensor finds that a contaminant is present the control unit may indicate the finding on a printer display and/or change operating mode.
US07729620B2 Methods and systems for controlling optical power attenuation
Methods and systems for controlling optical power attenuation are provided. A method comprises periodically measuring an optical power of an optical signal received by an optical receiver and periodically measuring a first attenuation control signal voltage. When the optical power measurement is outside a target power range, the method continues with calculating a target voltage necessary to maintain the optical power measurements at a target power level; calculating a second attenuation control signal based on the target voltage, wherein the second attenuation control signal is calculated to provide an over-damped transient response that maintains the second attenuation control signal within a usable range of a variable optical power attenuator; applying a second attenuation control signal voltage based on the second attenuation control signal to the variable optical power attenuator; and adjusting attenuation of the optical signal based on the second attenuation control signal voltage.
US07729617B2 Flexible, dense line card architecture
The invention is relevant to optical fiber transmission systems, and in particular, pertains to the transceiver cards in an optical fiber transport system. In particular the invention teaches an improved transceiver card architecture that allows high density, flexibility and interchangeability of functionality.
US07729615B1 Method for transmitting overhead information for wavelength division multiplex networks for fibre-optic information transmission
A method for transmitting signaling and control information for wavelength-division multiplex networks for optical, fiber-bound information transfer in digitized form, the signaling and control information being transmitted via the same optical channel, particularly with the same wavelength, as the useful information, but being encoded and decoded independently thereof, with the result that the control and signaling information can also be accessed independently of the useful information. The use of a time-division multiplex method allowing the different encoding of useful information and control information makes it possible considerably to reduce the technical complexity of passive optical network elements with regard to the routing of the signaling and control information. This method permits the simple, low-cost and transparent transmission of signaling and control information in the optical WDM network.
US07729614B2 Data distribution system and method
A data distribution system transmitting and receiving a large capacity of data such as image data smoothly without incurring a delay over an optical fiber line located between a data sever and a client device. In the data transmission system, a plurality of client devices are bus-connected through an optical fiber to a data server transmitting and receiving data as signal light. Each of the client devices has a client optical switch and is connected with a client access device. The client optical switch is structured with a thermal-lens forming element and a signal-light path shifting member. When any of the client devices forwards an access command to its own client access device, control light is irradiated from the client access device to the own client optical switch thus effecting a switchover. Thus, transmission data of from the data server is stored in a data storage of the relevant client device.
US07729611B2 Method of detecting position of printing medium performed in printing apparatus
In order to detect a position of an optical recording medium on which printing is performed, it is provided an optical sensor provided with include a photo emitter operable to emit light and a photo receiver operable to receive light and output a first signal in accordance with an amount of the received light. The optical sensor is transported to a position above a marker provided on the tray. Light is emitted from the photo emitter to irradiate the marker. Light reflected from the marker is received by the photo receiver. A reference value is determined based on a first value of the first signal outputted when the marker is irradiated. A predetermined calculation is executed with respect to the reference value to determine a threshold value. The optical sensor is transported above the tray, while emitting light from the photo emitter and comparing the first signal outputted from the photo receiver with the threshold value. A position of the marker is identified based on the comparison of the first signal and the threshold value. It is determined a position at which the printing begins based on the identified position of the marker.
US07729606B2 Lens module and digital camera module using same
A digital camera module (100) includes a lens module (20) and a chip package (50) mounted in a light path of the lens module. The lens module includes a first lens assembly (21) and a second lens assembly (23). The first lens assembly includes a first fixture (211) having a through hole (212) defined therein and at least one lens (218) received in the through hole. The second assembly includes a second fixture (23) having a through hole (232) defined therein and at least one lens (238) attached therein. One of the first fixture and the second fixture has a slotted annular ring (213) protruding therefrom with an annular slot (214) defined therein. The other has a male annular ring (235) extending therefrom, and the slotted annular ring and the male annular ring matingly engage with each other to fix the first lens assembly and second assembly together.
US07729605B2 Auto-focusing camera
An auto-focusing camera includes a stator (20), a rotor (30) rotatably disposed in the stator, and a lens unit (40) received in the rotor. The stator includes a stator core (23) and coils (25) winding on the stator core. The rotor is a permanent magnet (32) securely mounted around the lens unit. The lens unit forms three ears (414) at a bottom thereof, and a wave-shaped surface (220) is formed on a top of an inner, bottom flange (22) of the stator. The ears abut the wave-shaped surface. The ears of the lens unit move along the wave-shaped surface during rotation of the rotor and the lens mount, and thus the lens unit moves telescopically along an axial direction thereof.
US07729590B2 Digital video stream trick play
An example trick mode play process for digital video stores a plurality of most recent reference frames in a corresponding plurality of frame buffers; displaying a current frame during a current frame time interval; determining a next frame for display; inspecting the plurality of frame buffers to determine if the next frame is present in a frame buffers. If the next frame is present, designating the frame for display in the next frame time interval. If the next frame is not present: checking if the frame buffers contain any reference frames needed to decode the next frame; and decoding a next frame using all reference frames needed to decode the next frame which can be found in the frame. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07729586B2 Telecommunications patching systems with vertically-oriented patching modules
A telecommunications patching system includes: a carrier having a horizontally disposed member with longitudinal slots; and at least one patching module. The module includes: a generally vertically disposed main panel; a plurality of connectors mounted on the main panel, the connectors configured to receive and interconnect patch cords; and a guide member connected with the main panel and received in one of the longitudinal slots of the carrier. The module is slidable relative to the carrier along a path defined by the slot between an access position, in which a front portion of the main panel slides forward so that the plurality of connectors are accessible to a technician, and a non-access position, in which the plurality of connectors are not accessible to a technician.
US07729578B2 Illuminator method and device
A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.
US07729577B2 Waveguide-optical Kohler integrator utilizing geodesic lenses
A waveguide version of a Kohler integrator is disclosed, utilizing geodesic lenses with a surface that can be mapped to a gradient-index Luneburg lens or to a nonfull-aperture Luneburg lens in such a way that the light paths in the gradient index lenses map into the geodesics of the surface, with the outer region of the gradient index lenses mapped into a flat surface. Arrays of these can be applied to lines of LEDs, as in CHMSLs, to mix light in intensity and in illumination as well as to avoid the deleterious effects of binning and burnout, or in multicolor arrays, to ensure complete chromatic mixing.
US07729573B2 Single mode (SM) fiber optical reader system and method for interrogating resonant waveguide-grating sensor (S)
An optical reader system is described herein which has a single mode (SM) optical fiber launch/receive system that uses one or more SM optical fibers to interrogate a biosensor and does not use multimode (MM) optical fibers to interrogate the biosensor. The use of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system effectively reduces angular sensitivity, reduces unwanted system reflections, improves overall angular tolerance, and improves resonant peak reflectivity and resonant peak width. Two specific embodiments of the SM optical fiber launch/receive system are described herein which include: (1) a dual fiber collimator launch/receive system; and (2) a single fiber launch/receive system that interrogates the biosensor at a normal incidence.
US07729565B2 Fiber sensor and fiber sensor device
A fiber sensor comprising: an optical waveguide unit having a measurement surface formed at an end of an optical waveguide; and a channel unit through which a specimen, serving as a measurement object to be measured by contact with the measurement surface, is caused to flow in and out via a specimen channel, wherein the optical waveguide is fixed to the optical waveguide unit such that the measurement surface forms a part of a channel wall surface of the channel unit, and the optical waveguide unit is provided so as to be detachable from the channel unit.
US07729558B2 Image signal, processing device and processing method, coefficient data generation device and generation method used for the same, program for executing the methods and computer readable medium containing the program
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an image signal etc. that are well applicable to removal of coding noise from, for example, an image signal. Based on five consecutive frames of an image signal Va, a memory portion 121 outputs as pixel data xi of predictive taps plural items of pixel data located in a space directional and time directional peripheries with respect to a target position in an image signal Vb. In the case, frames before and after a current frame are subjected to motion compensation by using a motion vector. A class classification portion 124 obtains a class code CL indicating a class to which pixel data of the target position in the image signal Vb belongs, by using the pixel data xi and motion vectors BWV(0), BWV(−1), FWV(0), and FWV(+1). A calculating circuit 126 obtains pixel data y of the target position in the image signal Vb based on an estimation equation by using the pixel data xi and coefficient data Wi that corresponds to the class code CL.
US07729556B2 Method for improving image quality and image processor for same
In order to improve image quality of high compression ratio images, a de-blocking process is performed on decoded image data, and then an edge enhancement process is performed on the de-blocked image data. Performing the edge enhancement process after performing the de-blocking process can improve image quality of high compression ratio images.
US07729555B2 Video noise reduction method using adaptive spatial and motion-compensation temporal filters
A method includes calculating a mean of a plurality of pixels of a motion window, calculating a pixel amount of pixels similar to a center pixel, calculating a variance of the pixels, determining whether a difference between the center pixel and the mean is greater than a first predetermined value, determining whether the pixel amount similar to the center pixel is greater than a second predetermined value if the difference between the center pixel and the mean is not greater than the first predetermined value, determining whether the variance is smaller than a threshold value if the pixel amount similar to the center pixel is not greater than the second predetermined value, and filtering the center pixel according to a result of determining whether the variance is smaller than the threshold value. Finally, temporal weighted mean filters involving motion estimation are used for motion compensation in images after spatial filtering.
US07729553B2 Vector quantizer based on N-dimensional spatial dichotomy
A method and system for quantizing a vector corresponding to an input signal is described. The vector has a plurality of components corresponding to an N-dimensional space. In one aspect, the method and system include recursively dividing the space into equal spaces having one dimension less than a previous recursion until end spaces are formed. Each end space is two-dimensional. The method and system also include asynchronously comparing the components in each end space to determine a sub-space of a particular end space having a closest match to the vector. In another aspect, the method and system include providing tree(s) including a plurality of nodes and asynchronously traversing the tree(s) to determine a closest match to the vector. The nodes correspond to ANDs of comparisons between the components. Each comparison determines whether a first component is greater than a second component.
US07729546B2 Document segmentation for mixed raster content representation
In an array of pixels, a method for segmenting a selected pixel of the array between at least two layers including identifying an N-by-N window centered upon the selected pixel, evaluating at least one pixel in the N-by-N window to determine whether the selected pixel is a potential text element, identifying an M-by-M window centered upon the selected pixel when the evaluation determines that the selected pixel is a potential text element, wherein the M-by-M window is smaller than the N-by-N window, and determining whether the potential text element includes text by comparing at least two pixels within the M-by-M window.
US07729545B2 Signal processing method and method for determining image similarity
A first image of two images to be compared for similarity is divided into small areas and one small area is selected for calculating the correlation with a second image using a correlative method. Then, the position difference, luminance ratio and similarity in an area where the similarity, which is the square of the correlation value, reaches its maximum, are found. Values based on the similarity are integrated at a position represented by the position difference and the luminance ratio. Similar processing is performed with respect to all the small areas, and at a peak where the maximum integral value of the similarity is obtained, its magnitude is compared with a threshold value to evaluate the similarity. By extracting the small area voted for that peak, it is possible to extract a similar area.
US07729533B2 Systems and methods for producing classifiers with individuality
The systems and methods of the invention described herein improve classification accuracy by producing classifiers with individuality, in which each classifier exhibits its own distinctive behavior. A method according to one exemplary embodiment produces each classifier with individuality by randomly selecting subsets of a feature vector and using the randomly selected subsets of the feature vector in the design of the classifier. Because different subsets of the feature vector are used for each classifier, each classifier exhibits its own distinctive behavior or individuality. The classifiers with individuality improve classification accuracy, for example, when used as classifiers in a classifier array. This is because the individuality among the classifiers in the array ensures that a misclassification committed by one of the classifiers will not be repeated by other classifiers in the array, thereby improving the overall accuracy of the classifier array.
US07729531B2 Identifying repeated-structure elements in images
Many problems in the fields of image processing and computer vision relate to creating good representations of information in images of objects in scenes. We provide a system for learning repeated-structure elements from one or more input images. The repeated-structure elements are patches that may be single pixels or coherent groups of pixels of varying shape, size and appearance (where those shapes and sizes are not pre-specified). Input images are mapped to a single output image using offset maps to specify the mapping. A joint probability distribution on the offset maps, output image and input images is specified and an unsupervised learning process is used to learn the offset maps and output image. The learnt output image comprises repeated-structure elements. This shape and appearance information captured in the learnt repeated-structure elements may be used for object recognition and many other tasks.
US07729529B2 Computer-implemented methods for detecting and/or sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle
Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method for sorting defects in a design pattern of a reticle includes searching for defects of interest in inspection data using priority information associated with individual defects in combination with one or more characteristics of a region proximate the individual defects. The priority information corresponds to modulation levels associated with the individual defects. The inspection data is generated by comparing images of the reticle generated for different values of a lithographic variable. The images include at least one reference image and at least one modulated image. A composite reference image can be generated from two or more reference images. The method also includes assigning one or more identifiers to the defects of interest. The identifier(s) may include, for example, a defect classification and/or an indicator identifying if the defects of interest are to be used for further processing.
US07729510B2 Method for distinguishing a smoke condition from a dust condition using video images
Detecting video phenomena, such as fire in an aircraft cargo bay, includes receiving a plurality of video images from a plurality of sources, compensating the images to provide enhanced images, extracting features from the enhanced images, and combining the features from the plurality of sources to detect the video phenomena. Extracting features may include determining an energy indicator for each of a subset of the plurality of frames. Detecting video phenomena may also include comparing energy indicators for each of the subset of the plurality of frames to a reference frame. The reference frame corresponds to a video frame taken when no fire is present, video frame immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames, or a video frame immediately preceding a frame that is immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames. Image-based and non-image based techniques are described herein in connection with fire detection and/or verification and other applications.
US07729508B2 Modifying data
Embodiments of modifying data are disclosed.
US07729505B2 Method and device for watermarking an image
The invention concerns a method of inserting a watermark in an image comprising at least three components, the method comprises the steps of decomposing at least one component of the image into detail sub-bands in various directions and comprising coefficients, each coefficient being characterized by its position in the detail sub-band to which it belongs and its amplitude, of determining, for each position, information representing local amplitude variations from the amplitudes of the coefficients at this position in the various detail sub-bands and the coefficients close to this position in the various detail sub-bands, of determining a watermarking strength at each position from the information representing determined local amplitude variations in the said position and inserting a watermark composed of a plurality of binary information in the image, inserting each item of binary information at a position on the image according to the watermarking strength determined for a position corresponding to the position at which the binary information is inserted.
US07729501B2 Hearing device with anti-theft protection
The present invention thus provides a hearing device with at least one programmable signal processing unit for the temporary or permanent activation or deactivation of features of the hearing device, comprising at least one counter for the logging of discrete actions and at least one stored threshold value related to at least one specific type of said actions, the counter being connected to said signal processing unit for activating or deactivating a feature of said signal processing unit when reaching or passing said threshold value. As long as the threshold value is not reached by the counter, the hearing device will have its originally predetermined functionality or programmed features without any further limitations. If the counter reaches or passes its threshold value, an action will be triggered by the counter directed to the signal processing unit causing any predefined reaction of the hearing device.
US07729497B2 Audio signal enhancement
An audio signal (A) is enhanced by dividing the signal into time segments of a selected frequency range and scaling the audio signal in each time segment. The time segments (S) are defined by zero crossings (Z) of the audio signal, thus avoiding the introduction of any undesired harmonics. The scaling may involve linear or non-linear scaling factors. When the selected frequency range comprises bass frequencies, a very effective and distortion-free bass enhancement is obtained.
US07729496B2 Efficient key updates in encrypted database systems
A system, method and programmed article of manufacture to perform efficient encryption key updates in encrypted database-as-a-service (DAS) environments using a key registry and key locks. A database as a service environment allows organizations to send their data management infrastructures to a database service provider. The service provider employs data encryption techniques to ensure the privacy of hosted data. The security of encryption techniques relies on the confidentiality of the encryption keys. The dynamic nature of the encrypted database in the DAS model adds complexity and raises specific requirements on key management techniques. The solution is provided by the key registry and by the key update lock, key management process and log management process to allow data update access to data concurrently with encryption key update for the same data.
US07729489B2 Transferring a communications exchange
Methods and systems for transferring a communications exchange using a mobile handset are described. A radio frequency (RF) signal is transmitted from a mobile handset to a base station to provide a communications exchange. The communications exchange exists between the mobile handset and a first communications device. The mobile handset automatically detects a second communications device when it is in close proximity to the second communications device. The second communications device is capable of receiving a call handoff. If the mobile handset is in close proximity to the second communications device, then a transfer request including information associated with the second communications device is received from the second communications device. The transfer request is accepted and the communications exchange is seamlessly transferred to the second communications device form the mobile handset.
US07729477B2 System and method for detecting continuity of network lines
The present disclosure provides a system and method for detecting faults related to lines linked to provide network services. The method includes storing a synthetic value for the performance of a line, receiving a measured value of a performance parameter of the line measured at a customer end and comparing the synthetic value with the measured value to determine if a fault condition exists.
US07729459B1 System and method for providing a robust ultra low power serial interface with digital clock and data recovery circuit for power management systems
A system and method is disclosed for providing a robust ultra low power serial interface with a digital clock and data recovery circuit for power management systems. In one advantageous embodiment a digital clock and data recovery circuit of the invention comprises a quadruple phase clock generator circuit that generates four shifted clock signals, a decision logic circuit, a state detector circuit, and an edge detector circuit. The detected edges of data signals are used to latch the state of the four shifted clock signals. The state detector circuit selects a stable clock signal among the four shifted clock signals for use as a recovered clock signal and synchronizes the recovered clock signal at a center of the data signal. The selected recovered clock signal remains available until another data signal transition is detected.
US07729458B2 Signal decoding apparatus, signal decoding method, program, and information record medium
Signal decoding apparatus, signal decoding method, program, and information record medium are provided and can accomplish not only high-speed and high-capacity communication, but high-accuracy decoding. An initial channel estimation section 31 estimates an initial channel with a pilot symbol added at the beginning of each packet. After a replica of a transmission symbol is generated, for a reception signal vector, CCI components for L transmission antennas are generated. A CCI canceller 33 removes the CCI components from the reception signal vector. After the reception symbol vector from which the CCI components had been removed has been obtained, a division device 34 obtains an instantaneous estimation value. An update condition determination section 35 detects deterioration of a channel response accuracy based on a threshold value. An instantaneous estimation value whose SNR has been determined to be insufficient is discarded. An averaging circuit 36 outputs a channel response estimation matrix at time t+1 obtained by an averaging process and supplies the matrix to a symbol decoding section 13.
US07729454B2 Method and system for signal phase variation detection in communication systems
Aspects of a method and system for signal phase variation detection in communication systems are presented. Aspects of the system may enable detection of phase change between a current received symbol, and one or more previous received symbols. Based on the phase change a channel estimation filter bandwidth may be selected for despreading and/or descrambling one or more subsequent received symbols. In addition, a decision may be made as to whether the subsequent received symbols are to be received based on a closed loop system, or based on an open loop system.
US07729444B2 Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a time division duplexed (TDD) communication system
Techniques to process data for transmission in a time division duplexed (TDD) communication system. In one aspect, the frequency response of a forward link is estimated at a base station based on reverse link transmissions (e.g., pilots) from a terminal. Prior to a data transmission on the forward link, the base station determines a reverse transfer function based on the pilots transmitted by the terminal, “calibrates” the reverse transfer function with a calibration function to derive an estimate of a forward transfer function, and preconditions modulation symbols based on weights derived from the forward transfer function. In another aspect, the terminal estimates the “quality” of the forward link and provides this information to the base station. The base station then uses the information to properly code and modulate data prior to transmission such that the transmitted data can be received by the terminal at the desired level of performance.
US07729441B2 Method and system for data transmission with decreased bit error rate
A method for generating a modulated carrier signal with reduced bit error rates based on a plurality of data symbols. A plurality of data symbols are received, and a digital input signal is generated based on the plurality of data symbols. The digital input signal are filtered to produce a digital output signal including a phase characteristic. The phase characteristic of the digital output signal remains close to the desired symbol phase for substantial portion of the symbol period. A carrier signal is modulated using the digital output signal to produce the modulated carrier signal.
US07729439B2 Calibration correction for implicit beamforming in a wireless MIMO communication system
A transmitter beamforming technique for use in a MIMO wireless communication system determines a partial description of a reverse channel without determining a full dimensional description of the reverse channel. A correction matrix is developed from the partial description of the reverse channel and a description of the forward channel. The correction matrix is used to process signals to be transmitted via the forward channel, and a steering matrix is used to perform beamforming in the forward channel.
US07729436B2 Receiver and method for decoding a coded signal with the aid of a space-time coding matrix
The disclosure relates to a method for decoding a received signal comprising symbols which are distributed in space and time with the aid of a space-time coding matrix, comprising a space-time decoding stage and at least two iterations, each of which comprising the following sub-stages: diversity pre-decoding, the opposite of diversity pre-decoding carried out when the signal is emitted, providing precoded data; estimation of symbols forming said signal on the basis of said pre-decoded data, providing estimated symbols; diversity preceding identical to diversity preceding carried out during emission, applied to the estimated symbols in order to provide an estimated signal.
US07729434B2 System and method for improved channel estimation for wireless OFDM systems
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a novel system and method for MMSE channel estimation are provided that take synchronization errors, either intentional or unintentional, into account during the channel estimation process. The proposed channel estimation in accordance with the present invention improves the noise averaging capability and takes advantage of channel correlation fully by removing the effect of synchronization errors during the estimation process.
US07729428B2 Method and apparatus for recognizing a change-of-state in communication signals of electronic circuits
A method for recognizing a valid change of state in a communication signal including capacitively coupled signals received by an input contact includes maintaining the input contact in a first state and an impedance of the first contact input in a first impedance level, validating that the communication signal sent from to the input contact is a valid change of state, and changing the input contact to a second state and the impedance of the first input contact input to a second impedance level when the voltage signal is validated. An input contact circuit is also disclosed.
US07729421B2 Low latency video decoder with high-quality, variable scaling and minimal frame buffer memory
Loss of decoding time prior to the vertical synchronization signal when motion video is arbitrarily scaled and positioned by placing the frame switch point at the completion of frame decoding and synchronizing the bottom border of the scaled image therewith while maintaining low latency of decoded data. High latency operation is provided only when necessitated by minimal spill buffer capacity and in combination with fractional image size reduction in the decoding path in order to maintain image resolution without requiring additional memory.
US07729415B1 High-speed interface for a programmable device
A high-speed interface for implementation in a programmable device such as, e.g., a programmable logic device (“PLD”) is described. Multi-gigabit transceivers of the PLD provide transmit and receive lock signals and have inputs for reference transmit and receive clock signals. One of the multi-gigabit transceivers provides a first transmit clock signal, a first receive clock signal, and a second receive clock signal. A data rate converter fractionally multiplies a second transmit clock signal to provide the reference transmit clock signal. A skew synchronization block obtains respective transmit and receive lock signals from the multi-gigabit transceivers and provides respective receive and transmit synch adjustment signals to the multi-gigabit transceivers. Synchronous operation of the multi-gigabit transceivers in receive and transmit directions is adjusted with receive and transmit synch adjustment signals to maintain lane-to-lane skew for the high-speed interface within a target range.
US07729414B2 Guard interval analysis method and apparatus
A receiver circuit processes a received signal to determine information regarding a guard interval therein. The receiver circuit typically forms digital samples from the received signal; generates a correlation function with peaks at positions that are determined by the size of the guard interval and a position of the guard interval within the received signal. The receiver circuit includes one or more comb filters, each corresponding to a possible guard interval size, each receiving a series of locations at which the correlation function exceeds a predetermined threshold, and each producing an output that provides information about the guard interval size and/or position. This advantageously allows the receiver circuit to determine the guard interval size quickly, for example, even in the case of received signals with relatively low signal-noise ratio.
US07729413B2 Spread spectrum receiver with multi-bit correlator
A system and a method to track GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite signal in a GPS receiver that includes an expanded capture window to rapidly reacquire the satellite signal after the satellite signal has been obstructed or when there is other type of signal loss. The expanded capture window includes a plurality of additional early and late correlations for maintaining synchronization of the GPS signal with a generated replica signal when positional error has accumulated during the time of the signal loss. The plurality of additional early and late correlations may be delayed from each other by a multiple of a fraction of a chip and may be performed in one or multiple channels of the GPS receiver. The adjoining code samples in the replica signal may also be offset by a fraction of a chip or by a multiple of the fraction of a chip.
US07729408B2 Encoding scheme for data transfer
A spread spectrum slip time encoding scheme encodes data values with one or more Pseudo Noise (PN) codes and generates a corresponding PN encoded data stream. Other data values are encoded into the PN encoded data stream by varying a slip time between the PN-encoded data values.
US07729401B2 Semiconductor laser device and fabrication method for the same
The semiconductor laser device includes a cavity structure having a first clad layer, an active layer and a second clad layer formed on a substrate. The second clad layer has a stripe portion extending between the front end face from which laser light is extracted and the rear end face opposite to the front end face. The stripe portion has a first region located closer to the front end face, a second region located closer to the rear end face and a change region whose width changes located between the first and second regions. The effective refractive index difference between the inside and outside of the stripe portion in the change region is greater than that in the first region.
US07729394B2 Conversion efficiency expansion in wavelength converting optical packages
Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to altering the effective conversion efficiency curve of an optical package employing a semiconductor laser and an SHG crystal or other type of wavelength conversion device. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an optical package is provided where the optical package is tuned such that ascending portions of a transmission curve representing a spectral filter are aligned with descending portions of a conversion efficiency curve representing a wavelength conversion device. With the filter and wavelength conversion device so aligned, the optical package is further tuned such that the wavelength of the fundamental laser signal lies within a wavelength range corresponding to aligned portions of the ascending and descending portions of the transmission and conversion efficiency curves. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US07729384B1 Multiple channel digital subscriber line framer/deframer system and method
The framer, also referred to as the scrambler/Reed-Solomon encoder (SRS), is a part of the transmitter and accepts user and control data in the form of one or more logical channels, partitions this data into frames, adds error correction codes, randomizes the data through a scrambler, and multiplexes logical channels into a single data stream. The multiplexed data is then passed to the constellation encoder as the next step in the formation of the VDSL symbol. The deframer, also referred as the descrambler/Reed-Solomon decoder (DRS), is part of the receiver and performs the inverse function of the framer. Disclosed is a highly configurable hardware framer/deframer that includes a digital signal processor interface configured to provide high level control, a FIFO coupled to data interfaces, a scrambler and CRC generator, a Reed-Solomon encoder, an interleaver, a data interface coupled to a constellation encoder, a data interface coupled to a constellation decoder, a deinterleaver, a Reed-Solomon decoder, descrambler and CRC check, an interface to external data sync, methods for control of configuration of data paths between hardware blocks, and methods for control and configuration of the individual hardware blocks in a manner that provides compliance with VDSL and many related standards.
US07729381B2 In-band media performance monitoring
A method including receiving data packets encapsulating at least part of a media stream, extracting a decoder-ready packet from the data packets, processing the decoder-ready packet; and substantially synchronously with the processing of the decoder-ready packet, generating delivery performance information for the at least part of the media stream, data from which is included in the decoder-ready packet.
US07729376B2 Method for improving quality-of-service management in networks
A logical quality-of-service management method for peer-to-peer networks uses a special group service for QoS management within peer-groups. This group service determines and assigns a budget per time unit for each peer. Such time unit may be in the range of milliseconds or few seconds. It may also determine a group budget for the peer-group. While a peer uses bandwidth, i.e. while it sends or receives data, its budget is decreased. When a peer has exhausted its budget, it has to lower its priority for transferring or receiving data. Each peer is responsible for keeping its own budget. If a peer does not keep the conditions, other peers may have the right to deny the data transfer from that peer. The QoS service function is advertised in peer-group advertisement messages.
US07729364B2 Telecommunications device for use between an analog telephone and a packet network
A communication device is coupled to an analog telephone and a packet network. The communication device detects an off-hook condition for the analog telephone and transfers a dial tone to the analog telephone, detects digit tones from the analog telephone that indicate a called number and responsively transfers a first message indicating the called number to the packet network, receives a second message from the packet network indicating that a called party associated with the called number is being alerted and responsively transfers a ring tone to the analog telephone, receives a third message from the packet network indicating that the called party has accepted the communication session and responsively stops the transfer of the ring tone to the analog telephone, exchanges analog voice signals with the analog telephone, exchanges voice packets with the packet network, and interworks between the analog voice signals and the voice packets.
US07729362B2 Method and apparatus for processing packet in high speed router
An apparatus for processing packets in a high speed router and a method thereof are provided. The high speed router includes a forward processor and a control processor where the forward processor having an input terminal processor and an output terminal processor. The output terminal processor manages a Layer 2 Address Table by dividing the Layer 2 Address Table into a layer 2 indirect address table and a layer 2 direct address table and by managing them. The indirect address table is directly indexed in the Next-hop Table of the input terminal processor table. The direct address table is composed of a hashing table for a destination IP address. Therefore, the system efficiency can be improved by reducing the memory which is used for storing the forwarding information table occupied by the forward processor and by reducing the IPC message between the control processor and the forwarding process.
US07729357B2 Method and apparatus for enabling a network device to asynchronously access a set top box in a way that conserves network bandwidth
A method and an apparatus are provided for improving or optimizing the frequency at which the keep-alive messages are sent to a network device (e.g., an Internet service platform) from a set top box (STB) connected to a router or gateway. By improving or optimizing the frequency at which these messages are sent by the STB to the network device, the amount of network bandwidth that is consumed as a result of sending keep-alive messages can be reduced. This allows a network device to remotely and asynchronously access a STB in a very efficient manner in terms of bandwidth consumption.
US07729348B2 Efficiency improvement for shared communications networks
A technique for providing data unit concatenation in a shared communications network is disclosed. The technique establishes a distinction between a first address space and a second address space within one or more shared communications networks, such as a wireless local area network, in a telecommunications system. At a transmitter node, data units arriving from one or more source nodes are packaged together if they are intended a network accessible through a receiver and then are transmitted to the receiver node. During the transfer of data units across the telecommunications system, the addressing mechanism will use either source and destination nodes or transmitter and receiver nodes, depending on the address space relevant at the moment of transmission. The technique increases utilization efficiency, because overhead attributed to headers, acknowledgements and interframe gaps is reduced.
US07729343B2 IP phone system and IP phone terminal registration method
An IP phone terminal registration method capable of reducing the workload as to telephone terminal setup and excluding working mistakes by achieving automated phone terminal registration is provided. Upon connection of a telephone terminal to IP network, a DHCP device issues a terminal registration request to a main apparatus. The main apparatus performs automated phone number allocation to thereby perform terminal registration processing. The DHCP device sends back to the telephone terminal an item of network information that contains therein IP address of the main apparatus and the phone number thus allocated. The phone terminal sets up the IP address of main apparatus and the phone number as self-terminal information, thereby automating the phone terminal registration.
US07729334B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting data blocks based on priority
A particular protocol layer of the transmitting side (transmitter) initially receives service data units (SDUs) having the same priority through a single stream from an upper layer, processes these SDUs to generate protocol data units (PDUs) having different priorities, and uses respectively different transmission methods to transmit the generated PDUs over a radio interface in order to guarantee their respectively different quality of service (QoS) requirements.
US07729333B2 User selection method in a zero-forcing beamforming algorithm
In a method for selecting a transmission target terminal in a zero-forcing beamforming algorithm, information about a channel capacity of each terminal is received from all K terminals. A terminal with a largest channel capacity is selected as an initial transmission target terminal. A determination is made as to whether the number of currently selected terminals, i, is equal to the predefined number N. If the number of currently selected terminals, i, is different from the predefined number N, information about channel capacities of remaining terminals except previously selected transmission target terminals is received until i is equal to N and a terminal with a largest channel capacity is selected as a transmission target terminal.
US07729331B2 Home terminal apparatus and communication system
An Internet terminal comprising: a communication unit that sends a local packet generated by a packet generation unit and receives a response local packet from a server apparatus; an encryption processing unit that encrypts the local packet to be sent out and decrypts the received response local packet; the packet generation unit that generates the local packet; a polling information storage unit that holds a terminal ID and a password used for identifying the internet terminal; a polling interval adjustment unit that identifies a polling interval at which the local packet is periodically sent to the router; and a control unit that sends control information to a terminal apparatus to be controlled and controls such terminal apparatus accordingly.
US07729328B2 Real-time sessions for wireless mesh networks
A real-time data transport protocol directed to aggregating multiple packets of a real-time protocol session and transmitting redundant copies of the packets as defined by a sliding window. In particular implementations, a method comprising accessing a plurality of packets of a real-time protocol session; aggregating, over a sliding window, a contiguous sequence of packets in the plurality of packets into real-time data transport packets, and transmitting the real-time data transport packets to a receiving node.
US07729326B2 Wireless network system with wireless access ports
A communication system comprises a wireless switch, a plurality of wired access ports and a plurality of wireless access ports. The plurality of wired access ports are coupled to the wireless switch via a wired connection and are configured to receive data over the wired connection and over a wireless connection. The plurality of wireless access ports are configured to receive data over the wireless connection from the wireless access port and to send data over the wireless connection to the wired access port. The wireless access ports are further configured to receive and encapsulate first wireless data packets in to first wired data packets based on a wired transmission protocol and encapsulate the first wired data packets into second wireless data packets based on a wireless transmission protocol.
US07729316B2 Receiving signals on a channel used for traffic and access in a communications system
Embodiments of the present invention can be used to efficiently receive access control and traffic information. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving a signal at a radio in a timeslot on a carrier using a plurality of antenna elements, the signal including an access control burst from a first remote radio and a traffic burst from a second remote radio, the traffic burst being part of an existing logical connection between the radio and the second remote radio. The access control burst and the traffic burst can then be extracted using spatial processing.
US07729315B2 System and method of performing cell measurements in a telecommunications system
A method of performing cell measurements in a telecommunications system. The method includes the steps of receiving a signal by a user equipment (UE) operating within the telecommunications system and served by a serving cell, storing the received signal in a buffer, and determining a first portion of the signal related to the serving cell and a second portion related to neighbor (NB) cells. The first portion of the signal is decoded by the Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) and the signal strength is estimated by a measurement unit coupled to the FFT. Next, any approximately synchronized NB cell signals in the second portion of the signal are then decoded and a signal strength is estimated. It is then determined if sufficient time remains to process unsynchronized NB cell signals of the second portion of the signal. If it is determined that sufficient time remains, the second portion of the signal is played back and decoded using the FFT and a signal strength of any unsynchronized NB cell signals of the second portion of the received signal is estimated.
US07729306B2 Method and apparatus for providing a service threshold indicator in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus for a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminals is provided. At least one quality requirement defining a minimum quality of communication service threshold for receiving information by at least one terminal over a communication channel is determined. At least one quality parameter of the communication channel is also determined, where the quality parameter defines a degree of quality in which communication is received by the terminal over the communication channel. The quality parameter is compared to the quality requirement, and the terminal is prevented from tuning to the communication channel providing that the quality parameter is lower than the quality requirement. In another embodiment, the at least one quality requirement is associated with a service threshold indicator (STI) value, and the STI value is communicated to the terminal for comparison of the quality requirement to the quality parameter.
US07729296B1 Distributed BPDU processing for spanning tree protocols
A distributed spanning tree protocol is implemented on a modular packet switch. At least some port-specific spanning tree functionality, for instance a port receive state machine and/or a port transmit state machine, operates on a processor on a line port module. At least some bridge-specific spanning tree functionality operates on a processor on a management or control module. When the spanning tree is stable, the line port module processor handles routine spanning tree “hello” messages without having to involve the control module processor. This arrangement allows the switch to handle large and/or multiple spanning trees and large numbers of bridged ports without overloading the control module processor with routine spanning tree module communications.
US07729294B2 Method for discovering network device
A method for discovering a network device is disclosed for executing a discovery procedure of the network device in a Data Link Layer (i.e. Layer 2 of OSI 7 Layers Model) via a Network Management Server (NMS) within a Local Area Network (LAN) system to discover other network devices within the LAN. Firstly, sending a discovery packet from a Network Management Server (NMS), wherein the discovery packet comprises a command for requesting the network device to send back a corresponding Media Access Control (MAC) address. Then, receiving the discovery packet by at least one of the network device, and generating a response packet corresponding to the discovery packet for sending the response packet, wherein the response packet comprises the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the network device. Then, receiving the response packet from the NMS for collecting the MAC address while ignoring an IP address in the response packet, and updating a device information table according to the MAC address for identifying the network device.
US07729287B2 Methods of providing simulation for communications systems and related systems and computer program products
A method of simulating a telecommunications network may include providing a database including status information for a plurality of virtual network elements. More particularly, the status information for each of the plurality of virtual network elements may include a respective network element identifier. A communication including a received network element identifier may be received. If the received network element identifier does not correspond to a network element identifier included in the database, status information for a new virtual network element may be added to the database and the status information for the new virtual network element may include the received network element identifier. After adding the status information for the new virtual network element, a communication regarding the new virtual network element may be transmitted. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.
US07729282B2 Home network system and its configuration system
The present invention discloses a configuration apparatus thereof which can efficiently configure a new home appliance in the home network system comprised of various home appliances. The configuration method of a home network system, comprising of confirming whether a previously-stored logical address is an initial logical address, transmitting a master search packet to the home network system when the logical address previously stored in the storage means is an initial logical address, waiting for a response packet from the home network system, when the response packet is received from the home network system, changing the initial logical address into a predetermined logical address according to reception of the response packet; and when the response packet is not received from the home network system, changing the previously-stored initial logical address into a previously-stored basic logical address.
US07729281B2 Multicarrier packet communication method
Messages transmitted between a receiver and a transmitter are used to maximize a communication data rate. In particular, a multicarrier modulation system uses messages that are sent from the receiver to the transmitter to exchange one or more sets of optimized communication parameters. The transmitter then stores these communication parameters and when transmitting to that particular receiver, the transmitter utilizes the stored parameters in an effort to maximize the data rate to that receiver. Likewise, when the receiver receives packets from that particular transmitter, the receiver can utilize the stored communication parameters for reception.
US07729276B2 Method and system for tunneling MACSec packets through non-MACSec nodes
Aspects of a method and system for tunneling MACSec packets through non-MACSec-enabled nodes are provided. In this regard, aspects of the invention may be utilized for transmitting MACSec Ethernet packets over MACSec and/or non-MACSec-enabled network nodes. In one embodiment of the invention, additional header information may be inserted into a MACSec packet before transmitting the MACSec packet to a non-MACSec-enabled node. Accordingly, aspects of the invention may remove the additional header information from a packet received from a non-MACSec-enabled node to distinguish the packets comprising inserted additional header information, which may comprise a distinguishing Ethertype.
US07729273B2 Method and apparatus for conserving bandwidth between a network device and a remote device
A method and an apparatus are provided for improving or optimizing the frequency at which the keep-alive messages are exchanged between a network device (e.g., network server) and a remote device (e.g., a PC) behind a router or gateway. By improving or optimizing the frequency at which these messages are exchanged, the amount of network bandwidth that is consumed as a result of the exchange of keep-alive messages can be reduced. This allows a network device to remotely access a remote device in a very efficient manner in terms of the number of keep-alive messages that are generated and processed and in terms of bandwidth consumption.
US07729262B2 Method and system for assigning channels in a wireless LAN
Described is a system and method for receiving traffic load information for a plurality of access points, each of the access points including at least two channels for communicating and neighboring at least one of the other access points. A throughput of each channel of each access point is determined based on the traffic load information for each access point and any neighboring access points. A channel with a maximum determined throughput is selected for each access point. Each access point then switches to the selected channel at a defined probability rate.
US07729257B2 Method and apparatus for link transmission scheduling for handling traffic variation in wireless mesh networks
The invention includes a method and apparatus for generating a link transmission schedule for handling traffic variation in wireless networks without dynamic scheduling or routing. The method includes determining fixed traffic capacities associated with respective wireless links of a wireless network according to a routing algorithm, and generating, using the routing algorithm and the fixed traffic capacities, a link transmission schedule including at least one condition by which traffic is transmitted using each of the network links. The link transmission schedule is adapted to remain substantially fixed during dynamic traffic changes. The routing algorithm may be a two-phase routing algorithm in which traffic is distributed by each node in the wireless network to every node in the wireless network using traffic split ratios. For two-phase routing, fixed traffic capacities may be determined using ingress and egress traffic capacities and traffic split ratios associated with respective nodes in the wireless network.
US07729255B2 Method of a signal transmission for controlling a quantity of data transmitted and a signal transmission apparatus therefor
When digital signals are to be transmitted between a camera unit and a camera control unit, the distance of their transmission depends on the frequency at which the digital signals are transmitted. The higher the frequency of the digital signals is, the greater the cable attenuation is, inviting deterioration of the signals. Therefore, with a view to matching the quantity of transmitted signals with the length of the transmission path and thereby achieving high quality of signal transmission, a method of signal transmission for a signal transmission apparatus wherein a camera unit and a camera control unit for controlling the camera unit are connected by a transmission path and a video signal, an audio signal and a control signal are digitized, time division multiplexed and transmitted between the camera unit and the camera control unit, has a step of measuring the value of delay of signals transmitted over the transmission path, and each of the camera unit and the camera control unit performs a step of controlling the data quantity of signals to be delivered to the transmission path on the basis of the measured value of delay.
US07729246B1 System and method for supporting inter-network dispatch calls
Systems and methods for communications between networks that support dispatch communication services are provided. A server is coupled to at least two networks that provide dispatch communications, one of which employs an inactivity timer. When the server determines that the inactivity timer for a dispatch call is about to expire due to, for example, no bearer packets being transmitted, the server will request the floor of the call. The server will then transmit bearer packets for a predetermined amount of time, and then release the floor.
US07729245B1 Method and system of monitoring the receipt of multicast traffic
A method and system for monitoring data packet traffic in a multicast network comprising determining a first packet count received at a receiver router, representing a quantity of data packets associated with a multicast group and source at a first time, determining a second packet count received at that receiver router representing a quantity of data packets associated with that multicast group and source, at a second time subsequent to the first time, comparing the second packet count to the first packet count, and indicating an alarm in response to the second packet count being less than a predetermined value greater than the first packet count. A status for multiple routers can be obtained, comprising a difference between the quantity of the first and second packet counts; and indicating a warning in response to at least one of the plurality of router status being less than the predetermined value.
US07729243B2 Reverse link rate and stability control
In a radio access network, the reverse link rate of an access terminal is controlled and stabilized by determining a number of connections in one or more sectors in which the access terminal has a connection and setting a rate limit based on at least one of the determined number of connections. The number of connections can be determined for each sector in which the access terminal has a connection or for some subset of these sectors. If the number of connections is determined for more than one sector, the radio access network may limit the reverse link rate based on the sector having the greatest number of connections.
US07729235B2 Method and apparatus for OVSF code generation
Methods and apparatuses for generating an OVSF code are disclosed. A proposed method for generating a current code chip of an OVSF code includes: determining a correlation factor between the current code chip and a preceding code chip of the OVSF code; and generating the current code chip according to the preceding code chip and the correlation factor.
US07729230B2 Information recording carrier and information reproducing apparatus for the same
Plural grooves or lands formed in an information recording carrier include at least a wobbling region and data is recorded wobblingly in this wobbling region by phase shift modulation while recorded digitally with a single or multiple waves as a channel bit.
US07729225B2 Optical information processing apparatus, optical information recording method, optical information reproducing method and optical information servo controlling method
An optical information processing apparatus is provided. The optical information processing apparatus includes: an optical system which irradiates a reference beam on an optical information recording medium having a plurality of recording regions adjacent to each other so that the reference beam is wider than each of the recording regions; a filter which filters readout beams reproduced from the optical information recording medium to pass a selected readout beam reproduced from a selected recording region and separates neighborhood readout beams reproduced from neighborhood of the selected recording regions; a readout beam detector which detects the selected readout beam passing through the filter; a neighborhood readout beam detector which detects the neighborhood readout beams separated by the filter; and a controller which compares the neighborhood readout beams detected by the neighborhood readout beam detector to control a reproduction condition of the selected readout beam.
US07729224B2 Optical information reproducing apparatus and optical information reproducing method using the same
An optical information reproducing apparatus and an optical information reproducing method using the same are provided. The optical information reproducing apparatus includes: a light source; a beam splitter which splits a beam emitted from the light source into a reference beam and a temporary beam; a temporary beam splitter which splits the temporary beam into a pair of assistant beams; an incident optical system which inputs the reference beam and the assistant beams to a recording medium in which optical information is recorded; a reproduction beam detector which detects reproduction beams reproduced in response to the reference beam, sets the position of the reproduction beam having the largest light intensity as a reference position, and sets a signal region on the basis of the reference beam; and an assistant beam detector which compares the light intensity of the assistant beams incident on the signal region with each other and sets an incident angle of the reference beam. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a tilt error and to correct the tilt error at the time of reproducing data from the recording medium.
US07729223B2 Recording method for dye-based recordable DVD medium and recording apparatus
A recording method for dye-based recordable DVD medium which includes recording shortest marks on a recording layer primarily containing an organic dye using a simple rectangular wave pulse; recording marks each having the second shortest or still longer mark length using one pulse of which the front and rear edges are highly energized for a given time; and controlling the optical energy for irradiating rear edge or backward of the pulse with a cooling pulse to be 0.1 mW or less for a given time, wherein when the recording power of the front and rear edges of the respective pulses is represented by P1 and the recording power of intermediate pulse between the pulse front edge and the pulse rear edge is represented by P2, P1/P2 is set to be greater when P1 is a low power, and P1/P2 is set to be smaller when P1 is a high power.
US07729218B2 Method and apparatus for recording and reproducing signal on and from optical information recording medium
Test signals are recorded on a prescribed area in an optical disc. The prescribed area is scanned by a laser beam while the power of the laser beam is changed among different DC erasing values. The different DC erasing values are assigned to the recorded test signals, respectively. The recorded test signals are reproduced from the prescribed area to obtain reproduced signals. Parameter values of the respective reproduced signals are detected. The detected parameter values correspond to the different DC erasing values, respectively. Among the detected parameter values, a detected parameter value is decided which matches a target. One corresponding to the decided parameter value is selected from the different DC erasing values. A prescribed coefficient and the selected DC erasing value are multiplied to calculate an optimum level of an erasing power of the laser beam.
US07729212B2 Objective lens driving device, optical pickup device, and optical disk drive
The objective lens driving device of the present invention for an optical pickup device is provided. The device includes first and second objective lenses, and a lens holder for supporting the first and second objective lenses. The lens holder has a first through-hole for passage of first laser beam and a second through-hole for passage of second laser beam. Where a plane defined by a central axis of the first objective lens and a central axis of the second objective lens is a central plane, a plane perpendicular to the central plane and including the central axis of the first objective lens is a first plane, and a plane perpendicular to the central plane and including the central axis of the second objective lens is a second plane; the first through-hole is asymmetrical with respect to the first plane and/or the second through-hole is asymmetrical with respect to the second plane.
US07729211B2 Recording medium having a substrate containing microscopic pattern of parallel groove and land sections and recording/reproducing equipment therefor
An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<λ
US07729210B2 Recording medium having a substrate containing microscopic pattern of parallel groove and land sections and recording/reproducing equipment therefor
An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<λ
US07729201B2 Method and apparatus for spread spectrum distance and velocity profile measurement
A method and apparatus for spread spectrum distance and for spread spectrum velocity profile measurement is provided where the short pulse of traditional ultrasonic and radar level gauges is replaced by low peak power direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) modulated energy. An echo sequence subtraction process is provided that increases the signal to noise ratio of each echo sequence thus increasing the dynamic range of the system. In addition to providing a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR), better precision and accuracy in ranging Doppler applications and the ability to use lower peak power transmissions, the system is more immune to interference from the environment and allows for less expensive and less bulky ultrasonic transducers.
US07729200B2 Memory device, memory controller and memory system
The memory device has: a plurality of banks, each of which has a memory cell array having a plurality of page areas that are selected by row addresses respectively, and each of which is selected by a bank address; a row controller that controls activation of the page areas within each of the banks in response to a first operation code; and a group of data input/output terminals. A memory unit area within each of the activated page areas is accessed based on the column address. The row controller generates bank activation signals for the plurality of banks in response to multi-bank information data and a supplied bank address that are supplied along with the first command, and generates the row address of each of the plurality of banks in response to the supplied bank address and a supplied row address. The plurality of banks activate the page areas in response to the bank activation signals and the row addresses generated by the row address calculator.
US07729195B2 Semiconductor memory device having split word line driver circuit with layout patterns that provide increased integration density
Semiconductor memory devices having hierarchical word line structures are provided. A block of sub-word line driver circuits (SWDB) are disposed between a first block of memory and a second block of memory. A SWDB includes a plurality of sub-wordline driver (SWD) circuits arranged in a plurality of SWD columns each having four SWD circuits extending in a first direction between the first and second blocks of memory. Two adjacent SWD columns include a SWD group for driving a plurality of sub-word lines extending from the SWD group along the first direction into the first and second blocks of memory.
US07729191B2 Memory device command decoding system and memory device and processor-based system using same
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment of one such device, an embodiment of a memory device includes a command decoder that is operable to decode received write enable, row address strobe and column address strobe signals to place the memory device in at least one reduced power state despite the absence of either a clock enable signal or a chip select signal. The command decoder performs this function by decoding the write enable, row address strobe and column address strobe signals in combination with at least one address signal received by the memory device. The command decoder can also decode a no operation command, which differs from the at least one reduced power state by only the state of the write enable signal. As a result, when the at least one reduced power state is terminated by a transition of the write enable signal, the memory device automatically transitions to a no operation mode.
US07729187B2 Bit line precharge circuit having precharge elements outside sense amplifier
A bit line precharge circuit capable of improving bit line precharge operation includes a first precharge element for precharging a first bit line in response to a first precharge signal, a precharge unit for precharging second and third bit lines in response to a second precharge signal, and a second precharge element for precharging a fourth bit line in response to a third precharge signal.
US07729184B2 Memory device having function of detecting bit line sense amp mismatch
Provided is a memory device that can detect a mismatch in a bit line sense amp, wherein the memory device includes a sense amp drive unit for selectively supplying a pull-up drive voltage or a pull-down drive voltage to a bit line sense amp in response to a sensing test signal provided from outside.
US07729183B2 Data sensing method for dynamic random access memory
A data sensing method for a dynamic random access memory including a storage capacitor configured to store data, a bit line, a transistor connecting the storage capacitor and the bit line, a reference bit line, and a sense amplifier connecting the bit line and the reference bit line. The data sensing method comprises the steps of turning off the transistor when the stored data is a predetermined value before enabling the sense amplifier to sense the voltage of the bit line and the reference bit line, and turning on the transistor when the stored data is opposite to the predetermined value such that a charge sharing process occurs between the storage capacitor and a parasitic capacitor of the bit line before enabling the sense amplifier to sense the voltage of the bit line and the reference bit line.
US07729181B2 Semiconductor storage device using a bitline GND sensing scheme for a reduced real estate of pre-sense amplifier
A semiconductor storage device comprises of a memory cell connected to a plate line and a bit line, a potential shift circuit which is connected to a bit line, temporarily changes in output voltage corresponding to the voltage change of the bit line when a voltage is applied to the plate line, a charge transfer circuit for transferring charge stored on the potential shift circuit corresponding to the temporary output voltage change of the potential shift circuit, and a charge accumulation circuit for generating a read voltage from a memory cell after accumulating the transferred charge.
US07729178B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
The non-volatile semiconductor memory device has a circuit which maintains and holds the potentials of bit lines, and either ones of even-bit lines or odd-bit lines are connected to the circuit. When the bit line potential holding circuit is connected to even-bit lines and a block copy is performed, data is first outputted to the even-bit lines, and after the potential of the even-bit line is determined, the bit line potential holding circuit operates. Then, biasing of the potential of the even-bit lines is carried out by the bit line potential holding circuit, the potentials of the bit lines are maintained and held. At the same time, data is outputted to the odd-bit lines and the potentials of the odd-bit lines are determined. Then, a program voltage is supplied to a selected word line, and data is simultaneously written (programmed) in the memory cells connected to the even-bit lines, and the memory cells connected to the odd-bit lines.
US07729171B2 Multiple select gate architecture with select gates of different lengths
The invention provides methods and apparatus. A portion of a memory array has a string of two or more non-volatile memory cells, a first select gate coupled in series with one non-volatile memory cell of the string of two or more non-volatile memory cells, and a second select gate coupled in series with the first select gate. A length of the second select gate is greater than a length of the first select gate.
US07729168B2 Reduced signal level support for memory devices
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for reduced signal level support for memory devices. In some embodiments, a host includes one or more additional electrical contacts to provide a controllable voltage reference to a memory device. The host may also include driver circuitry to provide a driver signal to the memory device. In some embodiments, the driver signal is substantially symmetrical around the controllable voltage reference.
US07729166B2 Multiple-bit per cell (MBC) non-volatile memory apparatus and system having polarity control and method of programming same
A Multiple-bit per Cell (MBC) non-volatile memory apparatus, method, and system wherein a controller for writing/reading data to/from a memory array controls polarity of data by selectively inverting data words to maximize a number of bits to be programmed within (M−1) virtual pages and selectively inverts data words to minimize a number of bits to be programmed in an Mth virtual page where M is the number of bits per cell. A corresponding polarity control flag is set when a data word is inverted. Data is selectively inverted according the corresponding polarity flag when being read from the M virtual pages. A number of the highest threshold voltage programming states in reduced. This provides tighter distribution of programmed cell threshold voltage, reduced power consumption, reduced programming time, and enhanced device reliability.
US07729162B2 Semiconductor phase change memory using multiple phase change layers
In accordance with some embodiments, a phase change memory may be formed in which the thermal conductivity in the region outside the programmed volume of phase change material is reduced. This may reduce the power consumption of the resulting phase change memory. The reduction in power consumption may be achieved by forming distinct layers of phase change material that have little or no mixing between them outside the programmed volume. For example, in one embodiment, a diffusion barrier layer may be maintained between the two distinct phase change layers. In another embodiment, a face centered cubic chalcogenide structure may be utilized.
US07729156B2 Cycling to mitigate imprint in ferroelectric memories
The method includes storing a memory data state in the ferroelectric memory cell. An event will trigger the evaluation of signal margin on a memory cell. If the memory cell is identified to have a weak signal, the memory cell is exercised. Exercising includes either performing one or more data read/re-write events or performing one or more simulated data read and data write events of an alternating high data state and a low data state to the memory cell associated with the weak data bit. Both the lifetime retention testing and the memory data state exercising are performed in the background of normal memory operation.
US07729155B2 High speed, low power, low leakage read only memory
A read only memory (ROM) for providing a high operational speed with reduced leakage and low power consumption. The read only memory (ROM) includes multiple bit lines, multiple word lines, multiple column select lines and these lines are operatively coupled with multiple transistors. The arrangement of the ROM is such that the word line of a selected row is pulled down to a ground voltage (Vgnd). Non-selected word lines are kept at a supply voltage VDD to ensure that unwanted rows will not have any sub-threshold current (as Vds=0). So during read “1” operation (that is when bit line (BL) is high) load cells would not leak unnecessarily. Thus the ROM achieves a high operational speed with reduced leakage and low power consumption.
US07729153B2 276-pin buffered memory module with enhanced fault tolerance
A dual inline memory module (DIMM) includes a card having a length of about 151.2 to about 151.5 millimeters, a plurality of individual local memory devices attached to the card, and a buffer device attached to the card, the buffer device configured for converting a packetized memory interface. The card includes at least 276 pins configured thereon.
US07729149B2 Content addressable memory cell including a junction field effect transistor
A semiconductor device that includes a memory cell having a junction field effect transistor (JFET) used to form a content addressable memory (CAM) cell is disclosed. The JFET may include a data storage region disposed between a first and second insulating region. The data storage region provides a first threshold voltage to the JFET when storing a first data value and provides a second threshold voltage to the JFET when storing a second data value. The memory cell is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and can be used to form a CAM cell. The CAM cell may be a ternary CAM cell formed with as few as two JFETs.
US07729145B2 Power converter and method, and triangle wave generating circuit
A power converter that converts an AC power outputted from a generator into a DC power and supplies it to a battery (load). The power converter includes a thyristor (switch unit) connected between an output unit of the generator and the battery (load); and a gate control unit (control unit) for generating a triangle wave voltage having a constant peak voltage corresponding to each cycle of the AC power outputted from the generator, generating a differential voltage between the voltage supplied to the load via the switch unit and a predetermined target voltage, and controlling the conductive state of the switch unit based on the triangle wave voltage and the differential voltage.
US07729135B1 Power converter using a single tapped transformer for multiple ranges of input voltage
In one embodiment, a power converter system includes an input terminal for an input voltage. A transformer, coupled to the input terminal, has a primary winding and a secondary winding. An output terminal is coupled to the secondary winding. Power is delivered to a load of the power converter system at the output terminal. A first control module, coupled through a relay to a tap terminal to the primary winding of the transformer, operates the power converter system if a magnitude of the input voltage is within a low voltage range. A second control module, coupled at an end terminal of the primary winding of the transformer, operates the power converter system if a magnitude of the input voltage is within a high voltage range.
US07729122B2 Fastener for heat sinks
A fastener includes a rod and a sleeve. The rod has a flat top for depression and a rod body extending downwardly from the flat top. The upper end of the rod body is provided with a circular groove. The sleeve is formed with a through hole and a flange close to its upper end. The inner side of the sleeve is provided above the flange with a first engaging section engageable with the circular groove of the rod. The sleeve is provided with a second engaging section below the flange and a third engaging section at the lower end thereof. By means of the engagement between the circular groove of the rod and the first engaging section of the sleeve, the rod will be prevented from detaching from the sleeve. The second and third engaging sections are used for preventing the fastener from disengaging from a workpiece.
US07729111B2 External hard drive having integral stand
A hard drive includes an external hard drive and a stand integrally formed with the external hard drive. The external hard drive includes a housing maintaining a hard drive assembly configured to exchange data with a computer system, with the housing having opposing first and second major faces. The stand includes a first leg configured to project from the first major face of the housing and a second leg configured to project from the second major face of the housing.
US07729102B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor and structure for mounting this solid electrolytic capacitor on board
A solid electrolytic capacitor 1 includes a capacitor element 2 and a resin package 9 enclosing the capacitor element. The capacitor element includes a sintered body 3 of valve metal powder, an anode 4a provided by embedding an anode wire 4 in the sintered body, and a cathode 5 provided by forming a metal layer on the sintered body. A first lead member 6 in the form of a plate is connected to the anode wire 4. The end of the first lead member projects from a side surface 9a of the resin package 9 to provide an anode terminal T1. A second lead member 7 in the form of a plate is connected to the cathode 5. The end of the second lead member projects from a side surface 9b of the resin package 9 to provide a cathode terminal T2. By extending the first and the second lead members 6 and 7 generally horizontally at the substantially same height from the lower end of the resin package and making the portions projecting from the resin package 9 serve as the anode terminal T1 and the cathode terminal T2, the lead length between the anode 4a of the capacitor element 2 and the anode terminal T1 and the lead length between the cathode 5 and the cathode terminal T2 is made as short as possible, whereby ESL is reduced.
US07729101B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling ionizing blowers
An apparatus and method for monitoring the output of an ionizing blower. A measuring channel captures a portion of the air ion stream, and measures balance plus air ion current. Since the measurement channel is isolated from extraneous electrostatic fields, measurements contain less analytical noise. Air flow through the measurement chamber is created by the inherent pressure difference between the high pressure and low pressure sides of an air mover. Two electrodes inside the measurement chamber are combined with a power supply, a low current amplifier, and a controller. The controller also makes adjustments to the ionizing blower.
US07729099B2 Surge arrester
A surge arrester has a discharge current path. The discharge current path is surrounded by an insulating sleeve. The insulating sleeve has at least one area that is optically transparent.
US07729094B2 ESD protection circuit and method
A method and a device are disclosed herein for protecting a circuit including a first terminal and a second terminal from electrostatic discharges. The device comprises at least one current path, wherein each current path of the at least one current path includes a transistor and a first circuit element. A first load terminal of the transistor is coupled to the first terminal of the circuit. A second load terminal of the transistor is coupled to a control terminal of the transistor and to a first terminal of the first circuit element. A second terminal of the first circuit element is coupled to the second terminal of the circuit. A well terminal of the transistor is coupled to the second terminal of the circuit via a second circuit element.
US07729090B2 Disk drive device, actuator lock mechanism, inertia latch mechanism and inertia lever
Disclosed is an inertia latch mechanism capable of omitting erection of a pin for swinging an inertia lever. An inertia lever for use in the inertia latch mechanism is constituted of: a lever body swinging by inertia when an impact is applied thereto; a fixture fixed to a case of a disk drive device; and a plate spring member for connecting the lever body and the fixture and permitting swing of the lever body.
US07729089B1 Head-gimbal assembly including a flexure tongue with stand-offs arranged to facilitate lateral light entry
A head-gimbal assembly (HGA) is disclosed. The HGA comprises a head including a slider having a leading end and a trailing end that define a slider length. The head further includes a read transducer disposed at the trailing end. The HGA further comprises an adhesive material and a flexure that includes a tongue to which the head is adhered. The tongue includes three stand-offs in contact with the slider, each of the three stand-offs spanning a stand-off length that is one-half the slider length or less. Two of the three stand-offs are disposed adjacent the leading end.
US07729086B1 Perpendicular magnetic recording head with dynamic flying height heating element disposed below turns of a write coil
A magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording includes a slider having an air bearing surface (ABS) and a trailing surface and a transducer fabricated on the trailing surface. The transducer includes a magnetoresistive (MR) read element disposed within a gap material bounded by shield material, an adjunct pole, and a main pole formed in an adjacent layered relationship to the adjunct pole. The adjunct pole has a front edge that is recessed from the ABS and a rear edge. The main pole has a write tip that extends approximately to the ABS. The transducer further includes a write coil having a first layer of turns below the adjunct pole and above the shield material. The magnetic head also includes a heating element with a portion of the heating element below the write coil and behind the rear edge of the adjunct pole.
US07729079B1 Disk drive estimating fly height using a PLL tuned by a fly height capacitance
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated over the disk, and control circuitry operable to estimate a fly height of the head by tuning a phase locked loop (PLL) in response to a fly height capacitance. In one embodiment, the PLL comprises a resistive component having a second terminal coupled to the fly height capacitance, a variable oscillator operable to generate a first oscillating signal applied to a first terminal of the resistive component to generate a second oscillating signal at the second end of the resistive component, and a phase detector operable to generate a control signal by comparing a phase of the first oscillating signal to a phase of the second oscillating signal. The control signal is applied to the variable oscillator to adjust a frequency of the first oscillating signal.
US07729075B2 Low-power read channel for magnetic mass storage systems
An improved mass storage system having a read channel adapted to store in a FIFO memory digitized analog samples of data symbols read from a disk, the buffered digitized samples being processed by digital circuitry that may be operated at a slower speed than the maximum symbol rate from the disk. In one embodiment, the read channel has an analog portion that processes analog signals from a read head and includes an ADC for converting the processed analog signals into digital samples in response to a first clock; a FIFO storing therein the digital samples in response to the first clock and reading out the stored digital samples in response to a second clock; and a detector, in response to the second clock, detecting the digital samples from the FIFO into digital data. The maximum frequency of the first clock is less than the maximum frequency of the second clock.
US07729072B2 Open write-head-cable test method and detector
A storage drive implements a method for operating the storage drive between a plurality of operational modes. For a test mode of the storage drive, a write current driver circuit and a test current sensor are electrically connected to the write head, wherein the test current sensor generates a sense signal indicative of a degree of a flow of a test current through the write head to thereby facilitate a detection of any presence of an open write condition of the storage drive (i.e., any impedance condition impeding a flow of a write current through the write head). For a write mode of the storage drive, the write current driver circuit is electrically connected to the write head and the test current sensor is electrically disconnected from the write head, wherein the write head records data on a magnetic media based on a flow of the write current through the write head.
US07729052B2 Non-planar optical diffraction grating having an arbitrary parallel groove profile
An optical diffraction grating having a superior ultra-precise non-planar surface shape desired in extremely sensitive and complex optical imaging devices (e.g. spectrometers or hyperspectral imagers) is provided. The optical diffraction grating comprises a substrate having a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, wherein each of the grooves includes a plurality of substantially parallel sub-grooves. A non-planar substrate surface shape is defined by a combination of the grooves. A groove profile is defined by a combination of the sub-grooves within a corresponding one of the grooves. In a preferred method of manufacturing the optical diffraction grating, a rotating spindle technique would be employed.
US07729047B1 Method of shifting and fixing optical frequency of an optical resonator, and optical resonator made by same
A method of shifting and fixing an optical frequency of an optical resonator to a desired optical frequency, and an optical resonator made by such a method are provided. The method includes providing an optical resonator having a surface and a refractive index, and obtaining a coating composition having a predetermined concentration of a substance and having a refractive index that is substantially similar to the refractive index of the optical resonator. The coating composition inherently possesses a thickness when it is applied as a coating. The method further includes determining a coating ratio for the surface of the optical resonator and applying the coating composition onto a portion of the surface of the optical resonator based upon the determined coating ratio.
US07729040B2 Electrophoretic display device and electronic apparatus
An electrophoretic display device includes; a first substrate having a plurality of pixel electrodes in a display region thereof; and an electrophoretic sheet that includes a second substrate on which a common electrode, an electrophoretic layer, and an adhesive layer are laminated. The electrophoretic sheet is bonded to the display region of the first substrate via the adhesive layer. The distance between neighboring pixel electrodes among the plurality of pixel electrodes is 5 μm or more.
US07729038B2 Method of manufacturing information display panel
In the method of manufacturing an information display panel, in which at least one group of display media having optical reflectance and charge characteristics and consisting of at least one or more groups of particles, are sealed in a cell formed by partition walls between two substrates, at least one substrate being transparent, and, in which the display media, to which an electrostatic field is applied, are made to move so as to display information such as an image, a display media filling step for filling the display media in the cell includes the steps of: setting a screen over the partition walls; arranging the display media on the screen; and moving a plate member on the screen under such a condition that the plate member is contacted to the screen. In this manner, it is possible to obtain the method of manufacturing the information display panel in which it is possible to fill the display media by an easy process, and to make easy a control of an area, to which the display media are to be filled, and a control of an amount of the display media to be filled.
US07729032B2 Non-imaging concentrating optic design with modulator
In one embodiment the invention provides a device for modulating light. The device includes a non-imaging concentrating optic having a body with a first end through which light enters the body and a second end through which light leaves the body; and a shutter component which can be selectively aligned with the second end in one of several operative positions wherein in at least one operative position, the shutter component is sufficiently close to the second end of the body to be within the wavelength of an evanescent wave generated at a surface of the body at the second end when total internal reflection occurs at the surface.
US07729022B2 Method for processing image
A method for processing an image is provided. The method is to calculate the amount of original gray levels in a frame according to the original gray level difference between each pixel and an adjacent pixel thereof and adjusts the contrast of the frame according to the calculated amount of gray levels and the contrast difference between the current frame and the previous frame.
US07729013B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image processing apparatus includes a character-area extracting unit that extracts a character area in which characters are displayed from image data including characters, a character-color converting unit that converts the color of characters in the character area extracted by the character-area extracting unit to a predetermined prescribed character color, and a background-color converting unit that converts a background color of the background, which is an area other than the characters in the character area extracted by the character-area extracting unit to a predetermined prescribed background color.
US07729009B2 Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image processing method and recording medium
An is an image processing apparatus including: an image memory section to store an image data obtained by reading an image of an original manuscript; an external light memory section to store a data of external light entering to a stage for the original manuscript and to form histograms of each color based on the data of external light; a judging section to calculate an external light level from a higher luminance by each color out of luminance values of a foot of a peak including a maximum frequency value measured on the histograms; and an area detecting section to determine a non-image area erase threshold based on the external light level, so as to detect an image area and to erase a non-image area.
US07729005B2 Image forming apparatus and its control method
An engine control section detects that a sheet in a cassette is exhausted during duplex image formation. If a sheet with its first surface being printed is on standby in a duplexer, an image formation timing signal is output for a first surface of a sheet not fed because of a paper-out. Subsequently, an image formation timing signal is output for a second surface of the sheet that is in the duplexer and has its first surface printed. After completing the image formation of the second surface of the sheet, the operation is halted.
US07728996B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an input unit to input an image, a connection unit to perform connection to an external network, an output unit to output a request for processing the input image to a unit connected thereto through the external network, and a control unit to perform connection to an authentication unit connected to the external network using the connection unit and requesting the authentication unit for an authentication process, when the output unit outputs the request for the processing.
US07728993B2 Image forming apparatus, control method and storage medium in which a selecting device selects a print function or a copy function
An image forming apparatus includes a receiving device which receives data to be printed. a reading device which reads a document, a selecting device which selects one of a print function of printing the data received by the receiving device and a copy function of printing the data read by the reading device, in accordance with an operation of a user, and a control device which inhibits printing by the copy function even if the document is set in the reading device, and changes a state of the receiving device from a state of not receiving the data to a state of receiving the data, when the print function is selected by the selecting device.
US07728991B2 Printer for actuated printing of identification tags
A printer is provided for printing, onto a surface, an interface of document data and coded data. The document data includes first identity data indicative of an identity associated with a region of the interface. The coded data includes tags each including the first identity data and second identity data defining a relative position of the respective tag. The printer comprises an actuator, a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the first identity data, and a printing mechanism. The printer is configured to print the interface onto the surface, using the printing mechanism, in response to actuation of the actuator.
US07728988B2 Method and apparatus for testing conic optical surfaces
According to one aspect, a part has two reflective surfaces, one being a conic surface portion having an axis with a focus thereon, and the other being part of a spherical surface with a centerpoint at the focus. According to a different aspect, a method includes fabricating a part with first and second reflective surfaces, the first being a conic surface portion with an axis and a focus on the axis, and the second being a spherical surface portion with a centerpoint at the focus. The second surface is used to position the part so that the focus coincides with the centerpoint of a spherical wave from an interferometer. Then, a reflective further spherical surface portion on a member is used with the interferometer to position a centerpoint of the further surface at the focus. The interferometer then evaluates the first surface for accuracy.
US07728985B2 Polarization-sensitive common path optical coherence reflectometry/tomography device
Polarization sensitive common path OCT/OCR devices are presented. Optical radiation from a source is converted into two cross-polarized replicas propagating therethrough with a predetermined optical path length difference. The two cross-polarized replicas are then delivered to an associated sample by a delivering device, which is, preferably, an optical fiber probe. A combination optical radiation is produced in at least one secondary interferometer by combining a corresponding portion of an optical radiation returning from the associated sample with a reference optical radiation reflected from a tip of an optical fiber of the optical fiber probe. Subject to a preset optical path length difference of the arms of the at least one secondary interferometer, a cross-polarized component, and/or a parallel-polarized component of the combined optical radiation, are selected. The topology of the devices allows for time domain, as well as for frequency domain registration.
US07728984B2 Method for evaluating a measured parameter
For evaluation of a measured parameter with a measuring cell having a cavity which generates for light an optical path length difference changing corresponding to the variation of the measured parameter, the method includes: introducing light from a white light source with the aid of an optical waveguide via a coupler (3) disposed in the path of the optical waveguide into the cavity, coupling out at least a portion of the light reflected back into the optical waveguide from the cavity with the aid of the coupler and conducting this reflected light to an optical spectrometer, determining the optical spectrum of the reflected light in the spectrometer and generating a spectrometer signal, conducting the spectrometer signal to a computing unit, wherein the spectrometer signal is directly converted through the computing unit to an interferogram and from its intensity progression the location of the particular extremal amplitude value is determined and this particular location represents directly the particular value of the optical path length difference in the cavity, which comprises the measured parameter.
US07728983B2 Diffraction grating based interferometric systems and methods
Diffraction grating based fiber optic interferometric systems for use in optical coherence tomography, wherein sample and reference light beams are formed by a first beam splitter and the sample light beam received from a sample and a reference light beam are combined on a second beam splitter. In one embodiment, the first beam splitter is an approximately 50/50 beam splitter, and the second beam splitter is a non 50/50 beam splitter. More than half of the energy of the sample light beam is directed into the combined beam and less than half of the energy of the reference light beam are directed into the combined beam by the second beam splitter. In another embodiment, the first beam splitter is a non 50/50 beam splitter and the second beam splitter is an approximately 50/50 beam splitter. An optical circulator is provided to enable the sample light beam to bypass the first beam splitter after interaction with a sample. Two combined beams are formed by the second beam splitter for detection by two respective detectors. More than half of the energy of the light source provided to the first beam splitter is directed into the sample light beam and less than half of the energy is directed into the reference light beam. The energy distribution between the sample and reference light beams can be controlled by selection of the characteristics of the beam splitters.
US07728978B2 Detection of moisture in refrigerants
Moisture can be detected in a refrigerant background such as HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon) HFC-134A and HFC-152A and exampled by HFC-23, HFC-32, HFC-143A, HFC-125, HFC-245FA, HFC-227EA, and the like. The system can include a light source operating at any one of several wavelengths within the water absorption bands at wavelengths such as 1.4, 1.9 and 2.7 μm and a detector that measures the transmitted light intensity through the HFC samples. In one variation, the light source is a tunable diode laser and the moisture level is determined by direct absorption and harmonic spectroscopy. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are also described.
US07728974B2 Enhanced detection system and method
An enhanced detection system can eliminate use of a sheath fluid by selecting which particles that pass through an sensing region to detect parametric characteristics thereof based upon position of each particle while it is in a sensing region relative to one or more predetermined positions, such as an in-focus position relative to one or more light beams directed into the sensing region, to enhance accuracy and robustness of particle parametric characteristics detection.
US07728971B2 Method and apparatus for performing spectroscopy downhole within a wellbore
An analysis system, tool, and method for performing downhole fluid analysis, such as within a wellbore. The analysis system, tool, and method provide for a tool including a spectroscope for use in downhole fluid analysis which utilizes an adaptive optical element such as a Micro Mirror Array (MMA) and two distinct light channels and detectors to provide real-time scaling or normalization.
US07728963B2 Method for determining the orientation of an orientation indicator
A separation from at least one and an image of at least three reflective regions on the orientation indicator are recorded by a separation measurement sensor and an image sensor in a measuring device, for the purpose of determining the orientation of an orientation indicator. The separation measurement and image recording are achieved by means of a directed emission of a collimated first beam and a divergent second beam with differing wavelengths and/or polarization in the direction of the orientation indicator and a simultaneous recording of the reflected and/or scattered first and second beams. The reflective regions on the orientation indicator are embodied and arranged such as to be positioned at a target point with a detectable geometric relationship to each other and to be simultaneously resolved by the image recorder. By means of the orientation determination, amongst other things, separations from target points, even not directly visible, can be precisely determined.
US07728953B2 Exposure method, exposure system, and substrate processing apparatus
high performance and high quality micro devices, etc. are produced highly efficiently at a high throughput. Before transferring a wafer W to an exposure apparatus 200 for exposing the wafer W, marks formed on the wafer W is measured by an in-line measurement device 400 and a measurement result and/or a result of performing calculation processing on the measurement result is notified to the exposure apparatus 200. In the exposure apparatus 200, a measurement condition is optimized based on the notified result and an alignment processing and other processing are performed.
US07728952B2 Method and system for closing plate take-over in immersion lithography
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method and a system for closing plate take-over in immersion lithography. A plate holder is provided for a closing plate in a wafer holder of an immersion lithography system. An optical detector is provided below the plate holder for determining whether a light signal passing through the closing plate is aligned with the plate holder using the optical detector. If the light signal is aligned, a fluid containment mechanism is lowered, and the closing plate is placed into the plate holder. Alternatively, the fluid containment mechanism is lowered to surface of the closing plate, the closing plate is affixed to the mechanism, and the mechanism is raised with the closing plate. If the light signal is not aligned, an error is triggered and the scanner is stopped.
US07728951B2 Lithographic apparatus and method for conditioning an interior space of a device manufacturing apparatus
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a first gas shower configured to supply a first gas flow to an interior space of the apparatus, and a second gas shower configured to supply a second gas flow to the interior space of the apparatus, the gas showers configured to direct the first gas flow and the second gas flow at least partly towards each other. Also, a method for conditioning an interior space of a device manufacturing apparatus is provided that includes supplying a first conditioned gas flow and a second conditioned gas flow to the interior space, such that the first conditioned gas flow and the second conditioned gas flow are at least partly directed to each other.
US07728942B2 Liquid crystal electro-optical device
A brighter active matrix type liquid crystal electro-optical device with a higher contrast, yet having a wider visual angle is realized, said liquid crystal electro-optical device comprises a liquid crystal layer and means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer in the direction parallel to the substrate, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a liquid crystal material dispersed in a polymer material. Also a liquid crystal electro-optical device comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed on a substrate is included, wherein the transmission mode or the dispersion mode of an incident light is selected by an electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer in the direction parallel to the liquid crystal layer.
US07728939B2 Multi-domain liquid crystal display
A multi-domain liquid crystal display includes a plurality of first and second picture elements having polarities opposite to each other under the same frame of an inversion drive scheme. Each first picture element has an extension part positioned next to at least one side of the adjacent second picture element, and each second picture element has an extension part positioned next to at least one side of the adjacent first picture element.
US07728934B2 Method for fabricating liquid crystal display panel
A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The method includes the steps stated below. At first, providing an LCD panel including a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The liquid crystal layer includes several photo-sensitive monomers and several liquid crystal molecules. The LCD panel has at least a first pixel and a second pixel. Afterwards, correspondingly driving the first pixel and the second pixel by the first voltage and the second voltage. At last, applying a ultra-violet source onto the LCD panel to enable several photo-sensitive monomers to polymerize several alignment polymers on the first substrate and the second substrate.
US07728933B2 Method and apparatus of forming alignment layer for liquid crystal display device
A method for forming an alignment layer is disclosed, to prevent light leakage generated by a physical contact between a rubbing roll and a substrate, which includes preparing a substrate; coating an alignment material on the substrate, for initial alignment of liquid crystal; applying an electric field or a magnetic field to the alignment material, for determination of alignment direction in the alignment material; and curing the alignment material.
US07728932B2 Liquid crystal display device with particular phase plates having specific axis angles
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device. An optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is arranged below a semi-transmitting liquid crystal display cell and, thereafter, a λ/4 phase difference plate, a λ/2 phase difference plate and a polarizer are arranged. The orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is substantially equal to the direction which is rotated by 90° in the clockwise direction from a resultant vector of the orientation axis direction of the upper orientation film and the orientation axis direction of the lower orientation film of the liquid crystal display cell. Further, phase lagging axis of the upper and lower λ/4 phase difference plate is set substantially equal to the orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids.
US07728924B2 Backlight module with light guide plate having protrusion and liquid crystal display device using the same
An exemplary backlight module (2) includes a light guide plate (21) and a light source (23). The light guide plate includes a main body, a protrusion (217) extending from an end of the main body, a main light emitting surface (211), and a light incident surface (215) at the end of the main body. Wherein one side of the protrusion forms a part of the light emitting surface, another side (2171) of the protrusion is adjacent to the light incident surface. The protrusion and the light incident surface cooperatively form an accommodating space. The light source is substantially received in the accommodating space.
US07728917B2 Pixel structure
A pixel structure formed on a substrate and electrically connected with a scan line and a data line, and including a semiconductor pattern and a pixel electrode is provided. The semiconductor pattern includes at least two channel areas, at least one doping area, a source area, and a drain area. The channel areas are located below the scan line and have different aspect ratios. The doping area is connected between the channel areas. The pixel electrode electrically connects the drain area, the source area is connected between one of the channel areas and the data line, and the drain area is connected between the other channel area and the pixel electrode. The scan line has different widths above different channel areas, and a length of each channel area is substantially equal to the width of the scan line.
US07728915B2 Pixel structure and pixel structure of display apparatus
A pixel structure of the present invention includes two metal plates and a transistor. The metal plates are electrically connected together. The gate of the transistor receives a scan signal. The drain of the transistor receives a data signal. The source of the transistor includes two extending portions. A store capacitor is formed between the two extending portions and the two metal plates. The two extending portions are plate structures.
US07728913B2 Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device comprising an image signal line that supplies an image signal to a sampling circuit, the image signal line extending from an image signal terminal, bypassing a data line driving circuit, and reaching the sampling circuit. The image signal line has a first straight line portion extending in one direction, a second straight line portion extending in another direction, and an intermediate wiring portion connecting the first straight line portion and the second straight line portion. An angle of a corner formed between the first straight line portion, the second straight line portion, and the intermediate wiring portion is an obtuse angle. The intermediate wiring portion is wired to pass around a vertical conduction terminal. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Description of Exemplary Embodiments below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US07728908B2 Pull-down signal detecting apparatus, pull-down signal detecting method, and interlace-progressive converter
According to the invention, a pull-down signal detecting apparatus includes: an interfield motion detecting module configured to determine whether or not an interfield motion between a first field signal and a second field signal exists by comparing a first counted number with a first threshold; an interframe motion determining module configured to determine whether or not an interframe motion between the first field signal and a third field signal exists by comparing a second counted number with a second threshold; a determination module configured to determine whether or not the video signal is pull-down signal based on the determination result of the interfield motion determining module and the interframe motion determining module; and a threshold control module configured to vary the first threshold, when the determination result of the interframe motion determining module corresponds with a second pull-down pattern and when the determination result of the interfield motion determining module does not correspond to a first pull-down pattern.
US07728903B2 Focus adjustment device, focus adjustment method and camera
A focus adjustment device includes: a first focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state for a subject image in a first focusing area; a second focus detection unit that detects a focus adjustment state in a second focusing area through a method different from a method adopted by the first focus detection unit; a judgment unit that makes a judgment as to whether or not the first focusing area and the second focusing area have a specific positional relationship; and a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment based upon focus detection results obtained via the first focus detection unit and focus detection results obtained via the second focus detection unit when the judgment unit decides that the first focusing area and the second focusing area have the specific positional relationship.
US07728902B2 Imaging device and biometrics authentication apparatus
An imaging device includes a photoreceptor portion including a plurality of photoreceptors arranged in an array, a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses, and a light shielding layer placed between the photoreceptor portion and the microlens array. The light shielding layer has apertures located corresponding to the plurality of photoreceptors. An optical relationship of an actual length d1 of an aperture width of the apertures on a side of the photoreceptors, an actual length p of a distance between adjacent microlenses, an equivalent air length t0 of a distance between vein and a top of the microlenses, and an equivalent air length t1 of a thickness between the top of the microlenses and an aperture position of the apertures on the side of the photoreceptors satisfies: 1.36 × t ⁢ ⁢ 1 p ≤ d ⁢ ⁢ 1 ≤ 2.4 × t ⁢ ⁢ 1 p + p × t ⁢ ⁢ 1 t ⁢ ⁢ 0 .
US07728889B2 Method of driving a photosensitive device
The present invention relates to a method of driving a photosensitive device comprising a matrix of photosensitive pixels distributed at the intersections of rows and columns of the matrix. The invention relates more particularly to the control of such devices used for the detection of radiological images. The method consists in subjecting the matrix to an image cycle that includes a reset phase prior to an image acquisition phase. The rows of the matrix are distributed in several groups, and during the reset phase, the method consists in resetting all the rows in any one group simultaneously and in resetting each group of rows in succession.
US07728887B2 Image processing device and method
Image data of a digital signal is inputted to a digital signal processor. A CPU reads out color correction coefficients from a ROM. Weights are added to the color correction coefficients based on information regarding transfer efficiency of a CCD image sensor such that the coefficients in a horizontal direction are set larger than those in a vertical direction. Further, an interpolation processor calculates horizontal and vertical components of R, G, and B colors of each pixel through color interpolation processing based on image data of each pixel and its peripheral pixels. A linear matrix circuit is controlled by the CPU and subjects the horizontal and vertical components to linear matrix operation using the color correction coefficients, thus subjecting each pixel data to color correction processing.
US07728885B2 System for capturing and displaying digital images
A system for capturing and displaying images of subjects includes a digital camera and a slide show controller disposed in a common case. A subject can take his own picture using the digital camera. The resulting image is stored in an electronic folder with other images and all the images from the folder are distributed by a controller to several large displays.
US07728872B2 Digital camera with interactive printer
A camera for capturing and printing an image. The camera includes a camera module which captures an image via an image sensor. The image is transferred to a network interface module which transfers the image to a computer system. The image is also transferred to a printing mechanism which prints an interface onto a surface. The interface includes the image and coded data at least partially indicative of an identity of the image, thereby allowing the identity of the image to be obtained from the interface. The computer system is then responsive to the identity of the image to perform an action with the image.
US07728870B2 Advanced quality management and recording solutions for walk-in environments
A system and method for capturing, logging and retrieval of face-to-face interactions characterizing walk-in environments. The system comprising a device for capturing and storing one or more face to face interactions captured in the presence of the parties to the interaction, and a database for storing data and metadata information associated with the face-to-face interactions captured.
US07728866B2 Video telephony image processing
Herein described is a system and method for modifying facial video transmitted from a first videophone to a second videophone during a videophone conversation. A videophone comprises a videophone image processing system (VIPS) that stores one or more preferred images. The one or more preferred images may comprise an image of a person presented in an attractive appearance. The one or more preferred images may comprise one or more avatars. Additionally, the VIPS may be used to incorporate one or more facial features of the person into a preferred image or avatar. Furthermore, a replacement background may be incorporated into the preferred image or avatar. The VIPS transmits a preferred image of a first speaker of a first videophone to a second speaker of a second videophone by capturing an actual image of the first speaker and substituting at least a portion of said actual image with a stored image.
US07728864B2 Recording method for optical disc device
An optical disc device recording method, which includes determining whether or not a recording process that records information on a label surface of an optical disc has failed, detecting a recording failure position at which the recording process has failed when the determining step determines the recording process has failed, and resuming the recording process from the detected recording failure position.
US07728863B2 Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device has a light source, a unit configured to deflect a light beam from the light source; and a system including at least two scanning lenses and configured to guide the light beam deflected to a surface to be scanned. One of the scanning lenses closest to the deflecting unit has a positive refractive power in a main scanning direction and zero or approximately zero refractive power in a sub scanning direction, and another one of the scanning lenses closest to the surface has a negative refractive power in the main scanning direction, a positive refractive power in the sub scanning direction, and an incidence surface in the sub-scanning direction which is convex toward the deflecting unit.
US07728862B2 Optical scanning apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus includes a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light. A detection unit detects a light quantity of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources. A control unit controls drive current of a light source designated as a control object based on a detection result obtained by the detection unit. The control unit controls the drive current based on an activation state of the light source designated as the control object and an activation state of a light source other than the control object.
US07728858B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus uses toner that is given color-generation information and a color-generation state or a non-color-generation state of the toner is controlled, and includes an image carrier, a unit that forms toner image on the image carrier, an intermediate transfer medium that the toner image formed on the image carrier is transferred to, a first transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer medium surface, a unit that gives color-generation information to the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium, a second transfer unit that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer medium surface to a recording medium, a unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium and a unit that causes color generation in the toner image that the color-generation information is given.
US07728856B2 Light amount correcting method for light emitting apparatus, image forming apparatus, and display apparatus
A light amount correcting method for a light emitting apparatus having a plurality of light emitting devices, includes: measuring light amount values of a plurality of the light emitting devices; extracting high frequency components from the measured light amount values; extracting low frequency components from the measured light amount values; calculating a first correction value for correcting a light amount value of a first light emitting device on the basis of the high frequency components; and correcting a second correction value for correcting the light amount value of the first light emitting device on the basis of the low frequency components; and correcting a light amount value of a second light emitting device such that it is included in both of the first allowable range and the second allowable range.
US07728855B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
On both sides of a resin-made frame, a metallic edge frame member that sandwiches a liquid crystal panel into the frame and a metallic backboard member equipped with a circuit board are disposed, and these are screw-fitted to the frame. On both sides sandwiching identical points of the flange of the frame, first projection pieces on the edge frame member side and second projection pieces on the backboard member 8 side are disposed, these respective projection pieces are fastened by screws made of headed screws, and by these respective projection pieces and and screws, earth conductive path that make the edge frame member electrically conduct to the backboard member are formed.
US07728847B2 Color conversion device and image display apparatus having the same
A color conversion device includes a three-dimensional lookup table and an interpolation unit. The interpolation unit includes a plurality of operation circuits for realizing an operation process.
US07728845B2 Color calibration of color image rendering devices
Color calibration of color image rendering devices, such as large color displays, which operate by either projection or emission of images, utilize internal color measurement instrument or external color measurement modules locatable on a wall or speaker. A dual use camera is provided for a portable or laptop computer, or a cellular phone, handset, personal digital assistant or other handheld device with a digital camera, in which one of the camera or a display is movable with respect to the other to enable the camera in a first mode to capture images of the display for enabling calibration of the display, and in a second mode for capturing image other than of the display. The displays may represent rendering devices for enabling virtual proofing in a network, or may be part of stand-alone systems and apparatuses for color calibration. Improved calibration is also provided for sensing and correcting for non-uniformities of rendering devices, such as color displays, printer, presses, or other color image rendering device.
US07728842B2 Image formation processing simulation apparatus and image formation processing simulation method
An image formation processing simulation apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives image data to which image formation processing is applied in an image formation processing device; a performing unit that performs simulation of image formation processing applied to the image data in the image formation processing device using the image data; a memory management unit that allocates a memory area for the image formation processing before the simulation, monitors the memory size required for the image formation processing in the simulation, and compares between the required memory size and the size of the allocated memory area; and an output unit that outputs information concerning the comparison result.
US07728836B2 Systems and methods for displaying time dependent information
A method for displaying time dependent information includes displaying a time axis, wherein periods of time are displayed equidistantly on the time axis regardless of an actual time period being represented and providing a user interface allowing a user to scroll along the time axis.