Document Document Title
US07732165B2 Biomolecule partition motifs and uses thereof
The invention provides amino acid sequence motifs (e.g., biomolecule partition motifs) that can direct targeting of intracellular polypeptides to and through membranes, including cell surface membranes.
US07732163B2 Extracellular serine protease
The present invention provides a DNA encoding a novel extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) which is overexpressed in ovarian, breast and colon carcinoma samples. Also provided are vector and host cells capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention, as well as the uses of the DNA and protein of the present invention. Also provided is a TADG-14 protein variant that has a potential role for detecting and targeting of ovarian carcinomas.
US07732162B2 Inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase for treating neurodegenerative diseases
The present invention provides novel physiological substrates of mammalian glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), new effectors of QC, methods for screening for such effectors, and the use of such effectors and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such effectors for the treatment of conditions that can be treated by modulation of QC-activity. Preferred compositions additionally comprise inhibitors of DP IV or DP IV-like enzymes for the treatment or alleviation of conditions that can be treated by modulation of QC- and DP IV-activity.
US07732161B2 Production of isoprenoids
The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.
US07732154B2 Methods for measuring the insulin receptor α subunit
Presence of free insulin receptor α-subunit in blood was discovered. Furthermore, methods for measuring the insulin receptor α-subunit was provided, the method comprising the steps of contacting the insulin receptor α-subunit in a blood sample with an antibody recognizing the insulin receptor α-subunit, and detecting the binding between the two. Measurement of the free insulin receptor α-subunit in the blood is useful for evaluating risk factors for diabetes.In addition, the measurement methods of the present invention showed that concentrations of the free insulin receptor α-subunit in the blood of diabetes or cancer patients are significantly high. Free insulin receptor α-subunit in blood is useful as a marker for diabetes or cancer.
US07732153B2 Nonseparation assay methods
Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.
US07732152B2 Liquid crystalline substrates for culturing cells
The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.
US07732148B2 Annexin A3 for prostate cancer diagnosis
A method treats urogenital and/or intestinal tract cancer and includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one annexion protein, annexin of A3, to a mammal.
US07732143B2 Method for the diagnosis of genetic diseases by molecular combing and diagnostic kit
The invention concerns a method for detecting or locating one or several genes of one or several specific A DNA sequence or one or several molecules reacting with DNA on a B DNA characterised in that it consists in: (a) fixing and combing a certain amount of said B DNA on a combing surface; (b) reacting the product of the B combing with one or several probes, linked with the gene(s) or specific A DNA sequences, or with the molecules capable of reacting with DNA; (c) extracting information corresponding to at least one of the following categories: (1) the position of the probes, (2) the distance between the probes, (3) the size of the probes (the total sum of sizes for quantifying the number of hybridised probes) for determining therefrom the presence, the location and/or the amount of genes or specific A DNA sequences. This method can be used in particular for the diagnosis of genetic diseases.
US07732130B2 Immunoprotective influenza antigen and its use in vaccination
The present invention relates to an influenza antigen, comprising a fusion product of at least the extracellular part of a conserved influenza membrane protein or a functional fragment thereof and a presenting carrier, which may be a presenting (poly)peptide or a non-peptidic structure, such as glycans, peptide mimetics, synthetic polymers. The invention further relates to a vaccine against influenza, comprising at least an antigen of the invention, optionally in the presence of one or more excipients. The invention also relates to use of the antigen, a method for preparing the antigen and acceptor cells expressing the antigen.
US07732129B1 Method for the production and purification of adenoviral vectors
The present invention addresses the need to improve the yields of viral vectors when grown in cell culture systems. In particular, it has been demonstrated that for adenovirus, the use of low-medium perfusion rates in an attached cell culture system provides for improved yields. In other embodiments, the inventors have shown that there is improved Ad-p53 production with cells grown in serum-free conditions, and in particular in serum-free suspension culture. Also important to the increase of yields is the use of detergent lysis. Combination of these aspects of the invention permits purification of virus by a single chromatography step that results in purified virus of the same quality as preparations from double CsCl banding using an ultracentrifuge.
US07732127B2 Dynamic monitoring of cell adhesion and spreading using the RT-CES system
The present invention includes devices and methods for dynamically monitoring cell adhesion and cell spreading. Cells are added to a microelectronic cell sensor array operably connected to an impedance analyzer. The device also includes a coating including biological molecule or organic compound capable of interacting with the cell. Cell adhesion and cell mobility is determined by detecting changes in impedance and comparing impedance or cell index values between samples.
US07732125B2 Bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue matrix, and bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue, method for the production and use of the same
The invention relates to a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue matrix, a bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue, a method for the production thereof and the use of the same. Said tissue matrix and bioartificial primarily vascularized tissue are obtained by preparing the necessary natural tissue, conserving at least one vessel.
US07732123B2 Immersion photolithography with megasonic rinse
A method comprises forming a photoresist on a substrate, rinsing the photoresist using a rinse liquid agitated with at least one megasonic source, exposing the photoresist to radiation while immersed in a liquid, and developing the photoresist.
US07732121B2 Near-field exposure method
A near-field exposure method includes closely contacting an exposure mask having a light blocking film with small openings, to a photoresist layer formed on a substrate having surface unevenness, and projecting the exposure light of the exposure light source onto the exposure mask so that the photoresist is exposed based on near-field light escaping from the small openings, wherein the near-field exposure is carried out under a condition that a contact region where the light blocking film and the photoresist layer are in contact with each other and a liquid region filled with a liquid between the light blocking film and the photoresist layer coexist between the light blocking film and the photoresist layer.
US07732105B2 Photomask with overlay mark and method of fabricating semiconductor device
Provided are a photomask and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The photomask includes a photomask substrate including a chip region and a scribe lane region, with an overlay mark formed in the scribe lane region. The overlay mark includes one or more sub-overlay marks. Each of the sub-overlay marks includes a plurality of unit regions sequentially connected to each other and having different widths, where the width of a given unit region is constant.
US07732099B2 Composite polymer electrolyte composition
A totally solid polymer electrolyte composition with high ionic conductivity and enhanced mechanical properties is provided. This electrolyte composition is produced by polymerizing a monomer composition comprising a molten quaternary ammonium salt having a polymerizable functional group introduced therein and a charge transfer ion source in the presence of a polymeric reinforcing material. The polymeric reinforcing material can be formed into a composite of polymer blend morphology by dissolving the monomer composition and the reinforcing material in an appropriate organic solvent and polymerizing the solution. Alternatively, the composite can be obtained by impregnating a porous sheet or film as the reinforcing material with the monomer composition and effecting polymerization. An electrolyte for lithium ion battery can be obtained by selecting a lithium salt as the charge transfer ion source; an electrolyte for fuel cell by selecting a proton donor; and an electrolyte for dye sensitized solar cell by selecting a redox ion pair. A polymer electrolyte composition not containing the charge transfer ion source is also useful as an electrolyte for electrolytic capacitor.
US07732098B2 Lead acid battery having ultra-thin titanium grids
A lead acid electric storage battery uses conventional lead-acid secondary battery chemistry. The battery may be a sealed battery, an unsealed battery or a conventional multi-cell battery. The battery has a set of positive battery grids (plates) which are constructed with a body portion of thin titanium expanded metal having a thickness preferably in the range 0.1 mm to 0.9 mm and most preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. Typically the battery would have over 250 grids in a 12 inch long battery case.
US07732095B2 Electrode compositions based on an amorphous alloy having a high silicon content
An electrode composition for a lithium ion battery that includes an amorphous alloy having the formula SixMyAlz where x, y, and z represent atomic percent values and (a) x+y+z=100, (b) x≧55, (c) y<22, (d) z>0, and (e) M is one or more metals selected from the group consisting of manganese, molybdenum, niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, yttrium, and combinations thereof.
US07732079B2 Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack is provided with a plurality of stacked separators. This fuel cell stack includes: terminals that extend from the separators; packing in which are formed a plurality of through holes through which the terminals are inserted; a packing casing that has a packing housing concave portion that envelops side surfaces of the packing and supports a bottom surface of the packing, and has through holes through which the terminals are inserted; and a connector housing that has a pressing surface that presses a top surface of the packing. Mountain-shaped protruding portions whose apex portions are formed by circumferential edges of apertures of the respective through holes are provided on the top surface of the packing, and the pressing surfaces of the connector housing are formed in a configuration that conforms to the side surfaces of the protruding portions. Internal surfaces of the through holes in the packing are in contact without a gap in between with external surfaces of the terminals. The sealing performance in extraction portions of terminals that are used for cell voltage detection is improved.
US07732078B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte battery pack comprising a liquid-absorbent composition
A liquid-absorbent composition, which has a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin that exhibits excellent absorption of the nonaqueous electrolyte of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cells that constitute a nonaqueous electrolyte battery pack (and particularly a lithium ion nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery pack), contains a powder of a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin produced by crosslinking a methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound, and a binder resin. Also, a liquid-absorbent sheet for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery pack contains supporting substrate and formed on one side of a supporting substrate a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin layer, produced by crosslinking a methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery pack contains a battery case and disposed within the battery pack a nonaqueous electrolyte battery cell, a wiring circuit board, and an electrolyte absorption member formed from the liquid-absorbent sheet for absorbing electrolyte in the event that electrolyte leaks from the nonaqueous electrolyte battery cell.
US07732075B2 Solid oxide fuel cell component and a method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell component
A solid oxide fuel cell component (12) comprises a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (24) arranged in spaced apart relationship, and in electrical series, on a surface of the porous gas permeable support structure (16). Each solid oxide fuel cell (24) comprises a dense gas tight electrolyte member (28), a porous gas permeable first electrode (26) and a porous gas permeable second electrode (30). Each electrolyte (28) is arranged in contact with a corresponding one of the first electrodes (26), each second electrode (30) is arranged in contact with a corresponding one of the electrolytes (28). Each of the first electrodes (26) is arranged in contact with the surface of the support structure (16). The interconnectors (32), the peripheral seal layer (34) and the electrolytes (28) are arranged to encapsulate all of the first electrodes (26) except for the surfaces of the first electrodes (26) in contact with the surface of the support structure (16) to prevent leakage of reactant from the first electrodes (16).
US07732071B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording system with patterned medium and manufacturing process for the medium
A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium of the type that has spaced-apart pillars with magnetic material on their ends and with nonmagnetic trenches between the pillars is made with a method that allows use of a pre-etched substrate. The substrate has a generally planar surface at the trenches and comprises material that when heated will diffuse into the magnetic recording layer material and chemically react with one or more of the elements typically used in the recording layer. The pillars are formed of material that will not diffuse into the recording layer. After the recording layer is formed over the entire substrate so as to cover both the pillar ends and the trenches, the substrate is annealed. This results in the destruction or at least substantial reduction of any ferromagnetism in the recording layer material in the trenches so that the trenches are nonmagnetic. The annealing does not affect the recording layer on the ends of the pillars because the pillars are formed of material that will not diffuse into the recording layer.
US07732069B1 Thin SUL media with shielded pole head
A disk drive system having a shielded pole write head and media that includes a disk having a soft underlayer (SUL) that is relatively thin in order to save on cost for producing the SUL. The SUL is thin enough that it will become magnetically saturated in the vicinity of the write pole. The thickness of the SUL that will achieve this saturation may be stated as being less than a geometric factor times the ratio of the write pole saturation magnetization divided by the saturation magnetization of the SUL. The geometric factor is the ratio of the write pole area at the ABS to the write pole perimeter at the ABS.
US07732063B2 Organic electroluminescence device and organic light emitting medium
An organic electroluminescence device having a layer of an organic light emitting medium which comprises (A) a specific arylamine compound and (B) at least one compound selected from specific anthracene derivatives, spirofluorene derivatives, compounds having condensed rings and metal complex compounds and is disposed between a pair of electrodes and an organic light emitting medium comprising the above components (A) and (B) are provided. The organic electroluminescence device exhibits a high purity of color, has excellent heat resistance and a long life and efficiently emits bluish to yellowish light. The organic light emitting medium can be advantageously used for the organic electroluminescence device.
US07732062B1 Charge transport layers and organic electron devices comprising same
Provided are organic n-doped electron transport layers comprising at least one electron transport material and at least one electron rich dopant material and organic p-doped hole injection layers comprising at least one hole transport material and at least one electron deficient dopant material.
US07732058B2 Lubricious coatings
A coating includes a porous a first layer comprising metal coated solid lubricant particles partially fused together. A second layer comprising a metal or a composite that conforms to the surface topography of the first layer.
US07732055B2 Two-component polyurethane compositions containing OH-functional polydimethylsiloxanes
The present invention relates to two-component compositions containing A) hydroxyl-containing polydimethylsiloxanes having number average molecular weights of 400 to 3000 and an average OH functionality of ≧1.8, and containing at least one structural unit of formula I) wherein R is an aliphatic, linear or branched C1 to C20 radical, R1 is a linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and R2 is either hydrogen or a linear or branched hydroxyalkyl radical having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, B) polyhydroxyl compounds other than A) or polyamines, and C) polyisocyanates. The present invention also relates to coatings, adhesives or sealants obtained from these compositions.
US07732050B2 Silicone-modified water-absorbing polymer particles and method for producing the same
This invention provides water-absorbing polymer particles suitable particularly for cosmetics, wherein silicone can be stably present on the surface of a water-absorbing polymer even in various formulations thereby giving dry feeling in use even after water absorption. The silicone-modified water-absorbing polymer particles of this invention comprises water-absorbing polymer particles coated thereon via chemical bonding, with a silicone compound having at least one functional group.
US07732019B2 Solution spray apparatus and solution spray method
A solution spray apparatus includes a nozzle which sprays a droplet of a solution such as EL solution, a heater is provided on the nozzle to heat the solution in the nozzle to a temperature lower than a boiling point of the solution in the nozzle, so that the droplet of the heated solution is ejected from the spray to an object.
US07732018B2 Durable coating compositions containing novel aspartic amine compounds
A coating composition comprising a binder of a. polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; b. an isocyanate-reactive component having at least one compound having the following formula (I) including isomers and mixtures of isomers thereof: wherein R, R1, R2, X, Y, Z, m, n, p, q, r and s are described in the specification and a two component composition formulated with the above constituents and substrates, such as, automotive and truck bodies and parts coated with the novel composition and novel amine and/or hydroxy amine compounds are also part of the invention.
US07732017B2 Effect paint
Emulsion paint composition for obtaining special textile or suede effect comprising a filler at least partly consisting of pre-pigmented spherical aliphatic polyurethane particles. About 3-10% of the spherical particles has a particle size between 63-90 micrometers and 25-40% of the spherical particles has a particle size between 40-63 micrometers. Before applying the paint as a semi-opaque top coat the substrate is first coated with an opaque acrylic primer of a corresponding color and subsequently dried. The top coat is applied by brush in cross way fashion to obtain a suede effect, or it can be applied by roller, while subsequently a tool is used comprising a flat side provided with stiff parallel projecting fibers such as synthetic grass fibers which are dragged over the fresh paint layer to obtain a linen effect.
US07732013B2 Method of forming a zinc oxide coated article
The invention described and claimed herein relates to a chemical vapor deposition process for depositing a zinc oxide coating on a substrate by delivering two gaseous precursor streams to a surface of the substrate, and mixing the gaseous precursor streams at the substrate surface for a time sufficiently short so as to form a zinc oxide coating at a deposition rate greater than 5 nm/second.
US07732007B2 Method of making a polarizer plate
This invention relates to polarizing plates and their manufacturing process. More particularly, this invention provides a method of making a polarizing plate comprising, providing a polarizing film, coating at least one optical film solution to both sides of the polarizing film simultaneously or near simultaneously, and drying the optical film coating solution to form an optical film on each side of the polarizing film.
US07732006B2 Coating composition and optical mar-resistant tintable coating
A coating composition and coating for ophthalmic lenses and other polymeric substrates having a unique combination of excellent solution stability, rapid cure rate, improved mar resistance, rapid dye absorption, and improved receptivity towards antireflective coatings. The coating comprises an abrasion resistant polymer and a dye-absorption-enhancing oligomer. The coating is tinted after curing with a dye to provide light absorbency in the coating.
US07732005B2 Method for producing recording medium, recording medium employing said method, and information recording and reproducing apparatus
A method for producing a recording medium provides good throughput for mass production and reduces cost. The method facilitates the control of the shape or dimensions of a pattern obtained by microfabrication, allows an accurate pattern transfer, and provides superior uniformity. A magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. A nano-particle film 16 is formed on a desired portion on the magnetic layer. Using the nano-particle film as a mask, the magnetic layer is cut. A micropattern with concavities and convexities is formed on the magnetic layer by removing the nano-particle film.
US07732003B2 Bank forming method, wiring pattern forming method, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
Aspects of the invention can provide a bank forming method capable of forming banks having a good shape with excellent productivity. Banks for partitioning a predetermined area of a base member can be formed on the base member by radiating light onto the base member on which a sublimation layer containing a sublimation material is formed and sublimating the sublimation material.
US07732002B2 Method for the fabrication of conductive electronic features
Precursor compositions in the form of a tape that can be transferred to a substrate and converted to an electronic feature at a relatively low temperature, such as not greater than about 200° C. The tape composition can be disposed on a carrier to form a ribbon structure that is flexible and can be handled in a variety of industrial processes.
US07731994B2 Pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons comprising extract of lithospermum erythrothizon SIEB. ET. Zucc or acetylshikonin isolated therefrom as an effective ingredient
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons or for preventing and treating ischemic neuronal diseases comprising the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc extracted with water, low-alcohols or their mixture or acetylshikonin separated therefrom as an effective ingredient. The extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et. Zucc or acetylshikonin separated therefrom of the present invention has neuronal protective effect, so that it not only interrupts the development of ischemic neuronal diseases but also is very safe, indicating that the extract or acetylshikonin can be used as a medicinal drug for prevention and treatment of degenerative brain disease caused by neuronal apoptosis such as stroke, apoplexy, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and further can be developed as functional health food.
US07731992B2 Method of inhibiting aromatase with specific dietary supplements
The activity of the enzyme aromatase is inhibited by administering an aromatase inhibiting amount of a composition comprising at least one of astaxanthin, black cohosh, echinacea, and phytosterols to a subject.
US07731990B2 Powdery composition for nasal administration
A powdery composition for nasal administration, where (1) the composition contains (i) a drug, (ii) a water-absorbing and gel-forming base material such as hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and (iii) a water-absorbing and water-insoluble base material such as crystalline cellulose or α-cellulose, (2) wherein the amount of the water-absorbing and gel-forming base material is about 5-40 wt % based on the total of the water-absorbing and gel-forming base material and the water-absorbing and water-insoluble base material, and (3) wherein the drug is unevenly dispersed more on/in the water-absorbing and water-insoluble base material than on/in the water-absorbing and gel-forming base material.
US07731988B2 Multi-polymer hydrogels
The invention provides a multi-polymer hydrogel article having a first polymeric, water-swellable material and a second polymeric material, organized such that a first region substantially comprises the first polymeric, water-swellable material, a second region adjacent the first region comprises a mixture of the first polymeric, water-swellable material and the second polymeric material, and a third region adjacent the second region substantially comprises the second polymeric material. The article exhibits an increasing concentration gradient of the second polymeric material moving from the first region, through the second region, to the third region. The invention also provides methods for forming a multi-polymer hydrogel article by (a) forming a hydrogel structure using a first polymeric, water-swellable material, (b) creating an aerogel structure having a plurality of open pores by dehydrating the hydrogel structure, (c) contacting the aerogel structure with a second polymeric material to incorporate the second polymeric material into at least a portion of the plurality of open pores to form the multi-polymer hydrogel article, and (d) rehydrating the multi-polymer hydrogel article.
US07731987B2 Implantable medical device comprising a pro-healing poly(ester-amide)
The present invention relates to implantable medical devices, in particular stents, comprising pro-healing poly(ester-amide)s.
US07731986B2 Therapeutic foam
A therapeutic foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins comprises a sclerosing solution foamed with a physiological gas such as carbon dioxide, oxygen or a mixture thereof. The foam has a nitrogen content of less than 0.8%. It may be generated using a pressurised canister system incorporating a fine mesh of micron dimensions through which the gas and sclerosing liquid are passed to make the foam. Alternatively, the foam may be generated by passing gas and solution between two syringes through a fine mesh. Techniques are described for minimising the amount of nitrogen in a canister or syringe based product. A technique for generating and delivering foam simultaneously using a syringe based device is also disclosed.
US07731983B2 Method and composition for the treatment of scars
A method and composition for treating healed wounds including hypertrophic scars so as to prevent scarring or reduce the size and improve the appearance of scars comprises applying to the healed wound or scar a composition comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier which may contain one or more active topical ingredients, the carrier hardening to a solid, tangible, membrane juxtaposed to the skin. Novel compositions using the film-forming carrier are also useful to treat a variety of adverse skin disorders, and internal physiological conditions.
US07731979B2 Protective antigen having fluorinated histidine residues
The unnatural amino acid analogue 2-fluorohistidine (2-FHis) was incorporated into protective antigen to produce a protein which resists protonation at physiological pH by reducing the side-chain pKa. The protein structure was unperturbed by the incorporation of fluorinated histidine residues, and the heptameric (2-FHisPA63)7 could form ion conducting channels, and bind to the PA-binding domain of LF (LFN), but translocation of LFN in planar lipid bilayers was blocked. Further, while (2-FHisPA63)7 could bind to host cells and in vitro to the host cellular receptor, pore formation in the presence of the receptor was blocked, and LFN-DTA mediated cytotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was blocked. The modified PA is useful as both a vaccine and an antitoxin, providing epitopes for the production of antibodies against PA, but preventing key steps in pathogenesis (pore formation, translocation).
US07731977B2 Use of a botulinum neurotoxin to alleviate various disorders
Methods for treating obsessions and compulsions by local administration of a Clostridial toxin. The obsessions or compulsions can be eye poking, body rocking, finger biting, counting, checking and related disorders treated by low dose, intramuscular administration of a botulinum toxin.
US07731973B2 Method of treating immune pathologies with low dose estrogen
The invention provides a method of ameliorating a Th1-mediated immune pathology in a mammal. The method is practiced by administering a low dose of estrogen to the mammal. Optionally, an immunotherapeutic agent can also be administered to the mammal. Also provided are kits containing a low dose of estrogen and an immunotherapeutic agent.
US07731971B2 Enhanced CTL epitope-containing HIV-1 reverse transcriptase polypeptides
The present invention provides peptides and proteins for use in second generation HIV vaccines and as diagnostic tools in the treatment and control of HIV infection. The antiviral protection shown by compositions of the present invention has not been previously achieved with an HLA epitope-enhanced vaccine. These findings define a critical balance between MHC affinity and receptor crossreactivity required for effective epitope enhancement and also demonstrate construction and efficacy of such a component of a new generation vaccine.
US07731970B2 Variants of the major allergen Phl p 1 from timothy grass
The invention relates to pharmaceutically important variants of the major allergen Phl p 1 from timothy grass, characterized in that a preparation, hitherto not possible, of monomeric molecules which are soluble and stable in physiological media can be carried out with the aid of prokaryotic expression systems and subsequent purification thereof.
US07731960B2 Antibodies that inhibit transport activity of peptide transporters
The present inventors discovered that the PepT-binding antibodies have the ability to inhibit the transport activity of peptide transporters, as a result of dedicated research. These antibodies may be utilized as cell growth inhibitors, for example, for treating and preventing cancer.
US07731953B2 Methods for use of TSLP and agonists and antagonists thereof
Methods are disclosed herein for specifically inducing proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The methods are of use in treating immunodeficiencies, such as an immunodeficiency produced by infection with an immunodeficiency virus, such as infection with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The methods include contacting isolated mammalian CD4+ T cells with an effective amount of a thymic stromal derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) polypeptide or a therapeutically effective amount of nucleic acid encoding the TSLP polypeptide, thereby inducing proliferation of the T cells. Methods are also disclosed for treating an IgE mediated disorder, such as asthma. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TSLP antagonist. Transgenic mice are also disclosed herein. The somatic and germ cells of these mice include a disrupted thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLP) gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the interaction of TSLP with its receptor, and a disrupted γc gene, the disruption being sufficient to reduce signaling through the γc. The mice exhibit diminished thymic cellularity. Methods of using these mice for drug screening are also disclosed.
US07731952B2 Avirulent oncolytic herpes simplex virus strains engineered to counter the innate host response
The present invention relates to an avirulent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus modified from a wild-type herpes simplex virus so that both γ134.5 genes of the virus have been deleted and each replaced with an interferon-resistance gene that is expressed as an immediate-early gene. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition that includes the modified herpes simplex virus of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for in situ administration to tumor cells. Also provided in the present invention are methods for killing tumor cells in a subject and for immunizing a subject against an infectious disease, cancer, or an autoimmune disease that involve administering to a subject the modified avirulent, oncolytic herpes simplex virus of the present invention.
US07731946B2 Methods and compositions for modulating T helper (TH) cell development and function
Methods and compositions for modulating T helper (Th) cell development and function using modulators of IL-21, e.g., human IL-21, activity or level.
US07731940B2 Compositions and methods related to serotonin 5-HT1A receptors
Contemplated substituted arylpiperazinyl compounds, and most preferably 18F-Mefway, exhibit desirable in vitro and in vivo binding characteristics to the 5-HT1A receptor. Among other advantageous parameters, contemplated compounds retain high binding affinity, display optimal lipophilicity, and are radiolabeled efficiently with 18F-fluorine in a single step. Still further, contemplated compounds exhibit high target to non-target ratios in receptor-rich regions both in vitro and in vivo, and selected compounds can be effectively and sensitively displaced by serotonin, thus providing a quantitative tool for measuring 5-HT1A receptors and serotonin concentration changes in the living brain.
US07731928B2 Silanized carbon nanotubes and method for the production thereof
A process for silanizing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are oxidized and subsequently exposed to a saturated gas phase including one or more organosilane derivatives which form covalent bonds to the carbon nanotubes with siloxane formation.
US07731927B2 Ceramic nanowires and a process for producing them by ion beam irradiation
A method by which ceramic nanowires with diameters ranging from several to several tens of nanometers can be synthesized with improvements in the shape retention of the nanowires and the yield of conversion to ceramic, which method comprises the steps of forming a thin film of a silicon-containing polymer usable as a ceramic precursor, irradiating the thin film with ion beams to form cylindrical crosslinked portions, extracting the un-crosslinked portions with a solvent to produce nanowires of the silicon-containing polymer, irradiating the nanowires with an ionizing radiation so that they are crosslinked again, and firing the re-crosslinked nanowires.
US07731926B2 Wet flue-gas desulfurization apparatus and method of wet flue-gas desulfurization
Flue gas of boiler is introduced through gas inlet part of flue-gas desulfurization apparatus, and absorbent liquid sprayed from spray nozzle is trapped in recirculation tank. There, agitation is performed by oxidation agitator to thereby oxidize SO2 absorbed from the flue gas into gypsum. In the tank, oxidation air is fed from posterior air pipe and anterior air pipe behind and ahead of liquid propulsion by the propeller. Thus, even when the amount of oxidation air must be increased in accordance with an increase of boiler load, the oxidation efficiency can be enhanced without increasing the number of agitators. Then the apparatus with which even when the amount of oxidation air fed to the liquid trapping section is increased, highly efficient oxidation can be performed without increasing the number of agitators installed and the operating cost.
US07731924B2 Group of at least two gas-flow reactors supplied with chemical neutralization and/or sorption agent
A group of at least two gas-flow reactors (21, 22, 2′2, . . . , 2n, 2′n) preferably with an ascending gas flow (3), are supplied in parallel with gas and with a chemical neutralization and/or sorption agent of the pulverulent material type capable of adsorbing effluents present in the gas flow by bringing the chemical neutralization and/or sorption agent in contact with the gas flow, the at least two reactors having elements (10) for collecting the chemical neutralization and/or sorption agent after contact with the gas flow. At least one of the two reactors has elements (11) for discharging the chemical neutralization and/or or sorption agent, after contact with the gas flow, these discharge elements being connected to the collecting elements, and members (7, 16) for injecting the chemical neutralization and/or sorption agent into at least one other of the at least two reactors.
US07731919B2 Fixed bed reactor for gas-phase catalytic oxidation and processes for producing acrolein or acrylic acid
A fixed bed reactor for gas-phase catalytic oxidation, the fixed bed reactor, comprising a reaction tube filled with a gas-phase oxidation catalyst, wherein a solid acid is placed in an end portion(s) of the reaction tube or between catalyst layers of the catalyst, or mixed in the catalyst; the solid acid is an oxide or a complex oxide containing at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti) and zirconium (Zr), and has a shape of sphere, cylindrical column, cylindrical tube, star, ring, tablet or pellet; the catalyst is a complex oxide containing molybdenum (Mo) and bismuth (Bi) or a complex oxide containing molybdenum (Mo) and vanadium (V); and acid strength(H0) of the solid acid meets an inequality: −5.6≦H0≦1.5.
US07731913B2 Carbon dioxide flue gas sequestering mechanism
The present invention incorporates new and useful improvements in the carbon dioxide sequestering mechanism. The ejector systems are rearranged in a manner that lowers the frictional effects of the resultant flow pattern after the flue gas and ejector spray have impacted in the receiver mechanism. The sequestered carbon dioxide resulting from the collision is retained in the scrubber water matrix for a prolonged period by adding a wedging mechanism designated as a compression band which extends the duration of the sequestering operation for a sufficient period of time for the absorbed gases to exit the receiver with the scrubber water flow into a separator vessel.
US07731911B2 Fluorination reactor
A fluorination reactor having a reaction zone, an inlet for supplying an organic compound to be fluorinated to the reaction zone, an inlet for supplying elemental fluorine to the reaction zone, and an outlet for recovering a fluorinated reaction product, wherein the reaction zone includes a fluoride-adsorbing composition for adsorbing any HF produced as a byproduct of the reaction between the organic compound and elemental fluorine.
US07731901B2 Apparatus and method for performing counts within a biologic fluid sample
A method and an apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample are provided. An embodiment of the method includes the steps of: a) providing a chamber formed between a first planar member that is transparent and a second planar member, which members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height; b) introducing the biologic fluid sample into the chamber, wherein the chamber height is sized such that the sample extends between the first and second members, and sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber; c) examining substantially all of the sample within the chamber and enumerating all of at least one of the specific elements; d) determining the volume of sample contained within the chamber; and e) determining the number of the at least one of the specific elements per unit volume.
US07731886B2 Method of manufacturing a filter cartridge
An injection moulding assembly includes a male moulding member surrounded by a female moulding member forming a void between them that upon injection of molten plastics into the mould a container can be formed. The moulding assembly includes a guide rod and ejection flange and a pair of ejection flange guide rods, an air vent valve and an injection passage. The male member includes in this embodiment eight grooves unevenly spaced so that the partially hardened container formed in the injection mould can be pushed from the mould using the ejection flange while the container is sufficiently green to enable the ribs formed in the grooves to move over the surface of the male mould during the ejection process.
US07731864B2 Slurry for chemical mechanical polishing of aluminum
Described herein are embodiments of a slurry used for the chemical mechanical polishing a substrate that includes aluminum or an aluminum alloy features having a width of less than 1 um. The slurry includes a precipitated silica abrasive having a diameter of less than or equal to 100 nm and a chelating buffer system comprising citric acid and oxalic acid to provide a pH of the slurry in the approximate range of 1.5 and 4.0.
US07731845B2 Fuel filter
A fuel filter has a filter housing and an annular filter element arranged in the filter housing. Between the bottom of the filter housing and the bottom area of the filter element a water collecting chamber is formed. The filter element has a coalescing element and a particle filter element. Fuel flows radially from the interior to the exterior of the coalescing element and from the exterior to the interior of the particle filter element. A riser tube extends through the clean chamber and the raw chamber from the bottom of the filter housing to the top. The riser tube has a clean channel and a guide channel. A seal on the riser tube separates a clean chamber from a raw chamber of the filter. A water removal tube is arranged inside the guide channel for removing water from the water collecting chamber.
US07731831B2 Method for manufacturing a composite material including copper foil and support layer
A composite material useful for the manufacture of a circuit has a support layer, a metal foil layer having opposing first and second sides and a thickness of 15 microns or less and a release layer effective to facilitate separation of the metal foil layer from the support layer, the release layer disposed between and contacting both the support layer and the metal foil layer. A reactive element containing layer, which may be the support layer, effective to react with gaseous elements or compounds to form thermally stable compounds contacts the release layer. The composite material is preferably subjected to a low temperature heat treatment. The combination of the low temperature heat treatment and the reactive element containing layer results in reduced defects including blisters in the copper foil during subsequent processing.
US07731821B1 Reduction of sulfur-containing gases during conversion of coal into metallurgical coke
A method of reducing sulfur-containing gases during conversion of a coal slab into metallurgical coke is disclosed. A sulfur-reducing agent is added to a coal slab, which may contain compacted coal aggregate. The coal slab, including the sulfur-reducing agent, is heated to produce metallurgical coke, which results in a reduced amount of sulfur-containing gases relative to an amount of sulfur-containing gases that would be produced by converting the coal slab into metallurgical coke without adding the sulfur-reducing agent to the coal slab before the coal slab is heated. The sulfur-reducing agent may be applied as a coating to the coal slab. The sulfur-reducing agent may include at least one of calcium carbonate, limestone, lime, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, and the like.
US07731815B2 Method and apparatus for nonlinear laying of material
A method and apparatus for nonlinear laying of components such as elastics on a continuous web is provided. In an apparatus embodiment, the apparatus comprises a diverter and a combining roll. The apparatus can be configured to vary an elastic profile of the elastic member on a continuous web by oscillating a rotation of the diverter. The method and apparatus can be used for making absorbent articles such as diapers and training pants.
US07731804B2 Lid operating mechanism for a drawer-type dishwasher
A dishwasher includes an outer housing, a drawer having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing tub, a lid for selectively closing the washing tub and an operating mechanism that raises and lowers the lid as the drawer is shifted into and out of the outer housing. The operating mechanism includes a lifting slider slidably mounted in the outer housing operatively coupled to a lifting spring and a compression slider, also slidably mounted in the outer housing coupled to a compression spring. The lifting slider and compression slider are provided with corresponding lifting rollers and compression rollers that engage the lid. As the drawer is withdrawn from the outer housing, the lifting spring urges the lifting slider upward raising the lid and, as the drawer is inserted into the outer housing, the compression slider forces the lid downward onto the washing tub.
US07731802B2 Methods for transitioning a fluid meniscus to and from surfaces of a substrate
Methods for processing a substrate with a fluid meniscus are provided. One method includes positioning a transition surface substantially coplanar to a substrate surface. The transition surface is defined to be adjacent to an edge of the substrate. And, moving a fluid meniscus between the transition surface and the substrate surface.
US07731792B2 Method of producing recycled hardened materials using waste gypsum
Disclosed herein is a method for producing a recycled hardened material using waste gypsum. The method comprises treating acidic wastewater generated in the production of copper, zinc or titanium or the production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and chlorine using saline water, with calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), so as to precipitate sludge, and mixing the precipitated sludge with pulp sludge ashes having pozzolanic properties.
US07731788B2 Inkset, ink cartridge, inkjet recording method, and recorded matter
An ink set including at least a yellow ink composition, a magenta ink composition, and a cyan ink composition; the magenta ink composition containing as a colorant at least one type of compound expressed by the Formula M-1 in claim 1; the yellow ink composition containing as a colorant at least one type of compound expressed by the formula Y-1 in claim 1; and the cyan ink composition containing as a colorant at least one type of compound selected from the group consisting of compounds or salts thereof expressed by the Formula C-1 in claim 1.
US07731775B2 Slow-release (GSSP) fertilizer
Several compositions of matter have been discovered that can be used in the manufacture of slow-release fertilizers that contain all of the essential elements needed by plants and humans. Slow-release fertilizers manufactured with these formulations can be used on mineral stressed soils to increase the quality and production of food crops grown on them. Additives, including phosphogypsum, silica sand, natural gypsum, clay, and coal dust, facilitate the timing of the release of the essential elements into the soil.
US07731766B2 Molding a battery
A mold for a battery, such as a secondary battery, and a method of molding a battery, such as a secondary battery, using the mold, uses a minimum amount of a molding substance, such as a resin, has its molding time shortened, and has a safety vent of a can being prevented from being fractured by high pressure during a molding process. Runners, through which a resin flows, are arranged parallel to cavities and the safety vent of the can is positioned closest to the gates, into which a resin is injected after the can and a protective circuit board are seated in the cavities. Due to the structure of the runners of the mold and the location of the safety vent of the can, the amount of resin used and the molding time are reduced. A fracture of the safety vent is avoided since a lower pressure occurs at the location closest to the gates during a resin filling process.
US07731764B2 Singulation metal mold and method for producing semiconductor device
A singulation metal mold for singulating a plurality of semiconductor devices arrayed on a TAB tape has a punch as an upper metal mold of the singulation metal mold, a die block as a lower metal mold of the singulation metal mold, a knockout disposed to be slidable vertically inside a vertical hole formed in the die block, the knockout being operable to press up above the die block each of the singulated semiconductor devices left on the die block after the singulating, a press-up plate positioned under the knockout to support the knockout and linked mechanically to the knockout, and being operable to forcibly move the knockout vertically when the press-up plate moves vertically; and a press-up plate descent forcing mechanism that is operable to forcibly pull down the press-up plate.
US07731763B2 Method of dyeing a substrate with a reactive dyestuff in supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide
The present invention relates to a method of dyeing a substrate with a reactive dyestuff in supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide, said substrate being selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers; modified cellulose fibers; protein fibers; synthetic fibers and any combination thereof, wherein the method comprises dyeing said substrate by contacting the substrate with supercritical or near supercritical carbon dioxide containing a reactive dyestuff and one or more acids in a concentration of at least 0.05 mol. %, calculated on the molar amount of reactive dyestuff that is used in the dyeing method, said reactive dyestuff being a chromophore derivative containing a chromophoric residue and a reactive group, said reactive group comprising a cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic residue that will be protonated under the conditions employed during the contacting, such protonation resulting in enhanced reactivity of the reactive dyestuff towards the plurality of reactive groups contained in the substrate.
US07731759B2 Control of a passive prosthetic knee joint with adjustable damping
The invention relates to the control of a passive prosthetic knee joint with adjustable damping in the direction of flexion such that a prosthetic unit attached to the knee joint can be adapted for climbing stairs.
US07731755B2 Posterior stabilized mobile bearing knee
A posterior stabilized mobile bearing knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial tray, and a bearing. The femoral component is configured to be implanted in a surgically prepared femur, with the tibial tray being configured for implantation in a prepared tibia. The bearing is supported on a platform of the tibial tray and rotates relative to the tray.
US07731751B2 Expandable spinal devices and method of insertion
A device for insertion into a spinal (intervertebral or intravertebral) space is expandable from a first circumference to a second circumference through axial compression of segments of the device, particularly once the device has been properly situated within a vertebral space. The interbody/intravertebral body device is characterized by a plurality of axially stacked, individual segments that are provided on a central insertion and deployment rod. Each segment includes a central plate or body to which are pivotally attached plate or leaf structures. Pivoting of the structures provides a collapsed or unexpanded position of the first circumference and an open or expanded position of the second circumference.
US07731742B2 Stent
A stent (10) for transluminal implantation comprises a first, second and third stent section (11, 12, 13) for splinting and/or keeping open a hollow organ which are connected to each other via elastic tubular sections (14, 15). The stent (10) combines at least three different stent designs in one stent and can therefore be adjusted to the motion behavior of a hollow organ in an improved fashion (FIG. 1).
US07731740B2 Polymer-based stent assembly
Methods for preparing a polymer-based stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and a polymer-based stent resistant to relaxation-related negative recoil are provided. The methods comprise heating a polymeric cylindrical device which is at a final predetermined shape and diameter to a temperature sufficiently above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer and for a time sufficient to erase any memory of previous processing of the polymeric cylindrical device and then quenching the polymeric cylindrical device to provide an educated polymeric cylindrical device having a memory of the final predetermined diameter and shape, mounting the educated cylindrical device on an inflatable balloon catheter, reducing the diameter of the educated cylindrical device by heating to a temperature at or slightly above the Tg of the polymer while evenly applying pressure on the exterior surface of the wall of the cylindrical device, and then cooling the cylindrical device below the Tg of the polymer to provide a stent assembly comprising an inflatable balloon catheter and an expandable, educated, polymeric stent snugly and stably disposed thereon. Assemblies comprising an inflatable balloon and a polymer based stent that is substantially resistant to relaxation related recoil mounted snugly on the balloon are also provided.
US07731735B2 Open axle surgical implant
A surgical implant engageable by a surgical tool having spaced apart jaws with inward facing tubular protrusions, is provided. The implant includes a body for interfacing with a bone structure. The implant also includes a head connected with the body having spaced apart posts juxtaposed by a stabilization member receiving area. Each post has an outward side face that includes an upper generally vertical surface intersecting with a generally inward directed under surface that in turn intersects with a lower generally vertical surface. The side face has a generally tubular cylindrical indention intersecting the upper vertical surface and the inward directed under surface.
US07731727B2 Medical instrument to place a pursestring suture, open a hole and pass a guidewire
A therapeutic instrument for the ergonomic, effective and safe opening and closing of targeted remote tissue sites; includes a pistol grip style handle with a hand activated lever for needle deployment and, optionally, with features to control tissue cutting and guide wire installation; also incorporates a specialized elongated rigid or flexible instrument shaft, which enables vacuum assisted holding of tissue at a uniquely contoured distal tip, where placement of a suture in a purse string configures occurs along with, if desired, tissue cutting and guide wire passage.
US07731724B2 Surgical clip advancement and alignment mechanism
A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
US07731723B2 Medical retrieval device
A medical retrieval device has a multi-prong retrieval assembly. The multi-prong retrieval assembly has a first position, in which the retrieval assembly extends from the distal end of the sheath to form an open ended grasping device, and a second position, in which the retrieval assembly extends from the distal end of the sheath to form a substantially close ended basket-type retrieval device. When the retrieval assembly is used as a basket-type retrieval device, the distal ends of the prongs of the retrieval assembly that form the basket are not connected to each other. Thus, captured objects may be released by the operator, or by applying sufficient force to separate one or more of the prongs.
US07731715B2 Ablative treatment of atrial fibrillation via the coronary sinus
Ablation instruments and techniques are disclosed for accessing portions of the heart wall via the coronary sinus. While shielding the major portion of the sinus and/or the circumflex coronary artery from ablative energy, the present invention provides access to the heart wall to treat atrial fibrillation. In particular, the present invention provides instruments and methods for forming transmural lesions in the left atrium, such as the so-called “left isthmus block,” from within the coronary sinus.
US07731712B2 Method and system for transcervical tubal occlusion
A medical device and procedure is described for occluding a fallopian tube. A tubal occlusion device is inserted into a uterine cavity. The device includes an RF applicator head including an electrode carrier with one or more bipolar electrodes thereon. During insertion, the RF applicator head can be in a closed position. The RF applicator head is positioned at a tubal ostium of a fallopian tube, such that a distal tip of the RF applicator head advances into the tubal ostium. The RF applicator head is deployed into an open position such that the RF applicator head approximates the shape of the uterine cavity in a region of the tubal ostium. Current is passed through the one or more bipolar electrodes to the tubal ostium to destroy tissue to a known depth, which precipitates a healing response in surrounding tissue that over time scars and occludes the fallopian tube.
US07731706B2 True angular catheter shaft deflection apparatus
The invention relates to a steerable catheter having a distal section with reduced variation in deflection path during deflection. The distal section of the catheter includes stripes of different material hardness along the length of the distal section affecting the directionality of catheter deflection upon the application of a deflection force like that applied by pull wires. The stripes result in preferential bending in a desired path with greater reproducibility.
US07731700B1 Subdermal injection port
A subdermal injection port may include a housing, a first chamber within the housing, and a second chamber within the housing. The subdermal injection port may also include a needle stop between the first chamber and the second chamber. The subdermal injection port may further include an outlet in the housing, with the outlet being in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber.
US07731697B2 Apparatus and method for percutaneous catheter implantation and replacement
A medical apparatus and method of use for implanting a catheter in a patient's body which catheter can be easily positioned, repositioned, and replaced. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve comprising a wall surrounding an interior passageway extending from a sleeve proximal end to a sleeve distal end. The sleeve is intended to be percutaneously implanted through an incision in the patient's skin to place the sleeve distal end subcutaneously. The sleeve distal end outer surface carries porous material intended to contact the patient's dermis to promote tissue ingrowth. The sleeve passageway is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the outer surface of the catheter while permitting the catheter to slide relative to the sleeve. A split ring locking member is selectively operable in an unlocked state for permitting axial and rotational movement of said catheter relative to said sleeve and operable in a locked state for preventing such relative movement.
US07731689B2 Dialysis system having inductive heating
A medical fluid machine includes (i) a pump that pumps a medical fluid and (ii) a heater that heats the medical fluid, the heater including an electrically insulative housing, at least one flat sheet of electrically conductive material suitable for contacting the medical fluid, the sheet disposed within the insulative housing, the sheet defining a flow path for the medical fluid in which the medical fluid changes direction at least one time, a primary coil of a transformer located outside the insulative housing, the primary coil configured to induce a current into the at least one conductive sheet, creating heat that may be transferred to the medical fluid.
US07731686B2 Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery
An apparatus includes a label configured to be coupled to a medicament delivery device. The label includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the medicament delivery device. The second surface includes a textual indicia. The label further includes an electronic circuit system configured to output an electronic signal.
US07731682B2 Steerable device for introducing diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus into the body
An apparatus including an elongate body having a lumen extending therethrough and a steering wire, having a distal portion defining a non-circular cross-section, associated with the distal portion of the elongate body.
US07731665B2 Apparatus and method for measuring biological information
An apparatus and method for precisely measuring various biological information of a user's body by using a single measuring apparatus enable precisely and effectively measuring biological information including body fat, pulse and a blood vessel aging degree. By measuring an infrared absorbance or infrared rays irradiated to a measurement target according to a modulation and tuning method and obtaining the information with reference to supplementary biological information obtained from a user, the plurality of biological information can be precisely measured at a low driving voltage through the modulation and tuning method by using a single infrared light source. Also, the measuring apparatus can be reduced in size by simplifying its construction and can be effectively integrated into various device.
US07731653B2 System and method for genetically treating cardiac conduction disturbances
The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering conduction protein genetic material to cardiac cells in localized areas of the heart to improve the conductance therein. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering connexin proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding connexin proteins to a site in the heart which has been determined by mapping procedures to have a conduction disturbance. For cases where conduction is impaired, selected genetic material is delivered to cells around the disturbance area, in order to enhance overall conductivity patterns; in other cases, genetic material is selected to slow conduction in affected areas, so as to prevent, e.g., brady-tachy syndrome.
US07731651B2 Device to deploy a resilient sleeve to constrict on body tissue
The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates a device configured to prepare and deploy a resilient sleeve on to a portion of body tissue. The device expands the resilient sleeve, uses a vacuum system to draw the body tissue in to the resilient sleeve, and releases the resilient sleeve from the expanded state so that it captures and constricts the body tissue.
US07731643B2 Exercise machine
An exercise machine for exercising the muscles of the upper body, in which a pushing or pulling movement can be performed in a direction approximately between horizontal and vertical towards or away from the shoulder joint of the user, with the user seated in the same position.
US07731632B2 Rotatable rock climbing practice device
A rock climbing practice device includes a body which is rotatable 360 degrees about an axle support by a support unit. The body has multiple climbing surfaces and side surfaces, and multiple climbing holds are connected to the climbing surfaces which are formed along the rotational direction of the body. A shaft is connected to the support unit and co-rotated with the axle. A damping unit is connected to the shaft so as to provide proper damping force to the body and an adjustment unit is connected to the damping unit to adjust the damping force. When climbers climb the body which is rotated due to the weight of the climbers and the rotated body provides the climbing surfaces at different inclinations.
US07731628B2 Control apparatus for vehicle and method of controlling vehicle
A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an engagement-pressure control portion that increases the engagement pressure to a predetermined pressure for a friction engagement element to be engaged during a torque phase of an upshift in an automatic transmission. When the inertia phase starts, the control apparatus increases the engagement pressure at a predetermined gradient. The control apparatus also includes a torque-boost control portion that executes a torque-boost control that boosts the torque output from the power source during the torque phase; and a torque-boost permission portion that determines whether the torque-boost control should be restricted. When it is determined that the torque-boost control should not be restricted, the predetermined pressure is set to a greater value, and the predetermined gradient is set to a smaller value than when it is determined that the torque-boost control should be restricted.
US07731625B2 9-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and four fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07731611B2 Portable horseshoe playing court
A portable horseshoe court demarcation device formed of a plurality of engaged pairs of flexible members such as webbing. The ends of the flexible members once engaged to the ground mark a Horseshoe court. Center sections of one pair of flexible members provide a reference point from which to determine where to place horseshoe stakes, or provide flexible members for marking the installation point for the horseshoe stakes.
US07731609B2 Golf green repair device method and apparatus
A golf green repair tool with a depth limiting feature that has an earth engagement surface that has a forward slant to reposition the raised portion around a crater to the center region of the crater. A prong portion is adapted to be thrusted toward the center region of the crater and the repair tool is adapted to do minimal damage to the turf mat and provides a desirable method to repair craters left by impacting golf balls by properly repositioning of the displaced portions.
US07731603B2 Golf club head
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a golf club head having improved mass distribution characteristics. The golf club head includes a body and a face positioned at a forward portion of the body. The golf club head also includes one or more mass elements positioned at predetermined locations about the head. The mass elements assist in achieving desired relationship between the moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis and the moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis.
US07731586B2 Method and system for remote gaming
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods by which a player may remotely participate in casino gaming activity. Such aspects may include a video camera configured to provide visual data concerning the casino gaming activity to the player, a microphone configured to provide audio data concerning the casino gaming activity to the player, and a data network coupled with the video camera and the microphone. In such aspects, the player may be located in a hotel guest room, the hotel guest room may include a video display coupled with the data network, and one or more buttons of a remote control device associated with said video display may be configured to control said player's remote participation in the casino gaming activity.
US07731582B2 Gaming device having an offer and acceptance game with multiple offers
A gaming device that selects one or more offer components and forms an initial offer based on the selected offer components. The gaming device enables the player to accept or reject the initial offer. If the player rejects the initial offer (and the player has at least one offer remaining), then a component number modifier generator selects one of a plurality of component number modifiers. The selected component number modifier alters or changes the number of selected offer components by either adding or subtracting at least one offer component to or from the previously selected offer components. If the selected component number modifier is associated with a negative number or value, then the gaming device deselects at least one of the previously selected offer components. The remaining selected offer components form a subsequent offer which the gaming device enables the player to accept or reject. If the selected component number modifier is associated with a positive value or number, then at least one of the offer components from the provided plurality of offer components is selected. The value or award associated with each of the additionally selected offer components is added or otherwise combined with the values of the previously selected offer components to form a subsequent offer which the gaming device enables the player to accept or reject.
US07731574B2 Mechanism for opening a vent cover
A vent assembly has a base and a cover connected to the base. The cover moves between a closed and open position. A fan is optionally mounted for rotation in the base. A mechanism, including a strut system, raises and lowers the cover. The strut system is connected with the cover at two positions spaced from one another. When the cover is in its closed position, a retention force is provided by the strut system and is distributed about the cover.
US07731569B2 Pad conditioner, pad conditioning method, and polishing apparatus
A pad conditioning apparatus and method for conditioning a surface of a polishing pad which is used in a polishing apparatus for polishing works, having a bending or deflecting or elastic member and a supporting section to support a base end of the bending or deflecting or elastic member, wherein the bending or deflecting or elastic member elastically deforms upon contact of a vicinity of a tip end of the bending or deflecting or elastic member with the polishing pad, so that a pressure necessary to condition the pad is generated. A pad preparation apparatus using the pad conditioner; and a pad preparation method using the same, enable even conditioning of a polishing pad of an elastic body by following a surface of the polishing pad.
US07731565B2 Eyeglass lens processing apparatus
In an eyeglass lens processing apparatus for beveling a peripheral edge of an eyeglass lens, if the high curve lens processing mode is selected by the mode selector, a computing unit acquires a high curve bevel path for locating the bevel apex on a front surface curve of the eyeglass lens or for locating the bevel apex at a position shifted by a predetermined quantity from the front surface curve toward the rear side on the basis of the edge position information acquired by the edge position detector, thereby providing high curve beveling data for the rear surface beveling grindstone, or for the front surface and rear surface beveling grindstones; and a beveling controller bevels the peripheral edge of the eyeglass lens by the rear surface beveling grindstone, or by the front surface and rear surface beveling grindstones on the basis of the high curve beveling data.
US07731558B2 Illuminated toy building structures
The present device is an illuminated building block device that mimics the look of a laser. The building block includes a non-opaque body comprising at least two mechanical connectors. At least two electrically independent conductors each traverse the body from each connector to each other connector. At least one LED is electrically connected to at least two of the electrical conductors. With at least two building blocks mechanically connected, a power source may be applied to one of the connectors of one of the building blocks to illuminate each LED. Preferably, the body of the building block is generally transparent and is capable of transmitting light from a colored LED to a connected block, thus mimicking the look of a laser. The invention also comprises a set of building blocks that permits light from an LED to pass from one connected block to an adjacent connected block.
US07731553B2 Watercraft propelled by a water jet
A watercraft propelled by a water jet includes an sealed hull portion including an upper deck and a bottom surface, an engine compartment located behind the sealed hull portion and containing a propulsion and steering system including an engine, a bladed impeller driven by the engine for inducting water and forcing the inducted water away from the craft through a directionally displaceable nozzle, and a control lever located on the upper deck including an engine throttle control and a steering control for adjusting the directionally displacement of the nozzle.
US07731550B2 Electric connector
An electric connector (1) has an attachment portion (2) for attachment to an electric conductor, a connecting portion (3) for connection to a mating electric connector, and a damping portion (4) which joins the attachment portion (2) to the connecting portion (3) and comprises a bottom wall (5) connected to one of the two portions and a top wall (6) connected to the other of the two portions. The bottom wall (5) and the top wall (6) lie on advantageously parallel planes, and are connected by one side wall (7).
US07731541B1 Backplane connector with one-piece insulative bases
A backplane connector has a housing, a first insulative base, a second insulative base, multiple first terminals, multiple second terminals and multiple third terminals. Each of the insulative bases is mounted in the housing and is formed into one-piece. The first terminals are mounted on the first insulative base. The second terminals are mounted on the second insulative base. The third terminals are mounted on the insulative bases. The one-piece insulative bases excellently reduce their tolerances and raise the structurally strength of the backplane connector. Therefore, the production rate of the backplane connector increases.
US07731536B2 Shielded connector
A crimp ring (14) is mounted on a braided wire (13) of a shielded cable (12). On the other hand, a shielding shell (20) connectable with a large diameter portion (14b) of the crimp ring (14) is mounted in a housing (8). Entire touching portions (35) are formed at both upper and lower surfaces of the shielding shell (20) by being bent inward to form mountain-shaped resilient contact pieces (36) that can resiliently contact the large diameter portion (14b) and then being folded back outward near the rear edge of the shielding shell (20). Displacement restricting portions (40) are arranged between the touching portions (35) adjacent in width direction to protect the other touching portions (35) from the interference of the shielded cable (12) being inserted or withdrawn.
US07731530B2 Waterproof plug for connector, waterproof connector comprising the same and method of attaching the same
A waterproof plug for a connector, includes an elastically deformable seal member for sealing a housing which houses terminals fixed at edges of electric cables in the inside thereof. The seal member is housed inside the housing by press-fitting, and has at least two elements holding the electric cables by sandwiching from both sides and tightly contacting with outer peripheral surfaces thereof.
US07731526B2 Electrical connector having contacts with contact portions arranged in three contact portion tiers
The terminal portions 222a, 222b of the contacts having the contact portions 221a, 221b belonging to (2n/2)-th contact portion tier 2-21 are arranged so as to be alternately allocated to the first terminal portion tier 1-22 and the second terminal portion tier 2-22.
US07731508B2 Adapter board, socket, and device for connecting an electronic controller to the connection leads thereof
An adapter board for connecting an electronic controller to the connection leads thereof includes a printed circuit board having at least two pins, which can be inserted into connections for the connection leads of the electronic controller. The adapter board also includes a plug-in connector, which can be plugged into a mating plug-in connector of a socket and which can be brought into a signal connection with the connection leads. The pins are connected to the plug-in connector in an electrically conductive manner via the printed circuit board.
US07731504B2 Printed board with component mounting pin
A printed circuit board according to the present invention is a printed circuit board (4) including a component mounting pin (1) made of a metal wire to connect with a semiconductor chip (10). The semiconductor chip (10) is a surface mounting type semiconductor chip having an electrode pad on its mounting surface for use in a flip-chip mounting system. The component mounting pin (1) is formed by using wire-bonding technology. This printed circuit board (4) is able to decrease malconnections or disconnection caused by a difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the semiconductor chip (10) and the printed circuit board (4).
US07731502B2 Trailer tow connector assembly
An electrical connector including a first connector portion and a second connector portion. First and second covers are pivotally attached to the body about a common axis for covering the first and second connector portion.
US07731501B2 Underwater drawing tablet
An underwater writing and drawing tablet that stretches a length of waterproof (plastic) vellum between two rollers over a flat surface thereby enabling the user to easily draw or write on said vellum and permanently save the drawing and writing.
US07731493B2 Gas burner
Gas burner, in particular for domestic cooking appliances, comprising a bowl-shaped body (10) associated with a gas injector, a toothed crown (12) with a plurality of first flame ports (13) circumferentially arranged along the periphery of the crown (12) and an upper cap (14) to close the burner top. A peripheral step (15) is formed on at least a part of the external surface of the toothed crown (12) and second flame ports (17) of reduced area are circumferentially provided along the periphery of the crown (12) in such a way that adjacent first flame ports (13) are spaced apart from each other by means of a single second flame port (17) disposed therebetween.
US07731492B2 Fuel charge for melting plate candle assembly and method of supplying liquefied fuel to a wick
A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.
US07731484B2 Vacuum pump control device and vacuum device
The present invention has an object of controlling power consumption by a vacuum pump by varying the number of revolutions of the vacuum pump in accordance with the operating state of a vacuum device.The condition setting part 4 sets the relationship between the operating state of the vacuum device 10 and the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 that evacuates the vacuum device 10. This relationship is set to an appropriate value so as to prevent the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 from becoming a higher rotational speed than is required. The control part 6, to which external signals S1 through Sn corresponding to the operating state of the vacuum device 10 are input, reads out from the condition setting part 4 and outputs the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 corresponding to the external signals. The inverter 8 controls the rotational speed of the vacuum pump based on the output of the control part 6.
US07731483B2 Airfoil shape for a turbine bucket and turbine incorporating same
Third stage turbine buckets have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z′ set forth Table I wherein X and Y values are in inches and the Z′ values are non-dimensional values from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z′ values by the height of the airfoil in inches and adding the radius of the airfoil base. The X and Y values are distances which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X, Y and Z distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the bucket. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of +/−0.0.060 inches in directions normal to the surface of the airfoil.
US07731482B2 Bucket vibration damper system
A damping system for a turbine bucket. The damping system includes a damper pocket with a variable tangential depth and a damper pin positional within the damper pocket.
US07731470B2 Clean stocker and method of storing articles
A reticle rotatable rack is provided at an upper position, and a pod rotatable rack is provided at a lower position in a clean stocker. A clean gas is supplied downwardly. In the stocker, a pod transportation device and a reticle transportation device are elevated and lowered. Load ports, a pod opener, and the pod rotatable rack are connected by the pod transportation device. The pod opener and the reticle rotatable rack are connected by the reticle transportation device.
US07731467B2 Bolt element having a shaft part and a spherical head, component assembly and method for the manufacture of a bolt element
Bolt element (10) having a shaft part (12) which is designed at a first end (14) for a rivet connection (16) to a panel element (18), in particular to a sheet metal part, is characterized in that the shaft part (12) has a spherical formation (22) at its other end (20) the ball diameter (D) of which is larger than that of the shaft part (12). In this manner a bolt element with a spherical head can be manufactured in an extremely favorable manner price-wise and it can be ensured that the spherical head has no burr which would lead to the wearing of the socket provided in operation which slides on the spherical head.
US07731466B2 Thread profile modification for controlled stiffness
The thread form can provide a controlled thread stiffness which can more evenly distribute loads and can be less sensitive to changes in relative pitch. The controlled stiffness of the thread can provide a desired cantilever bending of the thread under assembled load. The thread form can utilize a traditional thread form at and/or above the pitch diameter, thereby maintaining the area of contact close to that of a standard thread form. Standard gaging implements can be used to ascertain the thread pitch and for quality control. The thread form includes a side extending between the crest and the root. The side has a first portion extending from the crest toward the root and the second portion extending from the first portion toward the root. The first and second portions extend toward the root in different orientations relative to the thread.
US07731460B2 Self-adjusting ULD loading guide and restraint
A self-adjusting loading guide and restraint for guiding and restraining aircraft unit load devices includes a base and an arm substantially upwardly extending from the base. The arm includes a vertical restraint portion and guide member having at least one substantially planar guide surface that is pivotally connected to the arm, and is movable between a first guide position and a second guide position. When the vertical restraint portion is engaged with a stowed first unit load device, the guide member assists in guiding a second unit load device away from the first unit load device and the loading guide and restraint and into a stowage location that is adjacent to the first unit load device.
US07731449B2 Flexible marker device and methods for making same
A flexible marker device comprises a marker body having a bottom end and a top end, and a base for supporting the marker body. The base has an aperture in a center portion thereof and a groove extending about the aperture in an upper surface of the base. The bottom end of the marker body is at least partially disposed within the groove. A cured material, preferably polyurethane, is disposed in the groove to thereby secure the marker body to the base.
US07731445B2 Captured shim head set for bicycles
A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.
US07731441B2 Ring binder mechanism
A ring mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages has a housing and hinge plates supported by the housing for pivoting motion relative to the housing. Ring members are mounted on the hinge plates and are moveable between a closed position and an open position. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing for causing pivoting motion of the hinge plates. A locking element releasably locks the closed ring members in a locked position and releases the closed ring members to move to the open position in an unlocked position. An intermediate connector operably connects the locking element to the actuator. The intermediate connector is deformable during movement of the actuator.
US07731434B2 Actuator and blade drive device for camera
An electromagnetic actuator includes; a coil for excitation; a stator excited with different magnetic poles by energization of the coil; a rotor magnetized with different magnetic poles in a circumferential direction thereof, and rotated by a magnetic force generated between the rotor and the stator; and an outputting member rotated in conjunction with the rotor and outputting rotational movement of the rotor to a first blade and a second blade. The rotor and the outputting member are jointed by welding and a welding portion of the rotor lies in a boundary of the magnetic poles thereof.
US07731432B2 Multiple channel optical transceiver modules with compatibility features
Optical transceiver modules with multiple channel connection with connectors on a motherboard of a line card for network devices, such as a switch, router, crossconnect and the like, are presented. The modules have staggered electronic boards which can engage the connectors which are laterally displaced on the motherboard. The connectors are also arranged so that one of them can engage an optical transceiver module in an SFP connection so that the motherboard connectors are compatible with multiple channel and single channel (SFP) connections.
US07731430B2 Sub-mount for mounting optical component, manufacturing method thereof, and light transmission and reception module
A sub-mount for mounting optical components includes a recess for mounting whose side wall is tapered. A light transmission and reception module includes the sub-mount for mounting optical component. The sub-mount is manufactured by forming a master mold of the sub-mount formed with projections and recesses including the recess for mounting of the sub-mount, applying liquid silicone rubber to the mater mold, curing the liquid silicone rubber to produce a mold for duplication, filling the curable material into the mold for duplication, curing the curable material, and separating the cured curable material from the mold for duplication.
US07731428B2 Bicycle hub
A bicycle hub is provided that comprises a hub axle, a hub body rotatably mounted on the hub axle by a pair of bearings and at least one of the bearings having an inner tube. The bearings include an outer ring operatively coupled to the hub body, an inner ring operatively coupled to the hub axle, and a plurality of rolling components disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. The inner tube is disposed with respect to the outer ring of at least one of the bearings such that at least a portion of the inner tube is disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the hub axle to form a small prescribed radial clearance therebetween.
US07731427B2 Wheel bearing apparatus incorporated with a wheel speed detecting apparatus and method of its assembly
A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a wheel speed detecting apparatus and a method for manufacturing the wheel bearing apparatus has a wheel speed detecting apparatus (21) with a sensor holder (22). The sensor holder (22) includes a steel annular fitting ring (24) to be fit onto the end of the outer member (4). A holding portion (25) of plastic resin is integrally molded with the annular fitting ring (24). A wheel speed sensor (26) is embedded in the resin. An inboard side seal (11) of the seals (11, 12) is arranged between the sensor holder (22) and the outer joint member (14). The maximum diameter of the sensor holder (22) and the constant velocity universal joint (3) is smaller than the inner diameter of the knuckle (N).
US07731426B2 Rotor supports and systems
A rotor support includes a first ring disposed around a first axis, a second ring disposed around the first axis downstream from the first ring, and a plurality of beams extending between the first and the second rings. Each beam is configured to provide an axial stiffness, when an axial force is exerted on the first ring, and a radial stiffness, when a radial force is exerted on the first ring. Each beam has a height extending parallel to a second axis and a width extending parallel to a third axis. The beams are distributed around the first ring to provide a substantially uniform circumferential axial stiffness around the rotor support, and the height of each beam is greater than the width of each beam. Damping can be provided by the placement of a damper between the rotor support and the support housing.
US07731409B2 Illumination device and method for producing a spatial pattern of light at different wavelengths
An illumination device for use in display devices produces a spatial pattern of light at different wavelengths using multiple light sources and waveguides. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength. The waveguides define optical apertures that are spatially arranged in a predetermined pattern, and each waveguide is optically coupled to one of the light sources to produce the spatial pattern of light at wavelengths corresponding to the predetermined pattern.
US07731407B2 Display device
A display device includes: a light source; a light guide plate including a first plate surface that emits light incident from the light source, a second plate surface other than the first plate surface, and at least two protruding portions formed on the second plate surface; a light source board including the light source arranged thereon, the light source board arranged on the second plate surface; and an optical sheet including a first sheet surface arranged to face the first plate surface, a second sheet surface arranged to face the light source board, and at least two protruding portions formed on the second sheet surface.
US07731405B2 Side-emission type light-emitting diode and a backlight unit using the light-emitting diode
A side-emission type light-emitting diode including: a first substrate having a concavity formed in one of side surfaces of the first substrate, the concavity including an inner surface which is configured to be a first reflecting surface; an LED-element-mounting board of thin plate shape, arranged on the lower surface of the first substrate, the board configured to close the concavity at the lower surface of the first substrate; an LED element mounted on the board and arranged in the concavity; and a light-transmitting resin filled in the concavity and configured to seal the LED element.
US07731404B2 Light source
An illuminator (10) for a plurality of optical fibers (12). The illuminator (10) comprises a housing (14) that can be formed of two housing halves, (14a) and (14b) of a suitable material such as an opaque ABS plastic. First and second compartments (16, 18) are provided in the housing. A suitable battery (20) is contained within the first compartment (16) and a light source (22) is contained in the second compartment (18). The light source (22) is preferably a LED. The light source (22) is mounted upon a printed circuit board (24), which, in turn, can be mounted upon a heatsink (24a), for example, a black, anodized aluminum. An optical coupler (26) is associated with the light source (22) and comprises a central body (28) arrayed along a light source axis (30) and has a proximal end (32) with a lens (34) adjacent the light source (22) and a distal end (36). At least one lateral projection (38) (preferably, two) is formed on the central body (28), the lateral projection (38) including mounting means (40). The distal end (36) is formed to accept an optical fiber bundle (42) that has a body (42a) that preferably is polygonal in cross-section.
US07731392B2 Light with a clip
A portable light intended for mounting on a garment as support includes two LED light sources spaced apart towards the rear of the portable light. A clipped base below on anchor facilitates locating a garment between the anchor and the base, and a spring action urges the base toward the anchor. A hingedly movable head for the LEDs is mounted on the housing to move to and form the housing. An opening of the housing causes a switch in the housing to move between an opened and closed position such that a circuit actives or deactivates the LED lights when the head opens or closes relative to the housing.
US07731387B2 Lighting device with user interface for light control
The present invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising a lighting unit (2) and a user interface (3) for controlling the lighting color and/or intensity of the lighting unit (2). The user interface (3) comprises a physical object (4), which is shaped as a polyhedron, for instance a cube. Orienting the physical object (4), i.e. choosing which side is up, serves to select the color, and rotating the physical object (4) about the side on which it rests serves to change the intensity setting. The user interface (3) generates an output signal, which is the input for a processing unit (9). This processing unit (9) converts this signal into a driving signal suitable for controlling the lighting unit (2).
US07731381B2 Lighting device for a household appliance having a treatment chamber
A lighting device includes a light channel disposed in a wall or door of a treatment chamber. A light source cooperating with the light channel is disposed outside of the treatment chamber and provides light beams along a first direction. First and second reflectors are disposed in the light channel to reflect respective portions of the light beams toward the treatment chamber so as to enter the treatment chamber through a transparent area in the wall or door. The second reflector extends further in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, than the first reflector, such that the second portion of the light beams reaches the second reflector in an unhindered manner. The first and second reflectors have reflective surfaces thereon which are configured differently in the second direction and a third direction transverse to the first direction in order to prevent mutual shadowing.
US07731377B2 Backlight device and display device
It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable backlight device with less color unevenness and less luminance unevenness, and a high-performance and highly reliable display device including the backlight device, which can display a high quality image. A light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source of a backlight device and thermoelectric elements are provided in a chassis for holding the light emitting diode so as to surround the light emitting diode (the thermoelectric elements are provided under the light emitting diode and on the four sides thereof). A temperature in the backlight device is adjusted by cooling and heating by the thermoelectric elements.
US07731375B2 Phosphorescent charging system for wheeled vehicles having phosphorescent wheels
Various phosphorescence charging systems are provided for charging a phosphorescent wheel. The wheel is attached to the frame of a vehicle with nighttime or low light operation capability. The phosphorescence charging system directs electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light, onto phosphorescent portions of the wheel so as to cause subsequent phosphorescent emission therefrom.
US07731372B2 Projector
A projector comprises a light source unit, a light guide element, a first focus element, a second focus element, a micromirror element and an image unit. The light source unit provides a light beam. The first focus element comprises a first focal length f1. The second focus element comprises a second focal length f2, wherein 2.0 < f 2 f 1 < 3.6 . The light beam travels from the light source unit, passing the light guide element, the first focus element, the second focus element and the micromirror element to the image unit.
US07731366B2 Stress birefringence compensation in polarizing beamsplitters and systems using same
An optical system is provided. The optical system comprises a first polarizing beamsplitter (PBS), a first reflecting image-forming device, and a first quarter-wave retarding element. An optical system is also provided that comprises an image-forming device, a reflective polarizing layer, at least a first birefringent element disposed on an optical path between the image-forming device and the polarizing layer, and a quarter-wave retarding element. Further provided is an optical system comprising a color combiner unit, at least two polarizing beamsplitters (PBSs), and a first quarter-wave retarding element. The present application also provides methods of compensating for birefringence in an image projection system.
US07731356B1 Hanging eyeglasses
Eyeglasses that can be hung around the wearer's neck, without the necessity of a chain or cord, can be rotated between a normal viewing position, a conventional storage position and a hanging position. In the hanging positions, the rear ends of temple arms are spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of a normal wearer's neck. In embodiment in which a hinge between the lens frame and the temple arms can be pivoted about three orthogonal axes, the lens frame will lie flat against the wearer's chest or neck. Two hinge configurations that allow the lens frame to lie flat include a ball and socket joint and a multiple hinge joint. The temple arms can also be extended so that the eyeglasses will more comfortably fit around the wearer's neck in the hanging position.
US07731350B2 Ink jet printer
A partition is provided at the almost center of a parallel sheet feed tray in a main-scanning direction, and recording paper sheets such as postcards are mounted in two rows in parallel in the main-scanning direction. By bringing upper surfaces of the recording paper sheets into contact with a pick roller, the recording paper sheets are picked one by one per row and fed toward an inside of a housing. While the recording paper sheets are conveyed in a sub-scanning direction with being arranged in parallel in the main-scanning direction, ink drops are discharged to both the recording paper sheets with reciprocation of a carriage with the ink cartridges in the main-scanning direction. Images are formed on the two recording paper sheets simultaneously, thereby shortening time necessary for printing a lot of recording paper sheets.
US07731346B2 Ink-jet recording method, ink-jet ink, ink-jet recording unit, ink cartridge for ink-jet recording and ink-jet recording apparatus
The present invention provides an ink-jet recording method for forming an image by applying an ink to a recording medium. The ink contains at least water, a colorant and a surfactant. The content of the surfactant is higher than or equal to the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant, and the ink used has a surface tension lower than or equal to the critical surface tension of the recording medium. The ink is applied on the recording medium, and the surface tension of the ink is increased to a surface tension higher than the critical surface tension of the recording medium after the ink contacts the recording medium.
US07731344B2 Method of manufacturing a liquid vessel
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a liquid vessel including a liquid containing body having a discharge port for discharging liquid, and a liquid residual amount detection device having a liquid inflow port connected to the discharge port, a liquid lead-out portion for supplying the liquid and a vibration detection portion for applying vibration to a flow path between the liquid inflow port and the liquid lead-out portion and detecting a residual amount of liquid in the liquid containing body, the method including: connecting the liquid inflow port of the liquid residual amount detection device to the discharge port of the liquid containing body in which the liquid has been stored in advance and injecting the liquid from the liquid containing body into the liquid residual amount detection device to obtain a state in which the flow path is charged with the liquid.
US07731341B2 Continuous fluid jet ejector with anisotropically etched fluid chambers
A fluid ejection device, a method of cleaning the device, and a method of operating the device are provided. The device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate and has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned at an angle other than 90° relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.
US07731340B2 Liquid jetting head and method for producing the same
An ink-jet head includes a channel unit and a piezoelectric actuator. The channel unit has a plurality of plates made of metal and including a cavity plate which is made of metal and in which a plurality of pressure chambers are formed and a supply plate which is made of metal and in which holes communicating with the pressure chambers respectively are formed, and the plates are diffusion-bonded with each other. The piezoelectric actuator has a vibration plate which is diffusion-bonded with the cavity plate. A groove is formed in a partition wall defining the pressure chambers or in an area overlapping the partition wall of the vibration plate, the cavity plate, and the supply plate. There is provided a liquid jetting head in which air hardly remains in the pressure chambers, and deterioration of jetting performance by the air is suppressed.
US07731334B2 Inkjet nozzle utilizing electrostatic attraction between parallel plates
Provided is an inkjet nozzle arrangement which includes a wafer base defining an ink chamber with an ink inlet channel and an ink ejection port. The arrangement also includes an upper electrode plate and a lower electrode plate separated by at least one polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer within the chamber. The upper plate has a corrugated portion which concertinas upon movement of said top plate, wherein ink is ejected from the ink ejection port through the utilization of attraction and related movement between the plates when a potential difference is applied therebetween.
US07731323B2 Image forming apparatus, component, component checking method, control program, and storage medium
With this invention, compatibility between an image forming apparatus and a component mounted on the image forming apparatus is precisely checked. A cartridge, as the component, stores its ID (first information) and an ID (second information) of the image forming apparatus that can use the cartridge. The image forming apparatus stores its ID (third information) and an ID (fourth information) of the cartridge that can be used in the image forming apparatus. Then, when the fourth information includes the first information or the second information includes the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus can be used. When the fourth information does not include the first information and the second information does not include the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus cannot be used.
US07731322B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus can form a high-quality image while acquiring a stable conveyance performance. A conveyance belt (21) conveys a recording medium (12) by attracting the recording medium (12) by an electrostatic force. A recording head (7) discharges liquid droplets toward the recording medium (12) being conveyed by the conveyance belt (21). Alternating positive and negative electric charges are applied onto the conveyance belt (21). A conveyance speed is controlled in accordance with a charge period length of the alternating positive and negative electric charges applied onto the conveyance belt (21).
US07731320B2 Ink jet recording apparatus and recording method therefor
An ink jet recording apparatus, which records a image on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ink discharge ports, comprises a rotative platen having a plurality of supporting pieces arranged at predetermined intervals; rotation means for rotating the platen; conveyance means for conveying the recording medium; control means for controlling the rotation means to rotate the platen in the conveying direction of the recording medium in synchronism with the conveyance of the recording medium when recording is performed near the edge of the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. With the structure thus arrange, this ink jet recording apparatus is capable of performing the entire area recording (no margin recording) on a recording medium without staining the platen that supports the recording medium at the time of recording.
US07731315B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator having a mounting structure capable of easily and conveniently achieving the mounting process for elements to be installed in an inner case. The refrigerator includes a first body including an inner case, an outer case, and a urethane foam filled between the inner case and the outer case, a coupling hole formed through the inner case, a mounting member coupled to the coupling hole at a first outside of the inner case by a first end of the mounting member and provided with a fastening hole, the mounting member being fixed between the inner case and the outer case by the urethane foam when the urethane foam is filled, and a fastening member fastened to the fastening hole at a first inside of the inner case.
US07731313B2 Locating structure for slide rail
The present invention discloses a locating structure for slide rail, comprising a guide rail which is a rectangular plate disposed with a respective inward-turn slide groove on both sides of its bottom plate, wherein at least two locating holes at the predetermined locating positions are machined to form on the surface of the bottom plate; a slider which is a short frame whose slide plate on top extends to form a respective slide wing on its both sides corresponding to the slide grooves to form a socketingly connection, wherein a respective receiving hole is manufactured to form on both sides of the slide plate, a spring frame, disposed on the bottom of the slide plate and manufactured to form a ball hole on its bottom to socketingly connected with a rolling ball, extends upward an predetermined length from its both sides, respectively, and then bends inward to form a turn portion, respectively, one of which connects downward with a spring plate whose bottom contacts with the rolling ball and the other of which maintains a gap with the spring plate; when the slider slides, the two slide wings slide along the two slide grooves, respectively, and thus the rolling ball compresses the spring plate and moves along the bottom plate until the rolling ball reaches the locating hole to stretch the spring plate, such that the rolling ball falls into the locating hole to form a snapping engagement.
US07731312B2 Retaining mechanism for a slide assembly
A retaining mechanism for a slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a holding member, a blocking member and a fixed plate. The second rail is slidably connected to the first rail. The holding member has a fixed end and slots. The fixed end is fixedly connected to the first rail. The blocking member has a fixed end and an engaging section, and is located between the holding member and the first rail. The fixed end of the blocking member corresponds to the fixed end of the holding member and is fixedly connected to the first rail. The engaging section corresponds to the slots of the holding member. The fixed plate is fixedly connected to the second rail and corresponds to the slots of the holding member.
US07731308B1 Secure medication container for use by medical personnel
A medication container is designed for secure storage of medications and other controlled substances. The container top has a sloped configuration which resists the stacking of medical files and other objects atop it (which might obscure view of the container), and it also includes a curved sliding front door allowing both a frontal and top view of medications within the container. The door is locked by use of two separate locks, one intended for a pharmacist or other medication control officer, and one by the personnel administering the medication to patients, whereby either of these parties may independently access the interior of the container. The container is also preferably designed to rapidly have a removable medication tray installed within or removed from its interior, and to rapidly be fixed to a medication cart, patient bedside table, or other structure.
US07731307B1 Seal guard for compactor
A guard for the axle seal of a wheeled tractor being an annular steel structure that bridges the plane of the seal between a spindle and final drive including a pair of axially spaced flanges having circular outer peripheries, at least one of the outer peripheries of the flanges being sized to produce a narrow gap seal with a circular interior surface of a wheel rim, a hub extending axially between the flanges and spaced radially inward of said flange outer peripheries, the flanges, hub and interior wheel surface defining an annular space adapted to trap debris.
US07731304B2 Electrohydraulically regulatable vehicle brake system with traction control device
The invention relates to an electronically regulatable vehicle brake system with traction control, in which a master cylinder is connected indirectly via a hydraulic unit to at least one wheel brake. The hydraulic unit has electromagnet valves and an externally triggerable pressure generator, for modulating the wheel brake pressure, optionally independently of the driver. For preventing wheel slip, the pressure generator is connected by its intake side to an intake conduit, among other things, that is controllable by an intake valve. To enhance the dynamics and improve the regulatability of a vehicle brake system, a self-aspirating pressure fluid storage unit is connected to the intake conduit and makes an aspiration volume available to the pressure generator.
US07731297B1 Tailgate-securing dump apron for dump trucks
A dump apron for a dump truck, the apron pivotally mounted around a lower end of the dump opening at the rear of the dump body, and movable in response to the tilt position of the dump body between a lower flow-channeling position and a raised tailgate-securing position. In the tailgate-securing position the apron serves to seal leaks of the loaded material around the tailgate, and to function as a secondary lock to back up the tailgate's primary latching or locking mechanism. In the preferred form, the apron is held at an acute angle to the closed tailgate in the raised tailgate-securing position, forming a trough for collecting particulate material leaking around the tailgate from the loaded dump bed, and allowing visual inspection of the lower end of the tailgate and the tailgate's primary lock.
US07731285B2 Arrangement for retaining crank element in automotive seat
A crank element is arranged rotatably between two support elements so as to prevent removal therefrom. The crank element is formed with a pair of generally inverted-L-shaped end portions each having a horizontal first end region and a vertical second end region bent from that first end region. Each of those two end portions is rotatably secured via retainer bush in each of two through-holes formed in the respective two support elements. The two through-holes each has an elongated hole region and a circular hole region. The retainer bush is resiliently deformable and has: a through-bore in which the first end region of crank element is rotatably support; and a groove portion in which the circular hole region of the through-hole is closely engaged.
US07731277B2 Seating implement with tablet
A seating implement has a base frame, a sitting surface, a back rest, and a tablet. The tablet is fastened to a support element provided on one side of the base frame by way of a linkage mechanism, so that the table can swivel between a substantially horizontal position of use and a position of non-use. The tablet is dimensioned to support a notebook computer and the support element has a section running in a substantially horizontal plane, on which the tablet is pivotally fastened by way of the linkage mechanism. The substantially horizontal section is oriented at an angle to the direction of the sitting surface, and the tablet can swivel about an axis substantially parallel to this section.
US07731275B2 Vehicle roof
The invention relates to a vehicle roof with a roof opening with a flange surrounding the roof opening, on which a roof module with a roof frame comprising at least one frame member can be inserted through the roof opening from above, with guide rails arranged on the roof frame and with at least one roof section supported on these guide rails can be attached. The invention teaches that the roof frame is provided with a sealing frame which surrounds all sides of the roof opening which can be attached onto the flange from above, on which the guide rails and the frame members are attached, and which is sealed by means of at least one seal against the flange, and that furthermore mounting elements are provided through which the guide rails on the underside of the flange can be connected to it.
US07731263B2 Motorcycle
A detachable cover for a motorcycle cowling that can be easily switched with a service part is described. The cover includes a cover front edge section that is formed so as to form a generally continuous surface with at least a portion of an outer periphery edge section of a head light, and a cover rear section that is removably attachable to the cowling and that extends to the rear from the cover front edge section when attached to the cowling. A motorcycle that easily allows external appearance to be changed to satisfy a user's requirements is also described.
US07731255B2 Interior vehicle cargo system
An interior vehicle cargo system is provided with an interior cargo structure, bulkhead and a bulkhead attachment assembly. The bulkhead attachment assembly selectively retains the bulkhead in one of a plurality of locations within interior cargo area. The bulkhead attachment assembly includes at least a pair of elongated tracks and at least one fastening structure associated with each of the elongated tracks. One of the elongated tracks is attached to a first one of the vehicle panels, while another elongated track is attached to a second one of the vehicle panels that is opposite the first one of the vehicle panels. The fastening structures are slideably arranged on the elongated tracks to selectively fastening the bulkhead at one of the plurality of locations.
US07731251B2 Compact sliding sash lock
A sash lock for use with door and window is provided. The lock has a base housing shaped into a laterally extending crib to contain a partially protruding plunger sliding under a forward bias, a large button block that occupies a substantial area at the top of the lock to allow for a unique squeeze release of the plunger and translates in a perpendicular plane with respect to the plunger movement under an expansive bias for normally pushing the button block away from the base housing in cooperation with the biased counteraction of the cam surfaces of the plunger but yielding to a manual depression to activate the plunger through a cam engagement, and a top housing fastened to the base housing to enclose the plunger and button block. The plunger has cam surfaces at a rear end facing forwardly and a beveled lip portion at a front end while the button block has a beveled surface facing the cam surfaces of the plunger. The sash lock further comprises two identical holes formed in the bottom of base housing and a separate keeper for interlocking with the base housing.
US07731239B2 Card forming sheet
A card forming sheet includes an opaque printing sheet and a transparent film placed over the printing sheet, so that the transparent film can be peeled away from the printing sheet and cannot be re-bonded to the printing sheet. Moreover, the card forming sheet includes a transparent adhesive and a peeling sheet placed over the adhesive layer. The printing sheet is divided into a substantially rectangular address describing part, an information describing part adjacent to one side of the address describing part, and a concealing part adjacent to another side of the address describing part. The card forming sheet is folded along a boundary between the address describing part and the information describing part. The two sides are bonded together so that the printing sheet is placed to the outside, and the card forming sheet is then folded along a boundary between the concealing part and the address describing part and bonded together, removably concealing the information.
US07731238B2 Straddle-type vehicle
A straddle-type vehicle that reliably leads fuel that overflows from a fuel fill opening away to a safe area without specialist components. A fuel tank includes a recess portion that is formed around a fuel fill opening, and a raised section that is formed to the outer side of the recess portion and that is at a higher position than the recess portion.
US07731233B2 Airbag cushion with vent tube
An airbag module comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent tube attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent tube remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent tube at least partially closes.
US07731225B2 Airbag apparatus for vehicle
In an airbag provided in a folded condition, a front end of the airbag includes a pulled-out section provided by pulling out the end of the airbag. In the airbag in a stored condition, an oblique path from a front end of the airbag to a fixed point of a front pillar can be reached by the pulled-out section. In the developed condition of the airbag, the pulled-out section can further draw the position of the front end of the airbag to the front side, thereby providing an increased protection range by the airbag.
US07731222B2 Assembly for towing a wheeled stroller on sand
An assembly and method for adapting a baby stroller to better travel over unstable ground, such as sand. A sledge is provided that has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is flat with a beveled front end that enables the sledge to be easily pulled over sand or mud. Retention features, such as semi-cylindrical depressions, are formed in the top surface of the sledge. The retention features enable a baby stroller to be placed atop the sledge without rolling off. Once the wheels of the stroller are attached to the sledge, the sledge can be pulled through sand and mud more easily. The sledge may be supported by wide wheels to help the sledge roll over unstable ground. Furthermore, the sledge may be collapsible so that it can be easily stored when not in use.
US07731220B2 Frame assembly for double-seat baby stroller
A frame assembly for a double-seat baby stroller is provided. The frame assembly comprises: a first frame including a first main post, plural first bars, plural second bars, plural third bar, a central post and a first folding device pivotally connected to one another; and a second frame including a second main post, plural fourth bars, plural fifth bars, plural sixth bar, the central post and a second folding device pivotally connected to one another. The frame assembly is characterized by further comprising a linking mechanism connecting one of the bars of the first frame and one of the bars of the second frame, wherein when the second main post of the second frame and the central post become close to each other, the one of the bars of the first frame is driven to move via the linking mechanism by the one of the bars of the second frame, so that the first main post of the first frame and the central post become close to each other.
US07731216B2 Rollover prevention device
A rollover prevention device for commercial tractor/trailers that senses when the tractor portion of the commercial truck has reached the critical height at which rollover of the trailer cannot be avoided. Once this critical height is reached pneumatic cylinders and pins automatically release the trailer from the tractor, thereby preserving human life and minimizing damage to property.
US07731214B2 Axles, such as for bicycles
A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
US07731206B2 Fork-lift truck and kit for truck
The invention relates to a fork-lift truck comprising two steering wheels mounted on one axle, provided with a lifting and steering device arranged thereon and a fork-carrier frame mounted on the track rollers, comprising two supporting beams. The fork-carrier frame is mounted in such a manner that it interacts with the lifting and steering device. The fork-lift truck also comprises a set of wheels which can be disposed in the region of the front ends of the fork of the supporting beams on the fork-carrier frame. The aim of the invention is to enable a fork-lift truck to be fitted with an additional set of wheels if desired without having an adverse effect on the advantages of the use thereof. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the fork-lift truck comprises overlapping tracks which extend the supporting beams and which can be detachably fixed to the fork-carrier frame and can be placed onto the supporting beams. The set of wheels are detachably arranged on the front side of the tracks.
US07731205B2 Mobile saw stand brake system WA743c
A mobile saw stand brake system incorporates a pair of swing-out legs pivotally connected to a saw stand main frame. A first end of the main frame is supported on a pair of rotating wheels. A pair of brake lever arms, each having a brake shoe end and a distal actuating end, are pivotally connected to the main frame. A tension mechanism is interconnected with the pair of swing-out legs so as to actuate the brake lever arms to engage the wheels when the legs are extended in their swing-out position. The brakes are disengaged when the swing-out legs are folded into a stowed position.
US07731204B2 Combination scooter/backpack
The combination scooter/backpack is an article carrying device with the capacity to be converted into a wheeled land vehicle, and therefore has two modes of usage. The article carrying device resembles a conventional backpack with two straps positioned to be placed over the user's shoulders, entitled backpack mode. The wheeled land vehicle functions as a popular collapsible scooter, two wheels mounted upon a board member with propulsion means provided by user's contact with the ground, entitled scooter mode. A horizontal handlebar is positioned at the top of the combination and serves to steer the front wheel during scooter mode. Conversion between backpack mode and scooter mode is accomplished with the raising and lowering of said handlebar and the manipulation of releasable fasteners and latches. In both backpack and scooter modes, a cover circumferentially surrounds the combination scooter/backpack to secure and protect components that are not in use.
US07731199B2 Prize acquisition game apparatus
A prize acquisition game apparatus is provided which does not require the effort of replacing an interchangeable discharging port structure unit but rather has a discharging port the size of which can be easily changed.The prize acquisition game apparatus comprises: operation means which is operated by a player; a prize housing section for housing a plurality of prizes; prize acquiring means for acquiring a said prize; a discharging port which is formed in the prize housing section for discharging the prize from the prize housing section; control means for controlling the prize acquiring means to operate in response to an operation signal from the operation means; a discharged prize receiving section for receiving the prize discharged through the discharging port by the prize acquiring means which operates under the control of the control means; and sliding means for sliding a frame which is provided on the discharging port to change the size of the discharging port according to a distance the frame is slid.
US07731196B2 Tossed projectile game
A projectile having multiple openings for tossing onto a game field for encouraging and developing hand-eye coordination. The projectiles have plural fingers extending from a central hub of the projectile. The game field includes plural targets sized to fit within the projectile openings. Points are scored by using hand-eye coordination to toss the projectile so that it comes to rest on the field with one or more openings enclosing or partially enclosing a target or targets. This is a game that is safe and can be played indoors or outdoors by the entire family. The tossed projectile is designed to be lightweight and the targets are designed to minimize possible injury. The pegs can fold to a horizontal position in case of an accident.
US07731192B1 Balancing puzzle
The construction and balancing puzzle of the present invention utilizes multiple differently shaped parts which are assembled vertically on a stand to form particular designs. During the assembling or construction, the assembled parts must be balanced at all times. The basic puzzle piece is an injection molded cube and the remaining puzzle pieces are fabricated by joining several cubes together in a single plane. The stand or base includes a flat bottom to be supported on a table and the upper portion is made from two upwardly facing walls that are at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other to form a V. Each of the two walls of the base has a length that is preferably one and one-half times the length of the cube that makes the basic puzzle piece.
US07731191B2 Configurable manual controller
A configurable manual controller (10, 140) for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements (122) arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized shape and ornamental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.
US07731190B2 Gripper control system using a servo driven CAM and a method for use thereof
A gripper system for controlling the loading and unloading of sheets on a cylindrical sheet guide. The gripper system comprises one or more grippers, which are positioned at an outer edge of the cylindrical sheet guide. Each gripper is coupled to a cam follower. The gripper system further comprises a cam, which is configured for affecting the elevation of the gripper(s) by moving the cam follower(s), and a servomotor, which is adapted for steering the cam. A cam-gripper controller is provided for controlling the servomotor according to a current printing profile.
US07731187B2 Sheet medium adjustment apparatus and image formation system capable of sorting sheet media
A sheet medium adjustment apparatus, e.g., in an image forming system, includes: an ejector to eject a conveyed sheet; a stacking device to stack each sheet ejected from the sheet ejector into a stack on a tray; a moving device to shift the stacking device in a movement direction perpendicular to a sheet-ejecting direction; a sheet aligning member to align ends of the sheets in the stack that are parallel to the sheet-ejecting direction; a stepping motor to move the sheet aligning member; and an evacuation device to evacuate the aligning member by an amount representing an evacuation displacement in the movement direction at a timing of aligning the sheet, the evacuation displacement being determined adaptively according to at least one of an attribute of a given sheet in the stack, an attribute of the stack as a whole and an attribute of the tray.
US07731176B2 Sheet picking system for an imaging apparatus
A sheet picking system for picking a sheet of media includes a power source having a driveshaft. A first housing arm containing a drive gear is drivably coupled to the driveshaft. The drive gear defines a first pivot axis for the first housing arm, wherein the drive gear is driven by the driveshaft to rotate about the first pivot axis. A second housing arm contains an intermediate gear, a transmission device, and a pick roller. The transmission device is configured to rotatably couple the intermediate gear to the pick roller. The intermediate gear is positioned to be meshed with the drive gear. The intermediate gear defines a second pivot axis for the second housing arm. A link mechanism pivotably couples the first housing arm at the first pivot axis to the second housing arm at the second pivot axis.
US07731171B2 Paper feeding device and image forming apparatus
As one embodiment, a paper feeding device is provided with a pickup roller for pulling out an uppermost positioned sheet of loaded sheets, and a paper feeding roller for transporting the sheet pulled out by the pickup roller. Spanning between the pickup roller and the paper feeding roller, a roller belt is provided that is capable of moving relatively in a circumferential direction with respect to an outer circumferential surface of the paper feeding roller. The roller belt obtains rotational drive from the pickup roller.
US07731168B2 Aligning unit and image forming apparatus
An aligning unit is provided with a tray having a placing surface on which sheet-like transfer materials discharged with printing applied thereto are held stacked, a first restricting member movable back and forth along an advancing direction of the transfer material being discharged onto the tray while facing the front end of the transfer material with respect to the advancing direction, and a second restricting member for defining the rear end position of the transfer material with respect to the advancing direction. The transfer materials stacked on the tray are aligned by the first restricting member being moved back and forth along the advancing direction. The first restricting member includes a contact surface extending substantially vertically above the placing surface of the tray, and an inclined surface extending from the contact surface toward the placing surface and inclined downward along a direction opposite to the advancing direction.
US07731154B2 Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers
The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.
US07731149B2 Septic tank form
A casting mold including a first form having a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls defining a first casting space. The casting mold further including a second form having a base and a wall extending from the base to define a second casting space. The second form is stackable on the first form portion such that the first and second casting spaces can be filled with a casting material when the second form is on the first form. The second form includes a port defining access into the first casting space such that the casting material can be disposed into the first casting space through the port.
US07731145B2 Portable support method and apparatus
A portable manway cover handling apparatus and method comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway portal flange within portal flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.
US07731136B1 Combined IV bag and oxygen supporting pole and associated method
A multifunctional medical equipment supporting apparatus effectively includes a mobile frame, a telescopically adjustable shaft, and a concave base member with an annular outer circumference raised above a ground surface. Such a base member is statically affixed to the female member and spaced from the male member, and a plurality of casters are pivotally coupled to an underside of the base member and equidistantly juxtaposed along the outer circumference. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for receiving and maintaining an existing oxygen tank adjacently positioned to the frame such that the existing oxygen tank is automatically raised from an initial lowered position to an elevated position as an oxygen volume is depleted from the existing oxygen tank. A mechanism for conveniently receiving and suspending a plurality of existing intra-venous fluid-dispensing bags is located adjacent to a top portion of the frame.
US07731117B2 Webbing winding device
A webbing winding device includes a spool, a pair of leg plates, a torsion shaft, a first locking mechanism, a second locking mechanism, and a control mechanism. A webbing belt is wound onto the spool. The two leg plates oppose one another in an axial direction of the spool. The torsion shaft is provided passing through the spool and deforms when a torque is applied to the spool. The first locking mechanism, at the side of one of the leg plates, restricts rotation of the spool in an unwinding direction. The second locking mechanism, at the side of the other of the leg plates, switches from a lock-release state to a locking state, and restricts rotation of the torsion shaft in the unwinding direction. The control mechanism is provided passing through the spool and causes the second locking mechanism to switch into the locking state.
US07731112B2 Underside particle flap for shredder
Disclosed herein is a shredder having a closure located adjacent an output opening of a shredder housing that is selectively positioned to prevent shredded materials from being discharged from the output opening. The closure may be connected to the shredder housing, and the container may comprise a removable waste bin. The closure may be actuated via an actuator to a closed position in response to the container and the shredder housing being moved out of an operative position relative to each other, such as when the waste bin is being emptied. The closure may assist in reducing or eliminating waste from being distributed in or around the shredder.
US07731110B2 Method for making precipitated silica compositions and products thereof
A method of making abrasive compositions, and more particularly, it relates to a method of making precipitated silica abrasive compositions having excellent cleaning performance and lower abrasiveness with post-reactor sizing of the abrasive particles being performed directly via wet comminution and centrifugation, optionally followed by hydraulic chamber press filtering combined with vacuum dewatering and de-agglomeration is provided. By targeting a specific particle size range, it has been determined that higher pellicle film cleaning levels may be achieved without also increasing the dentin abrasion properties of the silica products themselves. As a result, dentifrices including such classified abrasive silica products, exhibiting particularly desirable cleaning benefits, can be provided for improved tooth polishing, whitening, and the like, without deleteriously affecting the hard tooth surfaces. Also encompassed within this invention also are products of this selective process scheme and dentifrices containing such particularly manufactured and classified silica products.
US07731082B2 Continuously wound reinforced container and method of making the same
A reinforced container assembly and method for making the same are provided. The reinforced container assembly comprises a fiberboard container and a first reinforcement strap. The fiberboard container has a lower portion and an upper portion. The first reinforcement strap wraps continuously around a periphery of the container a plurality of times in a spiraling manner from a starting point of the reinforcement strap to a terminating point of the reinforcement strap. The reinforcement strap physically connects to the container at a first location. The reinforcement strap is further physically connected to the container at second location. The reinforcement strap provides structural support to the fiberboard container to increase the strength of the container assembly.
US07731080B2 Anti-sifting polygonal carton
An anti-sifting polygonal carton stores granulated and powdered products. The carton starts as a single blank with four sections: a side, a front, a side, and a rear. The sides have a side panel with two flanking miter panels and two minor flaps. Each miter panel has two opposite miter flaps with embossing. The front has a front panel with a second major flap having a tear strip and an opposite second major lower flap having a crease. Separated from the front by a side, the rear has a rear panel having a miter tab opposite the side and a first major flap and an opposite first major lower flap. The fold lines continuous with the miter flaps and the miter tab are reinforced with tape or patches. The tear strip and top of the carton have a pattern of cuts to open and to reclose the carton.
US07731074B2 Portable, self-contained soldering system
A portable soldering system has a caddy collar atop the rim of a bucket and a torch, the flame end of which may heat the tip of a soldering iron. A gas canister, connected to the torch, protrudes from the bucket through a seating opening in the side wall of the bucket. A torch mount positions the torch and the gas canister. The caddy collar has a cradle that may seat the soldering iron.
US07731070B2 Method and device for applying a pressure roller to a goods guiding roller
A method and an apparatus are for applying a rotationally driven pressure roller (4) onto a rotationally driven goods guiding roller (3) in stretching equipment for thermoplastic films. The pressure roller (4) is advanced in the direction of the goods guiding roller (3) by at least one first pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (7) in such a manner so that after the advancement an axis-parallel remaining stroke exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then at least one second pressurizable piston-cylinder unit (8) operatively connected with the first piston-cylinder unit (7) carries out the remaining stroke, while maintaining the axis-parallelism, until a touching contact exists between the pressure roller (4) and the goods guiding roller (3). Then the pressure roller (4) becomes effective with a nominal pressing force onto the goods guiding roller (3).
US07731067B2 Device for the metered dispensation of a medium
A device for the dosed output of a medium from a container through an opening in an upper housing part. A valve piston tip is associated with said opening for the closing thereof. A piston surface, which is pressed against a spring, is adjacent to the valve piston tip and is used as part of a valve piston, which is sealingly guided in a piston chamber in the upper part of the housing and forms a filling chamber which is connected to the container, between the upper part of the housing and the opening.
US07731065B2 Closure member
A container or vial (1) for a fluid, the container (1) comprising a casing defining an interior for storage of the fluid and a closure member (2). The closure member (2) comprises a body and at least one resilient projection (7) to seal in a storage condition an outlet of the casing, wherein upon an increase in the pressure of the interior of the container (1) the at least one resilient projection (7) is deflected to accommodate outflow of fluid through the outlet. The pressure in the interior of the container (1) may be increased by displacing the closure member (2) into the container (1) or by displacing some other element such as a bung (61, 82) into the container (1). The container (1) and closure member (2) may be used in a dispenser (90) and the closure element may be used in a valve (110).
US07731056B2 Dispenser assembly for dispensing gloves including a cartridge and a dispenser with a glove pusher
A dispenser for dispensing gloves is provided which includes a housing having an exit port, the housing also formed to include a compartment which is configured to hold a plurality of gloves therein. The dispenser includes a glove pusher movably coupled to the housing. At least a portion of the glove pusher is configured to move within the compartment of the housing and push at least a portion of a glove disposed in the compartment through the exit port. A cartridge configured to be disposed into a compartment of a dispenser is disclosed. The cartridge is formed to permit a portion of a dispenser to move into the internal compartment of the cartridge to move at least one of the plurality of gloves at least partially through the at least one opening in the cartridge. A dispensing assembly also may include a stack of gloves or a cartridge containing a plurality of gloves. A method of using a glove dispenser is also provided.
US07731053B2 Self righting container
A self righting container having a hollow and generally spherical shape and an eccentrically weighted ballast and a method of using the container. Upon rotation or other movement of the container, the weighted ballast urges the container to return to a predetermined orientation, typically determiner such that a container opening would be positioned at a desired location. The weighted ballast may further comprise a magnet such that metallic objects may be contained within the interior of the container and may even be retained in a particular orientation as determined by the magnetic forces. As the container is a highly desirable device, especially for office locations, graphical or advertising material may be imprinted on at least one portion of its outer surface for the purpose of providing advertising or promotion.
US07731042B2 Closure with hinged lid and stress relief recesses
A closure is provided for a container opening. The closure includes a body for mounting to the container and a lid movable between a closed position and an open position. The lid and body are connected by a bistable, snap-action hinge structure having a web between two hinges. Stress-relief recesses are provided at an end edge of either the body hinge or the lid hinge or both.
US07731030B2 Suppository delivery device
A suppository delivery device that allows for the insertion of a suppository without having contact with the suppository or rectum. The suppository delivery device includes a stabilizer to which the suppository is mounted, and a package, which protects the user's hands and fingers from the suppository and rectum and prevents germs from contacting the suppository before being inserted into the rectum.
US07731018B2 Rotary gatherer with collapsible pins
A rotary gatherer has drums for delivering printed sheet materials and a conveyor having a conveyor chain and a first pin and a second pin connected to the chain and defining a pocket for receiving the printed sheet materials from the drums. The first pin may include a first section movable horizontally and vertically along a predetermined path with respect to the conveyor chain when subjected to a vertical force. A conveyor, a pin and a related method also are disclosed.
US07731016B2 Outfeed mechanism for starwheel type glass inspection machine
A bottle inspection machine is disclosed which has a starwheel feeder and an outfeed mechanism for receiving bottles from the starwheel feeder. The outfeed mechanism has an inner belt conveyor which has a pickoff wheel adjacent the starwheel feeder and a second wheel. At least one drive belt is supported by the pickoff and second wheels for defining a linear outfeed belt portion. The outfeed mechanism also has an outer serpentine belt conveyor which has an idler wheel located radially inwardly from the pick off wheel which defines an opening for receiving a bottle displaced by the starwheel feeder and a third wheel. At least one flexible serpentine belt is supported by the idler and third wheels which are located to define a location where a bottle will be discharged from the outfeed mechanism. The serpentine belt is sufficiently flexible so that a bottle displaced into the opening between the pickoff and idler wheels will be conveyed by the serpentine and inner belts with the serpentine belt changing its configuration as the bottle is conveyed to the discharge location.
US07731008B2 Global till
A cash drawer insert is disclosed which includes a paper currency receiving and storage area and a coin receiving and storage area, each of which can be selectively reconfigured to accommodate paper currencies and coins of a wide variety of sizes, shapes, dimension and denominations. Each of these areas is provided with opposed ribbed walls that are adapted to removably receive the ends of divider partitions having locking tabs and locking toggles that secure to such dividers at any desired transverse location. Bill weights having mounting flanges with locking tabs for selective placement along a rearwall of the till as well as a pivotable auxiliary paper currency tray that permits storage of two different paper currencies in a single paper currency compartment are also disclosed.
US07731005B2 Lock-up clutch mechanism for torque converter
The present invention provides a lock-up clutch mechanism for a torque converter, in which a plurality of friction materials are arranged concentrically in a radial direction and adjacent friction materials are integrally connected to each other.
US07730994B2 Acoustic panel and manufacturing method
An acoustic panel (1) has a recess (8) extending part or all way down to a facing (7). A panel loudspeaker (11) may be fixed in the recess or a water sprinkler (14) or other device may be mounted in or above the recess.
US07730992B1 Off road heavy duty transmission/transfer case mount
A mounting unit is mounted to the frame cross member of a vehicle. The mounting unit includes a bottom unit which is bolted to the frame cross member and a top unit which is bolted to the transmission/transfer case adapter. The top and bottom units are bolted to one another. The mounting unit allows the motor, transmission, and transfer case to move freely with respect to each other during hard use conditions, including extreme four-wheeling, without damaging the mounting unit.
US07730985B2 Motorcycle with battery mounting arrangement
A motorcycle includes a motorcycle body, which incorporates a frame. An engine is supported by the motorcycle body. The engine includes a cylinder block and a crank case. An exhaust pipe communicates with the engine and has a portion that extends along a side of the engine. A battery is located above an upper surface of the crank case of the engine and to the rear of the cylinder block. The portion exhaust pipe extending along the side of the engine is located to a side of the battery and a heat shield plate is positioned between the exhaust pipe and the battery.
US07730974B2 Self actuating underreamer
An underreamer for well drilling comprises pivotally extendible roller cutters that extend slightly beyond the diameter of the pilot drill bit but are retained in their retracted position by the casing. Upon encountering an obstruction, the underreamer is pushed out of the casing, allowing the outer edges of the cutters to contact the obstruction. Continued downward pressure of the drill stem causes the roller arms to pivot outward to a fully extended position in which the cutters enlarge the hole to a diameter larger than the casing by rotation of the drilling stem. The advance of the casing relative to the underreamer forces the cutters to retract into the casing.
US07730972B2 Downhole turbine
In one aspect of the present invention, a drill bit has a jack element that is substantially coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drill bit and the jack element has an asymmetrical distal end that extends beyond a working face of the drill bit. A turbine is located within a bore formed in the drill bit and a flow valve is actuated by the turbine. The flow valve is adapted to route a drilling fluid in the bore into a porting mechanism adapted to extend the jack element farther beyond the working surface of the drill bit. The turbine is also adapted to rotate the jack element at variable speeds.
US07730971B2 Tension/collar/reamer assemblies and methods
The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.
US07730956B2 Downhole pressure balanced electrical connections
Pressure balanced downhole connections. A well system includes a well tool, a conduit assembly connected to the well tool, the conduit assembly including a conduit and a line positioned within the conduit, the line being connected to the well tool for operation of the well tool, and a device for equalizing pressure between an interior and an exterior of the conduit, the device being positioned downhole. A method of isolating a line in a subterranean well from well fluids in the well includes the steps of: connecting a conduit assembly to a device for equalizing pressure between an interior and an exterior of the conduit assembly, the conduit assembly including a line installed within a conduit; and positioning the conduit assembly and pressure equalizing device in the well.
US07730952B2 Hydraulic fracturing methods using cross-linking composition comprising zirconium triethanolamine complex
A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation comprises introducing into the formation a cross-linking composition which comprises a zirconium triethanolamine complex, a tetra(hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediamine, water, a cross-linkable organic polymer, and optionally, a polyol. The method can be used for cross-linking organic polymers over a wide range of pH. By varying the composition and optionally adding a delay agent, the method provides flexibility in rate of cross-linking.
US07730951B2 Methods of initiating intersecting fractures using explosive and cryogenic means
Methods and systems that utilize explosive and cryogenic means to establish fluid communication to areas away from the well bore walls are disclosed. A first fracture is induced in the subterranean formation. The first fracture is initiated at about a fracturing location and the initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. Explosives are then used to induce a second fracture in the subterranean formation. The second fracture is initiated at about the fracturing location and the initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.
US07730944B2 Multi-function completion tool
A multi-functional completion tool which may be lowered into a wellbore coupled to a length of tubing, and then utilized to test various lengths of the tubing at pressure. The tool may also function as a positive plug and may also be used to set the packer, and is also useable as a tubing self-filling tool. Various retention elements are disposed within the tool and configured to release at predetermined pressures, or within predetermined ranges of pressure, thereby transforming the tool from a first configuration to a second configuration depending on the desired function. The tool may also contain a pressure-regulating assembly for regulating the differential pressure across the assembly. The tool may also include an indicator assembly for confirming that the tool has entered a plugging configuration, typically by altering a pressure within the tubing, such alteration being detectible at a surface location.
US07730935B1 Hydronic system control for heating and cooling
A control system for controlling delivery of either heated or cooled water over a common water line to a plurality of heat exchangers. The control system includes a hydronic system controller which polls the heating or cooling demands of zone controllers controlling the respective delivery of water to the individual heat exchangers. The hydronic system controller is operative to implement a changeover between delivery of heated water to delivery cooled water or vice versa. The implemented changeover preferably includes checking the temperature of the water being returned to the source or sources for heating or cooling the water as well as defining a changeover time period which must occur in the event that the temperature of the water in the return line is not within a predefined range.
US07730923B2 Adjustable hanging apparatus for blind valances
An adjustable hanging apparatus for blind valances is provided. The hanging apparatus includes a hanging device and a mounting device. The hanging device has a hook, which can be slidably hooked over a headrail. In addition, a base of the hanging device has an opening. The opening is disposed with two resilient mounting plates, and each mounting plate has a plurality of troughs. A neck portion is formed therebetween the mounting plates. The mounting device has a joint portion, which can engage with the valance. Also, a jam portion passes through the neck portion and mounted therein. Positioning flanges can be engaged with the troughs of the mounting plates so as to limit the vertical movement of the mounting device, and the mounting device can be inserted through the opening in the vertical direction of any positions to adjust the valance to desired positions.
US07730922B2 Apparatus and method for automatically fabricating tape with threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces
Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.
US07730914B2 Feeding mechanism for a woodworking machine
A feeding mechanism is adapted for use with a woodworking machine. The feeding mechanism includes a rail unit adapted to be disposed on two sides of a worktable, a feeding unit, and a press roller unit. The feeding unit includes a slidable body adapted to extend across the worktable and disposed slidably on the rail unit, two spaced apart rollers disposed on the slidable body, a belt component trained on the rollers, and a driving component for driving the rollers to rotate along with the belt component. The press roller unit is adapted to extend slidably across the worktable and includes a slidable seat disposed slidably on the rail unit, a press roller connected pivotally to the slidable seat, and a resilient component adapted for biasing the press roller to press the workpiece against the feeding unit.
US07730901B2 Hydrant roof mount
A system for securing a hydrant to a roof of a building is provided that includes a hydrant support that rigidly interconnects to the roof deck. In addition, a method of sealingly interconnecting a standpipe of the hydrant to the hydrant support is provided wherein a plurality of seals are employed. In order to enhance the seal provided between the standpipe and a hydrant support, a boot may be used that covers the interface between the standpipe and the hydrant support.
US07730898B2 Semiconductor wafer lifter
A novel semiconductor wafer lifter is disclosed for handling wafers during wet bench processing. In particular, the lifter has a plurality of holes formed in its vertical support surface to allow cleaning or rinsing fluid to flow through the vertical support instead of around its sides. These holes facilitates a constant flow of fluid across the wafer during recirculation of the tank contents during etching and rinsing operations, thus ensuring more even etching of all wafers and minimizing the deposition of particulate matter on wafer surfaces.
US07730893B2 Electromagnetic radiation therapy
An electromagnetic radiation therapy system comprises means for emitting divergent electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 950 and 1500 nm and being capable of producing, at the site being treated, a radiation intensity of at least 50 μWatts/cm2. Also disclosed are the use of the system for treating various conditions and the method of applying the treatment.
US07730891B2 Intraoral mandibular advancement device for treatment of sleep disorders
An intraoral mandibular advancement device to treat sleep disorders in a user having an obstructed airway includes a maxillary appliance with a main body for removable attachment to the maxillary teeth; a protrusive element distending from the central portion of the main body; and retention means extending from the main body for retention of the device on the maxillary teeth during sleep. A mandibular appliance removably attaches to the mandibular anterior teeth and includes a lingual spacer that extends posteriorly from the mandibular anterior teeth. The anterior aspect of the protrusive element of the maxillary appliance contacts the posterior edge of the lingual space and thereby causes mandibular advancement.
US07730889B1 Fallopian tube occlusion system
An implantable sterilization device may include a ring having an inner diameter, a core slidable through the inner diameter of the ring, and a tissue securing element, at least part of which is positioned between the ring and the core. A method of closing a fallopian tube may include providing a closure system including a handle, a flexible shaft connected to the handle, and a sterilization device detachably connected to the flexible shaft, inserting the flexible shaft into the lumen of the fallopian tube and advancing the flexible shaft into the lumen; compressing a portion of the wall of the fallopian tube with the sterilization device to secure the sterilization device relative to the fallopian tube, blocking the lumen of the fallopian tube with the sterilization device; and separating the sterilization device from the tube.
US07730886B2 Determination of patency of the airway
Methods and apparatus for determining the occurrence of an apnea, patency and/or partial obstruction of the airway are disclosed. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by calculating the variance of the air flow signal over a moving time window and comparing the variance with a threshold value. One determination of partial obstruction of the airway is performed by detecting the inspiratory part of the air flow signal, scaling it to unity duration and area and calculating an index value of the amplitude of the scaled signal over a mid-portion. Alternatively, the index value is a measure of the flatness of the air flow signal over the mid-portion. One determination of patency of the airway is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating the magnitude of the component of said air flow signal at the known frequency induced by the oscillatory pressure waveform and comparing the calculated magnitude with a threshold value. Alternatively, the air flow signal is analysed to detect the presence of a component due to cardiogenic activity.
US07730884B2 Diving apparatus
A diving apparatus includes a support structure (18) that is engageable with a diver's head, the support structure (18) defining a lens opening (262) and an equalization opening (104). A lens (26) is mounted on the support structure (18) to close the lens opening (262) so that the support structure (18) and the lens (26) define a breathing space (30) from which the diver can be supplied with air. A sealing arrangement is positioned on the support structure (18) sealingly to engage the diver's face so that the breathing space (30) is substantially airtight. An equalization assembly (106) is mounted on the support structure (18) to close the equalization opening (104). The equalization assembly (106) includes an access means to permit the diver to gain access to his or her nose so that the diver can carry out an equalization procedure. A gas supply arrangement is in fluid communication with the breathing space (30).
US07730860B2 Actuator control apparatus and method
An actuator control apparatus includes: an actuator that changes a state amount of an internal combustion engine; a sensor that detects an actual operation position of the actuator; a controller that controls the actuator to bring the actual operation position of the actuator to a target operation position set based on the operation state of the internal combustion engine; and a diagnosis portion that diagnoses the operation state of the actuator to be normal if the deviation between the target operation position and the actual operation position has been small for a predetermined time period and the amount by which the target operation position has changed in the predetermined time period is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. A method for controlling such an actuator control apparatus is also provided.
US07730858B2 Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves
Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.
US07730850B2 Surface rotation speed detection in spray systems
A spray application system for applying material to a surface of a rotating body such as a beverage can includes a detector that detects the actual speed of rotation of the surface during a spraying operation. This allows a controller to adjust trigger signals for the application device to be adjusted based on speed of rotation to minimize overcoat. A laser sensor may be used as an example. The use of the speed detector also allows for partial wraps as well as full wraps of applying material to the rotating surface.
US07730837B2 Initiator including a zone of weakness
The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.
US07730836B2 Method of aligning a printing plate against a stop
A reliable method of aligning a printing plate against a stop includes moving the printing plate and the stop relative to each other, detecting temperature changes occurring at a temperature sensor connected to the stop, when the printing plate comes into contact with the stop, deriving signals indicating the position of the printing plate relative to the stop from the signals of the temperature sensor, and deriving a signal indicating the thermal conductivity between the printing plate and the stop from a speed of change of the temperature sensor signal. A signal indicating incorrect alignment of the printing plate against the stop is output if the thermal conductivity drops below a predetermined threshold.
US07730834B2 Printing apparatus and device manufacturing method
The printing apparatus, presented herein, comprises a patterning device having a curved member that supports a stamp on its surface. The curved member is adapted to roll over a substrate to be printed on to transfer the pattern onto the substrate. An illumination system directs light onto the region of the substrate that is being printed in order to set a layer of resist, which has been sprayed onto the substrate. The light is directed via a pattern that is made on the surface of the stamp, thereby transferring the pattern to the substrate.
US07730811B2 Clamping and cutting apparatus with interchangeable heads
An interchangeable head system for tools is provided. The system includes a pair of handles connected at a pivot point. Each handles has two generally parallel walls forming a space therebetween, and a moveable pin attached therethrough. The pin is non-removably attached to one of the walls. A plurality of heads interchangeably connected at the pivot point. Each heads includes two components and each component includes two contact surfaces. The movable pin facilitates securing the head to the handle. The handles are designed to be squeezed together to thereby allow the contact surfaces to move towards one another.
US07730808B2 Ceramic blades and fabrication methods thereof
Ceramic blades and fabrication methods thereof. A ceramic blade comprises a ceramic body having two sides and an edge. A coating layer is applied on the two sides and the edge, wherein the ceramic body is formed using a scraper to create substantially flat surface and to prevent residual stress damage.
US07730790B2 Shear test device
Shear test apparatus for gold and solder balls of a semi-conductor substrate comprises a support element (21) on which is provided a piezo electric crystal (24) in the direct shear load path. The crystal (24) may have a shield (25). The interface between shield and crystal, and crystal and support element may include an epoxy resin layer to distribute force and retain the components as a unit.
US07730788B2 Method of measuring the retention force of a biomedical specimen in the form of an electrically conductive structure located on a carrier
A method of measuring the retention force of a biomedical specimen coupled to a carrier includes the measurement of the force required for magnetically decoupling the specimen from the carrier. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing the specimen with an electrically conductive structure; creating an external alternating magnetic field near the specimen; increasing the amplitude and/or frequency of the magnetic field; detecting the start of the movement of the specimen on the carrier; and calculating the retention force of the specimen by determining the applied magnetic force on the basis of the parameters of the magnetic field. In other embodiments, the magnetic field may remain constant and the biomedical specimen may be moved through the field at varying speeds.
US07730782B2 Sensor device
A sensor device includes a time determining part that determines time point information, and adds the time point information to the output supplied from a part subjected to failure diagnosis and related to generation of a failure detection signal, and to the output related to generation of a sense signal. With this structure, the failure detection signal is correlated with the sense signal by the time point information. Alternatively, the sensor device includes an output circuit that correlates the failure detection signal with the sense signal supplied at the same time point as the failure detection signal, and outputs both signals using a time division method.
US07730778B2 Filling level and/or limit level measuring device with flexible connecting piece
The invention relates to a filling level and/or limit level measuring device having a transmitting and/or receiving device (2) for producing an oscillation or for receiving an oscillation and furnishing a corresponding reception signal, an oscillating element (11) that is coupled to the transmitting and/or receiving device, and a flexible connecting piece (8) that is situated in an area between the transmitting and/or receiving device (2) and the oscillating element (11), wherein the flexible connecting piece (8) is made of a hose-shaped and metallic element (14) or has a hose-shaped metallic element (14) in its longitudinal extension.
US07730775B2 Characterization of liquid, water and/or moisture transport properties of fabrics
A transplanar liquid transport tester for fabrics, comprising a liquid reservoir; a liquid-permeable support member having a first surface for supporting a fabric test sample, and a second surface for interfacing with liquid in the liquid reservoir; and means for maintaining a constant hydrostatic pressure in the liquid reservoir at the second surface of the support member for replenishing liquid through the support member to the first surface during testing.
US07730774B2 Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements
Tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore using real time temperature measurements. A method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature in real time in the wellbore; and observing in real time a variation in temperature gradient between fluid compositions in the wellbore. Another method of tracking fluid displacement along a wellbore includes the steps of: monitoring temperature along the wellbore; and observing a variation in temperature gradient due to a chemical reaction in the wellbore. Another method includes the step of causing a variation in temperature gradient in the fluid while the fluid flows in the wellbore.
US07730752B2 Theft prevention apparatus for leisure vehicle
A theft prevention apparatus for a leisure vehicle including a portable device, a lock device, a lock operation stopper member, a pull-out operation stopper member, a lock operation restricting actuator, a pull-out operation restricting actuator, and a controller including a memory, a receiver, and a processing unit configured to control the lock operation restricting actuator to cause a lock operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a protruded operation and a retracted operation of a lock bar are disabled to the position where the protruded operation and the retracted operation are enabled and to control the pull-out operation restricting actuator to cause a pull-out operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a pull-out operation of the mechanical key is disabled to the position where the pull-out operation of the mechanical key is enabled, when the user identification codes match.
US07730751B2 Locking device with passage
A lock device for use with a key is disclosed. The lock device includes a locking spindle including a plurality of locking spindle bores and a passage extending axially along an axial length of the locking spindle, and a driver structure including a plurality of driver structure bores. An interface between the driver structure and the locking spindle forms a shear line. The lock device also includes a plurality of combination pins in the plurality of locking spindle bores, and a plurality of driver pins in the driver structure bores in the driver structure, the plurality of driver pins being respectively associated with the plurality of combination pins.
US07730743B2 Gem setting having grooved channel walls and methods of setting gems
A gem setting for gemstones includes a channel with walls having grooves for holding a portion of a gem girdle, such that when a gem having a crown is set into the channel, the upper portion of the groove extends over the crown of the gem. The upper part of the channel above the groove can be permanently bent or rolled over the crown of the gem to secure the gem in the ring channel. A method of setting a gem in the channel includes inserting the gem girdle in the grooves, without permanently bending the channel walls, until the gem is positioned within the channel such that if the gem and ring together are placed in an upside down position, the gem will not fall out of the channel. Next, the upper part of each channel is permanently bent over the crown of the gem, to thereby secure the gem in the channel.
US07730738B2 Cool air supply duct of refrigerator
A cool air supply duct of a refrigerator includes a vertical duct unit installed in a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator so that the length of the vertical duct unit can be adjusted in the vertical direction; and horizontal duct units installed on the vertical duct unit so that the length of the horizontal duct unit can be adjusted in the horizontal direction and provided with cool air discharge holes formed therethrough for discharging cool air. Since the cool air discharge holes are changed to positions desired by a user, the cool air supply duct cools a designated space of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator to a temperature lower or higher than those of other spaces, thus increasing convenience in using the cool air supply duct and improving the cooling efficiency of the cool air supply duct.
US07730733B2 Apparatus and method of summing capacities of outdoor units in multiple air conditioner
An apparatus for summing capacities of outdoor units in a multiple air conditioner comprises self-capacity storage devices mounted in outdoor units, respectively, for storing self-capacities of the outdoor units and outputting the self-capacities of the outdoor units when necessary, an outdoor unit capacity summing part mounted in one outdoor unit of the outdoor units for receiving the capacities of the outdoor units outputted from the respective self-capacity storage devices to calculate the total capacity of all the outdoor units, and a control device for receiving the result of the calculation performed by the outdoor unit capacity summing part to control the operation of the multiple air conditioner. The possibility of incorrect input of the capacities of the outdoor units is eliminated, and therefore, more accurate control of the multiple air conditioner is accomplished. Furthermore, it is not necessary for an engineer or a user to directly input the capacities of the outdoor units, and therefore, user convenience is improved.
US07730720B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus regeneration system of internal combustion engine
There is provided a technology that enables, in an exhaust gas purification apparatus regeneration system of an internal combustion engine, to prevent the remaining fuel quantity from decreasing to an unduly small quantity during execution of regeneration control for regenerating the exhaust gas purification ability of the exhaust gas purification apparatus by supplying fuel to the exhaust gas purification apparatus. The system of the invention has command device capable of being operated by a driver for sending a regeneration execution command to cause regeneration control execution device to execute the regeneration control and notification device for notifying the driver to prompt the driver to send the regeneration execution command to the regeneration control execution device through the command device. Time of notification by said notification device is controlled so that it is prevented that the regeneration execution command is sent to said regeneration control execution device by said command device while notification is given to the driver by said notification device and the quantity of remaining fuel becomes equal to or lower than a specified remaining quantity during execution of the regeneration control executed in response to the regeneration execution command.
US07730713B2 Gas turbine power plant
Provided is a gas turbine power plant in which a rotor of a generator is journalled by water lubrication bearings into which a part of cooling water for cooling the generator is fed. Since the lubrication water has a viscosity lower than that of lubrication oil, it is possible to provide a gas turbine power plant with less energy loss resulting in lower power consumption for accessories, and in high power generation efficiency.
US07730710B2 Strap with articulated links
Said strap with articulated links, in particular for a watch, comprises at least three adjacent rows of links offset from one adjacent row to another, in which at least one friction surface (3, 13, 23-163) of each joint is made of a material of which the hardness is >800 HV. Said bearing surface (3, 13, 23-163) is in contact with at least one joint element (5, 15, 25-165) having at least one friction surface made of a second material selected from the following materials: ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, amorphous carbon, stainless steel without nickel, cobalt alloy, gold or gold alloy, platinum or platinum alloy, platinoid or platinoid alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, capable of reducing the frictional wear with the friction surface (3, 13, 23-163).
US07730704B2 Agricultural press
An agricultural press has material receiver for picking up a swath of crop material from the ground and delivering it to the press chamber. A material hold-down device extends over the material receiver and is mounted for vertical movement relative to the material receiver. During normal operation the hold-down device moves over a first range of movement in response to changing swath thicknesses. If a material jam should nevertheless arise, the material hold-down device can be moved in total or in part, either mechanically or manually, over an second range of movement in addition to the first range of movement in order to be able to liberate the wedged material.
US07730703B1 Modular disc cutterbar
A disc cutter module mounting structure for an agricultural header that enables one or more disc cutter modules and interconnection spacers to be temporarily laterally displaced a distance sufficient to disengage the transverse drive apparatus from a failed module thereby allowing the failed module to be removed from the header for repair or replacement. The laterally displaced modules and spacers need only be disconnected from the outboard drive shaft; lateral displacement is accomplished by the incorporation of slotted mounting guides on the spacers and a plurality of spaced-apart support tabs on the header frame. The mounting structure also supports the modules and spacers during the removal/replacement process reducing the need for jacks to support modules as they are being repositioned on the header.
US07730699B2 Packaging machine for lollipops and other confectionery
Packaging machine for packaging lollipops provided with a stick and a head in a film/foil sheet, comprising a rotatably driven drum having a series of lollipop holders thereon, the drum furthermore being provided with a series of film/foil folding means for folding a respective film/foil sheet around the head around a longitudinal center axis substantially parallel to the stick, the device furthermore comprising a series of twisters for twisting a film/foil tube section protruding in the longitudinal direction of the lollipop head while continuing to clamp the lollipop head and while the drum continues to rotate.
US07730688B2 Corner tie bracket for use with insulated concrete form systems
A corner bracket member for use in an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) corner block or other form assembly having a pair of opposed inner and outer spaced apart panels for receiving concrete therebetween, the corner bracket member including at least a pair of side members, each side member having at least a pair of spaced apart flange members adapted for receiving and anchoring exterior facade or other surfaces thereto, and at least one concrete engaging member positioned and located so as to extend in a direction completely across the space formed by and between the inner and outer panels associated with the ICF corner block. The side members and flange members of the corner bracket member are encapsulated within one of the inner and outer panels and the at least one concrete engaging member includes a terminal end portion which is encapsulated within the other of the inner and outer panels when attached thereto.
US07730685B1 Mortar and debris collection system for masonry cavity walls
A mortar and debris collection device for insertion into lower portions of a cavity defined between outer and inner wall structures of a masonry cavity wall employs two relatively rigid mat elements each designed to permit moisture to pass readily therethrough. Bottom edge regions of the two mat elements are hinge connected to permit the mat elements to be folded into closely overlying relationship.
US07730684B1 Weep venting system for masonry walls
A system for venting moisture from wall and building structures, especially masonry walls constructed from masonry elements such as of brick, block, stone, faux stone or the like, without weakening the wall or building structure, utilizes open matrix weep vent members that are fabricated, for example from a mass of intertwined and intertangled polymeric filaments that are bonded at a plurality of intersections thereby to form one-piece or unit-handled weep vent members that preferably are inserted in place of mortar at spaced locations along horizontally extending mortar joints between rows of bricks, blocks or other masonry wall elements. Weep vent members that embody the present invention have wider portions at their rearward or intake end regions, and narrower portions at their forward or discharge end regions, with a preferred form characterized by a generally trapezoidal shape that helps to retain the weep vent members in their associated mortar joints, and that provide a funnel-like ducting of moisture from their relatively wider rear end regions toward their relatively narrower forward end regions.
US07730680B2 Modular monolithic bulkhead panel
A modular monolithic metal framed bulkhead panel having an outer frame, an inner frame, a non-metallic composite panel, a panel seal, and a frame seal common to a panel-bulkhead structure interface.
US07730673B2 Window well assembly
A window well assembly for buildings and the like include at least a first well unit and a second well unit each having opposite first and second flanges at opposite ends of a retaining wall of each unit for securing the well units to a sub-grade foundation of the building. Preferably, the assembly has a plurality of releasable spacer couplings that are mated and carried between well units when the assembly is in a stored state, and has indexing features that are mated and carried between well units when the assembly is in an assembled state.
US07730671B2 Sliding louvered doors
The present invention is a pair of sliding louvered doors consisting of first and second louvered doors. Each of the louvered doors has a frame consisting of a pair of vertical stiles, each stile having a front face and a rear face and a plurality of louvers mounted between the stiles. The doors are mounted to an elongated head member having two parallel support tracks, each louvered door being suspended on a different track such that the first louvered door is mounted parallel to and in front of the second louvered door. The two louvered doors are separated from each other by a distance such that the rear face of the stiles of the first door faces the front face of the stiles of the second door. The louvers of the first door are mounted to the stiles of the first door such that a portion of the louvers extend beyond the front face of the stiles and the louvers do not extend substantially beyond the rear face of the stiles. Finally, the louvers of the second door are mounted to the stiles of the second door such that a portion of the louvers extend beyond the rear face of the stiles and the louvers do not extend substantially beyond the front face of the stiles of the second door.
US07730667B2 Stackable plant pot
A plant pot (1) which, in use, is adapted to be stacked with one or more similar plant pots, the plant pot comprising: (a) cavity (5) including a water reservoir region (7) and a soil holding region (6) located above the reservoir region (7); (b) separation means (10) adapted to separate the reservoir region (7) from the soil holding region (6); (c) an overflow outlet (8) in the reservoir region (7) adapted to enable excess water to flow out the reservoir region (7).
US07730662B2 Soil stabilizer carrier
A method for applying a soil stabilizer, to soil wherein the soil stabilizer is intermixed, impregnated, and/or applied to solid carriers.
US07730661B2 Double-ended fishing leader with free-sliding hook(s)
A leader and fish hook combination has eyes or loops formed at both ends of the leader so that the leader can be attached to the fishing line with either the one eye or the other. The fish hook, or more than one fish hook, has the leader threaded through the eye end of the fish hook. The leader passes through the eye of each hook, but is not tied to it, leaving the hook free to slide along the leader. Fastened one way, the hook is presented outward, and if fastened or tied off the other way, the hook presented inward. In that orientation, the lower eye projects over the hook portion so the rig serves as a weedless hook.
US07730659B1 Fish lure with horn-shaped appendages
A fish lure constructed of an elongated curvelinear cylindrical body that has a front end and a rear end, two horn-shaped appendages each emanating from the front end of the cylindrical body at 180° apart with horn openings facing the front end, and two horn-shaped appendages each emanating from the rear end of the cylindrical body at 180° apart with horn openings facing the front end.
US07730658B1 Fishing lure with improved tail
A soft plastic fishing lure has an integrally formed body and a thin, relatively long, highly flexible tail portion that combine to form a hybrid worm/tube lure. The body portion is a closed-end tubular body and the tail portion is tapered and concave in cross-section along its entire length. The concave cross-sectional area, which generally has a greater thickness of material at its apex than at its lower edge, is effective for capturing water and giving a lifelike appearance to the tail regardless of angler skill or how the lure is rigged, weighted and fished. The fishing lure may be formed so that it has two colors, with one color forming substantially a stripe on the tail portion. Contrasting flakes may be added to either color.
US07730652B2 Wear assembly
In a wear assembly for securing wear members to excavating equipment, a spool is used with a wedge to hold the wear member in place. The spool is formed with at least one laterally extending arm at its upper end in lieu of an axial arm such as used in a conventional C-shaped spool. In this way, the spool can be easily supported in the assembly as the wedge is installed. The spool does not fall through the opening and no special care is needed to prevent it from falling. The spool also holds itself in place when the wedge is driven into the passage. As a result, installation of the wear assembly is easier and less hazardous. In addition, the lateral support reduces the risk that the spool will suffer spreading.
US07730645B2 Dredge cutterhead
An assembly for mounting an excavating tooth particularly suited for a dredge cutterhead includes a base, an adapter, and a lock. The base includes a convex, curved bearing surface that abuts a concave, curved bearing surface on the adapter. The curved bearing surfaces are able to maintain substantially full contact with each other under transverse loading. The undersurface of the base is formed with a groove to improve the strength and durability of the weld.
US07730644B2 Snowplow with pivoting sideblades
The left and right sideblades are hinged to the mainblade about vertical axes, and can pivot each through 180°. The sideblades are rotated by means of left and right hydraulic rotary actuators. The actuator includes a piston formed with helical splines, which drive a rotor sleeve of the actuator to rotate in a single-plane-circle when the piston is driven axially. The journal bearings in the rotary actuator are supplemented by bearings provided in a coaxial lower hinge, which are of much greater journal capacity than the bearings in the rotary actuators. The lower hinge protects the hydraulic rotary actuator from shocks due to the sideblade impacting against a kerb. A wheel-protection link blocks the sideblade from contacting the wheel of the vehicle.
US07730639B2 Engaging element useful for securing objects, such as footwear and other foot-receiving devices
Engaging elements may be included in foot-receiving devices, such as footwear, bindings, clips, or the like. Such elements may include a bimodal spring member movable between two independent stable positions and an arm that moves in response to the bimodal spring member changing between its stable positions. The engaging elements additionally may include a retaining element extending from the arm and/or an arm/bimodal spring interface that induces changes in position of the arm in response to the bimodal spring member changing its stable position. The bimodal spring member, the arm, the retaining element, and/or the arm/bimodal spring interface may form an integral unit. Additionally, methods of engaging a foot-receiving device with a user's foot are disclosed. Such methods may include: (a) orienting a bimodal spring member in a first stable position to place a foot-engaging portion of the foot-receiving device in a foot-accepting position, and (b) moving the bimodal spring member from the first stable position to a second stable position to move the foot-engaging portion of the foot-receiving device to a foot-engaging position.
US07730636B2 Cleated article of footwear and method of manufacture
A cleated article of footwear includes a chassis assembly having a sole plate having a plurality of bosses extending from a lower surface thereof. A heel counter extends upwardly from a heel portion of the sole plate. An outer assembly is secured to the chassis assembly and includes a sole portion and an upper secured to the sole portion. A plurality of cleats extends downwardly from a lower surface of the sole portion. Each of a plurality of apertures extends downwardly into a corresponding cleat and receives a boss.
US07730635B2 Impact-attenuation members and products containing such members
Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
US07730633B2 Agricultural-product production with heat and moisture recovery and control
A method and apparatus for agricultural product production with heat and moisture recovery and control. Some embodiments transfer heat and moisture from a warm, moist exhaust air stream to incoming agricultural material, steam condition the material, pelletize the material into warm pellets, cool the warm pellets with make-up air to produce the warm, moist exhaust air used to transfer heat to the incoming material and to produce cooled pellets, wherein the cooled pellets are at a temperature lower than the warm moist air. In some embodiments, the system includes counter-flow devices to transfer heat and moisture. In some embodiments, a controller is used to adjust system devices and overall system flow. In some embodiments a water sprayer, to moisten agricultural product when the product is over dry, and an air flow controller, to slow air flow through the pellet dryer/cooler when ambient temperatures are dryer/cooler, are provided.
US07730629B2 Surgical depth instrument
A depth gauge for measuring the depth of a hole in a bone is disclosed having a digital readout for providing the measurement to a surgeon. The depth gauge has a probe with a tip inserted into and positioned proximate to the depth the hole, and has a reference member adjustably positioned relative the probe and against the bone proximate the hole. A measuring device is provided with the depth gauge for measuring the relative distance between the tip and the reference member, and the measuring device has a large, digital display for providing the relative distance.
US07730620B1 Plastic package opener
A plastic package opener having a body with a generally “V” shaped configured is formed from a memory retention material, by angled first and second legs held together by a portion of material. A sharp edge or blade member is held to an interior surface of one of the legs at an angle to the terminal ends of the legs. A movable blade cover may be provided for safety. A plastic package to be opened is inserted between the open ends of the legs and the blade member brought against the plastic package by squeezing the two legs together and directed across the surface of the plastic package to sever the plastic package and open the same for removal of an item or items held therein.
US07730618B2 Method for working or forming metals in the presence of aqueous lubricants based on methanesulfonic acid
A method for working or forming metals which consists in usings an aqueous lubricant containing as water-soluble extreme pressure additive, methanesulphonic acid or water-soluble methanesulphonic acid salt. The water-soluble methane sulphonic acid salt is an alkali or alkaline-earth, ammonium, alkanol amine or ethoxylated fatty amine salt. The inventive aqueous lubricants have good extreme pressure properties and good properties with respect to corrosion.
US07730607B2 Apparatus for assembling cable to connector
An apparatus for assembling cable to connector includes a jig holder and a cable jig. The jig holder has a basic board defining a mounting space capable of locating a connector in the front thereof. The cable jig located in the rear of the mounting space of the jig holder has an upper jig member and a lower jig member disposed beneath the upper jig member. One of the jig members protrudes to form first spaced-apart barriers. A first receiving passage is defined between each pair of adjacent first spaced-apart barriers. The other jig member defines second receiving passages for receiving the first spaced-apart barriers respectively. A second spaced-apart barrier is defined between every two adjacent second receiving passages to space the two adjacent second receiving passages apart. The second spaced-apart barriers are inserted in the first receiving passages respectively.
US07730606B2 Manufacturing method for a wireless communication device and manufacturing apparatus
A method for manufacturing wireless communication devices for use in tracking or identifying other items comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna for the wireless communication device. Further, the chip for the wireless communication device is nested so as to be flush with the surface of the substrate of the wireless communication device. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each one effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element.
US07730594B2 Connector for stretch straps of a chair
A connector for stretch straps of a chair is mounted on the chair to hold and stretch a stretch strap with an opposite connector mounted on the chair and has a receiving recess formed inside the connector and a connecting slot formed through the top of the connector and communicating with the receiving recess. One end of the stretch strap extends through the connecting slot to be held by a binder in the receiving recesses. A bottom of the stretch strap is propped out by a top edge of the connecting slot so that a top of the stretch strap is protrudent relative to the top of the connector and a sharp edge formed between the top and the front end of the connector. Thus, a user's body is prevented from contacting with the rigid top and the sharp edge of the connector to comfortably sit on the chair.
US07730591B2 Apparatus on a flat card or roller card for textile fibres, such as cotton, synthetic fibres or the like, for removing short fibres
An apparatus on a carding machine has a covering comprising work and cover elements lying opposite the clothing of a high-speed cylinder. There is, in succession, an air exhaust opening for the exit of air and an opening for entry of air, past which openings a flow of fibers and air is passed. To allow improved detachment and elimination of short fibers in a simple manner, the spacing of the covering upstream of the exhaust opening is smaller than the spacing of the covering between air exhaust opening and air inlet opening and an airflow flows against the direction of rotation of the cylinder along the surface of the cylinder and flows with short fibers through the air exhaust opening.
US07730590B2 Apparatus at a spinning preparation machine having at least one electric motor-driven roller
In an apparatus at a spinning preparation machine, especially at a carding machine, cleaner, draw frame, combing machine or the like, having at least one electric motor-driven roller, which is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, the roller is caused to rotate by means of forces of an electromagnetic field that act on at least one roller end-face. In order to achieve a substantially increased drive output and braking output and a high torque in a simple manner, an electromotive drive means is present having a rotor and a stator which are integrated into the roller and into an immobile machine element associated with the roller.
US07730585B2 Stop module for a swiveling unit for delimiting a swiveling motion and corresponding swiveling unit
The invention relates to a stop module for the swiveling motion of a rotation body (14) that is swivelably received in a housing (10). The stop module comprises a catch (26) following the trajectory of the swiveling motion on the end of the rotation body and a stop (48) comprising a damping element for delimiting the motion of the catch (26). At least one intermediate element (56) is provided between the catch (26) and the stop (48) and is supported, when impinged upon by the catch (26), on the housing (10) and on the stop (48).
US07730577B2 Control handle assembly
A control handle assembly (200) includes a rigid handle (202) for grasping by the operator to steer a walk-behind mobile machine (10) and a control portion (220) moveable relative to the handle (202) to control a function of the machine (10). A flexible extension (238) extends between the handle (202) and the control portion (220) and over the separation defined thereby. The flexible extension (238) flexes when pushed or pulled by the operator's hands and particularly when the flexible extension is engaged with both the control portion (220) and the handle (202) and when the operator's hand extends into the separation therebetween.
US07730569B2 Disposable head portion for a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush
A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith.
US07730565B1 Anaconda for a multi-purpose gurney
An apparatus has segments connected end-to-end so as to form a flexible tube, a base connected to a first segment of the segments, a clamp connected to the base for mounting the base, and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the segments. A scope adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. An extremity adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. The clamp can mount the base to a mayo stand of a multi-purpose gurney. The clamp can also mount the base to a rail of a multi-purpose gurney.
US07730564B2 Pillowcase display for dolls and stuffed animals
A pillowcase display has a skirting attached to and forming the hem of a pillowcase, with a number of display apertures passing through the skirting, the skirting includes a number of fabric pieces which may be any size, shape or color, with co-aligned apertures. The apertures can incorporate an elastomeric material, for placing the display items through, so that a figure such a doll or plush toy can be displayed with the head outside the pillowcase and the body within the pillowcase.
US07730563B1 Head support and stabilization system
A head support system that has a fixation arc system that is adjustable both vertically and horizontally and is mounted to a patient support structure. The fixation arc system is positionable adjacent to, and provides lateral support for, the patient's head. A pin support is connected to, and extends from the fixation arc system. A pin is adjustably mounted to the pin support and contacts the patient's head to provide a lateral fixation thereof. The pin has a centerline that is rotatable about two axes of motion substantially perpendicular to the pin centerline.
US07730559B2 Toilet seat for sealed engagement with toilet bowl and communication with air extraction system
A toilet seat is provided for mounting on a toilet bowl (1) and is configured to be placed in communication with a mechanical air extraction system. The toilet seat includes a seat (4) that can be applied in a sealed manner on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat (4) has an air inlet (6) at the front and an air outlet (7) at the rear. The outlet (7) is connected by ducts (8, 9, 10) to the air extraction system (14, 15). A cover (11) is hinged in proximity to the seat (4). The cover (11) is configured to prevent the toilet bowl (1) from being flushed when the cover (11) is in the open position and seals the front air inlet (6) when the cover is in the closed position.
US07730555B2 Protective clothing for the lower part of the leg
Lower leg protective apparel, in particular protective socks, against chemical and/or biological noxiants composed of a plurality of plies, comprising an outside leg part (1) and, disposed in the interior of the outside leg part (1), a laminate (2) which comprises a flexible, windproof and water-rejecting membrane (7) which forms the outer surface of the laminate (2) and which forms at least a barrier to biological noxiants, a carbon layer (8) which is disposed underneath the membrane (7) and which comprises carbon in fibrous or particulate form, and an inner textile ply (9) which is characterized in that the outside leg part (1) is fabricated from a plurality of cuts (4, 5, 6) and in that the seams of the laminate (2) disposed in the interior of the outer leg part (1) are sealed off by a waterproof material.
US07735146B2 Protein microscope
A system and method for analyzing and imaging a sample containing molecules of interest combines modified MALDI mass spectrometer and SNOM devices and techniques, and includes: (A) an atmospheric-pressure or near-atmospheric-pressure ionization region; (B) a sample holder for holding the sample; (C) a laser for illuminating said sample; (D) a mass spectrometer having at least one evacuated vacuum chamber; (E) an atmospheric pressure interface connecting said ionization region and said mass spectrometer; (F) a scanning near-field optical microscopy instrument comprising a near-field probe for scanning the sample; a vacuum capillary nozzle for sucking in particles which are desorbed by said laser, the nozzle being connected to an inlet orifice of said atmospheric pressure interface; a scanner platform connected to the sample holder, the platform being movable to a distance within a near-field distance of the probe; and a controller for maintaining distance information about a current distance between said probe and said sample; (G) a recording device for recording topography and mass spectrum measurements made during scanning of the sample with the near-field probe; (H) a plotting device for plotting said topography and mass spectrum measurements as separate x-y mappings; and (I) an imaging device for providing images of the x-y mappings.
US07735140B2 Method and apparatus providing unified compliant network audit
Information flow between network elements in a network enables a management system to capture a security knowledge base and to perform a static analysis of the network. In one embodiment, a method for performing a network security audit based on information flows among network elements comprises the machine-implemented steps of obtaining a network inventory that identifies one or more network elements of a packet-switched network; determining how information packets flow through the one or more network elements; determining a first threat level for each of the one or more network elements; determining a second threat level for the network as a whole; and providing a report of a network security audit based on the first and second threat levels.
US07735130B2 Image data transmission system, process and program, image data output device and image display device
There has been a problem of necessitating a complicated work for establishing a connection capable of intercommunication between a computer as server and a projector as client.When a connection is established between a server 20 and projectors 301 through 30n, a communication command is issued according to UDP-based broadcasting to retrieve connectable projectors 301 through 303. Thereafter, the projector 301 to be connected is selected and is assigned an IP address to establish the connection. In this manner, a user can easily obtain a connection environment capable of intercommunication between the server 20 and the projector 301. A TCP/IP communication command is used to input or output image data, ensuring reliable transmission. Since the authentication can be provided using a keyword projected during the connection establishment, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized access to the projector 301 by an outsider.
US07735123B2 System and method for associating message addresses with certificates
A system and method for associating message addresses with certificates, in which one or more secondary message addresses are identified and associated with a user-selected certificate. The secondary message addresses are saved in a data structure that resides in a secure data store on a computing device, such as a mobile device. When a message is to be encrypted and sent to an individual using a particular certificate, an address mismatch would not be detected so long as the address to which the message is to be sent matches any of the message addresses associated with the certificate. The message addresses associated with the certificate include any message addresses contained within the certificate itself (“primary message addresses”) as well as any secondary message addresses that have been subsequently associated with the certificate.
US07735113B2 Receiving apparatus, and display apparatus and television broadcasting system therewith
During sleep mode, a power-source control section stops the power supply to a tuner, a demodulation section, an AV-data processing section and a microcomputer, and delivers a power supply only to a standby tuner. The standby tuner receives a start signal which is transmitted from a head end, using a frequency except a specific frequency which is received by the tuner, and outputs a power-supply instruction signal according to the start signal. The power-source control section executes a power supply to the tuner, the demodulation section, the AV-data processing section and the microcomputer, in response to the power-supply instruction signal.
US07735110B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program storage medium
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program storage medium. The user of a personal computer selects a television program to be preset recorded from a program guide stored in an EPG server and downloads the corresponding preset recording data. When, from the downloaded preset recording data, a recording start time is found reached, the personal computer selects commands for starting recording a channel to be recorded and transmits the selected commands from a video mouse as infrared signals. Receiving the recording start command, a VCR starts recording.
US07735108B2 System and method for controlling push to talk interruptions while watching television
The present invention relates generally to a system and method of managing a Push To Talk (PTT) conversation while the recipient is watching television. PTT messages may be conveyed by an initiator to a recipient through the use of a telephone connected to a network. The network is also connected to either a set top box (STB) or a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Within the network resides a presence state machine, which determines if a PTT conversation may be initiated. Upon initiation of a PTT conversation the presence state machine may pause the television by a command to the STB or DVR. If the television has been paused, upon termination of the PTT conversation, the presence state machine instructs the STB or DVR to resume television display.
US07735098B2 Method for executing computer programs in accordance with preset execution priority
A method for executing computer programs in accordance with a preset priority is provided. The method is applicable to a computer system connecting to a data storage, a plurality of device selection buttons, and a plurality of multimedia players. The data storage is installed with a plurality of device drivers, a plurality of device application programs, and a program execution priority table. The program execution priority table defines correspondence between the device selection buttons and the multimedia players, and the priority order of execution of the device drivers and the device application programs of the multimedia players. When the computer detects any device selection button is pressed, the computer executes the device drivers and the device application programs corresponding the multimedia player in the priority order defined by the program execution priority table.
US07735095B2 Network device drivers using a communication transport
Network device drivers that interface with a communication transport are described. In one aspect, a networked computing system includes the network device driver and the communication transport. The network device driver converts abstract network device calls to network hardware device specific calls. The network hardware device specific calls are transported from the network device driver via the communication transport to a network hardware device.
US07735094B2 Ascertaining domain contexts
Various embodiments pertain to ascertaining domain contexts. In one embodiment, an application receives content that may contain a script (i.e. code). In this case, the domain context is ascertained and the script is executed in the context of the domain associated with the received content, rather than requiring the application or some other component to navigate to a location, such as a web location, to attempt to ascertain the domain context of the script. In another embodiment, third party objects or code are required to provide their domain context to an application in order for the application to make a security-based decision.
US07735085B2 System for application priority based on device operating mode
System for application priority based on device operating mode. A method is provided for allocating a top visible resource on a device. The method includes receiving a request requesting allocation of the top visible resource to a requesting application, and determining that the top visible resource is allocated to an owning application. The method also includes associating owner information with requester information to form an arbitration request. The method also includes arbitrating the arbitration request to produce an arbitration decision that indicates that the top visible resource is to be allocated to the requesting application if the owner information indicates that the owning application is privileged and an identifier that identifies the requesting application is contained in a relinquish list associated with the owner information.
US07735080B2 Integrated system and method for the management of a complete end-to-end software delivery process
A software delivery process including sub-processes of configuration management and version control, change and problem management, building, packaging, and distribution and installation. The process is implemented by an integrated management system that includes a configuration management sub-system, a change and problem management sub-system, a building sub-system, a packaging sub-system, a distribution sub-system, and a tracking sub-system. The subsystems are integrated in order to manage the software along its whole life cycle, from development to installation in production. The tracking sub-system captures and integrates information about the status of the delivery from the other sub-systems along all steps of the process.
US07735079B1 Securely hooking installations for compatibility with other applications
A compatibility module manages compatibility issues between software applications installed on a computing device by intervening with installation of incompatible software applications to ensure compatibility problems are resolved. In one embodiment, an information control module stores compatibility information for a plurality of software applications, and this information describes how to resolve compatibility problems among the software applications. A search module searches for compatibility information, and a testing module analyzes the compatibility information to determine whether installation of a first software application on a computing device is compatible with the plurality of software applications installed on the computing device. Finally, an installation control module regulates the installation based on the result of the compatibility analysis.
US07735074B2 Code outlining without trampolines
A system and method for optimizing compiler performance including outlining cold code at link time, rather than compile time, such that trampolines are not required. Branch instructions connecting a hot block to a cold block can be converted from a short branch distance limit to a longer branch distance limit, further optimizing code performance. Editors, implementing a plurality of windows that can be maintained for each function, can display the maximum distance that code blocks can be safely outlined. Other implementations allow the optimal placement of code that is significantly greater in size than the maximum possible branch distance.
US07735065B2 Aggregation and prioritization of application issue data
A novel software application development aid comprises a web portal that provides aggregated and prioritized application issue data to ISVs in an ISV-specific and ISV-customizable manner so that the ISVs may improve their applications or correct errors therein and may know which application issues are causing the greatest reductions in customer satisfaction. So informed, the ISV may efficiently focus limited corrective resources on the most pressing problems. The application issue data sources for the ISV portal may include logo testing data, user crash report data, and other testing data.
US07735064B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating software
A method and system for evaluating software includes generating a test deck (310), where the test deck is formulated to test the software for compliance with delivery system operation procedures (315), processing the test deck with the software, and grading the performance of the software for compliance with delivery system operation procedures (320).
US07735061B2 Efficient encoding and access of mathematically precise variable precision numeric types
A method of encoding variable-precision numeric types that includes determining a fixed numeric storage size used by a computer system, encoding numeric values that do not fit into the fixed size in a variable-precision numeric value allocated on a program heap and generating a reference to point to the variable-precision numeric value on the program heap.
US07735048B1 Achieving fast parasitic closure in a radio frequency integrated circuit synthesis flow
Methods achieve fast parasitic closure in IC (integrated circuit) synthesis flow with particular application to RFIC (radio frequency integrated circuit) synthesis flow. Parasitic corners generated based on earlier layout statistics are incorporated into circuit resizing to enable parasitic robust designs. The worst-case parasitic corners are generated efficiently without expensive statistical computations. A performance-driven placement with simultaneous fast rough routing and device tuning generates high quality placements and compensates for layout induced performance degradations. A regression-tree based macromodeling methodology is introduced for modeling of electrical performances to enable true performance-driven layout synthesis. To improve sampling quality, an annealing-based placer can be used to perform sampling. The modeling methodology can be adapted to include automatically adjusting the device tuning ranges to meet certain model accuracy requirements.
US07735042B2 Context aware sub-circuit layout modification
A method, system and program product for context aware sub-circuit layout modification are disclosed. The method may include defining at least one context for the sub-circuit for each circuit that uses the sub-circuit; in the case that a plurality of contexts are defined, minimizing a number of contexts for the sub-circuit by combining contexts into at least one stage; placing each stage into a staged layout; and modifying the sub-circuit by modifying the staged layout.
US07735030B1 Simulating restorable registers in power domain systems
A method of simulating a restorable register in a power domain of an RTL (register transfer level) design includes: specifying the power domain in the RTL design, wherein the power domain includes one or more registers and is configured to change power levels separately from other portions of the RTL design; identifying the restorable register in the power domain, wherein the restorable register is updated during power-on operations in the power domain; simulating the restorable register in a power cycle; and saving one or more values from the simulated restorable register. Simulating the restorable register includes: maintaining one or more backup values during a power-off operation for updating the restorable register after the power-off operation; and updating the restorable register during a power-on operation after the power-off operation by using the one or more backup values.
US07735015B2 Method and system for generation of delegating implementation for IDL interfaces using inheritance
A method of generating an interface definition language (IDL) interface involves identifying parents for the IDL interface, identifying parent interfaces associated with the parents, wherein the parent interfaces include concrete parent interfaces, computing a set of directly implemented methods for the parent interfaces, generating an implementation of the IDL interface with the concrete parent interfaces to generate a plurality of delegation fields, generating an initialization method and a setting method for each of the plurality of delegation fields, and generating indirectly implemented methods with a body that delegates functionality to one of the plurality of delegate fields.
US07735004B2 Layout control method, layout control apparatus, and layout control program
To implement an efficient user operation by making it possible to set links between a plurality of containers at once by one operation, in a layout control method which sets a link between partial display regions to connect them to each other, the partial display regions receiving assigned data and laying out the data on a page, and adjusts the position of each partial display region on the basis of the data assigned to it, a plurality of links are set for a plurality of partial display regions, the plurality of partial display regions are designated, the position information of each designated partial display region is acquired, and in a case where setting of a plurality of links is instructed, a plurality of links are set for the plurality of designated partial display regions, on the basis of the acquired position information.
US07735003B1 Computer system integrating different data types into single environment
A system for viewing and manipulating information of various data types within a single document in an integrated computer system environment is disclosed. Each data type is maintained within a dataset. Datasets comprise logical information of a common data type along with the functions or processing logic to view and manipulate that data type. The logical types of information managed by datasets in the preferred embodiment include graphical objects, blocks of text, spreadsheet cells, and database records. Datasets also manage frames. Frames provide a means by which datasets are viewed and manipulated. Each dataset is responsible for managing the display of information inside one of its frames. Significantly, the present invention provides a logical independence between the information contained in a dataset and the manner in which the information is viewed and manipulated (i.e. frames). This independence provides a significant improvement in the ability to manipulate various types of information. Any type and number of datasets can be combined together into a single document and saved in a file system as a document file.
US07735002B2 User interface in a mobile station
A method for processing a user interface in a mobile station comprises segregating application program data for constructing the user interface such that content data is separate from display style data, and storing the segregated application program data. The method also comprises constructing the user interface such that the content data corresponds to the display style data, and converting the format of the content data using the display style data. The method may further comprise displaying converted content data. The method may further comprise segregating application program data for constructing the user interface such that the soft key data is separate from the content data and the display style data. The display style data may comprise style sheet data.
US07734985B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for using the same memory type to support an error check mode and a non-error check mode
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for using the same memory type in an error check mode and a non-error check mode. In some embodiments, a memory device includes at least one split bank pair of memory banks. If the memory device is in an error check mode, then, in some embodiments, data is stored in one of memory banks of the split bank pair and the corresponding error check bits are stored in the other memory bank of the split bank pair. A register bit on the memory device indicates whether it is in the error check mode or the non-error check mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07734981B2 Signal decoder, a signal decoding method and a storage system
An LDPC iteration decoder includes a second interleaver for performing interleave processing on a signal series outputted from a soft output detection unit, an LDPC decoder for implementing LDPC decoding processing on a signal that has undergone interleave processing; a checking unit for checking that an error has been corrected by the LDPC decoder; a second de-interleaver for performing sort processing the reverse of the second interleaver on a signal that has been LDPC decoded; a judging unit for judging whether to carry out iteration processing again; and a DAE for computing a likelihood again, in cases in which iteration decoding is carried out, and giving feedback to the front stage of the second interleaver.
US07734980B2 Mitigating silent data corruption in a buffered memory module architecture
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, apparatuses, and methods for mitigating silent data corruption in a fully-buffered memory module architecture. In an embodiment, a memory controller includes a memory channel bit-lane error detector having an M-bit CRC and N-bit CRC, wherein N is less than M. The N-bit CRC is used if at least one bit-lane of the memory channel fails. In one embodiment, the memory controller selectively applies the strong error detection capability of an error correction code (ECC) in combination with the N-bit CRC to signal the need to resend faulty data, if at least one bit-channel has failed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07734974B2 Serial scan chain control within an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit 2 includes a plurality of circuit blocks 38, 40, 44 each having an associated serial scan chain loop 32, 34, 36 which extends from a converter 10, to the circuit block 38, 42, 44 in question and then back to the converter 10. Multiplexing circuitry 50, 52 associated with each serial scan chain loop 32, 34, 36 is used to either include that serial scan chain loop 32, 34, 36 in a combined serial scan chain or to bypass that serial scan chain loop 32, 34, 36. The circuit blocks 38, 42, 44 may be bypassed in this way if they are defective or if they are powered-down.
US07734973B2 Testing apparatus and testing method for an integrated circuit, and integrated circuit
An apparatus enables a high quality test to be carried out within a short time, without forcing a severe design limitation on the designer and without an expensive tester. The apparatus includes a pattern generator built in an integrated circuit to generate pseudo random patterns as test patterns. A plurality of shift registers are configured with sequential circuit elements inside said integrated circuit. An automatic test pattern generating unit generates ATPG patterns. A pattern modifier modifies a portion, to which a predetermined value is required to be set in order to detect a fault, in said pseudo random patterns generated by said pattern generator, on a basis of said ATPG patterns, and inputs said modified pseudo random patterns to said shift registers.
US07734972B2 Common test logic for multiple operation modes
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a plurality of logical units to perform operations on data. Each unit may include a multiple input shift register (MISR) at an input of the logical unit to collect and compress data from input signals to the unit. In turn, each MISR may includes bit cells, each having a first cell to receive incoming data and controlled by a first clock signal, a second cell to receive an output of the first cell and controlled by a second clock signal, a mask cell to receive an output of the second cell and to generate a mask signal responsive to a mask clock signal, and a multiplexer coupled between the first and second cells. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07734969B2 Feedback shift register control
Feedback shift register control circuit including a checking circuit having an input being coupled to a seed input of a feedback shift register or to an internal node of the feedback shift register, the checking circuit configured to be responsive to a signal at the input indicating that the feedback shift register is in a not-allowed state, or is going to assume a not-allowed state to output an exception signal; and a gate circuit being coupled to the seed input or the feedback shift register and configured to be responsive to the exception signal to change the state of the feedback shift register or seed the feedback shift register such that the feedback shift register assumes an allowed state.
US07734967B2 Semiconductor memory device and testing method of the same
A semiconductor memory device, having a test mode and a normal mode, includes a frequency multiplier and a test command sequence generator. The frequency multiplier receives a test clock signal in the test mode and generates multiple internal test clock signals, each of which has a frequency equal to a frequency of an operation clock signal in the normal mode. The test clock signal has a frequency lower than the frequency of the operation clock signal. The test command sequence generator generates at least one command signal in response to the internal test clock signals in the test mode. The at least one command signal corresponds to at least one operation timing parameter of the semiconductor memory device that is to be measured. The frequency multiplier may include a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) or a Delay Locked Loop (DLL).
US07734964B2 Optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus
Provided is an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus that performs recording and reproducing. The optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus has a recording control portion for storing, when recording data on the optical disc, an error address and an error code in a nonvolatile memory when a recording error occurs and, after recording is stopped, writing the error address and the error code read from the nonvolatile memory to a predetermined area of the optical disc, and a reproduction control portion for reading, when reproducing the data from the optical disc which is recorded according to the control of the recording control portion, the error address and the error code from the predetermined area and then storing the read error address and error code in the nonvolatile memory and, if an address of a recording error is found after reading of the data of the optical disc has started, reading the error address and the error code from the nonvolatile memory and then transferring the read error address and error code to a back-end processing portion to prevent data from being read from the address of the recording error.
US07734944B2 Mechanism for windaging of a double rate driver
A double data rate launch system and method in which the two-to-one multiplexer select signal delay is programmable and can be adjusted individually for each system. This allows the amount of delay to be minimized based on the actual set up time required, not the worst-case set-up time. The select signal to the multiplexer is delayed sufficiently to compensate for non-uniformity of duty cycle of data at the inputs to the multiplexer. Compensation of the non-uniformity allows the data on the wire to have a uniform duty cycle for all data transferred regardless of which latch is sourcing the data. The multiplexer that selects data from the two latches which are launching data on the edge of different clocks has a select line that is delayed by a variable amount to tune the select such that the data is clean at the input to the multiplexer on all ports.
US07734938B2 System and method of controlling power consumption
A system and method of controlling power consumption are provided. The example method may be directed to controlling power consumption in a system including first and second interface blocks, and may include transitioning a first interface block to a power saving mode in response to a status of a first transmission channel, the first transmission channel configured to forward information from the first interface block to a second interface block and transitioning a second interface block to the power saving mode in response to a status of a second transmission channel, the second transmission channel configured to forward information from the second interface block to the first interface block. The example system may include a first interface block transitioning to a power saving mode in response to a status of a first transmission channel and a second interface block transitioning to the power saving mode in response to a status of a second transmission channel, the first transmission channel configured to forward information from the first interface block to the second interface block and the second transmission channel configured to forward information from the second interface block to the first interface block.
US07734935B2 Data processing method, system and apparatus for processing a variety of demands from a service provider
An IC card issuer issues an IC card and requests a card memory area operator to lend part of a memory area of the IC card to another card memory area user. The card memory area operator provides a memory area division apparatus and various data to the memory area division apparatus under the control of an operator communication apparatus 12. The card memory area user divides the memory area of the IC card into a memory area to be used by the IC card issuer and a memory area to be used by the card memory area user. The operation file registration apparatus writes file data for the card memory area user to the memory area of the card memory area user obtained by the above division.
US07734915B2 System and method for remote device registration
A system and method for remote device registration, to monitor and meter the injection of keying or other confidential information onto a device, is provided. A producer who utilizes one or more separate manufacturers, operates a remote module that communicates over forward and backward channels with a local module at the manufacturer. Encrypted data transmissions are sent by producer to the manufacturer and are decrypted to obtain sensitive data used in the devices. As data transmissions are decrypted, credits from a credit pool are depleted and can be replenished by the producer through credit instructions. As distribution images are decrypted, usage records are created and eventually concatenated, and sent as usage reports back to the producer, to enable the producer to monitor and meter production at the manufacturer.
US07734914B1 System and method for allowing applications to securely access files
A system and method which receives from an application a request to open a file for reading or writing, prompts the user for the file, and then provides a handle or alternate handle to the requesting application, but does not provide the name and path of the file and may not provide the actual handle to the file.
US07734899B2 Reducing data hazards in pipelined processors to provide high processor utilization
A pipelined computer processor is presented that reduces data hazards such that high processor utilization is attained. The processor restructures a set of instructions to operate concurrently on multiple pieces of data in multiple passes. One subset of instructions operates on one piece of data while different subsets of instructions operate concurrently on different pieces of data. A validity pipeline tracks the priming and draining of the pipeline processor to ensure that only valid data is written to registers or memory. Pass-dependent addressing is provided to correctly address registers and memory for different pieces of data.
US07734893B2 Method for speeding up page table address update on virtual machine
A method is provided which eliminates redundancy from the shadow PT operation performed by the virtual machine monitor (VMM) when the guest operating system running on a virtual machine updates a guest page table (PT) address. The VMM associates a plurality of shadow PTs with guest PTs and allocates their relation in memory. When it detects the update of a guest PT address, the VMM searches for a shadow PT corresponding to the updated guest PT. If the associated shadow PT exists, the VMM omits rewriting the shadow PT and registers the address of the shadow PT with the central processing unit (CPU). If the associated shadow PT does not exist, the VMM allocates a memory, creates a shadow PT, registers an address of the created shadow PT with the CPU, and records a relationship between the updated guest PT and the generated shadow PT.
US07734888B1 Capacity guarantees in a storage system
A file system receives a request to set a capacity guarantee for a virtual volume associated with a logical aggregation of physical storage. In response, the file system sets the capacity guarantee to indicate that the logical aggregation of physical storage is to provide a specified amount of space to the virtual volume. The amount of space provided to the virtual volume may be based, at least in part, on a guarantee type. The guarantee type may include, for example, volume, file, none, or partial.
US07734887B1 Relocation tracking during write operation
Tracking of memory block relocation when write occur to memory blocks. After detecting a write operation to be performed on a particular target memory block, it is identified whether the write operation is due to a relocation of data from another memory block. Depending at least in part on this result, the modified data may not need to be included in a subsequent incremental backup. If appropriate, relocation data is included instead. This may potentially reduce the size of the incremental backup, especially in cases in which there were many memory block movements since the last backup, as is the case with defragmentation.
US07734884B1 Simultaneous concurrent and cascaded triangular asynchronous replication
Providing storage configurations for a data center includes providing synchronous data transfer from the data center to a local destination, establishing a first connection between the data center and a remote destination to provide chunks of data from the data center to a remote destination, establishing a second connection between the local destination and the remote destination to provide chunks of data from the local destination to the remote destination, and enabling at least one of the first and second connections to transfer chunks of data to the remote destination.
US07734880B2 Flash memory system compensating reduction in read margin between memory cell program states
A memory system includes a flash memory and a memory controller configured to control the flash memory. The memory controller determines whether program data provided from a host are all stored in the flash memory during a program operation. When the determination result is that the program data are all stored in the flash memory, the memory controller controls the flash memory to execute a dummy program operation for the next wordline of a final wordline in which the program data are stored.
US07734875B1 Cache management using historical access information
A caching manager calculates cache priorities for accessed items, including items not currently stored in the cache. The cache manager determines an item's cache priority as a function of the item's access frequency, retrieval cost and size. The cache manager dynamically updates cache priorities as items are accessed. When the cache is full and a non-cached item is accessed, the cache manager uses cache priorities to determine whether to overwrite a cached item with the non-cached accessed item. If the accessed item has a lower cache priority than all of the items in the cache, then the non-cached item is not stored in the cache. If any item in the cache has a lower cache priority than the accessed item, then the cache manager stores the accessed item in the cache, overwriting the cached item with the lowest cache priority.
US07734868B2 Universal RAID class driver
A RAID class driver model enables users to easily combine two or more disks into a bootable RAID system without specialized disk controllers and allows the creation of RAID systems using disks of different types, controllers, and interfaces. A RAID class driver is initialized in response to the identification of a RAID controller. Disk controllers return RAID-specific device identifications, rather than a standard disk device identifications, for each disk to be included in the RAID system. The RAID class driver binds a RAID-specific functional interface to each disk having a RAID-specific device identification and combines the disks into a disk object representing the entire RAID system. The disk object provides the operating system with a standard disk device identification. The operating system loads a standard disk driver to interface with the disk object, thereby enabling transparent access to the RAID system.
US07734867B1 Data storage using disk drives in accordance with a schedule of operations
Techniques for data storage using disk drives. To conserve power and reduce heat generation so that higher packaging density is possible, only some of the disk drives in an array may be powered on at any one time. Disk accesses may then be scheduled so that appropriate drives are powered on and off at appropriate times. In addition, various levels of storage services may be provided depending, for example, upon how accessible the drives are to individual clients and upon a level of data redundancy provided. Another advantage includes off-loading of tasks to a controller or processor included within the disk drives themselves. For example, the disk drives themselves may compute error detection or error correction representations and perform data integrity checks based on those representations. Failure simulation may also be performed to verify the ability to recover lost data and the disk drives may be used to convert the data into general formats that may be expected to be more easily read in the future.
US07734861B2 Pseudo random and command driven bit compensation for the cycling effects in flash memory
Easily implemented randomization within a flash memory EEPROM reduces the NAND string resistance effect, program disturbs, user read disturbs, and floating gate to floating gate coupling that result from repeated and long term storage of specific data patterns. The randomization may be code generated pseudo randomization or user driven randomization in different embodiments. User driven commands, the timing of which cannot be predicted may be used to trigger and achieve a high level of randomization. Randomly altering the encoding scheme of the data prevents repeated and long term storage of specific data patterns. Even if a user wishes to store the same information for long periods, or to repeatedly store it, it will be randomly encoded with different encoding schemes, and the data pattern will therefore be varied.
US07734856B2 Method for operating a plurality of arbiters and arbiter system
Embodiments related to arbitration are described and depicted.
US07734853B2 Latency dependent data bus transmission
In a system where data is transmitted from a source device to a destination device via one or more buses, transmission mode selecting circuitry is provided to select one of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode for the data in response to a mode selecting signal that indicates a latency requirement of the destination device. When data is sent using the second mode there is a lower latency between the destination device receiving the data and being able to process the data than when the first transmission mode is used.
US07734852B1 Modular computer system
A modular computer system (20) including a universal connectivity station (UCS) (22) interconnected to a plurality of remote modules (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 42) via a plurality of respective high speed serial links (26, 40) such as based on proprietary Split-Bridge™ technology. The plurality modules, including a processor module (42) which may include core parts including a CPU, memory, AGP Graphics, and system bus interface may be remotely located from each of the other modules, including the UCS (22). The present invention achieves technical advantages wherein each module of the modular computer system (20) appear to each device to be interconnected to the other on a parallel bus since the high speed serial links appear transparent. Preferably, although not necessary, each of the modules including the UCS 22 are based on the PCI bus architecture, or the PCMCIA bus architecture, although other bus architectures are well suited to be incorporated using the present invention. The processor module can be upgraded to change or improve the performance of the modular computer system 20 without requiring any changes to the remaining system, thus drastically improving the price to performance trade-offs of the system. Moreover, the operating system (OS) of each module, including both the software and hardware, do not need to be changed as the entire modular system (20) is based on a common architecture, such as the PCI or Cardbus bus architecture.
US07734840B2 Methods and systems for managing outputs to peripheral devices
A method for managing outputs to peripheral devices in medical systems devices is described. The method includes providing an instruction to provide an output, creating a data object based on the instruction, and storing the data object in a first memory if a peripheral device that provides the output is not available to accept the data object, where the first memory stores the data object for a longer term than a second memory.
US07734837B2 Continuous media priority aware storage scheduler
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate I/O access to a computer storage medium in a predictable and efficient manner. A scheduling system is provided that mitigates the problem of providing differing levels of performance guarantees for disk I/O in view of varying levels of data access requirements. In one aspect, the scheduling system includes an algorithm or component that provides high performance I/O updates while maintaining high throughput to the disk in a bounded or determined manner. This is achieved by dynamically balancing considerations of I/O access time and latency with considerations of data scheduling requirements. Also, the system provides latency boundaries for multimedia applications as well as managing accesses for other applications.
US07734834B2 Multi-function peripheral and information acquisition system including a plurality of the multi-function peripherals
An acquisition condition of information can automatically be determined based on data processed by a multi-function peripheral to acquire information from other multi-function peripherals in accordance with the condition while maintaining security. When an MFP performs a printing process or an image reading process by scanner in a system connecting a plurality of MFPs, a certain predetermined word and the number of usage times thereof, etc., are extracted from the data and written and retained into log information. The MFP determines whether associated data are acquired from other MFPs for each word extracted based on the log information. If a certain MFP acquires data processed by other MFPs, the log information retained by other MFPs is checked in accordance with an acquisition condition retained by each MFP, and data corresponding to the log information conforming to the acquisition condition are acquired from other MFPs and stored in the own machine.
US07734829B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for transparently controlling communications between network applications and a plurality of network communications protocol stacks using deferred protocol stack association
Methods, systems, and computer program products for controlling communications between network applications and multiple network communications protocol stacks using deferred protocol stack association are disclosed. In one method, a socket creation function call is received from an application. A socket creation function call is terminated, a pseudo communications endpoint is created, and a socket descriptor corresponding to the pseudo communications endpoint is returned to the application. At least one subsequent sockets-related function call is received. Based on the subsequent sockets-related function call, it is determined whether the application is a client or a server. In response to determining that the application is a server, communications endpoints are created on each of the network communications protocol stacks and server-related sockets function calls are made to each of the underlying protocol stacks. In response to determining that the application is a client, a protocol stack is selected, a protocol-stack-specific communications endpoint is created, and client-related sockets function calls are made to the underlying protocol-stack.
US07734825B2 Transferring SNMP messages over UDP with compression of periodically repeating sequences
UDP messages incorporating respective payloads are transferred by the steps of first encoding each of the payloads into hexadecimal format and then compressing the encoded payloads based on the recognition of sequences that periodically appear in the respective messages.
US07734818B2 Method to add IPV6 and DHCP support to the network support package
A mechanism is added to a network support package to enable/allow the specification of additional boot discovery protocols and additional network address formats. The mechanism defines qualifier keywords that are added to the boot arguments and processed by the network support package. The qualifier keywords modify the boot arguments associated with a bootstrap method by specifying a way to acquire the arguments (i.e., a specific boot discovery protocol), the format of the arguments, and other parameters associated with the arguments. Multiple qualifier keywords may be added to the boot arguments at a time, and the keywords can be applied in their order within the arguments.
US07734817B2 Universal naming scheme for peer-to-peer resources
Peer devices register with a resource locator service so that the peer devices can be uniquely identified in a networking environment. An addressing scheme addresses a peer resource in the networking environment based on the unique identifier of a peer device that is a master publisher of the resource. Based on the addressing scheme, the resource locator service can track the location of the master publisher of the resource as well as additional locations of peer devices that have cached the resource and made it available. In various embodiments, the resource locator service can service requests for peer resources by providing a list of locations where the resource is expected to be available or, in the case of non-compatible requester, provide access to the resource itself.
US07734813B2 Method and system for communicating predicted network behavior between interconnected networks
A method of communicating predicted network behavior includes generating network topology structure data describing at least part of a topology of a first network. Demand structure data is generated, the demand structure data describing at least some traffic demands relating to a source in the first network and a destination in a second network, wherein there are a plurality of network links between the first network and the second network. Traffic routing change data, describing at least one change scenario which would require a change of traffic routing, is generated. This data is then used to calculate change data that describes a routing of traffic through each of the plurality of network links between the first network and the second network for the at least one change scenario. The change data is transmitted to the second network.
US07734807B2 Method and apparatus for improving bandwidth efficiency in a computer network
A method for operating a server to improve bandwidth efficiency in a computer network is disclosed. The server is operable to transmit files between a memory of the server and destinations on the computer network through a communication link having a finite bandwidth. The files are distinguishable by type and the server is provided with a rule set for prioritizing transmission of files by type. The method comprises monitoring a bandwidth usage of the communication link, and triggering application of the rule set when the bandwidth usage exceeds a threshold amount. The threshold amount is determined relative to the finite bandwidth. The method further comprises distinguishing between the files according to type, and prioritizing transmission of the files according to type and according to the rule set.
US07734806B2 Compatible progressive download method and system
Disclosed is a compatible progressive download method and system. In the system, a terminal acquires format information of a remote content file prior to download of the content file and sets a progressive download environment based on the acquired format information. The terminal then simultaneously downloads data in a position corresponding to the format information from a server and plays the downloaded data. At this time, receipt of each media data, i.e., audio data and video data, is performed independently and a progressive download is performed in such a way that media data that is smaller than its threshold during playback is downloaded to fill a buffer. This progressive download method can be applied to downloading of content in other formats in addition to formats defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Therefore, it is not necessary for the server to modify the format of content according to the 3GPP standard.
US07734797B2 Inter-processor communication link with manageability port
Manageability ports for inter-processor communication links, along with associated systems and methods, are generally provided.
US07734794B2 Network communication device
A network communication device has a function as a network facsimile device for carrying out sending and receiving of data via a network. A facsimile document data is transmitted as e-mail. The device is capable of setting information indicative of whether or not the transmission confirmation response by Message Disposition Notification (MDN) is required, according to a receiver when sending the e-mail. On this account, it is possible to provide a network communication device capable of preventing unnecessary waiting for transmission confirmation response or unnecessary output of a record of failure of transmission.
US07734787B2 Method and system for managing quality of service in a network
According to embodiments, the present invention comprises a method and system for managing support of quality of service requirements for various clients of a telecommunications network at a server level. Servers assigned to the various clients may include quality of service descriptors that identify relative priorities of the clients. In the event of a failure or reduced performance of a server, for example, an assignment of respective servers to respective clients may be changed based on the relative priorities of the respective clients.
US07734786B2 Method and system for identifying available resources in a peer-to-peer network
A method for a peer of a peer-to-peer network to search for an available resource is provided. The method initiates with representing a request for the available resource as a request bit string. The method includes transmitting the request to a parent of the peer. Then, an aggregate availability bit string associated with the parent is accessed. The aggregate availability bit string represents an aggregate resource availability for all children of the parent. Next, a logical operation is performed with the bits of the aggregate availability bit string and the bits of the request bit string. Then, it is determined whether any of the children of the parent are able to provide the available resource based upon a result of the logical operation. A peer-to-peer grid and a system for publishing and identifying an available resource in a peer-to-peer distributed network are also provided.
US07734782B2 Method and system for controlling computer in system
A server computer is communicably connected to a client computer and has a first and a second execution environment for executing a program for performing information processing in accordance with a processing request transmitted from the client computer. The server computer stores a condition for judging whether a predetermined processing efficiency can be assured for the information processing performed by the first execution environment according to the processing request. The server computer receives the processing request transmitted from the client computer. The server computer judges whether the predetermined processing efficiency can be assured according to the condition. The server computer allocates the processing request to the second execution environment if it is judged that the predetermined efficiency cannot be assured.
US07734779B1 Password protection system and method
A system and method for providing a password to a user on a network, the network having provider computer and a user computer, the provider computer comprising a password system configured to issue a password to a user of the user computer for use in accessing age-restricted content once a determination has been made that the user is age appropriate.
US07734773B2 Web system, communication control device, and storage medium
A disclosed Web system includes an image forming apparatus; a communication control device connected to the image forming apparatus and including a print server function; and an information processing apparatus connected via a network and the communication control device to the image forming apparatus and configured to obtain information on the image forming apparatus in the form of Web information from the communication control device. The information processing apparatus includes a Web information request unit configured to send an information request to the communication control device to obtain the Web information, the information request including a language identifier. The communication control device includes a Web information storing unit configured to store the Web information, and a Web information returning unit configured to retrieve the Web information corresponding to the language identifier from the Web information storing unit and to send the retrieved Web information to the information processing apparatus.
US07734768B2 System and method for adaptively collecting performance and event information
A method for communicating information from a first computing node to at least one of the following: a storage device and a second computing node. The first computing node is monitored to collect at least one estimate of available resources, and based on this estimate, an amount of data collected is modified. Then, the collected data is sent to at least one of the following: the storage device and the second computing node. This invention also provides for the determination of an optimum batch size for aggregating data wherein, for a number of batch sizes, costs are estimated for sending batched information to persistent storage and for losing batched data. Then, the optimum batch size is selected from the number of different batch sizes based on sums of these costs. This invention also provides for selective compression of data, wherein it is determined which of a number of compression algorithms do not incur an overhead that exceeds available resources. Then, one of the determined algorithms is selected to maximize compression.
US07734765B2 System and method for analyzing and coordinating Service-Level-Agreements (SLA) for Application-Service-Providers (ASP)
The present invention describes a system for automatically monitoring and managing Service Level Agreements on behalf of Service providers (such as Application Service providers). The system is based on a specialized SLA language that can translate complex or simple Service Level Agreements into measurable and controllable criterion. The system enables Application Service providers to set up customized Service Level Agreements with customers, and monitor, modify and control all aspects of these agreements, including billing, sales, Customer Relation Management, customer support and Quality of Service. The technology on which the present invention is based is a formula driven language that translates Service Level Agreement details into commands. As such these details can be tracked and processed to produce detailed reports and summaries.
US07734761B2 System and method for retrieving network management data from multiple network elements
A system for, and method of, retrieving network management data in a network and a network management station incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an information querier, associated with a network management station, that develops a query for at least some network management data from a target agent in the network and assigns a path for a response from the target agent that is unique to the target agent and (2) a response receiver, associated with the information querier, that receives, via the path, the response from the target agent containing the at least some the network management data.
US07734754B2 Reviewing effectiveness of communication rules system
A method for reviewing effectiveness of a rules system applying one or more rules to communication traffic of a group of users. The method analyzes a log containing one or more communications reviewed by the rules system to determine if the communications in the log conforms to the communications policy. The method also identifies one or more of the rules of the rules system violated by the communications when the analyzing the log determines that at least one of the communications in the log does not conform to the communications policy. Other methods determine the effectiveness of planned modifications to a rules system.
US07734745B2 Method and apparatus for maintaining internet domain name data
A host node connected to the Internet automatically generates an Internet interface addresses for itself, and automatically generates a request to an Internet domain name server to update the domain name server's database with the self-generated address. Preferably, the node employs a draft standard stateless address autoconfiguration protocol to create a link-local address, find a router, obtain a prefix from the router, and generate a global address from the prefix and the link-local address. Preferably, the node automatically determines the identity of its master domain name server, and transmits a request to update the master's database using a BIND 8 (or subsequent) protocol. Such a request may be encrypted for security and may include a self-generated identity key for further security.
US07734743B2 Method to enable infiniband network bootstrap
Firmware of an InfiniBand (IB) host computer device provides a representation of an IB Host Channel Adapter (HCA) within the hierarchical data structure during system initialization. An ib-boot support package encapsulates arguments for booting over an IB network using an ibport device. The ib-boot support package supports use of one or more command keywords, each identifying a specific type of support package utilized to retrieve the boot image. When the srp keyword is provided, an SRP protocol is used to access the storage boot device and retrieve the boot file. Access to the boot server is thus provided via one of the support packages, and the boot image is returned to the host device via the IB network for completion of boot operations.
US07734736B2 Configuring virtual LANs on layer 2
A method and apparatus are provided for configuring a VLAN on a node of a communication network. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided at a network management system, through which an operator selects a node and a physical port on the node. The operator identifies which virtual ports associated with the physical port are to be included in each of the member set, the forbidden set, and the untagged set of the VLAN, up the GUI. The GUI is designed so that each virtual port can only belong to one of the member set and the forbidden set. In addition, the network management system ensures that a VLAN ID entered by the operator is unique, and that the maximum number of VLANs have not already been configured on the physical port. The configuration information is thereby validated, and sent to the node for configuration thereon.
US07734735B2 Automatic configuration system and method
One aspect of the invention is an automatic configuration method. The method comprises monitoring a network for data sent by a server in response to a configuring notice, receiving the data, and automatically configuring a processing platform to the network based on the data. Another aspect of the invention is an automatic configuration system. The system comprises a processing platform and application logic operatively associated with the processing platform. The application is operable to monitor a network for data sent by a server in response to a configuring notice, receive the data, and automatically configure the processing platform to the network based on the data.
US07734717B2 Software distribution via peer-to-peer networks
Providing a software distribution service via ad hoc peer-to-peer networks involves configuring a first device to offer a peer-to-peer software distribution service that facilitates access to a plurality of programs. The peer-to-peer software distribution service is advertised via the first device using a service discovery protocol of an ad hoc peer-to-peer network. At least one query for a description of the peer-to-peer software distribution service from a target device of the ad hoc peer-to-peer network is received at the first device in response to advertising the peer-to-peer software distribution service. Downloading of a program to the target device is facilitated via the peer-to-peer software distribution service. The program is selected from the plurality of programs and capable of operating on a processor of the target device.
US07734714B2 Spatial Sieve Tree
A method, apparatus, and system is described for creating a spatial sieve tree which stores, manages, and manipulates multidimensional data by partitioning the bounds of the nodes of the tree, creating child nodes which each have defined bounds associated with a partitioned portion of their parent node(s) and may be further partitioned into additional levels of child nodes, and determining which level of the tree has the smallest size node in which a data object could wholly fit regardless of the data object's location in coordinate space and the one or more nodes of that determined level that could at least partially contain the data object based on the bounds of the one or more nodes and the data object's location in coordinate space.
US07734710B2 Presence-based hybrid peer-to-peer communications
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for improving the flow of data traffic between clients and servers by determining, in an enhanced hybrid peer-to-peer network, when a client telecommunications terminal should share its data with one or more peers, instead of transmitting that data to the servers. A “super-peer” client terminal in the hybrid peer-to-peer network is responsible for determining when to share data with peers and when to transmit data to the servers. The telecommunications terminal (i) shares data with other terminals when a particular user's presence has changed and (ii) transmits data to the enterprise servers when the overall group's presence that corresponds to the terminal's peer group has changed. The system of the illustrative embodiment aggregates presence and routes communications via peer-to-peer networking, instead of via client-to server-to peer networking, thereby reducing the load on the enterprise servers and lessening the occurrences of single points-of-failure.
US07734708B1 Enabling identification of online identities between different messaging services
A method and system for populating identities in a message service involves registering a user of a first messaging service with a second messaging service. User identities for users other than the registered user may be identified. These user identities may be associated with the first messaging service and may be stored in a list associated with the registered user. It is determined if each identified user identity has a matching user identity associated with the second messaging service. If so, a database associated with the second messaging service is populated with the matching user identities. Determining whether a matching user identity exists may be performed, for example, by making character strings comparisons between user identities or using a database that stores a mapping of first messaging service user identities to second messaging service user identities. The mapping database may be generated as corresponding user identities are discovered.
US07734706B2 Line-plane broadcasting in a data communications network of a parallel computer
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for line-plane broadcasting in a data communications network of a parallel computer, the parallel computer comprising a plurality of compute nodes connected together through the network, the network optimized for point to point data communications and characterized by at least a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension, that include: initiating, by a broadcasting compute node, a broadcast operation, including sending a message to all of the compute nodes along an axis of the first dimension for the network; sending, by each compute node along the axis of the first dimension, the message to all of the compute nodes along an axis of the second dimension for the network; and sending, by each compute node along the axis of the second dimension, the message to all of the compute nodes along an axis of the third dimension for the network.
US07734702B2 Content update feature for an instant messaging service
A first mobile terminal comprising a screen configured to display a first window for displaying messages communicated between the first terminal and a second terminal; a user interface, wherein a user may interact with the user interface to update content in a first message displayed in the first window, wherein the first message is previously communicated to and displayed on the second terminal; a processor for detecting updated information and constructing an update packet comprising information about the updated information; and a transmitter for transmitting the update packet to the second terminal to cause a corresponding content update in the first message previously displayed on the second terminal.
US07734698B2 Methods, systems and computer program products for non-intrusive subsequent provisioning of a mobile terminal
Embodiments of the present invention include methods, terminals and circuits for updating provisioning data of a mobile terminal. A network initiated subsequent provisioning message requesting that the mobile terminal initiate a session to update the provisioning data of the mobile terminal is received and it is determined if the mobile terminal is executing a foreground data application utilizing a current registered Internet Protocol (IP) session. An IP session is selectively initiated to update the provisioning data of the mobile terminal based on the determination of whether the mobile terminal is executing a foreground data application utilizing a current registered IP session.
US07734694B2 Web-based groupware system
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a communication network. The system comprises a ‘network-connected server having input and access capabilities, a site builder, a transmitter, a communicator, and memory. The site-builder receives instructions input from a first user and creates a dedicated network site based on the received instructions. The transmitter communicates the existence of the dedicated network site to a nominated second user. The communicator provides accesses to the contents of the dedicated network site by the first and second users. The memory stores information input by the first and the second user in the dedicated network site.
US07734693B2 Methods and apparatuses for managing resources within a collaboration system
In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses utilize an application within a meeting zone; monitor usage within the meeting zone; detect a resource located outside the meeting zone; dynamically add the resource within the meeting zone; and update a database configured to track a status of the resource.
US07734691B2 Providing collaboration services to a wireless device
A method for establishing collaborative communications can include the step of receiving a request for a collaborative session with a designated user from an originating client. An intermediate client can be enabled, where the intermediate client can be deployed within a server that is communicatively linked to the originating client through an Internet protocol network. A mobile device associated with the designated user can be determined. A communication session can be initialized across a wireless network between the intermediate client and the mobile device. At least one collaboration message can be conveyed between the originating client and the mobile device using the intermediate client as a communication intermediary.
US07734690B2 Method and apparatus for providing attributes of a collaboration system in an operating system folder-based file system
A conventional operating system folder or directory based file system is implemented with, or enhanced to provide, attributes of shared collaborative workspaces. In particular, the conventional file system is connected to either a server based or a distributed collaboration system and the user interface of the operating system file system is augmented to allow it to control aspects of the collaboration system. Each folder or directory can be synchronized and treated as a “workspace” that can be viewed and shared with other users or groups of users. Folder can also be provided with “awareness” information that indicates collaborators that are present and those that are sharing the workspace.
US07734682B2 Application service provider method and apparatus
A new system of granting access to network software services as offered by application service providers (ASPs). Central to the system is the use of smart cards, which combine superior user authentication with flexible containment of relevant user information and the ability to execute small software applications. Once smart cards have been issued to registered customers, all subsequent actions of ordering and using of services are under customer control. Once a relationship is established between provider and customer, any request for service or modification of existing provisions is under direct customer control, allowing close monitoring and even forecasting of cost development.
US07734680B1 Method and apparatus for realizing personalized information from multiple information sources
A system for a meta-browser includes a receiver, an output device for displaying a virtual unified browsing space, and a selector input device for navigating the space and making selections therein. The receiver is provided with the capability to receive information from multiple sources of different media types, including broadcast programming, additional information through the broadcast, electronic program guide information, and the Internet. The meta-browser presents personalized collections of information from multiple sources of different media types as different media collections in the unified browsing space, which can be easily and intuitively browsed. A user's browsing experience is further enhanced by personalized recommendations, which are generated based on a profile of the user's interests captured across multiple media sources. Collaborative filtering, which uses multiple user profiles to compute co-relations between the user's profile and others, is also used to make recommendations. The unified browsing space is also searchable.
US07734675B1 System and method for generating a binary result in a data processing environment
A method for processing data includes generating one or more binary results based on one or more inputs and receiving one or more of the binary results. One or more conditional carryout signals may then be generated based on one or more of the binary results. The method also includes communicating one or more of the conditional carryout signals via one or more propagate cells. One or more carryout signals may be generated and received. A sum may then be generated based on the received carryout signals, the sum being communicated to a next destination.
US07734671B1 Method of sorting text and string searching
A method of sorting text for memory efficient searching is disclosed. A FM-index is created on received text, and a number of rows are marked. The locations of the marked rows are stored in data buckets as well as the last column of the FM-index, which is stored as a wavelet tree. Data blocks containing the data buckets are created; containing the number of times each character appears in the data block before each data bucket. A header block is created comprising an array of the number of times each character appears in the last column of the FM-index before each data blocks, the location of the end of the data blocks and the location of the end of the data, and appended to the data block. The header and data blocks are stored. The search process loads data buckets into memory as needed to find the required text.
US07734669B2 Managing copies of data
A method in a computer system for retrieving data from one of multiple copies of the data is provided, referred to as the data management system. The data management system receives a request identifying at least one data object to be accessed. Then, the data management system queries a metabase to locate data copies that contain the identified at least one data object, wherein the data copies are created from similar source data, and wherein for each data copy the metabase contains an indication of the availability of the copy relative to other copies. Next, the data management system determines one of the located data copies to use to access the identified at least one data object, wherein the determination is made based on the indicated availability contained in the metabase for each of the located data copies. Then, the data management system accesses the identified at least one data object using the determined one of the located data copies.
US07734665B2 System and method for providing database utilities for mainframe operated databases
A system and method for performing database utilities on a database. The system may include a mainframe computer that includes a storage unit and at least one database stored on the storage unit. A processing unit may be configured to receive and schedule jobs submitted for execution. An electronic display may be in communication with the processing unit and execute a software program configured to cause the processing unit to display a menu of selectable utilities on the electronic display, display a utility parameter entry screen in response to receiving a utility selection, and generate information including parameters entered in the utility parameter entry screen for use in performing the selected database utility on the database(s).
US07734664B2 Database application including split views
A database application is provided which includes functionality for providing split views. The database application includes an object model having a number of objects, methods, and properties. The object model preferably includes a form object which includes a split view representation. A number of properties are associated with the split view which provides for the presentation of data to a user of the database application.
US07734661B2 Method and apparatus for accessing multidimensional data
A method of indexing data in a multidimensional database includes creating a multidimensional logical access model, creating a multidimensional data storage model in which data is located in cells that are stored and retrieved in blocks, gathering data access information derived from one or more user queries of the database, and reorganizing one or more selected cells in the multidimensional data storage model based on the data access information to reduce the time taken to access the one or more selected cells in response to a user query of the database. A computerized apparatus in communication with a multidimensional database includes a program to perform the method. A computer readable medium contains instructions to cause a computer to perform the method.
US07734656B2 System and method for electronically managing medical data files in order to facilitate genetic research
A method for conducting genetic research on medical data. The method includes the step of accessing a database storing a plurality of medical records associated with a plurality of individuals, each medical record including at least one unique identifier associated with a certain individual and medical data associated with the certain individual. The method also includes the steps of extracting from the database the medical data associated with at least a subset of the plurality of individuals and, for each individual of the subset, obtaining electronically stored genetic data associated with the respective unique identifier. Also, the method includes processing the extracted medical data and obtained genetic data for attempting to identify an association between particular genetic data and a particular medical condition.
US07734655B2 Method of managing data on recording medium
A data management method which causes equipment such as a camera integral-type recording and reproducing apparatus to manage an external reference type container file and an audiovisual stream file by setting an attribution of all the external reference type container files recorded in a disk to an invisible state. Therefore, reproduction of the container file can be performed in the main body of the equipment, and only the audiovisual stream file can be reproduced when the disk is reproduced in, e.g. a personal computer.
US07734643B1 Method for distributed storage of data
A method for distributively storing a data object on a data storage system includes determining a layout map ID and associating the layout map ID with the data object. The layout map ID is used in determining a layout map, and the layout map is used in determining a layout given a current configuration of the data storage system. The data object is fragmented into data fragments and parity fragments, and the data fragments and parity fragments are distributively stored on data storage system in accordance with the layout.
US07734640B2 Resource discovery and enumeration in meta-data driven instrumentation
A method for enumerating an asset includes receiving an enumeration request for enumerating an asset, obtaining a data acquisition (DAQ) definition associated with the enumeration request, translating the enumeration request from an information model format to a DAQ format, wherein the DAQ definition complies with the DAQ format, identifying an actual uniform resource identifier (URI) from the DAQ definition based on the enumeration request, where the URI identifies an enumeration mechanism, triggering a protocol handler associated with the enumeration mechanism, and obtaining information about at least one instance of the asset from the protocol handler.
US07734639B2 Global query correlation attributes
A system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data are disclosed. In general, data access is facilitated by a query configured with a correlation criterion or criteria. The presence of the correlation criteria facilitates the introduction of additional correlation logic to be applied to conditions of the query. In general, correlation criteria are contemplated which support correlation of entities based on time, physical location and age, for example.
US07734636B2 Systems and methods for electronic document genre classification using document grammars
A system for classifying a genre of an electronic document may include a network processor configured to receive an electronic document and convert the electronic document to rich text format (RTF). The processor may be configured to parse the RTF document into lines of text ordered from top to bottom and left to right and assign tokens to each line of text based on content of the line and to line separators based on space between blocks of lines. The network processor may be configured to sequence the tokens, parse the tokenized document with a number of pre-defined document grammars, determine a probability for each genre corresponding to the electronic document, and classify the electronic document as the genre with the highest probability.
US07734634B2 System, apparatus and method for using and managing digital information
A system, apparatus and method for using, identifying, interacting and managing digital information in a useful and convenient manner. When a digital representation of information is loaded, an index is constructed of unique terms in the information, which index includes the terms, a count of the occurrences of each term in the information and a reference to each location wherein the term occurs in the information. A user can select a term of interest from the index and a context box comprising a user-selected amount of information from before and/or after each occurrence of the selected term is displayed to the user to allow the user to more readily identify portions of the information which are of interest. The user can select one a context box of interest and the display of the information is repositioned to the location in the information which corresponds to the select box. A user can also create a knowledge base entry from each identified and/or selected portion of the information, which knowledge base can be searched in a variety of manners.
US07734625B2 Method for performing expression-based validation
A method for performing expression-based validation with records in a computer system database, eliminating the need to write programs or scripts. A validation expression can define complex intra-record tests and inter-record tests and may be performed manually against one or more records and have a success or failure indicated for each record in an interface. A validation expression may be placed into one or more groups and performed as a group with the success or failure indicated for each record. A validation expression may be initiated from workflows to implement a business process with system-enforced data integrity. A validation expression may be manually executed or automatically executed when attempting record update to prevent the entry of invalid data and ensure data integrity. A validation expression may also be used to search using the Boolean result of validation expressions.
US07734620B2 Optimizing a database query that fetches N rows
An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.
US07734618B2 Creating adaptive, deferred, incremental indexes
A request logging component formulates an index that could have been utilized by a query to a database, if the index had existed. The request logging component stores the formulated query as an unsatisfied request. The index creation component creates the index of the database from the unsatisfied request.
US07734615B2 Performance data for query optimization of database partitions
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine performance data for query optimization of a query directed to a database table having multiple partitions. The performance data for the query optimization is presented in a user interface, and an option is provided in the user interface to create a non-spanning index for any of the partitions mentioned in the performance data. In various embodiments, determining the performance data may include: determining the partitions that were unexpanded by the query optimization, determining the partitions that had a runtime estimate that was different from an actual query runtime by a threshold, determining whether any of the partitions had expansion forced by a client request, determining whether the query performed partition elimination, determining whether any of the partitions has an associated index that is unused by the query and that also has a key that is not present in all of the partitions, and determining a constraint for partition elimination.
US07734612B2 Information search apparatus, information search method, information search program, and graphical user interface
Disclosed herein is an information search apparatus includes: search means configured to search for an associated object associated with a specified search source object; associated object display means configured to display a searched associated object onto a display screen; display count setting object display means configured to display a display count setting object for setting the number of the associated objects to be displayed on the display screen onto the display screen; and associated object display count control means configured to, if a setting of the number of associated objects has been changed by an operation executed on the display count setting object, adjust the number of associated objects displayed on the display screen in accordance with the changed setting and display the resultant number of associated objects.
US07734610B2 Decentralised web annotation
Annotations relating to web sites may be based on blog posts relating to the web sites. A user viewing a web site may concurrently view related blog posts about the web site. More particularly, in one implementation, a method includes detecting when a user visits a web page and receiving, in response to the detection, a group of blog posts that link to the web page. The method further includes displaying an indication of the group of blog posts to the user while the user is visiting the web site.
US07734606B2 System and method for regulatory intelligence
A system and method are disclosed for locating, collecting, collating, analyzing, and reporting on summarized data that is generated from regulatory compliance matter data. Data is collected and compiled from multiple sources, including government databases, web pages, and regulatory documents; These collected data are consolidated and reconciled. A single topic record is created for a person, company, or product. Duplication and redundancy within the information are reduced. Corrections in data format are made for inconsistencies that exist between different information sources. Broad and/or narrow searches are enabled with the retrieval of information and/or relevant documents. The integrated data and associated analyses can be presented in reports that can be made accessible through a LAN, a WAN, a desktop, and/or a web interface.
US07734602B2 Choosing whether to use a delayed index maintenance depending on the portion of the materialized view (MV) changed
In an embodiment, estimated costs are used to pick the best refresh technique (e.g., method) for a given MV. In another embodiment, estimated costs are used to schedule the refresh of a set MVs in an order such that overall time to refresh is reduced, or in an order that uses the smallest overall time, for refreshing when compared to other alternative refresh schedules. In another embodiment, the estimated cost of refreshing each of a set of MVs is used to select the set of CPU resources to allocate to refreshing each MV. Based on the estimated costs, the allocation of CPU resources is chosen to be more optimal (e.g., use less CPU time) than other available sets of CPU resources. In an embodiment, when refreshing an MV, delayed index maintenance is chosen if a significant portion of the base table and/or the partitions of the table has changed.
US07734600B1 Apparatus, method and system to implement an integrated data security layer
The disclosure details the implementation of an apparatus, method, and system for an integrated data security layer (IDSL). In one aspect, the IDSL enables entities wishing to control users' data access, whether they are content owners, corporate system administrators, or concerned parents wishing to prevent ill-gotten data to work across their systems, to manage the access of content. The IDSL provides the ability to curb such unwanted access of data. The IDSL has the ability to obtain content information, policy rules regarding the content, and unique identifiers for the content from content providers and/or their proxies. Further, the IDSL has the ability to provide such information to IDSL clients. Such clients employ the obtained information to analyze and control access to the content. Additionally, the IDSL may act as a lookup facility to create, maintain, and update associations between a content information, policy rules, and unique identifiers of content, and any other associated information as detailed throughout. The IDSL coordinates with an IDSL database to identify interassociated items in the generation of entries regarding any related information.
US07734597B2 System and method performing an on-line check of a file system
A system and method for performing an on-line check of a file system modifies various function calls within a file system layer of a storage operating system so that each time the particular inode is retrieved using the modified function calls, a check is performed on the inode and associated buffer trees before returning the requested inode to the calling process.
US07734595B2 Communicating information between clients of a data repository that have deposited identical data items
A method by which a disk-based distributed data storage system is organized for protecting historical records of stored data entities. The method comprises recording distinct states of an entity, corresponding to different moments of time, as separate entity versions coexisting within the distributed data storage system, and assigning expiration times to the entity versions independently within each of a plurality of storage sites according to a shared set of rules, before which times deletion is prohibited.
US07734587B2 Syndication of content based upon email user groupings
A system and method for managing distribution of content to groups of users is described. One embodiment includes establishing subscription information for each of a plurality of user groups within an enterprise, storing the subscription information for each of the user groups in a first data store and retrieving, from a directory of users within the enterprise, information identifying users within each of the plurality of user groups. In addition, content items are retrieved from a plurality of feeds and at least a portion of the content items are replicated in a messaging data store that is utilized by an enterprise messaging system. Selected content items are sent, via the enterprise messaging system, to each of the users in a particular user group based upon the subscription information for the particular user group.
US07734585B2 Updateable fan-out replication with reconfigurable master association
A system, method, computer program and article of manufacture for updateable fan-out replication with reconfigurable master association in a large, multi-node LDAP environment. A replication ring supports the addition of fan-out nodes as children to each primary node that sits on a replication ring. The fan-out nodes can be cascaded in multiple parent/child relationships and can support full replication or a subset of the parent data. Each child/parent relationship is defined by an agreement. Each fan-out node replicates changes to their immediate children and parent based upon the change details and the configured agreement, distributing the replication load.
US07734578B2 System and method for performing integrated storage operations
The present invention relates to a method for performing integrated storage operations on an information store. The present invention comprises identifying a plurality disparate types of storage operations stored in a policy option table. A first storage operation is performed according to a first set of storage criteria stored in the policy option table and a second operation, disparate from the first storage operation, is performed according to a second set of storage criteria stored in the policy option table.
US07734577B2 Composite user interface and framework
Computer-implemented methods of processing contact records are provided. A user may merge and unmerge contact records to control which records are synchronized with each other. Identity claims of records may be compared to identify possible duplicate records. Identity claims may include addresses, phone numbers, instant messenger addresses or other contact data that is likely to be uniquely associated with a contact. When possible duplicate contact records are found, a dialog box is displayed that identifies the possible duplicate records and includes an option for merging the possible duplicate contact records.
US07734570B2 Collaborative linking system with bi-directed variable granularity search engine
The present invention is a system and method for shortening response time and reducing resource utilization in an electronic advertising and customer enquiry system, operating in an interactive communications and distributed database environment. The system is designed to enable customers (01) to easily find product and service offerings that match their requirements for immediate local accessiblity (A1), as well as the customer's (01) specific product desires. Where a perfect match does not exist, slightly less satisfactory solutions are offered. Such product offerings and customer (01) desires have static and dynamic characteristics that effect their electronic publication, enquiry, matching, and subsequent response.
US07734562B1 Voice to text conversion with keyword parse and match to semantic and transactional concepts stored in a brain pool state machine using word distance to generate character model interaction in a plurality of dramatic modes
A system and method is disclosed that supervises the behavior of interactive characters using dynamic, fuzzy, social rules. These characters, called Protags, resemble human beings and are modeled after universal characters and story motifs. Protags respond to input from speech recognizers, text based natural language recognition systems and manipulation of objects in the virtual world in which these characters reside.
US07734555B2 Separate learning system and method using two-layered neural network having target values for hidden nodes
Disclosed herein is a separate learning system and method using a two-layered neural network having target values for hidden nodes. The separate learning system of the present invention includes an input layer for receiving training data from a user, and including at least one input node. A hidden layer includes at least one hidden node. A first connection weight unit connects the input layer to the hidden layer, and changes a weight between the input node and the hidden node. An output layer outputs training data that has been completely learned. The second connection weight unit connects the hidden layer to the output layer, changing a weight between the output and the hidden node, and calculates a target value for the hidden node, based on a current error for the output node. A control unit stops learning, fixes the second connection weight unit, turns a learning direction to the first connection weight unit, and causes learning to be repeatedly performed between the input node and the hidden node if a learning speed decreases or a cost function increases due to local minima or plateaus when the first connection weight unit is fixed and learning is performed using only the second connection weight unit, thus allowing learning to be repeatedly performed until learning converges to the target value for the hidden node.
US07734550B1 Method and system for identifying the controlling license for installed software
In accordance with other aspects, the present invention relates to a system for identifying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system having at least one other software product of the first type installed on the computer system. The system includes a first license associated with the first software product; at least one second license associated with the at least one other software product installed on the computer; and a license module that compares the first license and the at least one second license and selects one of the first and second licenses based on predetermined criteria. Methods for identifying and displaying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system are also disclosed.
US07734547B2 Display control apparatus, display control method, and storage medium storing display control program
A display control apparatus for controlling display of a document on a display part, includes an acquiring section that acquires authentication information associated with a user entering a predefined area, a deciding section that decides whether or not the authentication information acquired by the acquiring section satisfies a display authorization condition associated with the document, and a limiting section that limits display of the document on the display part when the deciding section decides that the authentication information does not satisfy the display authorization condition.
US07734538B2 Multiple quote risk management
The disclosed systems and methods relate to allowing trading of over the counter (“OTC”) foreign exchange (“FX”) contracts on a centralized matching and clearing mechanism, such as that of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's (“CME”'s) futures exchange system (the “Exchange”). The disclosed systems and methods allow for anonymous transactions, centralized clearing, efficient settlement and the provision of risk management/credit screening mechanisms to lower risk, reduce transaction costs and improve the liquidity in the FX market place. In particular, the disclosed embodiments increase speed of execution facilitating growing demand for algorithmic trading, increased price transparency, lower cost of trading, customer to customer trading, and automated asset allocations, recurring trades as well as clearing and settlement efficiencies.
US07734535B1 Method and system for quantity entry
A trading screen may include a plurality of next trade quantity regions that comprise a plurality of locations, each location being associated a price on a price axis. The quantities can be entered into the various locations in the next trade quantity regions and the entered quantities can be used as a parameter of a future trade order at the associated price level. The trading screen may also include a plurality of quantity entry regions that are displayed with respect to the price axis. The quantity entry columns may each include plurality of sub-regions or locations corresponding to different price levels in the price axis. The quantity entry columns may be used to specify next traded quantities that may be used in placing orders for tradeable objects.
US07734531B1 Method for promoting sulfur dioxide futures trading
Computer-based methods for promoting sulfur dioxide futures contracts trading are described. The methods include creating a sulfur financial instrument for use by approved parties to trade sulfur emissions allowances and selling the sulfur financial instrument to an approved buyer who desires to acquire the amounts of the sulfur dioxide emissions allowances. The sulfur financial instrument represents allocated amounts of sulfur emissions allowances that include a future year sulfur dioxide allowance vintage.
US07734530B1 Meta-marketplace method
The present invention is a method for handling multiple aspects of the acquisition of vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, in a unified and streamlined fashion. A system for acquisition of vehicles that integrates various product and service providers with retailers and consumers is presented from various aspects in order to realize efficiencies and opportunities that are impossible in the present mode of vehicle acquisition.
US07734528B1 System and method for event-based trading
A system and method for news-based trading are developed. According to one method, a trader can pre-define a trading strategy including a number of trading rules to be applied based on a comparison of one or more estimated event values to the respective actual event values to be released at some later time. The example method further includes, upon receiving one or more actual event values via a user input or directly from outside sources, executing one or more predefined trading rules selected based on the comparison of the received actual event values to the respective estimated indicator values.
US07734525B2 Hybrid multi-thread and multi-process computer simulation system and methods
A method for performing a calculation that includes determining solutions for a plurality of problem modules. The problem modules are of differing complexities, and their solutions are combined to determine a solution to the calculation. The method may include directing each of the problem modules to at least one master server, estimating a complexity for each of the problem modules, determining a threshold complexity level, sending problem modules having a complexity exceeding the threshold complexity level to at least one slave server and obtaining solutions for the problem modules therefrom, determining solutions for problem modules having a complexity not exceeding the threshold complexity level in the master server(s), and combining the solutions for the problem modules to determine the solution for the calculation.
US07734519B1 Systems and methods for securitized financing of assets
A securitization structure for raising capital, where notes issued under the structure are backed by a plurality of real property assets. The structure includes one or more asset holders that hold a plurality of real property assets. The structure also includes one or more issuers that issue notes to noteholders, wherein the notes are supported by the real property assets including cash flows therefrom, but where the noteholders do not have the benefit of a material amount of security interests in the plurality of real property assets, wherein at least one title insurance policy exists for the benefit of noteholders with respect to one or more of the plurality of real property assets that are not subject to a security interest for the benefit of the noteholders, and wherein the noteholders have the benefit of a security interest in the equity interests of the one or more asset holders that are pledged as security for the notes.
US07734513B2 System of tracking the real time location of shoppers, associates, managers and vendors through a communication multi-network within a store
The invention relates to one or more systems for locating a shopper's, associate's, manager's or vendor's presumed position in a store using a communication multi-network for communication in the store. Specifically, at least one location device is positioned in proximity to, for example, a shopper such that the shopper's presumed position about the store may be known continuously or upon demand to the store.
US07734511B2 Method for selling content over a network
A method to generate revenue from supplied content is provided. Content is provided to a consumer via a network by providing a content service that allows the consumer to select and retrieve content as a package together with a clearing of the selectable content to an operator used by the consumer to select and retrieve the content via the network. Any content selected by the consumer is supplied directly to the consumer via the operator. The operator is charged for the supplied content.
US07734508B2 Method for managing an electronic-commerce shopping cart
A method and system for managing an electronic commerce (e-commerce) shopping cart relating to communication between a shopper and a server over a communication network. A sever whether a shopping command of the shopper has changed an attribute of a primary item in the shopping cart. After the server has determined that the shopping command has changed the attribute of the primary item in the shopping cart, the server identifies a secondary item in the shopping cart linked to the primary item. The server changes a corresponding attribute of the secondary item in response to the change in the attribute of the primary item, wherein the attribute of the primary item is a quantity of the primary item, a color of the primary item, or a size of the primary item.
US07734502B1 Ad server system with click fraud protection
An ad server system takes into consideration information about a user who clicks on an ad in determining whether to charge the advertiser for the click event, and/or in determining an amount to charge the advertiser. In one embodiment, unless the user is recognized, the advertiser is not charged for the ad selection event. Thus, advertisers do not have to pay the ad placement provider when the users who click on their ads are not recognized. If the user is recognized, the ad server system may determine whether and/or how much to charge the advertiser based on information about the recognized user. This information may include, for example, whether the user has set up an account, whether a valid credit card is on file for the user, and/or other types of user information that can be used to hold fraudulent users accountable for their actions.
US07734493B1 Tuning a schedule of transportation resources using mathematical programming
Techniques for refining a schedule involve identifying schedule alternatives to an original schedule and generating one or more substitute schedules using one or more of the schedule alternatives. An objective function is used to perform an analysis of the original schedule and the one or more substitute schedules, and a refined schedule is selected based on the analysis.
US07734490B2 Method and apparatus for facilitating management of information technology investment
A method, product and system are disclosed for generating and facilitating user navigation among one or more investment maps and corresponding scorecards generated using stored data associated with performance metrics of a several information technology (IT) projects.
US07734484B2 Products and processes for managing life instruments
According to an embodiment, a method includes accessing a listing of a plurality of profiles of life insurance policies. A profile is selected from the listing, and the trading status of the profile can be viewed. A buy command or sell command is submitted to an exchange system to trade the life insurance policy that is associated with the selected profile.
US07734481B1 Compliance audit for integrated emergency medical transportation database system
An integrated medical database system for the emergency medical transportation business. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a dispatch and demographic module, a clinical module, an administration module and a billing module. Each module may communicate data with one or more of the other modules to form a system incorporating data sharing, thus achieving an end-to-end automation of emergency medical care accounting. Internal consistency checks using specific libraries of modifiable data rules are performed by the system to ensure that proper treatments are performed according to a chosen diagnosis. The system includes a compliance audit module operating on data from the dispatch module and clinical module. The compliance audit module checks to ensure that data is consistent with high risk compliance areas. The results of the compliance audit module are forwarded to the billing module.
US07734456B2 Method and apparatus for priority based data processing
An important component selection device is provided for selecting a component having a higher importance in a simulation calculation, so that the component having a higher priority is calculated firstly by a calculation device and the importance of the updated component is re-evaluated so as to be reflected in the calculation thereafter. When a high speed is required, the ranking of the important components are realized by hardware. Moreover, when a storage device has a plurality of candidate value data for each of the component data and the calculation device updates the candidate values one by one, the magnitude of variety of the candidate values is used as the importance of the component data and the component having this value which is large is calculated with a higher priority so that the calculation of the component having a small change is omitted, thereby increasing the simulation speed.
US07734442B2 Apparatus and method for a test and measurement instrument
The apparatus for a test and measurement instrument consists of multiple integrated circuits with each integrated circuit being connected to its own memory controller. At least one of the integrated circuits is a specialized integrated circuit, which may be a graphics processing unit, a digital signal processor, or a field-programmable gate array. Each memory controller is connected to its own memory. The integrated circuits are connected in a circular arrangement by multiple high-speed interconnects. A bridge is connected to at least the first and last integrated circuits. A system bus connects the bridge to an acquisition module. The acquisition module has a signal bus interface with the system bus being connected to the acquisition module and having its own acquisition hardware. The acquisition hardware is a direct memory access machine that can transfer data to any portion of the memory. There is a signal source connected to the signal bus interface.
US07734440B2 On-chip over-temperature detection
An improved method and apparatus for setting a trip-point temperature value for detection of an over-temperature condition in a chip when a reading from a main temperature sensor exceeds the trip-point temperature value. In one embodiment, the trip-point temperature value is set to a known temperature limit value offset by a temperature difference, ΔT. ΔT is calculated by taking the difference between a reading of the main temperature sensor and a reading of another temperature sensor, remote from the main temperature sensor, while a heat-generating circuit is enabled. The main temperature sensor is distal from heat-generating circuit on the chip and the remote temperature sensor is proximate the heat-generating circuit. For multiple heat-generating circuits on the chip, a ΔT is determined for each of the heat-generating circuits, and the largest ΔT is used to calculate the trip-point temperature value. Advantageously, the largest ΔT determination may be done only once.
US07734430B2 Determining power
Embodiments of determining power to be supplied to the load using an expected voltage decrease that would result from supplying power to the load are disclosed.
US07734418B2 Vehicle operation assisting system
When a collision avoidance operation determiner determines a collision avoidance operation by a driver, a target assist electrical current calculator calculates a target assist electrical current based on a deviation between a standard yaw rate corrected in accordance with avoidance momentum calculated by an avoidance momentum calculator and an actual yaw rate; and the target assist electrical current is supplied to a steering actuator to assist the collision avoidance operation by the driver. At this time, when an under-steer determiner determines an under-steer state, an assist electrical current is decreased by a reaction force electrical current calculated in a reaction force electrical current calculator. Therefore, a steering angle is prevented from becoming too large due to excessive assist, thereby facilitating a return operation after avoiding an obstacle.
US07734415B2 Navigation system
When a vehicle deviates from a guide route at a first branch point, the state of the first branch point is memorized. Afterward, when a second branch point becomes a target for a route guide and the state of the second branch point is similar to the memorized state, a user of the vehicle is provided with a guide for preventing deviation from the guide route at the second branch point with a manner of the guide changed. This procedure allows learning of tendency of the user with respect to a state apt to cause the user to mistake a guide route. A guide to help prevent a user from deviating from a guide route at a branch point can be thus performed appropriately.
US07734414B2 Device, system and method for displaying a cell phone control signal in front of a driver
A device, system and method for transmitting a signal that controls a function of a cellular telephone from a key pad mounted on a steering wheel, and displaying an indication of such signal on a screen in front of a driver.
US07734408B2 Electric parking brake system and method for controlling the electric parking brake system
In an electric parking brake system including a tension control unit that controls the friction member pushing force in a brake by controlling the tension of a cable, the target tension is set to a larger value when a vehicle is maintained at a standstill on a downhill slope than when the vehicle is maintained at a standstill on an uphill slope.
US07734397B2 Method and system for tracking the positioning and limiting the movement of mobile machinery and its appendages
A method and system for tracking and limiting the movement of key identified points on a movable machine, through the use of location devices positioned on the body or appendages of the machine, by comparing the sensed locations against a database of site information, and to restrict movement of the machine and/or its appendages if it has or is likely to pass through a defined boundary in the site information database.
US07734384B2 Tuned battery pack damper for a hybrid electric vehicle
A tuned mass damper system and vibration damper method for a hybrid electric road vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a powertrain with an engine, at least one electric machine and a battery. The battery mass forms a part of a vehicle vibration absorber that attenuates vibrations induced by road wheels of the vehicle.
US07734383B2 Method and apparatus for planning the movement of trains using dynamic analysis
A method of planning the movement of plural trains through a rail network using a database of dynamic planning attributes reflecting the current conditions of the train and rail network.
US07734375B2 Robot and robot leg mechanism
A robot with a body, at least one leg on each side of the body, and a hip connecting the leg to the body. The hip is configured to abduct and adduct the leg. A linkage is configured to rotate the leg along a predetermined path.
US07734371B2 System and apparatus for dispensing information and product
The present invention is directed to a vending system or automated store and method of practice that has a means for inputting data, e.g., data input device, means for analyzing the data, e.g., microprocessor, and an output based on the analysis that includes information, product, or both. The invention is particularly suited for the delivery of healthcare and/or personal care products. The system provides a prospective consumer with information about products and their use, and preferably is capable of accessing qualified savings accounts for purposes of completing a transaction.
US07734367B2 Method of optimizing the joints between layers in modelling or prototyping involving layer decomposition, and the parts obtained
In a method for optimizing the joints between layers along portions of the layers which are flush with the surface of a part obtained by computer-aided modeling or prototyping involving layer decomposition, the connecting profile of two successive layers is mathematically and numerically defined using an algorithm in which the surface of the joint at the end zone adjacent to the flush portions is always substantially normal to the plane tangential to the surface of the part along the flush portions.
US07734365B2 Supply consumption optimization and multiple component utilization
The invention disclosed here is a method for achieving simultaneous consideration of multiple independent dates associated with a single demand. The method iterates through the demands to match the demands with the supply quantities respecting demand priorities which vary over time and demand quantities which may perish over time. One embodiment of the invention allocates demand to supply through an iterative process beginning with earlier demand requirement dates and concluding with later demands which may preempt supply from earlier demands depending upon their relative priorities. An additional embodiment transforms the demands to create multiple demand records, each having an associated priority, such that a single original demand record is transformed into a plurality of related demand records, each having an associated priority. The component supply quantities are accumulated into period ending inventories. The method matches the multiple demand records (in priority sequence) to the period ending inventories.
US07734360B2 Industrial controller based on distributable technology objects
A method and system for controlling an industrial controller based on technology objects are disclosed. Technology object types may be loaded and instantiated into the run time system of a controller, thereby increasing the functionality and providing technological scaling of the controller. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program.
US07734355B2 Treatment of disorders by unidirectional nerve stimulation
Apparatus (18) for treating a condition of a subject is provided. An electrode device (100) is adapted to be coupled to longitudinal nervous tissue (40) of the subject, and a control unit (50) is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the nervous tissue a current which is capable of inducing action potentials that propagate in the nervous tissue in a first direction, so as to treat the condition. The control unit is further adapted to suppress action potentials from propagating in the nervous tissue in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US07734351B2 Method and apparatus for assisting deglutition
Methods and systems for artificially stimulating user deglutition without substantial aspiration are provided. Methods and systems include artificially stimulating user deglutition according to various specialized programs, including passive user secretion maintenance programs, active feeding programs, proprioceptive feedback programs, and others.
US07734347B2 Cardiac pacing response classification based on waveform feature variability
Methods and systems involve determining the cardiac response to pacing pulses. The variability cardiac signal features detected during initialization is used to establish a variability threshold. A cardiac signal associated with a pacing pulse is sensed and one or more features of the cardiac signal are detected. The variability of the one or more features is compared to the variability threshold. The cardiac response to the pacing pulse is determined based on the feature variability.
US07734337B2 Apparatus for measuring brain local activity
For measuring a brain local activity, a predetermined frequency bandwidth wider than a frequency bandwidth of alpha waves of scalp potentials is divided into a predetermined number of frequency banks each having a fixed frequency width, data of each divided frequency bank is divided into segments of a predetermined duration on a time axis, a Z-score of the subject is determined from a first mean value of normalized power variances determined for the segments and a second mean value of normalized power variances predetermined in the same manner as the first mean value for a predetermined normal person group and a standard deviation of the normalized power variances in the group, and a mean value of the Z-scores determined over all of the frequency banks is mapped on a brain surface for each sensor, whereby a template of a specified brain disorder and likelihood of a subject to a specified brain disorder are calculated.
US07734331B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for preparation, delivery and monitoring of radioisotopes in positron emission tomography
In one aspect, systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a dispensing station dispenses a large quantity of a radiotracer to one or more positron emission tomography imaging stations. In some aspects a quality control unit verifies the quality of the radiotracer. In some embodiments, components of the system are coupled by a local area network. In some aspects, each positron emission tomography imaging station includes an injector system, a physiological monitoring device, and a positron emission tomography scanner. All of the devices can be controlled by a computer system.
US07734328B2 System and method to enhance visualization of an object in a vascular vessel
An imaging system of an object in an imaged subject is provided. The imaging system includes an image detector and a guidewire in support of a pair of markers. The imaging system also includes a controller in communication with the image detector. The controller includes a processor in communication to execute a series of programmable instructions stored in a memory, the programmable instructions including acquiring a plurality of acquired images, detecting a position of the pair of markers, calculating a first mathematical representation of an alignment of the guidewire between the markers and a second mathematical representation of an alignment of the guidewire not between the markers, and registering the first and second mathematical representations of the guidewire extending through the object relative to more than one of the acquired images so as to locate the object in at least one of the acquired images.
US07734322B2 Blood volume determination and sensor calibration
An apparatus is provided for determining a calibration coefficient of a blood property sensor located in a blood system, wherein the blood system can include a vascular portion and an extracorporeal portion. The blood property sensor can be located in the extracorporeal portion to measure the change in a blood property corresponding to the passing of an indicator. The indicator can include a known amount of an introduced dilution indicator. The controller is provided for determining the calibration coefficient of the blood property sensor corresponding to the introduced dilution indicator in the measured change in the blood property.
US07734321B2 Apparatus for non-invasive spectroscopic measurement of analytes, and method of using the same
An apparatus for spectroscopic evaluation of a subject's body fluids may be used at the interstitial region adjacent to or in between a subject's extremities using a spectroscopic probe. The spectroscopic probe may possess one or more of the movements such as rotational, translational, and/or vertical freedom necessary for the probe to contact the subject's tissue at a consistent angle and pressure while accommodating the different size of the subject's extremities, and may be housed in a device optimized for attaining reproducible blood flow to the region of the subject that is measured, and for minimizing the effects of the housing pulling, stretching, pressing, compressing the subject's skin. A pressure sensor may be used to ensure that measurements are taken at an optimal pressure. A touch sensor may be used to activate a system and/or to ensure flushness. In addition, the spectroscopic measurement may be coupled with a temperature measurement means that detects the subject's local body temperature in or near the region being measured, or the subject's core or mean body temperature, or the ambient temperature proximate to the probe, or any combination of those measurements. The system may also include one or more indicators to communicate information to a test subject.
US07734318B2 Foldable portable information processing device for displaying plural images
In the event that a cellular telephone is placed in a charging stand in an incoming wait status or if a predetermined time that the device has been left unattended elapses, a slide show display is executed which sequentially switches and displays a plurality of images in the main display portion but only when in the arrangement position of namely, view style, in a folded position with the main display portion facing outward. Additionally, when executing a slide show display, the slide direction is switched as the image size adjusts corresponding to the direction (portrait display position, landscape display position) of the main display portion.
US07734297B1 Method and system for determining operating modes of users of a telecommunication system
The invention relates to a method for defining the patterns of behaviour of users of a telecommunication system on the basis of information collected from the telecommunication system, in which method at least one variable or a combination of variables of the telecommunication system is defined, user-specific information corresponding to the defined at least one variable or a combination of variables is filtered from the information collected from the telecommunication system, and the users of the telecommunication system are divided into classes of behaviour patterns on the basis of said filtered user-specific information. In addition, the invention relates to a system for defining the behaviour patterns of users of a telecommunication system, which system comprises means (51) for defining at least one variable or a combination of variables of the telecommunication system, filtering means (53) for filtering said user-specific information corresponding to at least one variable or a combination of variables from the information received from the telecommunication system, and classifying means (55) for classifying the users of telecommunication system on the basis of said filtered user-specific information.
US07734296B2 Management of distributed location servers
In one embodiment, a method includes storing, in a data store, a physical network model of a network environment, the network environment comprising one or more central controllers and one or more access points each operative to associate with a central controller, the physical network model comprising one or more region objects, each region object corresponding to a physical region of the network environment, each region object further including one or more radio frequency (RF) coverage maps, each RF coverage map defining a location of one or more access points and RF properties of a physical space; receiving a first mapping definition between a location server and a one or more region objects of the physical network model; receiving a second mapping definition between the location server and one or more central controllers; transmitting the one or more region objects in the first mapping definition to the location server; and configuring the location server and the one or more central controllers in the second mapping definition to interoperate.
US07734291B2 Method and system for storing IOTA alert message requests for a vehicle communications system into a queue
The invention provides a method for storing an alert message request for a vehicle communication system into a message queue by initiating an acquisition task to determine service availability, receiving an alert message request from a wireless communication system, storing the alert message request into the vehicle communication unit message queue, and servicing the alert message request until completion.
US07734286B2 Remote control system
A method includes the steps of selecting an appliance to be controlled from a list of appliances stored in the cellular device, selecting an instruction to be communicated to the selected appliance from a list of instructions stored in the cellular device, and transmitting the instruction to a cellular interface associated with the selected appliance via a public cellular telephone infrastructure by dialing a. telephone number stored in the cellular device.
US07734284B2 System and method for handling data transfers
Systems and methods for managing data transfers between a secure location and a less secure location. A data transfer checker operating on a mobile device determines whether an attempted data transfer between two locations is permitted. If it is not permitted, then the data transfer is prevented and the user may be notified of the data transfer prevention.
US07734283B2 Internet accessing method from a mobile station using a wireless network
A method for opening a wireless communication session and providing an end-user with a free Internet session after they view customized content associated with a wireless access point (“Hot Spot”). In a preferred embodiment, an end-user opens an Internet browser after selecting an available “Hot Spot” displayed on their wireless device. The wireless device connects with the chosen “Hot Spot”, which then establishes a connection with a management platform controlling authentication and content unique to the “Hot Spot”. The management platform then transmits the content via the “Hot Spot” to the wireless device, where it is displayed until expiration of a pre-determined time. After the display expires, the end-user's internet session is opened via automatic authentication by the management platform. This authentication can be triggered either by the click of a login button appearing on the wireless device after the display expires, or by mere expiration of the display.
US07734276B2 Retrofit automobile radio for older automobiles
A replacement or retrofit radio which can be used to replace a wide range of older automobile radios and fit into an almost unlimited number of dashboard configurations comprises a radio case or enclosure having a display sized to fit into most original automobile dashboard radio display openings. Separate control knob shafts and associated controls are provided electrically connected to the radio via relatively long cables. With separate control knob shafts, there is no limit to where the controls and shafts are placed with respect to the radio case and display. A selected set of brackets can be attached to the radio with the selected set of brackets providing adjustable physical mounting of the control knob shafts to the brackets and physical connection of the control knob shafts to the radio. This allows mounting of the radio in the dashboard of the automobile in the usual manner of tightening nuts onto threaded control knob shaft sleeves.
US07734274B2 Narrow-band detections of a received signal
The frequency of an RF signal to be transmitted is modulated at the transmitting unit, and the modulation information is used by the receiving unit to filter out any unwanted noise. The modulation information may be used to retrieve associated filter coefficients that are used by the receiver to filter out the noise. Accordingly, for each transmit frequency, a multitude of filter coefficients stored in a memory are applied by the receiver to filter out the noise. The filtering operation may be performed after the received signal is downconverted from an RF to an audio signal.
US07734257B2 Dynamic shared forward link channel for a wireless communication system
A dynamic shared forward link channel (or “data” channel) is used to send multicast data to a group of wireless devices, e.g., using a common long code mask for the data channel. Reference power control (PC) bits are also sent on the data channel and used for signal quality estimation. A shared forward link control channel is used to send user-specific signaling to individual wireless devices, e.g., using time division multiplexing (TDM) and a unique long code mask for each wireless device. A shared forward link indicator channel is used to send reverse link (RL) PC bits to the wireless devices, e.g., using TDM. The data channel is jointly power controlled by all wireless devices receiving the data channel. The control and indicator channels are individually power controlled by each wireless device such that the signaling and RL PC bits sent on these channels for the wireless device are reliably received.
US07734241B2 Image heating apparatus and rotatable heating member used for the same
Disclosed is an image heating apparatus. The image heating apparatus includes a rotatable heating member for heating an image on a recording material in a nip portion, and a heating unit for heating the heating member from the outside thereof. With this structure, a warm-up time period or a first print-out time period can be reduced, and low power consumption can be accomplished. Further, satisfactory image quality can be realized with no heating (fixing) irregularity. The heating member has a low thermal conductive elastic layer, and a heat storage layer outside the low thermal conductive elastic layer to have a volume heat capacity larger than the low thermal conductive elastic layer. A heat capacity of the heat storage layer per unit surface area of a fixing member is in a range of 100 J/m2K to 600 J/m2K.
US07734230B2 Conveyor device and image forming apparatus
A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.
US07734226B2 Lift mechanism for one or more developer members in an image forming device
The present application is directed to devices and methods to position a developer member relative to a photoconductive member in an image forming device. One embodiment includes an elongated lift plate positioned in proximity to a photoconductive member. An elongated opening may be positioned within the lift plate. The opening may include a first section and a second section. The first section may be positioned farther from the photoconductive member than the second section. A positioning member may be positioned within the opening, and be operatively connected to the developer member. A hold down may bias the positioning member towards an edge of the opening. The lift plate may be longitudinally movable between a first position with the positioning member in the first section of the opening that positions the developer member away from the photoconductive member, and a second position with the positioning member in the second section that positions the developer member against the photoconductive member.
US07734217B2 Sheet post-processing apparatus with protection cover
A sheet post-processing apparatus of the invention includes a sheet guiding unit configured to have plural components including paper carrying components be attached thereto, a tray onto which a sheet of paper is discharged, and a protection cover attached to the sheet guiding unit at a portion in close proximity to the tray side. A protection cover has a cover main body, a screw attachment portion, a screw cover that covers the screw attached to the screw attachment portion, and a slit used for the tip end of the screw cover to be inserted into the cover main body to be fixed thereto.
US07734213B2 Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A secure seal is provided between a blade unit and a housing in a developer unit of an image forming apparatus by utilizing a sheet member configured to cover a step height formed on a surface of the blade unit facing a sealing member.
US07734210B2 Printing system, printing method and printer driver
There is described a printing system in which a computer terminal device and an image forming apparatus are coupled to each other through a communication network. The computer terminal device includes: an apparatus information acquiring section to acquire apparatus information that includes information in regard to a kind of paper-sheet feeding tray of the image forming apparatus and a kind of paper sheet corresponding to the paper-sheet feeding tray, from the image forming apparatus; a display section to display a specific screen for setting a print condition; and a print condition setting section to control the display section, so that both the apparatus information and setting information that includes information in regard to a kind of paper-sheet feeding tray and a kind of paper sheet corresponding to the paper-sheet feeding tray, which are established in advance by a user or as default information, are displayed on the specific screen.
US07734207B2 Turret fusing apparatus
A turret fusing apparatus including (a) a frame; (b) a rotatable external pressure roller mounted at a first mounting position to the frame; and (c) a rotatable turret assembly mounted at a second mounting position on the frame for selectably forming different fusing nips having different characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller. The rotatable turret assembly has at least a pair of internal pressure rollers including a first rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a first fusing nip having a first set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller, and a second rotatable internal pressure roller for forming a second fusing nip having a second set of characteristics with the rotatable external pressure roller.
US07734189B2 Parallel channel optical communication using modulator array and shared laser
An optical transmitter includes a drive laser, a 1×N splitter, and an array of modulators. The 1×N splitter is coupled to split a beam from the drive laser into separated beams, and the modulators modulate the respective beam to represent respective data signals that are transmitted in parallel. Embodiments of the transmitter can provide high data rate communications at low cost by eliminating the need for an array of isolators and eliminating the need for high quality AR coatings. Additionally, an integrated optical circuit containing the modulator array does not require an array of lasers and can be fabricated at higher yields and lower costs.
US07734182B2 Illuminator including optical transmission mechanism
An illuminator including an optical transmission mechanism includes a transmission-side electric circuit for forming electric signals modulated in response to information, a light source for emitting intensity-modulated light in response to the electric modulated signals, optical wavelength conversion means including fluorescent material for converting part of the intensity-modulated light into illumination light, photoelectric conversion means for receiving another part of the modulated light and converting this part into reproduced electric modulated signals and a receiving-side electric circuit for reproducing the information from the reproduced electric modulated signals.
US07734181B2 Devices, systems and methods for ad hoc wireless communication
The current options for wireless communication have changed the way people work and the way in which networks can be deployed. However, there remains unresolved problems in the setup and configuration of wireless communication links. Both known cellular and ad hoc wireless networking protocols and systems are deficient in that the ability for users to communicate without a priori knowledge of MAC addresses (represented by phone numbers, IP addresses and the like) is limited or may be compromised in a hostile environment. In contrast, provided by aspects of the present invention are devices, systems and methods for establishing ad hoc wireless communication between users that do not necessarily have MAC addresses and the like for one another. In some embodiments, a first user visually selects a second user and points a coherent light beam at an electronic device employed by the second user. Data specific to the first user is modulated on the coherent light beam, which can then be demodulated when the coherent light beam is received by the electronic device of the second user.
US07734179B1 Fiber/wired communication system
A communication system between head-ends and end-users is provided which expands bandwidth and reliability. A concentrator receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more fiber nodes and/or one or more mini-fiber nodes. The concentrator demultiplexes/splits received signals for the mini-fiber nodes and the fiber nodes and forwards demultiplexed/split signals respectively. The mini-fiber nodes may combine signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local medium access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and/or fiber node and transmitted to the concentrator. The concentrator multiplexes/couples the mini-fiber node and the fiber node upstream signals and forwards multiplexed/coupled signals to the head-end. Communication signals received from the mini-fiber nodes that are destined to other end-users also connected to the mini-fiber nodes may be routed by the concentrator without head-end interaction.
US07734175B2 Network configuring apparatus
An optical wiring switching unit includes a first connection interface. A packet switch includes a second connection interface. A resource includes a third connection interface, and is formed with at least one of a server and a storage device. A control device controls the optical wiring switching unit to perform a switching of connection between the connection interfaces. The packet switch and the resource are connected to the optical wiring switching unit via the connection interfaces. A network is configured by connecting the packet switch and the resource with a control of the optical wiring switching unit.
US07734174B2 System and method for a channel guard in a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer
The present invention provides a colorless multiplexing system and method for detecting new optical channels at power levels below that which would cause data errors in existing traffic, and on top of background light, thus, overcoming a known risk inherent in colorless multiplexing—that a channel of the same wavelength as an existing channel is incorrectly added to the original working, traffic-carrying, channel's path.
US07734172B2 Router having dual propagation paths for packets
A router comprising an interface module (IM), having an optical path and an electrical path and a speed sensor coupled between an input of the router and an input of the IM. The speed sensor is adapted to receive a packet and detect a speed of the IM connection and in response to the speed of the IM connection being above a threshold value, the speed sensor provides the packet to the optical path of the IM and in response to the relative speed being below the threshold value, the speed sensor provides the packet to the electrical path of the IM.
US07734171B2 Snap-in retainer for a sensor system
A system for retaining a sensor assembly includes a mounting plate having a mounting area for the sensor assembly, a sensor assembly having a sensor assembly plate with a perimeter, and a retainer ring having at least one spring member. The at least one spring member of the retainer ring is configured to bias the sensor assembly substantially toward at least one datum, such that a portion of the perimeter of the sensor assembly plate is directly adjacent to the at least one datum.
US07734168B2 Lighting apparatus, electronic flash apparatus and camera
A lighting apparatus comprising: a reflecting surface for reflecting light, formed on a circuit board; an LED light source for emitting illumination light with a light-emitting diode, mounted on a part of said reflecting surface; and a reflector for reflecting ahead the light emitted from said LED light source, mounted on said circuit board so as to surround said LED light source and have the opened rear thereof closed by said reflecting surface.
US07734167B2 Focus controller, optical apparatus using the same, and control method
A focus controller configured to control focus of an optical system that has a focus lens includes a switching circuit configured to select a first driver for the electrization to a coil of a motor in performing focus control using a first focus detector, and to select a second driver in an electrization to the coil of the motor in performing focus control using a second focus detector. The first driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil in the motor according to an output of the position sensor. The second driver is configured to switch an electrization to the coil of the motor according to a determined time interval.
US07734158B2 Steam generator
A steam generator includes a tank having an inlet in a lower part for feeding a fluid, and an outlet in an upper part for discharging a vapor-liquid two phase flow. A heating unit heats the fluid in the tank thereby producing the vapor-liquid two phase flow. A porous cylindrical member projects from the outlet into an inside of the tank and functions as a rectifying unit that homogenizes vapor-liquid distribution in the vapor-liquid two phase flow before the vapor-liquid two phase flow is discharged from the outlet.
US07734157B2 System and method for producing medical image data onto portable digital recording media
This application discloses a system for recording medical image data for production on a portable digital recording medium such as CDs and DVDs. This system includes a receiving module, a processing module and an output module, with viewing program for viewing medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It also discloses a method of storing medical image data on a portable digital recording medium, including the steps of receiving the medical image data, processing the data and storing the data on the portable digital recording medium, with a viewing program for viewing medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It further discloses a method of selecting medical image data for recording on a portable digital recording medium, including the steps of connecting a browsing terminal to a computer database that stores the medical image data, selecting a first set of the medical image data from the computer database, and recording the selected first set of medical image data on the portable digital medium, with a viewing program for viewing the medical image data stored on the portable digital recording medium. It also discloses the method and system of retrieving medical image data that are related to the received/selected original medical image data, and recording the original and related medical image data on a portable digital recording medium.
US07734153B1 Video stream processing method for time-delayed viewing
A broadcast receiving system which simultaneously supports time-delayed viewing and recording/reproduction. In the broadcast receiving system, blocks are discontinuously arranged in a circular buffer to rapidly implement time-delayed viewing of a channel and recording/reproduction of another channel at the same time. To do so, circular buffer blocks are discontinuously arranged on a disk surface in a time-delayed viewing mode. If the time-delayed viewing mode is performed simultaneously with a recording/reproduction mode, video streams for time-delayed viewing are recorded in free blocks nearest to blocks in which video streams of a channel to be recorded are recorded or from which video streams of a channel to be reproduced are reproduced. Therefore, two or more modes can be performed effectively and simultaneously.
US07734145B2 System and method of patching missing digital video packets communicated in an IEEE 1394 compliant implementation
The present invention is a system and method that facilitates the reduction of presentation glitches in a digital video system. The present invention is a system and method that automatically determines if digital video (DV) data is missing from a stream of DV information and replaces or patches missing DV data with appropriate information to reduce the appearance of interruptions in the video (e.g., glitches in presentations). A communication packet carrying application data is received by an application data patching computer system. In one embodiment of the present invention, an IEEE standard 1394 compliant isochronous packet carrying digital video information is received. The application data (e.g., DV information) is separated from other communication packet protocol data (e.g., IEEE standard 1394 compliant header information). The received application data is analyzed to determine if it conforms to configuration constraints of predetermined application data format requirements. In one exemplary implementation, the initial information included in the application data section of the communication packet is analyzed to determine if it appropriately (e.g., sequentially) follows the information in previously received communication packet in accordance with predefined configuration definitions. If the information does not appropriately (e.g., sequentially) follow the information in previously received communication packet, a data patch is provided for lost or missing application data.
US07734142B2 Apparatus for providing a modified analog video signal from an internet transmission of a video signal
A modified Colorstripe™ copy protection process utilizes a basic anti-copy protection (ACP) signal that causes attenuation of a video signal, wherein, in one embodiment, the process modifies (lowers) the level of a front porch portion and adds an incorrect color signal (color burst) in the region of the sync tip. When an illegal copy is made, a pre-blanked end of line portion causes a TV set to trigger the color burst sample pulse ahead of time and cause the incorrect color signal in the sync tip region to be sampled. Thus, since the sync tip region has incorrect color phase or frequency, the resulting illegal copy will have enhanced color distortions. In other embodiments, other portions of the horizontal blanking interval are lowered in level and incorrect color bursts are added to a portion or portions of the back porch and/or a portion of the front porch.A further embodiment employs lowering a back porch portion above a sync tip level near the beginning of a video line to form a pseudo sync/AGC pulse pair. The various embodiments of the process may include an adaptable process, as well as several alternative ACP signals for use in combination with the process.
US07734139B2 Modular cable-management system
Apparatus for providing cable-management comprising at least one bracket having a support member and a plurality of extensions protruding from the support member, where at least one pair of adjacent extensions define at least one receptacle. At least one cable holder is removably inserted into the at least one receptacle.
US07734135B2 Method and device for manufacturing optical preforms, as well as the optical fibres obtained therewith
The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing optical performs, in which one or more layers of glass, doped or undoped, are deposited onto the internal surface of a hollow substrate tube, which deposition is effected by supplying one or more reactive gas mixtures of glass-forming compounds tot the interior of the hollow substrate tube and subsequently generating a non-isothermal plasma in the hollow substrate tube, after which the preform is subjected to a contraction process for the purpose of forming a massive rod, from which optical fibres are drawn.
US07734134B2 Fiber scope
An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 3600°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 360°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.
US07734132B2 Optical spectral filtering and dispersion control for wavelength multiplexed laser sources using fiber Bragg gratings
The embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for optical spectral filtering and dispersion control for wavelength multiplexed laser sources using fiber Bragg gratings. More specifically, the apparatus includes a laser diode having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the laser diode has a first semi-transparent portion; and, the second end of the laser diode has a second semi-transparent portion. The apparatus further includes an optical fiber connected to the second end of the laser diode. The optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the optical fiber is connected to the second end of the laser diode. The laser diode comprises a laser cavity; and, the optical fiber comprises an extension of the laser cavity. Moreover, the second end of the optical fiber has a reflective surface.
US07734123B2 Evanescent III-V silicon photonics device with spin coat bonding
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a hybrid photonics device comprises a silicon portion having one or more features formed therein, a non-silicon portion comprising one or more photonics devices proximate to the one or more features of the silicon portion, and a bonding layer coupling the silicon portion with the non-silicon portion, the non-silicon portion being bonded to the silicon portion via the bonding layer prior to patterning of the one or more photonics devices.
US07734122B1 Multimode interference device with side input/output ports
A multimode interference device and a method of configuring the same comprises a multimode interference region having a major axis; and a plurality of ports connected to a side portion of the multimode interference region, wherein the side portion is positioned in a direction other than perpendicular to the major axis.
US07734121B2 Bidirectional optical module
A bidirectional optical module having a device 1 for emitting transmitting signal light, an optical fiber 8 which the transmitting signal light from the device enters, a light-receiving device 9 which light from the optical fiber enters, and a wavelength splitting filter 4. The transmitting signal light emitted from the device is sent forward through the optical fiber, and the receiving signal light is received through the optical fiber. The bidirectional optical module has an optical device (optical isolator) of a reflection polarizer 6 bonded to an end face of the optical fiber, a Faraday rotator 5 disposed integrally on the reflection polarizer and an absorption polarizer 3 disposed on an optical path extending between the device and the filter. The reflection polarizer has a wavelength dependency which functions as a polarizer for the transmitting signal light, but does not function as a polarizer for the receiving signal light.
US07734116B2 Swarm imaging
A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. In one example, the data may include data at a specific time or over a period of time such that a requestor may request data obtained or captured by data capture devices at the specified time or during the period of time. Multiple images may also be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.
US07734115B2 Method for filtering image noise using pattern information
Disclosed is a method for removing image noise using pattern information, which filters noise caught by a sensor during preprocessing of a compression codec, so as to increase a compression efficiency, and noise caused by the codec during post-processing of the codec, so as to obtain high quality images. The method includes the steps of: (a) carrying out region dispersion with respect to input image signals so that the image signals are dispersed with a predetermined pixel size; (b) calculating mean brightness of the input image signals and carrying out noise dispersion with respect to the input image signals; (c) switching a low frequency and a high frequency based on image signals which are subjected to the region dispersion and the noise dispersion; (d) removing noise based on a statistic after obtaining the region average with respect to the image signals having the low frequency; and (e) removing noise based on a similarity of pixels after analyzing patterns with relation to the image signals having the high frequency.
US07734114B1 Intelligent saturation of video data
The intelligent saturation controller calculates the exact maximum saturation any valid YCbCr pixel can undergo before it becomes invalid in RGB space. The controller models the saturation operation in RGB color space and calculates the maximum saturation level at which the RGB values falls outside the valid range. The saturation operation is performed independently for every pixel of the incoming video frame and ensures that each output pixel is a valid. The controller finds the maximum saturation for each input pixel and checks whether it is less than the input saturation factor. If so, then this calculated maximum saturation value is applied. If not, the input saturation factor is applied. Accordingly, the output RGB pixels are valid and no clamping is necessary if no other video processing is done in YCbCr space. Increasing the saturation of the video signal results in a more vivid and more colorful picture.
US07734109B2 Method and apparatus for bit resolution extension
A bit resolution-extension method is provided. The bit resolution-extension method includes acquiring the shortest distance from a central pixel to a positive contour and the shortest distance from the central pixel to a negative contour in a filtering region which scans the positive contour comprising large pixels of a fixed value and the negative contour comprising small pixels of a fixed value, based on a value of the central pixel, generating an extension bit of the central pixel by interpolating the shortest distance from the central pixel to the positive contour and the shortest distance from the central pixel to the negative contour, and adding the extension bit as a lower bit of the central pixel.
US07734105B2 Multi-mode image processing
An image encoding and decoding scheme operable according two different modes depending on properties of the processed image is disclosed. In the encoding, an image is decomposed into image blocks (600) comprising image elements (610). The blocks (600) are compressed into block representations (700A, 700B) according to one of two compression modes. A block representation (700A; 700B) comprises two codewords (720A, 730A; 720B, 730B) representing properties of the image elements (610) in the block (600) and a sequence (740A; 740B) of image element associated indices indicative of one of the codewords (720B, 730B) or a property representation generated based on a codeword (730A). The block representation (700A; 700B) also includes a mode index representing the mode, according to which the block representation (700A; 700B) was compressed. This mode index can be provided before, during or after generation of the codewords (720A, 730A; 720B, 730B) and index sequence (740A; 740B). In the decoding, the codewords (720A, 730A; 720B, 730B) and index sequence (740A; 740B) are used to decompress the block representation (700A; 700B) according a decompression mode determined by the mode index (710A; 710B).
US07734104B2 Image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus and image processing system
An importance level determination unit receives: input from a camera of frames of moving images taken; input from a switch connected to a server which is operated manually by hand; and voice input from a microphone. Based on these it determines the importance level of each image frame. An encoder compresses and encodes the image frames obtained by the camera and generates moving picture streams. A packetizer packetizes the moving picture streams and gives them to a tag attachment unit. The tag attachment unit attaches the importance level set for the respective image frames to packet headers of the moving picture streams as a priority tag. A transmission unit transmits packets with a priority tag to a network which includes a router with a packet priority control function.
US07734100B2 Secure financial report and method of processing and displaying the same
A financial report and method for processing and displaying relevant financial information in connection therewith include at least one transaction and abbreviated record relating to the transaction which contains only nonpersonally identifying information. The abbreviated electronic record can be one of a partial view image or an assemblage of textual information relating to the transaction. A hyperlink can also be included or substituted for the image or text. The invention also provides a method of selecting the portion of the abbreviated record that is displayed for the user which includes the division of an underlying document or image into relevant and irrelevant regions for selective inclusion in the report.